Mark Twain once said that the Concord Stagecoach rode "like a cradle on wheels." The reason was that 3" leather slings were used for suspension, rather than springs, to give a comfortable swinging motion to the coaches.

The beginnings of the Concord Coach came in 1813 when a young man named Lewis Downing, a wheelwright by trade, arrived in Concord NH, tools in hand and $60 in his pocket. He announced, "Lewis Downing respectfully informs the inhabitants of Concord that he has commenced the wheelwright’s business in Concord near Mr. William Austin’s store, where he flatters himself that by strict and constant attention to business, and the correct and faithful manner in which his work will be executed, to merit the patronage of the public. N.B. Carriages of all kinds repaired on short notice." By November he had produced his first vehicle that he called a ‘Concord’ wagon.

In 1816 he built a factory, employing 12 or so workers to produce all the wooden parts of wagons and chaises, including the body, which when finished were shipped to the State Prison where inmates forged and hammered the iron parts. Later Downing was able to hire his own highly skilled blacksmiths, who proudly signed their work.

Downing still needed a skilled carriage maker, and he partnered with J. Stephens Abbot in 1826. Abbot Downing Company completed their first coach in 1827. What they built was a product so solidly built that eventually the demand had to be answered by establishing sales & distribution offices in Boston, New York, Chicago, San Francisco, and even internationally.

Coaches came in 3 sizes to hold 6,9, or 12 passengers, although later models could crowd as many as 20 inside. They were made of white oak and ash. Oak lengths were sawed into the proper size for spokes; hubs were made of elm; and the curved bodies were shaped from basswood. Each piece of metalwork – steps, railings, fittings, and door handles was signed by its maker. Landscapes were painted on the sides, and lush fabrics lined the insides. The interiors were generally lined with flowered damask and three leather bench seats accommodating up to twelve passengers. Passengers each had about fifteen inches of his own. The traveler in the middle had the worst seat, because there was no back support and he had to hold onto leather straps that hung from the ceiling. Canvas or leather curtains hung over the windows, available for use during inclement weather. It was oftentimes possible, weather permitting, for passengers to ride atop the coach as well, if it was too crowded inside. Each coach weighed more than 2000 pounds, and was sturdy, and generally roomy and comfortable. The undercarriage was usually painted a bright yellow and the upper portion red or green. The door window was glazed, but the others were not. The speed of these cradles on wheels was only about 8-12 miles an hour.

Early in the century the normal workday was 14 hours, 7-12 and 1-6. That was accepted and not thought to be severe or cruel. Boys were taken into apprenticeships for six years. Still, company ledgers show that these boys remained there for 40 – 50 years, and family names kept recurring. It was a good trade, and a well respected one.

Over 700 Concord stagecoaches were in service before the company disbanded in 1847, but later the son, Lewis Downing, Jr., of the original founder, in 1865 merged with J.S. and E. A. Abbott Company to form Abbott-Downing Company. They manufactured coaches, wagons, and carriages until 1919, employing 300 people to do so. All of the employees were male, except for one, Marie Putnam, who stitched every bit of leather trim and all the seats for every stagecoach that rolled out of the Concord factory for 30 years.

Fares for traveling by coach were divided into three classes, 1^st – rode all the way; 2^nd – had to walk at bad places in the road; 3^rd – had to walk at bad places in the road AND push at hills. There was also stagecoach etiquette … When the driver asked a passenger to get out and walk, best not grumble. If the team of horses ran away with the coach, best stay inside - most of those who jumped were seriously injured. Smoking, as well as spitting leewardly, was forbidden.

Mark Twain’s Roughing It covers the years 1861-1866, and tells the story of his journey by stage from St. Joseph, Missouri, to Virginia City, Nevada, and his subsequent trip to San Francisco. He describes people he meets and situations he encounters in vivid detail, often in a language that is difficult to understand, but that is totally funny and enjoyable.

If you have a spare $150,000, you can purchase a stagecoach on the Internet. No kidding! We found several sites where they are for sale. If, however, you would just enjoy viewing a real stagecoach, there are a lot housed in museums across the United States. Near our city there is Carillon Historical Park in Dayton, OH. Other locations are the Pike Historical Society, Milford PA; Wells Fargo History Museum, Phoenix; Otero Museum, LaJunta CO; and Village of Clemmons, NC. For a complete, up-to-date listing of Concord Coaches on display, go to www.theconcordcoach.tripod.com/abbotdowning

PHOTO: The owner of this coach is the Concord Monitor. The coach was in service from Center Harbor to the White Mountains about 1866. This splendid coach is on display in the lobby of their building at One Monitor Drive, Concord, N.H.