Abbot-Downing Company was a coach and carriage builder in Concord, New Hampshire, which became known throughout the United States for its products — in particular the Concord coach.
Abbot, Downing factory, Concord circa 1870
Concord coach by Abbot and Downing
Abbot and Downing Concord coach in Hadley Farm Museum, Hadley, Massachusetts
1860 Abbot-Downing stagecoach at Stahls Automotive Collection
The Concord coach was an American horse-drawn coach, often used as stagecoaches, mailcoaches, and hotel coaches. The term was first used for the coaches built by coach-builder J. Stephen Abbot and wheelwright Lewis Downing of the Abbot-Downing Company in Concord, New Hampshire, but later to be sometimes used generically. Like their predecessors, the Concords employed a style of suspension and construction particularly suited to North America's early 19th century roads. Leather thoroughbraces suspend passengers who are in constant motion while the coach is moving. The swaying is accepted by passengers for the shock absorbing action of the leather straps and for the way the special motion eases the coach over very rough patches of roadway. This suspension, which was developed by Philip de Chiese in the 17th century, was long replaced by steel springs in England.
Concord Coach in Wells Fargo livery with leather-covered front and back boots
Glen's Falls, Lake George & Chester stagecoach c. 1880
The three longitudinal perches, the front transom supporting the metal uprights, the front axle with its link for the pole. Brake levers on the outside edge either side
The Springfield coach, 1907. Charlestown, NH to Springfield, VT