USA > New Hampshire > Hillsborough County > Mason > History of the town of Mason, N. H. from the first grant in 1749, to the year 1858 > Part 21
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1851
1801|1811 1821 1831 1841 1851 Total.
Consumption,
20
23
25
22
30
32
162
Fever,
14
19
32
23
10
29
127
Old age,
2
13
16
21
35
29
116
Infantile complaints,
0
3
17
23
16
24
83
Canker rash or throat distemper,
10
14
31
9
6
12
82
Dysentery or cholera morbus,
10
15
7
22
7
12
73
Unknown and sudden,
2
7
5
15
9
3
41
Dropsy,
6
4
3
7
6
6
32
Fits,
11
6
2
1
1
2
23
Stillborn,
9
4
6
2
1
0
22
Quinsy,
5
6
5
5
0
0
21
Chronie,
2
2
3
6
0
0
13
Cancer,
2
0
2
2
4
4
14
Childbirth,
3
2
1
1
0
1
11
Intemperance or delirium tremens,
1
0
0
4
5
4
14
Mortification,
2
3
2
1
2
1
10
Whooping cough,
1
2
3
2
2
0
10
Hydro cephalus,
0
1
2
0
5
2
10
Palsy,
1
2
5
4
4
0
16
Scrofula,
0
0
2
2
2
3
9
Measles,
0
0
4
3
0
1
8
Disease of the liver,
0
0
2
9
0
1
12
Apoplexy,
0
1
0
3
0
1
5
Croup,
0
0
1
1
1
2
5
Atrophy,
0
0
1
0
3
0
4
Burns and sores,
0
0
4
3
1
0
8
Diabetes,
0
0
1
0
2
1
3
Debility,
0
1
0
2
1
0
4
Affection of the heart,
1
0
0
0
0
2
3
Premature birth,
1
2
0
0
0
0
3
Drowned,
0
1
2
0
0
0
3
Lightning,
0
2
0
1
0
0
3
Dyspepsia,
0
0
0
2
1
0
3
Inflammation of the bowels,
0
0
0
0
1
1
2
Inflammation of the brain,
0
0
0
1
1
1
3
Inflammation of the bladder,
0
0
0
0
0
2
2
Erysipelas,
0
1
0
2
0
0
3
Killed by falling,
0
0
0
1
2
0
3
Ulcer on the leg,
0
0
0
0
0
3
3
Canker,
0
1
0
1
0
0
2
Asthma,
0
0
1
1
0
0
2
Small pox,
0
0
2
0
0
0
2
Lethargy,
0
0
0
2
0
0
2
Cholic,
0
0
0
0
1
1
2
Diseases not elassed,
5
13
8
9
6
4
45
1791|1801 1811 1821 1831|1841 |1791
to
In each decade, some deaths are recorded by diseases, &c., not falling into any of the classes of diseases in the tables, as follows : In the first decade, obstructed stomach, ulcer on the lungs, cholera dysentery, vomiting, schirrous tumors, one
235
STATISTICS OF MORTALITY.
each; total 5. In the second decade, rickets, falling from the bed, eating cherries, shot by accident, overlaid, suffocated by a bean, salt rheum, complication of diseases, gravel, fracture, lockjaw, tussis, killed by a falling tree, one each; total 13. In the third decade, inflammation from a fall, sore mouth, ulcers, bilious cholic, thrown, from a wagon, indigestion, chick- en pox, strangury, one each; total 8. In the fourth decade, cholera infantum, spina bifida, suicide, fistula, bleeding from a slight wound, epilepsy, hydro thorax, hernia, discased kidney, one each ; total 9. In the fifth decade, influenza, fluor albus, abortion, gangrene of the foot, pleurisy, universal disease, one each ; total 6. In the 6th decade, malformation, diarrhea, killed in blasting rocks, casualty, one each; total 4. The sum total of these is added at the foot of the table, as dis- eases not classed. Infantile complaints include all discases of infants not otherwise specified.
In the table of deaths, 197 are recorded as above the age of 70 years. Of these, 68 were between 70 and 80; 97 be- tween 80 and 90; 23 between 90 and 100; and 3 above 100. Of these last, Jonathan Foster, entered in Mr. Hill's record at 100 years, is entered in the table at 102 years, that being, probably, his true age. These tables show a degree of lon- gevity, which indicates a healthy region. On comparing the past with the present, it will be perceived, that the average length of human life is increasing, and that consumption is not, as many suppose, more prevalent and fatal now than for- merly. It also appears, by the table of persons residing in the town on the first day of January, 1857, of the age of 70 years and over, that the ratio of longevity is now fully equal to that of any former period.
TABLE OF THOSE LIVING 70 YEARS OF AGE AND UPWARDS, JANUARY, 1857.
At the age of
70
7
At the age of
77
4
At the age of 84
3
71
7
78
4
85
1
72
4
79
5
87
2
73
8
80
3
88
1
74
2
81
1
91
1
75
6
82
1
93
1
76
4
83
1 Age not specified,
6
236
HISTORY OF MASON.
BIRTHS.
Of births, no accurate record has been kept. Mr. Hill kept a record of births from November 3, 1796, until the year 1820, but in several of the years it is manifestly imper- fect. There was no law requiring a record of births to be made. The duties of his office gave the minister much better means to keep an accurate register of deaths than of births. As no other record of births was kept, it is thought best to give the number of births each year, according to Mr. Hill's record :
TABLE OF BIRTHIS IN MASON, FROM 1796 TO 1820, INCLUSIVE.
From Nov. 3, 1796 to Nov. 3, 1797, 41 ; From Dec. 31, 1807 to Dec. 31, 1808, 23
66 Nov. 3. 1797 to Dec. 31, 1798, 44
66 Dec. 31, 1798 to Dec. 31, 1799, 33
66
" 31,1808 31,1809 31, 1810, 33
60 “ 31, 1799 66 31, 1800, 27 66 31,1810 6 5 31,1811, 30
" 31,1800
31,1801, 32
" 31, 1811 31, 1814, 85
66 " 31, 1801 31,1802, 29
" 31, 1802
31, 1803, 32
" 31, 1817
66 31,1818, 32
66 31,1820, 62
66 " 31, 1804 31, 1805, 29
1750 to 1858, twin births, 40
" 31, 1805 31, 1806, 36
1750 to 1858, illeg., about 15
POPULATION.
Census.
1767. By Provincial authority :
Unmarried males from 16 to 60 years of age,
20
Married males from
16 to 60 years of age,
47
Males under 16 years of age, 80
Males 60 years of age and above, 1
0
Unmarried females,
79
Married females,
47
Widows,
4
Female slaves,
0
Total,
278
1775. By order of the Provincial Congress :
Males under 16 years of age,
148
Males from 16 to 60 years of age, not gone in the army,
86
Males over 50 years of age,
12
Males gone in the army, All Females,
227
Negroes and slaves for life, Total,
1 501
By the United States census :
1790
922
1820
1313
1840
1275
1800
1179
1830
1403 |1850
1626
1810
1077
" 31,1806 31, 1807, 25
31, 1809, 16
31, 1814 31, 1817, 56
" 31,1803 66 31, 1804, 33 68 “ 31,1818
Male slaves,
27
237
SCHOOL DISTRICTS.
The decrease in numbers from the former census reported in the census of 1810, was so unexpected and so great, as to give rise to strong doubts of the correctness of the return. The subject was taken up at the town meeting, and a commit- tee appointed in each school district, to take a new census. This was done, and the result confirmed the accuracy of the return. The decrease was owing to the active cmigration, then tending to the new lands in Vermont and Western New York. The decrease from 1830 to 1840 was, probably, owing to a similar cmigration to the west and to the manufacturing towns in the vicinity.
In the Hillsborough County Record, published in 1853, the statistics of the town are stated as follows :
STATISTICS OF THE TOWN OF MASON, IN 1850.
Population,
1626
Value of lands,
$262,606
Number of families,
346
Value of stock in trade,
17,700
Number of houses,
313
Total value of the inventory, 483,256
Number of farms,
168
POPULATION OF THE STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE.
1767
52,700
1800
183,762
1830
269,328
1775
82,200
1810
214,360
1840
284,574
1790
141,899
1820
244,161
1850
317,976
SCHOOL DISTRICTS.
At the annual town meeting, March 14, 1791, a committee, consisting of Jonathan Searle, Benjamin Mann, Obadiah Par- ker, Reuben Barrett, Samuel Smith, Jotham Webber, Stephen Lawrence, Oliver Scripture, John Lawrence, David Hall, James Scripture, Joseph Saunders and Joseph Barrett, was appointed to divide the town into school districts, and fix the place in cach for the school houses. Their report made, was adopted, and is recorded in volume 3, page 153. The town was divided into nine districts, "bounded by the persons hereafter named." This document will show who were the occupants of all the principal farms in the town, at that date.
MIDDLE, OR FIRST DISTRICT.
Dr. Joseph Gray, Abraham Merriam, Jr., Edward Wilson, Benjamin Mann, Esq., Andrew Ross, Benjamin Kendall, Capt. William Chambers, John Tarbell, Ezra Merriam, Nathaniel
31
238
HISTORY OF MASON.
Boynton, Edward Wilson, Jr., Simon Ames, Abraham Mer- riam, Josiah Merriam, Jr., John Whitaker.
SOUTH, OR SECOND DISTRICT.
John Winship, Capt. Isaac Brown, Seth Robins, Nathaniel Smith, Lt. John Swallow, John Lawrence, Noah Winship, Nathaniel Smith, Jr., Zacheus Barrett, John Swallow, Jr., Joseph Giles, William Barrett, John Wait, Jr., Jotham Web- ber, John Campbell, Reuben Barrett.
SOUTHEAST, OR THIRD DISTRICT.
Daniel Lawrence, Amos and Lois Herrick, Benjamin Bar- rett, Jacob Weatherbee, Samuel Dunster, Elisha Withington, Amos Blood, Abel Kemp, Daniel Tarbox, William Sanders, Peter Zwere, Thomas Asten, Thomas Reed, Wid. Miles, Saml. Green, Jabez Kendall, David Weatherbee, Abel Brown, Ben- jamin Grace.
EAST, OR FOURTH DISTRICT.
Clark Haven, James Weethce, Jesse Barrett, Hubbert Russell, John Wait, James Weethee, Jr., Thomas Tarbell, Jr., Lt. James Gilman, John Goddard, John Grimes, Edward Tar- bell, Samuel Smith, Lt. James Scripture, Reuben Barrett, Jason Russell, John Eliott.
NORTHEAST, OR FIFTH DISTRICT.
David Brown, Oliver Eliott, Joseph Sanders, John Russell, Elias Eliott, Jonathan Williams, Joseph Abbott, Abijah Eaton, Samuel Tarbell, Jeremiah Boynton, John Cummings, William Barrett, Jr., Samuel Elliott, Abel Shedd, Simeon Fish, William Scott.
NORTHWEST, OR SIXTH DISTRICT.
Henry Knowlton, Samuel Townsend, Oliver Scripture, Ens. John Hull, Benjamin Knowlton, Silas Bullard, John Jefts, Eleazer Fish, William Parkhurst, William Eliott, Ebenezer Blood, Dea. Nathan Hall, Timothy Dakin, Andrew Eliot, Thomas Blood, David Hall, Richard Lawrence, John Adams, Asa Stone, Jonathan Bachelder.
239
SCHOOL DISTRICTS.
WEST, OR SEVENTII DISTRICT.
Jonathan Searle, Esq., Hinksman Warren, Abel Adams, Abijah Allen, Joseph Merriam, Joseph Barrett, Ens. Nathan Whipple, Zachariah Davis, Reuben Kendall, John Blodgett, Amos Dakin.
SECOND WEST, OR EIGHTH DISTRICT.
Obadiah Parker, Stephen Lawrence, Roger Wesson, Sam Stevens Parker, Thomas Robins, Timothy Wheeler, Aaron Wheeler, Lt. James Wood, Lt. Enosh Lawrence, Jonas Fay, Joseph Woods.
SOUTHWEST, OR NINTH DISTRICT.
Ebenezer Shattuck, Benjamin Hodgman, Timothy Wheelock, Thomas Hodgman, Reuben Hodgman, Samuel Wood, Edward Farwell, Reuben Hosmer, Isaac Flagg, Samuel Russell, Wm. Hosmer, Jonathan Russell.
The school districts thus arranged, remained, with very little change, for the next fifty years. The principal change has been, the arrangement of a district in the village, which is now much the largest in the town, composed of territory included in this division in the sixth and seventh districts.
CHAPTER VII.
MASON VILLAGE, AND THE RAILROAD.
THE water power on the Souhegan river, at Mason village, was occupied by mills at an early day. The lots upon which it is found were not among those selected for mills by the pro- prietors, when they divided the township and assigned the lots to the several owners, owing to some error or mistake, which was discovered, and measures were taken to procure the lots for the purpose of the mills, see Proprietary History, page 35, and the lots were, undoubtedly, acquired by the grantees of the township for that purpose, by some negotia- tion or arrangement; for, in 1751, it appears, a committee was appointed at a proprietors' meeting, to make a contract for building mills on this privilege, the saw mill to be com- pleted by the 25th of May, 1752, and the corn mill in a year from that date. The committee made a contract with Col. Bellows, to build the mills, and took his bond to secure the performance of the contract. This he failed to do, and a suit was brought upon the bond, which was pending many years ; for it seems not to have been settled in 1760, as will be seen by reference to the Proprietary History, page 47. In the His- tory of New Ipswich, it is stated that Charles Barrett, in con- nection with his brother Thomas Barrett, built the mills, and that he sold his interest to Amos Dakin and removed to New Ipswich in 1764. At a proprietors' meeting, November 4, 1767, a committee was appointed "to lay out a road by Mr. Thomas Barrett's mill," and in the warrant for the first town meeting, dated September 8, 1768, was an article for accept- ing the road by Mr. Thomas Barrett's and Amos Dakin's
Tâmi.
VIEW OF MASON VILLAGE, 1858.
241
MASON VILLAGE.
mills. Mr. Dakin soon after became the sole proprietor, and so remained till his death, in 1789. The property passed to his son, Dea. Timothy Dakin, who rebuilt the mills in a very substantial manner, and remained the owner till 1814, when he sold the mills and privilege to Maj. Seth King and John Stevens, Esq. The first dam above the bridge was built by Dea. Amos Dakin, about 1788. Below this dam, on the north side of the stream, a carding and fulling mill was built by John Everett, about the year 1800. It was occupied by him and afterwards by Othni Crosby, and subsequently by others, for that purpose, till about the year 1829, when it was removed and upon its site was erected the present factory building, under the direction of Charles Barrett, Esq., agent of the Columbian Manufacturing Company. It was put into operation in 1830, and has continued in successful operation, with few interruptions, till the present time. This building was 100 feet long by 43 wide, and contained, when first put in operation, 64 looms for weaving sheetings and shirtings, with other machinery and apparatus sufficient to run that number of looms. It now contains 2946 spindles, and 77 looms, em- ployed in the manufacture of denims, of which the daily manufacture now is 3100 yards. After Mr. Barrett relin- quished the agency, the mills were run by Messrs. Dakin and Daniels, under a contract to manufacture for the company by the yard. The mills were run by the company under Leonard Dakin, their agent, from 1837 to 1839 ; under John E. Bacon, agent, from 1839 to 1841. From that time, Mr. Willard Daniels was agent till his death, in 1843. He was succeeded by the late Hon. Stephen Smith, who remained agent till his death, in 1857. He was succeeded by Charles P. Richardson, the present agent. In 1845, the company purchased the Sou- hegan water privilege near the high bridge in New Ipswich, and, under the direction of Mr. Smith, their agent, the present factory was there erected, in length 120 feet, breadth 44 feet, containing 3328 spindles and 100 looms, employed in the manufacture of denims, the daily production being about
.
242
HISTORY OF MASON.
4200 yards. In 1854, the company purchased the old grist and saw mills, on the site originally occupied by Dakin's mills, and erected a building thereon for a dye and finishing and packing house, in length 166 feet, breadth 44 fect, one story high. In the same year, the company purchased the Mountain mill, for- merly called the Waterloom mill, in New Ipswich, and erected a new factory, 114 by 40 feet, containing 2190 spindles, and 54 looms, in which the daily manufacture is about 2370 yards of denims. In the year 1856, the same company erected, on the site of the old Dakin mills, a factory 100 by 44 feet, four stories high, and a picking room 20 by 44 fcet, two stories high. This building adjoins the dye and finishing house. In it are 3456 spindles, and 96 looms, employed in the manufac- ture of denims, of which the daily production is about 3950 yards. The mills at Mason and New Ipswich, above de- scribed, are all upon the Souhegan river, and belong to and arc managed by the same company, under the same agent. All these last were substantial brick buildings, erected under the direction of Dea. Stephen Smith, the company's agent.
At the Mason mills the weekly consumption of cotton is 15,384 pounds ; annual do., 800,000 pounds. Yards of denims manufactured weekly, 42,120; annual do., 2,190,240. At the New Ipswich mills, the weekly consumption of cotton is about 13,505 pounds ; annual do., 691,860 pounds ; number of yards annually manufactured, 1,909,440. Total yards manufactured, 3,099,680. The yarn for all the mills is dyed at Mason. In- digo used per weck, 461 pounds. The cloth from all the mills is finished and packed at the finishing rooms in Mason village.
NUMBER OF PERSONS EMPLOYED AND AMOUNT OF MONTHLY PAY ROLL AT THE MASON AND NEW IPSWICH MILLS.
Males employed at Mason, 121 Males employed at New Ipswich, 86
Females
120
Females 96
Pay roll monthly "
$4300,00 Pay roll monthly " $3000,00
The stock of this company is principally owned in Boston. Messrs. Wright & Whitman, of Boston, arc the selling agents, to whom the goods are consigned.
243
MASON VILLAGE.
About 1500 cords of wood are consumed, annually, in all the mills, drying works, &c. The mills at Mason are driven by two water wheels, 22} feet in diameter and 20 feet long, and estimated at 75 horse power each.
The water power on the south side of the stream, above the bridge, was first occupied for a blacksmith's shop, in which was a trip hammer. It was carried on by Ezra Newell, for the manufacture of scythes and axes, with other blacksmith work. In this shop, near the commencement of the present century, was put in operation, a machine for the manufacture of cut nails. The business did not succeed, and was soon abandoned. About the year 1813, a wooden building was erected on the site of the old blacksmith shop, for the spin- ning and weaving of woolen goods, under the direction of Maj. Seth King. This business not succeeding, it was, after a few years, abandoned.
About the year 1812, a building of wood was crected on the site next below the old Dakin mills, and occupied as a cotton factory, by Roger Chandler and others associated with him. This company manufactured large quantities of cotton yarn, which was purchased by the farmers' wives in the vicin- ity, and by them woven into cloth for family use. The com- pany also manufactured cotton cloths for the market. At that time, all the cotton used in the mills was picked and cleaned of its seeds by hand, having been sent to the market by the cotton planters, without having been ginned. This cotton picking furnished a great amount of employment for the women and children in the farmers' families. It was deliv- ered out by weight at the mill, and, when returned, the cleaned cotton and the seeds and dirt were again weighed as a check against dishonest practices. Many a Mason boy earned his first money by picking cotton for the factory.
The manufacture of potash was carried on by Dea. Timo- thy Dakin, for many years. His potash works stood upon the bank of the river in rear of Mr. Richardson's house. The country was then full of hard wood, the farmers kept up
244
HISTORY OF MASON.
lusty fires, and large quantities of strong ashes were every year hauled to the potash works.
The first merchant, who kept an extensive stock of goods for sale at the village, if not the first in point of time, was Isaiah Kidder, son of Col. Reuben Kidder, of New Ipswich. He commenced trade at that place, then and for many years after, called Mason Harbor, in 1799. By his enterprise and fair dealing, he soon won the confidence of the community, · and as his was then the principal store in Mason, Temple and Wilton, his trade was extensive and lucrative. On closing his business at the expiration of six years, he declared that thirty dollars would cover all his losses by bad debts, a fact which speaks well, both for the people and the merchant. IIe returned to New Ipswich and engaged extensively in the manufacturing business, but was cut off by fever at the early age of forty one years. His loss was deeply felt by his fellow citizens of his native town, as well as by his numerous friends and acquaintances in the neighboring towns. His funeral sermon was preached by the Rev. Mr. Hill, of Mason, an extract from which, shows the estimation in which he was held by one who knew him well, and who never dealt in indiscrim- inate culogy :
" The general grief is his best eulogy. It shows that you are not insensible to the worth of the man, and to the loss society sustains in his death. Possessed of a strong mind, cultivated by a good education, and enriched by reading and observation, his judgment was sound, active, and enterprising. He was capable of much business, and very extensive useful- ness. Warmly interested in the prosperity of his country, and vigilant to promote the common welfare, he justly mer- ited the confidence of his fellow citizens."
Dea. Isaac Kimball, for many years carried on the business of blacksmithing, and the manufacture of axes and other edged tools. This was without the aid of water power. Hc removed to Temple about 1836, and has become one of the most enterprising and successful farmers in the region.
245
THE RAILROAD.
The pottery business, or manufacture of earthern ware, was carried on many years by Rucl Richardson, but since his death in 1814, but little, if anything, has been done in that line.
In 1857, Mr. James H. Chamberlain erected, below the site of the Dakin mills, one of the most extensive and complete flouring mills, in the state. The building is of brick, commo- dious, and every way well fitted for the intended use, that is, the manufacture of flour from western wheat, brought to the mill by railroad.
The importance of the railroad to the business interests of the village, renders this a suitable place to introduce the following account of the
PETERBOROUGH AND SHIRLEY RAILROAD.
This railroad, as its name implies, was originally intended to connect the Fitchburg railroad at Shirley, Mass., with Peterborough, N. H., passing through the towns of Towns- end, Mass., and Mason, New Ipswich and Temple. The New Hampshire charter was granted in 1846. Soon after this, the road was built as far as Townsend and went into operation, from Groton junction to Townsend.
In 1850, the road was completed to a station near the river, almost a mile below the village, and the cars commenced run- ning on the 11th of November, of that year. In 1852, it was completed to Mason village, its present terminus. The whole length of the road in New Hampshire, is nine and one third miles. More than $35,000 of the cost of constructing this part of the road was paid by citizens of Mason, in addition to several thousands of dollars for building the Massachusetts portion. Owing to the hard times and other causes, the road became involved in debt, and was finally sold to the Fitchburg company, for about $50,000, (the sum required to pay its liabilities,) though the legal transfer has not yet been made. The stock was a total loss to the subscribers, and thereby the business prosperity of the town was, for a time, severely crippled. The road has generally been under the control of and run by the Fitchburg company,
32
246
HISTORY OF MASON.
That portion of the town through which the road passes, has been incidentally much benefitted, by the market it has opened for its lumber and stone. Exhaustless quarries of granite exist on or near the line of the road, which only wait a favorable railroad tariff to cause it to be worked and exten- sively exported.
The railroad runs through the most wild and rugged por- tions of the town, yet presents to the traveler, prospects of rare and peculiar beauty. This is especially true of the four miles before reaching the village. Far beneath are seen the Souhegan river, sparkling and sporting itself over its rocky bed, further on, the high, precipitous banks, the beautifully rounded hills, crowned with their thrifty farm houses, and the vision is finally bounded by the lofty circling range of hills which rise, amphitheatre like, in the north and west.
The railroad bridge, half a mile from its terminus, is "one of the greatest works of art in New Hampshire, spanning the long distance from bluff to bluff, high above the swift waters of the Souhegan." The bridge is about 600 feet in length, and, where it crosses the stream, about 100 feet in height. The ends rest on abutments of stone, while at equal distances between rise two piers of solid stone masonry, to a giddy height, supporting the latticed framework on which the rails are laid. The height of the highest pier is about 80 feet. It rests on piles driven into the sand and gravel in the bed of the river. The western abutment has a similar foundation. The other abutment and pier rest on the ledge. The whole cost of this bridge was about $20,000.
Although the expense of building this road was a burden that fell heavily upon most of the stockholders, it proving, so far as any returns or dividends were concerned, a total loss, yet it is undoubtedly of great benefit to the community, in the certainty, ease and rapidity of communication which it affords, and diminution of expense, in which the saving of time is no inconsiderable item. Forty years ago, a traveler, leaving Boston for Mason, must take a seat in the mail stage
247
THE RAILROAD.
coach at one of the clock in the morning, and after a weary ride would arrive at Wheeler's tavern on "the turnpike," at the line of Mason, near S. Wheeler Weston's, at from five to six of the clock in the afternoon, then to find his way on foot, or by some private conveyance, to his place of destination. Now, he can leave Boston at seven of the clock and arrive at Mason at ten of the clock in the forenoon, or leave at three and arrive at seven in the afternoon, at less than half the expense for fare, and no necessary expenditure on the way. For more than fifty years after the settlement of the town was commenced, the only market for farm produce was to be sought at Boston, or at Concord and Charlestown, on the way to Boston. The farmer would, at the close of his day's work, put dobbin into the stable and give him an extra feed, and be ready to start, long before day, for the market, with two boxes of butter, hung in panniers, one on each side, on the back of his steed, and, perhaps, quarters of veal, chickens, eggs, or other products of the farm or dairy. So, also, on the near approach of the great New England anniversary, thanksgiving day, many a farmer would load his ox cart with farm produce, and trudge on foot, by the side of his patient team, to the metropolis, to procure his annual supply of necessaries and luxuries, for the great feast, and for the approaching season of winter. Now, by reason of the increased facilities of trans- portation afforded by the railroad, and to the building up of manufacturing towns and villages, in the vicinity, the farmer need not leave his own premises to find a ready market at remunerating prices, for all the surplus produce of his farm.
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