USA > Vermont > Essex County > Guildhall > A history of Guildhall, Vt > Part 7
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15
This, the first mill built in this county was erected upon the stream now known as mill brook, and on the farm now on ned by Mr. Geo. S. Boyce, in the locality known as the "North Road." For want of sufficient water power it was not a very successful affair. The work as already stated was commenced as early as 1778 by Mr. Abner Osgood,
14
122
HISTORY OF GUILDIIALL.
that year he commenced getting out some large timbers, as well as doing something toward starting the work on the dam, but the next year he was assisted by Col. Ward Bailey, and these two men with a few others completed the work. This mill was in operation until the year 1801 when the mill stones were sold and taken to Stark, N. II. Thus making those mill stones about as historic as any in this country, for they were used in the first mills built in the following places viz: Northern N. H., an I .N. E. Vt., Coos Co., Essex Co., and the towns of Northumberland, Guildhall and Stark. Mr. H. Willard took the writer to the spot where this mill was erected, and we found down in the water the old flume timbers, preserved in good condition to the present day, remaining, as they have, in the water nearly 110 years. There have been two similar mills built on this spot at different times, and this year, (1885) Mr. Sylvester Moody is erecting one.
It appears from a petition to the Legislature of N. HI .. that Mr. Enoch Bartlett of Haverhill, N. H., built in Northumberland a grist mill and saw mill. These mills were probably built at least only one or two years prior to 1780, being constructed on the stream running into the Connecticut a little above Guildhall Falls, called Dean Brook, and were probably erected near the place where the old Taunery Building now stands, and where Benja- min Rich is to have his Shingle and Lath mill.
.
DEAN BROOK, AS IT ENTERS THE CONNECTICUT.
125
HISTORY OF GUILDHALL.
It is hardly probable that they were built at the falls on the Connecticut,* as it required the co-operation of parties on both sides of the river to accomplish what was then the very hard task of building a dam across the river, and it seems that the Guildhall people were not in harmony with this man's idea of building mills in this region, for as has been already stated in his petition, which appears in a previous chapter, in Sept. 1779, a party from the Ver- mont side of the river, went over to this mill and cut and destroyed the water wheels, shafts and other articles in the mill and took when they returned all the iron work, mill stones and gear, also what boards were convenient to carry, and used them in the completion of their own mills.
Most of our writers in various sketches of different parts of this locality, claim that the Guildhall mill was the first built in this region: we wish it were so, and in fact such may have been the case, but we have shown that mills were erected in Northumberland and the materials there- from taken to complete a mill being built in Guildhall.
We do not say that any one from Guildhall did these acts of injustice, in tearing down and destroying property in the Granite State but will let others judge for themselves;
·We do not stand alone in making these assertions, for in a con- versation with Dr. I. W. Watson of Concord, N. H., Secretary of the State Board of Health, for that State, and formerly a very able Physi- cian at Groveton, N. II., he first gave ns the idea. We wish to add that the Dr. is very thoroughly preparing a history of the town of Northum- berland, which we hope will soon be published. People of Northum- berland should appreciate his efforts and help him to publish a grand history of that historic town, which in early days contained two of the four forts which were erected in this section, and were used as places of safety by the settlers for many years, or until the time of danger and peril was over.
126
HISTORY OF GUILDHALL.
nevertheless, this Mr. Bartlett said that the Vermont- ers did take his mill stones etc., and used same in the construction of their own mills, and as the Guildhall mill was the only other one built in this region for years, it looks as if Mr. Bartlett's property was instrumental in the advancement of our town. On the other side it was claimed that the parties taking this property away had bought it and had a perfect right to do as they did. Whether they ever paid for it, is another thing; and from the fact that the New Hampshire authorities never took the property back by force, or in any other way, it rather looks as thought the Guildhall "thieves and robbers" were not that kind of people, but did what has been done in town a great many times since, i. e., bought property which they did not pay for. Guildhall people from that day to the present time were never known to steal to any grout, extent.
In the year 1786 the first mills were erected at the falls on the Connecticut by Col. Ward Bailey ; this was a great blessing to this portion of the country, for up to that year there had been no framed houses erected, for want of necessary material. These mills were of the old stamp, and were operated until about 1844.
In the neighborhood of 1800, a Carding mill was built. in the village, which run for a number of yours, anl the owners were very successful, as this was one of the first mills of this kind constructed in this section.
127
HISTORY OF GUILDHALL.
· There was also as early as 1800, a Distillery, and later a Brick-yard erected, and both were located in the pasture now owned by Mr. Hubbard Willard; and also several Potash establishments in town ; this in those days was quite a pursuit. There were two in the village; one stood where is now Mr. HI. E. Hubbard's garden, and the other on the meadow bick of Mr. Geo. Hubbard's dwelling.
A queer incident took place in this latter one a great many years ago. An old nigger died in town, and the doctors thought they would disseet his body. As they wished to keep the matter quiet, thought they would go to this potash and boil the flesh from his bones: accord- ingly late one night they went to this place and started a ronsing fire under the large kettle, which was partly filled with lye; they put the nigger in and sat around the fire telling stories etc., until, as it was getting very late, and stories had given out they partially fell asleep. While they were in this state the body becoming swollen and the lye boiling at a great rate in the kettle, all at once, ont he came! right over on some of them who were sleep- ing! ! Frantically they flew for the door: out into the cool air, of that beautiful night, they came to their senses and looking each other in the face for a few minutes, each wondering which was the greatest fool, when they mustered up courage and returned, replaced the unfortunate colored man to his place in the kettle, and completed the job they set out to do.
128
HISTORY OF GUIL.DILALA.
Mr. Milton Cutler says "in early years, before cotton had become the great article it now is, tow-and-linen flourished to quite an extent and premiums were offered by towns to the family that produced the greatest number of yards in any one year, and dressed flax was an article of export."
About the year 1$20, there was a hat factory near the bridge, in the village, and afterwards one in the house now owned by Mr. C. E. Benton. A comical incident happened in the first named factory many years ago. They used to keep a little "spirit" on hand most of the time. so Luke Parsons an old blacksmith in town thought he would take advantage of the occasion, as he saw a bottle behind the door and all the men were in another room, to take a drink. He took up the bottle taking a good swig, but to his surprise it proved to be oil of vitrol! The dose was a severe one, for it nearly killed him. A lady in town at that time composed a few lines about it; we are unable to give them in full, but some were told the writer by one of the older citizens in town which we give.
"I went into the Hatter's Shop, And there I took my dram : I took the oil of vitrol Which liked to ruined me.
I sent for a Physician Who came in n great haste
Yon, my worthy Sodomite .* Take warning then by me ; Never take a bitter pill
For death t'will surely be."
·Gullhall Village was at one time nick - named Sod un.
129
HISTORY OF GUILDHALL.
Col. Henry Hall, for a great many years, run an ex- tensive harness and saddle factory in the village.
In the year 1>30 Gilbert B. Mann built a saw mill on the Burnside Brook, nearly half a mile from the river, which did considerable business during high water. Mr. Keyes constructed a similar mill there later, about the same as Mr. Mann's mill; the latter was taken down in 1885, and removed to Mill Brook by Mr. Moody, to aid him in the construction of his mill at that place.
Several mills have been erected on other streams at various times, but some years since became extinct.
Mr. James Hall and others built new mills at Guild- hall Falls, about the year 1845 ; they were a Saw Mill, and Grist Mill. They have been at varions times re- modeled and greatly improved. Mr. Hall run the mills for a number of years. Jacob Rich purchased from Mr. Hall, and Mess. Moore & Chase, from Mr. Rich, in the spring of 1866. This firm not only operated the mills on the Vt. side of the river, but controlled all the mills at this place, on both sides of the Connecticut. In 1873 they dissolved partnership, Mr. Moore taking the Guild- hall mills and Mess. R. Chase & Co., those in Northum- berland. In 1880, Mr. Moore sold out to John B. Parker and Wm. H. Gray, who now operate these mills. They manufacture from four to six million feet of lumher each year beside large quantities of laths, shingles and clap- hoards.
The village hay scales, which stood in the square near
15
130
HISTORY OF QUILDIIALL.
the Essex House, were for a long time the'standard scales of this section, but there was almost always dissatisfact- ion regarding the figures which were given and claimed to be the correct weight of the many various things which were taken to these scales to be weighed. Seeing the necessity of having in this locality scales which would de- termine accurately the weight of any thing in this line, the firm of R. Chase & Co., (who had had a similar pair near their mills in Northumberland, and these too being of no value to them in the capacity of scales, ) bought a new pair, a New York State make. The new scales were placed near their store, and soon after, the Guildhall scales were taken up and removed, for Mr. Chase had put be- fore the people of this section scales which proved so clear- ly their superiority over those just mentioned that the new ones completely run out the others. The scales which were removed were Fairbanks scales, but were very old and the owner neglected to keep them in repair.
BLACKSMITHS.
Among some of the more prominent blacksmiths who have carried on business in town we find Mr. Oliver Hancock was the first mentioned blacksmith, and founder and in consideration of "his extraordinary ingenuity" he was voted 90 acres of land, "provided he or any other person on the premises, do business 8 years."
Mr. John Ross was a blacksmith in town for over 20 years; he had his shop on land near where Frank Hall's storehouse is now situated.
131
HISTORY GUILDHALL.
Luke Parsons was one of Guildhall's blacksmiths, years ago. Mr. Proctor was a blacksmith and had erected a new shop when Mr. Jonathan Poole bought him out, and carried on business at that place from 1×58, until his death, Sept. 21, 1885.
TRADE.
At one time Guildhall was the chief town of this section as regards trade, as well as in all other ways. There are at the present time two general merchandise stores in town. They do a good business, yet the larger part of trading by the people of our town is done at Lancas- ter.
Among the early traders were Thos. H. Tillotson, and afterwards the firm of Tillotson & Carlisle.
Geo. E. Hohes kept store in a building which stood on land between the two stores now in the village.
Edward A. Webb traded in a building which stood where Mr, Geo. Hubbard's dwelling is now located.
Greenleaf Webb for a good many years had a store in the old bank building, and afterwards the firm of Grin- nell & Webb traded in the same place.
About 1840, Allen Gould took this old store; he soon had a partner, and the firm of Gould & Nelson did a flourishing business for a number of years.
John Burt had a store on the first floor of the Essex House about 1842. In 1843 Geo. Hubbard bought out this store; he continued his business in this building two years when he removed to the old corner store, where he remained some seven years.
132
HISTORY OF GUILDHALL.
For want of more and better rooms, he built a new store building, where he remained some 16 years. Mr. Hubbard sold his store and business at this time to Mess. Hall & Copp, who traded in this place for a while, but finally Mr. Hall bought Mr. Copp's interest, and he con- tinues business at this place to the present time.
The other store now kept in the village was originally built, and run by a Mr. Blodgett, and for a long time was known as the "Blodgett store." Mr. Darling kept here for a few years, also Hon. Wm. H. Hartshorn, and a Mr. Wood; in later years Mr. Geo. Hubbard and his sons, Thos. H. and Horace E. The latter now runs this store.
HOTELS.
Although several individuals at different times and in different parts of the town had kept a sort of public house, yet we believe Mr. Nathan Cass was the first regular hotel keeper, for in the year 1800, he obtained from the County Court a tavern license, and we think he had already kept tavern some years, but it seems that others were also keeping public places, for at the next term of Court in 1801, David Hopkinson, and John Dana also received tavern licenses.
We will not attempt giving a list of people who have kept public honses at various times in town, for at one time, all through the country there was a tavern every few miles, but since the Railroads have been constructed through the valleys of this region, we find the hotels have dropped off, until now we have only one, which is very
č
JC
MAIDSTONE LAKE.
HISTORY OF GUILDHALL. 135
pleasantly located in the village. This is the Essex Ilonse, which is one of the best hotels in this section of the State, and is very hospitably run by Mr. Charles E. Hartshorn who is liked by all who chance to stop there.
To people who go to the country to spend the summer months, we would especially recommend this house; the surroundings cannot be beaten. It is within a few hours ride of Mount Washington, 15 miles to Brunswick Springs and 7 miles to Maidstone Lake. Although seemingly foreign to the subject of this History, we cannot help say- ing a few words about this beautiful lake, which is located so near our town. The lake is surrounded entirely by forests of the most beautiful pine, spruce and hemlock trees.
It is three miles long and one mile wide. Its waters are clear, deep and silvery, containing a species of trout called lunge. It is one of the lovely and romantic spots of the State. Near the easterly side of the lake, and near the base ofa hill is a cave, which is a most wonderful place. One can traverse its subterranean passage for many hundred feet.
We could devote a whole chapter in telling of the ad- vantages which this Town and Hotel offer to those wish- ing a pleasant and beautiful spot to spend a few weeks in the summer, but will simply say that when once in this, the coming resort of the county, you are at a place where in one hour's time you can either be in the wilds of the Green Mountains, or climbing the steep hills of the White Mountain State.
136
HISTORY OF GUILDHALL.
PHYSICIANS.
The following individuals have been resident physi- cians in town; the dates given generally express the time iu which each individual was practicing medicine either in town or vicinity, the precise number of years each remain- ed we are unable to give. Beside those given there were some others, of whom particulars in many cases, cannot be readily obtained.
Dr. Gott, 1785.
Dr. Zadok Sampson, 1790.
Dr. Thayer, 1805.
Dr. Geo. A. Bolton 1810.
Dr. Mc. Dole 1820.
Dr. Bernico Richardson, the year we are unable to give. Dr. John Dewey, 1824.
Dr. Walter Burnham
1830.
Dr. Saml. Curtis 1835. Dr. James Bullock 1838. Dr. H.L. Watson 1840 Dr. B. W. Dodge 1860 Dr. N. S. Boyce 1862 Dr. W. II. Leith 1884.
CHAPTER
'The old Essex Bank-Newspapers.
ESSEX
.
BANK
It may seem indeed strange E Old SALE to our people to think that there ever was money enough in Guildhall to run a bank, yet many of our older people, in refreshing their memory can look back at the old bank on the corner, which so flashingly sprang up in the early part of this century, but faded out almost as quickly as it came. Very little is apparently known of this bank at the present time, we may say especially among the young- er people or even among those who are the active men of this generation. As the most information we are able to obtain in regard to this bank is contained in a report to the Vermont State Legislature, we here publish the
138
HISTORY OF GUILDIIALE.
"REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE UPON THE AFFAIRS OF THE ESSEX COUNTY BANK.
To the honorable the General Assembly of the State of Vermont now in session:
Your committee, appointed at the last session of this General Assembly, 'to investigate the situation and con- cerus of the Bank of Essex County, etc.,'respectfully report-
That, in attending to the duties assigned them, they have availed themselves of all the light which the books and papers of the bank now in the hands of the receiver, and the testimony of the president and cashier, would throw upon its transactions, and they believe they cannot better carry out the views of the General Assembly, than by giving a history of the leading acts of the bank, from its organization to the termination of its business.
The Essex Bank was chartered at the October session of 1832, with a capital of $40,000. divided into 1000 shares of $40. each, subject to the provisions of the safety fund act of 1831, requiring that fifty per cent of its capital stock should be paid in, previous to its making any discounts.
The books were opened by the commissioners, the stock subscribed in proper form, and the first board of directors duly elected. On the 15th. day of April, 1833, one of the bank commissioners certified that 820,000. had been paid in as capital stock, agreeably to the requirements of the charter.
On the 16th day of April, 1833, the bank commenced its operations, at which time the cashier charged himself with the capital stock, consisting of a certificate of a de- posit of specie in the Grafton Bank $10,000. current bills $8,537. and specie 81,463. amounting in the whole to $20,000.
HISTORY GUILDHALL. 139
On the same day $17,845. of the capital stock placed in the bank as aforesaid, and on the 22d., of the same April $400. more of said stock was taken out of the bank, by some of the stockholders, substituting their private notes therefor, leaving only the sum of $1, 755. and the notes of the stockholders for the sum of $18,245. to secure the redemption of the bills of the bank, which were there- afterwards to be put in circulation. Of the above sums taken from the bank. John Dewey received $15,460. and Thomas Carlisle received $1,500. they being the principal owners of the stock.
The first bills of the bank were prepared for emission on the 6th day of May 1833, up to which time no loans or discounts were made to persons other than the stock- holders, in manner above describedl.
In consequence of the loss of that part of the discount register which contained the transactions of the bank up to July 1833, your committee are unable to ascertain on what security the discounts to stockholders were made, but from the statements of Greenlief Webb, one of the directors, they are led to the conclusion that no security other than a pledge of the stock was required.
Your committee would here remark that from the man- ner of keeping the books of the bank, they have been un- able to ascertain the time of the paying of the above, or any other of the notes of the bank, except they find that John Dewey paid $2,000. on his note above named, Aug. 1 1833, and they are thereby precluded from ascertaining all the liabilities and responsibilities of the officers of the bank at any given time during its existence.
It is worthy of remark, that for several years after the bank went into operation, it labored under embarrass- ments in the redemption of its bills, and was frequently obliged to obtain loans in Boston and elsewhere, some-
16
140
HISTORY
OF GUILDHALL.
times at a high rate of interest, and that many of its individual loans were extravagantly large, considering the amount of its capital. In one instance they find a loan was made to John Dewey of $15,720. This was Feb. 4, 1834, at a well-remembered time of severe em- barrassments in the money market, and at a time when the bank was very much embarrassed. In some instances large loans were made without adequate security: two loans were made to Norton, Carlisle & Co. of Buffalo, N. Y., of $3.300. which were protested Nov. 15, 1836, and April 29, 1837, which are still unpaid and are probably wholly uncollectable. There was also loaned for the ben- efit of persons residing in Portland, Maine, $5,100. which was protested July 24 1837, and passed into the hands of the receiver, who compromised with the endorsers on the payment of twelve and one half per cent.
The dividend book of the bank exhibit the dividends of the bank as follows:
July 6, 1>35, . $1,000.
January 11, 1836, $1,000.
July 1836, . $600. March 11, 1839, $1,000.
The last of the above dividends was made on the stock as it was owned August 10, 1839, of which John Dewey received $817. and Thomas Carlisle $112. although sait Carlisle, as a member of the firm of Norton, Carlisle & Co., was then indebted to the bank in the sum of $3,300. and the note of said firm was then in the bank protested.
It will be seen, that at the time of making said last mentioned dividend, the whole of the protested paper. above described, was in the bank and composed part of its assets; there was also a large amount of suspended paper or bad notes then in the bink. and also composed a
141
HISTORY OF GUILDHALL.
part of said assets, and upon all which said dividend was declared, and the object of the peculiar manner in which it was so declared, will be perenived when the circum- stances of the transfer of the stock, which undoubtedly led to the finale of the concern, are stated.
The first board of directors was composed of John Dewey, Greenlief Webb, Chapin K. Brooks, Josiah B. Hall, and John S. Wells, who severally lodged their re- spective bonds with the Treasurer of the State, for the sum of $8,000. cach, with one surety to each bond, who were mostly irresponsible men ; all the bonds subsequently executed, except a part of those in 1839, have suretics of undoubted responsibility. John Dewey was elected first president, and continued such until Sep. 17, 1838, when Greenlief Webb was substituted.
Your committee find that, as usual, there were many transfers of stock, but the principal portion of it finctuated between John Dewey, Greenlief Webb, Thos. Carlisle, and Norton, Carlisle & Co., of Buffalo, N. Y., although Norton, Carlisle & Co., were indebted to the bank at the time of the transfer of their stoek, contrary to the provi- sions of the act of incorporation.
In the summer of 1838, H. Bradley, Esq., of Burling- ton, who was then bank inspector, received information that some persons from the State of New York were at- tempting to purchase the stock of the Essex Bank.
He immediately went to Guildhall to attempt to pre- vent the sale, and received an assurance from John Dewey, who owned most of the stock, that no such sale should be made without his consent.
142
HISTORY GUILDHALL.
Sometime afterwards E. S. Townsend, of Palmyra, N. Y. called on Mr. Bradley with a letter of introduction from Dr. Dewey. Townsend wished Bradley to give his consent in writing to a transfer of the stock to him by Dewey, but he absolutely refused, and Townsend left, saying he could not obtain the stock.
On the 17th .. of August, 1838, John Dewey transferred to Thomas Carlisle 790 shares of the stock of said bank. who on the same day transferred 400 shares to Isaac F. Mack, of Rochester, N. Y., aud 400 shares to E. S. Townsend. 4 In March 1839, Carlisle transferred to Mack 141 additional shares, which, with 4 shares obtain- ed from other sources, made Mack & Townsend the own- ers of the whole stock of the bank, save 55 shares. For several years before the abovo transfer, and ever since, said Carlisle has been reputed a bankrupt, and has not possessed any visible estate either real or personal, and it was in proof before your committee that Dewey negoti- ated the sale to Mack & Townsend, and received the purchase money of them for the sharos pretendedly sold them by Carlisle, and your committee have yet to learn for what good purpose this roundabout method was adopt- ed, for conveying the shares of Dewey to Mack & Town- send, but they feel constrained to say that they can regard it in no other light than a mere artifice to protect Dewey from liability, and also to avoid the imputation of having broken his promise to Mr. Bradley.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.