A roadside marker in Goshen hints at stories & mysteries from the Wild West... Upon first read this roadside marker's story seems almost straightforward. But dig a little deeper... and I suspect there are potentially a couple of action-packed graphic novels hidden in here: Like probably most "rugged individualist" log-cabin school teachers who go on … Continue reading Capt. John W. Gunnison (Goshen)
Thanksgiving in Henniker, 1941 (Guest Post)
An 8th grade cartoonist explores changing attitudes leading up to World War II via an imagined Thanksgiving dinner in Henniker in 1941:
Sarah Josepha Hale on Thanksgiving (1864)
Hale reflects on the national holiday she helped create in the midst of Civil War. (Note her "peculiarly" 19th century conceptions of politics, gender, charity, & religion.) << BEFORE: Ms. Hale writes an influential letter to President Lincoln ... FURTHER READING: More editorials by Ms. Hale (editress of "Godey's Lady's Book")
We Go Without Mittens Very Well (Rogers, Nov. 20 1862, #2)
Rogers recounts recent experiences & dispenses domestic advice for the home front ...
Dear Sister (Rogers, Nov. 20 1862, #1)
In this early Civil War letter, Warner native Joseph S. Rogers stares across the waters at a looming battle...
Letter to Lincoln (1863)
Newport native Sarah Josepha Hale appeals to President Lincoln in the midst of the Civil War, and instigates an official national holiday! << BEFORE: Thanksgiving, 1862 NEXT: Hale's 1864 Thanksgiving editorial >> I've heavily excerpted the original letter to make this comics-format version. For further reading, see these notes & links: Hale's letter of Sept. 28, … Continue reading Letter to Lincoln (1863)
Live Free Sketches! (Guest Post)
A couple of LIVE FREE OR DIE guest artist sketches by Jacob G. and Alexandria G. (of Henniker), from a recent library COMICS WORKSHOP:
Pring 12 ~ As The Land is Full
Wherein we can perhaps glimpse the little gold “crownes” in Pring’s eyes as he ogles the natives’ pelts …
Pring 11 ~ Sassafras Forest
Pring notes some of the many potential applications of the New England forests …
Pring 10 ~ Rich and Fat Ground
After sailing around the New England coast for many weeks, the English run low on provisions, and so …
Frederick Douglass Visits Pittsfield (1842)
The famous abolitionist finds both prejudice and humanity in a NH graveyard: Douglass visited Pittsfield as part of a speaking tour through New England. At the time, Moses Norris Jr. would have been serving on the Executive Council of NH. (He served as a Democratic US Senator from 1843-1847.) This roadside marker is now a … Continue reading Frederick Douglass Visits Pittsfield (1842)
Pring 09 ~ We beheld their Gardens
Martin Pring ventures upriver in native canoes for a garden tour…
Dublin Lyceum (1836-1844)
Community education & discourse in Dublin: The adults publish (& perform) their own bi-weekly zine... and the kids put out TWO! Don't you wish you could sit in on one of these weekly meetings? This is what people in small towns did ALL AROUND New England in an age before electronic devices or even cheap … Continue reading Dublin Lyceum (1836-1844)
Gen. John Adams Dix (State House)
A nine-foot-tall portrait of NH native John A. Dix, who, as President Buchanan's Secretary of the Treasury, set "the hearts of the people everywhere ablaze"... NEXT: The famous "Shoot Him On the Spot" memo >> John Adams Dix (born in Boscawen, 1798) issued what the NY Herald called "the first command to shed blood that … Continue reading Gen. John Adams Dix (State House)
Pension Application of Elisha Haynes (Epsom)
Haynes served from 1779-1782 in the Revolutionary War. In 1831, when he finally applied for a veteran's pension at age 70, he included an inventory of all his property... SOURCE: View Elisha Haynes' pension application at http://www.EpsomHistory.com ...The following year, in 1832, Haynes added another declaration that clarifies his family situation and health status. "Skumsborough" … Continue reading Pension Application of Elisha Haynes (Epsom)
Moses Trussell (New London)
Wounded at Bunker Hill, and everything after...
Library Workshop (New London)
When you're creating artwork, the "rules" are never quite as clear as teachers might like ...
Revolutionary Soldier from Dublin
Mr. Belknap at war ... << BEFORE: Mrs. Belknap takes care of the farm ... MORE: Stories from the "Revolutionary Era" >> SO MANY accounts of NH soldiers' war experiences include price lists of the bargains or price gouges they encountered. Mr. Belknap seems to have come across 21st century prices in the taverns he … Continue reading Revolutionary Soldier from Dublin
Pring 08 ~ Birchbarke Boats
Description of native canoes.
Woman of the Revolution (Dublin, 1779)
Dublin neighbors rally to support each other in time of war... NEXT: Mr. Belknap at war... >>
Pring 07 ~ These People in Colour
Native fashions of the 17th century, for men and women …
Pring 06 ~ Let Loose the Mastives
Martin Pring brings out his pets.
Harriet Patience Dame (State House)
From a portrait at the NH State House. NEXT: Civil War nurse >> Harriet Patience Dame served as a regimental nurse with the 2nd NH throughout the Civil War, and was even captured twice! She was born at North Barnstead. Dame was inducted into the Nursing Hall of Fame in 2002. born 5 January 1815
Pring 05 ~ Their Weapons are Bowes
The English visitors inspect their hosts...
Live Free and Draw 📖 