Keene, New Hampshire
Tavern Fire
May 27, 1822
Keene, (N. H.) June 1. FIRE.--- The
inhabitants of this village were alarmed on
Monday night, about 11 o'clock by the flames
bursting through the roof of the large three
story Stage-Tavern-House, owned by
E. Parker, Esq.
and Mr. Timothy Hall,
and occupied by Mr.
George Sparhawk. Before a sufficient
number of the citizens could be collected to
work the principle engine, all expectation of
saving the building thus enveloped, was lost,
and every effort was directed to stop its
further progress, and rescue from the flames as
much of the furniture and other property in the
house, as possible. As the fire broke out in the
upper story or garret in the S. W. corner of the
house, the store of Mr.
L. Weelock, situated only 20 feet
south, was at first most imminently endangered.
Providentially, the air was very still, and
before the heat became excessive, that exposed,
was covered with blankets, and kept perfectly
soaked with the engine. By this time the air was
in motion, and the flames had extended to the
North in the direction of the wind; and the
store of Messrs. Lamson
& Blake, (in which the Post-Office
was kept) with that of
Col. J. Perry, adjoining, it was
feared must fall a sacrifice.----The small but
very efficient factory engine now arrived, which
was sufficient to guard effectually the store at
the South, while every means was used to keep
that on the north from taking fire. The water
having failed in the cistern on the common, a
line was promptly formed to a brook about 1-4th
of a mile to the east. By this time the air was
filed [sic] with burning cinders, which took a
direction over the Meeting house, the roof of
which was soon discovered to be blazing near the
ridge pole. The was speedily extinguished, by
the engine on the outside & by water thrown from
the upper flooring in the inside. The engine
then repaired to the defence [sic] of the store,
and the great and extraordinary efforts of the
people, were at length crowned with success. The
stores on either side present the appearance of
a close seige [sic]---that on the north 50 feet
from the burning house, having caught several
times, and was readily extinguished. Every thing
that could be done was promptly put in
execution; and it is a pleasing reflection, that
the citizens yielded a ready obedience to the
suggestions of the fire wards in all cases. The
importance of fire engines, and the good effects
of regulations emanating from lawful authority,
were fully tested. A subscription it now rapidly
filling, to purchase another and more efficient
engine.
American Mercury, Hartford, CT 10 Jun 1822
On Monday night
last, the Stage-Tavern-House at Keene, owned by
E. Parker, Esq.
and Mr. I. Hall,
and occupied by
Mr. George Sparhawk, was destroyed by
fire, together with a considerable portion of
the furniture. The house was insured to its full
value.
The Salem Gazette, Salem, MA 4 Jun 1822
The large building occupied by
Mr. George Sparhawk,
in Keene, as the stage tavern was consumed by
fire on the 27th ult. The flames were first
discovered in the roof, and it is conjectured
the fire caught in the chimney, between the roof
and the upper floor. From the nearness of
several other buildings, they were much
endangered, and the meeting-house actually took
fire near the ridge-pole. But the activity of
the citizens soon extinguished it, and prevented
the further ravages of the unruly element.
Insurance had been effected on the Tavern House,
which was the property of
E. Parker, Esq. and
Mr. Timo. Hall;
and the principal loss fell upon Mr. Sparhawk,
whose furniture was principally destroyed or
injured.
New-Hampshire Patriot & State Gazette,
Keene, NH 10 Jun 1822
On Monday night, May 27, 1822, the large,
three-story stage tavern on the site of the
present Cheshire House, owned by
Elijah Parker and
Timothy Hall, and kept by
George Sparhawk, was burned to the
ground. The single engine of the town "and a
small one from the glass factory," with the aid
of citizens passing buckets of water, saved the
stores of Lamson &
Blake and
Justus Perry on the north, only fifty
feet away; and that of
Lynds Wheelock on the south, only
twenty feet away. The cistern of water on the
common was soon exhausted, and then lines were
formed to Beaver brook---one of men passing the
full buckets and one of women and boys passing
the empty ones. The roof of the meetinghouse
took fire, but was extinguished by the engine.
Fortunately there was very little wind, and the
village was thus saved from a more serious
conflagration.1 The building was
insured in the Ętna company for nearly its full
value, and the sum was promptly paid. This fire
roused the people to the importance of having a
more efficient organization for extinguishing
fires. A subscription was immediately started
for the purchase of another engine; and the
Keene Engine Co., John
Elliot, clerk, called a meeting at
Wadley's tavern to choose officers, make by-laws
and regulations, and to see if the company would
purchase a new engine. The Keene Fire Society
was also formed and continued for many years;
and soon afterwards the Fire Fencibles were
organized, with Samuel Dinsmoor, clerk.
1 It was provided by law that every
village householder should keep a prescribed
number of leathern fire-buckets on hand for use
in case of fire.
A History of the Town of Keene from 1732,
when the Township was Granted by Massachusetts,
to 1874, when it Became a City, 1904, page 385
Articles transcribed by
Linda Horton. Thanks, Linda!
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