Coos County
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STARK lies on the Upper Ammonoosuc river. It is bounded north by Stratford and Odell, east by Dummer and Milan, south by Kilkenny, and west by Northumberland. The surface is broken and hilly, but upon the river there are many good farms. The north and south branches of the Ammonoosuc form a junction in the northeast part of the town. Nash's stream, flowing from Stratford, falls into the river in the north, and Percy or Christine lake is in the eastern portion. Near the village there is a narrow passage-way between the mountains, through which runs the river, the railroad, and a wagon road. On the south side of the Ammonoosuc is Mill mountain, rising very abruptly to the height of over 3,000 feet.
The "Devil's Slide''' is a ledge on the north side of the river, rising perpendicularly, while on the other side, cattle may be driven to its top. The perpendicular walls of this precipitous mountain rise to the height of 740 feet. "The Indians, as is well known, peopled all these mountain regions with invisible spirits who controlled the winds and storms, and in their quarrels hurled gleaming thunderbolts at each other, the effects of which were seen in the splintered trees and shivered rocks; and they had a tradition that in a remote age a huge mountain barred the valley where now the railroad passes, and that on a time when the heavens were convulsed, the earth reeling, and the atmosphere blazing with the terrible warfare of these invisible powers, one-half of the mountain sunk down into the bowels of the earth, leaving the precipitous sides of the other bare and shattered as they are to the present day. Hence the name."
The " Devil's Hop-yard" is located nearly three miles southeast of Stark station. It is reached through a path winding through a rugged bowlder-strewn forest along a noisy brawling mountain stream for the first part of the way. The last half mile is, however, pathless, and lies in a tangled thicket of larch and birch, with moss of wonderful variety and beauty ankle deep. Suddenly you come upon a ravine a mile in length. The little brook at the bottom runs into one of the seven beautiful "South ponds." Where you first arrive, you stand on the verge and look down a chasm of thirty feet. The break is abrupt, the transition surprising. Broken ledges are on either side of a gap of several rods in width, and the bottom of the gorge is filled with great bowlders which line both of the sloping sides of the chasm. Between the rocks the slightly wooded slopes are covered with thick and fine gray moss; a different variety, however, on each side. No water is seen, as the bowlders conceal the tiny rill. Descending to the bottom, we follow the chasm over a mile through impressive scenery. Immense trees span the valley with their roots and tower heavenward. As we go on, the brook appears as the bowlders disappear, and open valley succeeds to wild defile. Just as we are wondering if this is all, we reach the brink of another precipice, over which the brook dashes in a foamy fall of great beauty with three leaps of twenty feet each. Picking our way cautiously, we are soon in an "ante-room'' of the yard. Here ledges rise in broken courses of gigantic masonry, — many as regular as if laid with plummet and square, and fantastic and weird in their gray-brown coloring — for seventy feet. Turn around! The amphitheater in which you stand has an opening shaped like the letter U. Advancing to the edge and looking down, the eye penetrates nearly 200 feet into one of the wildest gorges of wild New Hampshire. Into this the little brook plunges noisily, and in a few feet hides itself under the bowlders filling the upper end, and by aid of which we descend. From the bottom we look up. On the right stands "the Look-out," a huge gray sentinel, lifting its 250 feet of smooth granite precipitously, square as a die, and covered with pines, into the air. On the left, great giant ledges, broken but yet grand, tower sky-ward. Further south rises the "choir" like the facade of a great cathedral; block laid on block, with joints broken regularly like a masterpiece of masonry, for full 120 feet in height, and surmounted and crowned with a majestic fretwork of pinnacles of evergreen trees. Opposite the "choir" a break in the wall gives a way of egress. By following the brook other cascades and bits of scenery nearly as grand continue for an eighth of a mile further, when the ledges disappear, and the brook empties into South pond, a pretty sheet of water. The "Hop-yard" receives its name from a fancied resemblance of its tall evergreen trees covered with trailing streamers of gray moss to a hop-yard with its poles covered with heavily laden vines.
The scenery of Stark is both wild and picturesque and it is a delightful ride from Groveton up the narrow and winding valley of the upper Ammonoosuc, through Stark, to the high land beyond. From this point a full view of the mountains is had, looking away to the southward, while the two valleys, still heavily wooded, stretch away for miles on either hand The scene is more broken and varied from other points of view, the notches being cut more deeply between the mountains, and the mountains themselves throwing a sharper outline against the sky. It is pleasant to linger here through a clear autumn afternoon and see the sun go down, and return to the valley below in the early evening.
Christine Lake (by Hon. Ossian Ray)— North pond for many years was a favorite fishing-ground for the sportsmen of Northern New Hampshire. It is a beautiful sheet of water, bordered by deep-foliaged woods, which are set around about by the granite peaks of Stark and Stratford. Right in this glorious amphitheater of mountains the basin of the lake is found. Its altitude is about 2,000 feet above the sea; its length is one and a half miles; its width one-half mile. The lake is fed by spring brooks that fall into the upper end. The over-flow emerges at the eastern rim of the basin, and after tumbling in white cascades down several hundred feet in a distance of half a mile, falls into the Upper Ammonoosuc river at Percy station on the Grand Trunk railway.
Trout are the only fish in the lake. In early times great numbers were caught and carried away by visiting fishermen. Before 1883 scores of people from neighboring towns would go to the pond, and, cutting holes in the ice, take large quantities for the market as well as for their own use. It was estimated by a competent authority that in the spring of 1883 at least half a ton of trout was thus caught and carried off. The result of this wanton destruction was to reduce the supply of fish, so that very few were taken during the open seasons of 1883 and 1884. Since the latter year the fishing has greatly improved. The trout are from four to eight ounces in weight, and are of the finest quality of real "brook trout."
In the spring of 1882 Mr. George P. Rowell, of Lancaster, thinking it would be a very desirable place for a summer camp, made enquiries as to the feasibility of purchasing the land about the pond. Henry Hey wood, Esq., was engaged to negotiate for the land, and, as the result of his endeavors, lots upon which the pond is situated were purchased of the owner, Mrs. Charlotte Rowell, of Lunenburg, Vt., and conveyed to Mr. Rowell. He invited some friends to unite with him in making a camp at the pond, and, in the fall of 1882, accompanied by Messrs. Samuel H. Kauffmann, of Washington, D. C, Francis H. Leggett and W. D. Wilson, of New York, and Ossian Ray, of Lancaster, the place was visited, at "Camp Percy," so-called, — a rude structure which had been built by S. M. Crawford, the noted hunter and woodsman, for the occasion.
These above named gentlemen, with Mr. Charles N. Kent, of New York, organized themselves into a voluntary corporation, under the laws of the state, which they called the "Percy Summer Club," "for the purpose of maintaining a place of resort and recreation for its members and its guests; promoting and encouraging field sports; propagating, cultivating, and protecting brook-trout and other food and game fishes in the streams, ponds and lakes, as well as land-game of every sort, in the County of Coos and State of New Hampshire; with the object of enjoying the sports of rod and gun, and developing the resources of said County of Coos in these directions."
The first annual meeting of the club was held
September 13, 1883. At this session of the club it was voted to re-name North
pond and call it "Christine Lake" in honor of Mrs. Christine Coates, of
Philadelphia, the first lady visitor entertained at the camp by the club.
During the four years of its existence the club has worked harmoniously
together. Five comfortable lodges have been erected; a cottage has been built
for the superintendent; a path has been cut to "Giant's Grave," one mile; and
one to North Peak, three miles away, both of which points are often visited by
guests; a fleet of first-class boats has been procured, and a hatching house
established under the supervision of Mr. Leggett, as a result of whose efforts
upwards of 90,000 young trout have been hatched, and put into the lake and its
tributaries. The club is very hospitable, and entertains every season a large
number of guests. A by-law provides that no member or guest shall take over
forty fish in any one day. The officers are: President, George P. Rowell,
Lancaster; vice-president. Ossian Ray, Lancaster; secretary, Charles N. Kent,
New York; treasurer, Francis H. Leggett, New York; auditor, Samuel H. Kauffmann,
Washington, D. C.; superintendent, Stephen M. Crawford, Percy N. H.
The soil is rich, free from stones, and productive in the valleys; hay, oats and potatoes are easily raised, and agriculture is an important business with the inhabitants.
Population in 1790, 48; 1830, 134; 1850, 118; 1860, 426; 1870, 464; 1880, 690.
Minerals, etc. — A red biotite granite resembling somewhat the red Scotch granite, but finer, and not permeated with the "pin holes" occurring in that, has been quite extensively quarried. A monument of this granite exhibited at the Centennial Exhibition at Philadelphia, in 1876, received a medal and diploma "for the good quality of the material."
Pike's pond has a deposit of the white light earth sometimes called infusorial silica. It seems to be distributed over the entire bottom of the pond, is known to be three feet in depth, and is probably much more. It is of excellent quality, and the quantity sufficient for commercial use.
Many people have taken specimens from the well-known labradorite bowlders of this town. They are found in no other place in this section, but are abundant here.
Stark was originally Percy, which name was given to the territory granted August 3, 1774, by Gov. John Wentworth to Jacob Walden and others. Percy was the family name of the Duke or Earl of Northumberland, and one of the family, Rev. Thomas Percy, was at that time chaplain to the King. This probably indicates the origin of the name inserted in the charter, and also of that of the adjacent town of Northumberland.
Boundaries Given in the Charter. — "Beginning at a red birch tree in the north side of Lancaster from thence running north, seventy-one decrees east, six miles and seventy rods to a red birch, the southwesterly corner of land laid out for Gen. Winston, thence north, eight degrees east, six miles and forty rods to a beech, the northwesterly corner of said Winston's location, thence north, eighty-two degrees west, five hundred and seventy rods to the line of Stratford; thence south, two degrees east, seven hundred and fifty rods to the southwesterly corner of said Stratford, thence north, fifty-five degrees west, four miles two hundred and seventy rods to a spruce, the northeasterly corner of Northumberland, thence south, seven degrees west, nine miles to the bounds began at."
The town was incorporated as
"Piercy," January 9, 1795. By act passed June 21, 1832, the tract of land
embraced in ranges 17, 18, 19 and 20, in the southeast part of Stratford, was
annexed to this town, and on the 21st of December of the same year, the tract of
land granted to Gen. John Winslow, of Marshfield, Mass., October 21, 1773,
containing 5,060 acres, was also annexed to this town. By an act passed December
28, 1832, the name of the town was changed from Piercy to Stark, in honor of
Gen. John Stark, then recently deceased. December 4, 1840, a tract of land owned
by Elhanan Winchester was severed from this town and annexed to Lancaster. July
1, 1868, a small tract of land was severed from Stark and annexed to Dummer.
Petition of Incorporation: addressed to the General Court, 1794. — "The
petition of the subscribers Inhabitants of a New Township called Piercy in the
County of Grafton State aforesaid Humbly Shews —
"That we sd subscribers labouring under many inconveniences on Account of our Not being vested with Town Authority by Incorporation, Not only in laying out Roads, and establishing them in the most convenient Routs, but many other inconveniences to the great detriment and preventing the settlement of sd New Township — Therefore praying that the Hon'bl General Court, would Incorporate sd New Township into a Town by the Name of Piercy as afores'd thereby Vesting them with Town privileges as other Towns in the State by Law do enjoy — And as in duty Bound will ever pray —
"Piercy May 10th 1791— Caleb Smith, Jonathan Cole, Barnard Cole, Clafford Cole, Edmund Cole, Abner Clark, Aaron Jackson, Edward Rowell, John Waid, Elisha Blake, Anthony Clefford Jun, Nath'll Dodge, Peter Leavitt, James Leavitt, Peter Leavitt Jur, Daniel Miles, James Massuere, Dauiel Rowell
Names of Grantees with, lots drawn in 1st and 2d Divisions: Jacob Walden, 152-136; Thomas Walden, 13-56; Nath. Treadwell, Jr., 130-169; George Gains, 10-63; Daniel Lunt, 16-61; Mark Sevey, 72-57; Clement March, 159-109; Thomas Ransom, 116-31; Nehemiah Rowell, 148-135; Phillip Pendexter, 129-65; Joshua Crockett, 96-52; Richard Fitzgerald, 117-91; John Hurd, Esq., 154-103; John Sewards, Jr., 12-9; Jacob Treadwell, 147-7; George Rogers Treadwell, 18-47; Nath. Treadwell, 35-119; Frederic Hohn, 157-100; Ammiruhamah Cutler, Esq., 118-26; Charles Cutler, 15-138; Daniel Cutler, 153-45; Thos. Martin, Esq., 123-68; Joshua Martin, 25-58; Joseph Holbrook, 95-55; John Melcher, 2-75; Jona. M. Sewall, 107-69; William Blunt, 155-83; Stephen Somner, 21-137; Francis Little, 124-134; Edward Ayres, 34 89; Samuel Lear, 140-79; John Noble, 151-38; Daniel Rindge Rogers, 71-62; Mark Rogers, 74 80; Hubartus Neal, 32-44; Jos. Peverly, Esq., 144-20; Thos. Peverly, Jr., 93-86; Daniel Spaulding, 110-1; John Sanborn, 139-48; Wm. Marshall, 23-43; Caleb Marshall, 70-98; Silas Marshall, 105-54; Eliphalet Day, 131-67; Moses Davis, 121-39; Moses Marshall, 94-81; Jesse Johnson, 113-50; Stephen Wells, 24-41; Jesse Johnson, Jr., 128-99; Moses Bartlett, 106-82; Jere. Eames, 145-19; Caleb Johnson, 28-164; John Hodgdon, 156-146; Edmund Morse, 162-29; Reuben Harriman, 127-78; Saml. White. Esq., 3-66; Benjamin Currier, 73-42: James Paul, 150-90; Thomas Burnside, 17-60; James Burnside, 22-40; David Burnside, 33-85; David Paul, 141-51; Abner Osgood, 122-164; William Moulton, 158-49; Arthur Worster, 125-133; Jacob Tilton, 160-36; Joseph Moulton, 112-37, and Caleb Toppan, 30-59; Nathaniel Healy, Esq. 14-27; Geo. Walton, Jr., 115-50; Jonas Clark March, 111-87; Daniel Humphreys, 142-84; Thomas McDonough, 6-108; Captain John Knight, 114-102; William Lee Perkins, 11-120; William Stanwood, 4-77; Mark Sanborn, 132-46; Josiah Bishop, 161-97; Theodore Atkinson, Esq., 5-143; School right, 126-104; Glebe, 149-101.
The proprietors organized at the inn of Capt. Jacob Tilton, in Portsmouth, November 22, 1774, under a call issued by Daniel Warner, J. P., October 25, 1774. Committees were appointed at this meeting to "view" the town; for advising the best method of settling; for agreeing with ten settlers, "but not to give said settlers more than 1,500 acres of land, of which also not more than 150 acres is to be interval!"; to treat with the proprietors of Stratford for the purchase of "a certain gore of land wh. will accommodate our lines"; chose Jacob Treadwell collector to collect the tax of twenty shillings which the meeting levied on each original right to pay charges already accrued. February 17, 1779, voted "that there be 10 lots of 120 acres of good land surveyed and lotted together with ten lots of Intervil of 10 acres each, convenient to the afore said lots as may be, which lots are to be given to the first 10 persons that will go on and settle in said town; also that 5 lots of 100 acres with 5 lots of Interval of 10 acres each be allotted as aforesaid, for the five next that shall go on and settle, and that a road be looked out from Connecticut river into said town, and cleared to and through said lots sufficient for a loaded horse to pass well," and committees were appointed to attend to these matters, and "also to cause to be fell from 20 to 30 acres of trees on four or five of said lots"; also a tax of $12 on each share was "raised." The next day the proprietors voted "to Lay out 15 upland and 15 interval lots to give to settlers," and "if said committee can engage some good man with property to conn whom they shall think will much facilitate the settlement they may give such a person as much land as the majority shall think proper." June 15, 1779, Jacob Treadwell makes report: "he had proceeded to Northumberland, and did his utmost endeavors previous to his going and while there but could not effect the designed purpose (clear a road): that he had made great offers to persons if they would go and settle, without success, by reason of the very great demand for men in the present war — which, together with the several alarms in that country, put it totally out of his power to comply with the vote of the Propriety concerning the settlement of the town." Caleb Marshall and Jeremiah Eames had sold their interest shortly before this.
July 29, 1783, Jacob Tread well appointed to agree with persons to the number of fifteen to settle in Percy, reports "that he had verbally agreed with nine men, each to fell about five acres of trees this fall and to clear and cultivate the same next summer, and to reside on the premises or some person or persons under them, said settlers to have 120 acres of upland and 10 acres of interval." Report accepted and Capt. William Marshall, Joseph Peverly, Esq, Thomas Peverly, and Jacob Treadwell made a committee" to look out a good mill stream, and obtain the best information what sum of money or quantity of land, a good set of mills may be built for in said town."
July 23, 1787, Jacob Treadwell reported that he had agreed with twenty-six persons to settle; additional settlers lots were laid out to accommodate more settlers; voted that "the report of Jacob Treadwell having agreed with Caleb Smith to build a saw and grist mill, for which said Smith is to have two hundred and twenty acres of upland chosen by him and thirty acres of interval, is accepted, and that said Treadwell cause said lands to be located for said Smith"; to cut and make a road through Percy; voted "that John Cole have 50 acres of upland with interval not exceeding 5 acres, as a gratuity for his having continued in Percy these 3 last years"; "that Jacob Treadwell have a right to pitch 5 lots of 100 acres each of upland, and a proportionate quantity of interval — to be his first division of 5 rights."
November 26, 1787, voted "that in consideration of Elisha Blake's early moving into the town with his family and considerable property, it is agreed that should his eldest son live in said town until the age of twenty-one years, that he shall be entitled to fifty acres of upland and five acres of interval in said town upon his compliance with the duty of a settler." April 21, 1789, voted to lay a tax of twelve shillings to complete the road through the town, and to finish laying out lots for the settlers; that Thomas Martin, Esq., and Mr. Daniel K. Rogers execute deeds to settlers; that Hannah Cole be confirmed in all the land voted to her husband, John Cole, providing the settling duty is complied with; that the time for the settlers going into the town be prolonged to July 20, 1790. February 11, 1790. The proceedings of this meeting are interesting. This preamble and vote was the first action: —
"Whereas, Mr. Peter Leavitt engages to move himself and family into the town the ensuing spring; and making application for settlers' lots for three of his sons which are under age; voted that each of said sons have a settlers' lot when they are of lawful age, on their complying with the duty of settlers, provided the thirty lots voted to settlers are not taken up; it was further voted, that Mr. Daniel Rowel's son Daniel Rowell, have a settlers lot on same conditions; also, that Daniel B. Rogers send Mr. Rowel the sum of 12 shillings in behalf of the propriety, he having the first male child born in the town."
[Daniel Rowell, Jr., came to Stark with his father, and, as mentioned above, although under age, was granted a lot, and in 1803 is spoken of as a resident on lot 16 The child for whom the proprietors sent the twelve shillings to Mr. Rowell was born January 20, 1700, and named Piercy, after the town.]
Business in forming civilization in the new town went on slowly but steadily. The first proprietors' meeting held outside of Portsmouth was at Northumberland, September 15, 1796, at the house of Jeremiah Eames. This and several subsequent meetings were occupied with arrangements to settle all accounts; to give deeds to actual settlers; to complete survey of the town and finish laying out lots; in taxing for making and improving roads, particularly the one laid out from Shelburne to Stratford. Hezekiah Smith is made clerk, and occupies a responsible and prominent place on committees and in affairs. October 2, 1799; voted that Emerson Cole shall have 100 acres of land, one half of which he has bought of Abner Clark, adjoining the land of Daniel Rowel, Jr., at Ammonusick, provided he shall continue to live on the same or some person under him for five years, if he will procure Jere. Eames, Jr., to lay out the same at his own expense; also, that Elisha Blake shall have 20 acres given him on the rear of his lot." January 3, 1803, Hezekiah Smith, Joseph Peverly, Esq., and Jonathan Rowel were chosen committee to lay out the town, "draughting" the lots, and drawing the same.
A few meetings were held after the above, but after 1804 no action was taken until 1872, when a meeting was called by the three, Benjamin Thompson, John Eames, John M. Whipple, who had come into possession of the proprietors' land yet undivided, and James W. Weeks, of Lancaster, Adams Twitchel, of Milan, and C. E. Benton, of Guildhall, Vt., were chosen to divide the undivided unappropriated lands between them. This was done August 4, 1872, and ended the history of the original propriety of Percy.
EARLY Settlers. — John Cole, James Massuere, Edward Rowell, Caleb, Isaac and Benjamin Smith, with Elisha Blake, were early settlers. Their hardships were beyond belief. Elisha Blake drew on a hand-sled from Barrington to Stark, a distance of over a hundred miles, a heavy forty-gallon kettle, and an equal weight in other articles; James Massuere frequently carried forty pounds weight on his back the same distance.
These early settlers located on Beech hill, the soil was warmer and crops not so liable to be killed by frosts as on the uncleared and swampy intervals, but as time passed and improvements became general, one by one the old homes were abandoned for the more fertile valley lands, and, probably, to-day, the lots first "pitched upon" would be considered the least desirable locations. Aunt Hannah Cole's claim, where she toiled to make a home after the early death of her husband, is valueless and abandoned now.
Settlers in Percy, January, 1803. — John Cole on lot 6; Caleb Smith, 25; Isaac Smith, 12; Daniel Rowel, 11; Elisha Blake, 13; Anthony Clifford, 8; James Massuere, 3; Peter Leavitt, 10; Peter Leavitt, Jr., 19; Joseph Lownd, 2; James Leavitt, 4; Daniel Miles, 9; Joseph Leavitt, 18; Nathaniel Dodge, 17; James Waid, 14; John Waid, 26; Edward Rowel, 23; Thomas Eames, 15; Jonathan Cole, 20; Barnard Cole, 21; Aaron Jackson, 22; Moses Dustin, 24; Thomas Leavitt, 29; Peter Massuere, 27; Benjamin Smith, 7; Robert Leavitt, 5; Daniel Rowell, Jr., 16; Hannah Cole, 1; Hannah Cole (50 acres), 28; Abner Clark (40 acres), 30; Abner Clark (50 acres), 31; Abner Clark (160 acres), 32.
Early Births and Marriages. — Piercy Rowell, son of Daniel, was born January 20, 1790. Lydia, daughter of same, June 20, 1792. Edward and Abigail Rowell were married April 24, 1794. Robert Pike and Libby Smith married March 5, 1797. Olive, daughter of Abner Clark, was born June 4, 1796. Edmund Cole and Judith Rowell married April 9, 1797. Sarah, born March 28, 1790; Lois, born October 15, 1791; Marcy, born September 17, 1793; Rachel, born June 21, 1795; Olive, born February 9, 1797; Alice, born November 11, 1798; Almira, August 26, 1800; all daughters of Moses Dustin. Clifford Cole and "Jint" Rowell married October 6, 1799. Children of Benjamin Smith: Sally, born April 1, 1787; Nancy, June 6, 1789; Benjamin, March 2, 1792; Nathan, August 27, 1794; Hannah, January 18, 1798. Jared, son of Abner Clark, born February 5, 1800. Jonathan, son of Jonathan Rowell, born February 3, 1800. John Massuere, born June 28, 1795; Marcy, June 8, 1797; James, August 23, 1799; children of James Massuere. Weedon, son of Clifford Cole, born October 20, 1800. Nancy, born August 10, 1799; Eleanor, born January 7, 1802; daughters of Emerson Cole. Rev. James Treadway and Elizabeth Blake married May 16, 1802.
Piercy — Civil List. — By an act approved January 9, 1795, the town of Piercy was incorporated, and held its first town meeting January 26, 1795, electing Abner Clark, moderator; Daniel Rowell, clerk; Peter Leavitt, Barnard Cole, David Rowell, selectmen.
1795. March 3. The annual town meeting was held. Daniel Rowell was elected clerk; Aaron Jackson. Peter Leavitt, Caleb Smith, selectmen. May 10, a meeting was called to nominate a suitable person to the governor for appointment of justice of the peace, and Abner Clark was recommended and duly appointed.
1796. Abner Clark, town clerk; Abner Clark, Daniel Miles, Elisha Blake, selectmen. Moses Barker receives thirteen votes for senator. Voted " not to raise any money for schooling." August 29, a committee was chosen "to rectify and regulate the affairs of the town and town officers from the incorporation."
1797. Abner Clark, clerk; Abner Clark, Elisha Blake, Barnard Cole, selectmen; voted to raise eight dollars in cash to pay town debts.
1798. Abner Clark, clerk; Abner Clark, Daniel Rowell, Elisha Blake, selectmen. The fifth article in the warrant calling the annual town meeting reads: "To see if the town will vote to pay Rev. Wm. Treadway for one day's preaching out of the town treasury," and he is voted $3.33. At a later meeting Ensign Barnard Cole is voted $2.67 for a copy of the charter of the town, and thirty-three cents for postage on the town books.
1799. Abner Clark, clerk; Daniel Miles, Barnard Cole, John Waid, selectmen; John F. Gilman gets twenty-one (all) votes for governor. At a meeting called on April 1, John Waid is voted "disqualified for a selectman," and Aaron Jackson chosen in his place.
1800. Abner Clark, clerk and treasurer; Aaron Jackson, Barnard Cole, Abner Clark, selectmen. Voted "to raise $30 for schooling to be paid in rye, wheat or Indian corn." Jonathan Rowell licensed to keep a house of entertainment.
1801. Abner Clark, clerk and treasurer; Edward Rowell, Samuel Stone, Jonathan Rowell, selectmen; twenty-two votes cast for governor. Voted "to raise $30 for schooling to be paid in wheat at 6 shillings, rye at 5 shillings or Indian (corn) at 4 shillings per bushel." Divided the town into school districts: "from the crotch of the road on the lot called Lunn's lot westerly over Beach Hill to form the west district; from the sd. crotch of sd. road easterly to the top of Mill mountain on the road to form the middle district; from the top of Mill mountain easterly to the town line to form the eastern district."
1802. Abner Clark, clerk and treasurer; Abner Clark, Edward Rowell, Samuel Stone, selectmen. $120 raised for highways; $30 for schools, to be paid in wheat at one dollar, rye eighty-three cents, Indian corn sixty-six cents. Joseph Blair licensed to sell liquors. December 27 elected Jonathan Rowell clerk; Elisha Blake, treasurer and selectman in place of Abner Clark who removes from town.
1803. Jonathan Rowell, clerk; Edward Rowell, Jonathan Rowell, James Massuere, selectmen. John T. Gilman gets seventeen to John Langdon two votes for governor. $120 for highways, $30 for schools raised this year. Jonathan Rowell recommended for justice.
1804. Daniel Miles, clerk and treasurer; Daniel Miles, John Waid, Aaron Jackson, selectmen. Abner Clark and Elisha Blake chosen delegates to the convention at Northumberland meeting house concerning the county of Coos. The most valuable settlers' lots are No. 4, valued at $300; No. 5, at $200; No. 6, $200; No. 15, $250. Edward Rowell licensed inn keeper.
1805. Abner Clark, clerk; Abner Clark, Daniel Miles, Robert Pike, selectmen. Raised $50 for schooling. Elisha Blake chosen grand juror, James Blair drawn as petit juror.
1806. Samuel Stone, clerk; Abner Clark, Aaron Jackson, James Massuere, selectmen. $50 raised for schools; $30 to procure a plan of the town, "waits and mashures," and to support the poor. Capt. Peter Harwood licensed to sell liquors.
1807. Abner Clark, clerk; Abner Clark, Timothy Faulkner, Edward Rowell, selectmen; Voted to raise $75 for schooling, and $210 for building school houses.
1808. Edward Rowell, clerk; James Massuere, Elisha Blake, Edward Rowell, selectmen. Votes for governor, John T. Gilman, Esq., seventeen, John Langdon, one. Raised $100 for schooling, $150 for roads and bridges.
1809. Robert Pike, clerk; Robert Pike, Joshua Rowell, Lewis H. Massuere, selectmen.
Inventory of Polls and Personal Property, 1809. — Emerson Cole, one poll, two oxen, two cows, one acre mowing, one of arable land. Caleb Smith, one poll, two oxen, one cow, one acre mowing land. Daniel Rowell, Jr., one poll, two oxen, one cow, five young cattle, one acre each pasture, arable, and mowing. Clifford Cole, one poll, one horse, two cows, three young cattle, two acres mowing, one of arable land. Edward Rowell, one poll, one horse, two oxen, three cows, four young cattle, three acres pasture, four mowing, two arable. Aaron Jackson, one poll, one horse, two oxen, four cows, two acres pasture, one arable, two mowing land. Abijah Potter, one poll, one horse, two oxen, five cows, three young cattle, three acres pasture, four mowing, two arable. Abijah Potter, Jr., one horse, two acres mowing. Isaac Hagar, one poll, one horse, two acres mowing, one arable land. Robert Pike, one poll, one horse, two oxen, two cows, one acre each mowing and arable land. John Waid, one poll, two horses, three cows, four young cattle, three acres pasture, two each mowing and arable. John Blake, one poll, two horses, one cow, three young cattle. Elisha Blake, one poll, two oxen, one cow, one young creature, six acres of mowing and two arable. Dr. Nathan Cummings, one poll, three horses, two cows, one young creature, nine acres pasture, ten mowing, four arable. Thomas Minor, one poll, one horse, one cow. David Dodge, one poll, one horse, two oxen, one cow, one acre mowing, one arable land. Edmond Cole, one poll, one colt, two oxen, three cows, one young creature, two acres mowing and two arable land. Capt. Samuel Stone, one cow. Benjamin Smith, one poll, one horse, one colt, two oxen, one cow, five young cattle, three acres pasture, five mowing, two arable. James Leavitt, one poll, one horse, two oxen, four cows, one heifer. Peter Leavitt, Jr., one poll, one horse, two oxen, two cows, two acres mowing. Joseph Leavitt, one poll, two oxen, one cow, one three-year-old, two acres mowing. Jeremiah Scates, two acres mowing, one arable land. Joshua Rowell, one poll, two oxen, one cow. Andrew Cole, one poll, one cow. Anthony Clifford, one poll, one horse, one cow, one acre each pasture, mowing and arable land. Capt. Daniel Miles, one poll, three horses, two oxen, one cow, five acres pasture, six of mowing, one of arable land. Thomas Leavitt, one poll, one cow, one acre of mowing, one of arable. Nathaniel Leavitt. one poll, one cow, two young cattle, one acre each mowing and arable. Peter Massuere, one poll. Lewis H. Massuere, one poll, two oxen, two cows, two young cattle, two acres mowing, one of arable. Timothy Faulkner, one poll, one cow, two acres pasture, three mowing, one arable. James Massuere, one poll, one horse, two oxen, four cows, three acres pasture, three mowing, one arable. Nathaniel Dodge, one poll, one cow, one acre pasture. Joseph Lunn, one poll, one cow. two young cattle. Peter Leavitt, one poll, one cow. Jacob Puck, two oxen, seven acres pasture, four acres mowing. John Leavitt, 2d, one poll, two horses. David Page. The resident county tax is $31.52; the town tax $7.38.
1810. Edward Howell, clerk; Edward Rowell, James Massuere, James Leavitt, selectmen. $100 each raised for schools and reads. Ephraim Mclntire licensed innkeeper. Edward Rowell receives $6.54 for services as selectman and town clerk. James Massuere and James Leavitt each for services as selectmen, $3.00.
1811. Edward Rowell. clerk; Abijah Potter, Daniel Miles. Elisha Blake, selectmen. Politics have changed surprisingly. John Langdon gets twenty-one votes for governor, to Jeremiah Smith fourteen. Have the heavy creditors of individuals concluded to keep their influence out of town on election days? School tax, district No. 1, 812.81; No. 2, 818.46; No. 3, 89.29. December 19, Edward Rowell chosen selectman in place of Daniel Miles absent from town.
1812. Edward Rowell, clerk; Joshua Rowell, Robert Pike, Edward Powell, selectmen. $60 for schools; $120 for highways.
1813. Edward Rowell, clerk; Daniel Rowell, James Leavitt, Ebenezer Holmes, selectmen. 870 for schools; 8120 roads and bridges.
1814. Edward Rowell, clerk; Daniel Rowell, Ebenezer S. Sanborn. Ebenezer Holmes, selectmen.
1815. Edward Rowell, clerk; Edward Rowell, James Massuere, Ebenezer K Sanborn, selectmen. Raised $120 for roads; 880 for schools; $30 for town expenses.
1816. Edward Rowell, clerk; Daniel Miles, Reuben Mclntire, Sylvanus Robbins, selectmen. Raised $100 each for schools and roads. Robert Pike chosen selectman in April, in place of Daniel Miles, absent from town.
1817. Edward Rowell, clerk; Daniel Rowell, Jr., Aaron Jackson, Jr., Abijah Potter, Jr., selectmen. 8100 each raised for schools and roads.
1818. Abijah Potter, clerk; Daniel Rowell, Jr.. James Massuere, Aaron Jackson, Jr., selectmen. Voted $100 each for roads and schools.
1819. Edward Rowell, clerk; DanielRowe.il, Jr., Aaron Jackson, Jr., James Massuere, selectmen. $150 for roads; $100 for schools.
1820. Edward Rowell, clerk; John Blake, James Massuere, Edward Rowell, selectmen. Raised $100 for schools; $150 for roads.
1821. Edward Rowell, clerk; Abijah Potter, Jr., Daniel Rowell, Jr., Edmond Cole, selectmen.
1822. Edward Rowell, clerk; Abijah Potter, Jr., John Blake, Daniel Rowell, selectmen. Raised $120 for roads; $100 for schools; $25 town expenses.
1823. Edward Rowell, clerk; Daniel Rowell, Jr., John Blake. Daniel Miles, James Massuere, David Hines, selectmen. $100 for highways and bridges; $60 for schools.
1824. Edward Rowell, clerk; Edward Rowell, John Waid, Jr., Clark McFarland, selectmen. Voted to set off a school district on the north side of the Ammonoosuc; to raise $125 for highways.
1825. Edward Rowell, clerk; Edward Rowell, Abijah Potter, Jr., Aaron Potter, selectmen. Several paupers are being supported by the town.
1826. Aaron Potter, clerk; Aaron Potter, Moses Jackson, David Hines, selectmen.
1827. Aaron Potter, clerk; Aaron Potter, Abijah Potter, David Hinds, selectmen.
1828. Aaron Potter, clerk; Aaron Potter, Daniel Rowell, Robert Pike, selectmen.
1829. Aaron Potter, clerk; Daniel Rowell, Aaron Potter. Asa Stone, selectmen.
1830. Aaron Potter, clerk; Abijah Potter, Jr., Joshua Cole, Benj. Cole, selectmen. A portion of Stratford is added to the town. 8200 highway money raised.
1831. Aaron Potter, clerk; Joshua Cole, Aaron Potter, Benjamin Cole, selectmen.
1832. Aaron Potter, clerk; Aaron Potter, Solomon Cole, Benjamin Cole, selectmen. Voted to lay out road around Mill mountain and Cole hill.
Stark. — Officers and action of Town: —
1833. Aaron J. Smith, clerk; Aaron Potter, Solomon Cole, Harwood Pike, selectmen.
1834. Aaron J. Smith, clerk; Harwood Pike, Aaron J. Smith, Aaron Potter, selectmen. $400 for highways; $180 for town debts. School districts 5, 6 and 7 formed. School house voted to be erected in district No. 4, near the foot of the long hill.
1835. Aaron J. Smith, clerk; Aaron Potter, Solomon Cole, William G. Hodgdon, selectmen. Voted 8200 town charges; $300 for roads and bridges; $200 to build the Mill mountain road.
1836. Aaron J. Smith, clerk; Solomon Cole, Harwood Pike, William C. Hodgdon, selectmen. School district No. 8 formed from No. 2.
1837. Aaron J. Smith, clerk; Harwood Pike, George W. Rowell, Stephen Cole, selectmen. $450 raised for roads.
1838. Aaron J. Smith, clerk; Aaron Potter, Abijah Potter, Jr., Andrew Cole, Jr., selectmen.
1839. Aaron J. Smith, clerk; Solomon Cole, Aaron Potter, Justus Potter, selectmen. Raised $175 for town expenses and debts; $800 for highways, $75 of this to be expended in building bridges near Samuel Stone's and Aaron J. Smith's.
1840. Aaron J. Smith, clerk; Aaron Potter, Solomon Cole, Benjamin Cole, selectmen.
1841. A. J. Smith, clerk; Solomon Cole, H. Pike, Joel Hinds, selectmen.
1842. A. J. Smith, clerk; Aaron Potter, Abiathar Pike, Moses Jackson, selectmen.
1843. A. J. Smith, clerk; Moses Jackson, Solomon Cole, Aaron Potter, selectmen.
1844. Solomon Cole, clerk; Moses Jackson, C. Perkins, J. Blake, selectmen.
1845. Solomon Cole, clerk; Harwood Pike, Clifford Cole, Jr., Levi Rowell, selectmen.
1846. Solomon Cole, clerk; Aaron J. Smith, Levi Rowell, Joseph Hinds, selectmen.
1847. Solomon Cole, clerk; Aaron Potter, Joseph Hinds, John Massuere, selectmen.
1848. Harwood Pike, clerk; A. J. Smith, John Massuere, Leonard Potter, selectmen.
1849. Harwood Pike, clerk: Solomon Cole, Charles Rowell, Calvin Perkins, selectmen.
1850. S. Cole, clerk; Moses Jackson, Calvin Perkins, Aaron J. Smith, selectmen.
1851. S. Cole, clerk; Harwood Pike, Moses Jackson, Aaron J. Smith, selectmen.
1852. S. Cole, clerk; James G. Summers, Harwood Pike, Sylvester Cole, selectmen.
1853. Solomon Cole, clerk; A. J. Smith, S. Cole, E. Hinds, selectmen.
1854. Solomon Cole, clerk; S. Cole, J. A. Pike, VV. Cole, selectmen.
1855. Solomon Cole, clerk; Levi Rowell, Aaron J. Smith, Luke Cole, selectmen.
1856. Solomon Cole, clerk; Luke Cole. Harwood Pike, Sylvester Cole, selectmen.
1857. Aaron J. Smith, clerk; Sylvester Cole, Luke Cole, Aaron A. Potter, selectmen.
1858. A. J. Smith, clerk: Aaron J. Smith, Solomon Cole, Woodbury Cole, selectmen.
1859. A. J. Smith, clerk; Harwood Pike, Woodbury Cole, Lorenzo D. Cole, selectmen.
1860. A. J. Smith, clerk; Woodbury Colo, Solomon Cole, Moses Jackson, selectmen.
1861. A. J. Smith, clerk; Solomon Cole, Luke Cole, Nehemiah Cole, selectmen.
1862. A. J. Smith, clerk; Solomon Cole, Nehemiah Cole, W. Cole, selectmen.
1863. A. J. Smith, clerk: Harwood Pike, Andrew Cole, Aaron A. Potter, selectmen.
1864. A. J. Smith, clerk; Harwood Pike, S. Cole, Luke Cole, selectmen.
1865. A. J. Smith, clerk; S. Cole, Solomon Cole, Woodbury Cole, selectmen.
1866. A. J. Smith, clerk; Woodbury Cole, J. A. Pike, Luke Cole, selectmen.
1867. A. J. Smith, clerk; Nehemiah Cole, Luke Cole, Aaron A. Potter, selectmen.
1868. A. J. Smith, clerk; Sylvester Cole, Woodbury Cole, Joseph A. Pike, selectmen.
1869. A. J. Smith, clerk; Sylvester Cole, J. A. Pike, Dexter Cole, selectmen.
1870. A. J. Smith, clerk; J. A. Pike, Woodbury Cole. Daniel Cole, selectmen.
1871. A. J. Smith, clerk; W. Cole, J. A. Pike, D. Cole, selectmen.
1872. A. J. Smith, clerk; Sylvester Cole. J. A. Pike, G. M. Smith, selectmen.
1873. Dexter Cole, clerk; Sylvester Cole, B. Thompson, Silas Cole, selectmen.
1874. Dexter Cole, clerk; Sylvester Cole, B. Thompson, Silas Cole, selectmen.
1875. L. F. Henry, clerk; B. Thompson, E. R. Forbush, Silas Cole, selectmen.
1876. A. J. Smith, clerk; Nehemiah Cole, Woodbury Cole, Silas Cole, selectmen.
1877. A. J. Smith, clerk; J. A. Pike, Woodbury Cole, F. T. Potter, selectmen.
1878. Albert Thompson, clerk; J. A. Pike, George S. Blake, F. T. Potter, selectmen.
1879. Albert Thompson, clerk; J. A. Pike, George S. Blake, F. T. Potter, selectmen.
1880. A. J. Smith, clerk; J. A. Pike, N. E. Hinds, F. T. Potter, selectmen.
1881. A.J. Smith, clerk; J. A. Pike, N. E. Hinds. Sylvester Cole, selectmen.
1882.
A. J. Smith, clerk; Sylvester Cole, E. R. Forbush, Seth Cole, selectmen.
1883. A. J. Smith, clerk; Sylvester Cole, N. E. Hinds, Seth Cole, selectmen.
1884. W. T. Pike, clerk; J. A. Pike. L. F. Hervey, C. A. Cole, selectmen.
1885. L. F. Hervey, clerk; W. T. Pike, G. S. Blake, C. A. Cole, selectmen.
1886. L. F. Hervey. clerk; W. T. Pike. G. S. Blake, Milton I. Cole, selectmen.
Representatives. [For classed representatives, see county history.] 1872, James A. Pike; 1873, Albert Thompson; 1874, Woodbury Cole; 1875, Albert Thompson; 1876, Sylvester Cole; 1877. Sylvester Cole; 1878, Joseph A. Pike; 1879-81, George M. Smith; 1881-83, George M. Smith; 1883-85, Ephraim R. Forbush; 1885-87, Freeman T. Potter; 1887-89, Andrew Jackson.
CHAPTER LX.
Union Church — Missionaries — Schools and Districts — Town Hall — Town Library — Action of Town in the Rebellion — Lumber — Business Interests — Brief Sketches.
Union Church. — Not long after the coming of the railroad the citizens of Stark decided to build a church. Solomon Cole, Benjamin Thompson and Andrew Cole were chosen building committee, and business was carried on rapidly. The church was soon completed, and was the finest church for the cost (about $1,050) ever put up in the county. It was not built by any denomination, and is controlled entirely by the pew-owners. It will seat 250 comfortably, and services have been held regularly most of the time since its erection, principally by Methodists and Free Will Baptists. Rev. Clifford Cole of the latter church did good service as preacher for many years. A Sunday-school of from fifty to sixty scholars is conducted through the year.
The original Christian element of the town was Congregational. As early as 1810 a church of that belief was formed with seven members, but it never assumed large proportions nor influence.
Missionaries. — Rev. Royal M. Cole, son of Solomon Cole, a graduate of Bangor (Me.) Theological seminary, went as missionary to Turkey in August, 1868, and has been in active and continuous service in that field ever since.
John W. Cole, brother of the above, graduated at Bangor Theological seminary in 1862, and had made preparations to go to California as a missionary, but died shortly after his graduation. Elvira Cole, of the same family, graduated at Mt. Holyoke (Mass.) seminary in 1870, married Rev. Nelson Cobleigh, and accompanied him as missionary to Oregon and Washington Territory, where she is now connected with the management of Whitman college, Walla Walla, W. T.
Schools, Districts, etc. — The people of Stark have ever felt a deep interest in education. Some of the actions of the town meetings are told in brief and meager language on the town records, but it is the unwritten that most shows the difficulties surrounding the acquisition of knowledge dispensed in the early log school-house situated at a long distance from many of the primitive homes, but a good intellectuality was developed; and in later years the children of the parents educated in these primitive days were given advantages of learning of which their parents had no conception in their youth, but no school of a higher grade than the common school has flourished in the town. The town was early divided into school districts. [See extracts from records.] Later divisions were as follows:
At the annual town meeting in 1846, a committee previously appointed to district the town made a report dividing the town into nine districts, the boundaries of which are duly spread upon the town record book. In 1879 Joseph A. Pike, George S. Blake and Freeman T. Potter, as a committee of the town, re- arranged the school districts, constituting eight; and the educational plan thereafter existing has continued substantially the same until the present.
In 1876 these rules were adopted for the schools: —
"School-rooms shall be kept warm and clean, and teachers in their discretion
require scholars to kindle fires and sweep school-rooms. Scholars shall be
responsible to teachers for any misconduct in going to or returning from school,
except when in the immediate care of their parents, masters, or guardians. No
profane swearing, obscene or vulgar language or expressions will be allowed to
be used in or about the school-houses or grounds."
The penalty for a "willful offense" of these rules was expulsion from the school and its benefits.
Town Hall. — At the annual meeting in 1846 it was voted to build a town-house "near the bridge on the south road, near Clifford Cole, Jr.'s"; the site to be selected by a committee of nine — one from each highway district — Daniel Rowell, Solomon Cole, John Massuere, Abiathar Pike, Ezra Hinds, Weeden Cole, Moses Jackson, John Roberts, and Joshua Lunn, and $300 was voted for the purpose. The neat and commodious town hall on its pleasant situation was the outgrowth of this movement.
Town Library. — In July, 1873, a movement was made for a library for the use of the people. A subscription paper was circulated, and very soon the handsome sum of $328 was raised for the purchase of books, and the "Stark Library Association" formed. In the call for the annual meeting of March, 1874, the eleventh article in the warrant read "to see what action the town will take with regard to a town library"; and it was voted "to accept the library of the Association now existing, and to pay $100 a year" for its benefit. Albert Thompson was appointed librarian; Albert Thompson, W. T. Pike, and Joshua Rowell chosen to purchase books. The town voted $100 annually for some time thereafter, and of late years has appropriated $50 a year for the benefit of the library. This library has been well patronized, has wrought a perceptibly good work among the community, and now consists of over 1,200 well selected volumes. George P. Rowell, of the Percy Summer Club, gave to the town recently about seventy fine books for the town library. Electa M. Pike is the librarian.
Action of Town in the Rebellion. Monk 11, 1862. — Voted that $100 of money already raised be applied if necessary to the support of families of volunteers, to be appropriated under and in accordance with law.
August 30, 1862. Voted to raise a sufficient sum of money to pay to each soldier the sum of $100, who may volunteer for three years to be paid on his being mustered into U. S. service, until the quota of three years men from this town shall be obtained; also, to include all those that enlisted on or since the 13th day of August instant; also, to pay to each volunteer for nine months $50 on his being mustered into the U. S. service until the nine months men shall be obtained; also, instructed the selectmen to borrow the necessary money.
March 10, 1863. Voted to pay Daniel Potter $50 to make up $100 the same as other three year soldiers.
December 5, 1863. Voted to pay to the men that have been drafted and provided substitutes $300 each, including the $100 voted at a previous meeting, and to extend the same bounty of $300 to all that may be hereafter drafted, and actually serve either in person or by a substitute; to be paid in ten days after they have been mustered into the U. S. service, provided it be for three years or during the war: also voted to pay $100 to each volunteer from this time to the fourth day of January next or until the town quota is filled; also instructed the selectmen to "cash" the state and United States bounties; also chose Aaron J. Smith agent to fill the quota of eight men by volunteers or substitutes.
August 29, 1864. Instructed the selectmen to pay volunteers or substitutes for drafted men, substitutes for enrolled men. and representative substitutes for citizens not enrolled for one year, $100; voted to pay to drafted men mustered into U. S. service $200; also authorized the selectmen to pay to citizens enlisting for the term of one year $500 as soon as mustered into service and credited to Stark.
January 19, 1865. Voted to pay volunteers from Stark to fill the quota on the last call for troops $500 to each for one year until the quota is filled, and the selectmen are authorized to hire the necessary money for all expenses connected with this.
March 14, 1865. Voted to indemnify the selectmen for filling the quota under the last call for volunteers.
Lumber. — Manufacturing has been the chief business of the town since the completion of the railroad, and the pine and spruce, which until then had no value on account of the difficulty of transportation, have been rapidly cut off. The veteran surveyor, A. J. Pike, says that over 100,000,000 feet of spruce has already been cut. Mills were soon erected, and both steam and water were taxed to aid in the production of lumber. The supply still exists in large quantities, millions of feet of spruce having been cut during the past winter. The pine, however, which at first stood thickly in the valleys of the western part of the town, was long ago used up. Agriculture has been somewhat neglected during this episode of making lumber, but many valuable farms exist along the streams on the productive intervals, and the condition of the town is prosperous.
Many of the early settlers are represented in the families living here to-day. The Coles are numerous and are valuable and well-to do citizens; the Smiths are also men of substance, enterprise, and intelligence; the Potters are among the solid and substantial people, and quite numerous; the Rowells have been well represented from the time of the birth of the first son of the town — Piercy Rowell.
Among other families now for a long time settlers and residents that have had much to do with forming the course of events, business and public affairs, are the Pike and Thompson families. As business men and public spirited citizens they have done their full share.
Business Interests. — The Thompsons were early settlers of Berlin. In 1853 Benjamin Thompson purchased the mill privilege on the Ammonoosuc, at Stark, built a water mill, and conducted it for some years, employing from twenty to thirty men. He sold to Cobb & Sturtevant, who soon sold to other parties; the latter put in steam power and enlarged the mill. Charles E. Dole is the present owner, and from forty to fifty men are employed. Albert Thompson, son of Benjamin, is an extensive and prosperous lumberman in Pennsylvania.
In 1867 Sumner W. Thompson was postmaster, Edmund Green, merchant, Benjamin Thompson, manufacturer of lumber.
In 1877 the
merchants were Edmund Green, John Thompson; the manufacturers of lumber,
Sylvester Cole, Dexter Cole. E. Hinckney & Co., J. M. Pike, and Milan Steam Mill
Co. Postmasters, Stark, Clifford Cole; Starkwater Station, G. W. Perkins.
In 1887 there are several mills for making lumber. Dole & Stewart
manufacture by steam and water-power, at Stark station, dimension lumber, laths,
shingles, clapboards and pickets to the amount of 7,000,000 feet annually; Milan
Steam Mill (F. A. Pitcher) dimension lumber, laths, clap-boards and pickets, 5,
000,000 feet per annum; Burney, Rumery & Co., steam mill, 1,000,000 feet. Andrew
Jackson has a shingle-mill producing 1,000,000 shingles annually, and a
grist-mill, both run by water-power; Baldwin & Smith run shingle and
grist-mills, and produce 3,000,000 shingles yearly. James Baldwin & Co/s bobbin
mill, carried on by J. H. Bowles & Co., use about 3,000 cords of hard wood
yearly. The saw-mills have planing machines connected. Sumner W. Thompson
carries on manufacturing both in Stark and Dummer, and does an extensive
business. George M. Smith, Sylvester Cole, and W. T. Pike, engage extensively
winters in cutting and drawing timber.
Merchants. — George M. Smith, A. G. Peabody & Co., Andrew Jackson, George P. Ockington, M. T. Thurston.
Breeders of Fine Horses. — J. A. & W. T. Pike.
Recently the culture of strawberries has been commenced by Norris Hinds with flattering indications of great success.
Of the first settlers Caleb and Benjamin Smith were well fitted for pioneers in this section. Both were strong, sinewy men, active and industrious. They came here from Boscawen in 1785. At one time, Caleb Smith wagered that he could bring three bushels of wheat on his shoulder from Northumberland Falls to Beech hill, a distance of nine miles, with the privilege of stopping to rest once, and won the wager. On seeing a number of salmon in the Ammonoosuc river where it runs through Stark, there being no dams then to keep the fish from running up river, he shot three of them, one of which weighed twenty-seven pounds. His name appears first on the petition for incorporation in 1794. Benjamin Smith built the first house on a hillside at the center of the town, near the Ammonoosuc river. It is related that a sheriff came over to arrest him for a small-debt. The sheriff took hold of Mr. Smith, who started homeward. The sheriff kept his hold upon Mr. Smith and once sprang upon him, hut he continued his home journey at a rapid gait, leaping five-foot fences, and clearing everything that came in his way until the sheriff, completely exhausted, gave up his game, and never renewed the attempt at capture. His son, Jeremiah E. Smith, was for many years a prominent and useful citizen. He died in 1885. His son and heir. George M. Smith, is a resident of Stark, has represented his town in the legislature, and is an active business man.
Joseph Leavitt, an old settler, was a great hunter and trapper, and an exceedingly courageous man. Once, in the depths of the forest, he found he was stealthily pursued by a panther, and knowing that the attack was a matter of life and death, he turned back on his tracks and met the animal — a powerful one — shot at him, and was ready, with a bullet in his teeth, to load and fire again; but the first shot had been an effectual one, and the panther lay lifeless before him. These old hunters were very valuable auxiliaries in new and unsettled regions, and the people retired to their rest with a feeling of security, when they were near to protect them from the wild beasts of the forest. Joshua Roberts, a great bear and moose hunter, was out at one time with his dog without his gun. His dog chased a bear into the swamp, where a fierce battle ensued. Mr. Roberts, thinking the odds might be in favor of the bear, rushed in, grasped the animal and captured him alive.
As the Cole family has been so conspicuous in the town, and served so many continuous years in its public offices, a few words relative to the origin of the family in America will doubtless be of interest to its members. James Cole, the first of the name in New England, came to the Plymouth Colony in its early days, and his name appears on the first list of freemen recorded in 1633. The family is an old and honored one, was strongly patriotic, and some of the members served in the Revolution.
Robert Pike, son of Nathaniel and Betsey (Bush) Pike, born at Portsmouth, December, 1766, came to Stark in the beginning of the present century. His father, Nathaniel, was an officer on a privateersman in the Revolution, and was put in charge of a prize that he brought into Portsmouth. Robert Pike had a farm in the eastern part of Stark, on which his grandson, Joseph A., now resides. He served as selectman and town clerk. He married Deborah Smith. Harwood Pike, son of Robert, was born January 11, 1808. He was a farmer, carpenter, school-master, surveyor, and a scholarly man of unusual ability. He had a remarkable memory, was well-read in history and the classics, and was able to give information on many subjects, and was accurate in dates of events. He was a life-long Jacksonian Democrat and his official positions were all that were within the gift of his townsmen. He was representative two terms, and twice delegate to constitutional conventions; county commissioner three years. He was six feet in height, straight as an arrow, and bore himself with gentlemanly dignity. His wife was a Cole. He died in 1871. His son, Joseph A. Pike, has been first selectman of Stark many years; representative two terms; a member of the constitutional convention; and was a prominent candidate before the Democratic convention of 1886 for state senator. William T. Pike, youngest son of Harwood Pike, has been selectman, clerk, etc. He was sheriff of Coos county from 1879 until 1883 inclusive, his re-election proving his efficiency in official duties. Mr. Pike succeeds S. G. Hannaford in charge of the Coos county alms-house and farm.
Aaron Jackson Smith, born December 3, 1810, married, first, Lucinda Cole; second, Louisa Cole. He died June 7, 1884. He was for many terms selectman, thirty years consecutively town clerk, also town treasurer, on the board of school committee, representative and county treasurer. He was a fine mathematician, a good school teacher and a very valuable man in the community.
Contributed 2025 Feb 3 by Norma Hass, extracted from History of Coos County, New Hampshire by Georgia D. Merrill, published in 1888, pages 562-580.
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