New Hampshire Tidbits: David B. Varney Memorial at Derryfield Park in Manchester

Posted on 23 March, 2021 by Janice Brown

Varney Memorial at Derryfield Park, Manchester NH. Photograph copyright J.W. Brown. Do not use without permission.

A few years ago I took several photographs of Derryfield Park in Manchester New Hampshire. In this collection are photos of a memorial, dedicated in 1955 to honor David B. Varney, a Republican Mayor of Manchester between 1889-1890. Oddly enough the City of Manchester’s web site with description of Derryfield Park does not even mention it.  The memorial is in plain view as you drive along Bridge Street and the edge of the park.

Continue reading →

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Married Fifty Years: Charles A. & Abbie Ross (Shannon) Dockham of Gilmanton Iron Works New Hampshire

Posted on 20 March, 2021 by Janice Brown

Photograph of Mr. and Mrs. Charles A. Dockham of Gilmanton Iron Works NH. From Manchester Union newspaper of July 1911. Colorized by the blog editor.

The July 3, 1911 edition of The Union, published in Manchester NH, had the headline: “Married Fifty Years.” The article showed photographs of a couple named “Mr. and Mrs. Dockham” and included this story.  I was curious about how a 50 year wedding anniversary was celebrated 110 years ago.

“A large number of friends gathered at 599 Hanover street Friday evening for the celebration of the golden wedding anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. Charles A. Dockham of Gilmanton Iron Works, who are visiting at the home of Frank A. Dockham of that address. There was a family dinner, and in the evening a reception was held, at which scores of relatives and acquaintances extended congratulations.” Continue reading →

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Rindge and Concord New Hampshire First Woman NH State Agency Director, Administrator, Speaker, Award Recipient: Abby Langdon (Alger) Wilder (1889-1978)

Posted on 18 March, 2021 by Janice Brown

She was born Abbie Langdon Alger on 18 May 1889 at New Orleans, Louisiana, the daughter of William E.Alger and his first wife, Lucille V. (DeLeon) Alger. Abby’s father was a Bostonian who was living out of the country. He eventually served 26 years in U.S. consular service at several Central American consulates at Puerto Cortez, Honduras; Tegucigalpa, Honduras; and Guatemala.

It seems that “Abby” attended schools in New Orleans, and possibly also in the Honduras. A later 1940 US Census document would show that she achieved 2 years of college, though which college she attended is unknown to me.  Another Abby Langdon Alger  (1850-1905) her namesake and aunt, was  a New England author, ethnologist and translator. Continue reading →

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A DEFENSE OF THE IRISH: What Has Been Accomplished By the Irish Race

Posted on 16 March, 2021 by Janice Brown

From the National Republican newspaper, Washington CD 24 Feb 1874, page 4; A DEFENCE OF THE IRISH. What Has Been Accomplished By The Irish Race

“A LIST OF DISTINGUISHED IRISHMEN–WHAT THE IRISH HAVE DONE FOR AMERICA–WHAT THEY DID FOR AMERICAN EDUCATION AND LIBERTY–A VALUABLE HISTORICAL ESSAY.
A Mrs. Hyatt was, until recently, the almoner of the Young Men’s Christian Association of Brooklyn. A few weeks ago Mrs. Hyatt wrote a letter to the lady who succeeded her, and who had supplied her with a young Irish girl as a house-servant through the office of the association, entreating that in the future “no Irish” be sent to her. Mrs. Hyatt wrote quite a long letter, in which she went into a disquisition of the Irish race in general, and denounced them in strong language. This letter of Mrs. Hyatt found its way into print, and has been taken up by a veteran journalist of New York, who is an enthusiast in his admiration of the Irish race, to which he is himself a bright and shining example. Continue reading →

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Manchester New Hampshire Legislator, Senator, Constitutional Convention and Democratic National Convention Delegate, First Woman Appointee to NH Liquor Commission: Marye (Walsh) Caron (1900-1991)

Posted on 14 March, 2021 by Janice Brown

She was born Mary Loretta Walsh, daughter of John J. & Catherine (Keene) Walsh on 2 March 1900 in Manchester New Hampshire.  Marye attended the local schools, and based on 1940 U.S. Census information, she completed two years of college.

She lived in Manchester most of her life–in 1937 residing at 27 Charleston Ave, and in 1941 at 171 Mast Road.  The first instance I could find of her name being listed as MARYE was in the 1941 Manchester (NH) City directory.  She died 23 June 1991 in Wilmington MA.

On 30 Aug 1920 in Manchester NH she married George H. Caron, son of Peter & Ezilda (Voulfant) Caron. In 1947 he was the manager of a NH State Liquor Store.   They had two children, Donald (born in 1924) and Patricia (born in 1926) .  She waited until both of her children were in their teens before beginning her political career. Continue reading →

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