USA > New Hampshire > Hillsborough County > Amherst > History of the town of Amherst, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire (first known as Narraganset township number three, and subsequently as Souhegan West) > Part 34
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15 April, 1837. Agreeably to a vote of the proprietors, all the gates on the Second New Hampshire Turnpike were thrown open, and the road was made free from that day.
The act of incorporation was repealed by the General Court 4 July, 1837, and the care of the road thenceforth devolved upon the towns through which it passed.
COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.
A Committee of Safety was chosen annually during the war for Independence. This committee was in correspon- dence with the committees chosen in other towns, and with the State committee on matters relating to the public wel- fare. Its members were as follows:
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HISTORY OF AMHERST. [Chap.
1776. Josiah Crosby,
Oliver Carlton. Timothy Smith,
William Bradford, Peter Woodbury,
1779. John Bradford.
Thomas Burns,
Robert Means,
Oliver Carlton, IIezekiah Lovejoy, James Hartshorn,
1777. Ilezekiah Lovejoy, Stephen Peabody, Nathaniel Howard,
1789.
Robert Means, IIezekiah Lovejoy, Amos Flint,
Josiah Crosby, John Bradford,
1781. James Woodbury, William Peabody,
1778. John Bradford, John Seaton,
William Hogg,
Hezekiah Lovejoy,
William Bradford, jr.
PIONEER BRICK-MAKERS.
William and Nathaniel Melendy and Timothy Hutchinson carried on the brick-making business on the place now owned by Bryant Me- lendy, probably as early as 1780. The bricks were used in building the enormous chimneys common in those days.
The bricks for the three-story brick store on the plain, the old bank building, and the house now occupied by Hon. Harrison Eaton, were made on Capt. Eli Brown's place on the turnpike, now known as the " Lord " place, by William and Nathaniel Melendy and the Chamber- lain brothers, of Lyndeborough.
The bricks for the court-house (now town-house) were made by Timothy Danforth on the place now owned by Bryant Melendy.
CARD MANUFACTORY,
The manufacture of machine-cards seems to have been commenced in Amherst by Thomas Woolson, jr., as early as September, 1813. In November of that year. Alonzo Snow & Co. were engaged in it. It was afterward carried on by David Holmes and Holmes & White. At first the leathers were punched and the teeth cut and bent by machinery ma:le for the purpose. The setting of the teeth furnished employment for the women and children of the town. The introduction of the Whittemore card-machine, by which the leathers were punched and the teeth eut, bent, and set by machinery, dispensed with the hand-set- ting.
In 1828 Mr. White removed the manufactory to Belvidere, now a part of Lowell, where it remained until 1835, when it was again re- moved to a shop on the Middlesex Corporation, where the business was carried on by White & Puffer. Their shop was burned in 1843, and in
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THE WHIP BUSINESS.
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1844 new shops were built on Market street where the business was car- ried on some years. In 1850 Mr. White sold his interest in the concern and removed to Illinois. The business was then carried on by Puffer & Howe, afterward by Howe & Goodwin, and the Lowell Card Com- pany, the business being after a time removed to Middle street. In 1874 a large building was erected at the corner of Shattuck and Market street. in which the business of the company is now carried on.
THE WHIP BUSINESS.
The manufacture of whips was carried on in Boston sev- eral years by John David, the eldest brother of Deacon Bar- nabas B. David. He died in Boston 20 September, 1820.
1 January, 1821, Samuel B. Melendy, of Amherst, and Barnabas B. David, entered into partnership and commenced the business in the shop once occupied by Mr. David's brother. The business proving remuner- ative, measures were soon taken to increase it. In 1823 Mr. Melendy returned to Amherst and commenced business in the "Manning" shop which stood near the Taylor bridge on the Nashua road. The shop was enlarged and several hands were employed. In 1825 a sales-room was opened in New York, and about the same time one in New Orleans. Mr. David also visited Europe for the purpose of gaining information in regard to the business. In 1830 the manufactory was established on Amherst Plain, a new shop having been fitted up for its accommodation. Mr. David at that time took up his residence in Amherst. In 1837 Mr. Charles L. Stewart was hired to take charge of the business in New York city. and about the same time Mr. Henry Howard, jr., took charge of the business at Dock Square in Boston. Mr. Stewart became a member of the firm in 1847, and finally purchased the interest of his partners in the New York branch of the business. For many years the firm did a large and successful business, but finally, as competition be- came sharp and the profits of the business small, it was relinquished.
Timothy Danforth, Esq., carried on the business for several years with a moderate degree of success. He continued in the business, on a small scale, until his death.
David Holmes, Esq., a resident of Amherst, who had been engaged in the manufacture of cards, relinquished the card business, removed to Lowell, and engaged in the whip business with a Mr. Barnes, once in the employ of Messrs. Melendy & David. The undertaking did not prove to be a successful one, and was soon relinquished.
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HISTORY OF AMHERST.
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AMHERST SOCIAL LIBRARY.
Samuel Dana, Joshua Atherton, Jeremiah Barnard, Sam- uel Wilkins, Daniel Campbell, John Shepard, Daniel War- ner, Robert Fletcher, Jonathan Smith, Samuel Curtis, and their associates, were, by an act of the legislature, approved 21 June, 1797, incorporated as the Amherst Library Society. They were empowered to establish rules for the government of the corporation, to enjoin penalties of disfranchisement, and fines not exceeding ten dollars, and to hold real and personal estate not exceeding three thousand dollars in value. The time of the annual meeting was fixed on the first Mon- day of January, but might be held on any other day the proprietors thought fit to appoint.
This society continued in existence about thirty-five years. It was finally dissolved, and its books sold at auction, 25 February, 1832.
THE FRANKLIN SOCIETY
was organized 16 September, 1807, for the improvement of its members in literary pursuits. It consisted of a number of young men who met every second Wednesday for the discussion of literary subjects, declamations, and the read- ing of original compositions.
The clergymen in this and the neighboring towns, most of whom were honorary members of the society, and many of the elderly citi- zens of the town, frequently attended the meetings, and took part in the exercises.
A library of 240 volumes of valuable books was purchased, and ad- ditions were made from time to time by funds derived from assess- ments on the members.
The society continued in existence until 23 May, 1818, when it was disbanded, and its library was sold.
The following list of members is copied from the Book of Records :
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FREE MASONRY.
Herman Abbott,
John Farmer, Allen Fisk.
David McG. Means,
Samuel Abbott.
William F. Morrison.
Abraham Andrews,
Benjamin F. French,
Harrison G. Otis, jr ..
Charles H. Atherton, John P. Batchelder, John Burnam,
Alonzo S. Greenville. Levi Harsthorn.
James Perkins.
Robert Read,
Joseph Bell,
Jacob Holmes.
David Secombe,
William Claggett,
Joshua Holt,
Matthias Spalding, jr ..
Nathan R. Clough.
Eugene Hutchinson,
Gustavus Swan,
Joseph Cushing,
Isaac Hill,
Ebenezer Taylor, jr.,
Elisha E. Elam,
George Kimball.
Henry J. Tudor.
Caleb Emerson.
Joseph B. Manning.
Andrew Wallace.
Luther Farley.
THE "HANDELLIAN SOCIETY."
Mr. Hill said in the New Hampshire Patriot, 18 April, 1809, the first number of that paper issued by him :
" At the ordination of Rev. Nathaniel Kennedy, of Litch- field, several pieces of music were performed by a select choir from Amherst, which added much to the solemnities of the day, and evinced a correct taste and a love for genu- ine harmony."
Much of the commendation bestowed upon the performances of a "select choir from Amherst" was doubtless due to the efforts of the. " Handellian Musical Society," incorporated in June, 1805, and com- posed of residents in Amherst and the neighboring towns, the professed objects of the society being to "cultivate the art of music, to acquire and diffuse a correct taste, and to enjoy the refined pleasures of har- mony." The society continued in existence more than twenty-five years, and, judging from the reports of Mr. Hill, met with a reasonable share of success in its efforts.
FREE MASONRY.
A charter for Benevolent Lodge, No. 7, F. & A. Masons, was granted by the Grand Lodge of New Hampshire, 26 April, 1797, and the Lodge was organized on the last Tues- day of May in that year. Samuel Dana was appointed W. Master; Jonathan Gove, Senior Warden, and Luther Dana, Junior Warden.
William Gordon.
Edmund Parker.
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HISTORY OF AMHERST.
[Chap.
This Lodge continued in successful operation quite a number of years, and many of the citizens of Amherst were connected with it as members. At last, as a majority of its members resided in Milford, Brookline, and Wilton, at a meeting held 20 March, 1826, it was voted unanimously to remove said lodge from Amherst to Milford, on condi- tion that whenever two-thirds of the members were in favor of restor- ing it to Amherst the minority should cheerfully acquiesce in its removal.
Samuel Dana, Daniel Warner, Charles H. Atherton, Aaron Whitney, and Ephraim Blanchard, were among the citizens of Amherst who served as W. Masters of the lodge while it remained in town. It be- came dormant in 1832, but was revived and is again in operation. There are but two older lodges now in existence in the state.
An amusing story is told of Rev. Humphrey Moore, of Milford, in connection with this lodge. Mr. Moore was not a Mason, but being present at one of the public meetings of the lodge, was asked to act as chaplain. Complying with the request, he prayed as follows :
"O Lord, we come here to pray to thee, we know not for what. If thith inthituthion be a good one, wilt thou bleth it. If it be an evil one, wilt thou curth it. Amen." (Mr. Moore was unable to sound the letter s.)
Mr. Boylston gives the following account of a public meeting of Benevolent Lodge No. 7, at Amherst, 14 May, 1821 : " The Benevolent Lodge, No. 7, held its annual meeting in this town on Monday last, May 14, at Masons' Hall. In the afternoon the officers were publicly installed, and the hall was crowded with a respectable audience of ladies and gentlemen to witness the (to them) novel ceremony. The exercises were solemn and impressive. Sacred music and prayer commenced the proceedings, and the officers were invested with their jewels or badges of office, with injunctions to duty, which, if they perform, they will not only be good Masons, but good Christians."
SOUHEGAN GRANGE.
Souhegan Grange, No. 10, Patrons of Husbandry, was formed 5 December, 1873, with sixteen members, and is now (April, 1882) the largest and most flourishing Grange in the state.
It holds its regular meetings for Grange work, the discussion of topics of interest to farmers, and literary exercises, on the Thursday of or preceding the full moon, and the second Thursday following. Its past masters have been, James U. Prince, one year ; Aaron S. Wilkins,
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FIRE RECORD.
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two years ; Thomas M. Harvell, two years; James G. Haseltine, two years.
Present Master, George E. Holbrook ; Granville Parker, Overseer ; Aaron M. Wilkins, Lecturer; George Armstrong, Steward ; George F. Hill, Assistant Steward ; James M. Jackson, Chaplain ; James F. Wes- ton, Secretary : Edward Caldwell, Treasurer ; Charles E. Wilkins, Gate Keeper; Mrs. A. M. Wilkins, Ceres; Mrs. J. H. Drucker, Pomona ; Miss Cora B. Fisher, Flora ; Mrs. George F. Hill, Lady Assistant Stew- ard; Miss Ella Kinson, Chorister. Number of members, 150.
UNITED ORDER OF THE GOLDEN CROSS.
Instituted 1 July, 1881, with 27 members. Officers chos- en semi-annually.
Its officers, for the term ending 30 June, 1882, were-
P. N. C., George W. Putnam.
N. C., W. H. Dinsmore.
V. N. C., Lucy A. Wilkins.
W. P., William Pratt.
N. K. R., W. B. Rotch.
F. K. R., Fannie A. Wilkins.
W. T., A. M. Wilkins.
W. H., W. D. Forsaith.
W. I. G .. Jennie P. Hartshorn.
W. O. G., Henry M. Parker.
Number of members, 1 May, 1882, 34.
FIRE RECORD.
The house of Solomon Hutchinson, at the north-east corner of the common, on the Plain, was burnt in 1764. A two-pound Province note, belonging to Mr. Hutchinson, was destroyed by the fire, the amount of which the General Court, at its next session, voted to pay him.
The first meeting-house, or court-house, was burnt by an incendiary, 15 March, 1788.
Two barns belonging to Joshua Atherton, Esq., in which his hay, grain, etc., were stored, were burnt by Michael Keiff, 7 January, 1790. Four cows perished in the flames.
A house on the Piain, owned by Col. Robert Means, and occupied by Robert M. King, was burnt Sunday. 19 September, 1807. By timely aid from the people in attendance at the meeting-house, most of the
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HISTORY OF AMHERST.
[Chap.
furniture in the house was saved, and the fire was prevented from de- stroying other buildings near by.
A cooper's shop, belonging to Capt. Nathaniel Emerson, was burnt in October, 1809.
The blacksmith shop occupied by Mr. Aaron Whitney, took fire and was consumed on the evening of 5 April, 1815. But a portion of the contents was saved.
A fire was discovered in the wheelwright shop, occupied by Jonathan Foster, about 2 o'clock in the morning of 19 September, 1818, which de- stroyed the shop and its contents.
Luther Pearson's wagon manufactory, situated about three fourthis of a mile south of the village, with most of the contents, was burned 7 September, 1820. Loss estimated at $300, including a lot of unfinished wagons, and two $20 bank bills. The building was owned by Robert Means, Esq.
Samuel Hildreth's dwelling-house, and most of the contents, was burnt 15 November, 1821. The fire took while the family were absent, and had made such progress when it was discovered that all efforts to check it, or save the contents of the house, were unavailing.
A fire occurred in the three-story brick building on the Plain, 25 Feb- ruary, 1830, which was extinguished before any great damage was done to the building.
A barn belonging to Mr. Thomas M. Benden, situated near his dwell- ing-house and store on the Plain, was set on fire by an incendiary, and consumed 6 Angust, 1839. It was filled with hay, and burnt with great rapidity, and it was only by great and persevering efforts on the part of the citizens and firemen present that the adjoining buildings were saved. Loss $250 ; insured for $100.
A slight fire on the roof of the Unitarian church, owing to a defect in the chimney, occurred 22 March, 1840.
The dwelling-house of Mrs. Betsey Prince, in the north-east part of the town, was burnt, with most of the contents, 13 February, 1841. A defect in the chimney is supposed to have been the cause.
The large barn on the pauper farm was burnt 3 April, 1847. Twen- ty-two head of cattle perished in the flames. Loss estimated at $2,500; no insurance. The barn had been built but a few years, and was one of the largest and best in town. The fire was set by an insane pauper.
The barn. shed, and store, of Mr. John Moor, near his dwelling- house on the Plain, were burnt Saturday evening, 14 October, 1848. The fire was discovered in the barn. whence it was communicated to the shed and store. A cow in the barn was saved. and most of the goods in the store, which were but slightly damaged. Insurance $1000, which nearly covered the loss.
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FIRE RECORD.
XXIII.]
The Amherst steam-mill buildings were burnt 25 March, 1849. The engine and chimney were but slightly damaged. The loss to the occu- pants of the shops, in tools and stock, was a serious one. The build- ings and machinery were insured for $7,000. The fire was probably communicated from a heated bearing.
A fire was discovered in a building near the county jail, occupied by James Monroe as a livery stable, on the morning of 14 June, 1850, which, in its progress, consumed the building in which it originated, together with a barn, shed, and dwelling-house near by, owned by Mr. Enos B. Crooker, and the roof of the county jail. In the attic of the jail the gallows on which Farmer was hung was stored, which was also burnt.
The barn and corn-barn of Mr. Amos Green, in the west part of the town, was burnt 4 February, 1851. The fire was set by an insane member of the family.
A slight fire occurred at the steam mill of Mr. Jonathan Knight, at the west end of the Plain. 4 August, 1859. Loss from $100 to $200.
The dwelling-house of Dea. Aaron Lawrence, on the Plain, was burnt Sunday morning, 2 September. 1860. The most valuable part of the furniture was saved. Loss estimated at from $3,000 to $4,000. Insured for $1,200.
2 December, 1863, 2:15 A. M. The large barn on the Plain, owned by David Stewart, was discovered to be on fire, and was shortly consumed. The flames were blown directly on the Hardy tavern stand, which, together with the store adjoining, and the old Means store, a few feet distant from the last, were totally destroyed. Mr. Stewart's resi- dence and the hotel stable were saved by the unremitting exertions of the firemen and citizens. The goods in the first story of the store were mostly saved ; those in the cellar and second story were destroyed. The large flag displayed on the liberty pole on the common was also burned, and the old burying-ground was burned over. In the barn four cows and one horse were burnt, Loss on barn and contents $1,000 ; insured for 8400. Loss on store and goods $4,000; covered by insur- ance ; and on the flag, $100. The fire was supposed to be the work of an incendiary.
The old Nutt tavern stand on the Plain, and the barn of Luther W. Nichols, on the opposite side of the street, were burnt 1 July, 1865. Insurance on the tavern house, $2,000, and $100 on the barn. The fires were the work of an incendiary, for whose apprehension a re- ward was offered.
A slight fire on the roof of the three-story brick building on the Plain, 29 July, 1865, took from a spark from the furnace chimney.
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HISTORY OF AMHERST.
[Chap.
The main buildings of the Atherton mansion were burnt 6 November, 1865. The fire was supposed to have taken from a defect in the chimney.
The freight depot, and wood-shed near by, at Danforth's corner, were burnt 5 March. 1867. Fortunately the shed was empty. The depot con- tained one car, and nine hundred corn-planters, which were consumed. The fire was supposed to be the work of an incendiary.
The house and barn of Stephen H. Barrett, near Stickney's mills, on the Nashua road, were burnt 28 June, 1867. But little was saved from the house. and a valuable cow perished in the barn. Insurance, $400 on the house.
A small barn, containing a quantity of hay, was burnt on " the acre," in the west part of the town, near Milford village, 24 September, 1868.
The dwelling-honse formerly owned and occupied by Daniel Camp- bell, Esq., situated on the old New Boston road, was burnt 11 May, 1869.
The house of Warren Damon, on the Hollis road, two miles south of the village, was burnt Friday morning, 24 September, 1869, with most of its contents.
13 August. 1870. A fire kindled among the brush on a newly cleared lot east of Rodney Howard's house, in the east part of the town, ran over nearly seventy-five acres of land, destroying some five hundred cords of hard wood, and about seventy-five cords of hemlock bark, which was corded up on the lot ready for the market. Loss estimated at $3,000.
The "Amherst Hotel" was burnt, on the morning of 25 January, 1876, with most of its contents. The loss was said to have been nearly covered by the insurance.
A large barn on the Isaac Upham place, on Chestnut hill, was burnt 22 February, 1882, with ten head of neat cattle, three shotes, and one sheep. The fire was set from matches in the hands of a careless boy.
HUNTERS' EXPLOITS,
30 July, 1805. A striped snake was killed sometime last week by Mr. Nathan Fuller, of this town, in which were between eighty and ninety young ones, the smallest being five inches in length.
About 1812, a large otter was killed by Mr. Jacob Durant, in the brook which crosses the road leading to Thomas B. Parker's, near its junction with the road leading to Mr. George H. Shaw's. The animal was apparently gnawing a root under the bank when discovered by Mr. Durant, who approached softly and killed him with a club.
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A BEAR HUNT.
XXIII.]
A lynx, weighing twenty-two and a half pounds, and measuring five feet nine inches in length, from the extremities of his fore and hind legs. was shot on a tree, sixty feet from the ground, in the south part of the town, in 1839.
A huge wild cat was shot near the residence of Hiram D. Stearns, about half a mile south of the village, 1 February, 1849. Ile was first discovered by John Lovejoy, who was hunting foxes about a mile and a half east of the Plain. His dogs, being put upon the animal's track. chased him into a hen-coop, where he was shot by Robert Boutell. His length from claw to claw was four feet, and his weight, though very thin in flesh, was twenty pounds.
A tortoise, weighing thirty-three pounds, and an ugly looking customer, was captured in Little Babboosuck pond, in August, 1849, by Orvis P. Young and George W. George.
A cat of the lynx species, probably the one that had done considera- ble mischief in Amherst and vicinity, was killed in Antrim, in January 1859.
Henry A. Nichols and Alfred Moore, while out on a coon hunting excursion, in November, 1859, captured a hedge-hog, weighing seventeen pounds, and brought him home. Their dogs brought home some sore noses as their share of the exploit.
10 November, 1864. Andrew J. Kidder and Fred Ford, shot five coons from one tree, which weighed in the aggregate, seventy-three pounds.
December, 1867. George Kent, a deaf mute, has the past season taken 1168 trout and 125 pickerel from ponds and brooks within three miles of Amherst village.
October. 1867. Isaac P. Weston recently trapped a cat owl which measured four feet and four inches from tip to tip of its wings.
August, 1867. Bee hunters have been quite successful of late. William Melendy and John Lovejoy last week took a swarm in Lynde- borough, from which they obtained some ninety pounds of honey.
Joseph E. Hassell killed a black snake, seven feet two inches in length, which measured nine and a fourth inches in circumference, 10 October, 1873.
A BEAR HUNT.
Many years ago an old she bear troubled the fathers exceedingly by her depredations among the juvenile porkers and the nice roasting ears in the corn-fields. Having discovered her haunt, the men and boys in the vicinity turned out one day resolved upon her destruction. Chasing her
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HISTORY OF AMHERST.
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into a swamp it was decided to station one of the number, properly armed, at the outlet to shoot her, while the remainder should go into the swamp and drive her within reach of the sentry's gun. One of the company, a man of decided grit, the leader of the party, had an excellent gun, and he was selected to remain as sentry. Another of the company, whose reputation for courage was not very good, begged to be allowed to remain as sentinel, as he was lame and could not walk. The owner of the gun told him he was a coward, and would not dare to fire at the bear if she came within reach. He replied that he would shoot the bear. He was not afraid of bears, would fight a dozen at once if necessary. After a good deal of discussion it was decided to give him the gun and let him act as sentinel. The rest of the party proceeded into the swamp and soon found Mistress Bruin, who was speedily put on the back track, while they followed leisurely, expecting to hear a re- port from their comrade at the outlet.
On arriving within sight of that worthy, he called to them, asking why they had n't been along five minutes sooner? Hlas the bear been here? asked the owner of the gun. Been here! Why she came and sat down and looked me in the face as much as five minutes, and you might have shot her just as well as not if you had been here. You plagged coward ; why didn't you shoot her. Shoot her! Why, I forgot that I had a gun with me. I forgot all about it. After upbraiding the sentry roundly for his cowardice, the party broke up, thoroughly disgusted with the day's operations.
COLLEGE GRADUATES FROM AMHERST.
HARVARD COLLEGE.
(1882). Names of those now living are in Italics.
Name. Date. Profession. Died. Age. John Wilkins, 1764. Instructor, at Athens, 0., 1808. 68
Jacob Kimball, 1788. Farmer, Amherst, 1 Aug., 1849. 81
Charles H. Atherton, 1794. Lawyer, Amherst, 8 Jan., 1853. 79
Daniel Weston, 1795. Clergyman, in Maine, 1837.
William Gordon, 1806. Lawyer. Brattleboro', Vt., 12 Jan., 1871.
83
Jonathan F. Dana,* 1813. Physician, N. Y. city, April, 1827. 33
Samuel L. Dana, 1813. Chemist, Lowell. Mass., 11 March, 1868. 72
John H. Wilkins, 1818. Bookseller, Boston, 5 Dec., 1861. 67 Charles G. Atherton, 1822. Lawyer, Manchester, 14 Nov., 1853. 49
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