New Hampshire Missing Places: Unitoga Springs House and Unity Springs

Posted on 12 June, 2007 by Janice Brown
Old postcard of the town common in Unity, New Hampshire

Old postcard of the town common in Unity, New Hampshire

Unitoga Spring House and Unity Springs were located three miles south of Newport village, in Unity, Sullivan County, New Hampshire.  In the late 1800s Unity Springs became quite noted for its medical qualities. From several sources there were 10 actual springs within a general vicinity where two hotels were built to attract and accommodate health-seeking visitors.

Reportedly also at one time called “Iron Springs,” these waters were highly charged with salts of iron, and possessed tonic properties.  This “long-lost spa” included a 60-room house which reportedly provided relief for ladies and men who suffered from “gravel” (aka kidney stones), invalids, and lovers of recreation. Continue reading →

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Loudon New Hampshire Illustrator, Painter, Engraver: Frank French (1850-1933)

Posted on 10 June, 2007 by Janice Brown
Self Portrait of Frank French

Self Portrait of Frank French

Frank French was born 22 May 1850 in Loudon NH, son and 8th child of Hiram & Lydia Walcot (Bachelder) French.  He died about 1930 in the Reeds Ferry section of Merrimack, New Hampshire.

By 1870 he was living in Manchester NH where he served as art director for the Manchester newspaper, “Mirror and Farmer” under John B. Clarke. At that time he held an exhibition of paintings by Boston artists to stimulate art interest in Manchester. This was the first fine art exhibit in the city, and soon after, he helped organize the Manchester Art Association. Continue reading →

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New Hampshire Slanguage: Ascared

Posted on 8 June, 2007 by Janice Brown

The word, “ascared,” (sometimes pronounced “ascairt”) is considered a “regional” word

which means to fear, or to be afraid.  Growing up in Manchester New Hampshire I heard this word used more than once, generally by the French-Canadian residents who were in my neighborhood. Continue reading →

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New Hampshire’s Year Without a Summer

Posted on 6 June, 2007 by Janice Brown

Some of us were wondering if this was going to be New Hampshire’s Year without a Winter.  In one year quite the opposite occurred.  That year, 1816 is known among the few old men who remember it as “the year without a summer.”  In every month there was a severe frost, and the greater part of the crops were substantially destroyed.  It was often referred to as “eighteen hundred and starve to death.”

January was mild, as was also February, with the exception of a few days.  The greater part of March was cold and boisterous.  April opened warm, but grew colder as it advanced, ending with snow and ice and winter cold.  In May ice formed half an inch thick, buds and flowers were killed and corn frozen.  Frost, ice and snow were common in June.  On inauguration day, in June, there was snow to the depth of four inches on a level in Warner; in Maine the snow was ten inches deep.  Almost every green thing was killed, and the fruit was nearly all destroyed.  Continue reading →

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New Hampshire Glossary: Whetstone

Posted on 4 June, 2007 by Janice Brown

whetstone– a sharpening stone used to sharpen the edge of metal tools and weapons (such as knives, scissors, and scythes).  Sharpening stones come in a variety of sizes and shapes.

The Pike Manufacturing Company, of Haverhill New Hampshire, had the largest whetstone business in the world, until the 1920's and 1930's when artificial abrasives took over the market and the business was moved to Littleton, NH.  Their whetstones were made from a mica schist, and there are some myths and legends associated with the “Indian Pond” whetstones.

Grafton County, New Hampshire was especially noted for the presence of Novaculite–siliceous rocks valuable as whetstones.

Janice

*Additional Reading*

-Photograph of an old-fashioned Whetstone Wheel-

–How to Sharpen Swords–

-Wikipedia: Novaculite–

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