New Hampshire’s Epic ‘Mud Turtle Monument’ of 1895

Posted on 21 December, 2019 by Janice Brown

Early photo postcard of the “Mud Turtle” Monument (now submerged) that marks the corner boundary line of New Hampshire, Vermont and Massachusetts. (watermarked, property of the blog editor)

If you have never heard of the ‘Mud Turtle Monument’ you are probably not alone.  Yet the placement of this remarkable stone ended a 150 year old  dispute between New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Vermont over their shared boundary.

New Hampshire claims all of the Connecticut River along the VT – NH border and this tri-state point was originally placed at the low-water mark, ending at the Massachusetts state line. The monument is still there, only now it sits beneath at least 12-14 feet of water and sand.

Historically the 200-mile Connecticut River’s west bank at the low water mark was considered New Hampshire’s domain and its Vermont boundary. As a series of ten power dams were built along the river, the water height changed. New Hampshire inherited the duty of maintaining most of the bridges across the river. Continue reading →

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Gen. John Stark: “I am the enemy of all foreign influence…”

Posted on 18 December, 2019 by Janice Brown

Daguerrotype of a “painting” by A. Ritchie, circa 1831. Courtesy of John McNeil Stark Esq. Concord NH as found in book, “A life of General John Stark of New Hampshire.”

 

“I am the enemy of all foreign influence, for all foreign influence is the influence of tyranny. This is the only chosen spot for liberty — this is the only Republic on earth.”  General John Stark wrote these words in the same letter where the now famous ‘Live Free or Die’ motto was also penned.

There is no denying the courage, intensity, foresight and bravery of John Stark.  He never feared to face the enemy.  He always put his family, his community, his state, his country first.  I wish that could be said the same of all of our country’s politicians and so-called leadership.

 

 

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U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation: Combating Foreign Influence
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New Hampshire Tidbits: Who Were the Boston Tea Party?

Posted on 15 December, 2019 by Janice Brown

Photograph of ‘Boston Tea Party’ mural, artist Robert Reid circa 1904. Detroit Publishing Company collection. Library of Congress. [The original mural is located in the main stair hall of Massachusetts State House].

December 16th 2019 is the 246th Anniversary of the so-called Boston Tea Party.  Some historians believe that the term ‘Boston Tea Party’ was referring not to the event itself, but rather to the “party of participants,” i.e. by definition “a group taking one side of a dispute.”

It appears the first use of  the “Boston Tea Party” phrase to describe the event did not appear in published form until about 1825–fifty-two years after the event, and certainly a long enough time for the original story to shift and change like many do in the quicksands of time.  I highly recommend that my readers peruse a wonderful (and brief) article called 7 Myths About the Boston Tea Party by Benjamin L. Carp at the Journal of the American Revolution web site. Continue reading →

Posted in Genealogy, History, NH Tidbits, Really Old News | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

New Hampshire’s ‘Best Christmas’ in History

Posted on 12 December, 2019 by Janice Brown

Christmas Booklet,” by Judi Brandow, U.S. Dept of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Region. 2001.

It is impossible to qualify Christmas. The holiday evokes too many complex emotions, and contains a myriad of traditions. If asked, “What was your best Christmas?” what would you reply?  Would your response be upbeat or maudlin, gift-oriented or family reminiscent? I’ve performed a bit of time travel, via old newspapers to see how people in New Hampshire (and New England) answered this question.  Perhaps the replies will provide you with idea on how to celebrate this year. Some of the ‘best Christmases’ may surprise you. Continue reading →

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New Hampshire Missing Places: The Uplands of Bridgewater

Posted on 4 December, 2019 by Janice Brown

Old photograph poscard of the Bridgewater NH estate known as the Uplands, taken between 1908-1925.

As most of my readers have figured out, the missing places I write about are often not truly missing–often the name has changed or a landmark has vanished from the spot. It is not uncommon for local places to change names over the decades to reflect a new owner, or for a building to burn down or be demolished.

In this case the PLACE, the farm once known as The Uplands, on Whittemore Point South Road (shown in the photograph) in Bridgewater, New Hampshire still exists as private property. Much of the farmland property that was originally part of the estate has been subdivided and sold. Most of the land between the estate house and Newfound Lake now contains the condominiums of ‘Whittemore Shores‘ on quaint new streets with names such as Tomahawk Trail, Pasquaney Lane and Algonquin Path.  My thanks to Derwood Gray, President of the Bridgewater (NH) Historical Society for speaking with me about this property. Continue reading →

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