USA > New Hampshire > Rockingham County > Salem > History of Salem, N.H. > Part 23
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Aug. 11, '63 Priv. (sub.)
Delaney, James
C
Aug. 11, '63 28
Aug. 11, '63 Priv. (sub.)
Dudley, Thomas
C Aug. 11, '63 22 Aug. 11, '63 Priv. (sub.)
Frank, John
D Aug. 11, '63 22 Aug. 11, '63 Priv. (sub.)
Gulien, James
D
Aug. 11, '63 23
Aug. 11, '63 Priv. (sub.)
McMann, Owen
E
Aug. 11, '63 22
Aug. 11, '63 Priv. (sub.)
Myers, George W.
E Aug. 11, '63 36
Aug. 11, '63 Priv. (sub.)
O'Reilley, John
E
Aug. 11, '63 35
Aug. 11, '63 Priv. (sub.)
Rose, Gamaliel
E Aug. 11, '63 27
Aug. 11, '63 Priv. (sub.)
Scott, George
F
Aug. 11, '63 22 Aug. 21, '62 26
Aug. 11, '63 Priv. (sub.) Sept. 20, '62 Priv.
Towns, Oscar W.
I
Williams, Thomas
F Aug. 11, '63 24
Aug. 11, '63 Priv. (sub.)
Wilson, Frank
F Aug. 11, '63 26
Aug. 11, '63 Priv. (sub.)
Wood, Reuben L.
G Aug. 11, '63 24
Aug. 11, '63 Priv. (sub.)
Wright, Joseph
F Aug. 11, '63 21
Aug. 11, '63 Priv. (sub.)
283
MILITARY HISTORY.
ENLISTED FOR THREE YEARS.
Promotion or Transfer. Wounded or Killed. Mustered Out or Discharged.
Tr. to Co. G, 6 N. H. V., June 1, '65 ; must. out, July 17, '65. died, dis., Dec. 28, '62, Falmouth, Va.
Supposed to have deserted en route to Reg't.
No record after starting for Reg't.
wd. sev., Petersburg, Va., June 20, '64; disch. June 5, '65. wd. May 12, '64, Spottsylvania, Va. ; must. out, June 4, '65. wd. Dec. 13, '62, Fredericksburg, Va .; died, dis., Dec. 2, '63, Camp Nelson, Ky. Supposed to have deserted en route to Reg't.
No record except muster and descriptive rolls.
Tr. to Co. C, 6 N. H. V. June 1, '65;
must. out, July 17, '65. died, dis., Sept. 1, '64, Washington, D. C.
Corp .; wd. May 12, '64, Spottsylvania, Va .; captured, July 30, '64. [mine explosion, Petersburg, Va .; par. Oct. 18, '64; must. out, June 4, '65. No record after starting for Reg't.
No record after starting for Reg't.
No further record.
['65, Baltimore, Md. Captured, Sept. 30, '64, Poplar Springs Church, Va .; exch .; died, dis., April 3, ENLISTED FOR THREE YEARS.
disch. June 8, '65, as Priv.
Entered 18 A. C. Base Hosp., Pt. of Rocks, Va., Sept. 29, '64; sent Dec. 19, '64, [to Reg't; no further record.
THREE YEARS.
Deserted Oct. 10, '63, near Portsmouth, Va.
disch. May 28, '65, Camp Lee Hosp., Va.
Deserted, Oct. 19, '63, near Portsmouth, Va.
Deserted, Oct. 10, '63, near Portsmouth, Va.
Deserted, Oct. 10, '63, near Portsmouth, Va.
[ville, Ga.
Captured, May 16, '64, Drewry's Bluff, Va .; died, dis., Oct. 20, '64, Anderson- Tr. to U. S. Navy, Apr. 1, '64, as Ord. Seaman ; deserted, May 4, '64.
Served as Hosp. Steward till disch. at his own request, Mar. 12, '68.
Deserted, Oct. 9, '63, near Portsmouth, Va.
Deserted, Oct. 8, '63, near Portsmouth, Va.
must. out, June 21, '65.
Tr. to U. S. Navy, Apr. 6, '64, as Ord. Seaman ; deserted, Mar. 17, '65. Tr. to U. S. Navy, Apr. 28, '64, as Ord. Seaman ; disch. Aug. 4, '65, as a Seaman. killed, Sept. 29, '64, Ft. Harrison, Va. Deserted, May 30, '64, White House Landing, Va.
284
HISTORY OF SALEM.
FOURTEENTH REGIMENT.
Name.
Shamboo, Charles
Unas'd Aug. 6, '64 34
Aug. 6, '64 Priv. (sub.)
FIFTEENTH REGIMENT.
* Austin, Milton F.
K Sept. 12, '62 21 Oct. 16, '62 Priv.
*Bodwell, John P.
K Sept. 15, '62 38 Oct. 16, '62 Priv.
*Carew, William E. K Sept. 5, '62 24 Oct. 16, '62 Corp.
*Cluff, Franklin W.
K Sept. 10, '62 18 Oct. 16, '62 Priv.
*Cluff, Isaac N.
K Sept. 11, '62 23
Oct. 16, '62 Priv.
*Cluff, Leverett C. Currier, Benjamin G. K
Sept. 12, '62 41
Oct. 16, '62 Priv.
*Dolloff, Cyrus S.
K
Sept. 13, '62 29
Oct. 16, '62 Priv.
*Foster, James H.
K Sept. 11, '62 25
Oct. 16, '62 Priv.
*Gordon, George C.
K Sept. 10, '62 27
Oct. 16, '62 Sergt.
*Gould, Charles W.
K Sept. 5, '62 23
Oct. 16, '62 Priv.
*Hall, Benjamin F.
K Nov. 3, '62 28
Nov. 6, '62 Capt.
*Hall, Charles H.
K Sept. 12, '62 21
Oct. 16, '62 Priv.
*Hanson, Collins M.
K Sept. 11, '62 23
Oct. 16, '62 Priv.
*Heselton, Stilman B.
E Sept. 6, '62 25
Oct. 9, '62 Priv.
*Kelley, Simon C.
K Sept. 13, '62 24 Oct. 16, '62 Priv.
*Kelley, Edwin H.
K Sept. 11, '62 18 Oct. 16, '62 Priv.
*Kelley, George L.
K Sept. 12, '62 26
Oct. 16, '62 Corp.
*Kimball, Charles G.
K Nov. 6, '62 20
Nov. 12, '62 Priv.
*Lee, Oliver
K Sept. 12, '62 33 Oct. 16, '62 Priv.
*Lowell, Melvin
K
Sept. 10, '62 23 Oct. 16, '62 Priv.
*Mansfield, William F.
K Sept. 15, '62 18
Oct. 16, '62 Priv.
*McArthur, John C. K Sept. 15, '62 37 Oct. 16, '62 Priv.
*Morrison, Iddo K.
K Sept. 13, '62 35
Oct. 16, '62 Wagoner.
*Mosher, Edward B.
K Sept. 8, '62 44
Oct. 16, '62 Priv.
*Pattee, George H. *Prince, John L. K
K Sept. 11, '62 20
Oct. 16, '62 Priv.
*Sloan, David
K Sept. 10, '62 34 Oct. 16, '62 Corp.
*Smith, James W.
K Sept. 12, '62 31 Oct. 16, '62 Priv.
*Stanton, William L.
K Sept. 12, '62 20 Oct. 16, '62 Priv.
*Woodbury, Henry W. K Sept. 15, '62 44 Oct. 16, '62 Priv.
SIXTEENTH REGIMENT.
*Townsend, Luther T. F and S Oct. 30, '62 27 Nov. 13, '62 Adj't. Woodbury, Louis A. D Nov. 13, '62 18 Nov. 13, '62 Priv.
Age.
In.
Rank.
Company. Date of Enlist- ment.
Date Mustered
Sept. 12, '62 18 Oct. 16, '62 Priv.
K Sept. 10, '62 27 Oct. 16, '62 Priv.
285
MILITARY HISTORY.
THREE YEARS.
Promotion or Transfer. Wounded or Killed. Mustered Out or Discharged. Name appears on must. and descriptive rolls; no further record.
NINE MONTHS.
App. Sergt. Mar. 1, '63;
must. out, Aug. 13, '63. must. out, Aug. 13, '63. must. out, Aug. 13, '63. must. out, Aug. 13, '63. died, dis., Aug. 2, '63, Memphis, Tenn. must. out, Aug. 13, '63. must. out, Aug. 13, '63. must. out, Aug. 13, '63. must. out, Aug. 13, '63. must. out, Aug. 13, '63.
Corp. Mar. 26, '63 ; reduced to ranks, June 18, '63; must. out, Aug. 13, '63. must. out, Aug. 13, '63. must. out, Aug. 13, '63.
See Miscel. Organizations. See 10 N. H. V.
must. out, July 23, '63, to re-enl. must. out, Aug. 13, '63. must. out, Aug. 13, '63.
killed, June 10, '63, Port Hudson, La.
See 1 N. H. V.
must. out, Aug. 13, '63. must. out, Aug. 13, '63. must. out, July 23, '63, to re-enl.
See Miscel. Organizations. See 1 N. H. V. disch. Aug. 13, '63; died, dis., Aug. 22, '63, Salem. died, dis., Mar. 27, '63, Carrollton. La. disch. July 23, '63, to re-enlist.
See Miscel. Organization. must. out, Aug. 13, '63; died, Aug. 14, '63, Concord. killed, June 14, '63, Port Hudson, La.
See Miscel. Organizations.
must. out, July 23, '63, to re-enl. must. out, Aug. 13, '63. must. out, Aug. 13, '63. must. out, Aug. 13, '63. died, dis., Aug. 10, '63, Buffalo, N. Y. must. out, Aug. 13, '63.
NINE MONTHS.
must. out, Aug. 20, '63. must. out, Aug. 20, '63.
286
HISTORY OF SALEM.
EIGHTEENTH REGIMENT.
Name.
Company. Date of Enlist- ment. In. Age. Date Mustered Rank.
Hunt, George L.
I Mar. 22, '65; 1 yr.
38 Mar. 22, '65 Priv.
*Kelley, Charles O.
H Feb. 10, '65 ; 1 yr.
18 Feb. 10, '65 Priv.
Perry, Kimball S.
K Mar. 27, '65; 1 yr. 41
Mar. 27, '65 Priv.
*Webster, Isaiah N.
I Mar. 17, '65; 1 yr.
18 Mar. 17, '65 Priv.
*Wheeler, Benjamin F. G Feb. 9, '65; 1 yr. 29 Feb. 9, '65 Priv.
FIRST REGIMENT, NEW
Kershaw, Edward L Dec. 13, '61
21 Dec. 27, '61 Priv.
FIRST COMPANY
*Rowell, Joseph S.
June 2, '63
28 June 2, '63 Priv.
FIRST REGIMENT N. H. V.
*Bradford, William L.
L
Sept. 19, '64
18 Sept. 20, '64 Priv.
*Dix, Henry J.
L
Sept. 12, '64
19 Sept. 14, '64 Priv.
*Emerson, Nelson
L
Sept. 22, '64
42 Sept. 22, '64 Sergt.
*Foster, Sidney A.
L Oct. 14, '64
18 Oct. 14, '64 Priv.
Goodwin, Charles
L Sept 28, '64
20
Sept. 29, '64 Priv.
*Kelley, Walter B.
L
Sept. 10, '64
24
Sept. 10, '64 Priv.
*Lundberg, Charles
L
Sept. 10, '64
18
Sept. 10, '64 Priv.
*Maxwell, Charles T. L Sept. 10, '64
22
Sept. 10, '64 Corp.
*Merrill, Willard W. L Sept. 10, '64
22
Sept. 10, '64 Priv.
*Middleton, Thomas B.
L Sept. 13, '64
27 Sept. 14, '64 Priv.
Sumner, George
L Sept. 13, '64
25
Sept. 14, '64 Corp.
*Wilson, Silas Henry
L Sept. 7, '64
28
Sept. 14, '64 Sergt.
VETERAN
*Emerson, Daniel W. K 13 Regt .; Aug. 31, '64
39 Aug. 31, '64 Priv.
*Woodworth, Albert A. E 18 Regt .; Nov. 14, '64 24 Nov. 14, '64 Priv.
U. S. COLORED
Gardner, Charles K 127 Inf .; Aug. 15, '64
26 Aug. 15,'64 Priv.(sub.)
287
MILITARY HISTORY.
ONE AND THREE YEARS.
Promotion or Transfer. Wounded or Killed.
Mustered Out or Discharged. must. out, July 29, '65. must. out, July 29, '65. must. out, May 6, '65. must. out, July 29, '65. must. out, July 29, '65.
ENGLAND VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. Deserted, Feb., '62, Pawtucket, R. I. .
HEAVY ARTILLERY. Corp. Jan. 20, '65. HEAVY ARTILLERY.
must. out, Sept. 11, '65.
App. 1 Sergt .; See Miscel. Organizations ; Tr. to Co. A, June 10, '65 ;
must. out, June 15, '65. must. out, June 15, '65. must. out, June 15, '65. must. out, Sept. 11, '65. must. out, June 15, '65. must. out, June 15, '65. must. out, June 15, '65. must. out, June 15, '65. must. out, June 15, '65. must. out, June 15, '65. must. out, June 15, '65. must. out, June 15, '65.
See 9 N. H. V.
RESERVE CORPS.
See 4 N. H. V .; deserted, Sept. 1, '65, Portland, Me.
See 1 and 4 N. H. V .;
disch. Nov. 14, '65.
TROOPS. Tr. to Co. B .;
must. out, Oct. 20, '65, Brazos Santiago, Tex.
288
HISTORY OF SALEM.
MISCELLANEOUS
Name.
*Ames, John W. *Austin, Orlon Bailey, George F. *Bailey, George W.
*Bailey, Jesse O. Bailey, Orin Albert
*Bailey, Rufus H. H. *Beckford, William A.
*Breck, Elijah F. *Emerson, Nelson
*Hanson, Collins M.
*George, Daniel G.
Company.
Co. H, 22 Mass. Inf.,
Co. E, 13 Mass. Inf.
Co. F, 6 Mass. Inf.,
Co. D, 1 Mass. Cav.,
Co. D, 1 Mass. Cav., Co. L, 1 Mass. Cav., Co. D, 1 Mass. Cav., Co. B, 3 Inf., U. S. A., Co. G, 39 Mass. Inf., Co. B, 14 Mass. Inf.,
Date of En- Date Mus-
listment. Age.
tered In. Rank. Sept. 6, '61 32 Sept. 6, '61 Priv. July 16, '61 20 July 16, '61 Priv. Apr. 16, '61 24
Feb. 8, '64 24 Feb. 8, '64 Priv. Feb. 22, '64 43 Feb. 22, '64 Priv. Sept. 20, '61 20 Sept. 23, '61 Priv. Feb. 16, '64 22 Feb. 16, '64 Priv.
Mar. 29, '61 19 Priv.
Aug. 20, '62 30 Sept. 2, '62 Priv.
July 5, '61 38 July 5, '61 Priv. Co. A, Headq'ters Troops, July 24, '63 24 July 24, '63 Priv. Dept. of the Gulf,
Co. D, 1 Mass. Cav., Sept. 16, '61 21 Sept. 17, '61 Priv ..
*George, John H.
*Hopkins, Frank
*Kelley, Daniel W.
*Kelley, William H. H. *Lee, Oliver
*Lewis, Charles A.
*McArthur, John C.
*Merrill, Charles H.
*Newell, Samuel T.
*Pattee, Charles T.
*Pattee, George H.
Co. D, 1 Mass. Cav., Sept. 16, '61 19 Sept. 17, '61 Priv.
Co. B, 14 Mass. Inf., July 5, '61 18 July 5, '61 Priv.
Co. B, 14 Mass. Inf., July 5, '61 24 July 5, '61 Priv.
Co. B, 14 Mass. Inf., July 5, '61 21 July 5, '61 Priv. Co. A, Headq'ters Troops, July 24, '63 34 July 24, '63 Priv. Dept. of the Gulf,
Co. B, 14 Mass. Inf., July 5, '61 18 July 5, '61 Priv. Co. A, Headq'ters Troops, July 24, '63 38 July 24, '63 Priv .. Dept. of the Gulf,
Co. B, 23 Mass. Inf., Oct. 21, '61 18 Oct. 21, '61 Priv.
Co. I, 1 Art. U. S. A., Apr. 11, '61 17 Priv.
Co. B, 14 Mass. Inf., July 5, '61 25 July 5, '61 Priv.
Co. A, Headq'ters Troops, July 24, '63 21 July 24, '63 Priv. Dept. of the Gulf,
*Richardson, Oakley E. D. Co. M, 2 Mass. H. Art., Dec. 15, '63 19 Dec. 28, '63 Priv.
*Tebbetts, Charles W.
Co. C, 19 Mass. Inf., Aug. 17, '61 19 Aug. 28, '61 Priv.
U. S. NAVY.
Man, Roy ; age 39; enl. Apr. 13, '63, at Boston, as Landsman ; disch. from " Seneca " as Ord. Seaman, June 13, '64,
Massey, Leverett; age 24; enl. Aug. 11, '62, at Boston, as Seaman; disch. from receiving ship, New York City,
289
MILITARY HISTORY.
ORGANIZATIONS.
Promotion or Transfer. Wounded or Killed. Mustered Out or Discharged. wd. and captured, June 27, '62; released; disch., disab., Mar. 14, '63. wd. June 21, '64;
Corp. Mar. 19, '64;
Tr. to Co. L, 4 Mass. Cav .; See 1 and 5 N. H. V .; See 8 N. H. V .;
must. out, Aug. 1, 64. disch. June 17, '65. disch. June 29, '65. disch. June 17, '65, Worcester, Mass. disch. Aug. 2, '65. disch. July 9, '65.
See 1 N. H. H. Art .;
Tr. to Co. I, New Orleans Inf., Dec. 27, '64; [See 15 N. H. V.
disch., disab., Sept. 5, '61, Washington, D. C. disch. May 30, '65. disch. July 8, '64. disch. June 1, '66, New Orleans, La.
1 Sergt. Feb. 8, 63; tr. to U. S. Navy, May 7, '64, as an Ord. Seaman, under name of [William Smith; served on U. S. S. "North Carolina," " Chicopee," and " Hart- [ford " ; volunteered from "Chicopee " as one of crew of Picket Laurel No. 1; [captured, Oct. 27, '64, Plymouth, N. C., while one of party destroying the rebel [ram "Albemarle "; received medal for this act; paroled; disch. Apr. 26, '66, as [coxswain of "Chicopee."
Corp. Nov. 24, '63; app. Sergt. May 1, '64; disch. to accept promotion ; [app. 2 Lt. Co. D, 5 Mass. Cav. Sept. 27, '64; must. out, Oct. 31, '65. died. Apr. 21, '62, Derry. wd. May 19, '64; died, May 23, '64. must. out, July 8, '64.
Tr. to Co. I, New Orleans Inf., Dec. 27, '64; [See 15 N. H. V.
disch. July 23, '65, New Orleans, La.
captured, May 19, '64; released; disch. Jan. 26, '65.
Tr. to Co. I, New Orleans Inf., Dec. 27, '64; disch. June 1, '66.
[See 15 N. H. V.
died, dis., July 5, '62, Annapolis, Md. disch., disab., Dec. 7, '63, Ft. Independence, Boston. must. out, July 8, '64.
Tr. to Co. I, New Orleans Inf., Dec. 27, '64 ; [See 15 N. H. V.
disch. July 23, '65, New Orleans, La.
App. Hosp. Steward, Jan. 1, '65;
must. out, Sept. 3, '65. must. out, June 30, '65.
U. S. NAVY.
Served on U. S. S. "Ohio," "Niphon," "Flag," and "Seneca "; time expired.
Served on U. S. S. "Ohio," "Princeton," and "Potomska ";
Oct. 26, '63, time expired.
20
290
HISTORY OF SALEM.
After the war there was naturally very little desire for mili- tary matters in the state, and on July 9, 1869, the legislature passed an act to suspend encampments of the militia for a period of five years. In 1874 this was extended for five years more. But two years later, July 18, 1876, a new law was enacted, ordering regular drill of all militia companies in the state. There has been no company in Salem since this time.
The outbreak of the war with Spain drew several of the young men from Salem into the army, either as regulars or volunteers ; but to trace them, or even ascertain the names of all of them would require much time and research. Those who enlisted in the regular army, those in the volunteer companies raised in Lawrence, Mass., and those recruited into New Hampshire regi- ments of volunteers would needs be traced through entirely dif- ferent channels. Even if this were done, it is unlikely that the results would justify the work.
We have reviewed the history of Salem in times of war, fol- lowed her soldiers through their military careers, and watched the support at home for those on the field. And we can proudly say that when the crisis came, when the need was great, as in '76 and again in '61, Salem gave bountifully of her best.
CHAPTER VIII.
Industrial.
While this chapter is necessarily of a miscellaneous nature, it is as unified as varying items and sections will permit. Be- sides the growth of individual industries, that which in many instances depended directly upon it is here included, namely the development of the villages or hamlets about such industries. The few items regarding financial conditions, in addition to those elsewhere mentioned, are placed in this chapter for lack of a more appropriate place.
CURRENCY.
In order that the value of the money of the first days of the town may be understood, a comparison found in the records of 1750 is here presented. An account was to be paid in "old tenor," which was said to be worth only one fourth of the value of the "new tenor" at that time. One pound old tenor was accepted as value of one bushel of Indian corn; then a pound new tenor would buy four bushels of corn.
The steady rise in Rev. Abner Bayley's salary, to make up for the shrinkage of the money value, is also an indication of the rate of that shrinkage. In the ten years from 1753 to 1763 his salary rose from 250 pounds to 1,075 pounds. Certainly the old tenor was becoming very cheap.
The first mention of decimal currency in the Salem records occurs in the record of the annual town meeting of 1766. An article had been inserted in the warrant: "3ly if the town votes to give any Compensation for Catching of the wolves to See how much money the town will Vote a head for Catching of those wolves which are the Destroyers of our Substance." The meeting voted ten dollars per head as a bounty on the creatures.
292
HISTORY OF SALEM.
However it was not until about 1800 that taxes and other town accounts were rendered in terms of dollars and cents.
SAWMILLS AND LUMBER.
The ancient sawmills represented the first industry of the town. Almost before the settlers began to take up their claims in this region timber was cut and sawed here and hauled to places where building was going on. These mills were operated by water power, being located on the Spicket or its branches. One of the first was on Hitty Titty brook at Millville. When and by whom it was built is not known, but it was owned and operated during the early days of the town by Henry Sanders. Here the frame for the meetinghouse was prepared, as were also boards and planks for the building.
Another very old mill was on the Spicket at North Salem, near Cowbell Corner. It was operated by Seth Pattee as early as 1769, as it is mentioned in the laying out of a road at that time. The Clendenin family afterwards obtained the property and conducted the business until about 1840. The mill was torn down about fifty years ago. It stood on the north side of the bridge, a short distance up stream. The dam is still there at the head of the canal that brought water to the gristmill that stood on the south side of the road.
Near the wide horseshoe bend in the Spicket at the foot of Allen's (Long's) Hill was an ancient fording place where the path from Poverty Street, near the Bradley farm, met the road leading to Hale's mill. This path passed near an old mill site, the dam of which may still be seen on Captain's brook, a short distance above its junction with the river. (M 653). Here the Johnson family owned a sawmill during the first years of the building of the town. There were William, Samuel and Tim- othy, all of whom had an interest in the mill at one time or another. In 1765 a gristmill had supplanted the sawmill, and was owned by Edward Carlton. This is found in the deed of sale by Carlton to Samuel Clement at that time. When Carl- ton obtained possession we do not know, nor when the mill dis- appeared. Eighty years ago the place looked very much as it
SITE OF OLD GRISTMILL AT MILLVILLE. (M 488) (See page 294)
293
INDUSTRIAL.
does today, the large rocks showing clearly the ruins of the old dam.
A short distance below the Atlas mill at North Salem is the old Duston mill (M 546). Here in 1832 was Hatch's shingle mill, soon afterwards converted into a sash and blind factory. Although the origin of this building is not known, it is not likely that it was built as early as those named above; because of the small fall of water the places of greater head were first chosen, while the less powerful falls were constructed later. This mill has been used for various purposes of late years, one being the manufacture of shoddy, operated by Levi W. Taylor. It was recently purchased with a view of installing an electric light plant.
The sawmill of Nathaniel Duston was near the road on the south side of the Spicket at North Salem on what is now the land of Mrs. Jennings (M 565). It was equipped with an old-fash- ioned "jig-saw," which ran up and down, for sawing logs into planks. Duston sold it to Richard Taylor, and he to Matthew H. and Levi W. Taylor. They did an extensive business here for some years. The building was finally torn down by Richard, who built where the Atlas mill now stands.
The last stationary sawmill of the town was at Millville, owned by Wm G. Crowell (M 490). It was not far from the ancient ruins of Henry Sanders' mill. It was operated first by a Mr. Clement, who owned the property here bordering on the brook. Mr. Crowell operated it until 1885, after which he used portable sawmills in his lumber business.
The sawing of the town has been done entirely by these port- able mills in recent years, several contracting firms acting as lum- ber brokers. Wallace W. Cole and Isaac C. Brown, the latter of Methuen, have been largely interested in this business.
GRISTMILLS.
These institutions, long since gone from among the industries of Salem, with the single exception of the modern mill at the Depot, were formerly very essential to the life of the com- munity. During the years when the settlers were taking up their claims the cornbread was one of the staple articles of diet. And
1
294
HISTORY OF SALEM.
in later years, although white flour could be obtained, it was too expensive compared with rye and Indian meal to find favor with the industrious and frugal people of that time.
To the first inhabitants the luxury of ground meal was not common. The corn had to be carried a long distance to the mill, over paths not any too easy to travel. The cheaper and easier way was to pound the corn in a mortar and bake it after soaking in water. The product of this process was known as "bannock," and was prized as a treat fit for a king. As the land came into a better state of cultivation the corn crop rapidly increased. Large fields of corn were a part of the adornment of every farm, being at the same time an essential means to the livelihood of the household. Then the gristmill became a necessity, and se- cured a location at each convenient waterfall.
One of the first was at Cowbell Corner, at the southwest corner of the crossing of the road and river (M 613). Being on the main road from Londonderry to Haverhill this mill gathered a large trade. More than one hundred years ago it was operated by John and Benjamin Clendenin, brothers of William, who had the old Pattee sawmill across the road. Later John Taylor bought the property of the Clendenin family, after which the gristmill was run for a time by Nathaniel H. Paul. It was torn down by Mr. Taylor about 1860. Mr. Paul afterwards bought the place and built the shoddy mill on the site of the old build- ing.
The Clement mill (M 653), formerly referred to as Johnson's sawmill, was in operation several years, certainly before the Rev- olution. This had the patronage of the families about the Cap- tain's Pond and Spicket Hill districts, which were at that time numerous.
At some time the old mill on Hitty Titty brook (M 488) must have been equipped for grinding, as the old millstones are still near the dam, nearly buried under the soil which has been ac- cumulating during all these years. Of the early owners nothing is known, but the Woodbury and Sanders families later held partnership control of the property. One of the stones may be seen in the cut on page 292, taken this year.
On Policy brook, near the crossing of the road leading to Pel-
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INDUSTRIAL.
ham, stood the mill of Edward Griffin, who ground here for some time (M 235). This was the rendezvous of all the farmers of the west part of the town. Grain was brought from miles around, to be ground into meal. The old mill was burned about 1875, being owned then by Baxter Hall. It was not rebuilt. How- ever, Charles Burns has lately built a house not far from the site of the mill.
Another miller had his stand at the dam in North Salem about where the passage way or entrance to the Atlas mill leads from the road (M 542). Here again we cannot trace the history of the mill far back. It is safe to say that the fine water head here would have been sufficient inducement to build here very early. In 1832 it was an old building. The miller was then Nathaniel Duston, who later sold to Richard Taylor, probably about 1860. He discontinued grinding after about eight or ten years, when the mill lay idle. It was then taken down and a sash and blind mill built a little farther from the road.
The old mill (M 318) near the No. 8 schoolhouse, on the brook by the residence of James Littlejohn, was operated last by Tris- tram Kimball, and still longer ago by William Clough. There is some question as to the age of this mill, but it is believed to have been very old. One of the millstones lies half buried in the bed of the brook, while the other forms the doorstep of the Little- john house.
FARMING.
The advantages and disadvantages of Salem as a farming town are too well known to require more than passing reference here. The general rocky and sandy nature of the soil forbids any exten- sive agricultural undertaking, but small tracts of fertile lowland furnish good accommodation for gardening and hay raising. The markets of the neighboring communities of Methuen and Law- rence are supplied to a considerable extent with vegetables from the Salem farms. In addition to the farmers of long residence in the town there are a large number of families from the south European countries-Italy, Turkey, Syria, Armenia-now carry- ing on extensive farming industry. These people are hard working, prudent families for the most part, and seem appre- ciative of the opportunities here afforded the workingman. They
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HISTORY OF SALEM.
are reclaiming many of the farms which would otherwise lie idle and in waste, abandoned by the original owners.
Formerly practically every landholder was a farmer, having large tracts of corn and other grains, which were to furnish food for the family as well as the stock during the winter.
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