Valley Times Newspaper entries April 1892 to April 1894

From the Valley Times April 15, 1892
Mrs. J.T. Cotterell is visiting in Haverhill, Mass.
G.C. Knowles has been very sick, but is getting better.
J.E. Eastman is building him a slaughter house.
The band are to repeat their concert at Short Falls, April 22.
Married at the Free Baptist parsonage on April 8, by Rev. J.W. Scribner, Charles W. Towle of Epsom and Miss Rebekah Towns of Newport.
During the high wind last week Wednesday, a fire burned over about 200 acres of pasture belonging to B.M. Towle. C.W. Leighton and J. and W.H. Sanborn. Three sets of buildings were only saved by the timely aid of the citizens, and plowing across fields.
Fred Fife has gone into the butchering business.
Henry Bickford to carry on Mrs. J.C. Smith's farm this coming summer.
J.H. Tripp has taken down the barn on the J.R. Dow farm and putting it up again in connection with the one at his residence.
Amos Prescott, an aged man who died at North Berwick, Me, recently, resided in New Rye district many years ago. He is survived by one son, J.L. Prescott, the well known stove polish manufacturer, with whom he lived, and one daughter, Mrs. Jeremiah Burnham of this town.

From the Valley Times April 22, 1892
Albert Pickard has sold his farm and stock of cattle to Sumner Hall.
The Epsom brass band is to furnish music Memorial Day.
Noah Goss has finished his job in Windsor and returned home.
Hon. H.F. Sanborn of Princeton, Mass, came to town Wednesday.

From the Valley Times May 6, 1892
Gossville now has six mails a day.
Mrs. Perley Giles has been quite sick the past week.
H.S. Knowles has been in Boston this week buying goods.
The Ideal Minstrel troupe of Northwood gave a concert at G.A.R. Hall Tuesday evening.
The Epsom brass band have accepted an invitation to play at the anniversary of the I.O.O. F. Hall at their hall in Short Falls next Tuesday night.
Albert Pickard has moved to Deerfield.
Eugene Marden is clerking for J.B. Tennant
Shurburn Cass and wife of Lee, who formerly resided here, are visiting relatives in town.
The members of the Evergreen Lodge, I.O.O.F. attended the funeral of their late brother, John S. Hoyt, who died at this home in Chichester, April 21. He was a worthy member, and the oldest in the lodge. His age was 76 years. He is survived by a widow, one son, and four daughters.
The town schools are under instruction of the following teachers: Edith Fowler in the Mountain District; Mrs. Clara E. Woodman, New Rye; Eva Burleigh of Sandwich, Short Falls; Abbie James of Northwood, Gossville; Etta Goodwin of Portland, Center; and Josie Shaw of Pittsfield, New Orchard.

From the Valley Times June 10, 1892
A son was lately born to Hiram Hartford and wife.
Jeremiah Burnham and G.S. Chapman are both on the sick list.
James Fife, whose family has recently moved here from Boston, is very low in consumption.
By request of the late William Fife of Pembroke, the Epsom brass band attended his funeral at his late home, last Saturday.
A grandson of H.O. Wells, Herbert Lombard of Boston, aged 3 years, was brought here and buried in New Rye Cemetery.
Ephraim Locke, and aged man residing with daughter Mrs. J.W. Fowler, and who has been failing for several months, is now very low.
Dr. John Gile, formerly of Pembroke, now practicing in Tewksbury, Mass, was married on the 8th instant to Miss Vesta, oldest daughter of Benjamin Fowler of this town.
Maud Critcherson has an attack of the measles.
Married June 1, by J.W. Scribner, John W. Heath of Lynn, Mass, and Mrs. Sarah Hall of Epsom.

From the Valley Times June 17, 1892
Mrs. J. Hopkinson is sick with a brain trouble.
A daughter was born to George Cass and wife May 30.
Mrs. M.D. Bickford has a bad hand caused by getting a splinter in it and taking cold in it; she has had it lanced once, and it is still very painful.
Noah Goss, Will Waitts, Charles Gordon and James Bickford started early Monday morning for the Mountains with twenty barges and several carriages and one big coach.

From the Valley Times August 26, 1892
James Fife is very low in consumption.
J.H. Tripp and son started around with their threshing machine last Tuesday.
George S. Chapman died August 20 of heart disease, aged 67 years. He was a member of Evergreen Lodge, I.O.O. F., and is survived by a widow and two sons, Frank of Winchester, MA and C. Augustine of this town, besides one brother of Lynn, MA, and five sisters.
Mrs. Lydia (Dickey) Hayward of Hastings, Nebraska, who recently visited her nephew H.O. Wells, s the only surviving member of the family of Esquire Hanover Dickey, one of the first families in town half a century ago. Mrs. Hayward is 76 years of age, and it had been twenty-six years since she had visited her native town.
The late Ephraim Locke, who died on the 12th inst. was the son of Deacon Ephraim Locke. He was born in 1809 and lived in this town until 18 years ago, when he sold his farm to J.C. Philbrick, and moved to Suncook. While living here he served on the Board of Selectmen ten years, eight of which he was chairman, and was elected member of the legislature. He had been a member of the Free Baptist Church since 1835. His wife, who was a daughter of Rev. Samuel Dyer, died a few years since, and his eldest daughter, wife of Winthrop Fowler of Pembroke, soon followed her mother. For the past two years he has resided with his only remaining child, Mrs. James W. Fowler, at Short Falls, where he has been most devotedly cared for during the many months of his infirmities. His funeral was quite largely attended by the citizens of this town and Pembroke and he was buried in the family lot in Short Falls Cemetery.

From the Valley Times September 16, 1892
David Marden who died in East Concord September 3d, was a native of this town.
Mrs. Sarah Morrill who recently died in Pittsfield, was a sister of the late Deacon [Thomas] Tripp.
Miss Mary Baker, a teacher in St. Mary's school, Concord, visited her aunt, Mrs. Samuel Fowler, last week.
B.M. Cummings of Salt Lake City, Utah, was in town last week looking up the genealogy of George Wallace, a native of Epsom, but one of the early pioneers of that country.
Mrs. Thomas Ames is on the sick list.
Kidder Fisk is at work in Weare for Dr. Eaton.
The Democrats of Epsom chose the following delegates to the several conventions: State, S.R. Yeaton, J.W. Fowler; congressional, George Sanders, William Fowler; councilor, Gorham P. Rand, C.O. Brown; senatorial, J.C. Lear, B. Fowler; County, Warren Tripp, S. Martin.

From the Valley Times Oct. 21, 1892
Mrs. A.G. Noyes is on the sick list.
J.H. Nute has been granted an increase of his pension.
The apple crop in this town does not exceed that of a year ago.
S.T. Dolbeer of New York City is stopping at Calvin Dowst's.
Mrs. Lucinda Dickey, an aged lady, is visiting her daughter in Haverhill and Medford, MA
Miss Malissa Dickey died October 10, of heart trouble, aged 47 years. She leaves a mother and three sisters.
Hon. J.B. Tennant and wife accompanied Governor Tuttle and party to Chicago to be present at the dedication of the Columbian Exposition buildings.
The band is to play at a rally at Deerfield Center Friday evening.
T.W. Kelley lost his horse one day last week, colic is thought to be the cause.
Two sons of the late Thomas Steele of Montreal visited relatives in town this week.
The following are the nominations made at the Democratic caucus Wedensday evening: Moderator for two years, Hiram A. Holmes; supervisors of checklist, Frank L. Seavey, James W. Fowler, George P. Cass; representative, Nathan Goss.
Mrs. Blake Cass went to Byfield, MA, Tuesday to visit her sister.
Everyone is sorry to hear that the shoe shop is to be closed again, and that Mr. Hill is going to move his business to Pittsfield.

From the Valley Times Nov. 25, 1892
Jennie E., wife of Albert G. Noyes, who died on the 13th, was the daughter of Simon and Abigail Healey, and born in this town December 18, 1838. She early manifested a love for study which developed into a real thirst for knowledge, but the death of her father and elder brother rendered it necessary she should leave school without attaining the proficiency she desired; yet while engaged in the different pursuits in life, she did not fail to improve every opportunity for intellectual attainments. Throughout her life, she was willing to sacrifice herself for the interest of those who were dear to her and never appeared to shrink from the faithful performance of every duty, and we, who best knew her worth, seem to hear the plaudit of "well done." In her associations she was considerate of the happiness of others; not given to evil speaking, but ready to throw the mantle of charity over others faults. Her kindness of heart reached out taking in ever the unfortunate and needy in her generosity, and she won friends wherever her lot was cast, who sincerely mourn her loss. She had been a member of the Congregational church in this place 34 years. The sympathy of the community is extended to the bereaved husband, to the invalid mother, who had been bereft many times and now is deprived of a devoted daughter and last surviving child. Her funeral was largely attended, Rev. J.W. Scribner officiating. The floral tributes consisted of a pillow inscribed "Jennie" from her husband. Fifty three roses with smilax, Mr. and J.B. Tennant; wreath, McClary Grange. basket, Mrs. Abbie Chase, Haverhill, MA; Chrysanthemums, Helen and Abbie Noyes, Haverhill, and from Mrs. J.W. Fowler of this town. Interment in New Rye Cemetery; burial service rendered at the grave by McClary Grange.

From the Valley Times Nov. 25, 1892
James B. Fife, who died the 13th, was the eldest son of J.H. and Mary Fife, aged 39 years, 10 mos. He went to Boston at the age of 16 years where he was employed as a clerk in Ditson and Co's music store the most of the time for twenty two years. He came to his father's on a visit last December where he was suddenly stricken with hemorrhage of the lungs, from which he never recovered sufficiently to return. Besides his parents he leaves a widow, two daughters, one son, two sisters. Mrs. Frank E. Randall of Pittsfield and Mrs George Dowst of Allenstown, one brother, Fred C. of this town. His funeral was held in New Rye Chapel; services by Rev. J. Scribner, the deceased having been a member of the Free Baptist church here for twenty-seven years. Interment in New Rye Cemetery. Wreath and bouquet of flowers were furnished by his fellow employees in Boston. Chrysanthemums from his mother.

From the Valley Times December 2, 1892
There is to be a town meeting next Tuesday to see if the town will exempt a firm for a term of years to go into the shoe shop here. We would suppose that every voter would vote for it. [ed note, they did]
G.E. Critcherson and Everett Edmonds are working for Hill and Company in Pittsfield.
Charles Royal moved his family to Chelsea, Mass, this week.

From the Valley Times December 9, 1892
Mrs. Susan Weeks, who died December 1 at her brother William Goss' Pembroke of apoplexy, was the widow of the late Simon Weeks, both former residents of this town. She leaves four brothers and two sisters. He age was 60 years; interment in New Rye Cemetery.

Mrs. Susan Philbrick is repairing her house.
The Congregational Society will hold no meetings through the winter.
George P. Cass, who has lived on the Jonathan Chelsey place the past year, had moved back to his own farm.
F.L. Seavey is teaching New Rye School. Miss Olive Freeze of Deerfield at Short Falls. A number of the old teachers are retained.

From the Valley Times December 16, 1892
William H. Straw, a well known citizen, died on the 10th of heart trouble, aged 59 years, 9 months. He had been a worthy member of Evergreen lodge, I.O.O. F., from its organization, also of McClary Grange. He was a native of Hill, his parents moving to this town during the years of his boyhood. He is survived by a widow, two daughters, Mrs. Anson B. Cass and Mrs. E.E. Kendall, one brother, J.L. Straw of Pittsfield, and one sister, Mrs. Susan Philbrick. His funeral was in charge of the Odd Fellows, conducted by Past Grand J.H. Dolbeer; bearers, Past Grand Warren G. Tripp, G.W. Lane, William Fowler and Frank Marden. Singing by G.E. Critcherson, J.A. Tripp, Ethel Brown and Alice Wells; organist Mrs. Warren Brown. Rev. Mr. Locke of Chichester, officiating pastor.

From the Valley Times Dec. 30, 1892
Died in Manchester, December 26, Mrs. Sally Robinson, aged 73 years. She was a native of this town. Her remains were brought here Wednesday and laid beside her husband, Levi Robinson, in the cemetery at Short Falls.

Quite an accident happened on Monday. Walter Yeaton, his sister Christie, Mary Griffin and a Miss James were out riding when their horse fell down, throwing them out, injuring them al except Miss Yeaton who escaped with a few bruises. Miss Griffin had a bad cut over one eye and her face badly bruised. Miss James had one limb badly sprained, Walter had his neck hurt. It was a narrow escape for them all.

From the Valley Times January 6, 1893
Mrs. Sally Robinson who was brought from Manchester last week and buried in the Cemetery at Short Falls was the last surviving member of the later Samuel Fowler's family.
Levi Cass, who has been afflicted with paralysis several years, is now very sick.

From the Valley Times Jan 13, 1893
Charles Dutton has sold his buildings and a few acres of land to John Murphy.

From the Valley Times January 20, 1893
James Yeaton is quite sick with pneumonia.
Mrs. Ella Pearson of Epping gave a chalk talk on temperance in the Freewill Baptist Church Wednesday evening.
Dr. French of Pittsfield was called to see Mrs. Thomas Ames Monday. He gave no encouragement of her ever being any better.
B.M. Towle got one foot caught between a log and a tree while at work in the woods Tuesday, hurting it so that it is feared it will lay him up for some time.
Henry and George Dowst are getting our lumber to build a new barn the coming spring.

From the Valley Times January 27, 1893
A daughter was born to Nathan J. Goss and wife January 23; weight ten and one half pounds. [ed note, Maryetta Rebecca Goss, did not survive the year]
Alfred Yeaton is at Manchester Business college.
Fred Fife is getting out lumber to build a new house.
Jeremiah Burnham has been granted an increase in pension.
James Hersey, to whom reference has been made in the papers as teacher of Gen. Benjamin F. Butler, from his beginning to attend school until he was qualified to attend Philips Exeter Academy, was a resident of this town for many years. He sold his farm to the town for the use of their paupers and moved to Manchester, where he died in 1869.

From the Valley Times March 3, 1893
Mrs. Mary Jacko [ed. Jackrow] died February 21, aged 59 years and 8 months. She came from New York some two months ago to help care for her sister Mrs. Thomas Ames, who has been sick for several months, and was taken suddenly ill with a brain trouble and lived but three weeks. Her funeral was held in Lowell, MA, February 25.
Died at the home of her daughter Mrs. G.E. Warren, February 17, Mrs. Sophia Holmes, aged 85 years. Her remains were carried to Northwood for burial. She leaves four sons and two daughters.
Deacon Charles Doe is on the sick list.
Otis Burnham of the Concord Railroad shop spent the last week at his father's James Burnham.
C.W. Tarlton of Concord was at his farm last week barreling and shipping his apples to Boston.
The roads have been badly drifted for a week or more, some are hardly passable now.

From the Valley Times March 17, 1893
Widow Hannah Prescott, who is in her 89th year, is living alone in her house in Gossville and doing her work. Her late husband, Stephen Prescott of Deerfield, was a soldier of 1812, and she is he only pensioner in town under that date.
Over forty from this place attended concert by the Epsom brass band at Chichester last Friday evening.
The following officers were elected at the town meeting Tuesday: Selectmen J.H. Dolbeer, Edwin R. Yeaton, and Henry Doty. Town clerk, Maurice C. Philbrick; town treasurer, Daniel Yeaton.
Mrs. Martha Ames, wife of Thomas Ames, died March 4, aged 58 years and 1 month. She leaves a husband, brother and two sisters to mourn her loss. Funeral at the Free Will Baptist Church Wednesday. Rev. J.B. Scribner officiated. Burial in the Gossville Cemetery.
Our enterprising lumber dealers, Tripp and Tennant are running two sawmills in Moretown, one in Francistown, one in Hillsboro, and are employing some 120 men. They have two mills not in use at the present time. They produce seven million feet of lumber in a year.

From the Valley Times April 14, 1893
Mrs. Daniel Goss is sick with pneumonia.
H.O. Wells recently bought 9 cows of C.C. Doe and son.
Horace Fowler had his hand badly injured while sawing wood by horse-power last week.
C.F. Haines and W.G. Weeks have painted New Rye schoolhouse and are now painting the one at the center.
The roof of the shed adjoining the dwelling house of J.H. Tripp took fire from a spark blown from the chimney on the 2 inst, and but for its timely discovery the extensive farm building must all have burned down.
Morris Hartford, youngest son of James Hartford, died in the hospital in Boston on the 7th of pneumonia, aged 18 years. His funeral was held at his father's last Sunday, Rev. J.W. Scribner officiating. Besides his parents he is survived by five brothers and five sisters.

From the Valley Times April 28, 1893
A son was born to Frank Davis and wife April 19.
The remains of Daniel P. Locke of Pittsfield, a native of this town, were brought here Tuesday and buried in the Gossville Cemetery.
Miss Minnie E. Warren, daughter of George E. and Lizzie Warren, died of consumption, April 19, aged 22 years, 4 months and 22 days. The remains rested in a white plush casket wit beautiful flowers from friends comprising a pillow with the letters A.C.F. from the A.C.F. society of Epsom, of which she was a member, basket and 22 white roses, H.J. Holmes; bouquet of lilies and other flowers, Mrs. W.I. Holmes; twenty-two Easter lilies, E.M. Holmes; oleander blossoms, Mrs. C.P. Holmes; basket of flowers, Mrs. Ella M. Yeaton; calls lilies, Mrs. Courtland Freese; bouquet, Mrs. Hosea Hilliard; bouquet, Miss Hattie Pike; bouquet, Mrs. Charles Palmer; calla lilies, Mrs. Daniel Yeaton; bouquet, Miss Anna Batchelder; mound, Miss Ella Marden; bouquet, Mrs Samuel Bickford; wreath, Mrs. G.W. Marden. Funeral was held at the Free Will Baptist Church on Sunday; Rev. J.W. Scribner officiated. The bearers were Hollis Hall, Charles Pike, Walter Philbrick and Willie Burnham. Daniel Yeaton, manager; singing by the choir.

From the Valley Times May 19, 1893
Roger Griffin, who was killed in Boston by an explosion of chemicals, was a native of this town, being the youngest son of Nathan Griffin now residing in Deerfield. He was 39 years old and leaves a family.

From the Valley Times 1894 (January-August)
Ernest Heath and George Cass have swapped houses.
Voted at school meeting (March) to have a new schoolhouse at Gossville.

From the Valley Times February 1894
Obituary
This community was very much surprised and saddened last Thursday morning to learn that Mrs. Carrie E., the estimable wife of Alonzo Batchelder, died at her home in Epsom Thursday morning, February 15th, at the age of 44 years. Her disease was congestion of the brain. The deceased was a native of Concord, and she was bord March 15th, 1849, and she moved to Epsom at the age of 16, and had resided there ever since. She was a charter member of Ivy Green Rebekah Degree Lodge I.O.O. F., and also was a member of McClary Grange P of H, and in both of these organizations she ever took and active interest, and she will be remembered and mourned by a large circle of friends at her home and in this town. Besides a husband, she is survived by one brother, Albion L. Page of this town, and two daughters, Mrs. Hattie L. Sherburne and Myrtie E. Batchelder and also a grandchild, Nellie F. Sherburne of Epsom. The funeral obsequies occurred at the family residence last Sunday at 1 o'clock, and the attendance was large. Rev. Mr. Dame officiated, and he tenderly alluded to the many excellent traits on the deceased. The funeral was in charge of J.H. Dolbeer. There was a very elegant display of floral emblems. Wreath of flowers from Mrs. F.C. Ayer, wreath of flowers from members of Ivy Green Lodge. crescent from McClary Grange, wreath of flowers from Mr. and Mrs. A.L. Page, cut flowers from Mrs. C.H. Heath. The beautiful service of Ivy Green Rebekah Degree Lodge I.O.O.F. was rendered, followed by interment in the Centre cemetery.

From the Valley Times Newspaper Sat. April 7, 1894
SHORT FALLS
The saddest accident that has happened in this vicinity within our memory occurred March 29th. While a party of men were engaged in rolling logs into the Suncook River near the gristmill, one log suddenly started rolling over and fatally injuring Florus W. Tripp, who died the following morning. He was 29 years of age and the only son of Warren Tripp, and no young man in our midst was more widely or better known. He had always lived with his parents, and his father being engaged in the lumber business, the entire care of the large farm has devolved upon him. Ever faithful in the discharge of the duties of life, while his honesty and integrity won the esteem of those who knew him, and the universal sympathy of the community goes out to his young wife, to whom he married last June, to his parents and his only sister, Mrs. B.H. Fowler, who are grief stricken by their great bereavement. He was a worthy member of Evergreen and Ivy Green, D. of R., Lodges, I.O.O.F., and of McClary Grange; a constant attendant at church and the Sabbath School; in all these associations he will be greatly missed. His funeral was held at his late home last Sunday afternoon, where there was the largest attendance ever assembled on a similar occasion in this town, a great many being present from Pembroke and other neighboring towns. Rev.J.W. Scribner officiated. Singing by G.E. Critcherson, F.C. Fife, Mrs. J.W. Brown and Mrs. F.C. Fife, Fred Burnham, organist. The services were in charge of the Odd Fellows: J.H. Dolbeer conductor; and the several organizations to which he belonged followed his remains to the grave. Among the floral tributes were 29 pinks from his wife, with many beautiful contributions from Evergreen Lodge, McClary Grange, relatives and friends. Internment in the family lot in Short Falls Cemetery.