Author: Muriel Bristol

"Lady drinking tea"

Non-Public BOS Session Scheduled (October 29, 2018)

By Muriel Bristol | October 27, 2018

The Milton Board of Selectmen (BOS) have posted their agenda for an “Extra” BOS meeting to be held Monday, October 29.

The meeting is scheduled to begin with a Non-Public preliminary session at 5:45 PM. That agenda has a single Non-Public item classed as 91-A:3 II (j).

91-A:3 II (j). Consideration of confidential, commercial, or financial information that is exempt from public disclosure under RSA 91-A:5, IV in an adjudicative proceeding pursuant to RSA 541 [Rehearings and Appeals in Certain Cases] or RSA 541-A [Administrative Procedure Act].

The sole Non-Public item (the “j” item) might be a further discussion of revisions of employee manuals and employee insurance buyouts, issues that have been mentioned in the open sessions. The old fire station us still out there. And, of course, the budget.

There seem to be quite a few critical budget issues that remain unresolved. When last seen, various BOS meeting participants were declaring that aspects of the budget were “out of control.” It does make one wonder how and when overall budget solutions get discussed. In a Non-Public meeting?

Do phone calls between them constitute a 91A Public or Non-Public Meeting quorum? Chance meetings at public events make for a BOS meeting, but not phone calls between Selectmen? That seems peculiar. Or is it all done by playing “telephone” through the Town Administrator?

The BOS intend to adjourn their Non-Public BOS session at approximately (*) 6:15 PM, when they intend to return to Public session.

The Public portion of the agenda has new business and old business only.

Under new business is scheduled a single item: 1) Purchase of 1994 Spartan Pumper Truck (Nick Marique).

A new $500,000 leased pumper was rejected by the last ballot, yet it reappeared as a CIP plan item, and now it arises yet again as an agenda item regarding an older and, presumably, somewhat cheaper one. (Perhaps they should have started with a cheaper one last year?). The fire chief missed perhaps the dramatic conclusion of the last meeting. Or perhaps he just does not understand the meaning of the word “no.”

Under old business is scheduled a discussion of some of the departmental budget submissions of October 15: Recreation, Cemetery, and Insurance / Benefits.

Insurance / Benefits seems to be the item that drove the budget beyond anyone’s wildest imaginings. This should be interesting.

On a side note, Ms. McDougall published her notes from a preliminary meeting of her new ad-hoc brainstorming group, the Milton Advocates. Insurance and other possibilities were discussed. It seems that there is not a single insurance plan or rate prevailing across, or even within, departments. Consolidating them all under the least expensive alternative would be difficult, as their terms do not coincide. It would have to be done gradually as they separately expire over the 2019-20 time frame. It would seem that no immediate relief is to be found in consolidation of insurance plans.

The usual approval of prior minutes, expenditure report, Town Administrator comments, and BOS comments are not scheduled. Nor are any Public comments scheduled, either before or after.

Mr. S.D. Plissken contributed to this article.

References:

Milton NH Community News. (2018, October 22). Lynette McDougall Posting. Retrieved from https://www.facebook.com/ourmiltonnews/posts/2221777698147264

State of New Hampshire. (2016, June 21). RSA Chapter 91-A. Access to Governmental Records and Meetings. Retrieved from www.gencourt.state.nh.us/rsa/html/VI/91-A/91-A-3.htm

Town of Milton. (2018, October 26). BOS Meeting Agenda, October 29, 2018. Retrieved from www.miltonnh-us.com/uploads/bos_agendas_835_529023279.pdf

Milton Businesses in 1877

By Muriel Bristol (Transcriber) | October 27, 2018

The Milton excerpts from the New England Business Directory, 1877.

NEW HAMPSHIRE BUSINESS DIRECTORY.

Arranged Alphabetically by Business and Towns. When the Post-Office differs from the Town, it is given immediately after the name, and preceding the Town.

Blacksmiths (See also Carriage Smiths). Duntley Hazen & Son, Milton; Osgood, Ebenezer, Milton Mills [P.O.], Milton; Rines, Nathaniel, Milton Mills [P.O.], Milton; Rines, Samuel F., Milton Mills [P.O.], Milton.

Boot and Shoe Dealers (See also Boot and Shoe Manufacturers). Grant, Solomon, Milton Mills [P.O.], Milton.

Box Makers (See also Paper Box Makers). Hayes, Charles H. (shoe), Milton.

Butchers (See also Provision Dealers). Hayes, John, Milton.

Carpenters and Builders (See also Ship Carpenters). Mathes, Joseph, Milton; Swasey, George A., Milton; Simes, Edward S., Milton Mills [P.O.], Milton; Titcomb, J.F., Milton Mills [P.O.], Milton.

Carriage and Sleigh Manufacturers (See also Wheelwrights). Brackett, John, Milton Mills [P.O.], Milton.

Chair Manufacturers (See also Furniture Manufacturers). Young, Isaac C. & Son, W. Milton [P.O.], Milton.

Clergymen.  Noyes,  E.P. (B.), South Acton [P.O.], Milton Mills, N.H.; Clark, Samuel W. (C.T.), Milton; Owens, E. (F.B.), Milton; Crowley, James (M.), Milton Mills [P.O.], Milton; McLean, A.S. (F.B.), Milton Mills [P.O.], Milton; Scott, D.B. (C.T.), Milton Mills [P.O.], Milton; Goodwin, Daniel B. (C.B.), West Milton [P.O.], Milton.

Country Stores. Where is kept a general assortment of dry goods, groceries, agricultural implements, & c. Those who deal in but one kind of goods will be found under their appropriate headings. (See also Grocers). Gilmore, Geo. A., Milton; Hart, John F., Milton; Fox, Asa & Son, Milton Mills [P.O.], Milton; Fox, Asa A., Milton Mills [P.O.], Milton; Morrill, J.B. & Son, Milton Mills [P.O.], Simes, John U., Milton Mills [P.O.], Milton.

Dry Goods (See also Country Stores; also Fancy Goods). Knox, Ida S. Mrs., Milton.

Flour and Grain Dealers (See also Produce Dealers). Corkery, Daniel, Milton.

Grist Mills (See also Flouring Mills). Hayes, Luther, South Milton [P.O.], Milton.

Harness Makers (See also Trunks, Valises, & c.). Sanborn, A. & Son, Milton Mills [P.O.], Milton Mills.

Hotels. Tri-Mountain House, James R. Horne, Milton; Central House, Ira Miller, Milton Mills [P.O.], Milton.

Lumber Dealers (See also Saw Mills). Hayes, Luther, South Milton [P.O.], Milton; Scates & Lyman, South Milton [P.O.], Milton.

Masons (See also Plasterers). Rines, Joseph G., Union [P.O], Milton.

Milliners (See also Dress Makers; See also Millinery Goods). Roberts, Clara M. Mrs., Milton; Farnham, Wm. P. Mrs., Milton Mills [P.O.], Milton.

Painters, House, Sign, and Ornamental (See also Painters, Carriage). Hodgdon, George F., Milton; Mathes, Robert, Milton; Came, George W., Milton Mills [P.O], Milton.

Physician. Peavey, George W., Milton; Buck, Jeremiah C., Milton Mills [P.O.], Milton; Gross, C.W., Milton Mills [P.O.], Milton.

Saw Mills (See also Planing Mills; also Shingle Mills). Hayes, Charles H., Milton; Hayes, Luther, South Milton [P.O.], Milton; Plumer, C.A. & G.L., Union [P.O], Milton.

Shingle Mills (See also Saw Mills). Hayes, Luther, South Milton [P.O.], Milton; Plumer, Chas. A. & Geo. L., Union [P.O], Milton.

Stables. Horne, James R., Milton; Miller, Ira, Milton Mills [P.O.], Milton.

Teachers (See also Academies, in index). Bickford, J.P. (Classical Inst.), Milton.

Wheelwrights. Sanborn, James, West Milton [P.O.], Milton; Brackett, John, Milton Mills [P.O.], Milton.

Woolen Goods Manufs. (See also Hosiery; also Manufacturing Companies). Brierley, Edward & Co. (flannels, table-covers, & c.), Milton Mills [P.O.], Milton; Townsend & Co. (piano and table-covers). Milton Mills [P.O.], Milton; Waumbec Manuf. Co. (flannels), Milton Mills [P.O.], Milton.

A fair number of Acton, ME, businesses were using Milton Mills Post-Office addresses. They have not been included.

Claremont, Concord, Dover, Exeter, Great Falls (Somersworth), Hanover, Laconia, Manchester, Nashua, and Portsmouth all had gas-light companies. Milton and Rochester did not. They would have used candles and oil lamps.

LYNN. The News in Brief. Luther Hayes, one of the Fish Commissioners of Milton, N.H., was in town yesterday and took fifty white perch from Flax Pond home with him to stock a pond at Milton. The fish were caught by John Marion during the past three days (Boston Globe, August 24, 1878).

Previous in sequence: Milton Businesses in 1876; next in sequence: Milton Businesses in 1880.

References:

Sampson, Davenport & Co. (1877). New England Business Directory, 1877. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=-981AQAAMAAJ

Milton Businesses in 1876

By Muriel Bristol (Transcriber) | October 25, 2018

The Milton excerpts from the New-Hampshire Register, Farmers’ Almanac, and Business Directory, for 1876.

MILTON, STRAFFORD – Pop., 1898. N.E. from C., 40; N.W. from Dover, 20. R.R.S. [Railroad Station] – Milton and South Milton, on Ports., Gt. Falls & Conway R.R. 

OFFICERS – Clerk, C.H. Looney; Treas., Geo. Lyman; Selectmen, Geo. Lyman, G.H. Plumer, John U. Simes; Supts., M.V.B. Cook, J.N. Lowell, Freeman H. Lowd. 

Postmaster – C.H. Looney; South, H.H. Wentworth; West, T.F. Canney. 

Justices [of the Peace] – Luther Hayes, C.H. Looney, E.W. Fox, State; Joseph Plumer, Joseph Mathes, Joseph Cook, George Lyman, G.W. Peavey, J.S. Hersey, J.N. Sims, B.B. Plummer, B.P. Roberts. 

Churches – Chris., D.B. Goodwin; Cong., J.N. Lowell; F. Bap., E. Tuttle. 

Exp. & Tel. Ag’t – Daniel Corkery. 

Hotels – Ben Franklin House, R. West; Tri-Mountain House, J.R. Horne. Livery Stable – Jas. R. Horne. 

Literary Institution – Milton Classical Institute, J.P. Bickford. 

Manufacturers – boots and shoes, South, H.H. Wentworth; lumber, Luther Hayes, Scates & Lyman; Lewis Plumer, p.o. ad., Union. 

Mechanics – blacksmiths, H. Duntly & Son; carpenters, Joseph Mathes, E.H. Hersom; painter, G.F. Hodgdon; wheelwrights, Joseph Mathes, Daniel Jenness. 

Merchants – Ira W. Jones, J. Hart, J.E. Abbott, Jas. R. Horne; fancy goods, Mrs. Ira L. Knox, Mrs. J.F. Hart; millinery, Mrs. C.M. Roberts.

Physician, G.W. Peavey.

[Milton] Mills – Postmaster & Ex. Ag’t – E.W. Fox.

Churches – Cong., D.B. Scott, C.F. Page; F. Bap., A.S. McLean; Meth., James Crowley. 

Hotel & Livery Stable – Central House, Ira Miller. 

Manufacturers – carriages and wheelwright, John Brackett; flannels, Waumbeck Manuf’g Co.; felt cloth, piano and table covers, Edward Brierly & Son; table and piano covers, Townsend & Co., John Meikle. 

Mechanics – blacksmiths, Ebenezer Osgood, Nathaniel Rines, S.F. Rines; carpenters, J.F. Titcomb, E.S. Simes; harness makers, A.A. Fox & Son; harness makers, A. Sanborn & Son; mason, J.G. Rines; painter, G.W. Came.

Merchants – Asa Fox & Son, A.A. Fox & Co., J.U. Simes, J.B. Merrill & Son; boots and shoes, S. Grant; fancy goods, Mrs. W.P. Farnham; provision, C.S. Lowd. 

Physicians – J.C. Buck, C.W. Gross, M.K. Cowell.

The Boston Globe newspaper of 1876 contained the following news of fires in Milton Mills and Milton Three-Corners during this year:

New England by Mail. Milton Mills, N.H. – The store of Augustus Fox at Milton Mills, was destroyed by fire Tuesday might. Loss $6,000; insured in the Home, New York, for $4300. The second story was occupied by the Odd Fellows, who lost everything (Boston Globe, March 9, 1876).

NOTES. Milton, N.H. – Yesterday morning a house at Milton Three-Corners, formerly occupied by George B. Wentworth, was burned. Loss $6000 (Boston Globe, September 15, 1876).

Previous in sequence: Milton Businesses in 1875; next in the sequence: Milton Businesses in 1877.

References:

Claremont Manufacturing Company. (1876). New-Hampshire Register, Farmers’ Almanac, and Business Directory, for 1876. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=VvEWAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA173

Puzzle #9: How Did They Get There?

By Muriel Bristol (Transcriber) | October 23, 2018

Five pieces of coal, a carrot and a scarf are lying on a hill near a remote house. Nobody put them on the lawn, but there is a perfectly logical reason why they should be there. What is it?

[Answer to Puzzle #9 to follow in the next Puzzle]

Solution to Puzzle #8: Something About Mary

Puzzle #8 was a “trick” question, the sort my grandfather liked to tell.

Mary’s mum had four children: April, May, June, and Mary herself, of course. The answer was in the title.

Milton Businesses in 1874

By Muriel Bristol (Transcriber) | October 23, 2018

Note that no principal is specified for the Milton Classical Institute.

MILTON, STRAFFORD. Роp. 1598. N.E. from C., 40. R.R.S. [Railroad Stations], Мilton, and South Milton on Ports., Gt. Falls & Conway R.R.

OFFICERS – Clerk, Joseph Mathis; Treas., George Lyman; Selectmen, George Lyman, G.H. Plumer, Т.H. Roberts; Supts., J.U. Simes, H. Wentworth, J.F. Joy.

Postmasters. – C.H. Looney; South, H.H. Wentworth; West, F. Canney.

Justices [of the Peace]. – Luther Hayes, C.H. Looney, State; E.W. Fox, Joseph Plumer, Joseph Mathes, Joseph Cook, George Lyman, G.W. Peavey, S. Hersey, G.W. Tasker, M.V.B. Cook, C.A. Sawyer. J.Е. Twombly.

Churches. – Chris., D.B. Goodwin; Cong., F. Haley; F. Bap., J.F. Joy. 

Exp. & Tel. Agent – F.А. Crocker. 

Hotel – Franklin House, A. Kidder. 

Livery Stable – W.H. Jones.

Literary Institution – Milton Classical Institute, ___ ___, prin.

Manufacturers – boots and shoes, South, H.H. Wentworth; lumber, Luther Hayes, Scates & Lyman; Lewis Plumer, p.о. ad. ,Union. 

Mechanics – blacksmiths, H. Duntley & Son; carpenters Joseph Mathes, E.H. Hersom; mason, Daniel Foss; painter, G.F. Hodgdon; wheelwrights, Joseph Matthes, Daniel Jenness. 

Merchants – Looney & Avery, Gilmore & Whitehouse, J. Hart; fancy goods, Mrs. Ira L. Knox; millinery, Mrs. C.M. Roberts. 

Physicians – G.W. Peavey, Frank Haley.

Mills. – Postmaster – E.W. Fox.

Churches – Cong., D.B. Scott, C.F. Page; F. Bap., J.S. Potter; Meth., I.J. Tibbets.

Hotel & Livery Stable – Central House, Ira Miller. 

Manufacturers – carriages, John Brackett; flannels, Waumbeck Manuf’g. Co.; flannels, felt cloth, piano and table covers, Edward Brierly & Son; table covers, H.H. Townsend; table and piano covers, John Meikle. 

Mechanics – blacksmiths, Ebenezer Osgood, Nathaniel Rines, S.F. Rines; carpenters, J.F. Titcomb, E.S. Simes, A.B. Shaw; dyer and table cover printer, John Meikle; engraver, H.W. Dewhurst; mason, J.G. Rines; painter, G.W. Came. 

Merchants – F.H. Chesley, A.A. Fox & Co., J.U. Simes; fancy goods, Mrs. W.P. Farnham; groceries, Geo. Olney; millinery, H.A. Farnham; provision, S.A. Felch. 

Physicians – J.C. Buck, R. Buck.

NH State Representatives for Milton were Jos. Plumer and Elbridge Fox, and for Middletown, i.e., Middleton, was Charles W. Davis. The District 5 State Senator was Edwin Wallace of Rochester.

Ezra H. Twombly, of Milton, held the office of Strafford County Register and Sealer; and Luther Hayes, of Milton, was one of nine Strafford County Deputy Sheriffs.

Tabular Statement, by Towns, of Votes for Governor in 1872 and ’73; Population in 1870; Average Valuation in 1872; and Apportionment on each $1000 of State Tax.

Milton, 222 [Votes for Straw], 131 [Votes for Weston], 10 [Votes for Cooper & scattering]; 205 [Votes for Straw], 78 [Votes for Weston], 5 [Votes for Blackmer & scattering]; 1598 [Population]; $441,955 [Valuation] 2.881 [per $1,000 State Tax Rate].

Former NH State Senator Ezekiel A. Straw (1817-1884), of Manchester, won election as NH Governor in 1872 and 1873. He was a Republican. Governor Straw did not run for a third term and was succeeded as governor by Manchester Mayor James A. Weston, whom he had twice defeated.

A Milton advertisement aimed at the emerging Summer “rusticator” market:

Summer Resorts and Hotels. In New Hampshire. BOARD – A few Summer boarders can find a pleasant home in a private family, convenient to churches, railroad, telegraph and Post Office. In a quiet and healthy little village situated between mountain and pond. For particulars address Box 30, Milton, N.H. (Boston Globe, August 7, 1874).

Previous in sequence: Milton Businesses in 1873; next in sequence: Milton Businesses in 1875

References:

Claremont Manufacturing Company. (1874). New Hampshire Register, Farmer’s Almanac and Business Directory, for 1874. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=4y40AQAAMAAJ&pg=PA159

Wikipedia. (2018, September 16). Ezekiel A. Straw. Retrieved from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ezekiel_A._Straw

Wikipedia. (2018, September 16). James A. Weston. Retrieved from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_A._Weston

Milton Businesses in 1871

By Muriel Bristol (Transcriber) | October 21, 2018

Extracted below is the Milton entry from the The New Hampshire Register and Farmer’s Almanac, for 1871.

Milton, STRAFFORD – Clerk, Joseph Mathes; Treas., Thomas H. Roberts; Selectmen, Charles Hayes, David Walingford, jr., Thomas H. Roberts; Supts., James W. Applebee, Frank Haley; Postmasters, Ezra H. Twombly; – Elbridge W. Fox, Mills; – John C. Plumer, South; – Thomas Canney, West; Physicians, Stephen Drew, Geo. W. Peavey; – J.C. Buck, R. Buck, Mills; Churches, F. Bap., Ezra Tuttle; Cong., Frank Haley; Cong., Caleb Page; F. Bap., D. Waterman; Meth., Ira J. Tibbets, Mills; Literary Institution, Milton Classical Institute; Merchants, Geo. M. Sayward, John E. Twombly, Mark H. Hart; Mrs. Clara M. Roberts, millinery; – Wm. C. Watson, boots and shoes; Asa Fox & Son, Asa A. Fox & Co., Bray U. Simes, John U. Simes; Geo V. Olney, groceries; Mrs. H.A. Farnham, Miss Augusta Berry, millinery; S. Lowd, provisions, Mills. Manufacturers – James Bennett, George B. Wentworth, boots and shoes; – Hiram V. Wentworth, Luther Hayes, Lewis Plumer, G.W. Wentworth; – William P. Tuttle, South, lumber; – Waumbeck Manuf’g Co., flannels, Edward Brierley, flannels, felt cloths, piano and table covers; John Meikle, dyer and table-cover painter, Mills.

Hotel, Central House, Ira Miller, Mills.

Livery Stable – Wm H. Huntress.

R.R.S. [Railroad Stations] – Milton and South Milton. Stage from Milton Mills to Union Village to connect with every train.

Previous in sequence: Milton Businesses in 1869-70; next in sequence: Milton Businesses in 1873

References:

Claremont Manufacturing Company. (1871). The New Hampshire Register and Farmer’s Almanac, for 1871. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=AwEXAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA130

Milton Businesses in 1869-70

By Muriel Bristol (Transcriber) | October 19, 2018

The New-Hampshire Register and Political Manual for the Year 1870 directory entries for Milton in 1870. The compiler gathered his information from data available in 1869.

MILTON, (Originally part of Rochester) incorporated June 11, 1802. Population – 1820, 1232; 1850, 1619; 1860, 1862.

Рostmasters – Еzra Н. Twombly; Mills, Elbridge W. Fox; West, ______ Kenney; South, H.V. Wentworth. Selectmen – Еlbridgе W. Fox, Charles Hayes, Henry B. Scates. Town-clerk, Geo. W. Tasker. Clergymen – James Doldt, Caleb F. Page (Mills), Cong. Physicians – Stephen Drew, George W. Peavey, Charles E. Swasey (Mills). School Com. – James Doldt, M.V.B. Cook, James W. Applebee. Justices – Charles Jones, Luther Hayes, State; Elbridge W. Fox, Joseph Plumer, Ebenezer Wentworth, Charles A. Cloutman, Asa Jewett, Joseph Cook, Robert Маthes, Ira C. Varney, George Lyman, George Peavey, Маrtin V.B. Cook, John T. Hersey, George W. Tasker, Edward W. Fox, Ezra H. Twombly, Thomas H. Roberts, John U. Simes, Larkin A. Craig. 

Mеrchants – John E. Twombly, Joseph Sayward, Mark H. Hart (Milton), Asa Fox & Son, Bray U. Simes, John U. Simes, Benjamin F. Hubbard (Mills), variety. Manufacturers – Milton Mills Manufacturing Co., George H. Jones, E.R. Mudge & Co., flannels; Edward Brierly & Co., flannels and table covers; Hiram V. Wentworth, boots and shoes; Luther Hayes, shooks [i.e., barrel staves]. Hotels – Milton, by William Н. Huntress, Central, by Ira Miller (Mills).

Elsewhere in the directory, we find the value of Milton’s land and farm stock, as of April 1868, and its votes in recent elections.

Value of Lands in New-Hampshire, and Number & Value of Farm Stock, per Inventory, April, 1868.

Milton, [Lands. Value.] $276,478, [Horses, etc. No.] 188, [Horses, etc. Value.] $12,386, [Cows, Oxen, etc. No.] 897, [Cows, Oxen, etc. Value] $30,245, [Sheep. No.] 786, [Sheep. Value.] $1,758. 

TABULAR STATEMENT BY TOWNS of Distance from Concord, of Vote for Railroad Commissioner, 1869; Population of 1860; Ratable Polls; Valuation of 1868; and proportion on $1000 of State Tax.

40 [Miles from Concord], Milton, 255 [Votes for Quarles], 90 [Votes for Donahue], 1,862 [Population], 388 [Rateable Polls], $511,028 [Valuation], $3.43 [per $1,000 State Tax rate].

Vote for Governor, March, 1869, March, 1868, and for President, Nov. 1868.

Milton, 250 [Stearns], 95 [Bedell], [0, Scattering]; 262 [Harriman], 124 [Sinclair]; 226 [Grant], 78 [Seymour].

NH Secretary of State Walter Harriman (1817-1884), of Concord, won election as NH Governor in 1867 and 1868. Former NH State Senator Onslow Stearns (1810-1878), of Concord, won election as NH Governor in 1869 and 1870. They were both Republicans. Governor Stearns was succeeded as governor by Manchester Mayor James A. Weston. (Weston’s election over Republican opponent James Pike was close enough that the final result was decided in the state legislature).

Under the Strafford County entry, Hayes, Luther, Milton (South), was Strafford County Sheriff.

For State Senate District No. 6, Milton voted for Republican Ezra Gould, 262 votes [70.6%], over Democrat Edwin Pease, 109 votes [29.4%], in 1868. Pease received 4,400 votes [51.6%] in the overall district vote, while Gould received 4,059 votes [47.6%], and “scattering” received 76 votes [0.9%]. The result was reported as “Pease’s majority.”

For State Senate District No. 6, Milton voted for Republican Ezra Gould, 254 votes [73.0%], over Democrat Edwin Pease, 94 votes [27.0%], in 1869. Gould received 3,754 votes [49.7%] in the overall district vote, while Pease received 3,744 votes [49.5%], and “scattering” received 61 votes [0.8%]. The result was reported as “no choice.”

Under the Government of New-Hampshire entry, CHARLES JONES, Milton, held the District No. 2 seat on the five-seat Governor’s Council in 1870, under Governor Onslow Stearns, of Concord. By virtue of his seat on the Governor’s Council, Jones also held an ex-officio seat on the State Board of Education.

Republicans George Lyman and Samuel G. Chamberlain held Milton’s two seats in the NH House of Representatives. Middleton had its own representative, Democrat Franklin Colbath.

(Note: Today, the Milton and Middleton share a single district with two representatives, versus the two towns having independently two and one representatives, respectively, for a total of three representatives. Increases in population have occurred since then, and have occurred in greater proportions elsewhere than in Milton and Middleton, thus occasioning reduced representation compared with that of the past. (See The Mathematical Limits of Representation).

The New England Farmer reported on the agricultural fair held at Great Falls, i.e., Somersworth, in September 1869, during which Hiram V. Wentworth was selected as a board member:

AGRICULTURAL FAIRS. Strafford County, N.H. Fair at Great Falls, Sept. 14-16. The Journal says that the entries of Stock, Fruit, Vegetables, implements, manufactures, &c., were large and attractive. In the procession were town teams of eleven yoke of oxen each from Barrington, Somersworth, Rollinsford, and the County Farm; and ten yoke from Dover, drawing huge carriages, tastefully ornamented, and filled with singing children and other happy people. The Journal does not give the premiums awarded, but remarks that the exhibition is ahead of all previous one, and all are perfectly satisfied. The receipts are about $5000, which will place the Society on good footing pecuniarily.

On Wednesday morning the following board of Directors was chosen – M.C. Burleigh, S.C. Chick, Great Falls; Noah Tebbetts, Joseph Nutter, Rochester; H.V. Wentworth, Milton; W.R. Garvin, Rollinsford; C.R. Meserve, Madbury; Wm. F. Jones, Durham; E. Bartlett, Lee; C.W. Davis, Farmington; A.G. Orne, Middleton; G.S. Gilman, New Durham; R.B. Peavey, Strafford; Elisha Locke, Barrington (New England Farmer, September 25, 1869).

Previous in sequence: Milton Businesses in 1868; next in sequence: Milton Businesses in 1871

References:

Jenks, George E. (1869). The New-Hampshire Register and Political Manual for the Year 1870. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=K0A4AQAAMAAJ&pg=PA100

Wikipedia. (2018, October 18). Onslow Stearns. Retrieved from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onslow_Stearns

Wikipedia. (2018, October 9). Ulysses S. Grant. Retrieved from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ulysses_S._Grant

Wikipedia. (2018, October 18). United States Presidential Election, 1868. Retrieved from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_presidential_election,_1868

Wikipedia. (2018, August 24). Walter Harriman (Governor). Retrieved from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Harriman_(governor)

Milton in 1857

By Muriel Bristol (Transcriber) | October 18, 2018

Edwin A. Charlton’s 1857 description of Milton, “as it is”:

Milton, Strafford county. Bounded north-west by Middleton and Wakefield, east by Salmon Falls River, which separates it from Lebanon, Maine, and south-west by Farmington and New Durham. Area, 25,000 acres. Distance from Concord, 40 miles  north-east, from Dover, 20, north-west. Salmon Falls River washes its whole eastern border for a distance of 13 miles. A branch of this river passes through its northern extremity. Milton Pond lies at the foot of Teneriffe Mountain – a bold and rocky elevation, which extends along its eastern section. The soil is generally good, the surface somewhat broken, and affords excellent pasturage. The inhabitants are mostly engaged in farming.

Milton Mills – John Townsend, proprietor; capital, $50,000; manufacture flannels; have 18 looms and 1200 spindles. Amount manufactured per annum, $90,000. Do. [Ditto] stock used per annum, 120,000 pounds wool. Number of operatives, 35. 

This town was formerly a part of Rochester, from which it was taken and incorporated June 11, 1802. There are two meeting houses – one Congregational, and one Christian.

Population, 1629. Number of polls, 406. Inventory, $414,982. Value of lands, $236,265. Do. [Ditto] mills and factories, $8500. Do. stock in trade, $10,730. Money at interest, &c, $12,939. Number of sheep, 708. Do. neat stock [cattle], 1264. Do. horses, 189.

Charlton’s nineteenth-century orthography is interesting. He retains some features from the eighteenth century. Numbers in the single thousands do not employ commas. That is reserved only for numbers in the tens of thousands or larger. The traditional abbreviation “do.” is used for “ditto,” which is itself a sort of Latin abbreviation for “as has been said before.” The plural of operators, as in machine operators, is “operatives.” Neat stock would be oxen or heifers.

Previous in sequence: Milton in 1849; next in sequence: Milton in 1859

References:

Charlton, Edwin Azro. (1857). New Hampshire As It Is. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=vnIUAAAAYAAJ

Puzzle #8: Something About Mary

By Muriel Bristol (Transcriber) | October 16, 2018

Mary’s mum has four children.
The first child is named April.
The second child is named May.
The third child is named June.

What is the name of the fourth child?

[Answer to Puzzle #8 to follow in the next Puzzle]

Solution to Puzzle #7: Double Jeopardy Doors

Double Jeopardy Doors had a certain counter-intuitive aspect that made it more difficult than it would first seem.

Ask each robot in turn, “What the other robot would answer if it were asked which door led to freedom.” If the robot is the liar, it will answer falsely that the truthful robot would direct you to the death door. If the robot is truthful, it will answer truthfully that the liar robot would direct you to the death door.

The counter-intuitive part is that, when you use that particular question, the two robots will agree. Whichever door they both indicate, go through the other one.

Milton Businesses in 1867-68

By Muriel Bristol | October 15, 2018

The New-Hampshire Political Manual and Annual Register for the Year 1868 entries for Milton. The compiler gathered his information from data available in 1867.

MILTON, (Originally part of Rochester), incorporated June 11, 1802. Population, 1820, 1232; 1850, 1619; 1860, 1862.

Postmasters, Ezra H. Twombly; Mills, Elbridge W. Fox; West, Edward L. Goodwin; South, J.C. Plumer.

Selectmen – Charles Jones, George Lyman, Elbridge W. Fox.

Town clerk – Joseph Mathes.

Clergymen – James Doldt, Caleb F. Page (Mills), Cong.; Nathan C. Lothrop, F. Bap.

Physicians – Stephen Drew, George W. Peavy.

Justices – Charles Jones, Luther Hayes, State; Elbridge W. Fox, Joseph Plumer, Ebenezer Wentworth, Ezra H. Twombly, Joseph Mathes, Charles A. Cloutman, Asa Jewett, Elias S. Cook, Joseph Cook, Robert Mathes, Eli Fernald, Asa Jewett, Daniel S. Burley, Ira C. Varney, George Lyman, George W. Peavey.

Merchants – John E. Twombly, Joseph Sawyward (Milton); Asa Fox & Son, Bray U. Simes, John U. Simes, Benjamin F. Hubbard (Mills), dry goods and groceries.

Manufacturers – Milton Mills Manufacturing Co., George H. Jones, E.R. Mudge & Co., flannels. 

Elsewhere in the directory, we find Milton’s valuation, as of 1864, and its votes in recent elections.

TABULAR STATEMENT BY TOWNS of Distance from Concord, of Vote for Railroad Commissioner, 1867; Population of 1860; Valuation of 1864; and proportion on $1000 of State Tax.

40 [Miles from Concord], Milton, 240 [Votes for Gault], 107 [Votes for Pierce], 1,862 [Population], $453,831 [Valuation], $3.50 [per $1,000 State Tax rate].

For US President, in November 1864, Milton gave 213 votes [66.8%] to incumbent Republican President Abraham Lincoln and 106 votes [33.2%] to Democrat General George McClellan. President Lincoln won the overall election.

For US Representative, in March 1865, Milton gave 247 votes [75.3%] to Republican General Gilman Marston (16 of them from the “soldier vote”), 79 votes [24.1%] to Democrat Marey (1 of them from the “soldier vote”), and 2 [0.6%] “scattering.” General Marston won the overall election.

For NH Governor, in March 1866, Milton gave 215 votes [67.8%] to incumbent Republican Governor Frederick Smythe, and 102 votes [32.2%] to Democrat John G. Sinclair. Governor Smythe won the overall election.

For NH Governor, in March 1867, Milton gave 286 votes [73.0%] to Republican NH Secretary of State Walter Harriman, and 106 votes [27.0%] to Democrat John G. Sinclair. Secretary Harriman won the overall election. (Governor Harriman would be succeeded in office after two terms by former NH State Senator Onslow Stearns).

Under the heading [N.H.] Representatives, Milton had two: Republicans Hiram V. Wentworth and John U. Simes. (Middleton was represented by incumbent Democrat Charles York).

Hiram V. Wentworth occupied House seat 2-42 and lodged during the session at the Eagle hotel in Concord. (Commuting would have been impracticable). Twenty-seven other Representatives lodged there also: sixteen Republicans and eleven Democrats. (Hiram V. Wentworth became one of ten incorporators of the Milton Classical Institute at just about this time).

John U. Simes occupied House seat 5-33 and boarded at G.L. Nutter’s boarding-house in Concord. Three other Republican Representatives, from Dover, Farmington, and Rochester, lodged there also. Wentworth served on the Manufactures committee, while Simes served on the Claims committee.

(Note: Today, Milton and Middleton share a single district with two representatives, versus the two towns having independently two and one representatives, respectively, for a total of three representatives. Increases in population have occurred since then, and have occurred in greater proportions elsewhere than in Milton and Middleton, thus occasioning reduced representation compared with that of the past. (See The Mathematical Limits of Representation)).

Previous in sequence: Milton Businesses of 1865; next in sequence: Milton Businesses in 1868.

References:

Jenks, George E. (1867). The New-Hampshire Political Manual and Annual Register for 1868. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=13sBAAAAYAAJ

Wikipedia. (2018, August 25). Frederick Smyth (New Hampshire). Retrieved from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frederick_Smyth_(New_Hampshire)

Wikipedia. (2018, August 21). Gilman Marston. Retrieved from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gilman_Marston

Wikipedia. (2018, August 24). Walter Harriman (Governor). Retrieved from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Harriman_(governor)