HISTORY OF GREENVILLE, HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE ---------------------------------- ---------------------------------- Information located at http://www.nh.searchroots.com On a web site about GENEALOGY AND HISTORY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE and its counties TRANSCRIBED BY JANICE BROWN Please see the web site for my email contact. ---------------------------------- The original source of this information is in the public domain, however use of this text file, other than for personal use, is restricted without written permission from the transcriber (who has edited, compiled and added new copyrighted text to same). ======================================================== SOURCE: History of Hillsborough County, New Hampshire Philadelphia: J.W. Lewis & Co., 1885, 878 pgs. [TRANSCRIBERS NOTE--Since the town of Greenville originated from the town of MASON, for earlier history, see History of MASON, on this web site] p. 518 GREENVILLE CHAPTER I The town of Greenville is a rectangle in form, about four miles in length, by one and one-half miles in breadth, cut from the northwest corner of Mason, and otherwise bounded north by Temple and Wilton, and west by New Ipswich. Its outline are from the original survey, on the cardinal points of the compass "by the needle," as was said in the grant, except the north line, which includes a gore of more than a hundred rods in width, but is also given in the old charter as "running east." Its surface is quite undulating, rising into several hills of considerable height and attractive prospects. Of these the most prominent are Adams, Bellows, Campbell, Dunster, Lawrence, Merriam and Barrett, the latter reaching an altitude of twelve hundred and seventy-two feet, and affording a valuable peak for the observation of the United States Coast Survey. Its chief stream is the Souhegan River, whose descent is quite rapid, furnishing valuable mill sites, which are yet but partially improved. Of these High Falls is deserving of special note for its scenic grandeur and favorable circumstances for utlizing a great water-power. The other water courses are but trout brooks, having their source in the immediate vicinity, and known by the names of the early settlers near Davis, Hill and Shattuck. The soil was originally a rich mould, and while most of the pastures have suffered from long grazing, the fields of the best cultivated farms still yield rich returns for careful tillage. Along the meadows and up the hillsides, near the river, the subsoil is largely clay and has to a considerable extent been wrought into bricks of the best quality and various articles of pottery. Beneath this is a foundation, cropping out in frequent ledges, suitable for quarrying, or scattered in broken masses upon the surface, is an inexhaustible supply of gneiss or granite. The great forests of the past, as well as the younger trees growing in their place, are for the most part deciduous. A few acres of pine, with an occasional group of hemlock and yet rarer spruce, may still be found, but the maples, red, rock and white predominate, while the birch, beech, oak, ash, elm, bass and cherry abound with a sprinkling of chestnut and hickory near the southeast corner of the town. The first New Ipswich grant included the most valuable portion of Greenvile, but subsequent charters gave this territory to No. 1, afterwards incorporated as Mason, with which parent town its history for more than a century was merged. The earliest settlement seems to have been in the southwest corner of the town and the pioneer settler, OBADIAH PARKER, who soon built a frame house "a good house and about two acres cleared" the proprietor's committee report to the proprietors' meeting, in Groton, Mass., October 25, 1752. On the 5th of January 1768, this same Lieutenant Obadiah Parker, as with the nice regard of the day for military rank, he was called, was chosen to go to Portsmouth to secure the Mason charter "and distribute the money there-for." His success appears in Governor Wentworth's charter, dated August 6th of the same year, authorizing Obadiah Parker, gentleman, to call the first town-meeting, which he did by his warrant of September 5th. At this meeting, on the 19th of the same month, he was elected moderator and one of the board of selectmen; and it may be added that in personal presence, business capacity and Christian character he seemed to have been a father of whom no town need be ashamed. It is said that the first house erected in the village stood near the site of the town-house. It is worthy of remembrance as the birth-place of one of the noblest men that ever honored the history of the down, Deacon Merrill C. Dodge; and after removal the structure is still standing on Temple Street opposite the residence of James Taft, Esq. It seems also from obscure records, that a mill was very early built at one of the falls of the Souhegan hard by. Certainly the proprietors votes November 4, 1867 and chose a committee to view the roads to accomodate Slipton with power, if judged best to lay out the raods by Mr. Barrett's mills; and in the warrant of the first town-meeting after incorporation, was an article "to see if the town will, accept the road recently laid out by Mr. Thomas Barretts and Amos Dakins mills and, build a bridge over the river now the water is low." And the record tells us, "Voted to accept the road. Voted, to build a bridge." About this mill and the subsequent industries which took their motive power from the several falls of the Souhegan grew a thrifty village, known as Mason Harbor, Mason Village, and sometimes Souhegan Village, until its incorporation, June 28, 1872, with some of the territory naturally clinging to it and the name it now bears. The citizens of the Greenville district were always prominent in the history of Mason, furnishing its first representative, Deacon Amos Dakin, when classed with Raby (now Brookline), also when Joseph Merriam led the list of town representatives. The organization of the Second Congregational Church in Mason, afterwards the Congregational Church in Greenville, took away the three deacons of the old church,-- Nathan Wood, Franklin Merriam and Simeon Cragin. And so the whole secular and sacred life of Mason before division is one in which Greenville shares most honorably. The distance of the village from the centre of Mason in time produced the same results as have so often appeared in the change of town lines to accomodate business centres. As usual the first impulse came from the conscience. The Baptists were the pioneers in this movement, erecting a meeting-house in the village as early as the year 1827 and organizing a new Baptist Church the year following. Thenceforth, the interest and worship of the denomination centered there, and the previous organization and services at Mason Centre were discontinued. Time passed, and the fathers and mothers of Puritan faith and order could get only a part of their families and friends to their church three miles away; hence, the organization of the Congregational Church June 3, 1847. Nearly twenty-four years afterwards, the convenience of the manufacturing population led to a proposition on the part of James L. Chamberlin, Esq. to buy the own town-house at the centre of Mason and build in its stead, at the village, an attractive edifice, fitted up for all requisite town purposes and to be freely used for them, upon conditions which were regarded by his neighbors as generous, but which those near and beyond the old town-house were naturally reluctant to accept. Out of this difference of opinion and consequent excitement of feeling an amicable way of relief was found in division, citizens on one side giving the requisite legal notice and those on the other urging the matter to a successful issue. By the terms of its charter, Greenville was to assume thirteen- twentieths of the liabilities of Mason, prior to separation, and take besides its hare of the north gore, forty-five of the two hundred eighty acre lots laid out in the original survey of the parent town. Samuel Haines, James L. Chamberlin and Amos Scripture were empowered to call the first town-meeting, and upon their warrant the town organization was perfected July 17, 1872. Some unfortunate litigation ensued with Mason concerning the Boynton common school fund which was decided in favor of the latter town, and also as to the south line of Greenville which resulted in establishing the full claim of the young town. The most harmonious relations have ever since existed with the mother-town and the citizens of Greenville, beyond all others, rejoice in her prosperity. During the first years of independent town history, all public meetings were held in the Congregational vestry and the selectmen had their office in Mr. Chamberlin's building on the site of the town-house. The desire for a town-home soon began to express itself. The Columbian Manufacturing Company made a generous offer of a gratuitous lot, near the junction of Main and New Ipswich streets, and it was once voted to accept this offer and build thereon, but the town afterwards decided to purchase land of Mr. Chamberlin and build there, in the year 1876, the present town-house. It is a substantial brick structure, secular Gothic in style of architecture, with basement and lower story for store, post-office and selectmen's room, while above are main and banquet halls with ante-rooms. It was dedicated near the close of the year,--cost, including land, about thirty thousand dollars; building commitee, James L. Chamberlin, Franklin B. Heald, George C. Robbins, Henry I. Whitney and Milton H. Hardy. The population of Greenville at its ceneus in 1880 was ten hundred and seventy two. Its valuation by the selectmen for the year 1885 was six hundred thousand, four hundred and ninety-four dollars. The principal town officers have been,-- MODERATORS: David Millikin, 1872 James L. Chamberlin, 1873-1880, 1882 George H. Livinston, 1880 Stephen H. Bacon, 1880, 1882-1885 Thomas Hays, 1884 John Kenney 1885 TOWN CLERKS: James Taft, 1872 Eben E. Pierce, 1873, 1874, 1877 G.F. Merriam, 1875, 1876 Frank E. Pierce, 1878, 1880-1885 Charles E. Marsh, 1879 SELECTMEN 1872, Andrew Henry, John Kenney, George M. Farrer 1873, Henry J. Whitney, Samuel Haines, James L. Chamberlin 1874, Henry J. Whitney, James L. Chamberlin, Marshall Kimball 1875, Henry J. WHitney, James L. Chamberlin, James Taft 1876, James L. Chamberlin, Franklin B. Heald, Milton H. Hardy 1877, Franklin B. Heald, James Taft, Samuel E. Adams 1878, Franklin B. Heald, James Taft, Nathan P. Farrar 1879, Stephen H. Bacon, Nathan P. Farrar, Thomas Hays 1880, Stephen H. Bacon, Nathan P. Farrar, George C. Robbins 1881-82, Charles E. Hall, Nathan P. Farrar, George C. Robbins 1883, Charles E. Hall, Nathan P. Farrar, Milton H. Hardy 1884, Nathan P. Farrar, Milton H. Hardy, Bronson P. Lamb 1885, George C. Robbins, William H. Sanborne, James Taft REPRESENTATIVES George F. Merriam, 1873, 1874, 1875 Richard Hall, 1876 Andrew Henry 1878 Charles E. Marsh 1880 Stephen H. Bacon, 1882, 1884 DELEGATE TO THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION J.L. Chamberlin 1876 TREASURERS J.L. Chamberlin 1872-1878 M.C. Dodge, 1879-1881 Bronson P. Lamb, 1882-1883 C.E. Hall, 1884 Orin D. Prescott 1885 SUPERINTENDING ScHOOL COMMITTEE M.C. Dodge 1872-1875 C.E. Hall 1876-1879, 1881-1884 C.G. Corey, 1878 C.E. Marsh 1878 F.A. Newell 1880 G.F. Munsey 1885 HIGHWAY SURVEYORS Elisha B. Barrett 1872 H.J. Whitney 1873-1875, 1885 M.H. Hardy, 1876, 1879-1884 H.M. Harrington, 1877-1878 SUPERVISORS 1878-Andrew Henry, John James, George H. Livingston 1880-George H. Livingston, Harrison H. Shumway, Charles E. Marsh 1882-Harrison H. Shumway, Charles F. Smith, George L. Blood 1884-Frank L. Peabody, Harrison H. Shumway, Silas A. Hays LIBRARIANS Thomas E. Marshall and Frank E. Pierce ***** BUSINESS HISTORY ***** In the original grant of the Masonian proprietors mention is made of two lots for encouragement of building mills. At the first draft it seems that neither of the lots selected for this purpose were within the bounds of Greenville, but the superior advantages of the waterfall of the Souhegan River were soon recognized and the needful arrangements made for building saw and grist-mills there. From Hon. J.B. Hill's "History of Mason," it appears a committee was appointed at a proprietor's meeting in 1751 to make a contract for constructing mills on this privilege, the saw-mill to be completed by the 25th of May 1752, and the corn-mill in a year from that date. This was done, but the contractor failed to fulfill his bond and a suit at law followed. The mills, however were soon built by Thomas and Charles Barrett. At least the latter sold his interest to Deacon Amos Dakin and moved to New Ipswich, according to some authorities as early as 1764. Deacon Dakin soon after became sole proprietor and continued so until his death in 1779, when the property passed to his son, Deacon Timothy Dakin, who rebuilt the mills in a very substantial manner and remained the owner until 1814, when he sold them with the privilege to Major Seth King and John Stevens, Esq. From these owners they passed in time to William Durgin and were directed by John Felt until September 18, 1854, when they were purchased by the Columbian Manufacturing Company, to give place to one of its large factories, called No. 4. The first dam above the bridge was made by Deacon Amos Dakin about 1788. Below this dam, on the south side of the stream, a carding and fulling mill was built by John Everett about the beginning of the century. It was occupied by him, afterwards by Othni Crosby and others for the same purpose until the year 1829, when it was removed to give room for the present No. 1 factory building of the Columbia Manufacturing Company. The water-power opposite on the south bank of the river was first used for a blacksmith's shop, in which was a trip hammer for the manufacture of Scythes and axes. This business was conducted by Ezra Newell, and at the commencement of the century, cut-nailes were there made. Not far from the year 1813, a new building was erected for the manufacture of various woolen fabrics under the direction of Major Seth King. This too, afterwards passed into the possession of the Columbia Manufacturing Company, and the site is now occupied by its planing-mill and repair-shop. The three mill privileges immediately below those already mentioned early came into the hands of Roger Chandler and associates, who soon improved the two lower ones with the requisited dams and buildings for manufacturing purposes. Roger Chandler's contract with Timothy Dakin and Joseph Sanders for the building of the principal dam "and to set up a building for a cotton-factory" bears date of June 22, 1812, and pledges them to complete it all by the middle of November, while he binds himself to pay therefor at specified times one thousand and fifty dollars, the major part in cotton, yarn, or cloth, or store goods, as they may choose, at cash prices, also to furnish them with glass, nails, and lime, on stipulated terms, and one barrel of New England rum at cash price. The exact date of building the lower factory is uncertain, but under the names of Roger Chandler & Co., Isaacs, Taft & Co., and Mason Cotton Factory, the manufacture of yarn and cloth was here continued for many years. In the year 1818, Loammi Chamberlin bargained for water-power of his Mason Cotton Factory Company, at its upper fall, and there built a machine shop where he carried on quite extensively the manufacture of cotton and woolen machinery, machine tools, etc. He gave special attention to the making of power-looms and originated a valuable improvement on those in previous use. About the year 1840, in company with Captain Thomas Pierce, he secured and fitted up the mills below for the manufacture of satinets and other woolen goods. The buildings were also extended for the dying and finishing of cloth by Captain Josiah Heald. Besides, Mr. Chamberlin erected and operated a lumber mill further down the river, while he conducted the business of blacksmithing and other important industries. After a season, the manufacture of woolen fabrics passed into the hands of Patterson, Noone & Clark. When the other partners retired, John Clark continued the business alone until his removal to Boston, left Mr. Chamberlin to resume it again. His enterprise and mechanical skill made him a conspicuous figure in the early history of the village. He came to is in his early manhood and by his business ventures did much to quicken the life and build up the material interets of the community. For years before his death, November 24, 1853, his affairs were directed by his son, James L. Chamberlin, who afterwards, through his own active career, developed a like executive force and versatility of talent. Beyond the business responsibilities thus devolved upon him, he proceeded in 1857, to build a more reliable dam upon the lowest mill site of Roger Chandler & Company with substantial brick buildings on the east side of the river for a flouring mill. This he managed most successfully and afterwards made large additions to the mills themselves, introducing the manufacture of furniture, which grew under his care to large proportions and gave him an enviable reputation for excellence of workmanship, until just as he was arranging for yet further expansion of the business, when he was suddenly checked by untimely accident and death may 3, 1883. The making of twine was very profitably commenced in the chief building of the Mason Cotton Factory during the year 1856. John Barker and the firms of Barker & Lynch, Barker & Nichols and Barker Brothers, and finally W. Jaquith, continued the business for several years. Other enterprises, at various times, have taken their power from these several falls, as the manufacturing of chairs by George Kimball, lead pencils by Aaron Heywood, extension tables by Willard Jefts, boxes by Gray & Fuller, and brackets at the lower mill by John M. White. Then, without the use of water-power, there had been the manufacture of potash by Timothy Dakin, pottery by Ruel Richardson, bricks by the Chamberlins, boots and shoes by Wilson & Taft, tinware by Scripture and Ames, Daniel Felch and also by Nathan P. Farrer, furniture by William Sawtell, and outside the village by Nathan Woods; while at Davis village, in the southwest corner of the town, there has been a lumber-mill at different times under the care of Calvin Davis and Adron Winship, with an interval, during which its power was used by Leonard Morse for the making of printers' supplies. Want of space forbids much further detail except to remark the early thrift of small industries and enterprises of those with limited capital. From the busy hive went forth many who have won distinction and wealth by the skill and character here developed. Abner Chickering, Isaac Kimball, Asa Webber, and John R. Lynch have long been at the head of prosperous blacksmiths' shops. Benoni C. Kimball, Sullivan Howard, Thomas Hays and Frederic Mansfield have been successful builders, and Benjamin Livingston & Sons have won special reputation as stone-masons. So of others if space permitted the mention of their many names. Shortly after the death of James L. Chamberlin, his lumber-mill was leased to Isaiah Wheeler, who has since managed it with great efficiency. The flouring-mill is now conducted by Orin D. Prescott, Thomas D. Bennett superintendent. The furniture factories are again in full activity, operated by A. Wright & Co., L.C. Farwell resident and managing partner, with some forty workmen in their employ. But the chief impulse in the upbuilding of Greenville has come from the Columbian Manufacturing Company. This corporation was chartered by the New Hampshire Legislature, June 1826, as the Rensen Manufacturing Company. "Silas Bullard and Associates and Successors" were incorporated with a capital of three hundred thousand dollars, "For the manufacture of cotton, woolen and other goods, and such other braches of trade and manufactures as may be usefully carried on." The next year the corporate name was changed to that which has since been borne, and authority has subsquently been given to increase the capital stock. The company now owns six factories within reach of about two miles, five of them in full operation. Of the two running in New Ispwich the upper one, at Bank village, variously called Waterloom, Mountain Mill and No. 3, is on the site of the first cotton factory in New Hampshire. The office of the company is at Greenville, and its three large factories there with all their drying and finishing attachments occupy all the ground and use all the power before distributed among the smaller industries above the furniture and flouring mills. The first agent was Charles Barrett, the builder of the upper or No. 1 factory, which he put in operation in the year 1830. Upon his retirement Messrs. Dakin and Daniels here manufactured for the company under a contract by the yard. The agents since this time have been Leonard Dakin, 1837-39; John E. Bacon 1839-41; Willard Daniels, 1841-43; Stephen Smith, 1843-57; Charles P. Richardson, 1857-70; Samuel Haines, 1870, who is still in charge. Factory No. 4 was erected in 1856 by Stephen Smith, and Factory NO. 6 in 1872 by Samuel Haines. These buildings are all of brick, stoutly built and fully equipped with boilers, engines and all requisite means for operation by steam as well as water. Of the 566 persons in the employ of this company, 390 reside in Greenville. The average pay-roll of the company is about $11,000 each month. Number of spindles, 22,000; number of looms, 568; transforming monthly 197,000 pounds of cotton into 624,000 yards of cloth, mostly colored shirtings and denims. The company has been eminently successful. Its stock commands a high premium and can rarely be obtained. Its buildings are patterns of neatness, its grounds tastefully ornamented with choice shade trees and its powerful inluence ever felt upon the side of temperance. Its present officers are George Fabyan, treasurer, Boston, Mass; Samuel Haines, agent at the works; Bliss, Fabyan & Co., selling agents, Boston, New York and PHiladelphia; William W. Stevenson, paymaster. STORES "The first merchant who kept an extensive stock of goods for sale at the village, if not the first in point of time, was ISAIAH KIDDER, son of Reuben Kidder, of New Ipswich. He commenced trade in 1799. By his enterprise and fair dealing he soon won the confidence of the community; and as his was then the principal store of Mason, Temple, and Wilton, his trade was extensive and lucrative. On closing his business, at the expiration of six years, he declared that thirty dollars would cover all his losses by bad debts, a fact that speaks well both for the people and the merchant." So says Hill's History, and that of New Ipswich is even more emphatic in its eulogy of his after career. "No man was ever more popular in the town or more examined the subject and foretold that the manufacture of cotton into various fabrics was to be a great interest in New England. With a sanguine spirit he soon began the manufacture of stripes, checks, ginghams and velvets and for this purpose procured various fictures, till then unknown in this country, and as no persons proper to carry on these projects were to be found, they were procured from England and Scotland. It was left to later time and other persons to mature and carry out such enterprises successfully and to reap the fruits of which he had planted the seeds." In the midst of the grandest manufacturing schemes and with every prospect of ultimate success, he was cut off by fever at the age of forty-one years. ROGER CHANDLER and associates seem to have kept goods for the public as well as manufactured cloth, if we may judge from their invoices. One of June 22, 1812, the very day of the contract for building their new dam and factory, gives quite a stock of groceries, but reminds us of the temperance progress since, in its leading articles,-- "1 Hhd. Rum, 109 gals @ $1.10 ........$119.90 "1 Hhd. Gin, 112 gals @ .58 ........$ 70.76 "1 bl. Brandy, 30-1/2 gals, @$1.00 ...$ 31.50 Or $222.16 for spiritous liquors, while only $429.63 was allowed for some twenty of the necessities of life including powder and shot for those in a new country and in time of war. Of those who afterwards for a long time accomodated their neighbors in the various supplies of a country store, two figures are conspicuous--JAMES TAFT, by trade a tanner, upon coming to Mason Village a manufacturer, afterwards a man of affairs in the skill with which he conducted several branches of business at the same time with uniform success, and GEORGE ELLIOTT, a son of poverty and a frequent sufferer from fire and other losses, but a gentleman of rare suavity and indombitable perserverance. Their successors, like them, have generally been financially successful, but they are still living, and the words of eulogy however richly earned must be deferred. POST-OFFICE It is difficult to learn the exact date when the village was deemed worthy of a post-office. Probably about the year 1830 George Elliott received the appointment of postmaster. Following him we have been George Taft, 1845-49; Lucius A. Elliott, 1849-54; James Taft Jr., 1854-61; Merrill C. Dodge, 1861-65; Franklin B. Health 1865-77; and Milton H. Hardy, 1877, the present incumbent. THE PETERBOROUGH AND SHIRLEY RAILROAD, now the Greenville Branch of the Fitchburg Railroad, was put in operation as far as the Souhegan River, or about a mile from the village, November 11, 1850, and two years after the road was completed to its present terminum. This delay was caused by the labor requisite to build the bridge for the river crossing, which has been called one of the greatest works of art in New Hampshire. It is mainly of wood, but stoutly trussed with iron, six hundred feet in length, and where it crosses the stream in its reach from bluff to bluff about one hundred feet above it. Two massive pillars of granite masonry, one of them some eighty feet in height, beside the erminal abutments, support the structure, from which the tourist has a most interesting view of the ravine below, with its wooded sides and winding waters. The original project of continuing the road through New Ipswich to Peterborough has not yet been carried out on account of the cost of construction and the extension of other roads. Its management gives superior mail accomodations and traveling facilities to the citizens. Station agent, Ambrose G. Stickney; conductor, Leonard Felch; engineers, Andrew Henry, John Allison, road-master, William E. Ames; expressmen, E.P. Sherman, and C.A. Scripture. Regular stages also connection with the adjoining towns of New Ipswich, Temple and Wilton. SAVINGS BANK The Mason Village Savings Bank was chartered July 1, 1870, and organized July 30th of that year. PRESIDENTS--Hon. Thomas H. Marshall, 1870-72, and Samuel Haines, Esq., 1872 until the present time. VICE-PRESIDENTS.--Amos Scripture, Dexter L. Burton, Jonathan Russell 2d, Sumner B. Nichols, Elbridge G. Cutter, T.H. Marshall, G.F. Merriam, J. L. Chamberlin, Isaiah Wheeler, Eli Foster, M.C. Dodge, Samuel E. Adams, Beniah H. Savage, S.H. Bacon and John Kenney SECRETARIES--Otis F. Package, 1870-77; W.W. Stevenson, 1877, and is still in office. TREASURERS--F.B. Heald, 1870-77; M.H. Hardy, 1877, and is still officiating. CLERK--Charles F. Marshall The largest deposit has been about one hundred and seventeen thousand dollars. Twenty dividents of two and one-half per cent, have been paid, six two per cent, and two extra dividends. *** EDUCATIONAL HISTORY *** The first school-house in the village, at the junction of Main and Pleasant Streets, was a present from two of its public-spirited citizens, Timothy Dakin and Jason Dunster. With the increase of scholars and consequent need of better grading and more extensive grounds, came the inpulse to rebuild, and the present more commodious edifice upon the hill was erected. It has stood some thirty-five years, and its first masters, Hon. Timothy Perry and Judge Levi Wallace, suggest the excellent management which has generally characterized its schools. These are of three grades, and answer to the same bell, the gift of Samuel Haines. The Bullard school-house is in Greenvile, and the old district continues its individual, life though cut in twain by the line of division between the old and new towns. The districts south were unired about forty years ago, and their two dilapitated school-houses taken to construct a new one in a new location between. The old corner school-house, though more than a mile from the village, was the place where its first generation was educated. Many a sturdy disciplinarian there yielded the rod, many a saintly mistress there taught the young idea who to shoot, many pleasant recollections are connected with its weather-beaten exterior, and ceiling crayoned with charcoal from the hands of athletes, who there struggled together to register the farthest leap. The long benches carved with all sorts of designs by the penknife, the many tokens of the stress of earlier times, might contrast painfully with the more elegant accomodations for the rising generation; but it will be well for them if they do as good practicl work, in proportion to their opportunities, as did their forefathers and mothers. The stock of the pioneers is suggested by the names affixed to the quit-claim deed of the spot after the old school-house was removed--William Lawrence, Amos Lawrence and Abbot Lawrence. Some of the obstacles in the way of culture in those days, appear in these lines by one of the boys there taught, Rev. Edwin E. Merriam, of Salem, Pa.,-- "THE SCHOLAR'S LAMENT. "No longer, as in days of yore, That ancient school-house stands; Within its hallowed walls no more Scholars their minds with learning store, By studying books which teach the lore Of this and other lands. "No more upon the window pane The 'school-marm's' rap I hear, To call us to our work again, After a run upon the plain, And never did she rap in vain, For all would soon appear. The Summer's storms would enter there Through cracks and openings wide; And rats would cross the floor in fear, Lest danger should to them be near, And squirrels, too, would there appear, And run from side to side. "Twas there I learned to read and write, Within those time-worn walls; When Summer's sun was shining bright, For Winter in his power and might, Arrayed in garb of snowy white The benches, floor and walls. "Perhaps 'twas best that they should tear That shattered school-house down, That they a better one might rear; But memory haunts that school-house dear, The scene of many a hope and fear, And joys forever gone." As musical director, Professor Elisha B. Barrett has won a wide reputation during nearly fifty years service at the head of the church choir, and in the conduct of more than one hundred and eighty sessions of the singing-school. LIBRARY The Greenville Town Library had its origin in a gift of one thousand dollars for that purpose by James L. Chamberlin. This primary donation was made in 1876, and has been supplemented with gifts from others, as well as town appropriations, until the present number of volumes is about sixteen hundred. NEWSPAPERS The Greenville Advertiser was first issued in the year 1876; Dr. C.E. Hall, local editor for the first five years. Upon his retirement, C.F. Marshall accepted the trust and still retains it. COLLEGE GRADUATES FROM GREENVILLE The list of college graduates from Greenville include the following names,-- Samuel Dakin, Esq., Dartmouth, 1797; Obadiah Parker, Harvard, 1799; Rev. Israel Elliot, University of Vermont, 1813; Rev. Jesse Elliot Hamilton, 1826; Rev. Edwin E. Merriam, Amherst, 1858; Rev. George F. Merriam, Amherst, 1861; Franklin J. Clark, Harvard, 1867; Rev. H. Martin Kellogg, Dartmouth, 1872; James W. Henry, Dartmouth, 1878; Howard P. Haines, Harvard, 1881; Elmer E. Kimball, Dartmouth, 1885; Mabel Haines, Smith's 1885. Undergraduate, Henry A. McGown, Amherst, 1886. Others from the town have entered the learned professions, as follows: Rev. William Elliot, Rev. Joseph elliot, Rev. John Farrar, Rev. M. L. Holt, Dr. Moses Dakin, Hon. Joseph E. Donnell, M.D., Herbert J. Taft, Esq., Prof. Clarence A. Taylor. ***** MILITARY HISTORY ***** The military history of Greenvile is necessarily merged in that of the parent town, as the years since incorporation have been, happily, those of peace. It would appear that at least twenty-five soldiers went from our sparesely-settled six quare miles to serve in the war of independence. It is but a few years since the last pensioner of the War of 1812 passed awy, and in the struggle for the maintenance of the Union at least fifty from this district answered loyally to the government call in person or by substitute. They were in all arms of the service. They fell in battle, died with disease, starved within the Southern prison, returned to find an early grave or suvived with the sufferings of long martyrdom. Captain Thomas E. Marshall, Lieutenants M.H. Hardy, M.L. Holt and J.E. Donnel returned with commissions. Lieutenant Henry A. Cragin led a company of the famous New York Seventh to the defense of the national capital. Frederick Kimball, one of the Free Soil pioneers in Kansas, was killed in Quantrell's raid through Lawrence. Several veterans of the war have become citizens since their return; among the number Captain Gurts, Lieutenants C.E. Marsh and C.E. Ferson. Herman Shedd Post. No. 17, G.A.R. named from a staunch patriot, who went out from one of our factories to lay down his life at Fair Oaks, was organized June 28, 1870 and now contains thirty-six members from Greenville, New Ipswich and vicinity. Its Past Commanders have been Capt. T.E. Marshall, G.H. Livingston, G.A. Hartshorn, Captain M.P. Donley, A.C. Fowler and John Kenney. Present Commander, Charles F. Smith. *** SOCIAL HISTORY *** Organizations, musical, social and benevolent have found their place and done their work here as elsewhere. Brass and cornet bands, led by William Elliot and Albert F. Walker, have lived their lives of harmony for the public good. Literary, lecture and agricultural societies have contributed their part to the general improvement. Engine companies have been sustained to protect from fires. A lodge of the Sons of Temperance, and at different times two lodges of Good Templars, have for a season directed attention to the reform with which they are connected. A generation ago a lodge of Odd-Fellows flourished for a time. Souhegan Lodge of Ancient and Accepted Masons has shown greater vitality and is still flourishing. It was chartered June 8, 1859. Charter members,--E. Schofield, A.D. Taylor, L.J. Spalding, W.W. Prichard, W. Jefts, A. Henry, J.L. Chamberlin, C. Baldwin, G. Taft, E.A. Larkin, E. K. Hardy, and L.W. Kingsbury; Present Master, Leonard Felch. *** ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY *** A BAPTIST CHURCH was formed in Mason September 25, 1876, a part of whose members resided in what is now Greenville, and from this parent church twenty-four were dismissed, December 24, 1828, to form the MASON VILLAGE BAPTIST CHURCH, for the last thirteen years known as the GREENVILLE BAPTIST CHURCH. They chose for their first pastor, Rev. Bela Wilcox, who held his sacred office until the year 1831, when he was succeeded in the pastorate by Rev. John Woodbury, 1831-34; Rev. Joel Wheeler, 1834-35; Rev. Benjamin Knight, 1835-36; Rev. A.L. Mason, 1836-44; Rev. D.F. Richardson, 1845-48; Rev. J. Woodbury, 1848- 49; Rev. Isaac Woodbury, 1849-51; Rev. D.P. French, 1851-52; Rev. A.H. House, 1852-54; Rev. George W. Cutting 1855-61; Rev. Enville J. Emery, 1861-65; Rev. L.C. Stevens, 1865-70; Rev. W.H. Walker, 1870-73; Rev. A.M. Higgins, 1873-74; Rev. K. Holt, 1874-76; Rev. J.D. Graham, 1876-78; Rev. L.C. Barnes, 1878; and Rev. Jesse M. Coburn, who commenced his labors with the church in 1878, following a line of able and excellent men with a most wise and devoted ministry. The deacons of the church have been Abel Adams, Jonas Adams, Amos Elliot, James Barrett, Benjamin Robinson, Samuel Hartshorn, Calvin Boynton, Benjamin H. Dix, Eben Tilton, Sewall F. Adams and Milan L. Sargent, who still retain their office. There have been added to its membership since its organization about five hundred. The present membership is eighty. Connected with the church is an active Sabbath-school of over one hundred, under the care of Deacon M.L. Sargent, superintendent. It is free from debt and has a good parsonage, the gift of Lucius A. Elliott, Esq. It has also an attractive house of worship and enjoys a general healthy prosperity. THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH was preceded for some time by regular social meetings and a Sabbath-school. At a public meeting, February 18, 1847, it was voted "that the time has come when the spiritual interests of this community require that a Congregational Church should be established in this place." In furtherance of this vote, an ecclesiastical council was convened and a church organized. It was called the SECOND CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH IN MASON, and consisted of eight members,--Stephen Smith, Maria E. Smith, Joseph McGown, Elizabeth McGown, Henry McGown, Elizabeth McGown, George Kimball and Lydia Warren. In the same month, fifty-eight more were added from the first church and five from other churches. The first pastor was Rev. William Olmstead, ordained April 11, 1849, whose enthusiastic ministry was greatly blessed, and under whose lead the present commodious sanctuary was erected. His death June 6, 1852, was a great loss to the young church. He was followed in his ministerial work by Rev. Erastus M. Kellogg, 1852-55; Rev. Samuel J. Austin, 1857-59; Rev. George E. Fisher, 1859-62; and Rev. M.N. Root, M.D, 1863-64. All of these, with their various gifts, served the church efficiently, and were scholarly, devout men. On the 27th of August, 1864, a call was extended to Rev. Andrew Jaquith, but it only reached him on the eve of his summons to the church triumphant. The present pastor, Rev. G.F. Merriam, first entered his pulpit October 15th of the same year. He was ordained March 9th succeeding. His ministry has been amid all the obstacles and advantages which must needs be found in the place of one's nativity. It has had the support of many who were worthy of being called saints, and are now numbered with the sainted dead. It has witnessed great changes, but some other pen must write its history. The other officers of the church have been,--Deacons: Simeon Cragin, 1847-58; Stephen Smith, 1847-57; Nathan Wood, 1847-50; Franklin Merriam, 1847-49; M.C. Dodge, 1857-83; Charles Baldwin, 1859-82; Charles Wilson, 1859-72; M. Kimball, 1858; and Ambrose G. Stickney, the last two being now in office. The clerks of the church have been S. Smith, M. Kimball, J.K. Mills, M.C. Dodge, and G.F. Merriam. Superintendents of the Sabbath-school: S. Smith, Hervey Tufts, M.C. Dodge, C. Wilson, E.B. Barrett, M. Kimball, G.H. Livingston, E.W. French, F.P. Bacon, J.B. Martin and A.G. Stickney. The church has also a parsonage, the generous gift of George D. Cragin, Esq., to promote the spiritual interests of his native village. It has also some permanent income from a bequest by one of its deceased members, Isaac Russell. The ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH first held regular public religious services in Greenvile during the year 1856. Since the building of a town-house it has worshiped in the town hall, and held its meetings at least once each month. Recent arrangements have been made by which the priest in charge will have more time to devote to this parish, and services will be more frequent, or twice a month. The congregation gathers, in part, from the adjoining towns, and is a large one. A building lot has already been purchased for the erection of a church edifice. The fathers in charge of the parish have been Rev. William Brady, 1860-61; Rev. Patrick O'Hara, 1861-64; Rev. William Herbert, 1864-68; Rev. Patrick Hoolahan, 1868-76; Rev. Edward Buckle, 1876, and is still officiating. These pastors have all had the confidence of their parish, and the respect of all others. In passing from this subject, the spirit of kindly cooperation which has characteritzed the churches of Greenville should be noticed. For years the Sabbath evening service has been a union meeting laternating between the Baptist and Congregational houses of worship. During extra meetings in the week of prayer, or at other times, as well as on funeral occasions, united services have bound Christian hearts in closer sympathy and lifted them by a common impulse to a higher level. The writer should also add a word in honor of the lay officers of these churches. A good man now gone to his reward used to say that, from his boyhood, the presence of Deacon Hartshorn always preached him a winning sermon. Children grew up in the Sabbath-school looking to Deacon Smith as a model man, such was the kindness of his sturdy nature. Others have felt a like esteem for Deacons Cragin and Dodge, and devout spirits unnamed. Nor could any desire to be embalmed in more precious remembrance by any people than are the two holy men who are buried in the village churchyard,-- Rev. Alfred L. Mason and Rev. William Olmstead. *** PROFESSIONAL HISTORY *** PHYSICIANS--the altitude of Greenvile among the mountain breezes, with the swift flow of its sweet waters, give it a comparative immunity from a class of diseases, and yet its citizens, like all others, must sometimes call for the physician, and worthy men have never failed to respond to the call. OTIS HOYT, M.D. came to Mason village in the year 1835, but left a few years, entered the United States service as a surgeon, and continued in that capacity through the Mexican War. THOMAS H. MARSHALL, M.D. established himself as a physician here in 1837, and continued to win patrons and friends until his death, December 16, 1872. Later practitioners of the healing art have been: Edwin Schofield, M.D., John H. Cutler, M.D., Charles C. Corey, M.D., Charles E. Hall, M.D., Curtis A. Wood, M.D., and George F. Munsey, M.D. Of these, Dr. Schofield soon moved to Worcester, Mass.; Dr. Cutler did good service as a surgeon in the war of the Union, and afterwards won professional distinction in Peterborough; Dr. Corey died in 1878; Dr. Hall is conducting a large drug-store, while Drs. Wood and Munsey are in the midst of most successful practice. LAWYERS--Attorneys-at-law have not been drawn to the town as inviting their services in litigation. The following knights of the bar have, at various times, had their offices here: Nathaniel Shattuck, Esq.; William A. Preston, Esq.; Joseph C. Mason, Esq.; A.B. Spalding, Esq.; and Herbert J. Taft, Esq. The latter is still located here, with the confidence and best wishes of a people who have known him from boyhood. **** PERSONAL HISTORY *** Of citizens resident within the bounds of Greenville, HON. STEPHEN SMITH reached the highest political station, being twice elected counselor and was a prominent candidate for Governor, when his health gave way from the pressure of his many cares. HON. THOMAS H. MARSHALL was not only a good physician, but always in the fore front of the battle for reform, crowning his political career with two terms of service in the State Senate. JOHN STEVENS, a man of marked dignity, urbanity and tact, in addition to most efficient service in various local offices, represented Wilton and Mason more than twenty years in the State Legislature. COLONEL JAMES WOOD and JOSEPH BARRETT, besides other marks of popular esteem, received special legislative honors in the earlier days. Among those who have gone out from the town may be mentioned the brothers ALGERNON and GEORGE SHATTUCK, famous as teachers of penmanship; JONAS CHICKERING, the distinguished piano manufacturer; JOHN and SAMUEL PUTNAM, of the Putnam Machine- WOrks, Fitch, Mass; HON. SAMUEL KIMBALL, ex-mayor of Lawrence, Kansas, and one of the proprietors of the foundry of Kimball Bros. there; HON. JOHN G. KIMBALL, late bank commissioner and treasurer of the New Hampshire Banking Company; HENRY W. MERRIAM, president of the Merriam Shoe Manufacturing Company, Newton, N.J.; GEORGE D. CRAGIN, long prominent among the business men of New York, and now proprietor of a large sugar plantation in Louisiana; and COLONEL JAMES SCRIPTURE, said to own the finest orange grove in Florida. HON. HENRY STEVENS secured large influence in Wisconsin prior to his death. BENJAMIN W. MERRIAM left a shining record among the merchant-princes of New York. GEORGE BARRETT, of Chester, Vt., was widely known for ability and Puritan integrity. DEACON ASAPH R. MARSHALL, of Worcester, Mass., held many offices of trust, municipal, State, national and ecclesias- tical, and all with a blameless record. The list of deserving ones might be greatly extended, but must be left for larger space and a later pen. "Long live the good town, giving out, year by year, Recruits to true manhood and womanhood dear; Brave boys, modest maidens, in beauty sent forth, The living epistles and proof of its worth!" ***** BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH ***** JAMES LANGDON CHAMBERLAIN James L. Chamberlain was born in Mason village (now Greenville) NH February 16, 1824. He was the son and only child of Hon. Loammi Chamberlain, and grandson of Captain Isaac Chamberlain, of Chelmsford, Mass. Hon. Loammi Chamberlain was, in many respects, a man of uncommon mould. He had a remarkable genius for the mechanical arts, and fine inventive faculty. He had much to do with perfecting and putting in successful operation the machinery of the various mills and manufac- tories in and about his native village, and made many valuable improvements in various machines, particularly in power-looms, which extended his reputation and business to other States. Some years prior to his death he gave up practically all attention to mechanics, and devoted himself to the superintendence of his saw-mill and farm. His biographer says of him, that "few men have done more for the material prosperity of Mason village than Mr. Chamberlain." His son, James L., seemed to have inherited, in a very marked degree, the best traits of his father's character. he had not the advantage of a collegiate course of study; but being of a studious, thoughtful turn of mind, and possessed of fine powers of observation, his tastes led him to be, throughout his life, a close student, not only of books, but of that broader field for study, human nature. The choice library he left behind him shows more than ordinary culture and a rare appreciation for the best works in art, science and literature. He early manifested an aptitude for business pursuits; and when he had attained his majority, his father, whose health was declining, relinquished to him the care and control of his business, which he soon began to improve and extend. In 1857 he built a new flouring mill, and dealt largely in grain. He also entered quite extensively into the manufacture of furniture, and carried on a large lumber trade. He was a wide-awake, generous-minded, liberal-spirited man,--the kind of man, who, while careful of his own interests and investments, labors also with the broader view of building up and advancing the material interests of the community. He was a safe and judicious counsellor, and his judgment was sought after and valued by his fellow-townsmen in every important public measure. He was an earnest, active member of the Masonic fraternity, in nearly all its branches. In political life he was a Republican and an efficient local leader in the party, and was frequently chosen to the most responsible positions in the gift of his townsmen. He represented them in the legislature. He was also chosen as one of the members of the Constitutional Convention in 1876. He was married, February 16, 1854 at Boston, Mass., by Rev. Rollin H. Neal, D.D. to Miss Mary A. Prescott, of Mason. They had two children, Ida F. and Nettie F. The latter, a lovely maiden, died December 15, 1873, at the age of fourteen. For two years prior to Mr. Chamberlain's death, he suffered much from declining health. The immediate cause of his death, however, was the crushing of his hand, which was caught in the machinery of his mill. He died eight days later, May 5, 1883. The Jerusalem Commandery, K.T. of which he was a member in full rank, followed him to his grave, and buried him with their impressive service. His wife and daughter survive him. The following extract from the sermon at his obsequies, by Rev. J.M. Coburn, is eminently true of him: "The man of sterling integrity, the active public-spirited citizen, the judicious helper, the kind neighbor and firm friend, the beloved brother, the affectionate father and true husband, has passed away, leaving distressing voids in the marts of business, in a large number of grateful hearts, and in a wide circle of strong friends, and especially in his own happy and endeared household, which can never be filled. But his name and deeds, his hearty forgiveness of enemies, his constant patience in suffering, his calm resignation to Heaven's decree in sickness and death, will be cherished, with loving remembrance, long after his noble outward form is turned to dust. The thrift and industries of the beautiful village of Greenville, its excellent free public library, and the fine Baptist Church edifice, are perpectual reminders of his wife and noble beneficence. The entire community feel and mourn the mysterious sad bereavement." As was written of his father, so may it truthfully be written of him: "He was eminently a domestic man, and it was in the bosom of his family and in the circle of his most intimate friends, that his virtues were best known, and his many excellencies most fully appreciated." (end)