USA > New Hampshire > Rockingham County > Windham > The history of Windham in New Hampshire (Rockingham country). 1719-1883. A Scotch settlement (commonly called Scotch-Irish), embracing nearly one third of the ancient settlement and historic township of Londonderry, N.H > Part 22
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MILLS AT WEST WINDHAM, 1836.
The factory at West Windham was built in 1836, size 60x40 feet, and three stories in height, and erected by John A. and A. R. Burnham. They put in one set of machinery, and manu- factured about 4,000 yards of satinet a month. They carried on business some two years, when the firm failed, caused largely by the great depression of business in 1837, and the heavy debts incurred in building the factory.
The machinery was sold, and the real estate fell into the hands of F. G. Stark.
In 1845, Ira Hersey, of Foxboro', Mass., bought this property, and manufactured worsted yarn. He was unsuccessful and failed.
The mill was subsequently bought by Judge Crosby, of Lowell,
190
HISTORY OF WINDHAM IN NEW HAMPSHIRE.
and Edward Titeomb, of Newburyport, Mass. The latter be- came proprietor, and manufactured cotton mattresses. The mill was destroyed by fire July 3, 1857, together with some 8600 worth of lumber near it.
POTASH.
This article was once manufactured at the foot of Senter's Hill in the Range. The corner of the old road was known as Potash Corner. The road is now called Potash Road.
BRICK-YARDS.
Clay was found on the Corliss place at Fletcher's Corner, and bricks were made there. Another yard, where quite an extensive business was done, was near the house now occupied by Veranus P. York. Many bricks of good quality were made by John Wilson. The clay from these yards was much used as mortar for building chimneys.
STORES AND STORE-KEEPERS.
John Nesmith, father of Col. Jacob M. Nesmith, kept store immediately front of Horace Berry's house. The well, now visible, stood in the porch in the front of the house. The store was com- menced previous to 1800, probably about 1780, as he died at the age of 44 years, and trade appears to have been his life business. The store was kept up till about ' 1815, when Thomas and John Nesmith started a store at Windham Centre. Henry Campbell kept store at the Henry C. Crowell place.
Hamilton Morison kept store at Horace B. Johnson's, on the Turnpike, not far from the year 1800.
John Dinsmoor kept a store at his house (known as the John Kelly place) some time previous to 1800.
STORE AT WINDHAM CENTRE, COMMENCED 1815.
Trade was commenced at the centre of the town by Thomas and John Nesmith in 1815. A room was hired of Robert Clark, when trade was commenced. They carried on business till 1822, when James Nesmith, their brother, took the store, and soon after went to Hudson. Between this date and 1832, the trade was carried on by George R. Nesmith and Samuel Wilson, and at another period by a Mr. Hodge. In 1832 Robert Bartley came from Hudson and commenced trade, and carried on business till 1837, when Francis A. Marden and Jonathan F. Underhill bought an interest in the store, and the firm-name was Bartley, Under- hill & Co., and so continued till the summer of 1838. During this time the firm started the store at West Windham, and this year Robert Bartley assumed exclusive management of the store at the Centre. Mr. Bartley continued trade there till his death, Nov. 26, 1867, with the exception of a short time, when
STORE AT THE JUNCTION, 1861. - RAILROADS. - RELICS. 191
the business was carried on by Robert B. Jackson and Joseph P. Crowell. Francis Bartley assumed control of the business on the death of his father. He sold to Benjamin O. Simpson in 1872. The latter sold his business to Minor G. Frye and Lev- erett J. Griffin, May 31, 1876. Frye sold to Griffin Oct. 1, 1877, and the latter closed his business July 12, 1881.
STORE AT WEST WINDHAM, BEFORE 1838.
It was commenced by Bartley, Underhill & Co., and in August, 1838, it was bought by Francis A. Marden, who formed a part- nership with Albert Brigham, May, 1839. In one year Mr. Mar- den assumed full control, until April, 1845, when he rented the store to Benjamin H. Fales, who failed in trade in October, 1845. Business was resumed by Mr. Marden in December of that year, and carried on till 1868, when he sold to James A. Nichols. Charles Smith, the present trader, bought out Nichols in Novem- ber, 1870.
STORE AT WINDHAM JUNCTION, 1861.
The building was built by Frank Wilbur, of New Salem, Mass., in the spring of 1861. The store was opened by Edwin N. Stick- ney, Sept. 21, 1861, who has been in trade till the present, with the exception of about one year ; part of 1862 and '63 business was managed by Charles Gilman; also, of some six months of 1870, when James Bartley was owner and manager.
MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS OF INTEREST.
First Juryman's Name found upon the Town Records .- 1742, Dec. 28. Voted that Robert Dinsmoor is to attend the Court at the Bank (Portsmouth) if need require. Wages 4s. per day and 10s. " for the hors haire." Voted William Gregg £30 for trouble in going to Bank.
Anointing of a Head .- Daniel Galt, a boy from Bedford, lived in town long, long ago. He was full of fun and jollity, which he carried too far on one occasion. Once during service in church he made fun of Jonathan Lawrence, of Hudson, who was present. This was too much for Lawrence, and he at once anointed the boy's head with his cane, which created quite a commotion.
Printing Town Reports .- First report known to be printed was in 1837; the Report of the Superintending School Com- mittee in 1856; town Reports in 1860, then 1862, and each sub- sequent year to the present.
Brass Band .- The Brass Band was organized in Dec. 1880, nine members, with L. J. Griffin leader. It flourished eighteen months and then disbanded.
The Glee Club was organized in 1856 and still exists. It was composed of the following members : Benjamin E. Blanchard,
192
HISTORY OF WINDHAM IN NEW HAMPSHIRE.
conductor, William D. Cochran, James Cochran, Edwin O. Dinsmoor, Horace Anderson, Milon Anderson, Albert A. Mor- rison. The club often appeared in public in this and neighboring towns, and won much favor by its musical ability.
RELICS.
William H. Armstrong has a looking-glass, very thick, with a heavy frame, which was brought by his emigrant ancestor from " over seas"; also, an old burean ; also, a Bible.
Albert A. Morrison has a Bible which was printed in Scotland, and came across the ocean a century and a half ago, and was used by his father's great-grandfather, James Morison, of Lon- donderry. Also, a cannon-ball, a relic of the Revolution. In a stone wall on his premises, near his house, can still be seen the stones of a cairn, or hand-mill, used in early times for grinding corn, before grist-mills were erected.
Leonard A. Morrison has a file of " The Essex Gazette," part of 1774 and part of 1775, printed at Salem, Mass. He has also a leather razor-case, which was a portion of the trophies of his grandfather, Samuel Morison, brought from the battle-field of Bennington, and which had belonged to the flying enemy.
James P. Hughes has an old powder-horn marked October, 1774. It was the property of Oliver Buttrick, of Pelham.
RAILROADS.
The Manchester & Lawrence Railroad. - In 1847, the Man- chester & Lawrence Railroad was chartered. The building of this road in 1848 and '49 was mostly done by Irishmen. Their shanties abounded by the score, and the workmen and their teams swarmed as thick as bees near the place of construction. Mounds of earth in many an old pasture near the railroad still mark the spot where their habitations stood. The difficulties met and over- come in the construction of the road between the Junction and Salem line were enormous. Near Mitchell's Pond, the road-bed was over an old meadow, probably once a pond. The road kept gradually sinking, and it was only after the most persistent efforts in "filling in," that a solid bottom was reached. Farther south, the road was cut through hills and ledges of granite. At the " Dump," near the " Arched Bridge," it required a " filling in," it is said, of some seventy feet for quite a distance, to make the road. But the work was rapidly pushed to completion, and trains commenced running in Nov. 1849.
Nashua & Rochester Railroad .- It was chartered in June, 1868; was located and construction commenced in 1872, and trains com- menced running in November, 1874. From Derry it passes through the John Hopkins farm, a few rods east of the house, connects with the Manchester & Lawrence Railroad at Windham Junction, and passes through the town to West Windham, where near Burnham Mills a station is located.
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193
POLICY POND. - BUSINESS DIRECTORY, APRIL, 1882.
POLICY POND, OR GRANITE STATE GROVE, STARTED 1850.
This is a popular resort, situated in the east part of Windham, on the banks of Policy Pond. It was commenced in 1850, when boats were kept to let, and parties often came there for a day's fishing. In 1857 the grounds were improved, a cook-house built, and two sail-boats were ready for use. In July, 1867, the grounds were bought by William Henry Smith, of Boston, Mass. He built in the fall of that year a large house, stables, bowling alley, and increased the number of boats to twelve or fifteen. He was proprietor till June 3, 1877, when he sold the property to Abel Dow, and he and his family removed to Boston. The large build- ing was destroyed by fire Sept. 6, 1877, causing a heavy loss to Mr. Dow. (See chapter on Accidents and Fires.) The building was rebuilt, and others were added. There are now, 1882, in the grove, two bowling alleys, one shooting gallery, seven swings, and fourteen pleasure boats.
BUSINESS DIRECTORY OF WINDHAM, APRIL, 1882.
Dry Goods, Groceries, and Grain. - E. N. Stickney, at the Junction ; Chas. Sınith, West Windham.
Milkmen. - Gardner G. Robinson, West Windham; Charles A. Reed, East Windham.
Butcher. - Samuel L. Prescott, South Windham.
Auctioneer. - John G. Bradford, Centre.
Baker. - John A. MeVoy, East Windham.
Watches and Jewelry. - Horace B. Johnson, on the Turnpike.
Veterinary Surgeon, Drugs and Medicines. - Dr. C. Manning, at the Junction.
Harness Maker. - H. M. Bugbee, Centre.
Painter. - George P. Gilbert, Centre.
Masons. - Moses C. Page, Ira G. Merriam, East Windham.
Clergymen. - Rev. Joseph S. Cogswell, Presbyterian, Centre ; Rev. Joseph S. Webster, Methodist, West Windham.
Woolen Mill. - George S. Neal, South Windham.
Cider Mills. - George E. Seavey, at the Junction, and at East Windham.
Steam Saw-mill. - George E. Seavey, at the Junction.
Water Saw-mill. - George E. Seavey, East Windham.
Saw-mill and Grist-mills. - John S. Brown, East Windham ; Thomas W. Simpson, South Windham,
Justices of the Peace. - Joseph P. Crowell, Benjamin E. Blanchard, Leonard A. Morrison, William C. Harris, Thomas W. Simpson.
Carpenters. - John W. Hanson, East Windham; Charles F. Wheeler, at the Junction.
Depots. - Junction of the Manchester & Lawrence and Nashua & Roch- ester Railroads; and at West Windham, on Nashua & Rochester Railroad.
Telegraph and Express Offices at those depots.
Postmasters. - E. N. Stickney, Junction; James Cochran, Centre ; Geo. S. Neal, South Windham ; Charles Smith, West Windham.
Pleasure Resorts. - Policy Pond Grove, proprietor, Abel Dow; on Cob- bett's Pond, proprietor, Isaac Richardson.
194
HISTORY OF WINDHAM IN NEW HAMPSHIRE.
CHAPTER XVIII.
WINDHAM LITERATURE. - BOOKS AND AUTHORS. - COLLEGE STUDENTS AND GRADUATES. - MINISTERS. - PHYSICIANS. - LAWYERS. - DEPUTY SHERIFFS. - POST-OFFICE, POST-RIDERS, AND POSTMASTERS. - FIRST POST-OFFICE. - FIRST POSTMASTER IN WINDHAM. - WINDHAM'S POST- RIDERS. - POSTMASTERS AT WINDHAM, WEST WINDIIAM, WINDHAM JUNCTION, FESSENDEN'S MILLS.
THIS list comprises most of the names of books and pamphlets written and published by residents of the town, with the date of publication.
Thomas Blackwell's Book on Genuine Revealed Religion, with an Introduction to the American Edition by Rev. Simon Williams. Also a small book by the Presbytery. These were both published previous to 1793, by Rev. Simon Williams.
Funeral Sermon of Miss Mary Colby, daughter of Rev. Zac- cheus Colby, of Chester, N. H., delivered Dec. 14, 1815. Printed 1816.
Memoirs of Miss Mary Campbell, daughter of David Camp- bell, of Windham, who died July 21, 1819. Printed 1820.
Questions on Christian Experience and Character. Printed 1827. It passed through two editions. The second was printed in 1828. Farewell Sermon about 1826. These were all written or compiled by Rev. Samuel Harris.
Poems of the " Rustic Bard," 264 pp. Printed 1828, by the author, Robert Dinsmoor.
Thanksgiving Sermon, printed 1835, by Rev. Calvin Cutler.
Sketch of the Presbyterian Church of Windham, in the His- tory of the New Hampshire Churches. Printed 1856. Sermon on National Fast, after the assassination of President Lincoln in 1865, by Rev. Loren Thayer.
Centennial Sermon. Printed 1876. By Rev. Charles Packard.
The Thanksgiving Sermon, in 1835, by Rev. Calvin Cutler; the Sermon of Rev. E. L. Parker, of Derry, on the death of Rev. Calvin Cutler, preached in 1844; the Sermon on the day of the National Fast, 1865, by Rev. Loren Thayer; the Centennial Sermon of Rev. Charles Packard in 1876; together with the com- plete list of printed town and Superintending School Committees' reports of Windham to 1882, the earliest in 1838, have been made accessible to the people by being bound in a substantial manner, making one volume, and placed in the Nesmith Library by the compiler, Leonard A. Morrison.
195
COLLEGE STUDENTS AND GRADUATES.
The three following works were written and edited by Leonard A. Morrison :
History of the Morison or Morrison Family, octavo, 470 pp. 1100 copies. Published 1880.
Condensed History of Windham, N. H., for The History of Rockingham and Strafford Counties, New Hampshire. Pub- lished 1882.
History of Windham, N. H. 725 copies. Published 1883.
Mrs. Margaret M. (Park) Dinsmoor is the author of numerous poems which have appeared in different periodicals.
The following persons act as correspondents for different newspapers and publications: Mrs. Sarah J. (Abbott) Titcomb, Joseph P. Crowell, William S. Harris, Mrs. Margaret M. (Park) Dinsmoor, and Leonard A. Morrison.
COLLEGE STUDENTS AND GRADUATES.
Names of Windham's College Graduates, with years of gradua- tion, and those who entered college. For history of each, see Genealogical History.
AMHERST COLLEGE, AMHERST, MASS.
John M. Harris, grad. 1839. Rufus A. Morrison, grad. 1859.
Charles 11. Crowell was a member of Orren Moore, entered Sept., 1854, the college two years. and was there one year.
Samuel Morrison, grad. 1859.
BROWN UNIVERSITY, PROVIDENCE, R. F.
John Hopkins entered the Freshman class Sept. 1820, was there three years, and died while in college.
DARTMOUTH COLLEGE, HANOVER, N. H.
Gilbert T. Williams, 1784. Edward Pratt Harris, grad. 1826. Nathaniel Hills, grad. 1841.
Simon Finley Williams, 1785.
Silas Betton, grad. 1787.
James Dinsmoor, grad. 1841.
Samuel Armour, grad. 1787.
Samuel Dinsmoor, grad. 1789.
Silas Dinsmoor, grad. 1791.
John Park, grad. 1791.
Jolın H. Williams, grad. 1798.
James Dinsmoor, grad. 1813.
John Kezer, grad. 1826, med. col.
HARVARD UNIVERSITY.
George J. Abbott, grad. 1835. Alexander F. Marden, grad. 1863.
Herman E. Davidson, son of Ham- ilton Davidson, grad. 1836.
MIDDLEBURY COLLEGE, MIDDLEBURY, VT.
James Hills, entered 1835, attended three years.
WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY, MIDDLETOWN, CT.
Cadford M. Dinsmoor, grad. 1851. Hannah Ada Taylor (see Taylor Family), grad. 1876.
YALE COLLEGE, NEW HAVEN, CT. Jonathan L. Noyes, grad. 1852. Carroll Cutler, grad. 1854.
Silas M. Blanchard, grad. 1842.
Charles Cutler, grad. 1852.
James M. Whittaker, grad. 1861.
Cassius S. Campbell, grad. 1868. Andrew W. Cochran was in college two years.
196
HISTORY OF WINDHAM IN NEW HAMPSHIRE.
The following individuals, not college graduates, have attained honorable rank in their professions : -
Judge Silas M. Cochran, of Baltimore, attained eminence in his pro- fession.
Silas Milton Moore, of Chicago, was a popular teacher in Chester Academy.
Dr. Isaac Thom, a prominent physician in Windham and Derry.
Dr. Benjamin F. Simpson, of Lowell, Mass.
Dr. Daniel L. Simpson, late of West Rummey.
Dr. John Reid Crowell, late of Brooklyn, Michigan.
MINISTERS.
Rev. William Johnston was installed in the spring of 1747. Dismissed July, 1752.
Rev. John Kinkead, installed Oct. 1760. Dismissed April, 1765. .
Rev. Simon Williams, ordained Dec. 1766. His pastorate continued till his death, Nov. 10, 1793.
Rev. Samuel Harris, ordained Oct. 9, 1805. Dismissed Dec. 6, 1826.
Rev. Calvin Cutler, installed April 9, 1828. Ilis pastorate continued till his death, Feb. 17, 1844.
Rev. Loren Thayer, ordained Nov. 5, 1845. Dismissed April 25, 1866.
Rev. Joseph Lanman, installed June 2, 1868. Dismissed Feb. 6, 1872. Rev. Charles Packard, installed April 29, 1873. His pastorate continued till his death, Feb. 20, 1881.
Rev. Joseph S. Cogswell, installed Dec. 21, 1881.
PHYSICIANS.
The name of Dr. Archibald is seen upon the county records as early as 1740 or '41. He owned land upon Golden Brook. It-is not known that he was a practising physician and resident here, though it is probable.
The first regular physician of whom we have a distinct account is Dr. Isaac Thom. He commenced practice in 1769, was very successful, remained in town thirteen years, and in 1782 removed to Londonderry. (See Gen. Reg.)
Dr. George Kezer was here in September, 1784, and was a practising physician till 1792 or '93, when he removed to North- field, N. H. (See Gen. Reg.)
After the departure of Dr. Kezer, the town was destitute of a physician for a number of years, and the people were obliged to depend upon the physicians of other towns. Dr. Kittredge of Andover, Dr. Harris of Salem, and a Dr. Bricket were often called ; also Dr. Farrar of Derry, and Dr. Saltonstall of Haver- hill, Mass.
Dr. Pettengill was the next of whom we have any information. He was a single man, and lived in the family of Philip Haseltine in the Range. Whence he came, or whither he went, I know not.
Dr. Walbridge was in town as early as 1812, and practised his profession. He was associated with Dr. Harris of Salem before he came to town. He was succeeded by
Dr. Osgood, who came from Salem, Mass., or its vicinity. He lived in the Range at or near Samuel Armour's, about two years.
197
PHYSICIANS. - LAWYERS. - DEPUTY SHERIFFS.
He was a very kind, sensitive, and sympathetic man. His sym- pathy for the sick was such that he relinquished his profession and left town.
Dr. JJoseph Scoby, of Francestown, came here JJuly 31, 1810, and lived in the Centre. He was a very passionate man, pos- sessed fair abilities, but his life was not such as to command the full respect of his fellow-citizens. He died in town about 1825.
Dr. James W. Perkins, of Mount Vernon, came to town about 1820, and was here in 1829. Left about 1830. (See Gen. Reg.)
Dr. Milton Ward was his successor. He was here in 1831, was a well-read physician, and remained five or six years. (See Gen. Reg.)
Dr. Benjamin F. Simpson commenced practice in town in spring of 1830, and practised twelve years, till 1842, when he removed from town. (See Gen. Reg.)
Dr. Daniel Lang Simpson located as practising physician in 1832; lived here sixteen months, and removed from town. Re- turned for a short time in 1837. (See Gen. Reg.)
Dr. A. F. Putnam came here July, 1836; removed from town June, 1844. (See Gen. Reg.)
Dr. Ira Weston came to Windham in spring of 1844, where he practised till his death, Oct. 12, 1863. (See Gen. Reg.)
Dr. Simeon D. York; not a regular practising physician in town. (Sce Gen. Reg.)
Dr. Charles S. Boynton came to town Oct. 27, 1864. He left July 5, 1866. (See Gen. Reg.)
Dr. George Herbert Greene came to Windham in 1866; left January, 1869. (See. Gen. Reg.)
Dr. Henry S. Davis came to town in November, 1870; left in December, 1876. (See Gen. Reg.)
Dr. Daniel W. Dimock appeared upon the scene in November, 1876, and practised his profession till the spring of 1881, when he removed to Monson, Mass., where he now resides. (See Gen. Reg.)
Since the death of that much-esteemed citizen and physician, Dr. Ira Weston, the town has several times been without a resi- dent physician, but its citizens have not lacked for good medical attendance when sick. Since 1856, Dr. D. O. Smith, of Hudson, has had a large practice here. Dr. Merrill, of Salem, formerly attended some families, and his place is now filled by Dr. G. C. Howard, who is the medical adviser of many of our people.
LAWYERS.
This has not been an attractive or remunerative field for mem- bers of this profession. The first lawyer to locate here was Loammi Davidson, son of Frank Davidson, of Nottingham West, now Hudson. He came in 1817, and died soon after. He was succeeded by Isaac McGaw, who came in 1719, and practised till 1848, when he removed to Merrimack, N. H. (See Gen. Reg.)
198
HISTORY OF WINDHAM IN NEW HAMPSHIRE.
DEPUTY SHERIFFS.
Where lawyers abound, deputy sheriffs also abound. This list is believed to include all of our citizens who have served in that capacity.
William Smith, appointed 1821; served till 1827 inclusive.
John T. Senter, appointed 1822; served till 1827 inclusive.
Jonathan Cochran, appointed 1828, and served 11 years.
George W. Weston, appointed Sept. 10, 1868; resigned July, 1870. John G. Bradford, appointed Oct. 16, 1871; held office a short time.
POST-OFFICE, POST-RIDERS, AND POSTMASTERS.
In " ye olden time," letters were rarely written. They were occa- sionally written to give tidings of absent and long-separated friends, and upon pressing business matters. The people were not a writing people; their business was not such as to demand the frequent use of letters, and the mails (if any existed at the time of the first settlement) were so infrequent and costly as to prevent it. Let- ters were often and usually sent by some person or friend going to the place which the letter was designed to reach, and often a person would be sent to carry it, when the business was of a public nature and of importance. It is only within the last forty years that the mail service has been so systematized, and arrived at that degree of perfection and cheapness, as to make its daily use almost indispensable to the average American.
Feb. 22, 1757, in regard to a minister, the town "voted to send a Letter by some fitt person to Mr. Dunlap & to pay the charge of carrying it from Albany to Cherry Valley," and chose a com- mittee to attend to this duty.
A convention or congress of New Hampshire, in opposition to kingly rule, met in Exeter in May, 1775. This convention established post-offices in the State. The mails so carried were carried by post-riders on horseback.
In 1790, Samuel Bean was post-rider from Boston to Concord, N. H. His route was through Andover, Haverhill, Atkinson, Kingston, Exeter, Epping, Nottingham, Deerfield, Pembroke, to Concord ; returning, he passed through Londonderry (now Derry E. Village) and Haverhill .* He went once a week. Undoubt- edly he brought the Windham mails.
In 1791, the legislature of New Hampshire established "four routes for posts," and post-riders took a circuit of towns, " carried and fetched " the mails, making one trip a week.
In 1794 only five post-offices existed in New Hampshire. The following shows the postage on letters in 1795 :
Every single letter conveyed by land not exceeding 30 miles, 6 cents. Over 30 and not exceeding 60, 8 cents. 100 150, 128 "
* Chase's History of Haverhill, Mass., p. 153.
FIRST POST-OFFICE, 1805. - POST-RIDERS. - POSTMASTERS. 199
Over 150 and not exceeding 200, 15 cents.
200 66
250, 17 66
250
350, 20
350
450, 22 66
450
25 66
The rates were not changed materially till a recent date.
In 1801, the nearest post-office to Windham people was in Lon- donderry, now Derry East Village, and Dr. Isaac Thom, one of Windham's sons, was the first postmaster.
FIRST POST-OFFICE, 1805. - FIRST POSTMASTER IN WINDHAM.
In 1805 (or 1806), the first post-office was established in town, and Andrew Park was postmaster. He lived where Mrs. Isaiah Dinsmoor lives, and it was kept in his house, which stood on the west side of the highway. He held the office till 1814.
WINDHAM'S POST-RIDERS.
Horace Park, son of the postmaster, carried the mails on horseback from Billerica, Mass., through Pelham- and Windham, to East Londonderry, now Derry. William Morrison, son of John Morison, carried the mail from Haverhill to Windham once a week for a long time.
This slow process of carrying the mails continued during the war of 1812-15. The fact that the government buildings had been burned in Washington was not known in Boston for nearly a week after the event.
Samuel Senter became postmaster in 1814. He lived at and owned the G. S. Neal mill property, and held the position until 1820, when Dr. Joseph Scoby became postmaster, and the office was removed to the centre of the town.
The following will show the names of postmasters at the dif- ferent offices in town, and the years of service since 1820, as taken from the New Hampshire Register : -
POSTMASTERS IN WINDHAM.
Dr. Joseph Scoby, from 1820 to 1824. Isaac MeGaw, from 1825 to 1829. Samuel Armour, from 1830 to 1831. John A. Gale, from 1832 to 1835. Robert Bartley was postmister from 1836 to 1869, or 33 years; and the office was kept in the store; succeeded by his son.
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