New Hampshire WWI Military: Private Frederick F. Holland of Manchester NH (1895-1918)

Posted on 2 November, 2016 by Janice Brown

holland-frederick-pic-2-watermarkedFrederick Francis Holland, born 26 February 1895 in Manchester NH, was the son of John J. & Bridget (Quinn) Holland, and grandson of Irish immigrants John & Bridget (Haggarty) Holland. Frederick’s father was a native of the city, and driver of wagons and heavy trucks.

The family lived at 201 Green Street, where Frederick grew up and attended school. Frederick had several siblings including John Sherman Holland (1893-1937), Mary Holland (1900-1939) and Mildred (Holland) Mahoney (1904-1976) who m. James F. Mahoney. Continue reading →

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New Hampshire WWI Military: Private Theobald P. Cote of Manchester NH (1895-1918)

Posted on 1 November, 2016 by Janice Brown

theobald-p-cote-photo-2-watermarkedJoseph Theobald Philias Cote was born 26 July 1895 in Manchester, Hillsborough Co., New Hampshire, the son of Joseph & Suzanne (Mullain/Mullin) Cote.

His siblings included Alcide Cote [1894-1960 who m. Emelda Plamondon], Rose Alma Cote [who married 5 May 1934 to Exeas St. Germain, son of Joseph & Veronique (Laplante) St. Germaine], Rose Anna Cote [who m. 28 July 1924 in Manchester NH to Dominick Provencher, son of Cleophas & Lumina (Guevin) Provencher]; Marie Florida Cote [1901-1921], Dr. Philippe J. Cote [who m. 28 May 1938 Manchester NH to Cecile R. Tessier, dau of Leon A. & Alida (Perrault) Tessier], Marie A. Cote, Edward/Edouard C. Cote, Clara Cote, Eugene Cote, and Athanase Joseph Cote [1912-1999; in 1953 a teacher at St. Michael’s Academy living in NYC] Continue reading →

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The Celebrated Ventriloquist and Professor of Legerdemain & Namesake of Potter Place, New Hampshire: Richard Potter (1783-1835)

Posted on 31 October, 2016 by Janice Brown
Graphic from "Crisis" (1910) by William E.B. Du Bois, NY, page 126

Graphic from “Crisis” (1910) by
William E.B. Du Bois, NY, page 126 on the Internet Archive.

I was reading a 1968 article in the Nashua Telegraph about how Potter Place, New Hampshire is reportedly haunted.  I suppose anywhere mankind has lived and died is haunted–Potter Place not less so.

Besides, the official New Hampshire state marker #54 unequivocally states that Richard Potter was a “19th Century master of the Black Arts.”  Does this mean he really performed black magic, or was he, instead, a black man who performed regular magic?  I believe the latter. It just goes to show you that you can’t trust those state markers.

Continue reading →

Posted in Haunted New Hampshire, History, N.H. Historical Markers, NH Persons of Color, R.I.P, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Ghostly, Spine-Chilling Halloween Tales and Yarns from New Hampshire

Posted on 30 October, 2016 by Janice Brown

Victorian halloween postcard

In the past I have shared many stories at Cow Hampshire  of weird, supernatural, eerie, and down-right weird occurrences. Here is a compilation of the best ones.

A 2015 New Hampshire Halloween – Halloween poetry et al

Ghastly and Ghostly Halloween Stories Gleaned from Old New Hampshire Newspapers (2015)

New Hampshire’s Haunted Halloween History
New Hampshire Customs and Games for Halloween in 1916

Continue reading →

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100 Years Ago Halloween Was Husband Hunting Day

Posted on 29 October, 2016 by Janice Brown

Victorian halloween card witch cat appleThe traditions of Halloween have changed a great deal over the centuries. From pagan celebrations to Christian holy days, and from a day of pranks and carousing to kiddies trick-or-treating, October 31st has meant many different things to people.

At the turn of the 20th Century (i.e. 1900), what is little known is that Halloween was almost as popular as Valentine’s Day for unmarried women to locate their future husband. Food was often connected to the divining process. Don’t believe me. Read it for yourself, as I present stories written 109 years ago today. Continue reading →

Posted in Haunted New Hampshire, History, Really Old News | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments