Mrs. DeMerritt’s Arbutus

By Muriel Bristol | November 3, 2018

A hundred years ago:Trailing Arbutus

Donations Received for the Year 1918-19. From Individuals. DeMerritt, Mrs. M.A., Milton, N.H., 3 boxes of arbutus in individual bunches for distribution to patients (NE Hospital, September 30, 1919).

Mrs. Musetta A. (Dorr) DeMerritt, was the wife of Berthold I. DeMerritt, who was a foreman in a Milton shoe factory. They resided on Silver Street in 1920.

“So shines a good deed in a weary world.”

References:

New England Hospital. (1919, September 30). Fifty-Seventh Annual Report of the New England Hospital for Women and Children, Its Training School for Nurses, and Dispensary. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=txfPAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA49

New Hampshire Wildflowers (John D. Cameron). Trailing Arbutus. Retrieved from nhwildflowers.org/trailing-arbutus.php

Milton Businesses in 1882

By Muriel Bristol (Transcriber) | November 3, 2018

Here is extracted the Milton (including Milton Mills) entry from the New Hampshire Register, State Year-book and Legislative Manual, for 1882.

MILTON, STRAFFORD. Pop. 1,516. N.E. fr. C., 40; N.W. fr. Dover, 20. R.R.S.[Railroad Station], Milton, on Ports., Gt. Falls & Conway, R.R.; for Milton Mills, Union, 4 m., connects twice daily by stage. 

OFFICERS – Clerk, C.H. Looney; Treas., Ira Miller; Selectmen, H.B. Scates, D. Wallingford, Elbridge W. Fox; Supts., J.U. Simes, H.P. Pitcher.

Postmasters – C.H. Looney; West, T.F. Canney. 

Justices [of the Peace] – Luther Hayes, C.H. Looney, E.W. Fox, M.V.B. Cook, B.F. Avery, C.C. Hayes, State; J.U. Sims, Joseph Plummer, B.B. Plummer, J.H. Hersey, Ira Miller, Geo. Lyman, J.F. Hart.

Churches – Chris., D.B. Goodwin; Cong., __ __; F. Bap., C.L. Plumer.

Exp. & Tel. Ag’t – Daniel Cockery. 

Physician – H.F. Pitcher. 

Hotels & Livery Stables – Riverside House, C.H. Downs; Glen House, H.G. Wentworth.

Literary Institution – Milton Classical Institute, A.E. Cowell.

Manufacturers – boots and shoes, Wilson & Morgan; excelsior, J.H. Avery & Co.; shoe boxes, Chas. H. Hayes; shoe knives, J.H. Duntley; lumber, Luther Hayes, Scates & Lyman, Wentworth & Plummer, H.V. Wentworth & Son; L. Plummer, p.o. ad. Union. 

Mechanics – blacksmiths, H. Duntly & Son, N.B. Varney; carpenters, Joseph Mathes, E.H. Hersom, I.W. Jones, D.R. Fall, G.A. Swasey; hair dresser, ___Watson; masons, Clark Foss, Wm. F. Wentworth, G.P. Otis; painters, G.F. Hodgdon, Timothy Remick, J.Q.A. Soppin; shoemaker, George Tasker; wheelwrights, Joseph Mathes, Daniel Jenness. 

Merchants – J.F. Hart, Dan. Cockery, J.D. Willey, Looney & Downes; fancy goods, Mrs. Ira S. Knox, Mrs. J.F. Hart; ice, Granite State Ice Company; millinery, Mrs. C.M. Roberts. 

Milton Mills – Postmaster & Ex. Agent – E.W. Fox. 

Churches – Adv., C.S. Shattuck, Joseph Spinney; Cong., C.F. Goldsmith; F. Bap., H.P. Mansur; Meth., W.C. Bartlett.

Hotel & Livery Stables – Central House, C. Remick; Centennial House, J.W. Prescott.

Lawyer & Ins. Ag’t – E.F. Cloutman.

Manufacturers – carriages and wheelwrights, John Brackett, A.O. Prescott; clothing, Asa Jewett; flannels, Waumbeck Manuf’g Co.; felt cloth piano and table covers, D.H. Buffum & Co.; picture frames, E.A. Hargraves; plows, W.F. Cutts; saddle housings, L.B. Roberts; soap, S.G. Chamberlain; rubber linings, table and piano covers, Townsend & Co.; washing powder, E.J. Brierley. 

Mechanics – blacksmiths, Ebenezer Osgood, Nathaniel Rines, S.F. Rines, S.R. Runnells, John W. Brierley; carpenters, J.F. Titcomb, E.S. Simes, A.A. Fox, S. Hooper, A.B. Shaw, H. Wentworth, O. Wentworth, G.E. Simes, O.T. Fox; dress makers, Cora Lord, Mrs. Jewett; dyer, J.H. Whiteside; hair dresser, E.A. Hargraves; hair worker, Mrs. E.W. Balentine; harness makers, A. Sanborn & Son, Wm. H. Jones; masons, J.G. Rines, Wm. Miller; (stone) E. Richards; painters, E.C. Abbott, C.E. Drew, J.R. Butler; photographer, F.R. Baker; plummer and roofer, J.D. Villars; printer, E.T. Libbey; shoemakers, G.W. Merrill, W. Otterway, J.H. Charnley, John W. Hanson; tailor, B.F. Allbee; undertaker, J. Brackett. 

Merchants – Asa Fox & Son, A.A. Fox & Co., J.U. Simes, Ira Miller; carriages, J.F. & G.E. Hart; clothing, A. Jewett & Co.; confectionery, A.E. Hargraves, W.F. Hargraves; coffins, and caskets, J. Brackett; dry goods, G.S. Lovering, F. Roberts; drugs and medicines, A.W. Low; fancy goods, Miss M.A. Berry; fish, J.F. Archibald, E. Trefethen; groceries, F.H. Lowd, J. Lewis, E.J. Brierley; jewelry, E.T. Libbey; millinery, Augusta Berry; millinery and fancy goods, Mrs. J.W. Prescott; periodicals, E.W. Fox, E.A. Hargraves; provisions, C.S. Lowd, J.E. Hayes; stoves and tin ware, Murray Bros. 

Miscellaneous – conveyancer, claim and collection agent, E.W. Fox; nurseryman, John Copp.

Physicians – J.C. Buck, C.W. Gross, M.K. Cowell, W.E. Pillsbury; dentist, E.G. Reynolds.

The Boston Globe reported the tragic death of Mrs. Susan A. Foss in a Milton snow storm on Wednesday, December 13, 1882.

HER LAST SHOPPING. A Woman Frozen to Death in a Snow Storm Near Milton, N.H. MILTON, N.H., December 16. Mrs. Moses W. Foss walked about two miles to this place to do some trading Wednesday afternoon in a snow storm. She attempted to return in a deep and blinding storm, and had nearly reached there, when, overcome by exhaustion, she fell down and perished. She leaves three small children. Her husband was out of town (Boston Globe, December 16, 1882).

Moses W. Foss married in Wakefield, NH, November 13, 1878, Susan A. (Sanborn) Goodwin. She was born in Wakefield, NH, circa 1855-56, daughter of Goodwin and Hannah Sanborn.

Moses W. Foss, a laborer, aged thirty-seven years (born NH) headed a Lebanon, ME, household at the time of the Tenth (1880) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Susan A. Foss, keeping house, aged twenty-five years (born ME), his son-in-law [step-son], Charles W. Goodwin, at home, aged six years (born NH), and James H. Foss, at home, aged one year (born NH).

Previous in sequence: Milton Businesses in 1881; next in sequence: Milton Businesses in 1884.

References:

White River Paper Co. (1882). New Hampshire Register, State Year-book and Legislative Manual, for 1882. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=rOsWAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA124

Non-Public BOS Session Scheduled (November 5, 2018)

By Muriel Bristol | November 3, 2018

The Milton Board of Selectmen (BOS) have posted their agenda for a BOS meeting to be held Monday, November 5.

The meeting is scheduled to begin with a Non-Public preliminary session at 5:00 PM. That agenda has nine Non-Public items classed as 91-A:3 II (d), 91-A:3 II (j), 91-A:3 II (j),  91-A:3 II (c), 91-A:3 II (j), 91-A:3 II (g), 91-A:3 II (c), 91-A:3 II (c), and 91-A:3 II (j).

91-A:3 II (d) Consideration of the acquisition, sale, or lease of real or personal property which, if discussed in public, would likely benefit a party or parties whose interests are adverse to those of the general community.

One would certainly hope that nothing additional is being acquired or leased. And most of what the Town has acquired already might be difficult to sell: used police pistols, used police cruisers, old fire stations, used pumper fire trucks, GIS systems, spare copies of Robert’s Rules of Order. There are a lot of things that could go on the block, at discount prices.

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].

There are four of these. This appears so frequently that it might be worthwhile to look up the three RSAs to which it refers.

91-A:5 IV. Records pertaining to internal personnel practices; confidential, commercial, or financial information; test questions, scoring keys, and other examination data used to administer a licensing examination, examination for employment, or academic examinations; and personnel, medical, welfare, library user, videotape sale or rental, and other files whose disclosure would constitute invasion of privacy. Without otherwise compromising the confidentiality of the files, nothing in this paragraph shall prohibit a public body or agency from releasing information relative to health or safety from investigative files on a limited basis to persons whose health or safety may be affected.

RSA 541 defines the various aspects of hearings. It defines hearing, rehearing, motion, appeal, petition, arguments, burdens of proof, evidence, exceptions, even contempt of court. This seems tough going for anyone not trained as a lawyer. The next one is even worse.

RSA 541-A begins with a lot of legal definitions. If you are permitted, or required, to take a drink of water, this is the sort of text that would define “you,” “drinking,” and “water.” Definitions, a lot happens with definitions and redefinitions. The remainder of the chapter is taken up with over forty sections explaining how rules and procedures may be created, how they must relate to county, state, and federal rules and regulations, emergency rules, interim rules, rules for sunny afternoons. A real mare’s nest.

91-A:3 II (c) Matters which, if discussed in public, would likely affect adversely the reputation of any person, other than a member of the public body itself, unless such person requests an open meeting. This exemption shall extend to any application for assistance or tax abatement or waiver of a fee, fine, or other levy, if based on inability to pay or poverty of the applicant.

There are three of these. Good luck to those seeking abatements or other relief under these conditions..

91-A:3 II (g) Consideration of security-related issues bearing on the immediate safety of security personnel or inmates at the county or state correctional facilities by county correctional superintendents or the commissioner of the department of corrections, or their designees.

This would seem to be a County matter. Did someone escape? Perhaps threats have been made against County personnel that reside here and need additional police protection.

The BOS intend to adjourn their Non-Public BOS session at approximately (*) 6:30 PM, when they intend to return to Public session.

The Public portion of the agenda has new business, old business, and housekeeping items.

Under new business are scheduled two items: 1) Purchase of Grant-Funded All Hazard Response Trailer (Nick Marique), and 2) Update on Past Board of Selectmen Meetings (Andy Lucier).

The obvious question regarding the purchase of a grant-funded All Hazard Response Trailer is: does it have an entail through the coming years of any not grant-funded expenses? For instance, will any paid personnel have to be redirected from their current duties, or hired, to maintain the “free” All Hazard Response Trailer? Will it have any maintenance expenses? If so, then we simply cannot afford to accept a grant-funded All Hazard Response Trailer.

It is difficult to imagine what Selectmen Lucier might have to say about past BOS meetings. Maybe, “we were just kidding,” or, “we are so sorry,” or even, as staunch proponents of accountability, “we are all resigning to make way for replacements that can ‘get the job done.'” More likely it will be some sort of excuse, deflection of responsibility, or inadequate solution. But, there could be a surprise. We shall see.

Under old business are scheduled two items: 3) Board of Selectmen By-Law Adjustment Acceptance (Ryan Thibeault), and 4) Town House Heating/Cooling Discussion (Erin Hutchings) .

Upon due consideration, the BOS will likely allow concluding Public Comments, to which they will pay the same degree of attention as they have the introductory Public Comments. The Town House heating/cooling discussion continues from past meetings.

On a side note, Ms. McDougall has called a second meeting of her Milton Advocates group. She struggled for a while in finding a suitable location. It seems that citizens groups are not authorized to meet in most Town buildings. She finally obtained permission to meet in the Nute Library’s Community Room, tomorrow (Saturday, November 3), at 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM. All town residents are invited. Bring your best manners. (Not her words).

Finally, there will be the approval of prior minutes (from the BOS Meetings of October 15 and October 29), the expenditure report, Town Administrator comments, and BOS comments. A second Public Comment section is not listed.

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

References:

Milton NH Community News. (2018, November 2). Lynette McDougall Posting. Retrieved from www.facebook.com/ourmiltonnews/photos/a.1555177584807282/2229426870715680/

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, November 2). BOS Meeting Agenda, November 5, 2018. Retrieved from www.miltonnh-us.com/uploads/bos_agendas_836_1230989733.pdf

Grand Opening of Ray’s Marina

By Muriel Bristol | November 1, 2018

The Portsmouth Herald of April 26, 1963 had an advertisement for Ray’s Sunoco & Sport Shop, which was situated on NH Route 16 [899 Central Avenue] in Dover, NH, “Next to DAN’S Super Market.” The advertisement also mentioned the Grand Opening May 1 of Ray’s Marina, Rte. 16, Milton Three Ponds, Milton, N.H.

Ray’s Sunoco Service Station appeared in an April 1956 advertisement of Leading Merchants that gave Top Value Stamps as a part of their transactions. A sufficient number of stamps might be redeemed for various consumer products.

Ray’s Sunoco put on a three-day boat show at the Dover Armory, March 31-April 2, 1961. It advertised boats at the service station in April 1962.

It can be inferred that Ray had originally a Sunoco service station, then a Sunoco service station and sports shop, in Dover, NH, which he then transferred or expanded to the site of the Milton railroad station in Milton, NH. (The railroad station ceased taking passengers as of June 1, 1958).

The following advertisement for an All Family Boat Show appeared in the Portsmouth Herald of May 5, 1963. Apparently, this represented an extended part of the previously advertised Grand Opening of May 1, 1963.

PH830505-Ray's Marina

Top Value Stamps included Ray’s Sunoco, Central Avenue, Dover, N.H, among their Leading Merchants in an advertisement of June 10, 1964, but apparently not thereafter.

Ray’s Marina & RV remained active on White Mountain Highway in Milton, NH, for nearly fifty years, closing its doors in 2012.

References:

Portsmouth Herald. (1956, April 2). The Leading Merchants Listed Below Give Top Value Stamps. Portsmouth, NH: Portsmouth Herald.

Portsmouth Herald. (1961, March 30). Ray’s Sunoco Boat Show at Dover Armory. Portsmouth, NH: Portsmouth Herald.

Portsmouth Herald. (1963, April 26). Ray’s Sunoco & Sport Shop. Portsmouth, NH: Portsmouth Herald

Portsmouth Herald. (1963, May 5). All Family Boat Show at Ray’s Marina. Portsmouth, NH: Portsmouth Herald

Portsmouth Herald. (1964, June 10). 100 Extra Top Value Stamps. Portsmouth, NH: Portsmouth Herald.

Milton and Abolitionism

By Muriel Bristol (Transcriber) | November 1, 2018

Representative Caleb Cushing (1800-1879) of Massachusetts presented “sundry memorials,” i.e., petitions, to the US House of Representatives, October 9, 1837. The petitions opposed the annexation of Texas. Among them was one “Of Elizabeth P. Jones and 123 other women of Milton.” They did not wish Texas to join the U.S. as another slave state.

In February or March, 1838, “Sarah W. Ricker, and 97 others, women of Milton, N.H.,” and “Mary Goldsmith, and 59 others, women of Milton Mills, N.H.,” signed memorandum, i.e., petitions, opposing the U.S. House of Representatives resolution of the 21st of December, 1837 (The Liberator, June 15, 1838). They were opposing the so-called House “gag rule”:

Resolved, that all petitions, memorials and papers touching the abolition of slavery or the buying, selling, or transferring of slaves in any state, district or territory of the United States be laid upon the table without being debated, printed, read or refined and that no further action whatsoever shall be had thereon.

Isaac Worster, of Milton, NH, stepped up in 1844, when there was some doubt whether the anti-slavery Herald of Freedom could continue to publish with their worn-out type and press.

In the next Herald of Feb. 19, Isaac Worster, in a letter to the General Agent of the Society, writes: You will consider me accountable for $25, towards the press. … If another press is needed when this is worn out, you will do me the favor to call &c (The Liberator, December 27, 1844).

He donated $2 to the same anti-slavery cause, via Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society agent Parker Pillsbury, in 1851. It was later said of him that he

… was a prominent man in Strafford county, N.H., for many years, where he was closely connected with the Abolition party, was firm and outspoken in his views against slavery, and was the personal friend and counselor of many of the noted leaders of the anti-slavery movement at a time when it required strong moral stamina and some personal risk to defend his convictions (Reno, 1901).

Isaac Worster and his family lived in West Milton, where he was a hoe and foils manufacturer in 1850. (He lived near Luther Hayes).

Stephen S. “S.S.” Foster, of Worcester, MA, made a round of collections for the benefit of the Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society in the spring of 1853. He received

From Charlotte Roberts, of Danversport [Mass.], $10:00; the Essex County A.S. [Anti-Slavery Society], $5; Benjamin Chase, of Auburn, NH, $2; a collection at do. [Auburn, NH], $6; Amos Chase, do. [Auburn, NH], $1; collection at Canterbury, N.H., $4.50; at South Weare, N.H., $2.25; Haverhill, $15.48; Geo. W. Lee, do. [Haverhill], $1; D.P. Harmon, do., [Haverhill], $5; at Parker’s Falls, N.H., $1.33; at Milton, N.H., $3.09; J.C. White, Farmington, do. [N.H.], $1; at Great Falls, do., $2.77; Margaret Ham, do. [Great Falls, N.H.], $1; Daniel Emerson, Lee, do. [N.H.], $1; Jonathan Cortland, do. [Lee, N.H.], $1; A.M. Tolman, Portland [Me.], 50c; N.A. Foster, do. [Portland, Me.], $3; Dr. R. Shackford, do. [Portland, Me.], $3; Ruth H. Morrill, do. [Portland, Me.], $5. – $74.92.

Samuel Philbrick, Treasurer of the Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society, included these collected sums in his account dated Brookline, Mass., June 1, 1853.

The Milton, N.H. donation of $3.09 was from a group, probably a church group, before whom the well-known S.S. Foster may have spoken.  (His wife, Abby Kelly Foster, was the more famous speaker).

The session of the [1854 Massachusetts] Anti-Slavery Convention yesterday was thinly attended, and the proceedings were excessively tame. In the afternoon, after a few remarks from Rev. Mr. STETSON, of Medford, S.S. FOSTER took the floor, and made quite a long, rambling speech, in which with characteristic boldness, he assailed the Free-Soil party as traitors to liberty and the rights of man (NY Times, 1854).

The Fosters’ Worcester, MA, farm (“Liberty Farm”) was a station on the underground railroad. Nute Ridge was said to be also such a station (See Milton in the News – 1949).

In June 1854, nearly eight-tenths of the eligible voters of Milton submitted a petition to Congress seeking repeal of the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850.

By Telegraph. Congressional. Senate. To-day Mr. Fessenden presented a petition from the voters of Milton, N.H., the birthplace of President Pierce, praying for the repeal of the fugitive slave law. Refused (Pittsburgh Gazette, June 30, 1854).

Another speaker made a Milton stop on a Strafford County anti-slavery speaking tour in 1855.

WILLIAM W. BROWN, an Agent of the American Anti-Slavery Society will lecture as follows:

  • Great Falls, N.H., Sunday, May 20
  • Farmington, ” [N.H.], Tuesday, ” [May] 22
  • Milton Three-Ponds, [& Milton] Village, Wednesday, ” [May] 23
  • Rochester, ” [N.H.], Friday, ” [May] 25
  • S. Newmarket, ” [N.H.], Sunday, ” [May] 27 (The Liberator, May 18, 1855).

See also Milton in the News – 1838 and Milton in the News – 1854

References:

The Liberator. (1838, June 15). Memorials Against the Resolution of 21st December 1837. Boston, MA: William Lloyd Garrison

The Liberator. (1851, June 13). Treasurer’s Report, of Receipts, from April 1st to June 1st, 1851. Boston, MA: William Lloyd Garrison

The Liberator. (1853, June 17). Treasurer’s Report, of Receipts, from May 2d to June 1st, 1853. Boston, MA: William Lloyd Garrison

NY Times. (1854, June 3). Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Convention. Retrieved from www.nytimes.com/1854/06/03/archives/massachusetts-antislavery-convention.html

Reno, Conrad, and Jones, Leonard A. (1901). Memoirs of the Judiciary and the Bar of New England for the Nineteenth Century. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=kGswAQAAMAAJ&pg=RA2-PA57

US House of Representatives. (1837). Journal of the House of Representatives of the United States, Being the First Session of the Twenty-Fifth Congress. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=7qIFAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA163

Wikipedia. (2018, December 11). Caleb Cushing. Retrieved from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caleb_Cushing

Wikipedia. (2018, June 14). Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society. Retrieved from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Massachusetts_Anti-Slavery_Society

Wikipedia. (2018, September 8). Stephen Symonds Foster. Retrieved from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Symonds_Foster

YouTube. (2001). John Brown Brings His War to Harpers Ferry. Retrieved from www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1ENCqGukHU

Milton Businesses in 1881

By Muriel Bristol (Transcriber) | November 1, 2018

Here is extracted the Milton (including Milton Mills) entry from the New Hampshire Register, State Year-book and Legislative Manual, for 1881.

It may be interesting to note the unexpected continuance of the Milton Classical Institute (whose article will thus require some revision).

Also, the apparent first inclusion of an ice merchant – the Granite State Ice Company – which had incorporated itself in 1878.

MILTON, STRAFFORD – Pop 1,516. N.E. fr. C., 40. N.W. fr. Dover, 20. R.R.S. [Railroad Station], Milton, on Ports. Gt. Falls & Conway R.R.; for Milton Mills, Union, 4 m., connects twice daily by stage. 

OFFICERS – Clerk, C.H. Looney; Treas., Ira Miller; Selectmen, H.B. Scates, D. Wallingford, Elbridge W. Fox; Supts. J.U. Simes, H.P. Pitcher. 

Postmasters – C.H. Looney; West, T.F. Canney. 

Justices [of the Peace] – Luther Hayes, С.H. Looney, E.W. Fox, M.V.B. Cook, B.F. Avery, С.C. Hayes, Staff; J.U. Sims, Joseph Plummer, В.В. Plummer, J.S. Hersey, Ira Miller, Geo. Lyman, J.F. Hart. 

Churches – Chris., D.B. Goodwin; Cong., ___ ___; F. Bap, C.L. Plumer.

Exp. & Tel. Ag’t – Daniel Cockery.  Physician – H.F. Pitcher. 

Hotels & Livery Stables – Riverside House, С.H. Downs; Glendale House, H.G. Wentworth.

Literary Institution – Milton Classical Institute, A.E. Cowell.

Manufacturers – boots and shoes, Wilson A. Morgan; excelsior, J.H. Avery & Co.; shoe boxes, Chas. H. Hayes; shoe knives, J.H. Duntley; lumber, Luther Hayes, Scates & Lyman, Wentworth & Plummer, H.V. Wentworth & Son; L. Plummer, p.o. ad. Union. 

Mechanics – blacksmiths, H. Duntly & Son, N.B. Varney; carpenters, Joseph Mathes, E.H. Hersom, I.W. Jones, D.R. Fall, G.A. Swasey; hair dresser, ___ Watson; masons, Clark Foss, Wm. F. Wentworth, G.P. Otis; painter, G.F. Hodgdon, Timothy Remick; printer, J.Q.A. Soppin; shoemaker, George Tasker; wheelwrights, Joseph Mathes, Daniel Jenness. 

Merchants – J.F. Hart, Dan. Cockery, J.D. Willey, Looney & Downes; fancy goods, Mrs. Ira S. Knox, Mrs. J.F. Hart; ice, Granite State Ice Company; millinery, Mrs. C.M. Roberts.

Milton Mills – Postmaster & Ex. Agent – E.W. Fox.

Churches – Adv., C.S. Shattuck, Joseph Spinney; Cong., C.F. Goldsmith; F. Bap., H.P. Mansur; Meth., W.C. Bartlett. 

Hotel & Livery Stables – Central House, C. Remick; Centennial House, J.W. Prescott.

Lawyer & Ins. Ag’t – E.F. Cloutman. 

Manufacturers – carriages and wheelwrights, John Brackett, A.O. Prescott; clothing, Asa Jewett; flannels, Waumbeck Manuf’g Co.; felt cloth, piano and table covers, D.H. Buffum & Co.; picture frames, E.A. Hargraves; plows, W.F. Cutts; saddle housings, L.B. Roberts; soap, E.G. Chamberlain; rubber linings, table and piano covers, Townsend & Co.; washing powder, E.J. Brierley. 

Mechanics – blacksmiths, Ebenezer Osgood, Nathaniel Rines, S.F. Rines, S.R. Runnells, John W. Brierley; carpenters, J.F. Titcomb, E.S. Simes, A.A. Fox, S. Hooper, A.B. Shaw, H. Wentworth, O. Wentworth, G.E. Simes, O.T. Fox; dress makers, Cora Lord, Mrs. Jewett; dyer, J.H. Whiteside; hair dresser, E.A. Hargrave; hair worker, Mrs. E.W. Balentine; harness makers, A. Sanborn & Son; jeweler, Wm. H. Jones; masons, J.G. Rines, Wm. Miller; (stone) E. Richards; painters, E.C. Abbott, C.E. Drew, J.R. Butler; photographer, F.R. Baker; plummer and roofer, J.D. Villars; printer, E.T. Libby; shoemakers, G.W. Merrill, W. Otterway, J.H. Charnley, John W. Hanson; tailor, B.F. Albee; undertaker, J Brackett. 

Merchants – Asa Fox & Son, A.A. Fox & Co., J.U. Simes, Ira Miller; carriages, J.F. & G.E. Hart; clothing, A. Jewett & Co.; confectionery, A.E. Hargraves, W.F. Hargraves; coffins and caskets, J. Brackett; dry goods, G.S. Lovering, F. Roberts; drugs and medicines, A.W. Low; fancy goods, Miss M.A. Berry, fish, J.F. Archibald, E. Trefethen; groceries, F.H. Lowd, J. Lewis, E.J. Brierley; jewelry, E.T. Libbey; millinery, Augusta Berry; millinery and fancy goods, Mrs. J.W. Prescott; periodicals, E.W. Fox, E.A. Hargraves; provisions, C.S. Lowd, J.E. Hayes; stoves and tin ware, Murray Bros. 

Miscellaneous – conveyancer, claim and collection agent, E.W. Fox; nurseryman, John Copp.

Physicians – J.С. Buck, C.W. Gross, M.K. Cowell, W.E. Pillsbury; dentist, E.G. Reynolds.

Previous in sequence: Milton Businesses in 1880; next in sequence: Milton Businesses in 1882.

References:

Claremont Stationary Company. (1881). The New Hampshire Register, Farmer’s Almanac and Business Directory, for 1881. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=k5IBAAAAYAAJ&pg=RA2-PA124

Milton’s Arithmetic Textbooks of 1878

By Muriel Bristol | October 31, 2018

An advertisement from the New-England Journal of Education issue of July 4, 1878, mentions the mathematics textbooks adopted for use in the Milton public district schools, or “common” schools. (Milton is included in the list of “Adopted For” towns (bolding added)).

The Milton School Superintendents of 1876 were M.V.B. Cook, J.N. Lowell, Freeman H. Lowd.

In 1880, Martin V.B. Cook was a farmer, aged forty-one years, John N. Lowell was a [Congregational] clergyman, aged thirty-three years, and Freeman H. Lowd was a bookkeeper, aged thirty-two years. (When they were superintendents, in 1876, they would have been aged 37, 29, and 28 years, respectively).

In 1880, Milton had about 260 inhabitants who had “attended school within the last year.”

WHITE’S ARITHMETICS.

Graded School Series Uniting Mental and Written Arithmetic in a Natural System of Instruction.

BY E.E. WHITE, A.M., Pres’t of Purdue University

PRICES.

  1. Special Exchange Price – For supplies for first introduction into schools in exchange for the corresponding old books of other series in use in the schools.
  2. Special Introduction Price – for supplies for first introduction into schools where not already in use.
  3. Regular Program – For supplies, not for first introduction, sent by express or freight on receipt of price by mall. If by mail, one-sixth must be added to cover postage.

Single Sample Copies to Teachers and School Officers will sent be post-paid, on receipt of Introduction price, with express understanding that they are for examination with a view to first introduction.

  • White’s Primary Arithmetic, $0.13 [Exchange], $0.17 [Introduction], $0.22 [Regular]
  • White’s Intermediate Arithmetic, $0.21 [Exchange], $0.28 [Introduction], $0.35 [Regular]
  • White’s Complete Arithmetic, $0.40 [Exchange], $0.52 [Introduction], $0.65 [Regular]

The Intermediate and Complete are published WITH and WITHOUT Answers, same price.

IN CLOTH BINDING

  • White’s Primary Arithmetic, $0.18 [Exchange], $0.25 [Introduction], $0.30 [Regular]
  • White’s Intermediate Arithmetic, $0.25 [Exchange], $0.35 [Introduction], $0.45 [Regular]
  • White’s Complete Arithmetic, $0.45 [Exchange], $0.60 [Introduction], $0.75 [Regular]. The Edition in Cloth is WITH Answers.
  • White’s Manual of Arithmetic, Key to Intermediate and Complete, $0.75 [Introduction], $0.75 [Regular]

Superior in the following Important particulars:

  • Superior Mental and Written Arithmetic combined in a philosophical manner.
  • White’s Arithmetic faithfully embody the Inductive Method.
  • Carefully graded, and no space wasted by useless repetitions.
  • Problems sufficiently numerous, varied, progressive, and practical.
  • Adapted to the present position of science, education, and business.
  • Useless and obsolete subjects omitted.
  • Best treatment of Common and Decimal Fractions.
  • Most extensive treatment of business transactions.
  • New and interesting matter in the applications of Percentage.
  • Remarkably simple methods for Equations of Accounts. – approved and used by business men.
  • Attractive typography and Illustrations.
  • Economy of time, labor, and money by use of White’s Arithmetics

ADOPTED FOR

Springfield, Mass., Bangor, Me., Augusta, Me., Calais, Me., Amesbury, Mass., W. Medway, Mass., Wareham, Mass., Peabody, Mass., Blackstone, Mass., Searsport, Me., Wolfboro, N.H., Laconia, N.H., Cumberland, R.I., Walpole, Mass., East Machias, Me., Gloucester, Mass., Lawrence, Mass., Waterville, Me., Hampton, N.H., Newmarket, N.H., Richmond, Me., Wellfleet, Mass., Pittsfield, N.H., Leominster, Mass., North Adams, Mass., Rockport, Mass., Groveton, N.H., Natick, Mass., Newmarket, N.H., Hiram, Me., Newport, N.H., Lewiston, Me., Newton, Mass., Hancock, N.H., Northboro, Mass., Great Falls, N.H., Ayer, Mass., Easton, Mass., Hopkinton, Mass., Brookfield, Mass., Stoughton, Mass., Milltown, Me., Rochester, N.H., Milford, N.H., Orange, Mass., Salmon Falls, N.H., Milbury, Mass., Auburn, Me., Marblehead, Mass., Nantucket, Mass., Grantville, Mass., Reading, Mass., Littleton, N.H., Marlboro, N.H., Gonic, N.H., London, N.H., Lisbon, N.H., Foxboro, Mass., Greenfield, Mass., South Paris, Me., Milton, N.H., Westerly, R.I., W. Brookfield, Mass.,

New York City, Memphis, Des Moines, La Fayette, Ind., Iowa City, Sioux City, New Albany, Ind., South Bend, Ind., Chilichoothe, O., Richmond, Va., Akron, O., Fond du Lac, Omaha, Little Rock, Wooster, O., Ottumwa, Tiffin, 0., Carbondale, Ill., Houston, Tex., Appleton, Wis., Jefferson City, Terre Haute, Ottawa, Kn, Seymour, Ind., Owensboro, Ky., Warren, O., Oberlin, O., Columbus, O., Bloomington, Ill., Logansport, Denver, Toledo, Burlington, Ia., Paris, Ky., Youngstown, O., Springfield, O.,

And Five Hundred Other Cities and Towns.

White’s Arithmetics are favorites in the Normal Schools; they are used in the following, among other important State and City Normals:

Maine State Normal, Farmington; Michigan State Normal; Nebraska Sate Normal; Pennsylvania State Normal, Edinboro; Kansas State Normal, Emporia; Minnesota State Normal, St. Cloud; North Missouri State Normal, Indiana State Normal, Terre Haute; Northern Illinois Normal University; Ohio Central Normal School; Western Ohio Normal, Euphemia; Denver Norm. and Clas. School; Normal Dept. Howard University; Rhode Island State Normal; New York State Normal, Albany; Maryland State Normal; Penn’a State Normal, Shippensburg; Minnesota State Normal, Wissun; Wisconsin State Normal, Platteville; South Missouri State Normal; North Indiana Normal, Valparaiso; Northwestern Ohio Normal; National Normal, Lebanon, O.; Galipelle (Ohio) Normal School; Helena (Ark.) Normal Academy; Moravia (town) Normal School;

And Private Schools and Academies generally.

VAN ANTWERP, BRAGG & Co., Publishers, Cincinnati and New York

References:

NE Journal of Education. (1878, July 4). White’s Arithmetics. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=o-s6AQAAMAAJ&pg=RA2-PA17

White, Emerson Elbridge. (1858). A Primary Arithmetic. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=VzgMAAAAYAAJ

White, Emerson Elbridge. (1876). An Intermediate Arithmetic. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=pXoWAAAAYAAJ

White, Emerson Elbridge. (1870). A Complete Arithmetic. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=BngZAAAAYAAJ

Wikipedia. (2018, October 31). Common School. Retrieved from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_school

Wikipedia. (2018, October 21). Normal School. Retrieved from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Normal_school

Happy Halloween

By S.D. Plissken | October 31, 2018

A commenter sent me this, which they photographed on some spooky Milton street. The lost revaluation treasure. According to this sign, it must still be out there, somewhere …

Selectmen's Hoard

Happy Halloween!

Milton Businesses in 1880

By Muriel Bristol (Transcriber) | October 30, 2018

Here is extracted the Milton (including Milton Mills) entry from the New Hampshire Register, State Year-book and Legislative Manual, for 1880.

MILTON, STRAFFORD – Pop., 1593. N.E. fr. C., 40; N.W. fr. Dover, 20. R.R.S. [Railroad Station] – Milton, on Ports., Gt. Falls & Conway R.R.; for Milton Mills, Union, 4 m., connects twice daily by stage. 

OFFICERS – Clerk, C.H. Looney; Treas., Ira Miller; Selectmen, Chas. C. Hayes, A.A. Fox, M.V.B. Cook; Supts., Mrs. A.M. Varney, Mrs. Ira Cook, Chas. D. Fox.

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

Justices [of the Peace] – Luther Hayes, C.H. Looney, E.W. Fox, Frank Wells, M.V.B. Cook, B.F. Avery, State; J.U. Sims, Isaac Merrill, Joseph Plummer, Joseph Cook, Geo. Lyman, J.S. Hersey, J.F. Hart, B.B. Plummer, C.C. Hayes, Ira Miller.

Churches – Chris., D.B. Goodwin; Cong., J.N. Lowell; F. Bap., C.L. Plumer.

Ex. & Tel. Ag’t – Daniel Cookery. Physician, H.F. Pitcher.

Hotels & Livery Stables – Riverside House, C.H. Downs; Glendale House, H.G. Wentworth.

Literary Institution – Milton Classical Institute, Miss Clements. 

Manufacturers – boots and shoes, Wilson & Morgan; excelsior, H. Avery & Co.; shoe boxes, Chas. H. Hayes; shoe knives, J.H. Duntley; lumber, Luther Hayes, Scates & Lyman, Wentworth & Plummer, H.V. Wentworth & Son; L. Plummer, p.o. ad., Union.

Mechanics – blacksmiths, H. Duntly & Son, N.B. Varney; carpenters, Joseph Mathes, E.H. Hersom, I.W. Jones, D.R. Fall, G.A. Swasey; hair dresser, H.B. Knox; masons, Clark Foss, Wm. F. Wentworth, G.P. Otis; painters, G.F. Hodgdon, Timothy Remick; printer, J.Q.A. Soppin; shoemaker, George Tasker; wheelwrights, Joseph Mathes, Daniel Jenness. 

Merchants – J.F. Hart, Dan. Cockery, J.D. Willey; fancy goods, Mrs. Ira S. Knox, Mrs. J.F. Hart; millinery, Mrs. C.M. Roberts.

[Milton] Mills – Postmaster & Ex. Agent – E.W. Fox.

Churches – Adv., C.S. Shattuck; Cong., C.H. Hickok; F. Bap., H.P. Mansur; Meth., J.H. Bean. 

Hotel & Livery Stables – Central House, C. Remick; Centennial House, J.W. Prescott.

Lawyer & Ins. Ag’t – E.F. Cloutman. 

Manufacturers – carriages and wheelwrights, John Brackett, A.O. Prescott; flannels, Waumbeck Manuf’g Co.;  felt cloth, piano and table covers, D.H. Buffum & Co.; plows, W.F. Cutts; saddle housings, L.B. Roberts; soap, S.G. Chamberlain; rubber linings, table and piano covers, Townsend & Co. 

Mechanics – blacksmiths, Ebenezer Osgood, Nathaniel Rines, S.F. Rines, S.R. Runnells; carpenters, J.F. Titcomb, E.S. Simes, A.A. Fox, S Hooper, A.B. Shaw, H. Wentworth, O. Wentworth, G.E. Simes; dress makers, Cora Lord, Mrs. Jewett; dyer, J.H. Whiteside; hair dresser, E.A. Hargrave; hair worker, Mrs. E.W. Balentine; harness makers, A. Sanborn & Son; jeweler, Wm. H. Jones; masons, J.G. Rines, Wm. Miller; (stone) E. Richards; painters, E.C. Abbott, C.E. Drew, J.R. Butler; photographer, F.R. Baker; plummer and roofer, J.D. Villars; printer, E.T. Libbey; shoemakers, G.W. Merrill, W. Otterway, J.H. Charnley; tailor, B.F. Allbee; undertaker, J. Brackett. 

Merchants – Asa Fox & Son, A.A. Fox & Co., J.U. Simes, Ira Miller; carriages, J.F. & G.E. Hart; clothing, A. Jewett & Co.; confectionary, A.E. Hargraves, W.F. Hargraves; coffins and caskets, J. Brackett; dry goods, G.S. Lovering, F. Roberts; drugs and medicines, A.W. Low; fancy goods, Miss M.A. Berry; fish, J.F. Archibald, E. Trefethen; groceries, F.H. Lowd, J. Lewis, E.J. Brierly; jewelry, E.T. Libbey; millinery, Augusta Berry; millinery and fancy goods, Mrs. J.W. Prescott; periodicals, E.W. Fox, E.A. Hargraves; provisions, C.S. Lowd, J.E. Hayes; stoves and tin ware, Murray Bros. 

Miscellaneous – conveyancer, claim and collection agent, E.W. Fox; nurseryman, John Copp. 

Physicians – J.C. Buck, C.W. Gross, M.K. Cowell; dentist, E.G. Reynolds.

John W. Prescott had advertised his Centennial House hotel in Milton Mills in the Boston Globe, when it opened in or around June 1876:

BG760627-Centennial

(The picture is a generic hotel picture, rather than an actual picture of the Centennial House).

Previous in sequence: Milton Businesses in 1877; next in sequence: Milton Businesses in 1881.

References:

Claremont Manufacturing Company. (1880, March 3). New Hampshire Register, State Year-book and Legislative Manual, for 1880. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=1Sw0AQAAMAAJ&pg=PA123

Feckless or Gormless?

By S.D. Plissken | October 30, 2018

Yes, they did it again. At last night’s Board of Selectmen (BOS) Meeting, the BOS voted unanimously to raise our taxes by 4.19%. For those that live in the real world, yes, that would be double the 2.1% rate of inflation.

The BOS meeting was recorded for Youtube, but the audio failed. Ms. Nancy Faith Wing made a partial recording with her cell phone, which may be found at her Our Milton Home Facebook group page.

The 4.19% increase failure was going to be much larger and – get this – the BOS was going to be okay with that. That is our basic problem.

Cost savings or cuts were not deployed. They even threw in the lesser pumper truck ($5,500), as a stop-gap, a new cemetery position, with rather vague back-of-the-envelope cost calculations, which will certainly rise, and a round of eleven new Glock pistols for the police force, as a sort of cherry on top.

I mean, really, are police pistols, like police cars, on some sort of automatic renewal plan? I suppose pistols must wear out, eventually, but did that really happen so soon?

As expected, insurance was the elephant in the room. There were four possible options on the table, ranging from worse to bad and then worst of all. That was what scared them last time. Even the BOS was having trouble swallowing the bitter pill.

Chief Krauss stepped up and performed some in-his-head calculations at the lectern, through which he was able to merge two awful insurance options to make a merely bad one. Deus ex machina! One wonders why that had not been done before. Chief Marique was projecting the budget spreadsheet onto a screen, but his PC had no power cord and turned itself off. A bit of comic relief.

Then the BOS looked glum. Vice-chairwoman Hutchings and Selectman Lucier, at least, finally grasped the nature of their utter failure to manage the Town government:

Lucier: It would have been nice to have all this information prior to doing the budgets. You know, we get this at the last meeting. [Long pause]. I wouldn’t have done this budget the way we did the budget. I personally would not have supported any new positions, and I probably would have looked at cutting some positions. ‘Cause this is just …

Hutchings: They’ve also … next year in the budget, I mean, the whole process, I really think that employees need to be put into like … Pat’s people need to be in his budget, Rich’s need to be in his, Nick’s need to be in … 

Thibodeau: You mean the health benefits …

Hutchings: Yeah, all the benefits. When we’re looking at the budgets, we’re really not looking at a true budget for a department when we don’t have all the information. I think we need to go back to putting those people into those individual budgets, so we can truly look at it and see … what each budget is …

Hutchings: I agree with Chief Krauss, I think … 

Lucier: I don’t think we have much choice.

Hutchings: No. … and Chief Marique.

In the end, they took up at Chief Krauss’ miraculous bad option and approved it unanimously. Actually, they all voted first for an incorrect amount, unanimously, which totaled to 4.18% increase. Then they discovered something had been left out of the shopping cart. When that was added, it came to 4.19%. The new bottom line will be $4,707,008.48, an increase of. $197,395.85, or 4.19%, over last year. Those that chose “over” in the pool can collect their winnings.

The Scots have a formulation for all this in their Lallans or Lowlands dialect. They would ask if our Selectmen are feckless or gormless? Gormless may be defined as lacking understanding. (We would say clueless). Feckless may be defined as lacking any “feck,” or effect. Under that interpretation, the BOS knows what should be done, but are unable to carry it through. Their actions lack effect, they are useless.

Some might say that this is a false question: the BOS has been both feckless and gormless, in turn. They began as being gormless and, in so being, did not address these issues in a timely manner. They frittered away the year; they wasted our time. By-laws indeed. Now, at the end, with looming statutory deadlines, they realize the full extent of their folly. But there is nothing to be done. They are now feckless.

How many will suffer under their new 4.19% increase? That is, 4.19% if you are gormless enough to think it will not rise yet further. How many neighbors will we lose this year? How dare the BOS, and you, speak of “community” while voting to destroy its financially weaker members? Shame, shame is what we should feel. Unless, we are all as gormless as Selectmen.

Next come the default budgets. You know, the ones that are carefully crafted, as specified by the RSAs, to make the greater amounts on the ballot seem like they are in fact the lesser amounts and vice versa.

P.S. A commenter corrects us to say that the Budget Committee is not responsible for the amounts in the default budgets. The paragraph above has been corrected to reflect that information.

References:

Wikipedia. (2018, October 29). Deus Ex Machina. Retrieved from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deus_ex_machina

Wiktionary. (2018, June 18). Feckless. Retrieved from en.wiktionary.org/wiki/feckless

Wiktionary. (2017, May 24). Gormless. Retrieved from en.wiktionary.org/wiki/gormless

Wing, Nancy Faith. (2018, October 29). Partial Cell Phone Video of BOS Meeting, October 29, 2018. Retrieved from www.facebook.com/gniwgniw22/videos/10155515676606260/