177 DEPOT ROAD
014-006
DAR# 97
Luther Lawrence
Now Site of The Lawrence Barn
Basic text is from the DAR History of Hollis Homes, edited by Deborah E. Lovejoy 1953 with accompanying map (Cudworth). Codes used are initials of editors from this book and from 1999-2000 update editors. See bibliography for full information.
This was a part of the Fox property, which was divided between the two sons, Samuel and William. This place belonged to Samuel, who married Augusta Lovejoy, twin sister of Augustus Lovejoy, in 1850. Evidently the house was built by Samuel Fox. The barn seems to be very old according to stories told. The present owner, Luther Lawrence, says it must be 200 years old. It was, perhaps, the barn belonging to the farm of Josiah Blood (No. 98). We are told that a barn and cooper shop came to Samuel Fox but were used by Ebenezer Ranger (No. 96).
William Rockwood, also Joseph Sullivan owned the place at one time. Afterward it passed into the hands of Charles A. Read who sold it to a Charles Lewis. Mr. Lewis did not remain in town long. Obadiah Lawrence was the next owner. He bought in 1907 and lived here with his family for some years. In 1926 Obadiah deeded the farm to his son Luther who resides here at the present time.(1952) He has made many improvements. (R.R. No. 667)
Note (ese2000): The land on which the barn stood was sold for development (2 houses) 1999. The foundation of one silo remains on Depot Road in front of 167 Depot. The barn given to the Town was thoroughly documented by John Butler and other timber frame specialists and dismantled by Arron Sturgis 1999. In 2000 it is in two storage containers under the stewardship of the Heritage Commission while plans and funds are found for its possible reconstruction. See other detailed records and slides regarding the Lawrence Barn on file at Town Hall.
From William Lawrence 2001: "The Charles Lewis mentioned did not purchase the property from Charles A. and Lucinda A. Read. Obadiah Lawrence purchased the property from C.A. & L. A. Read February 23, 1907. I believe that Charles Lewis either rented or defaulted on purchase of the property. In any event the attached copy of the Deed of transfer from Mr. & Mrs. Read to Obadiah Lawrence indicates the only and true transfer of property."
"Warrantee Deed. Charles A. Read to Obadiah Lawrence Hillsborough, SS. Received Feb. 14, 1907 Recorded Vol. 648 Page 271 and examined by Dana M. King Register.
Know All Men by these Presents, That I Charles A. Read of Hollis in the county of Hillsborough and State of New Hampshire in consideration of one dollar by Obadiah Lawrence of Hollis in the county of Hillsborough and State of New Hampshire the receipt whereof I do hereby acknowledge, have given, granted, bargained, sold and conveyed, and do for myself and my heirs, by these presents, give, grant, bargain, sell and convey unto the said Obadiah Lawrence his heirs and assigns, forever, a certain tract of Land situated in said Hollis and known as the Homestead of the late Samuel M. Fox it being a part of the Ebenezer Fox farm, and situated on the south side of the road leading from said Hollis to "Runnells Bridge" so called. And described in two pieces as follows: The first piece with the buildings thereon is bounded on the north and east by said road and land of Mr. L. Pierce on the south by land of C. F. Burge and on the west by land formerly of William Hale. The other piece is situated on the east side of said road and bounded on the west by said road. On the north by the road leading to the Charles W. Read place and on the east by land of said Read. To have and to hold the aforesaid premises, with all the privileges and appurtenances there unto belonging to the said grantee his heirs and assigns, to their use and behoof forever. And I do covenant with the said grantee his heirs and assigns; that I am lawfully seized in fee of the afore-described premises; that they are free of all incumbrances; that I have good right to sell and convey the same to the said grantee in manner aforesaid; and that I and my heirs will warrant and defend the same premises to the said grantee his heirs and assigns, forever, against all lawful claims and demands of all persons.
And I Lucinda A. Read wife of said Charles A. Read in consideration aforesaid, do hereby relinquish my right of Dower in the before mentioned premises.
And we, and each of us, hereby release our several rights of Homestead in said premises, under and by virtue of any law of this State.
In witness whereof, we have hereunto set our hands and seals this 14h day of February in the year of our Lord, one thousand nine hundred and seven.
Signed, sealed and delivered in presence of us:
Joseph Gates, Charles W. Hardy Charles A. Read, Lucinda A. Read
State of New Hampshire, Hillsborough SS February 14th 1907 Then the above-named Charles A. Read and Lucinda A. Read personally appearing, acknowledged the above instrument to be their free act and deed. Before me, Charles W. Hardy Justice of the Peace.".
"The barn as existing in 1999 was as purchased by Obadiah in 1907 with the following exceptions:
The roof of the first two bays from Depot Road was in poor repair and was replaced by Obadiah, this included the cutting of the cross timber identified by John Butler as the end of the oldest center four bays.
The three rooms were constructed in the fifth, sixth and seventh bays for horse stalls, tack room and grain room. Obadiah used three horse hitches and ground his own corn meal in the Mid Western style. He had left Hollis as a young man and resided in Illinois until his return to New Hampshire in the early 1900’s.
Obadiah also erected the second silo on the East side of the barn.
Luther Lawrence, his son, installed lightning rods in 1936 and had the aluminum roofing added following World War II. In addition he replaced one set of swinging double doors on the East side of bay 4 with a sliding tracked door, and resided the South end with hemlock boards."
Note (ese May-2002): Currently while the house built on the site of the barn is for sale by owner part of the barn may be reconstructed for use by the Recreation Commission on the recreational fields east side of Depot Rd. just south of the Town Hall. The most recent bays of the barn would not be rebuilt because of their condition (use as a dairy barn causes more disintegration) and because of the size the entire barn would take. Action is currently pending cooperative efforts of the Heritage and Recreational Commissions and the Selectmen.
Dismantled
House on Barn Site 4/00
