By Muriel Bristol | December 23, 2023
Here may be found mentions of some Milton Christmas activities from the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries:
Acton. The F.W. Baptist church joined with the churches of Milton Mills in a Christmas tree at Fox’s Hall (Sanford Journal-Tribune (Biddeford, ME), December 26, 1895).
ACTON. There is to be a Christmas cantata at Milton Mills Christmas eve. … Walter Wentworth and Henry Paris belong to B.J. Grant’s singing class at Milton Mills (Sanford Journal-Tribune (Biddeford, ME), December 9, 1897).
CHRISTMAS GREENS. A Beautiful Custom Which Comes to Us From the Romans. The fashion of decking the house with greens as we do at Christmas dates back into old Roman times when a feast in honor of Saturn was celebrated and the temples of the dwellings were dressed with green boughs – possibly a remnant of that tree worship which “in itself’ says Ruskin, “I believe was always healthy” when “the flowers and trees are themselves beheld and beloved with a half worshiping delight which is always noble and healthful.” The plants most in demand for church decoration at Christmas time in England as well as in this country are holly, bay and laurel. English holly is sometimes imported, but the American holly, which come from Virginia and other sections of the south, is a very good substitute for it. The bay is the rarest plant of the three in this country, but ground laurel is commonly sold and is one of the most effective of the Christmas greens. In decorating a room with Christmas greens it should be remembered that a very slight touch of color should be used with green and that the most objectionable of all things is too profuse decoration. Christmas greens are usually kept till after Twelfth Night which occurs on Jan 6, and they should certainly be cleared away by the 2d of February, or Candlemas day, or otherwise, as tradition says a goblin will appear for every green leaf left behind. It certainly must have been a slovenly housewife who would leave her Christmas greens up for so many weeks and goblins of discontent and uncleanliness would be sure to invade such a house. – Philadelphia Times (Sanford Journal-Tribune (Biddeford, ME), February 18, 1898).
MILTON, N.H. The churches are getting ready for their Christmas concerts (Sanford Journal-Tribune (Biddeford, ME), December 19, 1902).
WEST MILTON. The Inasmuch society entertained the children Thursday afternoon and evening at the chapel. Games were played until 5.30, when the children marched to the dining room where tables laden with many dainties met the eager eyes of the children. A Christmas cake with the words “Merry Christmas” was on a table in the centre of the room, surrounded by burning candles of all colors. As the children left the dining room they were given a piece of the Christmas cake. In the evening a short program and Christmas tree were very much enjoyed by all (Farmington News, January 1, 1904).
MILTON, N.H. – The senior class of the Nute High School held a Christmas sale of Candy, fancy goods, etc., at the high school hall last Friday evening (Sanford Journal-Tribune (Biddeford, ME), December 20, 1907).
MILTON MILLS. MERRY CHRISTMAS. The young people of the Free Baptist society presented the comedy drama “The Country Minister,’’ to a large and appreciative audience Monday evening, Dec. 14, in Central hall. The parts were all well taken. There were also specialties between the acts: Solos by Mrs. Eula Buckley, of Milton, and W.E. King, of Deerfield; piano duets by Misses Mary Wentworth and Bessie M. Lewis, and Miss Wentworth and Arthur Berry; reading by George G. Leatherbarrow and a dialogue of local hits by Dr. Grant and Chellis V. Grant (Sanford Journal-Tribune (Biddeford, ME), December 24, 1904).
West Milton. At the close of the West Milton school for the Xmas holidays, the annual Christmas tree and exercises were held in the presence of a large number of parents and friends. The decorations were extremely tasty and appropriate and the tree presented a very beautiful spectacle with its trimmings and loads of presents that made many happy little hearts. At the close of the program and distribution of presents, hot chocolate and fancy cakes were served. Mrs. C.B. Canney, the teacher, is spending the holidays with her parents in Dover (Farmington News, December 29, 1911).
West Milton. Mrs. Alice Canney, teacher of the West Milton school, had a Christmas tree at the schoolhouse for the children, inviting the neighbors and friends. The children did themselves great credit in the program, the exercises being excellent. Coffee, cocoa and assorted cake were served to guests and pupils by the teacher. The decorations were very handsome and evidenced a great deal of thought and work on the part of the teacher (Farmington News, December 25, 1914).
West Milton. The West Milton school will close this Friday for the annual two weeks’ Christmas recess. A Christmas tree and appropriate exercises will be held at the schoolhouse on Friday evening (Farmington News, December 17, 1915).
West Milton. The Christmas tree and exercises given at the chapel Monday evening were well attended. A fine literary and musical program was furnished by pupils of Nute Ridge school under direction of the teacher, Miss Ferne McGregor. Presents were distributed among the children of the Sunday school (Farmington News, [Friday,] December 29, 1916).
A Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!
See also A West Milton Christmas – 1915
Milton Observer 
Good morning,
I would love to ask some questions concerning the Lyman family. Is this a good avenue for doing so?
Thanks.
Donna Turk
LikeLike
Ms. Turk,
Well, Ms. Bristol has certainly written about several prominent Lymans, notably in South Milton Miller T.C. Lyman (1770-1863), South Milton Farmer Theodore Lyman (1812-1891), South Milton Representative John D. Lyman (1823-1902), and South Milton Commissioner George Lyman (1827-1900). She is still trying to determine who was the Lyman of “Lyman & Scates.”
She has been focused largely on explaining who are the Milton people featured in old County histories and lists. She may be willing to turn aside for a bit to answer your question(s). What are they?
John S. Frum
LikeLike