History of Rockingham and Strafford counties, New Hampshire : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 160

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Philadelphia : J. W. Lewis
Number of Pages: 1714

USA > New Hampshire > Strafford County > History of Rockingham and Strafford counties, New Hampshire : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men > Part 160
USA > New Hampshire > Rockingham County > History of Rockingham and Strafford counties, New Hampshire : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men > Part 160

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).

Jeremiah Rawlings

Jos Ricker

Silvanus Nock

Joshua Roberts

James Hales John Hall

Thomas Ilobbs Moses Tebbets

. William Streley ?

Joseph Husey

Benjamin Twomble.

Ichabd Tebbets

William Jones

James Staepole

Daniel Plumer

Benja Varney

Jabez Garland

Ebenezer Garland

Hugh Connor

Samuel Downs Job Clements

Richard Wintworth John Roberts

Joseph Wintworth

Edward Ellis

John Connor

Thos Wallingford

Samuel Ally William Thompson

Moris Ilobbs

April the 25th 1729 In the house of

In the house of Representatives. The within Pe- tion being read

Voted the Petitioners serve that part of the Town of Dover that they Desir'd to be set off from with a Copy of this Petition to appeare at the General As- sembly Wednesday next the Show Cause (if the ean) why the prayer of the Petition Should not be Granted In Council Eodm die

Read and Coneurred with

R. Waldron Cler Con

It appears that the appointed day passed but Dover had not been notified. The matter, therefore, on the Ist of May was deferred until "the S inst May or if the assembly be not then sitting, then to appeare the 2d day of the sitting of next Genl assembly."

No action appears to have taken place on the 8th of May, but on the 14th "Dover petition was Read and the Parties heard by their Councill, and an order made for a Committee to go on the spot and view the several Districts and Settle a Dividing line aeeording to the best of their judgments and then the l'etition- ers in the mean time be free from being Rated to the ministers at the old Town &c, and the majr part agree- ing shall be accounted sufficient to make returns at the Next session-for Confirmation."

The committee reported, and Dee. 10, 1729, in council " Voted. That the Petitioners for a Parrish in the North east part of Dover have liberty to Bring in a Bill according to the Report of the Committe vary- ing the bounds from the head of fresh Creek to a White Oak Tree as the Rhoad goes."

The aet was passed Dee. 19, 1729.

Incorporation of Town .- May 19, 1743, a petition was presented that the parish be made a town, but it was not until April 29, 1754, that the act of incorpora- tion was passed. It retained the name of the parish, and Thomas Wallingford, Esq., Capt. John Went- worth, and Moses Stevens were appointed to eall the first meeting of the voters.

The petition for the incorporation of the town was signed by the following persons :

Paul Wentworth Ezekiel Wentworth

Gershom Wentworth John Wentworth

Samnel Roberts

Philip Pappon

Benjamin Wamouth

Jemes Gupey

Moses Stevens Philip Yetton

Thomas Miller Lane Roberts

John Conyer ? Wilam Chesle ?

Josiah Clark

John Mason

Saml Randal

Joseph Rieker

Philip Yetten

Mahonan Recker

Thomas Nock

Thomas Tebbets

Zachariah Noek Benjamin Stanton Eber Wentworth

Philip Staepole

Thomas Miller

Samuel Jones Joseph Peney

George Ricker Thos Downs

William Downs John Tebbets Benja Peiree

Nath Perkins Jun.

William Wentworth Lone Roberts

683

SOMERSWORTH.

John Ricker Samuel Wintworth Jeremiah Rawlings

Richard Downs Silvanus Nock Samuel Nock

Meturin Rickers

Dodepher Garland

Benja Heard

Richard Goodin, jun

James Stackpole

Benja Warren

James Clement

Benja Wamyorth

Daniel Goodin

Isaac Hanson

Francis Roberts

Daniel Hanson

Saml Downs, jun Saml. Jones, jun

Richard Philpott

John Sulevant

Joseph Hussey, jun

Daniel Plumer

Saml Allien

Ebenr Roberts, Jr

Edward Allien

Job Clements, Jr

Moses Carr

John Mason

John Muzert

John Ferall

Thomas Nock

Saml Walton

Samuel Waymouth

Zeben Coason

Nathanel Nock

Joshua Stakpole

Benja Twombly

George Ricker

John Ricker.

William Stakpole

Nathaniel Ricker

Joseph Wentworth

Phinias Ricker

Samuel Stakpole

John Rickers, jun

Joshua Roberts

William Downes

John Robertes

Joshua Robards, junr

Daniel Smith

Philip Stakpole

Ebenezer Robearts

Samuel Downs

Alexander Robarts

The town retained its original bounds until 1849, when the present town of Rollinsford was set off and incorporated as a separate town.

SOMERSWORTH ARMY, JULY 23, 1746.

A true list of all the Train Souldiers in the Parish of Sumersworth, under com'd of Thos Wallingford, Capt. are as followeth riz.

Sergts. John Ricker, Philip Stackpole, Thomas Teb- bets, William Wentworth.

Corpos. Ebenezer Garland, Samuel Joanes, Samuel Rendall.

Thomas Stevens, Richard Gordon, Drumrs

Samuel Downs

James Clements

Ebenr Wentworth Moses Tebbets

Joseph Wentworth Saml Wentworth

John Mason

John Vieker

Joseph Hussey

John Lebrock

John Hall

Samul Austin

Daniel Goodin

Benja Austin

Samuel Hall

Edward Eliot

James Hall

George Rickers, jun.

Benja Wentworth

Samuel Wentworth, jun

Ephraim Rickers

Jonathan Wentworth, jun Nathl Nock

Jonathan Merrow

Ebenr Heard

John Wentworth

Hatevil Roberts.

William Hanson

Benja Twombly

Benja Roberts

Lemeul Perkins

Ezekiel Wentworth Ebur Roberts Thomas Wentworth

Drisco Nock William Stackpole James Foy

George Rickers, Ter.

James Kiney

Robert Cole

Benja Stanton

Joseph Varney, jun Elipha. Cromuel Daniel Smith

CHAPTER CIV.

SOMERSWORTH .- ( Continued.)

MANUFACTURING INTERESTS.

The Great Falls Manufacturing Company-The Great Falls Woolen Company-The Somersworth Machine Company-The Gas Company.

The Great Falls Manufacturing Company was incorporated June 11, 1823, with a chartered capital of $500,000.

The first meeting of the corporation was held at Dover, July 10, 1823, a board of directors was elected, and Abraham Wendell was chosen president, and Jacob Wendell treasurer.

Isaac Wendell, of Dover, from 1821 to 1823 pur- chased the privileges at the Great Falls, and also large tracts of land adjoining the privileges on both sides of the Salmon Falls River, with the view of establishing cotton-mills on the stream, and at the time the organization of the company was completed, had erected a store, carding-houses, work-shops suit- able for building cotton machinery, and a wooden building for a cotton-factory near the present site of the flouring-mill.

For the property which Wendell had acquired by purchase, and improved, and a contract to complete by the following January 1280 cotton-spindles, with all other necessary machinery complete for manufac- turing cotton goods, at $25 per spindle, the company voted, July 22d, to pay him $76,224.18, and Wendell to be the resident agent of the corporation.

George Trott was chosen treasurer in 1824, when a second cotton-factory of 4000 spindles was built, which is the upper section of the present No. I mill.

John Sullivan Ephraim Wentworth Garshom Dowens Thomas Dowens John Downs John Drew

James Ilobbs Richard Goodin Jonathan Merrow

James Nock

Elizha Randall

Lane Roberts, jun

Marke Wentworth

Ichabod Rawlins

Joseph Richardson

Ebenr Downs, jun

Tristeram Heard

Wm Chadwick

Teralı Sprague

Peter Clarke

Daniel Libbee John Downes

Neal Vickers

Noah Cross

" A True List as Alowed P me."

Benja Mason

John Calland

Samuel Roberts

Melurin Rickers Abram, Mimmey Samuel Nock Eleazr Wyer IIenry Nock Thomas Tebbets jun

684

HISTORY OF STRAFFORD COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

The following year a woolen-mill was built, capable of producing 200 yards daily of fine broadcloths. This mill was built easterly and at right angles with the present repair-shop. In the upper portion of the latter was woven carpetings, the lower story being used for a woolen-picker and dyeing-house.

Christopher C. Walcott was chosen superintendent of the woolen department.

The works were enlarged from the original plan, and the carpet-mill produced 200 yards daily, and the woolen-mill 400 yards of broadcloths.

Large sums of money were expended in experi- ments, and although it does not appear that this branch of the company's manufactures was profitable, its fabrics were very fine, and compared favorably in texture, color, and finish with the best importations of that time.

In 1826 the charter was amended, authorizing a capital of $1,000,000.

The two lower sections of the now No. 2 mill were erected, and machinery was put into the lower section only the following year. The upper section was not filled with machinery until two years later, it being used in the mean time as a place of worship by the Congregationalists.

The company's charter was further amended in 1827, authorizing a capital of $1,500,000, which is the present nominal capital.

In 1831, Lloyd W. Wells succeeded MIr. Wendell as agent. The manufacture of carpets was discontinued in 1833, and in January, 1834, the business continu- ing unprofitable, the directors were authorized to stop the manufacture of all woolen goods.

George H. Kuhn was appointed treasurer, and Rob- ert W. Israel agent in 1834.

The woolen business was entirely closed up, the goods on hand and machinery sold prior to July, 1835, and the mill was equipped with cotton ma- chinery.

The machinery from the old "Wendell" mill was transferred to it, the mill itself sold and removed in 1838; also, owing to a lack of power on the upper level, some of the machinery from the other mills was transferred to this mill, and the balance of the mill supplied with new spindles to the amount of 5700.

To this time all the mills had been operated by power on the first level, and the lower fall had not been utilized, but to run the new mill a dam was built in 1835, nearly opposite the present cloth-room, and the water conducted through a long wooden pen-stock to three breast-wheels about two hundred and fifty feet easterly of the woolen mill, or No. 4, as it was then called, and by a system of belting the power was transmitted.

With this mill complete there were 39,840 spindles and 1132 looms.

In 1835 the dam at Mast Point was built, and the dam at Milton was raised four feet. The first created

a new reservoir within two miles of the mills, capable of storing a day's water, and the latter increased the area of the Milton Ponds about five hundred acres.

In 1838 John A. Burleigh was appointed agent, and in 1840 Patrick T. Jackson succeeded to the office of treasurer.

Under his administration the condition of the com- pany improved rapidly.

The reservoirs were increased in 1841 by the pur- chase of Cook's and Lovell's Ponds. The plan to fully and economically use the water on the second level was carried into effect by building a dam on the present site in 1842, and the discontinuance of the system of long belts, by which a large percentage of power was lost.

In 1842 the lower or southerly section of the pres- ent No. 3 mill was built, and in the following year the "woolen" mill was taken down and rebuilt, and is the upper or northerly section of No. 3.

The new No. 1 mill was commenced in October, 1845, and completed in 1847. In the mean time the dam on the third level was built, it being the privilege now leased to the Great Falls Woolen Company.

Mr. Jackson died in September, 1847.

During his administration the product of the looms had more than doubled, 25,000 spindles had been added, and of the five mills two had been built new and one rebuilt, and the two others put in the best order and condition.

John Clark succeeded to the office.

In 1849-50 the old No. I was filled with new ma- chinery, the best then obtainable adapted for the spiuning of No. 50 yarns. A turbine-wheel displaced the old breast-wheels, and a one hundred and eighty horse-power engine added.

Robert Hooper became treasurer in 1851. The bleachery was built the following year and gas-works erected. The reservoirs were increased by the pur- chase of Horne's and Wilson's Ponds.

In 1855 the middle section of the present No. 3 was built, and equipped with 7427 spindles and 200 looms, which were put in operation January, 1856.

In 1859 Mr. Hooper resigned and Daniel N. Spooner was appointed in his place, at which time the com- pany had seven mills, 83,120 spindles, and 2120 looms.

In 1861 J. A. Burleigh died, after twenty-three years of faithful and efficient service ; his son George W. was appointed to fill the vacancy. The mills were closed the greater portion of the time from 1862 to 1864.

In 1864 the reservoir for fire purposes and daily use at the mills was constructed at a cost of $100,000; it has a capacity of 1,700,000 gallons, and is located on the top of Prospect Hill, one hundred and forty feet above the first level.

By a liberal policy the company has allowed water- pipes to be laid through all the principal streets of the village, and gratuitously furnishes water for fire purposes to the town.

G85

SOMERSWORTH.

For more than a decade prior to 1866, little or nothing had been done to keep the mills in good re- pair beyond the absolutely necessary repairs to keep the machinery in motion.

From 1866 to 1869 an addition of one hundred and sixty-three feet by one hundred feet was made to the present No. 2, the two old mills consolidated, and the whole partially furnished with new machinery, tur- bines substituted for the old breast-wheels, at a cost of nearly seven hundred thousand dollars.

Upon the decease of Mr. Spooner, September, 1869, Charles W. Freeland became treasurer.

In 1871 was commenced the renovation of the lower level mills, under the immediate supervision of Wil- liam A. Burke, of Lowell, who had previously been appointed assistant treasurer.

The three mills were consolidated and covered under one flat roof, and a complete suite of new ma- chinery, including turbines where breast-wheels had been used, was put in, the whole, when complete, comparing favorably with the best mills in the country.

In 1872 a fine new stone dam was built in place of the old wooden dam on the upper level, and an addition of two feet to the height of the Milton Three Ponds dam.

A four hundred and fifty horse-power Corliss engine for reserve power was put into No. 1 during this year.

In 1874-75 the last of the old breast-wheels were taken out of No. 1, and a fifty-four-inch turbine and gearing substituted.

From 1870 to 1874 improvement in the works was the order of the day, and there was expended in the various constructions, reconstructions, and special repairs upwards of nine hundred thousand dollars.

In July, 1874, John Cumnoek, the present agent, succeeded Mr. Burleigh, and in December, 1875, Charles II. Dalton became treasurer upon the resig- nation of Mr. Freeland.

At this time, owing to the large expenditures which had been made upon the works, the company was not only without an active capital, but the plant was impaired to the extent of a quarter of a million dollars.

But by a rigid economy at the mills, and a corre- sponding reduction in the cost of the manufactured goods, together with the tact, energy, and financial skill of the treasurer, the company at the close of his administration in December, 1877, was relieved of its debt on the plant, and had accumulated an ac- tive capital of forty-five thousand dollars.

Mr. Dalton having resigned to assume the manage- ment of the Merrimac Company, Daniel Ilussey succeeded to the office, and resigned December, 1878, his term of office being remarkable only for its brevity.

Mr. Dalton subsequently managed the affairs of the company as its treasurer pro tempore until the

election of the present treasurer, Rev. A. P. Rock- well.

The company now has three mills, containing 112,000 spindles and 2756 looms, operated by about 1800 hands. The mills consume upwards of 13,000 bales of cotton, and produce over 23,000,000 yards of cloth annually.

The company has one of the finest water privileges in the State, it having the unrestricted control of the Salmon Falls River to the third level at Great Falls, including the tributaries and reservoirs, consisting of the Great East, Horn's, and Wilson's Ponds on the East Branch, Cook's, Lovell's, and Cate's on the West Branch, and the Three Ponds at Milton, a flowage exceeding five thousand acres in all.

There is about four thousand horse-power on the three levels at Great Falls, of which only about two thousand five hundred horse-power is employed, from which it appears that the water-power is sufficient when improved to enlarge the present capacity of the works about fifty per cent.

With the present able general directory of the com- pany's affairs, and the skillful practical management of the present resident agent at the mills, the future prosperity of the company is not a matter of doubt.

The present officers of the company are as follows: Charles H. Dalton, president ; A. P. Rockwell, treas- urer; John Cumnock, agent; and E. J. Randall, clerk of the corporation. Board of Directors, C. II. Dalton, T. J. Coolidge, S. R. Payson, G. R. Minot, C. W. Freeland, Thomas Wigglesworth, Edward Spaulding, and D. H. Buffam.

The Great Falls Woolen Company was organized in 1862 as a joint-stock company, with the following board of directors: William Hill, John II. Burleigh, George W. Burleigh, M. C. Burleigh, and Nathaniel Wells. It was chartered in June, 1863, and in the following December was organized as the Great Falls Woolen Company. Its paid-in capital was fifty thou- sand dollars, which was subsequently increased in July, 1865, to one hundred thousand dollars. The erection of the mills was commenced in 1862 and completed in 1863.

William Hill, of North Berwick, Me., was the first president of the corporation, and continued as such until 1874, when he was succeeded by John H. Bur- leigh. Mr. Burleigh remained until 1877, when he was succeeded by David H. Buffam. Mr. Buffam resigned in 1879, and Mr. John Cumnock, the present president, was chosen his successor.

David H. Buffam was agent, treasurer, and clerk until 1873, when he was forced to resign in conse- quence of ill health. Mr. Edward Hargraves was appointed his successor, and continued as agent and treasurer until 1880, when Mr. Buffam again officiated for one year, and in 1881 was succeeded as agent and clerk by his son, Mr. Edgar S. Buffam. The present officers are John Cumnock, president; David H. Buf- fam, treasurer ; and Edgar S. Buffam, agent and clerk.

686

HISTORY OF STRAFFORD COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

This company has from the beginning been under able management, and is one of the most prosperous in New England. The mills are furnished with all modern improvements, and the manufacture cousists of cashmeres and duekings. The annual product reaches about two hundred and fifty thousand dollars.

The Somersworth Machine Company was incor- porated in the year 1848, with the following incorpo- rators : Milton Noyes, Arthur L. Noyes, Frederick A. Lord, Oliver Hill, Micajah C. Burleigh, Abraham Gilpatrick, Richard Davis, William Bedel, and Sam- uel D. Whitehouse. Their first meeting was held Tuesday, July 15, 1851, at the counting-room of M. C. Burleigh, at which time John A. Burleigh, Oliver H. Lord, and M. C. Burleigh were chosen directors for the coming year. At a meeting of the directors held the same day, John A. Burleigh was chosen president ; Micajah C. Burleigh and Oliver Il. Lord, agents; M. C. Russell, clerk. About this time the Somersworth Machine Company bought out the Grif- fins' foundry at Salmon Falls, N. H., and commenced to manufacture the famous wood-stove known every- where as the White Mountain stove. They had a very large sale on that stove, every one liking them. They still have some calls for the same stove. From that time on they have continued to manufacture stoves of all kinds at Salmon Falls, employing a large number of men there the year round. The foundry at Great Falls was devoted more particularly to heavy work, such as gas-pipe, water-pipe, etc. They took various large contracts for building gas-works. One was at Concord, another at Gardiner, Me., another at Attleboro', besides a great many other places which time nor space will not allow of mention. In 1858, O. H. Lord was chosen treasurer, and Micajah C. Burleigh, agent, which place he filled continuously until his death, in March, 1881. At the annual meet- ing of the directors in March, 1881, Oliver H. Lord was chosen treasurer, and C. W. Wright was chosen agent. At the present time they are making a great many pulleys for Boston market, besides a great deal of shafting, employing a large number of men at Great Falls the year round on that class of work. The busi- ness both at Salmon Falls and Great Falls has been gradually growing until at the present time they are employing one hundred and fifty men at both places, with a steady increase.

The Great Falls Gas Company is an enterprise that had its conception with the Great Fails Manu- facturing Company, and has since been controlled by that corporation. It is said to have been the first gas company incorporated in the State. The act of in- corporation was passed June 29, 1850, and the follow- ing were named as incorporators: Nathaniel Wells, Samuel Clark, John A. Burleigh, John Clark, Icha- bod G. Jordan, Augustus Cushing, Daniel HI. Buffam, George W. Beasbridge, Calvin Whitten, Mark Noble, Albert F. Smith, and Ezra Hartham.

The first board of directors were John A. Burleigh,

John Clark, Nathaniel Wells, David H. Buffam, and Levi Bendiet.

Nathaniel Wells was chosen first president, and John A. Burleigh, treasurer. It has a paid-up capital of forty-seven thousand dollars. The works were constructed by Benedict & Warren.

The present board of directors is as follows : A. P. Rockwell, William R. Burleigh, John Cumnock, and Emery J. Randall. The present officers are A. P. Rockwell, president; John Cumnock, treasurer ; Emery J. Randall, clerk ; and Thomas G. Jameson, superintendent.

CHAPTER CV.

SOMERSWORTHI .- ( Continued.)

MISCELLANEOUS.1

The Congregational Church-The High Street M. E. Church-Main Street M. E. Church-Calvin Baptist Church-Free Baptist Church -Roman Catholic Church-Masonic-Odd-Fellows-The Somers- worth National Bank-The Great Falls National Bank - The Somersworth Savings-Bank-Forest Glade Cemetery-The Manu- facturers' and Village Lilaary -The Press-Civil History-Moder- ators from 1730-1883-Clerks from 1738-1883-Representatives from 1755-1883-Military Record.

Congregational Church .- Prior to the incorpora- tion of the Great Falls Manufacturing Company in 1823 the site of the present village of Great Falls was used for farming purposes, and the few inhabitants of the neighborhood were numbered among the parish- ioners of Rev. Joseph Hilliard, in Berwick, Me., and Rev. Reuben Porter, of the old church in Somers- worth. Soon after the settlement of the village com- menced, however, religious meetings were holden, and Rev. Mr. Porter statedly preached in an unfinished dwelling-house on Bridge Street, Berwick, belonging to the manufacturing company.

Meanwhile measures were being taken for the or- ganization of a church, and on the 16th day of Jan- uary, 1827, " The Piscataqua Association of Ministers" met in the village, approved of the proposed creed and covenant, and organized the "First Congrega- tional Church of Great Falls," consisting of eight members.

Rev. Reuben Porter was invited to preach as " stated supply," in which capacity he labored during the year 1827. He died January, 1854.

A meeting was held Sept. 13, 1827, in the village school-house by citizens favorable to the purpose, and " The First Congregational Society of Great Falls" was organized under the then new law of the State relating to religious societies.

On the 23d of January, 1828, Rev. Josiah T. Hawes was ordained pastor of the church. His pastorate lasted but two years.

Arrangements were made during the latter part of 1827 for the erection of a suitable house of public

1 See supplement.

687

SOMERSWORTH.

worship. The manufacturing company generously contributed an appropriate lot and five hundred dol- lars, and in the following year the church edifice was completed at a further expense of about four thousand dollars. It was dedicated in August, 1828, Dr. Ly- man Beecher preaching the sermon. This society was aided for several years in the support of its pas- tor by the Piscataqua Association, the New Hamp- shire Missionary Society, and the Massachusetts Society for the Promotion of Christian Knowledge.

The ordination services of Mr. William Twining as an evangelist were held in the church Jan. 6, 1830. He never was pastor of the church, but remained as a " supply" for two years and three months. During his ministry one hundred and four united with the church, as the result of a revival begun under Mr. Hawes' pastorate, and continued under the labors of Mr. Twining.

Rev. James A. Smith, next pastor, remained five years and three months. He was ordained April 17, 1832. Under his care the church greatly flourished. One hundred and twenty-five additions were made during his pastorate. The feeble health of his wife compelled his resignation July, 1837.

Mr. Smith's successor was Rev. Alfred Goldsmith, whose pastorate covered only eleven months. He was ordained pastor September, 1837.

The Rev. John R. Adams began his labors with the church as acting pastor September, 1838. He re- mained two years and four months. Under his labors seventy-one united with the church. His death occurred April, 1866.

The next pastor, Rev. Samuel Beane, was ordained July 7, 1841 ; dismissed May, 1844. He died May, 1865.

The seventh pastor was Rev. James T. McCollom, installed October, 1844; dismissed December, 1853. Seventy-six were received into the church during his pastorate. He died November, 1865.

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History of Rockingham and Strafford counties, New Hampshire : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 160

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Philadelphia : J. W. Lewis Number of Pages: 1714

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Philadelphia : J. W. Lewis
Number of Pages: 1714