USA > New Hampshire > Hillsborough County > Wilton > History of the town of Wilton, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire, with a genealogical register > Part 16
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In the afternoon of Friday, December 26, 1828, the starch mill was burned : and Ezra Abbot by inhaling hot smoke brought on a long and severe illness of lung fever. The mill was partially insured. Some potatoes were spoiled ; but the larger portion remained good, and the mill was rebuilt in time to work them all up before too warm weather. A second time the mill was burned in the night after December 17th, 1839. When the fire was first seen at 2 A. M. hy a neighbor half a mile away, the main building was already burnt
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HISTORY OF WILTON.
down ; there was no insurance, and the loss was estimated at $3000. Of 9000 bushels of potatoes, 2000 had been worked up, 4000 were in an outer cellar, and of 3000 bushels there in the mill, some were ruined, others good. The mill was at onee rebuilt and all the good potatoes were worked up.
From the beginning Messrs. E. & S. Abbot were cautious of ad- mitting strangers to view their works. They intended to procure patents of parts of their machinery, wrote to Washington, and pre- pared specifications, models, &c. But as this mode of maintaining their rights might require lawsuits with expense of money, time and trouble, they concluded to protect themselves, as they best could, without patents. They had knowledge of clandestine attempts to examine their machinery. A starch mill was started in New Ips- wich, but in a year or two proved a failure. One young man pro- posed to join them in putting up a 'mill about fifteen miles away ; and they, finding it a good location, acceded to the arrangement and had considerable machinery prepared by their mechanics, when he, having thus acquired some knowledge of the business, dropped off and went north, where starch mills afterwards appeared. But oth- er parties honorably compensated them for information and assist- ance. In 1831 Messrs. O. & E. Prescott engaged them to super- intend the construction of their mill at Jaffrey ; which Samuel Ab- bot subsequently rented and operated in his own name, while Ezra Abbot operated the Mason mill, still in the name of E. & S. Ab- bot, their customers being supplied from either mill as most con- venient. This continued till the burning of the Jaffrey mill and the lamented death of Samuel Abbot. . January 2d, 1839. Of the pota- toes, about 2300 bushels, damaged, and 3245 bushels, sound, were sold. The remainder, 3800 bushels, were transported to the Mason mill ; of which Ezra Abbot, by purchase from the heirs of his broth- er, became sole proprietor. Five or six parties from the state of Maine at different times applied, and, for a consideration, received information and assistance. In one case, Ezra Abbot left his mill in charge of workmen, went to Maine and spent several weeks there initiating the party into the business .*
In later years the potato disease interfered much with the busi- ness, discouraged planting, rendered the stock of potatoes received
* In a speech recently delivered before the Senate of the United States by Hon. W. P. Frye, senator from Maine, it is stated that 1,200,000 bushels of potatoes are annually used in that state for the manufacture of stareh. The same manufacture is also extensively car- ried on in the states of the northwest and in Canada.
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COTTON AND WOOLLEN FACTORIES.
at the mill less in quantity, and of less value for starch, the best being wanted for domestic use. In the bad year, 1845, in a stock of about 5500 bushels, Dea. Abbot estimated his loss by the disease as equal to more than 1600 bushels ; it reduced the yield for that year to only six and one-fifth pounds per bushel.
In the season of 1846 Ezra Abbot, from failure of health, was able to visit the mill only once or twice, and devolved the charge of it on his son, Abiel Abbot. On his decease, April 3d, 1847, his sons, Abiel and Harris Abbot, became joint owners under the name of A. & II. Abbot. They continued the manufacture of starch four or five years with stocks of potatoes diminishing from the united effects of the disease and of the coming of railroads ; both causes combined to raise greatly the price of potatoes for general con- sumption. The last stock received was between one and two thou- sand bushels. The mill was sold and converted into a saw and stave mill.
COTTON AND WOOLLEN FACTORIES.
The first cotton and woollen factory was incorporated June 16, 1814 ; William Bales and Amos Holt, Jr., corporators.
The Wilton Manufacturing Company was incorporated June 23, 1829 : Amos Dickey, Abiel Lovejoy, Silas Bullard, Royal Wallace and Abraham Whittemore. corporators. This mill was burned in 1839.
With the same charter and the same title a company was formed in 1848, with a capital of 50,000 dollars. Joseph Newell, Elipha- let Putnam, Ziba Gray, Daniel Abbot, Esq., William D. Beasom, Clark C. Boutwell. Royal Southwick, Elbridge Reed and Tappan Wentworth were the principal stockholders. The mill was built in 1849. the wheel and shafting were put in in 1850, and the manu- facture of carpet yarn was begun April 6, 1851. The mill was of wood, 98x40 feet, and contained two stories with a basement. A wheel-house was built of one story, 32x30 feet, with a basement for washing wool ; one-half of the room above was used for a re- pair shop. The wheel was a breast wheel, 24 feet in diameter, with buckets 12 feet long. A drying-house, a wool-house and a double cottage were also built, and these, with the old boarding-house, were all the buildings at first owned by the company.
The first lot of machinery consisted of six spinning frames, three twisters, drawing frames, pickers and other small machinery to match ; also one set of cards and one jack for making filling. From
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HISTORY OF WILTON.
this small beginning new machinery was added from time to time until the mill contained fourteen spinning frames, seven twisters and a corresponding increase of new and modern machinery, includ- ing English combers. The machinery was increased for making filling from one to four sets. While this increase of machinery was going on the building had to be correspondingly enlarged. In 1858 forty feet were added to the length of the mill, making it one hun- dred and thirty-eight feet long. In 1865 another addition was made in L form, fifty by seventy-two feet, and one of Swain's tur- bine wheels of 130 horse-power took the place of the old breast wheel and was run until the mill was burnt, March 6, 1872. In May, 1851, forty-nine hands were employed and the pay roll of that month amounted to $788.34. In January, 1872, 116 employes were paid $2371.41. The mill was in operation twenty years and eleven months. The first superintendent was Mr. Ripley. He was soon succeeded by Mr. Elbridge G. Woodman, who acted so long as the mill was in operation.
The following account by Mr. Woodman, one of the most active promoters of the prosperity of East Wilton, will be read with deep interest, as sketching a half century's growth in a New England village :
When I first came to Wilton in 1839 I went to view the ruins of the old cotton mill, and the sight of those ruins and of the beautiful location gave me a feeling of sadness, and I asked myself if it was not possible to have those ruins restored and the hopes and anticipations of a disappoint- ed people made bright again. At that time there were twenty-four houses in the village and four in Pine Valley; today there are one hun- dred and fifty-six houses in this village, and about thirty in the Valley. I speak of Pine Valley, although just over the line in Milford, because all there is there today is the result of what was done in Wilton by the Wil- ton Company.
I came to Wilton in 1844 to reside a couple of years, and during that time held long and frequent consultations with Mr. Joseph Newell, try- ing to devise some way to get up a company to build a mill where the old one stood, but this was no easy matter. In the first place, the stock or shares of the old company must be bought up: this was a difficult opera- tion, as this stoek was scattered far and wide. and some of its owners. thinking something was to be done, wanted fabulous prices for their stock, and had these first efforts been undertaken by a less cool and per- severing man than Mr. Newell, nothing would have been done, and this village would not be what it is today.
Finally it was arranged that Mr. Newell. with the assistance of Mr. Eliphalet Putnam and Mr. Abiel Lovejoy of Milford, should go to work to buy up the oldl stoek, and get others interested. while my part of the
ELBRIDGE G. WOODMAN.
HELIOTYPE PRINTING CO., BOSTON, MASS.
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WILTON MANUFACTURING COMPANY.
business was to go back to Chelmsford. and, if I could, get Gay & Silver interested, as they could furnish the machinery. The next thing to do was to get Royal Southwick, then agent of the Baldwin Company at Chelmsford, to take hold and help, as he had money and influence: this was finally accomplished after more than a year's talk and some pretty sharp diplomacy.
Daniel Abbot. Esq., of Nashua was next appealed to, and he procured an act of incorporation without personal liability, or, rather, had the orig- inal act renewed. But now came the tug of war when stockholders were wanted. They said it was too far away from the railroad, and besides they had no interest in Wilton, but if they knew the railroad would go to Wilton they would take stock. And the railroad people said if they were sure the mill would be built the railroad should go to Wilton, and today Wilton is reaping the advantages of these early efforts. Finally. after long and discouraging efforts. a company was organized, the stock ($50,000) was taken and a mill built, going into operation April 3d. 1851. At this time the mill was 100 feet long. 44 feet wide, and two stories high with basement.
After speaking of the machinery and its gradual improvements, Mr. Woodman continues :
In 1853 it paid a town tax of $300, with a pay roll of about $500 month- ly, and when destroyed in 1873 it paid a tax of about $1400, with a pay roll of about $1500 monthly. And here let it be remembered all of this increase had been made from the earnings, and no assessments had ever been made on the stockholders. And here it is but just to say that this fine showing was not due wholly to skilful management, for during the war everybody made money. Nevertheless the influence of the old Wil- ton Company was having its effect, and the result was that Mr. Joseph Newell built the Newell mill, and that Mr. HI. A. Daniels was able to get up the Pine Valley Company and to erect a large and substantial mill, which today has a large pay roll, and sends ont a great amount of goods. Although the mill is in Milford, it is, with the exception of its taxes, pre- visely the same to the people of Wilton as if it were standing just a little nearer to the village over the line, for here come all the people belonging there to do all their trading, and here in the village are their church. post office, &c. This fine property is now, and has long been, under the skil- ful and prudent management of Mr. Nash Simons, and long may it exist to bless those employed there and to contribute as it has done to the prosperity of Wilton.
.
INDUSTRIES ACCORDING TO CENSUS OF 1850.
Capt. Aaron Barnes, saw-mill, carding machines and cloth dress- ing ; capital, $1200. Product, boards, 100,000 feet valued at 81000; shingles, 50,000, $125; laths, 40,000, 880; carding and cloth dressing to the amount of $300.
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HISTORY OF WILTON.
Benjamin Hopkins, saw-mill. Boards, 50,000 feet, $450 ; shin- gles, 10,000, $25 ; laths, 24,000, $48 ; shuttle-woods, 6000, $120.
Nahum Child, saw-mill and grist-mill. Boards. 125,000 feet. 81125 : shingles, 100,000, $250 ; toll for grinding, $300.
John A. Putnam, saw-mill and grist-mill. Boards, 8450: shin- gles. 100,000, 8255 : table-legs, 4000, $240 ; toll for grinding, $50.
Willard French, saw-mill. Boards, 200,000 feet. 82000; shin- gles, 100,000, $250.
Jonathan Livermore, boards, 75,000 feet : shingles, 30,000 ; both valued at $775.
E. Putnam & Company, bobbins, knobs and machinery, 82650.
William Sheldon, bobbins, spools and 125 cords of timber, $1100.
Abijah Hildreth, saw-mill and grist-mill. Boards, 120,000 feet. $1200 : shingles, 880 : grinding. 875.
Joseph W. Killam, furniture. Stock. $1850; product. 85500.
John Burton, table-frames. Stock. $210; product. $800.
Jones. Lane & Company, boots and shoes : capital. 87000, stock. 88000. Number employed. 20: males. 12 : females. 8 : product, $17,700.
LATER MANUFACTORIES.
The Davis Manufacturing Company was incorporated JJuly 9th. 1863. Joseph Davis, Royal Southwick, Charles B. Jones, Jasper Kelley and William S. Bennett were the corporate members. They manufactured carpet warp and filling. The mill was in successful operation until October 4th, 1869, when a flood swept across the road and entirely destroyed the mill.
About three years after this flood. Dr. J. G. Graves and others built a canal, about forty rods long, on the east side of the river, from the dam to an eligible site, and erected a building but never filled it with machinery. The building has for several years been used by H. W. Hopkins and F. B. French for the manufacture of writing desks and fancy boxes.
The Newell Mannfacturing Company was incorporated July 7th, 1866. Joseph Newell, George A. Newell and Charles H. Burns were the corporate members. They soon erected a mill, and a track was laid from the railroad to their store-house. They manu- factured carpet warp and filling. For some cause the business was not successful. About 1880 the machinery was sold and the plant went into the possession of Daniel Warner & Sons, who put in
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MANUFACTORIES.
machinery for making cotton yarn and twine. They ran the mill about two years.
The Wilton Company has a capital of $30,000. Hon. Charles HI. Burns is president, Hon. John A. Spalding, treasurer, and Charles A. Burns, clerk. On January 1st, 1883, they commenced the manufacture of cotton warps, yarns and druggists' and mer- chants' twines. They run 2240 spindles spinning and 882 twist- ing. They use both water-power and steam, and the mill is heated by steam and lighted by gasoline.
The Messrs. Whiting have a saw-mill that they run several months in the year, in which, besides the board-saw, they have box- board and stave saws. and saws for sawing wood. planing machines. and machinery for making keg and barrel-heads, and for preparing the box stock ready to be nailed together. They grind in their grist-mill about one hundred and twenty-five car-loads of corn annually, most of which, with about one hundred car-loads of feed, is sold to the milk-raisers. In addition, they have a large run of custom grinding. Their power is furnished by a steam engine of eighty horse-power and a water wheel of seventy horse-power. They also sell about five hundred tons of coal and three hundred and fifty cords of wood annually. Their trade in milk, cheese and butter will be detailed under a separate head.
Levi Putnam has a saw-mill, a planing machine and turning lathes, and manufactures trunks and trunk stock. Power, water.
Daniel Cragin has a saw-mill and machinery for manufacturing knife trays, dry measures, and sugar boxes. He employs about six hands. Power, steam and water.
Nathan Barker has a grist-mill.
IIermon Hopkins. a saw-mill, clapboard and shingle machinery and turning lathe.
Henry H. Livermore, a saw-mill, shingle and stave machinery.
James H. Holt & Son manufacture knobs and milk can stopples. and have a cider mill.
Henry O. Sargent. a saw-mill and turning machinery.
Samuel W. Smith manufactures knobs.
Wheelwrights and Carriage Makers. Flint & Gray ; A. J. Parker. Jobbing Blacksmiths and Carriage-smiths. Bales & Putnam ; C. B. Smith ; H. N. Gray & Son.
Carpenters. Abel Heseltine, William Emerson. H. L. Emerson, James L. Ilardy, William D. Stearns, JJeremiah Driscoll, L. A. Ty- ler, Elson D. Frye, J. H. Hutchinson, Nathan A. Cragin.
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HISTORY OF WILTON.
Brick and Stone Masons. Joel Hesselton. Charles Hesselton.
Brick Mason. John Gage.
Stone Masons and Stone Cutters. Elijah Putnam. J. R. Das- comb. John H. Sheldon, Isaac N. Hutchinson.
TANNERIES.
There have been four tanneries in Wilton. The first was on the place now owned by Mr. George S. Buss. It was started by Mr. Uriah Smith, but the date that he commenced it has not been as- certained. He sold to Asa Chandler, deed dated July 23, 1778. After Chandler came George Abbot, Benjamin Barrett. William Parker. Asa Jones, Marden & Mills. Asa Pollard and Benjamin T. Foster. Mr. Foster commenced business in the yard in February, 1836, and carried it on successfully for thirty-two years.
The site for the next vard, known as the Stockwell yard, was purchased of John Farrington by William Blaney, deed dated No- vember 13, 1799. The subsequent owners were Greenleaf Stevens. John Nutting and Elijah Stockwell. Mr. Sylvester Simonds was the last that did business on it.
Capt. Isaac Spalding came to Wilton from New Ipswich in 1800. He probably built his tannery soon after coming to Wilton. It was kept in operation more than forty years, the only occupants being Capt. Spalding and his son, Mr. Moses Spalding.
In 1863 Messrs. Andrew J. and Artemas Putnam built a tannery at the East village in which they did business for several years. but owing to financial embarrassments it is now unoccupied.
THE MESSRS. COLONY, MANUFACTURERS.
In the manufacture of woollen goods in New Hampshire, probably no other name is so prominent as is that of Colony. Josiah Colony. the first of the name to engage in woollen manufacturing, was born in Keene. April 8, 1791, and died June 5, 1867. He was born on the farm where his father was born and died, and where his grandfather lived a considerable portion of his life and died. He commeneed manufacturing in Keene in company with Francis Faulkner, under the name of Faulkner & Colony, and the firm name continues today, although the interests are represented by the third generation on one side and the second on the other,-Geo. D. Colony and Horatio Colony representing their father's interest on
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THE COLONY BROTHERS.
the Colony side. All his sons* have been interested in the manu- facture of all-wool flannels and dress goods.
On June 28, 1850, a manufacturing property situated in Harris- ville and purchased by Josiah Colony, was incorporated under the name of Cheshire Mills, and soon after Timothy, Henry, Alfred T. and John E. became stockholders. Henry was at the time of his death, and had been for many years. the treasurer of Cheshire Mills. Cheshire Mills at the present time is owned by Timothy Colony's estate, John E. Colony's estate, and by Horatio Colony, who purchased Henry's interest.
The number of hands employed in a flannel mill is small as com- pared with some other branches of woollen manufacture.
Faulkner & Colony run six sets of machinery. employ some sixty-two or sixty-three hands, consume from five to six hundred thousand pounds of unwashed wool (wool in the grease. or before scouring), and produce from 750,000 to 800,000 yards of flannel.
Cheshire Mills, in Harrisville, run nine sets of machinery, employ ninety-four or ninety-tive hands, consume from eight to nine hun- dred thousand pounds of wool (before scouring), and produce from 1,100,000 to 1,200,000 yards of flannel and dress goods.
The foregoing account was kindly furnished by Hon. Horatio Colony of Keene.
The mill at Wilton is owned and operated by Frank H. Colony, Fred. Colony and JJames Colony, sons of Henry Colony. The firm name is "Colony Bros." The mill has seven sets of machinery, is four stories high and is built of stone and brick. The main mill is 117x54 feet ; dye house, of one story, 60x40 feet ; boiler house, en- gine room and picker building, three stories, 36x40 feet. The firm began to build in 1882 and commenced business February 1, 1883. They make flannels and dress goods, produce yearly 1,000,000 yards and employ seventy-five hands.
* Timothy, born July 19, 1818, died October 31, 1882; George D., born May 6, 1x21; Henry, born March 23, 1>23, died July 18, 1884; Alfred T., born May 7, 1828, died December 15, 1876; John E., born April 12, 1831, died October 5, 183; Horatio, born November 141, 1835.
CHAPTER XVII.
PAUPERISM AND INSANITY.
In the earlier stages of New England civilization the condition of the abnormal members of the community, such as paupers. the in- sane. slaves and criminals, was a hard one. Puritanism made men and women stern, resolute, firm, severe, but not particularly gentle, compassionate. sympathetic, or humanitarian. God Himself was looked upon as King and Judge, rather than as the universal Fa- ther. If men suffered, the feeling was that they ought to suffer. It was the Hebrew code rather than the Christian : an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth. The Indians were regarded and treated as the children of the devil, and worthy of extermination. They were often sold into slavery. Slaves were made even of white men. Little compassion was felt for those who fell out of line, and did not keep step with the march of society. The poor were sold at auction for their maintenance to the lowest bidder. The insane were regarded with superstitious awe, and were often shut up in cold and filthy outhouses. sometimes chained, without fire, suitable clothing, proper food or medical attendance. In one town in New Hampshire a man was confined in a cage for thirty years, from which he had never been out but once ! The treatment of criminals was harsh and vindictive, and the condition of jails and lock-ups was a reproach to civilization and to Christianity. Orphan children, apprentices and the friendless often experienced little mercy or commiseration from those who had them in charge, or from the community. Domestic and school discipline, even to the more favored. was grounded on the proverb of "sparing the rod, and spoiling the child." Such was the general character of the times, to which there were, of course, many notable exceptions, worthy of all commendation.
But all these features are so changed now that they appear al- most incredible to later times. There have been no reforms more
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PAUPERISM.
remarkable than the amelioration of the condition and life of the weak and suffering classes. The leaven of Christianity has been leavening the whole lump and reaching out to the very outskirts of society. The spirit of Him who came not to destroy men's lives, but to save them, and to seek and save the lost. is becoming the corporate spirit of states and cities. When we consider the progress of the last one hundred and fifty years in the direction of humane and benevolent activity, we cannot but hope for still great- er and more beneficent changes in the near future.
Lecky, in his " European Morals," remarks that the merciful treatment of animals is one of the surest tests of an advanced Christian civilization. The mission in this country of Henry Bergh to prevent cruelty to animals has accomplished a great revolution of sentiment, and his recent decease has called forth noble testi- monies to his disinterested labors for those creatures of God which have no articulate speech to plead their own cause.
The Centennial Pamphlet tells us of the early paupers :
The first pauper in town was by the name of Stratton, who received aid from the town before the Revolution. From this time till 1830 there were but seven families-and these but in part-who were supported by the town. Some other individuals. but very few in number, have occa- sionally received aid. In 1830 a farm for the poor was purchased. and was carried on by the town for some years. The products of this farm were nearly sufficient in most years to pay the wages of the overseer and family. and for the support of the poor.
PROCEEDINGS IN RELATION TO THE TOWN FARM.
At the annual town meeting in March, 1830, the town
Voted, to purchase a farm on which to support the poor. Joel Abbot, Oliver Perham and Daniel Batchelder, selectmen, and Jonathan Parkhurst and Jonathan Livermore were appointed a committee to purchase a farm. stock, tools and furniture for the same, and to employ a man and his wife to manage the same.
The paupers were supported on this farm thirty-eight years.
At the annual town meeting in March, 1868, the town
Voted, that the selectmen appoint a committee of three to dispose of and sell the town farm.
Voted, that this committee sell the personal property on the town farm on the first day of April next.
Voted, that this committee be authorized and empowered to dispose of sell and convey said farm and to give a deed of the same.
-
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HISTORY OF WILTON.
The farm comprised lot No. 8 in the eighth range and about three- fourths of lot No. 8 in the ninth range of original lots. It had been formerly owned by Nathan A. Whiting. After the town sold the farm, the paupers were provided for hy contract, as before.
PROCEEDINGS IN REGARD TO HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY FARM.
The increase of manufacturing at Manchester, Nashua and other villages in the county, and the law passed in 1841, making void all settlements gained in the towns prior to 1796, added much to the number of the paupers to be supported by the county.
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