Portsmouth NH Navy Yard: Genealogy Gleanings from the Life Buoy

Posted on 20 July, 2014 by Janice Brown

The Industrial Department Life Buoy was a magazine issued free, on a monthly basis, to Lifebuoyemployees of the Industrial Department of the Portsmouth Navy Yard, in Portsmouth New Hampshire. It was intended to inspire, to give a sense of collective purpose, and to provide news as one might share within a family.

This particular collection of magazines published from 1917 to 1920 contains important historical and biographical information, the excerpts of which I will provide here, with links back to the original text. Anyone with a relative who worked at the shipyard during this time, or who has an interest in submarine and ship building in the World War I era will find the information fascinating. Continue reading →

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New Hampshire Tidbits: Temple and The First Glass Factory

Posted on 15 July, 2014 by Janice Brown

glass bottles“A glass factory of considerable extent and remarkable for its employment of Hessians and Waldeckers who were deserters from the British army was established 1779 or 1780 at Temple, NH by a Mr. Hewes of Boston, but was burned down in 1780-81 and was not rebuilt; some of its products, a glass plate, etc. are in Harvard University.” [from Johnson’s universal cyclopedia: a scientific and popular treasury; Vol 3: Glass, American Manufacture of”, p 506] Continue reading →

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Health and Longevity in 18th & Early 19th Century New Hampshire

Posted on 11 July, 2014 by Janice Brown

Instances of Longevity in New-Hampshire, with the places of residence, and the time when each person died, and their ages.

YEAR DIED | NAME  | TOWN | AGEold postcard couple in rowboat
1732 William Perkins, of New-Market 116
1736 John Buss, of Durham 108
1739 James Wilson, of Chester 100
1754 William Scoby, of Londonderry 110
1754 James Shirley, of Chester 105
1765 Elizabeth Hight, of Newington 100
1772 Howard Henderson, of Dover 100
1775 William Craige, of Chester 100
1775 Mrs. Craige (his wife) of Chester 100
1775 Mrs. Lear, of Portsmouth 103
1775 Mrs. Mayo, of Portsmouth 106
1787 Robert Macklin, of Wakefield 115
1789 Mrs. Ulrick, of Hollis 104
1790 Mrs. Hayley, of Exeter 101
1791 Jacob Green, of Hanover 100
1791 Widow Davis 102
1791 James Shirley, of Chester 100 Continue reading →

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New Hampshire’s Post Road and Post Office History

Posted on 8 July, 2014 by Janice Brown

Today much of our communication is transmitted electronically. It was only a few decades ago that all of our correspondence, documents, and bills were delivered by human hand to our doorsteps. In colonial America, post roads influenced what people knew about current events, and houses along this road were considered prime real estate.  By ‘post road, ‘ I mean those byways specifically designated for the delivery of  mail or correspondence.

These roads were different from those of the New Hampshire turnpike system that I have written about previously.  The history of New Hampshire’s (and America’s) post roads is older than that of the United States Post Office.   Continue reading →

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When Windham NH Toasted the Fourth of July in 1825

Posted on 4 July, 2014 by Janice Brown

Re-enactment Rev battleOn Monday the 49th Anniversary of American Independence was celebrated at Windham with the usual demonstrations of joy, gratitude, and festivity. In consequence of the unfavorable weather in the forenoon many who had intended to join in the celebration were prevented.

But having cleared up about noon–a large assembly had collected by one o’clock P.M. from that and the neighboring towns. A procession was formed and conducted to the meeting house by Capt. Perkins A. Hodge, Marshal of the day–The exercised were–the declaration of Independence read by Samuel Armor Esq.–Prayer by The Rev. Samuel Harris–Oration by Isaac McGaw Esq. Ode composed for the occasion by the “Rustic Bard” and sung by the choir belonging to Windham.

Continue reading →

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