Nathan Merriam Tavern

Wayside Taverns

From The New Ipswich Papers 1936

From a collection of Papers Written for the Historical Society of New Ipswich, New Hampshire and Read at Society Meetings - Compiled and Edited by Mrs. Abbie L. Phelps

Nathan Merriam Tavern

NATHAN MERRIAM kept Tavern on the Turnpike about a mile beyond the Peppermint (Tavern). He had previously kept tavern on the now abandoned Rindge road but built this new house just after the Pike was opened, in 1803. As he has been known to be living here in 1782 he had been in town some years before he became owner of this tavern. Judging from the cellar hole which is still plainly visible it must have been a large house. It was said to have had a pitch roof with the gable end towards the road. The sides were built of wood and the ends brick. It was torn down sometime in the 40's and there is a tradition that the frame was brought to this village and the old "Bee Hive" was made from it. Mr. Samuel Thayer stated that he remembered the frame fell down while it was being built. It was left one Saturday night, and the next day it was very windy. As a lad he remembered coming home from church with his parents and his mother remarked that the frame seemed to be moving, and as they drove into their yard the crash came. It is unknown how long it was a public house, but Mr. Merriam is known to have been here in 1815. For many years a beautiful white rose and old fashioned pinks grew around where was once the door but nothing but black- berry bushes are there now. Good sized pine trees are growing in the cellar. It is easy to find the spot, it being nearly opposite the old Chapman road, now a part of the Wapack Trail. It is just a few steps from the road.

Could this be the “Beehive”?

The Charles H. Balcom Homestead was referred to as the "Beehive". Was this the building referenced in the account?

Formulas

Stephen A. Thayer’s “One Hundred Formulas” was published in 1883. It contains recipes from everything from printing ink to pain killers

WARNING: Please don’t try any of these “remedies”, many contain ingredients which have been shown to be harmful.

James Roger diary entry

December 5, 1908 (Saturday)

Snow commenced to fall last night but not very much.  Fine morning with west wind growing colder with north wind in afternoon.  David went for slab wood in forenoon and for his cider in afternoon.  Daniel helped to put it in cellar.  Got pc from Hamish letter from Jim and also from Col. Whitman with cheque.  Joiners finished Church today.

Become a Member (Only $15/Yr)

Membership in the Society is open to all. To join or to renew membership, send a check, membership category and contact information to:

Treasurer, New Ipswich Historical Society, 
P.O. Box 422 New Ipswich NH 03071

Thank you for your support Membership Category:

□ Individual $15

□ Family $25

□ Friend $35

□ Sponsor $50

□ Patron/Corporate $100

□ Benefactor $500

$_________ additional contribution for ongoing work to preserve the history of New Ipswich or special project (please specify)

Name: ___________________________
Email: ___________________________
Mailing Address: _____________________