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 43
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1861. The season was late in opening. A mimber of falls of snow during first part of April, some of them requiring the roads to be broken. Crops of all kinds except apples were an average. A severe storm accompanied by a high tide oeenrred about November 1, which carried away the railroad track and moved many haystaeks, and did much other damage. Winter came on in earnest middle of December. Cold weather continued during the remainder of the winter, with a heavy body of snow upon the ground. Business of all kinds not very good because of the war, farm produets selling at low priees with not a great demand. Farm hands received $15 per month with board during the summer months.
1862. Season late in opening; little farm work done until May 1. Crops were good. A very large crop of apples, which found sale at $1 per bbl. The winter following was unusually pleasant with but little snow and cold weather. Farm products low in price; flour, $8 per bbl .; meal, $1.40 per cwt.
1863. The season of spring work opened in April. It was very wet all through the season. The securing of the hay erop was attended with much difficulty, and in many cases not completed until late in August. Most crops were an average exeept apples. Snow eame middle of December, and remained until spring. There was not a large body of snow, but enough for good sledding. It was a good winter to do business. With the prospeet of a long war, prices of almost everything have advanced and laborers have become scaree.
1864. The season opened middle of April, and was very wet until the first of June, when it became dry, continuing during the summer months, resulting in a sharp drought, lasting well into the fall. Crops, except apples, about an average. Prices advaneed considerably this year. Apples, $4 per bbl .; flour, $10; brown sugar, 28 ets. per Ib .; white sugar, 33 ets. per Ib .; coffee, 55 ets .; washed wool, $1 per lb .: eider, $4 per bbl. Grasshoppers very plenty on the marsh. Farm hands from $28 to $30 per month. First horse hayfork used this year by Warren Brown. Snow eame Deeember 1 and continued with steady cold weather until Mareh 10, when it went away suddenly. It was a remarkably good winter to do business. Porto Rieo molasses, $1.25 per gal .; black tea, $1.40 per Ib .; kerosene oil, $1 per gal .; nails, 10 cts. per lb .; hay, $20 per ton.
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HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS.
1865. The season opened early. It was very pleasant during the last of March and in April and May. One of the sharpest droughts we had ever known came on and lasted well into the fall. The hay crop was very good. Many fields of corn, from the effect of the dry weather, failed to ear and was cut up for fodder. The fewest apples ever known. It was a poor year for crops. Sugar. 20 cts .; flour, $16; corn, $1; oats, $1; round hogs, 20 cts. per lb .; sucking pigs, $6 each. There was not a great deal of snow in the winter which followed. Everybody was happy because the war was over. Help very scarce; $30 per month and board in summer, and $20 in winter.
1866. Farm work came late, as it was wet and cold in the early part of April. It was a cool season, with much cloudy weather attended with light rains. The water was very low in the ground because there had been no soaking rains for a long time. There were very good crops of everything except apples. Great fire in Portland, Me., July 4. Winter not very cold, with considerable rain. Timothy seed sold for $8 per bush. Hay sold for a short time at $40 per ton.
1867. Ground settled middle of April. There was considerable rain during the summer. A large hay crop; owing to wet weather having was delayed well into August. All erops except apples were very good. Farm produce of all kinds selling at good prices. First hay tedder used in the town by Warren Brown. Winter came on Decem- ber 1 with a heavy fall of snow which held on until April 1. Flour, $16 per bbl .; round hogs, 14 ets .; coffee, 30 ets .; tea, $1.40; wool, 30 ets.
1868. Considerable rain fell in January. Very cold in the early part of February. First thaw of the winter February 20. Snow went away last of March. Snow enough for sleighing fell April 10. It snowed all day May 8. The season was backward, and lands usually cultivated were too wet to work. Haying much delayed by bad weather. All crops except apples were up to an average. Apples sold at $4 per bbl .; cider, $4 per bbl .; cotton cloth, 20 ets. per yard; meal, $2.50 per cwt .; white lead, 13 ets. per Ib .; linseed oil, $1.40 per gal. Not much cold weather in December.
1869. January 1, a violent snowstorm, 10 inches having fallen. The weather during the remainder of the winter changeable, with some very cold weather. An average hay crop. First of season wet. A severe drought began about August 15. September 8. a severe tornado passed from Providence, R. I., to Portland, Me., doing a great deal of damage in its course. Cold weather, with snow 28th of October. De- cember cold with considerable snow. A moderate crop of apples, which sold at $4 per bbl. Cider apples, 50 cts. per bush .; meal, $2.50 per ewt .; flour, $11 per bbl .; potatoes, 60 ets .; round hogs, 15 ets. per lb .; hay, $22 per ton at the barn.
1870. January 1, moderate, many people plowing; considerable rain during the month. Remarkable display of aurora on the night of the 8th. Salt marshes not frozen enough to team on with safety. Heavy snow fell upon the 30th, which adhered to the trees, buildings, and fences. Many trees broken by the weight of the snow. Heavy block-
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EXTRACTS FROM WARREN BROWN'S JOURNAL.
ing snow February 8. Snow had gone away enough on 20th to make bad traveling, which was followed by the coldest weather of the win- ter. March 1, zero weather; quite an amount of snow during the month, so that the roads had to be broken at times. April began with a severe N. E. snowstorm. The roads were dry and settled the 10th. Very warm the 14th, 76 in the shade. People busy plowing the 20th. Apple trees in bloom May 21; all kinds of fruit trees blooming very full. A moderate amount of rain fell in June, with considerable hot weather; 100 in the shade on 25th. Considerable rain fell first week in July, followed by very hot weather. The hay crop was good with good weather to get it; so dry last of the month that hoed crops were suffering. August dry with a few showers. A heavy crop of salt grass, with a favorable time to secure it. September, it has become very dry and dusty: many signs of rain which disappear without any water falling. October, generally pleasant with light surface rains. A good crop of apples which sold for $4 per bbl. November was a pleasant month and favorable for farm work. December, first of the month pleasant ; last of the month cold; little snow during the month. Hay sold at $25 per ton at the barn; flour, $11 per bbl .; meal, $2.50 per cwt .; sugar, 15 cts .; round hogs, 12 cts.
1871. January was cold with much zero weather; 10 below on the morning of the 22d: little snow; complaint of a scarcity of water in wells. First part of February cold; 12 below on the morning of the 5th; some rain and a little snow fell during the month; last of month quite pleasant. March, very warm during the first few days; frost nearly all out middle of the month. Repairs on the highway going on in March; weather generally pleasant. April, pleasant; 90 in shade on the Sth. Plowing and seeding going on all the month, and a favor- able time for doing any kind of work. May 5, very heavy rain; remainder of month pleasant; last part dry. First of June hot and dry; signs of rain which did not come; welcome rains fell last of the month. July, generally good hay weather; owing to so much dry weather the crop was light. Weather in August fair. Salt marshes not as good as usual. September, pleasant but very dry. October, first of month dry; 5 inches of rain fell on the 12th. 19th, sudden change: became very cold. Last of the month warm. Three inches of snow fell November 10, which lodged heavily upon the trees. 15th, Hard N. E. rainstorm accompanied by a high tide; so much damage done to the railroad track that no trains passed for three days; nearly all the haystacks were moved off, many losing all. Much contention and hard feeling about drift hay. Highest tide since 1851. Thanks- giving day, November 30, very cold and disagreeable with strong N. W. wind. There was but little snow in December. Weather cold up to the 20th; remainder of the month pleasant. Hay, $30 at the barn; meal, $1.75 per cwt .; sugar, 14 cts. per lb.
1872. January 7, 20 below at sunrise. 12th, warm and pleasant for the season, which continued until end of the month. Heavy snow- storm February 2 and 3. March 5, strong N. W. wind with glass below
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HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS.
zero; it continued cold for a number of days. The earth was frozen in some cases 41/2 feet deep. Snow enough for sleighing April 1. Heard frogs for the first time April 20. It has been very cold and wet and farm work backward last of the month. Quite dry during much of May. June wet, with weather favorable for grass, which was a good crop. Not a good season for haymaking. Heavy crop of salt grass. 95 in shade Angust 8. Very wet in September. Not many apples. A serious distemper prevailing among horses, which in some cases at- tacks men and cattle. November 10, great fire in Boston. First of December moderate; last of month very cold; 12 below upon the morn- ing of the 26th; continued cold remainder of the month. Flour, $10.50 per bbl .; meal, $1.70 per ewt .; hay, $20 at the barn; black tea, 68 ets. per lb.
1873. First of January moderate with considerable snow upon the ground; remainder of the month cold and stormy. 18 below on morn- ing of 30th. Cold and snowy during February; roads had to be broken, there being a great body of snow on the ground. Considerable rain fell in March. The snow which came first of the winter still on the ground last of March. The weather in April was cold, with much rain and snow. Some of the old snow upon the ground at the end of the month. Season backward and traveling bad all through April. Quite an amount of snow fell May 4, which soon disappeared. The remainder of the month was pleasant and favorable for doing out-of- door work. Apple trees in bloom 29th, blooming more than for a num- ber of years. No signs of canker worms, which have been troublesome for a number of years past. Grass looking uncommonly well. June quite dry, vegetation suffering from drought. The hay crop was an average, with good weather to secure it. Light rains in August; very hot last of the month. In September the water was lower in the ground than for many years. A very good crop of apples which sold for $4 per bbl. Weather in November inclined to be cold and rough; 3 inches of snow fell on the 17th. Snow fell all day Thanksgiving day, 27th. Good sleighing for a few days after December 1. Snow went away; came again after Christmas. A severe financial panic came this year, which interrupted the prosperity we had enjoyed since the war. Hay, $20 at barn; oats, 70 cts. per bush .; meal, $1.50 per cwt .; sugar, 12 ets .; wool, 32 ets .; round hogs, 10 ets.
1874. The first part of January was mild; cold middle of the month. February 1, cold and suowy; 10 below morning of 2d. A foot of snow fell on the 3d, which blocked the roads. A rain on the 13th which carried away most of the snow; remainder of the month mild. The roads very muddy in March. First part of April cold and wet; snow on the ground 13th; 6 inches of snow fell 26th, which was the most severe storm of the winter. The frost not all out of the ground or much farm work done May 1. First warm weather of the season May 14 and 15, which were very warm. Apple trees in bloom June 2. A severe N. E. rain storm which lasted two days June 11 and 12. A very good crop of hay; a very large amount of second crop grass. October and
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EXTRACTS FROM WARREN BROWN'S JOURNAL.
the most of November were very pleasant. December 15, 6 below at sunrise: very cold last half of the month. Hay, $18 per ton at the barn; corn, $1 per bush .; flour, $11.50 per bbl .; unwashed wool, 32 cts. per lb .; board nails, $+ per cwt .; cider apples, 25 cts. per bush.
1875. January was a cold month with considerable snow. Water is very scarce. Nearly every one has to turn out his cattle to get water. February 7, 11 below at sunrise; cold and stormy much of the rest of the month. Snow on the ground during March. Severe snowstorm 13th of April, which was a cold month. It was dry in May. Apple trees in bloom June 4. Very hot July 5. First half of July poor hay weather. The hay season on the whole a poor one. September was a cool month. October and November cold, all the storms clearing away cold. 8 below November 30. December cold; 16 below on 20th; warm rest of the month. Hay, $16 per ton at the barn; apples, $3 per bbl .; sugar, 11 ets .; stove coal, $8.25 per ton delivered at Hampton Falls station.
1876. January was warm with little snow; roads very muddy. Feb- ruary warm; snow all went away. 13th very warm day. 24th coldest day of the winter. March was a cold disagreeable month. A foot of snow fell April 4, which was badly drifted; remainder of month and first part of May cool and wet. Last of May and June good growing weather. July dry and hot; a good hay season and a good crop. August dry and hot. Some rain in September, but the ground con- tinued dry. October generally pleasant; three inches of snow 15th. November pleasant with some rains last of the month. December came in cold; zero on the morning of the 2d. Severe snowstorm 9th. 17th, 14 below at sunrise; the sun shone all day, but it did not get up to zero during the day. 18th, hard snowstorm; a foot fell and the roads had to be broken. Big snow on the 29th, 30th, and 31st; breaking roads. Corn, 75 cts .; round hogs, 12 cts .; cider apples, of which there was a large crop. 10 ets. per bush .; hay, $20 per ton at barn.
1877. January snowy and blustering: 18 below 26th. February pleasant; snow fell on the 25th; first for a number of weeks. March 9, heavy rain and another on the 26th. April cool and wet. Abundant rains in May. 24th, very cold; 4 inches of snow fell in Pittsfield, Mass .; remainder of the month hot. June hot and dry first part of the month; rains last of the month. A good crop of hay with good hay weather in July. August, fair weather. A good time to get salt hay. September 15, 90 in shade; continued hot for a number of days. Octo- ber 6, heavy frost; rest of the month cool and wet. November pleas- ant. 26th, heaviest rain for years, which was attended with a great deal of lightning. Warm in December, farm work going on all through the month. Christmas day was very warm and pleasant. Corn. 75 cts. per bush .; round hogs, 91/2 cts .; flour, $9: potatoes, 50 cts .; apples, $3 per bbl.
1878. Heavy snow January 4; 17 below on morning of the Sth; good sleighing for a number of days. 15th, rain, which carried off the snow. Heavy snow 31st, which blocked the roads. March 5, frost
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HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS.
nearly all out of the ground; traveling very bad; last of the month wet and unpleasant. April pleasant; vegetation very forward; a great deal of rain fell last part of the month. May 3, 87 in the shade. Con- siderable rain in June; hot last of the month. July 3, 100 in shade. Green head flies very plenty and troublesome. Good crop of hay, and an extra season to get it; having finished earlier than usual. Very dry last of July. Heavy rain August 9. A great deal of second-erop grass cut in September. October, the water is very low in the ground. A great deal of rain fell in November. The ground very full of water when winter set in. Not much snow in December, but very cold last of the month. Round hogs, 61/2 cts .; sugar, 9 ets.
1879. January 3, roads blocked with snow. Very cold 15th. followed by a heavy snow. Pleasant last of the month. February, a eold month with considerable snow; 24th, 16 below. Snow nearly all went away early in March. Heavy snow April 1, the most severe snow- storm of the season. The roads were bloeked with snow followed by blustering weather. More snow drifted about the buildings than I ever saw before at this time of year; 6 inches of snow fell 11th of April. Snow and bad traveling all through April. Last of snow dis- appeared May 1. 13th, dry and hot; 90 in shade. 15th, peach, pear, plum, and cherry trees in bloom; apple trees in bloom 22d; large bloom for an odd year. 31st, 100 in the shade. Heavy rains first of June. A large erop of hay and a good hay season. 18th August, a heavy gale at night did much damage. September 1, pleasant. Heavy frost 25th. October very dry; no rain has fallen for some time; 25th, frost; ice formed 14 inch thick. November cold and disagreeable. Hard drift- ing snow 20th; then warmer. Plowing Deeember 12. Good sleighing last of the month. Hay low; sold at $11 per ton at the barn; apples, $2.25 per bbl., of which there was a very good erop. Farm hands re- eeived $20 per month and board for the summer months.
1880. Very moderate weather in January, with but little snow; 5 inches of rain fell on the 27th. Zero weather first of February. Snow- storm 3d, which blockaded the roads. It was 10 below on the morning of the 10th. Last of February warm. The marsh has not been frozen enough to remove much of the hay. 24th, people cutting and storing ice. A number of snows in Mareh which soon went away, making the traveling disagreeable. Dry and cool in April with much east wind. The only rain in May was on the 30th. June hot and dry. A light rain July 2; 102 in the shade on the 10th. The long continued dry weather has reduced the yield of hay very much, in some instances one half. Early in the season the showers divided, going each side of us. so that within a few miles to the north and south there was rain enough so that the crop of hay was kept up to an average. 100 in the shade September 4. A very large erop of apples, which sold at $1.50 per bbl .; cider apples, 6 cts. per bush. November was cold; zero on the 27th. We had no rain to speak of from April 1 to December. December cold, and most of the ice houses were filled during the month. $9 per
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EXTRACTS FROM WARREN BROWN'S JOURNAL.
bbl. was received this year for Bartlett pears delivered at the R. R. station.
1881. Six below at sunrise January 1. It was very eold, with con- siderable snow during the month. February eold, with the roads blockaded with snow. Quite an amount of rain fell in March. It was cold and disagreeable weather during first half of April. A number of inches of snow fell 14th, which soon disappeared, making the roads very muddy. Last of April and early in May the surface of the ground became quite dry. Rains middle of May made the grass look very promising. First of June cold and wet with frosts reported from many places; the eool weather continued nearly all the month. In- tense heat 10th of July. A good hay season and a large erop. Very hot last of August. September 6, a singular appearance of the atmos- phere. This was what has since been called the "yellow day," sup- posed to have been eaused by smoke and ashes from forest fires in Canada. This was followed by a number of days of great heat; last of the month pleasant. October 5, a hard frost, followed by a very strong cold wind from the N. W .; a great many apples were blown off and a great deal of other damage done; rest of the month pleasant. A good crop of apples in this vieinity, which sold for $4 per bbl. November was a pleasant month, with some light falls of snow. The weather in December was moderate and very favorable for doing out- door work. Corn, 75 cts .; wages, $20; hay. $20 per ton at barn.
1882. The first day of January was very pleasant with no snow upon the ground. On the 2d a number of inehes of drifting snow fell, fol- lowed by cold weather. On the 5th, 12 below; middle of the month pleasant with some sleighing. 24th, 20 below at sunrise. February 7, roads blocked with snow. Big snow 22d. Ice packing going on. Snowy and disagreeable first part of Mareh; snow went away before the end of the month. April cool and fair, getting to be quite dry. First half of May cool and wet. Turned cattle to pasture 31st. Apple trees in bloom June 10. The weather in JJune was very favorable for grass, which looks unusually well. Old potatoes selling at $1.25 per bush: coal by carload, $6.40 per ton at our station. The hay crop was good, with favorable season to get it. The green head flies were so plenty as to be almost intolerable. A severe drought came on in July, and all vegetation suffered from the dry weather. There had been no rain for nine weeks till last of September, when good rains fell, caus- ing the grass which had become dead to come up green. October generally pleasant: snow covered the ground on the 17th, which soon went away. It is very dry, and many wells have given out, in which condition the ground closed for the season and cattle generally had to be turned out to get water. Not a great deal of snow in December; ice houses filled last of the month. Round hogs. 912 cts .: unwashed wool, 25 ets .; hay at the barn, $17 per ton; sugar, 9 ets .; corn, 80 cts.
1883. The first part of January was cold and snowy with an occa- sional rain: last of month very cold with much snow, until February 15. 17th, 70 above, followed by rain. Sunday, March 4, the first fair
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HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS.
Sabbath for many weeks. 9th, cold; 19 below: unpleasant all the rest of the month. April 1, ground frozen hard. Great scarcity of water for cattle and domestic purposes. Some snow in April; not much plowing until the 15th; last of month cold and very dry; grass crunches under foot. Some rain fell last of May. Very hot first of June with great need of rain. A good rain July 1, which did a great deal of good. lleavy rain July 4. English and salt grass not as good as usual, owing to preceding dry weather. August and September were very hot and dry. 25th, high wind blew off a great many apples, which were sold at 50 cts. per bush. for evaporating. October was not very pleasant; cold with light rainfalls. November was pleasant with little cold weather; continued pleasant until middle of December, when it became very cold (15 below 22d) and continued with some snow until the end of the month. Great complaint that wells and water supply are failing, and scarcity of water for cattle and domestic purposes. Apples sold for $3.50 per bbl.
1884. Cold and rough weather all the month of January, with some snow upon the ground. Ice houses filled middle of the month. Heavy rain 31st. February 10, first fair day for two weeks. A great deal of rain fell during the month. Heavy snow 29th, which blocked the roads. March wet and snowy; roads muddy. April 20, not much fair weather so far this month. The ground is now well filled with water for the first time for a number of years. May 1, the season is a little later than usual. A heavy frost on the morning of the 30th killed the hoed crops to the ground. Very hot for a number of days about June 20. A fair yield of hay, with a good season to get it. August pleasant; very hot middle of the month. First of September intensely hot. Much second erop cut. October pleasant and favor- able for farm work. November generally fine weather. Snow covered the ground 20th. Water getting low again in the wells. First part of December pleasant and a good time to finish up fall work. 20th, cold remainder of month; at times 20 below. Hay delivered sold for $18 per ton.
1885. Not much snow January 1; roads muddy; colder middle of the month, 22 below. 29th, roads blocked with snow. Cold, disagreeable weather all the month of February. March 1, warmer, snow going away: very cold middle of the month. April 20, pleasant, followed by great heat. Heavy rain 29th; more water fell than at any one time for a year. Considerable rain in May. Heavy rain June 5. 22d, get- ting dry: rain needed: light rains came later in the month. Not much having done until after July 4. Green head flies unusually trouble- some. Hay crop good, but not the best weather to get it. Some rain fell last of July. Very hot middle of August. September 23, one of the coldest and most disagreeable days ever known for the time of year. It was warm through the month of October. November pleasant until 25th, when three inches of snow fell. Cold and rough first week in December; not very cold remainder of the month. The roads were rough, with but little snow.
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EXTRACTS FROM WARREN BROWN'S JOURNAL.
1886. No snow and the roads muddy, with dull, disagreeable weather until January 10. After this some snow, which was badly blown about, with zero weather every morning for a week. Ice cutting 20th. February 8, good sleighing, but the snow wasted rapidly. Last days of January we had an ice storm, which did a great deal of damage by breaking fruit and shade trees. February 23, hard snowstorm, which was followed by a two days' blizzard. Heavy rain March 21. April 1, very muddy. 20th, hot for time of year. May 1, cool; surface of the ground getting dry. 17th, grass very forward for the time of year. Apple trees in bloom 23d. Canker-worms doing a great deal of dam- age, and people are spraying the trees with poison to kill them, which is a new remedy and very effectual. Middle of June hot. Good hay weather, but very hot in July. Crop good; rain much needed. Hot and dry in August and first part of September. October 1, first hard frost of the season; rest of the month pleasant. Severe rain and snow- storm on the night of the 12th. November cold and wet rest of the month. December 5, cold; N. E. snowstorm, hay being moved from the marsh; cold, stormy weather last of the month.
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