A House With a History

Bank Village

August 11, 1916

Transcription

BANK VILLAGE
A House With a History.

   The fine old estate in Bank Village recently sold by DuBois and Jessica Knight, has known quite a long list of occupants since 1820, none of the earlier ones having owned the house. James W. Bliss, who superintended the building of three mills on the Souhegan river, moved into the house in May of 1821, and was followed by Eben Wild. clerk for the Mountain Mill Co.; John Ayers, clerk for the same company: George Oliver, agent of the mill; Jason Blanchard, John Clark, Hiram Smith, agent for the mill, and W. W. Johnson, for many years at the head of a flourishing dry goods and grocery store in Bank Village. 

   Following his decease his son, W. E. Johnson, rented the place at various times to Rev. Mr. Gage, Richard Hale, Harry Tindall and Robert J. Tabraham, and finally sold to Mr. Allen of Fitchburg, who a little later transferred it to Mr. Hunt. After a short residence In town Mr. Hunt sold to Frank Nettleton of Leominster and in the spring of 1907 DuBois and Mrs. Knight became its owners and occupants.

   The house has undergone many changes. It was remodeled and greatly Improved by Hiram Smith. Mr. Johns son made it attractive and kept it in excellent repair. Mr. Hunt built the first barn. Mr. Knight built additions on to the house, converted the upper part of the barn into a handsome studio, built a garage, another barn and enlarged the grounds by the purchase of the store buildings and "Bank house," two old landmarks, which were demolished. He also had two new wells made for water, which with the four original ones, furnish an abundant water supply.

   Under date of April 1, 1821, Charles Barrett wrote the following about the house to Mr. Bliss, which shows what it was originally: "I shall not do much to the house until you move up, and then you may finish it to your own liking. There are two painted and papered rooms in it. The outside we calculate to paint. The house and garden have formerly been rented at 25 dollars per year. We shall charge that and the interest of what money you may wish to spend on it."

   The same letter speaks of the low wages of working men. Carpenters were hired at $12 a month. Experienced workmen at machinery had from $20 a month to a dollar per day.

James Roger diary entry

23rd August 1913

Showers during night; cloudy day but fair and pleasant; wind variable. David at Store. Dixon not out as he feels sick. Alice and I cleaned up Hall and fixed it for Finn dance tonight. I picked 4 chickens after dinner. Took two to Miss Laura Barr’s and one dozen eggs. Got parcel of Heather from Scotland today. David took some to Wilbur; also to Mrs. Nash.

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