New Hampshire Slanguage: Piazza

Posted on 20 January, 2014 by Janice Brown
piazza of Goffstown Historical Society

An example of a piazza, as found on the Goffstown Historical Society building in Goffstown, New Hampshire.

The word, piazza, was well known in New Hampshire in the early 18th century.  Several references are made in newspapers of that time to piazzas found in warmer climates and seemingly indicative of outside living space covered with a roof.  By the 1820s these piazzas begin to be described as attached to the houses, and the word appears to be synonymous with a porch, but mostly in southern states and still in warm locations.

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New Hampshire’s First Female Selectman: Lenna Gwendolen (Wilson) Perry (1899-1986)

Posted on 15 January, 2014 by Janice Brown

The small town of Sharon, located in the Monadnock region, is prominent in history for being the location of New Hamphire’s first female selectman. Even today Sharon’s  population is only 340 people.

Mrs. Lenna (Wilson) Perry

Mrs. Lenna (Wilson) Perry (1899-1986)

Lenna Gwendolen Wilson came from a well-known local farming family, being the daughter, and tenth child of  Thomas J. & Ellen A. (Worcester) Wilson.  Lenna was born 9 March 1899 in Sharon, Hillsborough Co. NH.

She was educated first in the Sharon schools, then later at Katherine Gibbs School, and Burdett College in Boston, MA (both of these facilities then provided business and office courses).  From 1918 to 1920 she worked at the Veterans Administration in Washington, D.C. [The 1920 U.S. Census shows her residing in Washington D.C. with a sister, occupation “typist.”].

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Missing Places: Havey Stables and Riding School of Bedford, New Hampshire

Posted on 10 January, 2014 by Janice Brown
Mary Manning and friend George at Haveys Stables 1940s

Mary Manning and friend George Connelly (later Rev.) at Havey’s Stables 1940s; Photograph copyright Janice W. Brown, Blog: Cow Hampshire

Even after horses were not the usual mode of travel in New Hampshire, riding stables continued to thrive in New Hampshire–providing both a means of entertainment, and an equine sport.  One such facility was Havey Stables and Riding School of Bedford, New Hampshire. According to the History of Bedford, N.H. 1737-1971, page 344 states, “The large residential area to the southeast of Boynton Street was developed in the 1940s; it is often referred to as “the Plains,” and “the Pines.”  It was this still highly wooded area of Bedford, that became a favorite area for horseback riding in the 1930s to the 1960s.
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New Hampshire Resolution Makers 1914

Posted on 5 January, 2014 by Janice Brown

RESOLUTION MAKERS
From: Portsmouth Herald, December 31, 1914

Any weakling can make resolutions. It needs a strong man to keep them. That is perhaps Gosport Church, Isles of Shoalswhy New Year’s resolutions are so often futile. The strong do not wait for high days and holy days to amend their conduct or carry out their resolves.  They obey Gothe’s dictum:
   “Seize this very minute,
    Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.”
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A Happy New Hampshire New Year 1841

Posted on 1 January, 2014 by Janice Brown

A happy new year.–Before we again shall have an opportunity to address our friends and new year girlreaders, the present year will have passed away & the New Year of Eighteen hundred and forty two will be ushered in upon us. And we take this opportunity in anticipation of the day and wish all of our friends a happy New Year.

First and foremost we say to all of The fair, who have not yet linked themselves by Hymen’s silken chain to some worth mate, a happy New Year to ye–may this prove the fortunate and happy one in which all your golden dreams and fond anticipations shall be more than realized. To all of the young Gallants, full of life, fine spirits and high hopes, a happy New Year to ye–we hope this year you will cease to sow wild oats, sober down, make yourself a happy home and find a sweet little wife who may prove the joy and comfort of your life.

To all the Old Bachelors who make no pretensions to marriage, but who go grunting along over the rough and hubbly road of life solitary and alone, a happy New Year to ye–all the crumb of comfort we have for you is, that for ought we can see, you must grin and bear it.

To all, both young and old, whether yoked in wedlock or not, we say, a happy New Year to ye–we wish you all health and prosperity; may you be blessed with such peace, contentment, joy and happiness. And thus kind readers you have our best wishes; and all we wish in return is–please send us a good lot of subscribers.

 Tuesday, December 28, 1841 New-Hampshire Gazette (Portsmouth NH) Vol LXXXVIII Issue 7 Page 3

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