New Hampshire WWI Military: A Tale of Two Castonguay

Posted on 7 June, 2018 by Janice Brown

Two sons of New Hampshire with the surname Castonguay served during WWI in the Canadian Army. They died in service 3 days apart. Their names are engraved on New Hampshire’s Roll of Honor in Doric Hall of the New Hampshire State House.  These are their stories. Continue reading →

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New Hampshire WWI Military: Harry Frank Baker of Orford

Posted on 4 June, 2018 by Janice Brown

It’s difficult to write about a hero when the evidence is lean. The town of Orford in Grafton County New Hampshire today has a little over 1,2000 residents. When World War I was announced it had about 800. Though small, the town contributed its share.  Some who served include (list not complete): Edward Carr, Roland E. Downing, Leonor A. Field, Parker E. Foote, Samuel Roswell Morrison, Wesley Newton Robie, Fay F. Russell, Ray Namon Streeter, Frank W. Swett, Joseph Allen Thompson, and Harvey L. Washburn. Continue reading →

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New Hampshire’s First Cattle: Captain Mason’s Yellow Cowes

Posted on 1 June, 2018 by Janice Brown

June 1st is World Milk Day and this is National Dairy Month, so it’s the perfect day to write about cows and cattle. It is also time for a confession of sorts–the black and white Holstein cow that I have displayed for 12 years on the Cow Hampshire banner is not historically correct.

Today Holstein cattle are most quickly recognized and cows of Holstein descent make up over 90% of the cows on U.S. dairy farms. But New Hampshire’s earliest cows were not Holsteins.
 Continue reading →

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New Hampshire WWI Military: Heroes of Pittsburg

Posted on 30 May, 2018 by Janice Brown

Photograph of WWI Soldier’s
Monument in Pittsburg NH by
Richard Marsh at Images of New
Hampshire History. Used with his
permission.

In 1918 the State of New Hampshire’s war historian published a notice in the newspaper showing that the town of Pittsburg had sent 2-1/2 to 3 per cent of its population into service.  Between June 1917 and June 1918 all resident men aged 21 and older were required to complete a registration form.

The local Pittsburg NH registrar was Parker W. Tabor, with H.J. Holmes Deputy Clerk. After WWI ended, and by 1923 the Town of Pittsburg had either placed a soldier’s monument or was  planning to do so, for page 13 of that year’s Annual Report notes: “Soldier Monument F.G. Rancloes $4.25.” Continue reading →

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100 Years Ago: Decoration Day Celebrations

Posted on 28 May, 2018 by Janice Brown

One hundred years ago the last Monday of May was a time to decorate the graves of those who died in previous wars with a strong focus on the Civil War. The day was solemnly celebrated throughout the United States, but it had not yet been declared an official holiday.  Most states called it Decoration Day, though by 1918 this annual remembrance was also called Memorial Day in New Hampshire and other places. It would not be declared a federal holiday until 1971. Continue reading →

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