By Muriel Bristol | March 30, 2025
There would seem to be no business directories at this time. However, here one may find descriptions of several shops or “stands” situated at Milton Three Ponds in the mid to late 1830s.
Trader Stephen M. Mathes, in contemplating closing up his Milton Three Ponds store, called upon his customers to “settle” their accounts. Customer purchases might be made with cash or produce, or on “tick,” i.e., a debtor entry in the storekeeper’s account book.
NOTICE. THE subscriber contemplates closing his business [and] offers his stand for sale, situate in Milton, (at the Three Ponds so called) consisting of a Store, Stable, Dwelling House, Chaise and Wood house, and other out buildings, together with three acres of excelled Land. Said store is 20 by 33 feet, two stories. Stable 26 by 38 feet —Dwelling house 20 by 36 feet, two story’s with an Ell 26 by 38 feet, one story. Said buildings are all in good repair. Also a small Farm situate in said Milton near the old Meeting house formerly occupied by Mr. John Scates, containing 37 acres of mowing, pasturing, wood land and tillage, with a large and convenient dwellinghouse and a small barn thereon. Any person wishing to purchase will do well to call and examine before purchasing elsewhere. STEPHEN M. MATHES. Milton, Aug. 6, 1835. N.B. All persons indebted to the subscriber either by note or account are called upon to pay the same previous to the first day of November next, all demands remaining in my hands at that time will necessarily be left with an attorney for collection. STEPHEN M. MATHES. Milton, Aug. 6, 1835 (Dover Enquirer, August 11, 1835).
Fuller John H. Varney advertised his fulling and clothing business. One might also leave cloth for fulling at the Great Falls store of Parks & Harris or the Dover store of John H. Wheeler. (John Fish had a fulling and clothing business at Milton Three Ponds somewhat earlier).
NOTICE. THE subscriber would inform the public that he carries on the Clothing Business at his old stand in Milton, (Three Ponds) and is now ready to DRESS CLOTH, and he flatters himself that he will do it as well as any one in this vicinity and at short notice. He would also inform that he will take Cloth at the Store of Parks & Harris, Great Falls, and at the Store of John H. Wheeler, Dover, and return it free of expense. JOHN H. VARNEY. Milton, Sept. 10, 1835. 12 (Dover Enquirer, September 22, 1835).
Trader John J. Priest lived in Milton Three Ponds in the early to mid 1830s, and died in Haverhill, MA, in 1836. His widow, Nancy J. (Dickey) Priest, occupied his dwelling house at Milton Three Ponds. The administrator advertised it as situated on a greatly travelled road, and as having potential as either or a tradesman’s shop or tavern, which Three Ponds lacked at that particular time.
Administrators’ Sale of Real Estate. TO be sold at auction by virtue of a Probate license at 10 o’clock A.M. on TUESDAY the 17th day of October next, at Milton (Three Ponds,) the following Real Estate lately owned by John Priest, deceased, to wit: The DWELLING HOUSE now occupied by Mrs. Priest, two good Barns and Shed, with about Five Acres of excellent Land situated in the centre of this thriving village, affording peculiar advantages for a tradesman or tavern keeper (there being none in the village) and situated on a great travelled road, within 50 rods of excellent water privileges, where a considerable machinery is already employed, and more will be. Also about forty acres of wood and pasture land, and seven acres plains Land in said Milton. Also the reversion of the widow’s dower in a new one story dwelling house in the village with about one acre of land. At the same time, the right of making, using and vending “Banderof’s Patent Elevated Bedsteads,” for the use of invalids, in the towns of Lee, Durham, Madbury, Dover, Barrington, Strafford, Rochester, Barnstead, Farmington, Somersworth, New Durham and Milton. Terms liberal and made known at sale. J.A. Richardson, Adm’r. Sept. 20, 1837. 15 (Dover Enquirer, October 3, 1837).
Fuller John H. Varney advertised his fulling services again. On this occasion he explicitly stated his willingness to receive payment in produce.
CLOTH DRESSING. THE subscriber would inform the public that he is about commencing Dressing Cloth at his old stand near the Three Ponds, and he will assure those who call upon him that their work shall be done as well as any other mill in the vicinity and at short notice. Country produce received in payment. JOHN H. VARNEY. Milton, Aug. 13, 1838 (Dover Enquirer, 1838).
References:
Find a Grave. (2020, September 7). Stephen Meserve Mathes. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/215330464/stephen-meserve-mathes
Find a Grave. (2010, June 2). John J. Priest. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/53174468/john-j.-priest
Find a Grave. (2020, October 20). John Hanson Varney. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/217515882/john-hanson-varney
Milton Observer 