New Hampshire’s Witches’ Night of 1879

Posted on 22 October, 2013 by Janice Brown

WITCHES NIGHT

From the earliest times men have been trying to look ahead. The ancient Egyptians had oracles where their gods were supposed to answer the questions of men by dreams and other ways; the ancient Greeks also had famous oracles, which people came from far off lands to consult; the Romans killed certain fowls or animals, and guessed at the future by Victorian Halloween Postcard 5the looks of their internal organs; the Hebrews and the Babylonians had their own peculiar ways of finding out what was to happen. The world has not yet outgrown the longing to look ahead. The Hindoo to-day sets a lamp afloat on the sacred river, and judges of the future by the length of time it burns; the Chinaman consults his “wise men,” who pretend to understand signs; the ignorant African takes notice of the cries of birds and animals; the English–not long ago–tried to learn by help of what they call “witches,” and Spiritualists even now, believe the predictions of a “medium.” Continue reading →

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Penacook New Hampshire’s First Female Legislator, Physician, Educator and Civic Leader: Mary Louise (Rolfe) Farnum (1870-1965)

Posted on 18 October, 2013 by Janice Brown

Nineteen hundred and twenty was a landmark year for the women of New Hampshire.  The 19th Amendment, which granted women’s suffrage (the right to vote) nationwide in 1920, was ratified. New Hampshire ratified the amendment on September 10, 1919, but national ratification was not Dr. Mary L. (Rolfe) Farnumcompleted until August 18, 1920.

By that time, it was too late for them to file for that year’s New Hampshire elections. That did not stop two women–Dr. Mary Louise (Rolfe) Farnum, and Jessie Doe. Within a few weeks of the passage of the 19th amendment, these two women had commenced write-in campaigns in the primary election, and went on to win New Hampshire House seats. Questions arose whether they had the right to hold office, and though their right was supported by the majority with a referendum, it did not receive a two-thirds requirement (but that point was apparently ignored). Continue reading →

Posted in History, Moovers And Shakers, New Hampshire Politics, New Hampshire Women | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

Old Haunted Houses Reported in New Hampshire Newspapers

Posted on 12 October, 2013 by Janice Brown
Old postcard, marked as Haunted House in Hollis, Wishing Well. From Cow Hampshire Blog

Old postcard, marked as Haunted House in Hollis, Wishing Well. From Cow Hampshire Blog

DANGER OF HAUNTED HOUSES (1792). —  A girl who was a servant in a house reputed to be haunted, was suspected, and at length fairly convicted, of pregnancy; she fell on her knees before her mistress, craving forgiveness, alleging indeed that she ought not to be blamed for it was entirely the Ghosteses fault. “The Ghosteses fault!” exclaimed the mistress, “how could that possibly happen?” “Why indeed madam!” replied the simple girl, “the Ghost one dark night made a huge noise, and almost terrified me out of my seven senses. I told John how it saved me, and he persuaded me how spirits never appeared, when two people slept together. So as I liked his company better than the Ghosteses, and was mortally afraid of Ghosteses, I went along with him, and so, indeed and indeed Madam I should never have lost my virtue, if it had not been for fear of the Ghosteses.” [from Thursday, May 31, 1792; New-Hampshire Gazette (Portsmouth NH) Vol XXXV, Issue 1846, page 1] Continue reading →

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New Hampshire’s Missing Heirloom Apples

Posted on 7 October, 2013 by Janice Brown

The conversation had started off innocently enough. I purchased a scabbed and ugly, but still interesting looking apple at the Merrimack Farmer’s Market from Tom Mitchell who runs Ledge Top Farm in Wilton, New Hampshire. His apples are certified naturally grown, offering chemical-free fruit and vegetables to local communities.

Jona-Red apple

Jona-Red apple, photograph by Janice W. Brown, Cow Hampshire Blog

“Its a Jona-Red,” Tom said in his Yankee farmer way, as if I should have an idea what that is. I was born and raised in the city, and had, before today, mostly favored the “Macs” and “Granny” apples. The Jona-Red was amazing–crunchy when I bit into it, with a lovely sweet flavor.

I had wondered for a long time why the apple pies of today don’t taste the same as the ones Grandma used to make.  Well doh! If the apples in the pie are different that might be a big reason. Being the researcher that I am, now I needed to learn more about the apples of my ancestors.
Continue reading →

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New Hampshire: Leaf Peeping Through Time

Posted on 2 October, 2013 by Janice Brown

AUTUMN (1831). — The later weeks in autumn possess a pensive interest from the change of the forest foliage–The fresh, beautiful green, that girded the mountain, and foliage1waved over the vales like the graceful folds of a mantle, is now no more.  The traveler trades in the wilderness on a rustling bed, and the passing wind is burdened with the descent and flight of the sere and yellow leaves.  The trees begin to stretch out their bare imploring arms toward a heaven that may frown in wintry terror upon them.  A walk in the woods in these clear autumnal days, is a lesson in wisdom.  The spring is foretold in the death of vegetation, as immortality is denoted by the grave.  In both cases nature dies that is may live again; lays down in the dust that it may clothe itself afresh in the colors of glory….. [from BADGER’S WEEKLY MESSENGER, as published in Farmer’s Cabinet, Amherst NH; Vol. 30, Issue 13, Page 1. Continue reading →

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