USA > New Hampshire > Sullivan County > Cornish > History of the town of Cornish, New Hampshire, with genealogical record, 1763-1910, Vol. I > Part 20
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Mr. and Mrs. Kenyon Cox of New York, in 1896 bought land
"ASPET," RESIDENCE OF MRS. AUGUSTUS SAINT-GAUDENS.
from Mr. John Freeman and set up their house in a picturesque spot between woods and fields where the ground falls away toward a creek brawling beneath the antiquated dam of the one-time "Freeman's Mill." Mr. Cox is a mural decorator of scholarly and earnest workmanship, a leading American in his craft. Perhaps the most popular of his canvases, and the one so fre- quently seen reproduced, is his painting of "Hope and Memory." In it is represented a tall dark-clad figure, whose step lingers as she turns her face backward to the visions of the past, sharply contrasted to the lightly garbed, joyous-faced companion whose
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HISTORY OF CORNISHI.
hand she holds. Mrs. Louise Cox, the painter's wife, is best known by her intimate pictures of children.
Mr. Louis Saint-Gaudens came directly through his brother, Mr. Augustus Saint-Gaudens, when in 1903 he bought a few acres of land from Mr. William E. Westgate. Shortly after this he purchased in Enfield, N. H., an old hip-roofed Shaker Meeting House, which he had moved to its present site and wherein he now lives. Mr. Saint-Gaudens has long been a sculptor of thorough and consistent work, in which he is greatly helped by his wife.
Mr. William H. Hyde of New York bought the larger part of Mr. Dewing's place in 1905, since, unfortunately, the latter artist became disgruntled with Cornish at the end of that first period and, as he expressed it, "trekked North" in search of pastures "new" where picture hats would no longer spoil his keen enjoyment of unsophisticated landscape. Mr. Hyde is a portrait painter of some reputation in New York City.
Mrs. Homer Saint-Gaudens, like Mrs. Fuller, is a miniature painter. Mrs. Saint-Gaudens and her husband lived for a time on a tiny lot of land purchased of Mrs. C. C. Beaman, just to the east of the home of Mr. Augustus Saint-Gaudens and are now established in the old home of Mr. Frank Johnson.
Mr. Herbert Adams, Mr. Frederick Maxfield Parrish and Mr. and Mrs. Henry B. Fuller have not really resided to any extent in Cornish, though the town may well claim them as a part of the community. Mr. Adams came here through the influence of Mr. Augustus Saint-Gaudens, whose faithful admirer he has always been, following Mr. Brush at Mr. Beaman's "Big Tree Farm" in 1894, and remaining there until 1904, when he built upon some land which he had purchased from Mr. Elmer DeGoosh in Plainfield. Mr. Frederick Maxfield Parrish, son of Mr. Stephen Parrish, in 1898 bought land from Mr. Charles Williams and thereon erected for himself "The Oaks," his charming home. His delightful magazine illustrations and his recent decorations need no further mention here. Mr. and Mrs. Henry Brown Fuller of Boston built upon land which they had bought from Mr. Solomon Stone. Mr. Fuller has established himself as a painter of much poetic imagination, while Mrs. Fuller is generally accorded the position of the first miniature painter in America.
The change of the center of interest of this peculiar community
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"CITY FOLKS" IN CORNISH.
from painting to literature, developed most naturally through two of its artists, Mr. Charles A. Platt and Mr. Kenyon Cox. Mr. Platt became interested by writing a book upon Italian Gardens, wherein he shows his perspicuity and good taste. But with Mr. Cox literature was a much more serious business. For besides being a decorator of recognized power, he has long proved his merit as an art critic, holding an established place on The Nation, and publishing occasional books. His thorough and learned essays combine an understanding of his subject
"HARLAKENDEN HOUSE," RESIDENCE OF WINSTON CHURCHILL.
with an excellence of style that could only be equalled by one other man in the country, the late Mr. John LaFarge. Mr. Cox and Mr. Platt then formed a connecting link between the older artists and the more recent apostles of writing for the sake of literature alone.
The first of this latter class, Mr. Louis Evan Shipman, and Mr. Herbert D. Croly, both men of New York, came to Cornish in 1893. For that and the following summer they and their families hired the square, wooden, white-painted, century-old farmhouse set about with elm trees, then belonging to Mr.
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HISTORY OF CORNISH.
Frank L. Johnson, and now the home of Mr. and Mrs. Homer Saint-Gaudens. But at the end of that period they had become sufficiently enamored with the beauties of the landscape to establish themselves permanently. Mr. Shipman in 1902 bought the John Gilkie farm in Plainfield. In the past he has staged, among other plays, "D'Arcy of the Guards," a comedy of delicious and healthy temper, and dramatizations of Mr. Winston Churchill's novel, "The Crisis." Mr. Croly, however, remained near to where he originally spent his summers, buying some pasture land in 1897 from Mr. Edward Bryant. There, with the help of Mr. Platt, he set up his white dwelling among the tumbling hillocks and blue-green clusters of pine trees. And there he has spent the past seven years producing his most scholarly work on American sociology, called "The Promise of American Life."
The next author to come to Cornish, brought by Mr. Shipman, was Mr. Winston Churchill of St. Louis. He decided to buy at once, and in 1898 purchased from Mr. Leonard Spaulding and Mr. John Freeman some five hundred acres of woodland and valley mowings. From here Mr. Churchill has taken close in- terest in local affairs, and written a large part of "The Crisis," "The Crossing," "Coniston," and "A Modern Chronicle."
After Mr. Churchill, there appeared in the vicinity a man laboring in quite a different department of the literary world, that of journalism, Mr. Norman Hapgood, biographer, and editorial writer of Collier's Weekly, who purchased from Miss Emma Lazarus in 1902, "High Court," her dwelling designed by Mr. Platt in the Italian manner and situated on the crest of one of the foothills that line the valley. Mr. Hapgood is well known for his unbiased and unprejudiced attacks on what seems bad in American politics and American customs.
Following him came an author of still other literary tastes, the poet and dramatist, Mr. Percy Mac Kaye of New York, who in 1904 leased a little brown-colored house, "The Snuff Box," tucked into a corner of the estate of Admiral William M. Folger, who had bought his land from Mr. Charles Gilkie in 1898. Mr. MacKaye remained in "The Snuff Box" until 1906 when he rented what has been the old "Wells" house, now on the estate of the late Dr. George Hayward. Mr. Mac Kaye hopes some day to make this place his permanent dwelling. Mr. MacKaye displays a
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"CITY FOLKS" IN CORNISH.
fertile sense of poetry and wealth of imagination, which he devotes his days to expressing in dramatic form. His "Seare- crow" produced by Mr. Henry B. Harris, has been probably his most successful drama. Previous to this Mr. MacKaye has produced "Jean D'Arc," played by E. H. Sothern and Julia Marlowe; "Sappho and Phaon," performed by Bertha Kalish under the direction of Harrison Grey Fiske, and the comedy "Mater" also produced by this same manager.
On the heels of Mr. MacKaye there arrived in "The Snuff
RESIDENCE OF MR. C. A. PLATT.
Box" Mr. Langdon Mitchell of Philadelphia, a dramatist of established reputation, who had been living for a time in Mrs. Elizabeth Perkins' house in Windsor, Vt. Mr. Mitchell appeared before the public about ten years ago with his produc- tion of "Becky Sharpe," a dramatization of Thackeray's novel, "Vanity Fair." Others of Mr. Mitchell's best plays are his extraordinarily elever translation of "The Kreutzer Sonata," and a piece produced by Mrs. Fiske a few years ago known as "The New York Idea," a satire on divorce.
A third dramatist in this community, Mr. Philip Littell, lived
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HISTORY OF CORNISH.
for four years in what is known as the Beaman "Turnpike House," where he finished a charming adaptation of William J. Locke's novel, "Simple Septimus," played for a time by Mr. George Arliss. Mr. Littell has returned this year to live in Mr. Church- ill's "Farm House."
Two other writers of younger years remain, Miss Frances Duncan, an essayist on horticultural subjects who has installed herself in the old "Cherry Hill" farm leased from Mrs. C. C. Beaman; and myself.
Finally, to complete the list of Cornish "City Folks," mention should be made of Mr. George Rublee of New York City, who in 1907 bought the Houston place; Misses Elizabeth and Frances Slade, who in 1903 built a house upon the pasture land purchased from Mr. William E. Westgate; the Misses Emily and Augusta Slade, who also in 1903 made their home upon land obtained from Mr. Lyman Bartlett; Miss Frances Arnold of New York, who has leased the old Mercer cottage from Mrs. Beaman; and Mr. and Mrs. Herbert C. Lakin of New York, who now live in "Chaseholme," belonging to Mrs. Beaman.
So much for the actual Cornish colony. But there still remain a few others in Plainfield who are so closely connected with the "City Folks" in this town that their names should not be overlooked. They are Mr. William Howard Hart of New York, who in 1907 bought land of Mr. G. F. Lewin; Mrs. Geohegan, who built a house upon land once belonging to the Eggleston farm; Mr. and Mrs. John Elliott of Boston, who bought land from Mr. John DeGoosh and Mr. Walter Williams; Miss Edith Lawrence and Mrs. Grace Lawrence Taylor, who in 1899 went to live upon land purchased from Mr. William W. Taylor; Mrs. M. C. Davidge of New York, who purchased the "Old Kings- bury Tavern" just outside of Plainfield from Mr. Charles Empey; Miss M. E. Wood, who now occupies the "Big Tree Farm" which she leased from Mrs. Beaman in 1903; and Mr. and Mrs. Robert Treat Paine, now living in the E. S. Shinn house on the old Westgate farm.
Such is the extent to which the "City Folks" have grown, adding by the money they have brought with them to the pros- perity of the community. Moreover, as time passes, it is pleas- ant to realize that a kindly spirit has sprung up between those
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"CITY FOLKS" IN CORNISH.
who have bought in Cornish and those who have sold, a spirit which did not exist ten years ago. For though, since the begin- ning, a desire to be friendly has lain dormant in farmers and "City Folks," yet the difference of inherited ideas has made it hard for the two groups to recognize the good qualities in one another and to tolerate their quite unconscious stepping on one another's toes. This maturing friendship should be all the more prized, since despite the fact that "Little New York" has reached its growth, yet the persons who have come, unlike the
RESIDENCE OF DR. A. H. NICHOLS.
residents in many other summer places, have come to stay. Year by year their dread of frozen water pipes, the lack of proper heating, or hired help has dwindled, and year by year the "City Folks" remain later in the fall and venture back earlier in the spring. Already there are eight of these men who vote in this town and who remain here for the greater part of the year. They are Mr. William E. Beaman, Mr. Winston Churchill, Mr. George Rublee, Mr. Stephen Parrish, Mr. Herbert D. Croly, Mr. Percy MacKaye, Mr. Louis Saint-Gaudens and myself. And, as time goes by, more of those who come and go, and who,
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HISTORY OF CORNISH.
therefore, are careless of the needs of the town, will join the ranks of those who stay and who are vitally anxious for the good of the community.
The remaining shyness which exists in both groups will surely wear away in the near future. Many of the "City Folks" would be only too glad to lend their best efforts in town and school meetings or in the Grange, if they had the chance which they are somewhat too diffident to ask for. Many of those who have always been here, while glad to welcome the "City Folks" into their circles, dread risking the snub which they feel might follow the offer. And year by year the barriers are falling. The fire of 1909 on the edge of Mr. James Bryant's pasture did infinitely more good than harm; for the burned portion was of small consequence, whereas the acquaintance bred by sitting all night in the rain together guarding the smouldering embers, taught both farmers and "City Folks" that men are just men. No one wishes another fire, yet when a few more good reasons have appeared to throw the "City Folks" in spite of themselves into the arms of those who belong here, the change for the increased happiness of the town of Cornish would be immeasurable.
HOMER SAINT-GAUDENS.
CHAPTER XVIII.
TOWN BUILDINGS-SOLDIERS' MONUMENT-LIBRARIES.
Town Buildings.
DURING the earlier years the town seemed to claim juris- diction over all the religious interests within its limits. The town built the houses of worship. The town employed the preachers to minister in them. The liabilities of the town included the settlement and support of the minister, as well as all church buildings and repairs on the same.
At first there seemed to be no diversity of opinion regarding this matter. Church and state were "at one." A wonderful harmony existed, as nearly all of the early settlers were in habitual attendance upon divine worship. In process of time differences of opinion arose on doctrinal tenets. Then divisions followed. Loyalty to a common cause weakened. Each faction became more independent of the other. The town, too, gradually relinquished her responsibility of the churches and separation between town and church authorities became final, and the church or churches became independent of all town action. The intelligent interpretation of the Constitution of the United States also contributed to this latter state of things.
As the town had enjoyed the privilege of using the houses of worship for her public business, under restrictions, the practice still continued. Oftentimes meetings for town business were called at dwelling houses, but ordinarily were "warned" to meet at the meeting houses. The meeting house "on the river," and later the old Congregational Church "on the hill" near the center of the town were the places where the town usually met for the transaction of its public business. A building especially for this purpose was much needed. The old Congregational house on the hill continued to be used by the town a few years after divine worship in it had ceased, but it was becoming unsuit- able even for that, and so about 1844 it was taken down.
About 1840-41 the people of Cornish, as elsewhere, were stirred by a wave of religious enthusiasm. During this time
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HISTORY OF CORNISH.
TOWN RECORD BUILDING AT CORNISH FLAT.
· TOWN HOUSE . ALSO .SCHOOL HOUSE. IN . DIVISION.9.
· CORNISH FLAT . LOOKING . LAST .
. CORNISH FLAT SQUARE - LOOKING . NORTH
TOWN BUILDINGS-SOLDIERS' MONUMENT-LIBRARIES. 235
the "Perfectionists" (which see) built a house of worship which after a few years became disused. At this opportune time the town purchased this building and suitably fitted it up for the use of the town. Since that time it has been used for the hold- ing of annual and other town meetings. All such meetings are now "warned" to meet at the "Town-House." Its location is nearly central, and is readily accessible, and is generally counted as suitable for the needs of the town.
While the town was generally well satisfied with the town house as a place for a full meeting of the town, there existed a pressing need of a place to safely deposit the accumulating records, books, papers, etc., belonging to the town. With every change of town clerk these valuables were shifted to a new home, incurring more or less risk of damage and loss.
A large safe was provided by the town for the most valuable portion of its documents; but this afforded only a partial solu- tion of the difficulty, as its capacity was insufficient for its requirements, and this cumbrous article had to migrate to the home of the newly elected clerk, there to remain until his suc- cessor was chosen. Then, again, a convenient room for the selectmen to meet in for the transaction of the town's business was much needed. It had been their custom from the first to meet at hotels or private dwelling houses for this purpose. Realizing this state of affairs the town felt justified in inserting in the warrant for town meeting March 9, 1886, the following article: "To see what sum of money, if any, the town will vote to raise and appropriate for the building of a suitable place for the safe keeping of the town-records agreeable to Chap- ter 74 of the General Laws."
The article was favorably considered by the town at this meeting and it was then voted to raise the sum of $800 for the erection and finishing of a small brick building, containing all needful safety vaults, library cases, etc., with a commodious selectmen's room in front, with all necessary furnishings. Labor soon commenced, and during the season the building was made ready for occupancy. The records, books, etc., were then lodged there in safety. The safe, before named, also found a permanent resting place in the selectmen's room. This safe had been pur- chased for the town by virtue of a vote passed March 12, 1872, when the town voted to raise $300 for the purchase of a safe.
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HISTORY OF CORNISH.
It was bought of the American Steel Safe Co. for said sum. It may be of interest to record that while the safe stood in the store of Boynton Brothers (George H. Boynton being then town clerk) that an attempt was made by some burglars to force it open. They drilled through the outer door of the safe and attempted blowing it open with explosives, but fortune did not favor their designs so they abandoned the job and got nothing.
An annex to the rear of the Record Building was made in 1895, at an expense of about $450, furnishing the only "lock-up" belong- ing to the town. Its chief use has been to accommodate certain moneyless traveling gentry, called tramps, with cheap lodgings, crackers and cheese moistened with "Adam's Ale," all at the expense of the town. Sometimes this institution receives its share of patronage, but has no constant boarders.
Soldiers' Monument.
The town warrant of February 22, 1889, for the meeting to be holden on March 12 following, contained the following article: "To see what action the town will take in relation to a soldiers' monument, and raise money therefor."
The same article in substance had appeared in previous war- rants, but had been set aside through the indifference and oppo- sition of a majority of the town. A goodly number of the minority, however, were in hearty sympathy with the project, and were intent that something should be done. Prominent among these were Joseph B. Comings, Hiram A. Day and Wil- liam H. Sisson,-the latter a soldier of the Rebellion, and the other two, fathers who had each given to their country's cause, a son who had been buried in graves far from kindred and home.
These men continued to agitate the subject, making investi- gation as to resources, etc., and received such measures of encouragement as to induce them to cause the above article to be again inserted in the warrant. At this meeting the article obtained a favorable hearing, and the sum of two hundred and fifty dollars was voted by the town for the purpose, and a com- mittee of three men was chosen to take the matter in charge, secure further pledges, obtain a suitable design, and make a
TOWN BUILDINGS-SOLDIERS' MONUMENT-LIBRARIES. 237
contract for the construction and erection of the monument. The doings of this committee appear in their report in the town report of March 13, 1890, which is as follows:
"Your committee appointed to raise funds and take charge of all things pertaining to a soldiers' monument, would report as follows: Having a sufficient sum pledged outside of the 'Soldiers' Aid Society' money, and the amount voted by the town which in our opinion warranted the making a contract, due, after receiving and carefully considering the proposals and designs of bronze, marble and granite companies, decided to accept the proposals of the Sunapee Granite Co. to ereet a monument made of eut granite according to a design furnished by us, to be surmounted by a statue of a soldier at 'Parade Rest,' said statue to be cut from granite and to be six feet in height above base, model furnished by them. The name, com- pany and regiment of all the soldiers who died in 'The War of the Rebellion,' who were counted on the quota of the town, to be inscribed on the polished die, and a suitable inscription on the base, and contracted with said company to furnish the monument complete above the foundation for $900.00. The foundation was furnished by the committee, the labor and all expense of said foundation, except the cement used, were furnished by contribution. After considering the different places proposed for location, we decided to accept a plot of ground sixteen feet square and approaches thereto offered by the Baptist Church and Society in the south end of their park on Cornish Flat, and a lease was taken of said plot in the name of the town for ninety- nine years.
"We would at this time acknowledge the obligations we are under to Hon. William M. Evarts of New York, who so gener- ously contributed toward the expense; and to C. C. Beaman, Esq., of New York, who so kindly furnished the design (except the statue), for the monument, and contributed largely towards the expense, and to both of them and their friends for their valuable advice and suggestions in regard to material, plans and location, and to the citizens generally who have given of their time and money so liberally, and helped your committee make the monument a success."
·
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HISTORY OF CORNISH.
SOLDIERS' MONUMENT, CORNISH FLAT.
TOWN BUILDINGS-SOLDIERS' MONUMENT-LIBRARIES. 239
STATEMENT:
The committee acknowledge the receipt of the following sums of money for the monument :
From Town Treasurer. $250.00
Soldiers' Aid Society 176.80
Hiram A. Day. 100.00
Joseph B. Comings. 100.00
Hon. Wm. M. Evarts
50.00
C. C. Beaman, Esq
50.00
Henry Gould. 50.00
All other persons . 112.25
Deficit afterwards voted by town 19.85
$908.90
Total expenses were:
For monument.
$900.00
Cement for same 8.90
$908.90
WILLIAM H. SISSON, STEPHEN A. TRACY,
Committee.
ALBERT E. WELLMAN,
The monument stands in the south end of the park on Cornish Flat, placed due north and south, surmounted by statue facing south. On upper base, below the die is inscribed:
"Erected by the town and grateful friends in memory of the sons of Cornish who fell in defense of the Union.
"A. D. 1861-1865."
Upon the four equal sides of the die of the monument the following names of soldiers are inscribed, who died in the service:
NORTH SIDE.
Henry P. Blood, Co. E, 9th N. H. Inf. David K. Ripley, Co. I, 7th N. H. Inf. Edwin W. Downs, Co. E, 9th N. H. Inf. Luman B. Dudley, Co. G, 9th N. H. Inf. William S. Lewis, Co. I, 14th N. H. Inf. William Scott, Co. G, 7th N. H. Inf. Versal E. Burr, Co. I, 14th N. H. Inf.
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HISTORY OF CORNISH.
SOUTH SIDE.
Marcellus Judkins, Co. G, 7th N. H. Inf.
Charles F. Day, Co. E, 9th N. H. Inf. Charles Nevens, Co. G, 7th N. H. Inf. John Gilbert, Co. F, 3d N. H. Inf. Edmund B. Chadbourn, Co. G, 5th N. H. Inf.
Ithiel J. White, Co. K, 9th N. H. Inf.
James P. Wheeler, Co. L, 1st N. H. Cav.
EAST SIDE.
Col. Haldimand S. Putnam, Col. 7th N. H. Inf.
George E. Tyler, Co. I, 2d N. H. Inf.
Andrew P. Wright, Co. C, 7th N. H. Inf. William Wright, Co. I, 2d N. H. Inf. Hiram Stone, Co. I, 14th N. H. Inf. Sylvester Tasker, Co. I, 14th N. H. Inf.
Alvah S. Rawson, Co. G, 6th N. H. Inf.
WEST SIDE.
Thomas B. Edminster, Co. I, 14th N. H. Inf. Norman D. Comings, Co. A, 16th N. H. Inf. James B. Kidder, Co. G, 1st N. H. Cav. Asa M. Benway, Co. E, Ist Vt. Cav.
Reuben T. Benway, Co. I, 14th N. H. Inf.
Sidney C. Spaulding, Co. E, 9th N. H. Inf. Elbridge G. Beers, Co. K, 3d N. H. Inf.
Libraries.
The town has ever manifested a willingness to supply its inhabitants with what reading matter the times could afford. The churches invariably supplied their Sunday school libraries with religious reading, as far as their means would allow. Such libraries began their existence nearly coeval with religious service in the churches and have been maintained ever since as an important factor of church service.
During a part of the thirties and until nearly the middle of the nineteenth century, a circulating library for adults called the "Cornish Social Library," was maintained in town, much to the pleasure and edification of the people. The records of this
.
TOWN BUILDINGS SOLDIERS' MONUMENT-LIBRARIES. 241
library have not been found, and whatever of such there was, is doubtless lost.
In 1861 a Sabbath school library association was formed on the Flat. It was especially to purchase and preserve religious books for adult reading for which there seemed to be a strong demand. The number of its volumes was about one hundred sixty. This association, with its original plan, was maintained twenty-five years, when all restrictions were removed, and its , books were all donated to the church library and placed under the same restrictions as the juvenile Sunday school library of the Baptist Church.
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