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 37
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TAVERNS.
FROM the earliest settlement of the town until 1840, when the railroad was opened to travel and the stages ceased to run, there appear to have been taverns kept continuously in Hampton Falls.
Anthony Stanyan, who lived on the corner near the house now occupied by C. N. Dodge, soon after 1656 was licensed by the town of Hampton to keep an ordinary, or tavern, which seems to have been kept by him and his descendants for many years after. The house now standing on that corner was built by Caleb Sanborn for his son Meshech, who kept a tavern there for a number of years. From 1790 until 1800 or later Capt. Nathaniel Dodge, at first, and then Dodge & Quarles, kept a tavern here. Afterward, Stephen Dodge, who owned the premises, kept a public house. How long, or at what time he ceased to do so, we have no authentic record. Tradition says that there were many different parties who kept tav- ern upon this corner for many years.
A log house, owned and kept by Col. Peter Weare, was licensed as a tavern in 1717. This house did business until after 1730, when in some way the license was lost or revoked. A vigorous effort was made to have the house again licensed, but it was unsuccessful. We do not know where this house was located. The record says it was where two roads came together. The reason this house was not licensed appears to have been that another and better house had been licensed.
At a court held in Dover September 4, 1732, John Brown had a license granted him to keep a public house, or tavern, at Hampton Falls. There does not appear to have been any tavern here at the time this license was granted, the log house spoken of above, from some cause, having ceased business. We have seen that the select- men in 1734 petitioned to have annual sale fairs held in Hampton Falls, two each year, being held in May and October. The excel- lence of the public house was one of the reasons urged in asking for these fairs. John Brown, innkeeper, originated the idea of
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HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS.
holding fairs. They were held at his house and upon his grounds. In 1738, the selectmen again petitioned to have the time of holding these fairs changed to June and September, as it would be more convenient. The selectmen authorized John Brown to attend to the matter, and he succeeded in having the time changed.
This was known as the celebrated Georges tavern, where the leg- islature of New Hampshire met that of Massachusetts in convention, 1737, in relation to the line between the two provinces. The loca- tion of this house has been a matter of some speculation. It is believed by many to have been near where the brick house now stands, owned by the heirs of Cyrus Brown. John Brown came here from Massachusetts, and was not a relative of those of the name who had previously lived in this town. The family appear to have continued here until 1750, or later, when they removed from the town.
We are unable to state the time when the Swett tavern began to do business. We find mention of Benjamin Swett, innkeeper, at the time the parsonage house was burned in 1749. He had prob- ably kept the house some time previous to this, as he was born in 1:10. The house appears to have been situated back of the big elm tree on the premises now occupied by Miss S. Abbie Gove, and was afterwards known as the Wells tavern. Benjamin Swett ap- pears to have kept this house until his death, about 1762. He was succeeded by Col. Jonathan Burnham, who came from Ipswich in 1763, and kept the house until 1771, or later, when he disposed of it to Capt. Joseph Wells, who also came from Ipswich. It then became known as the Wells tavern.
Under the management of Captain Wells and his wife Eunice the house became celebrated for its excellence. It was called the best public house between Portland and Boston, the traveling pub- lic making their plans to remain here over night as much as possi- ble. From all we can learn this was the best public house ever kept in the town. Not a little of the credit was due to the good manage- ment of Mrs. Wells. Captain Wells built the house now occupied by Miss Gove in 1787, and kept a tavern there until his death, in 1791. The house was kept after his death for a few years by Mrs. Wells, who was succeeded by her son Moses. Mrs. Eunice Wells removed to Newburyport, and was taxed here as a non-resident until her death in 1831. Moses Wells continued to keep tavern here until the Tavern house, so called, was built in 1808. This ended
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TAVERNS.
the career of what had been known as the Wells tavern. Moses Wells died in 1825.
The new house was kept by Edward Langmaid, who came from Chichester, and had previously assisted Mr. Wells in the manage- ment of his house. Mr. Langmaid continued to keep the house until 1823. He was the first postmaster of the town. During his oeenpancy of the house, it became the stage house and continued to be such as long as the stages ran. After leaving here Mr. Lang- maid returned to his farm in Chichester. After he went away the house had a number of different landlords,-Towle, Leavitt, Mat- thew Merriam, and lastly, Newman Brown. After the stages ceased to run this house was not used as a public house, but was rented, having one or more families living in it. The house was enlarged and modernized and opened for summer business, but was not occu- pied in 1896, 1897, 1898, and 1899.
Caleb Sanborn kept a tavern in an old house which stood where James W. Green formerly lived. When or how long this was a public house, we are unable to state. Tradition says for quite a number of years.
Aaron Wells, a brother of Capt. Joseph Wells, who came here a number of years later, kept a tavern in an old house which stood near where Newell W. Healey now lives ..
After keeping the tavern at the hill for a number of years, Col. Jonathan Burnham disposed of his house to Captain Wells about 1771, and removed to a house which stood where G. C. Healey's cottage stands, near Dr. Sanborn's. He kept a tavern here until the elose of the century, removing to Salisbury about 1800.
Caleb Tilton kept a tavern in his house, which is now occupied by Albert W. Elkins, for a number of years. This was the last tavern which did business in the town and was given up in 1842.
In the early days of the town the tavern was a social place. The people were accustomed to meet there on certain evenings in the week to hear and exchange news, and for other purposes. This was before the days of prohibition. Flip and other good things were served, which tended to the enjoyment of the company, whose cares became lighter as the evening wore away.
PETITION OF THE INHABITANTS OF HAMPTON FALLS FOR A TAVERN LICENSE.
1732-3. To his Excellency Jonathan belcher Esq. Capt. Generall, and Commander in Chief, in and over His Majties province of New hamp-
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HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS.
shire &c, and to the Honble the Counsell and House of Representatives convened in Genll Assembly.
The humble petition of us ye Subscribers Inhabitants of Hampton falls parish most humbly sheweth, That for three or four years Last past, wee have had Sundry Divisions, and parties made, which has cosd much distraction, and trouble amongst ye people of this parish upon ye account of ye tavern. The hous formerly Bult by Col Peter Weare, at ye corner where two streets met, was Bult with Logs, after ye manner of a Garrison, and on purpose for a publick hous of Enter- tainment for travellers &c, and was veary sarvesable, for ye Security of Travellers and ye Inhabitants in ye troublesome time of war upon ye consideration of so good service to ye publick ye Generall Assembly of this province made it a Licenced Hous, as we have been Inform'd and it has been Improvd for yt use ever since, till about a twelve months since, and now By the consideration and order of his Majties Gen11 Quarter sessions of ye peace for Sd provence, held at Dover the fourth of Sept. 1732, a Licence was Granted to another man whos hous is not so convenient and against ye Desire of most of the Inhabitants of this parish, the Selectmen of our parish Did at ye sessions afforesaid appro- bate Mr. Daniel Colins, ye present owner of ye old Hous, yt usually had been the tavern, who has substance by him, and well supplied to keep ye house, with suitable necessaries for entertaining Strangers and travellers and since he has had ye sd Hous he has Laid out Consider- able upon it, in altering and makeing new additions to make ye Hous more convenient and fitt for Such Bussness. Therfore wee your most humble petitioners most humbly prays that as ye said House was a Licenced Hous formerly, as by Living Evidence it can be proved that it was so, and for That it will prevent making parties amongst us, by Striveing every year which shall get ye approbation, that the same Hous may again be made a Licenced House, the person keepeing it all- wais giving Bonds from time to time for Good order, and your peti- tioners as in duty Bound shall ever pray.
Daniel Weare Samuel Davis
Nathan Clough Joseph Cass
Robert Quinby John French Henry Lampre Edward West
Jonathan Cass
Sharon Blake
Jona Philbrick
Joseph Cass, Jr. Jonathan Fifield Moses Black, Sen. Jon. Chapman Jolın Stanyan Shadrack Ward Jorge Conar Isac Fales Jeremb Browne John Halle
Benj. Pearkins Thomas Cram
William Thompson
Ichabod Robie
Jethro Tilton Jonathan Nason
Jonathan Batchelder
Samuel Lane Richard Sanborn James Sanborn Joseph Tilton
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TAVERNS.
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Timo Blake Henry Grene(?) Benja Moody Ralp Butler Enoch Sanborn John Gove, Sen. Winthrop Dow
Sherburn Tilton Josiah Tilton
David Sanborn John Page Ebeneazer Prescott
Stephen Hobs
Israel James
Joseph Worth Jacob Brown
Timothy Hutchinson
Ephraim Hoyt
Joseph Wadleigh John Swain
Ephraim (?)
Philemon Blake
Jeremiah Eastman
Robert Row
John Chase Joseph Nortin
Wadley Cram
Ebeneazer Dow
Daniel Kelley (?)
Samuel Page
John Green, Sen.
Jonathan Chase
Lenamin Cram
John Philbrick
William Evans
Nathan Sanborn
Jonathan Tilton
Israel Clifford
Jonathan Prescutt
John Clifford
John Gove, Jr.
Benjamin Prescut
Jonathan Row
Samuel Tilton
Thomas Leavitt
John Cram, Jr.
Elisha Prescutt (?)
Joseph Pearkins
Elisha Prescutt, Jr.
John Ware
Benj. Prescutt
Samuel Healey
Edward Tuck
Nath1 Healey
Samll Blake
Jonathan Green
Nathaniel Prescutt
Jonathan Batchelder
Joseph Draper
Joseph Tilton John Cram
Benjamin Sanborn
Jonathan Cram, Jr.
Caleb Swain
John Browen
James Prescutt
James Moulton
Jeremiah Green
Samuel Matcheen
Jonathan Prescutt
John Matson Jacob Garland
Benj. Hilliard
John Green
Timo. Hilard
Jacob Stanvan Thomas Gill
Thos. Philbrick
Samll Emons
Jeremy Gove
Amos Cass
Jonathan Dow
Benjamin Green
Jnº Harvey
Jedjah Blake
In Coun. Feb. 28th 1732-3.
Read and unanimously Voted to be dismissed.
R. WALDRON Secry.
Richard Nason
Benjn Swett
Caleb Browne
Abram Moulton
Nathan Hoyt
John Batchelder
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HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS.
In the above list are a number of names which are given wrong, but we do not attempt to correct it, but give the names as we find them. Any one familiar with the names of the people living in town at that time can easily make a number of corrections. The reason this petition was not granted was that John Brown had been granted a license, and was keeping an acceptable house, known as the Georges tavern.
STORMS.
THE ninth of June, 1654, there was a storm of thunder and hail such as hath not been heard of in New England since the first set- tlement thereof, which hail fell in the bounds of Hampton, between the town and the mill at the Falls, and was so violent that where the strength of the storm went it shaved the leaves, twigs, and fruit from the trees, and beat down the corn, both rye and Indian, and peas, and other things; battered and burying the same as though men had beaten it down with threshing instruments, "the hail being in admiration for the multitude thereof, so as that in some places it remained after the storm was over twelve inches in thickness above the ground," and was not all dissolved two days after the storm in many places, as we are informed by many eyewitnesses. Many of the hailstones were said to be three or four inches in length.
In 1658, when the apple trees were in bloom, there came on such a sudden and severe degree of cold that in a fishing boat belonging to Hampton one man died before they could reach the shore. An- other was so chilled that he died in a few days, and a third lost his feet.
In 1671, a great storm of driving snow came out of the north- west, and drove up into drifts about six feet deep, as appeared by those who measured the banks of snow. For a space of fourteen days after it was a sad time of rain, not one fair day, and much damage was done to mills and other things by the flood which fol- lowed.
In February, 1717, there were two storms that were unusually severe. The snow attained a depth of ten or fifteen feet, and in many places twenty feet. Paths were dug from house to house by tunneling under the snow, and the only visits to any distance were made on snowshoes, the wearers stepping out of the chamber win- dows. One-story houses were completely buried in snow.
The winter of 1801-02, till near its close, was unusually mild, but in the latter part of February there occurred one of the most
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HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS.
remarkable and long continued snowstorms known for twenty years. There was much damage to shipping and things by sea. About three feet of snow fell at this time.
The 19th of January, 1810, was one of the most memorable cold days of the present century. From a mild temperature the weather suddenly became cold; the mercury descended in less than sixteen hours to thirteen below zero. This was accompanied by high winds of such force as to prostrate many trees and buildings. This ex- tended over a wide extent of territory. From Hampton, several persons started with ox teams to go to Newburyport with potatoes. They suffered terribly with cold before reaching home. It came on suddenly, and many people were not prepared for it, and much damage and suffering resulted. This was what was known and talked of long after as the "cold Friday."
"The September gale" occurred on the 23d of September, 1815. A great deal of damage was done to woodlands, where the trees were uprooted in great numbers and to such an extent that the lines between owners were in many cases obliterated. The salt grass upon the marsh had been mostly cut and stacked. The tide rose high enough to take the stacks from the bottoms and carry them away. This and the cold Friday were favorite themes of conver- sation among old people fifty years ago.
The year 1816 was noted for its severity. There were frosts every month in the year, and a snowstorm in June. In Hampton corn high enough to hoe was completely covered. The first two months of the year were mild. In April a new winter set in; snow and sleet fell half the days in May; there were frosts nearly every night in June. July was cold, ice forming as thick as window glass in all the New England states. The weather in August was still colder, ice forming nearly an inch in thickness. No corn was rip- ened. In the spring of 1817, seed corn sold for from five to ten dollars per bushel.
A severe rainstorm, accompanied by a high tide, occurred in April, 1851. The railroad was washed away north of the depot on the marsh, and a great deal of other damage was done. It was during this storm that the Minot ledge lighthouse was destroyed.
Another storm of great severity occurred in November, 1861. The tide was very high. It took up the railroad track from the depot to Birch island, and carried it to the high land. A number of days' labor were required before travel was again resumed. Hay
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STORMS.
stacks were taken off, and deposited in all sorts of inconvenient places, and much trouble and loss resulted.
Another disastrous storm and tide occurred in November, 1871, when the railroad track was again badly injured. Nearly all of the haystacks below the railroad were moved and deposited about as thick as they could be placed along the track and in other places. A great many unpleasant and uncomplimentary things were said by those claiming and dividing the hay. There is nothing which will occasion more ill feeling than a fight for drift hay. Many were able, as they thought, to distinguish their own hay by the looks of it.
The first of February, 1886, there was a heavy ice storm. Every- thing out of doors was covered by a thick coating of ice. The trees and shrubbery were loaded to their utmost capacity, which occa- sioned a great deal of damage. Shade and fruit trees were badly broken, and disfigured to such an extent that they have never recov- ered, many showing the effects of that storm at the present time. It was very fortunate that it was still when the trees were loaded with ice. Had a high wind occurred at that time, hardly a tree of any kind could have remained standing. As it was, much serious damage was done.
On March 10 and 11, 1888, there came eighteen inches of damp, heavy snow which was badly drifted. The roads were so blocked as to put a stop to all business. It was impossible to get to town meeting, and from this cause the annual town meetings in almost all the towns in the state were postponed. Our town meeting was held on the following Saturday. This storm extended over south- ern New England and New York City.
Snow came December 6, 1797, and stuck upon the sides of the trees. So steady was the cold that it did not thaw or drop off until January 27.
The snow which came November 17, 1798, remained and covered the ground until April 5, 1799. Steady cold weather prevailed during the whole of that time.
Tuesday, September 6, 1881, was known as "the yellow day." Everything took on a glaring yellow hue, unlike anything before seen. It was a dark day. The disc of the sun was not visible. A smell of smoke was in the air. It was difficult to see the hands of a clock across the room, and too dark to read ordinary print. It was painful to the eyes. Although business was not suspended, it was a serious hindrance to doing many kinds. The next day was
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HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS.
cloudless, and all signs of the preceding day had disappeared. It was supposed to have been caused by forest fires in Canada sending down smoke under peculiar atmospheric conditions not yet ex- plained. It caused alarm among the ignorant and superstitious.
The 19th of May, 1780, was known as "the dark day" in New England. The sun was visible for a short time in the morning, but soon became obscured. For some days previous the air had been filled with smoke, supposed to have been from forest fires in Canada. A fog came in from the sea and mingled with the smoke, making the atmosphere impervious to light. Before eleven o'clock it was so dark that the schools were dismissed. The fowls went to roost, and the cattle came to the barn, as was their custom at night. By noon it became necessary to light candles. The darkness con- tinued through the remainder of the day. The night was noted for its darkness, which was as dark in proportion as had been the day. Dr. Belknap says that it was as complete a specimen of total darkness as can be conceived. People who were out made their way only with great difficulty. About midnight the wind breezed up, and it began to grow lighter. The next morning the sun rose bright and clear, to the great delight of every one. The darkness extended over a large area, and was said to have been as great about here as elsewhere.
LIGHTNING.
The year 1727 was a year of much thunder and lightning. The like was perhaps never known in this country. Although the light- ning has struck in many places, yet no person in this or the adjoin- ing province has been killed thereby. In Hampton the lightning has fallen on divers trees, and August 23, two oxen were killed by it at the Falls. Yet God, the preserver of men, has spared our lives though the blow has fallen very near to some of us, as will appear by the two following instances:
April 10, 1727, a little after break of day, a thunder-storm came over the town. At first the thunder was but low and seemed to be at a distance, but all at once came an amazing clap. The lightning then fell upon the house of Mr. Edward Shaw. It took off all that part of the chimney which was above the roof, and broke down all the fore part of the chimney in the northeast end of the house, till it came to the chamber hearth in the lower room of that end of the house, where the man's mother and one of his grandchildren lodged.
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STORMS.
It took a small table within four feet of the head of her bed and carried off the leaf which was next to the bed. It went from thence down into the cellar, where it moved two hogsheads which stood near the foundation of the chimney. One of them, which was full, was turned partly upon its head. The wooden hoops upon it were loosened, but the iron hoops were not moved. In its passage into the cellar it went through the hearth, where, after the rubbish was removed, was found a large hole that was made by it, and in the foundation, a little over one of the hogsheads, was observed a small hole where it is probable the lightning had its vent. In the south- west room of the house where the man and his wife lodged, it entered into a small cupboard, where it broke divers earthen dishes, but yet the door of the cupboard was not burst open. By the great mercy of God no person in the family was hurt. Even the aged woman who was in so great danger received not the least damage. She was only waked out of her sleep by it, and knew not the cause of the noise till she saw the next flash of lightning.
July 5, 1727, in the afternoon, we had another thunder-storm. Mr. Samuel Palmer was riding towards the woods, having behind him his little son about seven years old. As they were traveling along there came a terrible clap of thunder. The lightning struck two trees twelve feet asunder, which were about a hundred yards on one side of the path in which they were going. It tore one of the trees all in pieces, and threw some of the splinters into the path. They were riding at a good pace, so that in less than a min- ute they would have been up with the place where the lightning fell, and would probably have been killed by it. There was but a step between them and death.
August 8, 1860, it had been intensely hot and sultry in the early part of the day. About four o'clock in the afternoon came up a thunder shower. Those who observed the clouds said they came from the four quarters of the heavens and met overhead. The result was one of the most terrific thunder-storms ever experienced in this section. It became dark as night, the lightning flashed incessantly, and the thunder was continuous. The rain fell in torrents. This lasted about two hours. It did little damage in this town, striking a few trees. It struck a house in Hampton, killing a woman who was engaged in prayer.
PETITION TO BE ANNEXED TO MASSACHUSETTS
THE following named persons in Hampton Falls signed a peti- tion to be annexed to Massachusetts in 1739:
Nath1 Weare
John Stanyan
Charles Treadwell
Thomas Leavitt
Benja. Sanborn
Caleb Swain
Benja. Sanborn, Jr.
Samuel Prescut
Nath. Healey
Philemon Blake
Ebeneazer Shaw
Joshua Blake
Nathan Tilton
Abner Sanborn
John Cram
William Russel
Samuel Lane
Jonathan Fifield
John Brown
Samuel Shaw
Daniel Brown
Joshua Purington
John Brown, Tertius
Winthrop Dow
Jacob Green
Amos Chase
Benja. Prescott
Enoch Gove
Jona. Batchelder
John French
Reuben Sanborn
Benjamin Dow
Samuel Tilton
Jonathan Hoag, Jr.
Abraham Brown
Ebeneazer Blake
Jabez Smith
Ephrium Hoyt
Benja. Swett
Joseph Thresher
Thomas Brown
Jonathan Green
Jeremiah Pearson
Benjamin Green
Moses Stickney
Ebeneazer Gove
Jonathan Hoag Henry Drewe
Nathan Green
Job Haskell
Daniel Swett
Stephen Palmer
Jeremiah Benet
Philip Pravare
John Flood
Jeremiah Brown
Jonathan Chase
Ebeneazer Knowlton
Thos. Silla
Job Knowlton Ralph Butler
Archelaus Lakeman, Jr.
John Flood, Jr.
Nath1 Burrell
Joseph Worth
Nathan Cram
John Worth
Thomas Cram
Obadiah Worth
Meshech Weare
Daniel Chase
Benja. Hilyard
72 names.
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SECRET SOCIETIES.
FREE MASONRY.
THERE have been for a long time some members of the Masonic fraternity living in this town. Among the earliest were Joseph Akerman, Stephen Dodge, and Jonathan Nason, who were mem- bers of Rockingham Lodge, which was located at Hampton. This lodge became extinct after 1826, during the Morgan excitement. Capt. John W. Dodge was made a Mason in St. Mark's Lodge, New- buryport, about 1846. Hampton Falls is now within the juris- diction of Star in the East Lodge of Exeter. Those who have be- come members from this town are James D. Brown, Enoch J. Til- ton, Edwin Janvrin, Edwin Prescott, Levi T. Sanborn, Warren Brown, IIenry H. Knight, Frank P. Cram, John F. Shepherd, Cyrus W. Brown, Hugh Brown, James H. Brown, Charles W. Bailey, Jack Sanborn, William H. McDevitt, Arthur W. Brown, John E. Brown, Bertram T. Janvrin, Forest F. Brown.
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