classes. She has since occasionally sent to her friends a birthday poem.* In 1882 the house and accompanying land was sold to Charles Williams and is still owned by his heirs. It was leased by various parties at different times, but failed to recover any great amount of patronage, and on the 14th of May, 1903, the Massabesic house was totally destroyed by fire, undoubtedly the work of an incendiary, as it had been closed all the previous season for the first time in many years. Next in point of time and first in its commanding view of the lake was Folsom's in Auburn, on the Londonderry turnpike. From the rear of the house the land sloped gradually to the water's edge. Off the shore at no great distance the green forests of Deer Isle were in full sight, and across the deep blue of the waters the view reaches on to the mountain heights, northwest of Manchester. This tavern, as shown in our half-tone, was built by John Folsom in 1806. Mr. Folsom was born in Newmarket March 11, 1776. The family soon after moved to Harrisburg, Pa., where the father engaged in nail making. In 1792 they returned to New Hampshire and settled in Chester, near the chief affluent of the lake. Here Mr. Folsom bought the fulling mill of Joseph Blanchard and installed his machinery for nail making. In 1805 John Folsom and John Melvin took a contract to build fifteen miles of turnpike from Hooksett bridge, and also the bridge at the straits, or Deer neck. For the bridge Mr. Folsom was allowed one thousand dollars. At this time he bought lot ninety-eight, second part, second divison, upon which the tavern was built. The picture given here is a very good representation of the house as it appeared fifty years ago, as the writer can testify, having experienced its hospitality *Mrs. Ann M. Offutt died at her home, 319 Chestnut Street, February 20, 1904. She was the oldest member of the Merrimack-street Baptist church and was a member of the Manchester Old Residents association and of the W. C. T. U. She leaves three sons, Willard C. Offutt of Savannah, Ga.,'and E. Howard and Albert E. Offutt of this city; two daughters, Mrs. Annie M. French of Hazardville, Ct., and Mrs. Ella J. Wheeler of this city; eight grandchildren and a great-granddaughter. |