Video Interview: Tom Howard and the Concord Coaches

I recently had a chance to talk with an expert genealogist and historian: Tom Howard. Best of all, he is an expert on a topic that also interests me: Concord Coaches. Even better, Roots Television videotaped our conversation.

If you know what a Concord Coach is, you'll want to see this video. If you don't yet know what a Concord Coach is, you will also want to watch this video to learn about a bit of Americana: the Concord Coaches were undoubtedly the best stagecoaches built in North America.

Concord, New Hampshire was the site of two competitive stagecoach builders. In later years, the companies merged to become the Abbot & Downing Coach Company. The companies used many independent contractors to make the components and most of these skilled craftsmen signed the pieces that they created. Genealogists have since identified many of these craftsmen and their families.

You an watch Thomas Howard describe these fascinating bits of history at http://www.rootstelevision.com/index.html?bcpid=7225568001&bclid=240119644&bctid=22632761001.

You also might want to read my earlier article about Concord Coaches at http://blog.eogn.com/eastmans_online_genealogy/2006/03/abbotdownings_c.html and view a few pictures I took at http://blog.eogn.com/photos/stgeorge2006/.

And, yes, the picture to the left is one of me sitting in a Concord Coach that used to serve the town where my great-grandparents and great-great-grandparents lived.

Comments

[Dan Hogan]

I have an original Abbot & Downing Celerity coach, more commonly known as a mud wagon used on the Butterfield & Overland route from 1858-1861. It has been restored to original condition.

[Deborah Moore]

I enjoyed the video and article on the Concord Coaches. I was born and raised in Concord, New Hampshire. I remember back in 1965 when we celebrated our Bi-centenial that we had to get permission from Wells Fargo to use the coach as our emblem. I drive by the site of the factory every day. My grammar school is across the street from where Downing is buried. I can help people research the families of the artisians, because I work for vital records. I am very proud of our Concord Coach and the people who made them.

[mike felton]

Hello, my name is Mike. I was hunting the other day out in eastern oregon and found the axle to a concord stage/wagon? i would like some info on this. I can give pics and describe it through email. anyone please contact me when/if you get a chance. thought someone could use it for a restoration etc.. thanks. tailgunner98@yahoo.com