Follow Remember Hudson NH When… on WordPress.com

Location of First Meeting House

April 15, 2016 4:52 pm / 1 Comment on Location of First Meeting House

1977032005

First Meeting House Historic Marker

Continuing with the markers of our historic past, this week we visit the Musquash area and the site of the First Meeting House.  Shown here is the second of two markers placed by the town Bi-Centennial Committee following the  1933 celebration.  It was placed near the No 1 schoolhouse, still standing in 1933, which was also the general location of the first meetinghouse for the town of Nottingham, Mass.  Today the marker faces Musquash Road and is easily visible as you enter the Musquash Conservation Area. When you are in the area and look closely behind the marker you will find remnants of the foundation stones of the No 1 school.  The 1933 committee searched the area for a suitable boulder and located one in an old wall on the north side of the schoolhouse.  The marker on granite boulder with a bronze tablet was placed in June 1934.  The bronze has since been removed by vandals and the inscription placed directly into the granite.
Nottingham, Mass was granted a charter, separating it from Dunstable, in 1733.  The town was required to establish a meetinghouse and establish a minister within 3 years.  Settlements within the town of Nottingham were primarily along the river; but they extended for the full length of the town to Lithcfield on the north and  including much of Tyngsboro at the south.  Imagine the difficulty the early town had in agreeing upon a center of town and location of the meeting house!  Finally, on May 27, 1734 it was voted to build the house on this site and to raise it by June 5! With a schedule like this,  I believe the men folk of the town were working on the side frames of the house before this site was selected.  About 1 year later they voted to add a pulpit and seats the meeting house.  Four different sites were considered before this final selection was made.
Nathaniel Merrill, the first settled minister, was ordained here as a congregational minister in November 1737.  His farm was located on the Back Road (now Musquash) 1/4 mile north of this site.  He remained here until his passing in 1796.  Strictly speaking Rev. Merrill was not settled within 3 years; but, the early residents did not neglect their responsibility.  Money was allocated to hire preachers from time to time for short periods until Rev. Merrill was settled  in 1737.
Once established little appears in the town records about the meeting house until the settling of the province line in May 1741 and the subsequent incorporation of New Hampshire towns; especially Nottingham West.  These boundary changes completely upset any agreements and calculations for a meeting house in the center of town.  The town center had just shifted north to about the location of Blodgett Cemetery. Photo from the Historical Society collection.

Town Pound on Pelham Road C 1975

April 7, 2016 8:42 pm / Leave a comment

1983012003

Town Pound on Pelham Road C 1975

Early towns were required to build and maintain a pound.  Any person within the town could impound domestic animals (swine, cattle, horses, sheep…) which were creating damage or running loose on the roadway, the common, or was in violation of local laws.  A pound keeper was chosen each year as one of the town officers.  Owners of the impounded animals would claim them and  pay for any damages, board, or fines.
Our early town records mention pounds as early as 1737 in Nottingham, Mass; then again in 1744 in the District of Nottingham, NH; in 1747 in Nottingham west.  The earliest of these was likely built in that part of Nottingham which ended up in Pelham.  The others were either not built or constructed of wood and did not last.
In 1759 the town of Nottingham West voted to have a pound built on common land near the house.  This was likely on the common near the Blodgett Cemetery.  Yes, there was a meeting house and town common in that area; it is now the location of Blodgett Cemetery and the intersection of Lowell and Pelham Roads, at Meineke Car Care.
The pound shown in this weeks photo was erected in 1772 after a vote at the annual town meeting.  It was voted to erect a pound on high land between land owned by Nehemiah Hadley and Timothy Smith.  Today this location is at the intersection of Pelham and Melendy Roads, on your left after the stop sign as you proceed down Pelham Road toward Bush Hill Road.
A committee of 3 was elected to build it with stone, 33 feet within the walls to a height of 6 feet plus one foot of wood.  The pound was completed by September 1772, its date was carved on the gate post.  At the next town meeting Timothy Smith was elected keeper of this new pound.  This pound was continually used for over 100 years.  In 1887, since the pound had not been used for some years the town considered selling it.  At the town meeting this was rejected and the voters instead decided to keep it as one of our town’s ancient relics.
This pound stands today, a relic of early times; maintained by our faithful Highway Department.  Photo from the Historical Society Collection.

Site of First Town Meeting

April 1, 2016 1:12 am / Leave a comment

1977032004

Site of First Town Meeting of Nottingham in 1733

In this week’s photo we travel to the south end of Hudson and visit the historic marker for the home of Ensign John Snow and the first town meeting for the town of Nottingham, Mass held May 1, 1733.  This marker was placed  in 1934 by the town Bi-centennial Committee using funds remaining in their accounts after the celebration was completed.  The committee searched the area for a suitable boulder and one was found close to the highway on land then owned by Charles Shunaman near 103 Musquash Road, not far from the site of the Snow homestead.  The original marker consisted of a bronze tablet attached to the boulder.  Later, after vandals removed the tablet, the inscription was made directly into the stone.
On April 4, 1733 some 3 months after the charter of Nottingham, Mass was issued, an order was directed to Mr Robert Fletcher, a principal inhabitant, giving him the authority to assemble and convene the town for the purpose of choosing town officers to hold until the following March.  Mr. Fletcher issues the call for the  meeting to be held May 1, 1733 at 10:00 am at the home of Ensign John Snow.  At this meeting the inhabitants chose a moderator, clerk, treasurer, 5 selectmen, surveyors, fence viewers (in charge of boundaries and disputes), and hog reeves (warden in charge of wandering swine and appraisal of damages they cause).  The 1733 tax list contained 55 men. This may seem like a large population but we must remember, many residents of Nottingham lived outside the area which later became Nottingham West and Hudson.  Of these 55, only 18 resided within the boundaries of the present day Hudson.
Ensign John Snow, born about 1667 in Woburn,  married Sarah Stevens in 1693.  They had 3 children; Elizabeth who died young, Joseph who also resided in Nottingham, and Mary. Little else is known about Ensign John except he was elected the first town treasurer, and a few years after this first town meeting he passed at he age of 68.  He is buried in Ford Cemetery not far from his home.
The cellar where his house stood was pointed our to Kimball Webster by Timothy S. Ford many years prior to 1912 and the publication by Webster of the town history. Today this marker can be found on Musquash Road just south of its intersection with Gowing Road and on your left.  Look for it along the side of the road near a stone wall.  Photo from the Historical Society Collection.

Bronze Tablet Donated by Webster School Students in 1933

March 24, 2016 8:30 pm / Leave a comment

1977032006

Bronze Tablet Donated by Webster School Students in 1933

While giving tours and talking town history we at the Historical Society frequently hear the question “When was our town established?  The bronze tablet  pictured here  identifies the five birthdays, or founding dates, for our town.
Dunstable, Mass was founded in 1673.  Most of the land contained within the present boundaries of Hudson was included within that town, with the exception of about 4,600 acres in  the northeast part of Hudson which was then a part of Londonderry.  The geography of Dunstable included land on both sides of the river including all or parts of some 14 towns in present day Mass and NH.  In the early days of Dunstable land had been granted on the east side of the river but no real settlements occurred until about 1710.  We remained a part of Dunstable, Mass until 1733.
As the number of settlers on this side of the river increased  they petitioned Mass to be set off as a separate town.  This petition was answered on January 4, 1733 when the  charter for Nottingham, Mass was granted  This town included  all Dunstable lands on the east side of the river.  The General Court ordered that a Town Meeting be held within 3 months and a minister be settled within 3 years.    After survey and much debate the center of the town of Nottingham, Mass  was agreed upon and a meeting house built on what is now Musquash Road.  The town of Nottingham, Mass remained as such for only 9 years, until 1741.
The ancient  boundary between the provinces of NH and Mass was based upon the Merrimack River and the misconception that the river flowed from west to east;  with no  idea of the abrupt bend northward the river made near Chelmsford.  This resulted in some dual grants by the rival provinces of NH and Mass and a boundary dispute which was not settled until 1741.  At that time the line was established to run 3 miles north  of the Merrimack River from the ocean until reaching a specific point north of Pawtuckett Falls; after that the line ran due west to the Connecticut River.  All land south of this line was in Mass.  Land to the  north was in Nottingham,NH;  called by many historians as the District of Nottingham as towns had not yet been incorporated under the laws of The State of NH.
During the time after 1741 a number of smaller New Hampshire towns were spun off from Nottingham and were incorporated within NH.  One of these, Nottingham West was incorporated in 1746 and a charter issued July 5, 1746.  Nottingham West contained most of the lands of the present town of Hudson, except for those  acres  in Londonderry and minor adjustments to the boundaries with Windham and Pelham.
We remained as Nottingham West until 1830.  At the annual town meeting of 1830 the voters of Nottingham West adopted an article to petition the General Court of NH to alter the name to Auburn  or to designate some other name.  The name was changed to Hudson July 1, 1830.
Our town has 5 founding dates or birthdays.  In 1672 we were established as Dunstable, MA; 1733 as  Nottingham, MASS; 1741 as Nottingham, NH; 1740 as Nottingham West, NH; and in 1830 as Hudson, NH.  This confuses our celebrations!   In 1933 we celebrated the 200th birthday of incorporation of Nottingham, Mass; in 1972, some 39 years later, we celebrated the 300 birthday of the founding of Dunstable!  To my knowledge there was never a centennial or bi-centennial celebration for Nottingham West and no centennial celebration for changing name to Hudson in 1830.  So, when will our next celebration be?  perhaps in the year 2022, some six years from now, when we celebrate the 250th anniversary of Nottingham West?
 This tablet is located within the School Administration Building,  aka Kimball Webster School, and was donated to the Town by the students of Webster School as part of our 1933 bi-centennial celebration. Photo taken for publication of Town in Transition and is part of the Historical Society collection.

 

Organ Concert

March 18, 2016 12:31 pm / Leave a comment

 Organ Concert
on 19th Century Mason & Hamlin Organ
Presented by the Hudson Historical Society

             

When: Sunday, April 10

Time:  Doors open at 3 p.m.                                          1850 organ comp

 Where: Alvirne Hills House 

                   211 Derry Road

                  

The Hudson Historical Society is proud to present an afternoon of music on the recently restored Mason and Hamlin Organ. Bruce Stevens, of Ryegate, Vermont, who completed the restoration, will perform selections from a variety of composers – Bach, Joplin, Gershwin and more- as well as some musical surprises to demonstrate the versatility of the organ. The historic organ was the organ at the Hudson Baptist Church for many years.

Doors will open at 3:00 p.m. and concert will begin at 3:30 p.m. Refreshments will be served. Admission is free, but donations will be gratefully accepted.

www.hudsonhistorical.com

Town Office Building C 1965

March 17, 2016 10:41 pm / Leave a comment

1965002001

Breaking Ground for Town Office March 1965

At the Annual Town Meeting in March 1964 we appropriated $50,000 for a Town Office Building.  Soon thereafter Leonard Smith was selected as the designer.  Plans and specifications moved forward and the required public hearing was scheduled for December 8, 1964 at the  H.O. Smith School.   The plans provided about 4,800 square feet of floor space which  would accommodate the Selectmen’s office, Police Department, Town Clerk and Tax collector, Planning Board, Board of Adjustment. the Building Inspector, as well as a meeting hall for officials and civic groups.   The School Street site was selected because the town owned the property and the playground facilities located there could be transferred to the H O Smith playground.   Bids were asked for and all  bids received were above the appropriation.  This resulted in negotiations between the Board of Selectmen and the lowest bidder.   The contract was signed and ground was broken in early spring 1965.  Our first photo shows the first ‘swipe’ of ground taken by the bulldozer to prepare the former playground on School Street for the foundation for this office building. In the background we see the old fire alarm and the rear of the  row houses along Ferry Street.
Adrien Labrie of Nashua was the General Contractor for the project.  This company was also the contractor for the Alvirne High School addition, in process at the same time.    Because of  pressures to have the school addition ready for September, construction of the Office Building received several setbacks. Originally the  schedule hoped for occupancy during summer of 1965; actual occupancy was delayed until late December of that year.At that time the Police Department and town officers mentioned above moved into this new facility.
1977032013

Town Office Building C 1970

In 1974 a 30 x 60 foot addition was made; and in 1985 a second addition was approved by the town.  This latter addition included the addition of a porch-style life and ramps for handicap accessibility.  Photos from Historical Society Collection.

Ferry Street Fire Station C 1926

March 11, 2016 2:05 pm / Leave a comment

Ferry st fire station c 1926 comp

Ferry Street Station and Crew C 1926

The Hudson Fire Department takes its origin back to 1892 when the Hudson Hose Company was founded by a group of volunteers.  This independent company raised their own funds for equipment and expenses.  Individuals paid dues, were fined for missed meetings, and engaged in fund raisers.  Their first project was the building of the Old Hose House on Central Street just above the Methodist (now Community) Church.  Individuals pledged time in order to supply the necessary labor.  This building was sufficient to house early equipment and provide a place for volunteers to meet.
In 1913 this group purchased the Kelly Springfield truck by public subscription at a cost of $1,030.  Individuals signed a note at The Nashua Trust Company.  This vehicle is said to be the first piece of motorized fire equipment used in New Hampshire.  The next year this truck and the balance of payments was turned over to the town with the understanding that the truck would be housed near the bridge.  Prior to this time the town had not formerly helped the department.  Through this action and payment of a small salary our early firefighters were able to join the State’s Firemen’s Relief Association.  The Kelly was housed in a  garage on Campbell Avenue donated by Charles Norton.  As the department expanded and more equipment purchased, the move was made to to the House Brothers’ Garage on Ferry Street.
In April 20, 1926 The Osgood Construction company of Nashua was awarded the contract for a new fire house for the Hudson Department; built for Raymond House.  Details were finalized and work started .immediately.  The press release in the local paper April 20, 1926 stated that part of the old garage was moved to make room for the new engine house.  The Town of Hudson had signed a five year lease with Mr House for this new station which had two vehicle stalls, an office and lounging room for members of the department as well as a sleeping room.  It was a bungalow style building made of brick and  concrete blocks.  Brick on the front and concrete blocks on the sides.  The new building was expected to be ready for occupancy in a few months. This station was located on Ferry Street, opposite and slightly north of the intersection with Campbell Avenue; about where the Gulf Station is now located.
A vote was recorded to have a photograph of department members in front of the newly completed station in the mid 1920’s.  The photo of the Ferry Street Station C 1926 seen here could be the result of that motion.  The photo shows the two stall station, the Reo firetrucks used at the time, along with drivers and members of the department.  Charles Reynonds and Ray House are in the driver;s seat of the left engine.  Harry Emerson and Fred House are in the right engine.  Standing between the engines from left to right are:  Ornam Campbell, Bill Edgley, Charles Farmer, Edward Robinson, Sidney Baker, Earl Alexander, Chief Harry Connell, John Pearson, Allen Andrews, Joseph Fuller, Walace Baker, Paul Buxton (arrow), and Roland Abbott.
This Ferry Street station served the department and the community until some time after World War II when it was expanded to a four stall station.  Then, as town growth occurred  in the early 1950’s the Central Fire station (now Leonard Smith station) was built on corner of Library and School Streets.  In time the Ferry Street building was razed to make way for the access roads leading to and from the bridges. Photo from the Historical Society collection.

Central Fire Station C 1955

March 3, 2016 11:24 pm / Leave a comment

1989002007

Central Fire Station C 1955

The year was 1951 and Hudson’s population was rapidly growing.  The Town’s four-stalled rented fire station on Ferry Street was already overcrowded.  The problem was simple:  how could the town build a larger fire station without raising the already high tax rate?  The Selectmen, the then volunteer fire department, and Frank Nutting had a plan.  They would borrow $40,000.  The  yearly cost to repay  this loan would be about the same as what the town was already paying for the rented station.  This money would be used for materials; the labor to build the station would come from volunteers.  At the town meeting in March 1952, the town voted to build a firehouse at a cost not exceeding $40,000.
The planning and architectural work was done by Leonard Smith, a local builder and member of the volunteer fire department.  Ground was broken May 1, 1952 on town owned land at the corner of Library and School Streets, opposite Webster School;  utilizing about one-half of the approximately 1.3 acres of the old ball field. Community spirit was high; volunteers came from within the department, the town, town organizations, and even from surrounding towns.  Engineers, builders, merchants, and laborers came forward to help.  The result was this fire station of typical New England architecture with housing for nine trucks, offices, rest rooms, kitchen, future sleeping area, and an assembly hall.  There was also room for expansion.  By fall of 1952 the building was enclosed for winter work and by summer of 1953 the new station was put into service.  One work session occurred on April 3, 1953 with 24 men and 16 members of the fire department.  Following work they were rewarded by a ham and bean supper prepared by Leon Hammond, Norman Crosby, and Lewis Reynolds.
This facility housed the fire and police departments.  Later the upstairs was used for temporary classrooms, then for meetings and classes for both departments with space for supplies.  The Board of Selectmen moved their office from the basement of the Hills Library into the fire station, remaining here until the town office building was built next door  on the corner of School and what is now Chase Street.  At that time Chase Street ended at School Street and did not extend to Ferry Street.
As town growth  and needs of the fire department continued an addition to this station has occurred as well as the addition of satellite stations on Burns Hill and Robinson Roads.  Shortly after the passing of Leonard Smith in  2002, the Central Fire station was renamed The Leonard  E. Smith Fire Station” in his memory.  Photo from the Historical Society collection.

Area Surrounding Library and Webster School C 1910

February 26, 2016 12:12 am / Leave a comment

2013006004

Area Surrounding Library and Webster School C 1910

From this early post card of Webster School, Hills Memorial Library, and the surrounding area we get an idea of what this section of town looked like about 1910.   Kimball Webster School (right) had been in use since it’s completion in 1896.  The new Hills Memorial Library (left) was  completed in 1908.  The photo  for this post card was taken from an open field across the street from Webster School at the corner of School and Library Streets.  In fact, what is now Library Street was barely a dirt road in this picture.  One can locate the road by following the utility pole.  An 1892 map of Hudson shows an ice house where the Hills Library is located and what is now Library Street was called Sanders Street.
Looking beyond these buildings and along Ferry Street we see very little construction.  On Ferry Street and opposite the library is the home at what is now 42 Ferry Street; known by many as the Cunningham home and now owned by Kurt Smith.  On the knoll behind the library and the school we see another early home;  most likely the home at what is now 55 Ferry Street.
Today this open field is the site of the Leonard Smith Fire Station and the Town Office Building; built in the  the 1950’s and 1960s respectively.  Before these buildings this field was a popular playground; used during pre-school,recess, and after school activities for Webster School.  During the spring and summer months this field was used by the Recreation Department for a ball field, basketball court, and playground for the younger kids.  As a point of memory, Hudson resident Dan O’Brien has fond memories of little league games played here, as early as 1950 or 51,under the direction of Manager Brown.  These may have been some of the earliest little league games in Hudson.  The year construction was underway for the new fire station Dan recalls breaking a window in the station while throwing rocks.  Yes! He was busted by Chief Andy Polak.  In Andy’s  way all he did was report Dan to his parents.  But, that was enough!  Photo from the Historical Society collection.

Alvirne Summer Home (The Hills House)

February 19, 2016 12:10 am / Leave a comment

Hills House Derry Road 1890

Hills House Derry Road 1890

This week we look at  Alvirne, the summer home built in 1890 by Dr. Alfred and Virginia Hills on a knoll in the field across from the Alvirne farm house.  Their primary residence was in New York City but rail travel to Nashua’s Union Station and a coach drive from Nashua to Hudson facilitated travel to Hudson.  We can only imagine the entertainment and festivities enjoyed on these grounds by the Hills as they mingled with guests from New York as well as locals from Hudson and Nashua.  Our first photo shows the home in 1890.  You will notice that the meeting room and the field stone chimney were not part of the original building.  These were added in 1891.  You will also note that the driveway did not encircle the house.

This summer home, now called the Hills House, was enjoyed by Alfred, Virginia, and also by Virginia’s mother, Mary Creutzborg.  Although they had two daughters neither of them lived beyond infancy.  Virginia passed in 1908, a true loss to Dr Hills and  their friends here in Hudson.  Dr Hills completed his plans for the Alvirne Chapel; Virginia and their infant daughters were laid to rest within this chapel.

A short time later, in 1910, Alfred married Jessie Norwell, a Nashua native.  Alvirne continued to be the summer home of Dr Hills, Mary Creutzborg, and  Jessie.  After Dr. Hills passed in 1920, Jessie, her sister Helen Norwell, and Mary Creutzborg continued the use of this summer home.  Dr Hills left a  provision in his will so that Jessie, his third wife, and Mary, his second mother-in-law, could  co-habitate in the summer home as long as the arrangement satisfied both parties.  Mary passed in, 1928, at the age of 102, spending many years living with Jessie, either in Nashua or Hudson.  Jessie passed in 1963; but not until she saw  her husband’s vision of a school named Alvirne  established in Hudson.

After her passing, furnishings within the house were sold or distributed to friends and family.  In the end, the building was  vacant, windows and doors boarded up, closed to the outside world except for vandals. By his will,  following the death of Jessie, the summer home became the property of the School District and Alvirne Trustees.  Attempts were made to find a useful purpose for this building; but to no avail.  The destiny of this fine Victorian home came down to an article placed in the School District warrant for voting on March 9, 1965:

To see if the district will vote to authorize the School Board to raze the vacant dwelling on the Derry Road known as the Hills House.

A school board member rose to move adoption of the article.  This opened discussion and  Zoula Rowell, a member of the Hudson Fortnightly Club, rose to speak in opposition.  The article was tabled…ultimately forever.   This action provided the incentive for the incorporation of the Hudson Historical Society with a goal of preserving the Hills House and using it as a museum of Hudson History.

 

For about 10 years prior to this time,  the Historical Committee of the Fortnightly Club was actively collecting and cataloging items pertaining to Hudson History.

The Hills house was found to be structurally sound; but in need of repairs, cleaning, and the decorating of individual rooms.  Over the next few years a community effort occurred; individuals, organizations, and families helped with this project; some taking responsibility of an entire room.  A caretaker apartment was established and a caretaker secured.  As rooms became available the historical items collected by the historical committee were moved to the Hills House.  Some of the Hills family furnishings were returned; many other items were donated by Hudson families.  The catalogue system used by the historical committee was continued by the society.  The success of this restoration was climaxed in 1983 when the Hills House was named to the National Register of Historic Places.

Hills House 2010

Hills House 2010

Ironically, the generosity of Dr Hills provided for the building and maintenance the Hills Memorial Library,  Library Park, Alvirne High,  and Alvirne Chapel.   He took no similar precautions for his lovely summer home.  That responsibility is now being met by the Historical Society with support of the School District and various organizations in town.  Our second photo shown the house just a few years ago,  Both photos are from the Historical Society collection.  The year 2016 marks the 50th anniversary of the incorporation of the Hudson Historical Society.

Post navigation

← Older posts Newer posts →

Catagories