Milton Observer

By Muriel Bristol | May 4, 2025

NH State Senator Beard Plummer made his last will in Milton, October 5, 1816, and died in Milton, October 7, 1816, aged sixty-two years (NY Post, October 18, 1816; Columbian Centinel (Boston, MA), October 19, 1816).

Dr. Stephen Drew had yet to set up shop as Milton’s first resident physician. Dr. Thomas Lindsay of neighboring Wakefield, NH, likely attended Sen. Plummer in his final illness. He and another physician, Dr. Jabez Dow, of Dover, NH, performed an autopsy on the deceased, and the following account of their findings found its way into the newspapers. They submitted a more detailed version to the Stafford County Medical Society, of which they were both members.

MEDICAL. Statement of facts resulting from a view of the remains, after the dissection of the Hon. BEARD PLUMER, by the attending physicians – and published at their request.

1. 1. In the abdomen, the omentum or cawl, was found in a natural state.
   2. The right lobe of the liver adhered to the diaphragm or midriff, to a considerable extent.
   3. The liver weighed six pounds and an half, its body was preternaturally hard, while its surface was extremely loose in its texture, yielding to the slightest touch.
   4. Its color resembled that of boiled liver, except that the turgescence of its superficial vessels gave it the colour of a reddish grey.
   5. The gall bladder was found in its natural state, containing the usual quantity of bile.
   6. The spleen or milt was found in the same enlarged state with the liver.
   7. The stomach and bowels, and every thing connected with them, and all the contents of the abdomen appeared perfectly natural, except that they were enormously loaded with fat.
   8. There considerable portion of water in the abdomen.
   9. In the thorax or chest a like portion of water was found.
   10. The vessels of the lungs were uncommonly full.
   11. The margin of the lungs appeared livid to a considerable extent, manifesting signs that this portion of them had ceased to perform their office for some time previous to the general death of the subject. They were otherwise natural in their appearance.
   12. On opening the pericardium or heart purse, it was nearly filled with water.
   13.  The heart itself weighed three pounds and one ounce.
   14. Its vessels were uncommonly full.
   15. It. was uncommonly loaded with fat.
   16. Its walls not thickened, nor were they preternaturally distended. All its other appearances were natural.
   17. Its coronary arteries were not ossified.
   18. The aorta or great artery of the body and its semilunar valves were found in a natural state.
   19. The valves of the pulmonary artery were found in a state of ossification, as also were several inches of the artery itself.

This last was undoubtedly the primary cause of his death. We have the diseased part in possession. A more particular detail of his case will be communicated to the Strafford District of the N.H. Medical Society.

THOMAS LINDSEY, JABEZ DOW.

[Milt]on. Oct. 9, 1816 (Bangor Register (Bangor, ME), November 9, 1816).

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Dr. Thomas Lindsey (1760-1840) was a physician practicing in neighboring Wakefield.

Dr. Thomas Lindsay must have come early [to Wakefield], as he married, in 1787, Polly Nudd, and for his second wife, in 1821, Elizabeth Clark, both of Wakefield. He moved to Lincoln, Maine, in 1832, and died at Chester, Maine, December 10, 1840, at eighty. He was collector of the minister’s tax in 1795-96, which was over one half the town tax. He was a member of the Strafford Medical Society in 1810. He had a long and successful practice. His two sons were in the factory at Union (Merrill, 1889).

Dr. Thomas Linsey headed a Wakefield, NH, household at the time of the Third (1810) Federal Census. His household included one male aged 26-44 years [himself], one female aged 26-44 years [Polly (Nudd) Lindsay], two males aged 10-15 years, one female aged 10-15 years, and one male aged under-10 years. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Noah Roberson and Herfield Wile.

Dr. Jabez Dow (1776-1839) was a physician and surgeon in Dover, NH.

DR. JABEZ DOW, son of Nathan Dow of Kensington, N.H., was born 24 Jan. 1776; was educated under Rev. Mr. Shaw of Kensington; entered Dr. Jacob Kittredge’s office, in Dover, as a medical student in 1793; began the practice of medicine, in Kensington, in 1796; married Hannah Waite of Malden, Mass.; and moved to Dover in May, 1802, where he practiced till his death, on 9 Jan. 1839. He was one of the founders of the Strafford District Medical Society in 1808; became a Fellow of the N.H. Medical Society in 1816; and was the best known surgeon in Dover and surrounding towns for more than thirty years. He lived on Silver street, in a house kept as a tavern by Thomas Footman prior to 1800, and in which Henry Dow, his son, now lives (NH Medical Society, 1879).

Jabez Dow headed a Dover, NH, household at the time of the Third (1810) Federal Census. His household included one male aged 26-44 years [himself], one female aged 26-44 years [Hannah (Waite) Dow], one male aged 16-25 years, one female aged 10-15 years, and three males aged under-10 years.

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References:

Find a Grave. (2021, November 8). Beard Plumer. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/233852302/beard-plumer

Flanders, Louis W. (1909). The Medical Society and Medical Men of One Hundred Years Ago. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=8hkCAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA171

Merrill, Georgia D. (1889). History of Carroll County, New Hampshire. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=xmMKyZxlU5MC&pg=PA518

NH Medical Society. (1879). Transactions of the N.H. Medical Society. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=YeTniIsn2BYC&pg=RA1-PA86

NH Secretary of State. (1891). Manual for the General Court. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=rXo0AQAAMAAJ&pg=PA137

Spalding, James A. (1916). Dr. Lyman Spalding. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=efURAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA277

By Muriel Bristol | April 27, 2025

Milton town records include a list of its “School Committees & money for 1804.” There was no mention of a single town-wide school committee, but instead nine separate district-level school committees, as well as some figures for each district

There were nine district-level school committees: eight district-level school committees, with three members each, and one other district-level school committee, with but a single member.

The nine district-level committees, and the names of their members, were listed, with some marginal calculations labeled “Rateable money.”

Esqr [Paul] Jewett, John Witham, and James Berry, Jr.} 144 – 46.50.

Richd Walker, Eben Jones, and Theodore Ham} 3973 – 12 – 79.

Joseph Plumer, Benjn Scates, and Lt Ebr Horne} 10692 – 34 – 50.

James C. Hayes, Caleb Wingate, and Benjn Miller} 8333 – 26 – 86.

Captn D. Hayes, Saml Nute, and Enoch Varney} 10920 – 35 – 25.

Dudley Burnham, Robert Mathews, and Wm Tuttle} 10751 – 34 – 68.

Gilman Jewett, Wm Jones, and Timth Roberts} 12078 -39.

Saml Twombly, Jotham Nute, and Stephen Wentworth} 3383 – 7 – 28.

Ebenezer Wentworth} 1101 – 3 – 35.

Total $244 – 5.

This State transcription of an original town record would seem to be imperfect. Lt Elijah Horne has been misread as Lt Ebr or Ebenezer Horne. Some column numbers seem to missing and/or misaligned. If the first number in each district represented its the value of “Rateable” property being assessed, its missing total would have been something like $61,375.

The second number in each column would total to something like 236, rather than the stated “Total” of $244, so something may be missing or misaligned.

The third and final number of something like 421 might possibly represent a number of students, rather than a dollar amount. The Second (1800) Federal Census of four years earlier had enumerated 336 inhabitants aged under-10 years and 124 inhabitants aged 10-15 years, for a total of 460 inhabitants aged under-16 years.

The district schools would have had no Kindergartens. Those would not exist for many years, so something less than the 336 inhabitants aged under-10 of 1800 would have been in the district schools of 1804, probably half of them or less. And district schools ran only up to what would now be about Grade 8 or about 14 years of age, so something less than 124 inhabitants aged 10-15 of 1800 would have been students in the district schools of 1804.

The bottom of the same page lists some categories of animals and their valuation, which may or may not have intended as part of an assessment for support of the district schools.

Poll 130[,] Stud Horses 3 winters[,] 5 yrs old  horses 70[¢] – 4 yrs old horses 50[¢] – 3 yrs old colts 30 cents [-] colts 2 winters old 10[¢] [-] oxen 40[¢] [-] oxen 4 winters old 30[¢] [-] cows 4 winters old 20[¢] [-] cattle 3 winters old 10[¢] [-] cattle 2 winters old 5 cents[.] payments on Libby’s Excn viz.
73
33
23
10.23
total 139.23

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See also Milton Teacher of 1796-1805 and Milton School Districts – 1806

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References:

Find a Grave.

By Muriel Bristol | April 20, 2025

Milton’s inaugural Town Meeting was held at the dwelling house of Lt. Elijah Horn, innholder, on August 30, 1802.

The first regular annual Town Meeting was held at the dwelling house of Gilman Jewett, innholder, March 14, 1803. Among other decisions, it appointed a committee to select a central location on which to build a Town Meeting House.

The Report of the Comittee appointed to fix the Center of the Town. We the under Signers a Comittee appointed at the Annual Meeting in March Last to Calculate the travel of each individual in order to find the most Central place to fix the Center & report the place that will in our opinion be most Suitable to build a House to hold Public Meetings in & best Comode the Town at Large do Report that we have attended Said Business but could not agree upon the place but agreed to take the Opinion of Major Joshua Allin, Daniel Wingate, Esq., & W. Luther Dearborn who Reported that it was their opinion that the most Suitable place to commode the Town & to build upon was at the Head of the upper pond on Wakefield road on the top of the first Hill, which we agree to. Milton, May 30th 1803. Willm Palmer, Beard Plumer, Daniel Hayes, Jur, John Remick, Jur, Timo Roberts, John Fish } Committee. A True Copy of Record. Gilman Jewett, T. Clerk.

A Town Meeting of May 30, 1803, voted 1st) to accept the above report on siting the proposed meeting house, 2) against dismissing a meeting notification clause, 3) to build a Meeting House of dimensions 52′ long by 42′ wide, 4) that a building committee of three be chosen to build the Meeting House in a manner they might think proper, 5) that John Fish, Gilman Jewett, and Beard Plumer, be that building committee, 6) that the building committee contract the project out to the lowest bidder(s), 7) that the building committee be authorized to auction pews to the highest bidders, 8) that timber for the Meeting House be cut on the School Lot, and 9) that any money needed for the Meeting House construction, above that raised through sale of pews, be taken from the Rochester settlement money.

The auction of pews, as well as for contracting the construction of the Meeting House, took place on July 4, 1803.

Article 1st. The Meeting House to be built of the following Dimentions, Viz. 52 ft. long and 42 ft. wide, timber to be the following dimentions well Squared & pretty free of Sap & Sound, parts to be 23 ft. high, 14 inches by 10 inches at the head, 6 Beams 12 by 13 inches & Crowning 10 inches at the most, 8 Sills 12 by 10 inches, 2 plates 10 by 8 inches, 2 rows hung posts double Spar’d with Good white oak, Braces under each Beam with Covering Joist with Studs, Braces, Girts & Slipers as is usual in Such frames & under pin the Same with as Good Rocks as can be got within one mile of places where Set to be 18 inches from Ground and a porch at each end Eleven ft. Square & of such an higth [height] as will be convenient to go into the Gallery. [T]o be Raised at the expense of the Contactor and Sett on the first hill at the head of the Norwest pond in Milton on Wakefield Road (unless the Town Should Vote to alter the place but not to exceed 100 Rods), all the above work to be done & Compleated by the Last day of Sept. Next.
2 Article. To board, Clapboard & Shingle Said House & Porches & build Portico with Good pine boards, Shingles & Clapboards, all well Seasoned, put in the window fraims [frames], make and hang the Doors & Glaze Said house with 10 x 8 Glass to Contain 46 Windows with 28 Squares in each, Door & c. to be made of Good Clean boards well Seasoned to be Compleated by the first day of June next. Boarding & Shingling Said house to be done by the first day of December next.
3rd article. To let out the whole inside work, Viz. – to build 61 pews agreeable to the plan anexed, to build a Pulpit, Lath & plaster Said House, build Stairs, Seats, put Pillows under the Gallerys, finally to Compleat the whole of the inside work not enumerated in the above, all to be done with Good Seasoned Timber & Boards, to lay all the floors & c., to be Compleated by the last day of October 1804, every article of the above work to be done in a Good Substantial workmanlike manner to the acceptance of the Committee.
4th Article. The lowest Bidder to be the Purchaser and none to bid less than one dollar per bid and to give Sufficient Security for the faithful performance of Said Contract & in Case of non Compliance to pay ten dollars forfeit to Said Committee.
5th article. If any dispute arise Respecting a bid to be referred to & adjudged by the company present.
6th article. The timber to be Cut on the School Lott and The Money paid to the purchase[r], one half to be paid when one half the work is done, the other half to be paid when the whole of the work is done. Milton, July 4th 1803. John Fish, Gilman Jewett, Beard Plumer } Committee. A true Coppy of Record. Gilman Jewett, Town Clerk.

Caleb Wingate submitted the winning bid of $398 for the work specified in Article One of the Meeting House project. Gilman Jewett submitted the winning bid of $680 for the Article Two work, and Capt. Daniel Hayes submitted the winning bid of $940 for the Article Three work. The whole was contracted for $2,018.

But then “a number of respectable inhabitants & freeholders” sought a special Town Meeting to reconsider the proposed Meeting House site. They were Clement Hayes, Richard Manson, Daniel Manson, Samuel Bragdon, Saml Jones, Jona Pinkham, Richard Walker, Elias Ricker, John Wentworth, Joseph Walker, Willm Jones, John Downs, Ebenezer Jones, Wentworth Cook, Jotham Ham, Elisha Furbish, Will W. Lord, Saml Twombly, Jr., Ebenr Twombly, Lemuel Ricker, Jerediah Ricker, Isaac Worster, David Wentworth, Wentworth Door, Saml Twombly, Willm Hatch, and Stephen Wentworth. They thought that the site should be instead ninety or a hundred rods lower down, on the south side of the brook at the head of the Northwest Pond. The special Town Meeting was held at the home of Lieut. Elijah Horn, September 1, 1803, and that meeting decided not to change the proposed Meeting House site.

A Town Meeting was held at the house of Gilman Jewett, innholder, May 7, 1804. The Article One framing contractor, Caleb Wingate, had requested that the Town “allow him a reasonable compensation for his faithful & Extra Services in Erecting the Meeting House.” His request was “dismissed” by the assembled Town Meeting.

The State transcription of these early Milton town records has the annexed plan of the original pews in the Milton Town House. It consists of two drawings or floor plans, one of the main ground floor and the other of a second floor, which was a balcony or gallery above the main ground floor, rather than a full second floor.

The top drawing is captioned “A Plan of Meeting House 36 pews below.”

On the ground floor drawing or plan itself the 36 numbered pews are shown, labeled with their owners’ names and the price they paid. The sequence begins on the southerly to the right of the front door, runs up the easterly side, across the northerly side, down the westerly side, and back to the front door. No. 1, Isaac Worster, $55; No. 2, W. Palmer, 46 Doll.; No. 3, Jno Downs, 45 Doll.; No. 4, D. Door, 31.25 Cts.; No. 5, John & David Wentworth, $28; No. 6, Caleb Wingate, 30: Doll.; No. 7, Wm Lord, 30 doll.; No. 8, P. Hantsom, 31 doll.; No. 9, W. Jones, 30.25 cts.; No. 10., Saml S. Wentworth, 31.50; No. 11, S. Jones, 53 doll.; No. 12, L. Jones, 32.75; Pulpit, DEACON SEAT; No. 13, Parsonage pew; No. 14, Beard Plumer, 50 dol.; No. 15, Wm Palmer, 29.50; No. 16, T. Roberts, 27 doll.; No. 17, J. Scates, 30 doll.; No. 18, Jeh Ricker, 28.25; No. 19, D. Burnham, 31 Doll.; No. 20, C. Hays, 30.25; No. 21, Jas Hayes, 30 doll.; No. 22, B. Scats, 44 Doll.; No. 23, D. Corson, 45.25; and No. 24, Robert McGeoch, $55.

A group of six pews are grouped on the floor on the east side of the main aisle, which was 5½ feet wide, and six pews are grouped on the west side of the main aisle. No. 25, Jothm Nute, 64 doll.; No. 26, Capt. D. Hayes, 43 doll.; No. 27, E. Horn, 48 doll.; No. 28, R. Walker, 53 dolls.; No. 29, J. Plumer, 100; No. 30, G. Jewett, 88 Dol.; No. 31, B. Plumer, 51 doll.; No. 32, Richd Horn, 54.50 C.; No. 33, Ez. Hays, 41 Doll.; No. 34, B. Scates, 65 doll.; No. 35, J. Fish, 78; and No. 36, N. Jewett, 81 Doll.

Below the main ground floor plan is a second plan captioned “A plan of the Galery Pews in Said House.” A set of stairs does appear on the ground floor plan, but they seem to be associated only with the raised pulpit, rather than the gallery above. However, the Article One building contract included an eleven square-foot “porch” at each end of the building, of such a height that they would be “convenient to go into the Gallery” above.

The gallery or balcony plan is mirrored or upside down relative to the ground floor plan. That is to say, the Pulpit, which appears at the top or north side of the ground floor plan appears instead at the bottom of the gallery or balcony plan.

On the Gallery drawing or plan itself 26 numbered pews are shown, labeled with their owners’ names and the price they paid. No. 1, J. Door, 22 dol.; No. 2, J. Willy, 13 dol.; No. 3, E. Drew, 11 dol.; No. 4, S. Palmer, 12.25; No. 5, D. Monson, 12.25; No. 6, G. Gerrish, 10.50; No. 7, J. Walker, 10.75; No. 8 <blank>; No. 9, Jas Varney, Jr., 17.25; No. 10, Stephn Wentworth, 16.25; No. 11, Capt. N. Jones, 17 dol.; No. 12, Capt. D. Hayes, 16.75; No. 13, Capt. D. Hayes, 17 doll.; No. 14, Capt. D. Hayes, 19.25; No. 15, D. Hanson, 16.75; No. 16, J. Door, 16.50; No. 17, Capt. N. Jones, 18 doll.; No. 18 <blank>; No. 19 <blank>; No. 20 <blank>; No. 21, E. Plumer; No. 22 <blank>; No. 23, James C. Hayes, 12 Dols. 50 Cents; No. 24, Saml Nash, 12 doll.; No. 25, Benja Corson, $20.50; and No. 26, Singing Seats, Ly.

The pew auction sale prices cited on the two plans sum to $1,902. (Six gallery pews were not yet sold). It would have been necessary to allocate an additional $206 from the Rochester settlement money, or to sell more pews, in order to satisfy the three building contracts, whose sum was $2,108.

The first Town Meeting to be held in the newly constructed Meeting House took place on August 27, 1804. (The internal Gallery no longer exists).

The Milton Congregational Society petitioned for a charter in 1814, which they received in the following year. (See Milton Congregational Society Petition – 1814). The Congregationalists continued to meet and worship in the Milton Town House, from 1804 until they moved to their own church building in 1835.

This church worshiped in the old meeting house until 1835, when the house was built at Three Ponds, which has since been transformed into a “Classical Institute.” After this time for several years the meetings were held alternately at the Three Ponds and Milton Mills. The present meeting-house of this church was built in 1860, and is a spacious and elegant edifice (Hayes, 1882; Scales, 1914).

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References:

Find a Grave. (2005, March 1). Col. Joshua Allen. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/10543195/joshua-allen

Find a Grave. (2012, June 19). Luther Dearborn. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/92171689/luther-dearborn

Find a Grave. (2011, September 28). Daniel Wingate. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/77248301/david-wingate

Scales, John. (1914). History of Strafford County, New Hampshire and Representative Citizens. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=nGsjAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA513

By Muriel Bristol | April 13, 2025

Milton had Rochester School Districts already when it was still the Northeast Parish of Rochester, and those districts seem to have been continued when Milton initially became its own town in 1802. (It elected nine District School Committees in 1804).

There would have been a one-room schoolhouse in each School District. (Two at least of the ultimate nine District schoolhouses are still extant, although they are likely not the original buildings).

There were no Kindergarten or High School students (These are relatively modern innovations). Nor were there any school levels or “grades,” as such. (Grades were first used in the “graded” Milton Grammar School of 1893 (see Milton Grammar School Principals – 1893-14). Student ages would correspond with what are now termed the First through the Eighth grades. After that most students would have entered the workforce, usually on the family farm, or apprenticed in a trade. Some students went right from being a student to being the teacher. (Lewis W. Nute taught in a Milton school before embarking on his business career in Boston, MA).

Miss Sophia Cushing taught initially at Plummer’s Ridge in 1797-98 and then, just before these School Districts were newly delineated, at Milton Three Ponds. She was aged only about thirteen or fourteen years of age when she first taught in Rochester and only about fifteen or sixteen years of age when she first taught at Plummer’s Ridge. She would remember her experiences there in her 1854 autobiography (see Milton Teacher of 1796-1805).

Some few students – those intending to enter one of the “learned professions” – would have gone on to study further in some out-of-town private academy or institute prior to attending college. (The Milton Classical Institute would become available for this locally in or around 1867). More advanced books than basic “readers” might be borrowed at this time, by subscription, at the Rochester Social Library and, after 1822, at the Milton Social Library.

Each School District had its own elected three-person district School Committee. They would have been responsible for the schoolhouse, firewood for its pot-bellied stove, schoolbooks (see Milton’s Arithmetic Textbooks of 1878), slates, etc., and the hiring of a teacher, which might have included also lodging for that teacher. Each school district would have its own tax assessment and school tax to fund those expenses, thus the names of the taxpayers and lot numbers of their properties.

In December 1806, an appointed four-man Town Committee reported its definition (or redefinition) of five School Districts. District One would seem to have been situated or centered on what is now known as Plummer’s Ridge, District Two at West Milton, District Three at Milton Mills, District Four at South Milton, and District Five at Milton Three Ponds.

We the undersigned, a Committee appointed to divide the Town of Milton into School Districts, do hereby agree upon the following division, Viz.

Joseph Plumer’s District No. 1 to contain the following Inhabitants, also the following lots of Land, Viz. Persons Names. Thomas Appleby, Willm Appleby, Willm Adams, Moses Chamberlin, David Corson, Saml W. Cate, Fredrick Cate, Daniel Door, Jona Door, John Door, John Fifield, Ens. James C. Hayes, Lieut E. Horn, John Hart, Stephen Jennis, Capt. Levi Jones, Benja Miller, Henry Miller, John Mills, Thomas Nutter, Capt. B. Plumer, Joseph Plumer, Barnabas Palmer, Will Palmer, Esq., John Palmer, Enoch Plumer, Dudley Palmer, Beniah Colbey, John Remick, John D. Remick, James Roberts, Benja Scates, John Scates, Ephm Twombly, Gershm Wentworth, Otis Wentworth, Paul Wentworth, Caleb Wingate, David Wallingford, Gilbert Perkins, Wid. A. Hanson, John McDuffee. Lots of Land. No. 38, 37, 36, 35, 34, 33, 32, 31, 30, 29, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 67, 61, 63, in 3rd Division, and 119, 120, 121, in the 4th Division.

Lieut J. Nute’s District No. 2 Contains the following Inhabitants and Lotts of Land, Viz. Samuel Bragdon, Daniel Hayes, Jur, Theodore Ham, Daniel Hayes, Esq., Ezekiel Hayes, Ichabod Hayes, Stephen Jenkins, Stephen Jenkins, Jur, Ebenr Jones, John Jenkins, Richard Monson, Lt. D. Monson, Saml Nute, Lt. Jotham Nute, Nicholas Nute, Ens. E. Twombly, James Varney, Wid. Mary Varney, Benja Varney, Lemuel Varney, Aron Varney, James Varney, Jur, Edmund Varney, Richard Walker, Joseph Walker, Ebenr Wingate, John Twombly, Aron Wentworth. Lots of land. No. 53, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 98, 100, & two third of 101, & 1 third of 88, in 2nd division & lotts No. 6 & 8 in 3rd division & lotts No. 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80 & 81 in the fourth division.

Paul Jewett Esq.’s District No. 3 Contains the following Inhabitants and lotts of Land, Viz. Joseph Berry, Will Berry, Francis Berry, James Berry, Isaac Brackett, Ens. W. Corson, Saml Chatman, Beniah Door, Nathl Dearborn, Joseph Dearborn, Enoch Farnham, Nathl Gilman, Jeremiah Goodwin, Humphry Goodwin, Daniel Grant, Peter Grant, George Hoyt, Paul Jewett, Esq., Nat Jewett, Reuben Jones, Nathan Jones, Joseph Libby, James Merrow, Mark Miller, Jur, Bartholomew Miller, Hatevil Nutter, Will S. Nutter, John Nutter, Joseph Rines, Henry Rines, Henry Rines, Jur, John Remick, Jur, Thomas Remick, Henry Rollins, John Smith, Aron Witham, John Witham, Josiah Witham, Obediah Witham, Edmd Witham, Amos Witham, Peter Copp. Lotts of Land ~ No. 40, 39, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 75, 76, 77, 78, & 79, in third division, & lott No. 122 in 4th division.

Dudley Burnham’s District No. 4 Contains the following Inhabitants & Lotts of Land, Viz. Persons names. Dudley Burnham, Enoch Bunker, Ebenr Corson, Robert Corson, Jeremiah Cook, Joseph Cook, John Drew, Moses Downs, James Goodwin, Jonathan How, Robert Mathews, Will Mathews, John Meserve, Enoch Wingate, Amos Place, Francis Nute, Saml Nute, Jur, Otis Pinkham, Oliver Peavey, Shubel Roberts, Ephm Plumer, John Twombly, Jur, Will Tuttle, Saml Wentworth, Daniel Wentworth, Caleb Wakeham, Jona Wakeham, Benja Wakeham, Ephm Wakeham, Ichabod Wentworth, Enoch Wentworth. Lotts of Land. No. 97, 99, & 1 third of No. 101, in 2nd division, & lotts No. 5, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, & one half of No. 18, in third division.

John Fishe’s District No. 5 Contains the following Inhabitants and lotts of Land, Viz. Persons Names. Wentworth Cook, John Downs, Gershom Downs, Aron Downs, Ens. John Fish, Benja Foss, Will Foss, Wentworth Door, Clemt Hayes, Nicholas Hartford, Jotham Ham, Will Hatch, Peletiah Hanscom, John Hansom, John B. Hartford, Lieut. Gilman Jewett, Ens. Will Jones, Will W. Lord, Will Lord, Robert McGeoch, Jona Pinkham, Nathl Pinkham, Saml Palmer, Lemuel Ricker, Jerediah Ricker, Saml Ricker, John Ricker, Ebenr Ricker, Timo Ricker, Timo Roberts, Saml Twombly, Saml Twombly Jur, John Wentworth, Saml S. Wentworth, David Wentworth, James Wentworth, Stephen Wentworth, Isaac Worster, Thomas Wentworth, Josiah Willey, Widow Gerrish. Lotts of Land. No. 94, 95, 96, 89, 90 & two thirds of No. 88 in 2nd divn & lotts No. 66, 68, 62, 60, 65, 64, 20, 21, 22, 19, & ½ of No. 18, in third division, & lotts No. 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, & 52, in 4th division.

Dated at Milton this first day of December 1806. Levi Jones, William Palmer, Saml S. Wentworth, Jotham Nute.

True Coppy attest Gilman Jewett Town Clerk.

The Second, Third, and Fourth Divisions designations associated with the land lot numbers represent successive divisions of “common land.” When a town, such as Rochester, was chartered, its original settlers received original grants of chartered land.

(Original grants of chartered frontier land were sometimes given to veterans of various wars and conflicts. Such grants might bear the name of the town from which those veterans served. For instance, New Boston, NH, from Boston, MA; New Durham, NH, from Durham, NH, and New Ipswich, NH, from Ipswich, MA. Many such namesake land grants were later renamed or subdivided, as Milton being separated out of Rochester, NH. For instance, New Marblehead, ME, was renamed as Windham, ME).

Granted land not initially set out for original settlers was reserved as “common” land, to which those settlers had reserved rights as “commoners.” Over time, successive divisions of that land might be made until there was little or no undivided land remaining. (One hopes to find someday the accompanying map associated with these lot numbers).

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References:

Wikipedia. (2018, October 31). Common School. Retrieved from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_school

Wikipedia. (2018, October 21). Normal School. Retrieved from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Normal_school

By Muriel Bristol | April 6, 2025

There was published in the Dover Enquirer a July 1854 description of a White Mountains trip, presumably taken just before, i.e., in June or July of 1854, by eight Rochester tourists (three men and five women).

Apart from its intrinsic interest, the initial part of this travelogue contains an interesting detail regarding the “pleasant village” of Milton. The path of the PGF&C railroad line had been completed through Hayes Station in South Milton. The traveling tourists observed a prepared and graded roadbed running through to Milton, but its iron rails had not yet been laid.

The tourists started from Rochester and passed through Milton, Wakefield, Ossipee, Eaton, Conway, (with a side trip to Albany,) and then Bartlett, on to Crawford Notch (and up Mt. Washington), [Franconia,] Bethlehem, Woodstock, Thornton, Campton, Plymouth, Holderness, Meredith, Alton, [New Durham,] and back to Rochester.

A Trip to the White Mountains. Our party, consisting of eight persons, started from R. [Rochester] about 4 o’clock A.M.; the morning was beautiful and while a few straggling clouds were hanging lazily around the horizon the sun was already, making his way in the east, changing their appearance to a pearly white or dispelling them altogether from view, Ours was a jovial crew, and we wended our way swiftly along, leaving behind the low lands upon which the village is situated while the air grew warmer and we were met by a breeze from the north west, which gradually became cooler, and we soon passed the pleasant village of Milton, the business of which is soon to be increased by laying down the iron upon the already graded track of the Great Falls and Conway railroad.
Here are situated the beautiful sheets of water known as the “Three Ponds,” much resorted to by the disciples of old Isaak Walton; they lay nearly parallel with the main road and on leaving them we ascended the high lands where the eye was met by a carpet of green in forest and field; nature was arrayed in all her loveliness which chased away dull care and provided a speedy antidote for the ills engendered by months of confinement. Halting a few minutes by the side of a running stream we slaked our own, and the thirst of the horses with nature’s cooling beverage, resumed our journey, passed Union village in Wakefield, stopped at old “Hall Gilman’s” to tell him his cows were in the field, and passing beneath the stately pines that crowd closely upon the road and throw their shadows completely across it, we stopped, twenty miles from home, at Wakefield corner, at the Inn of Mrs. [Elizabeth B. (Wiswall)] Wiggin until the sun had spent his fiercest rays, when we again started for the regions of the North West, among the numerous hills, valleys, and what was t0 us more interesting, the trout streams of old Ossipee, from whose well stored beds, we filled our firkin, and paused a while at Centre Ossipee, which appears to be a business place, and among its best citizens is Mr. [Levi] Perkins of the Temperance Hotel. Still further on we pass the shore of Ossipee Lake, a fine sheet of water rendered almost classic by being the scene of so many Indian legends, And upon its western bank is still to be seen one of the largest mounds in New England, beneath which repose the bones of the red man, the last sad vestige that remains to remind us of his departed glory, and of the time when he held undisputed sway of forest and lake. And while the same sky was over head, the same Lake before our eyes, the red man with birchen canoe and bow and arrows, have passed away: his hunting grounds have become the abodes of of civilization and where his shrill war whoop was heard, and his revengeful eye flashed fire, the ear is greeted by the lowing of herds and the joyful sound of the horn of peace and plenty.
We stopped for the night at the West Ossipee Hotel, kept by Mr. [Asa] Ames, where we were well accommodated and furnished with music through the night, with or without our consent, by a band of mosquitoes, “too numerous to mention.” Taking an early start and traveling six miles we came to the village of Eaton, the most notable thing of which is its ancient dilapidated Church, which appears to have belonged to a generation gone by. Seven miles further on we entered the fine village of Conway, the Indian Pequawket, and stopped at the Conway House, one of the finest Hotels in the country, kept by the mountain renowned [Horace] Fabyan. This is a great thoroughfare for mountain travel and Fabyan is just the man to accommodate you over night and direct you to the mountains in the morning; and it appears to be his object to keep a better house than any other man. In the afternoon the whole party concluded to go to Albany to fish in Swift River, which is well stored with trout, but they did not appear to be in a biting mood. We found, however, a bundle of New Hampshire Patriots Extra, which had withstood the storms of Winter and Summer, headed “John Atwood Letters,” “Read, Ponder and Decide.” They did not appear to have been read, and had doubtless been lost on their way to enlighten the democracy of Carroll County, and to warn them of the machinations and short comings of the aforesaid John. We found accommodations at the private house of Mr. Chase for the night, and started the next morning for the foot of Kiarsage [Kearsarge] mountain, having a thunder shower by the way, which among the mountains is more terrible than in the open country; the lightning is more vivid, and
“From crag to crag leap’d the live thunder.”
This cooled earth and air, and we left our horses and started for the summit of the mountain, three thousand feet high. Of five ladies in our company three considered “discretion the better part of valor” and concluded to ride to the summit, while the other two determined to walk. The path is rough but not impracticable and we all arrived at the Summit House (kept also by Fabyan) about the same time in high glee where we met the cool winds that swept down over the snow dotted mountains of the farther north west; and obtained a view of the surrounding country that is equaled by that from few places in New Hampshire. After partaking of a good dinner we commenced the descent which we accomplished with much less fatigue than the ascent, and rode ten miles in the evening to Bartlett, where we stayed for the night; and the next morning travelled over a picturesque road fourteen miles to the Mt. Crawford House, kept [by] N.T.P. [Nathaniel P.T.] Davis, Esq.
This was the house of the venerable Abel Crawford, the man, who volunteered the services of the best years of his life in laying out roads around and up these mountains, in bringing their attractive wilds, deep ravines and lofty summits to be visited by the curious and pleasure seeking world; it was he who first made a bridle path upon the top of Mt. Washington, and rode a horse there when more than seventy years of age. He lived for some time nearly alone among the mountains, and was possessed of moral and physical strength, by which he endured hardships and privations from which others would shrunk in despair. But after living to a good old age he is gathered to his fathers, and beneath trees of his own planting and nursing, a few rods from the house in a quiet unobtrusive grave sleep his mortal remains, fit resting place for him who loved with such a love his sweet mountain home; while above, the carol of the birds, and below the dashing of the mountain stream sound the requiem of his departed worth.
Of the kind attention of Mr. Davis and his family I need not speak, for all that pass that way or have the pleasure of their acquaintance bear testimony to the urbanity of their manners and the quiet homelike retreat of their house. Passing on six miles farther amid beautiful scenery and lofty mountains, whose peaks stand out like gloomy sentinels to guard the narrow passway, we reach the Willey House situated at the base of lofty mountains in a place so dreary that the mountain bird seems to forget his song and dull monotony of the place is only broken by the humming waters of the puny Saco as it winds its way over the rocks and gravel o the fearful slide of the 26th [28th] of August 1826, which buried in a moment beneath its ruins the interesting family by that name; the old House still stands to tell with silent eloquence the tale “no no voice may speak,” for all, Father, Mother, Brothers, and Sister found a common grave; and none may tell of the hopes, the fears, the sufferings and mortal agony of that night of death. And when we look over the scene of desolation which covers this once beautiful valley the mind instinctively reverts to the sad catastrophe, breaks ups the fountains of the heart and brings to the eyes the makes of an embarrassing weakness. Two miles from this place is the veritable Notch of the White Mountains, and whoever would know ought [aught[ of this must see it in its mystic, thrilling beauty; and in passing up through, may be seen to the right a fine scene of water dashing down the mountain side leaping from cliff to cliff, a hundred feet at a bound, forming a bright silver cascade whose waters hurry on in cold haste, to join the little stream which here takes its rise and forms the Saco. A few rods above is the height of land between the Saco and Connecticut Valleys, upon which is situated the Notch House, built by T.J. Crawford, but kept by J.L. [Joseph L. ] Gibbs. Four miles further on we pass the Giant’s Grave, the ruins of the once noble Mt. Washington House (the old Rosebrook Stand), and stop at the White Mountain House, kept by Campbell & Moore, rather poetical names, but whether they are descendants of the poets of old Scotia and Green Erin I cannot say, but they make vary good landlords. We stopped here but a few minutes and then started for the summit of Mt. Washington, about ten miles distant, and for the present the height of our ambition. About four and one half miles of this distance is a wagon path, over which we rode with Mr. Moore, crossing several times the waters of the Ammonusuck [Ammonoosuc] in their winding course; and now we bid adieu to the driver and guide and with staff in hand commence the long and wearisome road which for the first two miles was a good forest path closely hemmed in by tall trees. – Our party consisted of three gentlemen and three ladies and now began the ascent in good earnest. – Up and still higher, but “excelsior” was our motto, and as we rose higher the forest trees grew shorter and the air which was sultry below grew cooler, until the trees disappeared altogether, and the air increased to a wintry blast, making coats and shawls very desirable, and when about a mile from the summit we beheld such a sunset as none of us had seen before; and as none view but from the top of Mt. Washington or some other lofty eminence. For as he sank in all his majestic grandeur into a bed of blazing clouds, as they lay fold upon fold behind the distant mountains of the west, we had a view of one of nature’s richest scenes. But when the sun was out of sight the clouds grew blacker and gathered more closely about us, until they enveloped us in their mist, while the bitter blasts of wintry wind grew more bitter still, but our course was upward, and about nine o’clock in the evening we reached the tip-top House, where we found a good coal fire very comfortable, the mercury being but a few degrees above freezing point. Here we were well cared for by Messrs. [Joseph S.] Hall and [Samuel F.] Spaulding, who are here for the purpose of assisting those who make the ascent. We partook of a good supper and retired to the “Lodging House” situated a few yards from tip top and drank in a full draught of
“Kind nature’s sweet restorer balmy sleep,”
which had indeed by morning restored us to our wonted activity and fully prepared us for the enjoyment of the rising sun whose rosy tints shot up the eastern skies, driving away the misty clouds of the previous evening and relighting old earth with apparently more evening glory, giving us a view which well repaid us for all our toil. We stayed upon the mountain until nearly noon, viewing the objects of interest both far and near, when we returned by the same path, found Mr. Campbell waiting and rode to the White Mt. House, where we joined our friends left behind, took dinner and drove ten miles over a good road to the town of Bethlehem to stop for the night at the Phoenix Hotel, kept by [Thomas J.] Spooner; as good a place as ever weary, hungry mortals could wish to meet with. In the morning we pursued our course and after riding about fourteen miles enter the Franconia mountains and the first object of interest we meet with is the “Echo Lake, a beautiful sheet of water closely ensconced among lofty hills, where the echo from the report of a pistol comes back like thunder near at hand, while the echo from the sound of the horn dies away in sweet lingering strains as the notes pass from mountain to mountain. A few rods further and we pass the Profile House, one of the largest in the region, situated in a wild gloomy place where the sun shines only about three hours in the shortest days of winter; and a little distance from this is the profile itself, the “Old Man of the Mountain,” whose appearance changes but little though winter’s storm. The same road leads to the “Basin,” where the clear waters of a running stream in dashing over a precipice have worn out a huge soup bowl in the solid rock beneath, which makes it an object of interest.
Still further on, or five miles from the Profile House, is the Flume House, kept by [Richard] Taft, which has many things to induce the traveler to pause; the greatest of which is the world renowned Flume itself, situated about mile from the House, whose perpendicular sides and hanging rock are grand beyond description, and should be seen by all who pass that way. And now, having seen all in the mountains reputed to be worth seeing, we leave them in their picturesque grandeur and unrivalled beauty, and turn our steps homeward, passing through the towns of Woodstock, Thornton, and Campton, arrived at the Old Town of Plymouth and rest for the night at the Pemigewasset House, kept by [Dennison R.] Burnham. In the morning we travel through Holderness to Meredith village and stop for dinner at the Railroad House, kept by James Hussey, formerly of Great falls, from thence to Alton Bay round the Lake and over hills. The Bay has but little to boast of except being the terminus of the Cochecho Rail Road, but Alton Corner, appears to be a business place, where we stop for the night at the pleasant Inn of Geo. D. Savage & Co., and the next day reach home after an absence of a week, and find our friends all in good health, and our own much improved by the journey.
Rochester, July, 1854 (Dover Enquirer, August 1, 1854).

Much of this trip might be repeated and many of its scenes – save the Old Man of the Mountain – can still be seen today.

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References:

Find a Grave. (2022, October 27). Dennison Rogers Burnham. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/245079882/dennison-rogers-burnham

Find a Grave. (2012, July 29). Abel Crawford. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/94437525/abel-crawford

Find a Grave. (2016, August 4). Horace Fabyan. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/167765930/horace-fabyan

Find a Grave. (2013, June 2). Joseph Lane Gibb. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/111693621/joseph-lane-gibb 

Find a Grave. (2013, October 2). Levi Perkins. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/117976522/levi-perkins

Find a Grave. (2007, October 23). LTC George D. Savage. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/22401192/george-d-savage

Find a Grave. (2006, December 29). Samuel Fitch Spaulding. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/17206268/samuel-fitch-spaulding

Find a Grave. (2014, July 27). Thomas Jefferson Spooner. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/133426065/thomas-jefferson-spooner

Find a Grave. (2015, November 25). Richard Taft. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/155373070/richard-taft

Find a Grave. (2012, June 24). Elizabeth Bond Wiswall Wiggin. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/92466280/elizabeth-bond-wiggin

Wikipedia. (2024, August 11). Crawford Family of the White Mountains. Retrieved from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crawford_family_of_the_White_Mountains

Wikipedia. (2024, November 20). Crawford House (Crawford Notch, New Hampshire). Retrieved from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crawford_House_(Crawford_Notch,_New_Hampshire)

Wikipedia. (2025, February 28). Crawford Notch. Retrieved from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crawford_Notch

Wikipedia. (2024, February 25). Echo Lake (Franconia Notch). Retrieved from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Echo_Lake_(Franconia_Notch)

Wikipedia. (2025, February 16) Flume Gorge. Retrieved from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flume_Gorge

Wikipedia. (2025, January 6). Franconia Notch. Retrieved from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franconia_Notch

Wikipedia. (2025, March 20). Izaak Walton. Retrieved from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Izaak_Walton

Wikipedia. (2025, January 5). Kearsarge North. Retrieved from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kearsarge_North

Wikipedia. (2025, March 17). Mount Washington. Retrieved from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Washington

Wikipedia. (2025, March 24). Old Man of the Mountain. Retrieved from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Man_of_the_Mountain

Wikipedia. (2025, February 17). Profile House. Retrieved from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Profile_House

Wikipedia. (2025, January 7). Tip-Top House. Retrieved from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tip-Top_House

Wikipedia. (2025, February 11). Willey House (New Hampshire). Retrieved from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willey_House_(New_Hampshire)

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).

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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

By Muriel Bristol | March 23, 2025

The following description of Milton Mills appeared as a letter from “S” to the Editor of the Dover Enquirer, dated November 23, 1869. One might compare it to the earlier “Vulpes” letter of 1864. (“Vulpes” being Latin for “Fox,” i.e., Milton Mills merchant Asa Fox).

After some brief notice of the various businesses in Milton Mills, the author focused his attention on various aspects of the E. Brierley & Son mill operation.

LETTER FROM MILTON MILLS. Nov. 23, 1869.
Messrs. Editors: Milton Mills is an extreme eastern village of the frontier town of Milton, lying on the Salmon Falls river. Geographically it is a little obscure, being off the main thoroughfares to and from the great markets. It is about four miles east of Union, the terminus of the Great Falls & Conway Railroad. One of the characteristic beauties is that it is so nicely nestled in among the hills which tower above on every side, save that of the approach from Union or the south side, thus rendering it one of nature’s richest endowed in surrounding scenery, while human skill and enterprise conspire to make it one of the most thrifty villages of its size in this section of the State. It has five or six stores, several mechanic shops, one hotel, “Woolen Factory,” “Flannel Print Works,” and an “Embossing and Press Dyeing Establishment,” together with a water power sufficient to drive the machinery of the mills of any village below it on the river.
I shall speak in detail of only one enterprise – “The Milton Manufacturing Company,” “Print Works, & c.,” – and of one man in it, though in point of manufacturing much might be said of other establishments.
Mr. Edward Brierly is owner, agent and superintendent of the mills, shops and dwellings forming a group in the northerly part of the village. His business comprises felt cloth manufacture, press dyeing, flannel coloring, block printing, together with an extensive work in steam embossing of piano covers, skirts and table covers of every desirable hue and figure, as may be seen in his finishing and casing apartment, some of the new patterns rivalling anything of the kind heretofore in the markets. Mr. B. is not only a skilled dyer but a man who has in times past obtained considerable notoriety in this country and in England for valuable discoveries in the art. His courteous bearing to visitors at his business enables one to feel quite at home while there. He very gentlemanly showed us around his premises, where we gleaned the following statistics, by which the reader can get something of an idea of the capacity of the establishment and magnitude of the business.
A new mill, three stories in height, 106 by 30 feet on the ground, just erected and unoccupied, will not come into account here. one mill, 45 by 36 feet, three stories high, comprises a Card Room, where with one suit 400 pounds of wool is daily made into a batting two yards in width and some thirty yards in length – a huge bobbin for the Felting room, where, from one machine, 450 to 500 yards of felting is daily turned off, – no loom, shuttle, warp or filling in the way of thread being employed. Here also is a rag grinding room, where old rags are dissected and the product made to approximate the woolly textures; and here also is a fulling and scouring department; also all the modern improvements in Press Dyeing, a feature of the art yielding a diversity of plaids, stripes and checks. With the labor of two men 1500 yards of the article is turned off in a day. We might speak of plain flannel dyeing, extensively done here, – of machinery for steam drying, blowing dust from shoddy, wool picking, etc., all of which is done in this mill and of interest to those unacquainted with the process by which felt cloth and plaids are made.
In another mill, 132 by 32 feet on the ground, three stories high, the upper room is used for tenter bars, for drying flannels fresh from the vat. One thousand yards may here be suspended at a time. In the same room, and for drying flannels, are large copper cylinders, heated by steam, around which the cloth is carried by machinery. In the room beneath we find apartments for shearing, burling, & c. The lower room is employed from Embossing. It contains nine embossing presses of three and one-fourth tons weight each, and one of more than five tons, all worked by steam, – Too much space would be required to particularize upon the modus operandi of embossing. The amount of felting weekly embossed and entering into piano and table covers, skirts, & c., exceeds 300 yards, bringing into requisition some 63 plates and affording so many different patterns. These plates are beautifully designed and engraved, of a composition of tin and copper, weighing 75 pounds each, and costing $150 each.
Another mill, 55 by 30 feet, on the ground, is devoted to another branch of business, that of Block Printing. Four hundred table and piano covers of plain wool flannel in scarlet, magenta and blue colors, are the average daily work for four hands.
The mills are all heated by steam, employing for the business, together with that of boiling the dye, & c., two steam boilers of sufficient capacity to drive a fifty horse power engine. The machinery is driven by water power.
At the counting room we gleaned the following items: It costs $100,000 per year to run the business, or about $2,000 per week. For the week ending Nov. 22, the amount in goods turned off from the embossing department and shipped to Boston, was $3,078. About 35 hands are employed. 400 cords of wood are annually consumed about the premises. Jordan, Marsh & Co., Boston, receive the goods. Sterns of Dover, Carter & Brothers of Great Falls, deal largely in the goods, as also do other dry goods men.
Mr. B. is evidently master of his business, and possess[es] a tact to make every branch pay. The whole community around him appreciate his genius and enterprise. With him at the head and Edward James, his son, as accountant and cashier, they may be warranted success. S (Dover Enquirer, December 9, 1869).

Brierley daughter. Agnes J. Brierley married in Milton, June 7, 1870, Henry H. Townsend, she of Milton Mills and he of Boston, MA. (He was a member of Milton Mills’ Townsend blanket factory family).

MARRIED. In Milton, June 7, by Rev. N.D. Adams, Mr. Henry H. Adams, of Boston, Mass., and Miss Agnes J. Brierly, daughter of Edward Brierly, Esq., of Milton Mills (Dover Enquirer, June 19, 1870).

The E. Brierley & Son mill described above in the 1869 Milton Mills description were destroyed in a fire on Thursday, June 12, 1873.

MILTON MILLS. – The extensive woolen mill of Edward Brierley was destroyed Thursday afternoon last. The fire took in the card-room, under the cards. It had three sets of machinery on felting. The mill, dye-house and printery were wholly consumed, The stock, excepting “stock in process,” was saved. The mills run by water, with steam auxiliary. Loss estimated at $45,000. Insurance, $29,000. (Dover Enquirer, [Thursday,] June 19, 1873).

A destructive fire happened at Milton Mills on Thursday of last week. The extensive woolen mills of Edward Brierly with contents, were all burned. The loss is nearly $100,000. Insured for about $25,000. The fire originated in the attic amongst a lot of rags, by spontaneous combustion (Dover Enquirer, [Saturday,] June 21, 1873).

But the E. Brierley & Son mill began reconstruction in the following month and would restart its operations by October of the following year.

Messrs. Edward Brierly & Son of Milton Mills are putting in the foundations of a first class Felt Mill, which is to take the place of one recently burned. It will be 112 feet long, 5 stories high and basement, with ell 60 by 45 feet, lined with brick and covered with corrugated iron, and will be situated on the Maine side of the river. A citizens meeting was called to see what could be done in helping to rebuild the mill, and a subscription was opened and $1500 pledged toward the $3000 proposed to be raised. The firm courteously declined receiving anything. Having grown up with the place, they are ready to try again (Dover Enquirer, July 25, 1873).

(See also news articles of 1873, regarding the fire, and news articles of 1874, regarding the reconstructed mill).

The long-term financial “Panic of 1873” took hold in America in September 1873.

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References:

Wikipedia. (2025, March 15). Panic of 1873. Retrieved from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panic_of_1873

By Muriel Bristol | December 1, 2024

Lewis D. Reed was born in Dover, NH, circa 1824.

Lewis D. Reed married in Dover, NH, September 10, 1845, Annette W. Randall, both of Dover, NH. Rev. Seth Perkins performed the ceremony. She was born in Lebanon, ME, circa November 1826, daughter of Arthur and Patience (Young) Randall.

Daughter Georgianna W. Reed was born in Somersworth, NH, October 28, 1845.

Lewis D. Reed, a painter, aged twenty-five years (b. ME), headed  Somersworth, NH, household at the time of the Seventh (1850) Federal Census. His household included Annette W. Reed, aged twenty-three years (b. ME), and Georgiana Reed, aged five years (b. NH).

An L.D. Reed of Great Falls, i.e., Somersworth, NH, appeared as an endorser in an advertisement for Allied Ointment and Humor Syrup in November 1855. It was said to have cured him of a cancer, which had eaten through his lip.

THE GENUINE Allied Ointment and Humor Syrup!! THESE medicines are a sure and certain remedy for all kinds of humors, of however long standing, and when used according to directions, will effect a permanent cure in a short time, and with less expense than any other remedy. It is a scientific compound, eradicating disease and improving the health with a certainty beyond precedent or parallel. They cure Salt Rheum, Scrofula, Erysipelas, White Leprosy, Cancerous Humors, Ring Worm, Scald Head, Burns, Scalds, Chilblains, Piles, Barber’s Itch, old Mercurial and Fever Sores, removes Pimples, Eruptions, Moth and Mildew from the face, leaving the skin soft and smooth, without mark or scar. It draws Humors from the Stomach, Lungs, Head, and Eyes, improves the sight, when troubled with humors, and at once removes the difficulty. It is recommended by persons of the highest respectability, such as Mayor Warren, Dea. W.M. Kimball, A.W. Stearns, A.T. Sanborn, S.I. Thompson, J.H.C. Hayes, editor of Lawrence Courier, and host of others who know of its efficacy (Union & Journal (Biddeford, ME), November 16, 1855).

Dudley Gilman appeared in the New England Business Directory of 1860, as proprietor of the Milton Mills Hotel.

(Dudley Gilman, a farmer, aged thirty-two years (b. ME), headed an Acton, ME, household at the time of the Eighth (1860) Federal Census. His household included Lydia [(Hussey)] Gilman, a lady, aged thirty-one years (b. ME), and Dorcas [(Hurd)] Gilman, a house maid, aged fifty-six years (b. ME). Dudley Gilman had real estate valued at $2,500 and personal estate valued at $500).

L.D. Reed, a landlord, aged thirty-one years (b. NH), headed a Milton (“Milton Mills P.O.”) household at the time of the Eighth (1860) Federal Census. His household included Annetta [(Randall)] Reed, aged thirty-three years (b. NH), Georgiana W. Reed, aged fourteen years (b. NH), Wm. B. Reynolds, a physician, aged thirty-two years (b. NH), C. Parker, a pedlar, aged fifty-five years (b. NH), John Colley, a pedlar, aged thirty years (b. NH), Ed D. Colby, a pedlar, aged fifty-one years (b. NH), Thos. Christie, a bread pedlar, aged thirty-nine years (b. NH), George Moulton, an expressman, aged forty-five years (b. NH), and H. Livingston, a pedlar, aged forty-three years (b. NH). Their household, which was labeled as being the Milton Mills Hotel, appeared in the enumeration between those of John L. Swinerton, a physician, aged fifty-five years (b. NH), and E. Osgood, a blacksmith, aged fifty-four years (b. NH).

The Milton Mills birthday celebration held for Revolutionary veteran Ralph Farnham, on July 7, 1860, was hosted by Lewis D. Reed at his Milton Mills Hotel. He supplied the feast and made one of the many toasts (Dover Enquirer, July 19,1860).

L.D. Reed of Milton paid $10 in tax for his 8th Class tavern license and $20 for his retail liquor license in the U.S. Excise Tax of 1862. (See Milton’s US Excise Tax of 1862).

Lewis D. Reed, a hotel keeper, aged thirty-eight years (b. NH), registered for the Class II military draft in Milton in June 1863. (See Milton Class II Draft List – 1863).

L.D. Reed of Milton paid a $6.33 tax on his 7th Class hotel license, and $13.33 on his retail liquor license in the U.S. Excise Tax of 1863. (See Milton’s US Excise Tax of 1863).

Daughter Georgia W. Reed married in Wakefield, NH, January 22, 1868, Oscar F. Marsh, she of Acton, ME, and he of Milton. Rev. Joel A. Steel performed the ceremony. Marsh was born in Milton Mills, January 23, 1846, son of John and Asenath I. (Runnells) Marsh.

The Milton business directory of 1868 listed the former Milton Mills hotel as being then the Central House hotel and its new manager as being Ira Miller. It was mentioned in December 1869, as one of the businesses situated in the village of Milton Mills. (As were the several Brierley Mills and the Milton Manufacturing Co.),

… It has five or six stores, several mechanics shops, one hotel, “Woolen Factory,” “Flannel Print Works,” and an “Embossing and Press Dyeing Establishment,” together with a water power sufficient to drive the machinery of any village below it on the river (Dover Enquirer, December 9, 1869).

Lewis D. Reed died of delirium tremens in Milton, NH, in the year ending March 31, 1870, aged fifty-one years. He was a married merchant.

Oscar F. Marsh, a finisher in woolen mill, aged twenty-four years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Ninth (1870) Federal Census. His household included Georgia W. [(Reed)] Marsh, keeping house, aged twenty-four years (b. NH), and Annette W. [(Randall)] Reed, aged forty [forty-three] years (b. ME). They shared a two-family residence with the household of Fanny Robinson, keeping house, aged fifty-four years (b. ME).

Annette W. [(Randall)] Reed married (2nd) in Haverhill, MA, May 3, 1875, Charles E. Newhall, she of Milton Mills, NH, and he of Haverhill, MA. He was a peddler, aged thirty-six years, and she was aged thirty-five years. Rev. James Crowley performed the ceremony. Newhall was born in Berkley, MA, February 13, 1838, son of Shepherd and Laurella Newhall.

Annett W. Newhall of Haverhill, MA, made her last will, July 15, 1876. She devised one-half of her estate to her daughter, Georgia W. Marsh, and she devised a life-estate in the remaining one-half of her estate to her husband, with reversion to her daughter after his decease. She appointed her beloved husband, Charles E. Newhall, as her executor. Charles E. Newhall signified his approval of her making this will, and of its contents. Wm Taggart, Thos. H. West, and W.J. Splaine witnessed her signature (Essex County Probate, 514:38).

Charles E. Newhall appeared in the Haverhill, MA, directory of 1878, as a dealer in patent medicine, with his house on Race street, near Keely street.

Charles E. Newhall, patent medicines, aged thirty-eight years (b. NH), headed a Haverhill, MA, household at the time of the Tenth (1880) Federal Census, His household included his wife, Harriet S. [Annette W.] Newhall, aged thirty-four years (b. NH). They resided on Race St.

Oscar F. Marsh, works in felt mill, aged thirty-three years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Tenth (1880) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Georgiana W. [(Reed)] Marsh, keeping house, aged thirty-three years (b. NH), and his son, Forrest L. Marsh, at home, aged seven years (b. NH). Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of John W. Prescott, a stable keeper, aged thirty-two years (b. NH), and Daniel D. Stevens, a farmer, aged fifty-seven years (b. NH).

Charles E. Newhall appeared in the Haverhill, MA, directories of 1885, and 1887, as a dealer in patent medicines, with his house on Race street, near Keely street.

Charles E. Newhall appeared in Haverhill, MA, in the surviving Veterans Schedule of the Eleventh (1890) Federal Census. He had served as a private for three years, two months in the 13th Indiana Infantry, between [November] 1861 and February 1864.

Charles E. Newhall appeared in the Haverhill, MA, directory of 1892, as manager at 23 Locust street, with his house at 73 Race street. Annette W. Newhall appeared also as working in the dining room at 23 Locust street (P.T. Scribner & Co.), with her house at 73 Race street. Phillip T. Scribner and Charles E. Newhall were partners in a dining room at 23 Locust street.

FIGHTING OLEOMARGARINE. Haverhill Restaurant and Hotel Keepers Given a Surprise Party. HAVERHILL, Jan. 25 – Seven restaurants and hotel keepers were surprised this morning at being summoned to appear before the police court next Tuesday to answer to a charge of serving oleomargarine to their boarders in place of butter. The parties are M.A. Simonds, two counts; J.B. Shute, two counts; J. Demars, two counts; Fred A. Thurston, two counts; Carrie S. Severance, P.T. Scribner, F.H. Dawes, two counts, and E.N. Bourque. The warrants were sworn out by George M. Whittaker of Boston, and evidence was secured by George M. Baldwin, who has been in this city for several days. The state board of agriculture, it is said, stands back of the cases, and will make similar moves against hotels and restaurant proprietors in other cities (Boston Globe, January 25, 1895).

Annette W. ((Randall) [Reed]) Newhall died of heart disease in Haverhill, MA, April 2, 1895, aged sixty-eight years, six months, and twenty-five days.

SALEM, Sept. 10 – In the Essex county probate court today the following wills were proved. Adaline Ayer of Methuen, Eliza Connors of Lawrence, Mary P. Elliot of Lawrence, Mary B. Jones of Haverhill. Julius Koehler of Lawrence, Annette W. Newhall of Haverhill, John W. Richardson of North Andover, David Smith of Lawrence and Richard Stulch of North Andover. Letters of administration were granted on the estates of Betsey Dyer of Newburyport, Charles W. Mansur of Lawrence, George W. Pelten of Amesbury, Joseph L. Tappen of Newbury and Joseph Burroughs of Salem (Boston Globe, September 10, 1895).

Oscar F. Marsh, a blanket finisher, aged fifty-four years (b. NH), headed a Milton (“Milton Mills Village”) household at the time of the Twelfth (1900) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of thirty-two years), Georgia [(Reed)] Marsh, aged fifty-four years (b. NH), his son, Forrest L. Marsh, an attorney, aged twenty-seven years (b. NH), and his daughter-in-law, Mildred J. [(Tebbetts)] Marsh, aged twenty-two years (b. ME). Oscar F. Marsh rented their house. Georgia Marsh was the mother of one child, of whom one was still living. Their house appeared in the enumeration between those of George E. Simes, a carpenter, aged sixty-seven years (b. NH), and Calvin S. Haines, a hostler, aged thirty-eight years (b. NH).

Charles E. Newhall died of cirrhosis of the liver in Chelsea, MA, June 2, 1902, aged sixty-four years, three months, and twenty days. He was a lumber dealer.

Mr. Charles E. Newhall, a veteran of the Civil War, died at the Soldiers’ Home, Chelsea, this noon. Mr. Newhall was a native of Berkley, Mass., and was sixty-three years old. He served during the war as a private in Company H, Thirteenth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. He was admitted to the home on Jan. 22, 1902, from Haverhill, Mass. (Boston Evening Transcript, June 2, 1902).

Daughter Georgia W. (Reed) Marsh died of an unknown chronic disease (and aortic insufficiency) in Milton Mills, December 29, 1918, aged seventy-three years, two months, and one day. She had been resident in Milton Mills for fifty-nine years, having come there from Somersworth, NH. Frank S. Weeks, M.D., signed the death certificate.

Oscar F. Marsh, a state road patrolman, aged seventy-two years (b. NH), headed a Milton (“Milton Mills Village”) household at the time of the Fourteenth (1920) Federal Census. His household included his son, Forrest L. Marsh, aged forty-seven years (b. NH), his daughter-in-law, Mildred T. [(Tebbetts)] Marsh, aged forty-two years (b. ME), and his grandchildren, Doris L. Marsh, aged eighteen years (b. NH), and Ronald T. Marsh, aged ten years (b. NH). Oscar F. Marsh owned their house on Main Street, free-and-clear. Their house appeared in the enumeration between those of Frederick H. Simes, a woolen mill superintendent, aged fifty-one years (b. NH), and Eugene W. Emerson, a druggist (owner), aged sixty-three years (b. NH).

Son-in-law Oscar F. Marsh died of a cerebral hemorrhage in the Hayes Hospital on Summer Street in Dover, NH, December 13, 1928, aged eighty-two years. He had been there for six months. James J. Buckley, M.D., signed the death certificate.

ACTON. The funeral of Oscar Marsh was held at the Free Baptist Church last Sunday (Sanford Tribune & Advocate (Biddeford, ME), [Thursday,] December 20, 1928).

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References:

Find a Grave. (2016, September 11). Dudley Gilman. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/169751646/dudley-gilman

Find a Grave. (2013, August 14). Georgia W. Reed Marsh. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/115493729/georgia-w-marsh