History of the city of Nashua, N.H., Part 12

Author: Parker, Edward Everett, 1842- ed; Reinheimer, H., & Co
Publication date: 1897
Publisher: Nashua, N.H., Telegraph Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 652

USA > New Hampshire > Hillsborough County > Nashua > History of the city of Nashua, N.H. > Part 12

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We have now traced this History through a period of nearly two centuries. From its wilderness state, by toil and privations, by bloodshed and sufferings, by enterprise and capital combined, has this place been brought to its present condition. Its prosperity must now depend upon its trade and manufactures, and for the increase of them every effort should be made. Its central position and its facilities of transportation are advantages which can not be too highly appreciated.

The multiplication of shops and stores, and the amount of their trade, are evidences of what has been accomplished by enterprise, and offer strong encouragements for the future. Other manufactures besides cotton are creeping in, thus far with great success and should be encouraged. The manufactures of shuttles and bobbins, locks, guns, ploughs, edge tools, machinery, iron, brass, and tin ware, carriages, saddlery, sashes, blinds, doors, hats, caps, boots and shoes, reeds, cigars, furniture, time-pieces, boxes, stoves, and of patent leather, and book-binding, employ a large amount of capital and furnish employment to a large number of persons.

When we consider the ease and cheapness of communication with Boston, and the comparative lowness of the price of land, of materials, and of board among us, it is manifest that all kinds of manufactures may be greatly extended and multiplied, and to much advantage. If all will but labor permanently for this end, thus, and thus only, will the means of support be afforded to additional

- thousands, a market for all the neighborhood furnished, and the foundation be laid, broad and deep, and immovable, for the permanent prosperity of Nashua and Nashville.

HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H.

CHAPTER XI.

INDIAN HEAD COFFEE HOUSE. WHEELWRIGHT SHOP OF JESSE CROSBY. KENDRICK AND

TUTTLE'S STORE. THE "TONTINE." FLETCHER STREET. WATANANOCK HOUSE. THAYER'S COURT. STORE ON CORNER OF FRANKLIN STREET, NOW WHITING BUILDING. FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH BUILDING. CENTRAL BUILDING. SHATTUCK'S BLOCK. GREELEY BUILDING. CENTRAL HOUSE. "BOAT LANDING." TIMOTHY GAY'S GROCERY STORE. FIRST BRICK STORE AND DWELLING HOUSE IN TOWN. FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH BUILDING. " TEN-FOOTERS." PHILLIPS' BLOCK. EAYERS' BLOCK. JACOB HALL

COTTAGE. AARON F. SAWYER HOUSE. ATWOOD'S BUILDING. MURGATROYD AND BARKER'S BLOCK. EXCHANGE BUILDING. FISHER'S BLOCK. BEASOM BLOCK. FACTORY

STREET. HUNT BUILDING. WASHINGTON HOUSE. NOYES BLOCK. JOHN G. BLUNT'S

STORE. CRAFT'S POTTERY. RESIDENCES OF FORTY YEARS AGO.

N a previous chapter Mr. Fox invites his readers to a retrospect covering a period of forty years- from 1803 to 1843. The reader of to-day has been led along the highway of growth and change covering a period of more than fifty years, and the half century thus passed is vastly more than all the centuries that preceded it so far as relates to the history of Nashua. Taking our stand at the same point suggested in Mr. Fox's chapter, at the close of 1895, many and important changes will be found on every hand. The first building mentioned by him was the Indian Head coffee house, a picture of which appears on another page, taken at a time when it may be said of it that it was in its highest state of prosperity. The building he referred to as the Indian Head coffee house appears in this picture as the L, and with its imposing front and long easterly extension, was sold and torn down in 1892 to give place to the elegant granite edifice of the First church, now covering the site. Thus closes the history of the widely known "tavern" kept by the genial and popular host, Moses Tyler. 1

The lot next north of the Indian Head coffee house where the dwelling house of Charles W. Edwards now stands was occupied by the wheelwright shop of Jesse Crosby, one of Nashua's highly respected and well-to-do citizens. At one time he gave the most of his attention to the manufacture of ploughs. In those days there were no manufactories covering acres of ground and putting thousands of this very useful implement upon the market every month, so that the man who wrought with his own hands at his own bench and supplied these useful implements was looked upon by the farmer as a benefactor to the farming community.

There has been no striking changes in the next building referred to-the store of Kendrick & Tuttle, corner of Main and Amherst streets-it having been greatly improved and sold to John Reed about this time. It was a convenient location and within could always be found a stock of well selected goods and sold at reasonable prices, by two honorable and worthy proprietors, Stephen Kendrick, who lived in the house that stood where the fine brick residence of Dr. Samuel G. Dearborn now stands, and Major George Tuttle, brother of the late Nelson Tuttle, who lived in the house now owned by Henry M. Bullard, 13 Concord street. The store is now occupied by Charles A. Nodding.

Upon the lot south stood, high up on the bank, a little back from the main street, the low, long wooden structure that was known as the " Tontine." It was a building of no little importance "in its day." Hon. Solomon Spalding boarded there, "with Mr. Jameson," until his present home on Orange street was completed. Hon. Daniel Abbot is said to have occupied a part of it at the time of removing his office from the Harbor, and Mr. John Reed lived there for a time, but the last years of its existence it served as the house of the only Irish families in town, Patrick and John Donahue. They were brothers. Patrick came to town first and found constant employment with the wealthy citizens of the town as gardener, in the season, and man of general utility at all times. His oldest son read law and entered upon its practice in New York city, but on the death of the parents lost all connection with his native town.

THE INDIAN HEAD HOUSE. Torn down in 1803, and replaced by the First Congregational Church .- ( From a photograph taken about 105. 1

HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H.

Fletcher street was noted as the home of "Uncle John Lund," Franklin Foster, Samuel Merrill and others. Mr. Foster erected the building on the corner of Main street, which he sold to the late Major Dunlap, who remodeled, added to, and fitted it for the headquarters of the garden and flower seed business of Dunlap & Sons.

The next building south, now called the Watananock house, was owned by Rev. A. E. Thayer, and was occupied by Levi W. Hodge, saddler and harness maker, and D. W. Burns, wheelwright, on the first floor. The second story was used by Ephraim Stetson, parlor organ maker. Mr. Stetson came to Nashua from Mont Vernon. In the progress of his business he took J. D. Nutter as a partner and the firm of Stetson & Nutter entered the field of church organ manufacturers. They placed one in the Baptist church and one in the Olive street (now Pilgrim) church in this city, but lacked skill and capital to compete with the larger and well known older firms. The partnership was terminated by the death of Mr. Stetson and the business closed. Mr. Nutter removed to Montreal and engaged in banking and other financial enterprises, and died there some years since.

Thayer's court was dedicated to residences and has so remained all these years. Here was located the home of Rev. Mr. Thayer, a highly esteemed Unitarian clergyman, by which it came to be known as "Thayer's Court. " The wooden building on the southeast, corner of Main, gave place to the brick dwelling erected and occupied by Ziba Gay. Mr. Gay was a machinist and carried on business in North Chelmsford, and the firm of Gay & Silver achieved a wide and honorable reputation. Mr. Gay died many years ago. The next building south was a "ten-footer " owned by Mr. Thayer, and was for many years occupied by J. P. Upton as a bakery. In course of time Mr. Upton, like so many business men, yielded to the temptation to a change and sold out and went into the livery stable business in the old stable that stood on the lot now occupied by Marsh & Howard's hack stable, but he was not successful. He was a noted surveyor of wood and the seller and buyer had no question on what "this load contains," if surveyed by "Jo. Upton."

The next building was also owned by Mr. Thayer and had Hermon Dane for a tenant for many years, and many were the auction sales held there. From thence to Franklin street Dr. J. G. Graves held undisputed title, but tenants were not very permanent. Luther Taggard occupied one store as a merchant tailor, after the dissolution of the firm of Taggard & (Charles H.) Nutt. Daggett & Cross occupied the basement store on Franklin street for twenty-seven years, till the block was removed to give place to the present elegant Whiting building which covers the sites of the three last named properties. On the second floor the principal office was occupied by J. Hubbard Graves, brother to Dr. J. G. Graves, and usually designated as the "young doctor," who was fast becoming a dangerous rival to the "old doctor."

On the opposite corner of Franklin street stood the First Baptist church building, a wooden structure with stores on Main street and vestry rooms on Franklin street, the auditorium being upon the second floor. One of the stores was occupied by Col. H. F. Courser, dry goods and woolens. John B. Chapman was a very popular salesman in his employ. This building was destroyed by fire in 1848. Upon the bank of the river at the north end of the bridge stood the "Central building," which was a building of not a little distinction. Rev. Andrew E. Thayer occupied one store for the sale of books and a circulating library. Mrs. Robert Moore, one of the most popular milliners in town, occupied one store.

Upon the second floor could be found the home of the New Hampshire Telegraph with the editor and the well known printer, Samuel H. Noyes, and "Billy Crooker " in shirt sleeves at the case. An editor in those days was a combination,-editor, reporter, letter press and job printer. In the upper story was "Concert hall " Mr. Lyman Heath taught singing school for nearly a score of successive winters there.

Between this building and the meeting-house, where the Wilton railway is now located, was the entrance to Front street. The grade was very sharp to the north shore of the river affording a good "coast" which the boys were not slow to improve. Shattuck's block stood on the north side of the street on the lot where the Dearborn block on Franklin street now stands with the difference that it is reversed. Shattuck's block stood on the south side of the lot fronting on Front street with the open space in the rear on Franklin street. The Central building was a victim to the same flames that destroyed the meeting-house and necessitated the removal of The Telegraph. It took up quarters on the second floor in the building that stood where the open space next the station now is. After a

HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. II.

time gas for lighting was introduced. Mr. Beard was a wit and enjoyed a joke. . He said in his paper that his job press stood where the shadow of the fly wheel fell on the floor; "and," said he, "you would be surprised to see that that shadow had worn into the floor." Of course the curious came in to see the badly worn floor. They were graciously received, but said he, "what did I say ?" "You said the shadow of the fly wheel had worn into the floor." "Oh, no, I said you would be surprised to see that it had worn into the floor, and so should I ! "

Said one of the old citizens as he dropped in one day, "Our winters do not seem to be as long or as severe as they used to be in old times,-how do you account for it, Beard?" "Possibly in this way, I cannot account for it in any other. You know they have been extending a great many railroads to the South-may not the great weight of iron have the effect to tip us up to the sun more than formerly ?" "Well," said he, "I had not thought of that, but I guess you are right."

Returning to the top of the hill, we find the same building still standing on the corner of Main and Lowell streets. Although several times tried by fire it remains an ancient landmark, awaiting the final order to give place to the new "Hunt Memorial Library Building." It was, in the early history of the town, the store of the brothers Joseph, Alfred and Ezekiel Greeley. They were succeeded by George W. Perham in the Lowell street front, and Reed & Spalding in the basement on Main street, who in turn were succeeded by Reed & Lovejoy. The occupants since have been more numerous than permanent. The west store in the brick building (Greeley) was occupied by Hugh Jameson. His residence was situated on the lot now occupied by the elegant dwelling owned and occupied by Frank D. Laton,-the house erected by the late Colonel Thomas P. Pierce, Orange square. Mr. Jameson was a very polite and courteous man, and enjoyed his reputation. Like most of the traders in those days he kept liquors, and sold large quantities of the much used New England rum. The temperance question began to be agitated and the tramp of the "cold water army " could be heard approaching, and it became necessary to be a little more guarded in the sale of these goods, which Mr. Jameson could not easily bring himself to observe. On one occasion a boy came in with a coffee pot which he held out, saying, "Father sent me for a pint of rum." "A pint of rum in this coffee pot? You go right home and tell your father that he cannot have any of Jameson's good rum in a coffee pot. Tell him to send a jug."

The east store was occupied by John L. Pollard for the sale of ready-made clothing and gentlemen's furnishing goods, Mr. Pollard was the son of the noted hotel keeper on the Lowell road, near the State line. He was not brought up in business training and did not succeed. It was in the upper room of this building, known as Greeley's hall, that the first church worshipped while the church building was being erected south of the bridge. The building that stood on the corner of Clinton street was removed and stands next to the grain store of Henry Stearns. Before it gave place to the Laton block, the store was occupied by Robert Moore, watchmaker, town clerk of Nashville, etc. Beneath was the meat shop of Sumner Morgan, who later removed to the basement of the Town hall. There still stands on Clinton street the house, once the home of one of Nashua's honored citizens-Benjamin Burke, whose son, William A. Burke was for many years the popular and successful superintendent of the Lowell machine shop.

Where the Laton house now stands the Central house was located, the L extending westerly and covering a part of the Laton block lot. It was a noted hostelry, scarcely second to the Indian Head Coffee house. When built it stood in the square fronting Main street, occupying a portion of the present "oval." Captain Phinehas Adams was the popular landlord at this time, he gave it up for a few years, but returned to it and kept it until his death in May, 1842. Stephen Whittemore afterward became proprietor, and the house under him maintained much of its popularity. Several buildings stood in what is now Railroad square. Thomas G. Banks occupied one and sold paper hangings and made paper boxes. Thomas Tolman occupied another, and Philip O. Ames another for a barber shop, but they were all cleared off in 1844 to 1846. The passenger station was a low, wooden building where Williams Hall and the Marshall grocery company are now located. West were the grocery stores of A. and N. Mckean and Chase & Shattuck, with Charles S. Perkins as principal salesman at the latter.

In the corner building were P. B. Putney, confectioner, who afterward went to Manchester, Major Ignatius Bagley, meat and provisions, L. O. Fairbanks, barber. Offices above were occupied

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HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H.

by Charles G. Atherton, attorney at law, and B. B. Whittemore, who had just entered upon the practice of law.

South of this building was a passageway or street running east from Main street to the "boat landing," just as Front street on the opposite side of Main street ran west. Between this street and the river was the large wholesale and retail grocery store of Timothy Gay. Mr. Gay had a very large country trade coming many miles down through Amherst, Francestown, Hillsboro' and thence on through to Windsor and other points in Vermont. Pork, butter, cheese, grain and other farm products were brought in on teams and exchanged for such supplies as the farmers required. The long procession of "Pod teams" on their way to town in the winter time was a sight never witnessed after the advent of the railroad. The upper story of the building was occupied as a furniture store. Samuel W. Abbott was the proprietor. The building was destroyed at the conflagration of the Baptist meeting-house and the Central building. Not long after this Mr. Abbott removed to Montreal and was in business there until his death.

The same building stands at the south end of the bridge to-day as then. It was owned by Enoch Webster and Mrs. Webster occupied one store for millinery business. John Flagg kept groceries in the store where C. W. Edwards now is. Mr. Flagg was succeeded by Hazeltine and Lord. Mr. Webster came to his death by drowning in the river east of the house. The property was purchased by James A. Devereaux and at his decease, and, later, the decease of his widow, it passed by will to the Church of the Good Shepherd, the present owner.

The next building south was the first brick store and dwelling in town. It was remodeled and improved by the addition of a French roof and extension on Pearson's avenue by V. C. Gilman. For many years the store was occupied by Thomas Benden, the first tailor in town. He came from Amherst. Subsequently E. S. Goodnow, who came from Waltham, Mass., kept dry goods there, but the "Eastern land speculation" seized him and brought financial distress from which he never recovered. He removed to Massachusetts and at one time kept a hotel (Washington house) at 258 Washington street, Boston. Later the postoffice under Aaron P. Hughes was removed to it and remained until taken to the present quarters in Phillips' building. Between the avenue and Park street stood the First Congregational church, which was destroyed by fire in 1869 and rebuilt in 1870 and occupied by them until the completion of the new church, since which it has been sold to the Free Baptist society and is now occupied by them.

The north store was occupied by Coggin & Fisher, dealers in furniture and crockery, while L. C. Alexander sold dry goods in the south store until J. A. Wheat bought him out and continued for a few years until he removed to Long block opposite the Town hall.

The space between the church and Park street was covered by two "ten-footers." The first was at one time the law office of Benjamin Mark Farley of Hollis and his son-in-law, Charles B. Fletcher. The other was one of the old school "oyster saloons." It was kept many years by Oliver H. Phillips and later by William Marshall, now in Boston, and still later by E. B. Burke, until these buildings gave place to a two story wooden building which was burned with the church building, after which the present "Phillips' block " was erected in 1870.

Upon the corner of Main and Park streets stood Eayers' block, a two-story wooden building in front, while in the rear it was but one story on account of the rise of the land. The northerly store was occupied by Miss Ridgway, later Mrs. Rodney Dane, the south half by her brother, Charles T., dealer in watches, jewelry, etc. Next was the hat store and manufactory of E. B. Hines. The late Hiram Campbell was at one time employed there. The third store hung out the sign of the "Good Samaritan," the first drug store, and was owned by our present venerable citizen, Elias S. Russell. The south store was the book store of Job Buffum. J. M. Fletcher was his clerk and sold books and wrote excellent poetry. This block was torn down and Nutt's block was built on the lot in 1860. George E. Wilder was contractor and builder.

Next south stood the picturesque cottage of Jacob Hall where Dr. McQuesten's block now stands. The cottage was on the ungraded elevation of those days, reached by steps from Main street. Here lived the genial family consisting of Mr. and Mrs. Hall, sons John and Luke, and daughter Eliza, a young lady of uncommon personal beauty, all of whom have passed away but the sons.

Neighboring on the south and next the Town hall was the mansion of Attorney Aaron F. Sawyer. These two residences were in marked contrast. The latter with its broad piazza and stately columns

HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H.

suggested just such a home as it was. Mr. Sawyer came from Mont Vernon to Nashua and was one of a group of eminent lawyers located here. Like Daniel Abbot he wore a ruffled shirt front and was a genial and entertaining talker. He was of medium stature with nervous and energetic step. His hair was as white as the driven snow. Presiding over the household affairs was a wife of rare tact and ability. Always as pleasant as a morning in spring and untiring in her efforts to care for her family of children, consisting of Samuel L., who went to Missouri, Charlotte L., Aaron W., Flint H. and Catherine. All have joined the great majority but Charlotte, who married Hon. Aaron P. Hughes. Catherine married Mr. Taft of Worcester and so lost her identity with Nashua society in which she was a favorite. Aaron W. was honored with a seat upon the judges' bench and is well known by the present generation from whom he passed some years since. He will receive the extended notices elsewhere to which he is entitled.

Returning to the bridge the first building on the west side of Main street was Atwood's building, owned by John Atwood. Jesse Wetherbee kept a boot and shoe store and manufactured to order. The postoffice was located next, on being removed from the Hunt building, corner of Factory street, then came the restaurant of George E. Burke. To-day Murgatroyd's and Barker's blocks occupy the site.

Exchange building remains, although fire has assailed it on several occasions, the last time about ten years ago, which made it necessary to put on a new roof, which, with the added story, makes it a good looking block and desirable. In it was located the Nashua bank; W. H. Hauley, a portrait painter, had his studio there, also Don P. Wilson's dental rooms. Next south was a narrow wooden building. Colonel Banks removed from Railroad square to it, and continued nearly up to the time when the building was torn down. Edward A. Gallison painted and finished furniture for Coggin & Fisher in the second story. Standing next south was the stove and tinware store of Reuben Goodrich. The front was one story only, with workshop in the rear. Upon the corner of Water street was the dwelling house of Mr. Goodrich, having a store in the front on Main street. W. R. Wilcox had a stock of books and stationery there, which he sold out to Copp Brothers before the war, prior to the clearing off of the entire lot to Exchange building, to give place to the Goodrich block of to-day. The dwelling was removed and now stands upon Walnut street, corner of Pleasant. Upon the opposite corner of Water street was the same building as to-day. William T. Martin had a clothing store in the corner, and Thomas Tolman had a mattress manufactory in the upper rooms.

Where Fisher's brick block now stands were three "ten-footers," Hartshorn & Ames had a stove shop in one, Albert Lull, merchant tailor, another, and E. P. Hill, dry goods, being the one next the open lot on the rear of which stood the dwelling house of the owner of all to Water street, Mr. Aaron Fisher. He sold the dwelling to Josephus Baldwin and removed further south on Main street, near the Worcester railroad. From the Fisher homestead property Long block stretched southerly to an open lot now covered by Beasom block. In the north end was the office and dwelling of Dr. Josiah Kittredge, next, office and dwelling of Dr. J. F. Whittle. Changes were made after Dr. Kittredge left and Drs. Tracy & Ayer had a drug store there, afterwards it was occupied by R. T. Smith for a bookstore. South was the store of B. D. Bingham, watchmaker, and J. A. Wheat, dry goods. Gustine Marshall kept a large stock of millinery in the next with N. W. Goddard, jeweler, for a neighbor, while Henry Parkinson, grocer, closed the list of occupants of the stores.

Upon the corner of Main and Factory streets stood the large wooden building where Isaac Spalding conducted a large store of the usual general merchandise class. With good business sagacity he saw that Nashua was soon to overshadow the popular shire town of Amherst and he removed here. Charles H. Nutt who also came from Amherst succeeded him, who in turn sold out to Munroe & Taylor. There are a few citizens remaining who can recall the looks of this leading store. There was quite a large open lot north of the store on which were the customary mangers on posts to accommodate the farmers who drove in and usually stopped long enough to "bait" their horses. Behind these mangers leaning against the low L to the store in the rear of the lot was a line of grindstones, great and small. But a property so centrally located was not to remain unimproved. W. D. Beasom bought the property and it soon took on the form and proportions of the leading block of the town. The corner store was occupied by Beasom & Reed as a dry goods and carpet warehouse. The second floor was divided into offices which never lacked tenants. Upon the third floor was a hall and ante rooms which were in demand. Beacon Light Division, Sons of Temperance, occupied a

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History of the city of Nashua, N.H., Part 12

Author: Parker, Edward Everett, 1842- ed; Reinheimer, H., & Co Publication date: 1897 Publisher: Nashua, N.H., Telegraph Publishing Company Number of Pages: 652

Author: Parker, Edward Everett, 1842- ed; Reinheimer, H., & Co
Publication date: 1897
Publisher: Nashua, N.H., Telegraph Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 652