Author: Muriel Bristol

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Nute High School & Library Founded

By Muriel Bristol | November 10, 2018

Lewis W. Nute was born in West Milton, NH, February 17, 1820, son of Ezekiel and Dorcas (Worster) Nute. He became a successful Boston leather merchant and shoe manufacturer. He died “at the homestead” on Nute Ridge in West Milton, NH, October 20, 1888. His wife Priscilla (Farrar) Nute had predeceased him in 1886. They are buried together in Mount Auburn Cemetery, in Cambridge, MA (where the inscribed date is at variance with published obituaries).

LEWIS W. NUTE DEAD. Boston’s Biggest Leather Dealer Expires at His Home. DOVER, N.H. – Sept. 5. – Lewis W. Nute died this morning at the homestead at Milton.

When a young man Mr. Nute went to Boston to work for the leather firm of Potter & Co. He worked there for several years, when he was taken sick and nearly died. When he recovered he found that all his bills were paid and he was a silent partner in the firm. He was considered the best judge of leather in Boston.

Shortly after the name of the firm was changed to Nute, Potter, White, & Bailey. He stayed with them some years, then sold out and went into business himself with an office in Boston and manufactory in Natick, and five years ago he started the shop in Dover (Boston Globe, September 6, 1888).

Foundings

Lewis W. Nute’s last will provided for the construction and endowment of a high school and library and, separately, a chapel in West Milton. When the various writers speak of the “founding” of these institutions, they mean the legal authorizations, which were accomplished through probation of the will, legislative acts, appointments of trustees, and the formation of boards and committees.

Purchase of land and construction of buildings followed those institutional “foundings.” The completed Nute Chapel was dedicated on October 23, 1890. In subsequent years, the Nute High School celebrated February 15, 1889 as its founding day, although the completed school building opened its doors to students at the same time as the library: September 1891.

(Note that the Milton Classical Institute closed its doors shortly before its successor, the Nute High School and Library, opened theirs).

The Nute High School was founded in 1889, as was the Nute Library, in accordance with the provisions of the will of Lewis Worster Nute, a native of Milton who died in 1888. Among the many worthy benefactions which Mr. Nute bequeathed to his townsmen were the $125,000 for the institution which bears his name, and $50,000 for the public schools. As a result of Mr Nute’s generosity and the praiseworthy interest which Milton people have always had in education, this town has splendid educational facilities, which are second to those of no town of a similar size in New Hampshire.

CHAPTER 250

AN ACT TO INCORPORATE THE NUTE HIGH SCHOOL AND LIBRARY IN THE TOWN OF MILTON

Section 1. Corporation constituted. 2. Trustees, bequest, etc. 3. Trustees vacancy. 4. Buildings; library; school. 5. Non-sectarian. Section 6. Real estate. 7. May be taken by condemnation. 8. Right of appeal. 9. First meeting. 10. Takes effect when Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened.

Section 1. That Charles H. Moulton, of Waltham, and Henry Cobb, of Newton, both in the county of Middlesex, and John L. Brewster, of Lawrence, in the county of Essex, all in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Joshua G. Hall, of Dover, Eugene P. Nute, of Farmington, Elbridge W. Fox, Charles C. Hayes, Bard B. Plummer, Charles H. Looney, Frank Haley, and Charles A. Jones, all of Milton, in the county of Strafford and State New Hampshire, are hereby made a body corporate, to be, with their successors, known as the Trustees of the Nute High School and Library, to be located at the village of Milton Three Ponds, so called, in the town of Milton. 

Sect. 2. The board of trustees so constituted under the first section of this act shall receive and ever have charge of moneys received and to be received from the estate of Lewis W. Nute, late of Boston, Massachusetts, and expend the capital and income of the same as directed in the will of said Lewis W. Nute. They may also exercise all corporate powers and transact all corporate business necessary to administer the affairs of the Nute High School and Library, and for this purpose may from time to time make such regulations and by-laws, not repugnant to the constitution and laws of the State, for the management of said corporation, as they may deem proper, and also appoint such and so many officers and agents as they may think proper, and prescribe their powers and duties. A majority of the board shall constitute a quorum for doing business. 

Sect. 3. The board shall consist of eleven persons, a majority of whom shall be residents of the town of Milton, New Hampshire, and whenever any vacancy occurs by death, resignation, or otherwise, the survivors shall fill the vacancy at the next annual meeting. The removal from town of any trustee resident in Milton is to be considered as a resignation. 

Sect. 4. The corporation is charged with the duty of erecting school and library buildings as set forth in the will of said Lewis W. Nute, and the establishment and support of a high school and library, to be forever free to the inhabitants of the town of Milton; they may also receive by gift, devise, or otherwise, other property for the purpose of said school and library, and hold the same free from taxation, to the amount of three hundred and fifty thousand dollars.

Sect. 5. The principles and precepts of the Christian religion shall be inculcated, but the Nute high school shall not be a denominational or sectarian school.

Sect. 6. Said corporation is empowered to acquire by purchase or otherwise, and hold in fee simple or otherwise, any real and personal estate necessary for carrying into effect the purpose of this act, not exceeding three thousand dollars at the time of acquiring the title thereto. 

Sect. 7. If said corporation shall not be able to secure on satisfactory terms, or the owner thereof shall be unknown, the necessary land upon which to locate said high school and library buildings, the same not to exceed three acres in extent, said corporation may apply to the county commissioners for the county of Strafford, to assess the damage to the owners of such land; and such commissioners shall appoint a time and place of hearing, and give notice thereof in the same manner as is now provided by law for laying out highways, and shall assess and award damages to the owner or owners of such land as are required by said corporation on which to locate said high school and library buildings, which assessment and award shall be in writing and filed in the office of the town clerk of the town of Milton within ten days after the same is completed, and upon payment or tender to the owner of the sum so assessed, the rights so taken shall be vested in said corporation.

Sect. 8. The same rights of appeal from such assessment and award shall exist as in the case of lands taken for highways by the action of said commissioners. 

Sect. 9. The first meeting of the board of trustees may be called by any one of said trustees by a notice in writing, stating the time and place of the meeting, sent by mail to each of the corporators at least one week prior thereto. 

Sect. 10. This act shall take effect upon its passage. 

[Approved August 14, 1889].

Nute Library

The NH State Librarian described the newly-created Nute Library in a general report to the NH State Legislature in 1892:

MILTON. – The Nute Library, 400 volumes. Free.

The Nute Library was opened to the public September, 1891. In 1888, by will of Lewis W. Nute, of Boston, a native of Milton, the town came into possession of $25,000 to be used for erecting a “Nute High School and Library” building, and $100,000 as an endowment. The library occupies a portion of this building.

The library is general. Fiction is the class most in use: except fiction, historical works are most in use. The library is open Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 P.M. A reading-room in connection with the library is open during the same hours. The total amount of income from the endowment fund is about $5,000. Of this sum $150 are expended yearly for books, and $50 for papers and periodicals.

Librarian, Frank Haley, appointed by the library committee; library committee, Elbridge W. Fox, Frank Haley, of Milton, and Henry E. Cobb, of Newton, Mass., appointed by the board of trustees. At the incorporation of the “Nute High School and Library,” the trustees were named by the town (NH State Librarian, 1892).

Nute High School

Nute High School’s first year was the 1891-92 academic year, which began in September 1891.

In its third year, Nute High School hosted what sounds like a county-wide teachers’ workshop on Tuesday, January 9, 1894.

Teachers’ Institute at Milton, N.H. MILTON, N.H., Jan. 7 – A teachers’ institute for Strafford county will be held here Tuesday at the Nute high school (Boston Globe, January 8, 1894).

The NH State Superintendent of Public Instruction described the number of students and a part of the curriculum in 1894:

Table No. 4. Schools of a Higher Grade (Public Schools) [1894]

The 1894 Annual Report of the Superintendent of Public Instruction tabulated Nute High School, in Milton, N.H., as having 1 male teacher, 2 female teachers, 20 male students, 31 female students, 46 students residing in New Hampshire, 51 students pursuing higher branches, 25 students studying ancient languages, 20 students studying modern languages, 900 volumes in the library, a school year beginning in September and lasting 39 weeks, and $35,000 in value of buildings, apparatus, and grounds. William K. Norton was the Principal.

Arthur T. Smith became the Nute High School’s second principal in or around its sixth (1896-97) academic year.

Personals. Arthur Smith, principal of the Nute high school at Milton, paid a visit with friends in this [Portsmouth] city on Monday (Portsmouth Herald, July 26, 1898).

[Dartmouth Class of] 1896

The Boston Herald of February 16 [1901] contains an account of the tenth annual observance of Founder’s Day at the Nute High school, Milton, N.H., of which Arthur Thad Smith is principal. The Herald says:

“The Nute High school was dedicated in 1891, and was the gift of Lewis W. Nute, a millionaire of Boston, to his native town, together with a fund of over $100,000 for its maintenance. The building was erected at a cost of about $40,000, and is a modern edifice, admirably equipped for careful work.

“During the past four years, under the principalship of Mr. Arthur Thad Smith, the membership of the school has nearly doubled, and the educational standard greatly improved. Mr. Smith graduated from Dartmouth in 1896 at the head of his class, having taken prizes and honors in Greek, Philosophy, Chemistry and Oratory, together with the first competitive prize scholarship of his class. He was a member of the D.K.E., Casque and Gauntlet and Phi Beta Kappa fraternities. It was Mr. Smith, who working for the stockholders in the Jernegan gold-from-sea-water swindle, proved the fraud by his work.

“The programme of the evening consisted of musical selections by the Nute High School orchestra of ten pieces, under the leadership of Mr. Smith, vocal and instrumental solos, and orations and essays by members of the school” (The Dartmouth, 1901).

New England Notes. Briefer Items.

Milton, N.H. – The Nute high school celebrated its tenth observance of founder’s day on February 15, with attractive public exercises, consisting of essays and orations, interspersed with selections of music. This school, one of the youngest in the state, built and endowed with a fund of $100,000 as a gift from Mr. Lewis W. Nute, of Boston, has taken an excellent stand as a preparatory school. For the last four years it has been under the charge of Mr. Arthur Thad Smith, a graduate of Dartmouth, class of 1896 (Kellogg, 1901).

Principal Arthur T. Smith, moved on to become a Boston lawyer.

Dover Doings. Arthur T. Smith and family of Boston are visiting Mr. Smith’s father, Dr. A Noel Smith of this city. Mr. Smith is now in one of the leading law offices of Boston. He was formerly principal of the Nute high school of Milton (Portsmouth Herald, July 29, 1909).

Oddly enough, the Nute High School and Library acquired some Boston real estate in 1911. One might suppose this was some residual portion of Lewis W. Nute’s property and a part of the endowment.

BACK BAY SALES. The Nute High School and Library of New Hampshire has taken title from George E. Mackintire of two four-story brick apartment houses, 203 to 205 Hemenway st., near the corner of Huntington entrance to the Fens. Both parcels have a rating of $33,200 and there is 3789 square feet of land, taxed for $7,800 (Boston Globe, November 2, 1911).

The Back Bay buildings have been replaced, although several like them survive across the street. The addresses mentioned are located in a block or area ringed by Boston’s Back Bay Fens, Forsyth Park, the Boston Museum of Fine Arts (under construction there 1907-15), and Northeastern University.

See also Nute High School Principals, 1891-21 and Nute High School Principals, 1923-57

References:

Find a Grave. (2014, March 21). Lewis Worster Nute. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/126657931

Kellogg, E.L., and Co.. (1901, March 9).  School Journal – New England Notes – Briefer Items. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=sv9KAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA270

NH General Court. (1889). Laws of the State of New Hampshire, Passed June Session, 1889. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=6ppGAQAAIAAJ&pg=PA231

NH State Librarian. (1892). Report of the State Librarian to the New Hampshire Legislature for the Year Ending October 1, 1892. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=gC5FAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA150

Superintendent of Public Instruction. (1894). Annual Report of the Superintendent of Public Instruction. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=mCYlAQAAIAAJ&pg=PA172

The Dartmouth. (1901, March 8). 1896. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=QfomAQAAIAAJ&pg=PA379
Continue reading “Nute High School & Library Founded”

Nute Memorial Chapel Dedicated

By Muriel Bristol (Transcriber) | November 8, 2018

The Nute Memorial Chapel or Nute Ridge Bible Chapel, at 99 Nute Ridge Road in West Milton, NH, was dedicated on Thursday, October 23, 1890.

MILTON HAS A CHAPEL.

Dedication of Building Paid for by the Nute Executors.

MILTON, N.H., October 23. – The chapel erected under the provisions of the will of Lewis W. Nute by his executors, Charles H. Moulton and Henry E. Cobb, was dedicated this afternoon in the presence of a large assembly. The building is a brick structure calculated to accommodate the presence of 150 people, with a library attached, the cost being about $10,000.

The exercises were as follows: Introductory addresses by the executors and delivery of keys; opening prayer, Rev. J. Manter of Milton; anthem; Scripture reading, Rev. Frank Haley of Milton; choir selection; sermon, Rev. E.B. Webb, D.D., of Wellesley, Mass.; dedicatory prayer, Rev. W.I. Sweet of Farmington; response; solo by W.H. Dunham; hymn by the congregation; closing prayer and benediction by Rev. H.H. Hamilton, pastor of the chapel.

The trustees of the chapel fund are Charles H. Moulton, Henry E. Cobb, and Jerome Jones (Boston Globe, October 24, 1890).

Lewis W. Nute was born in West Milton, NH, February 17, 1820, son of Ezekiel and Dorcas (Worster) Nute. He became a successful Boston leather merchant and shoe manufacturer. He died “at the homestead” on Nute Ridge in West Milton, NH, September 5, 1888. His wife Priscilla (Farrar) Nute had predeceased him in 1886. They are buried together in Mount Auburn Cemetery, in Cambridge, MA (where the inscribed date is at variance with published obituaries).

Rev. John S. Manter was the Milton Baptist minister, Rev. Frank Haley was the Milton Congregational minister, Rev. Edwin B. Webb, D.D., was a prominent Massachusetts Congregational minister, and Rev. William I. Sweet was the Farmington Congregational minister (1888-92).

Rev. Haley was also a trustee of the Nute High School and Library, as well as its Librarian, until his death in 1904. (He had also practiced as a physician for a time; among his published works were an appreciation or eulogy of Dr. Stephen Drew).

The current pastor is Rev. Robert E. Walsh.

References:

Find a Grave. (2014, March 21). Lewis Worster Nute. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/126657931

Nute Ridge Bible Chapel. (2013). Nute Ridge Bible Chapel. Retrieved from nute-chapel.org/

Milton Businesses in 1887

By Muriel Bristol (Transcriber) | November 8, 2018

Here is extracted the Milton (including Milton Mills) entry from the New Hampshire Register, State Year-book and Legislative Manual, 1887.

MILTON, STRAFFORD – Pop. 1,516, N.E. fr. C. 40; N.W. fr. Dover, 20. R.R.S. [Railroad Station] – Milton, on Ports., Gt. Falls & Conway R.R.; for Milton Mills, Union, 4 m., connects twice daily by stage.

Officers – Clerk, C.H. Looney; Treas., Ira Miller; Selectmen, [Charles] A. Jones, Charles T. Haines, Chas. Hayes; Board of Education, John Simes, Luther Hayes, Martin V.B. Cook

Postmasters – N.G. Pinkham; West, T.F. Canney

Justices [of the Peace], J.U. Sims, E.W. Fox, J.S. Hersey, M.V.B. Cook, C.C. Hayes, B.F. Avery, Luther Hayes, B.B. Plummer, E.F. Fox, C.H. Looney, State; Ira Miller, Joseph Plummer

Churches – Chris. D.B. Goodwin; Cong. Frank Haley; F. Bap. C.E. Mason

Exp. & Tel. Ag’t – William T. Wallace.

Hotels & Livery Stables – Riverside House, C.H. Downs; Phenix House, J.G. Garland

Literary Institution – Milton Classical Institute, Mrs. E.E. Cowell

Manufacturers – blacksmith, I.W. Duntley; builder, E.H. Hursome; boots & shoes, Burley & Usher; clothing, Horne Bros.; excelsior, S.M. Bragdon; flour & meal, J.H. Avery; Leather Board Mills, John Carricabe; lumber, Luther Hayes, Scates & Lyman, Wentworth & Plummer, L. Plummer, p.o. ad. Union; mowing machines, horse rakes &c, B.B. Plummer; oars, Shaw & Son; paper, Milton Manuf’g Co.; soap, C.M. Wallingford; woolens and blankets, I.W. Springfield & Son.

Merchants – J.F. Hart, J.D. Willey, Looney & Downes, Wm. O. Shattuck, J.Q.A. Tappan: boots and shoes, N.G. Pinkham; fancy goods, Mrs. Ira S. Knox, Mrs. J.F. Hart; ice, Granite State Ice Company, Lynn Ice Co., Boston Union Ice Co.; millinery, Alta Knox; provisions, W.B. Grant.

Physician – W.F. Wallace

Milton Mills – Postmaster – B.F. Albee. Exp. Agt. – O.T. Fox

Churches – Adv. Joseph Spinney; Cong. S.H. Atkins; F. Bap. C.M. Anderson; Meth. H.E. Allen.

Hotels & Livery Stables – Central House, C. Remick; Centennial House, Benj. Hoyle.

Manufacturers – builders, A.B. Shaw, A.A. Fox, J.F. Titcomb, E.S. Simes; carriages, J.W. Brierly, A.O. Prescott; clothing, J.W. Brierly, C.S. Stevens & Bros.; doors, sash and blinds, A.B. Shaw; flannels, Waumbeck Manuf’g Co.; felt, cloth, table and piano covers, D.H. Buffum’s Sons; harnesses, A. Sanborn; hosiery, Riverside M’fg. Co.; picture frames, E. Deardin; plows, W.F. Cutts; soap, S.G. Chamberlain; woolen goods, H.H. Townsend 

Merchants – Asa Fox & Son, J.U. Simes, Ira Miller; carriages, J.F. & G.E. Hart; confectionary, J. McGibbon, W.F. Hargraves; boots and shoes, J.W. Hanson; dry goods, G.S. Lovering, F. Roberts; drugs and medicines, W.F. Fassett; fancy goods, Miss M.A. Berry, Louis Marxshon; fish, J.F. Archibald, E. Trefethen; furniture, Wormwood & Shaw; groceries, F.H. Lowd, J. Lewis, E.J. Brierley, O.H. Hussey; jewelry, E.T. Libbey; merchant tailor, B.F. Albee; millinery, Augusta Berry; millinery and fancy goods, Mrs. J.W. Prescott; periodicals, E.W. Fox, J. McGibbon; provisions, C.S. Lowd, J.E. Hayes; stoves and tin ware, Murray Bros.

Miscellaneous – conveyancer, claim and collection agent, E.W. Fox; job printer, E.T. Libbey; machinist, E. Osgood; nurseryman, John Copp

Physicians – C.W. Gross, M.K. Cowell, W.E. Pillsbury; dentist, E.G. Reynolds.

The Milton Mills merchant tailor Benjamin Franklin “B.F.” Albee listed above posted the following advertisement in the Boston Globe in this year.

FEMALE HELP WANTED. TAILORESS. A first-class tailoress and custom coatmaker. B.F. ALLBEE, Milton Mills, N.H. (Boston Globe, April 23, 1887).

Previous in sequence: Milton Businesses in 1884; next in sequence: Milton Businesses in 1889.

References:

Tower, F.L. (1887). New Hampshire Register, State Year-book and Legislative Manual, 1887. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?lr=&id=lN8WAAAAIAAJ

Milton Businesses in 1873

By Muriel Bristol (Transcriber) | November 8, 2018

Extracted below are the Milton entries from the New Hampshire Register, Farmer’s Almanac and Business Directory, for 1873.

MILTON, STRAFFORD. Роp. 1598. N.E. from C., 40. R.R.S. [Railroad Stations], Мilton, and South Milton on Ports., Gt. Falls & Conway R.R.

OFFICERS – Clerk, Joseph Mathes; Treas., George Lyman; Selectmen, George Lyman, G.H. Plumer, Т.H. Roberts; Supts., C.A. Sawyer, J.U. Simes, A.H. Wentworth.

Postmasters. – C.H. Looney; South, H.H. Wentworth; West, T.F. Canney.

Justices [of the Peace]. – Charles Jones, Luther Hayes, State; E.W. Fox, Joseph Plummer, Ebenezer Wentworth, Joseph Mathes, Asa Jewett, Joseph Cook, Robert Mathes, George Lyman, G.W. Peavey, J.S. Hersey, G.W. Tasker, M.V.B. Cook, T.H. Roberts, H.H. Wentworth, J.N. Simes, B.P. Roberts, C.H. Looney; Mills, E.W. Fox, T.H. Roberts, J.U. Simes.

Churches. – Chris., D.B. Goodwin; Cong., F. Haley; F. Bap., J.F. Joy. 

Exp. Ag’t – C.A. Sawyer. Tel. Ag’t – C.H. Looney.

Hotel – Franklin House, Joseph Jenness. 

Literary Institution – Milton Classical Institute, J.N. Ham, prin.

Livery Stables – W.H. Huntress, W.H. Jones.

Manufacturers – boots and shoes, South, H.V. Wentworth; lumber, Luther Hayes, Scates & Lyman; Lewis Plumer, p.о. ad. ,Union. 

Mechanics – blacksmiths, H. Duntley & Son; carpenters Joseph Mathes, John Lucas, E.H. Hersom; mason, Daniel Foss; painter, G.F. Hodgdon; wheelwrights, Joseph Matthes, Daniel Jenness. 

Merchants – J.E. Twombly, Gilmore & Whitehouse, J. Hart; millinery, Mrs. C.M. Roberts. 

Physicians – G.W. Peavey, Frank Haley.

Mills. – Postmaster – E.W. Fox. Hotel – Central House, Ira Miller

Churches – Cong., D.B. Scott, C.F. Page; F. Bap., J.S. Potter; Meth., I.J. Tibbets.

Express Agent – E.W. Fox. 

Hotel – Central House, Ira Miller.

Livery Stable – Ira Miller.  

Manufacturers – carriages, John Brackett; flannels, Waumbeck Manuf’g. Co.; flannels, felt cloth, piano and table covers, Edward Brierly & Son; table covers, H.H. Townsend; table and piano covers, John Meikle. 

Mechanics – blacksmiths, Ebenezer Osgood, Nathaniel Rines, S.F. Rines; carpenters, J.F. Titcomb, Samuel Hooper, E.S. Simes, A.B. Shaw; dyer and table cover printer, John Meikle; engraver, H.W. Dewhurst; mason, J.G. Rines; painter, G.W. Came. 

Merchants – F.H. Chesley, A.A. Fox & Co., J.U. Simes; fancy goods, Mrs. W.P. Farnham; groceries, Geo. Olney; millinery, H.A. Farnham; provision, S.A. Felch. 

Physicians – J.C. Buck, R. Buck.

The Boston Globe reported a Milton Mills house fire in this year:

New Hampshire. The house known as the Nathan Jewett House at Milton Mills was destroyed by fire on the 11th inst. Loss not reported. Insured (Boston Globe, October 23, 1873).

Previous in sequence: Milton Businesses in 1871; next in sequence: Milton Businesses in 1874.

References:

Claremont Manufacturing Company. (1873). New Hampshire Register, Farmer’s Almanac and Business Directory, for 1873. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=PSw0AQAAMAAJ

Milton Water Power in 1885

By Muriel Bristol (Transcriber) | November 7, 2018

The following 1885 description of water power on the Salmon Falls River is extracted from a larger report compiled for the entire country. It was created as a part of the Tenth (1880) Federal Census. This extract begins at East Rochester and moves upstream to Milton Mills, with some consideration of the tributaries of the Salmon Fall River above Milton Mills.

At East Rochester is the next improved power on the river, that of the Cocheco Woolen Manufacturing Company. The dam is of wood, 10½ feet high, founded on ledge, ponding the water only about 1,400 feet to the dam above. The fall used is 10½ feet at mill No. 3, situated at the dam, and using 50 horse-power, while at mills No. 1 and No. 2, to which the water is led by a canal 700 feet long and 20 feet wide, the fall is 16½ feet and the power some 150 (?) horse power. Full capacity can be secured at all times excepting sometimes on Saturday, when the Great Falls Company shut the reservoirs above, in which case mill No. 3 is run by steam. Water generally runs over the dam day and night.

At the head of the pond last mentioned is a second privilege owned by the same company, with a wooden dam 8 feet high, ponding the water 2 miles, and affording power for a saw- and grist-mill, with a fall of 8 feet. The further development of this power is talked of. 

A short distance above this privilege is the site of a woolen-mill, which was burned in 1882. The fall was 8 feet, with a canal a third of a mile long.

The next power is a saw- and grist-mill, 1½ mile below Milton, the fall being 11 feet with a dam 8 feet high. Between this power and the one below there is said to be a small fall once used, but now idle. It is probably of no importance.

Between the last power and Milton Three ponds is the largest fall on the river, amounting probably to not less than 120 feet in 1½ mile, and some 200 feet in 3 miles. (a) The fall is continuous, over ledges of solid rock, the banks being also very rocky and sometimes steep. This entire fall is controlled by the Great Falls Manufacturing Company, and is only utilized by a small mill at the outlet of the ponds. Of this large fall a considerable portion could be utilized, though it is impossible to say how much. As regards building dams, no difficulty would be experienced, but it might sometimes be difficult to find good locations for mills and canals, on account of the toughness of the banks. At the “flume” there is a fall of about 15 feet in 100 feet, the width of the stream being very small; and above it there is an equal fall in as short a distance. A short distance above, the Great Falls company has erected a dam and a mill, the dam being of wood about 16 feet high, and only about 30 or 40 feet long, between cliffs of rock. The mill has never been used, and no wheel has been put in. The fall is 16 feet. Above the dam there is a fall of 15 feet, or thereabout, to the foot of the dam at the outlet of the ponds, which is 16 feet high. The fall here is used by a small excelsior mill a short distance below the dam, using a fall of 14 feet when the ponds are full, with about 25 horse-power, and only running about ten months. 

Any estimate of the power available at this place is very uncertain, because it depends entirely upon the manner in which the reservoirs are operated by the Great Falls Company. To judge from the amount of power below, I should say that a power of 12 horse-power per foot fall could be depended upon at all times, if it could be all used during working hours. The reservoirs, however, are often closed on Saturday, so that they may partly fill up, and the supply is drawn from Mast Point pond during that day, the reservoirs being opened again on Monday morning. If mills should be located, therefore, on this fall, they might not be able to run on Saturday, while at other times the supply of water would be excessive. Similar disadvantages are always experienced by mills located near reservoirs which are controlled in the interest of mills situated far below. Not only would there probably be a lack of water on Saturday, but during other days there would always be a waste at night, for while the Ponds are open they are allowed to flow night and day; and as there are no facilities for storing water at night within the distance occupied by the fall referred to, there would be no possibility of concentrating the power into working hours. These or similar considerations have perhaps been those which have prevented the utilization of the power, which is favorably situated, within easy reach of the railroad, and with building materials close at hand.

The next power above Milton Three ponds is at Milton mills, where there are several dams, and above which the fall is rapid all the way to the source of the river. The lowest dam is owned by the Waumbeck Manufacturing Company, and the power is leased, being used by a woolen-mill and a felt-mill, one with a fall of 8 feet and 36 horsepower, and the other with a fall of 10 feet and 60 horse power. Full capacity can only be obtained during out nine or ten months, as the water is drawn from Great East pond in such a way as to cause a lack of water during a few months. The next dam is that supplying the woolen-mill of the Waumbeck Company. It is 14 feet high, the fall is 14 feet, and the power 75 horse-power, steam-power being in reserve. The next dam is of stone, 15 feet high, with flash-boards and supplies Buffum’s felt-mill, the fall being 15 feet and the power being 60 horse-power, steam-power being in reserve to the same extent. Above this is a reservoir belonging to the Waumbeck Company, the dam (called the Hooper dam) being of stone and from 15 to 18 feet high. The reservoir holds about one day’s supply. The next above is an unutilized privilege, called the “Jewett” privilege, once used by a small mill. The fall was about 12 feet, but it is said that 18 feet or more could be obtained. Above it is a second reservoir of the Waumbeck Company, the dam being of stone, 8 feet high, and the pond (known as Roe pond) holding about twenty-four hours’ storage. Above it are some saw mills, one at the dam at the outlet of Horn pond. There is no fall not utilized on this part of the stream, excepting that at the Jewett privilege. The mills, however, are obliged to have steam-power in reserve, on account of the intermittent flow from the reservoirs. 

The tributaries of the Salmon Falls river are not of much consequence. Of those from New Hampshire the only one to be mentioned is Branch river, which rises in Cook’s pond and empties into Three Ponds. At Union Village there are four mills on this stream running all the year. Of the tributaries from Maine the only one to be mentioned is Great Works river, which empties just below South Berwick, at the head of tide-water. It is a small stream, draining only about 92 square miles, and its flow is not very constant. It has one artificial reservoir, known as Bonny Bigg pond, covering about 500 acres – according to Wells, 1,600 acres – from which 8 or 10 feet may be drawn. At the mouth of the river is a saw- and grist-mill, with a dam 12 feet high, using a fall of 14 feet. The power available is probably about 65 horse-power net at its minimum during eleven hours. Less than a mile above this site there was formerly a dam, with a fall of about 18 feet, the privilege being now idle. It belongs to the Newichawanick Company, which owns the mills just above, and it would probably afford a power of 80 horse-power net during working hours, when the flow is at its minimum, and considerably more during the greater part of the year. Just above, or about a mile above the mouth of the stream, at Newichawanick falls, are the two dams of the Newichawanick Company, one 22 feet high, affording a fall of 29 feet, with 90 horse-power all the time, and the other 13 feet high, affording a fall of 17 feet, with 80 horse-power. These powers are excellent in almost every respect, and are in close proximity to several railroads. The gross power available during the low season of dry years is probably not less than 7 or 8 horse-power per foot fall, and during ordinary years 10 or over. During nine months probably twice as much could be utilized. Above this there are no powers worth describing.

The following tables give the power utilized on the coast streams of New Hampshire, compiled from the returns, and the drainage areas of the principal streams:

Table of drainage areas of the coast streams of New Hampshire

  • Exeter river [Stream; Tributary to] Great bay [Above what point] Exeter [Drainage area] 113 [Sq. miles]
  • Lamprey river [Stream; Tributary to] do [Above what point] Newmarket [Drainage area] 210 [Sq. miles]
  • Oyster river [Stream; Tributary to] do [Above what point] Mouth [Drainage area] 20 [Sq. miles]
  • Bellamy river [Stream; Tributary to] do [Above what point] do [Drainage area] 30 [Sq. miles]
  • Cocheco river [Stream; Tributary to] Piscataqua river [Above what point] Dover [Drainage area] 183 [Sq. miles]
  • Do [Stream; Tributary to] do [Above what point] Gonic [Drainage area] 90 [Sq. miles]
  • Do [Stream; Tributary to] do [Above what point] Rochester [Drainage area] 72 [Sq. miles]
  • Salmon Falls river [Stream; Tributary to] do [Above what point] Berwick [Drainage area] 242 [Sq. miles]
  • Do [Stream; Tributary to] do [Above what point] Salmon Falls [Drainage area] 240 [Sq. miles]
  • Do [Stream; Tributary to] do [Above what point] Great Falls [Drainage area] 231 [Sq. miles]
  • Do [Stream; Tributary to] do [Above what point] East Rochester [Drainage area] 140 [Sq. miles]
  • Do [Stream; Tributary to] do [Above what point] Milton Three ponds [Drainage area] 123 [Sq. miles]
  • Do [Stream; Tributary to] do [Above what point] Milton mills [Drainage area] 34 [Sq. miles]
  • Little river [Stream; Tributary to] Salmon Falls river [Above what point] Mouth [Drainage area] 60 [Sq. miles]
  • Great Works river [Stream; Tributary to] do [Above what point] do [Drainage area] 92 [Sq. miles]
  • Salmon Falls river [Stream; Tributary to] Piscataqua river [Above what point] Berwick [Drainage area] a123 [Sq. miles]
  • Do [Stream; Tributary to] do [Above what point] do [Drainage area] b119 [Sq. miles]

a In Maine; b in New Hampshire

Another interesting table follows – Table of powers utilized on the coast streams of New Hampshire – which is beyond my power to represent. You may find it in the source listed in the References below.

Compare with Milton Water Power in 1901

References:

Swain, George F. (1885). Reports of the Water-Power of the United States, Part I. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=ob5NAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA67

Milton Businesses in 1884

By Muriel Bristol (Transcriber) | November 5, 2018

Here is extracted the Milton (including Milton Mills) entry from the New Hampshire Register, State Year-book and Legislative Manual, for 1884.

In this year the number of ice merchants increased from one to three.

MILTON, STRAFFORD. Pop. 1,516. N.E. fr. С., 40; N.W. fr. Dover, 20. R.R.S. [Railroad Station], Milton, on Ports., Gt. Falls & Conway R.R.; for Milton Mills, Union, 4 т., connects twice daily by stage.

OFFICERS – Clerk, C.H. Looney; Treas., Ira Miller; Selectmen, Geo. Lyman, J.U. Simes, W.H.H. Pinkham; Supts., Miss Lizzie Lyman, W.E. Pillsbury.

Postmasters – C.H. Looney; West, T.F. Canney. 

Justices [of the Peace] – E.W. Fox, M.V.В. Cook, C.С. Hayes, В.F. Avery, Luther Hayes, В.В. Plummer, State; J.S. Hersey, Ira Miller, Jon. Plummer. 

Churches – Chris. D.В. Goodwin; Cong. Geo. Sterling; F. Bap. ___Waldron.

Exp. & Tel. Ag’t – Daniel Cockery. 

Hotels & Livery Stables – Riverside House, C.H. Downs, Phenix House, H.G. Wentworth.

Literary Institution – Milton Classical Institute, Fred A. Chase.

Manufacturers – blacksmiths, I.W. Duntley; builder, E.H. Hursome; excelsior, S.M. Bragdon; lumber, Luther Hayes, Scates & Lyman, Wentworth & Plummer; L. Plummer, p.о. ad., Union; woolens and blankets, I.W. Springfield & Son. 

Merchants – J.F. Hart, J.D. Willey, Looney & Downes; fancy goods, Mrs. Ira S. Knox, Mrs. J.F. Hart; ice, Granite State Ice Company, Lynn Ice Co., Boston Union Ice Co.; millinery, Alta Knox.

Physician – ___ Wallace.

Milton Mills – Postmaster & Ex. Agent, E.W. Fox. 

Churches – Adv., Joseph Spinney; Cong., G.S. Butler; F. Bap., F. Mansur; Meth., J.T. Davis. 

Hotels & Livery Stables – Central House, С. Remick; Centennial House, J.W. Prescott. 

Manufacturers – builders, A.B. Shaw, A.A. Fox, J.F. Titcomb, E.S. Simes; carriages, John Brackett, A.О. Prescott; clothing, F.E. Stevens & Bros; coffins and caskets, A.A. Fox; doors, sash and blinds, Wormwood & Shaw; flannels, Waumbeck Manuf’g Co.; felt cloth, piano and table covers, D.H. Buffum & Co.; harnesses, A. Sanborn; picture frames, E. Deardin; plows, W.F. Cutts; soap, S.G. Chamberlain; woolen goods, H.H. Townsend; washing powder, O.T. Fox. 

Merchants – Asa Fox & Son, A.A. Fox & Co., J.U. Simes, Ira Miller; carriages, J.F. & G.E. Hart; confectionery, J. McGibbon, W.F. Hargraves; boots and shoes, J.W. Hanson; coffins and caskets, J. Brackett; dry goods, G.S. Lovering, F. Roberts; drugs and medicines, W.H. Fassett; fancy goods, Miss M.A. Berry, Louis Marxshon; fish, J.F. Archibald, E. Trefethen; furniture, Wormwood & Shaw; flour, grain, lumber, etc., S.H. Atkins; groceries, F.H. Lowd, J. Lewis, E.J. Brierley, O.H. Hussey; jewelry, E.T. Libbey; merchant tailor, B.F. Albee; millinery, Augusta Berry; millinery and fancy goods, Mrs. J.W. Prescott; periodicals, E.W. Fox, J. McGibbon; provisions, С.S. Lowd, J.E. Hayes; stoves and tin ware, Murray Bros. 

Miscellaneous – conveyancer, claim and collection agent, E.W. Fox; nurseryman, John Copp; machinist, E. Osgood; job printer, E.T. Libbey. 

Physicians – J.С Buck, C.W. Gross, M.K. Cowell, W.E. Pillsbury; dentist, E.G. Reynolds.

The Boston Globe reported the failure, i.e. bankruptcy, of Henry H. Townsend’s woolen goods mill this year:

Business Embarrassments. H.H. Townsend, blanket manufacturer, Milton, N.H., has failed (Boston Globe, August 29, 1884).

Previous in sequence: Milton Businesses in 1882; next in sequence: Milton Businesses in 1887.

References:

White River Paper Co. (1884). New Hampshire Register, State Year-book and Legislative Manual, for 1884. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=rZUBAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA115

Milton Mills Oyster Fritters Recipe of 1895

By Muriel Bristol (Transcriber) | November 4, 2018

The following recipe was published in the Boston Globe in 1895. It was submitted by Mrs. J.L. of Milton Mills, NH.

Oyster Fritters

Take 25 oysters, 1 cup of milk, 2 eggs, 1 teaspoon of salt, 2 dashes of black pepper, 2 cups of flour, ½ teaspoon of baking powder; 

Drain the oysters and strip them with your fingers to remove any pieces of shell;

Chop them fine and beat them all together until light;

Add to them the milk, then the flour and salt until perfectly smooth;

Add the oysters free from all liquor and the baking powder;

Drop by spoonfuls in hot fat;

When light brown, take out and put on a piece of paper in a dish.

Some one please try these; they are delicious.

Milton Mills, N.H. Mrs. J.L.

The original was printed as a single paragraph. It is here broken into lines at the semi-colons for readability.

There seemed to be only one candidate with the right initials in Milton Mills Village in the Twelfth (1900) Federal Census.

That would have been Mrs. Jennie N. (Stevens) Lovering. She was born in Brookfield, NH, circa 1865, daughter of Plummer G. and Lydia Stevens. She married in Milton, March 13, 1895, George S. Lovering. She died in Milton, NH, March 26, 1901, aged only thirty-five years.

There were one or more fish stores in Milton Mills and J.U. Simes even once listed himself as selling oysters.

Answers. Of the many recipes I have taken from The Globe, I wish to thank, especially, Bertha of Melrose for soft gingerbread, A.M.K. of East Harwich for egg omelet, Mrs. J.L. of Milton Mills, N.H., for oyster fritters, and S.F.P. of Chelsea for graham gems. I have not the dates of the above, so cannot give them. Mrs. R.P.M. Lynn (Boston Globe, April 2, 1895).

References:

Boston Globe. (1895, February 14). Oyster Fritters. Boston, MA: Boston Globe.

Milton Mills Shoe Strike of 1889

By Muriel Bristol (Transcriber) | November 1, 2018

A Boston Globe news article about the commencement of the Milton Mills shoe industry strike of November 18, 1889.

The older spelling of employé or employe instead of the modern employee is not an error. Note too the practice of breaking a sentence in the middle to make a part of it a heading.

Milton Mills had a good water-power source, but it was four or five miles by wagon from the railhead at Union. That would have meant a rather high additional transport cost for both raw materials and finished goods. Note that the wealthier residents of Milton purchased an existing factory in 1888 and gave it to the Varney & Lane company free of charge. A majority of the town residents voted to exempt the firm from all taxation for a period of ten years. These would seem to have been rather substantial levels of “encouragement.”

SOLES MADE FROM SOULS

Stories of Cheap Work at Milton Mills, N.H.

Big Meeting of Malcontents Opened by Fervent Prayer.

Knights of Labor Endorse Henry George’s Land Theories in Substance.

MILTON MILLS, N.H., Nov. 18 – Seldom, if ever, has any meeting of a trade union in the United States, called to inaugurate a strike, been opened with a prayer by a minister of the gospel. Such was the case with the public meeting of the local union of the Boot and Shoeworkers’ International Union last evening in Fox’s Hall. The purpose of the meeting was to ascertain how much support the citizens of the town would render the union members employed at Varney & Lane’s shoe factory in case there should be any trouble. This firm when it came there, was furnished a factory free of rent and exempted from taxation for 10 years.

One of the wealthiest and most prominent citizens of the town, Freeman Stevens, acted as chairman and introduced Rev. Charles Atkins, who offered a prayer for the success of the movement.

Harry C. Moulton of the executive board of the international organization, who

Organized the Union

a month ago, was the principal speaker. He stated that “the shoe workers of Milton Mills were receiving the very lowest prices for shoemaking in the United States. Even convicts in the Lawrence jail received more. Either Milton Mills prices must be advanced or else prices in other sections of New England must be lowered.”

Mr. Stevens, the chairman, said that he hoped the union would be successful in the attempt to get an advance in wages. If this firm would not pay as much as it competitors on the same grade of work then he would give as much money to help the firm move out of town as he subscribed to get it to come here.

Mr. Brierly, a woolen manufacturer and formerly part-owner of the factory occupied by Varney & Lane said that he would rather see the factory empty then have the young people continue at work in the factory at such low wages. Many of the latter have given from four to six weeks’ labor to this firm for nothing.

The difference in wages between this firm and those paid in other towns was ascertained by the citizens and employes writing to shoe manufacturers and employes in other places and finding out the prices paid. When they began to compare prices paid by this firm’s competitors with those paid in this town the indignation began to grow until it resulted in this meeting. There is now some talk of reconsidering the vote of the town by which the firm was granted exemption from taxation.

The union at a business meeting after the public meeting, instructed Mr. Moulton to present a new price list to the firm, which means an advance of from 10 to CO [SIC] per cent. In case the firm refused to grant it he was authorized to order a strike. Every employe is a member of the union, and all will walk out if the advance is not granted.

Mr. Moulton told the writer today that this case is of national importance. Every shoe firm in the United States is

More or Less Interested.

This firm made 3000 cases of shoes this year and sold its product from $3.60 to $10 a case less than any other firm, thus demoralizing the market. Whenever any manufacturer in New England running country shops was asked to increase the wages of his employes he always pointed to Milton Mills and asked why that firm was not called on to increase wages first, as they were so much lower.

“The prices here are way down to bed rock,” said Mr. Moulton. “Now that this firm is coming up there is some prospect of other firms in New England also increasing wages. We think we have at last solved the problem of country shops by rounding up on the very lowest scale of wages paid for shoemaking in New England. The firms of Morgan & Dore of Richmond, Me., Kimball Brothers of Gardiner, Me., C.B. Lancaster & Co. of Pittsfield, N.H., Hollis & Co. of Bumstead [Barnstead], N.H., Bartlett Shoe Co. of Laconia, N.H., and Cropley & Munroe of Wolfeboro, N.H., as well as other firms in other localities, will cease to be sufferers from the underselling made possible by the extremely low wages formerly paid for labor by this firm. In fact the whole shoe trade of New England will be benefited by the rise in wages which is sure to come.”

The feeling of the people of this place is such that if the firm attempts to fight the union and bring in outside shoemakers the latter will not be able to get board, food, or any other of the necessaries of life. Nearly everyone who subscribed money to buy the factory, to present rent free to the firm, is willing to subscribe as much to help the union members in this struggle. The young men and women employed are farmers sons and daughters living at home. They are thus well provided with the necessaries of life and comfortable homes, and so are in a condition to stand a long siege (Boston Globe, November 19, 1889).

Eighty Shoe Workers on Strike

Milton Mills, N.H., November 21. – As a result of the demand of the Shoeworkers’ Union for more wages and the refusal of the firm of Varney & Lane to grant the increase, the employes struck today. About 80 men and women are out, and the factory is deserted except by two boys and a few girls in the stitching room. When Harry C. Moulton of the general executive board of the Boot and Shoe Workers’ International Union, acting in the capacity of agent of the local union, presented the price list to the firm at its office in Lynn, he was informed by Mr. Lane that his firm could not pay the prices and would remove their business to Lynn. A soon as the union was informed of this they quit work.

The citizens of the place are generally much excited over this affair (Boston Globe, November 22, 1889).

They Want Fair Treatment

Concerning the labor troubles at Milton Mills, N.H., E.J. Brierly writes to THE GLOBE: “The strike has been precipitated by the change of superintendents, but the underlying cause is the ridiculously low prices paid by Messrs’ Varney & Lane, which are not as high as in other country shops for the same kind of work. Nothing is known of any threats against Mr. and Mrs. Rockwell. The statement that “such a sentiment has been developed as to compel the firm to remove from town” is wrong. They have the support of the majority of the citizens when they located at Milton Mills $3000 was subscribed for them and they were aided in many ways. The citizens are now ready to meet with the principals and if it can be shown that the wages they have paid are as stated it will be found that the citizens will rally to their support. All that is asked is simple justice by the people who contributed both their saving and labor in starting the shop (Boston Globe, November 22, 1889).

C.W. VARNEY & CO.’S RETURN. Explanation by the Firm and Action of the Lynn Boot and Shoe Council. Lynn, Mass., Nov. 22. C.W. Varney & Co., shoe manufacturers, who have for nearly a year been conducting business in Milton Mills, N.H., have decided to bring their work back to Lynn, and will, in connection with the brick block on Broad street, occupy the wooden factory on Box place, formerly occupied by M.F. Donovan. One of the firm says: “In comparing our prices paid at Milton Mills, N.H., with those of Lynn, we have only to say we went into the country to manufacture a cheap grade of shoes, in order to offer to our trade a line such as is made in Maine and New Hampshire by our competitors. Realizing how long it takes to overcome and live down a prejudice, we have firmly decided to remove our country business to Lynn, without the slightest idea of ever attempting to manufacture again in the country. Our factory plant, one of the finest in New Hampshire, is for sale.” The Lynn Boot and Shoe Council held its meeting last evening, and the matter of C.W. Varney & Co. bringing its work back to Lynn from Milton Mills, N.H., was discussed, and it was decided to give to the members of the council and the general public the position of the council on matters of this kind, while the council, representing the different shoe organizations of Lynn attached to N.S.A., 216, are heartily in accord with any legitimate endeavor to bring back to Lynn any of the works that left here, they are not in accord with the desire of any manufacturer to bring his work here temporarily in order to defeat the ends of organized labor in the county shops (Boston Globe, November 22, 1889).

STAY THERE AFTER ALL

Strike Settling Down – Union and K. of L. Appreciate Each Other

MILTON MILLS, N.H., Nov. 22. It is more than possible that in the next 24 hours the strike in Varney & Lane’s factory will be settled. Negotiations looking to that end are now in progress between representatives of the union and the firm. Much satisfaction is expressed over the action of the Lynn Boot and Shoe Council, which is composed principally of Knights of Labor, in stating to the manufacturers that they did not believe in any manufacturer removing his work to Lynn temporarily in order to defeat organized labor in country shoe shops.

These two organizations, the K. of L. and union shoemakers, were formally not in perfect harmony, but the union men express warm approval of this square dealing (Boston Globe, November 23, 1889).

Varney & Lane and its striking employees came to an agreement on Monday, December 23, 1889.

Settled Their Difficulties. Dover, N.H., Dec. 24. – The trouble between Varney & Lane, shoe manufacturers, of Milton, N.H., and their employes was settled Monday, and an agreement signed to remain in force until Jan. 23, 1891. It reinstates the old help and increases prices from 20 to 25 per cent. The event was celebrated with a band, parade, speeches and a banquet ((Decatur, IL) Morning Review. December 25, 1889).

An Advance for the Lasters. DOVER, N.H., Dec. 21. The difficulty in the shoe shop at Milton Mills has been adjusted. The lasters have been granted an advance of 15 per cent, and have returned to work. This will be followed by a proportionate advance of prices in other departments (Pike County Dispatch, December 26, 1889).

Moulton’s Side

In a lengthy article of a month later regarding strikes in Portland and Freeport, ME, the union organizer, Harry C. Moulton, was asked “What success did you have in settling the labor trouble at Milton mills?”

To which Moulton replied:

All settled and signed until June. The strike was on for five weeks and resulted in a complete victory for the union. Last evening the town was ablaze with excitement. We had a flag raising, a meeting with speeches from prominent citizens, and a banquet followed by a dance (Boston Globe, December 24, 1889).

Epilogue

Prior to the June expiration of the December settlement Varney & Lane put the Milton Mills factory, along with its tax privilege, up for sale:

BUSINESS CHANCES. FOR SALE. Large shoe factory, at Milton Mills, N.H., with or without machinery; the finest plant in the state, at a shoe centre; capacity 75 cases per day; excellent water power; 65-horse power engine; automatic sprinklers, summer and winter boilers, steam heat, elevator, and all modern improvements; with the above are 10 tenements and 15 acres land; business exempt from taxation for a period of years; will sell all the above property at a low price. Apply to SILSBEE & GEER, 10 Andrew st., Lynn, Mass. (Boston Globe, April 30, 1890).

References:

Boston Globe. (1889, November 19). Soles Made from Souls. Boston, MA: Boston Globe.

Boston Globe. (1889, November 21). Eighty Shoe Workers on Strike. Boston, MA: Boston Globe.

Boston Globe. (1889, November 21). They Want Fair Treatment. Boston, MA: Boston Globe.

Boston Globe. (1889, November 23). Strike Settling Down. Boston, MA: Boston Globe.

Boston Globe. (1889, December 24). Moulton’s Side. Boston, MA: Boston Globe.

Boston Globe. (1890, April 30). Business Chances. Boston, MA: Boston Globe.

Mrs. DeMerritt’s Arbutus

By Muriel Bristol | November 3, 2018

A hundred years ago:Trailing Arbutus

Donations Received for the Year 1918-19. From Individuals. DeMerritt, Mrs. M.A., Milton, N.H., 3 boxes of arbutus in individual bunches for distribution to patients (NE Hospital, September 30, 1919).

Mrs. Musetta A. (Dorr) DeMerritt, was the wife of Berthold I. DeMerritt, who was a foreman in a Milton shoe factory. They resided on Silver Street in 1920.

“So shines a good deed in a weary world.”

References:

New England Hospital. (1919, September 30). Fifty-Seventh Annual Report of the New England Hospital for Women and Children, Its Training School for Nurses, and Dispensary. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=txfPAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA49

New Hampshire Wildflowers (John D. Cameron). Trailing Arbutus. Retrieved from nhwildflowers.org/trailing-arbutus.php

Milton Businesses in 1882

By Muriel Bristol (Transcriber) | November 3, 2018

Here is extracted the Milton (including Milton Mills) entry from the New Hampshire Register, State Year-book and Legislative Manual, for 1882.

MILTON, STRAFFORD. Pop. 1,516. N.E. fr. C., 40; N.W. fr. Dover, 20. R.R.S.[Railroad Station], Milton, on Ports., Gt. Falls & Conway, R.R.; for Milton Mills, Union, 4 m., connects twice daily by stage. 

OFFICERS – Clerk, C.H. Looney; Treas., Ira Miller; Selectmen, H.B. Scates, D. Wallingford, Elbridge W. Fox; Supts., J.U. Simes, H.P. Pitcher.

Postmasters – C.H. Looney; West, T.F. Canney. 

Justices [of the Peace] – Luther Hayes, C.H. Looney, E.W. Fox, M.V.B. Cook, B.F. Avery, C.C. Hayes, State; J.U. Sims, Joseph Plummer, B.B. Plummer, J.H. Hersey, Ira Miller, Geo. Lyman, J.F. Hart.

Churches – Chris., D.B. Goodwin; Cong., __ __; F. Bap., C.L. Plumer.

Exp. & Tel. Ag’t – Daniel Cockery. 

Physician – H.F. Pitcher. 

Hotels & Livery Stables – Riverside House, C.H. Downs; Glen House, H.G. Wentworth.

Literary Institution – Milton Classical Institute, A.E. Cowell.

Manufacturers – boots and shoes, Wilson & Morgan; excelsior, J.H. Avery & Co.; shoe boxes, Chas. H. Hayes; shoe knives, J.H. Duntley; lumber, Luther Hayes, Scates & Lyman, Wentworth & Plummer, H.V. Wentworth & Son; L. Plummer, p.o. ad. Union. 

Mechanics – blacksmiths, H. Duntly & Son, N.B. Varney; carpenters, Joseph Mathes, E.H. Hersom, I.W. Jones, D.R. Fall, G.A. Swasey; hair dresser, ___Watson; masons, Clark Foss, Wm. F. Wentworth, G.P. Otis; painters, G.F. Hodgdon, Timothy Remick, J.Q.A. Soppin; shoemaker, George Tasker; wheelwrights, Joseph Mathes, Daniel Jenness. 

Merchants – J.F. Hart, Dan. Cockery, J.D. Willey, Looney & Downes; fancy goods, Mrs. Ira S. Knox, Mrs. J.F. Hart; ice, Granite State Ice Company; millinery, Mrs. C.M. Roberts. 

Milton Mills – Postmaster & Ex. Agent – E.W. Fox. 

Churches – Adv., C.S. Shattuck, Joseph Spinney; Cong., C.F. Goldsmith; F. Bap., H.P. Mansur; Meth., W.C. Bartlett.

Hotel & Livery Stables – Central House, C. Remick; Centennial House, J.W. Prescott.

Lawyer & Ins. Ag’t – E.F. Cloutman.

Manufacturers – carriages and wheelwrights, John Brackett, A.O. Prescott; clothing, Asa Jewett; flannels, Waumbeck Manuf’g Co.; felt cloth piano and table covers, D.H. Buffum & Co.; picture frames, E.A. Hargraves; plows, W.F. Cutts; saddle housings, L.B. Roberts; soap, S.G. Chamberlain; rubber linings, table and piano covers, Townsend & Co.; washing powder, E.J. Brierley. 

Mechanics – blacksmiths, Ebenezer Osgood, Nathaniel Rines, S.F. Rines, S.R. Runnells, John W. Brierley; carpenters, J.F. Titcomb, E.S. Simes, A.A. Fox, S. Hooper, A.B. Shaw, H. Wentworth, O. Wentworth, G.E. Simes, O.T. Fox; dress makers, Cora Lord, Mrs. Jewett; dyer, J.H. Whiteside; hair dresser, E.A. Hargraves; hair worker, Mrs. E.W. Balentine; harness makers, A. Sanborn & Son, Wm. H. Jones; masons, J.G. Rines, Wm. Miller; (stone) E. Richards; painters, E.C. Abbott, C.E. Drew, J.R. Butler; photographer, F.R. Baker; plummer and roofer, J.D. Villars; printer, E.T. Libbey; shoemakers, G.W. Merrill, W. Otterway, J.H. Charnley, John W. Hanson; tailor, B.F. Allbee; undertaker, J. Brackett. 

Merchants – Asa Fox & Son, A.A. Fox & Co., J.U. Simes, Ira Miller; carriages, J.F. & G.E. Hart; clothing, A. Jewett & Co.; confectionery, A.E. Hargraves, W.F. Hargraves; coffins, and caskets, J. Brackett; dry goods, G.S. Lovering, F. Roberts; drugs and medicines, A.W. Low; fancy goods, Miss M.A. Berry; fish, J.F. Archibald, E. Trefethen; groceries, F.H. Lowd, J. Lewis, E.J. Brierley; jewelry, E.T. Libbey; millinery, Augusta Berry; millinery and fancy goods, Mrs. J.W. Prescott; periodicals, E.W. Fox, E.A. Hargraves; provisions, C.S. Lowd, J.E. Hayes; stoves and tin ware, Murray Bros. 

Miscellaneous – conveyancer, claim and collection agent, E.W. Fox; nurseryman, John Copp.

Physicians – J.C. Buck, C.W. Gross, M.K. Cowell, W.E. Pillsbury; dentist, E.G. Reynolds.

The Boston Globe reported the tragic death of Mrs. Susan A. Foss in a Milton snow storm on Wednesday, December 13, 1882.

HER LAST SHOPPING. A Woman Frozen to Death in a Snow Storm Near Milton, N.H. MILTON, N.H., December 16. Mrs. Moses W. Foss walked about two miles to this place to do some trading Wednesday afternoon in a snow storm. She attempted to return in a deep and blinding storm, and had nearly reached there, when, overcome by exhaustion, she fell down and perished. She leaves three small children. Her husband was out of town (Boston Globe, December 16, 1882).

Moses W. Foss married in Wakefield, NH, November 13, 1878, Susan A. (Sanborn) Goodwin. She was born in Wakefield, NH, circa 1855-56, daughter of Goodwin and Hannah Sanborn.

Moses W. Foss, a laborer, aged thirty-seven years (born NH) headed a Lebanon, ME, household at the time of the Tenth (1880) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Susan A. Foss, keeping house, aged twenty-five years (born ME), his son-in-law [step-son], Charles W. Goodwin, at home, aged six years (born NH), and James H. Foss, at home, aged one year (born NH).

Previous in sequence: Milton Businesses in 1881; next in sequence: Milton Businesses in 1884.

References:

White River Paper Co. (1882). New Hampshire Register, State Year-book and Legislative Manual, for 1882. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=rOsWAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA124