Month: October 2021

By Muriel Bristol | October 24, 2021

The name “Centennial House” acknowledges its establishment during the U.S. centennial year of 1876.

The identified proprietors of Milton’s Centennial House during this period were John W. Prescott (1846-1927), and Benjamin Hoyle (1843-1923).

John W. Prescott – 1876-188?

John Wesley Prescott was born in Dover, NH, June 26, 1846, son of Ezekiel and Elzira F. (Fernald) Prescott.

Nathl. D. Farnsworth, works in shoe shop, aged thirty-two [i.e., forty-two] years (b. NH), headed a Wakefield (“Union P.O.”), NH, household at the time of the Ninth (1870) Federal Census. His household included Ruth A. [(Almed)] Farnsworth, keeping house, aged thirty [i.e., forty] years (b. NH), Rosa B.H. [(Farnsworth)] Berry, at home, aged twenty-three years (b. NH), and John W. Prescott, dry goods & groceries, aged twenty-three years (b. NH). Nathl. D. Farnsworth had real estate valued at $500 and personal estate valued at $360. John W. Prescott had personal estate valued at $1,500.

John W. Prescott married in Dover, NH, September 17, 1870, Adelaide Sarah “Addie” Jewett, he of Brookfield, NH, and she of Milton. He was aged twenty-three years and she was aged twenty-one years. Rev. I.D. Stewart performed the ceremony. She was born in Milton, March 28, 1849, daughter of David and Susan M. (Fox) Jewett.

NEW ENGLAND. NEW HAMPSHIRE. The Sanborn House at Wolfeboro Junction is now open and kept by John W. Prescott (Boston Globe, September 24, 1872).

John Prescott appeared in the NH business directories of 1873 and 1874, as proprietor of the Sanborn House hotel at Wolfeboro Junction, in Wakefield, NH.

John W. Prescott opened the Centennial House hotel in Milton Mills in June 1876. One might suppose he named it for the U.S. Centennial, i.e., July 4, 1876. His advertisements highlighted features that might appeal to rusticators, i.e., tourists.

J.W. Prescott appeared in the Milton business directory of 1880, as proprietor of Milton Mills’ Centennial House hotel.

John W. Prescott, a stable keeper, aged thirty-two years (b. NH), headed a Milton (“Milton Mills Village”) household at the time of the Tenth (1880) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Addie Prescott, a milliner, aged thirty-one years (b. NH). Their household appeared between those of William G. Lermond, a carpenter, aged thirty-five years (b. Scotland), and Oscar F. Marsh, works in felt mill, aged thirty-three years (b. NH).

J.W. Prescott appeared in the Milton business directories of 1881, 1882, and 1884, as proprietor of Milton Mills’ Centennial House hotel. He advertised his hotel in the Boston Globe in the summer of 1888 as being suitable for summer boarders.

SUMMER RESORTS. SUMMER BOARDERS looking for a place in the country where they can enjoy themselves quietly, can be accommodated at Centennial House, Milton Mills, N.H., P.O. box 113 SuTThS6t* jy22 (Boston Globe, July 28, 1888).

(The printers’ code that follows the actual advertisement notes that this advertisement should be printed in the Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday editions 6 times, i.e., for a period of six weeks, beginning July 22).

John W. and Adelaide F. (Jewett) Prescott relocated from Milton Mills to Union village, in Wakefield, NH, circa 1892-93.

WAKEFIELD. Mrs. John W. Prescott has opened millinery parlors at the Geo E. Hart House on Main street (Farmington News, October 14, 1892).

J.W. Prescott appeared in the NH directory of 1897, as proprietor of one of two livery stables in Union, Wakefield, NH. (Hotelier R.H. Pike was proprietor of the other).

MILTON. Mrs. Prescott and Miss Wallace have closed their millinery parlors for the season (Farmington News, July 9, 1897).

John W. Prescott received an appointment as U.S. Postmaster at Union village in Wakefield, NH, September 17, 1897. Such appointments were at this time political sinecures. As Prescott received his initial appointment during the presidency of Republican William McKinley, one might suppose that he too was a Republican.

The U.S. Register of July 1, 1899 recorded compensation of $439.51 having been paid to Union postmaster John W. Prescott.

Mrs. J.W. Prescott appeared in the Milton directory of 1900, as a milliner on Main street, near the P.O., with her house at U.V., i.e., Union Village in Wakefield, NH. (A milliner is one who designs, makes, trims, or sells women’s hats).

John W. Prescott, postmaster, aged fifty-one years (b. NH), headed a Wakefield (“Union Village”), NH, household at the time of the Twelfth (1900) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of twenty-nine years), Addie Prescott, a milliner, aged fifty-two years (b. NH), and Gertrude Nichols, aged ten years (b. NH). John W. Prescott owned their house, free-and-clear. Addie Prescott was the mother of child, of whom none were still living.

UNION. Mrs. J.W. Prescott is away visiting friends (Farmington News, June 14, 1901).

Mrs. J.W. Prescott appeared in the Milton directory of 1902, as a milliner, with her house at Union, [Wakefield,] NH.

UNION. Last Friday morning Mrs. J.W. Prescott met with a serious accident by falling on the ice, breaking her leg above the ankle. She is as comfortable as can be expected at this writing (Farmington News, January 24, 1902).

The U.S. Register of July 1, 1903 recorded compensation of $523.54 having been paid to Union postmaster John W. Prescott.

MILTON. Mrs. J.W. Prescott of Union was in town last Thursday (Farmington News, June 17, 1904).

The U.S. Register of July 1, 1905 recorded compensation of $552.40 having been paid to Union postmaster John W. Prescott.

UNION. Mr. and Mrs. Frank Prescott of Lawrence, Mass., who have been visiting his brother, John W. Prescott, returned home last week (Farmington News, October 1, 1909).

UNION. John W. Prescott is taking an outing in Boston this week (Farmington News, October 29, 1909).

John W. Prescott, postmaster at Union, aged sixty years (b. NH), headed a Wakefield, NH, household at the time of the Thirteenth (1910) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of t[hir]ty-eight years), Adelaide Prescott, aged fifty-eight years (b. NH). John W. Prescott owned their house, free-and-clear.

UNION. Mrs. John W. Prescott and Mrs. E.O. Wiggin attended the sale at Sanbornville last week (Farmington News, December 23, 1910).

John W. Prescott, aged seventy-two years (b. NH), headed a Wakefield, NH, household at the time of the Fourteenth (1920) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Adelaide Prescott, aged sixty-eight years (b. NH). John W. Prescott owned their house, free-and-clear. They shared a two-family resident with the household of tenant George Hawley, an excelsior mill presser, aged thirty-two years (b. NH).

John W. Prescott died of pulmonary edema in Union, [Wakefield,] NH, April 8, 1927, aged eighty-one years, ten months, and twelve days. He had been resident in Wakefield, NH, for thirty-three years.

A[de]laide Prescott, a widow, aged eighty-five years (b. NH). was one of fourteen “inmates,” i.e., residents, of the Gafney Home on Wakefield Street in Rochester, NH, at the time of the Fifteenth (1930) Federal Census. Herbert A. Hoffman, aged fifty-five years (b. NH), was its resident superintendent, and his wife, Mary Hoffman, aged fifty-one years (b. VT), was its resident matron. There was also a nurse, cook, and a maid. Twelve of the retired residents were female and two of them were male. (Two of the retired residents were a married couple). The home had a radio set.

Adelaide F. (Fernald) Prescott died of lobar pneumonia in the Gafney Home in Rochester, NH, April 29, 1936, aged eighty-eight years, one month, and two days. She had been a resident there for nine years, i.e., since the 1927 death of her husband. Edson M. Abbott, M.D. signed the death certificate.

UNION. George Morrill was quite pleased to find when he returned to Union for the winter that he could have the same box number which he has continuously since he had it of the late John W. Prescott forty-two years ago (Farmington News, October 23, 1936).

Benjamin Hoyle – 188?-1904

Benjamin Hoyle was born in Bowling, Yorkshire, England, November 1, 1843, son of Eli and Mary (Kemp) Hoyle.

Mary Hoyle, a widow, aged forty-eight years (b. Ossett), headed a Gawthorpe, Ossett, Yorkshire, household at the time of the UK Census of 1861. Her household included Thomas Hoyle, a woolen spinner, aged twenty-four years (b. Laster Dyke), Mary Hoyle, a worsted spinner, aged twenty-one years (b. Laster Dyke), James Hoyle, a worsted spinner, aged nineteen years (b. Bowling), Benjamin Hoyle, a worsted spinner, aged seventeen years (b. Bowling), Jane Hoyle, a worsted spinner, aged fifteen years (b. Bowling), Nancy Hoyle, a worsted spinner, aged thirteen years, and Hannah Hoyle, aged eight years (b. Ossett).

Benj Hoyle, works in woolen mill, aged twenty-five years (b. England), was one of thirty-one resident mill workers in the Haverhill, MA, household of Mary P. Jones, keeps house, aged forty-one years (b. ME).

Benjamin Hoyle married in Somersworth, NH, October 14, 1871, Abbie J. Witham, both of East Rochester, NH. He was a spinner, aged twenty-seven years, and she was aged thirty-one years. Rev. J.F. Smith performed the ceremony. She was born in Acton, ME, March 16, 1839, daughter of Amos/Amasa Witham.

Benjamin Hoyle, works in woolen mill, aged thirty-eight years (b. England), headed a Rochester, NH, household at the time of the Tenth (1880) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Abbie J. Hoyle, keeping house, aged forty years (b. ME), his servant, Georgietta Merrill, a servant, aged twenty-two years (b. NH), and his boarders, Joseph Naylor, works in woolen mill, aged fifty-eight years (b. England), Norris Maddox, works in woolen mill, aged twenty-six years (b. ME), Annie Tenney, works in woolen mill, aged twenty-eight years (b. NH), Jennie Pollack, works in woolen mill, aged fifty years (b. Scotland), Emma Rankin, works in woolen mill, aged twenty-two years (b. ME), Lucretia Rankin, works in woolen mill, aged twenty-five years (b. ME), and Maggie Chalmers, works in woolen mill, aged thirty years (b. Scotland).

Benj. Hoyle appeared in the Milton business directories of 1887, 1889, as proprietor of Milton Mills’ Centennial House hotel.

Benjamin Hoyle appeared in an 1892 list of Summer Hotels and Boarding-Houses, as proprietor or landlord of Centennial House in Milton (NH Board of Agriculture, 1892).

Benj. Hoyle appeared in the Milton business directories of 1894, and 1898, as proprietor of Milton Mills’ summer boarding house.

Benjamin Hoyle appeared in an 1897 list of Summer Hotels and Boarding-Houses, as proprietor or landlord of Centennial House in Milton (NH Department of Agriculture, 1897).

Benjamin Hoyle appeared in the Milton directory of 1900, as a spinner at the W. mill, i.e., the Waumbeck mill, with his house on North Main street, W. road, in Milton Mills.

Benjamin Hoyle, a wool spinner, aged fifty-seven years (b. England), headed a Milton (“Milton Mills Village”) household at the time of the Twelfth (1900) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of twenty-eight years), Abby J. Hoyle, aged sixty-one years (b. ME). Benjamin Hoyle owned their house, free-and-clear. Abby J. Hoyle was the mother of no children. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Alby Merrill, a day laborer, aged fifty-four years (b. NH), and Charles S. Wentworth, a day laborer, aged forty-two years (b. NH).

Benj. Hoyle appeared in the Milton business directories of 1901, and 1904, as proprietor of a Milton Mills’ summer boarding house.

Benjamin Hoyle appeared in the Milton directory of 1902, as a spinner at the W. mill, i.e., the Waumbeck mill, with his house on North Main street, W. road, in Milton Mills. He appeared in the Milton directory of 1905-06, as a spinner at the W. mill, with his house at 106 North Main street, W. road, in Milton Mills.

Benjamin Hoyle, own income, aged sixty-seven years (b. England), headed a Milton (“Milton Mills”) household at the time of the Thirteenth (1910) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of thirty-nine years), Abby J. Hoyle, aged seventy-one years (b. ME). Benjamin Hoyle owned their house, free-and-clear. Abby J. Hoyle was the mother of no children. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Freeman D. Stevens, a shoe factory cutter, aged sixty years (b. NH), and Alby Merrill, own income, aged sixty years (b. VT).

Benjamin Hoyle appeared in the Milton directory of 1912, as a spinner at the T. mill, i.e., the Townsend mill, with his house at 106 North Main street, W. road, in Milton Mills. Benjamin and Abbie J. (Witham) Hoyle relocated from Milton Mills to East Rochester, NH, circa 1912-13.

Abbie J. (Witham) Hoyle died of cerebral paralysis (and liver cancer) in East Rochester, NH, March 15, 1916, aged seventy-six years, eleven months, and twenty-one days. She had resided in East Rochester, NH, for three years, formerly residing in Milton Mills. Stephen Young signed the death certificate.

Benjamin Hoyle appeared in the Milton directory of 1917, as having removed from Milton to Rochester, NH. (This would have occurred at some time between the directory of 1912 and that of 1917). He appeared in the Rochester, NH, directory of 1917, as a retiree, making his home with J.W. Clark, on Summer street, in East Rochester, NH.

John W. Clark, aged seventy-three years (b. NH), headed a Rochester, NH, household at the time of the Fourteenth (1920) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Lucy B. Clark, aged fifty-three years (b. ME), his children, Abbie E. Clark, aged twenty-nine years (b. NH), and Ardis C. Clark, aged seventeen years (b. NH), his grandson, Perley A. Clark, aged ten months (b. NH), and his boarder, Benjamin Hoil [i.e., Hoyle], aged seventy-six years (b. England). John W. Clark owned their farm on Summer Street. Benjamin Hoil had immigrated into the U.S. in 1869, and become a naturalized citizen in 1880.

Benjamin Hoyle appeared in the Rochester, NH, directories of 1921, and posthumously in 1924, as a retiree, boarding on Summer street, in East Rochester, NH. (He appeared in the directory of 1926, again posthumously, as a retiree, boarding on Broadway street.

Benjamin Hoyle died of apoplexy, i.e., a stroke, in East Rochester, NH, January 10, 1923, aged seventy-nine years, two months, and nine days. He had resided in East Rochester, NH, for ten years, formerly residing in Milton Mills. John H. Bates signed the death certificate.

---

References:

Find a Grave. (2013, August 14). Benjamin Hoyle. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/115416845/benjamin-hoyle

Find a Grave. (2013, August 15). John Wesley Prescott. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/115526298/john-wesley-prescott

Keyes, George L. (1874). Keyes’ Hand-book of Northern Pleasure Travel. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=_h89AAAAYAAJ&pg=PA212

NH Board of Agriculture. (1892). Lakes and Summer Resorts in New Hampshire. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=85Y-AAAAYAAJ&pg=PA78

NH Department of Agriculture. (1897). Gems of the Granite State. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=c3MUAAAAYAAJ&pg=PP76

By Muriel Bristol | October 17, 2021

In his June 1881 report, the NH Superintendent of Instruction provided some statistics regarding Milton.

Milton’s town school committee members were identified as being C.D. Fox, and C.L. Plumer. (Charles D. Fox (1856-1916) of Milton Mills was then a school teacher; and Cyrus L. Plumer (1841-1910) was the Milton Free-Will Baptist minister). (This was one less than the usual three committee members).

Milton had 10 school districts and 13 schools in town, 2 of which were graded schools and 2 were district and town high schools. There were 11 schoolhouses, of which none that were unfit for use and none were built during the year. Maps and globes were available in 12 schoolhouses. The value of schoolhouses, furnishings and sites was estimated at $8,000, and the value of apparatus was estimated at $200. Only 1 of the district schools had an average of 12 scholars of less; and 1 had an average of 6 scholars or less. The average run of district school classes was 18.3 weeks. (The Strafford County average was 23.25 weeks).

Milton had 1 fractional school district. It paid $55.00 in superintendence. Some 75 students had no absences during the year. It had 6 students attending private schools.

Milton had 155 male and 139 female students enrolled. Of these, 30 were aged under six years, 241 were aged between 6 and 16 years, and 23 were aged over 16 years. There were 60 students pursuing higher branches, and there were 9 students aged between 5 and 15 years that were not attending any school. Average daily attendance was 247.73 students.

There were 5 male teachers, making an average of $37.50 per month, and 15 female teachers, making an average of $22.09 per month. Of these, 5 were teaching for the first time, and 6 had been teachers for more than one term. (One might infer that the remaining 9 had been teachers already for a single prior term). Of these, none of them had been to Normal school. Of 171 Strafford County teachers, only 20 (11.7%) had been to Normal school).

Under the heading Private Schools of a Higher Grade, Milton had its Classical Institute, which was situated at Milton Three Ponds. It had been chartered and organized in 1866. The value of its building, apparatus and grounds was $2,800. It had a 44-week school year, which began in September. It had no male teachers and 2 female teachers; and it had 17 male and 31 female students. Of these, 37 of them were NH residents, 18 of them were pursuing higher branches. [These would seem to be the same figures as those reported in the report of 1879].

The school committee had available to it $1,586.12; of which $1,050.00 came from the town tax for support of schools, $300.00 came from district school taxes, $120.62 came from the literary fund, $115.50 came from local funds and the dog tax, $0.00 came from the railroad tax, and $0.00 came from contributions.

Milton expended $0.00 for new buildings, $0.00 in interest, $250.00 in permanent repairs, $35.5o in miscellaneous expenses; and $1,543.95 in teacher salaries, for a grand total of $1,884.45. The average cost of salaries and miscellaneous expenses per scholar was $5.37. (The county average cost per scholar was $6.48).

---

Previous in sequence: Milton in NH Education Report, 1879; next in sequence: Milton in NH Education Report, 1882

---

References:

NH Superintendent of Public Instruction. (1881). Annual Report of the Superintendent of Public Instruction. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=qholAQAAIAAJ

By Muriel Bristol | October 10, 2021

Bard B. Plummer was born in the family farmstead on Plummer’s Ridge in Milton, June 18, 1846, son of Enoch W. and Orinda (Ayers) Plummer. (Bard B. Plummer’s great-grandfather, the Hon. Bard [or Beard] Plummer (1754-1816), a revolutionary soldier and one of Milton’s founders, had the same name, as did several of the current subject’s uncles and cousins).

Bard B. Plummer, after leaving the common schools, attended the Wakefield Academy and the Maine State College. When his education was completed he returned to the homestead, and he has since given his attention to general farming. He owns five hundred acres of excellent land, which is desirably located; and he makes it a point to avail himself of modern improvements in the practice of agriculture (Biographical Review, 1897).

Bard B. Plummer was an A.F. & A.M. Mason as early as 1870. A NH Grand Lodge abstract had him as secretary of Unity Lodge, of [Union,] Wakefield, NH, as of May 1870. A.M. Brackett was its Worshipful Master. The lodge had 75 members, who paid a total of $15.50 in dues. Their meetings took place on Thursdays on or before F.M. (the First Monday). (NH Grand Lodge, 1870).

In Masonry Mr. Plummer is [i.e., would be by 1897] well advanced, being a Past Master of Unity Lodge, A.F. & A.M., of Union, N.H., of which he was Secretary for nineteen years; a member of Columbia Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, of Farmington, N.H., and of St. Paul Commandery, Knights Templar, of Dover, N.H. He is also Past Dictator of Love [Lowell] Lodge, Knights of Honor [Husbandry], of Union (Biographical Review, 1897).

Bard Burge Plummer married in Milton, October 15, 1875, Eliza Dixwell Wentworth, both of Milton. He was a farmer, aged twenty-nine years, and she was aged twenty-four years. Rev. James Doldt performed the ceremony. She was born in Jamaica Plain, MA, December 13, 1851, daughter of John J. and Elizabeth (Currant) Wentworth.

Mr. Plummer married Eliza D. Wentworth, daughter of John J. Wentworth, of Jamaica Plain, Mass. They have four children, namely: Lucia C., Fanny W., Bard B., who is attending Durham College, and Orinda (Biographical Review, 1897). 

B.B. Plummer appeared in the Milton business directories of 1875, 1876, and 1880, as a Milton justice-of-the-peace.

Daughter Lucia C. Plummer was born in Milton, May 18, 1877. Daughter Fanny W. Plummer was born in Milton, July 28, 1878.

The Milton Board of Education for 1879 was J.V. [J.P.] Bickford, I.N. Lowell, and B.B. Plummer. (Jesse P. Bickford (1844-1910) was principal of the Milton Classical Institute; and John N. Lowell (1846-1903) was a Congregational minister).

UNITY LODGE, NO. 62, at Union Village, is my home Lodge. I have attended all of its communications for a long time, with very few exceptions. Formerly this Lodge had the reputation of closely adhering to all the proprieties of Masonry, and I hope it is not without its merits at the present time. Until recently the Lodge has had but little work to do so it was about impossible to make rapid progress in everything commendable, but now we have work and interest sufficient for perfecting ourselves, and if we are not as we should be, we have no good excuse. We are pleased to receive visits from any of the Craft, and invite criticism upon our proficiency. At our regular communication of May 1st, 1879, District Grand Lecturer, Brother L.M. Nute, visited our Lodge, and in his usual agreeable and impressive manner conferred the third degree which was much enjoyed by the brethren. Brother Nute paid us a compliment, by saying our work was the best he had witnessed for a long time. Our records are fully and properly kept by Brother B.B. PLUMMER, our Secretary of long standing. Financially, we are comfortably situated, having quite a fund at interest with monthly accumulations. … Respectfully submitted, CHARLES A. VARNEY, D.D.G.M. (NH Grand Lodge, 1879).  

Son Bard B. Plummer, Jr., was born in Milton, October 22, 1879.

UNION. The following officers of Unity No. 62 A.F.A. Masons were publicly installed by Right Worshipful District Deputy Grand Master, Charles A. Varney, assisted by Daniel S. Burley, as Grand Marshal, on Thursday evening last: Asa M. Brackett, W.M.; Chas. W. Horne, S.W.; John E. Scruton, E.W.; Chaplain L. Smith, Treas.; Bard B. Plummer, Sec.; Frank B. Drew, S.D.; Fred E. Stevens, J.D.; Rev. Geo. O. Jenness, Chap.; Jacob S. Adams, Mar.; A.H. Chamberlain, S.S.; G.B. Corson, J.S.; James W. Nutter, Organist; Geo. W. Dicey, Tyler; Charles C. Hayes, Rep to the G.L. At the close of the installation ceremonies, a supper and ball were in order, and a very pleasant time was enjoyed by all. The members of this Lodge have recently re-furnished their lodge room with a set of solid black walnut furniture, at an expense of nearly two hundred dollars which adds very much to the beauty of the room (Farmington News, March 5, 1880).

Bard B. Plumer, a farmer, aged thirty-three years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Tenth (1880) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Eliza D. Plumer, keeping house, aged twenty-eight years (b. MA), and his children, Lucia C. Plumer, at house, aged three years (b. NH), Fannie W. Plumer, at house, aged one year (b. NH), and Bard B. Plumer, at house, aged seven months (b. NH (October [1879])). They shared a two-family residence with the household of [his father,] Enoch W. Plummer, a farmer, aged sixty-five years (b. NH). Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Joseph Plummer, aged sixty years (b. NH) and Enoch S. Mason, a farmer, aged thirty-nine years (b. NH).

B.B. Plummer appeared in the Milton business directories of 1881, 1882, 1884, 1887, and 1889, as a Milton justice-of-the-peace. He appeared also on the Board of Education in 1889; and as a manufacturer of mowing machines, horse rakes &c in 1887 and 1889.

UNION. On Thursday eve, Feb. 24th, the officers of Unity Lodge, No. 62 A.F. and Accepted Masons, were installed by Charles A. Varney, D.D.G. Master, as follows: W.M., Asa M. Brackett; S.W., Leroy J. Cooper; J.W., George W. Burleigh; Treasurer, Jacob S. Adams; Secretary, Bard B. Plummer; Marshal, Frank B. Drew; S.D., Charles A. Varney; J.D., Daniel S. Burleigh; S.S., Thomas C. Burleigh. The Chaplain, J.S., and Tyler were installed by proxy. The installation was a public one and was well attended. A supper was furnished by the fraternity at the close (Farmington News, March 4, 1881).

Plummer belonged also to the National Grange of the Order of Patrons [or Knights] of Husbandry. The Grange was an agriculturally-oriented social organization that sought also to promote farm interests. Its offices were patterned, or at least named, after those of a medieval English grange or farm estate.

UNION. Officers elect of Lowell Lodge, No. 1185, K. of H., are as follows: Dictator, C.W. Horne; A.D., J.E. Hayes; V.D., Geo. E. Drawbridge; Reporter, Frank B. Drew; Fin. Rep., Edwin W. Jenkins; Treas., John E. Scruton; Guide, Horace H. Moulton; Chap., Bard B. Plummer, Rep. to Grand Lodge, Chas. W. Horne; Alternate, Frank B. Drew (Farmington News, January 23, 1885).

Daughter Orinda Plummer was  born in Milton, June 9, 1886. She was a namesake for her paternal grandmother, Orinda (Ayers) Plummer.

This [Unity Lodge, No. 62, A.F. and A.M. of Union] lodge has been instituted nearly thirty-two years, yet all of its past masters are living, and only two of the charter members have died, Dr. William B. Reynolds and Joseph Sharpe. The membership is now one hundred and twenty-five. Bro. Bard B. Plummer has held the office of secretary for seventeen years, and Charles W. Horne has filled more chairs than any other member, having held every office except secretary, treasurer, and marshal. Brothers Asa M. Brackett and Charles A. Varney have each served several terms as district deputy grand lecturer, and as district deputy grand master for this (No. 6) district (Merrill, 1889).

As an active supporter of the Republican party he has figured conspicuously in public affairs. For five years he was a member of the School Board (Biographical Review, 1897).

The Milton Board of Education for 1889 was B.B. Plummer, Charles D. Jones, and William E. Pillsbury. (Charles D. Jones (1863-1908); and William E. Pillsbury (1845-1907) were both physicians).

UNION. The following officers of Unity Lodge, No. 63, A.F. & A.M., were installed by Past D.D. Grand Master, Asa M. Brackett, on Thursday evening: W.M., J. Frank Farnham; S.W., Frank H. Moore; J.W., Myran L. Johnson; treasurer, Fred E. Stevens; secretary, Bard B. Plummer; marshal, Frank B. Drew; chaplain, Charles W. Horne; S.D., Geo. W. Burleigh, J.D., John C. Penney; S.S., Joseph L. Johnson; J.S., A.H. Chamberlain; tyler, J.F. Moore; representative to grand lodge, Frank B. Drew (Farmington News, February 14, 1890).

The Milton Board of Education for 1890 was W.E. Pillsbury, Rev. Frank Haley, and B.B. Plummer. (William E. Pillsbury (1845-1907) was a physician; and Rev. Frank Haley (1835-1904) was a Congregational minister and husband of Plummer’s sister, Sarah (Plummer) Haley (1846-1931)).

The Milton Board of Education for 1891 was W.E. Pillsbury, B.B. Plummer, and I.A. Cook. (William E. Pillsbury (1845-1907) was a physician; and Ira A. Cook (1843-1898) was a farmer).

Bard B. Plummer ran in the election for Strafford County Sheriff in November 1892.

He was Sheriff of Strafford County from 1892 to 1894, during which time he had charge of the jail in Dover, and was appointed Deputy Sheriff by his successor, James E. Hayes (Biographical Review, 1897).

MILTON. Bard B. Plummer was elected sheriff by the republicans of Strafford county (Farmington News, November 18, 1892).

The NH Grange’s Worthy Secretary reported to its Worthy Master that twenty-six grange chapters had been organized during the year ending September 30, 1892. The Lewis W. Nute Grange (No. 193) in Milton was one of them. It was formed with Bard B. Plummer as Master, and thirty charter members. W.K. Norton was its Lecturer, and William A. Jones was its Secretary (NH General Court, 1893). (Plummer’s son, Bard B. Plummer, Jr., would be Master in his turn in or before 1905).

The office of Master corresponded roughly with that of a president in other organizations, the overseer with a vice-president, and the gatekeeper with a sergeant-at-arms. Lecturers were instructors and Stewards were responsible for a Grange’s property and effects.

MILTON. Lewis W. Nute grange organized Friday night, twenty-six members, by Frank P. Wentworth of Rochester. Officers elected and installed: B.B. Plummer, master; Fred P. Jones, overseer; C.A. Jones, secretary; Dr. M.A.H. Hart, treasurer; W.K. Norton, lecturer; Miss F.A. Ober, assistant lecturer; Miss Birdie B. Harte, chaplain; S.E. Twombly, steward; R.H. Shaw, assistant steward; Miss Sarah L. Benson, lady assistant steward; Mrs. B.B. Plummer, Ceres; Mrs. W.K. Norton, Pomona; Miss Minnie Woodman, Flora; L.C. Hayes, gatekeeper (Farmington News, December 23, 1892).

The female Grange offices of Ceres, Pomona, and Flora symbolized the mythological three Graces. The Ceres was responsible for ceremonially draping the Grange’s charter, and the other two for decorating with fruit and flowers, respectively. They sat at the head table with the other principal officers. (One might note that, in some cases at least, they were the wives of those principal officers).

Plummer won the November 1892 Sheriff election with 4,468 votes (50.2%), while William S. Hayes received 4,269 votes (48.0%), Alfred W. Jones received 162 votes (1.8%), and John G. Johnston received 1 vote (0.0%) (Farmington News, January 13, 1893).

THE OFFICIAL VOTE. The last official returns of the election for Strafford county officers was made to the county clerk Dec. 6 and he read them at the Law term the following day. The vote in the county was: For solicitor – Wm. F. Nason, 4533; Samuel D. Felker, 4266; Geo. W. Benn, 137; Geo. R. Renn, 8. For sheriff – Bard B. Plummer, 4468; Wm. S. Hayes, 4269; Alfred W. Jones, 162; John G. Johnson, 1. For treasurer – Geo. D. Nowell, 4390; Geo G. Nowell, 39; Ichabod B. Berry, 4228; Joseph P. Swasey, 149. For register of deeds – Frank S. Tompkins, 4797; Michael R. Sullivan, 3972; Wm. H. Courser, 110. For register of probate – Wm. W. Martin, 4379; Charles S. Clifford, 4284; John A. Fall, 126. For county commissioners – Wm. W. Cushman, 4510; John N. Haines, 4379; John B. Philbrick, 4462; Frank P. Reeve, 4111; John P. Hall, 4096; Henry J. Grimes, 4158; John Bartlett, 138; Nathan O. Sanborn, 122; Frederick R.S. Mildon, 125 ; F.R.S., Meldon, 3 (Farmington News, January 13, 1893).

One may note that Geo. W. Benn and Geo. R. Renn were alternate spellings of the same name, the second being a misspelling. The same was the case also with Geo. D. Nowell and Geo. G. Nowell; and with Frederick R.S. Mildon and F.R.S. Meldon.

UNION. At the annual meeting of Unity Lodge the following officers were elected for the ensuing year: W.M., Bard B. Plummer; S.W., Myron L. Johnson; J.W., William M. Lord; treasurer, Fred E. Stevens; secretary, J. Frank Farnham; representative to grand lodge, J. Frank Farnham. Bard B. Plummer, the master elect, has faithfully served the lodge as secretary for the past nineteen years, and he is well worthy of this promotion. The lodge has also done well in selecting the retiring master to succeed Mr. Plummer as secretary. The officers will be publicly installed Feb. 16 (Farmington News, February 3, 1893).

The following apprehension of a murder suspect sounded initially like a hopeful development for Sheriff Plummer but turned out to be a case of mistaken identity. (The forensic use of fingerprints, although on the horizon, lay still in the future).

HELD FOR HORSE STEALING. Man Arrested in Pulaski, Tenn., Who Is Believed to Be Julius H. McArthur, a New Hampshire Murderer. DOVER, N.H., Oct 22- Sheriff Bard D. Plummer of Milton has received a letter from the sheriff of Pulaski, Tenn., asking what reward was offered for the capture of Julius H. McArthur, alias Simpson, alias Dorsey, who murdered Deputy Sheriff Charles H. Smith of Barrington in Strafford, May 6, 1891. Gov. John B. Smith also has received a letter from J.M. McDonald, chief of police of Pulaski, Tenn., which gives an exact description of the much-wanted criminal. The letters are now in the possession of Atty. Gen. Edwin G. Eastman, who is in communication with the officials of Pulaski. Mr. Eastman has telegraphed the officials there to hold the man and to send him a photograph of the prisoner at once. The man is under arrest at Pulaski for horse stealing, under the name of Dorsey, and the attorney general is of the opinion, from the description received, that the man is McArthur. The McArthur ease was one of the most celebrated, and certainly one of the most sensational ever brought before a justice in New Hampshire. On May 5, 1591, Julius McArthur stole a team from near Rochester, owned by J.W. Kendall of Enosburg Falls, Vt. On the following day a posse was organized, and, headed by Deputy Sheriff Charles H. Smith, they followed the track of the thief into the town of Strafford, about seven miles from Rochester. Smith caught sight of McArthur, and immediately grappled with him, but not so effectually as to prevent McArthur from drawing a revolver, with which he fatally wounded the deputy sheriff with a bullet in the side. Smith, in spite of his wound, hung on to McArthur, and he was finally overpowered by the posse, and lodged in the Dover jail. The next day after his arrest McArthur tried to commit suicide by opening a vein in his right arm. The jailor discovered the attempt just in time to save the man’s life. The prisoner refused to eat his food, and appeared to be a very sick man. McArthur was then removed from the prison to the hospital. On the evening of July 7, 1891, a little while after jailer Libby had gone away in search of a physician for another prisoner. Mrs. Libby sent his little girl to McArthur’s cell to carry him an evening paper, when it was discovered that he had sprung the lock to the door and escaped. Telegrams were scattered broadcast throughout New England, and a reward of $100 was offered for his capture (Boston Globe, October 23, 1894).

B.B. Plummer appeared in the Milton business directories of 1894, and 1898, as a Milton justice-of-the-peace. He appeared also as a manufacturer of mowing machines, horse rakes &c in 1894 and 1898.

MILTON. Miss May Smart of Ossipee Centre is visiting Fannie Plummer (Farmington News, August 17, 1894).

Mr. and Mrs. Bard B. Plummer were raised or promoted to the NH Grange’s Sixth Degree at White’s Opera House in Concord, NH, on the second day of its convention there, December 19, 1894 (NH State Grange, 1894).

LOCALS. The following is the full list of deputy sheriffs, as appointed by Sheriff Hayes: George W. Parker and James H. Davis of Dover, Bard B. Plummer of Milton, Henry F. Walker and Frank I. Smith of Rochester, James S. McDaniel of Somersworth, and Jabez Stevens of Durham. … Sheriff James E. Hayes took charge of affairs at the jail at Dover, Monday. Saturday there was a revolt against Jailor Scales among a portion of the prisoners, which continued up to the time Sheriff Hayes took charge of affairs. He took the handcuffs from the prisoners, gave them something to eat, and soon had them on their good behavior (Farmington News, April 5, 1895).

Mother Orinda P. (Ayers) Plummer died of a liver abscess in Milton, April 18, 1895, aged seventy-seven years, eight months, and twelve days. M.A.H. Hart, M.D., signed the death certificate.

MILTON. The funeral of Mrs. Enoch Plumer occurred Saturday afternoon. She leaves a husband and five children (Farmington News, [Friday,] April 26, 1895).

Father Enoch W. Plummer died of cirrhosis of the liver in Milton, June 18, 1896, aged eighty-one years, two months, and fourteen days. M.A.H. Hart, M.D., signed the death certificate.

HERE AND THERE. Mr. and Mrs. John S. Roberts attended on Sunday the funeral of deacon Enoch W. Plumer of Milton, who was a citizen truly well known (Farmington News, June 26, 1896).

John S. Roberts’ first wife had been Enoch W. Plummer’s youngest daughter, Susan (Plummer) Roberts (1854-1878). (He married (2nd) in Farmington, NH, December 26, 1883, [Mary] Ella Pearl [(1848-1905)], both of Farmington, NH).

MILTON NEWS-LETTER. Misses Lucy and Fannie Plummer of Plummer’s ridge are entertaining their friends Misses Marion and Martha Ober of South Natick, Mass. … A pleasant social gathering of young people occurred at the house of B.B. Plummer, Monday evening (Farmington News, August 20, 1897).

He is [in 1897] a member of the Board of Trustees of the Nute High School of Milton (Biographical Review, 1897).

NH Governor Frank W. Rollins invented and promoted Old Home Week reunion celebrations throughout New Hampshire in 1899. B.B. Plummer was president of Milton’s committee and C.H. Cole was its secretary (NH Department of Agriculture, 1901). (Charles H. Cole (1852-1936) appeared in the Milton directory of 1900, as a shoe burnisher, with his house on So. Main street, at its corner with Toppan street).

Bard B. Plummer, a farmer, aged fifty-three years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Twelfth (1900) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of twenty-four years), Eliza D. Plummer, aged fifty-one years (b. MA), his children, Lucia C. Plummer, aged twenty-three years (b. NH), Fannie W. Plummer, aged twenty-one years (b. NH), Bard B. Plummer, Jr., aged twenty years (b. NH), and Orinda Plummer, at school, aged twelve years (b. NH), and his boarder, Christie L. Jones, a farm laborer, aged fifty-eight years (b. NH). Bard B. Plummer owned their farm, free-and-clear. Eliza D. Plummer was the mother of four children, of whom four were still living. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Fred P. Jones, a farmer, aged forty years (b. NH), and Joseph Plummer, a farmer, aged eighty years (b. NH).

WEST MILTON. Miss Elfrida Peacock is spending the week at Milton Ridge, as the guest of her friend Miss Orinda Plummer. Miss Peacock, a graduate this June of Nute high school, expects to take an extended course at a Normal school this fall (Farmington News, July 20, 1900).

B.B. Plummer appeared in the Milton business directories of 1901, 1904, 1905-06, and 1909, as a Milton justice-of-the-peace. He appeared also as a manufacturer of mowing machines, horse rakes &c in those same years.

Mrs. B.B. Plummer donated $1.00 to the Pennsylvania Prison Society, at sometime between March 1, 1902, and February 28, 1903 (Pennsylvania Prison Society, 1903).

Milton sent Bard B. Plummer as its delegate to New Hampshire’s Eighth Constitutional Convention, which met in Concord, NH, December 2, 1902. The convention drafted ten proposed amendments to the NH Constitution, which then went on the statewide ballot for approval. Four of them were passed in 1904 by the electorate at large, while six of them were rejected. The summary titles of the proposed amendments were: 1) Educational qualifications for voting, 2) Examination of military officers, 3) Appointment of Commissary General (rejected), 4) Extension of taxation, 5) Extension of police court jurisdiction (rejected), 6) Elimination of “Protestant,” etc., from Bill of Rights (rejected), 7) Woman’s suffrage (rejected), 8) Regulation of trusts, 9) Reduction of legislature (rejected), and 10) Voting precincts (rejected) (NH Constitutional Convention, 1918).

B.B. Plummer was one of the “promoters” of the Milton & Lebanon Building Association, when it was incorporated in February 1904.

Maine Corporations. Milton & Lebanon Building Association, Lebanon – Capital, $10,000. Promoters, F.H. Thayer, Boston; Joseph H. Avery, B.B. Plummer, J. Gardner Alden, Milton; Ira W. Jones, Lebanon (Boston Globe, February 29, 1904).

B.B. Plummer of Milton bought a thoroughbred Guernsey bull named Johnnie Bull (H.R. No. 9013) from Montgomery Rollins in 1904 (American Guernsey Cattle Club, 1904). This was perhaps the beginning of the stock farm he ran in 1917. Montgomery Rollins was a Boston banker, with his house at Chestnut Hill.

MILTON. Miss Lucia C. Plummer is in Boston, Mass., for a visit (Farmington News, April 1, 1904).

Lewis W. Nute Grange. A special meeting of Lewis W. Nute grange, Milton, was held June 18. A very interesting entertainment was given by the children under the direction of Mrs. Annie O. Willey, Miss Fanny W. Plummer and Mrs. Catherine Dove. At the regular meeting of the grange, June 22, the third and fourth degrees were conferred upon two candidates (Farmington News, July 2, 1904).

Lewis W. Nute Grange. A very instructive as well as entertaining meeting was held Aug. 10. The subject was New Hampshire. The various natural features of the state were taken up by essays, as was also its noted men and musicians. Selections were read from New Hampshire poets, and the music composed by New Hampshire composers was rendered (New England Farmer (Boston, MA), August 27, 1904).

MILTON. Miss Orinda Plummer has accepted a position in the office of Spaulding Bros. (Farmington News, September 16, 1904).

The Milton selectmen of 1906 were J.H. Avery, B.B. Plummer, and E.A. Wentworth. (Joseph H. Avery (1844-1937) was then postmaster; and Edgar A. Wentworth (1856-1932) was a teamster).

Son Bard B. Plummer, Jr., married in Sanbornton, NH, August 20, 1906, Ruth L. Fall, both of Milton. He was a farmer, aged twenty-six years, and she was a teacher, aged nineteen years. Rev. Elisha H. Wright performed the ceremony. (Rev. Wright would be elected to the NH House of Representatives several months later (Hartford Courant (Hartford, CT), November 8, 1906)). She was born in Milton, circa 1886, daughter of George G. and Lizzie (Lyman) Fall.

PERSONAL. Hearty good wishes attend the marriage, on August 19th, of Miss Ruth Lyman Fall to Bard B. Plummer, Jr., both of Milton (Farmington News, August 31, 1906).

MIDDLETON. Mr. and Mrs. Bard B. Plummer gave a reception last Saturday evening from 8 until 10 o’clock at their home in Milton, in honor of Mr. and Mrs. Bard B. Plummer, Jr., who were recently married. The house was filled to overflowing, and the young bride looked very lovely in her bridal gown. They were the recipients of many beautiful presents. Punch was served in the dining room throughout the evening and refreshments of cake and ice cream were served at the close of the reception. Guests were present from Milton, Milton Mills, Brookfield, Wakefield, Union, Middleton, Dover, Massachusetts and other places. The evening was much enjoyed by all (Farmington News, [Friday,] September 21, 1906).

Daughter Lucia C. Plummer married in Milton, September 20, 1906, George E. Fox, she of Milton and he of Acton, ME. He was a widowed farmer, aged thirty-seven years, and she was a teacher, aged twenty-nine years. Rev. Myron P. Dickey performed the ceremony. George E. Fox was born in Acton, ME, circa 1870, son of Henry L. and Sarah A. (Moulton) Fox.

The Milton selectmen of 1907 were B.B. Plummer, E.A. Wentworth, and H. Plummer. (Edgar A. Wentworth (1856-1932) was a teamster; and Hazen Plummer (1866-1935) was an inspector for the United Shoe Machinery Company).

B.B. Plummer of Milton bought Holstein-Frisian stock from Ashton Rollins in 1909 (Houghton, 1909).

Bard B. Plummer, a general farm farmer, aged sixty-three years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Thirteenth (1910) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Eliza D. Plummer, aged fifty-eight years (b. MA), his son, Bard B. Plummer, Jr., a home farm farmer, aged thirty years (b. NH), his daughter-in-law, Ruth L. Plummer, aged twenty-four years (b. NH), his daughter, Orinda Plummer, aged twenty-four years (b. NH), his granddaughter, Elizabeth Plummer, aged one year (b. NH), his sister-in-law, Fannie Littlefield, aged sixty-two years (b. MA), his nephew, Roscoe Littlefield, aged thirty-four years (b. CA), and his servant, John M. Smith, a general farm laborer, aged twenty-two years (b. VT).

In March 1911, the NH General Court approved the incorporation of the Nute Charitable Association (as set forth in the last will of Lewis W. Nute.

Section 1. That Everett F. Fox, Charles A. Jones, M.A.H. Hart, Harry L. Avery, Walter E. Looney, Charles D. Fox, Moses G. Chamberlain, and their successors are hereby made a body corporate by the name of the Nute Charitable Association, and shall have and enjoy all the powers and privileges and be subject to all the liabilities incident to corporations of a similar nature, and by that name may sue and be sued. Harry L. Avery or Charles A. Jones may call the first meeting of said association by letter mailed to each member of said association at least seven days prior to the date set for said first meeting (NH General Court, 1911a).

Section 1 was amended by the NH Senate to add the names Bard B. Plummer, and Joseph H. Avery after the name Harry L. Avery (NH General Court, 1911b).

B.B. Plummer appeared in the Milton business directories of 1912, and 1917, as a Milton justice-of-the-peace. He appeared also as a selectman in 1912, manufacturer of agricultural implements in 1912 and 1917, and proprietor of a stock farm in 1917.

Personal. Mr. and Mrs. Carl Thomas and Mrs. and Mrs. Leo Gilman motored to Milton Three Ponds Monday night and attended the dance given by the “Three of Us” club of that town. The Misses Susan Haley, Maud Carter and Orinda Plummer were hostesses (Farmington News, August 16, 1912).

WEST MILTON. The town went substantially republican in spite of a small vote. Selectmen elected were: Forest T. [L.] Marsh, Milton Mills, Bard B. Plummer, Milton, Fred Reynolds, West Milton; Everett F. Fox, town treasurer; Harry L. Avery, town clerk; Robert Page, member of school board for three years (Farmington News, March 16, 1917).

WEST MILTON. The town meeting at Milton drew out a big vote as the result of the sharp contest for the selection of the third selectman. The old board was re-elected, as follows: Selectmen, Forrest L. Marsh, Bard B. Plummer, James F. Reynolds; town clerk, Harry L. Avery; treasurer, Everett F. Fox. School meeting was held at the close of town meeting and Dr. M.A.H. Hart and Everett F. Fox were unanimously re-elected as member of the board of education and school treasurer, respectively (Farmington News, March 18, 1918).

Daughter Fanny W. Plummer married in Oakland, CA, January 4, 1919, Burge P. Littlefield. Rev. F.G. Van Horn performed the ceremony. Littlefield was born in CA, October 12, 1878, son of Charles A. and Mary F. (Wentworth) Littlefield. (His very name, Burge Plummer Littlefield, certainly suggests some prior connection to the Plummer family).

LOCAL. At the annual meeting Tuesday, the town of Milton unanimously elected a republican board of officers, as follows: Selectmen, Bard B. Plummer, Forrest L. Marsh, Fred Chamberlin; town clerk, Harry L. Avery, town treasurer, Everett F. Fox (Farmington News, March 14, 1919).

Bard B. Plummer died of lobar pneumonia on Plummer’s Ridge in Milton, October 22, 1919, aged seventy-three years, four months, and four days. James J. Buckley, M.D., signed the death certificate.

LOCAL. Deep regret is expressed throughout this community over the death of Bard B. Plummer, Sr., which occurred at his home on Plummer’s Ridge, Milton, Wednesday evening, following an attack of pneumonia. He was a native and lifelong resident of the town where his death occurred, having been born there 73 years ago. During his lifetime he was active and influential in the affairs of his community and had held and discharged honorably and faithfully the duties of most of the offices within the gift of his townspeople. The deceased was prominent in Masonic circles and possessed a wide and devoted acquaintance throughout the state. Sympathy from all quarters is tendered the bereaved widow, three daughters and one son, who survive. For many years the deceased was a member and deacon of the Congregational church at Milton. Funeral will be held from the home Saturday afternoon at two o’clock (Farmington News, October 24, 1919).

Daughter Orinda Plummer married in Manhattan, New York, NY, April 19, 1921, William G. Lyttle. He was born in Killoran, Sligo, Ireland, December 15, 1877, son of Robert and Frances “Fanny” (Burns) Lyttle. (He died in Rochester, NY, January 3, 1925).

Orinda P. [(Plummer)] Little, an electrical bookkeeper, aged forty-three years (b. NH), headed a Sharon, MA, household at the time of the Fifteenth (1930) Federal Census. Her household included her twin sons, William G. Little, aged eight years (b. MA), and Robert A. Little, aged eight years (b. MA), her mother, Eliza D. [(Wentworth)] Plummer, retired, aged seventy-eight years (b. MA), and her sister, Fanny W. [(Plummer)] Littlefield, a private family housekeeper, aged fifty-one years (b. NH). Orinda P. Little owned their house at 11 Crest Road, which was valued at $8,500. They did not have a radio set. All three women were widows, Orinda P. Little having married at thirty-four years of age, Eliza D. Plummer at twenty-three years of age, and Fanny W. Littlefield at forty years of age.

Eliza D. (Wentworth) Plummer died in Sharon, MA, March 12, 1931, aged seventy-nine years.

---

References:

American Guernsey Cattle Club. (1904). Herd Register. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=MNJIAAAAYAAJ&pg=RA1-PT442

Biographical Review Publishing. (1897). Biographical Review: Containing Life Sketches of Leading Citizens of Merrimack and Sullivan Counties, New Hampshire. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=C2sjAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA157

Find a Grave. (2017, October 19). Enoch W. Plumer. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/184409140/enoch-w-plumer

Houghton, Frederick L. (1909). Holstein-Frisian Register. Retrieved from

Merrill, Georgia D. (1889). History of Carroll County, New Hampshire. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=xmMKyZxlU5MC&pg=PA196

NH Constitutional Convention. (1918). Manual of the Constitutional Convention of 1918. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=jshGAQAAIAAJ&pg=PA215

NH Department of Agriculture. (1901). Report of the Board of Agriculture. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=BYgZAQAAIAAJ&pg=PA200

NH General Court. (1893). State of New Hampshire Annual Reports for 1893. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=P2obAQAAIAAJ&pg=PA241

NH General Court. (1911a). Journals of the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=vmQ3AQAAMAAJ&pg=RA1-PA726

NH General Court. (1911b). Journal of the House of Representatives of the State of New-Hampshire. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=iT8tAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA317

NH Grand Lodge. (1870). Journal of Proceedings of the M. W. Grand Lodge of the Ancient and Honorable Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons, of the State of New Hampshire. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=smUtAQAAMAAJ&pg=RA1-PA83

NH Grand Lodge. (1879). Journal of Proceedings of the M. W. Grand Lodge of the Ancient and Honorable Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons, of the State of New Hampshire. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=EGQtAQAAMAAJ&pg=RA1-PA39

NH State Grange. (1894). Journal of Proceedings of the New Hampshire State Grange. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=nmkkAQAAMAAJ&pg=RA5-PA87

Pennsylvania Prison Society. (1903). Journal of Prison Discipline and Philanthropy. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=7vI_AQAAMAAJ&pg=RA5-PA89

Wikipedia. (2021, July 30). National Grange of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry. Retrieved from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Grange_of_the_Order_of_Patrons_of_Husbandry

By Muriel Bristol | October 3, 2021

In his June 1879 report, the NH Superintendent of Instruction provided some statistics regarding Milton.

Milton’s town school committee members were identified as being J.V. [J.P.] Bickford (1844-1910), I.N. [J.N.] Lowell (1846-1903), and B.B. Plummer (1846-1919).

Milton had 11 school districts and 12 schools in town, 1 of which was a graded schools and 1 a town high school. There were 12 schoolhouses, and none that were unfit for use. Maps and globes were available in 2 schoolhouses. The value of schoolhouses, furnishings and sites was estimated at $8,000, and the value of apparatus was estimated at $100. Only 2 of the district schools had an average of 12 scholars of less; and none had an average of 6 scholars or less. The average run of district school classes was 16.5 weeks. (The Strafford County average was 22.64 weeks).

Milton had 1 fractional school district. It paid $51.00 in superintendence. Some 30 students had no absences during the year. It had 5 students attending private schools.

Milton had 180 male and 140 female students enrolled. Of these, 20 were aged under six years, 277 were aged between 6 and 16 years, and 23 were aged over 16 years. There were 40 students pursuing higher branches, and there were 6 students aged between 5 and 15 years that were not attending any school. Average daily attendance was 230 students.

There was 1 male teacher, making an average of $50 per month, and 17 female teachers, making an average of $25.00 per month. Of these, 2 were teaching for the first time, and 8 had been teachers for more than one term. (One might infer that the remaining 8 had been teachers already for a single prior term). Of these, 1 of them had been to Normal school. Of 242 Strafford County teachers, only 19 (7.6%) had been to Normal school).

Under the heading Private Schools of a Higher Grade, Milton had its Classical Institute, which was situated at Milton Three Ponds. It had been chartered and organized in 1866. The value of its building, apparatus and grounds was $2,800. It had a 44-week school year, which began in September. It had no male teachers and 2 female teachers; and it had 17 male and 31 female students. Of these, 37 of them were NH residents, 18 of them were pursuing higher branches.

The school committee had available to it $3,980.17; of which $1,392.89 came from the town tax for support of schools, $2,234.68 came from district school taxes, $116.45 came from the literary fund, $159.00 came from local funds and the dog tax, $77.05 came from the railroad tax, and $0.00 came from contributions.

Milton expended $910.15 for new buildings, $1,327.13 in interest, $150.00 in permanent repairs, $0.oo in miscellaneous expenses; and $1,341.85 in teacher salaries, for a grand total of $3,780.13. The average cost of salaries and miscellaneous expenses per scholar was $4.37. (The county average cost per scholar was $7.55).

---

Previous in sequence: Milton in NH Education Report, 1878; next in sequence: Milton in NH Education Report, 1881

---

References:

NH Superintendent of Public Instruction. (1879). Annual Report of the Superintendent of Public Instruction. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=eiQlAQAAIAAJ