Not our name, but our passion
John Brown was born in the town of Poplin (now Fremont) in 1806, he built a home and opened a gunsmith out of his house in 1845. Brown’s shop manufactured rifles, pistols and shotguns. Brown and his son were contracted by the government during the Civil War to manufacture guns for the Union Army. After the war Brown continued the business until his death in 1895. His son Andrew built a new gunsmith nearby and operated it until his death in 1907.
The original cooperage was built here in 1874 by Jonas Spaulding Jr. The area had a wealth of white pine trees which were perfect for barrel making. In 1893 Stephen Frost bought into the company and became its general manager changing the name to the Spaulding & Frost Cooperage. In all the factory was in operation for 125 years producing millions of wooden barrels. The world’s largest barrel was made here in 1998 measuring 17 feet high. The factory was closed in 1999 due to financial difficulties but my mother did purchase several items before it closed.
On the site of the Fremont, New Hampshire Town Office are two markers by the town of Fremont explaining the early history of the town. These are an interesting addition to the New Hampshire historical marker system and well worth a stop.
Fremont was originally incorporated as Poplin on June 22, 1864. It was renamed Fremont in 1854 after the famous frontiersman and politician John C. Fremont. 552 residents and 2 slaves fought during the revolutionary war and 99 citizens served during the civil war.
Settled in the 1720s the Black Rock Village section of Poplin saw the growth of sawmills, gristmills the 1800 meeting house and was a center of business for the old town. The first Civil War Riot in New England took place in Liberty Square here. The first Poplin town meeting took place in the John Prescott Lovering Inn.
This historic old Tavern was used as a stagecoach stop and was visited by the famous American orator and statesman Daniel Webster in 1840 during a campaign stop on behalf of presidential candidate William Henry Harrison. It was last used as a Hotel between 1872 and 1906. Since then it has been a private residence. The Turner Family has owned the house since 1946. The first Poplin (now Fremont) town meeting was held here in 1764. The inn can be seen next to the historical marker for the Civil War Riot of 1861.
