History of Merrimack and Belknap counties, New Hampshire, Part 93

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 93
USA > New Hampshire > Belknap County > History of Merrimack and Belknap counties, New Hampshire > Part 93

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

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HOOKSETT.

Hooksett, if it is legal." The town of Hooksett went to the expense of about twenty-five thousand dollars in defraying the expense of bounties, etc., which incurred a heavy debt, but, by judicious man- agement, the debt has since been wiped out, and in the year 1885 the treasury bad a balance in favor of the town. Within a few years the town has voted fifty dollars annually for the decoration of the graves of soldiers who have fallen by the wayside of life's jour- ney since the war, and of those whose bodies were brought from the scene of the great conflict. There was no full company recruited in this town during the Rebellion ; but in September, 1862, upon the call made by the President for troops, enthusiastic pa- triotism pervaded the community and a great number of men enlisted from Hooksett. These mien com- bined together and joined the Tenth New Hampshire Volunteers. A company was formed, and from the Hooksett squad a captain was elected, who was com- missioned September 17, 1862. This officer was War- ren M. Kelly, captain of Company D. He served throughout the war and commanded the regiment three months the last part of the service. Captain Kelly was a direct descendant of fighting stock, with good war records. He was born in the town of New Hampton, N. H., in 1821; was a grandson of Lieutenant Samuel Kelly, a Revolutionary officer, and a near relative of Captain Thomas Sampson, who commanded a company at Bunker Hill. He was a son of Michael B. Kelly, a member of Light Artillery in the War of 1812. Mr. Kelly has been a citizen of Hooksett twenty-eight years. He was a brave offi- cer, frank and generous, and beloved by all his com- panions-in-arms. There were twenty-one men who enlisted under Captain Kelly from Hooksett. These men acquitted themselves with honor to their country. On the 10th of September, 1885, the annual reunion of the Tenth New Hampshire Volunteers was held in Hooksett. This gathering of war-scarred veterans, in commemoration of the sad past, and in exchanging kind greetings of the present, was a day long to be remembered by the people of Hooksett. A kind re- ception was given them, which brought to memory the sad " good-byes" given them when they departed from Manchester on that bright September morning for the seat of war, twenty-three years ago.

Since the formation of the town of Hooksett the local military history is not without interest. Hook- sett's quota of men who were liable to do military service were generally given opportunity to train at the annual trainings. The last muster held in town was about the year 1850. It was held north of Hooksett Falls, on the west side of the river. This was under the old military regime. New Hampshire could muster then four brigades of well-drilled militia. Hooksett formerly mustered some crack companies. One of the first companies which displayed merit was the Hooksett Light Infantry. One of its last captains was A. H. Converse; he was a military

genius and a thorough disciplinarian. This company was disbanded before 1850. Many recollect their gaudy uniforms. Another company was organized since the war, also called the Hooksett Light Infan- try. It had for officers : Captain, George H. L. Head ; First Lieutenant, William H. Otterson ; Second Lieu- tenant, Silas T. Goodale. This company was organ- ized in 1866 and became a part of the State militia. It was disbanded in the fall of 1869. In 1859 an en- gine company was organized, called the Eagle Engine Company. It was composed of the best young men in the village. It paraded on important occasions and did whatever service it had occasion to do at fires.

About the year 1842 there was organized a band called the Hooksett Brass Band. It had at one time for leader Alonzo Bond, who has since become famous as a band-leader and director in Boston. Ex-Gover- nor Head was a prominent member, and was its leader before disbanding.

In the year 1861, in September, a band was or- ganized with sixteen members, under the leadership of Benjamin A. Ham. Five members enlisted in the Tenth New Hampshire Regiment, but it con- tinued to play until 1868, when they disbanded. At one time the band was called one of the best in the State.

October 6, 1884, a band was again organized, which is also called the Hooksett Cornet Band, with twenty- two members. Professor B. A. Ham is the leader and director. The citizens of the town contributed a sum of money to defray the cost of procuring instruments, etc. This association is based on local interest, and the instruments, etc., are always to be kept in town, in the hands of the association.

Temperance reform has more or less been agitated in town since the incorporation. Early in the history of the town Hooksett was called a great place for liquor. There was a number of taverns and dram- shops. In the oldstage-times from ten to fifteen stages arrived every day. Boatmen who plied the river rendezvoused at Hooksett. Dram-drinking, which was a custom in those days, and gambling was carried on to a large extent. Hooksett was sometimes called the "Second Vicksburg." Between the years of 1840 and 1850 a Sons of Temperance Society was formed, which aroused a temperance sentiment. This or- ganization was sustained a number of years. About the year 1854, when the Maine Liquor Law created a wide-spread interest, the sentiment struck this town. Liquor-selling was indefinitely suppressed. Later on the matter was constantly agitated. Savory T. Burbank, a prominent co-worker in the cause, was persecuted by having a large, fine apple orchard girdled by miscreants of the opposite belief. This was in the year 1861. A large gathering of people assembled at his house afterwards, regaled by stirring music from the Manchester Cornet Band, and re- placed the orchard. Soon afterwards the interest

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waned, and during the war reformatory questions were out of order. The suppression of the Rebellion was the main thing in the minds of the people. After the war a space of great business prosperity was enjoyed.

In the year 1875, December 30th, a Reform Club was organized in town. Noted agitators from differ- ent parts of the country spoke to the people. The sentiment permeated most every household, until the pledge was signed by over six hundred. Much ap- parent good was accomplished. Heads of families, who, prior to the movement, had not seen many sober days for years, took the pledge. They became sober men, and from that time until now are respected for their sobriety. A larger portion went back to their cups, becoming again intemperate. The club kept up their meetings for about five years. One of the out- comes of the Reform Club was the Good Templars' Lodge, which was organized April 5, 1876, with Joseph O. Ingalls and wife, C. H. Ingalls and wife, N. C. Gault and wife, E. T. Head and wife, W. H. Robinson, H. P. Gage and others as charter members. They increased their membership up to one hundred and three. This organization flourished for a number of years. They gave up their charter in October, 1883.

In the year 1873 a Patron of Husbandry Grange was instituted with Natt. Head as Master. This society flourished for a season, but soon became defunct. A number of people who reside in town are members of this society in Manchester.

Political .- From the commencement of the his- tory of the town up to the year 1853 the Republican Democratic party was in the ascendancy. Since that time, for thirty-two years, the Republican party, de- rived from the old Whig and Abolition, has con- tinually ruled the town. After the town was first formed there was not a strong opposing vote against the dominant party.

In the year 1833, Mathew Gault was elected as representative without an opposing vote; William Badger, candidate for Governor, had all the votes but two. Since the Republicans have ruled the town the Democrats have, in the years of 1867 and 1882, been able to elect representatives in the persons of Norris C. Gault and Nathaniel Clark.

In the year 1871, James A. Weston, Democratic candidate for Governor, had more votes than the Re- publican standard-bearer.

Longevity .- The following is a record of some of the people who have died at age above seventy years :

Thomas Wicom, died 1853, aged 101 ; Peter Williams, died 1853, aged 79 ; Samuel Head, died 1855, aged 77 ; Sarah Head, died 1855, aged 71 ; Mary Dodge, died 1858, aged 73; Joho Davis, died 1860, aged 80; Sam- nel Piper, died 1857, aged 77; John Prescott, died 1861, aged 71 ; Wil- liam Taggart, died 1861, aged 80; Nancy Kimball, died 1861, aged 74 ; A. Whittemore, died 1861, aged 79; Elizabeth Collios, died 1862, aged 78 ; Dolly Prescott, died 1862, aged 75 ; Josiah Leavett, died 1864, aged 80; Moses Underhill, died 1864, aged 74 ; Moses Collins, died 1863, aged 81 ; Hannah Kimball, died 1863, aged 84 ; Anna Kelly, died 1864, aged 74;

Sarah Shute, died 1867, aged 72 ; Polly Abbott, died 1869, aged 81 ; Retsy Silver, died 1869, aged 77; Nicholas Dollof, died 1869, aged 75; Joseph Fuller, died 1869, aged 86; Eri Poor, died 1874, aged 73 ; Susan G. Goss, died 1873, aged 78; Mathew Gault, died 1873, aged 70; Dolly Gault, died 1873, aged 79; Lucy R. Morgan, died 1872, aged 73; William Ottersoo, died 1873, aged 84; Isaac C. Ottersvo, died 1874, aged 76 ; Han- bah O. Colby, died 1875, aged 76; Peter C. Rowell, died 1876, aged 83; Phoebe Taggart, died 1880, aged 96 ; Joseph Ordway, died 1881, aged 72 ; J. Clark, died 1881, aged 77 ; Aldeo George, died 1882, aged 77; Edwin E. Goodale, died 1883, aged 71 ; Stephen C. Eastmao, died 1883, aged 80 ; Recta Wheeler, died 1883, aged 76; Jamee Fisk, died 1884, aged 77 ; Polly O. Morgan, died 1884, aged 86 ; Darius Wilson, died 188-4, aged 80 ; Joseph Blanchard, died 1884, aged 87.

Postmasters .- The first establishment of a post- office in town could not easily be ascertained. John Whipple was postmaster in 1822-23; William Hall, 1824; Richard H. Ayer, 1825-29; Hamlin Davis, 1830-31; Dr. Enoch B. Barnes, 1832; Dr. Amos G. Gale, 1833 to September 30, 1842; Richard H. Ayer to April 1, 1843; Amos G. Gale, 1845-47; Seth K. Jones, 1848-51; Samuel Head, Jr., August 31, 1851 ; Albert S. Rowell, 1855; Walter B. Jones, 1859-61 ; Joseph T. Goss, 1861-73 ; Frank C. Towle, 1873-82; George A. Robie, 1882-85; John Wheeler, August 20, 1885. When John Whipple was postmaster, in 1822, the salary for services amounted to $7.32, and in the year 1884 to between five and six hundred dollars. A post-office was established at Martin's Ferry in 1883, with Thomas Blanchard postmaster, which is called Martin's.

Brick-Making .- Brick-making in Hooksett is a very important industry. The composition of the clay and the singular location of this aluminous de- posit along the banks of the Merrimack River make it an object of thoughtful study for the geologist. The brick manufactured from clay in Hooksett has gained a reputation for hardness and color not excelled any- where in New England. Early in the primeval period of the earth's formation the disintegrated crust, through the constant action of the waters, left a de- composition of sandstone, mica and feldspar, which gives us a rich deposit of sand and clay. This valu- able deposit of clay, on the east side of the Merrimack, was discovered in the early settlement of the town. About the year 1810 the late Captain Rice Dud- ley, of Pembroke, who had worked at brick-making in Massachusetts some, prospected, in company with Samuel Head, the clay-banks now worked by Jesse Gault and W. F. Head. Mr. Dudley prophesied that the banks would be developed some time, but Mr. Head scouted the idea, for the reason that it would be difficult to transport them to market. Since that time the clay-banks have been utilized; a railroad, with its side-tracks, has been extended up near the kilns, and it is no uncommon thing to see twenty-five cars of brick loaded in one day.

The first brick made in town was about the year 1820, at the Ayer brick-yard. At that time it was not a special industry, but different individuals united together to make for home use. In the year 1828 a kiln was made, which was used to build the town- house, and the town voted to cut wood from off the

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town lots to burn the same with. When the city of Manchester commenced to grow, a great demand for bricks occurred.

A Mr. Saltmarsh was the first extensive brick-maker in the Ayer brick-yard. Richard H. Ayer was the principal pioneer in extensive brick-making, employ- ing David A. Leach as his foreman. Millions of bricks have been made from this yard, and the mills in Manchester were erected principally from material manufactured in Hooksett.

In the year 1837, Jabez Green, now living in Allens- town, was the pioneer in brick-making in the Head brick-yard. Mr. Green was a native of Westford, Mass., but came from Bedford, prospecting for clay- banks. He had made a contract with a Mr. Lowell, agent of the Amoskeag Company, to supply one hun- dred thousand bricks. The old Manchester House was made that year with brick furnished in that con- tract. These bricks were boated to Manchester, loaded above the falls and locked over through the canal. Charles Stark was then lock-keeper. Peter C. Rowell and Henry Saltmarsh took the contract to boat them to Manchester. A Mr. Wallace and Sam- uel Prescott made bricks afterwards in the yard. Mr. Wallace went to California during the gold fever ex- citement, and since died there. Mathew Gault and Philip Sargent also operated this yard. About the year 1850 the late ex-Governor Head commenced to operate, and since that time, in company with his brother, W. F. Head, they have gradually developed the capacity, and they make on an average seven million a year. Jesse Gault commenced about the year 1842. He has become a successful manufac- turer, and makes annually about six million. Abont three thousand cords of wood are now annually con- sumed in burning bricks. The large area of wild woodland that a large portion of Hooksett is made up of has been profitably utilized in furnishing wood for this purpose. The descendants of the early settlers who gained possession of these tracts of land were mostly made affluent by the rise in value of this natural growth. Other brick-makers have done busi- ness rather extensively in late years,-Charles Baily, Samuel Head, David A. Kimball, John Shirley and Joseph O. Ingalls. This important industry furnishes labor to about one hundred men annually. The help are mainly French-Canadians. In some seasons it necessitates sending agents to Upper Canada to pro- cure help. Early in the history of this country, when brick-making was profitably done in the vicinity of Boston and New York, the help was principally fur- nished from the hardy sons of our forefathers. At that time, as well as now, it required specimens of vigorous manhood to stand the strain, and, there- fore, it is necessary to procure men with sound con- stitutions to do this work. The advantages of machine- work have weakened the physical inclinations of the rising generation to perform this service, and it is necessary to look to Canada for reinforcements. There

are two men-Nathaniel Clark, the foreman of Head's yard, and Charles Rowell, of Jesse Gault's yard- who have been constantly making bricks for over thirty years.

Mills .- The first mill built at Hooksett Falls was about the year 1770,by Thomas Cochrane, then of Dun- barton. Mr. Cochrane was an extensive dealer in lumber at that time. According to his books, kept at that time, numerous charges for salmon were made to different people. He caught them by the barrel when they would come up into his sluice-way to the mill. This mill was afterwards carried away by a freshet. Rufus Harriman afterwards owned the privilege. William Reside and Isaac Rowell after- wards built two mills, one on each side of the river, which they owned in 1803. William Reside was afterward drowned in the falls. William Otterson afterwards hought and sold to the Hooksett Manu- facturing Company, in 1823, when they built a cotton and grist-mill. About the year 1790 the Browns built a mill below where Head's mill is now. In 1790, Nathaniel Head and Dr. James Brown owned it together. In 1802, Nathaniel Head built above the road, and since that time improvements have been con- stantly made on it, where W. F. Head now owns a complete improved lumber-mill. Probably the first mill built in town was by John Talford, about the year of 1750. This is at what is now the Sawyer place, and, in 1834, Captain Asa Sawyer added a grist and shingle-mill. In 1789, Nathaniel Martin and Laban Harriman built a mill on Lansy Brook. About the year 1790 there was a saw-mill built on the same stream, near Martin's Ferry, by a man named Thompson, for John Stark, a son of General Stark. Benjamin Hall had a mill on the stream just above the Chester turnpike previous to 1800. It passed in- to the hands of James Sargent and went down. In 1822 it was rebuilt by a Mr. Greer and afterwards burnt. Joseph Whittier built a mill on Dalton's Brook about 1810. The most extensive mill ever erected in town was the steam-mill by Samuel Head ; it cost about eight thousand dollars. It contained a grist-mill. About the years 1857 to 1861, John Dennison was largely engaged in kit manufacturing in this mill. This mill was afterwards sold to a Low- ell manufacturing company, which they operated a year or two, when the machinery, engine, etc., was removed, shipped to Florida, but lost in the ocean on its way.

Manufactories .- Cotton manufacturing in Hook- sett dates back to 1823, when, in July of that year, the Hooksett Manufacturing Company was organized. The original mill is supposed to be the oldest one in the State. Among its grantees were more eminent men than were ever connected with any other cotton-mill in the State. In the organization of the company may be found the names of Governor John Bell, Isaac Hill and Samuel Bell, who have since been Governors, and Hon. Richard H. Ayer, a former resident ; these men

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HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

were some of the most prominent that New Hamp- shire has ever produced. This mill continued to run, sometimes under difficulties, under the agency of Gov- ernor Bell till 1834, he then being succeeded by Hon. John Nesmith, afterwards Lieutenant-Governor of Massachusetts. In 1835 it passed into the hands of the Amoskeag Company, which continued to run it, excepting a short time in the commencement of the late Rebellion, up to the year 1865. In that year it was purchased by Robert M. Bailey and others, of Boston, when it was enlarged and a new mill was finished in 1866. This company has continued to run the mill since, and now owns the entire water- power at this point. The capital of this company is two hundred thousand dollars, and the annual pay- roll is about eighty thousand dollars. They manu- factured in the year 1880 about five million yards of cloth, the annual value of which is three hundred thousand dollars. The company employ about three hundred hands. Among the agents who have been res- idents of the town and who deserve mention were Joth- am D. Otterson, afterward a successful manufacturer in Nashua, mayor of the city and since deceased; Stephen Ballard was agent from 1846 to about the year 1859. Mr. Ballard is now a successful business man in New York City. Thomas B. Wattles was agent afterwards and continued to serve until the company changed hands, in 1865. Mr. Wattles is now agent of the Chicopee (Mass.) Manufacturing Company. In 1866 Charles Nealley became agent ; he continued to serve until about the year 1867. Mr. Nealley was a prac- tical manufacturer, and since his removal from town has died. Mr. Nealley was succeeded by Eben H. Nutting, who continues to act and is interested in all questions appertaining to the moral and religious welfare of the town. The company which operates the mills in Hooksett at the present time offer flatter- ing inducements to manufacturers to utilize the un- improved water-power. They will build buildings and furnish power at low rates of rentals.

Granite Quarries .- The manufacture of cut granite and the operation of quarries was formerly carried on to a large extent in this town. Previous to the build- ing of the Concord Railroad it was boated down the Merrimack River to all the large towns below. Some of the old buildings in Boston, especially the Faneuil Hall, was partially erected from granite taken out of our ledges. The most extensive and successful dealer was the late Moses D. Stokes. He commenced about the year 1854, and followed the business a number of years. He constantly employed a large number of men, and did a business of many thou- sand dollars a year. He was succeeded by a Mr. Gay, who operated up to the year 1875, when the New Hampshire Granite Company was organized with fifty thousand dollars capital. This company operated extensively, with a Mr. Wait as business manager, until the year 1878, when it succumbed to financial embarrassment. The granite ledges are remaining

unoperated at the present time. The Amoskeag Com- pany, of Manchester, are owners of the principal quar- ries that have been worked. On Silver Hill, on the west side of the river, is an important ledge, which has heen worked up to within a few years. The time is not far distant when again Hooksett granite will be sought and the industry flourish.

Roads .- In the early history of our forefathers, when the settled sections was sparsely inhabited, highways were built in an economical manner, which simply answered for a horse or cart-path, but as the population increased, stage travel was heavier and improved roads were built. Probably the first road that was made through the town of Hooksett was in the year 1726. At a meeting held at Ipswich, September 9, 1726, John Chandler, John Ayer and William Barker were chosen a committee " to go out and clear a sufficient cart-way to Penny Cook the nighest and best way they can from Haverhill." Ac- cording to Bouton's "History of Concord," Ebenezer Eastman, with six yokes of cattle and cart, was the first that crossed the wilderness from Haverhill to Penny Cook. This road, in passing over Hooksett's territory, passed the White Hall, following a direct route alongside of Lakin's Pond, by Head's saw-mill, through Suncook, etc. This was a traveled road to Penny Cook up to 1738.

On January 8, 1762, at the request of Joseph Brown and others, the main road now from Suncook, via Hind's tavern to Chester, was laid out. This road went farther west; and, in 1801, on account of the banks of Peter's Brook being gullied out, it was laid out east of the pond, with a direct course to Lieutenant Joseph Whitcher's house (now the Stearns Hotel). The road leading to Hooksett village from this road was made in 1816. The road leading from Otterson's to the mills in Hooksett was laid out April 4, 1804. The White Hall road, leading from Martin's Ferry to Candia High Street, was laid out December 26, 1805. It was indicted September, 1815, discontinued Sep- tember, 1816, to evade the indictment, and laid out again as a private way October 13, 1820. The Chester turnpike was incorporated June 19, 1804. It cost twenty-seven thousand dollars. On July 4, 1838, the Legislature passed an act repealing the turnpike, which made a public highway of it. The Londonderry turnpike was built in the year 1806. The Mam- moth road was laid out in the year 1831, and it cost the town of Hooksett between three and four thousand dollars. The road leading from the Factory village to Natt. Head's was laid out in 1840. It was impossible to get the dates and facts concerning the highways on the west side of the river. Hook- sett has at the present time an improved system of highways, and owns a road-machine.

Hooksett Bridge .- Hooksett bridge was built about the year 1805. In 1836, when the Londonderry turnpike was laid out as a free road, Hooksett bridge was reserved by them, which the town purchased, in

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1853, for sixteen hundred and forty dollars. This was a toll-bridge up to that time. On the evening of September 30, 1857, this bridge, with the Concord Railroad bridge, was consumed by fire. It also burned the store building occupied by Joseph T. Goss. This was the most extensive conflagration that ever visited Hooksett. The total loss was about thirty thousand dollars. The bridges were replaced by better and more substantial ones, the town bridge costing seven thousand dollars. On March 20, 1859, this bridge was carried off by an ice freshet. A new one was built at a cost of eight thou- sand dollars, which remains to the present time.

Friendship Lodge, No. 19, I. O. O. F.,1 was institu- ted September 26, 1876, by George A. Cummings, of Concord, Grand Master, assisted by his associated Grand Officers. The petition for the charter of the lodge contained thirty-one names, the most of which were members of Howard Lodge, No. 31, of Suncook. The lodge was instituted in what was known as Com- pany's Hall, and continued to hold its meetings there until the Odd-Fellows' building was completed. The first officers of the lodge were James W. Converse, Noble Grand; George W. Haselton, Vice-Grand ; Warren C. Saltmarsh, Secretary ; Daniel W. Peaslee, Treasurer. The first lodge-meeting was held in the new hall January 31, 1877, and was dedicated to the business and purposes of Odd-Fellowship, February 20th, by Grand Master A. F. Craig, of Portsmouth. The present membership is one hundred and three. The lodge is free from financial embarrassment and has a cash investment of eight hundred dollars, and five thousand dollars invested in lot and buildings. The men who compose the lodge are properly included among the best citizens of the town. As an organi- zation in the field of benevolent labor, it has few equals, and perhaps none superior in the State. Never were its prospects for future usefulness and honorable position more brilliant than at the present time.

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History of Merrimack and Belknap counties, New Hampshire, Part 93

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