USA > New Hampshire > Merrimack County > Andover > History of the town of Andover, New Hampshire, 1751-1906, Part I > Part 21
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3
1865
E. W. Harrington
221
1898
Charles F. Stone
212
Frederick Smyth.
89
Frank W. Rollins
108
1866
John G. Sinclair
216
(Scattering)
2
1867
John G. Sinclair.
Chester B. Jordan
125
Walter Harriman
92
(Scattering).
4
1868
John G. Sinclair.
264
Henry F. Hollis
186
Walter Harriman
96
Nahum J. Bachelder.
140
1869
John Bedel
212
John C. Berry .
2
Onslow Stearns
76
Henry F. Hollis
173
1870
John Bedel .
158
John McLane ..
124
Onslow Stearns
84
David Heald.
4
Samuel Flint
38
Sumner F. Claflin
1
1871
James A. Weston
228
George Howie.
1
James Pike .
93
POST ROADS. POST OFFICES AND POSTMASTERS.
In 1784 the road over Taunton Hill towards New Chester was known as the "post road." which would indicate that the mail for Andover and northern towns was carried on that road.
In 1790 John Lathrop was post rider from Concord through Andover to Hanover.
* Under the law providing for biennial elections the first governor, Natt Head, was elected in November, 1878.
113
1888
Charies H. Amsden.
238
Nathaniel S. Berry
106
1892
Luther Mckinney
220
Frederick Smyth.
88
1900
F. E. Potter
205
220
1896
121
Joseph A. Gilmore
102
(Scattering)
87
James Bell ..
42
1880
William Haile
1902
1904
250
HISTORY OF ANDOVER.
Clement Emery, son of Dr. Anthony Emery, was the second mail carrier or post rider through Andover. At that period all the mails were carried on horseback.
In 1791 four post routes were established by the New Hamp- shire Legislature. The route leading through Andover was known as No. 2, starting from Concord and going to Salisbury, Andover, New Chester, Plymouth, Haverhill. Piermont, Orford, Lyme, Hanover, Lebanon, Enfield, Canaan. Grafton, Alexandria, Salisbury, to Concord.
The direction on this route was reversed on alternate trips. The exact route followed by the post rider was by Capt. Eben- ezer Webster's, in Salisbury, northwesterly along the north road past the Lieut. John Rowe, later the Ayers Rowe. farm, over Boston and Taunton hills, through New Chester and northward.
Nathan Dow retired from the position of post rider. October 5, 1799. He was succeeded by Daniel Blaisdell and he by Sam- nel Kimball of Andover, who retired in March, 1801.
When the post route was established through Andover the postage on single letters for any distance less than forty miles was four pence; for forty miles or more the rate was six pence.
The first post office in town was established at Andover Centre, May 28. 1810. West Bonney was the first postmaster and he held the office until Rev. Ebenezer Chase was appointed in 1817. From the organization of the postal system the postage on sealed letters was as below :
Single letter, under 40 miles, 8 cents ; between 40 and 90 miles, 10 cents; between 90 and 150 miles, 1212 cents; between 150 and 300 miles, 17 eents ; between 300 and 500 miles, 20 cents : over 500 miles, 25 cents.
After May 1, 1816, the rates were changed as below :
Single letter, 30 miles, 61/4 cents ; between 30 and 80 miles. 10 cents ; between 80 and 150 miles, 1212 cents; between 150 and 400 miles, 183/4 eents : over 400 miles. 25 cents.
On newspapers for not over 100 miles, or in the state where published, one cent each ; for over 100 miles, 116 cents each.
In 1845 letters not exceeding one half ounce in weight, for less than 300 miles, 5 cents each ; for more than 300 miles, 10 cents each, and an additional rate for every additional one-half ounce or fraction thereof.
While Mr. Chase was postmaster, the office was in a small
251
TOWN OFFICERS.
building naonly on the site of Ur Cochran's hardware shop in
HIGHLAND LAKE, TAUNTON HILL, CILLKY HILL, AND THE VALLEY BETWEEN RAGGED AND KEARSARUE MOUNTAINS
251
TOWN OFFICERS.
building nearly on the site of Mr. Cochran's hardware shop in 1900. This building was torn down about 1870.
In 1818 and 1819 Peter Fifield was postmaster and the office was in his house, the residence now owned by Mrs. Mary E. Fi- field. In 1820 Mr. Chase was again appointed postmaster and retained the office till 1823. In 1823 his salary was $20.52. On November 20, 1819, Postmaster Chase printed the following no- tice in his monthly magazine, published at Andover :
If people who receive letters at the Post Office would pay for them at the time they receive them they would much oblige their friend. Considerable is now due for letters that were received at this office more than 3 years ago and it is found that some gentlemen have for- gotten that they have been favored with a letter on credit. Should any letters here after be charged :- if it is not paid within 3 months one cent a month in addition to the postage will be requested on each letter for every month's neglect.
E. Chase, P. M.
Dr. Tilton Elkins was postmaster from 1824 to 1828 and the office was moved to West Andover.
In 1829 Reuben Dearborn was postmaster and the office was moved to Dearborn Tavern, where the road across the Plains joined the Fourth New Hampshire Turnpike, just east of the present residence of Nathan Woodbury. In 1830, Samuel But- terfield was appointed postmaster, and the office was moved to the Centre village where it has remained. Mr. Butterfield held the office until 1848.
EAST ANDOVER.
Although the eastern section of the town was settled several years before the western section, the people of that part of the town were without the usual mail facilities until the post office was established at East Andover, January 26, 1847.
Before that date they were dependent upon the offices at All- dover Centre and Salisbury village, afterwards Franklin, five or six miles away.
Benjamin F. Scribner was the first postmaster at East An- dover.
WEST ANDOVER.
The post office at West Andover was formally established August 16, 1849, and Charles Fellows was the first postmaster.
252
HISTORY OF ANDOVER.
POTTER PLACE.
On July 17, 1871, a post office was established at Potter Place, with James Fellows as postmaster.
POSTMASTERS.
POSTMASTERS AT ANDOVER CENTRE.
West Bonney, 1810-'16.
John M. Shirley, 1858-'59.
Ebenezer Chase, 1817.
John Proctor, 1860-61.
Peter Fifield, 1818-'19.
H. C. Dugan, 1862.
Ebenezer Chase, 1820-'23.
James Scales. 1863-71.
Tilton Elkins, 1824-'28.
Reuben Dearborn. 1829.
A. W. Bridgman, 1872- 73. Warren S. Quimby. 1874-'89.
Samuel Butterfield, 1830-'47.
(. A. Cochran, 1890-'93.
James Proctor, 1848- 49.
F. E. Emerson, 1894-'97.
True Brown, 1850-'54.
C. A. Cochran, 1898-1902.
Samuel Butterfield, 1855-'57.
Vivian S. Quimby. 1902.
POSTMASTERS AT EAST ANDOVER.
Benjamin F. Scribner. 1847-'48.
Carlos G. Pevare, 1870-'85.
John West, 1849-'53.
('lark Durgin. 1886-89.
B. F. Scribner, 1854.
Fred E. Putney, 1890-93.
Caleb Cross, 1855-'57.
Frank W. Durgin. 1894-97.
Clark Durgin, 1858-'61.
Fred E. Putney, 1898.
Cyrus W. Cole, 1862- 69.
POSTMASTERS AT WEST ANDOVER.
C. Fellows, 1851- 52. W. ES. Melendy, 1873-'S1.
G. S. Clement, 1853-'61.
M. P. Melendy, 1882-'89.
Daniel Osgood, 1862-66.
W. M. Powers, 1890-'97.
Alvin A. Bnswell, 1867-'69.
George E. Taylor, 1898-1901.
William Melendy, 1869-'70.
J. F. Woodward, 1902.
George Prescott, 1871-'72.
POSTMASTERS AT POTTER PLACE.
James Fellows, 1871-'75. William Gordon, 1890-'94.
I. P. Goss, 1876.
James Seavey, 1895-'96.
William Gordon, 1877-'78.
J. F. White, 1897.
L. P'. Cole, 1879.
P. B. Flanders, 1898-1901.
F. P. Goss, 1880-'85. John F. Emery, 1886-'89.
F. P. Goss, 1901.
ANDOVER IN THE MILITIA OF NEW HAMPSHIRE.
In an act of the Legislature, passed December 27, 1792, it was provided that "the companies in the towns of Boscawen, Salis- bury, Andover, New London and Kiersarge Gore shall form a first battalion ; the companies in the towns of Hopkinton, War- ner, Sutton, Fishersfield and Bradford shall form a second bat- talion ; which shall constitute the 21st Regiment."
In an act of the Legislature, passed December 22, 1808, it was provided that the militia of New Hampshire was to consist of three divisions, six brigades and thirty-seven regiments, each regiment containing two battalions, composed of companies from five to ten, of infantry, artillery and cavalry. In this aet it was also provided: "That the companies in the towns of Boseawen and Hopkinton shall form a first battalion and the companies in the towns of Salisbury and Andover shall form a second bat- talion which shall constitute the 21st Regiment."
The Twenty-first Regiment was in the Fourth Brigade and Third Division.
The men from Andover who were officers in the Twenty-first Regiment were as follows:
FIELD AND STAFF.
Jonathan Weare, Jr., lieutenant-colonel, commanding, September 18, 1815.
COLONELS.
Jonathan Weare, July 4, 1816.
Joseph S. Huntoon.
June 18, 1825.
Joseph Swett.
June 25, 1833.
Thomas J. Cilley,
July 1, 1834.
John Rowe,
June 27, 1835.
Jacob Rowe.
June 19, 1840.
LIEUTENANT-COLONEL.
Joshua L. Weare, Joseph Swett, Benjamin F. Scribner.
June 30, 1826. June 22, 1830.
July 6. 1839.
254
HISTORY OF ANDOVER.
MAJORS.
William Proctor,
Joshua L. Weare,
Joseph Swett,
Thomas J. Cilley,
John Rowe, Jr.,
July 1, 1834.
Benjamin F. Scribner,
July 3, 1837.
ADJUTANTS.
Josiah Babcock,
Joseph Swett,
September 10, 1816. July 1, 1825.
PAYMASTERS.
Josiah Babcock,
John J. Bryant,
Enoch Tirrell,
July 11, 1825.
August 26, 1833.
QUARTERMASTERS.
Tilton Elkins,
November 8, 1821.
True Brown,
August 8, 1828.
George Butterfield,
August 26, 1833.
Moses Frazier,
August 26, 1834.
Clark Durgin,
August 6, 1840.
January 9, 1846.
SURGEON.
Jacob C. Hanson.
August 6. 1840.
SURGEON'S MATES.
Silas Merrill,
Henry 1. Weymouth.
June 19, 1815. July 24. 1848.
CHAPLAINS.
Samuel Kingsbury,
Moses Frazier,
Nathan Howard,
Reuben Dearborn,
September 1, 1829. August 26. 1834. September 4, 1843. August 27, 1845.
ANDOVER OFFICERS OF THE MILITLA.
The following men were the commanding officers, captains of militia companies in Andover before 1810. Full records are not
James M. Moody.
March 20, 1816. June 2, 1824.
Phineas Huntoon, Jr.,
1803.
, June 18, 1825. August 5, 1828.
June 25, 1833.
255
ANDOVER IN THE MILITIA.
now found and the dates of commissions and the names of lieu- tenants and ensigns are all missing.
CAPTAINS.
William Emery.
Josiah Bachelder. Josiah Scribner
Company unknown.
William Proctor,
Jacob B. Moore,
William Emery,
First company.
Josiah Evans,
Henry D. Hilton,
Samuel Elkins,
James Tucker, Jonathan Weare.
Second company.
FIFTH COMPANY.
In 1833 the third company of the Twenty-first Regiment was disbanded and two of its officers, Asa Darling and Hiram Colby, were transferred to the fifth company. Watson Dickerson was an ensign in the third company, June 14. 1833.
CAPTAINS.
Henry Emery.
September 18, 1812.
William Huntoon.
August 27, 1817.
Enoch Merrill,
June 13, 1823.
Joshua L. Weare.
May 27, 1824.
Willard Emery, 2d.
July 11, 1825.
William Graves.
September 3, 1829.
Samuel Judkins,
April 6, 1830.
William S. Huntoon.
April 16, 1830.
Asa Darling,
August 26, 1833.
LIEUTENANTS.
John Brown.
September 18, 1812.
Enoch Merrill.
August 27, 1817.
Joshua L. Weare.
June 13, 1823.
Willard Emery, 2d.
March 27, 1824.
William Graves.
July 11, 1825.
Samuel Judkins, September 3, 1826.
Asa Darling.
April 6. 1830.
April 16, 1830.
Charles Prescott, Hiram Colby, August 26, 1833.
256
HISTORY OF ANDOVER.
ENSIGNS.
Moses Gove.
August 30, 1815.
Joshua L. Weare.
Angust 10. 1822
Willard Emery, 20,
June 13. 1823.
William Graves.
March 27, 1824.
Samuel Judkins.
July 11, 1825.
Asa Darling.
September 3, 1829
Hiram Colby.
April 6, 1830.
Alfred A. Gile.
April 16, 1830.
Reuben Hoit.
September 25, 1832.
William Dyer.
April 6, 1836.
TENTH COMPANY.
CAPTAINS.
Micah Kimball.
July 20, 1811.
Joseph Brown. Jr ..
Oct. 17. 1816.
Joseph S. Huntoon.
August 10, 1822.
James Proctor,
July 11. 1825.
Jonathan Brown,
June 28, 1827.
Elisha C. Keniston.
April 29, 1829.
John Rowe, Jr.,
1832.
Samuel Morrill,
1835.
Benjamin Cilley,
September 16. 1836.
William Huntoon. Jr ..
February 27. 1840.
John G. Severance,
March 17, 1841.
LIEUTENANTS.
Joseph Brown. . Ir ..
August 30. 1815.
Jesse Graves.
October 17. 1816.
James Proctor,
August 10, 1822.
Thomas Clark.
July 11, 1825.
Elisha C. Keniston.
September 16. 1826.
John Rowe, Jr ..
June 28. 1827.
William Huntoon, Jr ..
April 29. 1829.
John G. Severance.
February 27. 1840.
Andrew J. Cilley.
March 17, 1841.
ENSIGNS.
Jesse Graves.
August 30, 1815.
Joseph Thompson.
October 17, 1816.
Thomas Clark,
August 10. 1822.
Jonathan Brown.
July 11. 1825.
Aaron Cilley, Jr.,
June 28, 1827.
John Durgin. Jr.,
September 16. 1836.
William Huntoon, Jr ..
July 11, 1838.
Andrew J. Cilley.
February 27. 1840.
Ebenezer (. C'illey.
March 17. 1841.
257
ANDOVER IN THE MILITIA.
FIFTHI COMPANY.
Apparently the fifth and tenth companies were consolidated in 1841, the new organization being known as the fifth company, while the officers of the tenth were continued in the new fifth company.
CAPTAINS.
John G. Severance.
March 17, 1841.
Andrew J. Cilley,
November 13, 1841.
Ebenezer C. Cilley.
March 20, 1844.
Moses B. Gove,
June 3, 1845.
S. Dana Huntoon,
January 9, 1846.
W. Stillman Keniston,
April 4, 1848.
Henry S. Keniston,
April 23, 1849.
Joseph E. Brown.
October 2, 1849.
Nathan Woodbury,
October 13. 1852.
LIEUTENANTS.
Andrew J. Cilley,
Ebenezer C. Cilley,
Moses B. Gove,
March 20, 1844.
S. Dana IIuntoon,
June 3, 1845.
W. Stillman Keniston.
January 9, 1846.
IIenry S. Keniston,
April 4, 1848.
Joseph E. Brown.
September 6, 1848.
Henry Huntington,
April 23, 1849.
Nathan Woodbury.
October 2, 1849.
Daniel M. Davis.
October 13. 1852.
ENSIGNS.
Ebenezer C. Cilley,
March 17, 1841.
William Tilton, Jr.,
November 13, 1841.
Moses B. Gove.
August 19, 1843.
S. Dana Huntoon,
March 20, 1844.
W. Stilliam Keniston,
June 3, 1845.
Henry S. Keniston.
August 12, 1847.
Joseph E. Brown.
April 4, 1848.
Henry Huntington.
September 6, 1848.
Nathan Woodbury,
July 11, 1849.
Daniel M. Davis,
October 2, 1849.
SECOND COMPANY, LIGHT INFANTRY.
This company was organized in 1827; was disbanded August 27, 1845; was reorganized in 1849. but soon disbanded.
17
March 17, 1841.
November 13, 1841.
258
HISTORY OF ANDOVER.
CAPTAINS.
Thomas J. Cilley,
June 21, 1827.
Royal F. Eastman.
September 3, 1833.
Benjamin F. Scribner.
November 22, 1834.
John Fellows,
August 10, 1837.
John Huntoon,
January 2, 1839.
Benjamin D. Cilley.
March 27, 1840.
Joseph W. Bean,
March 28, 1842.
Nathan Kilburn,
June 21, 1844.
John Shaw,
October 2, 1849.
LIEUTENANTS.
William Babcock.
June 21. 1827.
Benjamin F. Scribner.
July 2, 1834.
John Fellows,
November 22, 1834.
John Huntoon,
August 10, 1837.
Joseph Brown, Jr.,
January 2, 1839.
Joseph W. Bean,
May 18, 1840.
Silas C. Fifield,
January 11, 1842.
John Graves,
October 2, 1849.
ENSIGNS.
True Brown,
June 21, 1827.
John Fellows,
July 2, 1834.
Aaron Seavey,
November 22, 1834.
Joseph Brown, Jr ..
August 28, 1837.
Benjamin D. Cilley,
January 2, 1839.
Clarence M. Proctor.
May 18. 1840.
George E. Emery,
October 2. 1849.
FIRST COMPANY. CAVALRY.
Disbanded March 28, 1851.
CAPTAINS.
Simeon Connor,
November 2, 1819.
Herod Thompson.
September 28. 1820.
Samuel M. Durgin.
April 6, 1824.
Nathaniel French.
August 1, 1825.
James Connor, Henry D. Cilley,
April 8. 1831.
April 30. 1839.
John Rollins, Uriel Rollins. Horace S. Clay,
April 19, 1841.
July 21, 1842.
July 26, 1849.
259
ANDOVER IN THE MILITIA.
FIRST LIEUTENANTS.
Simeon Connor.
Ilerod Thompson,
November 2, 1819.
Greenleaf Cilley,
September 28. 1820.
Nathaniel French,
May 25, 1824.
September 3, 1830.
September 26, 1831.
Henry D. Cilley,
March 15, 1838.
John Rollins,
April 30, 1839.
Uriel Rollins,
April 19. 1841.
Moses W. Rowell,
March 16, 1846.
Horace S. Clay,
August 17, 1848.
SECOND LIEUTENANTS.
Simeon Connor.
March 26, 1816.
Herod Thompson,
August 27. 1817.
Greenleaf Cilley.
November 2, 1819.
Samuel M. Durgin.
September 28. 1820.
James Connor,
March 19, 1827.
Moses Bachelder,
July 22, 1831.
May 2, 1836.
Henry D. Cilley, John Rollins,
March 15, 1838.
Uriel Rollins.
March 27. 1840.
CORNETS.
John P. Swett.
March 26, 1816.
Greenleaf Cilley.
June 25. 1818.
Samuel M. Durgin,
November 2, 1819.
Nathaniel French.
September 28, 1820.
James Connor,
May 25. 1824.
Moses Bachelder, Henry D. Cilley.
March 28, 1834.
John Rollins,
March 7. 1837.
Uriel Rollins,
April 30, 1839.
W. W. Kilburn,
April 19, 1841.
Moses W. Rowell,
April 24, 1845.
Horace S. Clay,
April 26. 1848.
Joseph D. Philbrick,
July 26, 1849.
ARTILLERY COMPANY.
John Graves.
W. W. Cilley.
March 15, 1850.
October 3, 1854.
FIRST LIEUTENANTS.
George E. Emery. George M. Weare,
March 15, 1850.
May 29, 1851.
James Connor, Moses Bachelder,
August 27, 1817.
April 8, 1831.
260
HISTORY OF ANDOVER.
SECOND LIEUTENANTS.
George M. Weare. W. W. Cilley, G. W. Chase,
April 8, 1850. May 29, 1851. October 3, 1854.
TRAINING DAYS AND MUSTERS.
Early in the history of the militia in Andover the "training field" for those living near the center of the town was the nearly level ground lying south of the present residence of Frank Pet- tingill and between the highway and the railroad. Later the parade ground was on the village common, east of the present academy at the Centre.
Occasionally the annual muster of the Twenty-first Regiment occurred at the Centre village, and then the large field west of the street from Emerson's store to the railroad station was used. The houses now on that street were built since the day of musters.
The training days for the various companies were in May and September of each year, the one in September coming before the annual September muster, enabling the officers and men to brush up their tactics and drill for the regimental show. Mus- ter day was the grand gala occasion of the year. The showy field and staff officers with cocked hats, gold or gilt lace and but- tons, jingling arms and trappings and gaily prancing horses were a gorgeous sight to both old and young, who were accustomed to the quiet life of the country.
The various companies representing the neighboring towns, stimulated by the presence of their friends and by the keen rivalries in military drill and personal prowess, put forth their best efforts to shine conspicuously in the eyes of superior officers and enthusiastic spectators.
Booths, tents, open and covered wagons, with their sometimes boisterous occupants, afforded entertainments, bargains, food and drink to the fun-loving, curious, hungry and thirsty sight- seers, with a fullness equalled only by the demand.
Happy the country boy who took in his first muster without accident and stored a fund of amusement and food for reflec- tion. enough to supply him for a whole year.
The annual meetings of militia companies from different towns were almost certain to develop strennous rivalries. The Andover
261
ANDOVER IN THE. MILITIA.
Light Infantry or Second Company, Twenty-first Regiment, from the first claimed great credit for their accomplishments in the school of the soldier. Out of this elaim and a lively sense of their personal prowess, there arose a sharp rivalry with the Bos- cawen Rifle Company, and to a less extent with the Salisbury Grenadiers, which lasted and increased for several years.
When they managed to get on opposite sides in the sham fight, which usually closed the programme of each muster day the rivalry was highly intensified.
The following story, confirmed in the presence of the writer by a member of the Boscawen company, will best illustrate the humor and zeal of that period, 1825-'35.
On one occasion when the annual muster was to be held at Andover, the rifle company conceived a plan for getting the better of the light infantry, which would have been better char- aeterized as heavy infantry.
Their scheme was devised to drive, with the assistance of the grenadiers, the light infantry over and down the bank at the south side of the muster field, on to the intervale, and there com- pel their surrender or rush them into the river.
The Andover men received a hint of the scheme and quietly made their own plans. When the sham fight began the rifles and grenadiers worked around to the front of the light infantry. and pressed them back towards the river. The rear guard held them back as well as they could, and with display of great vigor, while the large majority of the Andover men fell back to the river, at a point about 125 yards above the Seavey bridge, and crossed on planks supported on temporary trestles. Then the guard broke for the river and crossed in single file with an alacrity that surprised their opponents. The southern section of the planks was wide enough for two men to stand abreast. The two largest men of the infantry company. Versal R. East- man and James Marston, the last to eross, wheeled and standing side by side kept an almost continuous blaze of powder from their guns along the line of planks, so that no one could cross. Their guns were loaded and passed along to them by their com- rades in the rear.
In the midst of this noise and turmoil, and while the attention of their opponents was centered on the temporary bridge, the
262
HISTORY OF ANDOVER.
mass of the light infantry were led down the river, crossed the highway bridge and fell with their whole weight on the more numerous rifles and grenadiers clustered on the river bank. Many of the would-be captors were rushed into the river and the remainder scattered in all directions.
The member of the Boscawen company mentioned above added: "There were ten men on the right of that Andover company more than six feet tall, and we could do nothing with them; they would run over us whenever they pleased."
MILLS, MANUFACTURES AND INSURANCE.
MILLS.
On the plan of the town made by William Brown Clough, from the minutes of his survey of the township in 1753, there ap- pears a "mill lot" of twenty acres set off from the south end of lot No 53 at the region now ealled "Hog Back" hill.
At first it seems strange that a site with so slight a fall of water should have been selected for the first mill in the town; but it should be remembered that at that time it was customary to use "undershot" instead of "overshot" water wheels, rely- ing on the impulse of the running stream rather than on the weight of the falling mass of water. In this way an expensive dam was avoided. Ebenezer Eastman built the first mill on the Pemigewasset River at that time in Salisbury, now in Franklin, and evidently used an "undershot" wheel. The mill was on the west side of the river and when the fine modern dam was built in 1902-'03, traces of Eastman's low wing dam, and a well- preserved "raceway" were plainly seen.
The proprietors were not thoroughly satisfied, evidently, with the selection of the "mill lot." for by individual effort and by committees they kept up the search for a mill site for a dozen years at least.
Finally, on April 30, 1766, an agreement was made with Na- thaniel Prescott of Brentwood for the erection of a sawmill on the outlet of Loon Pond, very near the point where the Busiel hosiery mill now stands.
The price for construction was forty pounds, lawful money. and for that sum Preseott agreed to complete the mill by the 1st of October, 1766, and to "truly keep said mill in good repair and seasonably saw any Logs which any of the Proprietors of said New Britton shall carry to said mill to the halves for and during the space of ten years next after said mill shall be built," etc.
A bond in the sum of "Two hundred Pounds Lawful money"
264
HISTORY OF ANDOVER.
was given by Prescott to ensure the fulfillment of the contract. The mill was built according to agreement. The large crank was forged at Exeter and brought into the woods on the back of a horse.
In 1772 great complaint was made that Prescott neglected to saw the logs brought to the mill. as he had agreed to do. The proprietors at first proposed to prosecute him, because his neg- lect had retarded the settlement of the township, but their trans- actions with him became so complicated that nothing was done in that direction.
In 1768 the proprietors decided to build a grist mill if a suit- able site could be found. They tried to arrange with Prescott to move the sawmill further up the stream in order to occupy the first site of the sawmill with the grist-mill. but a committee ap- pointed for that purpose reported that "said Prescott refused to act anything thereto." A committee was appointed to search the town for a site for the grist-mill and to build thereon. Sixty pounds lawful money was appropriated for the construction of a grist-mill and on October 30, 1769, Dr. Anthony Emery was en- gaged to build it. In the meantime Preseott had "acted thereto" and moved the sawmill up the stream to the upper falls. where the upper hosiery mill stood. Before the grist-mill was built at East Andover, Joseph Fellows and his neighbors carried their grain on their baeks to the mill of Henry Lovejoy in West Concord. They generally started in the evening, in or- der to be the first at the mill in the morning, get their grists ground and get home before night. The gristmill was built on the site of the first sawmill in the summer of 1770, under the di- rection of Dr. Anthony Emery at a total cost of sixty-three pounds. The proprietors agreed to pay Prescott "7 pounds old Tenor" for the privilege of drawing water to run the grist mill for the term of twenty years. On February 22, 1774, the proprietors voted to sell the gristmill to Joseph Fellows for thirty-five pounds lawful money, and the deed was signed by Mesheck Weare, Anthony Emery and Henry Robie on behalf of the proprietors.
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