By Muriel Bristol | August 11, 2024
The National Grange (or the National Grange of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry) “is a social organization in the United States that encourages families to band together to promote the economic and political well-being of the community and agriculture” (Wikipedia, 2024).
Milton had three subordinate or community Granges – the Lewis W. Nute Grange, No. 193, at Milton; the Pleasant Valley Grange, No. 272, at Milton Mills; and the Nute Ridge Grange, No. 316, at West Milton. These local community granges, and others, such as Rochester’s Rochester Grange, No. 86, Wakefield’s Lovell Union Grange, No. 178, Farmington’s Henry W. Wilson Grange, No. 205, and Middleton’s Reunion Grange, No. 303, were subordinates to (or parts of) the Eastern N.H. Pomona (or regional) grange. The various regional Pomona granges were parts of the NH State Grange.
Certain Grange offices, such as the “Three Graces,” i.e., the Ceres (representing grain), the Pomona (representing fruit), and the Flora (representing flowers), as well as the Lady Assistant Steward, were reserved for female Grange members. (See also Milton Delegate Bard B. Plummer (1846-1919) for a description of these Grange offices).
The Lewis W. Nute Grange was formed in Milton, on Friday, December 16, 1892, with twenty-nine charter members. Its sequence number in the formation of local subordinate Granges was #193 (NH State Grange, 1892). It was named in honor of Milton’s Lewis W. Nute (1820-1888).
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.O. Hayes, gate keeper (Farmington News, December 23, 1892).
NEW ENGLAND NEWS. The grange appears to be booming in New Hampshire. A new one has been instituted in Greenland with E.A. Libby, Master, and 60 charter members and the Lewis W. Nute Grange has been organized at Milton with 30 charter members and B.B. Plummer, Master (Fall River Daily Evening News (Fall River, MA), December 30, 1892).
MILTON. Three new members were admitted to the Lewis W. Nute Grange, Aug. 23 (Farmington News, September 1, 1893).
MILTON. Lewis W. Nute Grange entertained the Eastern Pomona Grange, Thursday afternoon of last week. Public exercises were held in the afternoon and a closed session in the evening (Farmington News, November 16, 1894).
NEW HAMPSHIRE. Past Pomona master Frank P. Wentworth of Rochester, spoke May 12th before Lewis W. Nute grange of Milton on the benefits of the grange (New England Farmer (Boston, MA), May 29, 1897).
NEW HAMPSHIRE. EASTERN NEW HAMPSHIRE Pomona met with Crown Point grange recently when the hall was filled to overflowing. The program was especially well rendered. The next meeting will be with Lewis W. Nute grange of Wilton [Milton], January 6th (New England Farmer (Boston, MA), December 11, 1897).
The Pleasant Valley Grange was formed in Milton Mills, on Wednesday, February 1, 1899, with twenty-two charter members. Its sequence number in the formation of local subordinate Granges was #272 (NH State Grange, 1899).
GRANGERS. Eastern N.H. Pomona Grange will meet next Wednesday, April 23, with Lewis W. Nute grange at Milton with the open session at two o’clock. The exercises are to be: Invocation, Rev. M.P. Dickey; piano duet, Mrs. Emma C. Jones and Ruth Fall; greeting by Fred P. Jones, master of L.W. Nute grange; response, Special Deputy G.R. Drake; recitation, Lura Berry; address, Agricultural Education, Prof. W.D. Gibbs, Durham; vocal solo, George Palmer; discussion, Of what advantage is a good education, and Does the farmer need special education? Mrs. Nellie D. Sanborn, Irving B. Berry, vocal solo, Dr. M.A.H. Hart; address, Chaplain Edwin Blake of Crown Point; paper by Dr. F.I. Smith; Cornucopia Vol. 17, No. 4, Mrs. Emma C. Jones; vocal solo, George H. Tilton. The closed session will be at 7.30 o’clock p.m. Mrs. Anna G. Weeks, lecturer, Miss Lucia Gordon of Farmington is lady assistant steward for this Pomona grange (Farmington News, April 18, 1902).
The Lewis W. Nute Grange had a float in the Milton Centennial parade. it was trimmed with bunting and carried farming tools (Farmington News, September 5, 1902).
STRAFFORD CORNER. Mr. and Mrs. John S. Brock and Mr. and Mrs. C.F. Foss attended the installation of officers of the Lewis W. Nute grange at Milton Wednesday evening of last week, and also the installation of officers of Bow Lake grange Friday evening (Farmington News, January 23, 1903).
MILTON, N.H. Lewis W. Nute Grange will be well represented at the Pomona Grange meeting in Farmington one week from Thursday (Sanford Journal-Tribune (Biddeford, ME), October 30, 1903).
MILTON. Lewis W. Nute grange accepted an invitation to visit Pleasant Valley grange of Milton Mills to witness their installation of officers. Those who attended were well paid for their cold ride. After the exercises refreshments were served, and at a late hour the visitors reluctantly bade their entertainers goodnight and started on their homeward journey. As their progress was necessarily slow, owing to the badly drifted roads, the way was enlivened by the relating of numerous stories and all agreed that the driver bore off the palm as raconteur (Farmington News, February 12, 1904).
Our Grange Homes. 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 (New England Farmer (Boston, MA), July 2, 1904).
Our Grange Homes. Lewis W. Nute grange. B. B. Plummer, jr., M.; James F. Doe, O.: Lizzie L. Fall, L.; Harvey W. Dorp, S.; Carl Keene, A.S.; M.P. Dickey, C: W.E. Tarbell, T.; Charles H. Cole, Sec; J.W. Johnson, G.K.; Annie O. Willey, P.; Mary F. Jones, Cora Hudson, C; C.M. Dore, L.A.S. (New England Farmer (Boston, MA), January 7, 1905).
NEW HAMPSHIRE. Grange Notes. Lewis W. Nute grange observed patriotic night at last meeting by the reading of patriotic selections, singing of national hymns, and an essay on the origin of the flag by Mrs. Nellie Webber. The hall was appropriately decorated (New England Farmer (Boston, MA), July 22, 1905).
NEW HAMPSHIRE GRANGE NOTES. Lewis W. Nute grange of Milton was entertained at its last meeting, by poems on grain, fruit and flowers, and were then refreshed with food provided by the Court ladies (Lewiston Sun-Journal (Lewiston, ME), August 30, 1906).
MILTON, N.H. The Lewis W Nute grange held their annual installation of officers last Wednesday night with invited delegations from Center Lebanon, Me., and East Rochester (Sanford Journal-Tribune (Biddeford, ME), February 1, 1907).
MILTON. Yesterday was a banner day for the Lewis W. Nute grange as it celebrated its fifteenth anniversary at that time and in response to an invitation the Eastern New Hampshire pomona held their sessions with this grange. There was a secret session in the morning and an open session in the afternoon when the double installation of the officers of the Pomona and the local grange took place. Appropriate addresses were made by prominent members of the Pomona and local granges. Dinner was served for the visiting guests and the occasion will be long remembered as one of the greatest events in the history of the local grange (Sanford Journal-Tribune (Biddeford, ME), January 17, 1908).
MILTON. Children’s night was observed by Lewis W. Nute grange at the A.O.U.W. hall Saturday night. About 40 children participated in the exercises and a very enjoyable literary program was given under the direction 0f Mrs. Ira W. Jones and Mrs. J.D. Willey. There were refreshments of ice cream and cake (Sanford Journal-Tribune (Biddeford, ME), June 26, 1908).
The Nute Ridge Grange was formed in West Milton, on Friday, October 13, 1911, with thirty charter members. Its sequence number in the formation of local subordinate Granges was #316. Its initial Grange Master was Edwin P. Tripp, its Lecturer was Mrs. Annie B. Gale, and its Secretary was Samuel Gale (NH State Grange, 1911).
MILTON. Saturday night the members of Lewis W. Nute Grange were entertained by the children. The exercises were in charge of Mrs. Emma C. Jones and Mrs. Lucia Jones, which goes to say it was first class in every respect. There were vocal and instrumental selections and recitations. The special features of the evening were the parasol girls, our boy’s band and the flag march, which closed with “America” (Sanford Journal-Tribune (Biddeford, ME), July 5, 1912).
LOCAL. Eastern New Hampshire Pomona is meeting with Lewis Nute Grange at Milton this Thursday. Several local Grangers were in attendance (Farmington News, April 23, 1920).
WEST MILTON. Lewis Nute Grange will observe a Washington and Lincoln night at the regular meeting on Saturday evening. A roll call and box party will be among the social features (Farmington News, February 11, 1921).
EASTERN N.H. POMONA GRANGE MEETS AT MILTON. MILTON, N.H., April 24. – Eastern New Hampshire Pomona Grange met today with Lewis W. Nute Grange, with a large attendance. A public session was held in the afternoon and was opened by singing by the patrons of the local lodge, followed by prayer by Rev. G.H. Chambers of Milton and the addresses of welcome by Leroy J. Ford, master of Lewis W. Nute Grange. The response was by Past Master James B. Young of Rochester, after which the following question was discussed: “Resolved, that the State and Federal acquisition of forest lands should not be encouraged or permitted unless means are provided for the annual payment of taxes thereon to the towns, equaling the rate of tax levied under the same valuation as if privately owned.” The disputants were Charles D. Colman Jr., Charles W. Varney and Charles H. Ward of Rochester and Albert H. Brown of Strafford. There was an address on “Neighbors” by Mrs. Edna Crewe of Dover, director of the Dover Neighborhood House; vocal solos by Harold Lincoln and Miss Agnes Rogers of Rochester, readings by Arthur W. McDaniel of Nottingham and the reading of the “Cornucopia,” Pomona Grange paper, by John S. Kimball of Rochester. A closed session was held in the evening, when the fifth degree was conferred (Boston Globe, April 25, 1924).
GRANGE NOTES. Among those from this town who expect to represent the Grange as delegates and to attend the lecturers’ conference at the State Grange meeting in Nashua, December 13, 14 and 15, are Mr. and Mrs. George A. Downing, Mrs. Zanello Berry, and Mrs. Bertha Wilkes. Mr. and Mrs. George A. Downing and John Paulson were attendants at the Pomona Grange meeting held with Lewis Nute Grange at Milton, Friday evening. This was the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the Lewis Nute Grange. A fine program was given to the public in the late afternoon. Addresses were given by the National Grange lecturer, James Farmer of Newbury, and Arthur MacDaniel of Barrington, the overseer of the State Grange. Mrs. Grace Mooney Stevens of Union gave a fine paper, and Mrs. Edith Foss Mitchell of Rochester entertained with solos and readings. In the celebrating of the 40th anniversary, Lewis Nute Grange served a delicious and bountiful banquet. The evening was devoted to business and exemplification of the fifth degree to a good class of candidates. A large attendance was present, including visitors from Maine and Rockingham County Pomona. On December 6 the Henry Wilson Juvenile Grange held its regular meeting with a good attendance. The degree was conferred on two girls and their matron Mrs. Ruth Eldridge. Mrs. Lillian Foss Cooper, the State Juvenile deputy, was present and assisted and gave many helpful instructions. This Grange was the Baby Juvenile in May when it was organized, but another has been formed in Ossipee since spring. The subordinate Granges In the state must look to their laurels. These young people do very good work and will be the Grangers of the future. The town should be proud of a group of boys and girls who will take an interest in work well worth while. They put on programs of real merit and the value they receive is shown in the development of character, poise and self-reliance. May the parents and townspeople give real encouragement to these young people. Their regular meetings are held on the first and third Mondays of each month. Their next meeting will be a partial reelection of officers and it is hoped a joint installation of officers may be held with the subordinate Grange (Farmington News, December 16, 1932).
EAST LEBANON. Riverside Grange Minstrels presented their show at Nute Grange Hall, Milton, N.H. They will present another performance for Banner Grange, East Rochester, on the evening of Oct. 5. The cast includes Art Mathews, interlocutor; end men, Leslie Adams, Geo. Pray, Lawrence Stackpole, Carl Welch; specialty numbers Perreault Sisters, Ernest Stackpole, Lawrence Stackpole, Muriel Robbins and the three Suns, Art, Stack and Geo., Buck and Wing, Bill Armstrong; chorus and soloists, Beatrice Hanscom, Muriel Robbins, Hazel Pray, Ethelyn Stackpole, Jessie Ritchie, Art Libby, assisted by the end men. Pianist Emil Merrifield (Sanford Journal-Tribune (Biddeford, ME), September 30, 1937).
NEWFIELD. By Dorothy O. Dunnells. Miss Elsie Bigelow of West Milton, N.H., has returned to her home after spending a week with Mary Dunnells. Mrs. Ralph Dunnells and daughters, Mary and Lorraine, Betty Ball and James Duran were guests of the Rev. and Mrs. E. Lincoln Bigelow at Nute Personage, West Milton, N.H., recently. In the evening Mrs. Dunnells and Mary attended Nute Grange (Sanford Journal-Tribune (Biddeford, ME), July 27, 1939).
HENRY WILSON GRANGE HOLDS JOINT INSTALLATION WITH LEWIS NUTE GRANGE. A joint installation of Henry Wilson Grange of Farmington and the Lewis W. Nute Grange of Milton was held in the Grange hall at Farmington this Monday evening. The following of Henry Wilson Grange were installed by Deputy Maurice Daniels and suite of Rochester: Master, Gideon Marcoux, overseer, Mrs. Elfreda Baston, lecturer, Miss Barbara Hogan, chaplain, Lucia Gordon, steward, John Paulson, treasurer, Frederick Sabine, secretary, Mrs. Bessie Gilman, assistant steward, Lawrence Lover, lady assistant steward, Miss Rita Fowle, gatekeeper Harry Wentworth; Ceres, Mrs. Margaret Flint, Pomona, Mrs. Alice Paulson, Flora, Mrs. Ella Rollins, executive committee, Frank Berry Mrs. Cora LaBonta, past lady assistant steward of the State Grange was present. Following the Installation, music was furnisbed by the Hogan family and a two act play by the members of Henry Wilson Grange was presented. The evening closed with a delicious supper. Next Monday, January 20, there will be a regular meeting of Henry Wilson Grange, and a whist party is planned for Monday, January 27 (Farmington News, January 17, 1941).
LEWIS W. NUTE GRANGE. The Henry Wilson Grange of Farmington worked the first and second degrees on a class of 11 candidates at the meeting of the Lewis W. Nute Grange last Wednesday night. Those receiving the degrees were Mr. and Mrs. George Slack, Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Paey, Mr. and Mrs. Edgar Beaudoin, Mr. and Mrs. George Titcomb, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Sweeney and Mrs. Edith Pinkham. Refreshments of sweet cider, doughnuts, coffee and sandwiches were served. Inspection night will be held at the next regular meeting on November 10 (Newmarket News, November 4, 1948).
MILTON. Nute Grange scheduled a cook-out at the town beach last night (Farmington News, July 12, 1956).
MILTON. Brevities. Lewis W. Nute Grange met Wednesday night and plans to help the Bow Grange observe its 80th anniversary Friday (Farmington News, August 23, 1956).
MILTON. Brevities. Deputy Grand Frank Foster of Rochester will make his spring instruction visit to Lewis W. Nute Grange next Wednesday night (Farmington News, February 5, 1959).
MILTON. Library Week Plans Displayed in Town. Milton – Librarian Ruth W. Plummer of the Nute Library has made every effort to reach the public in observance of National Library Week. On April 12, Mrs. Plummer spoke at Lewis W. Nute Grange. In her talk she explained that the purpose of National Library Week is to encourage lifetime reading habits and use and support of libraries by everyone. The goal is a better read, better informed America. She stated how fortunate Milton was to have had such a benefactor as Lewis W. Nute. She explained how the library use had declined during the period it was necessary to also use it as a classroom. Since the construction of the addition to Nute High School, the library has been restored to its original status. The library hours have been increased so that the librarian is in attendance from 1-4 p.m. on school days and from 2-4 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays during vacations and in the summer. New books purchased since September total 142, and a new Webster’s International Dictionary has been purchased also. Mrs. Plummer presented the special book marks designed for National Library Week to those present. Her exhibit of books interested all present. Sunday morning, book marks were given out with the church calendars at the Milton Community Church and Rev. Bradley T. Lines called attention to the program of the week. Local grocery stores are displaying banners about National Library Week. An interesting exhibit of new books attractively arranged is in the showcase window of the vestibule corridor at Nute High School by Mrs. Plummer That Milton people and pupils are reading is evidenced by the fact that since September Mrs. Plummer has circulated 4,000 books through the library. Publicity chairman for National Library Week is Miss Marjorie E. Goodwin teacher of commerce at Nute High School (Farmington news, April 20, 1961).
GRANGERS AT CHURCH. Milton – Members of Nute Ridge Grange and Lewis W. Nute Grange were guests at Milton Community church on Mothers Day. Russell Wentworth and Mrs. Eugene Junkins of Nute Ridge Grange dramatized the impressive ancient ritual of “the planting of the seed.” Rev. Bradley Lines’ sermon, “The Farmer, God’s First Workman,” tied in with the concepts of the Patrons of Husbandry (Farmington News, May 19, 1961).
LEWIS W. NUTE GRANGE. The Lewis W. Nute Grange had a three point program recently. The Nute Grange was the host for a potluck supper held at the Grange Hall. Pleasant Valley Grange provided the evening’s entertainment with a film on New Hampshire. The Reunion Grange filled the chairs. There were 42 Grange members present and 9 visitors. On February 13, the Pleasant Valley Grange was host for the three point program with the Reunion Grange providing the program and Nute Grange filling the chairs (Farmington News, February 26, 1970).
The proportion of people engaged or employed largely in agriculture has declined nationally over time, from about one-third of the population at the start of the Twentieth Century to less than 2% today. National Grange membership and activity has declined also over that time. Ending the Grange’s insurance benefit society functions in or around 1992 seems to have accelerated the decline (Wikipedia, 2024).
It is difficult to say exactly how long the Lewis W. Nute Grange persisted. Newspapers made fewer and fewer reports of its meetings and activities, either because there were fewer of them or because there was less newspaper interest in them.
The last newspaper mentions found of active Lewis W. Nute Grange members had Ralph Pugh, Sr., visiting the Hiram R. Roberts Grange, No. 194, in Rollinsford, NH, in September 1972; and had his wife, Mrs. Rachel Pugh (also a member of the NH State Grange’s Home Economics Committee), visiting the Henry Wilson Grange, No. 205, in neighboring Farmington, NH, in October 1973. Her remarks there invited her hosts to visit her own Grange, as well as attending the next NH State Grange meeting, which was to be held in Exeter, NH (Portsmouth Herald, September 20, 1972; Farmington News, October 18, 1973).
Thereafter, newspaper mentions of the Lewis W. Nute Grange occur largely in obituaries, in which the recently deceased were said to have been members during their lifetime.
References:
NH State Grange. (1892). Journal of Proceedings of the New Hampshire State Grange. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=nmkkAQAAMAAJ&pg=RA5-PA34
NH State Grange. (1899). Journal of Proceedings of the New Hampshire State Grange. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=rRY1AQAAMAAJ&pg=RA1-PA35
NH State Grange. (1911). Journal of Proceedings of the New Hampshire State Grange. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=NxQ1AQAAMAAJ&pg=RA4-PA39
Wikipedia. (2024, April 2). National Grange of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry. Retrieved from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Grange_of_the_Order_of_Patrons_of_Husbandry
Milton Observer 