Tavern on Corner Across from Hand Tub House

In its heyday the tavern saw many a hilarious gathering. During the winter season, sleighing parties from Haverhill, Newburyport, and other surrounding places went there for suppers and dancing in the large dining room which, cleared of its tables was used as a dance hall. the music was furnished by Graham’s orchestra from Bradford. Rafting crews on their way down river to the shipyards in Newburyport tied up a the village. Ship Crews, going up and down, all visited the tavern – probably more on account of the taproom than the dining room. [7]

In 1774 James Carr, innholder, owned the land where the Johnson tavern later stood, and sold it in addition to most of the rest of the acreage north of E. Main St. to his son Francis along with a ‘dwelling house’. It is not clear whether the dwelling house sold to Francis was an earlier version of the Johnson tavern or whether there was a house that was later transformed into a tavern, or whether there was both a house and a tavern, since James Carr was an innholder, as was Francis. Francis probably lived there from 1774 to 1803 when he sold the land (and tavern?) to John Johnson and  moved to Maine. Francis is listed as an innholder in Haverhill from 1790 to 1801. Francis haf a retailer license from 1801 to 1803.

Samuel Brown, Augustus Chase, and one-armed Civil War veteran Freeman Maynard, all kept a grocery store in a room at the upper end of the tavern at different times. Later John W. Kenison fitted the same room up for billiards and ran it for years. Still later, about 1900, William Sawyer purchased the tavern and kept a grocery store in the same room. (7)

Col. John Johnson (5th Regt. Lt. Col. John Johnson, Infantry, Navel History: War of 1812) was the grandson of Thomas Johnson (1685 – July 22, 1754) and either Ruth Bradley (1st wife died in Indian Attack 1708) or Rachel Ordway (2nd wife, d Dec 31, 1764). (7) Thomas (b1685) was the son of Lieut. John Johnson a blacksmith. He was the son of Timothy Johnson who was the son of John Johnson who came to Haverhill from Charlestown in 1657 (d 1708 in Indian Attack).

1742 – J Swett sells his 19A north of E Main St. to Simeon Brown. Still owns
south side land (35 acres). 87/139

1773, July 3: Henry Young Brown, Simeon Brown, and Ruth Brown to James Carr (Innholder) (134/22) 19 acres bounded by Jamaco path, Road from Kingston to Swett’s Ferry, two rod way allowed by John Swett. The whole north side of East Main.

1774, Sept 7: James Carr innholder To Francis Carr of Almsbury, cooper, 19A dwelling house all other buildings bounded by highway west(?) from bound rock to Jamaica path then s on Jam path to road from Kingston to Swetts ferry then on said road e to Ephraim Elliots upon said road then on Elliots n to s&s then Elliots s to the road or landing then on landing e to a 2-rod way Swett allowed then on said way n to the way from bound rock to Jam path (start). 134/ 23

1803: From Francis and Mary Carr to John Johnson Jr.  (176/259). 110 Rods of land bounded by Swett’s Landing 9R 6L – south, Store 24L, East – Highway 11R 4L,  North – Carr 9R 1L, and west – Carr/Joseph Poyen Land 13R 12L.  Carr’s dwelling house, barn, outhouses, and Cooper shop on Swett’s landing.

John Johnson Jr. was innkeeper of the Johnson tavern from 1801 until at least 1824. His name on the innkeeper’s list in Haverhill disappears in 1827 to be replaced by his son-in-law Daniel McQuesten, although Johnson didn’t leave Rocks Village until about 1852. John Ingersoll’s diary mentions going over to “Mr. Johnson’s” frequently in the evenings. John Johnson is listed as an innholder in Haverhill from 1801 to 1824 and a retailer in the same period until 1820. In 1812, the “Innholder” status from the city states “Innholder and sellers of beer, wine, and distilled spirits, ale, and Cider.  It lists John Johnson, 2nd.

1830 Census: Johnson & M’Questen , Merchants & Taverners, Rocks’ Village

1841, Oct 27th:  John Johnson Jr.  to Stephen D. Shaw (385/280) Bond

1844, July 16: John and Ruth Johnson to Stephen Shaw (346/128) with Buildings bounded on West by Ebenezer Fullington, south by road 6R, running northerly 1R7L, then along road to Amesbury  8R24L, then bounded northerly by Joseph Estabrook 6R4L, then running southerly by Estabrook 3R15L, then easterly on Fullington 18L then southerly on Fullington 2R20L to bound first mentioned.

1844, July 19:  Stephen D. Shaw and Mary W. Shaw to Richard Trask of Manchester guardian of Susan M. Allen of Manchester Minor (346/129)

1844, Oct 9: Abby H. Trask mortgage to John Johnson (418/230) related to 346/128)

1844, Oct 13:  Susan M. Greenleaf (previously Susan M. Allen) Richard Trask being Guardian to John Johnson (418/230)

1846: Moses Atwood is considered an Inn Holder and references “My Tavern in the Village”

1847, Aug 2: Daniel Atwood and Fred A. Crosby certifies that Moses P. Greenleaf hold the note that secures the mortgage as husband of Susan M. Greenleaf takes possession of mortgage from Stephen D. Shaw. (385/280)

1849, Oct 9:  Abby H. Trask (executor of Richard Trask) to John Johnson (418/231)

1849, Oct 20:  John Johnson to John J. McQueston and Daniel H. Hall (418/230).  Land bordered by Ebenezer Fullington, Joseph Estabrook and Road leading to Amesbury.

Johnson sold to John J. McQuesten and Daniel H. Hall(7)
in (21) it says that his happened in 1835

1850 – The Johnson tavern is listed as a ‘hotel’ now being run by John and Abby McQuesten, with Col. John Johnson, now 76 years old, and his wife Ruth residing there. John Johnson sold his tavern to John McQuesten and Daniel Hall about this time. He also sold the Ingersoll house to Abby McQuesten at some point (date unknown – maybe 1835?). Date of Johnson’s death is unknown.

HOTEL - 1850 census
819-1037  John H. MCQUESTION, 30, tavern keeper, $1200
          Abby ", 26, ME
          Warren ", 5, ME
          John JOHNSON, 76, none, $10,000
          Ruth Ingersoll", 68
          Thomas BRADLEY, 30, laborer, ME
          Henry MARSH, 22, shoemaker, NH
          John HAM, 21, shoemaker, NH
          John DEARISE?, 32, shoemaker, ME
          Thomas BRADLEY, 20, shoemaker
          Harrison BAILEY, 25, shoemaker, VT
          William ELLIOT, 20, shoemaker, NH
          Ellen MURPHY, 20, IRL

1853:  Samuel H. Hall

1853, Nov 5:  John J. McQueston to Daniel H. Hall (487/77) one undivided 1/2 of land bounded by Fullerton, Road, Road, Joseph Esterbrook. (looks sort of like a mortgage.

1854, May 13: John J. McQueston and Abby McQueston to Daniel H. Hall(512/101) bounded by Estarook and Fullington and Road to Amesbury

1854, Sept 19:  John J. McQueston to William E. Greeley (500/280)

1855, May 18: William E. Greeley and Myra A. Greeley to Daniel H. Hall (513/172)

1855 Census:
David H. Hall (46) Landlord
Eliza L. Hall (46)
Benjamin F. Hall (24) Shoe maker
Freeman F. Maynard (28) Grocer
Abbie L. Goodwin (19) NH
Mary Ianian (18) Ireland

1857, June 17:  Daniel H. Hall to James and Lydia Davis (567/99) bounded by Estarook and Fullington and road to Amesbury

1861, Apr 2: Lydia and James Davis To J. Henry Maynard for 1,500. bounded by road to Amesbury, John Osgood, Joseph Esterbrook. (618/218) being same land received from Daniel H. Hall in 1857 (567/99).

1860, Apr 28, John Maynard and Catherine Maynard to James Davis (606/153) Mortgage?

1860, Dec 20:  John Maynard to Otis Mann (618/220)

1861, May 3: Otis Mann to James Davis (623/294) land bounded by road to Amesbury, Philina Nichols, Osgood, and Joseph Estabrook.

Story about a traveling Circus and an elephant
1862: Goodwin & Wilder’s North American Circus, in conjunction with Mrs. Dan Rice’s Great Show, finished last week in doing Boston, and its western suburbs, but commence this week at East Boston on the 26th, and Lynn on the 27th. . . . will show this week at the following places: Salem 28th, Newburyport 29th, Amesbury Mills 30th, and Haverhill 31st.

1865: S. O. Wheeler’s Circus is billed to pitch canvas at Lowell, Mass., among the factory girls, on the 1st of May, and on the 2d, the spinners of the Lawrence mills will have an opportunity to see spangles. The show then visites Haverhill on the 3d. Newburyport, one of the prettiest cities in Massachusetts, on the 4th, and Gloucester _th.

1865, Oct 4: James Davis and Lydia Davis to Dr. Timothy Kineson one undivided half (694/79) bounded by Osgood, Estabrook, and Nichols

Dr. Kenison remodeled it into tenements which he rented. John W. Kenison inherited the tavern.

1872: J. Davis according to Map

Timothy Kinison died 21st of December, 1876, probate in 1877 number 44122. Names John W. L., Abby, Albert, and Elizabeth de Poyen. John B. Nichols, Frederick Kimball, and Thomas J. Orne are the committee.
Homestead: $2000
House in Lane: $550
House in Rocks Bridge: $450
1/2 Hotel: $500
Farm in Merrimac: $1800
Meadow: $50.00
13 acres Woodland: $275.00
Farm in Newbury: $4,130
Woodland in Georgetown: $290.00

1877, Nov 27:  John W. L. Kenison to James Davis “Tavern House and Stable” (988/262) bounded by River Road, East Main Street, J.B. Nichols, and Osgood

1877, Nov 3:  James Davis and Lydia Davis to John. W. L. Kenison (One undivided half of Tavern House and Stable

1877, Nov 7:  Abbey E. Kenison, Albert E. Kenison, John S. Poyen, Elizabeth B. Poyen, Hannah W. Kenison (one undivided half of Tavern house and stable (988/233)

Looks like John had a couple of mortgages on these same two pieces of property

1879, June 7: John W. L. Kenison to Samuel C. Foot (1018/117). Assigned to George E. Elliot in 1881 (1062/162), Assignment to Richard Webster in 1891 (1312/537), Possession to Richard Webster 1891, June 25th (1314/84) Tavern House and Stable bounded as follows: East by road to Merrimac, north by John Osgood, West, John B. Nichols, 2nd, and south road leading to plaistow.  Also: 3/4 acre on steamboat lane north by land of George Cooper, east by river south by james M. Pecker, west by steamboat lane.

1880 Census lists John W. Kennison as a single Billiard Saloon owner.

From 1880 Greenough’s City Census

1882, July 19: John W. L. Kenison to George E. Elliot Tavern and Stable (bounded by Osgood, John B. Nichols, 2nd, (1087/163), Assignment: 1312/537, possession 1314/84, 1318/93-95

1888 tax notice to John W. L. Kenison for $21.58(1268/454)

1890, Jan 3: notice of tax collection from John W. L. Kenison for 21.68 (1268/454) bounded by John B. Nichols, 2nd, Osgood, and John Estabrook

1889: From Keniston to George Elliott (1269/242) for taxed paid by Elliott. Lot #58, Plat 12A. Bounded by John Osgood on north, John B. Nichols, 2nd on west. East by River Road and South by Main street.

1891, June 20: Mortgage assigned to Richard Webster (1312/537)

1904, Oct 8: Richard Webster’s probate (March 28, 1904) to William Sawyer (1756/95) Isabella J. M. Webster executor

on osgood deed, owned by Sawyer (bk 6119/513)

1910: William H. Willis is listed as living at Old Tavern Stand and working as Shoemaker

1920: December 19, the tavern was destroyed by fire.  Richard Webster was the owner. (7)

The old Tavern signs always read, “Entertainment
for man and beast”.  This Tavern at Rocks Village was one of the
important stopping places, for people traveling  into New Hampshire,
and to the large town of Amesbury. (Notes from Chase Chronicles)

1970: Sweeney Parcel #1, area 13,800