NH Tidbits: Descendants of Merrimack Centennial 1846 Serve on Bicentennial in 1946

Posted on 7 April, 2021 by Janice Brown

Photograph of Abbie Griffin, in 1946 noted as a descendant great-granddaughter of Capt. Ira Spalding who was a vice-president of Merrimack’s 1926 centennial.Colorized.

In 1846 Merrimack NH celebrated its centennial (100 year anniversary) of its incorporation as a town. A committee was selected to organize and facilitate events. To that end the following men were chosen: Robert McGaw was the president of the day; Nathan Parker and Samuel McConihe, vice-presidents; Joseph B. Holt and Capt. Ira Spalding, marshals. The historical address of the day was delivered by the Rev. Stephen Allen, pastor of the First church. It was an able discourse and contained much of the early history of the town up to that date. Continue reading →

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Collected Stories of Merrimack New Hampshire

Posted on 2 April, 2021 by Janice Brown

Photograph of Mattie Kilborn with her step-mother Emma J. (Fretts) Kilborn circa 1898. Owned and colorized by the blog editor.

In celebrating Merrimack New Hampshire’s 275th anniversary as a town, I present to you several stories I have written about people, places and events in its history.  My personal connections go back to the year 1898 when my great-grandfather, Charles Albert Kilborn took a local Merrimack girl, Emma Jane Fretts, as his second wife.  He moved to the Fretts Farm in Merrimack by 1900. Continue reading →

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Merrimack New Hampshire Celebrates 275 Years: From 1746 To 2021

Posted on 31 March, 2021 by Janice Brown

Single frame of a stereoview photograph, by Deloss Barnum (1825-1873) of Abenaki Indian camp in NH White Mountains. Circa 1850-70. Property of and colorized by the blog editor.

During the month of April, 2021, Merrimack celebrates its 275th Anniversary, based on the date of the incorporation of the town of ‘Merrymac’ on 2 April 1746 (when it separated from Old Dunstable).  There are lots of places where you can read about the history of Merrimack New Hampshire, so there’s no need for me to rehash some past events in this article.

Instead I’ll give you the anniversary highlights through time.  In upcoming days I’ll write a series of short stories about the town. Continue reading →

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History of the Boston Motorcycle Club (Boston MA) From 1909 to 1926

Posted on 28 March, 2021 by Janice Brown

I was reviewing some of my previous motorcycle stories and discovered that two men who were instrumental in the early motorcycle clubs of Boston lived in New Hampshire at the end of their lives. It was enough for me to claim them at least for this story. Today there are many motorcycle clubs, but few realize who were the first in Boston Massachusetts to organize motorcyclists and events. And so, without further explanation….

—Synopsis of Boston Motorcycle Club History—–

Photo of Boston Motorcycle Group, 1912 The Bicycling World and Motorcycle Review, Smithsonian Libraries, v64 Colorized by the blog editor.

By 1902 some male bicyclists were trading in their two-wheelers for the motorized version. Riding clubs were popular, and they created clubs for this new mode of transportation. Before 1909 there were already two clubs in Boston Massachusetts–the Commonwealth Motorcycle Club** and the Massachusetts Motorcycle Club. They met to join forces and merge into one. Continue reading →

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A Time-Line History of Errol New Hampshire From 1776-1948

Posted on 26 March, 2021 by Janice Brown

Old postcard of Errol Main Street pre WWI.

The estimated census of Errol, New Hampshire today is about 265 people, a drop from its peak of 313 in 1980. Though settled before hand, this town was legally incorporated in 1781. A good number of Errols early citizens came from Maine. The town’s chief source of income has been lumbering.

Since many of my readers have inquired about former residents of the town, I have compiled a history time line along with names. A few details on the early settlers, and links to additional information about the town can be found near the end of this article. Comments are always welcome. Continue reading →

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