In the other garden.
And all up in the vale,
From the autumn bonfires
See the smoke trail!
Pleasant summer over,
And all the summer flowers,
The red fire blazes,
The grey smoke towers.
Sing a song of seasons!
Something bright in all!
Flowers in the summer,
Fires in the fall!
September 3. The Fruit Moon will be full. (Fruit Moon is a whimsical name for the Full Moon phase known also as the Corn Moon, or Barley Moon).
September 6. The Moon and Mars will rise closely to one another.
September 7. Venus will travel to it’s highest point in the sky.
September 9. The Perseid meteor shower will be prolific today when the celestial focal point shines above the horizon.
September 10. This brings us to the last quarter of the Fruit Moon.
September 14. The Moon and Venus will rise and travel close to each other.
September 21. Mercury will reach its highest point in the sky.
September 22. This is the first day of Autumn 2020 (the September Equinox). The Sun will rise due East and set due West.
September 23. This day will bring the first quarter of the Harvest Moon. It will be full on October 1. (The Full Moon following the Harvest Moon will be the Hunter’s Moon).
September 25. The Moon and Jupiter will ascend close to each other. The Moon and Saturn will do the same.
September 27. This will be the prime day for viewing the Daytime Sextantid meteor shower. These can be difficult to see as they appear on the eastern horizon near the rising Sun. (Do not look directly at the Sun). Just before sunrise might be best.
Milton’s Community Church was formed during the pastorate of Congregational Rev. Newell W. Whitman, through a merger or federation of Milton’s Congregational and Free-Will Baptist congregations.
The Community Church of Milton was organized on September 16, 1924, after World War I, when conversations regarding federation between Congregationalists and Free Baptists matured. It was decided that committees of five from each church would convene and form a Community Church. The Baptist Church was used for worship, while the former Congregational Church was adapted into the Parish House. The members of these two churches believed the same things, doctrinally, and so no great theological division separated the people from their congregational neighbors (CCM, 2020).
Its services were (and are) held in the Free-Will Baptist Church building at the corner of Church (now Steeple) and School streets.
The Community Church ministers of this 1924-56 period (excluding Rev. Newell W. Whitman) were Arthur M. Jeffries, George C. Ervin, Fred Bannister, Leland L. Maxfield, Ralph V. Townsend, and George F. Currier.
Rev. Arthur M. Jeffries – 1924-29
Arthur M. Jeffries was born in Derby, England, December 29, 1880, son of Isaac and Mary E. (Hoult) Jeffries.
Arthur Jeffries married in Derby, England, October 26, 1904, Martha Elizabeth Massingham. She was baptized in St. Andrew’s Church, in Rugby, Warwickshire, England, May 14, 1880, daughter of George T. and Martha (Linton) Massingham.
Arthur M. Jeffries’ mother, Mary E. (Hoult) Jeffries, was one of the 1,012 people that died when the liner RMS Empress of Ireland sank at the mouth of the St. Lawrence river on May 29, 1914.
MEDWAY CHURCH CALLS REV. MR. JEFFRIES, BOSTON. MEDWAY, Oct. 13. Rev. Arthur Jeffries of Boston has received a call from the Baptist Church to become its pastor at a salary of $1000 and use of the parsonage. Rev. Mr. Jeffries has supplied the pulpit several Sundays (Boston Globe, October 14, 1919).
Arthur Jeffries, a minister, aged thirty-nine years (b. England), headed a Medway, MA, household at the time of the Fourteenth (1920) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Martha E. Jeffries, aged thirty-nine years (b. England), and his children, Arthur B. Jeffries, aged fourteen years (b. England), Elsie M. Jeffries, aged ten years (b. Canada), and Doreen F. Jeffries, aged eleven months (b. Canada). They resided in a rented house on Main Street. They were all resident aliens, said to have immigrated in 1909.
Church News by States. MASSACHUSETTS. AFTER A SHORT PASTORATE at West Medway, Rev. Arthur Jeffries has accepted a unanimous call to the First Church, Athol, and began his pastorate Aug. 1 (The Baptist, August 13, 1921).
LOCAL. Rev. Arthur Jeffries, pastor of the Baptist church in Athol, Mass., has been called to the pastorate of the community church in Milton. The church is a federation of the Baptist and Congregational churches and this is the first time that the two churches have united to secure a pastor (Farmington News, December 12, 1924).
ATHOL CHURCH CALLS REV. H.T. JOSLYN. Formerly Was Minister at Charlestown. Word has been received from Athol that Rev. Howard T. Joslyn, a former pastor at the First Baptist Church, Charlestown, has been extended a call to occupy the pulpit of the First Baptist Church in that town. Since the resignation of Rev. Arthur Jeffries, to accept a pastorate at Milton, N.H., the Athol church has been without a pastor (Boston Globe, April 4, 1925).
LOCAL. To the regret of many friends, Pastor Jeffries of Milton has announced his decision to leave his pastorate in that town. This was made known through the reading of his resignation at the communion hour on Sunday, January 6 (Farmington News, January 18, 1929).
ACTON. Rev. Ralph A. Barker, pastor of the South Acton Congregational Church, and Rev. Arthur Jeffries, pastor of West Acton Baptist Church, will exchange pulpits tomorrow (Boston Globe, September 7, 1929).
Arthur Jefferies, a Baptist minister, aged forty-nine years (b. England), headed an Acton, MA, household at the time of the Fifteenth (1930) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Martha E. Jefferies, aged fifty years (b. England), and his child, Doreen F. Jefferies, aged eleven years (b. Canada (Eng.)). They resided in a house on Massachusetts Ave, which they rented for $30 per month.
CLARENCE V. TWITCHELL. WEST ACTON, April 20. Funeral services for Clarence V. Twitchell, 77, who died yesterday after a short illness, will be held at 3 tomorrow afternoon at his home on Church st., Rev. Arthur J. Jeffries, pastor of the Baptist Church in Manchester-by-the-Sea and formerly pastor of the West Acton Baptist Church, officiating. Burial will be in Mt. Hope Cemetery, West Acton. Mr. Twitchell had lived here all his life. He leaves a wife, Mrs. Martha Twitchell (Boston Globe, April 24, 1937).
Arthur Jefferies, a Baptist Church minister, aged fifty-nine years (b. England), headed a Manchester, MA, household at the time of the Sixteenth (1940) Federal Census, (He resided in West Acton, MA, in 1935). His household included his wife, Martha E. Jefferies, aged fifty-nine years (b. England).
WEST FITCHBURG. Beth Eden Baptist Churches. Rev. Arthur M. Jeffries of Manchester, a candidate for the pastorate, will again supply the pulpit Sunday (Boston Globe, July 21, 1941).
Baptists Report Pastoral Shifts in Bay State. The Massachusetts Baptist Convention reports the following pastoral changes: [Excerpt:] Rev. Arthur M. Jeffries, from Chelmsford Street Church, Lowell, to Calvary Baptist, Worcester (Boston Globe, 1949).
Martha F.E. (Massingham) Jeffries died in Worcester, MA, December 11, 1954. He married (2nd), circa 1960, Elizabeth Peterson.
Arthur M. Jeffries of Arden, NC, died in Fletcher, Hendersonville, NC, December 2, 1967, aged eighty-six years.
Deaths and Funerals. Rev. A.M. Jeffries. ARDEN – The Rev. Arthur M. Jeffries, 87, died Saturday afternoon in a local hospital following a long illness. Thos. Shepherd and Son Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements (Asheville Citizen Times (Asheville, NC), December 2, 1967).
DEATHS. JEFFRIES. In No. Carolina, formerly of West Acton, Dec. 2. Rev. Arthur M., beloved husband of Elizabeth (Peterson): father of Mrs. Elsie Thomas of Westfield, and Mrs. Doreen Deliso of Agawam. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, Dec. 6, in the West Acton Baptist Church at 2 p.m. Calling hours at the Acton Funeral Home, 470 Mass. av., West Acton. Tuesday 2-4 and 7-9 P.M. (Boston Globe, December 4, 1967).
New England Rites Set for Rev. Jeffries. ARDEN – Services for the Rev. Arthur M. Jeffries, 86, of 143 Linden St., who died Saturday, will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday in West Acton (Mass.) Baptist Church, under the direction of Acton Funeral Home. Burial will be in Mt. Hope Cemetery in Middlesex County Mass. Mr. Jeffries was a native of Derby, England, and a retired-the Baptist minister. He took his seminary training in England under the Salvation Army with the Wycliffe Preachers in England. He attended Gordon College in Boston, and served parishes in Massachusetts and New Hampshire for more than 50 years. Mr. Jeffries was editor of the magazine Inspiration for the past 11 years, and author of numerous other publications. He conducted vesper services at Lakeland, Fla. Surviving are the widow, Mrs. Elizabeth Peterson Jeffries; two daughters, Mrs. Elsie Thomas of Westfield, Mass. and Mrs. Doreen DeLiso of Agawam, Mass.; and four grandchildren (Asheville Citizen Times (Asheville, NC), December 5, 1967).
Rev. George Clifton Ervin – 1930
George Clifton Ervin was born in Troutman, NC, May 16, 1904, son of James O. and Estelle D. “Stella” (Conger) Ervin.
George Clifton Ervin married in Forsyth, NC, December 23, 1926, Lola Elizabeth Tanner, he of Mt. Airy, NC, and she of Rutherfordton, NC. Rev. J.O. Ervin, i.e., his father, performed the ceremony. She was born in Henrietta, NC, February 10, 1905, daughter of Andrew S. and Bernice (Hughes) Tanner.
G. Clifton Ervin (Elizabeth T.) appeared as Milton’s Community Church pastor in the Milton business directory of 1930.
G. Clifton Ervin, Community Church minister, aged twenty-five years (b. NC), headed a Milton household at the time of the Fifteenth (1930) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of three years), Elizabeth Ervin, aged twenty-five years (b. NC). They rented their house on Church Street, at its intersection with School Street, for $25 per month. They had a radio set.
He appeared also as Clifton G. Ervin, aged twenty-six years (b. NC), in the 1930 enumeration of his parent’s household in Charlotte, NC. His father, John O. Ervin, appeared as a Methodist Church pastor, aged forty-nine years (b. NC), and his mother, Stella Ervin, aged forty-nine years (b. NC).
Rev. Ervin had taken up the pastorate of Asheville, NC’s Hillside Street Methodist Church by late 1931, where he spoke on the economic depression.
ERVIN TO SPEAK. Series Of Sermons For Month Of January Announced. The Rev. G. Clifton Ervin, pastor of the Hillside Street Methodist church, will preach a series of “depression sermons” beginning Sunday morning at 11 o’clock and continuing through the last Sunday of January. Mr. Ervin said while the sermons are concerning the depression, he hopes they will not be “depressed or depressing.” Each sermon will be complete in itself, the series feature being the connection of each with the depression. The sermon titles and their dates follow: January 10: “Why Did Humpty Dumpty Fall?” January 17: “What Does Humpty Dumpty’s Fall Mean?” January 24: “Can Humpty Dumpty Be Put Back Again?’ January 31: “Time and the Timeless.” Concerning the sermons, Mr. Ervin said: “The first sermon will deal with the fundamental causes of our present economic paralysis, which we euphemistically call a ‘depression.’ The second will deal with the significance of the depression for the church and for existing social Institutions. The third will be an attempt to visualize a truly Christian socio-economic order, and the last sermon will deal with those abiding realities that endure through all change” (Asheville Citizen-Times (Asheville, NC), January 9, 1932).
George C. Ervine, a Methodist Church district superintendent, aged thirty-five years (b. NC), headed a Hannibal, MO, household at the time of the Sixteenth (1940) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Elizabeth Ervine, aged thirty-five years (b. NC), and his children Elizabeth A. Ervine, aged seven years (b. MO), and Sarah L. Ervine, aged three years (b. MO). George C. Ervine rented their house at 411 N. Sixth Street, for $30 per month. George C. Ervine and Elizabeth Ervine had resided in Chillicothe, MO, in 1935.
George Clifton Ervin died in Rutherford, NC, December 19, 1993, aged eighty-nine years.
MECKLENBURG COUNTY DEATHS. Dr. G. Clifton Ervin, 89, of Charlotte died Dec. 19, 1993, at Carolinas Medical Center. Memorial service is 11 a.m. Wednesday at Providence United Methodist Church. Inurnment will follow in Rutherfordton Cemetery in Rutherfordton. Visitation is at the church’s parlor following the service. Hankins & Whittington Funeral Home is in charge. Dr. Ervin, a Troutman native retired after 40 years, as a Methodist minister serving churches in Winston-Salem, Asheville, Illinois and Charlotte and served as pastor and district superintendent in Missouri. He was senior associate pastor of St. Andrews United Methodist Church from 1972 to 1973. A member of the Charlotte chapter of Barbershop Singing, he served as head of Pfeiffer College’s sociology department from 1967 to 1972. He was also a contributing columnist for ‘‘Senior Directions.” A 1924 Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Trinity College, he also graduated from Boston University’s School of Theology. Survivors are his wife, Elizabeth; daughters Mrs. Ann Murry of Sun City Center, Fla., Mrs. Sara Erber of Birmingham, Ala., Mrs. Susan York; brothers Charles Ervin of Florida, Lamont Ervin; six grandchildren; four great-grandchildren. Memorials may be made to Paul Ervin Scholarship Fund in care of Providence United Methodist Church, 2810 Providence Rd., Charlotte, N.C. 28211 (Charlotte Observer (Charlotte, NC), December 20, 1993).
Lola Elizabeth (Tanner) Ervin died in Rutherfordton, NC, January 20, 1994, aged eighty-eight years.
MECKLENBURG COUNTY DEATHS. Elizabeth Tanner Ervin, 88, of Charlotte died Jan. 20, 1994, at Carolinas Medical Center. Memorial service is 2:30 p.m. Sunday at Hankins & Whittington Funeral Home. Visitation is following the service. Mrs. Ervin, a Henrietta native, was a homemaker and a member of Providence United Methodist Church and its Chipley Bible Class. She also was a life member of Women’s Society of Christian Service. Survivors are her daughters Mrs. Ann Murry of Sun City Center, Fla., Mrs. Sara Erber of Birmingham, Ala., Mrs. Susan York; brother Andrew Tanner; sisters Mrs. Lucille Phillips of Washington, Mrs. Mary McLain (Charlotte Observer (Charlotte, NC), January 24, 1994).
Rev. Fred Bannister – 1931-37
Fred Bannister was born in Cowling, Yorkshire, England, July 26, 1871, son of John and Sarah (Thornton) Bannister.
He married in Skipton, Yorkshire, in October 1894, Sabrina W. Whitaker. She was born in Cowling, Yorkshire, England, February 27, 1870, daughter of William and Ellen (Stow) Whitaker.
Fred Bannister, pastor of the United Methodist Church, aged forty years (b. Cowling, YKS), headed an Earby, Yorkshire, England, household at the time of the UK Census of 1911. His household included his wife, Sabrina Bannister, aged forty-one years (b. Cowling, YKS), and his children, Leslie Bannister, an office boy (limestone quarry), aged fifteen years (b. Cowling, YKS), Frank Cecil Bannister, aged eleven years (b. Cowling, YKS), and Sarah Ellen Bannister, aged nine years (b. Wilsden, YKS).
Rev. Fred Bannister Goes to Colebrook. On Sunday, Sept. 30, Rev. Fred Bannister closed a most successful pastorate of six years at Hillside, Cornish, Me. The services of the day were largely attended, particularly in the evening, when the Methodist people united. Mr. Bannister came directly from England to the pastorate of this church. Nothing more was learned of him than that he was a good man and an acceptable preacher. He has well proven the correctness of the information. In the community both he and his family have been valuable assets in every good work. On Monday, Oct. 8, a few days previous to their departure, there was held in the public hall a reception in their honor. A pleasant program of music, readings, etc., was given, followed with remarks by Rev. M.G. Plummer, pastor of the Methodist Episcopal church, and the presentation to Mr. and Mrs. Bannister of a beautiful gold and crystal clock. The presentation speech was by William R. Copp, who spoke in praise of the labors of Mr. and Mrs. Bannister, both in church and community. Mr. Bannister goes to Colebrook, N.H. (Pilgrim Press, 1917).
BROOKS. Services at Union church were conducted 8undny afternoon by Rev. Wesley Wiggin of Boston and in the evening by Rev. Fred Bannister of Colbrook, N.H. (Bangor Daily News (Bangor, ME), August 15, 1919).
Fred Bannister, a church minister, aged forty-nine years (b. England), headed a Colebrook, NH, household at the time of the Fourteenth (1920) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Sabrina Bannister, aged forty-nine years (b. England), and his children, Leslie Bannister, aged twenty-four years, Frank C Bannister, aged twenty years (b. England), and Nellie Bannister, aged eighteen years (b. England).
Rev. Fred Bannister performed marriages in South Paris, ME, during the year 1923 (Paris ME, Town Report, 1923).
Fred Bannister, a church minister, aged fifty-nine years (b. England), headed an Island Falls, ME, household at the time of the Fifteenth (1930) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of twenty-four years), Sabrina Bannister, aged fifty-nine years (b. England), and his children, Leslie Bannister, aged thirty-four years, Frank C Bannister, aged thirty years (b. England), and Nellie Bannister, aged twenty-eight years (b. England). Fred Bannister rented their house on Burleigh Street, for “free.” They had a radio set.
REV. FRED BANNISTER QUITS SUNDAY IN ISLAND FALLS, ME. ISLAND FALLS, Me., Dec. 28. Rev. Fred Bannister of the Congregational Church announced today that he would preach his farewell sermon here next Sunday, closing a pastorate, of five years. He has accepted a call to Milton, N.H. (Boston Globe, December 29, 1930).
Island Falls. The Rev. Fred Bannister preached on Sunday morning, Dec. 28, at the Congregational church the subject of his discourse was Failure, taken from the parable of the Unfruitful Vine (Bangor News, January 31, 1931).
SANBORNVILLE. Rev. John Bryden preached at the Community church, Sunday, in place of Rev. Fred Banister, the regular pastor, who has resigned his preaching duties here after a service of six years (Farmington News, October 15, 1937).
LEBANON. Rev. Fred Bannister from Milton, N.H., occupied the pulpit at the North Lebanon Baptist church Sunday morning (Biddeford Daily Journal (Biddeford, ME), January 14, 1938).
Meredith F. Burrill, a geographer (Interior [Dept.]), aged thirty-three years (b. ME), headed a Montgomery, MD, household at the time of the Sixteenth (1940) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Ellen B. Burrill, aged thirty-eight years (b. England), his children, Robert M. Burrill, aged six years (b. OK), and Elizabeth E. Burrill, aged two years (b. OK), and his in-laws, Fred Bannister, aged sixty-nine years (b. England), and Sabrina W Bannister, aged seventy years (b. England). Meredith F. Burrill rented their house at 105 Cedar Lane, for $75 per month. The Burrills had resided in Stillwater, OK, in 1935, while the Bannisters had resided at that time in Milton, NH.
Fred Bannister died in Milton, October 11, 1940, aged seventy years, two months, and eleven days. (A retired Congregational minister). Sabrina W. (Whitaker) Bannister died in Chevy Chase, MD, December 11, 1953.
Social and Personal News. The Rev. and Mrs. William R. Riddlough attended funeral services for the Rev. Fred Bannister in Milton, N.H., Monday, and a committal service in Cornish (Bangor Daily News (Bangor, ME), October 18, 1940).
Rev. Leland L. Maxfield – 1937-43
Leland Louis Maxfield was born in Strafford, NH, circa 1909, son of Louis A. and Mildred B. (Howard) Maxfield.
NEW DURHAM RIDGE. Leland Maxfield and Alice Scruton are staying at Rev. and Mrs. Everett Scruton’s while helping at the Vacation school (Farmington News, August 3, 1934).
ALTON AND ALTON BAY. Mrs. Chester Littlefield, Rev. and Mrs. Earle attended the ordination council of Leland Maxfield at the True Memorial church in Rochester, Monday afternoon (Farmington News, July 5, 1935).
NEW DURHAM, Rev. Leland Maxfield, pastor of the Baptist church in Fitzwilliam, and his mother, Mrs. Maxfield of Rochester, were Sunday worshipers at the Ridge church. Rev. Maxfield was formerly a member of that church and is a cousin to Rev. Everett R. Scruton, a former pastor (Farmington News, October 1, 1937).
NEW DURHAM. Friends of Rev. Leland Maxfield are pleased to learn that he has accepted a call to the Community church in Milton. He formerly was a member of the local church and since his graduation from Gordon College of Theology and Missions has served the Baptist church in Fitzwilliam and taken graduate work in Gordon Divinity school (Farmington News, November 3, 1937).
Rev. Leland Maxfield felt the April Fools’ Day earthquake of 1938 at the Milton Community Church parsonage.
Leland Louis Maxfield married in Milton, July 21, 1938, Elizabeth Zilpha Bronson, he of Milton, and she of Boston, MA. He was a minister, aged twenty-nine years, and she was a nurse, aged twenty-five years. Her brother, Rev. J. Westfield Bronson, performed the ceremony. She was born in Windham, NY, July 21, 1912, daughter of Jesse B. and Rose M. (Tompkins) Bronson.
BOSTON NURSE WEDS MILTON, N.H., PASTOR. Miss Bronson Is Bride of Rev. Leland Maxfield. Special to the Globe. MILTON, N.H, July 21. Rev. Leland Maxfield, pastor of the Community Church, and Miss Elizabeth Z. Bronson of Boston were married this evening at 6 o’clock at the church by Rev. J. Westfield Bronson of Brookline, brother of the bride. Miss Ruth Butler of Whitman, Mass., was maid of honor and the best man was Rev. James Marshall of Medford, Mass. The ushers were Rev. Ernest D. Sillers, pastor of the Baptist Church, East Rochester; Rev. Leslie Beinstadt of Beverly, Mass., field secretary of the Christian Endeavor Societies of Massachusetts, and Rev. James Currie, pastor of the Baptist Church at Milton Mills, N.H. Mr. Maxfield is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Maxfield of Rochester. He graduated from Gordon College of Theology and Missions in Boston in 1935. Mrs. Maxfield is a graduate of the Memorial Hospital Training School for Nurses, Albany, N.Y., and Gordon College, Boston, and has been employed as a supervisor in the Deaconess Hospital, Boston (Boston Globe, July 22, 1938).
Rev. Leland Maxfield was part of a golf foursome when one of its members scored a hole-in-one at the Farmington Country Club golf course, July 6, 1939.
Guy A. Smith Makes “Hole in One” on Farmington Course. On the golf course of the Farmington Country club, June 6, was a feature day, for on that date Guy A. Smith, in the presence of Leland Maxfield, Fletcher Willey and Kenneth Stowe, all of Milton, had the distinction of making a hole in one at No 7. This entitles him to membership in the famous Hole In One fraternity and the accompanying honors. Mr. Smith is one of the few lucky ones in a great patronage which is accorded the Farmington course, and he is envied the honor as well as complimented for the achievement. The golf course is one of Farmington’s greatest assets in athletics and its patronage not only includes old and young among the townspeople, but a large number of visitors from neighboring communities, particularly during the vacation and tourist seasons. Among the latest improvements on the course is the erection of a flagpole, and the first official flag-raising took place this Wednesday (Farmington News, June 18, 1939),
Mrs. Elizabeth Maxfield was the driver of a Red Cross automobile that stalled at a Milton railroad crossing and was struck by a railroad train, July 8, 1939. She and her two passengers were injured.
NORTH BARRINGTON AND CROWN POINT. Visitors at church Sunday were Rev. and Mrs. Leland Maxfield of Milton, Mrs. Laura Scruton, Blanche Scruton, Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Maxfield of Rochester. Mrs. Scruton is the oldest member of Crown Point church. She usually attends this church several times a year. At one time she sang in the choir (Farmington News, August 25, 1939).
Leland Maxfield, a Community minister, aged thirty years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Sixteenth (1940) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Elizabeth Maxfield, aged twenty-seven years (b. NY), and his boarders, Mary E. Willard, aged twenty-nine years (b. MA), and Mary E. Sherborne, aged twenty-three years (b. ME).
GUEST CLERIC FOR BAPTISTS. The Rev. Leland L. Maxfield of Milton, N.H., will supply the Baptist pulpit Sunday at the 11 A.M. worship service. The Rev. Maxfield, who has served five years as pastor of the Baptist Church in Milton, holds a degree of Bachelor of Divinity from Gordon College of Theology and Missions in addition to the regular bachelor’s degree. Sunday school will be conducted at 10 A.M. Sunday with E.E. Griffith, superintendent, in charge. The union service at 7:30 will be in the Methodist Church. Union mid-week prayer service will be conducted at 7:30 P.M. Wednesday in the church. Classes in religious education will be conducted Wednesday afternoon and high school classes Friday afternoon (Post Star (Glenville, NY), March 6, 1943).
Rev. Leland L. Maxfield resided in Milford, NH, when he returned to perform several Milton marriages in August 1944.
Leland L. Maxfield died in Atlanta, GA, in June 1979. Elizabeth Z. (Bronson) Maxfield died in Palmetto, FL, May 10, 2007.
Ralph V. Townsend – 1944-50
Ralph Vernon Townsend was born in Barnard, VT, December 15, 1916, son of Frank G. and Genevieve T. “Jenny” (Greene) Townsend.
Frank Townsend, a leather splitter (welting mfg.), aged fifty-three years (b. VT), headed a [Roxbury,] Boston, MA, household at the time of the Sixteenth (1940) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Genevieve Townsend, aged fifty-one years (b. CT), and his children, Ralph Townsend, aged twenty-three years (b. VT), Robert Townsend, a laundry helper, aged twenty-one years (b. VT), Charles Townsend, aged seventeen years (b. VT), and Grace Townsend, aged fourteen years (b. VT). Frank Townsend rented their house at 58 Lambert Avenue, for $28 per month. They had all resided in the same place, i.e., Boston, MA, in 1935.
He married Edythe Marie Trimmer. She was born in Buffalo, NY, April 21, 1917, daughter of Harry H. and Margaret E. (Smith) Trimmer.
Ralph (Edythe) Townsend appeared in the Boston directory of 1942, as a student, resident at 696 Huntington ave., in Roxbury.
Rev. Ralph V. (Edythe M.) Townsend appeared in the Fitchburg, MA, directory of 1965, as pastor of the Highland Baptist Church, with his house at 27 Cedar street. Robert W. Townsend appeared as a student, residing at 27 Cedar street.
Edythe M. (Trimmer) Townsend died in Hyannis, MA, August 5, 1989, aged seventy-two years.
Obituaries. Edythe M. Townsend. HYANNIS, Mass. – Edythe M. Townsend, a resident of Beacon from: 1968 – 1979, died Saturday at Cape Cod Hospital in Hyannis. She was 72. Mrs. Townsend was a member of the Osterville Baptist Church on Cape Cod. Born April 21, 1917, in Buffalo, she was the daughter of Harry and Margaret Smith Trimmer. She married the Rev. Ralph V. Townsend who survives in Hyannis. Other survivors include three sons, Robert W. of Grover, Vt., Thomas P. of Natick, Mass., and Dr. James F. of Ashland, Va.; a brother, Richard Trimmer of Cheektowaga (Erie County); a sister, Mae Thompson of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. and six grandchildren. Calling hours will be from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the Doane, Beal and Ames Funeral Home, 160 West Main St., Hyannis, Mass. Services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday from the funeral home. Burial will be in Mosswood Cemetery, Cotuit, Mass. (Poughkeepsie Journal (Poughkeepsie, NY), August 7, 1989).
Ralph V. Townsend died in Mechanicsville, VA, December 5, 2005, aged eighty-eight years.
Obituaries. Reverend Ralph Townsend. MECHANICSVILLE, VA – Reverend Ralph Townsend, 88, of Mechanicsville, died Monday, December 5, 2005 after a short illness. A retired Baptist pastor, Rev. Townsend was born December 15, 1916 in Barnard, Vt. and moved to Roxbury, Mass., at a young age, where he was educated in the Boston Public Schools. He graduated from Nyack College, in Nyack, N.Y., and from the Gordon Divinity School in Boston, Mass. Rev. Townsend served congregations in Milton and East Rochester, N.H., Fitchburg, Mass., Beacon, N.Y., and on Cape Cod, Mass. He moved to Mechanicsville in 1997 to reside with his son, Rev. James Townsend and family. He worked part-time over the past six years for the Ukrop’s grocery stores. Rev. Townsend was a member of the Cool Spring Baptist Church in Mechanicsville, He was preceded in death by his wife, Edythe, in 1989 and is survived by three sons, Robert W. and wife, Sharon of Glover, Vt, Thomas R. and wife, Janis of Natick, Mass. and Rev. Dr. James and wife, Marcie of Mechanicsville; five grandsons, two granddaughters, and a brother, Robert Townsend of Stoughton, Mass. A memorial service will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, December 10, 2005 at Cool Spring Baptist, where the family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Interment private. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Cool Spring Baptist Church Recreation Facility, of which Rev. Townsend was an active committee member, 9283 Atlee Station Rd., Mechanicsville, Va. 23116 (Poughkeepsie Journal (Poughkeepsie, NY), December 8, 2005).
George F. Currier – c1950-56
George Franklin Currier was born at Dexter, ME, October 2, 1892, son of Lewis and Sophia (Frye) Currier.
Bradford. Miss Christine Worthen spent last week with her parents and friends in Corrina and Dexter. She returned Thursday and was accompanied by Rev. George F. Currier of Bates college, Lewiston (Bangor Daily News, January 7, 1918).
George F. Currier married in ME, June 22, 1918, Christine E. Worthen, he of Dexter, ME, and she of Corrina, ME. She was born at Corrina, ME, April 17, 1895, daughter of Joseph H. and Mary M. Worthen.
George F. Currier, a Gospel minister, aged twenty-seven years (b. ME), headed a Kingfield, ME, household at the time of the Fourteenth (1920) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Christine E. Currier, aged twenty-four years (b. ME). George F. Currier rented their house on High Street.
George Currier, a Baptist clergyman, aged thirty-seven years (b. ME), headed an Auburn, ME, household at the time of the Fifteenth (1930) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of eleven years), Christine Currier, aged thirty-five years (b. ME). George Currier rented their house at 135 Gamage Street, for $45 per month. They did not have a radio set.
Corrina Briefs and Personals. Rev. and Mrs. George Currier and children, Thedessa and Charles, left Thursday for their home in Crampton [Campton], N.H., after a visit of two weeks with Mrs. Currier’s mother, Mrs. Mary Worthen, and sister, Mrs. Hilda Ambrose (Bangor Daily News, August 24, 1937).
George F. Currier, a minister, aged forty-seven years (b. ME), headed a Campton, NH, household at the time of the Sixteenth (1940) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Christine W. Currier, a housewife, aged forty-four years (b. ME), and his [adopted] children, Charles W. Currier, aged fourteen years (b. ME), and Thedessa W. Currier, aged fourteen years (b. ME). George F. Currier rented their house, for $15 per month. They had all resided in Rockport, ME, in 1935.
Social Brevities and Personals. Rev. George F. Currier has returned to his home in Swansea, Mass., after visiting with his mother, Mrs. Sophia Currier, and family at her home, 97 Fifth street. Mrs. Currier celebrated her 80th birthday Sunday and was the recipient of gifts, flowers and many cards. Other guests at the home on Sunday were Mr. and Mrs. John Frye of Guilford, C.W. Rich of Newport, Mr. and Mrs. Philip Bridges and daughter Judith of Dover-Foxcroft, and Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Hamlin of Milo (Bangor Daily News, November 25, 1947).
Wellington Plans “Old Home” Sunday. WELLINGTON, Aug. 2. Old Home Sunday will be observed at the Wellington Church, Aug. 14, at 11 a.m. Speaker will be Rev. George F. Currier of Melvin Village, N.H., whose mother is Mrs. Sophia Currier of Bangor, a native of Wellington. All old and former residents and any one wishing to attend will be welcome. A happy reunion of old neighbors and friends is planned. Each will bring their picnic dinner and table service and the lunches will be eaten in the dining room of the grange hall (Bangor Daily News, August 3, 1949).
Rev. George F. Currier gave the invocation at Milton’s sesquicentennial celebration, in August 1952.
Rev. George F. Currier died in Farmington, ME, October 23, 1960, aged sixty-eight years.
REV. GEORGE F. CURRIER. Funeral services will be held Friday at 2 p.m. at the First Baptist Church, Dexter, for the Rev. George F. Currier, 68, who died suddenly Tuesday at Farmington. The Rev. Walter B. Wakeman will officiate. Mr. Currier was a native of Dexter and was pastor of the Weld Congregational and the Carthage Union Church at the time of his death. Friends may call at the Crosby Funeral Home, Dexter, Thursday from 2 to 4 p. m. and 7 to 9 p.m. (The Eastern Gazette October 24, 1960).
REV. GEORGE F. CURRIER. Funeral services were held Friday afternoon, Nov. 25, at the First Baptist Church, Dexter, for the Rev. George F. Currier, 68, pastor of the Weld Congregational and the Carthage Union Church who died suddenly Tuesday at Farmington. The Rev. Walter B. Wakeman officiated. Bearers were George Safford and Clarence N. Pierce of Dexter; Glen Ring of Cambridge, and Burton Howard of Dover-Foxcroft. Interment was in Morse’s Corner Cemetery, Corinna. Mr. Currier was born at Dexter, Oct. 2, 1892, son of Lewis and Sophia (Frye) Currier. He was graduated from Dexter High School in 1912, Bates College in 1918, and Newton Theological Seminary in 1925. He had held pastorates in Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont. Mr. Currier served both the Baptist and Congregational churches and was a member of the American Baptist Convention. While pastor of the Court Street Union Baptist Church, Auburn, he was instrumental in the union of that church with the Free Baptist Church of Auburn. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge and Mystic Star Chapter, O.E.S. of Weld and a member of the Grange of Stratford, Vt. He is survived by his widow, Mrs. Christine (Worthen) Currier, formerly of Corinna; one son, Charles Currier of East Orange, N. J., one daughter, Mrs. Sidney L. Cheney of New Jersey; two sisters, Mrs. Elsie Whitney of Bangor and Mrs. Cuyler Rich of Newport; eight grandchildren, one uncle, several nieces and nephews (The Eastern Gazette, November 1, 1960).
Christine E. (Worthen) Currier died in Springfield, MA, January 24, 1971, aged seventy-five years.
MRS. CHRISTINE CURRIER. Mrs. Christine Evelyn (Worthen) Currier, 75, widow of the Rev. George Franklin Currier, formerly of Dexter, died Jan. 24 at a Springfield, Mass., hospital. Mrs. Currier, daughter of Mary M. and Joseph Henry Worthen was born April 17, 1895 at Corinna. She was a graduate of Corinna Union Academy; began studying piano in her early years and completed her piano studies in Boston at the studio of John 0rth, German composer and teacher. She married Currier June 22, 1918, shortly after he graduated from Bates College. Later he was graduated from the Baptist Theological Seminary at Newton, Mass. Mrs. Currier also studied at the seminary. Throughout the Rev. Mr. Currier’s career, she assisted as organist, soloist, Sunday school teacher, leader of women’s groups. She was chaplain of Rebecca Weston Chapter DAR, President of the Baptist Mission Circle and secretary of the Elizabeth Towle Guild. The Curriers served in various pastorates, mainly in the New England states, for 42 years. Currier died in 1960 while pastor of the Baptist Church at Weld. After his death Mrs. Currier moved to Dexter and was an active member of The First Baptist Church until a few weeks before her death. She is survived by a sister, Hilda Worthen of Basking Ridge, N.J.; an adopted daughter, Mrs. Sidney Cheney of Campton, N.H.; an adopted son, Charles Currier of Pennsylvania; by two nieces, and three nephews. Funeral services were held Wednesday at the First Baptist Church of Dexter, with the Rev. Philip Mather officiating. Burial will be in the Worthen Family lot at the Morses Corner Cemetery, Corinna (Eastern Gazette, January 28, 1971).
Bacon, Edwin Monroe. (1896). Men of Progress: One Thousand Biographical Sketches and Portraits of Leaders in Business and Professional Life in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Retrieved from https://books.google.com/books?id=5HFPAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA650
Scales’ History of Strafford County did not list Milton’s Free-Will Baptist ministers after Rev. Cyrus L. Plummer’s pastorate closed in July 1881. His list is here extended out to 1924.
The Free-Will Baptist ministers of this 1908-24 period were George H. Grey, John T. Clow, Adelbert T. Everett, James W. Tingley, John F. Thurston, and George H. Chambers.
Rev. George H. Grey – 1908-10
Rev. George H. and Eva A. Grey’s Wedding Picture
George Harold Grey was born in Sheffield, VT, March 29, 1862, son of Orin H, and Lydia M. (Simpson) Grey.
George H. Grey married in Sheffield, VT, September 23, 1893, Eva Arminda Gray. He was a minister, aged thirty-one years, she was aged twenty years. She was born in Sheffield, VT, February 20, 1873, daughter of Percival and Rachel (Sulloway) Grey.
Marriages. At Wheelock, September 26 [SIC], by Rev. P. Buker, George Gray and Eva Gray, both of Sheffield (St. Johnsbury Republican (St. Johnsbury, VT), September 28, 1893).
George H. Gray, a clergyman, aged thirty-eight years (b. VT), headed a New Gloucester, ME, household at the time of the Twelfth (1900) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of seven years), Eva A. Gray, aged twenty-seven years (b. VT), his children, Eula B. Gray, aged five years (b. ME), Harold E. Gray, aged three years (b. ME), and Mildred T. Gray, aged six months (b. ME), and his sisters-in-law Josie R. Gray, a housekeeper, aged thirty-five years (b. VT), and Alice Meserve, a housekeeper, aged thirty-two years (b. VT). George H. Gray rented their house. Eva A. Gray was the mother of three children, of whom three were still living.
STRAFFORD. Since the sudden death of the valued Rev. J.B. Franklin a few months since the Free Baptist church at South Stratford has been without a pastor; but an invitation has been sent to Rev. George H. Gray of Burnham, Me., to assume charge of this church and he has accepted. It is expected he will begin his labors next Sunday (Daily Journal (Montpelier, VT), July 30, 1902).
LYNDON CENTER. Rev. George H. Gray of Strafford has been in this village recently calling on former friends (St. Johnsbury Republican (St. Johnsbury, VT), May 13, 1903).
Rev. George H. Grey was called to be pastor of the First Baptist Church, of Starksboro, VT, June 3, 1905. He was received there, September 2, 1905 and dismissed from there, March 8, 1908. Buell W. Maxfield of Starksboro, VT, remembered him:
George Grey was a very hard-working pastor who loved his people, but was not too effective in showing it. Men liked him as he was right to the point and matter of fact about everything.
Rev. George Grey of Starksboro, VT, gave a sermon at the Orange County [Baptist] Association’s Quarterly Conference, at South Strafford, VT, in October 1907.
Sunday, at 11 a.m., there was a sermon by Rev. F. Perkins of Washington, followed by communion services; 2 p. m., sermon by Rev. W.F. Harding of Corinth; 7 p.m., sermon by Rev. George Grey of Starksboro. Much interest was manifested, it being one of the largest quarterly meetings for years. About 50 delegates from other churches were in attendance (Bethel Courier (Bethel, VT), October 10, 1907).
Daughter Eva Lydia Grey was born in Milton, June 4, 1908, and died here, of acute meningitis, September 28, 1908, aged three months. Dr. M.A.H. Hart signed the death certificate. She was buried in the Prospect Hill Cemetery in Lebanon, ME.
WEST MILTON. Mrs. Hattie Knowles has been visiting Mrs. G.H. Hurd. Rev. G.H. Gray and wife spent one day this week with Mr. and Mrs. G.H. Hurd (Farmington News, December 1908).
Religious. March 14. – Announced that the Rev. G.H. Grey had resigned the pastorate of the Starksboro Free Will Baptist church to go to Milton. N.H. April 14. – The Rev. Franklin Blake, Sutton, accepts call to Starksboro church (St. Albans Daily Messenger, May 21, 1909).
Rev. George H. Grey
Geo. H. Grey appeared as pastor of Milton’s Free-Will Baptist church, at 4 Church street, in the Milton business directory of 1909.
George H. Grey, a Baptist Church clergyman, aged forty-seven years (b. VT), headed a Kennebunk, ME, household at the time of the Thirteenth (1910) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of sixteen years), Eva A. Grey, aged thirty-six years (b. VT), and his children, Eula Grey, aged fourteen years (b. ME), Harold E. Grey, aged twelve years (b. ME), Mildred I. Grey, aged ten years (b. ME), and Marion S. Grey, aged seven years (b. VT). George H. Grey rented their house in the District of Alewife. Eva A. Grey was the mother of five children, of whom four were still living.
George H. Grey, a minister of the Gospel, aged fifty-seven years (b. VT), headed a Cornish, ME, household at the time of the Fourteenth (1920) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Eva A. Grey, a clothing shop seamstress, aged forty-seven years (b. VT), and his children, Harold Grey, a church sexton, aged twenty-two years (b. ME), Morton Grey, a school teacher, aged seventeen years (b. ME), and Lester Grey, aged nine years (b. ME). George H. Grey owned their house on Cumberland Street, free-and-clear.
VERMONT. REV. G.H. GREY, pastor of the churches at Huntington and Huntington Center, has recently been assisted in special meetings by State Worker Sturtevant and as a result thirteen have been received by baptism with others to come in by letter and experience and still others by baptism (N. Bap. Convention, 1922).
George H. Grey, a retired preacher, aged sixty-eight years (b. VT), headed a Cornish, ME, household at the time of the Fifteenth (1930) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of thirty-three years), Eva A. Grey, aged fifty-seven years (b. VT), and his child, Lester Grey, in school, aged nineteen years (b. VT). George H. Grey owned their house at 7 Cumberland Street, which was valued at $1,500. They did not have a radio set.
George H. Grey died in Cornish, ME, May 28, 1935, aged seventy-three years.
Sheffield. Mrs. Wilman Davis received word recently of the death of Rev. George Gray of Cornish, Me., formerly of this place, who passed away last week. He was a brother of the late Amasa and Warner Gray, both of this place (Caledonian Record (St. Johnsbury, VT), June 8, 1935).
John J. Loxton, a post office janitor, aged forty-six years (b. MA), headed a Manchester, NH, household at the time of the Sixteenth (1940) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Eula Loxton, aged forty-four years (b. ME), his children, John Loxton, aged nineteen years (b. MA), Muriel E. Loxton, aged seventeen years (b. NH),and Beatrice E. Loxton, aged thirteen years (b. NH), and his mother-in-law, Eva Gray, aged sixty-seven years (b. VT). John J. Loxton owned their house at 574 Lake Avenue, which was valued at $3,200. Itwas a two-family building, which they shared with the household of Arthur Grammatikas, a wholesale fruit salesman, aged twenty-four years (b. Greece). They had all lived in the same place, i.e., a different house in the same city, in 1935, except Eva Gray, who had lived then in Cornish, ME.
Eva A. (Grey) Grey died at 574 Lake Avenue in Manchester, NH, October 16, 1941, aged sixty-eight years, seven months, and twenty-six days. (Mrs. John Loxton of 574 Lake Avenue supplied the personal information regarding her mother).
Rev. John T. Clow – 1909-14
John T. Clow was born in Rothwell, Northamptonshire, England, October 7, 1866, son of John T. and Dinah (Marriott) Clow.
He married, circa 1890, Mary H. Pushard. She was born in Dresden, ME, June 19, 1865, daughter of Charles H. and Susan H. (Matson) Pushard.
John T. Clow, a minister of the gospel, aged thirty-three years (b. England), headed a Rostraver, PA, household at the time of the Twelfth (1900) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of ten years), Mary H. Clow, aged thirty-four years (b. ME), and his daughter, Arobine Clow, aged eight years (b. ME). Mary H. Clow was the mother of one child, of whom one was still living. They resided on Speer Street.
Personals. The Rev. John T. Clow of Belle Vernon, Pa., has been engaged as pastor of the South church in Barrington which has been without a pastor Nov. 1, last, when the Rev. C.H. Tucker accepted a call in Portsmouth (Portsmouth Herald, January 24, 1902).
Religious. May 21. – Announced that the Rev. J.T. Clow, Madison, N.H., had accepted call to Sutton [Milton] church (St. Albans Daily Messenger, May 21, 1909).
Rev. John T. Clow of Milton, NH, preached the inaugural sermon at Madison, NH’s Old Home Week celebrations in August 1909.
The first formal opening exercises will take place tomorrow morning at the Baptist church, when Rev John T. Clow of Milton, formerly pastor of the Baptist church at Madison, is to preach the old-home sermon. A special musical program has been arranged by Mrs. Nellie Hubbard, Mrs. George Plummer and Mrs. S.B. Lawrence (Boston Globe, August 22, 1909).
John Clow, a F.B. Church clergyman, aged forty-three years (b. England), headed a Milton (“Milton 3-Ponds”) household at the time of the Thirteenth (1910) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of twenty-one years), Mary Clow, aged forty-three years (b. ME), and his daughter, Arobein Clow, aged eighteen years (b. ME). Mary Clow was the mother of one child, of whom one was still living.
John T. Clow appeared as pastor of Milton’s Free-Will Baptist church, at 4 Church street, in the Milton business directory of 1912.
Farewell Reception. Rev. John T. Clow, who comes to this village from Milton to preside over the local Baptist parish with the beginning of the new year, leaves pleasant associations and many regrets behind in the hearts of his former townspeople and parishioners. This fact took the form of official manifestation on last Saturday evening, the date preceding the pastor’s farewell service on the following day, when the officers and members of the society and many friends of the church gathered at the house of worship at 8 o’clock. Rev. and Mrs. Clow and daughter were summoned to the receiving line in front of the pulpit and for an hour were recipients of the good words of their friends. At the close of the reception, refreshments were served and a musical and literary program presented, followed by complimentary remarks by Rev. Pike of the Congregational church and responded to by Rev. Clow in an impressive and very feeling manner. Before he could leave his audience Mr. Clow was presented with an envelope containing a substantial amount of money as the gift of his parishioners. The good will which was extended Mr. Clow and family by his former parish, certainly will be accorded him in the local field (Farmington News, January 2, 1914).
John T. Clow, a clergyman, aged fifty-three years (b. England), headed a Hollis, ME, household at the time of the Fourteenth (1920) Federal Census. His household included his wife, aged fifty-three years (b. England [SIC]), and his border, Susan Burnham, a widow, aged seventy-six years (b. VT). They shared a rented three-family dwelling with the households of George Holland, a weaver, aged sixty-three years (b. ME), and Ethel E. Potter, boarders, aged forty-three years (b. ME).
NORTH YORK BAPTIST ASSOCIATION MEETS. The seventh annual meeting of the North York United Baptist Association was held Saturday at the Free Baptist church at Springvale. The program started at 9.30 a.m. with a song and devotional service conducted by Rev. Ruth E. Walsh and Rev. John Clow of West Buxton (Portsmouth Herald, May 5, 1924).
John T. Clow died in Strafford, NH, November 26, 1927, aged sixty-one years, one month, twenty-one years. Mary H. Clow died in December 1960.
Obituary. MRS. MARY H. CLOW. STATE AP NEWS. Dover – Mrs. Mary H. Clow, 95, widow of Rev. John T. Clow, died in a Dover nursing home after a long illness. A native of Wiscasset, Me., Mrs. Clow spent most of life assisting her husband at Baptist churches in Maine and northern New Hampshire (Nashua Telegraph, December 20, 1960).
Rev. Adelbert T. Everett – 1915-19
Adelbert Truman Everett was born in the Waggoner Settlement, Nova Scotia, Canada, April 12, 1877, son of Jeremiah S. and Matilda (Tibbetts) Everett. He immigrated to the US with his parents in 1886.
Adjoniram W. White, a milk dealer, aged sixty-six years (b. MA), headed a Braintree, MA, household at the time of the Twelfth (1900) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of twenty-three years), Emma P. White, aged forty-nine years (b. NH), his hired men, Sherman Winott, a farm laborer, aged twenty-eight years (b. Canada), and Charles Johnson, a farm laborer, aged sixteen years (b. Sweden), and his boarders, Susie E. Porter, at school, aged eighteen years (b. NH), Emma R. White, at school, aged seventeen years (b. MA), Mary Seraven, a dressmaker, aged forty-seven years (b. VT), and Adelbert E. Everett, a minister, aged twenty-three years (b. Canada). Adjoniram W. White owned their farm, free-and-clear. Emma P. White was the mother of no children.
Rev. Adelbert T. Everett of Savoy, MA, was accused of misconduct on a complaint by Dr. William W. Pascoe, also of Savoy. The case against him caused quite a stir and ruined his pastorate and reputation, but collapsed when it was tested in court. (The principal accuser had been caught by him previously in a theft for which the accusation was a retaliation).
HUMS A HYMN AS HE LEAVES WITNESS STAND. Minister Denies Under Oath Charges Against Him. Practically the entire population of Savoy, including a great many women were in the district court room at Adams this morning when the case against Rev. Adelbert Everett, the Baptist minister, was called. Dr. William W. Pascoe, the complainant in the case, charges immoral conduct and lewd and lascivious actions. Savoy is all wrought up over the affair which has taken the proportions of a feud. Sectional lines are clearly defined. On one side are the advocates of the minister, on the other the adherents of the doctor. Among the witnesses were four young men, one of whom is a member of the standing committee of the church. The burden of their story was that the pastor’s actions and conversation and suggestions in their company were immoral. Mr. Everett took the stand and made a sweeping denial of the charges. He was the last witness before the noon adjournment. As he left the stand he was humming a hymn. His friends congregated about him at one side of the court room while the friends of Dr. Pascoe gathered about him on the other. The hearing was resumed this afternoon (Berkshire County Eagle, February 27, 1907).
Dr. William W. Pascoe was born in Fogo, Newfoundland, Canada, May 31, 1869. He practiced in Savoy, MA, from 1894 until he relocated his practice to Adams, MA, February 3, 1913. He died there, December 2, 1928.
Rev. Adelbert T. Everett left Savoy, MA, as soon as practicable, and moved to Farmington, NH, where his sister lived. From there he took a pastorate at Gilmanton Iron Works, in Gilmanton, NH.
REV. ADELBERT T. EVERETT DISAPPEARS FROM SAVOY. Sends Household Goods to Charlemont Station Where They Now Are. Rev. Adelbert T. Everett who for some time has been pastor of the Baptist church in Savoy, has left that town and his present whereabouts is unknown. It is not expected that he is to return, however, as he has packed his household goods and sent them to Charlemont, where they are held at the railroad station awaiting orders for shipment. Rev. Mr. Everett sometime ago was the defendant in an unsavory court case and since that time his ministerial labors have been carried on at a disadvantage (North Adams Transcript, February 1, 1908).
REV. ADELBERT EVERETT GOES TO FARMINGTON, N.H. Savoy Minister Reported to Have Mysteriously Vanished Prepared for Departure Long Ago. Far from mysteriously disappearing from his little flock in Savoy, Rev. Adelbert Everett, who was reported to have left his household goods in the Charlemont station and vanished without leaving a trace behind, has gone to Farmington, N.H., taking his property and his family with him. A member of his church was in this city Saturday and he said that there was absolutely no mystery in the departure of Mr. Everett. According to the first plans the minister was to have gone to New Hampshire six weeks ago. Illness of his mother who is living with him prevented his going at that time and he remained, attending to his duties. A week ago Mrs. Everett became well enough to travel and then the minister left Savoy. His property was immediately placed in a car billed for Farmington, N.H. He has a sister living there. It is not expected that he will return to Savoy (North Adams Transcript, February 10, 1908).
The Farmington sister would have been Mrs. Elizabeth H. “Etta” (Everett) Stevens (1853-1914), wife of James E. “Eugene” Stevens (1858-1935). In 1910, she was a shoe factory vamper, and her husband was a shoe factory laster.
FATE ON THE HEELS O’ FORMER SAVOY MINISTER. Lawyer Goes “Way Back” in Search for Evidence. Rev. Adelbert T. Everett, who was pastor of this Baptist church of Savoy up to two years ago and who left the little town for parts unknown shortly after his trouble with a number of the younger members of his congregation had been aired in the Adams police court has been heard from in Gilmanton, N.H., and again he is figuring in court proceedings, the direct outcome of his trouble in Savoy. Allusion to the case was made by The Eagle yesterday. Edward A. Lane, an attorney of Pittsfield, N.H., has been in Berkshire for the past few days looking up Mr. Everett’s history and securing depositions of the various people who were responsible for his leaving Savoy. When Mr. Everett left Savoy, his goods were shipped to Charlemont but no trace of him could be found in that town. He drifted about for a short time and finally located in Gilmanton, N.H., having secured the pastorate of the Free Baptist church of that town. He had been there but a short time when it is said his whereabouts became known to people in Savoy. A letter was sent to Chief of Police Osborn of Gilmanton by one of Mr. Everett’s former parishioners in which it is said, were set forth in no uncertainty the reasons for Mr. Everett leaving Savoy. The charges in the letter being of a very serious nature, Chief Osborn took steps to substantiate them by writing to various people in Savoy. The letter was then circulated among the parishioners of the Free Baptist church with the result that Mr. Everett entered suit against the chief of police for $5000 alleging defamation of character. Chief Osborn employed Attorney Lane as counsel and Mr. Lane has been working on the case ever since. He has visited North Adams and Adams for the purpose of securing evidence to strengthen his case for the defense. Attorney Lane was in Adams yesterday taking the depositions of the ministers who were appointed by the Baptist conference to investigate the charges which bad been made against the minister at the time of the Savoy trouble and of the people of Savoy who testified in the case in the Adams court. It is said that the lawyer went even further back than the Savoy trouble to the time when Mr. Everett was in charge of a small church near Digby, N.S. It is also said that it has been learned that Mr. Everett was never regularly ordained and that in Nova Scotia anyone can preach who had the ability. It is understood that when Mr. Everett went to Gilmanton, he told the people there that the charges which had been preferred against him had never been proved and that when he left Savoy he left “honorably.” Just what the outcome of the suit will be is of course unknown but many of the people in Savoy became so incensed at the minister at the time he was there that they have expressed their willingness to go to Laconia and testify against him if wanted when the case comes up for trial (Berkshire County Eagle, October 23, 1909).
Adelbert T. Everett (Photo: J. Pettigrew)
Adelbert Truman Everett married in Gonic, Rochester, NH, January 26, 1910, Elsie Mae Glidden, he of Gilmanton and she of Alton, NH. He was a clergyman, aged thirty-two years; she was a schoolteacher, aged twenty-four years. She was born in Alton Bay, Alton, NH, January 28, 1886, daughter of Fred E. and Mary L. (Jones) Glidden.
ALTON. Rev. Everett, pastor of the Free Will Baptist church of Gilmanton Iron Works, was united in marriage on Thursday of last week to Miss Elsie Glidden of Alton Mountain. Mrs. Everett is a graduate of Alton High school and the Plymouth Normal school, a successful teacher very highly respected by all who know her. Friends extend their congratulations and wish Rev. and Mrs. Everett much happiness in their married life (Farmington News, February 4, 1910).
Adelbert T. Everett, a Free Baptist clergyman, aged thirty-three years (b. (Canada (Eng.)), headed a Gilmanton, NH, household at the time of the Thirteenth (1910) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of zero years), Elsie M. Everett, aged twenty-four years (b. NH), and his mother, Matilda Everett, a widow, aged seventy-eight years (b. Canada (Eng.)).
Mrs. Matilda (Tibbetts) Everett died in Gilmanton, NH, September 29, 1911, aged seventy-nine years, four months, and twenty-one days. She had been a resident there for four years, having previously lived in Farmington, NH.
Alumni Notes. Rev. Adelbert T. Everett of Gilmanton Iron Works, New Hampshire, special student 1900-1, pastor of the Baptist church, on April 12 was surprised by a call from twenty-six young people, the organized class in the Sunday school, taught by his wife, summoning him to the vestry of the church for the celebration of the anniversary of his birth. During the evening a handsome four-piece silver service was presented to him (American International College, 1913).
A.T. Everett appeared as pastor of Milton’s Free-Will Baptist church, at 31-33 So. Main street, in the Milton business directory of 1917.
Adelbert Truman Everett of Milton, NH, aged forty-one years, registered for the WW I military draft in Milton, September 12, 1918. He was a subject of Great Britain, having been born in Canada, April 12, 1877. He was employed in Milton, NH, by the Free-Will Baptist Society. His nearest relation was Elsie May Everett of Milton, NH. He was of medium height, with a stout build, with blue eyes, and brown hair.
WEST MILTON. In a downpour of rain a little group assembled at Nute chapel last Sunday afternoon to listen to the farewell sermon of Rev. A.T. Everett, who has been the supply pastor in this parish during the past five months. At the close of the service Mrs. Lola Hyland presented Mr. Everett with a salad set, in token of esteem and appreciation of the parishioners here. Mr. Everett very feelingly responded, expressing hearty thanks in behalf of himself and Mrs. Everett, who was unable to be present. Their departure from Milton to the new pastorate in Lynn, Mass., is attended with good wishes of a host of friends to whom they have endeared themselves during their period of faithful service both here and in the village church (Farmington News, October 31, 1919).
Adelbert T. Everett, a church clergyman, aged forty-two years (b. Canada (Eng.)), headed a Lynn, MA, household at the time of the Fourteenth (1920) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Elsie M. Everett, aged thirty-two years (b. NH), and his boarder, Murilla Straw, a widow, aged eighty-six years (b. NH). They resided in a mortgaged house at 232 Lynnfield Street.
REV. A.T. EVERETT OF LYNN RESIGNS HIS PASTORATE. LYNN, Aug 29. Rev. Adelbert T. Everett has resigned the pastorate of the Lynnfield Street Baptist Church, his resignation being read at a special meeting of the official board. Rev. and Mrs. Everett are spending their annual vacation at Milton, N.H., and the pastor’s letter of resignation was forwarded to the board. The resignation was accepted with regret and Rev. Lewis Malvern, D.D., was engaged to fill the pulpit until the church can make arrangements for another minister. It is understood that Rev. Mr. Everett and his wife will leave soon for California, where the pastor has a sister, and it was stated that he will take a pastorate in that State. Rev. Mr. Everett preached his first sermon in Lynn, Nov 2, 1919. His early life was devoted to missionary work in Nova Scotia. He is a member of the Milton Lodge of Odd Fellows and of the Knights of Pythias (Boston Globe, August 30, 1921).
Adelbert T. Everett, a market meat cutter, aged fifty-two years (b. Canada), headed a Los Angeles, CA, household at the time of the Fifteenth (1930) Federal Census. He rented his dwelling at 5226 Santa Monica Boulevard, for $20 per month. He did not have a radio set. (Adelbert T. Everett identified himself as a widower).
Meanwhile, Elsie M. Everett, a saleslady of corsets, etc., aged forty-four years (b. NH), headed a Lynn, MA, household at the time of the Fifteenth (1930) Federal Census. Her household included her roomer, Fred Harriman, a catering truck driver, aged twenty-two years (b. NH), and her boarder, Willard Mudge, an express truck driver, aged twenty-nine years (b. MA). Elsie M. Everett owned their house at 232 Lynnfield Street, which was valued at $8,500. She had a radio set. (Elsie M. Everett identified herself as a widow).
Adelbert T. Everett died in Los Angeles, CA, August 6, 1934. Elsie Mae (Glidden) Everett married (2nd) in Lynn, MA, in 1937, Isaac Willard Mudge (1901-1993). She died in Salem, MA, September 17, 1945.
Rev. James W. Tingley – 1919-20
James William Tingley was born in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada, May 24, 1852, son of Joshua and Charlotte (Trenholm) Tingley.
James W. Tingley married, circa 1888, Naomi Grace Elliott. She was born in Nova Scotia, Canada, circa 1868.
Rev. James W. Tingley was pastor of the First Baptist church in Middleboro, MA, in 1887-88, and then again in 1890-92.
James W. Tingley, a Baptist clergyman, aged thirty-seven years (b. Nova Scotia), headed a Freeport, Digby, Nova Scotia, household at the time of the 1891 Canadian Census. His household included his wife, Naomi G. Tingley, aged twenty-three years (b. Nova Scotia), and his daughter Helen M. Tingley, aged one year (b. Nova Scotia).
Tingley-Smith. HYDE PARK, June 21. Hiram J. Tingley and Miss Eda L. Smith were married last evening at the home of the bride’s brother, Leslie J. Smith, 34 Everett st., by Rev. Guy C. Lamson, pastor of the First Baptist church, assisted by Rev. James W. Tingley of Berlin, N.H., brother of the groom. Murdock Mcleod of East Dedham was best man and Miss Marsina R. Smith, sister of the bride, the bridesmaid. The bride was attired m white silk muslin with applique trimmings, and carried a cluster of white carnations. The bridesmaid wore white muslin and carried pink carnations. A wedding march was played by Miss Harriet Bentley. The ushers were Miss Marion C. Morse. niece of the groom, and Miss Grace C. Corson. Mr. and Mrs. Tingley will reside at 2 Maple st. and will be at home after July 15 (Boston Globe, June 26, 1896).
Several Hopkinton Baptist Church parishioners paid for Rev. James W. Tingley’s perpetual membership in the General Theological Library, April 15, 1891. James W. Tingley was pastor of the First Baptist Church Hopkinton, MA, in 1893-95, and then again in 1899-190?.
James W Tingley, a clergyman, aged forty years (b. Canada), headed a Hopkinton, NH, household at the time of the Twelfth (1900) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of twelve years), Naomi G. Tingley, aged thirty-one years (b. Canada), and his children, Helen M. Tingley, aged ten years (b. Canada), and Harold E. Tingley, aged four years (b. Canada). James W. Tingley rented their house in Hopkinton Village. Naomi G. Tingley was the mother of two children, of whom two were still living.
Rev. James W. Tingley appeared in the Hopkinton, NH, directory of 1904, as pastor of the Free Baptist Church of Hopkinton, with his house on Main street.
James W Tingley, a clergyman, aged fifty-three years (b. Canada), headed a Greenville, NH, household at the time of the Thirteenth (1910) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of twenty-two years), Naomi G. Tingley, aged forty-two years (b. Canada), and his children, Helen M. Tingley, a public school teacher, aged twenty years (b. Canada), and Harold E. Tingley, aged fourteen years (b. Canada). James W. Tingley rented their house on River Street. Naomi G. Tingley was the mother of two children, of whom two were still living.
Rev. James W. Tingley appeared in the Laconia, NH, directory of 1913, as pastor of the First Baptist Church of Laconia, with his house at 386 Union avenue. Miss Helen M. Tingley appeared also, as a teacher, with her home at 386 Union avenue. The directory of 1916 indicated that both had removed to Boston, MA.
Atlantic Coast. NEW HAMPSHIRE. RETURNING TO THE STATE. Rev. J.W. Tingley becomes the pastor at Milton. Mr. Tingley has held successful pastorates in New Hampshire. His last pastorate was at Weymouth, Mass. (Baptist, February 14, 1920).
James W. Tingley, a city clergyman, aged sixty-six years (b. Canada), headed a Boston, MA, household at the time of the Fourteenth (1920) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Naomi Tingley, aged fifty-seven years (b. Canada), his son, Harold E. Tingley, a general practice dentist, aged twenty-three years (b. Canada), and his sister-in-law, Odessa Elliott, aged sixty-three years (b. Canada).
James W. Tingley died suddenly while conducting church services in Milton, July 11, 1920, aged sixty-eight years, one month, and eighteen days. (See also Milton in the News – 1920).
DEATHS. TINGLEY – In Milton, N.H., the Rev. James W. Tingley, suddenly. Funeral from the home of Dr. L.M. Crosby, 31 Avon st., Wakefield, Mass. Notice of time of funeral later (Boston Post, July 13, 1920).
WEST MILTON. The people of this parish were much shocked and saddened upon hearing of the sudden death of Rev. J.W. Tingley, which occurred Sunday evening while he was conducting service in the Free Baptist church in Milton. He commenced his pastorate there last November, since which time he also has supplied at Nute chapel Sunday afternoons. Those whose privilege it has been to know Mr. Tingley during the brief period of his ministry here will remember him very pleasantly, and in the hour when their hearts are touched with sorrow, they will share the feeling that a good and faithful servant has answered the summons that has bidden him to “enter into the joy of his Lord” (Farmington News, July 16, 1920).
Naomi Tingley, a widow, aged sixty-two years (b. Canada), headed a Boston, MA, household at the time of the Fifteenth (1930) Federal Census. Her household included her sister, Odessa Elliot, aged seventy-five years (b. Canada). Odessa Elliot owned their two-family dwelling at 62 Hobson Street, which was valued at $6,800. They had a radio set. They shared the dwelling with the household of tenant Frank R. McKenzie, a Hood rubber supervisor, aged thirty-eight years (b. MA), who paid $50 per month.
Naomi Tingley, a widow, aged seventy years (b. Canada) headed a Boston, MA, household at the time of the Sixteenth (1940) Federal Census. Naomi Tingley owned her house at 62 Hobson Street, which was valued at $6,500.
Naomi G. (Elliot) Tingley died in Boston, MA, November 21, 1963.
DEATHS. TINGLEY – In Brighton, Nov. 21, Naomi (Elliott), of 62 Hobson st., widow of the Rev. James W. Tingley and mother of Helen T. Robinson of Wellesley, and Dr. Harold E. Tingley of Newton Center. Funeral from the Short & Williamson Funeral Home. 173 Brighton av., Allston, on Friday, Nov. 29. at 11:00 a.m. Kindly omit flowers. Memorial contribution! to the Heart Fund greatly appreciated. Interment at Lake Side Cemetery, Wakefield (Boston Globe, November 27, 1963).
Rev. John F. Thurston – 1920-22
John Franklin Thurston was born in Thornton, NH, in 1869, son of Franklin J. “Frank” and Julia A. (Merrill) Thompson.
He married (1st) in Starksboro, VT, May 20, 1903, Ida May Fuller, he of Starksboro, and she of Brattleboro, VT. He was a minister, aged thirty-four years, she was aged thirty-five years. She was born in Waterbury, VT, February 13, 1868, daughter of Ezra B. and Lucy A. (Minet) Fuller. She died in Lincoln, VT, February 21, 1907, aged thirty-nine years, six months, and twenty-five days.
LINCOLN. Mrs. Ida Fuller Thurston, whose death occurred Thursday morning, was a daughter of the Rev. and Mrs. Fuller, a well known Free Baptist clergyman, who preached in Starksboro, Huntington, Waterbury and other places in the Huntington Free Baptist association. She was born February 13, 1S68, in Waterbury, Vermont. She attended and later taught in Green Mountain Seminary and was a graduate of the University of Vermont. She taught in different places and was very successful. In June, 1903, she was married to the Rev. J.F. Thurston then located in Starksboro. Never very strong in the summer of 1904 cancer developed, for which she was operated upon. After a year she seemed to have regained her health. In May, 1905, her husband took charge of the church work in this place and for a year she was a most efficient co-worker with him in all branches of Christian work; She was taken sick last June after which time she was never dressed, a greater part of the time suffering beyond description. During all this time, no word of complaint passed her lips and her friends were always greeted with a smile when able to do so. She wrote letters to the sick, to her Sunday school class and others. She leaves besides her husband, an aged mother, from whom she had never been separated, a sister, Mrs. Wilcox, of Brattleboro. The funeral was held at the Union Church Saturday, the Rev. J.W. Burgin of Lyndonvllle officiating. The bearers were Luther Rhodes, John Benton, Clayton Bicknell and Mahlon Purinton. Music was furnished by Mr. and Mrs. W.E. Butterfield, Mr. and Mrs. Rhodes, Mrs. John Benton organist. Mrs. Thurston’s Sunday school class of young people, the Ladies’ Aid society and Industria in both societies of which she was an officer, attended in a body. Mr. and Mrs. George O’Bryan were present as representatives of the Baptist Church of Starksboro. Beautiful flowers were furnished by the Aid society, Industria, Good Templars and other friends. The remains were taken to Waterbury Center, Sunday and buried by the side of her father, the bearers accompanying the body. (Burlington Free Press (Burlington, VT), February 28, 1907).
John F. Thurston married (2nd) in Wethersfield, NY, June 25, 1908, Sarah J. “Sadie” (Mansell) Neeley, he of Bliss, NY, and she of Wethersfield, NY. He was a clergyman, aged thirty-nine years, and she was a school teacher, aged thirty-nine years. She was born in Pauri, Uttaranchal, India, in May 1859, daughter of Rev. Henry S. and Anne E. (Benschoff) Mansell. (Her first husband, Arthur E. Neeley, had died in Syracuse, NY, January 27, 1899).
ADDISON. TO HEAR NEW PASTOR. Addison. April 30. The new Baptist pastor, the Rev. John F. Thurston, will preach tomorrow morning on “Fidelity and Authority”; Sunday School, 11:45; Christian Endeavor. 6:30; evening subject, “A Good Soldier” (Star-Gazette (Elmira, NY), April 30, 1910).
John F. Thurston, a Baptist minister, aged forty years (b. NH), headed an Addison, NY, household at the time of the Thirteenth (1910) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of two years), Sadie Thurston, aged forty years (b. India (American citizen)), and William Fergison Dadier, aged ten years (b. PA). John F. Thurston rented their house on Front Street.
ADDISON. RESIGNS PASTORATE. Addison, Feb. 22. The Rev. John F. Thurston, for the last two years pastor of the Baptist Church, has resigned. He does not say where he expects to go. Last Sunday Mr. Thurston preached in the Baptist Church in Elmira Heights and it is possible that he may be called there (Star-Gazette (Elmira, NY), February 22, 1910).
John F. Thurston, a Baptist minister, aged fifty years (b. NH), headed a Woodstock, NH, household at the time of the Fourteenth (1920) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Sarah M. Thurston, a piano teacher, aged fifty years (b. India (American citizen)). John F. Thurston rented their house.
CLASS OF 1904. MISSING LINKS IN THE CHAIN. SARAH M. NEELEY (Thurston). Mrs. Neeley taught in the high school, North Tonawanda, N.Y., 1904-5; Hempstead, Long Island, N.Y., 1905-6; Warsaw, N.Y., 1906-8. Contributor to the Educational Gazette and Northern Christian Advocate. Married Rev. John F. Thurston of Bliss N.Y., June 25, 1908. Last known address Woodstock, N.H. (Syracuse University, 1921).
Atlantic Coast. NEW HAMPSHIRE. REV. J.F. THURSTON of No. Woodstock has accepted the call to the Church in Milton. He will succeed Rev. J.W. Tingley, who died in the pulpit on Sunday evening, July 11 (Baptist, September 18, 1920).
Atlantic Coast. NEW HAMPSHIRE. REV. J.F. THURSTON has become pastor at Milton. Mr. Thurston recently closed his labors at Woodstock (Baptist, September 25, 1920).
WEST MILTON. Religious services were conducted at Nute chapel at 2 p.m. last Sunday by Rev. Mr. Thurston, pastor of the Baptist church at Milton. It is expected that a service will be held at the same hour next Sunday and it is hoped that a larger congregation may be present (Farmington News, October 16, 1920).
Hampton News. The union meeting Sunday night at seven will be held in the Baptist church. The preacher will be Rev. John Franklin Thurston, who has been heard already by our community with pleasure (Hamptons Union (Hampton, NH), February 23, 1922).
John F. Thurston died at his home in Millville, NJ, July 1, 1923, aged fifty-four years.
J. FRANKLIN THURSTON DIED SUNDAY MORNING. Passed Away at His Home on Bridgeton Pike After a Long Illness – Was a Retired Minister and Member of the First Baptist Church. John Franklin Thurston died at his home on the Bridgeton Pike, Sunday. Mr. Thurston was a minister of the gospel and a member of the First Baptist Church of this city. He came to Millville from New England two years ago in search of a better climate for his health. He bought a property on the Bridgeton pike and conducted a poultry farm. Since coming to Millville his health improved and he had preached on several occasions at various churches in South Jersey. His profession, together with his pleasing personality, won many friends for him and his death will be a marked loss to all who. knew him. A few weeks ago he suffered a relapse and was removed to the Millville Hospital, under the care of Dr. Frank Sheppard. After a minor operation he was taken to his home, where he died, Sunday morning, from an illness which had afflicted him for many years. The deceased was 54 years of age and was born In Woodstock, N.H., April 23, 1869. He was a member of the Odd Fellows and Masonic lodges. towns He had held pastorates in half a dozen towns in New Hampshire and Main. Previous to coming to Millville he was at Milton, N.H., where he was pastor of the First Baptist Church. The funeral services will be held in the First Baptist Church on Thursday, July 5, at 10.30 A.M. The interment will be in Mount Pleasant Cemetery. Friends may call at his late residence Wednesday evening (Millville Daily, July 2, 1923).
VITAL STATISTICS FOR MONTH OF JULY. Deaths. 1 – Rev. John F. Thurston, Bridgeton pike, at Millville hospital, aged 54, cerebral hemorrhage (Millville Daily, August 11, 1923).
Sarah Thurston, a school teacher, ages sixty years (b. India), headed a Millville, NJ, household at the time of the Fifteenth (1930) Federal Census. She rented her house on East Main Street, for $25 per month.
Sarah J. ((Mansell) Neeley) Thurston died in Millville, NJ, January 10, 1935.
Rev. George H. Chambers – 1923-24
George Henry Chambers was born in Sharon, VT, October 18, 1875, son of Stephen W. and Ellen M. (Aldridge) Chambers.
Henry W. Hastings, a teacher, aged thirty-six years (b. MA), headed a Gill, MA, household at the time of the Twelfth (1900) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of five years), Anna G. Hastings, aged thirty-three years (b. DE), his children, Hellen W. Hastings, aged four years (b. MA), Henry W. Hastings, aged two years (b. MA), his mother-in-law, Martha P. George, a housekeeper, aged sixty-two years (b. NJ), and his boarder, George H. Chambers, at school, aged twenty-four years (b. VT). Anna G. Hastings was the mother of two children, of whom two were still living. The page was headed Mt. Hermon Boys’ School.
George H. Chambers married in Cavendish, VT, December 24, 1902, Olive May Jackson, both of Cavendish. He was a weaver, aged twenty-seven years, and she was aged twenty years. She was born in Mount Holly, VT, circa 1882, daughter of Cyrus H. and Nancy A. (Elliot) Jackson.
George H. Chambers, a congregational clergyman, aged thirty-four years (b. VT), headed a Hardwick, VT, household at the time of the Thirteenth (1910) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of seven years), Olive M. Chambers, aged twenty-seven years (b. VT), his children, Ruth M. Chambers, aged five years (b. VT), and Floyd E. Chambers, aged two years (b. NH), and his hired girl, Jennie Barnett, a private family servant, aged twenty-one years (b. VT). Olive M. Chambers was the mother of two children, of whom two were still living. They resided in a rented house on Church Street in East Hardwick.
REPORT OF MINISTERIAL CHANGES FOR 1912. DANVILLE ASSOCIATION. Rev. George H. Chambers. East Hardwick to Smithville, N.Y. (Vermont Baptist State Convention, 1912).
George H. Chambers, a clergyman, aged forty-four years (b. VT), headed a Sutton, VT, household at the time of the Fourteenth (1920) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Olive M. Chambers, aged thirty-seven years (b. VT), his children, Ruth N. Chambers, aged fifteen years (b. VT), Floyd E. Chambers, aged twelve years (b. NH), Ruby E. Chambers, aged seven years (b. NY), Clifford J. Chambers, aged two years (b. CT), and Pearl E. Clifford, aged nine months (b. ME). They resided in a rented house.
Atlantic Coast. VERMONT. THE SUTTON CHURCH, Rev. George Chambers, pastor, has recently made an every member canvass, raising enough money so that the salary hereafter will be $1200 and house. The young people recently had a social night and entertainment, given for the purpose of raising money to make improvements on church property, and the men of the church entertained all the ladies of the church and congregation with a chicken pie supper, clearing nearly $100. During the present pastorate thirteen have been received into the church, eight of them by baptism and the others by letter and experience (Northern Baptist Convention, November 20, 1920).
Atlantic Coast. VERMONT. REV. GEORGE H. CHAMBERS, for two years pastor at Sutton, has closed work on that field and removed to Newport Center where he has already begun his labor (Northern Baptist Convention, December 4, 1920).
Atlantic Coast.VERMONT. THE NEWPORT CENTER CHURCH, Rev. George H. Chambers, pastor, has suffered a severe loss through the death of one of the efficient young members, Mrs. E.B. Dickinson. She was one of the singers in the choir, a worker in the Sunday school, and was always present at the services of the church (Baptist, February 26, 1921).
NEWPORT CENTER. Rev. G.H. Chambers and family are leaving town this week to take up work in Maine. Floyd Chambers will remain behind until his school finishes. Miss Ruth Chambers will complete her year as teacher in one of the Westfield schools before joining her folks in South Parsonsfield, Maine (Express and Standard (Newport, VT), May 12, 1922).
NEWPORT CENTER. Rev. G.H. Chambers and family went to South Parsonville, Maine, Saturday where he has a pastorate. Damon Hyde took them by auto. Mr. Hyde also went to Old Orchard (Express and Standard (Newport, VT), May 26, 1922).
Rev. George H. Chambers performed the very first wedding ceremony ever held in Milton’s “new” Baptist church building, although it had been open for more than thirty years. (It replaced the earlier building that had burned in December 1890).
30-YEAR-OLD MILTON, N.H., CHURCH’S FIRST WEDDING. MILTON, N.H., June 26. Miss Gladys M. St. John, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Napoleon St. John, and Elwood M. Dixon, son of Mr. and Mrs. Stephen E. Dixon, were married Sunday morning at the Free Baptist Church here. They are the first to be married in this church, which has been built more than 30 years. Rev G.H. Chambers performed the ceremony and the double ring service was used. The picturesque little church was beautified with flowers and ferns. Miss Stella Wentworth played the wedding march. The bride wore white crepe de chine and carried a bouquet of pink peonies. Miss Enaise St. John, sister of the bride, and Paul J. Dixon, brother of the groom, were the attendants, with little Ruth Dixon as flower girl. The bride is a graduate of the Rochester High School, ’17, and for the past three years has been employed in the office of I.W. Jones & Co. The couple left for an automobile trip through Vermont and New York. They will spend the Summer at Camp Fairview, Milton (Boston Globe, June 26, 1923).
George H. Chambers, a Baptist Church clergyman, aged fifty-four years (b. VT), headed an Ira, VT, household at the time of the Fifteenth (1930) Federal Census, His household included his wife, N.O. May Chambers, aged forty-seven years (b. VT), and his children, Ruby E. Chambers, aged seventeen years (b. NY), Clifford J. Chambers, aged twelve years (b. CT), Pearl E. Chambers, aged eleven years (b. ME), and Olive R. Chambers, aged eight years (b. VT). They resided in a rented house; they did not have a radio set.
Electrically Hatched Duck Lays 9 Oz. Egg. Rev. G.H. Chambers, owner of the electric hatchery, had on display this week an egg laid by one of his white Pekin ducks last Saturday which measured 10 1-2 inches lengthwise around, eight and one-half inches crosswise around, and weighed nearly nine ounces. The duck which laid this unusually large egg was hatched a year ago last April and began to lay in January of this year and with the exception of a few two or three day intervals has continued to lay up to the present time. Mr. Chambers sorts his eggs into five different grades according to weight and has one grade which he calls “Jumbo Eggs,” these weighing from 30-33 ounces per dozen and most of them. having a double yolk. He has recently sold over 1,000 pullets so has only about 700 hens at the present time. From this number of hens he is selling over 100 dozen eggs per week in Brandon and vicinity (Brandon Union (Brandon, VT), August 27, 1937).
George Chambers, a chicken dealer (own farm), aged sixty-four years (b. VT), headed a Brandon, VT, household at the time of the Sixteenth (1940) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Olive M. Chambers, aged fifty-eight years (b. VT). They owned their farm, on the Carver Street Extension, which was valued at $9,000. Olive M. Chambers supplied the information.
Rev. G.H. Chambers, Retired Pastor, 80, Feted On Birthday. BRANDON – Rev. George H. Chambers, who retired in 1934 as pastor of the Ira Baptist Church, observed his 80th birthday at his home here Sunday. His twin sister, Mrs. Gertrude Ralph of Warren, was unable to attend the family party. Present with Rev. and Mrs. Chambers were a son and daughter-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Floyd Chambers of Glens Falls, N.Y., a grandson and his family, Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Chambers and Brenda, Lawrence and Matthew, also of Glens Falls, and a daughter and her three children, Mrs. Pearl Hayes and Ronald, Richard and David, of Forest Dale (Addison County Independent (Middlebury, VT), September 23, 1955).
George H. Chambers of Brandon, VT, died in Waterbury, VT, January 17, 1961, aged eighty-five years
Obituary. REV. GEORGE H. CHAMBERS. BRANDON – The Rev. George H. Chambers, 85, of Brandon, retired Baptist Minister, died Tuesday. He was born in Sharon, Sept. 18, 1875, son of Stephen and Ellen (Eldridge) Chambers. He leaves his wife, [Olive] May Jackson Chambers of Brandon; two sons, Floyd Chambers of Glens Falls, N.Y., and Clifford Chambers of Bradford; three daughters, Mrs. Ruth Wolfe of New York City, Mrs. Roger Libby of Mountain Home, Idaho, and Mrs. Pearl Hayes of Brandon; and a sister, Mrs. Gertrude Ralph of Waterbury. The Rev. Mr. Chambers was pastor in Baptist churches in New England and New York State for 30 years. He belonged to the Neshobe Grange and St. Paul’s Lodge, F&AM, both of Brandon. The funeral will be conducted Friday at 2 p.m. at the Methodist Church in Brandon by the Rev. Alfred Johnson, pastor of the Baptist Church of Brandon. Entombment will be in Pine Hill Cemetery, Brandon, with burial to be at North Springfield in the spring. Friends may call at his home on Maple St., Brandon, Thursday afternoon and evening (Rutland Daily Herald, January 17, 1961).
Olive M. (Jackson) Chambers died in Brandon, VT, in February 1980, aged ninety-seven years.
Obituary Notices. Olive May Chambers. BRANDON – Olive May (Jackson) Chambers, 97. died Friday at Eden Park Nursing Home in Rutland. Mrs. Chambers was born on May 23, 1882, in Mt. Holly, daughter of Cyrus and Nancie (Elliott) Jackson. She was a former member of the Grange in Brandon and became a member of the King’s Daughters in 1938. She also belonged to the Brandon Baptist Church and had been a resident of Brandon since 1934. She was the widow of the late George Chambers, who died in 1961. Survivors include two daughters, Ruby E. Libby of Caldwell, Idaho, and Pearl E. Hayes of Brandon; two sons, Floyd E. Chambers of Glens Falls, N.Y., and Clifford J. Chambers of Bristol, N.H.; also 10 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren, and 9 great-great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held on Monday at 2 p.m. at the Forest Dale Wesleyan Methodist Church. The Rev. Arthur Getz, pastor of the Brandon Baptist Church, will officiate. Entombment will follow the services in the Pine Hill Cemetery in Brandon. Burial will be in Pine Grove Cemetery in North Springfield at a later date. Friends may call at the home of the daughter, Pearl Hayes, in Forest Dale on Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the Brandon Area Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 232, Brandon 05733. The Miller and Ketcham Funeral Home in Brandon is in charge of arrangements (Rutland Daily Herald, March 1, 1980).
The Milton Baptist Church location, to the left on Church Street (now Steeple Street), and the Milton First Congregational Church, to the right at 17 South Main Street (now Dawson Street)
During the pastorate of Congregational Rev. Newell W. Whitman, the Milton Congregational church and the Milton Free-Will Baptist church would amalgamate, merge, or “unite” as the Milton Community Church. The combined group held their meetings in the former Milton Free-Will Baptist church building. It stands today at 7 Steeple Street, then Church Street, at its intersection with what is now School Street but was then an empty field (until construction of the Nute High School and Library (1891) and the Milton Grammar School (1892)).
The combined group used the Congregational church building at 17 South Main street, now Dawson street, as its parish house.
The Milton Board of Selectmen (BOS) have posted their agenda for a BOS Workshop meeting to be held Monday, August 17.
The BOS Workshop meeting is scheduled to begin with a quasi-Public session beginning at 5:30 PM.
Although this meeting is open to the public, everyone who attends must fill out a contact form and wear a face mask. Anyone refusing to do so will not be allowed entry. Furthermore, with social distancing, the capacity of the meeting room is approximately 14 people. If more than 14 people arrive, then the meeting will have to immediately be adjourned.
The BOS will hear budget proposals from three departments: Recreation Department (Recreation Director Karen Brown); Fire Department Budget Proposal (Fire Chief Nick Marique); Department of Public Works Budget Proposal (DPW Director Patrick Smith).
The sequence of Congregational ministers listed in Scales’ History of Strafford County concluded in 1890. This list has been constructed from other sources.
The Milton Congregational ministers of this 1891-1924 period were Robert T. Osgood, Myron P. Dickey, Joseph N. Walker, Clarence E. Pike, Simon F. Goodheart, Owen E. Hardy, and Newell W. Whitman.
Rev. Robert Treadwell Osgood – 1891-92
Robert T. Osgood was born in West Roxbury, MA, October 16, 1865, son of Edward T. and Hannah P. (Newell) Osgood.
Robert Treadwell Osgood. b. Jamaica Plain, Mass., Oct. 16, 1865; Harv. 1887; ord. June 16, 1891; p. Milton, N.H., 1891-92; res. lic. Yale Sem., 1893-94; p. Meredith, N.H., 1895-97; w.c. Biltmore, N.C.; Hadlyme, Ct., from 1903. Address Hadlyme, Ct. (Andover Theological Seminary, 1908).
Robert T. Osgood was ordained in Milton’s Congregational Church, June 16, 1891. His grandfather, Rev. Samuel Osgood, appears to have been in attendance.
HERE AND THERE. On Tuesday, June 16, Mr. Robert Osgood will be ordained and installed as pastor of the Congregational church at Milton Ponds [Three Ponds]. The Rev. Alexander McKenzie, D.D., of Cambridge, Mass., is expected to preach the sermon on this occasion, the distinguished divine having counted Mr. Osgood as one of his parishioners. The latter is a young gentleman of fine ability and training, his early life was spent in Europe, where his mother is at present directing the education of her younger children. He is the grandson of Dr. Osgood, who served as pastor to a church in Springfield, Mass., for a half century, and it is thought that the younger man is moved by the right spirit in coming to minister to the picturesque village across the hills. Messrs. Hall of Dover, Street of Exeter, Lewis of Salmon Falls, and Clark of Wolfboro and other neighboring pastors besides Lyman Whiting and Prof. Tucker, with the Senior Mr. Osgood, will be present at the ordination, on June 16, of Robert Osgood of Milton. The council will meet at 1 p.m. at the church, and Dr. McKenzie will preach at 2.30 (Farmington News, June 12, 1891).
Ministerial Personals. CONGREGATIONAL. R.T. Osgood was ordained and installed as pastor of the church in Milton, N.H., on June 16 (Christian Union, July 4, 1891).
Religious Intelligence. New Hampshire. Milton. Rev. R.T. Osgood is under treatment in New York for trouble with his eyes (Vermont Chronicle, November 18, 1892).
MILTON. Rev. Robert Osgood has been obliged to give up the pastorate of the Congregational church, on account of failing health (Farmington News, December 9, 1892).
Religious Intelligence. New Hampshire. Milton. The town and state loses an excellent minister through the resignation of Rev. R.T. Osgood on account of an obstinate and disabling disease of the eyes (Vermont Chronicle, December 16, 1892).
Rev. Robert T. Osgood went next to Yale University, for several years, and then to a pastorate in Meredith, NH.
WATERVILLE, N.H. Rev. Robert T. Osgood of Meredith is enjoying a few days at this resort (Boston Globe, August 16, 1896).
R.T. Osgood appeared in the Meredith, NH, business directory of 1897, as pastor of the Meredith Congregational church.
William Cheesborough, a farmer, aged forty-four years (b. SC), headed an Asheville, NC, household at the time of the Twelfth (1900) Federal Census. His household included his siblings, John Cheesborough, a farmer, aged forty-six years (b. SC), and Elizabeth Cheesborough, aged forty years (b. SC), his servant, James Shorter, a farm laborer, aged thirteen years (b. SC), and his boarder, Robert Osgood, a preacher, aged thirty-five years (b. NY [SIC]).
SINGING LESSONS: Mr. Osgood will receive private pupils as beginners in singing. Especial attention to tone-production and reading.. Also lessons in French. Care in pronunciation, conversational method. Has studied in French schools. Apply post office box 16 or at Rose Villa (News-Herald (Morganton, NC), February 21, 1907).
Robert T. Osgood, Passport Photo, 1916
John T. Pillsbury, a private school principal, aged sixty-three years (b. ME), headed a Newton, MA, household at the time of the Thirteenth (1910) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of thirty-one years), Sarah E. Pillsbury, a private school teacher, aged fifty-six years (b. ME), his son, W. Robinson Pillsbury, a wholesale leather salesman, aged twenty-two years (b. MA); his assistants, Robert T. Osgood, a private school teacher, aged forty-four years (b. MA), Carl Killam, a private school teacher, aged twenty-two years (b. MA), and Earl A. Roadman, a private school teacher, aged twenty-six years (b. IA); his janitor, Hewitt W. Proctor, a private school janitor, aged twenty years (b. NH), his cook, Anna Johnson, a private school cook, aged thirty-nine years (b. Sweden), his laundress, Hilda Syred, a private school laundress, aged twenty-two years (b. Sweden), his maids, Elizabeth Johnson, a private school servant, aged twenty-two years (b. US), and Lillian Chute, a private school servant, aged twenty-one years (b. US); and his boarders, Carl C. Enebuske, a building architect, aged twenty-one years (b. NY), Louis Simon, aged seventeen years (b. Cuba), Ernest Simon, aged fifteen years (b. Cuba), Fangen Sim, aged seventeen years (b. China), Tsu Chang Kwanan, aged thirteen years (b. China). and Myron Lord, aged ten years (b. MA). John H. Pillsbury owned their residence at 1690 Beacon Street, but with a mortgage. The Wolcott School occupied that space in 1910 (now the Angier School).
News from the Classes. Class of 1887. R.T. Osgood writes an interesting letter from Paris. From 1900 to 1917 he was principally engaged in teaching, especially in French. In the spring of 1917 he went to France as a volunteer hospital aid and since then has been engaged in war activities before and after the Armistice until the present time. He hopes to return to this country in the fall (Harvard Graduate’s Magazine Association, 1923).
He Was Here. Robert T. Osgood of Valenciennes, France, a Latin teacher at Pittsfield High in 1887 and 1888, is looking for proof of his American citizenship. In a letter to the mayor yesterday, Osgood asked him to please certify he was a resident here in 87 and 88, A check by Superintendent of School Russell verified Osgood’s claim, and a letter of certification is on the way to Valenciennes. During the war, Osgood explained in his letter, his documents were lost when the consulate at Lille was closed and later merged with another office. Citizenship proof is necessary to put his personal affairs in order, he noted. Mr. Osgood’s family lived in Hancock years ago before he moved to France (Berkshire Eagle, July 8, 1948).
Robert T. Osgood would then have been about eighty-four years of age. Nothing has come to hand to suggest that he returned to the United States. (He likely died in France).
Rev. Myron Parsons Dickey – 1893-1908
Myron P. Dickey was born in Derry, NH, February 19, 1852, son of David W. and Sarah A. (Campbell) Dickey.
He married (1st) in Palmer, MA, August 2, 1876, Louisa R. Shumway, he of New Hampshire, and she of Palmer. He was a teacher, aged twenty-four years (b. NH); she was aged thirty-two years (b. Palmer). She was born in Palmer, MA, February 1, 1845, daughter of Asa and Orinda (Hall) Shumway.
Sophia Amidon, a widow, aged forty years (b. MA), headed a Palmer, MA, household at the time of the Tenth (1880) Federal Census. Her household included her son, Fayett Amidon, a laborer, aged eighteen years (b. MA), her boarder, Myron P. Dickey, a school teacher, aged twenty-eight years (b. NH), [her boarder’s] wife, Louise Dickey, no employment, aged thirty-six years (b. MA), and [her boarder’s] son, Maurice Dickey, aged two years (b. NH). They shared a two-family dwelling with the household of Eli Smith, a dry goods merchant, aged forty-eight years (b. MA).
In February 1883, a unanimous call was given to Rev. Myron P. Dickey to become the [Ludlow, MA] pastor at a salary of $700 and the parsonage. A council convened the 14th of June to install Mr. Dickey. In 1887 his salary was increased $100. June 23, 1889 was observed as the one hundredth anniversary of the organization of the Church. At this time Rev. Mr. Dickey delivered a historical sermon in the afternoon. Others who took part were: Rev. J.W. Tuck, a former pastor; Rev. Mr. Buckingham and Rev. Mr. Cone of Springfield; Rev. Mr. Howard of Wilbraham; Rev. Simeon Miller of Ludlow and Dea. Elisha T. Parsons. Mr. Dickey resigned in 1893 to accept the pastorate of a church in Milton, N.H. (Noon, 1912).
Myron P. Dickey appeared as the pastor of the Congregational church in the Milton directories of 1894, 1898, 1901, and 1904. He appeared as pastor of the Congregational church, 17 So. Main street, in the Milton directory of 1905-06.
LOCALS. The pastor of the First church exchanged desks on last Sunday with Rev. M.P. Dickey of Milton, who presented to his audience a thoughtful and forcible exposition of Isaiah xxxii, 2. Mr. Dickey, a scholarly and original thinker, has been for five years the pastor of the church in Milton, and it is hoped that his parish may be so happy as to continue, for a long time to come, the relation with him which has been so valued and enjoyed (Farmington News, October 6, 1899).
Myron P. Dickey, a clergyman, aged forty-eight years (b. NH), headed a Milton (“Milton Village”) household at the time of the Twelfth (1900) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of twenty-three years), Louise Dickey, aged fifty-six years (b. MA), and his children, Morris Dickey, a grocery store salesman, aged twenty-one years (b. NH), Orinda Dickey, at school, aged sixteen years (b. MA), and Mark Dickey, at school, aged fourteen years (b. MA). Louise Dickey was the mother of three children, of whom three were still living. They appeared in the enumeration between the households of Stephen E. Twombly, a retired janitor, aged sixty-five years (b. NH), and Estella Rowe, a home keeper, aged forty years (b. ME).
Church and Ministerial Record. Bequests and Other Gifts. MILTON, N.H. Rev. M.P. Dickey. From Ladies’ Society, individual communion set (Congregationalist and Christian World, May 20, 1905).
Daughter Orinda S. “Ora” Dickey married in Milton, NH, November 15, 1906, Arthur T. “Thad” Smith. Smith had been earlier the second principal of Nute High School. Rev. Myron P. Dickey performed the ceremony.
Mrs. Dickey Falls to Her Death. KENNEBUNK, Me, Oct. 14 – Mrs. Myron P. Dickey, wife of Rev. Mr. Dickey, pastor of the Congregational church, fell downstairs today and was killed. Her neck was broken. She was about 60 years old and leaves several children (Boston Globe, October 15, 1908).
LOCAL. The tragic death of Mrs. Louise Dickey, wife of Rev. M.P. Dickey formerly of Milton, is greatly regretted by the many friends of the family in the vicinity. Mrs. Dickey had been in her new home in Kennebunk, Me., only a week when she fell down stairs and broke her neck. The funeral was held late Saturday afternoon, Rev. A.C. Fulton of Somersworth officiating. Mrs. Dickey was born in Palmer, Mass., Feb. 1, 1845, and besides a husband leaves a daughter, Mrs. Arthur T. Smith of Boston, and two sons. one being Mark S. Dickey, the pianist. She was the daughter of Asa and Orinda Shumway of Palmer. Mr. Dickey was pastor of the Congregational church at Milton for a number of years and only recently accepted a call to Kennebunk (Farmington News, October 23, 1908).
Dartmouth. Class of 1874. Dickey, Myron Parsons, A.M.; Yale Div. Sch., 1883; φβκ [Phi Beta Kappa], b. 19 Feb. 1852, Derry, N.H. Minister, res. Kennebunk, Me. (Dartmouth University, 1910).
Myron P. Dickey married (2nd) in Milton, NH, January 12, 1910, Nellie M. Wentworth, he of Kennebunk, ME, and she of Milton. He was a clergyman, aged fifty-seven years; she was a teacher, aged thirty-five years. Rev. R.M. Peacock of Milton performed the ceremony. She was born in Milton, December 23, 1875, daughter of John A. and Hannah E. (Gray) Wentworth.
Myron P. Dickey, a Congregational clergyman, aged fifty-eight years (b. NH), headed a Kennebunk, ME, household at the time of the Thirteenth (1910) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of zero years), Nellie W. Dickey, aged thirty-five years (b. NH), and Mark S. Dickey, a musician and composer, aged twenty-five years (b. MA). They resided in a rented house on Main Street.
REV. MYRON P. DICKEY DEAD. Graduate of Dartmouth and Held Pastorates In Ludlow, Mass., Milton, N.H, and Kennebunk, Me. KENNEBUNK, Me, Aug 30 – Rev. Myron Parsons Dickey, pastor of the First Congregational Church, died at 3 o’clock this afternoon of complications following an operation for appendicitis. He was in his 63d year. He was brought home from the Maine General Hospital in Portland two weeks ago and seemed slightly improved for a time, but last Friday his condition grew serious and he failed steadily to the end. Mr. Dickey was born Feb 19, 1852, in Derry, N.H, the son of David Woodburn and Sarah (Campbell) Dickey. He attended Pinkerton Academy in Derry and was graduated from Dartmouth College in the class of 1874. For a time he was principal of the High School in Hampstead, N.H. Deciding to enter the ministry, he went to Yale Theological Seminary and after graduating he took up his first pastorate in 1883 over the First Congregational Church at Ludlow Center, Mass. He remained there 10 years, then accepting a call to Milton, N.H., where he stayed 15 years. In 1908 he went to Kennebunk. While teaching school in Palmer, Mass., Mr. Dickey met Miss Louise Shumway who became his wife. She died in 1908, soon after their removal to Kennebunk. He was married again to Miss Nellie Wentworth of Milton, who survives him. He also leaves three children, Maurice W. Dickey of West Roxbury, Mass., a news editor on the Boston Globe; Orinda S., wife of Arthur Thad Smith of Winchester, and Mark Shumway Dickey of Winchester; two brothers, Frank A. Dickey of Kansas City and George A. Dickey of Manchester, N.H.; and two sisters, Miss Nellie S. Dickey of Cambridge, Mass., and Miss Etta G. Dickey of Derry, N.H. The funeral services will be in the church at 2 o’clock Wednesday afternoon (Boston Globe, August 31, 1914).
Deaths. MRS NELLIE WENTWORTH DICKEY. At Milton, N.H., Dec. 4, 1918, after a very brief illness, Mrs. Nellie Wentworth Dickey, widow of Rev. M.P. Dickey, passed away. At the time of her death, Mrs. Dickey was living at her mother’s home and was acting as assistant in Nute High School, Milton, N.H. A graduate of this same institution and of the Framingham Normal School, she early proved herself a teacher of remarkable enthusiasm and value in Milton, Newington, Peterboro, and Rochester, N.H. A great company of pupils will look back to the awakening and inspiring touch of her personality as something never to be forgotten. While teaching at Rochester she became the wife of Rev. M.P. Dickey, who had been her pastor in Milton, and at that time was minister in Kennebunk, Me. In this new relation, no woman could be more useful and beloved than she proved herself to be, and during the illness and hospital experience of Mr. Dickey the beautiful devotion of Mrs. Dickey touched all our hearts. Then when she was left alone in her bereavement and went back with the same heroism and cheerfulness as of old to her work as a teacher, we could only marvel at her strength of soul. The survival value of such a personality as hers must bring to us all not only abiding comfort but abounding assurance of the immortal life. It must be that God has been pleased to call her to some other room in his immortal and eternal presence and service. C.H.P. (Pilgrim Press, 1919).
Rev. Joseph Newton “Joe” Walker – 1908-11
Joseph N. Walker was born in Moseley, Cheshire, England, August 10, 1851, son of William and Hannah (Newton) Walker.
He married in North Troy, VT, February 28, 1884, Mary Clayton. She was born in Manchester, England, in January 25, 1855, daughter of George and Mary Clayton.
Joseph N. Walker, a clergyman, aged forty-eight years (b. England), headed a Stewartstown, NH, household at the time of the Twelfth (1900) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of sixteen years), Mary C. Walker, aged forty-four years (b. England), and his children, Charlotte C. Walker, at school, aged fourteen years (b. VT), Mary H. Walker, at school, aged thirteen years (b. VT), Samuel J. Walker, at school, aged eleven years (b. VT), Dorothea Walker, at school, aged nine years (b. VT), Paul W. Walker, at school, aged eight years (b. NH), and Ruth Walker, aged four years (b. VT). Mary C. Walker was the mother of six children, of whom six were still living. Joseph N. Walker was a naturalized citizen, who had immigrated in 1874; Mary C. Walker had immigrated in 1884. They resided in a rented house.
The Congregational church appeared in the Milton directory of 1909, as being at 17 So. Main street. Its pastor was not identified.
Joseph Walker, a Cong. church clergyman, aged fifty-eight (b. England), headed a Milton household at the time of the Thirteen (1910) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of twenty-six years), Mary Walker, aged fifty-six years (b. England), and his children, Charlotte Walker, aged twenty-two years (b. VT), Dorothea Walker, aged eighteen years (b. NH), Paul Walker, aged seventeen years (b. NH), and Ruth Walker, aged fourteen years (b. NH). They resided in a rented house.
Ecclesiastical and Ministerial Register. CALLS. Walker, Joe K. Milton, N.H., to Mt. Desert, Me. Accepts (The Advance, June 1, 1911).
Mary (Clayton) Walker died in Mount Desert, ME, June 24, 1912, aged fifty-seven years.
Joseph Newton Walker married (2nd) in Portland, ME, October 18, 1918, Grace (Woodbury) Pilling, he of Windsor, MA, and she of Portland. He was a widowed clergyman, aged sixty-five years (b. Manchester, England); she was a divorced teacher, aged forty-six years (b. Island Pond, VT). She was born in Brighton, VT, May 11, 1869, daughter of Louis A. “Augustus” and Lucy S. (Currier) Woodbury.
Windsor. Our local pastor, Rev. Joseph Newton Walker, has returned to the parsonage bringing with him a bride. Mr. Walker was married October 16 to Miss Grace Woodbury at Portland, Me. Previous to her marriage she conducted a girls’ private school at Portland. She will be a great help in the parish and community (Berkshire County Eagle, October 23, 1918).
Joseph N. Walker, a Congregational clergyman, aged sixty-seven years (b. England), headed a Windsor, MA, household at the time of the Fourteenth (1920) Federal Census. His household included his housekeeper, Harriet E. Jones, a dressmaker, aged forty years (b. Canada (Nova Scotia)), and his boarder, Estelle A. Jones, a public school teacher, aged thirty-eight years (b. Canada (Nova Scotia)). Joseph N. Walker rented their house. He had immigrated in 1874 and become a naturalized citizen in 1884.
BAY STATE PASTOR FILES DIVORCE SUIT. Rev. J.N. Walker, Windsor, Alleges Desertion. Special Dispatch to the Globe. PORTLAND, Me., Sept. 7. Rev. Joseph N. Walker of Windsor, Mass., has filed a divorce libel against his wife, Grace W.P. Walker of this city, alleging desertion. He was exonerated recently from charges she filed, implicating a woman member of his congregation. They were married Oct 9., 1918, and he says she deserted him, April 7, 1919 (Boston Globe, September 8, 1922).
ALUMNI. [Class of] 1880. Joseph Newton Walker, (spec course), p. Lebanon Centre, Me., 1906-08; Milton, N.H., 1908-11; Mt. Desert, Me., 1911-14; Windsor, Mass., 1917-21. Address 10 Nutting Ave, Amherst, Mass (Andover Theological Seminary, 1927).
East Windsor. Rev. Joseph N. Walker, a former pastor here, and his son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Oliver Roberts of Amherst, called on friends Sunday afternoon (Berkshire County Eagle, [Wednesday,] May 7, 1930).
Robert J Knightly, plumbing (own business), headed an Amherst, MA, household at the time of the Sixteenth (1940) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Mary A. Knightly, aged sixty-three years, and his father-in-law, Joseph N. Walker, a retired minister, aged eighty-nine years (b. England). Robert J. Knightly owned their house at 14 Allen Street, which was valued at $4,000. They had all resided in the same house in 1935.
Rev. Clarence E. Pike – 1911-15
Rev. Clarence E. Pike (per Gail S. Pike)
Clarence E. Pike was born in Waterford, ME, December 18, 1857, son of Ezra B. and Elizabeth A. (Mitchell) Pike.
Clarence Pike married in Hyde Park, MA, July 6, 1887, Caroline E. Thompson, he of Amesbury, MA, and she of Durham, NH. He was a clergyman, aged twenty-nine years, and she was a teacher, aged thirty-nine years. She was born in Durham, NH, May 16, 1848, daughter of Daniel F. and Mary F. Thompson.
Clarence Pike, a clergyman. aged forty-two years (b. ME), headed a Mansfield, CT, household at the time of the Twelfth (1900) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of thirteen years), Caroline E. Pike, aged fifty-one years (b. NH), his daughter, Florence C. Pike, aged ten years (b. MA), and his housekeeper, Almyra Johnson, a housekeeper, aged forty-six years (b. CT). Clarence E. Pike rented their house. Caroline E. Pike was the mother of one child, of whom one was still living.
Clarence E. Pike, a Congregational church minister, aged fifty-two years (b. ME), headed an Ashland, MA, household at the time of the Thirteenth (1910) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of twenty-three years), Caroline E. Pike, aged fifty-two years (b. NH), and his child, Florence C. Pike, aged nineteen years (b. MA). Clarence E. Pike rented their house. Caroline E. Pike was the mother of one child, of whom one was still living.
ASHLAND. Rev. Clarence E. Pike, pastor of the Ashland Congregational church for the past five years, preached his farewell sermon yesterday. Mr. Pike goes to a Milton, N.H. pastorate (Boston Globe, May 22, 1911).
Ecclesiastical and Ministerial Register. CALLS. Pike, Clarence. Ashland, Mass., to Milton, N.H. Accepts (The Advance, June 1, 1911).
Clarence Pike appeared in the Milton directory of 1912, as pastor of the Congregational church, at 17 So. Main street.
Church and Ministerial Records. Calls. PIKE, CLARENCE. Milton, N.H., to First, Royalston, Mass. Accepts to begin July 4 (Pilgrim Press, June 24, 1915).
[Dartmouth] CLASS OF 1880. Secretary Dana M Dustan, 340 Main St., Worcester, Mass. Rev. Clarence Pike became July 4 pastor of the First Congregational church, Royalston, Mass., going thither from Milton, N.H. (Dartmouth Secretaries Association, 1916).
Caroline E. (Thompson) Pike died in Dorchester, MA, September 12, 1918.
MANSFIELD CENTER. Mansfield people were grieved to read in the last number of the Congregationalist of the death of Mrs. Caroline E. Pike, wife of Rev. Clarence E. Pike of Royalston, Mass., at the home of her sister, Mrs. George Bates, at Dorchester, Mass. Burial was at Brentwood, N.H. Mr. Pike was for twelve years pastor of the local church, leaving here in answer to a call about twelve years ago. Mrs. Pike endeared herself to all who knew her. Although frail in body, she will long be remembered for her kindly and efficient services in many lines in the parish. The husband and daughter have the love and sympathy of a host of friends here (Norwich Bulletin (Norwich, CT), October 5, 1918).
Herbert A. Smith, aged forty-eight years (b. RI), headed a Princeton, MA, household at the time of the Fourteenth (1920) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Nellie M. Smith, aged fifty years (b. MA), his daughter, Natalie Smith, aged sixteen years (b. CT), and his boarder, Clarence Pike, a clergyman, aged sixty-two years (b. ME). Herbert A. Smith owned their house, free-and-clear.
Clarence E. Pike married (2nd) in Saugus, MA, November 10, 1922, Hattie M. (Holton) Hallowell, he of Royalston, MA, and she of Saugus. He was a minister, aged sixty-five years, and she was at home, aged sixty-five years. She was born circa 1858, daughter of John and Mary (Foye) Holton.
Clarence Pike, a Congregational minister, aged seventy-two years (b. ME), headed a Coventry, VT, household at the time of the Fifteenth (1930) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Hattie M. Pike, aged seventy-two years (b. ME). Clarence Pike rented their house, for $10 per month.
Hattie M. ((Holton) Hallowell) Pike died in Saugus, MA, in July 1936. Clarence E. Pike died in Saugus, MA, September 8, 1936, aged seventy-eight years.
DEATHS. PIKE. – In Saugus, Mass., Sept. 8, Reverend Clarence Pike, 78 years. Funeral services at the First Congregational Church, Cliftondale. Mass., Sunday, Sept. 13, at 3 p.m. Relatives and friends kindly attend (Boston Globe, September 10, 1936).
COVENTRY. Rev. Clarence Pike of Saugus, Mass., died at his home September 11. Funeral services were held Sunday, September 13. Mrs. Pike was buried in July. Her death was a severe shock to Mr. Pike from which he never recovered. Mr. Pike was a former pastor in this place, and he and his wife left many friends here, who are saddened by their deaths (Newport Daily Express (Newport, VT), September 24, 1936).
Rev. Simon Francis Goodheart – 1915-1918
Simon Francis Goodheart was born in Tilsit, East Prussia, in 1872, son of Herman G. and Freida (Walden) Goodheart. (His birthplace was also given as Rossein, Poland; Kovno, Russia; and Lithuania, in various other sources).
Alumni. 1898 Graduates. Simon Francis Goodheart. b. Rossein, Russian Poland, Sept. 28, 1872; Union Miss’y Training Inst., Brooklyn, NY, 1892-93; Ober, 1893-96; ord. Oct. 18, 1898; p. East Fairfield and Fairfield, Vt., 1898-99; De Smet, SD, 1899-1900; Redfield Coll., 1900 and instructor Hebrew and German 1899-1900; p. Lowell, Vt., 1901-04; Whiting from 1904. Address Whiting, Vt.
Simon F. Goodheart, a teacher, aged twenty-seven years (b. Germany), was one of twenty-six boarders, and one servant, residing in the Redfield, SD, household of Dolly A. Fountain, at the time of the Twelfth (1900) Federal Census. Fountain was a college matron, aged sixty-one years (b. IN). Twenty-two boarders were students and four were teachers.
Simon F. Goodheart married (1st) in Lowell, VT, June 12, 1901, Josephine R. Hull, he of Lowell. He was a clergyman, aged twenty-eight years. She was born in Fairfield, VT, circa 1875, daughter of Joseph B. and Abbie (Sturtevant) Hull.
Record of the Week. Calls. GOODHEART, SIMON F., to remain a third year at Lowell, Vt. (Congregationalist, 1903).
Simon F. Goodheart, a country parish clergyman, aged thirty-seven years (b. Germany), headed a Whiting, VT, household at the time of the Thirteenth (1910) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of eight years), Josephine R. Goodheart, aged thirty-five years (b. VT), and his child, Ester J. Goodheart, aged one year (b. VT). Simon F. Goodheart rented their house. Josephine R. Goodheart was the mother of one child, of whom one was still living.
Josephine Robena (Hull) Goodheart died in St. Johnsbury, VT, April 27, 1914, aged thirty-nine years, one month, and fifteen days.
BETHEL. Intelligence came yesterday of the death Monday evening in Brightlook hospital, St. Johnsbury, of Mrs. Simon F. Goodheart of St. Johnsbury Center, wife of a recent pastor of the Bethel Congregational church. She underwent an operation Friday for several disorders and her heart failed to stand the strain of recovery. Much sympathy is felt here for the bereaved husband and daughter, Esther, aged five years. The funeral was held yesterday at St. Johnsbury Center, with interment at her old home, East Fairfield (Barre Daily Times (Barre, VT), April 30, 1914).
PUTNEY. Accepts Call to Milton, N.H. Rev. S.F. Goodheart has accepted a call to the First Congregational church of Milton, N.H., and will take up his duties Sunday, Oct. 24. He is packing what household things he has here and will go to St. Johnsbury Centre to prepare the rest of his goods for shipment Mr. Goodheart was acting pastor of the Congregational church here previous to his visit to San Francisco, and did good work in building up the Church. He is a deep student, with an unusually keen mind and a fluent speaker and leaves many firm friends in the parish, whose best wishes he has for his work in the new field (Brattleboro Reformer, October 14, 1915).
Bethel Local Intelligence. Bev. Simon F. Goodheart, a former pastor of the Bethel Cong’l church but lately located at Putney, Vt., assumed Oct. 24 the pastorate of the Cong’l church at Milton, N.H. (Bethel Courier (Bethel, VT), October 24, 1915).
UNION. Rev. Mr. Goodheart of Milton was in town recently, calling on Rev. E.P. Eastman and Rev. Harold Gould (Farmington News, June 2, 1916).
Simon F. Goodheart married (2nd) in Rochester, NH, August 24, 1916, Sarah A. Lester [(Jones)] Gane, both of Milton. He was a clergyman, aged forty-three years, and she was a housekeeper, aged forty-five years. She was born in Plumstead, Kent, England, circa 1871, daughter of Roger and Sarah E. (Poulter) Jones.
(It must have been something of a whirlwind courtship. An Englishwoman, Mrs. Sarah A.L. Gane, a teacher, aged forty-four, departed from Liverpool, England, February 2, 1916, bound for New York, NY, on the White Star liner Adriatic).
The Congregational church appeared in the Milton directory of 1917, as being at 17 So. Main street. Its pastor was not identified.
Simon Francis Goodheart registered for the WW I military draft in Milton, NH, September 12, 1918. He resided in Milton, NH, where he was employed as a clergyman by the Congregational Society. He was forty-five years of age (b. September 28, 1872). He was of a medium height, medium build, with brown eyes and brown hair. His nearest relation was his wife, Sarah Lester Goodheart, of Milton, NH.
SHIRLEY. Rev. Francis Goodheart, the new pastor of the congregational church, is expected to arrive here the last of this week from Milton, N.H., his pastoral work in Shirley beginning on Oct. 15. He is to occupy the parsonage on Front street as soon as repairs now being made are completed (Fitchburg Daily Sentinel, October 17, 1918).
Both the Milton, NH, that Rev. Goodheart had left and the Shirley, MA, to which he was going were suffering then under the so-called Spanish influenza pandemic of 1918-19. The same Sentinel column that announced his arrival in Shirley noted that the boys of the Shirley industrial school, i.e., reform school, as well as one of its warders, all of whom had been confined to its infirmary with influenza, had all recovered and been discharged from the infirmary.
Simon F. Goodheart, a country parish clergyman, aged forty-seven years (b. Kovno, Russia), headed a Shirley, MA, household at the time of the Fourteenth (1920) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of eight years), Sarah L. Goodheart, aged forty-eight years (b. England), and his child, Ester J. Goodheart, aged ten years (b. VT). Simon F. Goodheart rented their house on 7 Front Street.
Simon F. Goodheart, a Congregational church clergyman, aged fifty-seven years (b. Lithuania), headed a Riverhead, NY, household at the time of the Fifteenth (1930) Federal Census. His household included his wife, and Sarah L. Goodheart, aged fifty-eight years (b. England). Simon F. Goodheart rented their house on Main Road, for $30 per month. They had a radio set.
SHIRLEY. Rev. Simon Goodheart, a former pastor in Shirley, has accepted a call to the Congregational church m Jamestown, N.Y. For the past few years he has had a parish at Eading River, L.I., and his new pastorate is not so very far from there. Before going to Long Island Mr. Goodheart was located in Harvard, where he went after leaving Shirley (Fitchburg Sentinel, February 15, 1932).
Simon F. Goodheart, aged sixty-seven years (b. Lithuania), headed a Stratford, CT, household at the time of the Sixteenth (1940) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Sarah Goodheart, aged sixty-eight years (b. England). Simon F. Goodheart rented their house at 16 Eleanor Street, for $35 per month. They had resided in James, Long Island, NY, in 1935.
Simon F. Goodheart died in Norwood, MA, April 26, 1951, aged seventy-eight years.
DEATHS. GOODHEART. – In Norwood, April 26, Goodheart, S.F., in his 79th year, beloved husband of Sarah L. Goodheart and father of Mrs. George H. Chitty. Services from the May Funeral Home, 85 Nichols St., Norwood. Saturday. April 28 at 2 p.m. Friends may call at the Funeral Home, Friday evening, 7 to 9. New York Times and Bridgeport, Conn., Post please copy (Boston Globe, April 26, 1951).
Sarah A.L. ((Jones) Gane) Goodheart returned to England. The widow Sarah Lester Goodheart, of 32 Leybourne road, Leytonstone, Essex, England, died August 10, 1956, leaving effects valued at £3,877 3s 9d. Probate was assigned to Lloyd’s Bank Ltd., September 12, 1956.
Rev. Owen E. Hardy – 1920-21
Owen Eaton Hardy was born in Wilton, ME, July 13, 1862, son of Eliphalet J. and Sabrina E. (Jennings) Hardy.
Owen E. Hardy, son of Eliphalet J. and Sabrina (Jennings) Hardy, was born July 13, 1862, at Wilton, Me. He was born on a farm, where he lived until attaining his majority, his lot the same as that of the average farmer’s boy, attending the district school as opportunity offered. He fitted for college at the May School, Strong, Me., graduating from there in June, 1887, entered Bowdoin College, and graduated in 1891. He says of himself that he obtained all of his education by his own efforts, working his way through college by teaching and in other ways. He entered Andover Theological Seminary in the autumn of 1891, and was graduated in 1894. He joined the church in 1881. This church was three miles from where he lived, and he says he “used to walk both ways most of the time.” He preached one summer at North Anson, Me., and the next summer at Alexandria, South Dakota (Donovan & Woodward, 1906).
Owen E. Hardy married in Alexandria, SD, June 28, 1894, Eva B. Bates. She was born in Van Buren, IA, September 24, 1868, daughter of Walter and Azulah M. Bates.
He served while in college on the “college jury,” the governing body of the students. He resigned his pastorate Feb. 5, 1899 and was dismissed March 6, 1899, serving about five years. He removed to West Peabody, Mass., becoming the pastor of the church there. While here [Lyndeborough, NH] Mr. Hardy labored earnestly for the upbuilding of the church in promoting lectures, courses, and in all ways striving for the best interests of the community (Donovan & Woodward, 1906).
Owen E Hardy, a clergyman, aged thirty-seven years (b. ME), headed a Peabody, MA, household at the time of the Twelfth (1900) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of six years), Eva B. Hardy, aged thirty-one years (b. IA), and his child, Amy F. Hardy, aged five years (b. NH). Owen E. Hardy rented their house. Eva B. Hardy was the mother of one child, of whom one was still living.
Owen E Hardy, a farmer, aged forty-seven years (b. ME), headed a Townsend, MA, household at the time of the Thirteenth (1910) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of sixteen years), Eva B. Hardy, aged forty-one years (b. IA), his children, Amy F. Hardy, aged fifteen years (b. NH), and Eva C. Hardy, aged four years (b. VT), his servant, Alice B Chamberlain, a private family servant, aged twenty-eight years (b. NH), and his boarder, Timothy Murphy, aged sixty-five years (b.MA). Owen E. Hardy owned their farm, with a mortgage. Eva B. Hardy was the mother of two children, of whom two were still living.
Church and Ministerial Records. Calls. HARDY, O.E. Bardwells, Shelburne, Mass., to Milton, N.H. Accepts and is at work (The Congregationalist and Advance, March 4, 1920).
Owen E. Hardy, a Congregational Conference clergyman, aged fifty-seven years (b. ME), headed a Milton household at the time of the Fourteenth (1920) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Eva B. Hardy, aged fifty-one years (b. IA), and his child, Eva C. Hardy, aged fourteen years (b. VT). Owen E. Hardy rented their house on Lower Main Street, Milton Village.
Church and Ministerial Records. Calls. HARDY, O.E. Milton, N.H., to Alstead and Langdon. Accepts (The Congregationalist and Advance, April 14, 1921).
Owen E. Hardy died in Walpole, NH, February 14, 1924, aged sixty-one years. Eva B. (Bates) Hardy died March 28, 1953, aged eighty-four years.
Rev. Hardy of Alstead Dies of Pneumonia. Pastor of Congregational Church Had Slight Operation on His Nose. (Special to The Herold.) Alstead, N.H., Feb. 14. Rev. Owen E. Hardy, pastor of the local Congregational church, died today at the home of Dr. B.T. Mouseley in Walpole, where he had been for the past week. He had a slight operation a week ago on his nose and pneumonia developed rapidly, causing his death. For the past three or four years he had been pastor at Alstead, East Alstead and Alstead Center. He came here from Milton, N.H. where he was located two years and before that a much longer time at Shelburne, Mass. He leaves a wife and two daughters, Mrs. Owen Barrow of Barre, Mass., and Mrs. Leslie Kelley of Alstead (Rutland Daily Herald, February 15, 1924).
Newell W. Whitman – 1921-24
Newell Wordsworth Whitman was born Sarkis Apov Aprahamian in Marash, Armenia, then a part of the Turkish Ottoman empire, February 3, 1869, son of Apou and Taniom (Bushgarian) Aprahamian.
Sarkis Apon Aprahamian appeared in the Bangor, ME, directories of 1892 and 1893 as a student at the Bangor Theological Seminary, boarding at the seminary.
GRADUATES AT BANGOR. Where the Theological Seminary Men Will Go. BANGOR, June 6. The anniversary exercises of the Bangor theological seminary, were continued today. The annual examinations closed at noon. The annual meeting of the alumni was held at 12.30 p m, and the annual dinner at the library came at 1.15. The graduating exercises of the senior class took place at 7.30 p m in the Hammond st. church. The graduates are: Sarkis Apov Aprahamian, Marash, Turkey; Clayton Deering Boothby, Portland; Charles Grant Fogg, Roxbury, Mass; Edward Melville Kennison, Temple; Wilford Ernest Mann, Manhurst, N.B.; Herbert Lindsay McCann, South Norridgewock; William Leander Muttart, Atherton, P.E.I. Aprahamian goes to Merroll’s Mills. Boothby is called to Thomaston. Fogg takes a special course at Bowdoin college, Kennison goes to Rockport, Mann goes to Dexter. McCann’s future course is not decided: Muttart goes to Greens Landing, Deer isle. Of the middle class men, W.F. Barker goes to Vanceboro, A.S. Bole to Olamonn. R.F. Chambers to North Belfast, I.B. Conley to Outer Long island, J.D. Dingwell to Deer Isle 2d and Sunset, F.K. Ellsworth to Blanchard, C.W. Fisher to Sandy Point, H.F. Graham to Carratunk and the Forks, Hugh McCallum to Freedom, S.E. McGeehon to East Bangor and Essex st, and P.E. Miller to Monroe and Swanville. Of the junior class, R.H. Abercrombie goes to Abbot Village, A.S. Freeze to Northfield, F.A. Fuller to Lincoln, D.M. James to Letter B, A.E. Lambert to Jackman. H.E. Lombard to Whiting, R.R. Morson to Veasie, and B.A. Willmot to Marshfield and Whitneyville. A course in English Bible study and literature has been added the past year to the usual courses, Prof G.W. Gilmore in charge. It is especially for students who have not previously had collegiate education. Its trial has been very successful, and at the trustees’ meeting Monday evening a decision regarding making it permanent will be reached. Bangor theological seminary has received during the past year the following gifts: From Hon B.B. Thatcher of Bangor $5000, and from Rev Henry S. Loring of Sidney $1000, which have been Invested as additions to the permanent fund, and from T.C. Kennedy of Newcastle $250. which has been applied to current expenses. The following order of exercises was carried out at the graduation this evening: “The Work of our Father,” Herbert Lindsay McCann; “The Advantages of Historical Study,” Clayton Deering Boothby; “The Tendency of American Congregational Polity,” Charles Grant Fogg; “Scientific Study of the Bible,” Edward Melville Kennison: “The Institutional Church,” Wilford Ernest Mann; “The Bequest of the Spanish Moors,” William Leander Muttart; “What Have We Gained from the World’s Parliament of Religions?” Sarkis Apov Aprahamian (Boston Globe, June 7, 1894).
AT THE TURKS’ HAND.A Maine Pastor Receives Dreadful Tidings from the Armenians Stating Husband of His Sister and Brother Massacred by Moslems. Deer Isle, Me., February 19. – Rev. S.A. Apraham, pastor of the Congregational church at Green’s Landing, receives letters confirming the report of the suffering of his near relatives in Armenia. Some weeks ago Mr. Apraham received a letter from a missionary saying that his sister, with her five children, were in utter destitution. Later, Mr. Apraham received a letter from his sister confirming the worst. The husband and his brother were shot down before the eyes of his wife and children, and when the grief-stricken wife cried out in suffering to her Savior, one of the murderers, with an oath, struck her, saying “Do you still call on Jesus?” Two younger sisters of Mr. Apraham were robbed of all their possessions by the Moslems who protect them. An uncle of Mr. Apraham writes, “We are sitting naked in our shop, our house plundered and reduced to ashes. Read the 79th Psalm if you would get a faint idea of our condition.” Mr. Apraham is a recent graduate of Bangor Theological Seminary, and the Green’s Landing church is his first charge. He has sent money to his relatives in Armenia, but hardly dare hope that it reaches them (Portland Press Herald, February 20, 1896).
Sarkis A. Apraham married in Deer Isle, ME, November 30, 1898, Edith I. Fifield, both of Stonington, ME. He was a clergyman, aged thirty-one years, and she was a teacher, aged twenty years. She was born in Deer Isle, ME, circa 1877, daughter of Joseph and Catherine (Horton) Fifield.
Sarkis A. Abraham, a preacher, aged thirty-three years (b. Turkey), headed a Litchfield, ME, household at the time of the Twelfth (1900) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of one year), Edith I. Abraham, aged twenty-two years (b. ME), and his child, Paul A. Abraham, aged ten months (b. ME). They resided in the Congregational church parsonage. Edith I. Abraham was the mother of one child, of whom one was still living.
Sarkis A. Abraham, a clergyman, aged forty-two years (b. Asia (Armenia)), headed a Suffield, CT, household at the time of the Thirteenth (1910) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of eleven years), Edith I. Abraham, aged thirty-two years (b. ME), and his children, Paul A. Abraham, aged ten years (b. ME), Levon F. Abraham, aged eight years (b. ME), Chester C. Abraham, aged six years (b. ME), Ward Abraham, aged four years (b. ME), and Murell Abraham, aged two years (b. CT). Sarkis A. Abraham rented their house in West Suffield. Edith I. Abraham was the mother of five children, of whom five were still living.
Sarkis A. Apraham sought Superior Court permission in Hartford, CT, in late October 1919, to legally change his name to Newell Wordsworth Whitman. He would seem to have been an admirer of poets William Wordsworth (1770-1850) and Walt Whitman (1819-1892).
Sarkis A. Apraham of Suffield. a Congregational clergyman, a native of Turkey, who has [had] parishes in this state, Maine and Vermont, received authority to take the name of Newell Wordsworth Whitman. He has eight children and he told the judge the name militated against himself and against his children (Hartford Courant, November 1, 1919).
Personals. APRAHAM, S.A., Suffolk, Ct., has had his name legally changed to Newall W. Whitman (Pilgrim Press, 1919). [Sarkis Apon Aprahamian]
Newell Wordsworth Whitman, a Congregational church minister, aged forty-nine [fifty-two] years, headed a Suffield, VT, household at the time of the Fourteenth (1920) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Edith F. Whitman, aged forty-two years (b. ME), his children, Levon Whitman, an auto factory welder, aged eighteen years (b. ME), Chester Whitman, a farm laborer (working out), aged sixteen years (b. ME), Ward Whitman, aged fourteen years (b. ME), Muriel Whitman, aged twelve years (b. CT), Catherine Mae Whitman, aged three years, eight months (b. VT), and Edith Irene Whitman, aged one year, eight months (b. CT), and his mother-in-law, Catherine Fifield, aged eighty-one years (b. Canada). Newell Wordsworth Whitman rented their farm on Hill Street in the NW district.
REV. N.W. WHITMAN WILL GO TO UXBRIDGE CHURCH. HARTFORD, Conn., Feb 16. Rev. Newel! W. Whitman, formerly pastor of the West Suffield Congregational Church and later with a church in Willington, Vt. has accepted a call to the Evangelical Congregational Church at Uxbridge (Boston Globe, February 19, 1920).
HINSDALE, N.H. Mr. and Mrs. G.A. Robertson are entertaining Mr. and Mrs. W.F. White of Trumbull, Conn,, and Rev. N.W. Whitman of Milton, N.H. They are enjoying the Northfield conference (Brattleboro Daily Reformer, August 7, 1922).
Newell W. Whitman oversaw the merger or federation of Milton’s Congregational and Free-Will Baptist churches into a combined Community Church of Milton.
The Milton Baptist Church, to the left on Church Street (now Steeple Street), and the Milton First Congregational Church, to the right at 17 South Main Street (now Dawson Street)
The Community Church of Milton was organized on September 16, 1924, after World War I, when conversations regarding federation between Congregationalists and Free Baptists matured. It was decided that committees of five from each church would convene and form a Community Church. The Baptist Church was used for worship, while the former Congregational Church was adapted into the Parish House. The members of these two churches believed the same things, doctrinally, and so no great theological division separated the people from their congregational neighbors (CCM, 2020).
Rev. Newell W. Whitman received and accepted a call to a Congregational church in Ashby, MA, in 1924.
ASHBY. Rev. Newell Wordsworth Whitman, who was recently called to the pastorate of the Orthodox Congregational church in Ashby, has moved with his family into the parsonage. He came to Ashby from Milton, N.H., where during the three years as pastor of the Congregational church he has done constructive work building the church financially and numerically. His most notable achievement was the federation of the Baptist and the Congregational churches in town. Next Sunday Mr. Whitman will preach on “New birth: the greatest fact in a man’s life work. What it is; what it does; how to get it” (Fitchburg Sentinel, November 7, 1924).
TOWNSEND. Mr. and Mrs. Russell Walker and Lincoln and Stanley Walker of Peabody, and Rev. Newell W. Whitman of Ashby were visitors at the home of Arthur D. Barber, Turnpike road, Sunday. Rev. Mr. Whitman had preached in Peabody Sunday (Fitchburg Sentinel, November 9, 1926).
Newell Whitman, a church pastor, aged sixty-two years (b. Turkey (Armenian)), headed a Stonington, ME, household at the time of the Fifteenth (1930) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Edith Whitman, aged fifty-two years (b. ME), and his children, Katharine Whitman, aged thirteen years (b. VT), Irene Whitman, aged eleven years (b. ME). Newell Whitman owned their house on a Private Way (off the Sand Beach Road), which was valued at $2,500. They had a radio set.
Newell W. Whitman, a church clergyman, aged seventy-one years (b. Armenia), headed a Deer Isle, ME, household at the time of the Sixteenth (1940) Federal Census. He had resided in the same house in 1935.
Newell W. Whitman died in Stonington, ME, October 5, 1948, aged seventy-nine years. Edith I. (Fifield) Whitman died in Penobscot, ME, October 28, 1971, aged ninety-four years.
There was to have been a Board of Selectmen (BOS) Workshop meeting this evening at 6:00 PM. The BOS would have heard the next budget proposals from the Department of Public Works (DPW) and the Recreation Department.
The meeting has been cancelled and the budget presentations rescheduled for the regular BOS meeting of Monday, August 17.
The Budget Committee sent previously a letter outlining its view that the overall budget should come in at $1,000 less than the Default Budget, as being the only way that an actual budget would ever actually be passed. Its chairman, Mr. Williams, read it out to the BOS at their last meeting.
The BOS heard previously budget proposals from the Milton Mills Free Public Library (MMFPL) and the Police Department. The MMFPL’s budget went over its 2% guidance. Chairman Rawson expressed his disappointment. It would not be impossible to arrange, but their overage would have to come out of some other department’s budget.
The DPW wants double this year, some $500,000, to make up for having their warrant item rejected last March. Again, this would not be impossible, provided their overage came from the budget of some other department or departments.
Some define Economics as the science of best allocating scarce resources. (Some call it the “Dismal Science”). Now the Town government has never felt the need to allocate our scarce dollars in any measured or scientific way. Well, maybe in the distant past, but not for a long time now. It has been more recently in the habit of taking with both hands, both in good times and in bad.
Even now, some in Town government wish to consult Town-hired lawyers to find some way to evade the Tax Cap, which is likely to cramp their style. The style to which they have become accustomed. They have tended to do what they like, as opposed to what we can afford. Does anyone suppose that taxpayers are likely to smile on additional legal expenses, to be added to their current burden, and incurred primarily to thwart their expressed will?
I would predict instead a revised tax cap, an “improved” one with a lower ceiling, maybe 1%.
Meanwhile, the School Board, who is also on a default budget, and whose salary increase warrant article got rejected some months ago, is not quite there with us either. It is to hold a deliberative session at the Nute High and Middle School cafeteria tomorrow, Tuesday, August 11, at 6:00 PM. Its sole object is to put their Collective Bargain Agreement (CBA) warrant article back on a September 8 ballot.
The negotiated increases are substantial. They have to make up time for having been rejected before. One supposes they intend to repeat this exercise until we get it “right.” Because “no,” means “ask me again”?
Is anyone pixilated enough to suppose that taxpayers will have more money during this economic lockdown than they did when they kept their hands in their pockets last March? Very unlikely.
Yes, yes, one might expect turnout to be lower in a primary then it would be at the regular election. Wait, you don’t think that was a part of their calculation, do you? To pack a smaller venue? No, that would be sort of cynical and manipulative.
Do you suppose they know how many taxpayers asked also for a School tax cap? As I understand it, their name is “legion,” and such a measure is even now being studied. But it could never pass, could it? Well, yes, it very well could, if the School Board takes no account of the taxpayers’ scarce resources.
Taken all in all, one might say that many of our Town officials are not quite there with us yet.
The Milton Board of Selectmen (BOS) have posted their agenda for a BOS meeting to be held Monday, August 3.
The BOS meeting is scheduled to begin with a Public session beginning at 5:30 PM. There will be a recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance before the BOS disappears into a Non-Public session. That session’s agenda has one item classed as 91-A3 II (a) and one item classed as 91-A3 II (c).
(a) The dismissal, promotion, or compensation of any public employee or the disciplining of such employee, or the investigation of any charges against him or her, unless the employee affected (1) has a right to a meeting and (2) requests that the meeting be open, in which case the request shall be granted.
The last time this particular code was invoked the Non-Public session was able to begin only when Chief Krauss arrived. And he will evidently be on hand on this occasion too, at least later, in order to present the Police Department budget in the public session.
(c) Matters which, if discussed in public, would likely affect adversely the reputation of any person, other than a member of the public body itself, unless such person requests an open meeting. This exemption shall extend to any application for assistance or tax abatement or waiver of a fee, fine, or other levy, if based on inability to pay or poverty of the applicant.
This will be another secret confab likely affecting adversely someone’s reputation, someone who did not request an open meeting, assuming that the someone in question even knew they were to be discussed or that they had the option to request an open meeting.
Due to their concerns regarding Covid-19, seating will be limited to allow spacing. (This limitation would be unnecessary if the meeting were held at the Nute High School gym). Should a larger number of attendees appear, the meeting will be adjourned. The session may be watched remotely through the usual YouTube means or by teleconference. The links are in their original agenda, for which there is a link in the References below.
From the Town website we learn that at some point the BOS designated at some point Chairman Andrew Rawson as its ex-officio representative to the Local Government Efficiency Task Force; Vice-Chairman Matt Morrill as its ex-officio representative to the Local Government Efficiency Task Force, and the Planning Board; and Selectwoman Claudine Burnham as its ex-officio representative to the Budget Committee. Former Chairwoman Erin Hutchings is still designated as the ex-officio representative to the Milton Economic Development Committee. There would seem to be some omissions relative to prior years.
The quasi-Public portion of the agenda has Old Business, New Business, Other Business, and some housekeeping items.
Under Old Business are scheduled five items: 1) Update Regarding Covid-19 (Novel Coronavirus) Operational Activities / Plans; 2) Ordinance Updates Status (Currently Under Final Review); 3) Status of Following Tax Deeded Structures: 20 Dawson, 79 Charles and 565 White Mountain Highway (No Change from Previous Meeting); 4) Adoption of By-Laws for Local Government Efficiency Task Force; and 5) Schoolhouse Roof Repair.
Update Regarding Covid-19 (Novel Coronavirus) Operational Activities / Plans. Anyone with their ear to the ground in Milton will have heard rumblings regarding waiting outside the Emma Ramsey Center in the hot sun to conduct bureaucracy there. At the last BOS meeting, a system of numbers, like that employed in bakeries, was put in place. Those waiting might wait in their automobiles in the parking lot or some other shadier spot. While certainly better than before, the rumblings we hear want better solutions.
Ordinance Updates Status (Currently Under Final Review). Chief Krauss sought a review and revision of the Town’s ordinances. Keep an eye this one. Let us hope they are cleaning out old ones, rather than adding a bunch of new ones. But fear not, ordinances can be repealed if necessary, even despite the wishes of chiefs and selectmen.
Status of Following Tax Deeded Structures: 20 Dawson, 79 Charles and 565 White Mountain Highway (No Change from Previous Meeting). These are troubled properties, long overdue to make their appearance at an upcoming auction.
Adoption of By-Laws for Local Government Efficiency Task Force. Because not having them might be inefficient?
Schoolhouse Roof Repair. Prior discussions included the warning that this should be done before winter.
Under New Business are scheduled four agenda items: 1) Dog Licensing (Claudine Burnham); 2) Explanation of Sewer Treatment Plant Issues and Process for Consultant Presentations / Interviews on August 4th with the Select Board (Dale Sprague); 3) 2021 Budget Presentations: a) Library – Betsy Baker, and b) Police Department – Police Chief Richard Krauss; and 4) Proposed Employee Travel Policy – Covid-19.
Dog Licensing (Claudine Burnham). This appeared last time as Warrants for Dog Licenses.
Explanation of Sewer Treatment Plant Issues and Process for Consultant Presentations / Interviews on August 4th with the Select Board (Dale Sprague). The last few issues of which we were aware involved something like a skin-diver on one occasion and a break in a water main on another.
2021 Budget Presentations: a) Library – Betsy Baker, and b) Police Department – Police Chief Richard Krauss. Assuming the method of last year is to be followed again, this would be the first in a series of these departmental budget presentations before both the BOS and the Budget Committee at the same time.
Proposed Employee Travel Policy – Covid-19. Perhaps travel by Town employees to Wuhan – or any of the subsequent urban loci – will be restricted. Or perhaps those traveling to such places will be quarantined upon their return. God only knows, we can only guess. Tune in to find out.
There will be the approval of prior minutes (from the quasi-Public session of July 20, 2020, the non-Public session of July 20, 2020); an expenditure report, as of July 31, administrator comments, BOS comments, and Other Business.
Under Other Business there are no scheduled agenda items.
Malcolm Allen Hayes Hart was born in Milton, December 28, 1861, son of Simon and Mary A. (Wentworth) Hart. His parents moved their family to South Berwick, ME, not long after.
Simon Hart, a carpenter, aged sixty-two years (b. NH), headed a South Berwick, ME, household at the time of the Tenth (1880) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Mary A. Hart, keeping house, aged sixty years (b. NH), and his children, Hamlin G. Hart, a blacksmith, aged twenty-six years (b. ME), Justin Hart, a saloon keeper, aged twenty-four years (b. NH), Bertha S. Hart, a shoe stitcher, aged twenty years (b. NH), Malcome A. Hart, a shoe shop worker, aged eighteen years (b. NH), and Ernest L. Hart, at school, aged thirteen years (b. ME). Simon Hart suffered from “paralysis agitans,” i.e., Parkinson’s Disease.
Malcolm A.H. Hart, having completed his studies at the Berwick Academy in 1878, was for some time engaged in teaching school in Lebanon, South Berwick, and Kennebunk, Me., and then took a two years’ course in the medical department at Bowdoin College. Entering the University of New York City in 1887, he was graduated in 1888, and located for practice in Fall River, Mass., where he remained for eighteen months. After that he took a year’s post-graduate course in New York City, obtaining much valuable practical experience in the hospital connected with the school. He resumed the duties of his profession at Gilmanton Iron Works, residing there for a year, and in 1891 he settled in Milton where he has since remained. His professional success in his native town has been so marked as to gain for him a high reputation as a skillful and reliable physician, and a profitable practice is the result (B.R. Publishing Co., 1897).
Having graduated from New York University in 1888, Dr. Hart practiced first in Fall River, MA, for eighteen months.
Personal Mention. Dr. M.A.H. Hart who has been at home a few days, returned last night to New York, where he is pursuing his medical studies (Fall River Daily Herald (Fall River, MA), November 29, 1887).
Personal Mention. Dr. M.A.H. Hart has been elected a member of the Massachusetts Medical society (Fall River Daily Herald (Fall River, MA), July 20, 1888).
Personal Mention. Dr. M.A.H. Hart has returned from a visit to South Berwick, Me. (Fall River Daily Herald (Fall River, MA), December 28, 1888).
He returned to New York City in 1889 to pursue post-graduate studies both there and in Germany.
Personal Mention. Dr. M.A.H. Hart, formerly of this city, now of New York, will sail tonight for Germany, where he will complete a course of medical studies (Fall River Daily Herald (Fall River, MA), September 23, 1889).
Dr. M.A.H. Hart of Harlem, NY, formerly of Flint Village, i.e., Fall River, MA, was one of four doctors that testified in the personal injury lawsuit of Mary L. Fortin versus Chauncey H. Sears, March 27, 1890. Fortin had been struck in the head by a thirty-pound stone thrown from a construction blast (set off without a covering). She complained of having persistent head pains since the accident. Four doctors testified to the extent of her injuries.
Dr. M.A.H. Hart of Harlem, N.Y., formerly of Flint Village, and who attended her immediately after the accident, averred that her wound was a scalp wound merely, the bone not injured (Fall River Daily Herald (Fall River, MA), March 28, 1890).
The jury found in her favor and awarded her $469.71. (This amount would be equivalent to about $45,000 at current values).
Malcolm A. Hart married in Lansingburg, NY, April 17, 1890, Estelle L. Draper. She was born in Fair Haven, VT, July 6, 1863, daughter of Hiram H. and Elizabeth S. (Lewis) Draper.
Their elder son, Marion Wentworth Hart, was born in Gilmanton (Gilmanton Iron Works), NH, March 4, 1891. The Harts moved to Milton later in that same year.
M.A.H. Hart appeared in the Milton business directories of 1892, 1894, [and 1898], as a physician, resident in Milton.
MILTON. Dr. Hart is confined to his home with the grip. Dr. Jones is taking his place (Farmington News, January 1, 1892).
Dr. M.A.H. Hart sat on the platform in a Milton Republican Club meeting promoting incumbent President Benjamin Harrison and his running mate, Whitelaw Reid, in the election of November 1892. Harrison and Reid lost to former President Grover Cleveland and his running mate, Adlai Stevenson (an earlier one).
MILTON. A large and elegant Harrison & Reid flag was raised here last night by the republican club of Milton. The decorations and colored lights were well arranged and well timed, and three hearty cheers were given for the candidates. Hon. Henry W. Blair gave an earnest and intensely interesting address in A.O.U.W. hall, under the auspices of the club, holding the attention of an unusually large audience throughout, and receiving much enthusiastic applause. W.K. Norton, principal of the Nute high school, acted as president of the evening. On the platform were seated Hon. Charles H. Looney, Luther Hayes, Dr. J.H. Twombly, Charles A. Jones, Dr. M.A.H. Hart, R.M. Kimball, Henry Scates, W.C. Nash, S. Lyman Hayes, S.W. Wallingford, B.B. Plummer. The action of our young democratic friends in stoning the lanterns and breaking wires, as well as their unnecessary catcalls during the address, are appreciated at their full value, not only by republicans, but by respectable democrats (Farmington News, September 30, 1892).
Dr. M.A.H. Hart of Milton, NH, appeared in a medical paper by Dr. Ambrose L. Ranney, A.M., M.D., as having referred an eye patient to Ranney, October 28, 1892. The patient was a Mr. O, who was a minister of the gospel, single, aged twenty-eight years (Ranney, 1894).
HERE AND THERE. A pleasing quartette was sung [in Alton, NH], without accompaniment, by the Misses Brown, Roberts, Quint, and Gilman, and two selections were given by a remarkably good quartette of men from Milton, the first bass being Vivian Libby, second bass E.W. Webber, first tenor Dr. M.A.H. Hart, second tenor Charles P. Bruce, and accompanist Miss Carrie Brown. It is seldom that so fine voices are heard in the smaller towns (Farmington News, May 24, 1895).
HERE AND THERE. Dr. M.A. Hart of the same [Milton] town, and Mr. Ralph Kimball were in Farmington on Friday (Farmington News, November 15, 1895).
M.A.H. Hart served as preceptor for Bowdoin College medical student Frank Herbert Jordan, of Milton, NH, during the 1896-97, 1897-98, and 1898-99 academic years (Bowdoin College, 1899). “Preceptor” can be a somewhat expansive term, and may mean different things at different institutions. There is little reason to suppose that Dr. Hart was based at Bowdoin College’s Brunswick, ME, location, or even commuted there in any regular way. It is more likely that he helped and advised this Milton medical student in Milton. (Dr. Hart was himself a Bowdoin alumnus). Jordan was born in Milton, September 13, 1868, son of George I. and Elizabeth A. “Lizzie” (Downs) Jordan. He went on to practice in Fryeburg, ME, South Portland, ME, and New Bedford, MA.
HERE AND THERE. During the serious and prolonged illness of Mrs. Cecil Sloan she has the medical attention of Dr. Malcolm A. Hart of Milton, a graduate of the University of New York. Dr. Hart, on Wednesday of last week, had the assistance of Dr. Stephen Young of East Rochester, who has been his coadjutor on various occasions requiring the work of two physicians. A trained nurse also was in attendance on Mrs. Sloan during the past week (Farmington News, June 4, 1897).
Mrs. Adelaide C. “Cecile” (Waldron) Sloan recovered sufficiently from her illness to marry (2nd) in Rochester, NH, September 23, 1897, Ned F. Looney (1873-1918), a son of Collector Charles H. and Emily E. (Miller) Looney. (She would not die until 1925).
New Hampshire passed a medical licensing law, March 1, 1897, which required medical practitioners to be tested, licensed and registered as of September 1, 1897. (Charles William Gross, William Emerson Pillsbury, and Frank Sherman Weeks, of Milton Mills, and Malcolm A.H. Hart, Charles Dana Jones, and John Herbert Twombly, of Milton, were all rated “A”- they were already in practice prior to the passage of the law – i.e., they were “grandfathered in” and did not have to pass the new examination) (NH State Board of Education, 1906).
There were identity thieves, mountebanks and fraudsters also in the past. One Samuel Ringgold Harwood (1867-1949) took on the name of Dr. Hart, and his curriculum vitae too, and used them to fraudulently obtain an Illinois medical license in September 1897. Then he reverted to his true name, under which he practiced. It took over twenty years before his fraud was discovered.
Hearings of Physicians. Dr. Samuel Ringgold Harwood, East St. Louis, Illinois, License No. 14554, issued September 13, 1897, revoked by the Department of Registration and Education, August 19, 1918, for the following reason: That he was guilty of fraud and deceit at the time of securing license to practice medicine and surgery in that at that time he represented himself to be one Malcolm Allen Hayes Hart, a name other than his own, which name he subsequently had changed by legal process to Samuel Ringgold Harwood, his own real name (IL Department of Registration, 1918).
After being “struck off” the Illinois register, “Dr.” Ringgold practiced next in Missouri. His obituary mentioned his widow’s intent to continue to run his hospital in Sullivan, MO (Washington Citizen (Washington, MO), October 14, 1949).
Dr. Malcolm A. Hart testified in Dover, NH, in January 1898, regarding his attendance on William Jones, who had survived Milton’s Poisoning Murder of 1897. Dr. Hart was there also when Mrs. Sally W. (Ellis) Jones died (Boston Globe, January 5, 1898).
Malcolm A.H. Hart was one of seventeen incorporators of the Milton Water Works in July 1899.
Malcolm A.H. Hart, a physician, aged thirty-eight years (b. NH), headed a Milton (“Milton Village”) household at the time of the Twelfth (1900) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of ten years), Estelle Hart, aged thirty-six years (b. VT), and his children, Wentworth Hart, at school, aged nine years (b. NH), and Ezra Hart, aged four years (b. NH), and his boarder, Gertrude Richardson, a house servant, aged thirty-three years (b. NH). Malcolm A.H. Hart owned their farm, free-and-clear. Estelle Hart was the mother of three children, of whom two were still living. Gertrude Richardson had been married for fifteen years, and she was the mother of four children, of whom three were still living.
In his capacity as a member of Milton’s Board of Health, Dr. M.A.H. Hart corresponded in May 1900 with the NH State Board of Health regarding quarantine procedures during a Milton measles outbreak. (See Milton and the Measles, 1900).
LOCALS. The Rev. and Mrs. M.P. Dickey, Mrs. C.H. Looney, Mrs. M.A.H. Hart, Miss Clara Drew, and Deacon and Mrs. S.G. Chamberlain of Milton attended last week the conference held in the [Farmington] Main street church (Farmington News, June 1, 1900).
PERSONALS. Roscoe Shaw, first assistant in the laboratory at the state college in Durham, expects to leave New Hampshire at the end of the summer, having been appointed to a better position in the Wisconsin Agricultural College. He is a nephew of Dr. M.A.H. Hart of Milton, has studied abroad, and is well known to Farmington people (Farmington News, July 20, 1900).
Roscoe Hart Shaw was born in South Berwick, ME, June 10, 1875, son of Lyman and Alzade E. (Hart) Shaw. University of Wisconsin catalogs describe him as Roscoe H. Shaw, B.S., instructor in chemistry and acting chemist, experiment station, 1900-01; chemistry assistant, 1901-02.
PERSONAL. Dr. M.A.H. Hart, republican, and Hazen Plumer, democrat, both well known in Farmington, are Milton candidates for representative (Farmington News, October 12, 1900).
MILTON. The nomination for Dr. M.A.H. Hart for representative by the republican caucus is conceded to be a strong one in all quarters. The natural republican majority in Milton is large and there can be no doubt but what the genial doctor will poll the full strength of his party vote. He is young, honest and able, and his friends in both parties will watch his legislative career with interest. The democratic nominee, Hazen Plumer, is also an excellent candidate, a bright, hustling business man and one who would creditably represent the town if elected. Mr. Plumer and Dr. Hart are friendly personally and have worked shoulder to shoulder for the good of Milton (Farmington News, November 2, 1900).
Malcolm A.H. Hart prevailed over Hazen Plummer in the election by a vote of 267 (66.3%) to 136 (33.7%). He served during the 1901-02 biennium and was succeeded by John E. Townsend. Hart served on the house standing committee On [the] Normal School.
M.A.H. Hart appeared in the Milton business directories of 1901, 1904, 1905-06, and 1909, as a physician, resident in Milton. (His house was at 30 So. Main in 1905-06 and 1909).
PERSONAL. Dr. M.A.H. Hart of Milton, well known in Farmington, was one of the judges at the fourth annual masquerade of Merrimac colony, United Order of Pilgrim Fathers, given last week at the opera house in Concord (Farmington News, February 1, 1901).
Young Travelers. Master Wentworth Hart, son of Dr. M.A.H. Hart, started last Wednesday week for Fair Haven, Vt., to visit his grandparents. The distance is some over 300 miles but the young man, though but ten years of age, courageously took the journey untagged and unattended and reached his destination without trouble (Farmington News, August 2, 1901).
MILTON. Dr. and Mrs. M.A.H. Hart have just returned from the Pan-American exposition, also from a visit to Dr. Hart’s brother in northern New York (Farmington News, October 25, 1901).
MILTON. Peter Bonochie has moved into a house owned by Dr. Hart (Farmington News, November 22, 1901).
The offer of the gift of a town clock for Milton, by an out of town citizen, if the people will raise money for a bell, has stimulated an effort to this end, and an organization was effected at a meeting Saturday evening, Dr. M.A.H. Hart being president, Harry L. Avery secretary, and N.G. Pinkham treasurer. It is proposed to place this clock and bell in the tower of the Congregational church as the most conspicuous place in the village (Farmington News, November 29, 1901).
U.S. Collector of Customs in Portsmouth, NH, and prominent Milton resident, Charles H. Looney (1849-1902), collapsed in the Prospect Hill cemetery, in Lebanon, ME, during the funeral of Charles H. Downs (1844-1902).
… Immediately Dr. M.A.H Hart was called instantly to the side of his friend and neighbor, and superintended his removal to his home, while everything possible was done to restore him to consciousness. But nothing availed and he passed away at about half past twelve o’clock of the morning referred to, April 23 (Farmington News, April 25, 1902).
M.A.H. Hart, M.D., gave the cause of death as apoplexy, i.e., a stroke. Looney was buried in the same cemetery in which he had collapsed.
Estelle L. (Draper) Hart was president of Milton’s Woman’s Relief Corps (W.R.C.) in January 1903. The Woman’s Relief Corps was the women’s auxiliary of the Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.), which was a Civil War veterans’ organization.
Carlton W.R.C. Officers of the Carlton corps are to be installed this Thursday evening by the department president, Miss Kate L. Perkins of Marlow, who is a guest of Mrs. J.E. Hayes during her visit in town. Mrs. Hayes, department patriotic instructor, and president of Carlton W.R.C., was in Milton over Monday on occasion of the patriotic prize-speaking contest by twelve children from grades I and II of the schools. A full house was present, and the children all did excellent work. So also, says Mrs. Hayes, did Mrs. M.A.H. Hart, president of the Milton corps, who was in charge of the exercises. The two teachers, Miss Berry and Miss Wilson, and Robert M. Looney, served as judges and awarded the prizes, a five dollar gold piece each, to Mary Jones and Robert Peacock. The presentation was made by the Rev. M.P. Dickey, Marc S. Dickey gave fine piano playing. After the awarding of the prizes an address was given by Mrs. Hayes, which was very much enjoyed and spoken of in a most complimentary manner by the audience. The exercises closed with the flag salute and the singing of America (Farmington News, January 2, 1903).
Dr. M.A.H. Hart of Milton was appointed to the Milton Board of Health, April 11, 1903. He was the Board’s Secretary. He was joined on the Board by Elbridge W. Fox of Milton Mills, April 12, 1904, and Harry D. Coles of Milton, April 18, 1905 (NH State Board of Health, 1907).
Dr. Hart found it necessary to amputate the left foot of Albert O. Mathes after it had been run over by train wheels at the Milton railroad station.
Things Talked Of. Hardly any resident of this county could receive more earnest sympathy than has Albert O. Mathes, treasurer of the Strafford Savings bank at Dover, on occasion of his having suffered the loss of his left foot in an accident at the Milton station last Thursday. He went as usual to the bank and then decided to call on his mother and sister in Milton, between trains, as he has often done. Having spoken with people as he left the train, he stopped a moment to observe a truckful of plants and flowers. Just then he fell between the platform and the cars, probably from sudden dizziness, and before he could be reached two sets of wheels had run over his foot. He was taken to the office of Dr. M.A.H Hart, who found it necessary to remove the crushed foot at once. Mr. Mathes was removed that afternoon to the home of his mother and sister, the latter Mrs. Amos Roberts. Mrs. Mathes came from Dover with a trained nurse by the first train. The many Farmington friends of Mr. Mathes will be glad to know that since the accident last week he is doing as well as can possibly be expected. He is much gratified by the sympathy and good will shown him at this time, in every way (Farmington News, May 8, 1903).
It is often the case with those holding fiduciary offices (such as that held by Mathes) that they are required to take their full vacations. Certain types of fraud and embezzlement require constant adjustment, which cannot happen when the perpetrator is absent for any length of time. While Mathes was laid up, it was discovered in June 1903 that he had embezzled money from the Strafford Savings Bank.
MILTON. Mrs. M.A.H. Hart was in South Berwick last week (Farmington News, February 5, 1904).
MILTON. Miss Hattie Shaw of South Berwick, Me., spent Easter at her uncle’s, Dr. M.A.H. Hart (Farmington News, April 8, 1904).
Dr. Hart found himself unable to attend the Eastern New Hampshire Pomona Grange meeting of Wednesday, May 4, 1904, where he had planned to perform.
MILTON. A vocal solo was expected from Dr. M.A.H. Hart, but, as he was prevented from being present, George H. Tilton of Rochester kindly consented to sing a selection from memory and was loudly encored (Farmington News, May 6, 1904).
Forrest L. Marsh of Milton Mills, and Dr. Malcolm A.H. Hart and Frank G. Horne, both of Milton, appeared in the NH Superintendent of Public Instruction’s annual report of September 1904, as being Milton’s School Board.
MILTON. Dr. Hart and family have been spending a few days at York Beach. … Miss Hattie Shaw of Boston is the guest of her uncle, Dr. M.A.H. Hart (Farmington News, September 2, 1904).
Forrest L. Marsh of Milton Mills, and Dr. Malcolm A.H. Hart and Frank G. Horne, both of Milton, appeared in the NH Superintendent of Public Instruction’s annual report of October 1906, as being Milton’s School Board.
Dr. M.A.H. Hart of Milton was reappointed to the Milton Board of Health, March 11, 1907. He was the Board’s Secretary. He was joined on the Board, May 4, 1908, by Elbridge Fox of Milton Mills, and Harry D. Coles of Milton (NH State Board of Health, 1908).
[Class of] 1888. University Medical College. Malcolm A.H. Hart, b. Milton, N.H., Dec. 28, 1861; Berwick Acad., Me; mem. N.H. Med. Soc.; Milton, N.H. (NY University, 1908).
DOVER DOINGS. The annual meeting of the Strafford district medical association was held at the Kimball house on Thursday, about 20 physicians attending. Dr. Lewis W. Flanders of this city presided. Papers were read by President Flanders, Dr. M.A.H. Hart, Milton, Dr. John H. Bates of East Rochester and Dr. Forrest L. Keay, Rochester. These officers were elected, Dr. Thomas J. Dougherty of Somersworth, president; Dr. Malcolm A.H. Hart of Milton, vice president; Dr. Lewis W. Flanders, secretary; Dr. A. Noel Smith of Dover, treasurer; and Dr. Miah D. Sullivan of Dover auditor (Portsmouth Herald, October 29, 1909).
M.A.H. Hart, a general practice physician, aged forty-eight years (b. NH), headed a Milton (“Milton 3-Ponds”) household at the time of the Thirteenth (1910) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of ten years), Estella M. Hart, aged forty-six years (b. VT), and his children, Wentworth Hart, at school, aged nineteen years (b. NH), and Ezrah D. Hart, aged thirteen years (b. NH). M.A.H. Hart owned their house, free-and-clear. Estelle Hart was the mother of two children, of whom two were still living.
The Strafford County and District Medical Society elected Dr. M.A.H. Hart of Milton as its President at their 103rd Annual Meeting, which was held at Kimball House in Dover, NH, October 27, 1910 (NH Medical Society, 1911).
The NH legislature granted incorporation of the Nute Charitable Association, April 5, 1911. Its initial trustees were Everett F. Fox, Charles A. Jones, M.A.H. Hart, Harry L. Avery, Bard B. Plummer, Joseph H. Avery, Walter E. Looney, Chas. D. Fox, Moses G. Chamberlain, and their successors. The association’s object was to pay out interest money for the benefit of Milton’s “deserving poor” from a principal amount left as a residuary legacy by Lewis W. Nute’s last will (NH Secretary of State, 1911).
Local. The marriage is announced of Marion Wentworth Hart, son of Dr. and Mrs. M.A. Hart of Milton, to Miss Elsie Nichols of Hartford, Conn. (Farmington News, September 25, 1914).
Dr. Hart was a member of the Strafford County Republican Committee in September 1911, and September 1914.
STRAFFORD COUNTY. J. Frank Seavey, Dwight Hall, Thomas H. Dearborn, Clarence I. Hurd, Dover; Jeremiah Langley, Durham; Alonzo I. Nute, Farmington; Malcolm A.H. Hart, Milton; Joel W. McCrillis, R. De Witt Burnham, John L. Meader, Alcide Bilodeau, Rochester; John Q.A. Wentworth, Rollinsford; Sidney B. Stevens, James H. Joyce, John N. Haines, Somersworth; William S. Davis, Barrington (NH General Court, 1915).
Malcolm A.H. Hart appeared in the Who’s Who in New England reference publication in its 1915 edition. He was president of the Nute High School and Library trustees, and a trustee of the Nute Charitable [Fund] Association. He was a member also of several professional medical associations, as well as the Knights of Pythias (K.P.) and the Improved Order of Red Men (I.O.R.M.) social organizations.
HART, Malcom A.H., M.D.; b. Milton, N.H., Dec. 28, 1861; s. Simon and Mary A. (Wentworth) Hart; ed. common schs. and Berwick Acad., South Berwick, Me.; M.D., Univ. Med. Coll. (N.Y.U.), 1888; m. Apr. 17, 1890, Estelle L. Draper of Fair Haven, Vt. Practiced in Fall River, Mass., 1888-90; since in Milton, N.H. Pres. Bd. of Trustees, Nute High Sch. and Library; trustee, Nute Fund Assn. Mem. N.H. and Strafford County med. socs. Republican. Baptist. Mem. K.P., I.O.R.M. Address, Milton, N.H. (Marquis, 1915).
Dr. Malcolm A.H. Hart lost the NH State Senate election of November 1916 to Dr. John H. Bates by a vote of 2,213 (49.5%) to 2,255 (50.5%). Dr. Hart was both the “r & p” candidate, i.e., both the Republican and Prohibition party candidate, while Dr. Bates was the “d” candidate, i.e., the Democrat candidate. (One might recall that Dr. Hart’s elder brother, Justin Hart, (1857-1944) had been a saloon-keeper in 1880).
Local. The election at Milton left that town still snugly within the republican column, while no-license triumphed by a 65 vote margin. Dr. M.A.H. Hart, a resident of that town and republican candidate for senator from the twentieth district, was defeated by the democratic aspirant, Dr. Bates of Rochester, by 40 votes (Farmington News, November 10, 1916).
M.A.H. Hart appeared in the Milton business directory of 1917, as a physician, with his house at 30 So. Main street.
Marion Wentworth Hart of 122 Farmington Ave., Bristol, CT, registered in Bristol for the WW I military draft, June 5, 1917. He was married, aged twenty-six years (b. Gilmanton Iron Works, NH, March 4, 1891). He was a clerk for the New Departure Mfg. Co. of Bristol, CT. He had a wife and child, but claimed no exemption. He was of medium height, with a medium build, grey eyes, and light hair. (New Departure made ball bearings and a hub coaster brake for bicycles (and motorcycles). It eventually became a part of General Motors).
WEST MILTON. Dr. M.A.H. Hart of Milton recently lost a valuable driving horse which was in the Hannah Thurston pasture with a lot of other stock. After having been missing for several days the animal was found dead and apparently had suffered an illness (Farmington News, August 17, 1917).
2nd Lt. Ezra D. Hart of Company B, First Army Headquarters Regiment, gave his father, Malcolm A.H. Hart, of Milton, NH, as his next-of-kin when sailing on the Antigone troop transport from Hoboken, NJ, to France, March 30, 1918. 1st Lt. Ezra D. Hart did the same when he sailed from Brest, France, for the U.S., June 26, 1919.
Dr. Hart was at the forefront of Milton’s encounter with the so-called Spanish influenza pandemic of 1918.
To Avoid Spanish Influenza. • This disease is spread only by persons who have the disease; one person taking it directly from others. • Avoid crowds. Influenza is a crowd disease. • These germs must come into contact with the mouth or nose for a person to become inoculated. • Keep in the fresh air as much as possible; germs will not live in the fresh air. • Get plenty of sleep and do not worry or get frightened. • Keep clean, always wash hands after handling patients and don’t carry fingers to nose or mouth. • Smother your cough and sneeze in a handkerchief and don’t let anyone cough or sneeze in your face or towards you. Germs and disease travel in that way. • All eating and drinking utensils should be absolutely clean. • Take every precaution. • Keep your feet dry and warm. • Keep your houses well ventilated. Keep windows open, especially at night. • If you have backache, cough, if you sneeze, and are feverish, go to bed and call a physician and obey his orders (Farmington News, October 18, 1918).
M.A.H. Hart, M.D., of Milton, attended upon and signed the death certificates of seven of Milton’s ten fatal Spanish flu cases. (Two Farmington doctors and one Wakefield (Union) doctor signed the other three death certificates).
Malcolm A.H. Hart, a physician, aged fifty-eight years (B. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Fourteenth (1920) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Estell L. Hart, aged fifty-six years (b. VT), his son, Ezra D. Hart, aged twenty-three years (b. NH), and his boarder, Clara M. Roberts, a widow, aged eighty years (b. NH). He owned his house on Lower Main Street, in Milton Village, free-and-clear. They appeared in the census enumeration between the households of Natt E. Young, a draftsman, aged forty-three years (b. ME), and Fred C. Downs, an ice company laborer, aged forty-two years (b. NH).
Dr. Hart’s Milton barn, home, and office burned down in the early hours of Tuesday, March 22, 1921.
PERSONAL. Dr. M.A.H. Hart of Milton was in [Farmington] town Wednesday (Farmington News, September 15, 1922).
WEST MILTON. Dr. and Mrs. Hart attended the wedding of their youngest son, Ezra Hart, in Methuen, Mass., last Saturday, returning home Sunday (Farmington News, June 20, 1924).
PERSONAL. Friends of Dr. M.A.H. Hart of Milton regret to learn that he is in a Boston hospital tor surgery (Farmington News, January 9, 1925).
Malcolm A.H. (Estelle) Hart appeared in the Milton directory of 1930, as a physician, resident in Milton.
Malcom A. Hart, a general practice physician, aged sixty-eight years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Fifteenth (1930) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Estelle Hart, aged sixty-six years (b. VT), and his servant, Laura Bragdon, a private family housewife, aged sixty-five years (b. NH). Malcolm A. Hart owned their house on South Main Street, which was valued at $5,000. They had a radio set.
Dr. M.A.H. Hart played some role in the Nute High School Class of 1931 graduation ceremonies. The newspaper account is a bit unclear as to whether he gave out diplomas or led the singing of “Nute, Beloved, Hail to Thee” (Farmington News, June 19, 1931).
Malcom A. Hart, a general practice medical doctor, aged seventy-eight years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Sixteenth (1940) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Estelle L. Hart, aged seventy-six years (b. VT). Malcolm A. Hart owned their house on Main Street, in the Milton Community, which was valued at $2,500.
Estelle L. (Draper) Hart died at the NH State Hospital in Concord, NH, June 20, 1946, aged eighty-two years, eleven months, and fourteen days. (Her death certificate and the newspaper obituary below are at variance regarding the location of her death).
Deaths and Funerals. Mrs. Estelle L. Hart. BEDFORD, June 22. Funeral services for Mrs. Estelle L. (Draper) Hart, 82, wife of Dr. M.A.H. Hart of Milton, N.H., will be held tomorrow afternoon at 2:30 in the Community Church at Milton. She died here Thursday. Mrs. Hart came to Bedford from Milton last November. She was a member of the Woman’s Relief Corps, Woman’s Club, Daughters of the American Revolution and Community Church in Milton. Besides her husband, she leaves two sons, M. Wentworth Hart of Bedford and Ezra D. Hart of Andover; a brother, George U. Draper of Fairhaven, Vt., and a sister, Mrs. Charles A. Bullock of Bristol, Conn. (Boston Globe, June 23, 1946).
Malcolm A.H. Hart died in Bedford, MA, January 25, 1949, aged eighty-seven years.
IN MEMORIAM. Dr. Malcolm Allen Hayes Hart. Many persons in this vicinity regret to learn of the death of Malcolm Allen Hayes Hart, M.D., aged 87 years, a former resident of Milton, which occurred Tuesday, January 25, at Bedford, Mass. Doctor Hart was born in Milton, December 28, 1861, and was a resident of that community for a great many years. Until his retirement he was a popular physician and practitioner in Milton and was known by many in this county. He was a member of Fraternal Lodge, No. 71, F.&A.M., of Farmington. He leaves two sons, Wentworth and Ezra Hart. Funeral services will be held this Thursday afternoon at two o’clock at the Milton Community church (Farmington News, January 28, 1949).
Rites Held for Milton, N.H., Doctor. Milton, N.H., Jan. 27. – Funeral services for Dr. Malcolm A.H. Hart, 87, who practiced here and at Lebanon, Me., for 57 years, were held this afternoon in the Community Church. Doctor Hart, who died at the home of his son, M. Wentworth Hart, in Bedford, Mass., was born in Milton, a son of Simon and Mary A. (Wentworth) Hart. He the oldest living member of the class of 1888 New York University College of medicine. He began the practice of his profession in Fall River, Mass., but after a period there returned to his native town where he made his home for 57 years. Four years ago he went to Bedford, Mass., to reside. Doctor Hart had served for many years as president of the Board of Trustees of Nute High School here. Interested in civic affairs, he represented the town of Milton in the state legislature In 1900 and 1901 [1901-02]. He was a member of the Fraternal Lodge of Masons in Farmington, the New Hampshire Consistory, New Hampshire Medical Association and the Community Church. He is survived by another son, Ezra D. Hart, Andover, Mass., three grandchildren, and three great grandchildren. Rev. Ralph V. Townsend, pastor of the church, officiated at the service, during which stores in the community closed. Among those attending were delegations from the various fraternal organizations with which he had been affiliated, some of the trustees and faculty of Nute High School. Burial was in the Prospect Hill Cemetery, Lebanon, Me. (Portland Press Herald, January 28, 1949).
B.R. Publishing Co. (1897). Biographical Review: Containing Life Sketches of Leading Citizens of Stafford and Belknap Countries, New Hampshire. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=C2sjAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA216
IL Department of Registration. (1919). A Report on the Administration of the Medical Practice Act from July 1, 1917, to December 31, 1918. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=02AXAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA29
NH State Board of Health. (1908). Twentieth Report of the State Board of Health of the State of New Hampshire, For the Fiscal Period Ending August 31, 1908. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=2cc_AQAAMAAJ&pg=PA313
Does passing a law translate into making the public safer? Or does it just seem like it might make us safer but actually do nothing but feed entrenched special interests and make us all a little poorer?
This is the issue that came to mind when I noticed an article recently about 3 men charged in Nashua with passing mandated annual vehicle inspections without performing them. Should anyone be surprised that this kind of hanky panky goes on? Is it not a corollary that when government programs are created, corruption and fraud fly in the door?
First a little bit of history. Car inspections actually date back to 1931 and RSA 266:1, II. Amazingly, cars were required to be inspected twice a year, but the mandate was reduced to once a year back in the 1980’s. There have been numerous legislative attempts over the years to do away with these mandated inspections, or at least reform them to make them every other year or exempt new cars, but all to no avail.
Special interests are not about to let a good thing slip through their revenue-seeking fingers. The New Hampshire Auto Dealers Association and AAA Northern New England both strongly support mandated annual inspections. Unsurprisingly, the former has made political campaign contributions of $490,000 to New Hampshire legislators over the last 21 years, and I doubt it did so out of the goodness of its heart.
From 1967-1976, the federal government could withhold highway funds from states that didn’t have annual inspection programs. There were 31 states that complied with this carrot-and-stick “encouragement,” but when the law was changed in 1976, gradually one state after another dropped their inspection programs. To this day, only 16 states still have the inspection programs.
To get to the heart of the issue, do mandated annual inspections actually prevent car crashes and save lives? The repair shops scream “Yes!” whenever a state rep even brings up the issue. However, a 2015 study from the US Government Accountability Office – which gets no guaranteed revenue from these mandated programs – did not find any conclusive evidence that the inspections prevented car crashes. The report stated that “estimates derived from data collected by the Department of Transportation (DOT) National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) show that vehicle failure is a factor in about 2 to 7 percent of crashes.” It found that driver error was by far the biggest cause of accidents.
It’s also noteworthy that the report found that oversight of state programs is a big problem because of concern that some inspection stations recommend unnecessary repairs while others pass vehicles that really do have safety issues. So apparently the incident in Nashua is not an isolated one.
It is interesting to note that of the 16 states with the mandated programs, all but one state participated in the study. You guessed it: New Hampshire. The study notes on page 26 of its report, “We conducted structured interviews with officials in 15 of the 16 states that currently have a safety inspection program. We attempted multiple times to speak with the one remaining state – New Hampshire – but were unsuccessful.” Similarly, when You Asked, We Answered from New Hampshire Public Radio asked the New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles (a bureaucracy within the Department of Safety), which actually runs the state program, “Why does New Hampshire require annual auto inspections?” it took numerous attempts to get anyone from the DMV to interview for the story. When they finally got an answer, the response was, “All vehicles register(ed) in New Hampshire are required to be inspected once a year per RSA 266:1, II.” Pitiful.
Furthermore, federal vehicles are exempt from New Hampshire’s inspection program, plus there are always out-of-state vehicles on New Hampshire highways (which may or may not have been through an inspection program) due to its popularity as a vacation destination, so at any given time there will always be uninspected cars on our highways. Do they also pose a danger to the public?
Despite the lack of evidence of the safety benefit of the annual inspections – not to mention the cost, which to those on the lower rung of the economic ladder is yet another burden to bear – there will always be the “If it saves a life” crowd proclaiming the sanctity of keeping the program intact. If they truly meant what they say, then all cars would have to be banned from the roads because the number of people killed in car accidents each year consistently runs from 30,000-40,000 in this country. Obviously, we need to balance the benefits of car travel that we all enjoy against the small risk that each of us faces every time we step inside a car. It is simply impossible to eliminate all risk and ensure complete safety, and any attempt to do so would be completely ludicrous.
Finally, I need only to point to California, where I used to live. When I purchased a new car here, I was amazed that the car had to go through the annual inspection. Even back in California, which doesn’t miss a beat when it comes to extracting every last bit of blood and money from its residents, they don’t have annual car inspections, just a smog check every 2 years. Trust me, California is really into the safety business – San Francisco even has a 30-foot social distancing and mask ordinance in force and they’re not shy about issuing citations too – so, if the bureaucrats don’t require them, annual car inspections really are worthless.
United States Government Accountability Office. (2015, August). VEHICLE SAFETY INSPECTIONS – Improved DOT Communication Could Better Inform State Programs. Retrieved from www.gao.gov/assets/680/672131.pdf
James William Tingley was born in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada, May 24, 1852, son of Joshua and Charlotte (Trenholm) Tingley.
Malcolm A.H. Hart, having completed his studies at the Berwick Academy in 1878, was for some time engaged in teaching school in Lebanon, South Berwick, and Kennebunk, Me., and then took a two years’ course in the medical department at Bowdoin College. Entering the University of New York City in 1887, he was graduated in 1888, and located for practice in Fall River, Mass., where he remained for eighteen months. After that he took a year’s post-graduate course in New York City, obtaining much valuable practical experience in the hospital connected with the school. He resumed the duties of his profession at Gilmanton Iron Works, residing there for a year, and in 1891 he settled in Milton where he has since remained. His professional success in his native town has been so marked as to gain for him a high reputation as a skillful and reliable physician, and a profitable practice is the result (B.R. Publishing Co., 1897).
Milton Observer 