USA > New Hampshire > Rockingham County > Newfields > History of Newfields, New Hampshire, 1638-1911 > Part 31
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Charles W. Richards.
1885-Ralph E. Connor, Tufts Divin- ity. 1896-Charles J. Leddy, Boston.
Charles L. Hanson, Harvard. 1898-Dayton C. Wiggin, Baltimore Medical.
LIBRARY.
At the annual town meeting, March, 1880, the town accepted "with gratitude" the legacy of $10,0001 bequeathed by Dr. John M. Brodhead for the purchase of books for a town library. At the same time the following resolution was adopted:
Resolved, That Mr. Brodhead's being the first gift to the town,-his name shall be perpetuated by calling the institution which his generosity endows, by his name, the Brodhead Library.
Dr. Brodhead also bequeathed his private library to the town, though the legacy was not to be available till after the death of his widow.
The New Hampshire legislature having passed an act, approved April 11, 1891, "To Promote the Establishment and Efficiency of Free Public Libraries," and providing for the appointment of a State Board of Library Commissioners to carry the act into effect, the town of South Newmarket, with the prospect of re- ceiving it, deemed it best to accept the assistance offered by the state, and under a special article in its annual warrant, March 14, 1893, "Voted to accept the conditions proposed by the state in regard to public libraries," and "appropriated $50 for the use and maintenance of its Free Public Library." The selectmen, April 14, 1893, appointed three persons as library Trustees "for the care, custody and distribution of the books furnished by the
1 This fund is invested in Newmarket town bonds.
1886-George L. Chase. George S. Fifield.
1888-Daniel J. Lynch.
HON. JOHN M. BRODHEAD.
333
EDUCATIONAL-SCHOOLS AND LIBRARY.
state in a manner satisfactory to the State Board of Library Commissioners, and the trustees attended to the duties assigned them.
Josiah H. Whittier, Secretary of the State Board of Library Commissioners, called upon the trustees April 18, 1893, to pledge the town to establish a free public library, to appropriate annually a sum not less than $25 for the use and maintenance of said library, to secure a fitting place for keeping the library, to appoint a librarian, to make suitable regulations for cata- loguing, shelving and circulating the books, and to insure the books received by gift from the state. Upon complying with these conditions, the state would furnish the town books to the value of $100.
By the kindness of C. B. Stuart, a place for the library was secured in his store, where it was of comparatively easy access. One hundred volumes were received from the state in the month of August. The Ladies' Book Club generously placed their valuable library of 408 volumes in the care of the trustees in December. The heirs of Dr. John M. Brodhead also placed his private library of 520 volumes of standard authors, in superior binding and of great value, in the custody of the trus- tees, to be guarded and circulated in the town. Other volumes of a miscellaneous character, comprising many Congressional reports and documents were added for the service of special in- quirers. Thirty-three additional volumes were received from various sources, making a total of 1,061. They were insured for $1,000 February 20, 1894.
The library was opened for the circulation of books Septem- ber 23, 1893. The first persons to apply for distribution cards and receive books on the evening of its opening were Lewis C. Hall, Charles J. Leddy, Susie M. Stuart, George E. Andrews and Mrs. Ida S. Stuart. During the first six months 176 distribu- tion cards were given out. As is generally true, the call for fiction has been much greater than for any other class of books.
The patronage given the library during the years of its exist- ence has made increasingly manifest the wisdom of its estab- lishment. The original trustees were Rev. James H. Fitts, George S. Paul and Harriet E. Sanborn, and Edna H. Paul, librarian.
Practically there was no change in conditions and methods from 1894 until the death of Mr. Fitts, who was foremost in the
334
HISTORY OF NEWFIELDS.
movement for its establishment, and served as chairman till his death in 1900. His unobtrusive oversight and wise and kindly counsels endeared him to his co-workers, and they, with all other friends of the library sincerely mourned his loss. Mrs. Fitts was elected to fill her husband's unexpired term. In 1901 the Brodhead Library fund came into the town's possession.
In 1902 a reading-room was established in connection with the library.
In 1904 the building in which the library was located was re- moved from the village, and the library found quarters in the adjacent house, where two adjoining and connecting rooms were attractively fitted for library and reading-room purposes.
In 1906 the library joined the "Library Art Club" and re- ceives "varied and valuable exhibits of photo copies of the works of the masters, ancient and modern." These are much enjoyed by the patrons of the library.
On the reading-room table the following magazines may be found: American Boy, Century Magazine, Current Literature, Country Life in America, Garden Magazine, Granite State Monthly, Harper's Monthly, Harper's Weekly, Human Life, Judge, Ladies' Home Journal, Life, McClure's, National Geographic Magazine, St. Nicholas, World's Work, Youth's Companion and the Exeter News-Letter. These magazines, excepting the latest number, may be taken on a borrower's card.
The average weekly circulation from 1894 to 1909 has been 57, from 27 to 129. More than 4,000 volumes were circulated in 1909. Many valuable books for reference are not circulated. The average percentage of fiction called for has been 56.
The following persons have served as trustees:
1894-1901-Rev. James H. Fitts, Harriet E. Sanborn, George S. Paul. 1901-Mrs. Mary C. Fitts, Harriet E. Sanborn, George S. Paul.
1902-Harriet E. Sanborn, George S. Paul, Emma P. Conner. 1903-Harriet E. Sanborn, Emma P. Conner, Eugene C. Patridge. 1904-Emma P. Conner, Eugene C. Patridge, Harriet A. Paul. 1905-Eugene C. Patridge, Harriet A. Paul, A. W. Richards. 1906-08-Harriet A. Paul, Rev. Otis Cole, A. W. Richards. 1909-10-Harriet A. Paul, A. W. Richards, Eugene C. Patridge.
Edna Hobbs Paul (Mrs. George S. Paul) has served continu- ously as librarian.
The dwelling house in which the library is now located is the property of the Misses Isabel and Harriet A. Paul, and the rent
Orlater St. New fields N.M.
335
BUSINESS INDUSTRIES.
and electric lighting are most kindly given by them, but it seems unfortunate that the town cannot afford to build a more commodious and safe home for its large and valuable library.
Chapter XXI.
BUSINESS INDUSTRIES.
The extensive forests of this section were the most valuable possessions of the first settlers. As early as 1650 there are records of timber for masts marked with the " Broad Arrow " as belonging to the Crown, reserved for the king's navy.
Mr. Edward Hilton erected a sawmill on the Piscassic in 1653 and from that time mill sites were in great demand.
The lumber business of Newfields early assumed large propor- tions. An immense amount of timber from the " Oaklands " the " Mast-way " and " Ash Swamp " was hauled to the " Landing " at Newfields and floated to Portsmouth. A large number of men and oxen were thus employed. Tradition recalls one massive pine mast eight feet in diameter at the butt end and 111 feet long, requiring the strength of 70 oxen to draw it to the river side. Masts and lumber from this region were shipped abroad from Portsmouth. .
Gen. James Hill got out the timber at Newfields for the America, a warship of 74 guns, built at Portsmouth under the personal supervision of John Paul Jones, launched November, 1782, and immediately presented to France by the United States government. It was the largest and heaviest war ship that had been built on this side of the Atlantic-an honor to Pascataqua shipwrights and our forest oaks!
As early as 1665 fish from the Squamscot was an important article of commerce, and was exported to France and Spain.
Previous to the Revolution trade with the West Indies was very profitable. Deal boards, masts, pipe-staves and shooks were sent, and sperm oil, molasses and spirits returned directly to our wharf. There was also a valuable coastwise trade as far south, at least, as Virginia. Pork, beef and pelts were the prin- cipal shipments, and rice, sugar and tobacco the returns.
336
HISTORY OF NEWFIELDS.
To what extent ship-building was carried on in Newmarket before the Revolution it is impossible to tell. No records of the business are available, but it was an important industry both at Lamprey River and Newfields. At one time seven vessels were on the stocks in the shipyard of Lamprey River, and the " Land- ing " at Newfields was a very busy spot. So pressing was the work that the shipwrights were exempted from military training. In 1778 the privateer General Sullivan was overhauled and refitted at Newfields Landing. The Shutes, Badgers and Gen. James Hill were the principal ship-builders of that period.
The ship-building and commercial interests of Newmarket were seriously injured by the war of 1812. After the spring of 1813 our seacoast was blockaded by a British squadron. Three years of blockade practically destroyed ship-building on the Squamscot. Among the last to engage in the industry at New- fields were Zechariah Beals, Dudley Watson, Samuel G. Tarlton and George Hilton. The last vessel built here was the Nile in 1827. When we were a ship-building town the launching of a ship was an event of great importance and interest. Men, women and children, all attended, and refreshments were pro- vided for all. The ships were floated to Portsmouth where they were rigged and prepared for sea.
Brick making was an early industry of Newfields. The most important kilns were located along the banks of Cobbey's Brook, so called, on either side of the highway, within easy reach of water transportation on the river.
Previous to the Revolution our village boasted a skilful silversmith-William Cario.
The Squamscot furnishes no mill site in Newfields, but there is an excellent water privilege on the Piscassic, about a mile from the village. This is believed by some to be the site of Edward Hilton's first mill. While this may be disputed we know a mill was erected on this site early in the history of the town, and was known for about a century as " Hall's mill." In later times, known as " Neal's mill," it was owned by a stock company, the stock being divided into 24 shares, each share entitling the holder to one day's privilege in the use of the mill. For many years a controlling majority of the stock was held by Samuel Neal, and after his death by his son, Daniel G. Neal. This mill was thoroughly equipped as both grist and sawmill, having attachments for planing and matching boards, and did a large
-
337
BUSINESS INDUSTRIES.
business. After the coming of portable mills the business de- clined. The mill was not kept in repair, and was swept away by a freshet in February, 1900.
In the early records the creek or brook next south of Mr. Hilton's home is often mentioned. It separated or parted his estate from the Exeter town lands and was sometimes called " Hilton's parting brook." The second Edward Hilton built a saw and gristmill upon this brook west of the Exeter road. About 1720, Capt. Edward Hall was in possession of the estate im- mediately south of the " parting brook." His grandson, Capt. John Perkins, built a gristmill on the brook east of the Exeter road. About 1820 this mill was purchased by Charles Lane, formerly of Stratham, and enlarged. Mr. Lane was a tanner, and the mill was used for grinding bark and fulling hides. The grinding of bark had been done by horse power previously and the use of a mill for this purpose was considered " a great advance."
In the lower story were pits or vats for tanning. Later, about 1840, he built an addition to the mill for the purpose of sawing shingles. There has been no mill on the site since 1867. Mr. Lane was also a shoemaker and had apprentices.
Winthrop Hilton, son of Ichabod, was tanner and currier. Prior to 1800 his tan pits were on the west side of the Exeter road near Hilton's or Pease's Brook.
Nathaniel Lord was hatter and had a shop adjoining his house, on the site of Amos Paul's house. Both house and shop have been torn down.
John Kennard was brass-worker and Newfields' clock-maker. Henry Wiggin, Jr., was a cabinet maker and made cases for Mr. Kennard's clocks. Mr. - Folsom was trunk and harness maker. His house and shop stood on the street near the store of James A. Spead. Both were afterwards removed to the rear of the lot.
Capt. Archibald McPhaedris of Portsmouth was leading pro- prietor of the first iron works in America. He was at the head of a small company which commenced the manufacture of iron from the ore at Lamprey River.
In 1719 an act was passed by the Legislature for the encourage- ment of iron works within the province. The " two-mile streak " was granted to John Wentworth, George Jaffrey, Archibald McPhaedris and Robert Wilson, " proprietors of the iron works 22
338
HISTORY OF NEWFIELDS.
lately started at Lamprey River for their encouragement and accommodation."
Captain McPhaedris built the " Warner house " of Ports- mouth. Some of the iron fixtures now in use in the mansion were from the Lamprey River Iron Works. We have not been able to learn how long the iron works were in operation. Captain McPhaedris died in 1729.
The iron works were quite an important industry estab- lished in Newfields in 1830. The first blast was blown on Christmas day. The works were owned by John Kennard, Temple Paul, Freeman Drake and Lincoln Drake. They were afterwards purchased by George O. Hilton, Amos Paul, John B. Rider and Joseph Skinner, and in 1834 were incorporated as "The Newmarket Iron Foundry." Its officers were Amos Paul, president; George O. Hilton, treasurer; Amos Paul, John B. Rider and Joseph Skinner, directors. The company manu- factured castings for cotton and woolen mills, and stoves which at one time was an extensive part of the business. As this was almost the only foundry for casting heavy machinery in this region, the business increased rapidly.
In 1846 the Swamscot Machine Company was incorporated by the Legislature with George O. Hilton, Amos Paul, Seneca C. Kennard, Walter E. Hawes and Ira Chamberlain as incorpora- tors, and a capital stock of $200,000, all paid in. Amos Paul was chosen agent. This company purchased the Iron Foundry Company's works in 1865 and united both branches of the business. It manufactured all kinds of machinery and gas pipe. The manufacture of engines and boilers was commenced soon after, and some of the finest and best have been made there. The manufacture of gas and steam pipe and fittings was added, and placed on sale with George K. Paul & Co., 98 Milk Street, Boston.
The number of men employed ranged from 230 to 300, and the monthly pay roll is said to have risen to $11,000. This distribu- tion gave a vigorous impulse to the village and the town. Much of this prosperity is attributable to the late Hon. Amos Paul, the agent of the company.
Years of difficulty and disaster, however, came. Mr. Paul in advanced age retired, and the company's works passed in October, 1893, into the hands of receivers. The total assets were estimated at $333,646.10, and liabilities in the neighborhood
sãous
339
BUSINESS INDUSTRIES.
of $250,000. Frank P. Cotton, of the receivers, issued the following statement in regard to the matter: " The directors of the company hope that by their action in applying for the appointment of receivers the creditors may be fully paid and the company's plant be preserved to continue its business, which gives employment practically to the whole town of Newfields."
According to the figures returned for the year ending January 1, 1881, the Swamscot Machine Company paid out for labor a sum equal to $10 a month for every man, woman and child in the town; and including that paid out by the locomotive and mill works of George E. Fifield, swells the amount to $13.
Ultimately the machinery was sold and also the vacated shops, and became the property of Walter B. Grant, Esq., of Boston. Since then the foundry has been in active service under the direction of Christopher A. Pollard, giving employment to from 20 to 60 men according to the demands of the business.
George E. Fifield for many years had a machine shop opposite the railroad station, where he did repair work of all kinds of machinery, and also manufactured steam engines, sawmills, steam fittings, tools, etc. His sales were largely in the south where his engines and mills secured high repute.
Mr. Fifield's locomotives were of a peculiar pattern of his own invention, most of them going to Georgia, and used on wooden tramways, though adapted to iron rails as well. The boilers were upright instead of horizontal, and the engines combined many modern improvements.
In 1865 Charles H. and Rufus Sanborn, Levi L. Pollard and John F. C. Rider bought of the Ira Choate Company the brass foundry which he sometime earlier had put in operation. The business then was known under the name of the Union Machine Company. After a few months Mr. Rider became sole owner. Under his management prosperity was assured and 36 men were employed. In the midst of his success, in April, 1869, the build- ings were burned down, and were not replaced. The brass business in part, went to the Swamscot Company, and the balance of patronage was dispersed. These brass works were located on Main Street, just south of the house long owned and occupied by Simeon Locke.
Chapter XXII.
HALF-CENTURY OF CHANGES, 1800 TO 1850, AND INCORPORA- TION.
The period from 1800 to 1850 was marked by great and radical changes in the customs and methods of a century and affected every phase of the industrial, social, domestic and religious life of the people.
An era of road-making and bridge-building rendered con- spicuous the years from 1790 to 1820. During that time no less than thirty turnpikes were constructed in New Hampshire, and fifty bridge companies were incorporated. Stage routes were opened in all directions, the number of post offices rapidly in- creased, and mails were transmitted with much greater regu- larity. The sound of the stage-driver's horn and the crack of his whip enlivened country life, and stage taverns became centres of interest and activity. Two lines of stages passed through Newfields from Dover to Boston, one line going by way of Haverhill, and the other by Newburyport. The stages reached Newfields about 9 a. m. and were due in Boston about 5 p. m. Returning the next day they reached Newfields about 5 p. m. The fare to Boston was $2.50.
A line from Portsmouth to Concord passed through Exeter and Raymond. Bids were made for the privilege of keeping a stage tavern where horses were changed, refreshments and lodgings provided for travelers. Captain Treadwell and Abner Stinson were near neighbors and rival inn-holders at the Junc- tion. Sometimes one accommodated the stage and sometimes the other. In 1810, and prior to that date, the principal taverns in Newfields village were the "Shute House," and "Lord House." Later came the "Elm House" kept by Mrs. Mehitable Wiggin, and the taverns of Captain Clark, Lucian Pike, and Captain Pike in Piscassic. Numerous other so-called taverns flourished from time to time for longer or shorter periods. Many of them were merely for the sale of spirituous liquors, no effort being
NEWFIELDS IN 1837 From Memory Sketch by John W. Lane 8/20 1909
HALLS MILL ROAD
Pischesie Rives
1
LEEROAD
"Pond
ASH SWAMP ROAD
750
1
61
0
=
Piscassie Ru
-
62
FRANKLIN
$000
63
ACADEMY
0 13
14
0/6
28
30
141
-17
23
25
69
₱ 49
76
0 School House
Cross Path
D
1050
052
0
53 :54 55 56
57
74
72
58
73
FOUNDRY
Ship Yard
Co's Back-
45
46
47
68
130 -18
90 32 -36 57 38
42
048
10
Tan Yard
70
EXETER ROAD
Grave Yard
ond
22
Coffeje Brack
Grave Yard
660
43 44
NEW MARKETROAD 89
PISCASSUR ROAD
7
6
Hilton Brgok
STRATHAM ROAD
Swamscot River
H'N SPlansman logga We'd
341
HALF-CENTURY OF CHANGES, AND INCORPORATION.
made to provide other entertainment for man or beast. Prior to 1825 the use of intoxicating beverages was universal in social life, and great quantities were provided and consumed on all public occasions. Beginning about 1818 a temperance move- ment swept over New England like a tidal wave. Public senti- ment was strongly aroused, and practically all the ministers and very many influential citizens became "total abstainers," and by 1835 a barn could be raised without the use of strong drink.
The town records, up to 1819, were burdened with matters relating to the meeting house, the minister, his salary and fire- wood, and the parsonage property. In many towns the most exacting and complicated part of the duties of the selectmen were those relating to the adjustment of church and parish matters. All this was changed by the passage of the "Tolera- tion Act" which exempted the citizens from taxation for the support of the church and ministry, and granted equal rights and privileges to all religious denominations. During the next twenty years five churches were built in the two villages of the town, and the old parish church was used as a town house.
There was no city in New Hampshire in 1820. Portsmouth was still called "the metropolis." Exeter was the second largest village in the state, Newfields was the most prominent part of Newmarket, and the post office centre for the whole town. But the starting of the cotton mills at Lamprey River in 1823 made a great difference in the relative importance of the two villages. Newfields was soon outranked in population, business activity and general prosperity. In fact business interests at Newfields were declining at this time, the old industries dying out and as yet no new ones had taken their places. For this reason great interest and enthusiasm were aroused by the opening of the "Iron Works" in 1830, and the building of a foundry in 1834. This business was successfully conducted for many years and proved a benefit to the community.
On December 10, 1834, the post office at Newfields received the name of South Newmarket. At that time James Coleman was postmaster.
The Boston and Maine Railroad from Boston to Haverhill was completed in 1838, and the stage line was discontinued beyond the latter city. The stage connected with the cars at Haverhill and passengers from Boston reached Newfields at noon. Such "rapid transit" was most astonishing and was attended by
342
HISTORY OF NEWFIELDS.
great excitement. Interest in the railroad steadily increased as the work advanced toward Newfields, and many interested spectators watched the upturning of the sods in "Samuel Paul's lot." To aid the work wooden rails were laid upon which short dump cars were run. All the iron rails laid between Exeter and Dover were brought to the wharf in Newfields by water and landed at high tide. Often two or three, and at one time five, two-masted schooners laden with rails were at the wharf together. These rails came from Liverpool, England, to Boston, and were reshipped to Newfields. The first regular passenger train went through the village to Newmarket July 28, 1841. The first train from Portsmouth to the Junction on the Concord and Portsmouth Railroad was run October 4, 1849, and the road was completed to Concord in August, 1852.
One of the most important events in the history of the town was the opening of the Swamscot machine shops in 1846. This was followed by years of activity, prosperity and honorable standing in the business world.
As the two growing villages came to hold less and less in com- mon it became increasingly difficult to adjust town business to the satisfaction of the different sections and the advantage of the various interests. Separation was agreed upon, and the cul- minating event of the period under consideration was the forma- tion of a new town, which, unfortunately perhaps, retained the name of its post office, and was incorporated June 27, 1849, under the name of South Newmarket.
The following is the act of incorporation:
CHAPTER 839.
AN ACT TO CONSTITUTE THE TOWN OF SOUTH NEWMARKET.
SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened, That all that part of the town of New Market, in the County of Rockingham, lying southerly of a line commencing at the easterly line of said town, on the northerly line of the Portsmouth and Concord Rail- road, and running thence westerly on said northerly line of said railroad to the westerly side of the Boston and Maine Railroad, and thence westerly in a straight line six rods south of the southerly side of Jonathan Sanborn's house, to the westerly line of said town, be and the same is hereby severed from the town of New Market and made a body politic and corporate by the name of South New Market.
SECT. 2. All real and personal property, including all debts, claims and demands of every kind now owned by and due to the town of New Market,
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