The history of Hancock, New Hampshire, 1764-1889, Part 10

Author: Hayward, William Willis, 1834-
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: Lowell, Mass., Vox Populi Press, S. W. Huse & Co.
Number of Pages: 1257

USA > New Hampshire > Hillsborough County > Hancock > The history of Hancock, New Hampshire, 1764-1889 > Part 10

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CHAPTER VI.

SOURCES OF INCOME.

THE pioneers of Hancock had but few sources of income, and stern necessity compelled them to practise the severest economy.

Of modern improvements and modern conveniencies they knew nothing. Money was scarce, and most of the limited business of the time was carried on by barter. Within the memory of the pres- ent generation this method of doing business was common.

Hay, grain, and other crops, and heavy loads of all kinds, were moved in summer as well as winter on sleds, for want of any thing better.

One of the early improvements was a vehicle unknown at the present day, and hard to describe. It was simply a slender crotched tree, with prongs some seven or eight feet long, to drag on

SOURCES OF INCOME.

the ground ; the trunk serving the purpose of a sled-spire. On the two prongs was placed a box, holding eight or ten bushels, called a car. Salmon Wood owned one of these "cars." Amos Tenney was more progressive ; he sawed off two sections of a large elm for wheels, and so constructed a rude vehicle that at the time was con- sidered a great advance on any thing that had yet been used.

It was a custom once a year to make formal visits, using ox- sleds to convey the family, with chairs and coverlets for the con- venience of the women and children.

On these occasions liquors were always served, and there was no little rivalry as to who should be able to serve the best.

The first chaise in town was owned by John Clark, the second by Sampson Tuttle, Sr.

The first " pleasure wagon " was owned by Prescott Hayward.

For many items of interest, in this connection, see centennial addresses, especially that of Mr. Robinson.

FORESTS.

Lumber was plenty and of extra quality. Unfortunately it was not well cared for. The forests were looked upon as the natural enemies of the settlers here as elsewhere.

A considerable income was derived from the burning of the monarchs of the forest, and converting the ashes into potash. Andrew Seaton, and perhaps others, carried on the business of making potash. His place of business was where afterward Oliver Whitcomb lived.

Charcoal burning was also carried on to some extent during the first sixty years of the town's history.

Considerable lumber for building purposes has been exported from time to time.

Timber has been, and is, sold from the farms every year for the manufacture of various kinds of wooden ware. The selling of wood for fuel has also for many years been carried on to some ex- tent, not only for home consumption, but also to some of the neigh- boring villages, and since our superior railroad facilities, to towns and cities more remote.

Maple sugar has been made from the sap of the sugar- or rock- maple every year since the first settlement of the town, and no doubt by the Indians before the arrival of our ancestors.

The early facilities for this purpose were poor compared with

HISTORY OF HANCOCK, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

those deemed necessary now. Instead of tapping the trees with an auger or bit, it was the custom to "box" them with an axe, an operation that in a few years would destroy the life of the tree. Rude wooden troughs for catching and holding the sap, and kettles hung on poles for boiling, have gradually given place to the nicely painted wooden and tin buckets, and the improved boiling pans and evaporators of to-day.

Hancock maple sugar has been sent as far south as Georgia, and as far west as California in our own country, and exported to China. In quality it has no superior.

Among the largest producers at the present time, we will men- tion David Wilds, A. S. Wood, Milan E. Davis, Albert Jaquith & Son, Charles Hayward & Son, Lakin & Tarbell, Orland Eaton, and Ebenezer Ware; some of whom have manufactured from one to two tons in a season.

Among others who manufacture less in quantity, but of fine quality, we would mention Asa D. Wood, John P. Hills, and Charles M. Sheldon.

CULTIVATED CROPS.

The first crop taken from the virgin soil was usually rye ; consid- erable flaxseed was also sown. Rye and flaxseed were used in matters of barter, indeed as a kind of currency.

Taxes were often paid with rye, also debts. Contracts were made with rye at so much per bushel as a basis.

From the flax was manufactured, in the homes of the settlers, a large proportion of the lighter clothing that was worn, to say noth- ing of the table linen, etc., used in the household.

It was expected that every man would have his clearing and rye- field each year.

The method of clearing the land where there was no demand for the timber was to cut down the trees, "lop" the branches, and after the wood was partially dried, to burn it on the ground. The charred logs were then rolled together into huge piles, and new fires were kindled and continued till they were entirely consumed. It was customary for the neighbors to gather together and make what they called "bees " to do this heavy work; hence the term " log-rolling," so often used in our own time.

In order to raise rye it was not necessary to plow the land ; in fact much of the land of Hancock never could be plowed ; but the .

SOURCES OF INCOME.

seed was sown broadcast on the burnt land and " scratched in" by hand. This process did not cease with the early inhabitants, as the writer distinctly remembers having had a "hand" in that kind of work.

Maize or Indian corn has always been a staple crop in the town. There was a time when it was exported to a certain extent, but more western corn is now imported and consumed in town than that of home production.

From the beginning our farmers have given considerable atten- tion to the culture of potatoes, but not until recently have many been exported. Formerly they were consumed at home, large quantities being fed out to the stock. Wheat enough for home con- sumption was raised for a time. The same may be said of oats and barley; but little grain of any kind is now sown in the town. Of pease and beans enough have been generally raised for home use, and for a long period " bean porridge " was a staple article of food.

The culture of flax was long ago abandoned here. I doubt if many of those living ever saw flax growing, or would recognize a field of flax were they to see it.

Grass is and always has been an important crop in Hancock. For a few years after the land was cleared abundant crops were gathered. The rougher portions of the land were gradually given up to pasturage, and no better pastures could be found anywhere. One who has long since passed away told me, some years ago, that he sold a pair of oxen from his pasture in June, and the purchaser who drove them to the Boston market, informed him afterwards that there was not a field that he passed in the entire distance, into which he would prefer to turn the oxen, than the pasture from whence they were taken. The gradual failure of these permanent pastures is perhaps the most discouraging feature in the agricultural prospects of the town. Where sixty years ago could be found, in the summer-time, an abundance of herds' grass, honey-suckle, and clover, to-day there is only a scanty crop of "June grass,"1 although in some places fair pasturage can yet be found. In the near future the only remedy for a large proportion of the rougher land will be to let it return to its original condition for a season. It is no more than justice, however, to say that large tracts of the smoother land

1 " White grass " is also appearing in places, and " hardhacks " and " brakes " seem to be increasing from year to year.

HISTORY OF HANCOCK, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

in town, under a wise system of culture, are growing more fertile year by year.

FRUIT.

In the inventory of 1793, one item, number of acres of orchard- ing, is marked zero. It is probable, however, that there were some apple-trees in town at that time. Levi Priest was among the first of those who planted apple-trees, bringing the seeds and perhaps young trees from his home in Leominster, Mass. William Lakin, Sr., brought a large number of young apple-trees from Groton, Mass., on his back, many of which were alive within the memory of the present generation.

The first apple orchards in town were mainly set for making cider, of which, in common with the inhabitants of other towns in New England, the people partook freely.

Later, with improved facilities for marketing, and the influence of the temperance reformation, improved varieties came into more general use. Within a few years the culture of orchards has taken a new impetus, and in addition to an excellent home market, thou- sands of barrels of apples are annually exported to England from this town.

C. E. L. Hayward is now the leading raiser and shipper, his crop exceeding one thousand barrels annually, with the prospect of a large increase in the near future. C. A. Whittaker has raised as many as one thousand barrels in a year. John F. Eaton, Lewis W. Alcock & Son, Ebenezer Ware, John P. Hills, and Lakin & Tarbell are also large raisers of apples for exportation. John H. Felch, Orland Eaton, Dr. A. E. Ware, Alvin F. Sheldon, George Sheldon, Porter B. Weston, C. M. Sheldon, Henry W. Ware, John C. Wilkins, and others are either large present or prospective growers of this fruit. The most popular variety is the Baldwin. Apples raised in Hancock have a reputation for excellence both at home and abroad. It is not an uncommon occurrence for farmers in neighboring towns to sell the apples of their own raising and buy Hancock apples.

Pears are raised to some extent, C. E. L. Hayward, Orland Eaton, John P. Hills, and Zenas Davis being among the largest growers of this fruit in town.

Peaches were formerly raised, but of late years that culture has been almost abandoned, the extreme cold of the winters having de- stroyed a large proportion of the trees.

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SOURCES OF INCOME.

Plums have always been raised, to some extent, and their pro- duction is increasing.

Grapes are also cultivated, although there are no large pro- ducers. Orland Eaton, C. E. L. Hayward, A. S. Wood, and Deacon Whitney, of Bennington, are among the prominent growers of this fruit. ·

There are several good blueberry lots in town, the owners of which find them a source of profit, among whom we would mention Rev. John W. Coolidge, James Cuddihee, Dea. A. D. Wood, Holt Kimball, and Mr. Anderson.

Wild high-bush blackberries are also plenty in their season, and the same may be said of wild red raspberries. Cultivated raspberries (chiefly blackcaps) are raised and shipped to some ex- tent from the town.

Cranberries are often found on the low lands, G. I. Hayward being the largest raiser.

Some years ago wild strawberries were plenty and of excellent quality. At the present time they are not so plenty, but cultivated strawberries are gradually taking their place.

LIVE STOCK.

Horses were early introduced into the town as beasts of burden, and for the first thirty years of the town's history most of the traveling was either on foot or on horseback.

Considerable attention has been given of late years to the im- provement of the breeds of horses, and they are gradually displacing oxen for labor on the farms and for teaming. But few mules have ever been raised or used in town.

From the first, cattle raising has been a prominent industry. Most of the early settlers brought with them one or more cows from their homes in the older towns. In the early history of the town milk was an important item of food. Butter and cheese were also made at the farm-houses, and taken to the towns on the seaboard by the farmers in person, for sale. In later years, especially since the railroad was completed through the town, the manufacture of butter and cheese has gradually decreased on the farms, while the sale of milk and cream has increased.

Considerable attention has always been paid to the raising of oxen for labor, but, as has been intimated, horses have gradually taken their place.

HISTORY OF HANCOCK, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

The raising of cattle for beef, once an important part of the business of our farmers, has also considerably decreased.

In the inventories of 1788, 1793, and 1798, no mention is made of sheep, but without doubt the farmers had small flocks of sheep that for some good reason were not taxed. From an early period down to within about forty years, most of the woolen clothing worn in town was manufactured at home. Our grandmothers knew how to card, spin, and weave, and the clothing thus made was made to wear, and it answered its purpose well.

It may not be out of place to say that not only was the cloth man- ufactured at home, but garments worn by the family were also made up there, and the same may be said of the boots and shoes worn. It was common for families to employ a tailoress in the fall to make up the winter clothing, and when her work was done, to send for the shoemaker, who brought with him his kit of tools, and set up business in the house of his employer for two or three weeks, as the size of the family might determine.

If, in the hurry of the annual making up of garments, the sleeves of the boys' jackets got misplaced, so that a boy of five years old had sewed into his jacket one of his own sleeves and one made for a brother three years older, and to the older brother were given the odd sleeves left, it might have been inconvenient for the boys, but no other notice was taken of it.

With the advent of the power-loom and other improved machinery, the home manufacture of woolen goods gradually passed away. There was, however, a great demand for wool, and the raising of it continued to be an important branch of industry. For a time dur- ing the civil war it commanded a price of one dollar, and sometimes more, per pound ; but of late years, wool has been so low, that there is not much inducement to raise it. Large flocks of Spanish-merino sheep have given place to breeds better adapted for the producing of mutton.

For many years the settlers permitted their swine to run at large, "ringed and yoked according to law." That the swine of those days had unusual privileges granted them the following incident in the life of Moses Dennis, Sr., will show. It was his duty one year to serve the notices of the annual training. In the discharge of it, as he was entering one of the log cabins, which being without win- dows was somewhat dark, he suddenly found himself most uncere- moniously caught up and carried out backwards, and as unceremoni-

SOURCES OF INCOME.

ously set down. He was so taken by surprise that at first he could not comprehend the meaning of his strange reception. He soon discovered that a hog in the house had been frightened by his en- trance, and in his haste to escape, ran between his legs (which were very short ones), caught him up, and deposited him as before stated.

Newly married men were annually chosen as "hogreeves"; a custom which has been continued to the present day. Their occupation, however, which was to catch and yoke all swine found doing damage to the public, at the expense of their owners, has departed.

It is said that some of the wild turkeys found here were domes- ticated, and it is possible that some of the descendants of these wild birds yet exist. Flocks of domestic turkeys have been kept in town from the first.

Geese were among the features of a well-regulated farm for many years, but recently they have diminished. The same may be said of ducks.

The rearing of hens, which from the first has been an important industry, has received a new impetus within the past few years. C. E. L. Hayward is said to have had at one time the greatest variety of the feathered tribes of any person in the known world.1 He keeps at the present time hundreds of fowls (chiefly Plymouth Rocks), and has scores of hen-houses scattered through his or- chards, on the Dea. Robert Duncan farm.

Zenas Davis, on the Wason place, has long been an extensive breeder, his stock sometimes running up into the thousands in number.

Among the large poultry raisers we might name J. H. Felch, Dea. Eli M. Baldwin, W. C. Goodhue, Orland Eaton, Rufus Tuttle, Henry W. Ware, Wilbur W. Hayward, Joseph A. Tarbell, and others.

MILLS AND MANUFACTURES.

Hancock, as now constituted, has never been noted for its manu- factures. The streams are small - much smaller at the present time than they were one hundred years ago. The cause of this decrease in the volume of water in our streams may be traced directly to the cutting off of the forests, - a subject that it may not be profitable

1 Mr. Hayward took over three thousand premiums as an exhibitor of fowls at fairs in a single year.

HISTORY OF HANCOCK, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

to dwell upon at this time, as our province is simply to relate the facts of history as far as they have come within our reach. Six- teen abandoned mill sites are to be found within the limits of the town at the present time. The sites of these mills can be found on our town map, marked with Roman numerals. No. I is the site of Samuel Ames' saw- and grist-mill, on Ferguson brook, not far from l'eterboro' line. In the town records of June 16, 1783, we find that it was "Voted, that Sam' Ames be freed from paying taxes for his mills this year."

At No. II was Volney H. Johnson's turning mill, on Davis brook, where he manufactured wooden bottles shaped like barrels. They were turned when the timber was green, and then dry heads were put in, the shrinking of the body of the bottles around the heads making them tight. After the lapse of more than sixty years some of these bottles are still in the possession of Dea. Orland Eaton. This mill was swept away by the great freshet of Aug. 27, 28, and 29, 1826.

Edmond Davis built the first saw-mill in town, in 1780, on Davis brook, at No. III.

At No. IV, on Davis brook, James M. Johnson built a sash and blind shop. He soon afterwards removed it to its present location on Hosley brook.

At No. V, on Davis brook, Richard Rand built a fulling-mill, but he never operated it. It was operated for a time by Jewett & Bux- ton, who, in addition to their fulling-works, had a carding machine, and also manufactured chairs. Jewett sold out to Buxton, who con- tinued to use it as a fulling-mill as long as it was profitable, when it was taken down.

Edmond Davis' second house, where some of the early religious and town meetings were held, was removed from No. 28 to No. VI, on Davis brook. One portion of it was fitted up for a dwelling- house, and another portion for a fulling-mill by Henry Prentiss, and so occupied by him as long as he remained in town. It was sold to Jason Ware in 1826, and continued to be a part of his house as long as he lived. It has recently been taken down, and the materials used in the building of Henry W. Ware's new house.

At No. VII, on Davis brook, Salmon Wood had a saw-mill; - carried away by the freshet in 1826.

At No. VIII, on Hosley brook, was Thomas Spaulding's grist-mill, afterwards operated for a time by Elisha Kent.

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SOURCES OF INCOME.

Henry Spaulding's grist-mill was at No. IX, on Hosley brook. In 1810 Mr. Spaulding sold out to Stephen Cragin. This mill was also swept away in the freshet of 1826.

No. X, on Hosley brook, is the site of the Fox tannery, built on land originally owned by Dea. James Hosley, by Samuel Fox about the year 1800. March 13, 1805, Mr. Fox deeded it, together with other real estate, including his residence, to his brother, Jedediah Fox, who, with his accustomed energy, soon built up a good busi- ness, and was employing several men at the time of the birth of his only son, Charles James Fox, in 1811. When he left the tan- nery for the hotel Mr. Fox sold out to the Sprague brothers (Wil- liam and John), who carried on quite a business for several years. They were succeeded by Elijah Reed and Jesse Mathews, under the name of Mathews & Reed, who manufactured shoes to some extent in addition to the business of tanning. The next owner was Robert G. Bell, who was succeeded by David Mathews and Robert H. Morrison, under the firm name of Mathews & Morrison. From time to time the business was increased and additions made, but the failure of parties in Boston caused the closing up of the business in 1855, and at the present time all the buildings have been removed.

No. XI, on Moose brook, is the site of Nicholas Lawrence's saw- mill. It afterwards passed into the hands of Bartholomew Thayer.

At No. XII, on Moose brook, at the foot of the bog, Jesse Rogers built a saw- and grist-mill, operated later by Elisha Kent and Levi Osmore. It was abandoned and finally burned, by a fire set by some boys from the village, who were fishing in the vicinity.

At No. XIII, on Moose brook, was a grist-mill built by Hunt & Kent, afterwards owned and run by Asa Symonds, Sr., later by Obadiah Hall.

At No. XIV, on Moose brook, was Amos Ball's bobbin-mill, in operation but a few years.

At No. XV, on Moose brook, Milton Hill had a cabinet shop; it was used for this purpose a short time, and some thirty years ago sold, to be removed to Antrim.

At No. XVI, on Moose brook, French & Symonds built and operated for several years a saw- and grist-mill; afterwards it was operated by French, later by others, and finally, T. D. Lakin used it for a saw-mill and turning-mill. He manufactured shovel and

HISTORY OF HANCOCK, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

hoe handles. Mr. French also made baskets at this mill. It was burned in 1872.1

Samuel Bullard carried on business as a hatter at the Center for several years.

The Bradford mill, on Ferguson brook, was built by Captain Bradford, to take the place of Samuel Ames' mill, as the flowing of the mill-pond of the Ames mill injured valuable land. Its owners have been Captain Bradford, Volney H. Johnson, Asa Davis, Jr., George Davis, A. E. Nutting, Charles N. Dennis, Elbridge Howe, and French & Danforth. It has been operated by some other persons not mentioned in the above list. John Cummings occupied the place at the time it was purchased by A. E. Nutting. For a long time it was a saw- and grist-mill. French & Danforth took out the grist-mill, and it is now only used as a saw-mill.

John Newell's mill was built by him in 1857. It is on Hosley brook. Jack's pond and Hunt's pond are both utilized as reservoirs for this mill. It is a saw- and grist-mill, and has a full set of machinery for the manufacture of pails; also a fine shingle-mill and iron-turning lathe, with much other machinery. It is the best- appointed mill in town, and is operated by an excellent mechanic.

James M. Johnson removed the mill that once stood at the place marked No. V, on Davis brook, to its present position on Hosley brook, where he carried on quite a business as a manufacturer of doors, sash and blinds, and other articles, for many years; but since his death, in January, 1886, but little business has been done here.

The Coolidge mills were first built by David Ames some ninety years ago. They have been owned or operated by David Ames, Robert Wyley, Levi Osmore, Moses Dennis, Jr., Asa Knight, Rod- ney Goodhue, D. L. & A. D. Wood, Owen A. Willey, Charles M. Flint, Flint & Crockett, and Rev. J. M. Coolidge, the present owner, who carries on an extensive business in the flour and grain trade. It has the advantage of a side-track from the Manchester & Keene railroad. It has always been both a saw- and grist-mill. It is situ- ated on Moose brook, and has the advantage of a reservoir in Willard's pond in Antrim.

1 Some time previous to the year 1793 a Mr. Murphy owned a fulling-mill, situated on Moose brook, not far from the place marked " T. D. Lakin." This latter fact was learned from the town records after the town maps were printed. The dams for two other abandoned mills spanned the river, but the mills were on the east side.

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ANNALS OF THE TOWN.

FOSTER'S TANNERY.

On the spot where this tannery now stands James Davis probably established a small tannery at an early date. About the year 1792 Stephen Poor came from Andover, Mass., and purchased the property. Being an enterprising man, he made many improvements and enlarged the business. At that time the bark was ground by a stone rolled over it by horse-power. Mr. Poor sold out to Joshua Foster about the year 1816. Mr. Foster built a bark-mill, rolling-mill, and fulling-mill on a small stream in the edge of Peterboro', and for many years carried on an extensive business. His working capital was about $6000, and the amount of business done annually about $6000. A few years before Mr. Foster's death the buildings were burned and rebuilt by him in a substantial manner. Charles O. and Adolphus G. Foster, sons of Joshua Foster, carried on the business in company for about three years, since which time Adolphus G. Foster has been the sole owner. He has put in a steam engine to grind the bark used, and otherwise improved the business.

Various other branches of industry have from time to time been carried on in town, but as the tendency in late years has been to centralize all kinds of business, but little is now done outside of purely agricultural pursuits.

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The history of Hancock, New Hampshire, 1764-1889, Part 10

Author: Hayward, William Willis, 1834- Publication date: 1889 Publisher: Lowell, Mass., Vox Populi Press, S. W. Huse & Co. Number of Pages: 1257

Author: Hayward, William Willis, 1834-
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: Lowell, Mass., Vox Populi Press, S. W. Huse & Co.
Number of Pages: 1257