Penacook NH Woman’s Club Founder, Temperance Leader, Musician: M. Annie Fiske (1855-1909)

Posted on 15 June, 2021 by Janice Brown

Photo of M. Annie Fiske from “The history of Penacook, N.H., from its first settlement in 1734 up to 1900” (1902) by David A. Brown 1902. Colorized by the blog editor.

She was born Mary Anna Fiske, daughter of Rev. William Albert & Mary Ann (Whipple) Fiske on 4 July 1854 in Kittery Maine.  When her father began to preach in Fisherville New Hampshire on  21 Dec 1856, she moved with her parents to Penacook New Hampshire, where she grew up at 59 Summer Street.  She was educated in the local schools, and received some musical training.  Later she attended the Boston Conservatory of Music, and specialized in the organ. Continue reading →

Posted in Genealogy, History, New Hampshire Women | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Some Descendants of Newmarket New Hampshire Black Patriot: Wentworth Cheswell (1746-1817)

Posted on 19 May, 2021 by Janice Brown

Old postcard of Moonlight Bridge, Newmarket NH and a horse-drawn carriage, According to 1911 Granite State Monthly article, this area was probably first owned by Hopestill Cheswell. It was the location of Wentworth Cheswell’s first house that was later home of his son Thomas.

I am not the first to write about a remarkable man–Wentworth Cheswell of Newmarket New Hampshire.  Many have sung his praises and brought to light his many “firsts” in New Hampshire.  His grandfather, and earliest known ancestor, Richard Cheswell, was a freed black man, formerly a slave to New Hampshire resident, David Laurence/Lawrence.

I bought photographs of some of his descendants on Ebay several years ago. At the time I didn’t realize who they were, just that the photographs were old and interesting, Later I discovered their connection to Wentworth Cheswell.  As far as I know there is no painting or likeness of Wentworth, so  I hope that this story with photographs of some of his descendants can shed more light on him. Continue reading →

Posted in Genealogy, History, New Hampshire Men, NH Persons of Color | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

NH Tidbits: Thomas B. Tamblyn’s 1869 Steamship on Long Pond, Concord, New Hampshire

Posted on 14 May, 2021 by Janice Brown

Undated photo of Long Pond, now Penacook Lake in Concord NH. Caption: “Long Pond Looking towards West Concord. State Hospital houses on shore were down under from present Daniel Abbott house on Long Pond Drive.” George W. Perry Collection. New Hampshire Historical Society. Colorized.

This story is about the earliest or at least one of the earliest steamships in the Concord, New Hampshire area. I was researching my 2nd great-grand uncle, Thomas B. Tamblyn, who married my 2nd great-grand aunt by blood, Judith Kilborn Tuttle, when I came across a land purchase.

John Ballard, et al. to T.B. Tamblyn, land near Long Pond for $500   — New Hampshire Patriot and State Gazette, 25 Aug 1869, page 3

Continue reading →

Posted in History, New Hampshire Men | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

NH Tidbits: Merrimack’s Special (Police) Officer Division

Posted on 7 May, 2021 by Janice Brown

Photo of Merrimack NH’s Police Chief, Edmund O’Leary. from the annual town report. Colorized.

On May 11, 2013 the Merrimack (NH) Police Department held an Open House and special event to honor all of the men and women who had served the town as police officers, special officers, auxiliary officers and constables. According to the local news story, “On July 1 of 2013, after 113 years of service to the town, the ‘Special Officer Division’ was designated out of service.”   A plaque noting the names and dates of service from 1905-2013 was unveiled. [Editor’s note: actually constables go back 275 years (from 2021) to 1746]” Continue reading →

Posted in Current Events, History, New Hampshire Men, New Hampshire Women | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

An 1838 New Hampshire Tale of Horror: The Three Brides

Posted on 6 May, 2021 by Janice Brown

Sketch of Grave Digger from I’ve gathered them in; or, The old grave digger; song for bass or contralto, by C.A. White 1873; Internet Archive. Colorized by blog editor.

TALE OF THE THREE NEW HAMPSHIRE BRIDES
As published in Weekly Raleigh Register newspaper, Raleigh, North Carolina, 18 June 1838, page 1 /and/ The Maryland Gazette, Annapolis Maryland, 21 June 1838, page 1
—
“Towards the close of a chilly afternoon in the latter part of November, I was traveling in New Hampshire on horse-back. The road was solitary and rugged, and would along through gloomy pine forests, over abrupt and stony hills. I stopped at an inn, a two story brick building, standing a little back from the road. Continue reading →

Posted in Haunted New Hampshire, R.I.P, Really Old News | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment