Reinterpreting New England Indians and the Colonial Experience




Sermons in Stone




Weird New England

History of North Adams.





PUBLIC HOUSES,
CHAPTER VIII.


THE OLD BLACK TAVERN.

This building stood on the east corner of Main and State streets, the site of which is now occupied by Martins block. For a of about twenty years this was the only public house in town. The rear part was built by Samuel Day, and afterwards occupied by, Abiel Smith, one of the early settlers. This was undoubtedly prior to 1780, as the front east wing was erected by David Darling in 1788.

The building derived its name from the color it was painted. In 1795, Mr. Darling opened the same as a public house. It was afterwards sold and occupied by Roger Wing, who has been previously mentioned as a clothier. About 1804, Bethuel Finney purchased the premises of Mr. Wing, and erected the upright or main part of the building. He kept it until about the year 1808, when Richard Knight purchased the building, and forty acres of land adjoining, for the sum of $4000. The boundaries included all the-then vacant land from a point below the Berkshire House, east on the south side of Main street to about the corner of Bank street, thence south embracing a large share of what are now Summer, Quincy and a part of Chestnut streets, including all of State street to the bridge and the grounds of the Pittsfield & North Adams railroad. Mr. Knight kept the house for several years, and then leased it to George Whitman who kept it during the years of 1812, ’13, ’14. In 1814, W. E. Brayton succeeded Mr. Whitman as lessee and occupied it until the spring of 1816, when Alpheus Smith, who had formerly kept a public house at Cheshire Corners, leased the premises and occupied the same for a period of nearly twenty years, or until it was closed. There was formerly a long row of Lombardy poplar trees in front of the old black tavern, outside the sidewalk.

This was the only public house kept in the village until the erection of the Berkshire House In 1815. As a matter of course it did a large business, especially after the close of the war with Great Britain, when emigration from New England to Genesee county and the Western Reserve in Ohio was at its height. Ox teams were then the principal motive power for heavy draughts, and two or three yokes were attached to a large canvas covered wagon, labeled “Ohio” and accompanied by a one or two horse, vehicle, with the family. The emigrant party were generally supplied with cooking utensils and provisions, camping out nights when distant from hotels. The journey occupied from twelve to sixty days.


THE BERKSHIRE HOUSE.

The large and commodious hotel on Main and State street now well known as the Berkshire or Richmond House, was originally a small, two story building, less than two-thirds its present Main street length. It was erected in 1815 by Col. Wm. Waterman and was designed as a stage tavern Mr. Waterman opened and occupied the house for six years, keeping also the post office. He disposed of the premises to George Whitman, who added twenty-five feet to the east end. In a few years it again changed hands and Rufus Wescott became the proprietor, occupying it with his sons for about two years. They then leased the house to Henry Jenks who kept it for two years. It was next carried on during 1828 by Nathaniel G. Waterman. In 1829 James Wilbur became the proprietor and occupant. He greatly improved the premises, added eight feet to the west end, raised the building another story, added a dining room, piazza and pillars, and also repaired the out buildings.

About 1836, Benjamin Howard rented the house and kept it for two years, when George and Jerry Wilbur, sons of the proprietor, took possession. They refitted the house, made many needed improvements and carried it on until the close of 1844. About this, time John Holden became, in part or whole, proprietor of the premises, and afterwards a joint owner with Jenks Kimbell.

During 1846 or ’47 Henry W. Brown (afterwards agent for the T. & B. R. R. for many years) was the lessee and occupant of the, house. In 1848 Gen. E. Bailey leased the house and carried it on for two years. Phineas Cone was the successor of Mr. Bailey, renting the house during the years 1850 and ’51. In 1852 the





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