USA > New Hampshire > Hillsborough County > Antrim > History of the town of Antrim, New Hampshire, from its earliest settlement to June 27, 1877, with a brief genealogical record of all the Antrim families > Part 27
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1790. Isaac Cochran, Mod. Daniel Miltimore, Clk.
Daniel Miltimore. Thomas Stuart. Jonathan Nesmith.
Probably John Dun- can.
1791. Thomas Nichols, Mod. Jonathan Nesmith. John Duncan, for An- James Nesmith, Clerk.
Daniel Nichols.
William Brown. trim, Deering, and Hancock.
1792. Isaac Cochran, Mod. James Nesmith, Clerk.
Jonathan Nesmith. John Duncan, for An- Arthur Nesmith. trim and Hancock, Daniel Nichols. as shown by Han- cock records.
1793. John Duncan, Mod. Jonathan Nesmith. John Duncan repre- James Nesmith, Clerk. Arthur Nesmith. sented Antrim and John McIlvaine. Hancock.
1794. Isaac Cochran, Mod. Jonathan Nesmith. Probably John Dun- James Nesmith, Clerk. Daniel Nichols. can.
Arthur Nesmith.
1795. Thomas Nichols, Mod. Jonathan Nesmith. John Duncan for An- James Nesmith, Clerk. Daniel Nichols. trim and Hancock. Arthur Nesmith.
1796. John Duncan, Mod. Jonathan Nesmith. John Duncan repre- James Nesmith, Clerk. Arthur Nesmith. sented the district. Thomas Stuart.
1797. John Duncan, Mod. Jonathan Nesmith. (John Duncan repre- James Nesmith, Clerk. James Hopkins. sented Antrim and Arthur Nesmith. Campbell's Gore, but in August Jon- athan Nesmith was chosen for a session in Portsmouth.)
Isaac Cochran. Probably John Dun-
239
TOWN OFFICERS.
Date. Moderator and Town Clerk. Selectmen.
1798. Isaac Cochran, Mod.
Arthur Nesmith.
James Nesmith, Clerk. Daniel Nichols. James Wallace.
Representative. First Representative of Antrim alone, Jonathan Nesmith.
Jonathan Nesmith.
1799. Samuel Dinsmore, Mod. Arthur Nesmith. James Nesmith, Clerk. Daniel Nichols. James Wallace.
1800. Mark Woodbury, Mod. Arthur Nesmith. James Nesmith, Clerk. William Starrett. Jacob Tuttle.
Jonathan Nesmith.
1801. Isaac Baldwin, Mod.
Nathan Cleaves.
James Nesmith, Clerk. Samuel Vose.
Robert Gregg.
Jacob Tuttle.
1802. John Duncan, Mod.
Robert Gregg.
James Nesmith, Clerk. John Alexander.
James Dunlap.
Jacob Tuttle.
1803. Isaac Baldwin, Mod.
Robert Gregg.
James Nesmith, Clerk. John Alexander.
James Dunlap.
Jacob Tuttle.
1804. Isaac Baldwin, Mod. Robert Gregg. Jacob Tuttle. James Nesmith, Clerk. James Nesmith. Thomas Jameson.
1805. Isaac Baldwin, Mod. Robert Gregg. Jacob Tuttle.
James Nesmith, Clerk. James Nesmith.
John Worthley.
1806. Mark Woodbury, Mod. Robert Gregg. James Nesmith, Clerk. James Nesmith. John Worthley.
Jacob Tuttle.
1807. Mark Woodbury, Mod. James Nesmith. Jacob Tuttle. James Nesmith, Clerk. Jonathan Nesmith. James Wallace.
1808. James Wallace, Mod. James Wallace.
Jacob Tuttle.
James Nesmith, Clerk. Robert Gregg. Samuel Vose.
1809. Mark Woodbury, Mod. James Wallace. Jacob Tuttle. James Nesmith, Clerk. Samuel Vose. Thomas McCoy.
1810. Mark Woodbury, Mod. Robert Gregg. Jacob Tuttle.
James Nesmith, Clerk. Samuel Vose. Thomas McCoy.
1811. Mark Woodbury, Mod. James Nesmith. James Wallace. James Nesmith, Clerk. Stephen Woodbury. Charles Adams.
1812. Mark Woodbury, Mod. Robert Gregg. Mark Woodbury. James Nesmith, Clerk. Stephen Woodbury. Charles 'Adams.
240
TOWN OFFICERS.
Date. Moderator and Town Clerk. Selectmen.
1813. Jacob Whittemore, Mo. James Wallace. James Nesmith, Clerk. Jacob Whittemore. Thomas McCoy.
Representative. Jacob Tuttle.
1814. Jacob Tuttle, Mod. Robert Gregg. Jacob Tuttle. James Nesmith, Clerk. Jacob Whittemore. Thomas McCoy.
1815. Jacob Whittemore, Mo. Robert Gregg. Jacob Tuttle. James Nesmith, Clerk. Jacob Whittemore. Thomas McCoy.
1816. Jacob Whittemore, Mo. Robert Gregg. Jacob Tuttle. James Nesmith, Clerk. David McCalley. Thomas McCoy.
1817. Mark Woodbury, Mod. David McCalley. Jacob Tuttle. James Nesmith, Clerk. George Duncan. Amos Parmenter. 1
1818. Mark Woodbury, Mod. David McCalley. Amos Parmenter, Clk. Amos Parmenter. Robert Gregg.
Jacob Whittemore.
1819. Lt. James Nesmith, Mo. Amos Parmenter. Amos Parmenter, Clk. John Wallace. John McNeil.
Jacob Whittemore.
1820. James Nesmith, Mod. Robert Gregg. Jacob Tuttle.
1 Amos Parmenter, Clk. Amos Parmenter. John Wallace.
1821. Mark' Woodbury, Mod. Robert Gregg. Mark Woodbury.
Robert Gregg, Clerk. John Wallace. Tristram Sawyer.
1822. James Nesmith, Mod. Jonathan Nesmith. Amos Parmenter. Amos Parmenter, Clk. Samuel Fletcher. John Worthley.
1823. Jacob Tuttle, Mod. Samuel Fletcher. Amos Parmenter. Amos Parmenter, Clk. John Worthley. Samuel Tuttle, Jr.
1824. William Gregg, Mod. Amos Parmenter, Clk.
Samuel Fletcher. John Worthley. Samuel Tuttle, Jr.
Amos Parmenter.
1825. Jacob Tuttle, Mod. Samuel Fletcher. Amos Parmenter, Clk. John Worthley. Samuel Tuttle, Jr.
Amos Parmenter.
1826. William Gregg, Mod.
Samuel Fletcher. Samuel Fletcher, Clerk. John Worthley. Samuel Tuttle.
George Duncan.
1827. Amos Parmenter, Mod. Samuel Fletcher. Jacob Tuttle, Clerk. Jacob Tuttle. Samuel Tuttle, Jr.
Samuel Fletcher.
TOWN OFFICERS.
241
Date. Moderator and Town Clerk. Selectmen.
1828. George Duncan, Mod. Jacob Tuttle, Clerk.
Samuel Fletcher. Thomas McCoy. Isaac Baldwin.
Representative. Samuel Fletcher.
1829. S. Weston, Jr., Mod. Jacob Tuttle, Clerk.
Samuel Fletcher. Thomas McCoy. Isaac Baldwin.
Samuel Fletcher.
1830. George Duncan, Mod. Samuel Fletcher. Samuel Fletcher, Clerk. Thomas McCoy. Isaac Baldwin.
Samuel Fletcher.
1831. Jacob Whittemore, Mo. Samuel Fletcher. Thos. McMaster, Jr. George Duncan, Clerk. Thomas McMaster. Jacob Tuttle.
1832. Luke Woodbury, Mod. Samuel Fletcher. Thomas McMaster. George Duncan, Clerk. Thomas McMaster.
George Duncan.
1833. Luke Woodbury, Mod. Samuel Fletcher. Luke Woodbury. George Duncan, Clerk.
Thos. McMaster, Jr. Jacob Whittemore.
1834. Luke Woodbury, Mod. Thos. McMaster, Jr. Samuel Fletcher. George Duncan, Clerk. Jacob Whittemore. Isaac Baldwin.
1835. Luke Woodbury, Mod. Thos. McMaster, Jr. Luke Woodbury. George Duncan, Clerk. Thomas McCoy. Jonathan Carr.
1836. Luke Woodbury, Mod. Thomas McCoy. George Duncan, Clerk. Jonathan Carr. Thomas Dunlap.
Thomas McMaster.
1837. Luke Woodbury, Mod. Thomas McCoy. George Duncan, Clerk. Jonathan Carr. Thomas Dunlap.
Thomas McMaster.
Jacob Whittemore.
1838. Luke Woodbury, Mod. Thomas McCoy. George Duncan, Clerk. Jonathan Carr. Thomas Dunlap.
1839. Jacob Whittemore, Mo. Thomas McCoy. Hiram Griffin, Clerk. Samuel Fletcher. William Carr, Jr.
Jacob Whittemore.
1840. Luke Woodbury, Mod. Hiram Griffin, Clerk.
William Carr, Jr. Henry C. Smith. John Barker.
Jacob Whittemore.
1841. Luke Woodbury, Mod. William Carr. Hiram Griffin, Clerk.
John Barker. John G. Flint.
Rev. Joseph Davis.
1842. Luke Woodbury, Mod. Hiram Griffin, Clerk.
Samuel Fletcher. John G. Flint. David McKean.
Rev. Joseph Davis.
16
242
TOWN OFFICERS.
Date. Moderator and Town Clerk. Selectmen.
1843. William Carr, Mod. Hiram Griffin, Clerk.
Samuel Fletcher. William Carr. David McKean.
Representative. Samuel Fletcher.
1844. Jacob Whittemore, Mo. William Carr. Rev. Jos. Davis, Clerk. Jonathan Carr. Manly W. McClure.
Rev. Joseph Davis.
1845. Luke Woodbury, Mod. Thomas McCoy. Hiram Griffin, Clerk. Josiah W. Christie. David McKean.
Hiram Griffin.
1846. Jacob Whittemore, Mo. Thomas McCoy. Hiram Griffin.
Hiram Griffin, Clerk. Thomas Dunlap. Manly W. McClure.
1847. Jacob Whittemore, Mo. Thomas McCoy. William Carr.
Charles Mckean, Clk.
Thomas Dunlap. R. P. Whittemore.
1848. Luke Woodbury, Mod. Thomas McCoy. William Carr.
Charles Mckean, Clk. Thomas Dunlap. R. P. Whittemore.
1849. Luke Woodbury, Mod. Thomas Dunlap. Charles McKean, Clk.
Thomas Dunlap.
R. P. Whittemore. Rodney Sawyer.
1850. Jacob Whittemore, Mo. R. P. Whittemore. Thomas Dunlap. Charles Mckean, Clk. Rodney Sawyer. Ira Cochran.
1851. Bartlett Wallace, Mod. R. P. Whittemore. Charles McKean, Clk. Ira Cochran. Samuel Dinsmore.
Charles Mckean.
1852. Bartlett Wallace, Mod. Thomas Dunlap. Almus Fairfield, Clerk. Clark Hopkins. John Dodge.
1853. Reed P. Whittemore, M. Thomas Dunlap. Almus Fairfield, Clerk. Clark Hopkins. John Dodge.
Hiram Griffin. Levi Woodbury chosen and declined.
Hiram Griffin.
1854. Lemuel N. Pattee, Mo. Thomas Dunlap. Almus Fairfield, Clerk. John Dodge. John Little.
1855. Lemuel N. Pattee, Mo. Isaac Baldwin. Almus Fairfield, Clerk. Sam'l A. Fletcher. Harvey Stacy.
1856. Charles Mckean, Mod. R. P. Whittemore. 'Almus Fairfield, Clerk. Jesse R. Goodell. Zadoc P. Wilson.
No Representative. First warrant ille- gal.
1857. Charles Mckean, Mod. R. P. Whittemore. Almus Fairfield, Clerk. Jesse R. Goodell. Zadoc P. Wilson.
Charles Mckean.
Lemuel N. Pattee.
R. P. Whittemore.
243
TOWN OFFICERS.
Date. Moderator and Town Clerk.
1858. Charles Mckean, Mod. D. H. Goodell, Clerk.
R. P. Whittemore. Samuel Dinsmore. John G. Flint.
1859. Lemuel N. Pattee, Mo. John M. Wallace, Clk.
William S. Foster. Harvey Stacy. William N. Tuttle.
Lemuel N. Pattee.
1860. Lemuel N. Pattee, Mo. John M. Wallace, Clk.
William S. Foster. Lemuel N. Pattee.
Harvey Stacy. William N. Tuttle.
1861. Mark True, Mod. William S. Foster. N. W. C. Jameson. John M. Wallace, Clk. Harvey Stacy. William N. Tuttle.
1862. Wm. M. Parsons, Mod. Almus Fairfield, Clerk.
William N. Tuttle. Henry B. Swett. George A. Cochran.
Harold Kelsea.
1863. Lemuel N. Pattee, Mo. Bennett S. Buckmin- ster, Clerk. In Sept. A. A. Ramsey was chosen to fill vacancy in office of Town Clk.
William N. Tuttle. George A. Cochran. Albert Baldwin.
Harold Kelsea.
1864. Mark True, Mod. Abram A. Ramsey, Cl.
William S. Foster. Mark True. Harvey Stacy. Albert Baldwin.
1865. Leander Smith, Mod. James E. Vose, Clerk.
William S. Foster. Edward L. Vose. James W. Perkins.
William S. Foster.
1866. Leander Smith, Mod. James E. Vose, Clerk.
William S. Foster. Edward L. Vose. James W. Perkins.
William S. Foster.
1867. Leander Smith, Mod. James E. Vose, Clerk.
Edward L. Vose. George A. Cochran. F. M. Shattuck.
1868. Leander Smith, Mod. Edward D. Putney, Cl.
Edward L. Vose. Geo. A. Cochran. Leander Smith.
William N. Tuttle.
1869. D. Harvey Goodell, Mo. Edward D. Putney, Cl.
Geo. A. Cochran. Leander Smith. Samuel S. Sawyer.
William N. Tuttle.
1870. D. Harvey Goodell, Mo. Edward D. Putney, Cl.
Geo. A. Cochran. Leander Smith. Samuel S. Sawyer.
Geo. A. Cochran. Leander Smith. William N. Tuttle.
Geo. A. Cochran.
Geo. A. Cochran.
1871. D. H. Goodell, Mod. Almus Fairfield, Clerk.
Selectmen.
Representative. R. P. Whittemore.
Mark True.
244
TOWN OFFICERS.
Date. Moderator and Town Clerk.
1872. Reed P. Whittemore, M. Almus Fairfield, Clerk.
Geo. A. Cochran. Leander Smith., William N. Tuttle.
Representative. Harris B. Newman.
1873. Leander Smith, Mod. Charles B. Dodge, Clk.
Geo. A. Cochran. Leander Smith. William N. Tuttle.
Harris B. Newman.
1874. George A. Cochran, Mo. Charles B. Dodge, Clk.
William N. Tuttle. John M. Duncan. Samuel S. Sawyer. William R. Carr.
1875. Leander Smith, Mod. Almus Fairfield, Clerk.
R. P. Whittemore. Arthur A. Miller. Miles B. Tuttle.
N. C. Jameson.
1876. Leander Smith, Mod. Almus Fairfield, ( 'lerk.
R. P. Whittemore. Arthur A. Miller. Miles B. Tuttle.
N. C. Jameson.
1877. Leander Smith, Mod. Charles B. Dodge, Clk.
Geo. A. Cochran. Samuel S. Sawyer. Elijah F. Gould.
D. H. Goodell.
1878. George A. Cochran, M. Charles B. Dodge, Clk.
Samuel S. Sawyer. Elijah F. Gould. William R. Carr.
D. H. Goodell.
1879. George A. Cochran, M. Charles B. Dodge, Clk.
Samuel S. Sawyer. Charles W. Kelsea. Enoch C. Paige.
Samuel S. Sawyer.
1880. George A. Cochran, M. Charles B. Dodge, Clk.
Selectmen.
Samuel S. Sawyer. Charles W. Kelsea. Enoch C. Paige.
Samuel S. Sawyer. (Elected for two years.)
F. T. Stuar: Boston
Nathan b fameson.
245
MILLS ON THE BRANCH.
CHAPTER XII.
MILLS AND MANUFACTURES IN ANTRIM.
As the first mill of any kind in town was on the Branch stream, I will begin with that stream and follow it down. The same order will be observed with Great Brook.
1. The Burns Mill. - This was near Stoddard line, was built by Robert Burns, Jr., in 1818, was an ordinary saw-mill, and quite an amount of lumber was cut out there for many years. This mill was then sold to George Wood, of Henniker. After a brief use, he left it to rot down ; and all its parts, even to saw and wheel, are there to this day in utter ruin and waste. The frame has fallen and rotted to the ground, and the passer-by seldom notices the spot.
2. Loveren's Mills. - A grist-mill was erected where the pres- ent one stands, or near the same spot, by Samuel Dinsmore, Sen., probably as early as 1798. This was sold, in 1807, to Josiah Herrick, who occupied it for a long series of years, and did a large local business. The saw-mill just above was built by John Robb, about 1839. The whole was sold to John Peabody, in 1850, who made many improvements, and did an increasing business till his death in 1865. The grist-mill was rebuilt by Peabody. Soon after his death the whole passed into the hands of Josiah Loveren, the present owner. Shingle saws and vari- ous improved machinery have been introduced by him at heavy cost. This mill has a great power, is kept in complete repair, and turns out lumber of all kinds and in large quantities.
3. Branch Tannery. - This was built by Dea. William Little, in 1815. It stood west of the street. just above the bridge in the Branch Village. Some of the buildings yet remain. Dea. Little carried on the tannery business on this stand forty years or more. In 1871 Lewis Charon bought this old privilege, made repairs, and pursued the business a few years. A small " bark- mill " stood close by, for grinding bark by horse-power, as was then the custom.
4. Parkhurst's Mills. - The first on this spot, and the first grist-mill in Antrim, was "James Moor's corn-mill," built in 1777. No mill ever built in town was welcomed with such a joy
246
MILLS ON THE BRANCH.
as this. Reference is made to it on another page. Moor's mill was removed about 1814, and the present structure put up, by Josiah Wallace. This united the saw and grist mill. After the day of Josiah Wallace, these mills were run by his oldest son, Theodore. Afterwards the Flint Brothers manufactured pegs and other wares extensively on this stand, until they went elsewhere for larger business. They were succeeded by Moody B. McIlvaine, and then Lowell Simonds, and then Hiram Davis. This property passed into the hands of D. J. Parkhurst and Son, the present owners, in 1873. In addition to sawing of various kinds, and grinding, they do a heavy business in the manufac- ture of pail-handles, and similar wares, turning hundreds of cords of hard wood into these small but essential things.
5. The Branch Woolen-Mill. - This was put up on the oppo- site side of the river from Parkhurst's mills and at the same dam, by the brothers James and Josiah Wallace, about 1808. It was for carding wool and dressing cloth, chiefly, and at that time was very popular and useful. Francis Reed took the bus- iness after these brothers ; and still later, John Wallace. This shop was moved down to another dam and became the " Peg- Mill " named below. On the site Dea. Little soon after erected a large building, and used it in connection with his tanning business.
6. Warren's Mill. - This was the first mill in Antrim. Was put up by John Warren in the spring of 1776. Was a very humble saw-mill. Stood a few rods below the Wallace mills, in Branch Village. The sills are still to be found where he laid them more than one hundred years ago, though the structure itself has been gone more than half a century. Warren lived in a log house which stood on a knoll half-way between the mill and Scott Preston's.
7. Dimond Mill. - This was built by Ephraim Dimond, in 1820. The dam was immediately below that of Warren. It was a large, two-story building, was put up for the manufacture of scythes and all kinds of edge-tools, and Dimond did a smart business in it for years. He had a great name in his day as a maker of superior tools, and people came from all the adjacent towns to patronize him. But in course of time he neglected his business, and finally abandoned it; and the shop, which he would not sell, rotted down. He lived to see it entirely gone !
8. " The Peg-Mill." -This was the old woolen-mill moved
247
MILLS ON GREAT BROOK.
down onto a new dam. This was a few rods below Branch Village, and near the house of John G. Flint, Esq. It was put into the new position in 1830. Subsequently, Sylvanus Sumner occupied this mill, who, it is believed, succeeded Francis Reed, and used it as a woolen-mill. In 1849, Henry Duncklee took this mill, and used it for the manufacture of raw silk, something after the manner now followed at South Village. He was suc- ceeded by Harold Kelsea, who, after a time, removed the business to the present Kelsea silk-mills. Then the old mill was occu- pied by Robert F. Dodge, in making zinc wash-boards. Last, it was fitted up for a " peg-mill," and was occupied last by Hiram Davis. This mill was burned March 17, 1869.
9. Bobbin-Mill. - This was a large, two-story structure, built on a canal from the lower dam at the Branch, and was below the last named. It was put up in the fall of 1822 by Farrington Dascomb for a wheelwright-shop, and was so occupied by him, with considerable help, for about sixteen years. In 1839, Clark and Buss began the manufacture of bobbins in this shop. Subse- quently, Isaac Boyd carried on the same business here. He was succeeded by Abram Putnam, who was here only a very short time, as the mill caught fire from a dry-house and was burned Feb. 26, 1846.
10. The Steele Mill. - Now Hiram McIlvaine and E. W. Estey own and occupy this stand. It is a short distance below the Branch. Was built by James Steele, and long kept in the family. It was burned, July, 1839. The present mill was put up by Moody B. McIlvaine, the fall of the same year. At pres- ent, this mill contains a threshing-machine, a cider-factory, and a wheelwright-shop. Isaac C. Tuttle manufactured pegs, awhile, also pill-boxes, on this stand.
ON GREAT BROOK.
1. Gregg's Mills. - Samuel Gregg went into the forest at the mouth of the pond, and built a saw and grist mill, in 1793. This was a fine privilege, and controlled the stream. A large amount of business was done at this place for a long series of years. The original mill was several times enlarged. In the day when there was a large population west of the pond, heavy quantities of grain were ground at " Gregg's Mills." This mill was owned and run, after Mr. Gregg's death, by many different parties, for a short time each. It was at one time made into a
.
·
248
MILLS ON GREAT BROOK.
starch-factory, by Charles Gates. The last owner was Henry E. Rogers, by whom it was taken down in 1876. The control of this privilege was purchased by the Antrim Water Power Com- pany, about 1847, in order to hold the pond as a reservoir of water above.
2. Hildreth Mill. - This is next on the stream below the site of Gregg's mills. Was built in 1871 by William A. Hildreth. Is a saw-mill, with various other appurtenances. Large quanti- ties of lumber, summer and winter, have been prepared for mar- ket here every year since it was made.
3. Holt's Mill. - Built by Hervey Holt in 1832, but is now the property of his son, Charles F. Holt. For many years this was only a saw-mill, but has recently been enlarged by the addi- tion of machinery for making cider, threshing grain, sawing shingles, and other such things. This is among the largest mills and best powers on the stream.
4. The Hastings Mill. - This is a large establishment for the manufacture of bedsteads and cribs. Hatch's spring-beds are also manufactured in this shop. A very large amount of cider is annually made at this mill. It is owned and run by Dea. E. Z. Hastings. It was on this site that the first building in Clin- ton Village was erected; namely, the cotton-mill built by Dea. Imla Wright, in 1828. The whole place then was a dense for- est, the nearest dwelling being that of Dea. Amos Parmenter. Dea. Wright may fairly be called the founder of Clinton Village, inasmuch as it rapidly grew up round his new enterprise there. Dea. Wright manufactured cotton yarn, wicking, batting, and twine. The last, now the common wrapping-yarn, was first thrown upon the market by Dea. Wright. Subsequently, others with him formed a company and were incorporated, and did a much larger business. But the company in time met with mis- fortunes and gave up business. The building was sold, and soon after was changed into a furniture-factory. Bedsteads, tables, bureaus, etc., etc., were made, and many hands employed. Hall and Putnam carried on this business in 1845. Afterwards, Pratt and Putnam, and finally Isaac B. Pratt, continued the bus- iness, the latter for quite a number of years. This factory was burned, April 9, 1857, but Pratt at once rebuilt. Afterwards, the business and stand were sold to Charles Turner, who was · burned out, April 29, 1864. The upper and smaller part of the present factory on this site was built by E. C. Paige, 1864; the
249
MILLS ON GREAT BROOK.
large, two-story part was moved there from Hancock, and put up by the present owner, in 1870.
5. Story's Shop. - Now owned and occupied by Daniel Story, manufacturer of bedsteads and cribs. Was built by his brother, Ambrose Story, in 1831. The present owner has run this mill more than forty years.
6. Bryer's Shop. - Now owned and occupied by John A. Bryer, blacksmith. Was put up by Dimon Twiss. Part of this shop was used by a wheelwright at times, and as a repair-shop for the other mills. The first mill on this stand was built in 1832; was two stories high, and had a barn attached in which rooms were finished off for boarders. The whole was burned in 1838. It caught from varnish in the upper story, that part being occu- pied by the Abbotts for painting and varnishing window shades.
7. Dodge's Shop. - Built by Dea Wright for a cotton-factory, in 1844 Here for some years he manufactured batting and various kinds of cotton yarn. Was bought by Brooks and Foster in 1862, who exchanged shops with the Dodge Brothers in 1865. Doors, bedsteads, etc., etc., have been made here. This shop has had the reputation of turning out work that was extra nice.
8. Abbott's Shop. - The first on this spot was built by Samuel W. Abbott and Imla Wright, in 1835. Here they made hat- boxes, and also the " patent window-shades," invented by Rev. Samuel Abbott. Subsequently they added the manufacture of paper fans, and found a market for all these articles in the South- ern States and in South America. Subsequently the business was carried on by Samuel Abbott ; then by Abbott and Buckmin- ster ; and then for a good many years by John R. Abbott. After his death, the business was carried on by his widow, under the wise management of her brother, Mark True. The whole is now owned and occupied by John G. Abbott, who manufactures bedsteads, cribs, cradles, and window-shades. Here, also, for many years, have been the coffin-warerooms of this section of country. Abbott's factory was enlarged, 1880.
9. The Brooks Shop. - This large, two-story factory was built by Reuben Hill and Samuel A. Fletcher, in 1848, for the manu- facture of chairs. In a few years it passed into the hands of John Johnson, who continued the manufacturing of chairs, and added that of powder-kegs. The Dodge Brothers occupied this shop for a time. In 1865, Brooks and Foster moved into it for the manufacture of bedsteads, and employed about a dozen men.
250
MILLS ON GREAT BROOK.
After the death of Foster in 1868, Charles S. Brooks continued the business till 1875, when he sold out to Tristram B. Page. The latter kept on till the factory was burned, Feb. 8, 1876. A new shop was built on this spot by Dea. E. C. Paige, 1880.
10. Paige's Crib-Factory. - The first mill on this site was built by Samuel Cummings, Jr., in 1836, who did a small busi- ness here for some years. In 1848, S. C. and J. L. Kendall built the part now standing, and put it in operation as a factory for making doors; sashes, blinds, and all sorts of dimension work. This firm in three or four years was changed to Kendall and Jackson. Hiram Story succeeded these last in the occupancy of this shop, and retained it till death in 1866. For recent years it has been owned and occupied by Dea. E. C. Paige, as a manu- factory of cribs, of all sizes and patterns. Abbott F. True was associated with him as partner, in 1879, and they did the largest business in their line, in this vicinity. Mr. True assumed the whole business in the spring of 1880.
11. The Silk-Mill. - The beginning' on this site was by John Dunlap and his son Robert, about 1835, who put up a small fac- tory for the manufacture of chairs, and for general cabinet work, and carried it on about eight years. It was sold to Ezra Hyde in 1846, who nearly doubled the size of the building, and fitted it up for a woolen-factory. It was used for this purpose two or three years, when Mr. Hyde met with reverses in business, and the mill was closed. It stood unoccupied about eight years, but was purchased by Harold Kelsea in 1857, who at once prepared it for his silk manufacture, and removed the machinery and busi- ness from the Branch into it. Steam power was added in 1871. About sixteen hands are employed in this mill, -and the raw silk is manufactured in a manner nowhere exceeded. Some in- ventions highly important in the manufacture of silk have been made by Mr. Kelsea. The business is now carried on by Joseph N. Kelsea, Esq.
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