New Hampshire Celebration: John Stark Day

Posted on 25 April, 2014 by Janice Brown

April 25, 2016 is John Stark Day in New Hampshire. This celebratory date is set by New Hampshire Revised Statutes 4:13-l – General John Stark Day, that designates the fourth Monday in April as such. “And the governor …. shall urge cities and towns throughout the state to observe this day in commemoration of General Stark’s gallant and illustrious service to New Hampshire and his country.”  (I am unsure of why April was chosen to celebrate a John Stark Day, since he was born in the month of August, and died in the month of May.)

If you would like to participate in related events in 2016, there should be some coming up. In 2016 Heather Wilkinson-Rojo attended and documented the Manchester events.  [In other years there have been a Program and Wreath Laying Commemorating General John Stark at Stark Park (Manchester) and another at the Caleb Stark Monument, Town Hall (Dunbarton). Dunbarton even had tea with John’s wife, Molly Stark].  Other sources of event information can be found in a notice at an online newspaper, and the Friends of Stark Park web site.
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Posted in Current Events, Military of New Hampshire, N.H. Historical Markers, New Hampshire Men | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

The Entertaining Family of New Hampshire’s Alex Philbrick aka Preston

Posted on 21 April, 2014 by Janice Brown

I hope that my readers have been following this season’s American Idol television show.  It is not often that a New Hampshire resident can be found placing so prominently in the entertainment field.  And no, I have not forgotten the likes of New Hampshirites Tommy Makem, Steven Tyler (of Aerosmith), Mandy Moore, or Tom Rush.  Alex Preston (birth name Philbrick) is more than talented enough to join this illustrious group, even if he may not have actually been born in New Hampshire, just raised here. Let’s claim him as our own either way.   [Visit his FaceBook page]

Photograph of Alex Philbrick aka Preston from American Idol web site

Photograph of Alex Philbrick aka Preston from American Idol web site

As of Idol’s most recent show, it was announced that Alex placed third, and was voted off, in lieu of contestants, Jenna and Caleb.  Needless to say, his placement does not affect his amazing talent in a negative way, and his ability to sell songs (he has sold more than his competitors on iTunes).  I expect that to continue.  The response at his recent homecoming demonstrated a much larger audience than just the younger crowd that could be seen in the show’s audience.  Alex has already proven himself to be a great singer and unassuming showman (he plays 12 musical instruments). Continue reading →

Posted in Genealogy, History, New Hampshire Entertainers, New Hampshire Men | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

New Hampshire and the Easter Bonnet

Posted on 19 April, 2014 by Janice Brown

I am not making a claim that New Hampshire invented the ‘Easter Bonnet.’   Easter PostcardHead-gear has been worn by women as far back as the Middle Ages, and probably much earlier in both cold and warm climates. It would not be a stretch of the imagination to think that when the weather became milder, that women would exchange their heavy hats for lighter, prettier ones. Exactly when the wearing a special bonnet for Easter became popular, is completely unknown.

In 1821 the Burnap sisters of Merrimack, New Hampshire were making and promoting beautiful “Leghorn Bonnets” out of local grasses.  However, even though their father was a minister, I found  nothing that specifically connects these hats to the Easter season.
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Posted in History, New Hampshire Women | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

New Hampshire Missing Places: Antlers Tea Room, Wonalancet

Posted on 14 April, 2014 by Janice Brown

I came across a series of postcards–“The Antlers Tea Room, Wonalancet, N.H.” they read.  One shows a rustic log cabin in a clearing, the second apparently the inside of the wonalancet tea room advertisementsame building with a collection of thin, antique furniture, a lamp and a stone fireplace.  A guitar rests on one of the wooden benches.  As for the ‘antlers’ part of the name, one of the chairs in the photograph appears to have pokey antler arm rests.  Possibly the unseen remainder of the room had actual antlers hanging on the walls.

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Merrimack New Hampshire Poet and Author: Hannah Eayrs Barron (1809-1891)

Posted on 7 April, 2014 by Janice Brown

IT IS FIRST RATE TO BE A YANKEE

Mrs. Hannah Eayrs Barron, poet and writer, born Merrimack, Hillsborough Co. New Hampshire on 24 November 1809. Photograph from her book of poetry.

Mrs. Hannah Eayrs Barron, poet and writer, born Merrimack, Hillsborough Co. New Hampshire on 24 November 1809. Photograph from her book of poetry.

That we are yankees is first rate,
And natives of the Granite State;
We love this place as well we may,
So near the banks of Nashua.
By and by comes vacation,
Then we’ll have more recreation.

This term of school we’ve all enjoyed,
Our time it has been well employed;
We’ve learned to read and learned to spell,
And aimed to say our lessons well.
By and by comes vacation,
Then we’ll have more recreation.

We know our parents will be glad.
For we can count and we can add;
We multiply and we divide,
Much to the credit of our guide.
By and by comes vacation,
Then we’ll have more recreation.

We hope to shun all naughty ways,
And learn some new thing every day;
The hill of science we will climb,
As fast as we have strength of mind.
By and by comes vacation,
Then we’ll have more recreation.
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Posted in History, New Hampshire Women, Poetry | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments