USA > New Hampshire > Sullivan County > Washington > History of Washington, New Hampshire, from the first settlement to the present time, 1768-1886 > Part 6
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There was much difficulty for many years in procuring implements for farming and household purposes, and articles of food which were not raised at home were sometimes difficult to obtain, for merchandise had to be brought a long distance and by slow means of trans- portation. The plows, hoes, and other working utensils were of a clumsy make, and the many inventions for ren- dering the work of both men and women easier were then unknown. They were truly a hard-working people, and bringing health and strength and willing hands to their tasks, they doubtless found enjoyment in their labors, and contentment in toil and hardship.
Clocks and watches were not generally owned one hun- dred years ago, the hour-glass and sun-dial indicated the time in some homes, but the noon-mark on the window-
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sill was in common use, and that was supposed to be cor- rect once a day at least. An aged lady tells me that about the year 1810 her father purchased a tall framed clock, and at that time but very few of their neighbors were so for- tunate as to possess a time-piece of any kind. The room where it stood was called the clock-room. The cost of the first clocks was considerably greater than of those made now. and they were of much more durable workmanship, the cheaply manufactured article now in use will hardly last to be handed down a hundred years or more as a relic of these days. The same fact may be stated with regard to other articles that were used in the olden time. The cloths were to a large extent made from the wool and flax at home, but after the woolen mill was built, the cloth was sometimes taken there to be finished by fulling, and the dull wine-colored and dark-green, that the writer can well remember would compare favorably with the dark-hued dies so much in vogue at the present time ; and the wear- ing qualities of those goods cannot be surpassed. The cloths that were not home-made were also very durable and the broadcloth coat worn by our great-grandfathers would last a lifetime. The first calico was of English make and cost about fifty cents a yard, but it was much heavier and firmer than the print that has taken its place, and the matron or maiden who wore a calico gown was thought to be very smartly dressed.
Lucifer matches were not in common use until about the year 1830. Sometimes the tinder box was used for start- ing fires ; but the fire was never allowed to die out in the old-fashioned fire place : the hearths of our fore-fathers were never expected to grow cold : but if by any mischance the coals become extinct it was no unusual thing for some member of the family to go to some neighbor's house to obtain a supply of live embers, and when one was observed on a cold day wending his way to a dwelling the remark would be made, "he must be going to borrow fire." Every
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one will acknowledge the convenience of the modern stove, but for healthfulness, comfort, and social good cheer, the bright, glowing open fire greatly surpasses any present means of warming our dwellings.
" By the fire-side there are peace and comfort, Wives and children with fair thoughtful faces, . Waiting, watching,
For a well known footstep in the passage."
" We may build more splendid habitations,
Fill our homes with paintings and with sculptures, But we cannot
Buy with gold the old associations."
Kerosene was not used for lights until within the last thirty-five years, candles and lamp oil dimly supplying its place ; they were rivalled by the blazing pine knot, by the light of which the busy wife could ply her knitting, the husband shelling corn perhaps, and some studious youth sitting in the corner by the fire-place poring over the contents of a book by its ruddy light.
The postal facilities previous to the year 1800 were very limited. The legislation of the state established post- offices, and post-routes. In 1791 it established "four routes for posts, to be appointed to ride in and through the interior of the state. The mail was carried on horse- back once in two weeks. The post-rider received a small salary from the state for carrying public letters and papers, and a postage of six-pence on single letters for every forty miles, and four-pence for less distance. Post-offices were established in ten of the principal towns, and postmasters were allowed two-pence for every letter and package. In '1794 a post-route was established between Concord and Charlestown, which might have passed through Washing- ton ; and Lieut. Francis Bowman established another route a little later from Amherst through Dunbarton to Concord, thence to Henniker, Hillsborough and Washington, going through Bradford on his return. In 1802 a stage com-
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menced to run from Amherst to Windsor, Vermont, through Washington, and the same year a post-office was established at the center of the town. Reuben Farnsworth was the first postmaster, he continued to hold the office until the year 1819, when he was succeeded by Daniel Greenleaf. Simon W. Jones received the first appoint- ment as postmaster at East Washington, he did not how- ever retain the office, but resigned in favor of Mr. Edmund Davis who succeeded him in 1841. Previous to this time the mail was brought from the centre village once a week by some one on horseback, although there was no regular post-route between the two villages.
The second New Hampshire turnpike, which was laid out in the year 1800, was a much travelled thoroughfare dur- ing the years that preceded the building of the many lines of railroad in all sections of the state. Heavily laden teams drawn by four or six horses, the old fashioned stage coach whose ample interior and roof sometimes carried as many as twenty passengers, and smaller vehicles of all descrip- tions were constantly passing from the cities in southern New Hampshire and Massachusetts to country places far- ther on; and the farmers loaded their sleds with the spare produce of their farms, when the first snows of winter made travelling easy, and brought back in return mer- chandise that their families required for the following winter.
It was said that, in addition to much lawful travel that enlivened the turnpike, there were also teams loaded with contraband goods, being conveyed to or from the Canadi- an border, and the officers to whom belonged the duty of enforcing the laws against smuggling often visited the taverns, resorting to stratagem to discover the unlawful trade. I have heard an aged man who drove a team from Claremont to Boston, relate among other incidents that he was knowing to, that of a bereaved widow who was con- veying the remains of her husband to a place of burial in
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the town where he had formerly lived. Had the enter- prising lady succeeded in eluding the vigilance of the officers, the load in her care would have yielded a large profit on the investment.
But these customs have all changed. It is true the "iron horse" has not yet invaded this locality ; and we hear the locomotive's whistle only as it reverberates from the echoing hills of the adjoining towns, and the stage- coach still brings to us passengers and news from the outside world ; but the loaded freight teams no longer throng our highways, and the old-fashioned tavern with its jovial crowd has given place to the modern hotel, pat- ronized by the summer boarder from the city, and the commercial traveller at all seasons.
And with the old colonial days, and the ancient hostel- ries, have passed away the "Ampler hospitality," the good fellowship, the freedom of social intercourse that marked the years when all endured privations alike, and were de- pendent on the society of each other for the enjoyment that can now be realized in so many different ways. Let us hope that beneath a more reserved manner is hidden as kindly hearts, and as warm impulses as ever graced the characters of our ancestors.
CHAPTER XII.
INDUSTRIES.
Saw and Grist-Mills. Other Manufactories, from their origin to the present time.
HE first settlers of this town, like all others in making a home for themselves in the wilderness, labored under great disadvantages. Roads were at first simply paths cut through the forest, and followed by marked trees, leading from one habitation to another. With little money and no conveniences to help themselves with, their frontier life was but a series of hardships re- quiring a vast amount of labor, energy and perseverance to overcome the many obstacles which presented them- selves in forming a settlement. Their first care was to provide shelter for themselves and families, which they did by building log-houses. These, from necessity, were made in the simplest manner-more thought being given to provide a shelter, than to make them convenient to live in. One room, with a loft overhead, comprised all the room in most of the dwellings. Glass was an unknown luxury with the early settlers. A hole left in the logs to admit the light, and closed in the cold weather by a board or bundle of rags, supplied the place of windows. The fire- place, built of stones at one side of the room, was used alike for cooking and keeping warm. As matches for kindling fires were unknown, great care was taken to bury the coals in ashes ready to be used when a fire was want-
.
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON.
ed. In case the coals went out, they were obliged to go, sometimes for miles, to a neighbors to procure coals to make the fire. Some used a tinder-box, and sometimes powder was flashed, for the same purpose. There were but few cellars and these consisted of a hole dug in the ground. Horses were scarce, and carriages almost un- known. Much of the grain used for food was carried to the mills to be ground, on the men's shoulders, and the flour returned the same way. Those who were fortunate · enough to own a horse, led him over the rough and uneven roads, with the bag of grain on his back. Depending upon the crops they could raise for the food for their families, fields of grain soon took the place of the heavy forests. Their next efforts were directed to erecting mills for grinding grain, and sawing lumber they would need for erecting more comfortable dwellings. They then commenced building roads, employing their time and money in making such improvements as would render a settlement here desirable. The material prosperity is indicated by the valuation at different periods. The val- uation in 1822, was $ 188,366; in 1835, $ 283,698; in 1845, $ 333,200; in 1855, reached its highest figures, $ 392,854; in 1865, $ 367,410; in 1875, $ 349,848; in 1885, $ 331,814. The garments worn were made by the wives and daughters, who not only carded, spun, colored and wove the cloth, but went into the fields, helping to pull the flax and prepare it for use. As this was done by hand work alone, it added much to their labor. The proprietors, to aid in the settlement of the town, in 1763, "voted one hundred acres of land to any one who will build a grist-mill, for the use of the inhabitants of said town for fifteen years. To keep said mill in repair, supply said inhabitants with boards and joists, at the rate of eight shillings per thousand, and receive the customary tolls for grinding grain. And they agree further to pay out of the proprietors' stock, £23 13s. 4d. toward completing
1
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the iron work of the mill without further charge to the proprietors." Joseph Rounsevel built the first mill on the privilege now owned by Newman & Wiley. A mill, containing a carding machine, was built by Edward Wood- man, where the Crescent mill now stands.
THE LAWS MILL.
On this spot was built the first mill in town, by Joseph Rounsevel, aided by the proprietors. The saw-mill was built the first year of settlement. Afterwards Thomas Penniman built a distillery for the manufacture of whiskey from potatoes. The building was situated a short dis- tance above the present saw-mill of Newman & Wiley. It was afterward demolished and a foundry, for making stove-castings, was erected, and the business carried on by Davis, Markham & Gould.
The next owner of these mills appears to be Ebenezer Burbank, who occupied them for a long term of years. About the year 1827 they were bought by Ebenezer Laws, who rebuilt both mills in 1838, putting in machin- ery for the manufacture of powder kegs. The saw-mill was burned in 1851, and was rebuilt by Mr. Laws. In 1858, Mr. Laws sold to George W. Gage, who repaired and enlarged the mills, and added machinery for making yokes, also clothes-pins and bobbins. Charles N. Foster occupied a part of the saw-mill, for a time manufacturing clothes-pins. Samuel T. Farnsworth put machinery into the grist-mill for making tubs, in the year 1860. Later the grist-mill and one-half of the water power was sold to Benjamin P. Blood, who made tubs, and also run the grist- mill. Subsequently he moved the Collins mill, that stood above Half-Moon pond, and rebuilt it as it now stands, letting the old grist-mill go to decay. It again passed into the hands of George W. Gage, who sold to Mason H. Carr. In 1884, these mills were purchased by Newman & Wiley, who manufacture lumber and shingles. The upper part
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON.
of the old saw-mill is occupied by Alonzo Knight, with machinery for making tubs, and the other part for making shingles and making cider, and, at the present time, they are adding a grist-mill.
CRESCENT MILL.
The first mill built on this site was erected by Mr. Woodman, who carried on the business of carding rolls and dressing cloth, renting cards of a Mr. Googins for that purpose. It was then purchased by Seth Adams in 1814. About two years later he sold one-half of the mill to Benajah Sabin of Connecticut. Adams & Sabin re- mained in partnership ten or twelve years, when Mr. Adams purchased the whole property. He continued alone in the business until 1843, when a copartnership was formed by Mr. Adams and his two sons, Nathan and Calvin, who put in machinery for the manufacture of cloth. The elder Adams sold his interest in the business, in 1852 to Levi Harthon, having been in business at the old mill thirty-eight years. Adams & Harthon continued the business until 1857, when Mr. Harthon purchased the whole. Mr. Harthon built a much larger mill in 1868, putting in new machinery and heating the mill by steam. He employed a large number of operatives, and carried on an extensive business in the manufacture of cloth and hosiery. . In 1874 the mill was purchased by Quinn & Hills, who remained in the business until 1876, when it again went into Mr. Harthon's hands, who sold to Brown & Young in 1880, who are also doing a large business in the manufacture of hosiery.
CARD-BOARD SHOP.
The site where this shop stands was first occupied by a blacksmith shop owned by John Merrill, and subsequently by a Mr. Harris from Rhode Island, who built a dam and erected a mill for manufacturing cotton yarn ; putting in
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two spinning frames, an engine, lathe, and two or three cards, operating them a few years in this mill, and then removing the machinery to Providence, Rhode Island, about 1824. Afterwards it was bought by Col. Thomas Laws, who made card-boards by hand for several years. He then put in machinery, doing an increased business until 1847, when Ezra P. and Joseph A. Howard purchased the shop, continuing in partnership five or six years, Ezra P. Howard then buying his brother's interest. He con- tinued doing an enlarged business until 1858, when Harris Robinson carried on the business during one year. Mr. Howard then took the business, and kept it until 1865, when Sargent Brothers of Leominster, Massachu- setts, became owners of the shop, and James A. White carried on the business for one year. E. P. Howard again took the business, keeping it until 1868, when George F. Fowler succeeded him. The old shop was burned in 1870, but was immediately rebuilt by the Messrs. Sargent. Mr. Fowler designed some machines which were very superior to those formerly used. They finished the boards in a better manner, and saved employing so many work- men. The property was purchased by Mrs. George F. Fowler in 1884, after which steam was used for part motive power, and manufacturing in addition, clapboards, shingles and lumber.
DICKEY'S MILL.
This mill was built by George W. Newman, on the stream flowing from Half-Moon pond, about one-half mile below the Laws mill, in 1853, and was sold to French & Train in 1860, and they sold the property to John G. Dickey of Hillsborough in 1865. It remained in his pos- session until 1884, when it was purchased by Allen R. Hood of Bennington, who is engaged in the lumber busi- ness there at the present time.
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON.
COLLINS' MILL.
Dow & Bailey built a saw-mill on the mountain brook, above Half-Moon pond, taking the machinery from the Parmenter mill. They sold to Henry Collins in 1853. The mill was burned in 1856, was rebuilt and was owned by John C. Philbrick until 1863. It was then moved by Benjamin P. Blood and put up near the site of the Pen- niman whiskey still, and is now owned by Newman & Wiley. Henry Collins and Holman Ring built another saw-mill on the same stream, near the Henry Lowell old place, in 1875. But little business has been done in this mill and it is going to decay.
MARSHALL'S MILL.
This mill is situated on Millen brook, and was built by Alonzo Marshall in 1868, for sawing boards, shingles, laths, etc., and remains in his possession at the present time. Above this mill, at the outlet of Barden pond, there was a dam and shop built by Ezekiel Barden, and used for a cooper shop. The dam is kept in repair by Mr. Marshall, for the benefit of his mill, but scarcely a timber remains to mark the spot where the cooper-shop stood.
DOLE'S MILL.
A short distance below where the present mill stands, there was one built by David Parmenter for sawing lumber, which remained until the machinery was sold to Dow & Bailey, and was carried to the mill built by them on the brook above Half-Moon pond. The present mill was built by Ebenezer Hall in 1844. It was owned by Isaac Blanchard from 1852 until 1854. It then came into the possession of Ebenezer Hall, who owned it dur- ing 1855 and 1856. Smith & Adams owned it during the year 1857. It then passed into the hands of William and John Smith for the year 1858. John Smith owned it
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON.
alone from 1859 to 1861. William Dole then purchased it in 1862 and owned it until 1869. His son, Mason H. Dole, then entered into partnership with Mr. Dole, and the property was owned by them until 1880. Mr. William Dole then retired from business and the sons, Mason H. and Wallace W., became owners of the property. The Dole Brothers have put in a circular saw and are doing an enlarged business.
MC ADAMS SHOP.
This building and dam was built by Jonathan Philbrick, a few rods above his residence, for a pail factory. It was used for this business a number of years. It was after- wards used by Daniel Mc Adams for making card-boards, bobbins, etc. Also by Mc Adams & Newman for the same purposes, they making repairs. Afterward by Dan- iel Mc Adams alone. Robert Moore, of Hillsborough, put in a circular saw which was used a short time. The build- ing has not been used for years, and is now fast going to decay. Daniel and Horace McAdams built a dam and building for a mill on the same stream, below their pres- ent dwelling and moved the machinery from it to Crane's mill, at the outlet of Island pond. But little business has been done there.
Capt. Jonathan Brockway built a saw and grist-mill at the outlet of Brockway or Millen pond, in the early settlement of the town, just below the present bridge, and below this mill, he built an oil mill. Below that a potato whiskey mill was built. On or near the foundation of the oil mill, a potato starch mill was afterward built by Stephen Eaton of Stoddard. After Mr. Eaton's death business was carried on in it, by Scripture & Whiting. The saw and grist mill went into the hands of Smith Brockway, who rebuilt the grist-mill. After a time Reu- ben Wright put in a rake shop in place of the grist-mill. Amasa Fairbanks purchased the saw-mill in 1843, and
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON.
Sumner Fairbanks bought the same in 1845. It was afterward purchased by Allen Ball in 1851, and sold to Faulkner & Colony of Keene, who use the pond as a reser- voir. Nothing now remains but part of the foundations of the different buildings in that wild ravine.
ATKINS' MILL.
William Atkins built a dam and mill on the brook from Brockway pond, some distance below the Brockway mills, in 1870. It was burned a year or two later. A frame for another mill was put up, but nothing further has been done.
GOVE'S MILL.
This mill was built in 1842, on the brook between May and North ponds, by David Gove, who carried on quite a business in it until 1859, when Imri Gove bought it and continued to carry on business until 1866, when he sold it to Jonathan B. Emerson. The property was owned by Mr. Emerson until 1875, when it was purchased by Messrs. Emerson, Bodwell. & Porter. In 1877, Susan D. Porter bought one undivided half of the property, which soon went into possession of Ann E. Abbot. The whole prop- erty was again sold to Pearson C. Cheney & Co., of Man- chester, in 1883. The Company made additions and improvements, using steam for motive power in getting out lumber and pulp wood for their paper mills. There had been but two dwelling houses erected there. Cheney & Co. soon built several cottages for the use of their workmen, which were occupied as soon as completed. Situated on the shore of May pond, it forms a pleasant, romantic little village. This mill was burned in 1885, and the Company have built a new and larger mill a little above where the old one stood, still using steam for the motive power.
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IIISTORY OF WASHINGTON.
BUTTERFIELD'S MILL.
A short distance above the present mill is the site of a mill built by Francis Faxon. This mill was burned some years after, and was rebuilt by - Curtis.
John May became the owner of this building, which, falling to decay, was burned by him to prevent accident. The present mill was built by Jerome Strickland in 1842, where he continued to do business until his death. It was purchased by Tristram Collins in 1850, who owned it until 1854, when it was sold to John Butterfield. The mill was burned in 1864 and was rebuilt by John L. But- terfield. He enlarged the business by adding machinery for sawing shingles and turning spade and hoe handles.
TOWNE'S MILL.
This mill was built on the Ashuelot river, by Allen Towne in 1856, and was burned in 1875. It was always owned by Mr. Towne.
RUSSELL'S MILL.
This mill was built by Stephen Russell, on the Ashuelot river, below the pond of that name, for a saw and grist- mill. It passed into the hands of his son, Allen Russell, in 1846, in whose possession it remained until his death in 1871. It was then purchased by George C. Friend, who sold it to Edgar W. Farnsworth in 1880. Mr. Farns- worth still owns and carries on business in the mill.
CARR'S MILL, LOCATED AT EAST WASHINGTON.
Capt. Jonathan Brockway built a saw-mill at this place in 1787, on the brook passing through the village. He also built a grist mill on the opposite side of the stream from the saw-mill. The mills passed into the hands of his son, Jonathan Brockway, Jr., and were next owned by Jonathan Bailey and Moses Wood. Afterward Thaddeus Graves had an interest in the grist-mill for a time. Ray-
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mond Brockway rebuilt the saw-mill-the grist-mill having already gone to decay. Jonathan Brockway, brother of Raymond Brockway, was the next owner of this property. He sold to Elbridge G. Brockway, and it was bought by the present owner, Mason H. Carr, in 1843, who does an extensive business in lumber, shingles, etc.
DAVIS' MILL.
Edmund Davis, prior to 1820, built a grist-mill on the north side of the brook, near the upper end of the Na- thaniel G. Jones' mill pond, and a saw-mill on the south side, just below the present dam. They were used several years, but going to decay, they were never repaired.
LOWELL'S MILL.
James Boutwell from Antrim built the first mill on this site in 1841 and used it for making bobbins, etc. It was afterward owned by Solomon E. and William F. Jones. It was in possession of Nichols & Jones, N. G. Jones & Co., and Frank S. Farrar, who sold to Hiram M. Davis. The mill was rebuilt by Mr. Davis as a saw-mill, in 1864. This property was sold to Ashby & Craig in 1866, and bought by Henry Ashby in 1868. The same property was again sold to Samuel Andrews in 1872. In 1877, it was bought by Friend & Benton. A year later Mr. Ben- ton sold his interest in the mill, and Friend and Thissell owned the property in 1879. It came into the possession of Charles Lowell in 1883, who carries on business in it at the present time.
THE WASHBOARD SHOP.
The first shop was built by John M. Farrar in 1847, and was owned by Stephen F. and George B. Farrar in 1849. George B. Farrar was sole owner in 1850-I, and it was bought by George W. Carr & Co. in 1852. The property remained in their possession until 1857, when it was sold to Farrar & Smith. It was purchased by F. F. and W. F.
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