Spofford in Chesterfield in Cheshire County, New Hampshire — The American Northeast (New England)

Pierce Shops

Photographed By Kevin Craft, July 19, 2015

1. Pierce Shops Marker

Inscription.
Spofford Village attained national stature in the 19th century for the manufacture of bits, augers, and gimlets in a series of shops powered by Partridge Brook. Beginning about 1825, Benjamin Pierce, members of the Hopkins family, and others also began to manufacture "patent accelerating heads" for hand spinning wheels in a wooden building on this site. These attachments provided rapid spindle rotation that was suited to spinning the wool of Merino sheep. By the 1860s, Spofford Village was producing over 60,000 patent heads each year for sale throughout the nation.

Erected 2009 by New Hampshire Division of Historical Resources. (Marker Number 216.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the New Hampshire Historical Highway Markers series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1825.

Location. 42° 54.407′ N, 72° 25.199′ W. Marker is in Chesterfield, New Hampshire, in Cheshire County. It is in Spofford. Marker is at the intersection of New Hampshire Route 9A and Joslin Street, on the right when traveling west on State Route 9A. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Chesterfield NH 03443, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Chief Justice Harlan Fiske Stone (approx. 2.9 miles

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away); First Methodist Meeting Place In New Hampshire (approx. 2.9 miles away); Park Hill Meeting House (approx. 5 miles away); Thompson Covered Bridge (approx. 5.3 miles away); Site of First House in Chesterfield (approx. 5.3 miles away); Madame Sherri Forest (approx. 5.7 miles away); Dr. Laura Plantz House (approx. 6.7 miles away in Vermont); Putney Veterans Monument (approx. 7 miles away in Vermont). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chesterfield.

Photographed By Kevin Craft, July 19, 2015

2. Pierce Shops Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 21, 2015, by Kevin Craft of Bedford, Quebec. This page has been viewed 501 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 21, 2015, by Kevin Craft of Bedford, Quebec. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.