USA > New Hampshire > Rockingham County > Hampton Falls > History of the town of Hampton Falls, New Hampshire : from the time of the first settlement within its borders, 1640 until 1900 > Part 31
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56
332
JOHN W. DODGE. 1819-1875 See page 589
333
WEARE BANK.
and put the bank in good standing with the community. Every effort was put forth by the managers of a bank before allowing it to suspend.
The bills to be of any value to the bank must be kept in circula- tion, and not allowed to remain in the vaults of the bank, or in the clearing house in Boston. Each bank sent all the bills of other banks which they could get in exchange for its own to Boston to the Bank of Mutual Redemption, to redeem their own bills which had been sent there by other banks. If a bank succeeded in keep- ing a balance there in its favor it was allowed interest on that bal- ance. If a bank had an amount of its bills remaining there unre- deemed, they had to pay interest.
Those who have done business only under the stable conditions of the national bank system can have no idea of the inconvenience and loss which were experienced under the old state bank system. There was much uncurrent and bad money in circulation. Bills on banks outside of New England were refused and even Rhode Island money was looked upon with suspicion. When receiving money every bill was carefully scrutinized, and any suspected bill refused. Nearly every man who did business took the money he had received to the bank where he did his business, and exchanged what bills he had on other banks for the bills of his own bank, find- ing his only protection in paying out one kind of money. In this way the bills of all banks which were in circulation very soon found the way to the clearing house, where they must be redeemed.
This was a serious difficulty with which the Weare bank had to contend, and although its officials and friends made every effort to change money with those doing business, they accumulated fully as fast in Boston as they could be redeemed.
A small country bank had many disadvantages to contend with, beside keeping its bills in circulation. There were parties in other parts of the country who were anxious to get possession of these banks and use them for unlawful and swindling purposes. If they could get control of a bank they would borrow all the money possible on poor security, and by getting an overissue of bills into circulation in distant parts of the country, they would close the bank and those holding the bills would have to suffer the loss. Any bank where strangers were known to be hanging around or doing business was viewed with suspicion. There was the danger of bank robbers, who often selected those banks situated in small places, to operate upon. There were a great many bank-note reporters pub-
22
334
HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS.
lished in different parts of the country who could be influenced to report unfavorably any bank if they were paid to do so. This sys- tem of blackmail resulted in great inconvenience to the bank which they saw fit to attack. All of these things, except robbery, the Weare bank was called upon to contend with.
January 1, 1857, Moses Eaton, Jr., resigned the office of presi- dent and there were changes in the board of directors. John B. Brown was chosen president, and continued to hold the office until his death, March, 1858. During this time the bank was called to go through the financial difficulties of 1857, which was a serious matter for it to do. The directors, by pledging their own private property, were enabled to carry it through. After Mr. Brown's death, Hon. Amos Tuck was chosen president, and continued until sometime in 1860, when a new deal was made. George H. Dodge acquired a controlling interest and was elected president, and Thomas L. Sanborn was made cashier. Mr. Dodge made arrange- ments whereby he expected to get the bank on to a solid basis, which he probably would have done had he lived. He died in 1862 before his plans were fully consummated.
After Mr. Dodge's death the bank commissioners, upon making examination of the affairs of the bank, concluded that it was for the interest of all concerned to close up its affairs, which was accord- ingly done, and at a considerable financial loss to the stockholders.
It was a mistake to have ever located a bank in this town. The business of the community did not demand it, although it was often a convenience to many people. It labored under a great many dis- advantages. Only the most careful and skillful management could have made it successful. This it did not have in all cases. With so many things to contend with, it is no wonder it was not more suc- cessful.
There were quite a number of small banks started about the same time in various parts of the state, but they were not found profit- able, and did not continue to do business for many years. Many of them, like the Weare bank, resulted in quite a serious loss to the stockholders. None were ever changed into national banks.
JOHN B. BROWN. 1799-1858.
٠
MILLS.
AT a town meeting held in Hampton December 26, 1656, Robert Page was given permission to build a sawmill at Taylor's river at a convenient place-said place being north of the teacher's farm (Rev. Mr. Dalton's)-on the following conditions, viz .: That the mill be built within twelve months; that he furnish boards for three shillings per hundred; and that no man have more than a thousand feet at a time until every man that stands in need shall be supplied. The boards were to be merchantable and of such length as people desired.
In 1657, for the purpose of forwarding the above work (building Minister Dalton's house), Robert Page was released from building his sawmill for the space of one year. The reason for passing this vote appears to have been that some of the carpenters engaged by Mr. Page were wanted to build the parsonage.
October 16, 1680, the owners of the old sawmill were given lib- erty to remove or rebuild the mill higher up Taylor's river, below the great swamp run. This location was at the place later known as the upper dam.
In 1680, John Garland had liberty to erect a gristmill on Tay- lor's river where the first sawmill stood, "Provided his dam does not injure the present sawmill, and he grind corn for one sixteenth part thereof."
In 1708 John Garland had become one of the ten owners of the sawmill, which they now wished to move back to the old spot, or near thereabout. They built over the dam, the partners agreeing to share equally in the work and expense and to use the privilege by turns. Garland and his heirs were not to draw any water for the corn mill, "except upon the last third part of every man's turn, and then if they don't come to saw, he may draw water to grind the corn as it comes to the mill if he can." The mill-gate was to be kept up through June, July, and August every year. Articles of agreement were signed January 24, 1709.
335
336
HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS.
The location of the dam for these mills was probably at the same place as at present. The probable reason for moving the sawmill to the upper dam in 1680 was that a dam could be built and kept there at less expense, as the stream was much narrower, but the mill would not be as convenient of access, nor have as much fall as on the lower site.
These mills were known for many years as Garland's mills, and at a later period as Toppan's mills. The upper dam was made use of in the earlier days to hold back the water and serve as a reservoir, but the land above was flat and the flowage was troublesome. From this cause the second dam was abandoned. As near as can be ascer- tained this mill continued to be owned and operated by partners until it was bought by Aiken S. Coffin in 1858.
The sawmill was at first sixty feet from the south bank, and logs were rolled to it upon timbers extending to the shore. This space was shortened by filling, a portion at different times, until now the earthwork extends quite to the mill. In those days the lumber had to be carried out of the mill by hand, which was very hard work.
When the mill was owned by partners one twelfth part, or one day in a fortnight, was called a turn. A turn was twenty-four hours long, beginning at sunrise and lasting until sunrise the next morn- ing. When there was an abundance of water and a great deal of work, the mill was kept in operation during the entire time. Each man was supposed to keep the mill in as good repair as he found it. There was some grumbling when the mill was left by any one in a condition needing repairs before it could be again used. There was less complaint on this score than would have been supposed when the number using the mill was taken into account. It was an hon- estly managed corporation, with no dishonest managers or default- ing cashiers. The general repairs were made and assessed upon the partners.
A general overhauling and remodeling of the mill was made in 1849. A breast-wheel was put in and other up-to-date machinery, making a great improvement over the former mill. The up-and- down saw was quickened in its movements, and made one hundred and fifty strokes per minute. Two thousand feet of lumber could be sawed easily in a day. This mill was commonly known as the "Old mill." The last partners were Wells Healey, John B. and Thomas Brown, Nathan Moulton, Joshua James, Edward Shaw, and Aiken S. Coffin.
337
MILLS.
After Mr. Coffin became sole owner he made extensive repairs and improvements, and did a great deal of business. He sold to Arthur T. Wilbur, who became the owner of the entire mill privilege, own- ing the mills on each side of the stream. This was in 1875. He put in a circular mill in place of the upright saw. The mill on the Hampton side was burned June, 1876, and was never rebuilt. After a year or two Mr. Wilbur disposed of the sawmill to Jacob T. Brown, who removed the old mill and built a new one, having all the mod- ern improvements, planing, matching, etc.
About 1842, Aaron Prescott built a sawmill near his house, which he continued to operate until his death in 1853. He had some trouble with the land owners on account of flowage, as the land was very flat above the mill. After his death the land owners bought the privilege and sold the mill to Joseph Poor, who removed it to Kensington.
Sometime during the latter half of the last century David Batch- elder built a sawmill upon Grapevine run, which he operated until 1805, when it was removed. In 1830, his son, Moses Batchelder, rebuilt the mill and put in a second dam above. He did a great deal of business considering the size of the stream and the amount of water it afforded. About 1880 John T. Batchelder erected a grist- mill on a dam below the sawmill. Neither of these mills are now in operation. Tradition says that there was once a fulling mill on this stream, near the sawmill. There is no record to show at what time or by whom it was operated.
About the 10th of May, 1648, the town granted unto Abraham Perkins and Henry Green, in consideration of building a water mill in the town of Hampton at the Falls river, twenty acres of upland as near the falls as could be had, and ten acres of salt marsh as convenient as could be had, and five acres of fresh marsh where it could be found, two acres of commonage, and all the swamp that lay between Henry Green's lot and his planting lot that was not yet given out. About three years later Green bought out his part- ners for thirty pounds. On the 19th of April, 1679, at a general town meeting, "Liberty was granted to Henry Green to set up a dam on the falls river above his dam that now is, provided it do not prejudice any town highway or particular man's property by flow- ing their land or ways."
December 16, 1700, Capt. Jacob Green, son of Henry, wished to take down the old mill and build a new one. The town granted him the same privilege of the stream that his father first had "for
338
HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS.
his encouragement to new build the mill, as he shall make appear by the evidence. And when the mill is builded the said Capt. Green is to grind the town's corn for the sixteenth part thereof when there is water to do it." Nathaniel Weare, Esq., dissents.
The mill was deeded by Capt. Jacob Green to his grandson, Nathan Longfellow, who owned and occupied the property until 1764, when he sold to Gen. Jonathan Moulton, who sold soon after to Nathaniel Hubbard Dodge, who built over the dams and added a third one. The mills have continued in possession of Mr. Dodge's descendants until the present time. He built the dams from stones suitable for the purpose in a natural state without splitting, which were found and collected from all parts of the town, and some brought from Kensington. The dams were built under the super- vision of Mr. Dodge, who did much of the work himself. The condition of the dams today shows that he was a workman who thoroughly understood his business. No repairs of any amount have been found necessary. A sawmill was on one side of the stream, and a grist and clothing mill upon the other. The sawmill was removed in 1876. The gristmill has been rebuilt and is in operation at the present time.
At a town meeting in March, 1790,-
Voted, That whereas Mr. Nathaniel Hubbard Dodge has formed a plan for erecting in the town a fulling mill, and also a mill for the pur- pose of hulling barley, and as we can conceive such mills would prove very convenient and beneficial to the town, we think it but reasonable to afford the said Dodge some assistance or encouragement to carry his said plan into execution. And we hereby covenant and agree with the said Dodge his heirs or assigns that if he or they will erect the mills as above mentioned, we will pay unto the said Dodge his heirs or assigns the sum of nine pounds, Four pounds ten shillings to be paid as soon as the fulling mill is sett agoing, and the other four pounds and ten shillings to be paid as soon as the mill for hulling barley is sett agoing. And the selectmen shall pay the above sums recorded in the above vote without any other vote or order of the town respecting the same.
Perhaps some account of the business done in a mill of this kind may not be out of place, as this kind of business passed out of exist- ence long ago. At that time nearly all the cloth was homemade, and made from the wool cut from the sheep kept upon the farm. To begin with, this wool was made into rolls, which was done with hand cards; then carding machines were invented, which did the
+
HON. GEORGE H. DODGE. 1808-1862. Prominent in Political and Railroad Matters.
339
MILLS.
business easier and better. The rolls were spun by hand and then woven into cloth on the hand loom. This work was done by the women folks in addition to their other household duties. Many of them were able to and did take the wool as it came from the sheep, doing all of the work, carding, spinning, weaving, and dyeing, and, in addition to this, cut and made the clothing worn by the family.
To facilitate and assist the manufacturer of homemade cloth was the business of the clothing or fulling mills of those days. Enough of these mills were located at convenient points to meet the de- mands made upon them by the community. These mills continued in existence until the improved methods of the present century, by providing a better way, rendered them unnecessary.
Fulling, also called milling, was the process of removing greasy matter from woolen goods and giving them a more compact tex- ture by causing the fibers to entangle themselves more closely to- gether, as in the process of felting. It took from sixty to sixty- five hours to properly full a piece of cloth. Considerable soap was used in the process. The cloth shrunk one fourth in width and length in the operation. The nap was raised by a process called "teazling." The business of carding, fulling, and dyeing was car- ried on here until after 1840, at first by Dudley Dodge. Afterward Robinson, Goodhue, Charles Johnson, and others continued it as long as there was any business to be done.
When this business closed George H. Dodge converted the mill into another use, the manufacture of batting and wadding, which was a success. The mill was run by both steam and water power. It was burned in August, 1847, but was quickly rebuilt, when bat- ting alone was made. He continued to manufacture until his death, in 1862. Mr. Dodge made the business a success, as he did every- thing else he undertook. The business was continued by his son, George D., but abandoned after a time. The mill remained idle for many years. In 1890 Arthur M. Dodge converted it into a hosiery mill, which he carried on for a time. The alteration of the tariff rates and the advantages which the larger manufacturers have over the smaller made it unprofitable to do business here. These causes compelled him to relinquish the business. The mill has since been unoccupied.
We have noted that Nathaniel Weare dissented from the vote allowing Jacob Green to rebuild his mill and to give him the privi- lege to grind corn. It appears that Mr. Weare had a mill further up the Falls river, probably at or near the present site of Weare's
340
HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS.
mill. At what time the first mill was built here no record appears. By a grant of the commoners May 8, 1722, one acre was given Dea- con Nathaniel Weare near his sawmill. June 10, 1757, Meshech Weare deeded fifteen acres, more or less, to his nephew, Jonathan Weare, where the sawmill stands which formerly belonged to Nathaniel Weare, Esq. From Jonathan it descended in the family to the present owners, George A. Weare one sixth, and Benjamin F. Weare five sixths. There was a gristmill connected with this mill which was kept in operation until about 1880. We remember when the corn meal made by "Uncle John Weare" was considered by the older people superior to that ground elsewhere.
The day of permanent sawmills, located upon the streams and run by water, has about gone by. Instead of taking the wood lot to the mill to be operated, the mill now goes to the lot, and the expense of teaming is in a great measure avoided. The mills of a generation ago have mostly passed away. Unless some new use is discovered the prospect now is that the water power in this section will be unused in the not far off future.
In 1840 Jeremiah Lane built a windmill on the hill southeast from the Cock hill schoolhouse, for the purpose of grinding corn. The building was eight-sided, and from fifty to sixty feet in height, and was built in the most thorough and substantial manner. The arms were forty feet in length from the shaft. The building was framed by Joshua Pike. Owing to its peculiar shape and height, it was not an easy matter to put it together. Only good judgment and good workmanship could have accomplished it as well as it was done. The exposed situation of the mill caused some damage from high winds. One of the arms was often blown off, which made considerable expense for repairs. The gearing and stones were a little too heavy to be operated by the wind, especially light winds. This mill ground corn for a number of years, and made an excellent quality of meal. Mr. Lane afterward ground gypsum, or plaster of paris, which was then used somewhat extensively as a fertilizer. This was the last use the mill was put to. The running gear and granite stones were taken out and removed to Greenland, where they were in use for a number of years. The building was taken down about 1875. Mr. Lane removed to Candia and bought a farm in 1856. He died suddenly July 17, 1876, of heart disease, from the excitement attending the killing of two of his cows by light- ning. He was 77 years of age. His father was Levi Lane, Esq., who was a prominent citizen of this town.
SALT MARSH.
IN the Massachusetts historical collection appears the following:
About the year 1639 began the one and twentieth town, Hampton in the County of Norfolk to be built. It is situated near the sea coast, not far from the river Merrimack. The great store of salt marsh did entice the people to set down their habitation there, For as yet cows, and cattle of that kind, were not come to the great downfall in their price. They had about 450 head.
From Belknap's History of New Hampshire, under date of 1638:
About the same time a plantation was formed at Winnecumet, which was called Hampton. The principal inducement to the making this settlement was the very extensive salt marsh, which was extremely valuable, as the uplands were not cultivated so as to produce a suffi- ciency of hay for the support of their cattle.
The marshes have always had an important bearing upon the agriculture of this town. The fact that good crops of hay could be cut year after year without expense for fence or manure was con- sidered a great advantage. The bringing upon land and feeding more hay than was produced there could but tend to increase its productive capacity. The feeding of salt hay enabled many to sell English hay, which could often be done at a profit with no fear of impoverishing the fertility of the farm, which would be the case if no manure could be had from other sources, or if a less number of animals were kept and fed upon the land. With these advan- tages to be obtained we find the marsh was much sought for and its selling value per acre not much less than the uplands. In the sale of marsh the demand was generally fully equal to the supply.
There are some reasons for supposing that the marsh has under- gone some change in its character since the first settlement of the country. Stumps of trees are found in many places, which would go to show that there had been a change of level in the surface at some not very remote period.
341
342
HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS.
The late Edward Shaw told the writer that what was now salt marsh above the turnpike was, since the advent of the white man, an alder swamp, which would indicate that the land was lower than formerly, or that from some cause the salt water did not reach it as readily in the earlier days as it does now.
The marshes were divided, and owned in small tracts ranging in size from two to ten acres each. Nearly every farmer for a number of miles around had one or more pieces. The tendency has been for it to gradually concentrate into fewer hands, until at the present time it is owned by comparatively few. When it was first owned in small tracts, a great many persons could be seen at work at the same time, and the marshes presented a very busy appearance at the season of cutting. At that time working on the marsh was much enjoyed. It was a social time, where people saw each other and ex- changed news and discussed matters of interest. Old men, who from the infirmities of age were unable to go to the marsh, regretted it as much or more than anything else which age made impossible.
Fifty years ago the old people told how many more could be seen at work upon the marshes at one time when they were boys than at that time. The number of workers has kept steadily decreasing until the present, when the gangs of men seen at work at any one time are few and far between. In the early days it was the custom to get at work mowing as soon after daylight as possible, when the grass was wet with dew, as it cut much easier when wet than it did when dry. Considerable bragging and good-natured banter went on before it was light enough to see who was talking. When day- light came this ceased; no one offered to fight or do impossibilities. The news of the death of Gen. Jonathan Moulton was carried from Hampton to the Merrimack river in this way in a very short time before it was light on the morning he died, and at that time was con- sidered a very rapid transmission of news. This was before tele- graphs and telephones were known.
One hundred years ago the black grass, now so common upon the higher marshes, was unknown. About that time a small patch appeared, which has since spread over a large area, and is consid- ered one of the most valuable varieties of marsh grass.
After the introduction of the mowing machine the marsh soon began to lose its popularity. In a short time good mowers with hand scythes became scarce. Formerly there were many who prided themselves on their skill in handling the scythe, and depended upon getting a job every year upon the marsh at good wages.
A VIEW OF THE MARSH ABOVE THE TURNPIKE.
343
SALT MARSH.
These men claimed to be able to cut from two to four acres in a day. There was quite a difference between the actual and the anticipated area cut. The average was not over an acre per day per man, although some could cut much more than that. Many could mow a great deal more with their mouths than with the scythe. When good mowers became scarce the marsh lost much of its pop- ularity and there was a great decline in price, until there was little or no demand for it at any price, and much of it was left uncut.
Within a few years it has been found possible to substitute horse for hand labor upon the marshes, which has been done to a consid- erable extent and found to work well, and the work made much easier and less expensive than by the old methods. By this change in the manner of working, the marshes are slowly regaining some of their lost popularity. The different methods of treating the home lands to make them productive, the introduction of chemical and special manures, whereby lands may be made to produce crops with- out keeping animals to make manure to keep up the fertility, has had much to do in reducing the popularity and estimation with which the marsh was formerly held. It is doubtful if the marsh ever occupies again as prominent a place in our farming in future as it has in the past.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.