Tragedies, travels, & teenage failures of one of New Hampshire’s most powerful exports…
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 ...
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 …
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)
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)
Dodging Shells (Fair Oaks)
The dangers of mealtime missiles at the Battle of Fair Oaks! << BEFORE: Under Fire at 2nd Bull Run Now we'll hear from Nurse Dame herself: This tale takes place during McClellan's 1862 Peninsula Campaign. Union soldiers called the battle "Fair Oaks," while confederate soldiers referred to it as "Seven Pines." Each name commemorates the area of the … Continue reading Dodging Shells (Fair Oaks)
Moses Trussell (New London)
Wounded at Bunker Hill, and everything after...
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... >>
Civil War Nurse
The 2nd NH's commanding officer recalls Nurse Dame: << BEFORE: Dame's portrait at the NH State House NEXT: "I have seen her under fire..." >> Dame has been called "Perhaps Concord’s most valuable contribution to the Civil War." Her Civil War service spanned the war, from its earliest days in 1861 until the end in 1865. She … Continue reading Civil War Nurse
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...
Welcome to New Hampshire (Hopkinton, 1781)
Mr. Peabody just wants to drive his oxen from Maine to his new home in Henniker, NH...
A Very Singular Circumstance (Henniker, 1775)
Out of the firing line, into the forest. 19 April 1775 SOURCE: Cogswell's History of Henniker (p.262)
Pring 04 ~ Sassafras Dance
Quite possibly the first world-fusion dance party in New England history...
Blood and Honey (Dublin)
A cautionary harvest parable courtesy of Dublin's infamous Wranglin' Russell Brothers: This story comes from Leonard & Seward's "History of Dublin, New Hampshire" (1920).
Ward’s Arrival (Henniker, 1763)
Some of Henniker's earliest settler families arrive in town...
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