100 Years Ago: Tiniest Woman in New England Contest

Posted on 18 November, 2018 by Janice Brown

The WWI Armistice had been declared, and though soldier deaths were still being reported, the citizens of New England urgently needed to shift their focus to something light and entertaining.  In November of 1918 the Boston Post newspapers announced they were looking for the “Tiniest Woman” in New England.” Readers were invited to write in, and so they did.  Some provided photographs while others sent wrote letters claiming the honor.  The following women are a few of those who were contestants. I’ve added biographical information on each woman. Continue reading →

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New Hampshire Tidbits: Portsmouth’s Haven Park and Porter Statue

Posted on 15 November, 2018 by Janice Brown

Statue of Maj. Gen. Fitz John Porter in Haven Park, Portsmouth NH. Photograph courtesy of Richard S. Marsh.

I’ve taken the tour many times–a relaxed horse-drawn carriage ride taken through historic Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and right by Haven Park with the statue of General Fitz John Porter.  It is the real history that interests me more than whether the horse lifting one leg has any significance (which it doesn’t).  Much has been written about this locale, so I won’t repeat it, but I will share some unusual historical tidbits I discovered. Continue reading →

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New Hampshire in WWI: ARMISTICE

Posted on 11 November, 2018 by Janice Brown

Today we call ‘Veterans Day’ thanks to the 1954 Congress  who changed the name from ‘Armistice Day.’ One hundred years ago, at the 11th hour (in France) of the 11th day of the 11th month, an armistice was declared, and “after 1567 days the greatest war in history ended…” reported the Nashua Telegraph newspaper.  [Read the terms of the armistice in detail here]

Headlines across the world screamed the news that the war had ended though there would continue to be deaths. More than thirty-five hundred casualties occurred among the American Expeditionary Forces on ‘Armistice Day’ itself. Still others would die of wounds from that day and before that day, and of influenza and other deadly diseases. Some would drown or die of accidents before they were able to be sent home. It wasn’t over until it was over. Also, the armistice was a cease fire, but not a peace treaty. Continue reading →

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New Hampshire WWI Hero Serving Under Three Flags: Doctor David Everett Wheeler (1872-1918)

Posted on 10 November, 2018 by Janice Brown

Photograph of Dr. David E. Wheeler from his 1917 passport.

David Everett Wheeler, M.D.’s World War I service is credited to New Hampshire. At the time of his death, both he and his wife were serving in Europe, (she as a nurse) but they kept a Concord, New Hampshire residence as their son was then attending St. Paul’s School in Concord.

Dr. Wheeler’s name does not appear on any Concord local monument,  however I discovered his name on New Hampshire’s WWI Honor Roll plaque in Doric Hall of the State House.  His name is also on the NH Adjutant General’s list of WWI casualties.

According to uswarmemorials.org his name is inscribed on the Buzancy monument as LT D R WHEELER. Also, a plaque dedicated for him is located in Governors Island Memorial Plaques, Governors Island, New York County (Manhattan), New York, USA.

Continue reading →

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New Hampshire WWI Military: More Heroes of Coos County

Posted on 9 November, 2018 by Janice Brown

The WWI soldiers in these biographies were credited to a town in Coos County, New Hampshire. WWI deaths were attributed to a specific town based on a variety of criteria that was not always consistent from town to town. Their attributed location could have been their birth place, or where they married, or where they registered for the World War I Draft. Other reasons were they indicated the town as their last known address, or noted some next of kin or friend living there during wartime. Continue reading →

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