The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1906-03-09
The NeWbury House.

The collection of buildings known by
the above name and burned in the even
ing of Feb. 18TH 1906, were erected at
different times and several owners, for
various purposes and saw many changes
in their uses and tenants.
The oldest of these connected buildings
was the wooden part, next east of the brick
portion, and was two story building Of
wood and one of the very oldest buildings
i'm the town and State Rev. Clark Perry,
in his historical discourse delivered in 1881
while there were those still living who re-
membered the whole history, says that
it was originally built by Col William
Wallace about l775, and stood near the
residence of Mr.. James Lawrie. a few
years later here moved it to the present
site of the Library. Both before and
after it's removal, Col. Wallace kept store
in it, and did the largest mercantile bust
ness in this part of the country.
When Col. Wallace erected the house
which afterward became the Spring Hotel,
he moved the building to the other side
of the street, and kept store in 1t, as did
his son, Moses Wallace, after him. 1t is
not known precisely when Colonel Wal
lace died, but his son, Moses, removed
to TOpsham about 1908, and, two years
later, the building seems to have passed
into the hands of Edward Little, who
then owned the Spring Hotel Who the
next owner was, or what use was made OF
it is not clear, but about 1892, Timothy
Morse owned it and in 1884, the year in
which the Seminary opened, he erected
the brick part of the buildings. 1t APP
pears that it was occupied as a country
store by several persons for about twelve
wears, the last merchant being a man by
name of Cargll The older part of the
building was, during these years, used as
a dwelling by various families.
In 1917, when the building of the rail
road was expected to introduce an era of
prosperity to the town, the property was
purchased by Henry Reyes, Joseph At
kinson and Others, who had organized a
Hotel Association, and who expended
some six thousand dollars upon the build
ings and furniture. They enlarged and
altered the brick part, put the other
buildings into repair, and opened 1t as a
hotel called the "Newbury House" in
the summer of 1913.
Elijah Austin, who had been proprietor
of the Pacific Hotel in New York City
was the first landlord, and the hotel was
run as temperance house, the Spring
Hotel on the other side of the road not
being conducted upon that basis. New
bury Village was at the height of its pros
peritv then, and both hotels were well
patronzed.
Mr.. Austin did not remain long, and
was succeeded by several propnetors
whose succession, as nearly as can now
be ascertained was, Chester Ladd, Sim
con and Harry Stevens, James Appleton,
Burnham Shepard, Mathew c. Chaplin,
Ezekiel SawverCn 1850 Nelson b. Stew
ems. Abner HILL \. b. Stevens again, Sci
den Rowell, \. b. Stevens a third time
George A. Sawyer and William Goodwin
The different owners of the property
Ezekiel Sawyer, Nelson b. Stevens
Kendall & Demerritt, F. Il II. 7. Reyes a
Co.
In the early '7O's it ceased to be used
as a hotel and John +. Chamberlin bought
it. After the fire of 1876, II. H. Deming
moved his goods into the building and
kept store there about a year while erect
ing the building now owned and occupied
by James b. Hale.
In November, 1877, the property was
bought by the present owner, ;. /. Swasey
and used by him as a residence and as 9
iewerv and drug store some six years
During that time the barn was occupied
as a livery stable by Arson Stevens.
number of small stores have been conduct
ed upon the premises. Since 1888, tn,
buildings have been occupied by tenants
one family remaining there II years, an
other about ID years, and Others not as
/ long.
Somewhat of interest attaches to a hal
which was formerly over the wood shed
and was altered into a tenement som'
/ fifteen years ago. 1t was called in late
years the "Newbury House Hall" anC
was used in connection with the hotel fOi
| balls and other assemblies.
No one seems to know the age or history
of this old ball room, but if tradition b,
authentic, it was built about a century
ago, and used as a ball room, or. as ther
/ termed, an Assembly Room in connection
with the Spring Hotel. Such a hall wa.
a very common appendage to the countr,
/ taverns Of those DAYS, and when properl,
conducted, added to their popularity
/ There was another ball room in a wing
now demolished, of Deacon Sidney John
sons house at the Ox-bow, and used II
connection with the tavern kept som,
seventy years in the house where Mr.
Heath lives. Such an Assembly Room il
the town was dedicated by very famou,
! ball in the winter Of 1S0S-O9. and | hav,
seen one Of the advertisements Of it.