New Hampshire WWI Military: Sgt Major Robert C. Beckett of Concord

Posted on 1 July, 2018 by Janice Brown

Big gun: Fort Standish: Lovells Island, Boston Harbor. Leslie Jones Collection,
Boston Public Library Print Dept.

I have written several articles about Concord New Hampshire’s involvement in World War I.  I introduce to you now another one of the brave heroes who did not return home from that war.  Robert Clinton Beckett was born 22 Oct 1892 in Concord NH, son of John E. & Elizabeth C. (Clinton) Beckett.   He grew up and attended schools in New Hampshire’s state capitol, and in 1910 the U.S. Census shows him living there with his parents, and two younger siblings, Rosaline E., and Dorothy C. Beckett. Continue reading →

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New Hampshire WWI Military: Heroes of Antrim

Posted on 29 June, 2018 by Janice Brown

Old postcard showing the James A. Tuttle
Library in Antrim and the WWI monument on
the front lawn. Property of J.W. Brown.

In 1922 the town of Antrim decided to create a memorial for all its veterans of the World War (later called World War I). Antrim’s Historic and Cultural Resources document states that “an 8 foot high, 15 ton boulder was moved from Gregg Lake Road to the James A. Tuttle Library lawn [45 Main Street].” To this boulder was attached a bronze tablet on which was inscribed the names all of Antrim’s heroic men and women in service. Continue reading →

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New Hampshire’s Last Highwaymen

Posted on 27 June, 2018 by Janice Brown

Advertisement by Huse Karr of his
robbery near Boscawen NH in 1821.

New Hampshire doesn’t seem like a hot-spot for highwaymen, and indeed there have not been many. In the early history of the State, travelers either did not have much coin or they didn’t travel with it.

Because the roads were so poor, boats on the Merrimack or the Connecticut Rivers were popular modes of travel, resulting in a near impossible method for a highwayman to ply his trade. But as the roads improved, as toll roads were built, and as more affluent people began to travel, meeting a highwayman was a possibility, though a rarity.

Highwaymen were not the romantic figures of the pulp fiction novels. They were thugs, thieves, and miscreants. They threatened people’s lives and tried to steal their hard-earned money and possessions. In colonial New England getting caught was risky, for the punishment was death. Continue reading →

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New Hampshire WWI Military: Private Dante John Baratelli of Concord

Posted on 26 June, 2018 by Janice Brown

Dante John Baratelli was born 24 September 1891 at Jersey City New Jersey, son of Angelo & Elisa (Airoli) Baratelli. His parents were both born in Italy and he had siblings Norma D., Charles C. (the sculptor) and John C. From 1910-1912 he was living in Barre, Vermont working as a clerk. He moved to Concord New Hampshire and while living there he joined the U.S. Army. Continue reading →

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New Hampshire WWI Military: Heroes of Newport

Posted on 24 June, 2018 by Janice Brown

Stereoscopic Views of Newport, Sullivan County, New Hampshire. John Bachelder photographer. Robert N. Dennis Collection, New York Public Library Digital Collections.

In 1917 the town of Newport New Hampshire had around 4,000 permanent residents.  It was also the county seat for Sullivan County where the County court house was located and business was conducted by the county commissioners.

When the World War was declared in 1917  the citizens were quick to support the war effort.  They not only sent their youth to service, but they had active Red Cross participation and the town enthusiastically supported the War Bond sales.  In July of 1918 the Newport Chapter and her auxiliaries shipped the following articles for Red Cross use: 15 helmets, 3 mufflers, 367 pairs of socks, 53 sweaters, 4 pair wristlets, 36 convalescent robes, 144 women’s and children’s garments. Continue reading →

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