The Line of People Waiting to Get Into the Collector's Fair Show in Manchester, NH
This Was Taken Around 11:00am - the Show Started at Noon
Of all the unexpected antique fields and forms that I could have encountered at this show - I never expected to have felt a need to buy a door (actually my father and I purchased the door for my mother for her birthday this month). What was so special about this door is it had been turned into a sign that had strong ties to the city - and the neighborhood I am from in Newburyport.
17th or 18th Century Door I Found Today at the Collector's Fair in Manchester, NH
A Vt Antiques Dealers Recently Acquired it From a Home in Upstate NY
The Door Had Been Turned Into a Sign
It Advertised the Various Costs It Took to Use Carr's Ferry
The Sign Is Likely From Carr's Island (Salisbury) to Newburyport
When I came across this sign - I knew it was something special immediately. It's a sign for a ferry that used to run from Newburyport (Newberry) to Carr's Island in Salisbury, Massachusetts. That's exactly one block from where my parents house is - and my house was built next to theirs - so its the same distance for me, too. That's an absolutely incredible find! It should also be noted that the sign refers to Newburyport as "Newberry" - and that's very significant because Newburyport was not incorporated as a city until 1764 - prior to 1764, Newburyport, Newbury and West Newbury were all formed as the town of Newbury or "Newberry."
However, if you continue to look at the sign you will see what it costs for a man, a horse, cattle, goats and such to cross the river (Merrimac River) aboard the ferry. All the prices are in pence (d), which is another word for penny - and both words have existed since the sixteenth-century as part of the English (England) language. Pence is only used in plural. The word "penny" is used for singular currency - the word "pence" does not get used for the number one.
When I got home - I opened up a few books about the history of Newburyport - and according to the book, A Sketch of the History of Newbury, Newburyport and West Newbury by Joshua Coffin; "In 1641, George Carr is appointed at a court holden in Ipswich, to keep the ferry of Salisbury at the island where he now dwelleth for the space of two years provided that he find a sufficient house boate and give diligent attendance. The ferriages are as follows, namely. For a man present pay two pence, for a horse six pence, goates one penny, hogs two pence. If present pay be not made that he must book any ferriage, then a penny apiece more. If any be forced to swim over their horses for want of a great boat, they shall pay nothing." (page 34) Car was also a shipbuilder. In the same book it says, "Carr made a floating bridge five feet wide with rails on each side. The float bridge is two hundred and seventy feet long." (page 60)
For a little bit more basic history about Carr - he was an immigrant from England. He was married three times with numerous children. He lived in Newburyport until his death on September 11, 1727.
If you notice, the prices on the sign I found in Manchester are a little higher than what is described in Coffin's book - so this sign must date later than 1641. I assume it dates from sometime in the late seventeenth-century to early eighteenth-century. All the hardware and the way the door appears suggests an appropriate look for the period.
The dealer I purchased it from told me he recently acquired it from a collection in upstate New York. I guess what I wrote yesterday - I can write once again; "I was in the right place at the right time!"
Here are some photos of how the area that kept Carr's Ferry appears today.
A Historic Marker for Carr's Ferry Seen on High Street in Newburyport, Ma
Carr's Ferry Was at the Bottom of the Road Seen
This is on the Corner of Merrimac Street, Jefferson Street and Jefferson Court in Newburyport, Ma
Straight Ahead is Where Carr's Ferry Was Located
Straight Ahead is Where Carr's Ferry Was Located
If You Notice the Stone Wall Across the River - That's Where Carr's Ferry Used to Land in Salisbury
Across the River is Carr's Island
George Carr Used to Live On This Island
This is Where Carr's Ferry Used to Cross the Merrimac River in Newburyport, Ma
This is Where Carr's Ferry Used to Cross the Merrimac River in Newburyport, Ma
This is Where Carr's Ferry Used to Cross the Merrimac River in Newburyport, Ma
This is Where Carr's Ferry Used to Cross the Merrimac River in Newburyport, Ma
The Ground in Newburyport, Ma That Carr's Ferry Used to Load At
Tomorrow brings Day 3 of Antiques Week in New Hampshire for me - who knows what may happen!? I plan to attend the original show - the New Hampshire Antique Dealers Association Show in Manchester - I may make a second visit to see friends at the Collector's Fair - and I may even drive back to Concord for a show called the "Picker's Show."
Please Stay Tuned…Much More to Come...
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