HISTORY OF LACONIA, BELKNAP COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE
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SOURCE: History of Merrimack and Belknap Counties, New Hampshire 
Philadelphia: J.W. Lewis & Co., 1885, 1108 pgs.

page 808
The town [now city] of Laconia lies near the centre of the county, and
is bounded as follows: North by Meredith; East, Gilford and Long
Bay; South, Belmont and Lake Winnesquam; Est, by Lake Winnesquam.

In the year 1622 "the council established at Plymouth, in the county of
Devon, for the planting, ruling and governing of New England, in
America," granted to Captain John Mason "all the lands between the
rivers Merrimack and Sagadahoc, extending back to the great lakes and
rivers of Canada, and this was called Laconia."  This was the famous
Masonian grant which so much and so long affected the geography and
history of the province of New Hampshire.

In laying out a new township from Meredith and Gilford the town
fathers very property and appropriate sought to commemorate the
historical fact above mentioned and chose the present name of Laconia.
For this reason much of the early history of Laconia will be found
in the histories of Gilmanton and Meredith.  The population of
Laconia, according to the census of 1880, was about three thousand
eight hundred.

Strange as it may appear, the territory of Laconia was once claimed as
within the jurisdiction of Massachusetts Bay Colony.  As early as 1638
the colony had sent out a surveying party, who ascended the Merrimack
Rivers as the northern bound of the colony.  Some years later, "upon
perusal of our charter," they of the Bay Colony who had the affairs
of the settlement in charge decided that they had not extended their
claim far enough north into the wilderness; so they dispatched a new
party into the north-land to expand their frontier.  Accordingly, in
May, 1652, Captain Simon Willard and Edward Johnson were named as
commissioners.  They started from Ipswich in a sail-boat with a small
company of assistants, and sailed up the Merrimack River.  In the
company was Jonathan Ince, John Sherman and at least two Indians.
The river was the Indian thoroughfare, and around the numerous falls
of its course the red men had paths, called carrying places.  There is
no record extant of how the expedition overcame the natural obstacles
of the journey, but certain it is that they arrived at the Weirs
August 1, 1652, and there marked a boulder as the north bound of the
colony.  They returned to the lower settlement after an absence of
nineteen days, and for nearly two centuries the monument was lost to
human ken.

In 1725 John Lovewell, with his band, traversed the wilderness, 
seeking for the scalps of hostile Indians, but it was years later
before the white men came to stay.

The rock marked by Simon Willard and party has had a history.  Its
location was rediscovered by chance about the year 1854, while making
an excavation in the channel, and it was visited by Judge Sawyer,
Philip Carrigain and others interested in historical subjects.  The
Lake Company had raised the water of the lake by a dam, and it was
exposed to the action of ice, and from fear that the inscription would
be entirely lost, J.A. Dupee, a former treasurer of the Lake Company,
sent Italian artists to make a cast of the inscription, and
facsimiles were made, one of which can be seen [in 1888] at the
New Hampshire Historical Society's rooms in Concord. The lovers of
history and the antique, however, were not satisfied with doing this
alone, but agitated the matter, and at least, in 1883, got an
appropriation from the State Legislature for raising the rock above
the surface, and surrounding it by safeguards against further harm.
The Legislature of 1885 made a further appropriation.  Hon. John 
Kimball, E.P. Jewell, Esq. and W.E. Buck are the commissioners having 
the business in charge.

This bound lost all interest for the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1740,
when the present boundary between the two States was established.

[facsimile of the letters on the stone shown]
     E I                            S W
         W P                 I O H N
              E N D I C V T       
                  G O V  
                

ORIGINAL OWNERS OF LAND--Colonel Samuel Ladd bought the land on what
is now called Ladd Hill in 1780.  He soon after purchased two and a
half acres on the east side of the River, of Samuel Jewett, for seven
Spanish milled dollars.  The land on the other side of the river he
already owned.  A saw-mill was soon after erected on this lot of land,
and as the water privilege was better, was an improvement over the
mill at "Wears."

FORMER OWNERS OF LACONIA VILLAGE-- The land on the north side of
Winnipesaukee River was first owned by Master (schoolmaster) James,
of Exeter.  Stephen Gale, of Gilmanton, next purchased the land and
sold it to Colonel Samuel Ladd in 1783.  This tract of land ran from
where the river empties into Lake Winnesquam to a point near Church
street bridge, and embraced all the land between this line and the
river.  Colonel Ladd also purchased all the land possible adjoining
this property, and probably owned about all that the present village
of Laconia covers north of the river.  When Colonel Ladd died, in
1801, his property was divided among his heirs, and a large portion of
the land was inherited by the wife of Stephen Perley, Esq.  When the
town of Gilmanton was divided into lots, the land on the south side of
the river, from the outlet at Round Bay to Gove's Point, was divided
into two lots about one hundred and twenty rods wide.  Most of this
property was first owned by James Conner and John Lowe, but was soon
after purchased by Samuel Jewett, together with other land further to
the east.  Daniel Avery and Dr. Bowman afterwards bought part of this
property.

The land where the first settlement was made in Laconia was near the
head of Round Bay, and was purchased by Ebenezer Smith of John
Purmont, the original owner.

MEREDITH BRIDGE in 1813--the late Timothy D. Somes came to Meredith
Bridge in 1813, and in a statement made a short time before his
death (in 1884) gives the following interesting facts regarding the
Bridge at that time: He states that there was but one church then, and
no settled minister in town.  The church was built by individuals and
belonged to no particular denomination; was a small building and stood
on the lots just below the present Willard Hotel.  There was a 
cotton-mill where the brick Belknap Mill now stands; this building was
of the same size on the ground in 1813 as todya, and was called the
Avery Mill.  The owners were Daniel Avery, Daniel Tucker, Stephen
Perley, and perhaps others were also interested.  This mill was burned
down some eight or nine years after Mr. Somes came here.  THere was a
clothing-mill at the end of Mill Street bridge, on the site now
occupied by J.W. Busiel & Co.'s dye-house.  This clothing-mill was
owned and operated by Samuel and Nathan Bean.

There was an oil mill a few feet above the clothing mill owned by
Stephen Perley--a small mill, with one set of stones.  The oil was
sold and used for painting purposes.  Daniel Tucker owned a blacksmith
shop where L.F. BUsiel's hosiery-mill is today.  TUcker's shop was run
by water-power and had a small trip-hammer.  He manufactured axes,
scythes, shears and other edge-tools.  There was a bell foundry just
below Tucker's shop, owned and run by the well known Holbooks.  They
cast the first bell rung in town; this bell was hung in the bell-tower
of the cotton-factory.  The Holbrooks afterwards left town and 
continued business in Massachusetts, where they achieved a national
reputation.  The North Church bell and other bells in town were cast
by the Holbrooks.

There was a small, narrow bridge across the river on Main Street at
the time, near where the present bridge is located.  The bridge had no
rialing then; but a man named French fell off into the water and
was drowned soon after Mr. Somes came here, and then the bridge was
supplied with a railing.

On the Gilford side was a saw-mill owned by Dudley Ladd.  It stood
near the end of Mill Street bridge, on the Baldwin side.  There was a
grist-mill on the site now occupied by the Pitman picker-house, owned
by Jonathan Ladd, a brother of Dudley Ladd.  The house where Rev.
J.P. Atkinson lives was, in 1813, kept as a hotel by Jonathan Folsom,
and was probably the first hotel in the place.

The road through the village was the old Province road; the only road
to Lake village was what is now called Lake Street.  At Lake village
Mr. Folsom had at that time a saw mill, and a grist-mill on the
Meredith, or Laconia, side of the river.  There were only five houses
on the Gilford side at Lake village in 1829.  Mr. Folsom's house was
the only dwelling at Lake village in 1813 on that side of the river.

There were but thirty-four houses at Meredith Bridge in 1813, on
both sides of the river, and some of them were mere shanties.  The
best house in town then was the John A. Harper residence, where Mrs.
D. Prescott now lives.  Mr. Harper was the only lawyer in town,
and was an able man; was at one time a member of Congress.

The mails were frequently carried from Concord to Centre Harbor on
horseback.  No wagons were to be seen on the streets when Mrs. Somes
came here, but all business seemed to be done on horseback.  It was
no uncommon thing to see four persons on one horse, and Mr. Somes
stated that he had been one of three persons on a horse's back many
times.  The first wagon ever made in these parts was built by James
Jackson, in Meredith.

The leading spirits then at Meredith Bridge were John A. Harper, 
Stephen Perley, who lived on the spot now occupied by the Parker
block; Dudley Ladd; Jonathan Ladd; Asa D. Eager, who lived where
Gove's Block is now; Deacon Kimball, who carried on an earthenware
business on the lot next to the Gilford Hosiery boarding-house;
Daniel Avery, who lived where the residence of W. L. Melcher, Esq.
is now located, in the house called the Andrew Woodman house; Mr.
Avery had a small store nearly opposite his residence, where he sold
groceries and rum.  Soon after 1813, Mr. Avery went into the potash
business in a building just south of his store.  Dr. Zadock Bowman
was the only physician in town; he lived where D.A. Tilton's house
stands.  The doctor was very peculiar and eccentric; not much of a
physician, but did what business there was, and also made money by
letting money and farming; was a short, thick-set man, and owned a
large amount of land.

Mr. Somes spoke very highly of Stephen Perley, and said that no man
left his impress more distinctly than Mr. Perley.  He was a large,
noble-looking man, owned a great deal of property, did a large
business and was connected with all the enterprises that tended to
build up the town.  Mr. Perley kept the post-office for quite a number
of years; was an active Democrat; kept a general supply store, and,
as usual in those days, sold rum, but it is said never drank any
himself.  In 1813 Mr. Perley traded in a small wooden building, where
afterwards a brick store was erected, about half of which is now
standing [in 1888] on the corner of Main and Mill Streets.  There was
no Main Street then above Mill Street.  The first place where Mr.
Somes attended school was in a little, old-fashioned schoolhouse near
the present location of Huse's machine-shop.  In 1813 a small brook
ran through Bank Square, following what is now the course of the
canal.  The brook was crossed by small bridges of one or two planks.

A copy of the "Belknap Gazette" printed in 1842, gives a very good
idea of the village of Laconia at that time.  Colonel Charles Lane
was the editor and publisher of the Gazette and from its columns it
appears that there were in the place three cotton-mills, a woolen-mill,
grist-mill, saw-mills, shingle, clapboard, sash and door machinery,
a large tannery and various other industries.  There was a large
printing establishment operated by D.B. Allison with water-power
press, and a bindery and book-store connected.  There were ten stores,
two apothecaries, one jeweler and watchmaker, two barbers, two
physicians, five lawyers, three clergymen, three taverns, three new
churches, well finished and painted, and one academy in a flourishing
condition.  William Clark, Benjamin Boardman, Lyman B. Walker, and
H.L. Hazelton were of the legal fraternity.  Nathaniel A. Stephens
ran a tailor shop over George L. Sibley's general merchandise store.
Lewis H. Ham was a dealer in groceries and provisions.  A.G. Folsom
was also in the grocerty business, and William M. Ladd sold patent
medicine and drugs.  Wilson & Barron and Gale, Pitman & Co.,
general merchandise, were also in business at this time.

The regular state went through from Holderness to Boston in one day,
at that time leaving the Belknap Hotel at six o'clock in the morning,
going three days in the week by ways of Pittsfield and Exeter, and
the remainder of the time via Concord and Manchester.

Dr. Josiah Crosby had just opened an eye and ear infirmary.  The
Gilford Academy was under the instruction of Joshua M. Pitman.
S.J. Osgood the barber advertised his business.  Gove & Currier were
dealers in furniture, opposite John C. Moulton's tavern.  In 1842,
New Hampton was the only town in Belknap County that did not permit
the open sale of liquor; but in October 1842 all the public-houses in
Laconia claimed to discontinue the sale of ardent spirits.  A 
declaration of independence was issued in 1843, signed by one hundred
and two citizens, who pledged to prevent the sale of liquor in the
town.  Soon after this it was announced that the sale of intoxicating
drinks in the village had entirely ceased.  The Meredith Bridge
Washingtonian Total Abstinence Assocation, Miss Harriet Gale,
secretary, was then in active operation.

FIRST TAVERN--the first public-house erected within the precincts of
what is now Laconia village was built in 1783, and stood a short
distance above the Main Street bridge of today [1888].  A store and
stable were connected with the establishment.  The tavern proved to
be a handy "half-way house" between Gilmanton and Meredith Parade.

A log house was built on the spot where W.D. Huse's machine-shop now
stands, about 1780, and after the saw-mill was started, was replaced.
This second building stood, with more or less repairs, until a few
years ago [from 1888].

The first saw mill in town was built at Weirs, in 1766, by the
proprietors of the township.  Ebenezer Smith and William Mead had
charge of the mill, and paid rent for same.  The iron-work for this
mill was brought from Exeter, and the wood-work was hewn on the spot.
The power was obtained from a large under-shot wheel.  The mill,
although of course a rude affair, answered all purposes and remained
in use for many years.  For the first ten years after the mill was
built the logs were sawed on the "halves" plan, and one-quarter went
to the owners of the mill for rent.
=====================

ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY

CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH [excerpts].  The first religious organization in
Meredith Bridge was incorporated by an act of the Legislature in
1811 as the Meredith Bridge Religious Society.  The members of the
original society were Stephen Purley, Daniel Avery, John A. Harper,
John Smith, Jonathan Ladd, Simeon Taylor, Horatio G. Prescott,
Samuel H. Bean, John Burleigh, Josiah Randler, James Crockett, Samuel
Jewett and Jacob Jewett.  The first meeting of this society was held
August 3, 1811.  In 1809 the lot south of what is now the Willard
Hotel, containing about five rods front on Province road, was
purchased by Daniel Avery as trustee for the inhabitants, as a site 
for a church building.  The price paid for the land was one hundred
and twenty-five dollars and the money was raised by subscription of
twenty-seven of the business men and farmers in the vicinity.

Dr. Bowman offered a larger lot on what is now Court Street, and at a
less price, but the Province Road site was thought the better location
and accordingly the church was built there.  The building was built
largely by subscriptions of lumber and labor.  One person gave a 
certain amount of lumber, another agreed to lay one thousand shingles
on the roof, and many others gave from a day to two weeks' labor
on the edifice.  The dimensions of the building were nearly fifty
by forty feet, high-posted, with two rows of windows for light.
The end facing the street was ornamented with a bell-tower and a large
steeple, with a wooden fish as a weather-vane.  The steeple was a
great affair for that time, and was considered by many the most
beautiful church-steeple in all New England.  Inside the church was
a good-sized gallery, in which the pews were sold, which were of
the old-style, square and high backed.  This church building remained
in use for twenty-six years, and was destroyed by fire on the morning
of February 27, 1836.

Several missionaries of various denominations visited Meredith
Bridge after the erection of the new church, but none stayed long.
Rev. John Turner of Massachusetts was the first pastor who stayed
for long (3 years) [Rev. Turner in a letter stated there had been 3 
missionaries before him] .  After Mr. Turner came Rev. Jotham Sewell, Rev. Henry Sewell, Rev. Nathan Fiske (afterwards professor of Greek 
in Amherst College) and Rev. Mr. Francis Norwood (from 1824-1830); 
Rev. J.K. Young (1831-66); Rev. H.M. Stone (1868-71); Rev. William T. Bacon (1871-1876), J.E. Fullerton (1877-1881).  The present [1888]
efficient pastor is Rev. Charles A.G. Thurston.  

The society owns a lofty, substantial church edifice, with a 
clock-tower supporting a spire.  The interior includes a vestry below,
capable of accomodating three hundred peopple, and a smaller
vestry afford space for religious and social gatherings.  A beautiful
and spacious audience-room above...

-------------------
THE LACONIA FREE BAPTIST CHURCH was organized March 17, 1838.  Rev.
Nahum Brooks was the first pastor ordained here, and served until
December 1843, followed by Rev. Silas Gaskill (1843-44), Rev. I.D.
Stewart (1844-1852), Rev. G.H. Pinkham (1853-1855), Rev. A. Redlow
(1855-1857), Rev. A.D. Smith (1857-1861),, Rev. Arthur Caverno
(1861-1862), Rev. C.H. Smith (1862-1864), Rev. A.D. Smith
(1864-1873), Rev. F.H. Lyford (1873-1875), Rev. J. Frank Locke
(1875-1876), Rev. Lewis Malvern (1876-1880), Rev. G.C. Waterman
(1880-1881), Rev. F.D. George (1881-1883), Rev. Lewis Malvern
(1883-current).

The present membership [in 1888] of the church is 179; the 
Sunday-school numbers 260.  The church was built before 1840, and
remodeled at an expense of $12,000 in 1873.  It was burned to the
ground October 14, 1876, and rebuilt the following year for
$10,000.

-------------------------------
THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH was first organized in 1838, and was
in a flourishing condition for a number of years, when, from
internal dissension, the church languished.  It was resuscitated 
about 1860.  At first they worshiped in the court-house and at
Folsom Hall until, in 1868, the society purchased the Unitarian
meeting-house.  There are at present [1888] one hundred and
twenty-five members.  The society owns the church edifice clear of
debt; they owe a small sum on the parsonage.  Since 1860 the following
pastors have been in charge: Revs. G.W.H. Clark, William W. Thomas,
George S. Noyes, Calvin Holman, George W. Norris (who in 1868 raised
the money for buying the meeting-house), B.W. Chase, H.B. Copp,
T. Carter, E.R. Wilkins, S.C. Keeler, and the present pastor,
Rev. G.A. McLaughlin.

The meeting-house is a modest and attractive building of familiar
New England architecture, having a tower with a bell and a pretty,
tapering spire.  The audience-room is tastefully frescoed, and
contains a fine organ and appropriate appointments

------------------------
THE UNIVERSALIST SOCIETY was organized July 19, 1848 at Meredith
Bridge.  THey built a meeting-house, employed a preacher and
continued to hold services until about 1846, when the society
languished.  From that time until 1860 there were only occasional
services held.  At that time the organization was revived, preaching
was supplied, and in 1867 the name was changed to the First Unitarian
Society of Laconia.  The church was repaired and meetings were held
until the congregation outgrew their accomodations.  In May of that
year a committee was appointed to build a new church, and the next
year the old building was sold to the Methdist Society.  The new
edifice cost over twenty thousand dolalrs, and was dedicated in 1868.
It is centrally located, and is the most conspicuous building in the
town.  The interior is elaboratedly furnished, containing, in the
basement, a Sunday-school-room, a study, a dining-room and a kitchen,
and above, a large audience-room, lighted by cathedral windows, with
elegantly-paneled wall and eciling and rich walnut furniture.  The
general effect of the room is pleasing, and expresses quiet elegance.
Rev. John L. Gorman was the first settled minister; he was succeeded
in 1869 by Rev. c. Y. De Normandie, who, in turn, was succeeded 
in 1873 by Rev. Clarence Fowler; later by Rev. James Collins; Rev.
Enoch Powell, Rev. John D. Wells, and in September 1884 by the
present [in 1888] pastor Rev James Pardee.  The society includes about
one hundred families.

----------------------
THE ST. JOSEPH ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH--for more than half a century
there have been Catholics in Laconia and Lake village.  As their
numbers grew, they were occasionally visited by priests from other
parishes, Fathers Dailey and McDOnald, of Manchester, among others.
Rev. T.H. Noiseux, then of Lancaster, gathered the faithful into a
society about the close of the war, and stimulated them to raise 
money and build a church.  Accordingly, a lot on Main Street was
bought, and a building was erected, and was consecrated by Rt. Rev.
David W. Bacon.  The people now wanted a resident priest, and in 1871,
Rev. John W. Murphy was settled--the parish including Laconia, Lake
village, Franklin, Ashland, Canaan, Lebanon, Hanover and other places.
In April 1872 Father Murphy was succeeded by Rev. M.T. Goodwin.

The Catholic Church was burned July 1, 1877, having been struck by
lightning; but the money for the erection of a new edifice was
quickly raised.  Father Godwin left the parish the same year, and was
succeeeded the year following by the present incumbent, Rev. John
Lambert, under whose ministrations the rebuilding of the church was
conducted.  The basement was first occupited February 24, 1879; the
church was finished in 1881, and was consecrated the first Sunday in
May.  In 1879 a convent school was opened in the village by four
Sisters of Mercy, of whom Sister Margaret was superior.  The school
can accomodate two hundred scholars.  In September 1881 the parish
purchased a cemetery lot of six acres, which was consecrated
July 5, 1885.  In 1884 Franklin was erected into a separate parish,
Ashland and northern towns having been detached several years earlier.

The church is of Gothic architecture, cruciform, with tower on
epistle side, and cost about six thousand collars.

==========================================
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THE PRESS

BELKNAP GAZETTE - The Belknap Gazette was the first newspaper published
in Meredith Bridge and was started about 1840 by the late Colonel
Charles Lane.  Colonel Lane conducted an extensive establishment in
those days, running a printing-office and book-bindery, located
about where the post-office building now stands.  Bibles, hymn-books
and works of that kind were printed on a hand-press and furnished to
order all complete.  Colonel Lane was a Jeffersonian Democrat, and
in 1843 the Whigs bought the paper and afterwards controlled it.
Various editors and proprietors had the management of the Gazette
after Colonel Lane, but the paper was discontinued in 1861.  The
late J.H. Brewster was the last proprietor, and his reason for
stopping the publication was the war prices of paper and scarcity of
laborers.

THE LACONIA DEMOCRAT--In the year 1848, Abram Keach and D.K. Seaver,
of Manchester, came to Meredith Bridge to print a weekly newspaper
for Enoch Gordon.  At this time Belknap and Carroll were the only
two counties in the State that had no "organs."  The paper was called
"The New Hampshire Democrat" and the first number was printed the last
week in December 1848, and bore the date January 4, 1849.  This
issue bore the name of E. Gordon, publisher and proprietor; but as
Gordon could furnish no security to carry out his contract with the
printers, his connection was severed after one issue, and Messrs.
Keach & Seaver assumed control, with J. Elkins, Esq. as editor.  The
paper was a success from the start, and was at that time said to be
the neatest printed sheet in the State.  May 13, 1850, Seaver retired
from the business and Keach continued alone until 1852, when the
paper passed into the hands of Samuel C. Baldwin.  David A. Farrington
of Concord was associated with Mr. Baldwin from 1854 to 1857 and then 
retired.  Mr. Baldwin committed suicide, and the paper was purchased by
Joseph B. Batchelder, January 24, 1862, who in turn, disposed of the
concern to O.A.J. Vaughan in January 1868.  Mr. Vaughan died 
April 6, 1876 and in June of that year William M. Kendall Jr. of
Lebanon NH took control and united the Democrat and Weekly News,
which he had previously published at Lebanon.  The Democrat was
enlarged and otherwise much improved about this time; but Mr.
Kendall became weary of the business, and was succeeded in 1878 by
Edwin C. Lewis and Fred W. Sanborn.  Mr. Sanborn retired in April, 
1882, and the paper is now [1888] published by the firm of Lewis,
Vaughan & Co.  An evening edition was commenced in December 1883,
and continued about a year, but not receiving sufficient encouragement,
was discontinued for the time being.

p 814
THE BELKNAP TOCSIN--This paper was established as a Republican organ
by Messrs. C.W. and A. J. Hackett, of Belmont, in the summer of 1881.
The Tocsin was a large paper, neatly printed and ably edited.  A 
daily edition was commenced about a year later, and the Lakeside
News from Lake village merged with the Tocsin, Mr. E.G. Wilcomb, of
the News, taking an active interest in the firm.  The Hacketts
shortly after gave up the business, and the paper was continued until
March 1884, at which time Mr. Wilcomb sold out to Lewis, Vaughan & Co.
of the Democrat, and the Tocsin was discontinued.  The paper did not
receive a hearty support from the Republicans of the county, and it
was evident from the first that the Tocsin would not long continue.

-------------------------
TRANSPORTATION

HORSE RAILROAD -- The Laconia and Lake Village Horse Railroad was
chartered at June session 1881, of the New Hampshire Legislature.
The grantees were A.G. Folsom, James H. Tilton, J.P. Hutchinson and
Richard Gove.  The capital stock was fixed at fifteen thousand 
dollars and the road built in the summer of 1882.  The first car
was run over the road on Friday afternoon, August 18, 1882.  The first
annual meeting of the stockholders was held at Folsom Hall January
16, 1883.  A.G. Folsom, J.P. Hutchinson, S.C. Clark, C.A. Busiel,
S.S. Wiggin, R. Gover and S.B. Smith were elected directors, and
subsequently A.G. Folsom was chosen president of the board, J.P.
Hutchinson clerk and W.L. Melcher treasurer.  Bela S. Keniston was
the first superintendent of the road.  About two and one-half miles
of track were laid, extending from the Williard Hotel, in Laconia,
to the steamboat landing in Lake village.  The road was a success
from the commencement.

TELEPHONE COMPANY--The Winnipesaukee Bell Telephone Company was
incorporated April 23, 1881.  E.H. Blaisdell was the first president;
W.F. Knight, secretary; S.B. Smith, treasurer; Augustus Doe, D.W.
Marsh, E.H. Blaisdell, G.H. Everett and E.C. Lewis.  The capital raised
amounted to $---- [no amount shown].  The lines of the company now
[1888] to Lake village, weirs, Meredith, Gilmanton, Tilton and
Belmont.

ROADS AND BRIDGES--The first bridge ovet the Winnipesaukee River was
built in 1764, four years before the town of which Laconia was then
a part was chartered under the name of Meredith.  This bridge was
built of logs and was termed a passable bridge.  It stood, with
occasional repairs, for nearly fifty years, and was replaced with
a better structure about 1810.  The bridge at Great Weirs was built
in 1804. 

In 1781 a road was built form the head of Round Bay to the fall of
the Winnipesaukee River, and from Folsom's Fall (Lake village) to
what is now Church Street, and half of a bridge was built soon
after, the town of Gilmanton building the other end of the bridge.
The first bridge across Mill Street was built in 1788, a few years
after the saw and grist-mills were put in operation.

FIRE DEPARTMENT--Soon after the erection of the cotton-mill in 1813,
measures were taken to procure apparatus to extinguish fires, and
the first fire-engine was purchased in 1815, and a suitable engine
house provided on Mill Street, in about the location of the Belknap
boarding-house.  There was no suction hose attached to the first
engine, and it was therefore equipped with leather buckets, and the
water poured into the top and forced out with the brakes.  This
engine was destroyed in 1855.  The company to work the engine was
incporated in 1814 by the Legislature, and went under the name of
Meredith Bridge Engine Company.

In 1834 a hose company was organized to operate force pumps, one of
which was located in the yard of the cotton-mill, and the other just
across the river, on Mill Street.  The company was incorporated under
the name of Meredith Bridge Hose Company, James Molineaux, Alvah
Tucker and Abram Brigham being foremost in the enterprise.

The present fire precinct was established by the Legislature in 1849,
and the hand tub "Torrent, No. 2" was purchased in that year, and a
company was formed to man the machine.  A store-house in the Belknap
mill-yard was used for an engine-house for some time, until the
precinct erected the house on Water Street, where the old Torrent is
now [1888] stored.  The Torrent boys were the first company at the
Bridge to procure uniforms, and for many years a vast amount of pride
was tkaen in this engine and its company.

In 1875 a steam fire-engine was purchased, the "Laconia," also a new
hose-carriage and hook-and-ladder truck.  In this year the present
companies were organized as follows: Laconia Steam Fire-Engine Company,
No. 1, Reliance Hose COmpany, No. 1, and Laconia Hook-and-Ladder
Company, No. 1.  The Fire Department now [1888] has two engine-houses,
about a dozen large reservoirs and other property, valued at
nearly fiften thousand dollars.

FIRE-ALARM TELEGRAPH -- The fire-alarm telegraph was introduced in
Laconia by Frank H. Champlin.  The sum of one thousand dollars was
raised in March 1876, and the apparatus was manufactured by F. H.
Champlin and O.L. Andrews.  There are at present about ten miles of
wire connected with forty six-inch gongs on Gove's Block, on Main
Street.  Twenty-four signal-boxes are distributed throughout the
precinct.

At a meeting of the legal voters of Meredith Bridge Fire Precinct,
held at the Universality Church (on Lake Street) on Saturday,
September 22, 1849, it was voted to adopt an act making further
provision for the extinguishment of fires.  Nathan B. Wadleigh was
chosen chief engineer, with Alvah Tucker, Charles Ranlet, I.E. Brown,
James S. Hoit, Charles Lane, J.F. Clough, E. Mallard, John T. Coffin,
A. Warren and T.D. Whipple, assistant engineers.  The sum of one
thousand dollars was voted for the purchase of a fire-engine and other
necessary apparatus.

FIRST FIRE-ENGINE -- Stephen Perley was appointed a committee to go to
Boston and purchase the engine.  By his bill to the precinct we find
that the sum of two hundred and seventy dollars was paid for the
machine.  Seventeen dollars was charged for hauling the "tub" to
Meredith Bridge, and the precinct also paid eight dollars, one-quarter
to Mr. Perley's expenses. The committee appointed to locate an
engine-house reported in favor of building on the court leading to
the burying-ground (on Water Street, where the engine buildings are now located [1888]).  It was kept in Avery mill-yard.

LACONIA'S LIBRARIES--The Meredith Bridge Social Library was started
in 1803. The first meeting was held February 14th, when Jeremiah H.
Woodman presided, Daniel Avery acted as clerk and Simeon Taylor,
J.H. Woodman and Richard Boynton were chosen a committee to draft
a constitution.  They reported, April 25th, a constitution of
twenty-seven articles.  The annual meetings were to be held the last
Monday in December, at five p.m. in the hall at Mrs. Deborah Sanborn's
tavern.  Members were to pay an entrance fee of two dolllars and an
annual assessment of fifty cents.  No professional books, in law,
physic, or divinity, could be purchased at the expense of the
proprietors.  The officers were moderator, clerk, librarian and three
directors; and the library was to be open each Saturday from three to
six p.m.  At the first annual meeting, in December 1803, the
membership was reported to be thirty and the amount expended for boks
was $83.47, the largest amount reported in any one year, the average
sum being less than thirty dollars.  In 1805, only $13.55 was used
in buying books, but Lieutenant Stephen Perley was paid eight dollars
for covering books with sheep-skin.

The library was incorporated in 1807, and Stephen Perley and David
Avery called the first meeting of the corporation.  John Burleigh was
elected moderator, John A. Harper clerk, Simeon Taylor, J.A. Harper
and Dr. Zadock Bowman directions and Daniel Avery librarian.  The fee
for membership was advanced from three dollars to $3.50 in 1806; $4.25
in 1810, and to six dollars in 1826.  In 1811 the librarian was 
authorized to sue as many as he thought proper of those who were
delinquient in dues and fines for six months.  The result was that
forty-one dollars was expended for books that year instead of nothing,
as the year before.  It was also voted to enlarge the book-case,
or get a new one, to buy the "History of England" and make a catalogue.
The records do not state how many volumes there wer, but a copy of the
catalogue was ordered to be hung in the library room.

In 1818 there were 23 members. Those who were delinquent for three
years were expelled.  In 1820 the library subscribed to the "North
American Review."  In 1821 several books were purchased at a cost
of twenty-five dollars including "North American Review," "Federalist," "Delano's Voyages," "President's Hour," "Gazetteer of the Bible," "My Friend's Family," "Watts on the Mind," and "Schoolcraft's Tours."

[Some sections omitted]

The library was for some years kept in the Avery store, and some of
our older citizens remember ot have seen it there. They all speak of
it as a small affair, almost insignificant when compared with some of
the private libraries which may now be seen here.  The late John T.
Coffin had the care of it for many years, and it was located in the
rooms of the Meredith Bridge Savings-bank.  During its later years
it seems to have been unused and neglected, and was practically
unknown and forgotten to all but a few of the surviving proprietors.

It went through the fire of 1846 in safety and met its fate in the
big fire of 1860.  Mr. John T. Coffin was among the very last to 
see it.  He tells us that it was in a case some eight feet long and
six feet high, and stood in the bank-room.  By dint of hard work all
the other property of value was carried out and the library case
was moved toward the door.  But he could not obtain sufficient help to
carry it out before the flame broke out into the room, and so he was
forced to leave the old relic to make his own escape through a back
door; and this was the end of the Meredith Bridge Social Library
fifty-seven years after its organization.  With it went many old
papers which would have been of priceless value to the future
historian of the town.

===============================================

WEIRS AND LAKE WINNIPESAUKEE

The vicinity of Weirs, which lays just within the limits of Laconia
and at the outlet of Lake Winnipesaukee, has been famous as a summer
resort further back, probably, than the historical or traditionary
records exist.  Long before the white men invaded New England, the
Winnipesaukees, a branch of the Penacook tribe of Indians, maintained
a permanent "ahquedaukenash" or fish-weir at the outlet of the lake,
and all the tribes in the vicinity would gather to participate in
the spring and fall catch of shad.  The weir was constructed by
placing large boulders in an irregular line across the river at a
proper distance from the outlet.  The rocks were generally placed some
ten feet apart, and a matting woven of twigs and tough bark was strung
from rock to rock entirely across the stream, leaving a narrow opening
in the center of the weir, through which the fish might pass to enter
the waters of Lake Winnipesaukee.  When the shad would reach the
weirs and crowd through the opening was the red man's harvest-time.
The braves would man the canoes, and, paddling out among the struggling
fish, with spear and dig-net would soon fill the boat to the water's
edge and return to the shore to deliver the shad to the squaws. The
fish were split open and cleaned, and either laid out to dry on flakes
or hung up and smoked for winter use.  This wholesale method of
fishing was also indulged in to a certain extent by the early
settlers, and as shad were plenty in those days, many loads were used
to enrich the soil on the high ground in the vicinity of the river.
The weir was constsructed in a substantial manner and portions of
it remained long after the mill-dams on the Merrimack had stopped the
annual visitation of the shad; and now, although the Indian, the shad
and the ahquedauken are among the things of the past in this vicinity,
the name by which the locality is know still remains, and the Weirs is
today one of the most popular summer resorts in New Hampshire.  Until 
within a few years, however, the place was simply known as the 
landing-place of the steamer "Lady of the Lake," in connection with 
the railroad.

A visitor to Weirs now [1888] will find three large hotels--the
Hotel Weirs, built by the late Captain W. A. Sanborn, for many
years commander of the "Lady of the Lake;" the Lakeside, built by
L.R. and G.W. Weeks; and the Winnicortte, built by D.S. Dolittle.
Besides these are many less pretentious places of resort, and in the
grove near the wharf are numerous cottages of all grades, neatly laid
out along the avenues.  Opposite the passenger train is the permanent
encampment of the Veteran Assocation of New Hampshire, who held their
first reunion here in 1879.  These reunions are held every year and
generally last three days calling together thousands of New Hampshire's
veteran soldiers, many of them coming from far distant States to
attend the gathering.  Large and substantial buildings have been
erected, which serve as barracks, regimental headquarters, dining
rooms, officer's headquarters, etc.  

In the grove, nearer the lake, the Methodists, Unitarians, and various
other societies hold an annual gathering.  An annual New England
musical festival was also established in 1884.

LAKE WINNIPESAUKEE
Lake Winnipesaukee lies in the counties of Belknap and Carroll, and is
very irregular in form.  Its area, exclusive of two hundred and
seventy-four islands, is upwards of seventy-one square miles and the
distance around its shores is one hundred and eighty-two miles.  It
is about twenty-five miles long and varies from one to seven miles
in width.  There are ten islands, each having an area of more than one
hundred acres, and one (Long Island) having an area of over one
thousand acres.  At the west end the lake is divided into three large
bays, at the north is a fourth and at the east end there are three
others.  The waters descent four hundred and seventy-two feet on their
way to the Atlantic, forming a rapid river of the same name as the
lake, and emtpying into the Merrimack....

STEAMBOAT NAVIGATION--The first steamboat ever operated on the lake was
called the "Belknap" and was built by Ichabod Bartlett, a well-known
lawyer, and Stephen C. LYford, Esq. of Laconia.  The keel was laid at
Lake village in 1842, and the boat was finished early in the season
of the next year, the launch taking place in June 1833.  The work of
getting the boat through the channel at Weirs, into the lake proper,
occupied nearly a week, the channel at that time being a shallow,
turbulent stream with many large boulders at the bottom, and was only
navigable for very small boats but with little draught of water.

The master-mechanic of the "Belknap" was, at first, Charles Bell, of
Weatherfield, Conn.  Bell, however, was drowned at Lake village, 
while pulling planks down from the dam.  He was succeeded by Harry
Upton, who completed the boat.  The first pilot was Perkins Drake,
for many years well-known as a stage-driver between Centre Harbor and
Laconia. Levi Cowdin was the first engineer.  James Jewett was the
captain of the "Belknap" and, consequently, the first commander of
any steam craft to travel the waters of the lake.

The general make-up of the "Belknap" from its primitive nature, was 
rather uncouth in appearance, and very much unlike any of our modern
constructed boats, especially above the water-line.  A striking
peculiarity was her engine, of the horizontal pattern, of high
pressure.  The exhaust could be distinctly heard, in calm weather,
a distance of ten miles.  There were many different compartments all
built upon the lower deck, like so many small houses.  The pilot-house
was a small elevated "coop" the entrance being effected by a flight of
stairs upon the outside.  The ladies' and gent's cabin, captain's
quarters, etc., were of small size and ill-shaped.  The model of the
hull was rather other of proportion, the width being greater in 
proportion to the length (ninety feet) than it ordinarily should be
in boats of her size.  The "Belknap" did not run but three or four
years, being cast away upon a sand-bar near what is now Steamboat
Island.  From that event the island takes its present name.  The
mishap was caused by a misunderstanding on the part of the engineer.
The "Belknap" was towing a large raft of timber from Centre Harbor to
Alton Bay.  Itw as in early spring-time and the lake was very rough.
Through some mismanagement, the boat was drifting toward the island
with the fury of the wind and wave.  The signal given to back the
boat was understood by the engineer to be that for going forward,
which resulted in the boat striking a sand-bar with such force as to
be unable to get off.  Subsequently the steamer "hogged," which
opened several seams below the water-line, and she soon filled with
water.  Several unsuccessful attempts to get her off the bar were
made, without effect, however, the last being on the Fourth of July
of that year, when the efforts of forty men failed to move her,
and she was left to her fate, and after removing her engine, boiler,
and iron-work generally, she finally went to pieces.  Thus ended in
disaster and evil foreboding the career of the pioneer steamboat on
the lake.  The 'ribs" and other portions of the hull are still to be
seen today [1888] upon the sand-bar where she went to pieces, and
afford the curiosity-seeker an interesting object for investigation.

A few years afterwards a charter for the Winnipesaukee Steamboat 
Company was obtained through the Legislature, which resulted in the
construction of "The Lady of the Lake," about the year 1848.  This
boat was designed to run between Weirs, Centre Harbor and other
places about the lake.  Her first captain was William Walker, of
Lake village.  Not long after she fell into the hands of the B., C. & 
M. R. R. of whose interest she still remains.  During her career she
has undergone some changes, and suffered numerous tinkerings from
time to time, none of which have been more thorough and complete than
the repairs made in the year 1882, when nearly a new hull was added,
and extensive improvements were also made, both above and below the
lower deck.  At present [1888] she is regarded as being as staunch
and fleet as any time since the original construction.  Since the
days of Captain Walker she has been commanded by Eleazer Bickford
of Meredith, Stephen Cole of Lake village, Winborn Sanborn, and
J.S. Wadleigh of Laconia, the latter being her present captain [1888].
Her route during the season lies between Weirs, Centre Harbor and
Wolfeborough, several trips being made daily in connection with
the time-table of the Boston and Lowell Railroad at Weirs.

Next on the list came the "Long Island" built by Perley R. & 
George K. Brown of Long Island, with a carrying capacity of about
two hundred passengers.  This boat was designed for general commerce
about the lake, and is still in existence [1888].

About this time Langdon Thyng constructed the "Jenny Lind" (at first
a horse-boat) at Lake village whose carrying capacity was about the
same as that of the "Long Island."

This brings us down to the building of the "Red Hill," by the
"Red Hill Steamboat Company" at Lee's Mills in Moultonborough, with
Allen Bumpus as her captain.  This boat was of rather uncouth
architecture and built for the trade betwen the "Mills" and Alton Bay.
The hull of this boat was modeled something like that of a scow. She
was very laborious in her movement. The "Red Hill" was finally sent
"up in a balloon" one fine day by the bursting of her boiler.  
Remanants of her hull can still be seen on the shore at Alton Bay
[1888], just below the bridge that crosses the Merry Meeting River.
Charles Brown, of Lake village, next came out with the "Naugatuck,"
afterward sold to Sweet & Morrison, of Wolfeborough, which is still
in existence [1888] though a little the worse for wear.  About this 
time William Guptil, of Wolfeborough, built the "Dolly Dutton."  Both
the last-named boats had a carrying capacity of about one hundred
passengers.  We havenext to speak of the "Seneca," of about the same
size as the two boats named which finally went ashore on the "Goose
Egg," a dangerous rock on the Moultonborough "coast," which terminated
fatally, and the end came.  Uriah Hall was her captain, residing at
Melvin village.  Hall subsequently constructed the "Ossipee," a
similiar carft, another specimen of the laboring craft.  Ansel Lamprey
built the "Gazelle" at Tuftonborough, a little later on, which
subsequently came into the possession of Dearborn Haley.

In those days came the introduction of the steam yachts, such as the
"Pinafore," "Nellie," "Bristol," etc., the "Nellie" being the first
propellor ever introducted to the waters of the lake.  The "Nellie" was originally a steam launch and used at Portsmouth, from whence she
was taken to the lake by George Duncan.  Soon after she became the
property of Dearborn Haley, at Wolfeborough.  Later on she was owned
by a Mr. Waldrom, at Farmington, but still remained in the lake,
being used by the summer boarders at the Winnipesaukee House, at 
Alton Bay, under the management of A.O. Phillips & Co.  A few years
previous to this epoch came the "Union," Captain John Tabor, of
Wolfeborough, a craft with eminent renown and always a constant
attendant at the Alton Bay camp-meetings in their early stages.  The
"Mayflowers," built at Wolfeborough, with several owners, put in an
appearance about this time as a freight-boat more particularly, did
good service, and was quite a favorite with small excursion parties
to different parts of the lake.

At the time of the completion of the "Cocheco Railroad," some thirty-
five years since, between Dover and Alton Bay, it became advisable
to open communication with the various towns which lined the shores
of different parts of the lake, and for that purpose a steamer was
constructed at Alton Bay called the "Dover."  This was about the year
1852.  Captain Winborn Sanborn, of Gilford, was her first Captain.
Augustus Wiggin, of Tuftonborough, at that time acted as captain's
clerk, and some time afterward the "clerk" became the captain.  Owing
to some oversight in the location of the Dover's engine and boiler
when placed in her native element, she settled at the bow, and large
quantities of stone were placed in the stern to counteract that
influence and make her assume a natural position in the water. 
Later on it became necessary to increase her size, and an addition
of about twenty feet was made in the centre.  Thorough repairs were
made otherwise, and her name changed to the "Chocorua" with Captain
Wiggin still master.  The "Chocorua" did good service for several
years, but it soon became necessary to have a new boat, and the
present [1888] "Mount Washington" was constructed.  This was about
1872.  Captain Wiggin assumed command, and with a popular notion of
"what to do and how to do it," has succeeeded in making his route
one much sought after by tourists and pleasure-seekers.  The "Mount"
as she is familiarly termed, is a model of neatness and workmanship,
and said to be the fastest boat on the lake.  Following the advent
of the "Mount Washington," the "Chocorua"lay in the dock at Alton Bay
that season, and underwent the process of "decomposition" to a
certain extent.  The apartments composing her upper decks were sold
to various parties thereabouts, principally those connected with the
camp meeting association, and utlizied for lodging-rooms, being
located mostly about the vacant space near the passenger depot.
The pilot-house was secured by "Aunt Mary" Ryan, of the "Alton Bay
Cottage," who set it up on the lawn for a sort of a summer house,
or "lover's retreat."

The first horse-powered craft ever on the lake was built and owned by
Captain David Parsons in 1838, at Long Island.  About the year 1875,
Dearborn Haley, of Wolfeborough, built the "Maid of the Isles,"
a propellor, with an engine of one hundred and twenty horse-power,
and capable of carrying five hundred passengers.  The "Maid" was a 
very fine model, with upper and lower decks, and calculated to be
very fast.  Tis said that her owner intended that she should be a
sort of "mediator" between the "Lady" and "Mount."  She was used only
a part of two seasons, and subsequently lay "moored" in the "offing"
near Wolfeborough, until last season, when her cable-chain wore
a hole through her hull below the water line and she sank.  She was
raised afterwards and towed to a position on the back side of Long
Island, where she lies at present in her wonted useless condition
[1888].  She is said to have cost about twenty thousand dollars.
The failure of the craft was due to her immense draught of water,
which was about seven and a half feet.  Her captain was Anson
Lamprey, of Long Island.  Since that time has come to "Mineloa" a
fine little steam yacht; the "Maud S.," of South Wolfeborough; the
"Gracie," of Meredith village; the "Uudine" and "Laconia," of Lake
village; and several other crafts of this class, as among the batch
of steam-yachts.

The "James Bell" was built and owned by Messrs. Wentworth & Street, of
Centre Harbor, in 1859, who some years since sold her to the
B.C. & M. R.R., since which time she has been used as an excursion
boat with headquarters at Lake village.  Stephen Wentworth was her
first captain.  Clarence W. Adams, of Lake Village, is her present
captain [1888].  The "Bell" was thoroughly repaired during the summer
of 1882, and is now regarding to be in first-class condition.

The "Winnipesaukee," Captain Robert Lamprey, Jr. formerly on the line
between Lake village and Long Island, makes her headquarters at
Tuftonborough and is run mostly for freightline purposes. This brings
us down to the "Belle of the Wave," which was built at Long Island
by Arthur H. Lamprey (a son of Uncle Robert).  The "Belle" was a 
propellor, carried a forty horse-power engine and rated for one
hundred and twenty-five passengers.  Her model was perfect for
attaining speed.

The "Belle" was burned at Long Island in the fall of 1884, and the
next year was replaced with a larger and better boat of similiar
build, called the "Lamprey," and commanded by Captain George Lamprey.

=====================================
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MANUFACTURING INTERESTS

GRANITE HOSIERY MILLS--The Granite Hosiery Mills were established by
the late John W. Busiel in 1847, and after the death of Mr. Busiel
the business was continued by his sons, Charles A., John T., and
Frank E., under the firm name of John W. Busiel & Co.  They
manufacature men's, women's and children's hose, employing about
one hundred and seventy-five hands.  Their mills are built of brick,
and are the best buildings for the purpose of the town.

WHITE MOUNTAIN MILLS--Lewis F. Busiel, proprietor of the above-named
mills, commenced business in Laconia in 1853, and at first only
manufactured hosiery yarn.  Machinery for the the production of
hosiery was added in 1855.  Mr. Busiel is said to be the oldest
living manufacturer (of power-loom production) in the country.

GILFORD HOSIERY COMPANY--Incorporated in 1864.  Capital stock,
seventy-five thousand dollars.  About one hundred and twenty-five
hands are employed by this company in the manufacture of hosierty.
Hon. John C. Moulton, the treasurer and largest owner of the
corporation, is identified with the growth and prosperity of the town
in a large measure, having taken a prominent part in nearly all the
large enterprises.

PITMAN MANUFACTURING COMPANY--Established by the late Joseph P. Pitman.
Manufacture ladies' and childrens' hose.  Employ about one hundred and
fifty hands.  Have been established in the mill they now occupy since
1875.

WINNIPISEOGEE MILL--In 1872, Mr. Frank P. Holt started in the paper
box-making business in Laconia, with a capital of less than one 
hundred dollars.  About five years later he went in company with Mr.
James T. Minchin, under the firm-name of Minchin & Holt, and
commenced the manufacture of underwear and hosiery.  After three years
Mr. Minchin retired, and the business has since been continued by
Mr. Holt alone.  About one hundred and seventy-five hands are
employed.  Annual product, one hundred and seventy-five thousand
dollars. 

ABEL MACHINE COMPANY--Established by the late William H. Abel.
Manufacture all kinds of knitting-machinery and bobbin-winders.  The
Abel machines have a world-wide reputation, and are used in all parts
of the United States and also in some foreign countries.

O'SHEA BROTHERS--In 1875 Messrs. Dennis and John O'Shea, Jr. rented a
small store on Bank Square and started in the dry-goods business.
Today the firm of O'Shea Brothers is one of the best known in New
Hampshire, occupies the largest store and does a larger business than
any other concern in the State.

LACONIA AND LAKE VILLAGE WATER-WORKS--This organization was chartered
by the Legislature of 1883.  Capital fifty thousand dollars.  The first
annual meeting was held June 1, 1885, and the following board of
officers was elected: Clerk, J.W. Ashman; Treasurer, W.L. Melcher,
Directors, John C. Moulton, W.L. Melcher, B.J. Cole, E.A. Hibbard,
B.F. Drake, Gardner Cook, H.B. Quinby.  John C. Moulton subsequently
elected chairman of the board of directors.  The pipes were laid in
the summer of 1885 by N.W. Ellis & Co. of Manchester, N.H.

G. COOK & SON -- Gardner Cook, the senior member of this firm, 
established himself in the saw-mill and sash and blind business here
in 1852.  Some forty hands are now employed, and a large quantity of
first-class work is produced annually.  The entire factory was
destroyed by fire in 1883, but immediately rebuilt.

MEREDITH COTTON AND WOOLEN COMPANY--The first meeting of this company
was called July 1, 1811, and the warrant for the meeting was signed by
Stephen Perley, Daniel Tucker, and John A. Harper.  The shares of
stock were issued and sold to the citizens of Gilford and Meredith,
land was purchased of Stephen Perley and a large wooden mill erected
on the site of the present Belknap brick mill.  This was one of the
first mills for the manufacture of cotton goods in the country.
Considerable of the machinery was built in a machine-shop nearby,
operated by John Chase.  The mill was not fairly in operation until
1813.  Daniel Avery, a prominent citizen at that time, was the first
agent, and accumulated considerable property and did much to advance
the interest of the village.

CARDING MILL--About 1800 a carding mill was established by Samuel &
Nathan Bean on the lot now occupied by J.W. Busiel & Co.  The
building in which the business was carried on was torn down and
replaced by Messrs. Busiel in 1882.

PAPER-MILL -- About 1800 a paper mill was built on Mill Street by
Aaron Martin.  The rags were ground to a pulp with water-power, but
most of the other labor was performed by hand, and a coarse paper
was turned out until 1834, when the building was destroyed by fire.

BELL-FOUNDRY-- In 1810, George Holbrook, who served an apprenticeship
in Boston, with the famous Paul Revere of the midnight ride,
established a bell-foundry at Meredith Bridge, near the site of the
present Belknap Mill.  The foundry was, of course, a small affair;
sleigh-bells, door-knockers and church bells were cast.  In 1816 the
concern was removed to Medway, Mass., where it is still in operation
[in 1888] and the Holbrook bells have a world-wide reputation.  The
bell now in use at the Belknap Mill was cast at the foundry in
Meredith Bridge, and bears Holbrook's name and the date of casting.

In 1808 Daniel Tucker purchases land of Stephen Perley where the
present mill of L.F. BUsiel now stands, and erected the first
machine-shop in Meredith Bridge.  The shop was equipped with a 
small trip-hammer, forges, anvils, etc., and almost all tools used
by farmers and carpenters were manufactured.  Mr. Tucker lived in the
small yellow house on Mill Street, opposite F.P. Holt's office until
1813, when having accumulated considerable property, he erected what
is now known as the Masion House in the rear of the Unitarian Church.
When erected, this was the largest house and one of the best houses
at the Bridge, and a handsome lawn extended in front of it to Main
Street.  Mr. Tucker went out of business in 1832, outside competition
proving too much for the industry.

==============================================
==============================================

POSTMASTERS -- Following is a list of the different postmasters
and the date of their appointment up to the present time:

Meredith, Strafford Co NH -- Stephen Perley, April 1, 1805; Jonathan
Ladd, July 1, 1807; Stephen Perley, July 13, 1813; John Langdon Perley,
May 7, 1829; Stephen Perley, July 15, 1830. Discontinued February
22, 1833.

Gilford, Strafford County, NH -- Horatio G. Prescott, April 3, 1824;
Francis Russell, July 24, 1829; Hugh More, March 19, 1830; L.B. Walker,
August 23, 1830; Jacob G. Foss, February 3, 1841; Benjamin Boardman,
December 2, 1843; J.C. Moulton, July 31, 1845; Caleb P. Smith,
June 25, 1849; Coryden W. Cook, December 6, 1850; Andrew C. Wright,
November 7, 1851; Charles S. Gale, January 12, 1853; John C. Moulton,
April 1, 1853; Changed to Laconia July 25, 1855; J.C. Moulton
continued; S.W. Sanders, July 10, 1861; Joseph E. Odlin, October 4,
1861; Perley Putnam, 1874.

=================================
=================================

TREMONT HOTEL--In 1810, Horatio G. Prescott erected a large building
on the corner of Main and Lake Streets, as a tavern, known as the
"Tremont."  The building was three stories high and had one hundred 
and fifteen feet front on Main Street.  The "Tremont" soon passed into
the hands of Lyman B. Walker, Esq., and was destroyed by fire in 1872.

LACONIA SAVINGS BANK - was incorporated in 1831 as the Meredith Bridge
Savings-Bank.  Its first treasurer was John T. Coffin, who died in 
1860, and whose portrait adorns the trustees' room at the present 
time [1888]. John T. Coffin, Jr., shortly afterwards assumed the
position.  In 1864, Woodbury L. Melcher was elected treasurer, and
remains such at this date [1888].  A portrait of Mr. Melcher's father,
who was the president of the bank for many years, hangs upon the
wall in the banking-room.  In 1869 the name of the institution was
changed to that of Laconia Savings-Bank.  The first deposit was
received March 27, 1832.  The only one of the original members of 
the corporation now living [in 1888] is Dr. John L. Perley.  Its assets
amount to over eight hundred thousand dollars, with a surplus of over
forty thousand dollars.

The present [1888] officers of the bank are Albert G. Folsom, 
president; W.L. Melcher, treasurer; Edmund Little, clerk; trustees,
Daniel A. Tilton, Jas. S. Hoit, Ellery A. Hibbard, Ebenezer Stevens,
Almon C. Leavitt, Samuel B. Smith, Noah L. True, W.L. Melcher.

Presidents: George L. Sibley, 1831; Stephen W. Mead, 1843; JOhn L.
Perley, 1847; Woodbury Melcher 1862; Albert G. Folsom 1871.
Treasurers: Stephen C. Lyford, 1831; John T. Coffin, 1833; John T.
Coffin Jr. 1861; Woodbury L. Melcher 1864.

THE LACONIA NATIONAL BANK has a capital of one hundred and fifty
thousand dollars.  President, J.C. Moulton; Cashier, O.W. Tibbetts.

==========================
==========================
CIVIL HISTORY -- LACONIA

LACONIA was incorporated in 1855.  The first town meeting was held
at Laconia on Thursday, August 2, 1855.  The legal voters selected
by ballot, the moderator, Horatio N. Burnham, to preside at the
meeting, and took the oath of office.

At that first town meeting the following officers were chosen:
Town Clerk: Benjamin P. Gale
Selectmen: Samuel W. Saunders, John Davis 2d and Ebenezer S. Cate
Treasurer: Elijah Beaman
Superintending School Committee: John K. Young
Auditors: John W. Robinson, Hugh Blaisdell and Johh C. Moulton
Surveyors of Wood: Harrison Sibley, THomas Wilder, Moses B. Gordon
and Benjamin P. Gale
Surveyors of Lumber: Nathan B. Wadleigh, John Davis (2d), Joseph
Ranlet and Moses B. Gordon
Town Agent: Noah Robinson
Weigher of Hay: Horatio N. Burnham
Sealer of Weights & Measures: James S. Hoit
Pound Keeper: David Blaisdell
Fence-Viewers: Ebenezer S. Cate, Charles Smith and Joseph W. Robinson
Hog-Reeves, Charles Gould, Charles S. Gale, Moses Sargent and Westley
Malloon
Surveyor of Highways, District #1: Edward Baron
Surveyor of Highways, District #2: Lewis W. Boynton
Surveyor of Highways, District #3, Lucian A. Ladd
Surveyor of Highways, District #4, Reuben P. Smith
Surveyor of Highways, District #5, James R. Gray
Surveyor of Highways, District #6, John C. Folsom
Surveyor of Highways, District #7, Nathaniel Sanborn
Surveyor of Highways, District #8: John L.M. Swain
Surveyor of Highways, District #9, Jacob Smith
Surveyor of Highways, District #10, John M. Robinson
Surveyor of Highways, District #11, James Gordon
Surveyor of Highways, District #12, Ebenezer S. Cate
Constables,  James S. Hoit, Hugh Blaisdell, AUgustus Dow, Horatio N.
Burnham, and John C. Moulton

[the source goes on to list the town officers from 1855-1885, not
included here]

====================================================
MASONIC HISTORY

Mount Lebanon Lodge, No. 32, A.F. and A.M. was chartered June 10, 1819.
Lyman B. Walker, John Chase, Nathan Bean, charter members.  The
following were the first officers February 23, 1820: Jonathan Piper,
W.M.; Benjamin Swasey, S.W.; John Burns, J.W.; Lyman B. Walker. Sec.
The first application was received from John Avery, February 23, 1820
and he received his E.A. Degree March 29, 1820

October 1820--Benjamin Swasey, W.M., Aaron Martin, S.W.; Jonathan
Piper, J.W.; Mark W. Piper, Sec.

[the source goes on to list the officers through 1885, not included here].

The first meeting of Mount Lebanon Lodge, No. 32, was held in the 
house now occupied [1888] by L.F. Busiel, on Pleasant Street;
afterwards a hall was fitted up in the Willard Hotel; then to what
was called the office building of L.B. Walker, on Main Street; then
to the hall on land now occupied by them til the fire in 1860;
when meetings were held alternately at Lake village and this place;
after Mr. Folsom built the present block the lodge was permanently
located again.

-----------------
Pythagorean Council, Royal and Select Masters, No. 6 was instituted
at Sanbornton Square in 1830; after working a few years became dormant;
in 1870 it was revived and removed to Laconia with the following
charter members: Charles Lane, A.J. Thompson, ALpheus Dolloff, John P.
Smith, Jr., George R. Lane, Hazen Copp, Fred H. Coffin, John C. Blake,
B.F. Peaslee, C.P.S. Wardwell, Francis Russell, Ezra B. Bell, A. H.
BUsiel, G.A. Copp, E.J. Dinsmore, C. H. Fullerton, J.L. Flanders,
Isadore Fox, Jewell Gove, E.W. Gourd, E.C. Hasiruk, W. H. Jones, I.P.
Plummer, R. R. Somes, C. A. Sanborne, K.D. Sawyer, H.P. Smith, George 
R. Somes and E.E. Webster.
[This goes on to describe officers of the organization from 1870 to
1886 which is not included here]

================================
================================
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES

HON. JOHN CARROLL MOULTON
[the pre-American history of the Moulton family is omitted in these excerpts]
In 1635, John and Thomas Moulton emigrated from Norfolk County, England
to Newbury, Mass.  They came to Hampton, N.H. in 1638, and their 
names appear on the list of the first settlers.  John Moulton (1) was
born in England about 1599; married Anne --.  Their children were
Henry, Mary, Anna, Jane and Bridget, (twins) John and Ruth.  He was 
a man of note, and in 1639 was a representative to the General Court.
John (2) was born in Newbury in 1638, married Lydia, daughter of
Anthony Taylor also one of the earliest settlers of Hampton.  
John (2) was a "Lieutenant." The children were Martha, John, Lydia,
Daniel, James, Nathan, David, Anna, Lydia, Jacob and Rachel.
Jacob (3) born 1688 married Sarah Smith, December 10, 1714.  He died
in 1751, and his wife in 1739.  Children: Sarah, Lydia, Nathan,
Dorothy, Jonathan and John.
General Jonathan Moulton (4) was born in 1726 and died in 1788.  He
was representative to the General Court in 1755-58; was distinguished
for his energy and enterprise, and rendered valuable service in the
Indian wars.  When thirty-seven years old, in 1763, the town of
"Moultonborough" was granted to him and sixty-one others by the
Masonian proprietors.  He had great foresight and shrewdness.  The
following amusing incident of the way in which he obtained the grant
of land now known as the town of New Hampton is characteristic: 
"Having a very fine ox weighing fourteen hundred pounds, fattened for
the purpose, he drove him to Portsmouth as a present to Governor
Wentworth.  He refused any compensation, but said he would like a 
charter of a small gore of land he had discovered adjoining
Moultonborough.  The Governor granted this simple request, and
General Moulton called it New Hampton in honor of his native town.
This small gore of land contained nineteen thousand four hundred
and twenty-two acres, and a part now constitutes Centre Harbor."
In July 1774, General (then Colonel) Moulton was one of the four
delegates to the Provincial Congress, at Exeter, to choose delegates
to the Continental Congress.  His title of general was gained in
the Revolution, where he greatly distinguished himself.  In 1777 he
was stationed at Saratoga.  Energetic, and a born leader of men,
General Moulton did much to forward the settlement and build up the
region adjacent to the lake on the north, and absolutely created
the three towns of Moultonborough, New Hampton and Centre Harbor.

Among the children by his first wife, Abigail Smith, was
Benning (5) who was born May 21, 1761.  He married November 7, 1782,
Sally Leavitt, and settled in Centre Harbor in 1783, where he
died December 23, 1834.  They had six children--Nancy (married 
Jonathan Moulton), Jonathan S., Thomas L., Benning, John H., and
Elizabeth (Mrs. Daniel Hilton).

Jonathan Smith (6) was born at Centre Harbor December 14, 1785.  He
married Deborah Neal and died November 15, 1855.  He was a large
farmer and also was quite extensively engaged in merchandising. Mrs.
Moulton is now living [1888] with her son, John C. at the advanced
age of ninety-seven, in the full possession of her faculties.

Hon. John Carroll Moulton (7), son of Jonathan Smith and Deboral
(Neal) Moulton was born at Centre Harbor NH December 24, 1810.
His district school education was supplemented by an attendance of 
several terms at Holme's Academy, Plymouth NH then in charge of
that famous educator, Samuel Burns. He also studied under "Master"
Dudley Leavitt, the astronomer and mathematician.  In vacation
time he assisted his father.  He entered into trade at Sandwich,
but soon moved his business to Centre Harbor, and in 1833 opened
a hotel there and continued as both merchant and landlord.  This
hotel met with great approval, and he was the pioneer of the
numerous and elegant hostelries of that attractive summer resort.
In 1836 he changed his residence to Lake village and engaged in
merchandising and manufacturing.  In 1841 he removed to Meredith
Bridge (now Laconia) and started the "Belknap Hotel," followed as
a bookseller and druggist, then as the postmaster (appointed by
President Tyler).  In 1861 Mr. Moulton was partner in a large
freight-car manufactory at Laconia, run by Charles Ranlet & Co,
called the "Laconia Car Company."  The plant was destroyed by fire
in February 1881, but rebuilt in a month and work continued. He
obtained the charter for the new "Laconia National Bank," and was
elected its first president.  In 1868 he became the sole owner of
the "Gilford Hosiery Corporation."  With Benjamin E. Thurston he
owns the extensive flour and grain-mill at Laconia.   He is a 
Democrat and represented the Sixth District in the State Senate in
1871 and 1872, and was elected a member of the Governor's Council
in 1874.  He was a delegate to the National Democratic Convention
in 1876, and a candidate for Presidential elector on the Tilden
ticket.  He is a charter member of the Winnipesaukee Lodge of
Independent Order of Odd-Fellows (which was founded in Laconia in 
1842).

He married July 15, 1833, Nellie B., daughter of Samuel M. Senter.
Her ancestor, Colonel Joseph Senter, was one of the first settlers
of Centre Harbor.  They had five children--Edwin C., deceased, an
active business man; Samuel M.S., connected with his father's business,
William H., died young; Horatio F., superintendent of a hosiery-mill
at Columbia, S.C.; and Ida L. (Mrs. Joshua B. Holden) who resides in
Boston.  Mrs. Moulton died November 18, 1860, and Mr. Moulton
married August 18, 1866, Sarah A. McDougall. 

The organization of the Unitarian Society of Laconia was accomplished
largely by his energy.  

--------------------------------------------
COLONEL SELDON CROCKETT
Seldon Crockett, son of Samuel and Sarah (Wilcomb) Crockett, was
born in Meredith (now Laconia) N.H. October 9, 1804, and died 
June 14, 1868, at his birthplace, aged sixty-four years.

His grandfather, Captain Joshua Crockett, was a native of
Newburyport, Mass, who according to family tradition, came, when a
young man, with six others to Meredith (then New Salem) to avail
themselves of the government grant of fifty acres of land to each
settlers, with the privilege of purchasing as many more as he might
desire at the nominal price of fifty cents per acre. They camped
on what is since known as "Cotton's Hill."  The wild appearance of
the country discouraged five of the number, and the next morning
they abandoned the enterprise.  The others, Colonel Ebenezer Smith
and Captain Crockett, selected their future homes from the top of a
tall pine tree, Captain Crockeet choosing the land between 
Winnisquam Lake and Round Bay, "so he could have it fenced by water
on two sides."  On this location, he cut trees, cleared enough land
to plant a few potateos he had brought on his wearisome way, and
erected a log cabin--the first dwelling "within an area of forty
miles."  This occupied the site of the present summer residence of
Mrs. Crockett.  The next year Captain Crockett brought his mother to 
his new home and the battle with the wild and refractory forces of
nature was commenced.  He was a noted hunter of the various wild
animals of the country, was captain of a company of riflemen
raised for service in the Revolution and died aged seventy-three years.

His son, Samuel Crockett, born 1780, inherited a portion of the acres
of his father, and, by his wife, Sarah Wilcomb, had a family of four
boys, and one girl.  He was a highly prized member of the Free-Will
Baptist Church, and with his pious wife, would go on horseback eight
miles to the nearest religious services.  She lived to the age of 
eighty-six, surviving her husband (who died in 1854) twelve years.

Seldon Crockett came of industrious ancestors, and was a worker from
very early years.  The common school, of a few months in each year,
where he acquired his education, was the college of those days, and
for the practical business life of active New England it did its
work well.... From the age of sixteen, when he left home, Seldon
earned his living and gave of his earnings to help his parents.
His seventeenth year was passed on a farm in Massachusetts, and
fifty-eight of the sixty dollars received for his labor were given
to his father.  He afterward became a manufacturer of furniture in
Boston, and created a successful business.

In 1831 Mr. Crockett married Lucy, daughter of Thomas and Susan
(Learned) Elliot, of Watertown, Mass.  Their children are 
Seldon Frank, Sarah W. (Mrs. William W. Hague), Susan E. (Mrs. S.
Stillman Blanchard), Grace H. (Mrs. J.L. Grandin), and Lucy E.
(Mrs. S.A. Shannon)>

Disposing of his manufacturing, on account of ill health in 1844,
he became the proprietor of the "Bromfield House," in Boston, and
until his death, a period of more than a quarter century, he conducted
it with admirable ability, and many prominent citizens of New England
made it their chosen place of resort.

He was a member of the Rowe Street Baptist Church (in Boston), a member of the Boston Common Council. 

The Boston Advertiser [newspaper] of April 8, 1869 menions that the "Bromfield House" was due to be closed, and a 'festive gathering' was to be held there first.  Ex-President Franklin Pierce was among the
invited guests, who said: "I have made this house my sojourning-place
while in boston for many years, and my knowledge of it and the
noble man who presided over it is but a type of your own, and your
appreciation of them is but a type of my own.  I have been here
through many and long years, and I can truly say, what I think can
rarely be said by any of us of other places that I have known
not a single disagreeable action or a single memory that it is not
pleasant to cherish."

------------------------------------
DAVID S. PRESCOTT, M.D.
David S. Prescott M.D. was bor at Franklin, N.H. April 26, 1823 and
died at Laconia February 25, 1874.  At an early age he went to work
in his father's saw-mill to earn money to go to school.  While
working there, his right hand was badly injured leaving only the
thumb and forefinger, and David's first words to his father were,
"I am ruined for life."  With the encouragement of his father, he
found employment and succeeded in gaining sufficient money to carry
on his studies.  His preparatory medical education was pursued under
the direction of Dr. L.M. Knight of Franklin NH; he was graduated
at Dartmouth Medical College in 1849, commenced the practice of his
profession January 1, 1850 at Temple, NH and removed to Laconia in
1853 where he married Mrs. Olive J. Knowles (widow of Dr. Knowles
of Laconia and daughter of Jonathan an Betsey (Lawrence) Ladd), who
survives him.

Politically Dr. Prescott was a Democrat, and his object, first and
last was the good of his country. He was a member of the Congregational
Church.
------------------------------------
NAPOLEON BONAPARTE GALE
Napoleon Bonaparte Gale, son of Daniel and Abigail (Page) Gale was
born in Gilmanton (now Belmont) March 3, 1815.  His grandfather was
Stephen Gale, who married Susannah Flanders.  Stephen Gale was born
in Exeter NH in 1739.  He moved to Raymond, where he owned and
conducted a mill.  He was one of the sturdy, patriotic men of that 
period.. and served as a soldier in the French and Indian War.  He
was station at Tioga, in the western part of New York, and did good
and valiant service.  When discharged, he was obliged to journey on
his homeway way hundreds of miles on foot, through the trackless
wilderness, exposed to cold and other periods, and for three days
was entirely without food.

In 1780 he settled in Gilmanton and gave the name "Tioga" to the
place where he made his home, on account of its resemblance to the
country where he served as a soldier, and that part of the town even
yet bears the name he conferred upon it.  He died September 10, 1813.

Daniel, son of Stephen and Susannah (Flanders) Gale was born in 
Raymond NH in April 1775 and died in October 1845.  He came to
Gilmanton with his parents when he was give years old, and was ever
after a resident there.  He was a bright, intelligent boy who later
became the schoolmaster of the town, holding that position for
over 25 years.  He held many offices in the town including
selectman, justice of the peace, representative to the General Court,
and one of the associate judges of the Court of Sessions.  He
transacted probate business and attended to the securing of 
Revolutionary claims and pensions. He was of large physique,
well proportioned, over six feet high, weighing over 200 pounds,
and a very distinguished and fine-looking man.  He married Abigail,
daughter of Deacon Benjamin and Hannah (Sanborn) Page, of Epping.
Their children attaining maturity were Hazen, Daniel M., Napoleon B.,
and Benjamin P.  Mrs. Gale was born in 1779, and died in 1856,
surviving her husband eleven years. Her father had been a deacon in
the Congregational Church.

Napoleon passed his early years with his parents, attending the town
school and supplementing his education by attendance at Sanbornton
and Gilmanton Academies.  When eighteen years old his brother Daniel
M. (who had purchased the interest of his uncle Stephen in the
mercantile house of "Gale and Pitman" doing business in Laconia and
Lake village), offered him a position as clerk, which he accepted,
and continued with the firm until 1835, when the store at Lake
village was sold, and he returned to the home farm in Gilmanton.

In August 1835 the young man went to Boston, and engaged as clerk in
a grocerty-store, where he remained nearly four years, adding to his
mercantile knowledge.  In 1839 he came to Meredith and, in company
with Joshua R. Smith, engaged in merchandising under the name of
"Smith & Gale."  In the fall of 1840, on account of ill health, he
removed to his father's house, and after the death of his father
in 1845, he assumed the care of the home farm.  In August 1852,
his health being re-established he went into the Belknap County Bank
as a substitute for his brother Daniel M., the cashier, who was ill,
and was ever after connected with the bank.  In November 1853 he
was elected cashier and held that office until the expiration of the
charter in 1866, and closing up of its affairs, some 3 years later.

In 1868 Mr. Gale was one of the incorporators of the Belknap Savings
Bank, and was one of the trustees.  Upon the resignation of the
presidency by Dr. Perley, Mr. gale was elected president, and still
holds that position [in 1885].  Politically he is a Democrat and
represented the town of Belmont in 1867-68, and is one of the
representatives of Laconia this present year (1885) of which place he
is now a resident.

======================
JOSEPH P. PITMAN

Among the officers elected at the first town-meeting held in Meredith
appears the name of the grandfather, Ebenezer Pitman, who was
afterward made representative to the General Court, and served several
years as town clerk.  The confidence of his fellow-citizens was also
bestowed upon the son, Ebenezer Pitman, Jr. who was likewise for a 
number of terms a representative to the General Court, and in various
ways rendered valuable service to his own townsmen by virtue of his
legal acquirements.

Joseph P. Pitnam, second son of Ebenezer Pitman, Jr. was born on
the old homestead in Meredith NH, January 12, 1809.  Passing his
earlier days upon the farm, attending school as opportunity offered,
and entered the academy at New Hampton, and made such progress that
prior to reaching age 21 he taught several terms of school, and had
been a clerk for two years in Concord NH.  At the age of 21 he
began business at what is now Laconia, in connection with Daniel M.
Gale and continued that business with his brother John M. Pitman
afterwards, and also his friend Daniel A. Tilton, and his own son
Joseph W. Pitman.  

From 1836 to 1841 he was agent and treasurer of the Winnipesaukee Lake
Cotton Woolen Manufacturing Company.  In 1842 he was a director in the
Winnipesaukee Bank.   He was a director of the Belknap County Bank.
He was a director of the Winnipesaukee Steamboat Company, also of
the Concord Railroad and president of the Pemigewasset Valley
Railroad.  He was senior director of the Boston, Concord and
Montreal Railroad starting in 1858 until his death.

For a number of years he engaged in manufacturing, concentrating in
1868 in the production of knit-goods (with a controlling interest in 
the firm of Pitman, Tilton, & Co.).  Mr. Pitman was a life-long
Democrat, a representative from Meredith to the General Court in
1851, and 1852.  He was a 43 yr member of the Laconia Congregational
Church.  He died at his home on February 16, 1883, aged 74 years.

Mr. Pitman was married on May 9, 1841 to Charlotte Abby, daughter of
Charles and Abigail Parker.  Their children were Elizabeth W. (now
Mrs. Charles U. Bell of Lawrence, Mass.); Helen M., deceased (the
first wife of Mr. Bell); Charles F. (the present manager of the
Pitman Manufacturing Company); Joseph W. and Walter H., who continue
the business of the father under the estalished partnership name of
J.P. Pitman & Co.