History of Merrimack and Belknap counties, New Hampshire, Part 76

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton), ed
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: Philadelphia [Pa.] J. W. Lewis & co.
Number of Pages: 1520

USA > New Hampshire > Merrimack County > History of Merrimack and Belknap counties, New Hampshire > Part 76
USA > New Hampshire > Belknap County > History of Merrimack and Belknap counties, New Hampshire > Part 76

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Tradition supplies an account of this first mill, on Salmon Brook, in what is now Franklin, as follows : That the foundation had been laid the fall before,-at site of bridge leading to the late Albert G. Morrison house,-without a dam, trees being simply felled from one ledge over to the other; that Edward Shaw drew up the mill-irons from Exeter on a hand-sled, in March, only to find the foundation all washed away, and finally, that by June the mill thus "built between the ledges" was completed and went into operation, and that a log was actually sawn before the fatal freshet alluded to, so the mill-site was claimed !

After standing neglected for several years, a Mr. Adams built the first permanent mill on or a little above this original town-mill site. It was, however, early purchased and enlarged by Mr. Bradbury Morrison, and being extensively used by three gene- rations in his family,-himself, several of his sons, and recently by his grandson, the late Albert G.,- the whole group has ever been known, and will be for years to come, as the Morrison Mills. Another saw-mill, with a grist-mill, tended by Bradbury Morrison, Sr., and a blacksmith's and trip-hammer shop for the ingenious Ebenezer Morrison, stood some twenty rods below the main dam, carried by water conveyed from the same by a sluice-way. Nathan S. Morrison and Captain Levi Thompson also had an interest in this mill and shop, which were burned in 1836. Forty rods below these last, on the flat, Albert G. Morrison, with his uncles, Bradbury, Jr., and George W., had also a planing and shingle-mill, which were likewise burned about 1850.

At the main dam, the first planing-mill in this part

of the country was erected by William Greene, its first starting being " celebrated," it is said, by large potations of potato whiskey. This was swept away by the February freshet of 1824. Of late years there have been a saw-mill above, and a shingle, lath and planing-mill below the bridge and original site, the latter built by A. G. Morrison between 1845 and 1850. The present occupants and chief owners of the whole are Giles & Knapp. The privilege must always re- main a valuable one, as the fall is from seventy-five to one hundred feet between the upper mill and the Pemigewasset, at which it is not surprising that "im- mense quantities of lumber " were rafted from these mills in earlier times, when they were surrounded by "the heaviest and finest pine timber."

When Jeremiah Sanborn settled at Franklin Falls, in 1778, the Folsom saw-mill was standing, erected, probably, in about 1772. This was at the upper bridge.

The first mill (says Mr. Runnels) was soon carried down by a treshet, and Mr. Sanborn rebuilt on the Northfield side, where one of his old sills was, till very recently, to be seen imbedded in the wall just above the bridge. This mill, with an added grist- mill, was again transferred to the Sanbornton side, though extending over the edge of the river for some little distance, and its site was occupied, after 1810, by the Jonathan Sanborn fulling or clothing-mill, which was itself succeeded by the old "red mill," two stories high, for making satinet and cotton yarn. This, after lying unused for several years, was burned. The same site was later occupied by the Sleeper Bros., door, sash and blind manufacturers.

THE GRANITE MILL was erected in 1822 by John Cavender, Thomas Baker, John Smith, John and Charles Tappen and John Long at Franklin Falls. This was burned in about 1855.

THE FRANKLIN MILLS (woolen), erected in 1863, gave a new impetus to the village. These mills are now leased by M. T. Stevens.

THE WINNIPISEOGEE PAPER COMPANY.1-The so-called "Upper Dam," at Franklin Falls, was built about 1852 for a large hosiery-mill, two stories high, of stone, which was erected the same year, and operated by the Franklin Mills Company, also by the Nesmith Brothers (George W. and John N., of Low- ell, Mass.), associated with K. O. Peabody. The boarding-houses-two less in number than at present -were built the next season. This mill was only run three or four years, and then burned. Its site is now occupied by one of the pulp-mills of the Win- nipiseogee Paper Company, which was first built in 1868 for the grinding of poplar-wood, and was built over in 1879.

A. W. SULLOWAY, MANUFACTURER OF HOSIERY. -This mill was built in 1864 by Frank H. Daniell and A. W. Sulloway. In the spring of 1865 it was

1 See biography of Warren F. Daniell.

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HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

started under the name of Sulloway & Daniell and ran two sets of cards, making Shakers' socks. In 1867 one set cards were added and run on Shaker flannel and hosiery. In 1869, Mr. Daniell sold his interest to Mr. Sulloway. In 1871 the mill ceased making flannel, and has made hosiery altogether ever since. In 1873 was added a fourth set of cards. The mill now manufactures three hundred dozens per day men's and boys' socks. Employs ninety-five to one hundred hands.

For history of manufacturing interests of Walter Aiken, see biography.

CHAPTER II. FRANKLIN-(Continued).

CIVIL HISTORY.

Petition of Ebenezer Eastman and others for Jocorporation of Town- The Movement Opposed by Andover, Salisbury, Sanbornton and Northfield-Report of Legislative Committee-Incorporation of Towo -First Town-Meeting-Officers Elected.

IN 1825 a petition was presented to the Legislature, signed by Ebenezer Eastman and others, praying for the organization of a new town from portions of An- dover, Salisbury, Sanbornton and Northfield. This was met with opposition from various persons in the towns, whose territory it was sought to curtail, and if not a long, certainly a sharp contest ensued. Dur- ing a portion of the time the subject was under discus- sion the old towns employed as counsel E. X. Wood- bury, while Parker Noyes guarded the interests of the embryo town. Hon. George W. Nesmith also was interested in the organization of the new town.

The following is a copy of the report of the com- mittee appointed by the Legislature to act on the subject :

" To the Honorable Speaker of the House of Representatives :

" The undersigned, a committee appointed on the petition of Ebenezer Eastman and others, praying for the incorporation of a new town, to be formed out of parts of the town of Salisbury, Andover, Sanbornton and Northfield.

" REPORT,

"That they met at Salisbury on the twenty-ninth of September last, for the purpose, as required by the vote of the House, of 'viewing the ground from which the contemplated new town is to be taken, and hear- jag all parties interested.' From causes not within the control of the committee the several towns had not been notified in the manner re- quired by the vote of the House. Having, however, been informed of the intended meeting of the committee, they attended by their respec- tive agents, who all expressed their readiness, at that time, to proceed with the examination. The committee accordingly accompanied the agent of the petitioners and the respective town agents to ench parts of the several towns aod villages as the parties in interest thought proper to point out. In their varions examinations aod in the several hearings of the different agents and individuale interested the committee spent four days. The result of this very full investigation was an unanimous opinion, on the part of the committee, that the prayer of the petitioners ie reasonable and ought to be granted. With respect to the several towne, out of which it is proposed that the new towo should be taken, it may be stated, as the result of the committee's ioquiries on this point, that those parts of Salisbury, Sapborotoo and Northfield which are without the limits of the new towo are generally opposed to the division

of their territory ; that the people of Andover are divided on the ques tion, those who reside near the present centre of that town being for the most part opposed to the incorporation of a new town, and those in the westero and eastero parta in favor of it ; and that, of the iohabitants of the proposed new town itself, those belonging to Salisbury and Andover are io favor of its incorporation, those in Northfield are divided and those in Sanbornton opposed to it.

"The objections on the part of these towns are very fully stated in the remonstrances, and other papers, which accompany this report. Some of these objections appeared to the committee not to be enstained by the facts in the case, others they have endeavored to obviate by the limits which they have assigned to the new town, and of the remainder, such of them as have any real weight are, in their opinion, greatly overbalanced by other and more important consideratione in favor of the new town. That inconvenience should result to some individuale is to be expected, as a matter of course, in all proposed changes of this kind. But, in the present instance, the individuals injuriously affected are few in number, and the injury which they will sustain inconsiderable, com- pared with the advantages which will accrue from the proposed change. Within the limits proposed for the new town there is already a popula- tion equal to that of the average number given by more thao one-half of the towns in the State. The number of rateable polls, as near as the committee could ascertain, is 187, of which number 75 belong to Salie- bury, 48 to Sanbornton, 37 to Northfield and 27 to Andover. There have recently been erected on the banks of the Winnipissiogee river, within the limits of the proposed new town, a paper-mill and cotton manufac -. tory, both of which are now in full and successful operation. From the great falls in this and other streams in that vicinity and the inexhansti- ble supply of water, there is reason to believe that very extensive manu- facturing establishments and other works requiring water-power will, at no distant period, be erected at or near this spot, io addition to those already there. Even without these contemplated improvements, which would of course briog along with them a considerable increase of inhab- itants, the number at this time living within the proposed limite, and the amount of business transacted at the villages along the river, seem to entitle them to the ordinary privilege of being incorporated into a town by themselves.

" Many of the petitioners live at a great distance from the centre of business io their respective towns, aod have far to go over rough roads to attend the annual and other public town-meetings. Their local situ- ation, oo the contrary, is such that they come easily and frequently to- gether in the course of business at the village near the bridge. At this village a handsome church has been lately built, in which, besides the accommodation which it furnishes as a place of religions worship, the public meetings of the new town may be conveniently held. It may be here added, while speaking of public establishments, that a well-endowed Literary Institutioo-' Noyes School'-has within a few years been fonoded within the proposed limits of the new town, and that, within the same limits, there is also a Post-Office. The objection that the new towo, if created, will be divided by the Pemigewasset, which passes through it, is in a great measure obviated by the fact that there is a good bridge over this stream near the meeting-house, and that the roads are 80 arranged as to meet generally at this point. It was said that this bridge might be swept away by the sudden rise of the stream, and this is certainly true ; hint it is equally true that this bridge is too much used, both by people in the vicinity and by travellers from a distance, to leave any doubt as to its being kept constantly in repair. With some improve- ments on the Merrimack, which have been long contemplated, that river would be navigable up to the junction of the Winnipissiogee with the Pemigewasset, which takes place near the centre of the contemplated new town, abont seventeen miles from Concord. In that event the new town would be situated at the head of navigation ou the Merrimack. It was urged on the part of Northfield that the creation of the new town would deprive them of so many of their inhabitants as not to leave them the number of rateable pollsrequired by the Constitution to entitle towns to a representative to the General Court. This objection would have had much influence with the committee if they had found it well supported by the facts in the case. But the certificate of the town clerk of North- field shows that the check lists, used at the annual meeting in that town in March, 1825, contained the names of 265 voters. From the same certi- ficate it appears that, of this number, only thirty-seven voters live withio the proposed limits of the new town, which would leave, after the separation, two hundred and twenty-eight legal votere in Northfield. Much was also said before the committee respecting the injury which would result from the division of farms and the destruction of school districts in the old towns by the incorporation of the new. That some- thing of this kind should occur in every new arrangement of towo lines

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is perhaps inevitable. In the present instance the committee have en- deavored, as far as possible, to avoid any inconvenience of this kind, and they have so far succeeded in this object as to divide very few farms at all ; and Done, so far as they ars informed, in a manner particularly injurious to the owner. The old school districts in the several towne are also left, for the most part, without change, and where any alteration will become necessary in any of them, it can, withont difficulty, be effected.

"The committee, therefore, recommended that a new town he incor- perated, to be formed from parts of the old towns of Sanbornton, Salis- bury, Northfield and Andover. A anrvey of the territory included within the limits of the proposed new town, as designated by the committee, has been made umler their direction and accompanies this report.

" All which is respectfully submitted,

" CALES KEITH. " WILLIAM PLUMER, JR.

"ABEL MERRIL ..

" Jannery 31, 1826."

The towns of Salisbury, Andover, Sanbornton and Northfield then engaged E. X. Woodbury and peti- tioned the Legislature to be put back. Parker Noyes protested to the proceedings, as the town had not been notified. A committee reported in favor of the peti- tioners. Noyes then moved for an order of notice and postponement, which he secured. The following is a copy of the report of the committee on towns and parishes for 1828 :

"The standing Committee en Towns and Parishes, having had under their consideration the petition of Dearborn Sanhorn and others, praying for a new town to be taken from the towns of Salisbury, Andover, Sau- bornton and Northfield, and also sundry memorials and remonstrances against the petitions and other papers connected therewith,

REPORT :

" That notice of the pendency of said petition has been published, pursuant to the order of the House, at the last session, and that the pe- titioners, as well as the corporations and individuals opposed to the prayer of said petition, have presented to the committee such testimony as seemed to them to have a bearing upon the merits of the case.

" As a result of their inquiries the committee offer for the considera- tion of the Honse the following

"Statement of Facts :

"The original petition ia signed by two hundred and ten voters, and the petition which was referred to the committee, at the present session, is signed by thirty voters, making two hundred and forty petitioners in the whole, all, or nearly all of whom reside within the limits of the pro- posed new town.

" The number of voters in Salisbury is 425

iu Andover . 325

in Sanbornton 750

in Northfield 288

"The proposed new town would include within its lianits,

from Salisbury 108

from Andover 35

from Sanborntoa 55

from Northfield 49

Making in all 247

voters to be included within the limits of the new town, of whom 38 remonstrate against the prayer of the petition, and leaving the old towns, in the event of incorporation of the new one, the following number of voters, viz. :

Salisbury 317

Audover 290

Sanbornton 695

Northfield 239

"The whole amount of State tax, assessed in Salisbury in 1828, is

8416,79

Assessed ou inhabitants within the proposed limits 91,26

State tax in Andover, 1828 . 248.00

Assessed on inhabitants within proposed limits 21.63

State tax in Sanborntou, 1828 . 478.80

Assessed on inhabitants in proposed limite 34.03

State tax in Northfield in 1828 . 200.00 Assessed en inhabitants in proposed limits . 37.95

" From this statement it appears that the valuation of the inhabitants, to be taken from: Salisbury and Andover, is rather below ; while that of the inhabitants of Sanbornton and Northfield is somewhat above the average valuation of all the inhabitants of the respective towns.

"From the examination made by the committee they are satisfied that the territory pointed out as the limits of the new town contains a popu_ lation and resources which will eotitle it to a respectable rank among the towns in New Hampshire. That this population is increasing, ap- pears from the fact, that in January, 1826, the whole number of voters within the proposed limits was 187, shewing an increase of acarly one- fourth part in the number of voters in less than three years.

"The committee are also satisfied that the inhabitants, living withia the territory, would be accommodated by granting the prayer of the po - tition. Most of them have a distance to travel in order to attend the public meetings, which tends much to diminish, in respect to them, the valne of the elective franchise. Many of the petitioners in Salisbury live at a distance of five miles, and some of them a greater distance from the place of town-meeting. And all those comprised within the new town conld much more conveniently attend at its proposed centre. The same remark will apply to Andover, except that the average saving in travel would be somewhat more. Some of the petitioners in Sanbornton live in the immediate vicinity of the proposed new centre, and most of them nearer to it than to the place of public meeting in that town. In North- field is a considerable settlement, connected with the manufacturing es- tablishments, on the banks of the Winnipissiogee. This is within a mile of the proposed new centre, and a little over four miles from the place of ineeting in Northfield.

"ID regard to the quality of the roads and the expense of making and repairing; the committee do not find any essential difference between the old towns and those parts proposed to be taken off. It was objected, cn the part of Andover, that by dividing that town, in the manner proposed by the petitioners, an expensive road in the northeast part would be left to be supported by that town, whereas it ought to be supported by that portion of Andover which has petitioned to be set off. It did not appear to the committee, however, that the average expense of repairing roads in that part of Andover to be comprised in the new town, is not equal to the expense of repairing roads in other parts of the new towo ; and for this, among other reasons, a majority of the committee is opposed to ex- tending the line in Andover over the limits pointed out by the petition- ers.

" The fact being established that the proposed territory contsios & population and resources which entitle the prayer of the petitivuers to a respectful hearing, and that there are inconveniences which they st present suffer which ought to he redressed, the committee have proceeded lo the only remaining inquiry which seemed to them necessary to be made, in order to come to a correct result as to the subject matter re- ferred to them-which is,-

" Whether these inconveniences can be removed, aud these grievances redressed consistently with a dne regard to the interests and rights of the towns or individuals to be affected by the measure proposed.

" It is proper here to remark, that the prayer of the petition is op- posed by the towns of Salisbury, Sanbornton and Northfield ; that it is not probable that any arrangement, in regard to lines, would reconcile the inhabitants of those towns, living out of the proposed limits, to a division. The towa of Andover, also, opposes the petition, unless the line of the new town should extend north to New Chester, in which event, as the committee were informed, that town would make no far- ther opposition.

"The objections made by the several towns were urged by their agents, who were before the committee, with much zenl and ability. The com- mittee have attentively considered these objectious and the testimony iu their support, and upon a view of the whole subject, a majority of the committee is of the opinion that the objections to the proposed measure are not sufficient to counterbalance the obvious benefits which would result to the petitioners by the establishment of a new town.

" The objectiona urged by the towns were,-

"1. The general objection against all encroachments on town lines This objection, in the opinion of the committee, ought to prevail only when a town is subjected to a loss, either in infinence or resources, and when a party seeking a redress for grievances cau find a different rem- edy. In thiscase, however, the committee have the satisfaction of believ- ing that a new town may be incorporated and the old towns may still ra- olio, as they have always been, highly respectable in point of numbers, character and resources of their inhabitants. The committee is further

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HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

of opinion that to constitute a new town it is necessary to take a portion of each of the towns mentioned.

"2. Another objection nrged was,-That school districts would be de- ranged by the lines marked out by the petitioners.

" It may be here remarked, that in Salisbury and Andover no school district is affected by the new town. In regard to Sanbornton and North- field, the proposed line divides school districta, and in some places, of course, inconveniently. But from a careful examination of the testi- mony io this particular, the committee is of the opinion that the pro- posed line in these towns is as little inconvenient as any that could well be adopted. In regard to this objection, and others of a similar nature, the committee may with much propriety make use of the language of a highly respectable committee, who, after viewing the ground and hear- ing the parties, made their report to the House of Representatives in June, 1826 :

"' Much was said,' say that committee, 'respecting the injury that would result from the division of farms and destruction of school districts in the old towns by the incorporation of the new. That something of this kind should occur in every new arrangement of town lines is per- haps inevitable. In the present instance the committee have endeavored, as far as possible, to avoid any inconvenience of this kind, and they have so far succeeded in this object as to divide very few farms at all, and none, so far as they are informed, in a manner particularly injurious to the owner. The old school districta, in the several towns, are left for the most part without change, and where any alteration will become necessary, in any of them, it can, without difficulty, be effected.'

"It should be remarked, that in their investigations the committee have confined themselves to the limits defined by the viewing commit- tee in 1826.

"The committee report for the consideration of the House the follow- ing resolution :

" Resolved, That it is expedient to establish a new town, to be taken from Salisbury, Andover, Sanbornton and Northfield, and including in its limite the bounds pointed ont by the petitioners, and that the peti- tioners have leave to bring in a bill for that purpose.

"LEVI CHAMBERLAIN, for the Committee. " December 3, 1828."

The town was incorporated as Franklin December 24, 1828.

What pertains to the setting off of the southwest portion of the original town, to form the town of Franklin (says Rev. Mr. Runnels, in an account of the action of Sanbornton in relation to this contro- versy), may now be safely treated as a matter of history ; but in alluding to the later division, or at- tempts at division, we shall be treading upon delicate ground, and shall therefore confine ourselves almost exclusively to the recorded action of the town from time to time. The Sanbornton people were no doubt honest in their earliest strennous opposition, though we now smile at the arguments used, the fallacy of some of which, valid in their day, is being proved by the lapse of time.

In town-meeting, March 9, 1825, the subject of "setting off the southwest corner of town " first came up in the warrant, " by petition of Ebenezer Eastman and others, to form a new town." A "polling of the House " resulted in "yeas, 4; nays, 402." At the same time a similar movement for the "northwest part of the town, on petition of Ebenezer Kimball and others," was disposed of in nearly as summary a way,-" nays, 379; yeas, 7."

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History of Merrimack and Belknap counties, New Hampshire, Part 76

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton), ed Publication date: 1885 Publisher: Philadelphia [Pa.] J. W. Lewis & co. Number of Pages: 1520

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton), ed
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: Philadelphia [Pa.] J. W. Lewis & co.
Number of Pages: 1520