The Patriotic New Hampshire Men from the "Old Sod"

Posted on 10 May, 2008 by Janice Brown

As early as 1719 immigration from Ireland to New Hampshire has been recorded, when five ships arrived in Boston with 200 emigrants from Ulster, Ireland. Sixteen of those immigrant families went on to found the town of Londonderry, New Hampshire.  After that it was rare for a year to pass without additional Irish families arriving. Their New Hampshire homes were named after their old ones–such as Dublin, Derryfield, Kilkenny.

I grew up in Manchester, New Hampshire (that had been earlier called Derryfield). I attended a Catholic school composed of children that were mainly of Irish origin, and taught by the Sisters of Mercy (whose founder was Irish). As children we were reminded that as far back as (and before) the American Revolution, many of the local patriots were of Irish origin.  


.General John Stark.

Irish settlers in New Hampshire were recruited to form (John) Stark's Rangers, who fought the battle of Bennington, and took part in the campaign ultimately leading to the surrender of General Burgoyne.  [Ramsay says, in his “History of the American Revolution, II, 311: “the Irish in America, with a few exceptions, were attached to independence.”]

Among the signers of the Declaration of Independence from New Hampshire, two out of three were Irish, namely Matthew Thornton, and William Whipple–the third signer, Josiah Bartlett, being English.

And not to leave the women out of this equation–behind every single one of these strong Irish men was often a strong Irish mother, a wife or sister.  Without their help these men would not have first, inherited their inexhaustible spirit; but also they would not have been able to participate.  For these women cared for and protected their homes and families while they were away.

Nor was the American Revolution the only time that the Irish banded as brothers and went to battle. From my mother I had heard the stories of her grandfather, Patrick John Ryan, who had fought on the Union side, with the rank of corporal during the Civil War.  

And so early on I realized that the contributions of the Irish in America were integral to history, to the world in which I live, and whose freedoms I enjoy. I'm glad that I grew up in a place where my Irish heritage was always celebrated.

Janice

This article was written as my submission to the 6th edition of the Carnival of Irish Heritage and Culture, that asks “What does the Emerald Isle and its heritage and culture mean to you?” (an Irish pedigree is not required to participate).  You still have time to write your own. Posts for this edition are due Saturday, May 31st 2008.

Posted in Irish in New Hampshire, Military of New Hampshire, New Hampshire Men | Leave a comment

Francestown New Hampshire Attorney, Governor, Secretary of the U.S. Treasury and Navy, and U.S. Supreme Court Justice: Levi Woodbury (1798-1851)

Posted on 8 May, 2008 by Janice Brown

Levi Woodbury was born on 22 December 1789 in Francestown NH,

reportedly “named after his uncle Levi, who had been captured during the American Revolution, and had died in Dartmoor Prison in England.”

Levi, the younger led a much more auspicious life. He graduated from Dartmouth College in the class of 1809 and was admitted a few years later to the New Hampshire Bar. In 1823 when the New Hampshire Historical Society was formed with Governor Plumer as president, Levi Woodbury was Vice President, and president the following year.

He was a “Jacksonian” who was elected Governor of New Hampshire in 1823.  In 1825 and also in 1841 he was elected United States Senator. He was appointed Secretary of the Navy in 1831 and Secretary of the Treasury in 1834 by President Andrew Jackson; in 1845 he was appointed a Supreme Court Justice of the United States.

His record of public service has been unmatched by any other New Hampshire citizen. A historic marker (#43) was placed in Francestown in 1907.  The description reads: “Born in Francestown, this ardent Jacksonian rose to hold some of the nation's highest offices. After serving his state as legislator, judge, and Governor, he became U.S. Senator, Secretary of the Navy, Secretary of the Treasury, and U.S. Supreme Court Justice. His record of public service has been unmatched by any New Hampshire citizen.  This marker is located near the First Unitarian Church (“The Old Meeting House” 1773) at the junction of Routes 136 and 47.

His portrait hangs in the New Hampshire State House in Concord NH, on the Second Floor corridor, West Face, Beginning at Room 208. This portrait was copied by T. Lawson from original by Charles Bird King. It was a gift to the State of New Hampshire in 1874.

*Additional Reading*

-Gov. Levi Woodbury of NH-

–Memoir of Hon. Levi Woodbury, LL.D.-

-Library of Congress Archives for Woodbury-Blair Family-

**BRIEF FAMILY TREE & SOME DESCENDANTS OF LEVI WOODBURY**

John-1 Woodbury, who settled Salem MA 1626-27. Freeman, deputy of the General Court. Died 1641. One of the five Old Planters to whom 1000 acres was granted in that part of Salem afterwards incorporated as Beverly MA, where he and his brother William planted and their descendants multiplied.

Peter-2 Woodbury, youngest son, bapt 19 Feb 1640

Josiah-3 Woodbury, b. 15 June 1682

Josiah-4 Woodbury, b. 16 Feb 1708-9

Peter-5 Woodbury, b. 28 March 1738; he signed a 1770 petition relative to town affairs in Amherst NH, and was a member of Capt Taylor's company during the American Revolution who marked in Dec 1775 to Winter Hill. In April 1776 he signed a document pledging to resist the British with arms and fortunes, and was on the Committee of Safety.

Hon. Peter-6 Woodbury, b. 17 Jan 1767; m. Mary Woodbury. He removed from Beverly MA to Francestown NH in 1773.  She was descended from Peter-2 through Peter-3 (b 1664), Peter-4 (b 1705), James-5 (b 1738 who was Mary's father).

Levi-7 Woodbury, son of Hon. Peter and Mary (Woodbury) Woodbury of Francestown NH, was born in 22 December 1789 in Francestown NH [one source says b. 2 Dec 1789 in Mt. Vernon NH however the memoirs written by his son, state Francestown], and died 4 Sep 1851 in Portsmouth, Rockingham Co NH and is buried in Portsmouth. He married 23 May 1819 in Portland ME to Elizabeth Williams Clapp, dau of Hon. Asa Gabriel & Elizabeth Wendell (Quincy) Clapp. She was b. 25 Aug 1796 in Portland, Cumberland Co ME and d. 9 June 1873 in Portsmouth, Rockingham Co NH. They are buried with their children in the Harmony Grove Cemetery, in Portsmouth NH. [stone]
Children of Levi & Elizabeth W. (Clapp) Woodbury:
1. +Mary Elizabeth Woodbury; m. Montomery Blair
2. +Frances Anstris Woodbury, b. 1823; ; m. Archibald H. Lowery
3. Virginia Lafayette Woodbury; m. Hon. Gustavus Vasa Fox, son of Jesse & Olivia (Flint) Fox on 29 Oct 1855 in Portsmouth NH. He was a Capt. USN, Asst. Secretary of the Navy and Special Envoy to Russia. He was b. 13 June 1821 in Saugus, MA and d. 29 Oct 1863 in NY NY, age 62years.
4. Charles Levi Woodbury, b. 22 May 1820 Portsmouth NH; d. 1 July 1898 in Boston, Suffolk Co MA, buried Portsmouth NH; attorney; a member and VP of NEHGS (1895). NH Rep. in 1857. He is buried with his parents in Harmony Grove Cemetery, Portsmouth NH
5. Ellen Carolina de Quincy Woodbury, b. 1828, d. 22 Sep 1909, age 81 year in Atlantic City NJ; buried Portsmouth NH, in the Harmony Grove Cemetery.

Mary Elizabeth Woodbury, dau of Levi & Elizabeth W. (Clapp) Woodbury, b. 1821, d. 1887 ; m. 1846 to Montgomery Blair as his 2nd wife. He b. 10 May 1813 Franklin Co. KY, and d. 27 July 1883 in Silver Spring MD. He m1) Caroline Buckner who d. in 1844; he graduated from West Point Military Academy, studied law, admitted to the bar in St. Louis MO in 1837; from 1839-41 was US district attry for Missouri, 1842-43 mayor of St. Louis MO, 1843-49 Judge of Court of Common Pleas; in 1853 moved to Maryland, in 1855 counsel for Dred Scott, 1861-1864 US Postmaster General; 1878 member MD House of Delegates, 1882. The Blair Home in Washington DC at 1651 Pennsylvania Avenue is now owned by the US Government (purchased in 1941) and serves as the President's Guest House for visiting foreign dignitaries. unsuccessful candidate for US Congress.
Child of Montgomery & Caroline (Buckner) Blair:
1. Elizabeth Better Blair, b. 1840, d. 1872; m. 1869 C.B. Comstock
Children of Montgomery & Mary E. (Woodbury) Blair:
2. Minna Blair, b. 1849/1850 Missouri, d. 1919; m. 1884 Stephen Olin Richey
3. Woodbury Blair, b. 1848-1852, d. 1933; m. 7 July 1907 to Emily Wallach, dau of Richard Wallach the first Mayor of Washington CD; Woodbury was 1st the Postmaster-General of Lincoln, Nebraska; one source states he had an illegitimate child by Maria Lathan Anderson, by the name of Ethel Anderson Fogg, (who was adopted by the Fogg family). She is the mother of actor Edward Mongomery Clift.
4. Marie/Mariah Blair, b. abt 1854, d. age 6 [listed in DC census 4 July 1860]
5. Gist Blair, b. 10 Sep 1860, d. 1940; m. Laura Lawson Ellis. Adopted child, Laura Lawson Blair, b. 6 Apr 1922 [dau of George Park & Katherine (O'Reilly) Lawson].
6. Montgomery Blair Jr., b. abt 1860-1865; m. 1895 Edith Draper. Children: Charles,
Edith, Minna, Montgomery, Virginia, William and Ellen.

Frances Anstris Woodbury, dau of Levi & ELizabeth W. (Clapp) Woodbury, was b. 1823 and d. 1895; She married 29 Oct 1849 in Portsmouth NH to Archibald H. Lowery, Esq. of NY. He was b. 1812 in Washington D.C., and d. 1896.
Children of Archibald H. & Frances A. (Woodbury) Lowery:
1. Woodbury Lowery, b. 17 Feb 1853 NY NY; res. Washington DC; d. 11 Apr 1906 in Taormina Sicily. His funeral was held at Rock Creek Episcopal Church in Washington D.C., and was buried in Rock Creek Cemetery.
2. Virginia “Ginny” Lowery, b. 1866 Washington D.C., d. 1910 ; m. 1895 to Duke Jose Ambrosio of Brunetti-Gayoso-Cobos aka Jack Brunetti. He b. 6 Feb 1839 son of Count Lazare Fernando of Brunetti-Salvioni and Princess Maria of Gayoso-Cobos-Tellez. He held several positions for the Spanish government, including that of minister to Mexico, and ambassador at St. Petersburg Russia.

Posted in N.H. Historical Markers, New Hampshire Men, New Hampshire Politics | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Moovers and Shakers: Week of May 7, 2008

Posted on 7 May, 2008 by Janice Brown

Presenting more of my favorite blog articles for this week… enjoy!

Of Purple Mountains Majesty–Ron Cillizza of “dujour.us” provides more of his breathtaking photographs of New Hampshire places.

Drop Dead!—Randy at “Genea-Musings” presents an intriguing story about a judge who stayed one day too long in his courtroom.

Oops, Wrong Pole–David Brooks of “The Granite Geek” talks about a recent faux pas at NBC Nightly News, and how splicing newsreels may create a “geography gone bad” scenario.

Heiress Anniversary–Margaret celebrates the 20th anniversary of her first book, at “Periodic Pearls.”

The famous vs the scallywags–Is there really a difference between God and Brad Pitt? Was Blackbeard the pirate really a Southern boy? Chris at “The Genealogue” once more asks the really important life questions.

Playing With Chopsticks–Okay, so leave the “with” out of the equation. Terry at “Hill Country of Monroe County, Mississippi” discusses the tune that many folks first learn to play on the piano.

Blackmailing Bill–For those of you who love to own a picture of Uncle Harry with his pants down, or Aunt Freda in rollers, we love our “blackmail photographs.”  Becky of “kinexxions” uses them to wish her Uncle Bill a Happy Birthday.

Is Taphophilia Fatal?–Lori at “Smoky Mountain Family History” has it, so do many other folks.  Learn more.

Wanna See My Escher, Baby?–Tracy Lee at the “New Hampshire Photo Tour,” presents an Escher-like photograph (plus some other breaktaking ones of New Hampshire).

The Center of the Genealogy Research Universe–Larry Lehmer at “Passing It On” writes about the spanking brand new Midwest Genealogy Center to open on June 21st. He also claims that the male of the human species is dying out!

History Emergency–How does a history teacher decide what to teach? EHT at “History is Elementary,” walks us through a fifth grade teacher's method of triaging history.

I Wanna Be In The Movies!–You really CAN be in the movies in New Hampshire.  I found this request for movie extras on “Film New Hampshire.” If you look like a football player, a bowler, a picketer, or a party-goer, and will work for free (they will feed you at least), then you want to see this story. Children need not inquire.

Photos and A Tan–Amy of “Atlantic Ave,” who recently escaped Mud Season in New Hampshire, is home and posting some breath-taking photographs of her vacation trip. Ever hear of Wadadli, I hadn't until now.

Ancient Poop–Tim Agazaio at “Genealogy Reviews Online,” writes about some amazing output that recently sold for $960.  Its source may surprise you.

My Grammy Was a Witch–Kate at “Kate's Family Tree,” offers a wonderful list of links to resources to help you discover that lurking witch in your family tree.

Oscar Wilde, Sonny Bono and The Naked Orphans–fM at “Shades of the Departed” presents a fascinating story by Craig Manson of geneablogie, about photography and copyright law.

Faked History–We've all learned that the shots fired on Fort Sumter began the Civil War, but is that story true? ShaniFaye investigates at “Ancestrally Challenged.”
 
Transit Geeks–Adam at “Seacoast NRG” helps you learn if you are a mass transit geek with his Top Ten Signs.

Don't Dream of Radishes–Because if you do, you will add to the world's population explosion. No kidding, L.H. Crawley of “The Virtual Dime Museum,” exposes what your dreams REALLY mean in her article about the Knox Guide.

DNA Anti-Discrimination—Schelly at “Tracing the Tribe” presents information about GINA (the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act) that was passed by both the US House and Senate.

Genealogy With A Twist–Karen at “The Write Type” provides a link to a new FICTION book about genealogy and the effects of what we may inherit.

Can't Get Enough–If I learn one more thing, my brain may implode, and kreblog at Kreblog is not helping with “Things I Learned This Week.”

Nuts To You—Pecans that is.  The Itawamba History Review reveals the secrets of Pecans.

Turning Green–Elizabeth at “Little Bytes of Life,” offers a story of her ancestral home, and we learn why it's greener in Greenvile.

Tricky Genealogy Math–John at “Transylvanian Dutch” presents a truly clever math problem, that only takes a minute, and reveals your true age.

Norwegian Elves are Loose! Run!–Chery at Nordic Blue reveals that elves are on the loose. Lock your doors, they may want to sleep over.

Civil War Fatality, 140 Years Later–Tim Abbott at “Walking the Berkshires” reports on a recent Civil War death (this is one for Ripleys).

Tiptoe Too–I'm a long time fan of Lorianne's breath-taking photographs at “Hoarded Ordinaries.”  She captures some photographs taken in Keene, New Hampshire.

True Green–Lisa has posted the 5th edition of the Carnival of Irish Heritage and Culture, with the topic being the Irish language.

Ma, I'm Home!–Carnival of Genealogy, 47th Edition–“A Place Called Home” is posted on Creative Gene.

Janice

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Clarks Trading Post: Celebrating 90 Years

Posted on 6 May, 2008 by Janice Brown
Before it was Clark's Trading Post, it was Clark's Eskimo Dog Park, shown here in an early postcard.

Before it was Clark’s Trading Post, it was Clark’s Eskimo Dog Park, shown here in an early postcard.

To tourists and natives alike Clark’s Trading Post in Lincoln New Hampshire seems to have been around forever.  Taint True.

[Editor’s Note: this story was originally written in 2008 and updated now in 2018]. But they’ve been around long enough that in 2008 the Clark Family celebrated 80 years of being a major “pit-stop” for countless tourists making their way through our White Mountain region. [2018 is the 90th year in business].

The son of a physician, Edward P. Clark was born in Mamaroneck NY. He enjoyed the outdoors, and one of his first jobs was selling “raw pelts”  He loved to hunt and trap.  Edward’s wife Florence was an outdoors woman in her own right. She was the first woman to conquer Mt. Washington by dog sled.  Twice in January and April 1932 she reached the peak with her team. (Arthur T. Walden was the first person to achieve this feat, and did it in a blizzard). Continue reading →

Posted in Genealogy, New Hampshire Men, Structures, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Speechless Sunday: Governor of Boston

Posted on 6 May, 2008 by Janice Brown

Most bloggers are familiar with Wordless Wednesday.  It's a day when a bunch of folks post gorgeous photographs that need no explanation.

In a bizarre twist on that tradition, I'm inaugurating “Speechless Sunday,” when I will post strange, funny, or just blurry photographs gleaned from among my photograph albums, circa 1895 to today. Each photograph will have a brief accompanying description.

You are welcome to join in the fun.  If you'd like for me to provide a link from here to your Speechless Sunday blog post, either leave a comment here, or send me an email.

I'm hoping that these photographs will leave you… well… speechless!

As for the above photograph….
Date Taken: circa 1940
Location: a sandy beach, east coast USA
Photographer: Mary Manning (my mother)
Brief Description: words “Governor of Boston” is written on front.

And yes, I know today is Monday.  Yesterday was so nice that I played hooky and I forgot to post this article.

Janice

Posted in Speechless Sunday | Leave a comment