Introduction
Rev. Jonathan Curtis in his 1823 town history, without any detail,
gives the following information:
"There are within the limits of the town, six taverns and as
many stores, at which there is more or less of such business transacted as is commonly
connected with similar establishments."
Blogs over the next few weeks will try and determine who owned
taverns, where they were located, and how successful they were. There is a
mention of three Epsom taverns in provincial records before the Revolutionary
War, but that may not be a definitive number. From the Revolution to 1792, no
records for taverns have been found. Starting in 1792 to 1827, the town
records, excluding a couple years, lists taverns and liquor licenses, so that
becomes the primary source. Those records, found at NH
Archives, are in the old town books, and includes the dates in
which Rev. Curtis was writing.
Another area which might reveal information would be if on old
deeds, the grantor or grantee is given as an
Thomas Blake, Inn Keeper
The earliest known mention of a tavern in Epsom comes from the
following short provincial document:
"September ye __ 1749
It is the Desire __ We the Selectmen of
the town of Epsum that Thomas Blake may be Inn
Keeper. Francis Lock, Samuel Liba."
There would be few families living in Epsom in 1749. George
Wallace, Andrew and John McClary had homes, and John
Blake had (what is said to be) the first male born in Epsom, William, in 1741.
The only other known structures would be the first meetinghouse of 1733, and
perhaps a garrison. Questions, of course, abound, as it would not appear that
Thomas Blake was a land owner in 1749, but perhaps had a home on his father's
property. There certainly was a Blake home on Center Hill during this time, but
sometime after the death of John Blake, Thomas sold off his Epsom holdings, but
in none of the transactions is he called an Inn Keeper.
Grantee Oct. 11, 1759 (83-446) John Blake of Ipsom to my well beloved son Thomas Blake of Ipsom, husbandman, about 50 acres of land on which my now
dwelling house stands, Lot No. 4, original right of Thomas Berry.
Grantee Oct. 29, 1754 (84-71) Dearborn Blake of Epsom, yeoman to
Thomas Blake of Epsom, gentleman, land, the fifth Lot in No. 6, home lot
original right of Jude Allen. 59 acres.
Grantee May 31, 1774 (117-392) Samuel Moulton
of
Grantor Nov. 30, 1764 (84-72) Thomas Blake of Epsom, gentleman to Jethro Blake of Epsom, yeoman, the fifth Lot in No. 6
containing 50 acres, home lot, original right of Jude Allen.
Grantor Aug. 31, 1765 (84-290) Thomas
Blake of Epsom, gentleman to Joseph Hoit Esq. of
Stratham, land in Sanborn town.
Grantor Jan. 1, 1770 (117-197) Thomas Blake of Epsom, gentleman to
Peter Robinson of Pembroke, gentleman, land in Epsom, 100 acres on the west
side of Suncook River, lot No. 2 in the first range, second division, sold to
John Blake at auction.
Grantor May 11, 1771 (102-55) Thoms Blake of
Grantor June 8, 1771 (106-387) Thomas Blake of Chichester,
husbandman to Tabitha Barnard of the town of Amesbury, Essex County,
Massachusetts Bay, widow, one thirty acre lot of land in Epsom laid out to my
father John Blake, deceased, as a settler and since given to me by my father
John Blake's last will.
Grantor April 18, 1775 (110-24) Thomas Blake of Chichester, gentleman to John McClary
of Epsom, yeoman, a tract of land in Epsom containing 1/2 lot No. 23 in the
first range of lots originally belonging to John Johnson containing forty four
acres, to be divided in quantity and quality.
Grantor April 8, 1775 (127-235) Thomas Blake of Chichester, gentleman, to Andrew McClary
of Epsom, gentleman, a tract of land in Epsom containing 1/2 lot No. 23 in the
first range of lots originally belonging to John Johnson containing forty four
acres, to be divided in quantity and quality.
The 'Descendants of Jasper Blake' gives some background on Thomas
Blake. In 1759 his fathers house and 50 acres was
deeded to him. He was a selectman in town in 1759 and 1760. He married in
John, baptized Mar. 23, 1751
Miriam, baptized
Nanny/Nancy, baptized 1760 in
Olly (female) baptized Nov. 28, 1762 in Epsom (probably Olive)
Hannah, baptized Sept. 7, 1766 in Epsom
Thomas, baptized May 28, 1769 in Epsom
Sarah, baptized Jan. 19, 1772.
He was one of the first pew purchasers in 1764, and therefore a
supporter of the first church in Epsom, as once the church was organized, had
his children baptized in town. Previous to that, though probably living in
Epsom, traveled to
Andrew McClary,
Inn Keeper
The next tavern seen in town records after that of Thomas Blake, is when a proprietor's meeting was held May 2, 1752
'at the house of Andrew McClary, Inn Keeper.' These
meetings continue until about 1755, then starting in 1756, they were
held at the home of Captain Andrew McClary's,
son of Andrew, who inherited his father's home. After the Major McClary died in the Revolution, the property passed to his
son James Harvey McClary, who continued the tavern,
as will be seen in a later post. He built a new home and sold the old homestead
to Joseph Lawrence. These taverns were also homes.
Life during the time was described in brief by Horace P. McClary in his book. “There was little time for idleness in
the McClary household; the large farm must be tilled,
the potash factory looked after, the stores to attend, and presumably some
portion of land to clear each season – plenty of healthy work to develop brawny
muscle. There was, outside of the home, work waiting for everyone – roads to
build, churches and schoolhouses to locate, erect and maintain, dams to
construct, mills to build and the thousand and one other things which play a
necessary part in the change from the forest primeval to the cultivated and
productive farm.”
Charles McCoy, Tavern
The third mention of a tavern in Provincial Epsom is the petition
of Charles McCoy to license a tavern. His establishment was at or near Sanborn
Hill, land he had deeded to his sons. One of the first settlers in Epsom,
possibly pre-dating the actual incorporation, he bought land from Joseph
Simpson. His wife, Isabella, is well known for her capture by Indians and
removal to
1759, January 31
The humble petition of Charles M’coy of Epsom
aforesaid, yeoman humbly sheweths that your
petitioner living at Epsom aforesaid near the Publick
Road leading from Nottingham East to Bow the distance between which 2 places is
upwards of sixteen miles and no place of public entertainment between them,
whereby several persons have suffered for want of some the refreshment, Your
Petitioner therefore as his request and desire of several persons who have
hereunto subscribed their names and others humbly request your Honours, he may have and that you would release to grant
him a license to keep a Tavern or place of Publick
Entertainment for all sorts of sociable liquors and ___ at his house in Epsom
aforesaid, and that he will be bound as other Inn Holders are to pay, exercise
and observe all other duties as required by law in such cases and said
petitioner will ever pray &c. Charles McCoy, Ephraim Locke, Samuel Blake.
Eliphalet
Sanborn, Tavern
It is most likely that Charles McCoy ran a tavern according to his
petition of 1759. The McCoys sold out to Reuben and
his son Eliphalet Sanborn in 1760. The following
year, Eliphalet files for a license. The site of this
building was probably somewhere near the present Sanborn homestead on Sanborn
Hill, the current home being built at a later date either by Eliphalet, or his son Josiah Sanborn.
1761, July 2
1792 Town Records
The first time a listing of licenses being granted to tavern
owners and stores selling liquor, appears in the town books for the year 1792,
and were as follows:
1792
Locke, Samuel to keep a public tavern
McClary, James Harvey to keep a public tavern
Locke, Jonathan to keep a public tavern
Duncan, William to sell liquors in Epsom
Gordon, Nicholas to sell liquors in Epsom
None of these owners appeared in the earlier records, though of
them, the James Harvey McClary tavern would be a
continuation of that tavern run by his father Major Andrew McClary,
and his father Andrew McClary. This tavern would
already be third generation in 1792, a testament to its success.
Jonathan Locke, Inn Holder
Of the 5 licenses granted in 1792 was one to Jonathan Locke. The
tavern stood on the location of the current Deinhart
house on Center Hill, not far from the old parsonage. It is likely that the
current house was built at a later date.
Jonathan Locke's home passed to him from his father Moses Locke in
1793, with the provision he take of Moses and his wife Mary 'for the rest of
their natural lives.' It can be assumed it was being used as a tavern before
the recording of licenses in town records in 1792. Jonathan Locke is identified
in a 1795 deed, buying land from Nathaniel Kennison,
as Inn Holder. The property was advertised for sale in 1802, to be sold 'on
reasonable terms, 120 acres with good buildings, wee wooded and watered, within
50 rods of the Meetinghouse in said Epsom.' It does not appear to have been
sold, as Jonathan Locke died May 27, 1803 in Epsom. The property passed out of
the family, being divided up and 60 acres land and buildings was sold to Thomas
D. Merrill and then to the William McMurphy family.
Abraham Swain owned the property in 1841, further dividing up the lot. Other
owners included John Morrill, Joseph W. Rand, Alexander B. Forbes and Charles
J. Brown. Charles McClary Steele bought the 13 acre
lot and house about 1900 and remained their through 1961. His wife was Helen
E.P. Yeaton.
There is no known burial for Jonathan Locke, but most likely he is
buried in the
His business was fairly successful as can be seen by the number of
licenses granted:
Oct. 15, 1792 public tavern
Dec. 9, 1793 public tavern
Mar. 3, 1797 rum, brandy and gin
Mar. 8, 1797 tavern
Mar. 11, 1798 open tavern and liquor license
Mar. 18, 1799 open tavern and liquor license
Mar. 18, 1800 tavern and liquor license
July 20, 1801 liquor license
William Duncan, Store Owner
William Duncan (1762
William Duncan was from
G O O D S,
FREE FROM THE INFECTION
OF THE SMALL POX
William Duncan,
Informs the public, that he has for sale,
a general assortment of
English and
GOODS,
at his Stores in
Which he is selling cheap for
Cash, Ashes, Salts, and
Flax Seed.
He also informs the public in general,
that those GOODS were received before the Small Pox broke out in
C A S H
And the highest price, given for
Good Salts.
Wanted, a quantity of
Good Staves & Heading.
James Harvey McClary, Tavern Owner
James Harvey McClary is one of 5 people
who received a license in1792, this case to run a tavern. James H. McClary would be a third generation owner, continuing the
family business started by his grandfather Andrew McClary,
and his father, Major Andrew McClary. By 1792, the McClary family had been running a tavern on Center Hill,
nearing the
Fire In Epsom. - The large three-story
house in Epsom, which, for many years, has stood so boldly in the traveler's
eye as he passed on either of the leading roads in Epsom, owned by Mr. Joseph
Lawrence, was consumed by fire, last Wednesday morning, soon after sunrise.
Once again
Obviously the McClary tavern was very
successful, and was a focal point of town affairs. The license's granted to
James Harvey McClary:
Sept. 15, 1792 public tavern
Nov. 18, 1793 tavern and liquor license
Mar. 7, 1795 tavern and liquor license
Oct. 1, 1796 liquor license
Feb. 25, 1797 tavern
Sept. 30, 1797 liquor license
Mar. 11, 1798 open tavern
Sept. 14, 1799 liquor license
Mar. 17, 1800 tavern and wine
Mar. 4, 1801 liquor license
Feb. 13, 1804 liquor license
Aug. 27, 1808 open tavern (at new location)
Nicholas Gordon, Liquor
License
One of the five licenses granted by the town of
His parents were Alexander Gordon and Sarah Dolloff,
and Nicholas married an Elizabeth Unknown. He died in Epsom June 21, 1824, and his wife February of 1850, according to Allenstown
records of John Dowst. Both deaths are recorded in
the Dolbeer records of deaths in Epsom. His brother,
Jeremiah Gordon, who married Susannah Marden, was a
well known town resident of which much more is known.
Capt. Samuel Locke, Tavern Owner
Capt. Samuel Locke is identified as a tavern owner starting in the
1792 Epsom town records as having received a license for a public tavern, and
was probably in business before that time. John Goodwin's "Book of the Lockes" says he kept a tavern, and the "History
and Genealogy of Capt. John Locke" also mentions he kept a tavern, though
incorrectly puts it in
Sept. 7, 1792 public tavern
Dec. 28, 1793 public tavern
Feb. 16, 1795 tavern
Feb. 25, 1797 tavern
Feb. 19,1798 tavern
Mar. 20, 1799 open tavern
Mar. 21, 1800 tavern
Apr. 13, 1801 open tavern
Mar. 29, 1802 open tavern
Apr. 7, 1804 open tavern
Sept. 16, 1805 liquor license
Dec. 2, 1805 open tavern
July 26, 1807 liquor license
Capt. Samuel Locke was a son of Ephraim Locke and Comfort Dowst. He bought property from his father in March of 1784,
this land aquired earlier by his father, part from
the right of Andrew McClary, and part of land sold
for payment of taxes and incidental charges. There may have been additional
tracts added later, but by the 1784 deed, the property included a 1/2 interest
in a Grist mill standing on the lot, and the twenty-fourth part a saw mill and
privilege known by the name of Cass' mill. It would appear the tavern was on
the north side of the current
Capt. Samuel Locke also had the right to land of a cousin, Abraham
Locke. His father was appointed guardian to Abraham Locke, and adult "non
compos" in September of 1791, with Capt. Samuel becoming guardian to
Abraham's children in 1805, acquiring property rights. When he died, his son
Samuel received the Abraham Locke property, and his son Daniel Evans Locke, the
rest, including the tavern. The mill privileges were shared by the brothers.
Between the dower rights of his wife, and that willed to son
Daniel E., the tavern and mill property was sold to Abel Brown, who had married
Daniel E. Locke's sister Betsey in 1807, being at that time from Gilford. Abel
Brown continued the tavern, with the following record of licenses:
Mar. 29, 1820 public house
Mar. 7, 1823 (Lieut) open tavern at
house where he now lives
Mar. 11, 1826 open tavern
1827 for two dollars, open tavern license
From this point town records do not record licenses.
Abel Brown later owned some of the property jointly with John Ham
Jr., with both eventually selling part, including mill
privileges, to Jeremiah Prescott 1822-1823.
Joseph Tucke,
Liquor License
1792 was the first year that town records listed liquors for
individuals in Epsom, and as time permits, they will be chronologically
searched and added to various blog postings.
The 1793 list included the same indivuduals
with the exception of Nicholas Gordon. Added that year was Joseph Tucke, who received liquor licenses for three consecutive
years:
1793 Tucke, Joseph to sell liquors in
Epsom
1794 Tucke, Joseph a retailer of liquors
in Epsom
1795 Tucke, Joseph to retail rum, brandy
and gin in Epsom
Joseph Tucke lived in the house of his
father, Epsom's first minister, Rev. John Tucke. The
Reverend built his house on the 50 acre lot given him as being the first
minister, the lot reserving a place for a meetinghouse and included the old
part of the McClary cemetery. Rev. Tucke was dismissed in 1774 but remained in Epsom, joining
the cause of the Revolution and died of small pox in
Solomon Sutton - Tavern Owner
Seven license's were granted in 1795, one to Joseph Tucke for liquor, one to Jonathan Locke for an inn, one to
Samuel Locke for a tavern, two to James H. McClary,
one for a public tavern and sell mixed liquors as well as one to retail liquors
for one year. The other two were to Solomon Sutton, one to keep an inn or
tavern in Epsom, and the second to retail rum, brandy and gin for the coming
year. One could surmise that having two license's -
one for a tavern, and the other perhaps to retail liquor at a connected store.
Sutton's tavern was not new, as he bought the tavern of William Duncan, but sold it the
following year, and by 1799 was bought by James Harvey McClary,
who would later move from the homestead to this new location.
NH Patriot 6-22-1813
ABSCONDED from the town of
Samuel Morrill
Richard Tripp
Bickford Lang - Selectmen
Epsom, June 10, 1813
Daniel Cilley,
Tavern Owner
The list of licenses granted in 1799 included two new names, of
being the right of Daniel Cilley to keep an open tavern.
Daniel Cilley received land by will from his father,
General Joseph Cilley of
May 27, 1799 open tavern
June 2, 1800 open tavern
June 5, 1801 open tavern
May 27, 1803 open tavern
June 6, 1804 open tavern
June 6, 1805 public tavern
Mar. 21, 1806 open tavern
July 30, 1807 open tavern
Oct. 3, 1808 open tavern
Sept. 11, 1809 open public tavern
Oct. 25, 1810 tavern
Dec. 17, 1811 open tavern
Oct. 27, 1812 open tavern
Apr. 27, 1813 open tavern
Mar. 9, 1816 open tavern
Apr. 7, 1818 open tavern
Apr. 8, 1820 public house
Apr. 5, 1822 public tavern at his house
Apr. 5, 1824 public house
Mar. 7, 1825 open tavern at his house
Mar. 11, 1826 open tavern
1827 for two dollars, open tavern license
Even though the town records stop here, the Cilley
Tavern continued through his lifetime, and he died in 1842. From the book
"General Joseph Cilley" by Scales:
A very large concourse of people attended his funeral. At the
service, one of his fellow-ministers, the oldest among the number, who knew him
in early years, arose and said: "I knew this king among men all his life.
How powerfully he could preach; how fervernly he
prayed, and oh, how sweetly he sang."
He had a remarkable vibrant, strong and resonant, but sweet, high voice. I
have seen few men so noticeable in personal port and fineness of feature. He
was very daintly in his habits, clean of life and
tongue, high-minded -- and with all the fighting impulse of the soldierly clan
of the Cilleys, on occasion.
George H. Yeaton wrote about a story
about the road being built in front of the hotel:
There is a legend connected with the building of the turnpike
through the town of
There were several fires at the site which prompted several
articles in newspapers at the time:
5-18-1833 and 5-20-1833 DANIEL CILLEY BARNS On Sunday night last, three barns, with a
stable and shed belonging to Col. Daniel Cilley, of
Epsom, were consumed by fire: supposed to have been set by an incendiary. Loss
not particularly stated; probably about $1000. Insurance $350
in the N.H. Mutual Company.
On the night following the 5th instant the barns of Daniel Cilley, Esq. were consumed. His dwelling house was saved
with much difficulty. There is no doubt that this was the work of an
incendiary. Epsom has for a few years past been peculiarly unfortunate in fires
and in the suspicion at least, that it is infested with a very few miscreants,
who have occasioned them.
NH Patriot 6-17-1833500 REWARD !
WHEREAS, on the night of the 5th of May last, three Barns and a Stable, the
property of Col. Daniel Cilley, of Epsom, were
destroyed by fire, - supposed to be the work of an incendiary or incendiaries.
The Town, at a meeting legally warned and holden for
that purpose on the 3d day of June, 1833, unanimously adopted a resolution
authorizing and empowering the Selectmen to offer the above reward to any
person or persons who will furnish evidence sufficient to convict any, who have
been guilty of the crime.
ELIPHALET WIGGIN, NATHAN BICKFORD, THOMAS D. MERRILL, Selectmen of Epsom
Epsom, June 7, 1833The family later auctioned off the estate and it was bought by
William Goss.
NH Patriot 8-30-1849FARM FOR SALETHE subscribers offer for sale their farm
in Epsom, well known as the Cilley place, lying on
the Turnpike road and near the centre of the town, and close to the line of the
contemplated Railroad from Hooksett to Pittsfield. The home place contains
upward of 200 acres, a large proportion of which is Mowing and Tillage, the
buildings are two good dwelling houses, two barns with shed, and all other out
buildings suitable for two families. Also, a large pasture about two miles from
the home place, containing about 90 acres, well watered, lying by the side of Odiorne's pond (so called). Also, a wood and timber lot,
containing about 90 acres, about one and a half miles from the home place, and
very handy to Long Falls Saw Mill. They also offer the crops now growing, and
the hay in the barns, being sufficient to winter 50 head of cattle; the greater
part cut on the home place the present season. If not disposed of at private
sale the present season, it will be offered at Public Auction the 20th day of
February, 1850.
Conditions of sale for the whole or such parts as may be agreed upon, will be liberal.
W.P. Cilley
J.L. Cilley
Epsom, August 6, 1849
Goss continued the tavern as the 'Suncook Valley House' about 1858
and his family sold off the property upon his death in 1887. After that, there
were several owners, including Ed White, who changed the name to the 'Gossville Hotel'. It later belonged to Charles Sumner Hall,
and it was called the 'Hotel Sumner' by 1924. Again the property was sold by
the heirs of Charles S. Hall as was known as the 'Pine Grove Inn', and later
the 'Sherwood Inn'.
Thomas Bickford, Liquor
License
Of the two new individuals receiving permission to sell liquor in
1799 was a Thomas Bickford. There is a little confusion, as said Thomas
Bickford also was granted a license in 1800. The first license was to a Thomas
Bickford Jr., the second without the junior the following year:
1799 Bickford, Thomas Jr. to sell liquors as high as half a pint
at his coopers shop in Epsom
1800 Bickford, Thomas to mix and sell liquors by the small in the
town of
Epsom tax records for the period only show one Thomas Bickford,
though an older Thomas Bickford was in
The Beckford's swapped property around, but Thomas and Olive lived
at the old Bickford homestead on Route 4, on the right side of the road before
Cumberland Farms. The first license was for his cooper's shop, which may not
have been located at the homestead, but elsewhere on the property, probably
near the old town hall. One such shop is identified on the 1858 town map, no
owner given.
John Godfrey, Inn Keeper
John Godfrey (son of Moses of Northwood, NH) appears in the town
records having been granted a license to keep an open tavern in 1800 and 1803.
At this time there are no records to indicate that he either owned any land or
buildings in Epsom, in fact, the 1800 census lists the family in Deerfield,
with 1 male under 10, 1 male 10 to 15, 2 males 16 to 25, a female under 10, a
female 10 to 15, 1 female 16 to 25, plus a male 26 to 45 and a female of the
same age, probably John and his wife. It would appear, as with several other
license holders during this time, that they ran
taverns in buildings belonging to others.
In a deed of July 3, 1803, George Frost of Northwood, trader sells
to John Godfrey of Epsom, Innholder, land in
Northwood, northerly on the road leading from Col. Johnson's and McClary's mills so called, westerly on land of Joshua Hoit, southerly on Suncook Pond, and easterly by land of
Moses Johnson, together with al the buildings standing thereon and is a piece
of land I purchased of John Bickford Oct. 7, 1801.
This definitely is the case later. Though it is not known exactly
where the 1800 tavern is, John Godfrey did buy land from John Ham on January 7, 1805 (R 169-295). The deed describes the
purchase as 2 parcels of land part of lot #25 in the first range – one to
contain one half of one acre, on the south side of the turnpike where it
crosses north road leading to
NH Gazette 3-1-1808
NOTICE is hereby given that all the real estate, formerly owned
and occupied by John Godfrey, lying in Epsom, will be sold at Public Auction on
Monday the 4th day of April next, at eleven o'clock in the forenoon, consisting
of about 50 acres of LAND, with
the buildings thereof, viz. - A new and convenient dwelling house, thirty by
forty feet, one story high, well finished with a good cellar under it; a new
and convenient Barn, Shed, and a Coopers Shop, situate on the first New
Hampshire Turnpike Road, leading from Concord to Portsmouth, and on the road
leading from Gilmanton to Newburyport, which renders it an excellent stand for
a Tavern or Trader.
Northwood, February
22, 1808
On May 7, Levi Mead sells the entire property back to John
Godfrey, Inn Holder (R 184-116), who in turn, on the same day, sells it to
Ephraim Eastman of
Ephraim receives a license to keep an open tavern in 1809, and
sells the entire operation back to Levi Mead July
21, 1809 (R 186-125). The 1810
census for Epsom shows John Godfrey in that part of town where the tavern was
located, probably again running the tavern for Levi Mead. The tavern and
operation is again sold in 1813, and John Godfrey removes to Northwood.
Also of interest, John appears in 1800 census in
"This part of town took its name, it is believed, from
the circumstance, that a man by the name of Godfrey lived here, who, with his
family, made an extravagant use of coffee, as was thought by his
fellow-townsmen. May it not be that by this Godfrey an attempt was made to
raise this berry, as has been often done since elsewhere,
and hence the name?"
Then there is the ad selling Godfrey's
tavern in
Concord Gazette 5-5-1813
To be Let,
ON liberal terms, and possession given the 6th day of March next, that
pleasantly situated Farm, in Deerfield, well known by name of Godfrey's Tavern,
near Pleasant Pond, so called, which is considered to be one of the best stands
for a Tavern and Store, in the State. There is on said farm, a good house,
Store, two Sheds, Woodhouse, and a complete Stable, well finished, and an
Orchard that produced apples sufficient to make from 15 to 20 barrels of Cider
the last season. It is also well wooded.
For further particulars, enquire of Mark French, of Epsom, where the conditions
will be made known.
Jan. 5, 1813.
Ephraim Eastman, Inn Keeper
Ephraim appears only once in the Epsom town records as receiving a
license for an open tavern in 1809. The property was owned by John Godfrey who
added the buildings to the lot he bought from John Ham. Levi Mead owned the
buildings several times, with John Godfrey running the tavern. Ephraim Eastman
sold the property to Levi Mead in July of 1809.
Ephraim Eastman was a resident of Deerfield, living on the
McClary
& Gookin, Liquor License
James Harvey McClary appears to have
continued the family tradition of running a tavern and apparently a store as
well. Town records show the following in 1801:
James H. Mcclary to mix and sell run, brand
and gin by the smalls
McClary and Gookin to retail liquors and wines.
Perhaps one license was for liquor at the tavern, and the other
for a store, at the tavern that was still at the old McClary
homestead, which he sold to Joseph Lawrence in 1807. Daniel Gookin
was in a similar partnership in Gilmanton which was later dissolved. His
partnership with James Harvey McClary did not fair
much better:
Epsom October 28, 1803
THE Partnership betwixt JAMES H. M’CLARY of Epsom, and DANIEL GOOKIN of
North-Hampton, is this day by mutual consent dissolved. All Persons indebted to
said Company are to make payment to said McCLARY, by
whom all debts of the Company will be paid.
JAMES H. M’CLARY
DANIEL GOOKIN
Andrew Sanborn, Inn Holder
Andrew Sanborn is found in the town records for receiving the
following licenses -
Mar. 16, 1802 open tavern for 1 year
Mar. 16, 1803 open tavern
Apr, 7, 1804 open tavern
Andrew Sanborn was a son of Eliphalet
Sanborn and Margaret (Wallace), born in Epsom Feb. 17, 1773. He married in
His older brother, Josiah, inherited
the family homestead, which for a time was a tavern run by their father Eliphalet. Josiah married Anna Locke, daughter of Moses
Locke. Her sister Hannah married John Godfrey, and Inn Keeper in Epsom, and
their brother Jonathan also kept a tavern in Epsom for many years.
There are only two deeds in which
Andrew Sanborn buys land in Epsom, and two disposing of the same property. Only
one shows a building, and it is a barn which formerly belonged to Rev. John Tucke. The property bordered the old burying place, and
there is no building thereon that could have been used for a tavern. Like John
Godfrey, he likely ran a tavern belonging to another person, most likely that
of Jonathan Locke.
Deeds from
R 156-334 Jan. 19, 1801
Simon A. Heath of Epsom, yeoman for $800.00 to Andrew Sanborn of Boston in
the County of Suffolk, and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Windsor Chair Maker -
Two certain tracts of land being in Epsom, the first being part of one of
the home lots, so called, laying on the easterly of the main road in said Epsom
and is a part of the same lot that includes the burying yard - one of said
tracts being the same that I purchased of the heirs of Reverend John Tuck,
formerly of Epsom, deceased as by seed from s aid heirs dated February 15, 1797
as will appear excepting one acre I have sold to Doctor Samuel Morrill
adjoining said burying yard.
The other tract to contain about (five?) in the same lot it being the same
I purchased of John S. Sherburne Esq., which was set off by execution to one
James Marden October 3rd 1792/3, the whole of both
tracts to contain 45 acres be the same more or less. - Simon
A. Heath and
R 169-92 June 29, 1801
Jonathan Lock of Epsom, trader for $60.00 of the same Epsom, Windsor chair
maker -
A certain piece of land in Epsom with a barn standing on a part of the
same, being the same barn formerly owned by the Reverend John Tuck, deceased,
and the piece of land to take its beginning at the southerly corner of said
barn, then to run southwesterly a parallel line with the line betwixt land,
barn & me to the highway to contain all the land betwixt said line and land
owned by the said Sanborn. -Jona Locke.
R 167-85 March 24, 1804
Andrew Sanborn of Epsom, chair maker, for $20 dollars to Benjamin Moody of
Epsom, Esq. -
Land in Epsom on the northerly side of the Province Road, so called,
bounded beginning at the southwesterly corner of land owned by the heirs of
Jonathan Locke, thence running westerly on said Province Road thirty one feet
to a stake and stones, , thence northerly at right angles with said side line,
16 feet 6 inches to the bounds first mentioned, it being part of the land I
purchased of Jonathan Lock as appears by his deed dated June 29th, 1801. - Andrew
Sanborn
R 169-93 August 21, 1804
Andrew Sanborn of Epsom, Innholder for $1100
dollars by Simon A. Heath -
A parcel of land in Epsom being part of one of the home lots in said town,
and formerly owned by the Reverend John Tucke (now
deceased) lying on the northeasterly side of the main road, said tract to take
its beginning on the north side of said lot on land of Francis Locke, then to
run easterly carrying the whole length of the same (excepting the burying yard
and one acre owned by Dr. Samuel Morrill and a small piece sold to Benjamin
Moody, being 31 feet in part and 16 feet and 6 inches wide) to land belonging
to the estate of Jonathan Locke, being all the land that I own in said lot to
contain 45 acres be the same more or less - being all the land that I purchased
of the said Heath by ded date Jan. 19, 1801 and what
I purchased of Jonathan Locke excepting the small piece sold to Benjamin Moody.
- Andrew Sanborn and wife Sarah Sanborn releases right of dower. Signs as Sarah
and mentioned as Sally.
As can be seen from the dates of the
deeds, they correspond with his time in Epsom and being a license holder.
Jonathan Locke held
NH Gazette 7-19-1803
ALL persons who have demands against the Estate of
JONATHAN LOCKE,
late of Epsom, husbandman, deceased, are desired to exhibit them without
delay; and those who are indebted to said Estate, are requested to make
immediate payment to the subscriber, Administratrix
to said Estate, or to SAM'L MORRIL, her Attorney.
ALLICE LOCKE
David Locke III, (R 224 115) of Epsom, husbandman to Isaac Towle, of Epsom, husbandman, a certain tract of land lying
in Epsom, being one half of the homestead of Jonathan Locke late of Epsom,
deceased with the buildings thereon, consists of 84 acres be the same more or
less. Jan. 19, 1819
David Locke and Florinda Locke (R 224 116) wife
of said David of Lyman, NH, to Isaac Towle of Epsom,
release and quitclaim to Isaac Towle, all the right
title and claim to the estate of Jonathan Locke late of Epsom, together with
the widows dower. March 15, 1819
John Locke jr of Epsom, yeoman to Isaac Towle of Epsom, husmandman, all
the right title and interest in the estate of Jonathan Locke late of Epsom,
deceased, together with the reversion of the widows dower. July 1, 1819
Possibly the Andrew Sanborn, 1810 US
Census, Lunenburgh, MA, 3 children under 16 plus
parents.
Merrill and Morrill, Tavern
License
From the town records, a license was granted in 1801 for Merrill
and Morrill to operate an open tavern. It is the only year a license was
granted to the pair. The 1800 census for Epsom shows David L. Morrill in Epsom,
and no Merrill's. David Lawrence Morrill lived in Epsom from about 1797, having
married Jane Wallace of Epsom. He sold his property to his brother Samuel in
1801, so Samuel would be half of the duo for the license of 1801. From
Rockingham
February 14, 1801
David Lawrence Morrill of Epsom, gentleman to Samuel Morrill of Epsom,
physician, parcels of land in Epsom, the first being the same which I purchased
of William McClary and a part of the parsonage land
on which Mr. Hazeltine now lives, reference being had
to said deed dated at Epsom the 4th day of April 1796. Also a tract of land
which I purchased of Simon A. Heath containing one acre being a part of the
land which the said Heath purchased of Samuel J Tucke,
reference being had to said deed dated at Epsom January 15th 1799. Also a tract
of land which I purchased of John Wells and Nathan Marden
Jr. being a part of lot No. 18 in the first range, reference being had to said
deed dated Epsom February 18, 1799, with all the buildings privileges thereunto
belonging.
The tax records of 1806 show Samuel Morrill as a land owner with
buildings. He stayed in Epsom until about 1819, and during some of that time
was town clerk. His brother David went on to be Governor of New Hampshire, and
Samuel State Treasurer.
Thomas D. Merrill appears in the same tax records with an
inventory of stock and trade and is shown in deeds as a trader. He did not own
any land or buildings in 1806, but was running a store or business from about
the time of the tavern license in 1802. It is likely he boarded at or near
where the store was, but there is no record or recorded agreement that would
place the location. Though he did not own property, he was certainly in the
real estate market.
His property dealings remained extensive even after Epsom became
part of the new
From History of the Treman, Tremaine, Truman Family in
HON. THOMAS D. MERRILL. He was born in
Levi Brown, Tavern License
Town records show one license for an open tavern in 1803 to Levi
Brown. Levi was the son of Jonathan Brown and Miriam Clough. He married March
21, 1781, Lydia Thompson. The following is from the Epsom Early Settlers of
John Mark Moses:
There were several Brown families. Enoch settled on the North road
before 1790, on land given him by his father, Jonathan, of Kensington. Levi,
probably a brother, was of Epsom in 1781, and bid off the John Yeaton lot, adjoining, for taxes. He died in 1816, having
bequeathed to wife, not named, to daughter, Mercy Brown and to sons, Abel and
Levi.
From
Thomas Berry of Epsom, husbandman, to Jonathan Brown of Kensington
and Levi Brown of Epsom, yeoman, a parcel of land in Epsom the same being a
part of the lots 48 & 49 in the second range of lots in said town, the
original right of John Blake and John Philbrick, said
tract to contain all the land belonging to the aforesaid lots that lays on the
easterly side of the road that leads through said lots to Pittsfield, said
tracts to contain 40 acres be the same more or less.
From
Jonathan Brown of Kensington, husbandman, to Levi Brown of Epsom,
land in Epsom being a part of lot No. 50 in the second range of lots, to take
its beginning at the southerly corner of that part of said lot that Enoch Brown
now lives on, then to run northeasterly 7 rods then southeasterly a parallel
line with the line between lot 50 and 51 to the range.
No deed has been found for when Levi first owned land in Epsom,
unless it is the land bought with his father in 1791, when Levi is already
listed as 'of Epsom.' It appears the homestead on
Joseph Towle,
Inn Keeper
Mar. 4, 1803 liquor license
Feb. 13, 1804 liquor license
Mar. 9, 1804 public house
Mar. 9, 1805 open tavern
Feb. 25, 1806 open tavern
Mar. 9, 1807 open tavern
Mar. 22, 1808 open tavern
Feb. 13, 1810 public tavern
Jan. 22, 1811 open tavern
Nov. 22, 1811 open tavern
Apr. 7, 1812 public house and retail spirits
Apr. 5, 1813 open tavern
The tavern was located on
Joseph died in 1828, leaving a wife and three daughters,
one of whom, Sally, had married James Hersey and inherited the homestead. The
Hersey's moved to
Joseph and his wife Sarah (Wallace) are buried in the family plot
near the old tavern, in what is now called the Poor Farm cemetery.
Mark French, Liquor License
Mark French appears in the Epsom Town Records receiving the
following licenses for a store:
June 30, 1804 liquor license for 1 year
July 24, 1805 liquor license
July 20, 1807 liquor license
June 4, 1811 liquor license
By deed it is known that Mark French was the son of Thomas French and Anna
Tilton, born in Stratham, NH June 27, 1775. He married first Nancy Wallace of
Epsom, likely daughter of Joseph and Betsey (Batchelder)
Wallace. The marriage was in Epsom, November 15, 1804. She died in 1807 and he
married Mariam Moses Oct. 1810 in Epsom. She was the
daughter of Sylvanus Moses and Miriam Young.
In March 1804, Mark French buys a 1/2 acre lot 52 rods from the house and tavern
of Daniel Cilley Rockingham deeds 169-408), and in
1809 buys a very small portion of adjoining land "to the northerly end of
French's new building" (Rockingham deeds 186-155). Mark sells the 1/2 acre
with the buildings thereon to John B. Girard of
Mark French, who ran a store in Epsom from 1804 to about 1815,
located next to the tavern of Daniel Cilley, was
originally called a clothier when he resided in Northwood before moving to
Epsom and establishing his store. He also bought and sold other real estate in
Epsom and
A NOTORIOUS IMPOSTER
AND THIEF CAUGHT
A man whose name appears to be MARK FRENCH, from various papers found in
his possession, came to this city sometime about the 20th of September last,
and feigning distress, obtained a written license from the Mayor to ask of the
citizens charity, and actually received from sundry persons sums of money. He
stated that he belonged to the
The villain had now another opportunity to impose upon the citizens. He
told the story of his misfortunes, and again obtained money from different
persons – five dollars from the Humane Society and two from the Board of
Magistrates. But notwithstanding his most artful manner to conceal his real
character, Mr. Fobes began to entertain suspicions
that he was an imposter and rogue, and accordingly took measures to ascertain
the fact. French went about begging during the day, and at night he was
discovered in houses of ill-fame, gambling away his charity. In this manner he
continued until Friday last, when Mr. Fobes, being
perfectly satisfied with his character, examined his baggage, which discovered
his suspicions to be well founded. The articles described below were found. Mr.
Fobes then instantly seized him by the collar and led
him to the Police Office, where he was searched, and the identical pocket book,
containing the sum which he had sworn was stolen, and amongst the money, the
five dollar Middle District bill, was found upon him. He was examined and
committed to prison. From the manner in which the goods were found stowed away,
he probably had stolen them from various persons, and at various times, as the
articles, which were rolled with old clothes, and shoes, &c. were found in
many small bundles. They have no doubt been stolen in
Mark French appears to be about 50 years of age, stout
made, sandy complexion, and about five feet nine or ten inches high.
The frequent instances in which villains of this sort commit depredations
upon the community, and especially such a flagrant case as this, ought to put
all people, and especially the charitable and benevolent upon their guards; for
as has happened here, their bounty is not only thrown away, but it proves the
means of enabling them to commit more extensive frauds and robberies upon the
public.
INVENTORY of the goods found in Mark French's Trunk, taken in presence of
Richard S. Treat, Philander Fobes, and Alonzo B.
Bigelow, in
Two flag silk handkerchiefs – 1 silk and cotton shawl; 2 7-4 imitation
shawls; 2 8-4 olive Levantine do; 1 do bisck do; 1 do
red cotton twilled; 1 do light blue Cassimere do, soiled; 3 scarlet Bandanoes; 2 cotton flag handkerchiefs; 6 red spotted
cravats; 4 pair beaver gloves; 1 do cotton do; 1 do women's black silk hose; 3
lbs. Col'd sewing silk, marks off; 2 dozen apron
tapes, No. 25; half dozen tobacco boxes, japanned and flowered; 1 6-4 white
cotton shawl; 11 4-4 buff do do; 11-2 yards lilack Canton crape; 1 piece Brussels cotton lace, No.
1723, 36 yards; 3-4 yard of black Lutestring; 1 vest
pattern; 9 ladies combs; 1 pair mix'd worsted hose; 1
do black do do; 1 do mix'd
do 1-2do; 2 pieces Nankeen Cotton ferrit; 9 Madrass handkerchiefs; 3 pair calf skin shoes; 1 case
razors, containing 6 marked 1,2,3,4,5,6, with Ivory handles – case mahogany,
with brass butts, hooks and eyes, a brass plate on the top marked 15 dollars
with pen and ink; 1 pair socks; 2 napkins.
Articles which appear to be partly worn.
3 shirts; 3 cravats, one marked 1.B.; 1 7-4 imitation shawl; 7 pair woolen,
worsted and cotton hose; 4 do, do; 7 vests, one a blue superfine double mill'd cassimere, lined with white flannel, with a black ratinet back; 4 pr. Pantaloons; 1 morning gown; 6 hdkfs, very much worn; 1 pair black gaiters; 3 do. Shoes,
some worn; 1 pair mittens; 1 cork screw; 1 pillow case; 1 towel; 1 white damask
shawl; 1 green do. Do.
William Yeaton,
Liquor License
In Epsom there were the following William Yeaton's
during this period:
Willaim Yeaton, born
1756, died Epsom 1831
William Yeaton, his son, born 1783, died
Epsom, 1830
William Yeaton born 1777, died Epsom,
1816
In records they would be listed chronologically, regardless of
relationship, so the above should appear as:
William Yeaton born 1756
William Yeaton III, his son born 1783
William Yeaton Jr., born 1777
In 1795 there is only one William Yeaton
paying taxes. In 1800 census for Epsom there are three Yeaton
families, 2 Williams and one Philip (being the brother of William born 1756).
The 1806 tax records show William (1756) and
William Jr. (1777) as owning land and buildings, the son of William not
showing. Deeds do show William Yeaton the 3rd buying
land, part of lot 84 from Nathaniel Sanders of Epsom Nov. 10, 1804 (R 171-331);
he buys additional land in lot 84 from Nathaniel Sanders, 100 acres, August,
17, 1805 (R 199-440); he buys land from Thomas Bickford September 28, 1809 (R
199-441). No buildings mentioned. This William Yeaton
3rd eventually moves to
In 1804, the time the first license was granted, William would be
48, his son, William III 21, and William Yeaton Jr.,
27. William III will not marry until 1808. William Yeaton
lived on
There is no way to really identify which William Yeaton held the liquor licenses of 1804 and 1808, the
designation of William Yeaton Jr. (born 1777) would
make him the likely person.
Jonathan Godfrey, Tavern
License
Little is known of Jonathan Godfrey. He was a son of Moses of
Northwood, and brother to John Godfrey, Innholder of
Epsom. He was born about 1778, and with his father and most of his siblings,
eventually settled in
He appears in Epsom records receiving the following licenses:
July 15, 1805
public tavern
Aug. 27, 1808 liquor license
Feb. 24, 1810 open tavern
Mar. 9, 1811 open tavern
Mar. 9, 1812 public tavern
Apr. 5, 1813 public house of entertainment
Jonathan Godfrey is taxed in Epsom 1806 with buildings and 30 acres of land,
but no deeds to support a location. His location, in relation to others in the
1810 census, puts him on Center Hill. The list is as follows:
Simon A. Heath, and across the street, Elizabeth McClary,
Ebenezer Hazeltine, Jonathan Godfrey, Samuel Morrill.
His household included his wife, 2 males under 10, 2 females under 10 and one
female 10 to 15.
One would have to guess where he ran a tavern. With no deeds to support any
property, he may, as his brother John Godfrey did, was run a tavern for other
people. In the years that he has a license to keep a tavern, James Harvey McClary does not. It is know that the McClary's
rented out store space, and the last licenses McClary
had was 1804 to sell liquor, and a tavern license in 1808, the only year
Jonathan Godfrey had only a liquor license and none for a tavern. That
information, along with his location in the census in 1810 being near the widow
McClary's residence, it is possible he ran the tavern
for the McClary family.
In the 1820 census, he is back in
Capt. Simon A. Heath, Public
Tavern
Mar. 9, 1807 public tavern
Mar. 13, 1809 open tavern
Nov. 9, 1810 public tavern
Mar. 9, 1813 open tavern
May 23, 1815 open tavern
Feb. 14, 1818 open tavern
Mar. 10, 1820 public house
Dec. 7, 1824 open tavern at house and out building
1827 for two dollars, open tavern license
By 2 deeds it is known when Simon A. Heath purchased the old
homestead of Reverend John Tucke, deceased, from his
heirs:
Rockingham Deeds 146-173 February 15, 1797
Thomas Rand of Rye and Polly Rand his wife; Samuel J. Tucke of Boston and Judith his wife; Simeon Drake and Love
his wife of Pittsfield, NH; Joseph, Richard and Abigail Tucke
of Boston; to Simon A. Heath of Epsom, yeoman, all interest unto the estate of
John Tucke, late of Epsom, deceased, tracts or
parcels of land in Epsom, taking its beginning at the southwesterly corner of
land set off by execution to James Marden, then
westerly a parallel line with the road to the burying yard fence, then as the
fence goes to land of Ephraim Locke, then northerly on the line between Lockes and Tucke's land the full
length of said lot, then easterly on the north end of said lot to land set off
as aforesaid to said Marden, then southerly on said Marden's land to the bounds first mentioned, including all
the buildings standing thereon.
Rockingham Deeds 147-338 October 3, 1797
Mary Tucke of Pittsfield, widow and administrix of the estate of the Reverend John Tucker,
formerly of Epsom, deceased, to Simon A. Heath of Epsom, yeoman, a parcel of
land in Epsom taking its beginning at the southwesterly corner of land set off
by execution to James Marden, then westerly a
parallel line with the road to the burying yard fence, then as the fence goes
to land of Ephraim Locke, then northerly on the line between Lockes and Tucke's land the full
length of said lot, then easterly on the north end of said lot to land set off
as aforesaid to said Marden, then southerly on said Marden's land to the bounds first mentioned, including all
the buildings standing thereon.
The tavern was one of the more interesting places in Epsom. From
the diaries of James Babb, a store owner, come the following notes of interest.
-A violent dispute between Mr. Curtis and Capt. Heath in store in
the evening. Mr. Curtis accused Capt. Heath of reporting he would be the best
customer at his own tavern and he Capt. Heath said it was false.
-Mr. Curtis said that Capt. H told him in this store before the
last annual meeting that he (Capt. Heath) intended to go to the general Court.
Capt. Heath told Curtis that he was a liar. Mr. Curtis said that he had as many
cents as Capt. Heath had dollars. Capt. Heath said that Curtis might live to
see the time that he would want them - and thus the matter ended for the Capt.
went out and doubtably both thought they were
injured.
-Probate court at Capt. Heaths. Court at Capt. Heaths between
Messrs Lord and Ladd.
-J. Steele bet a bottle of wine that (Benjamin) Moody would live a
year from this day (Tuesday Feby 8, 1820). Capt.
Heath bet against him. (Heath won, Benjamin Moody died 20 days later).
-At a caucus this evening at the house of Capt. Heath.
-Evening Capt. Heath fell through stable floor, broke one bone of
his right leg and dislocated his left ankle - went with Dr. & assisted in
setting it.
-New Hall for meeting of the Congregational Society raised near
Capt. Heaths.
-Severe gale of wind in evening - blew down the
-Caravan of animals exhibit at Capt.
Heaths, about 150 came to see them.
The old tavern dated back to 1762 when it was built by Reverend Tucke on what was to be the parsonage land, but was bought
by the Reverend. The property passed from Simon Ames Heath to his son Benjamin
Moody Heath in 1830. It left the Heath family in 1864 when it was sold to
George W. Batchelder. The widow of Alonzo Batchelder sold it to Charles Sumner Hall in 1907, who turned the property over to Bernard S. Anderson.
Simon Ames Heath married as his second wife, Elizabeth McClary, daughter of Andrew McClary
who died at
Albion N. Ambrose married Susie F. Colburn and had children:
Byron, who died young; Jesse Gertrude who married Edward R. Kelley; Frank Eben who married Edna Witherspoon; Forrest Everett who
married Alfreda Gustafson; Watson True who married
Helen Ordway; Alice Flora who married John L. Barton; and Hattie Elizabeth who
married Elmore Bickford.
Jonathan Clark & Co.,
Liquor License
From town records, one liquor license was granted to Jonathan
Clark & Company in 1807. There are no
Jonathan Clarks in the Epsom records other than this license.
From "A Guide to the History and Old Dwelling Places of
"Jonathan Clark settled on the Ridge in the exciting years
before the Revolutionary War. he and his wife, Susannah,
were married in Stratham just two days before Northwood officially became a
separate township. He brought her to the new town that spring. Together they
helped make the settlement a success. Their home was used as a tavern for many
years and they established a trading place at the corner of the roads."
"Jonathan, the youngest of Jonathan and Susannah's children,
carried on the family business. In 1836 he sold the house, the store and the
one hundred acres of farm land to John Wingate and moved with his family to
Gilmanton."
It is most likely that this was the Jonathan who leased or rented
space in Epsom for a store in 1807.
Joseph Lawrence, Tavern
Owner
According to
Nov. 25, 1807 open tavern
Jan. 4, 1809 open tavern
Aug. 31, 1810 public tavern
1827 for two dollars, open tavern license
James Harvey McClary kept up the family
business and the tavern of the original Andrew McClary
homestead, built a new home and sold the homestead, including both home lots 2
and 3, to Joseph Lawrence in 1807. Not long after this the homestead burned,
and Joseph Lawrence built a new house and promptly opened for business. His
tavern and business was very prosperous and allowed for several generations of
this family to retain this property well into the 1960’s. The house he built in
1807 burned, as reported in this newspaper account.
From a period newspaper:
9-14-1848 JOSEPH LAWRENCE DWELLING
Fire In Epsom. – The large three-story house in
Epsom, which, for many years, has stood so boldly in the traveler's eye as he
passed on either of the leading roads in Epsom, owned by Mr. Joseph Lawrence,
was consumed by fire, last Wednesday morning, soon after sunrise.
Rockingham Deeds 179-51 August 14, 1808
James H. McClary of Epsom, Esq., to
Joseph Lawrence of Epsom husbandman, a parcel of land in Epsom being two of the
home lots numbered 2 & 3 lying between the road leading to Northwood and
land owned by Henry Chapley (Shapley) and the same
land that the said McClary formerly lived on and
occupied by said Lawrence, the same to contain 100 acres by grant, to be the
same more or less. James H. McClary
and wife
Thomas D. Merrill, Tavern
and Store
Though it is well known that Thomas D. Merrill ran a store for
many years, these are the only two licenses in Epsom records.
Mar. 7, 1808 liquor license
Mar. 26, 1813 open tavern
His early years in Epsom are difficult to trace, as it would
appear he rented or leased property and did not own his own land and buildings.
By 1815 he had buildings valued at 450, stock at 500 and land, owning a horse
and buggy, one of 30 in town. Ten years later his stock in trade was 2000 and
was the largest tax payer in Epsom, a distinction he still held in 1847. He
held many town offices, was a justice of the peace, and presided over small
court cases. Above all, he was a real estate mogul, having bought and sold
properties throughout Epsom. He was involved in settling estates of many town
residents.
Among his early transactions were the following:
R 181-353 February 25, 1808
Thomas Thompson of Epsom, man of color to Thomas D. Merrill of the
same Epsom, Merchant, a certain one story house standing in Epsom containing
two rooms with a brick chimney standing in or near the Center, said house now
stands on land owned by John Philbrick of said Epsom,
and the same house that I now live in.
R 199-154 May 23, 1810
Francis Locke of Epsom, yeoman to Thomas D. Merrill of Epsom,
trader, a parcel of land in Epsom bounded as follows: Beginning at an apple
tree near the main road and running north 22 degrees 39 minutes, east 13 rods 8
links thence north 65 degrees west 3 rods 13 links thence north 23 degrees 15
minutes, east 22 rods 16 links thence north 2 degrees 45 minutes, east ten rods
and 10 links, thence north 2 degrees 30 minutes, west 25 rods & 5 links
thence north 46 degrees 15 minutes, east 23 rods to a stake and stones; thence
south 56 degrees, east 34 rods to land owned by Simon A. Heath, thence north 32
degrees east on said Heath’s land 86 rods 11 links to the main road, thence
north 54 degrees west on the main road 10 rods and 7 links and to the bounds
first mentioned containing 14 acres.-Francis Locke and wife Mary Locke
relinquishing dower.
The above deed is from the son of Ephraim Locke, and may be the
land that became his home, which would be part of what is now the
The young women and girls usually went out for a stroll in the
graveyard just back of the church if the weather was favorable and then over to
squire Merrill’s shed to get a drink of cold water from the deep well.
James Babb also gives an account of an incident at Merrill's
store:
July 18, 1821
This morning about 2 o'clock, was called up by Richardson who said
some person was breaking open Mr. Merrill's store. Went over with Dr. and found
Mr. Steele forced the window open and the man in the store and when came out we
secured him and took him to Capt. Heath's. I went for Mr. M. He came with me to
the Store, went in and found 12/ missing from the draw which the follow give up
to Mr. Steele at Capt. Heath's. He says his same is Samuel Libbey,
that he is in his 21st year, that his parents are both dead,
that he belongs to
An unknown source gives the following
brief description of the property - "Another old store was at
From History of the Treman, Tremaine, Truman Family in
HON. THOMAS D. MERRILL. He was born in
There are no remnants of the property or buildings of Thomas D. Merrill's home
or business.
Benjamin Merrill, Liquor
License
Benjamin Merrill received a liquor license from the town of
Most of the deeds describe the property as follows:
A tract of land being part of
William Yeaton
3rd - Tavern Owner
Though a license for liquor was not
granted to William Yeaton until 1822, it is known the
tavern was in operation earlier, as it appears Epsom town records only show
those taverns that sold alcohol.
The book "On the road north of
Boston: New Hampshire taverns and turnpikes, 1700-1900" by the Garvins, there is a picture of the sign above with the
following caption - "Sign from the tavern of William Yeaton
(also spelled 'Yeton'), Epsom, N.H. 1813. This sign,
depicting a stylized sun, retains the style of the eighteenth century in ist turned side columns, high
curved pediment, and flame finial. The Yeaton tavern
stands at the intersection of the First New Hampshire Turnpike and a once-busy
local road leading from Deerfield to
In July of 1809, Ephraim Eastman sells to
Levi Mead buildings, including a house, barn and coopers shop to Levi Mead. The
buildings were erected about 1806 by John Godfrey, who ran a tavern at this
location on the intersection of the First New Hampshire Turnpike and
This William Yeaton
married Elizabeth 'Betsy/Betty" Ham on May 11, 1808. It was her father,
John Ham which sold the small lot on which the tavern is located, to John
Godfrey in May of 1805. He died in 1830 and is buried in the
George H. Yeaton
in his memoirs gives some background on the Yeaton
Tavern.
"William Yeaton
3rd was born in the year 1783 and died July 3, 1830, age 47 years. As a young
man he left his father's home on
"The original house at the four
corners is still standing, it is on the north side of
the turnpike at the corner of the
"The old colonial style house "Yeaton's Tavern" must have been built shortly after
the turnpike passed through Epsom, as it is of the style and construction of
the early 1800's. One of the Yeaton Tavern signs had
the date 1813 on it, another 1814. In the old Epsom town records we find that
William Yeaton 3rd was given a license from time to
time to keep Open Tavern in the town of
"This staunch old house with its wide
paneled double doors between two large rooms, where, when the were opened,
formed a spacious dance hall used by the guests at the Old Tavern for a night
of dancing, is still one of the old landmarks of Epsom, and if the old house could
talk they would tell us much of the history and the legends of those early
days; the gay parties, the romances, quarrels, business deals, political
discussions and plans, together with the births and deaths that took place
within its walls. The narrative would fill a large volume with interesting
reading."
"The old tavern with its other
buildings and large farm was in the William Yeaton
family for more than one hundred and fifty years. William Yeaton
3rd and his wife Betsey, together with many of their descendants are buried in the Yeaton family
cemetery nearby on the
"The old house block at the corner of
the house is still there. Anyone familiar with the old tavern could show you
where the wine cellar is located and which room was the 'tap' or 'bar
room'." A visit to the old cider mill just across the road, where in the
days long gone the horses walking in a large circle, turned the huge wooden
screw that ground the apples into pulp ready for the cider press."
"When the turnpike was completed abut
the year 1800, a toll gate was installed at the junction of the turnpike with
the
Family lore tells that the original house,
known as the 'Betty House' was the original building, and later where
The tavern stayed in the direct line of
the family until Phyllis LaClair,
Catherine Belanger and Theresa Yeaton sold
'the premises conveyed by William H. Yeaton to John
P. Yeaton' to Howard Saturley
in 1963. It was later sold to Philip S., Charles B. and Calvin B. Yeaton.
Jeremiah
Durgin, Open Tavern
Epsom town records show a license for an open tavern granted to
one Jeremiah Durgin in 1812 and 1813. There are no
records showing he owned any property and likely leased the business. The only Durgin families were from Northwood, and though Northwood
historian John Mark Moses discusses the Durgin
families of that town, there is no complete picture of the family.
In researching Jeremiah Durgin, a deed
appears in which members of the family of Samuel Durgin, release their claims
to part of the homestead to Jeremiah. This gives a good list of his siblings.
Rockingham County Deeds, 206-473 May
10, 1815
Jonathan Durgin of Barnstead, yeoman; David Durgin of New Durham, yeoman; John Durgin
of Middleton, yeoman; Samuel Durgin of Lee in the
County of Hancock in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, yeoman; Nathaniel Durgin of Northwood, yeoman; Joseph During of Northwood,
yeoman; Judith Welch, otherwise called Judith Cole of Northwood, spinster;
Benjamin Sherburne of Northwood, yeoman, in right of Nancy his wife, and Nancy
Sherburne, wife of the said Benjamin in her own right, for $411, paid by
Jeremiah Durgin of Northwood, yeoman, release and
quitclaim to Jeremiah Durgin one undivided half part
of all the land in said Northwood which was the homestead farm of Samuel Durgin, late of said Northwood, deceased, being the same
which he bought of Mehetable Burleigh and all the
right and claim in whcih we have unto said one
undivided half part of said farm by us herby conveyed.
Thus the children of Samuel and Maray (unknown Durgin) were:
Jonathan
David
John
Samuel
Nathaniel
Joseph
Judith (Welch and Cole)
Nancy (Sherburne)
Jeremiah
Knox & McCutcheon,
Liquor License
A license was granted to Knox and McCutcheon by the town of
James McCutheon shows paying poll tax,
but no property in 1815, and Robert Knox will follow shortly thereafter and run
a store and tavern. Robert Knox married in 1814, Polly Dole Cilley,
daughter of tavern owner Co. Daniel Cilley. James
McCutcheon was born in Pembroke, married in 1813, Hannah Tripp, and he later
became a minister.
Timothy Barnard, Liquor
License
The town of
Abram W. Marden,
Tavern & Liquor License
Nov. 7, 1818 liquor license
Dec. 13, 1819 liquor license at his store
July 23, 1821 public tavern and liquor license
Aug. 18, 1821 public tavern at his dwelling house and liquor
license at his store adjoining his house at
Aug. 22, 1823 liquor license at his store in Epsom
Mar. 9, 1824 as a tavern keeper and liquor license
Mar. 5, 1825 retailer of liquors and a tavern keeper
Mar. 11, 1826 open tavern
1827 for two dollars, open tavern license
Abraham W. Marden
lived in Epsom all his life, ran a successful store and tavern enterprise, yet
little is known about him. His parents are unknown, and despite even the
extensive research done by Sylvia Fitts Getchell in
her "Marden Family Genealogy", only
speculation about his place in the family is available. He appears in the Epsom
History database through the marriage of his grandson Charles B. to Tryphena Leighton. The 1830 census gives his age between 40
and 50, which would put his birth between 1780 and 1790. The same age range is
given for the 1840 Epsom census, putting his birth 1790 to 1800. Born about
1799, he died in Epsom Nov. 23, 1847 and was buried in a small family cemetery,
his death recorded by John Dolbeer having died Nov.
23, 1847 aged 48. He married in
It was speculated that perhaps he was the
son of James Marden and his wife Rachel Blake
Wallace, daughter of Abraham Wallace, but they married in 1802, a couple years
after the birth of Abram W..
He must have been an industrious youth, as
the first liquor license was granted to him in 1818, at the age of 20. It was
renewed in 1819, but the location is unknown. One possibility is he leased
He mortgages his property to Isaac Waldron
of
Abraham W. Marden of Epsom, trader alias
Inn Holder, to Wendell Marden of Epsom, a parcel of
land in Epsom that is part of the lot of land numbered 83 in the 3rd range of lots, to take its beginning at the southeast corner of that
tract of land that I purchased of Thomas Bickford as will appear by deed dated
July 10th, 1821, thence running northerly on Suncook old road to the
top of the back that descends down to Cider Brook ( so called) thence running
westerly carrying its full width from the road last mentioned to the top of the
bank of said brook, so far from said road as to contain ½ acre full and
complete, together with the buildings thereon. This deed to convey to Wendell
my
Abraham W. Marden
continues to receive licenses in 1826 and 1827, and likely beyond, though at a
different location. It would appear he followed his earlier practice of
erecting a tavern and store on property of others, in particular William Marden, as these new buildings, not any property, are sold
to William in a quitclaim deed in 1829 as follows:
I Abraham W. Marden of Epsom, trader, to
William Marden of Epsom, yeoman, all the buildings
which I now own in Epsom situated and standing on land owned by the said
William Marden, which buildings I now occupy as a
tavern stand and store, consisting of one dwelling house, one stable or barn,
one store and shed, all which is known by the name of the Marden
Tavern. A.W. Marden, Mary B. Marden.
Recorded June
4, 1834.
This property was probably in the area of
the current Epsom traffic circle, though the exact spot is still unknown. He
owned a home near the current Tim's Truck Capital off the Epsom circle where
the family plot is located. The property was at the current traffic circle, his son Philip C. Marden
is shown living in that location on the 1858 map of Epsom.
Abraham W. Marden erected the first
store on the site of what was commonly called
From deeds it is known that there were a house and barns, and
deeds mention also a store. William T. Jenness was
one of the longest proprietors of an establishment at
1853, William T. Jenness sells the
operation back to Nathaniel White, now of
1854, Nathaniel White sells the property to Theophilus
Wells. Wells, and his wife Lucy Critchett and family,
who live in the house, and lease to Joseph C. Cram of Deerfield, and
Josiah B. Cram of Pembroke "a store and also a shed adjoining said store
with the land in front adjoining said buildings to the highway" for twenty
years. In four years Theophilus sells the same to
Joseph and Josiah Cram, "a certain building situated at Jenness corner, so called in Epsom, formerly owned and
occupied by William T. Jenness, late of said Epsom as
a store, and the shed adjoining said store together with the under pinning of
the said buildings." He then sells them the store and shed adjoining the
store together with the under pinning of the buildings. Within four years the
house and land, less the store and horse head and the land on which the store
and shed stands and the land in front of the store, which was sold previously
to the Crams, was sold to Moses and Mehitable Critchett of Concord.
In 1859 the Critchets sell, less what
the Crams owned, to William Burnham of Epsom.
1860, William Burnham of Epsom sells the entire land and buildings
to George W. Swain, the Crams having moved the store to Allenstown and used as
a store by a Mr. Russ, where it later burned down. From this point, the next
owners ran the business out of the large house.
1865, George Swain sells to Horace G. Silver. A month later,
Horace Silver sells to Levi and Sally Robinson.
1867, Levi Robinson sells to Eben S.
Dutton of Epsom. In turn, 1869, the Dutton's sell to Arthur Tennant of
Deerfield, "a parcel of land with buildings thereon situated in Epsom on
the west side of the road leading from the Baptist Meeting house is said Epsom
to Allenstown (at the Jenness corner, so called)
containing 1 acre of land, bounded easterly by said road, southerly by the road
leading to the Grist Mill" the property enlarged to 1 acre with land from
George Sanders.
Arthur Tennant was from Deerfield, and died there, his family
buried in a family cemetery in
Moving on, James B. Tennant sold his
James B. Tennant of Concord to Warren Tripp of Epsom, a parcel of
land with the buildings thereon in Epsom bounded as follows: Commencing on the
westerly side of the highway leading from Epsom to Allenstown, at the south
east corner of land of heirs of John Spurling, late
of said Epsom, where the same is marked by a short piece of stone wall running
westerly from the westerly side of said highway, thence running westerly in a
line continuing the direction of said piece of wall, to land occupied by the
Suncook Valley Railroad, thence southerly by said land occupied by the Suncook
Valley Railroad to the highway leading from the New Rye District, so called, to
the Short Falls Grist Mill; thence easterly on said last mentioned highway to
the point where it intersects the first before mentioned highway; thence
northerly by said first mentioned highway to the point of beginning. The said
tract bought by me in two parcels, the first being from Sanders et al by deed
of April 26, 1870 (208-203) and the second from Arthur Tennant (217-500).
Also, another parcel of land on the northerly side of the highway
leading to Short Falls Grist Mill, and bounded by land of James W. Marden, and northerly and easterly by land of Warren Tripp,
to said highway, being a part of land I bought of J.C. and Wm. H. Smith by deed
Oct. 22, 1877 (239-101), excepting what I sold to Waldo G. Weeks and James W. Marden.
This deed is subject to the lease from said James B. Tennant to
Walter Tripp and James H. Tennant dated April 7, 1905 and renewed April 15,
1907, which lease with my rights, obligations thereunder
is hereby assigned and assumed by said Warren Tripp. – James B. and Ella M.
Tennant, relinquishes right of dower.
Walter H. Tripp, son of James Tripp and Sarah Moses, ran the store
until Warren Tripp sold it to Oliver C. Lombard in 1919.
George Robinson, Liquor
License
There was a large contingent of Robinson families at
John Chesley,
Tavern Owner
Dec. 13, 1819 open tavern
May 1, 1820 open tavern to March 1821
Apr. 2, 1821 open tavern to March 1822
Mar. 28, 1822 open tavern to Mar. 1823
Mar. 10, 1823 open tavern at his house in Epsom
Apr. 7, 1824 open tavern at his house
March 7, 1825 open tavern
Mar. 11, 1826 open tavern
John was the son of Lemuel and
Sarah (Randall) Chesley of Lee, and he married Feb.
27, 1797, Elizabeth Blake, daughter of Samuel and Sarah (Bickford) Blake. He bought
a small parcel of land from Samuel Blake, and in 1811 bought substantial parts
of the original home lots, shown in the deed below.
William Locke of Epsom, husbandman to John Chesley
of Epsom blacksmith, three 50 acres lots, being three of the home lots on the
northerly side of the main road leading from Epsom to Chichester,
the same land lying between land owned by Joseph Lawrence and land owned by Abner Blaisdel Junr., including all the buildings standing thereon.
Chesley likely ran his business from the
buildings already on the property, but the house pictured is from a later date,
as a newspaper report of 1831, describes the fire that destroyed the homestead:
1831 The dwelling house of Mr. John Chesley
was burnt just before the fourth of July in 1831. There is no doubt that the
fire was deliberate in nature. Fire had twice before been applied to Mr. Chesley’s barn and twice had gone out. The house was so
much on fire before it was discovered that only a small portion of furniture in
the front part was saved.
Fire struck the barns a decade later - from another newspaper
account:
1842 A barn belonging to Mr. Chesley was
burned March 29, 1842 along with about a dozen head of cattle. A person by the
name of Hoit was committed to prison under the charge
of setting it on fire. The youth, identified as 13 year old Samuel Hoyt, was
found guilty in September of that year and sentenced to one day solitary
confinement and three years hard labor in the State Prison.
The tavern hosted courts, caucuses, and on occasion, hosted the
town's Fourth of July festivities. Though he stayed on his homestead on Center Hill, he did buy at
auction Samuel Blake's farm in June of 1823. The home on Center Hill was
conveyed to his son Jonathan Steele Chesley, who in
turn passed the property to his son Walter who used it as a summer residence.
His daughter, Mary Chesley Oldfield was the last of
the family to own the home. The old house was later dismantled and moved to
John Campbell, Store Owner
John Campbell's connection is unknown. He married in 1816 Judith
Ann Kimball, and was in Epsom for the baptism of
a daughter, Lucia Ann in 1817. It is known he made several visits to Epsom, and
operated a store in or attached to the house of the widow Elizabeth McClary on Center Hill. James Babb in is diary writes that
John Campbell died of consumption in
Newbury records record the death, and the baptism of a son
John in August 1821 to the widow Judith Campbell. It is possible a son David
married an unknown Mary Goss in Epsom, April 20, 1819.
Fourth of July 1828 @ Yeaton Tavern
The Fourth of July was widely celebrated, and part of the rituals
of old was a gathering where toasts were exchanged. This from
the Epsom Celebration form 1828.
NH Patriot 7-28-1828
Fourth of July at Epsom.
The annual Fourth of July Celebration included the fine Light
Infantry company, commanded by Capt. Samuel Wells, met at the inn of Wm. Yeaton, jr. where a respectable
number of the democratic republicans assembled, and the following sentiments
were delivered accompanied by the discharge of musketry. Col. Daniel Cilley presided, and William Ham, jr.
was Toastmaster.
The day we celebrate. While it awakens gratitude in the hearts of
freeman, it speaks terror to the traitor and tyrant.
The heroes of the revolution. Their names breathe a sweet perfume.
These
Hon. Benjamin Pierce. The inflexible republican - all the
allurements of men in power, or the prospects of emolument of office, have
never turned him from the straight line of duty.
Hon. Levi Woodbury and Hon. Jonathan
Harvey. Bright constellations in the political horizon.
The Democratic Republicans.
"Firm, united let us be,
Rallying round old
As a band of brothers join'd."
Clay and Adams foes shall find.
John Q. Adams. Educated in the political school of his father,
feigned a change of politics, and made pretensions of attachment to the republican party, for no other purpose but to destroy the
effects of democratic policy. Eighteen hundred twenty-nine will, we trust, give
him leisure to reflect on his many transgressions.
Isaac Hill - Who has so eloquently reminded us not to withhold the
homage of grateful hearts from the sages and heroes of the revolution 0 his
services demand our gratitude and affection.
Gen. Andrew Jackson. A republican in principles, in feelings and
manners;
"Like the Eagle will soar on high,
Above the sphere where Vultures fly"
Amalgamation and Coalition. May they sink, with John the second to
rise no more.
Epsom Light Infantry. Descendants of the hardy yeomanry; should
their services be required, they would neither prove
The Fair. May the never yield their hearts to those
who are unwilling to defend them from the battle cry of "beauty and
booty."
VOLUNTEERS.
By Mr. S. Whitney. Hon. Samuel Bell. For the false
information he gave last March may he drive a hearse loaded with the six coffin
handbills.
By Capt. B.L. Locke. Death to a federal
Administration - annihilation to amalgamation - and prosperity to our nation.
By Mr. S. Lear. Richard Bartlett,
present Secretary of State; the political weather cock. May he feel the
influence of the word of the royal psalmist applied to Judas Iscariot -
"let his days be few, and his office let another take."
By Mr. Perkins Philbrick, jr. Gov. Bell - a traitor to the federal party: a deceiver
of the republican part; may he, and those who raised him to office, be
considered as mean as the Hillsborough Bills; and may the republicans of New
Hampshire, at the next election, Pierce him to the heart.
By Mr. William Yeaton, jr.
By a citizen. Ichabod
Bartlett - The little Bullfrog of New Hampshire: may he never beget another
brood of twaddlers.
By Capt. B.L. Locke. William Pickering, who has lost his
office by being a man of integrity: may he be chosen
to the office of an Elector.
By R. Knox, Esq. Gov. Pierce. He carries with him into his present
retirement the proud consciousnesses of unsullied integrity.
By Mr. S. Whitney. The pitch pine Judge: as fit for a
Senator as Judas was for a disciple.
By Benvoli Sandborn. John Q. Adams; the present idol of the federal party, a traitor
to the republicans: who robbed the public treasury to secure an office for
himself; may his double salaries, double outfits, billiard tables and Indian
portraits, be long remembered by the democratic republicans: may his agents,
paid out of the treasury, who circulated the coffin handbills and other
infamous lines to defame the character of Gen. Andrew Jackson, have place in
history, and be read by our children, and children's children to the last
generation.
By William Ham, jr.
By a citizen. Thomas Whipple, jr. A political Juda,
who sold his birth right for a mess of pottage.
By a citizen. The Toastmaster.
Though modest and unassuming, fears not the threats of aspiring demagogues.
By Perkins Philbrick, jr. The President of the day - son
of the late Gen. Joseph Cilley, the only remaining
one who has never been swerved by the prospects of office, and who has remained
true to the pure republican principles, so strictly adhered to by his venerable
father.
James Babb, Store Owner
Mar 10, 1820 liquor license for store
Aug. 25, 1821 to retail spirituous liquors and wine
at his store adjoining to the house of Eliza McClary
one year from this dateMar. 8, 1823 liquor license for less than 1
pint at store
Mar. 6, 1824 liquor license for store less than 1 pint
Mar. 25, 1826 liquor less than one pint at his store in Epsom
James Babb kept extensive diaries, most are lost, but between the
New Hampshire Historical Society and the UNH special collections, there exist
those which cover September 18, 1819 to November 1, 1821 and June 16, 1822 to
October 19, 1823. At the time the known diaries begin, James is already
boarding and operating a store at the residence of the widow of James H. McClary,
James Babb was born in Epsom January 11, 1794 to Captain Thomas
Babb and his second wife, Sarah Blake. He married in Northwood, August 24,
1825, Susan Smith Mead, daughter of Levi Mead. Together they had 6 known
children. Around 1828 he moved to Lynn, MA.,
where he was a 'trader' and 'merchant'. He died in
Early Taverns - Description
and Function
Donna-Belle Garvin and James L. Garvin wrote a wonderful book in
1988, last published by the University Press of New England, titled "On
the Road North of
The excerpts:
"The first step in seeking a tavern license was a petition,
often to the governor (or lieutenant governor) and Council, explaining the need
for a tavern and the applicant’s qualifications as a tavernor. The next step was approval by the town
selectmen, both for the initial license and the necessary annual renewal.
Competition for licenses could be intense, since provincial law set a maximum
number to be granted for any town. As late as the 1820’s, this tradition of
strict governmental regulation limited the average number of taverns in
The tavern played a special role in relation to the unheated
meetinghouses of the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. People
attending Sunday services or town meetings needed warmth and refreshment, and
the licensing of a tavern near the meetinghouse was seen
as essential. The tavern filled many roles in addition to those required by
law. As a building open to all and visited by many, the tavern was a natural
place for the exchange of information, for formal and informal meetings, and
for business contacts with the wider world. Expanding on their natural role as
delivery points for the mails, many taverns doubled as post offices. The tavern
barroom often served as a community bulletin board, either by custom or by vote
of the town meeting. The tavern also provided a temporary office for itinerant
officials such as probate judges, or for businessmen whose affairs were spread
throughout
To accommodate the public and fulfill the functions assigned to it
by law, the tavern required a few special features. The tavern needed a place
to mix and sell liquors. This could range from a simple closed to a bar of
impressive opulence. The tavern needed a place to prepare and serve food. This
could be nothing more than a farmhouse kitchen or could be a dining room
seating over a hundred. The tavern needed beds for the traveler. These could
range from bearskins spread before a fireplace to luxurious feather beds in
private rooms. To take its place as a political and social center, the tavern
needed a hall for meetings and dances. This could be nothing more than a
finished attic, or could be an imposing ballroom with a platform for speakers
and musicians and with adjacent retiring rooms. Since bathing was rare until
the nineteenth century, most travelers did not expect bathrooms wither in home
or tavern. The tavern was home to beast as well as man, and the well-appointed
tavern lavished much on the shelter of animals. Tavern yards were also prized
assets, often including large fenced lots for impounding animals being driven
to market."
Capt. Abel Brown, Inn Keeper
Mar. 29, 1820 public house
Mar. 7, 1823 (Lieut) open tavern at house
where he now lives
Mar. 11, 1826 open tavern
1827 for two dollars, open tavern license
Abel Brown was the son of Levi and
Capt. Locke's estate was passed down to his children and widow,
and was sold in 1820 by the widow, Daniel E. Locke and the other heirs to
Abel and his wife. The estate was on the turnpike and included land on both
sides of the road. On the south side were several mills, and the homestead was
on the north side of the turnpike, the original tavern of Capt. Samuel Locke.
The south side saw and grist mill privileges were sold in part to Jeremiah
Prescott and John Ham Jr., and later some of the property, some 46 acres to
John Ham Jr.
In 1828, Abel Brown of Epsom, alias Inn Holder, sold a one
undivided half of a blacksmith shop to Robert Knox,
the shop located "a few rods easterly of my house, viz. Inn." From
the "NH Militia Officers 1820-1850" by Lanzendorf,
it is learned that Major Abel Brown was promoted Lt. Col. in June of 1823,
Colonel in June of 1825, and discharged the following year.
A deed of 1838 places Abel Brown in
Just where Abel Brown resided after selling the tavern remains
unknown, as there is no record of his death or burial.
Ebenezer Gove died not long after purchasing the inn, and his wife
Nancy sold most of the property to Benjamin L. Locke, and a small portion to
Joseph J. Moses which became the site of the Congregational Meeting house.. Locke may have rented the property, but
kept the land when he sold the house and one acre to
Abraham Swain in 1849. In 1853 Abraham Swain sold the same land conveyed to him
by B.L. Locke to George M. Swain, their relationship unknown. At this point the
description changes, with the parsonage house likely just north of the main
house. George sold the tavern to speculators John Langley and John S. Cate who sold the house to Dr. Leonard W. Peabody, whereby
a succession of Doctors occupied the premises, including Sullivan A. Taylor,
Albion H. French, William F. Wallace and Roscoe E. Hill. Dr. Hill sold in
1920 to A.J. Yeaton, in whose family it still
remains.
Gove & Woodman, Liquor
License
The building the store was in was sold to Michael McClary of Epsom by Mark French, after he had sold it
previously to John B. Girard, confectioner of
Friday Apl. 14,
1820
Messrs Woodman and Gove (who have hired Cilley's
store and pay 75$ rent) moved their goods into it - understood they purchased
their goods of Jonathan Smith of
Wednesday July 12, 1820
Gove and Woodman who have been trading near D. Cilley's
three months ( 13 inst) failed this day- had their property all attached and
removed from the store & their books assigned to Bradbury Cilley & put into Mr. Steele's office for collection.
And they made themselves scarce with a wagon and two horses ~ the demands
principally are against people who cannot pay.
They were unacquainted with doing business & have probably purchased at
a high rate a severe lesson in the School of experience ~ may they learn wisdom
thereby ~
So for four months this store was in operation by John Gove and
Lewis Woodman. Nothing more is known of the pair.
John Batchelder,
Store Owner
The lot that this building stands on was common land sold to
Samuel Bickford in 1765 and sold by heirs of Samuel Bickford to John Batchelder, at the time with no buildings. Looking at
the progression of deeds it can be seen that when buys the property from
Thomas Bickford it includes a 1/4 acre previously purchased, and that Batchelder already has a store on the property, mentioned
as one of the bounds. The corner of the 1/4 acre and the store are both
mentioned as the southeast corner. It would appear John Batchelder
built the house on the corner of
Town of Epsom, selectmen Ephraim Locke, George Wallace, John McClary for the sale of the common and undivided lands, to
Samuel Bickford, yeoman, the whole of the lot No. 3 where the said Samuels
house ___ or by the plan of the same lot doth or may appear reference thereunto
being had.
Thomas Bickford of Epsom, tanner, to John Batchelder
of Epsom, trader
A certain tract of land in Epsom, the same being part of the
Estate of the late Samuel Bickford of said Epsom, deceased – beginning at a
white oak tree marked standing by the side of New Orchard Road (so called)
thence running westerly by the Orchard fence and the same course to a stake and
stones at the range; thence southerly by said range to a stake and stones at
the Turnpike Road to the southeast corner of said Batchelder’s
store, thence northerly by said New Orchard Road to the bounds first mentioned.
In this tract is included one quarter of an acre which said Batchelder
bought of Col. J.H. McClary in March 1806 and took a
deed from said Thomas Bickford for the same it being at the southeast corner of
the said tract where said Batchelder now lives, the
same containing ten acres be the same more or less. – Thomas Bickford. [no copy of the J.H. McClary deed
to Batchelder found]
John Batchelder of Epsom to Richard
Webster Jr. of Rye, a parcel of land in Epsom the same being part of the estate
of the late Samuel Bickford of said Epsom deceased - beginning at a white oak
tree standing by the side of New Orchard Road (so called) thence running
westerly by the Orchard fence and the same course to the range to a bound;
thence by the east side of said range southerly to the turnpike road, thence by
said turnpike road to New Orchard Road, above mentioned; thence by the west
side of said road northerly to the bounds first mentioned, said tract contains
14 acres be the same more or less with the buildings thereon. – John and Martha
Batchelder
John Batchelder lived most of his life
in Epsom and was the son of Nathan Batchelder and
Elizabeth Page, born in Kensington in 1761. His father died in 1765, and his
mother married as her second spouse Francis Locke (1724-1787) of Epsom, his
first wife having died about 1760. John Batchelder
was raised in Epsom by his mother and step-father, and was a Revolutionary War
veteran, applying for a pension in 1838 while living in
Robert Knox, Tavern Owner
The town of
Apr. 8, 1822 open tavern at house and out buildings
Apr. 4, 1823 open tavern at house and out buildings
Apr. 6, 1824 open tavern at house and out buildings
Apr. 9, 1825 wine and liquor license in his store
Mar. 13, 1826 liquor license
1827 for two dollars, open tavern license
Robert Knox (1789-1850) married Dec. 1, 1814, Polly Dole Cilley, daughter of Col. Daniel Cilley
and Hannah Plumer. He was in business a short time
with James McCutheon, with that partnership dissolved
in 1814. He had for children, Mary Dole Cilley Knox
who married Asa Fowler; Sally C. Knox who died young;
Sarah Knox who married Lewis Lillie; Robert W. Knox; and Eliza Jane Knox, who
married Joseph Dewey Bristol. At the time of his death in 1850, according to a
The lot that this building stands on was common land sold to
Samuel Bickford in 1765. The progression of deeds is as follows:
Richard Webster gentleman to Alexander Salter, a parcel of land in
Epsom bounded at the turnpike road at the mouth or entrance of New Orchard Road
(so called) thence running on said Turnpike westerly as said turnpike runs to
the range; thence northerly on said range to New Orchard Road aforesaid; thence
southerly on said New Orchard road to the bounds first mentioned, containing 20
acres more or less. [No buildings mentioned]
Alexander Salter of Epsom yeoman to Robert Knox of Epsom, yeoman, , a parcel of land in Epsom bounded at the turnpike road
at the mouth or entrance of New Orchard Road (so called) thence running on said
Turnpike westerly as said turnpike runs to the range; thence northerly on said
range to New Orchard Road aforesaid; thence southerly on said New Orchard road
to the bounds first mentioned, containing 20 acres more or less. [No buildings
mentioned] Wife Anna Salter relinquishes dower rights.
John Wallace from Asa Fowler, wife of
said Asa in the right of said Mary; Robert W. Knox,
Sarah Knox and Eliza Lane Knox, all of Epsom, heirs of Robert Knox late of said
Epsom, deceased, a certain tract or parcel of land with the buildings thereon
bounded as follows: Beginning at the Turnpike road at the entrance of the New
Orchard Road (so called) thence running on said turnpike westerly as said
turnpike runs to the range, thence southerly on said range to the New Orchard
road aforesaid, thence southerly by said New Orchard road to the first
mentioned bounds containing twenty acres, being the same premises conveyed to
the late Robert Knox by Alexander Salter by deed dated June 5, 1818, recorded
Rockingham records 217-401, excepting and reserving from said tract a house lot
off the southwest corner conveyed by the late Robert Knox to Albon Perkins, and the town house lot by the late Robert
Knox to the town of Epsom, both said reserved lots lying upon the Portsmouth
Turnpike - also the carriage house and land on which the same is situate being
upon the southerly side of said Turnpike road in said Epsom directly opposite
the dwelling house on the first ascribed tract, the land on which said carriage
house is situate being believed to have been conveyed to Robert Knox by the
late Abel Brown.
1864, Arthur C. Locke from John Wallace;
1888, Otis W. Gove from Daniel L. Locke, heir of Arthur C. Locke,
all real estate inherited from my father and Lizzie Locke from Otis W. Gove of
Pittsfield (same day);
1889, Maurice C. Philbrick from Lizzie
L. Locke (3 pieces, 1 with buildings)
Late in life he was appointed postmaster, but apparently not
without controversy, as cited in local newspaper accounts:
NH Patriot 10-16-1845
Robert Knox Jr. has been appointed Postmaster at
NH Patriot 10-23-1845
"The State paper can point out the 'individual distinguished' or
otherwise, who has effected the removal of Gen. Locke living beyond the limits
of Epsom." – Hill's print.
"The "State paper" can do no such thing. The reckless
falsifier who conducts the 'Great Corporation Advocate,' state that 'probably'
the removal was effected 'at the instance' of Col. Pierce. We are authorized to
say that Col. Pierce has exerted no influence, directly or indirectly, in
relation to the removal and appointment of postmaster at Epsom. No man in
Concord, to our knowledge, had the least thing to do with the removal of Gen.
Locke. We did not know that any effort was made for his removal, till the
notice of the removal was sent to us for publication. Hill must hunt up another
'clique' to hold answerable for Gen. Locke's removal, and other removals of
which he complains.
His newspaper obituary:
NH Patriot 5-9-1850 ROBERT KNOX
At Epsom, April 28, of strangulated hernia, after an illness of but four
days, Robert Knox, Esq., eldest son of the late William Knox of Pembroke, aged
61. Appointed Deputy Sheriff for Rockingham in 1818, he had held the office for
that county and
Nathaniel K. Badger, Liquor
License
James Babb in his diary also mentions a Leander Badger. Nathaniel
and Leander were sons of Thomas and Abigail (Bennett) Badger. Thomas resided
primarily in
Of the children of Samuel and Susannah were:
Thomas who married 1823 Mary Goss, daughter of Daniel and Alice
(Locke) Chapman, who a son Daniel G. who died age 20 in Epsom,
unmarried and buried in the
Susan Churhill
Badger who married Simeon C. Goss, son of Daniel and Alice (Locke) Chapman. He died in 1846 and his buried in the
Deeds [Rockingham 176-321] show Nathaniel Treadwell of
A second deed [Rockingham 217-338] of February 1818, Joseph Allen
of Epsom, Windsor chair maker sells to William Badger of
George W. Marden, Store Owner
DOPKINS (Henry) and MARDEN (Geo. W.) Nov. 18, 1822 liquor
license for store in Epsom.
MARDEN, George W., Nov. 3, 1823 as agent for Sandyman
B. Marden liquor for his store in Epsom.
Nothing is known as to location, and there are no deeds indicating
any ownership or property. The Mardens,
as seen by early records of Abraham W. Marden, and
Wendell Marden, during this period, where in the
January 29, 1823 Wednesday - The Marshal was d___k this evening. Had been to Dopkins & Mardens.
July 15, 1823 Tuesday -Vendue (auction) of Dopkins
and Marden's Goods.
So the enterprise between the two ended in July 1823, but George
W. Marden, by himself, received a license in November
of the same year, as agent for one Sandyman B. Marden, for his Epsom store.
There is no other mention of Henry Dopkins
in Epsom, nor has any other record of him been found. George W. Marden is also a mystery, as is Abraham W. Marden, a taverner in Epsom. No parents for either has been found. Connected with them
through deeds is a Wendell Marden, buried in the
small
It would seem that there should be a connection between these four
Mardens. The leading research on the family is the
"Marden Family Genealogy" of Sylvia Fitts Getchell, of which appear the following exceprts:
Page 256 - Sandyman Barrell Marden of
Page 259 - Perhaps
these deeds (transactions between Abraham W. and Wendell) reference to
Wendell's ownership of a store do confirm the suggestion that Geo. W. and
Wendell same man? A George W. Marden appears on
original Epsom Tax list 1824. However, Wendell Marden
appears original Epsom Tax lists 1824-1825.
The fact that both a George W. and a Wendell both appear on tax
lists in 1824, would seem to indicate two different individuals.
Abraham (Abram) W. Marden is tentatively
based in a different Marden line (as opposed to
Wendell's parents, William and Polly) as a possible son of James and Rachel
Blake (Wallace) Marden. James was the son of James Marden and Sarah Worth, born about 1779 - his wife,
daughter of Abraham Wallace and his wife Hepzibah
Blake. James and Rachel married July 8, 1802 in Epsom.
Page 291 - The only reason
for placing Abraham W. Marden as a possible son of
James & Rachel B. (Wallace) Marden is that he was
perhaps named for Rachel's father Abraham Wallace. However, Abraham was also a
name used in the Wendell family of
It should be pointed out (see earlier blog on Abraham W. Marden) that he was, based on age of death, likely born in
1799, and that James and Rachel B. (Wallace) Marden
married in July 1802, which would pretty much discount his being their son.
Unfortunately, others without any other research, have
continued this placement.
Simeon D. Johnson, Store
Owner
In the US Census for Epsom during this period, the first to
appear is Stephen Johnson in 1820, with a family of 4 males under 10 and one
female under 10, along with his wife. That would have all his children born
between 1810 and 1820. Stephen is not in Epsom 1830, but Samuel is, with his wife
and one female between age 15 and 20.
Deeds indicate that Stephen Johnson, already of Epsom, buys from
Isaac Osgood in November of 1811, land in Epsom, part of lots 24 and 25 in the
first range, to contain 80 acres, and one quarter interest of the saw mill
commonly called McClary's Mill. This corresponds to
the 80 for which he was taxed in 1815. However that same year, in November
1815, he sells 30 acres and 1/24th part of the Mill privilege to William H.
Dickey, which corresponds to the land he was taxed on in 1825.
Samuel Johnson resided in Deerfield and came to Epsom about 1823
when he buys
Samuel Johnson, known as Deacon Samuel, was born in Northwood, NH
Sept. 8, 1774 son of Moses Johnson, and married September 23, 1802,
Catherine Ham, daughter of Joseph Ham and Mary Peverly.
They are both buried in the
The only Simeon D. Johnson found in the US Census is in
Whitney and Goss, Tavern
License/Store
In 1824 a license was granted by the Town of
WHITNEY (Samuel) and GOSS (John)
May 13, 1824 to keep tavern in Epsom
WHITNEY, Samuel
1827 for two dollars, open tavern license
Samuel Whitney was also known to keep a store at
The building housing this tavern and store at
Merrimack County Deeds 1-550, May 8,
1824
James McCutcheon of Epsom to Samuel Whitney, blacksmith of Concord and John
Goss, husbandman of Epsom, a parcel of land in Epsom part of lot No. 83 in the
3rd range beginning on the highway leading from Epsom to Allenstown about 6
feet north westerly from the northwesterly corner of said James M. McCutcheon's
house, and to run about easterly 8 rods to the corner of the wall, thence
southerly about rods to the corner of the wall, thence westerly as the wall
runs to the highway, thence by the highway to the bounds first mentioned, to
contain all the land within said bounds being about 1/3 part of an acre
together with the buildings thereon. James McCutheon and wife Hannah, relinquishing dower.
Samuel Whitney sells the same land and buildings to John Goss in 1824, who
sells it back to Samuel Whitney in 1828. John Goss at the time was of
The relationship between John Goss and Samuel Whitney is through Samuel's wife
Abigail Goss. Both John Goss, who married Eliza H. Wallace (daughter of Joseph
C. and Betsey Wallace) in 1827, and Abigail Goss, are children of Samuel Goss
and Abigail Lucas.
John Goss and his wife both died in
Samuel and Abigail had at least two children, and two daughters, Emeline and Harriett, married twin brothers William P. and
Jonathan L. Cilley, children of Col. Daniel and
Hannah Cilley. One son, Charles, married Lydia Newhall,
and he died fairly young in 1849 and is buried in the
Jeremiah Prescott, Liquor
License
A liquor license was granted to Jeremiah Prescott by the town of
Jeremiah Prescott was the fourth generation of the name who
married April 13, 1815, Betsy Chesley, who had
previously married James Moses, who died 5 years into the marriage. One
daughter of James and Betsy survived, Hannah Parker Moses, who married Benjamin
Lovering Locke, who operated a tavern across the
street from the
Jeremiah Prescott bought land from John Ham Jr., which was bought
from Abel Brown, which was part of the estate of Samuel Locke, also a tavern
keeper.
Benj. L. Locke - Tavern
Owner
The town of Epsom records shows a license to keep an open tavern
in 1827. It is unknown where this tavern was in 1827, but deeds show the
following purchase:
Abel Brown of Epsom alias Innholder, to
Benjamin Lovering Locke of Epsom, gentleman,
A lot of land on the northerly side of the Turnpike road in said
Epsom nigh the intersection of that road and the old Deerfield road and nigh
Browns Mills, so called, the whole containing one half acre - also another lot ot land adjoining the above lot containing 200 square feet.
Abel Brown with wife Betsey relinquishing right of dower.
This same year, according to Benjamin L. Locke's obituary, he
built the Suncook House in Epsom, and was its landlord for 32 years. During
this time he aquired much of the land in the area of
Epsom called 'Slab City' including the Abel Brown tavern and lands of the late
Nathan and Abigail Libbey. In addition to dealing in
real estate, he was a farmer and postmaster.
By deed (
Benjamin Lovering Locke was a General in
the
The Town of
3-12-1839
The tavern house of Mr. Dearborn Batchelder,
of
Exactly where the tavern set in somewhat questionable, but it was
on the south side of the turnpike road (so called) nearly across from the old
Knowles store. The land was bought from Jeremiah Prescott in 1831, as Prescott,
a tanner of Meredith sold to Dearborn Batchelder,
also of Meredith, about 4 acres 'with all the buildings erected on the same' of
which one was used as a store by Jeremiah Prescott. It likely was that building
which was used as a tavern. What makes it difficult to pinpoint where on the
property the tavern was located, is that according to the 1858 map there were
four buildings on the south side of the turnpike commencing where the road from
Center Hill intersected the Turnpike (see map above). The house on the corner
does not appear to be of a style suitable for a tavern, and may be the rebuilt
tavern from after the fire. The adjacent house to the left does not appear by
the 1892 map, but was the homestead of Dearborn and son Samuel B. in 1858,
making it also a possible site for the tavern.
Though
THE BATCHELDER FAMILY OF EPSOM NH
of the
By George H. Yeaton
Dearborn Batchelder
born in the year March 30, 1778 died February 16, 1860, age 81 years, 11
months. Mary Batchelder, his wife born about the year 1782, died
February 13, 1859, age 77 years. Both are buried in the
Dearborn Batchelder, who was born in
Northwood, NH married Polly Nealy, born in Meredith, N.H.. Their son George W. Batchelder
was born in Meredith and died in Epsom march 26, 1889, age 73 years, 5 mo. 19
days. He married Abigail B. Wells who died December 14, 1881, aged 69 years.
They are both buried in the
Alonzo married second Laura Abbie Haynes
of Deerfield, NH, the daughter of Jonathan P. Haynes and his wife Abbie Maloon. Laura A. (Haynes) Batchelder died at Epsom December 17, 1947, age 80 yrs 1 mo
10 days. She was born in Bedford, her father in
Alonzo Batchelder died January 3, 1905,
age 61 years.
By his first wife he had two daughters. First, Hattie L., born
1870 married October 18, 1888 Albert D. Sherburne, the son of James M. and Lucy
(Bickford) Sherburne of Epsom.
Albert D. and Hattie L. Sherburne had one
daughter named Nellie Florence born April 23, 1889, not married at this date,
July 1963.
Hattie L. Sherburne died October 13, 1932 age 62 yrs 8 mo 20 days. Albert
D. Sherburne died October 19, 1947 age 82 yrs 4 mo 23 days.
The second daughter of Alonzo and Carrie (Page) Batchelder, Myrtie E., born January
16, 1873, married Clarence H. Sanborn, who was born March 29, 1875 and died
March 21, 1943. He was son of Henry M. Sanborn and his wife Laura J. Brown of
The third child of George W. Batchelder
and his wife Abigail B. (Wells) Batchelder was a son
named Orison Batchelder, born 1838 and died December
13, 1884 age 46 yrs 4 mo 21 days. He married Ann Marie Clark who died January
24, 1917 at
The fourth child of George W. and Abigail B. (Wells) Batchelder, a son, Charles Batchelder,
who lived in Pittsfield, NH.
The fifth, a son name Elbridge G. Batchelder,
who was born in 1842 and died May 15, 1884, age 42 yrs. He served in the
Civil War, Eleventh
Elbridge G. and Vienna R. Batchelder had
for children; first a son born in the year 1866, died September 26, 1932, age
66 yrs, name George E. Batchelder. He married on June
4, 1888 Nettie A. Stewart, the daughter of Alanson Stewart and his wife Mary
(Carleton) Stewart. Nettie A. Batchelder was born
September 24, 1869 and died December 18, 1939, age at death 70 yrs 2 mo 24
days. They had children – Leonard Stewart, born June 12, 1893.
1) Leonard Stewart Batchelder married
August 12, 1925, Sarah Blanch Harvey of Northwood, NH, the daughter of Ladd P.
Harvey and wife Mary F. Mallard.
2) Percy Carleton, born December 23, 1896, married July 29, 1922,
Gladys Pickard
3)
The second child of Elbridge G. and
Abigail B. Wells, wife of George W. Batchelder was born in Allenstown,
In the McClary Cemetery there is buried
Charles N. Batchelder, who died December 20, 1840,
aged 22.
Samuel Batchelder died March 7, 1891,
age 66 y 5m 6 days
Keziah White, his wife, died April 27, 1911, age
72 yrs 8 mo 12 days.
Adaline Batchelder,
wife of Darius Philbrick died February 16, 1895, born
Sept. 25, 1818.
William Yeaton, born July 29, 1793
married Sarah Blake Locke, the daughter of Simeon Locke, his wife Abigail
(Blake) Locke. She was born March 28, 1801.
William Yeaton and Sarah Blake Locke
were married December 28, 1825.
Simeon Locke was the first of the three Locke brothers who settled
on Locke’s Hill in Epsom.
In the year 1792 his brother David Locke came and in the year 1800
Levi Locke came.
Israel R. Chesley, born 1815 (son of
Rev. Israel and Betsey (Folsom) Chelsey) bought a
dwelling house in Epsom from Robert Knox in 1841, excepting 'that portion of
the turnpike road which said house covers' it being land the said Knox bought
of Abel Brown. A few months later, according to a deed of 1841, he buys a lot
of land from Benjamin L. Locke adjacent to 'the store now occupied by the said Chesley & Company.' On the same date he mortgaged to
B.L. Locke the land and the store or buildings thereon.
The store building is not longer standing, and was just west of
the former residence of Jim and Hazel Steele.
Abraham
D. Swain, Store Owner
Benjamin L. Locke bought out the store of Israel R. Chesley, and on the same day, September 4, 1845, sold it to
Abraham D. and William A. Swain of
Meanwhile, Abel Brown had sold his tavern to Ebenezer Gove, and
after his death, his widow Nancy, sold it to Benjamin L. Locke. Prior
to the sale to Locke, Nancy Gove sold part of the lot in 1845 to Joseph J.
Moses which becomes the parsonage, sheds and Congregational Church lot. Locke,
keeps all the back land, and sells one acre with the buildings thereon, to
Abraham D. Swain on March 29, 1849 (Merrimack Deeds 96-514). It appears
that Abraham D. Swain also mortgaged the property by deed to Ephraim Locke Jr.
on March 6, 1849, and transferred to Swain December 3, 1853. With the property
free and clear, the one acre with land and buildings was sold by Abraham D.
Swain to George W. Swain. It is not clear whether either Swain used the
building as a functioning tavern.
M 117-416 December 3, 1853
Abraham D. and Margaret K. Swain to George W. Swain,
A certain tract of land bounded southerly by the turnpike road, so
called, west and north of land now of Samuel Batchelder,
east by a line running southwesterly from the southeast corner of said Batchelder’s land and the same course as the line between
the said Batchelder and B.L. Locke to the north end
of the horse shed lot belonging to Jeremiah G. Marden,
being the northerly lot of sheds on the westerly side of the lot of land
attached to and belonging to the Congregational Meeting-house, thence by the
westerly side of the said shed lots and on the same course to the said turnpike
toad, containing one acre, being the same land conveyed to Abraham D. Swain
March 29, 1849, Lib. 96-574.
The deeds for the properties mention three Swains, Abraham D.,
William A., and George W., and the family was from
Abraham D. Swain married Almira Eaton in
1826 and had two children, Abraham O., born 1837 and Almira
about 1840. He is already of Epsom in the 1840 census having bought in 1836
George
W. Swain, Tavern & Store Owner
George W. Swain bought the Abel Brown/Ebenezer Gove tavern on the
1860, William Burnham of Epsom sells the entire land and buildings
at Short Falls corner to George W. Swain, where the Crams, having moved the
adjacent store on the property to Allenstown where it was used as a store by a
Mr. Russ and later burned down. A store was operated out of the main house, and
possibly was done so by George W. Swain. In1865, George Swain sells to Horace
G. Silver, and a month later, Horace Silver sells it to Levi and Sally
Robinson. Swain bought multiple properties in Epsom. He was born in
William Sanders, father of Mary C. died in 1865, her husband
George in 1869. A relative, Albert L. Sanders, bought the old Chesley store, formerly owned by Abraham D. Swain in 1880
and sold it to Mary C. in February 1881. Mary C. Swain sold the house to Emma
J. Chase in 1898. She died December 22, 1906, some 37 years after her husband.
John & son J. M.
Griffin, Store Owner
John Griffin and Aaron B. Grant, both of
Epsom bought the homestead and store of Thomas D. Merrill in January of 1849.
The area is divided by the burying ground (the old section of the
M 117-36 December 13, 1851
WE John Griffin Jr. and David M. Knowles of Epsom to John Wells of
Epsom,
A certain tenement or house situated in Epsom aforesaid
being about 20 feet square one story high, being that part of the old store
formerly owned by Thomas D. Merrill and by him fitted up for said Wells to live
in and in which he now resides.
John M. Griffin and Abigail Griffin, along with John's wife Emily,
in 1866 sell the majority of the farm to Hiram A. Holmes, and part of the land
east of the cemetery, less the 1/2 acre store lot, to Andrew J. Hall. The
portion with the house was sold by Joseph Lawrence to John C. Hall in 1859,
which was occupied by John C. Hall's son James. They likely rebuilt the old
John Wells house. This house and land was sold to Andrew J. Hall in 1864.
The Hall's sold the combined house and lots to Horace Robinson who
in turn sold it in 1869 to Daniel Clough.
Joseph Lawrence continued to own the small 1/2 acre store lot, and
in 1870 sold that property to Daniel Clough, who now owned the complete lot and
land east of the cemetery. His heirs, Rosilla Clough
Heath, wife of Christopher Heath, passed the property to their daughter R.
Estelle Heath and her husband Charles Hall, who used the old store as a cobbler
shop. Their son Roland Hall was the last of the family on the property.
Daybook
1857 of J. & J.M. Griffin
The Daybook (ledger) of John Griffin and son John M. Griffin is
part of a private collection. The ledger uses about 1/3 of available pages,
using 137, of the book which measures 13 1/2 x 9 1/2 and almost 3 inches thick.
It is in very good condition. From the names included, it appears to have been
a profitable venture.
Appleton, Thomas
Babb, Philip
Babb, William P.
Batchelder, Dearborn
Batchelder, George W.
Bickford, Daniel C.
Bickford, Mrs. William
Bickford, Nathan
Brown, Charles
Brown, Charles J.
Brown, David
Brown, Newell
Brown, Samuel Jr.
Brown, Widow Nancy
Burnham, Joseph W.
Buzzell, Mrs.
Cass, Henry O.
Cate, John
Chesley, John
Chesley, Jonathan S.
Clark, James M.
Clark, John C.
Clough, Charles
Cofran, Charles
Curtis, Thomas
Dearborn, Richard C.
Dennett, John R.
Dickey, David Jr.
Dickey, Robert O.
Dowst, Oseum
Eaton, Elisha
Estabrook, A.G.
Evans, Reuben
Fellows, John
Fogg, Enoch
Fogg, Jeremiah
Fogg, Widow Uriah
Frost, Meserve
Giles, John B.
Giles, Perly G.
Goodhue, E.H.
Goss, Daniel
Gove, Elijah
Grant, Andrew M.
Grant, John
Grant, William T.
Griffin, David
Griffin, John
Griffin, Nathan
Hall, Charles H.
Hall, John C.
Hall, Lemuel
Haynes, Caleb B.
Heath, A.M.
Heath, Benjamin C.
Heath, John M.
Hoyt, Morrill
James, Timothy B.
James, W.H.H.
Lamprey, Charles
Langley, Josiah D.
Lawrence, Joseph
Lawrence, Joseph Jr.
Locke,
Locke, Daniel P.
Locke, Francis
Marden, Nathan
Marden, Philip C.
Marden, Widow Betsey
McDaniels, Robert
Merrill,
Meserve, Frost
Meserve, George F.
Meserve, Ira
Morrill, William S.
Moses, Dearborn D.
Norris, James
Page, George W.
Palmer, Andrus
Pervier, Jonathan G.
Philbrick, E.T.
Quimby, M.A.
Rand, Joseph W.
Rand, Widow Betsey
Rand, Widow Mary
Reed, E.G.
Robinson, Frank B.
Robinson, Stickney
Sanborn, Austin E.
Sanborn, Clara
Sanborn, Frederick
Sanborn, Henry F.
Sanborn, Joel L.
Sanborn, Moses
Sanborn, Mrs. B
Sanders, Edward T.
Sanders, William
School District No. 1
Sherburne, A.J.
Sherburne, James M.
Sherburne, John
Smith, Hilliard
Stearns, John Jr.
Towle, Simeon
Veasey, Coker
Veasey, Joseph
Wallace, Capt. William
Wallace, William
Watson, Jonathan
Weeks, Samuel
Weeks, Simon A.H.
Weeks, William
Wells, J.L.
Wells, John
Wells, Lovy
Wells, Samuel Jr.
Whittier, William
Wiggin, James
Wiggin, James Jr.
Williams, Nathaniel
Yeaton, Benjamin
Yeaton, Charles
Yeaton, Warren
John Wallace, Store Owner
The 1858 map of Epsom identifies 2 stores (though there may have
been others), one on Center Hill belonging to John and John M. Griffin, and the
other at Epsom Center, a store and post office, of John Wallace. The same
property had been a store starting with John Batchelder
then to Robert Knox. The heirs of Robert Knox sold to John Wallace April 14,
1851, he (Wallace) having previously maintained the family farm on Center Hill,
what was later the Carter place, which he had bought from his siblings
following the death of his father.
The store ran at this location until the house was sold to Capt.
Arthur C. Locke on November 16, 1864.
John Wallace was the son of John Wallace and Mary True of
The only heirs of John Wallace is
daughter Abby born in Epsom October 17, 1847 who married James McAllister in
Henry Knox, Tavern Owner
Benjamin L. Locke built his tavern in 1828, and late in life moved
to
The relationship of Robert Knox, who had the store just west of
the entrance to
Henry sells the tavern business in June of 1874, to Henry S.
Knowles.
Knowles Store
Henry Smith Knowles was born in
The building in which the store was located was built in 1828 by
Benjamin L. Locke and run as a tavern, which was sold to Henry Knox in 1866.
The deeds from Knox to Knowles describes the property:
M 248-52 June 14, 1878
We Henry Knox of Epsom and Caroline Knox, his wife, to Henry S.
Knowles of Epsom,
A tract of land with the buildings thereon in Epsom bounded as
follows: beginning at the southeast corner of land of Albon
H. French and from thence running northerly, easterly and northerly by said
French to land formerly owned by Samuel Batchelder,
thence northerly by said Batchelders land to land of
Joseph W. Hoyt, thence easterly by said Hoyts land and land of Ephraim Locke to
land of Jackson C. Philbrick, thence southerly by
said Philbricks land to land of Lowell Eastman,
thence south westerly and southerly of said Eastman's land to land of Daniel
C. Ayer, thence westerly and southerly by said Ayers land to the turnpike
road, thence westerly by said turnpike road to the bounds first mentioned,
reserving the Congregational Meeting House lot and the Horse shed lot included
in the above described premises as deed to the proprietors. also
reserving all personal property on the above mentioned premises.
M 248-51 June 14, 1878
We Henry Knox of Epsom and Caroline Knox, his wife to Henry S.
Knowles of Epsom,
All our interest to a certain mill privilege and land thereto
lying on the southerly side of the Turnpike road, and on either side of the
little Suncook River containing all the land and buildings deeded to me by one
Ephraim Heald May 31, 1877 (233-453) reserving a lot
of boards near the guide post, also all the shingles in the building also all
lumber belonging to other persons.
The first deed excludes property which was sold by the
proprietor's to Henry Knox and nine other persons, which by 1908, four-fifths
was owned by Roscoe Hill and one fifth part by Henry S. Knowles. Roscoe Hill
sold his portion to Eudora Johnson October 27, 1908 and Henry S. Knowles
sold his portion to his son William H. as shown by the following deed:
M 386-29 October 27, 1908
Henry S. Knowles to William H. Knowles,
One undivided fifth part of a parcel of land in Epsom, beginning
on the northerly side of the turnpike road so called at other land of said
Henry S. Knowles, thence westerly by said road 110 feet to land of Henry S.
Knowles, thence easterly by said Knowle's land 100
feet ot the horse shed lots, now owned by said
Knowles, thence southerly by said horse shed lots and by H.S. Knowles land to
the bound begun at, being the land that Nancy Gove conveyed to Joseph J. Moses
by deed Merrimack County 79-472, and by said Moses conveyed to
John S. Cate and others who formed the Congregational
religious Society of Epsom in February 1846 and by said Cates and other
proprietors through a properly constituted committee conveyed to me the said
Henry S. Knowles and nine others.
William H. Knowles, after the death of his first wife, marries
Eudora Johnson, and in 1930 inherits the estate of his father through deeds
from this mother, sister Mary Barton, and brother
Albert. C. Knowles.
William Henry Knowles married first Elsie Norine
Warren on September 29, 1897, and had two children: Gilbert Henry (1899-1983)
and George William (1905-1989) who married Madeline R. Greene in 1927. Gilbert
never married and George and Madeline had no children. Upon the death of
William Henry Knowles in 1949, the two sons continued the family store, which
remained pretty much unchanged from the time of their father and grandfather.
It was featured in the former NH Profiles Magazine, and was the post office for
John C. Hall and Son, Store
What little is known about the store of
John C. Hall and his son Charles Sumner Hall, comes from a biographical review,
volume 22 of Merrimack and Sullivan Counties. John C. Hall was a native of
The store was most likely on the farm and
homestead of the family on Center Hill, which burned down in a lightning storm
in August of 1916.
William
Goss, Hotel & Store Owner
William Goss grew up in the Fowler District of Epsom, off
The tavern was just the first foray of William Goss into that part
of town which later bore his name, Gossville. He
moved a family home across town for his father, and shortly after starting the
hotel business, helped build a house for his son John A. Goss. In 1861 he helped
out the Freewill Baptist Society by buying their old meetinghouse and moving it
to Gossville so a new meetinghouse could be built. It
is unknown for sure what the first use of the building was, but Benjamin Towle in his writings says that the building was formerly a
carriage or wheelwrights shop where a Jim McGuire worked, and was later made
into a store. The opening was advertised in
the local paper:
From the Valley Times March 17, 1870
Advertisement
New Store New Store
In the Suncook Valley
The subscribers offer for sale at their new Store just opened at Goss' Village
in Epsom, a good variety of West India Goods and Groceries at extremely low
prices. Having purchased goods for cash in
Motto, Quick Sales and Small Profits.
Wm. & John A. Goss. Epsom, Feb. 28, 1870
The one story building was raised, with the original church
becoming the second floor, and it opened as the Grand Army of the Republic Hall
and was dedicated by the post September 20, 1883, in which they have since held
their meetings.
The operation of the store by William and his son John A. was not
long, as within two years, Andrew Silver and Jacob Robinson are operating out
of the building which they buy in 1873.
Gossville
Store
The store at Gossville
opened its doors for the first time in 1870 with William Goss and son John A.
Goss the proprietors, but within a couple years were leasing the space
to the team of Silver and Robinson. Jacob Freeze Robinson was from
Gossville
Hotel
The Gossville hotel is the longest
running establishment in the history of Epsom. Started in 1799 as the Cilley Tavern: then in 1858 as the Suncook Valley House of William
Goss; continued by Chapin Osgood in 1894; sold or leased to Edgar F. White in
1903 as the Gossville Hotel; 1909 owned by Charles
Sumner Hall and called the Hotel Sumner; leased by Helen L. Smith, and sold in
1926 by the heirs of Charles Sumner Hall to Sarah G. Ford; 1928 to Beulah K.
Doherty; 1931 to Dorothy Frost as the Pine Grove Inn until1957. From 1957 to
1963 it was owned by William and Helen Smith as the Sherwood Inn. To that date
it had been in constant use for 164 years.From
1964 to 1972 is was used as a convalescent home operated by Frank and
Barbara Anderson, sold by them in 1972. For the next couple of decades it was
owned by the Universal Grace Church of Epsom and sold July 1994 to Edward and
Lynne Buckus. The Estate of Lynne E. Buckus sold the property to New Age Development.
The western portion of the building was removed and moved just
down the road and raised as a 2 story dwelling house, and replaced with a new
addition with a surrounding veranda. The barn, while owned by Chapin Osgood was
twice burned around 1896 and rebuilt, only to burn down again just a few years ago.
Besides serving as a hotel, it was a large farm, with the back land almost
reaching
The Old Tavern on Center
Hill
Ray Ring, among his other endeavors, was known for his
photography. The Epsom Historical Association recently scanned 36 of his slides
of primarily Epsom scenes from the late 1960's to the mid 1970's. This
particular photo is probably the last picture of the old tavern on Center Hill
before it was lost to fire. The tavern was built by Epsom's first minister,
Rev. John Tucke and was later sold by his heirs to
Simon Ames Heath. For those not familiar with the old tavern, it is the
building set off from the road across from the telephone pole in the photo.