June 1st is World Milk Day and this is National Dairy Month, so it’s the perfect day to write about cows and cattle. It is also time for a confession of sorts–the black and white Holstein cow that I have displayed for 12 years on the Cow Hampshire banner is not historically correct.
Today Holstein cattle are most quickly recognized and cows of Holstein descent make up over 90% of the cows on U.S. dairy farms. But New Hampshire’s earliest cows were not Holsteins.
Continue reading
Photograph of WWI Soldier’s
Monument in Pittsburg NH by
Richard Marsh at Images of New
Hampshire History. Used with his
permission.
In 1918 the State of New Hampshire’s war historian published a notice in the newspaper showing that the town of Pittsburg had sent 2-1/2 to 3 per cent of its population into service. Between June 1917 and June 1918 all resident men aged 21 and older were required to complete a registration form.
The local Pittsburg NH registrar was Parker W. Tabor, with H.J. Holmes Deputy Clerk. After WWI ended, and by 1923 the Town of Pittsburg had either placed a soldier’s monument or was planning to do so, for page 13 of that year’s Annual Report notes: “Soldier Monument F.G. Rancloes $4.25.” Continue reading
One hundred years ago the last Monday of May was a time to decorate the graves of those who died in previous wars with a strong focus on the Civil War. The day was solemnly celebrated throughout the United States, but it had not yet been declared an official holiday. Most states called it Decoration Day, though by 1918 this annual remembrance was also called Memorial Day in New Hampshire and other places. It would not be declared a federal holiday until 1971. Continue reading
The book, “A history of the town of Hanover, N.H.. Hanover, N.H.” by John King Lord was printed for the town of Hanover by the Dartmouth Press in 1928. Contained in that wonderful history is a section listing all those who participated in military service, in student’s army training corps, as nurses, in Red Cross Service, and in Y.M.C.A. Service. [see link to PDF section of the book]. Continue reading
Photograph of the Goffstown
Soldiers and Sailors
Monument dedicated in
1916, from the Boston Globe.
It was less than a year before the World War would be declared by the United States that Goffstown dedicated a monument to its Civil War heroes on 16 June 1916. The monument was a gift to the town of Goffstown by Henry W. Parker with special reference to Capt. Charles Stinson, Mr. Parker’s grandfather. The statue itself was made of Barre granite and stands 25 feet high showing a soldier in a “parade rest” stance.
People from many places in southern New Hampshire came to see the statue, and a dinner was served in the lower hall of the Opera House in town. There was also a parade, presentations, orations et al. [see monument newspaper notice]. Continue reading
