By Muriel Bristol | November 3, 2024
Milton had its own Postmaster as early as 1818. This particular Dover-to-Conway mail stage line commenced operation in 1825. It advertised its passenger service as early as 1829, although Milton was not mentioned explicitly as a regular stop until this advertisement of 1830.
Dover, Rochester, Wakefield, Ossipee, Tamworth, and Conway, N.H.
MAIL STAGE LINE.
THE Stage on this line starts from Dover every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, at 6 o’clock, A.M. and after the arrival of the Boston mail, and arrives at Conway the same day. It starts from Conway every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, at 4 o’clock, A.M. from Ossipee Corner at 8 o’clock, A.M. from Wakefield Corner at 10 o’clock, A.M. and arrives in Dover same day.
At Dover it meets the Boston, Portland, Portsmouth, Concord, Newburyport and Haverhill Stage Lines, and at Conway it intersects the Portland, White Mountain, and Concord Stage Lines.
Provided with good Coaches and Horses, and having obtained the services of careful, attentive and accommodating Drivers, with a moderate Stage Fare, the Proprietors can confidently assure the public, that those persons who, during the ensuing season, may wish to visit the White Mountains and have a view of the most sublime and interesting scenery in New England, will find it for their profit as well as pleasure to travel on this line – No Stage in the country affords greater facilities for travelling; and it passes in the immediate vicinity of the Eaton Lead Mine. This Stage passes through Great Falls village, Somersworth, N.H., Rochester, Milton, Wakefield, Ossipee, Tamworth and Eaton.
The Fare from Dover to Conway is $3.00; intermediate places in proportion.
JONA. T. DODGE, Rochester,
SAMUEL KIMBALL, Ossipee, AGENTS.
Rochester, N.H., June 1830 (Times & Dover Enquirer, July 6, 1830).
The West Milton tavern or inn of Daniel Hayes (1759-1846) was said to have been “a stopping place for the stage that made regular trips between Dover and Ossipee.”
Samuel Kimball, one of the agents for the above advertised stage line, advertised his similar tavern or inn at the Ossipee stop of that same route.
Ossipee Stage House. THE subscriber respectfully informs the public that he has thoroughly repaired and fully furnished, for the accommodation of company, the large and commodious HOUSE, formerly owned by Mr. JOHN BROWN, at Ossipee Corner, N.H. This House is situated in one of the most pleasant Villages in the county of Strafford, on the stage road from Boston through Dover to the White Mountains. It is about one day’s ride from Dover. Persons wishing to retire to the country during the warm season, will find it a very healthy place; and excellent for fishing, fowling, and other amusements. And the subscriber flatters himself, if the best accommodations, unremitted attention, and moderate charges, can ensure success, he shall receive a liberal share of the public patronage. SAMUEL KIMBALL. Ossipee, N.H., July 19, 1830. 4tf (Times & Dover Enquirer, July 20, 1830).
Milton would appear on a similar train route of the Portsmouth, Great Falls & Conway railroad in and after 1850.
References:
Find a Grave. (2015, September 30). Jonathan Thorne Dodge. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/153080076/jonathan-thorne-dodge
Find a Grave. (2016, August 1). Samuel Kimball. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/167665682/samuel-kimball
Mindat.org (2024). Madison Lead Mine. Retrieved from www.mindat.org/loc-6126.html
Wikipedia. (2024, August 22). Stagecoach. Retrieved from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stagecoach
Milton Observer 