History of the Boston Motorcycle Club (Boston MA) From 1909 to 1926

Posted on 28 March, 2021 by Janice Brown

I was reviewing some of my previous motorcycle stories and discovered that two men who were instrumental in the early motorcycle clubs of Boston lived in New Hampshire at the end of their lives. It was enough for me to claim them at least for this story. Today there are many motorcycle clubs, but few realize who were the first in Boston Massachusetts to organize motorcyclists and events. And so, without further explanation….

—Synopsis of Boston Motorcycle Club History—–

Photo of Boston Motorcycle Group, 1912 The Bicycling World and Motorcycle Review, Smithsonian Libraries, v64 Colorized by the blog editor.

By 1902 some male bicyclists were trading in their two-wheelers for the motorized version. Riding clubs were popular, and they created clubs for this new mode of transportation. Before 1909 there were already two clubs in Boston Massachusetts–the Commonwealth Motorcycle Club** and the Massachusetts Motorcycle Club. They met to join forces and merge into one. Continue reading →

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A Time-Line History of Errol New Hampshire From 1776-1948

Posted on 26 March, 2021 by Janice Brown

Old postcard of Errol Main Street pre WWI.

The estimated census of Errol, New Hampshire today is about 265 people, a drop from its peak of 313 in 1980. Though settled before hand, this town was legally incorporated in 1781. A good number of Errols early citizens came from Maine. The town’s chief source of income has been lumbering.

Since many of my readers have inquired about former residents of the town, I have compiled a history time line along with names. A few details on the early settlers, and links to additional information about the town can be found near the end of this article. Comments are always welcome. Continue reading →

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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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