USA > New Hampshire > Merrimack County > Andover > History of the town of Andover, New Hampshire, 1751-1906, Part I > Part 14
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167
BUSINESS MATTERS.
EAST ANDOVER.
Josiah Haines, on Boston or Connor's Hill.
Samuel Brown, Esq., near the present Briggs place. Jonathan Weare, Taunton Hill. David Buswell, Taunton Hill. Jeremiah Sawyer, in village. Elijah Hilton, at Henry W. Kilburn farm. John Hobbs, near Elbow Pond.
James Mowe, on Emery Road. Lowell Brown, near Benjamin E. Swett's place.
Harry Leeds, in village.
Harrison Fellows, in village.
George Fitch, in village.
J. Garrett, in village. William Shaw, in village.
Thomas C. Hobbs, at his farm.
Jolın Wadleigh, in village.
George H. Clark, on Taunton Hill.
Ebenezer Yeaton, in village.
Charles Yeaton, in village.
Henry Keniston, on Moses Rowell place.
Francis J. Huntoon, in village.
CENTRE.
William Proctor, in village. James Proctor, in village.
Thomas J. Cilley, near present residence of C. E. F. Davis, east of Potter Place.
George W. Cilley, in village.
John G. Severance, in village, 1839 to 1852.
Francis B. Abbott, in village, 1845 to 1847. David Haines, near Rev. S. Robbins', first house from turn- pike on road towards Prince's mill. George Proctor, in village. David Merrill, in village. Charles Stetson, in village. Frank N. Clifford, east of Abel Baker's place. E. B. Hibbard, Potter Place.
168
HISTORY OF ANDOVER.
CILLEYVILLE.
Ebenezer C'illey. John R. Bates. Alonzo Wilkins.
Jeremiah Gove. Henry Dow. Fred E. Nelson.
George Emerson.
HARNESS MAKERS.
Joseph Fowler at Center. Allen Hoskins at Center, 1836. Almon E. Persons, West Andover.
Reuben Gregg, Potter Place.
STAGE COACHES.
In 1800 two stages of the line between Boston and Hanover ran as far north as Andover, and one of them ran through to Hanover. Upon the completion of the Fourth New Hampshire Turnpike, both stages ran through to Hanover.
The number of vehicles was inereased and the passing of the stagecoach became a matter of important daily interest to those who lived along the turnpike. The continued, unusual speed, the well-groomed horses. the ever-changing group of passengers, were all attractive features of the coaching days. To the boy who was fortunate enough to live near the taverns where the horses were changed, the arrival of the stage was an occasion of great moment. The dashing style of the driver as he brought his eoach up to the tavern door, the rapid work of the hostlers in changing horses, the bustle among the passengers as they alighted for meals or hurried to the bar-room for "something," either hot or cold, the wonderful crack of the driver's whip and the spirited action of the fresh horses as they swung out on the turn- pike for the next stage of the trip, all filled the boy's mind with admiration, perhaps with a secret determination to follow that trail out into the wide world sometime and make a place for him- self. And, if he were so blest as to have a speaking acquaintance with that driver, a word or even a friendly nod from that worthy as he deftly gathered that seeming tangle of reins into his hands was enough to give the boy sufficient pride and thought for the next twenty-four hours.
169
BUSINESS MATTERS.
Another event which interested old and young alike was the occasional passage of the British mail, on this line of coaches, on its route from Boston to Canada. At those times the presence of a guard in uniform, dignified and reticent, gave the rare oppor- tunity to see a representative of the British government among the New Hampshire Hills. The principal stage drivers were generally a trustworthy, energetic class of men and when the Northern Railroad left no field for the stage coach, the passenger conductors were often taken from the ranks of the "stage driv- ers." Many citizens will remember conductors Shattuck and Corning, perhaps others, who were transferred from the stage to the passenger coach.
PRICES OF FOOD, LABOR, ETC., IN 1777.
The following extracts from the records of the Legislature are cited in order to give an approximate list of the prices, as well as some hints of the conditions prevailing in Andover and other towns in New Hampshire in the second year of our national independence.
On January 18, 1777, an act to regulate the prices of labor, food, etc., was passed by the General Assembly of New Hamp- shire.
The preamble and the act were as follows:
"WHEREAS the exorbitant Prices of the Necessary and conven- ient Articles of Life, and also of Labour, within this State at this time of distress (unless speedily and effectually remedied) will be attended with the most fatal and pernicious conse- quences.
"Be it therefore enacted by the Council and house of Repre- sentatives in General Court assembled that the rates and prices of the several articles hereinafter enumerated be and hereby are limited within this State as follows:"
Omitting much of the somewhat diffuse phraseology of the document, the maximum prices allowed for the various articles named in the act are given below :
S.
d.
Wheat, per bushel,
7
6
Rye, per bushel,
4 6
Indian corn, per bushel. 3 6
170
HISTORY OF ANDOVER.
£
s.
d.
Oats, per bushel,
2
0
Peas, per bushel,
8 0
Beans, per bushel,
6
0
Potatoes of the best sort in the fall of the year, per bushel, 1 4
Potatoes of the best sort at any other season of the year, per bushel,
2
0
Cheese, per pound,
0 6
Butter, per pound,
0
10
Pork, weighing from five to seven seores per pound, 0
416
Pork, weighing from seven to ten seores, per pound, 0 434
Pork, weighing above ten scores, per pound, 0
5
Salted pork, per barrel of two hundred and twenty pounds, 5 0
0
Beef, grass fed, best quality, per pound,
0
3
Tallow, per pound,
0
71%
Mutton, per pound,
0
3
Veal, per pound,
0
3
Raw hides, per pound.
0
3
Sole leather, per pound,
1
6
Upper leather, in the same proportions, per pound.
Shoes, men's best, per pair,
8
0
West India rum, per quart
2 0
West India rum, per gallon, by the hogshead,
6 8
West India rum, allowing 1 d. per gallon for every ten miles of transportation, single gallon, 7
New England rum, per gallon, by hogshead,
3
10
New England rum, per gallon, by barrel,
4 0
New England rum, per single gallon,
4
6
(Same allowance for transportation as for West India rum.)
Museavado sugar sugar, per ewt., by hogshead, 2 14 0
Museavado sugar, per single ewt., 3 0 0
Museavado sugar, per single pound, 0 S
(Allowing 9d. per ewt. for every ten miles land carrying.)
Molasses, per gallon, by hogshead, 3 4
Molasses, per gallon, by barrel, 3 S
S
171
BUSINESS MATTERS.
s.
d.
Molasses, per single gallon,
4 0
(Allowing 1d. per gallon for every ten miles transportation.)
Salt, per bushel, allowing reasonable price for transportation,
10
0
Coffee, per pound,
1
4
Cotton, per pound, by bag,
3
0
Cotton, single pound,
3
8
Flax, per pound,
1
0
Wool, per pound,
2
2
Men's good yarn stockings, per pair,
6
0
Flannel, per yard,
3
0
Flannel, per yard, striped, yard wide,
3
6
Tow cloth, per yard, a yard wide,
2
3
Coarse linens, per yard, a yard wide,
4
0
Cotton eloth, per yard, a yard wide,
3
8
Cotton and linen cloth, per yard, a yard wide,
3
8
Good New England bar iron, per ewt.,
40
0
Farm labor, in the summer,
3
4
Mechanic's labor, "according to usage."
The prices of European goods and merchandise which have been or shall be imported into the State, as also all Goods and Merchandise brought into the same in any prize Vessel be regulated as follows, viz. Woolen goods, Coarse Linens, Duck, Ticklingburgs & Oznabirgs shall not be sold by wholesale at a higher advance than in the proportion of Two hundred and seventy five pounds for what cost one hundred pounds of like money in Europe. And all other goods, wares and merchandizes- imported from thence or brought into the State by any prize vessel (warlike and military stores excepted) shall be sold by wholesail at an advance not exceeding two hundred and fifty pounds for what cost one hundred pounds of like money in Europe.
The provisions of the above aet were not wholly satisfactory and the following is a portion of an aet passed April 10, 1777 :
An Act in addition to an Act entitled an Act for the regulating of prices of Sundry Articles therein enumerated.
Whereas it hath been found by experience that some of the Articles in said Act are therein Rated too low, and no Provision is made thereby for-
172
HISTORY OF ANDOVER.
the Regulation of sundry particulars not therein enumerated: For rem- edy whereof,-
Be it enacted by the Council & house of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by authority of the same. That the rates and prices of the several articles hereinafter enumerated, be and hereby are limitted within this State as follows, viz .:-
Good Merchantable Rye and Rye meal shall not exceed the price of five shillings per bushel in the Town of Portsmouth.
Good merchantable Indian corn or Indian meal shall not exceed the price of four shillings per Bushel in the Town of Portsmouth.
Good Barley Malt shall not exceed the price of Indian corn. Rye Malt shall not exceed the price of Rye.
Men's Neat Leather Shoes of the best common sort shall not exceed Eight shillings per pair, other shoes in proportion according to their Quality and size
Good well dressed Merchantable Flax shall not exceed one shilling and three pence per pound in the Town of Portsmouth and in other towns in proportion.
"Hard times" and high prices had borne heavily upon the men of New Hampshire in 1777. Strong appeals to the legis- lators had resulted in the two acts of January 18 and April 10, 1777, but the laws failed to give the desired relief.
Arbitrary interference with the recognized laws of trade were already producing the usual result, and the people hastened to undo the legislative mistakes of the early part of the year.
On November 27, 1777, the following act was approved by the speaker of the House and the president of the council :
An Act for the Repealing the Acts of the General Court, made the present year, against Monopoly and oppression.
Whereas the several Acts to prevent Monopoly & Oppression made the present year have been very far from answering the salutory purposes for which they were intended;
Be it therefore Enacted by the Council and house of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, that the aforesaid Acts, viz .:- one Act entitled an Act for Regulating the prices of Sundry Articles therein enumerated :- and another Act intitled an Act in addition to an Act for the Regulating the prices of Sundry Ar- ticles therein enumerated, made the present year be and they are hereby Repealed; and every part and paragraph of the Acts aforesaid declared null and void.
173
BUSINESS MATTERS.
PRICES OF FARM PRODUCTS AND GROCERIES IN 1842.
Beef, per pound,
$0.03
Molasses, per gallon, $0.25
Pork, per pound,
.05
Saleratus, .08
Wheat, per bushel,
1.25
Tallow,
.10
Corn, per bushel,
.75
Raisins, .10
Oats, per bushel, .33
Salt mackerel, .06
Butter, per pound,
.121%
Linseed oil, per gallon, 1.17
Cheese, per pound,
.061/2
Sheeting, per yard,
.09
Turkey, per pound,
.08
Men's stockings,
.25
Goose, per pound,
.05
Tobacco,
.25
Chicken, per pound,
.06
Nails,
.06
Wood, per cord,
1.75
Glass, per pane, .03
Shingles, per M.,
2.50
Sheet lead, .05
Flour, per barrel,
6.00
Cotton batting, .07
Tea (Souchong),
.58
Bunch of quills for pens,
.20
Coffee,
.11
Eggs, per dozen,
.12
Salt, per bushel,
.70
Feathers, per pound,
.33
DEPRECIATION OF PAPER CURRENCY.
As a guide to the proper evaluation of the sums of money mentioned in this history, from 1776 to 1781, the following extraets from the Journals of the House of Representatives of New Hampshire are given to show the depreciation of paper currency during that period.
Special session of the House convened at Exeter, April 19, 1780.
[From the Journal of the House, April 27, 1780.]
The Committee appointed to make the Draft of a Depreciation Table to be a Guide to the Committee for making out the accounts of the of- ficers & soldiers of this state, Report the following Table, calculated for what one hundred pounds was worth equal to good money in each month from Jany 1777 to Jany 1780 and that the same be considered as a rule for any sum or sums of money paid to officers & soldiers towards depreciation or by way of bounties and supplies, excepting those Ar- ticles the prices of which were stipulated in the year 1777 which are to be charged at the stipulated prices, and the wages received from the Continent, for which they are to be charged for the one-half part for the year 1777, one sixth part for the year 1778, and one twentieth part for the year 1779, equal to good money.
174
HISTORY OF ANDOVER.
TABLE.
The following table gives the value, as reported by the com- mittee, of £100 in paper currency, in good money, gold or silver, for each month in the years 1777, 1778 and 1779.
1777.
1778.
1779.
January
100
0
0
31
0 0
9
13
0
February.
91
0
0
28
0
0
8
15
0
March ..
82
10
0
25
10
0
8
0
0
April.
74
15
0
23
5
0
7
5
0
May.
68
0
0
21
0
6
11
0
June.
61
10
0
19
0
5
19
0
July.
55
15
0
17
5
0
5
8
0
August
50
10
0
15
15
4
19
0
September
45
15
0
14
5
0
4
10
0
October.
41
15
0
13
0
0
4
1
0
November.
38
0
0
11
15
0
13
0
December
34
10
0
10
15
0
3
6
0
The Committee beg leave further to recommend that where the bal- lance due to any officer or soldier shall not exceed three pounds the Treasurer be impowered to pay said ballance in the present currency at the rate of forty for one if desired; and if above three pounds and less than five pounds, that he give one note for the same payable in December next; That the Committee on said accounts apply to the Com- mittee of Safety in the recess of the General Court for any orders or directions which they may stand in need of respecting the Disposal of rum, sugar, &c, &c. to the officers & soldiers; or any other difficulty that may occur; And the Committee of Safety are hereby directed to give such orders respecting the same as they shall think proper :- which is submitted by Josiah Bartlett for the Committee.
[From the Journal of the House, July 3, 1781.]
The Committee to form a Scale or Table of depreciation for this State reported as their opinion that all contracts previous to the last day of January, 1777, shall be considered as silver & gold, & all contracts for paper money from the last day of January 1777 to the last day of June 1781, to be computed in the following manner: £100 pounds in silver being equal to the amount given below in Continental money for each month.
1777.
1778.
1779.
1780.
1781.
January.
£323
£742
£2934
£ 7500
February
£104
350
868
3322
7500
March
106
375
1000
3736
7500
April
110
400
1104
4000
7500
May.
114
400
1215
4800
7500
June
120
400
13.12
5700
7500
July
125
425
1477
6000
August
150
450
1630
6300
September
175
475
1800
6500
October.
275
500
2030
6700
November
300
545
2308
7000
December.
310
634
2393
7300
s. d.
£
s. d.
s. d.
0
0
0
3
175
BUSINESS MATTERS.
Which report being read & considered, Voted that the same be re- ceived and accepted.
It is evident that the report on April 27, 1780, was not adopted, but the discussion of that report and the necessity for some immediate action to relieve the distress due to financial uncertainties led to the final adoption of the report of July 3, 1781, at which time £1 in silver coin was worth £75 in Conti- mental paper currency.
A statement of the value of silver, per ounce, in New Hamp- shire in the following years :
[From the Manuscript of Rev. Dr. Jeremy Belknap.]
Year.
Shillings.
Pence.
Year.
Shillings ..
Pence.
Year.
Shillings.
Pence.
Year.
Shillings.
Pence.
Year.
Shillings.
Pence.
1700
10
0
1725
16
0
1734
25
0
1742
28
0
1747
58
0
1704
7
0
15
0
26
0
27
6
60
0
1705
10
0
1726
16
0
26
6
28
0
58
0
1710
8
0
1728
16
6
27
0
29
0
1748
58
0
1711
8
4
6
1729
19
0
1736
27
6
32
0
55
0
1714
9
0
10
0
1730
21
0
1737
26
6
33
0
55
0
1719
12
0
1731
18
6
1738
27
6
1745
35
0
58
0
1721
12
6
1732
19
6
1739
29
0
37
0
56
0
13
0
20
0
29
6
1746
87
0
50
0
13
6
20
6
29
0
38
0
60
0
1722
14
0
1733
21
0
1740
28
6
40
0
58
0
14
6
25
0
29
0
45
0
1750
56
0
1723
14
6
26
0
28
0
48
0
55
0
15
6
26
6
29
0
50
0
54
0
1724
16
0
27
0
1741
28
6
1747
53
0
50
0
16
6
1734
24
0
28
0
55
0
6
26
6
1744
32
0
54
0
1718
11
0
20
0
27
0
34
0
56
0
1720
12
4
19
0
28
0
36
0
56
0
1735
27
6
1743
30
0
56
0
1712
8
17
0
19
TAVERNS AND TAVERN KEEPERS.
The long list of innholders or tavern keepers in Andover seems remarkable, if one considers the size of the town.
It should be remembered, however, that, for the first thirty years, at least, the capital necessary to establish a tavern for the entertainment of man and beast was quite small, and the accom- modations required were of the simplest character.
In most cases the traveller carried his own food and asked only a seat by the fire, in cold weather, and a place to sleep.
The houses were built of logs, the rooms were small and the simple, even primitive, beds required much less room than the
1749
1716
176
HISTORY OF ANDOVER.
modern box spring with a hair mattress. As "creature com- forts" multiplied the traveller eked out his simple fare with a glass of spirits, "plain or mixed," from the landlord's store, or with a generous mug of flip of the entertainer's best brew.
The landlord aimed to give the necessary conveniences rather than luxurious comforts, while the roaring fire on the hearth, in the winter, and the pungent jest and ready wit as it lightly flew about the semicircle left no place for an artificial spur to stir the unflagging springs of a free and healthy life.
The first through travel was along the "Plymouth" or "Coos" road by the west bank of the Pemigewasset River, and there the first tavern in town was established by Thomas Welch in 1774.
With the building of the Fourth New Hampshire Turnpike, the taverns rapidly increased in number and improved in qual- ity, until most of them could be fairly called houses of enter- tainment.
With the increase in travel, the tavern keeper whose wife, daughter or maid was a good cook, seldom found business dull. At first no formality was necessary in starting a tavern or inn, but after a few years the country towns generally deemed it wise to exercise some supervision over such public places, and a license from the selectmen became necessary, not only to follow the business of an innholder but to retail "spirituous or mixed" liquors. So it happened that many taverns were in existence before they were formally licensed as innholders or "tavern- ers" or as retailers of liquors. Probably the first tavern in town, west of the River Road, was kept by William Morey in a log house on Boston Hill.
1774 .- The tavern of Thomas Welch was built of logs and was located on the site of the Simonds house, on the River Road, which was destroyed by fire not many years ago.
1783 .- Henry Hall was licensed as a "retailer of spirits."
1784 .- Simeon Connor kept a tavern where Otis R. Connor now lives, on Boston Hill. He was licensed in 1786.
1785 .- Peter Weare kept a tavern on Taunton Hill, where Wilton P. Graves now lives ; a part of the original frame of the building is now in use.
1786 .- Benjamin Cilley, "Affy Ben," kept a tavern at An- dover Centre; possibly before this date, but he was licensed in
177
BUSINESS MATTERS.
1786. His house stood a little north of the southeast corner of the new cemetery.
1787 .- John Rowe was a "taverner" in 1787. Was licensed in 1792 to deal in "spirituous liquors by retail or mixed."
1792 .- Joseph Lunt was licensed as a "tavern keeper" in 1792, at the J. H. Durgin place.
1792 .- Benjamin Thompson was licensed in 1792, but had kept tavern before that date. His tavern was on the site where John F. Sanborn now lives (1904). and Thompson and his son Herod carried on the business for more than forty years.
1792 .- Elisha Cilley kept a small one-story tavern at Andover Centre, east of his father's place and southwest of the present residenee of G. W. Stone.
1793 .- Charles Hilton kept the first tavern at the east village.
1795 .- Nathan Colby, on the River Road, was licensed to "keep a tavern."
1795 .- West Bonney kept a tavern at Potter Place, in a one- story house; afterward kept the first tavern at West Andover.
1799 .- Col. John Gale built a tavern at Potter Place. He came from Salisbury.
1799 .- John Weare had a tavern at Taunton Hill.
1800 .- Eliphalet Rollins kept a tavern at Potter Place. Ife later built a two-story house for a tavern. This was afterwards cut down one story and moved eastward. It is said to be the frame of the Jesse Baker house, where C. E. F. Davis now lives. A Mr. Rowe had a tavern on south side of road near Potter Place.
The tavern at West Andover was built about 1800, and was occupied by West Bonney about twenty years. It was next occupied for several years by Thomas Clark, who moved out of town in 1840. John Edson was the proprietor for twenty-three years. It was afterwards under the direction of John Babbitt for about thirty years, and managed by Leonard Heath for about three years. After the railroad was built as far as Franklin, two stages from Franklin to Hanover and two from West Andover to Haverhill changed horses at this tavern.
1802 .- Dea. Samuel Kimball built a tavern at the junetion of the turnpike and the road to East Andover, often called Kim- ball's Corner, just below Nathan Woodbury's farm, and occu-
12
178
HISTORY OF ANDOVER.
pied it as a tavern for several years. In 1810 it was occupied by Capt. Mieah Kimball. It was afterwards occupied by Ezra Hutchins. Dudley Dearborn, - Boynton, Stephen W. Clough and Rufus L. Martin. While occupied by Martin it was burned, in 1856. After Dearborn's occupancy it was generally known as the "Dearborn stand."
1803 .- Walter Waldo occupied the tavern at Potter Place.
1804 .- Simeon Cate kept a tavern. location not now known.
1804 .- David Dyer kept a tavern in John Sanders' house.
1808 .- Josiah Evans was a taverner on the river road.
1811 .- John True, a licensed taverner.
1811 .- November 18, Micah Kimball was licensed "to keep tavern and mix liquors as the law direets for the same."
1812 .- Henry D. Hilton had a tavern at East Andover.
1818 .- Thomas Clark had a tavern at West Andover, Ezra Hutchins at Kimball's Corner. Elijah Cilley at the Centre, about where the academy now stands, and Seth Crossman and N. G. IIaines had taverns, whose locations are not now known.
1822 .- James Parker licensed as taverner.
1822 .- Benjamin Wiggin licensed "to sell or mix and sell liquors by small quantities."
1822 .- Seth Crossman licensed "to sell or mix and sell liquors by small quantities."
1824 .- Reuben Dearborn had a tavern license in 1824 and 1826-'27.
1825 .- John Sholes had a tavern license at Potter Place. 1825 and 1828.
1825 .- Jazanera Whitney had a tavern license.
1825 .- Benning Moulton had a tavern license on the River Road.
1826 .- Asa Darling had a tavern license at the Evans stand.
1826 .- Herbert Vose had a tavern license at the Centre.
1826 .- Thomas Clark had a tavern license at West Andover. 1827 .- Samuel Brown had a tavern license at East Andover. 1827 .- Edward Robie had a tavern license.
1829 .- Phineas Eastman had a tavern license at the Centre. 1829 .- - - Bean had a tavern license, the first tenant in Butterfield's new tavern at the Centre.
1830 .- William Walker had a tavern license. the second tenant in Butterfield's tavern. Henry Moulton succeeded Walker
179
BUSINESS MATTERS.
about 1835, in this tavern, and he in turn was followed by his son, Simeon S. Moulton, who remained until his death in 1868.
1831 .- John S. Rand licensed.
1832 .- Calvin Eaton licensed.
1833 .- Joseph H. Eaton licensed in 1833 and 1836.
1835 .- John L. Corlis licensed.
1836 .- Lewis D. Bean licensed.
1838 .- Simeon Moulton took his first license in his own name. 1839 .- John Edson, licensed, for tavern and for retailing liquors at West Andover.
1840 .- David Cooper at the Centre.
1843 .- John and George Edson, license for tavern and for re- tailing liquor. at West Andover.
1845 .- Henry Dearborn Huntoon, license for tavern and for retailing liquor at East Andover.
1849 .- J. S. Durgin, license for tavern at Potter Place.
At a later date Leonard Heath and John Babbitt were tavern keepers at West Andover.
After the railroad was built most of the hotel business in the town was concentrated at the Centre and Potter Place, and patronage at the other hostelries gradually disappeared.
After Mr. Durgin left Potter Place. in 1850 or 1851. the suc- cessive managers were B. F. Scribner, B. P. Fifield, Hiram F. Emery, William Gordon, Andrew J. George and John Hopkins. In the hands of the latter and later under the management of Mrs. Hopkins, Hotel "Potter" became an attractive house. Be- fore Durgin the several proprietors were West Bonney, Col. John Gale, Eliphalet Rollins, Walter Waldo and Jonathan Stewart.
It was the eustom to issue licenses for only one year, but the renewal was apparently an easy matter. A special license was given as below :
In 1825 Robert Barber, at East Andover, was licensed "to keep tavern, to sell, mix and sell spirituous liquors by less quan- tities than one gallon, on the 8th and 9th days of March, at his house in Andover."
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