Happy Anniversary New Hampshire!

Posted on 20 June, 2008 by Janice Brown

Depending on which of the events in the history of New Hampshire’s settlement that you celebrate, in 2008 New Hampshire is either 220, 317, or 328 years old. Of course all of these days are connected with European colonization of the area. The Native Peoples resided here for thousands of years longer.

New Hampshire separated from the Massachusetts Colony  On January 1, 1680 [328 years ago] when it became a separately governed colony. It reunited with the Massachusetts colony in 1688, and separated finally in 1691 (becoming the royal Province of New Hampshire). [ 317 yrs ago].

Following the American Revolutionary War, New Hampshire became the 9th state in the fledgling United States of America on June 21, 1788 [220 years ago].

Janice

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New Hampshire Missing Places: Trecothick

Posted on 20 June, 2008 by Janice Brown

On May 1, 1769 a charter was granted to Barlow Trecothick for a town called Trecothick–the only location by that name in the world. This name remained until the town was incorporated 16 June 1802 when the name of Ellsworth was substituted.

It was originally named after Barlow Trecothick, who with John Wentworth (son of Mark Hunking, and future Governor of New Hampshire) visited England to present their petition to the king, praying for the repeal of the stamp act. Barlow, along with Wentworth were appointed “joynt and separate agents for the province” of New Hampshire at the Court of Great Britain. Barlow was a Boston merchant who later became Mayor of London and Member of Parliament, and he died childless 2 June 1775 (his wife was Grizzell Apthorpe).

Ellsworth, New Hampshire, lies in the central part of Grafton County at latitude 43 degrees 54 minutes and longitude 71 degrees 48 minutes. It is bounded north by Woodstock, east by Thornton and Campton, south by Rumney and west by Warren. The renaming of the town to Ellsworth was done so to honor Chief Justice Oliver Ellsworth of Connecticut, (third Chief Justice) who, at the time of the town's incorporation, had recently negotiated a peace treaty with France, resulting in the Louisiana Purchase.

Many settlers from western Massachusetts and Connecticut went up the Connecticut River and occupied the towns in that beautiful valley.  The first permanent settlement was made in 1790 by Jonathan T. Downing who was from Gilmanton NH.

It is believed this area was popular with the Native People, as many artifacts were found here in past years. The local mountain is named Kineo, reportedly from Kunnawa, a local “chief” who hunted there. It is said that gold can be found in some of the streams.

Ellsworth's land is for the most part hard and untillable, as compared with other New Hampshire towns, and the greater part of the land was covered with forest.  Even by 1880 Ellsworth had a population of only “209 souls.”  In 2005 only 86 people lived in this community (a great increase from the 13 living there in 1970).

Janice

Posted in N.H. Missing Places | 1 Comment

Isles of Shoals New Hampshire: No Hogs, No Women

Posted on 18 June, 2008 by Janice Brown

E.E. Bourne in an account of the Isles of Shoals, writes “The law allowed no women or hogs on the island. In 1647 John Reynolds went to live on Hog Island, carrying with him his hogs, and also his wife, which made a great uproar among the inhabitants. The people petitioned the Court of York County that they might be compelled to remove them. The court ordered the hogs off, but allowed the wife to stay, if there were not personal objection to her.”

The original petition stated, “The humble petition of Richard Cutts and John Cutting, showeth, that contrary to an act of court which says, ‘No woman shall live on the Isles of Shoals,’ John Reynolds has brought his wife hither with an intention to live here and abide. He hath also brought upon Hog Island a great stock of goats and swine, which, by destroying much fish, do great damage to the petitioners and others; and also spoil the spring of water upon that island, rendering it unfit for any manner of use.
  Your petitioners therefore pray, that the act of court may put in execution for the removal of all women from inhabiting there; and that said Reynolds may be ordered to remove his goats and swine from the island without delay.”

As mentioned above, the court ordered the removal of the swine, but decided, as to the complain against the wife, “It is thought fit by the court, that, if no further complaint come against her, she may enjoy the company of her husband.” (Massachusetts Historical Collection, vo. vii, p. 250)

Hog Island is now called Appledore Island.

Janice

*Additional Reading*

–Articles about the Isles of Shoals at Cow Hampshire–

–A Handy Book of Curious Information, by William Shepard Walsh, 1913, J.B. Lippincott Company; page 930-

– March 1925 “Legends of New Hampshire: The Wraith O’ White Island” [Isles of Shoals]

Posted in History, New Hampshire Women | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Manchester New Hampshire’s Connection To Cosmetics King: Hyman Charles Revson (1906-1975)

Posted on 16 June, 2008 by Janice Brown

Despite rumors and articles to the contrary, Hyman Charles (aka Charles “Haskell”) Revson was born 11 October 1906 in Boston Massachusetts, to Russian-Jewish parents Samuel and Nettie Leah “Janette” (Weiss) Revson.  Charles’ mother Nettie had a brother Hyman who probably was the inspiration for that part of Charles’ name. We may never know how or why the name “Hyman” was later listed as “Haskell,” but possibly because his son was named Charles Haskell Revson, Jr., it was assumed. Continue reading →

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

2008 Father's Day and Motorcycle Week in New Hampshire

Posted on 15 June, 2008 by Janice Brown

My father passed away twenty-seven years ago.  Yet a Father's Day does not arrive  when I do not think of both him AND New Hampshire's Motorcycle Week.  Why the connection?

A motorcycle was my father's first love (yep, even my mother admitted that). Possibly his first bike was a vintage Indian that he called “Old Reliable.”  He was one of the participants of the early Gypsy Tours that have mostly faded from memory. A love of everything motorcycle-related, in conjunction with his enjoyment of photography, produced an amazing legacy in snapshots of New England's motorcycle history.

He never spoke to his children about racing, but he did say how he performed a few daredevil stunts, such as riding through a burning wooden wall.  We thought he was joking, until as adults we saw proof.

And so today, as the 85th Laconia Motorcycle Week Rally begins (aka Laconia Motorcycle Week), I can't help but be reminded of my own Dad, and his passion for swift Indians, leather gear, and dirt tracks.

Janice

P.S.: The photograph pictured above is of “Webby” Webster riding his motorcycle through a burning wooden wall, circa 1932

*Additional Reading*

–Cafe Press: Vintage 1930 Motorcycles–

–Motorcycle Week 2008 (Weirs)–

-Laconia Motorcycle Week 2008: Official Site-

-Cow Hampshire: Articles and Photographs About Motorcycles (You DO know the motorcycle was invented by a New Hampshire man)–

Posted in Current Events, New Hampshire Men | 1 Comment