OLD HOMES

Amherst, NH Common

In the previous post I wrote about the upcoming ANTIQUES ON THE GREEN, sponsored by the Amherst, NH Historical Society. That event occurred on 13 September and was highly successful with 35 dealers attending and a gate of nearly 700 enthusiastic antique collectors. To visit the post that I wrote concerning the event, please click HERE.

The Understated Graciousness of an Old Home 

One of my favorite topics is New England architecture and the reason that I enjoy attending antique auctions and shows is that it affords me the opportunity to drive throughout New England and experience that architecture. Let me share with you my recent drive through Francistown, NH on my Withington trip.

Located in the Monadnock Region of New Hampshire, Francistown was founded in 1772 and today supports a year round population of 1,562 residents. It's Main St, originally known as the Second New Hampshire Turnpike, that wandered from Amherst to Claremont and connected Boston to Montreal via stagecoach, is a splendid example of early New England architecture. Don't blink as you drive through town or you'll miss the General Store with its gas pump and Library. 

This beautiful brick cape with granite eyebrows over the windows, gable-end fireplaces and a magnificent sugar maple in its front yard is quintessential New England. In a few weeks orange, gold and red leaves will be on the ground and the aroma of woodsmoke will fill the air. I suspect that this building was built in the early 1800's, but as families grew or it exchanged hands, more space was needed bringing about the ell built off the back. Like most of us with old homes, we have a tendency to live in the ell, which is roomier, more efficient and quieter away from the street.

A little further north on Main Street I encountered a couple sitting out on their front porch enjoying the late afternoon light and shadows on their historic property. They'd recently retired, left Indiana and purchased this five over four, clapboard, twin chimney, colonial in Francistown. They'd just scrapped and painted it as well; no easy choir on a building this large. I love the color and trim against a blue sky and dark green grass. This is the Dr. Farley House built in 1833. It's 180 years old, built during Andrew Jacksons administration, only 50 years after our constitution was ratified by the state of New Hampshire.

Just south of the Farley House is this five over four, clapboard, brick-end colonial with gable end chimneys. Again, the ell off the back I'm sure came at a much later date as necessity required. What's most pleasing about these homes are their functional, simple lines and lack of ostentation.

The Jonah Davis House, built in 1829 during the waning days of the John Quincy Adams Presidency has been beautifully restored and is an excellent example of a five over four, twin chimney structure with a recessed door, side-lights and exquisite dental molding. Do you see the white painted chimneys with black rings? I've read, but have never really seen it verified though, that this was a secret sign identifying the home owner was a loyalist or supported the King during the Revolutionary War. This would have made him a Tory rather than a Whig who supported independence. 

The Davis House was built in 1829, 46 years after the end of the Revolution (1775-1783) so I suspect it was painted thusly for aesthetics. Besides, why would one want to identify himself as a "traitor" amongst his neighbors? 

When these homes were built, in-door plumbing didn't exist so an outhouse or a privy would have been constructed out back. Most would have been two holers, but larger homes like the Means Mansion in Amherst, NH where Franklin Pierce was married, had a three-holer. Their fireplaces were the only source of heat and as we know today are terribly inefficient. Far more heat goes up the chimney rather than into its room. Many NE homes of this era had no insulation in the walls but if they did, they were crammed full of crumpled newspapers, corn cobs or any available material that would help create a dead air space.

The Jesse Smith House, 1840, Mont Vernon, NH

This solid, 1840 colonial in Mont Vernon, NH is an excellent example of Yankee ingenuity. It sports twin, gable end chimneys with fireplaces on both floors, but still must have been very cold before central heating was added. The builder elected to face the front of the building to the west, allowing the morning sun to heat the house from the back and continue to heat it from above and the front as the day progressed. Solar planning at its best as used by builders in the mid 19th century.

But, what do you do in the summer when the sun beats down on this building all day long and temperatures soar into the 80's or 90's after the noon hour?  To combat this problem a large deciduous tree, a sugar maple in this case, was planted in front of the house to block the days strongest sun exposure and reduce the buildings interior temperature considerably. As summer turned into autumn and the days grew shorter and cooler, the leaves would fall off, once again allowing full sunlight to warm the house for the winter months.

If your home is situated like this just watch your cat. In the morning he'll snooze by the windows that face east, but move to the westerly windows by the afternoon. Who needs a compass?

But the ravages of time take their toll and this is what happens to old trees after nearly 100 years of faithful service. Mont Vernon is 800 feet above sea level and after windy nights the home owners would awaken to find large parts of their beloved maple on the lawn. Fearful of injuring someone walking or driving past, the decision to take it down was sadly reached.

But the frugal (former) owner, fully comprehending the roll of that formerly magnificent maple, planted another in its spot. After only five years this "October Glory" maple is significantly larger and already supplying welcomed shade to the Jesse Smith House.

Most old homes, when land allowed, were built facing west or southwest for exactly this reason, but once central heating was perfected, neighborhoods could be built without regard to the sun and neighborhoods grew without solar influence. 

All right, back to Francestown, which incidentally is 10 miles north of Mont Vernon on the Francestown Turnpike. I've been unable to find much information about this building, located directly across the street from the Meeting House. It did serve at one time as the Francistown Academy. Note the horse stalls to the right.

As you enter Francestown from the south, this spectacular, beautifully restored building greets you. It's the Old Meeting House, constructed from 1801 through 1803. It's seen many restorations, has been jacked up and turned to face southwest and is now owned by the Old Meeting House of Francestown Inc which is a 501(3)(c) non profit organization. The interior is as inspiring as the exterior and if you need a picturesque location for a wedding or some other event, give them a call.

A little closer examination of its steeple shows damage received on 10 July from a lightening strike. The name Francestown comes from Governor John Wentworth's second wife, Frances Deering. A tract of land was designated in 1772 as the "New Boston Addition." Governor Wentworth decided to name the new town Frances Town after his new wife and used her surname, Deering, to name another town nearby. There was some scandal though. It seems that Frances' first husband died only ten days before she became Mrs. John Wentworth. A rather quick mourning period! 

I'm sure that you'll enjoy this poem by Fredrick Branch, written I think in the 1920's. I've used it many times but it seems particularly appropriate here.

New England history sidetracked me just a bit near the end, but I hope that you enjoyed our visit down main street in Francestown and our detour through Mont Vernon as well.

Thanks for reading.

Rand 

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September Withington Auction

Hillsborough, New Hampshire

Friday morning, September 6, dawned bright but very cool at 42F here in Amherst, NH as I pulled out of my driveway and turned north towards Hillsborough, NH to attend my first Withington Auction. The auction company, is in its 57th year of business, started by Dick Withington who was known as the "Bob Hope of the auction block." Dick died in 2008 at the age of 90 but his company lives on, still strongly influenced by its founder as his name was mentioned often during today's event by the auctioneer, runners and members of the audience. Apparently he was quite a guy and wished that I'd had the opportunity to have known him.

Rolling hills, stonewalls, ancient sugar maples and a white tent beneath a blue sky is the perfect setting for a New England country auction.

This was an on site auction with tents and catering in Hillsborough and a very large and enthusiastic crowd. I recognized many dealers from other auctions and shows that I've attended this summer. Today's preview ran from 8 to 10 a.m. with more than 500 lots going under the hammer. Furniture, rugs, paintings, porcelain, glass, clocks and other items were available.

Most everyone in attendance knew one another, I was one of the few "outsiders," but they all made me feel right at home.

Promptly at 10:00 a.m. Martha invited everyone to take their seats, explained the ground rules, chided many, whom she obviously knew in the audience and got down to business. The tent was full but this mornings clear skies and light wind created a very cool, almost       cold environment. From time to time many would abandon their chair and stand in the sun by the catering tent and enjoy hot coffee. Of course I was wearing shorts, but retreated to my truck where I store my emergency down parka and used to to pad and heat my cold, metal seat bottom.

The two round top candlestands are mine, the single drawer stand is Linnea's and the ladder back side chair is Bill's. 

I met Linnea Steeves and Bill Wallace soon into the bidding. Linnea lives in town, once worked for Dick Withington and owns an antique shop just down the street from this location. Bill owns a summer home in nearby Stoddard, NH but lives on Beacon Hill in Boston. Both are avid, knowledgeable collectors who offered much to further my education in our new endeavor. 

Linnea had bid on and won a set of 3 chairs with a fourth thrown in. The fourth happened to be the mate to a single chair that I'd purchased some time earlier. She turned to me and asked, "would you like that chair for $15?" Her price was more than fair and I now had a matched set. I was thrilled. A little later I won a lot of three area rugs but really only had plans for two of them. I offered the third to Linnea for $5 who was happy to have it. 

Interestingly, merchandise and capital were exchanging hands within the auction amongst the audience as Martha plied her craft from the podium. This is certainly an excellent example of capitalism or free-enterprise at work. Now I see how this game is played!

Packed into my cab are rugs, footstools and fireplace equipment, but the reason for this photo is to proudly display the new Garmin GPS on my dashboard. I'm not a Luddite!

Packed up and ready to use my new GPS to find my way home. The candlestands are folded and lying on the bed floor beneath the chairs. Although space isn't a problem today, I've learned to pack effeciently and how to keep items from moving and chafing. 

Just a mile or so south of the auction I stopped to take pictures of the Franklin Pierce homestead. Our 14th president was born here in 1804, served NH in both the House of Representatives and in the Senate as well as a commissioned officer in the Mexican-American War. (1846-1848) He was the first president born in the 19th century and the youngest to have served in this office until that time. He married Jane Means Appleton in 1834 in Amherst, NH, a very short walk from our home. We know the present owners of the "Means Mansion" and have stood in the room in which they married. They suffered a great tragedy though in 1853 en route to Washington for his inauguration, when the train in which they traveled crashed killing their 11 year-old son Benjamin. Pierce finished his term in 1857, returned to New Hampshire and died in 1869.

While leaving the Pierce homestead I noticed this woman, whom I'd seen at the auction, walking home with a fairly large burden and offered to give her a lift. She's Carole Hoffman, a local artist and a member of the Hillsborough Area Artisans. She invited me into her studio that was filled with her award winning artwork. 

WINDSOR COTTAGE ANTIQUES

But back on the road I had one more stop to make before heading south. This is Linnea's antique shop just a short walk south of the Pierce homestead at 289 Second New Hampshire Turnpike. She was still at the auction but I had a great time touring her shop with Pauline who was manning the store. She has a wonderful collection of furniture, rugs, glass and textiles that are beautifully displayed and attracts a large clientele. In fact, she purchased this shop several years ago from Dick Withington. Thanks very much to Linnea for her help today and I hope to run into her again on future buying trips.

The chair on the left is the piece that I purchased and the chair on the right is the one Linnea offered me. They're maple with carved tops and embroidered seats that I suspect were made in 1920 or so. Not real old, but very strong and attractive. I also purchased the two embroidered footstools at this auction. 

These are the other two footstools that I acquired.

A little better view of the four footstools. They're constructed of hardwood and the embroidery is in excellent condition.

Above and below: The two candle stands that I acquired. One is mahogany and the other maple. I also purchased the brass pot that sits between the two candle stands.

They're in excellent condition, strong and level. The mahogany version has cabriole legs with ball and claw feet and a rimmed top. The maple has spider legs and a plain foot. 

The undersides are in wonderful shape and the cleats, although I think replaced on the maple, are in excellent condition too.

A closer look at the original locks and receivers

This gives a better perspective of the size of the brass pot as it hangs from a crane.

I also purchased two brass, fireplace fenders. This is the smaller of the two after I attacked it with a can of Brasso. 

And why this picture you may be wondering. I'm in my workshop area cleaning the rug I purchased in Vermont while attending the Smith Auction a couple of weeks ago. I wanted to demonstrate that yes, males can multitask. I'm vacuuming the rug and babysitting my 11 month old grandson. I think that he looks pretty happy!

These items will eventually find their way into our space at the NH Antique CO-OP in Milford, NH but if you're interested in any of them presently, you can email me at: 

randpeckantiques@gmail.com

- Important Announcements -

 My mother, wife and niece at Amherst's Antiques on the Green 2012

If you find yourself near Amherst, NH on 14 September 2013, please stop in and visit us at the Historical Society's" 18th annual, Antiques on the Green. The Amherst Common is one of the most beautiful in New England, surrounded by spectacular and historic  architecture. The event will run from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. rain or shine and will be supported by more than 30 New England antique dealers. Society members will be admitted gratis and others will be charged only $5 to browse through antiques, visit with friends and enjoy the day on the common. Or, you can join the Amherst Historical Society for a mere $15 per adult (there are other options too) enjoy all it has to offer and learn a little about your town. Do you know how many Amherst residents participated in the Battle of Bunker Hill or at the Battle of Lexington and Concord?

There's always a lot going on in Amherst. The Antique Show, Book Sale and the Farmers Market every Thursday 3 to 6 pm.

This is the Amherst Village Green where the Antique Show will be held on Saturday, 14 September. Jason Hackler from the New Hampshire Antique CO-OP will be on hand to appraise your antique. The Amherst weather forecast for Saturday predicts clear skies, abundant sun with temperatures in the low 70's. Nearly perfect!  

And this is the Congregational Church adjacent to the village green where the library will hold its annual book sale.

New Hampshire Antique CO-OP

Appreciators of antiques and fine art, mark Saturday and Sunday, September 28 and 29 on your calendar and plan to attend the 30th Anniversary Open House celebration of the New Hampshire Antique CO-OP, on 323 Elm Street in Milford, NH. With more than 200 dealers on site and 20,000 square feet of exhibitions, your choices are unlimited.

Noted Cape Cod artist William Davis will hold a marine painting lecture upstairs in the gallery and a Windsor Chair making demonstration by NH Master craftsman Bill Morse will highlight the event. Mr. Morse will speak on Saturday the 28th at 1 pm and Mr. Davis on Sunday the 29th at 1 pm. Each lecture will be followed by a wine and cheese reception.

The Hackler family has run the CO-OP for thirty years now and have distinguished themselves as a premier antique and art facility with friendly, outstanding service. If you have any questions you can click them on above or call them at 673-8499.

Thanks to the AMHERST CITIZEN for this information.

- New Hampshire Troubadour -


I received an email recently from a reader questioning a photo that I'd posted recently concerning a little known magazine called TROUBADOUR. 

"Rand, I remember seeing this little magazine around our home as a kid. What can you tell me about them?"

Here's my stack of TROUBADOUR MAGAZINES, about 70 or so, that I've acquired over the years. Their popularity seems to be increasing and normally sell for between $3 to $4 a piece in off the beaten track antique shops. If you resort to Amazon or Ebay, they can be as expensive as $18 each plus shipping. I bought a stack of 45 at Homestead Bookstore in Marlboro, NH for $25 six months or so ago and then stashed them away in a cubby hole in my slant lid desk. They looked neat, but I failed to recognize their value at first glance.

Four issues from 1948, '49 and '50.

The covers are beautiful and did much to attract the attention of those seeking a slower pace.

At the time I was only mildly interested in this publication that spanned from 1931 until 1951 that was published and sold by the state of New Hampshire by subscription only. More specifically by the State Planning and Development Commission, charged with attracting new residents and businesses. When publication began in 1931 the population of the NH was merely 465,000 vs 1.3 million today. To accomplish its mission, the magazine published articles concerning New Hampshire's White Mountains, the seacoast region, the Lakes Region, covered bridges, maple syrup, autumn leaves, hunting, antiques, the Mt Washington Cog Railway and other bucolic interests to stir the imagination of those from away. Each issue was only 16 pages or so and really was hardly more than a brochure that served to sing the praises of the Granite State.

Earlier issues from 1931 and 1934 before color photos were introduced.

The issue to the far right highlights Mt. Washington's summit, Tuckermans Ravine and its famous Headwall. 

I have to admit, the little magazine did little to excite me and I went several years before even opening an issue. But then on a winter day, stuck inside due to heavy snow and with nothing to read, I reluctantly dragged them out and opened an issue concerning old houses and their restorations. I was hooked and have read every one in my collection. How could I have been so blind I thought. The writing and photography are very good, it revolves around New England and even published poetry in every issue. 

I'm missing a few issues and I carry that list with me so when out visiting antique or old bookstores I can fill in those holes as I discover them hidden under other books or behind old tools. I may have to succumb to Ebay, but will continue my search to try to avoid this easy, but rather expensive alternative.

1934 and 1935 issues

These two issues leaned heavily upon the draw of 6,288' foot Mt. Washington, the highest peak east of the Rockies and north of the Carolinas that experiences its own weather systems. Winds on Mt Washington exceed hurricane force  nearly 100 days each year, the summit temperature has never exceeded 71 degrees and more hikers have died on this mountain than on any other in the world. Until 2010, the worlds highest recorded windspeed was measured atop Mt Washington at 231 mph in 1934. It may have exceeded that but we'll never know because the anemometer blew away. Headlined here on these pages are Tuckermans Ravine and the Headwall, treacherous skiing available only to hearty hikers as no lifts lead to them. 

From the Appalachian Mountain Clubs base lodge at Pinkham Notch, a skier straps his/her skies to a backpack and hikes for a couple hours to reach the Tuckerman Ravine Hut. After a short rest you'll depart on a strenuous climb (note I said climb, not hike) over rocky terrain that will take nearly another hour just to get to the base of the headwall. From there, put your skis over your shoulder and join the congo-line to start the straight up climb on the headwall. The headwall varies from between 40 to 60 degrees angle and when you need a rest, just put out your arm and lean against the wall. There are no services up here, you might get two or three runs in before having to pack up your skis and journey back down to Pinkham Notch. See what I mean about hearty?

Grandmother sitting on her porch preparing the bounty from her harvest. Fall must be closing in because she's wearing a heavy sweater and the mountains in the background will soon be covered in snow. And if Editor Heath has done his job... skiers too. Interestingly, each issue started with a poem on page one. This poem is titled, WHEN AUTUMN TURNS THE LEAVES and corresponds to the associated picture on the fly leaf.

This little magazine terminated in 1951 when the state started publishing NEW HAMPSHIRE PROFILES MAGAZINE. To give you a better sense of Troubadours size, I've placed two issues next to a Profiles. Profiles itself survived into the middle 1980s before they too terminated publication. 

Here's a funny quip or piece of New England humor I read in the July 1943 edition.

At a largely attended auction in a NH town the local physician put up a squawk that he had made a higher bid than a woman further back in the crowd. The auctioneer, who was also the town undertaker, insisted that he didn't hear his bid. Finally the doctor lost his temper and yelled, "Trouble with you is, you made a mistake and now you're trying to cover it up." Pretending to be hurt the auctioneer turned sadly to his old friend and inquired, "Why Doc, don't you believe in reciprocity? I've been covering up your mistakes for more'n forty years and never told a soul."

This is the photo that I'd used a while back that caught Steve from Michigan's attention and caused him to remember TROUBADOUR MAGAZINE. Thanks for writing Steve and enticing me to research this wonderful little antique magazine. I plan to write about Wallace Nutting too.

Now that I've been hooked and am seriously interested in collecting Troubadours, I've created this spread sheet to keep track of my progress. The X indicates I'm still searching for that issue, so if you have any that fall into this category and you'd consider disposing of them, drop me a line.

But before I go, I wanted to leave you with a more contemporary photo of the Headwall and Tuckermans Ravine.  We're standing on the Lions Head Trail on the east side of the ravine, the summit is up to your right.  This photo better illustrates just how steep this glacial cirque, formed 10,000 years ago as the last ice sheet retreated from North America, really is. Now, envision yourself skiing over the top of the headwall and down into the bowl. GERONIMO!!!

And lastly. Frederick W. Branch was a noted poet who wrote during the 1940's and much of his work appeared in TROUBADOUR. My favorite, probably because I've lived in two antique homes (1840 and 1790) he titled FULFILLMENT. I've added it here for you to enjoy.

FULFILLMENT The man who built this house of mine A hundred years ago, With Christian doors of smooth, clear pine And chestnut timbers, row on row, Whose oxen hauled the bricks and lime, Who squared the hearth’s broad stone, Could not foresee that Fate and Time Would someday make it all my own. He must have known that it would stay, Here, on its sturdy sills, Long after his last Spring should lay Her fragrant mornings on the hills: So, even if he didn’t know Just who its owners were to be, I’ll still maintain that, years ago, He planned and built this house for me.