Plaistow, and Haverhill and stayed in Bradford.
"Friday—Walked to Ames'es in Andover, then got on board the stage and went to Boston. Arrived about 2 p.m. Saw the marshalls of the W.B.S. with their banners pass into Faneuil hall. They were accompanied by three uniformed companies and an excellent band of music, and made a very splendid appearance.
"Saturday, May 1st—Left Boston after breakfast. Passed over Cambridge bridge; got on board a wagon and rode to Concord; then walked to Acton and put up at Stearns'es.
"Sunday—Spent the day in Acton. Went to meeting in the forenoon, and spent the afternoon in and about the tavern.
"Monday—Passed through Littleton and put up at a private house in Groton. Polly brought in the milk and strained it into a large wooden bowl, then seated herself at the table and crumbed the bread into some pewter basons, and with a tin dipper laded the milk from the wooden bowl; then handed the old gentleman his bason and one to Phineas, and I was seated at the table to eat mine.
"Tuesday—Passed through a part of Shirley and through Lunenberg to Townsend. Put up at Stines'.
"Wednesday—Passed through Ashby and New Ipswich to the north part of Temple. Stayed at Farrar's.
"Thursday—Through Wilton and a part of Milford to Mont Vernon. Stayed in the north part of the town.
"Friday—From Mont Vernon to New Boston and Goffstown. Dined at Caldwell's. Arrived home about half past three. Cold N.E. storm."
The first cotton factory at the falls of Amoskeag was erected and put in operation in 1811. It stood near the head of the falls on the west side of the river, then in Goffstown, about upon the ground now occupied by the Cheney paper mills, within the present limits of Manchester. The product was cotton yarn only, which was sold to be woven in domestic looms. Jotham Gillis was the first agent of this factory company. He was succeeded as agent, successively, by Philemon Walcott, John G. Moore, and Frederick G. Stark. Mr. Stark's appointment dating from July 28, 1813, and terminating May 11, 1814, when he went into trade, in Goffstown, as a partner to Capt. Trask. From this time until 1820 he continued in trade at Goffstown and at Manchester with various partners. In 1820, after occupying the place two years under a lease, he purchased the Blodgett mansion with its attaching property, for residence and place of business, and lived and traded there on his account up to the time when he removed to Bedford in 1837.
In 1815 he was united in marriage with Nancy Gillis, daughter of Jotham Gillis, Esq.,—above referred to as the first agent of the Amoskeag factory,—a lady in every way calculated to promote his happiness and prosperity, and whose Christian virtues and benevolent life endeared her to all who came within her sphere. Their happy marriage relation continued unbroken through forty-one years, until her decease in 1856.
The first agent appointed by the Canal company, "to superintend the said canals, to collect tolls," &c., was Samuel P. Kidder, who had for many years been Blodgett's assistant and confidential secretary. He held the appointment until his decease in 1822, when Frederick G. Stark was appointed
