Home » 2017 (Page 3)

Yearly Archives: 2017

The Senter Homestead on Old Derry Road

August 3, 2017 11:00 pm / 1 Comment on The Senter Homestead on Old Derry Road

Senter Farmhouse Old Derry Road

Best known as the home of Deacon Thomas Senter this farm was home to five generations of the Senter Family, beginning with Samuel the father of Thomas. The farm were settled in the South West part of Londonderry near “Potash” Corner. This was the part of Londonderry annexed to Nottingham West in 1778. We know the location today as the intersection of Old Derry Road with Robinson Road and a bit north of the Senter Cemetery.

Deacon Thomas was born May 1753 in Londonderry, NH the son of Susan Taylor and Samuel Senter. Thomas married Esther Greeley, daughter of Ezekiel Greeley, circa 1775. Their family consisted of 7 daughters (Kate, Bridget, Susan, Charlotte, Esther, Rebecca, and Nancy) and 2 sons (Thomas, Jr and Charles). His wife, Esther passed at the age of 51 in 1800. Thomas married a second time to Mercy Jackson and a third time to Eunice White. There is no record of children born to these later marriages. Thomas was a farmer and he enlisted in the spring of 1775 for 8 months and served at the Battle of Bunker Hill.

On May 1, 1805 the Baptist Church of Christ of Nottingham West (now the First Baptist Church of Hudson) was organized in this home by a council called for that purpose. The new church consisted of 65 members who had been “sett Off” from the Baptist Church in Londonderry. That very same council held an ordination for The Reverend Thomas Paul. For several years following the new church did not have a settled pastor. The pulpit was supplied by various pastors, one of whom was the Reverend Thomas Paul. The early church had two deacons. Thomas Senter was chosen as one of the deacons, the other was Moses Greeley. The anniversary of the organization of the Baptist Church (now at 236 Central Street) is recognized annually on or near May 1 as a Roll Call. Members meet, enjoy a meal, fellowship, and call the roll. When a member’s name is called they respond with a verse of scripture.

This homestead remained with the Senter family until May 1889 when it was sold to Jeremiah Heath and his son George M. Heath. The Heath family owned the place until about 1921 when it was sold by Cora Heath, wife of George. Either just before or soon after being sold by the Heath family the ancient home was destroyed by fire. It is not clear if this was an intentional burn or not. From the June 30, 1921 article in the Nashua Telegraph we get a description of the house. The centerpiece of the house were two large brick chimneys probably made from Litchfield bricks. These massive structures remained standing after the fire; showing the huge arches in the cellar which supported 8 fireplaces. One for each of the rooms in the house. Cooking was done in an open fireplace. The house had a front and a back door which led into a hallway from which one you access any of the four rooms downstairs. The roof timbers were unusually strong and could have supported the extra weight of a slate roof. To my knowledge, all evidence of this house has been replaced by more recent developments.

While researching Moses Greeley for last week’s article and Thomas Senter for this week, I began to understand the significant role each of these gentlemen had to our town’s history; and the similarities of their lives. Let me share: They were farmers and neighbors, settling on the Derry Road. They had adjacent farms and their houses were within 1/2 mile of each other. They were both charter members of the First Baptist Church and both were elected as one of the two deacons for the church; a position held for life or until one resigned. They were not related but their lives and the lives of their families were interwoven. You see, Moses and Thomas married sisters. Moses’ first wife was Hannah Greeley. Thomas’ first wife was Esther Greeley. These ladies were the daughters of Ezekiel Greeley. The relationship between these two families continued beyond Moses and Thomas.

This photo of the Senter Homestead is courtesy of John Senter of Nashua; a direct descendant of Deacon Thomas Senter.

Greeley/Lambert/Nadeau Farm

July 27, 2017 10:35 pm / Leave a comment

98 Old Derry Road Early View

Do you have memories of the Nadeau Dairy Farm at 98 Old Derry Road? Perhaps you stopped by and visited the cows; taking pictures while they grazed in the field or lay resting while they chewed their cud to take digestion to the next level!! Perhaps you drove past and saw the tractor and hay baler getting the crop ready for winter storage. One of my memories is intentionally driving past the farm near Halloween to see the numerous Jack-O-Lanterns positioned along the side of the road, gazing out of a barn window, or perched and lighted from the top of the blue silo. This was a local tradition prepared for us by the Nadeau family with help from friends and neighbors.

This four generation dairy farm had it’s beginning in 1902 when Joseph Lambert and his wife Mary were living in Nashua but looking to move to a dairy farm. In July of that year they purchased this home and farm from the heirs of Jackson Greeley. Joseph ran a milk route into Nashua. He later added chickens and pigs with the remainder of the farm was used for grazing and growing feed for the cows.

Joseph and Mary raised a family of six. Their daughter, Marion, married Emery Henry Nadeau in 1935. They lived on and worked the farm with her parents; purchasing from them in 1941. For another two generations and most of 70 years the farm continued; first with Marion’s son Emery E. and later with her grandson, Emery E.,Jr. The senior Emery E. was responsible for the day to day operations of the farm since the age of 14 when his dad, Emery Henry, took a job in Nashua. By 1961 Emery E. and Shirley (Craig) were married. They raised a family of 3 children; Lori, Emery E. Jr, and Elizabeth. The younger Emery joined the family business upon graduation from Alvirne High School in 1982.

By 1995 Emery E. then age 50 was working a herd of 75 milkers which produced about 205 gallons a day!! The electronic milking machines delivered the milk directly into a storage tank where it was cooled and kept at temperature until drained by a milk hauling truck in the small hours of the following morning. At that time this farm was the last commercial dairy farm in Hudson with the exception of the farm in operation at Alvirne High School. Working the farm was hard work which was done by the entire family with help from neighbors during haying and harvest time.

The Farmhouse 2017

The Lambert/Nadeau farm operated for nearly 100 years; from 1902 until 2000. Within a short time machinery, livestock, and property were sold. The homestead and farm buildings on the south side of the road were purchased by Keven Slattery. Using much of the old farm buildings it is the location of Nadeau Industrial Park. The farmhouse has had many improvements and is now a 2-unit rental. The acreage on the north side of the road is under development as Senter Estates.

In 2009, following his avocation for the dairy farm, the younger Emery was hired as the Alvirne Farm Manager. His mother, Shirley remains active; working at Checkers Restaurant within the culinary department of Alvirne. This past month, as part of the Second Annual Historical Society Gala, Emery Nadeau, his mother Shirley, sisters Lori and Elizabeth and their families were awarded the Community Service Award for their work to make the Alvirne School Farm a valued resource in Hudson.

The house at 98 Old Derry dates to 1793. Jackson Greeley, the youngest son of Moses and Mary (Darby) Greeley was born in Hudson November 1815. Moses Greeley was born in Haverhill, MA in 1787. By 1793 he had moved to Nottingham West and was a single father with two young daughters. His first wife, Mary Greeley, had recently passed, and he was (or soon would be) married to Mary Darby. It was Moses Greeley who was responsible for building this farmhouse. He and his wife Mary had 10 children of their own; plus Moses’ daughters from his first marriage. Moses lived in this farmhouse until his death in 1848 at the age of 83. Ownership of the farm passed to Jackson Greeley who likewise resided here until his passing in 1894. It has been said that this home was used as a tavern because of the location on the roadway between Nashua and Derry. This may have been the case but, based upon what I have read to date, I cannot state it as a fact .

53 Old Derry Road

July 21, 2017 7:05 pm / Leave a comment

53 Old Derry C 1909

The earliest known residents of this farmhouse were Gilman Andrews and his family. Gilman was born in Hudson (then Nottingham West) in December 1806. In September 1834, at the age of 28, he married Sophia Senter. Sophia was a local girl; the daughter of nearby Charles Senter and the grand daughter of Moses Greeley. A few years after their marriage, in December 1836, he purchased this site from Abijah Hills. Gilman was a farmer. The agricultural census shows his farm consisted of one horse, 5 milking cows, one pig, and produce of corn, oats, peas, beans, potatoes, hay, butter, and cheese. There is evidence of an earlier house, located east and north of the present one; but it is not clear if this was an initial residence for Gilman or for some older half sibling of his. Gilman remained on his farm and in this house until his death in 1886 at the age of 79.

This was the childhood home of Gilman and Sophia’s three children: Charles (born 1837), Mary Jane (born 1839) and George Gilman (born 1847). As adults each lead very different lives. Charles moved to Nashua and worked as a as a station agent for the railroad.

As a young lady Mary Jane taught school at the nearby Number 9 school which was then located on Old Derry Road near the intersection with Greeley Street, She was also a talented musician. She played the organ at the Baptist Church and was a member of the Hudson Singing Society. In fact, the Mason and Hamlin Organ she played at the church has been restored and is at the Hills House. Mary Jane married Hudson native Harvard Payson Smith in January 1864. In 1857, at the age of 19, he left Hudson for Red Wing, MN. While there he was a school teacher and involved in the laying out of roads. In 1861 he returned to Hudson and began the study of medicine until the outbreak of the Civil War. He enlisted and served as a sharpshooter serving a little over 3 years. After their marriage he returned to Red Wing with Mary Jane. They later moved to Lake County, Dakota. In 2013 a number of memorabilia and documents pertaining to the Andrews Family and life in Hudson were returned to the Hudson Historical Society from a museum in Madison, SD. From these we have glimpses into her life here in Hudson.

George Gilman (born 1847) remained with the farm and took it over after Gilman’s death. He also became a successful business man and purchased a general store at Post Office Square in Hudson, serving as postmaster. He also held many offices in the Town of Hudson. He build a fine Victorian style home for his family on Main Street (now Ferry Street) – located about where the current Gulf station is. George maintained the farm and operated his business interests until September 6. 1908 when he was tragically killed during an electric car accident on the Pelham line as he and his wife Anabel were returning home. She was severely injured and lived the remainder of her life in Hudson. Their daughter, Maude, a well known Hudson resident resided with her mother on Ferry Street.

53 Old Derry C 2012

After George’s death Anabel sold the farm to Rachel Ober in April 1904. The Ober family was living at the farmhouse in 1933 when fire destroyed the upper stories of the C 1830 21/2 story home. Our first photo is that of the original home of Gilman Andrews and Rachel Ober prior to the 1933 fire. The place was inactive until purchased by the Jasper Family in 1941.

The home was then remodeled to the 1 1/2 story building with a front porch which we see today. It became the home of Robert and Reita Jasper and their young family. After the Jasper properties ceased to operate as a poultry farm, Robert and Reita established and operated a camping area known as “Tuck A Way” in the area behind the farmhouse. In 1985 the property was transferred to The Nash Family. Since that time some acreage was transferred to the State of New Hampshire for the proposed circumferential highway. Our second photo shows the 1 1/2 story house from town records C 2012.

Thanks to the Jasper Family for the early photo of the Andrews/Ober Home.

Jasper Poultry Farm Stand C 1962

July 13, 2017 10:57 pm / Leave a comment

Jasper Farm Stand C1962

By the late 1950’s the State of New Hampshire had re-routed Route 102 (Derry Road) just north of the Hills House to proceed north through parts of Litchfield, then back into Hudson, then forward to Londonderry and Derry. Before that time Route 102 followed what is now Old Derry Road; past Jasper Farms, Nadeau Farm, the Hudson speedway and on to Londonderry and Derry. This new highway removed much of the traffic from Old Derry Road; at the same time the new highway created business and retail opportunities on previously undeveloped land.

In March 1960 Jasper Farms under the management of Robert Jasper purchased 5 1/4 acres of land on the new highway opposite what is now Connie’s Plaza. Shortly after, in an effort to expand local retail presence and take advantage of the new highway, Jasper Farms open their farm stand at what is now 296 Derry Road. By looking at our first photo we see one could purchase farm fresh eggs, Bar B Q chicken, ready to cook chicken, as well as some Hoods dairy products.

This retail store did not survive for long. By June 1968 the 5 1/4 acre parcel was sold to Bernie and Phyllis McArdle. Bernie established his Home Decorating Center where he sold wallpaper, paint, and provided paint contracting services.

As time went on the property was subdivided and the building expanded to accommodate two businesses. The building has been used for R + S Supply by Bob St Onge, K + M Trailer Sales by The Kierstead Family, and One Stop Auto Parts. By February 1981 it was purchased by Gerald Desrocher for D’s Auto Body; a business which continues to this day under the management of his son, Scott.

Our first photo is compliments of the Jasper Family and the second was taken by the author. Both photos are part of the Historical Society Collection.

Celebration of the Fourth of July 1829

June 29, 2017 11:21 pm / Leave a comment

Join me for a celebration of the fourth of July 1829 style!

The date is July 4, 1829 the place is Nottingham West, NH. The occasion is the celebration of the fifty third anniversary of American Independence. This celebration occurred near and around the town common at what is now Hudson Center. I will share a (partial) transcription of a news item from he New Hampshire Patriot & Gazette July 20, 1829 (Vol 1 Issue 3 Page 3).

Town Common at Hudson Center 1888

But first a sense of what the common and it’s surroundings might have been like in 1829. The common was a 3 1/2 acre triangular piece from the farm of Deacon Henry Hale. This 3 1/2 acre parcel had become cut off from the rest of his farm because of roadways. It was surrounded by what is now Windham Road, Kimball Hill Road, and Hamblett Avenue. It looked more like a public pasture than the evenly mowed and landscaped area of today. It did include the cemetery but if there was a wall around it; it was a loose stone wall. The common and cemetery date back to about 1771. There were no fir trees; no mill stones, no cannon, no flagpole, and no minuteman marker as seen today. The earliest photo we have of the common is shown here; taken 1888.

The Baptist church had been organized for 24 years; but they held services in the North Meeting House (located near the site of the present Wattannick Hall) This meeting house had been used for town meetings since about 1771 The Baptist Society had owned the north meeting house since 1811; their pastor was Rev. Benjamin Deane. As there was no parsonage house he provided his own dwelling place; a house across from the meeting house on Hamblett Avenue facing the common on the eastern side.

Where the Baptist Church is located today there was a dwelling and a store – Marshall’s store. To the left of Marshall’s store was the home and barn of Reuben Greeley. In 1829 this was the site of the Post Office. This house remains today and is the parsonage house of the First Baptist Church.

Opposite Marshall’s store on the other side of the common and across Kimball Hill Road was Tenney’s Inn. The present site of this Inn is kept mowed by the Hudson Highway Department. Dr. Dustin Barrett was the resident physician and he lived nearby on Windham Road.

A replica (in part) of the newspaper account of the Fourth of July Celebration of 1829 as printed in NH Patriot & Gazette and as archived by genealogybank.com is our second photo. Now for the transcript..

NH Patriot & Gazette July 20, 1829

CELEBRATION OF THE FOURTH OF JULY

The fifty third anniversary of American Independence was celebrated at Nottingham West, by the citizens of that and the neighboring towns. The following gentlemen were chosen officers of the day, viz:- Capt. C. S. Ford, President; Zacheus Colburn, M.D. Vice President; Capt. Joseph Blodgett, Daniel T. Pollard and Joseph Deane, Committee of Arrangements; Capt. David Robinson and Lieut. Isaac Colburn, Jr. Marshals.

At 12 o’clock a procession was formed near Mr. J. Tenney’s Inn, under the direction of the Marshals, and proceeded to the meeting house, accompanied with instrumental music. The audience being seated, the Throne of Grace was addressed by Rev. Benjamin Deane, and the Declaration of Independence read by Dr. Dustin Barret; after which an able, spirited and truly patriotic address was delivered by the Rev. Benjamin Deane. The services at the meeting-house were closed by appropriate music under the superintendence of Capt. J.P.F. Cross. The procession again fomed and marched across the common, where about seventy partook of a sumptuous and splendid dinner, prepared by Mr. James Tenney. — The cloth being removed, a series of sentiments were given by Thomas B. Wason, Esq. and Dea. Robert Bartley, toast masters, accompanied with music, and the discharge of artillery. No accident or irregularity occured during the day, and the people retired at an early hour.

The remainder of the article lists various toasts given by some of the citizens in attendance. Here are a few of them:

The Fourth of July – When Americans shall cease to celebrate the birth day of their Independence, and forget those sages who proclaimed it – then will men have become degenerate and unworthy to be called the sons of Freemen.

The Constitution of the United States – A cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night to every true American.

The Revolutionary Heroes, who planted the tree of liberty and watered it with their blood. – We pledge our own to cultivate and defend it.

34-36 Old Derry Road

June 23, 2017 12:20 am / 1 Comment on 34-36 Old Derry Road

34 Old Derry Road With Windmill

This farm at 34-36 Old Derry Road has been known by many names. To many it is Jasper Farms Annex #2; to others the George N. Dooley Farm; and still others the Stephen D.Greeley place or even the Henry Hills Farm. This is another of the farms which originated from Nathaniel Hills’ 900 undeveloped acres. It was first conveyed by Nathaniel to his oldest son Enoch (born March 1741 in Newbury). It is not clear if Enoch ever lived on the farm or in this town once he reached his majority (age 21). If he did it was before 1746 when the property was a part of Litchfield, MA. Before 1762 it was occupied by members of the John Marsh Family and Deacon Roger Chase. By 1762 it was occupied by Henry Hills, Jr who remained on this farm until he passed in October 1773. His father, Henry Hills, Sr was the middle of the 3 brothers (sons of Samuel and grandsons of Joseph, the immigrant ancestor). who built and settled at the garrison. Henry Sr. was the last member of the Hills family to own the garrison. He sold it to Roger chase. As it was common practice to dismantle a building and use the materials to build another, there is speculation that the dwelling at 36 Old Derry Road may contain pieces of the timbers used in the garrison.

At any rate, Henry Hills, Jr remained on this farm until he passed in October 1773. His widow Hannah and son William continued to live there. William (born 1754) occupied this place for many years–certainly until some time after 1804. It was later owned by Stephen D. Greeley (born 1811 a son of Moses Greeley) and then by George N. Greeley (born 1871) These two men, although a generations apart, had similar backgrounds. Both were farmers and both were active in town and state affairs. Each served as selectman and in the state legislature. In 1881 Greeley served on a committee to examine the wooden Taylor Falls bridge and recommend repair or rebuilt. The actions of this committee resulted in replacing the wooden covered bridge with the iron bridge. Likewise in 1909 Dooley served on a committee which coordinated the replacement of the iron bridge with the cement bridge.

George N. and Ella (Hadley) Dooley raised a family of 4 sons (Arthur, Walter, George H and Phillip) )and a daughter Ella. Growing up they attended the nearby No 9 School House then to Nashua for High School. From personal memoirs we know that George H rode his bicycle the 4 miles to attend High School in Nashua, graduating in 1936. . George N. passed in 1928 at the age of 57 the result of complications resulting from a farm accident. Ella and the family continued to live here until 1935 when the farm was sold to neighbor Grant Jasper who retrofitted existing and build new structures for his expanding poultry business. By 1940 Mrs. Ella Greeley and daughter Ella, sons George and Philip were living on Ferry Street.

Farmhouse at 36 Old Derry Road

Our earliest photo shows the barn at Annex #2 after expansion from 3 stories to 4 stories with the windmill over the well. This windmill was built by George N Dooley and removed in 1958 by the Jasper Family. Our second photo shows the farmhouse C 1912. The first is courtesy of the Jasper Family and the second from the Town of Hudson records.

Nathaniel Hills, Jr Farm at 64 Old Derry Road

June 16, 2017 7:17 am / Leave a comment

C1830 Farmhouse on the Nathaniel Hills Farm C1945

Nathaniel Hills, Jr, a young man of 23 years, settled on this farm about 1739 when his father transferred some 50 acres of land to him. These acres were part of the 900 acres of unsettled land that Nathaniel Hills,Sr had purchased from Jonathan Tyng. References vary as to the size of Nathaniel,Jr’s family. Kimball Webster in his History of Hudson in indicates that Susan (Baldwin) and Nathaniel Hills, Jr raised a family of 7 girls and 5 boys. When Nathaniel, Jr passed ownership was transferred to his third son, Samuel (born 1769). Likewise, with the passing of Samuel in 1843 ownership passed to Abijah (born 1806) and later to his son Franklin Augustus (born 1846). It is interesting to note that Abijah Hills in 1846, by an act of Legislature, had the family name changed to Hill. Franklin Augustus was a dairy farmer. He and his wife Luelle had one child; a daughter Helen who passed at age 14. In 1926 Franklin’s widow sold the farm to their neighbor, Grant Jasper.

This farm had been home to 4 generations Hill(s); passing from father to son beginning with Nathaniel, Jr. The original dwelling place was replaced C1830; likely while the farm was owned by Samuel or Abijah. The earliest photo we have of this C1830 Farmhouse was taken by the Jasper Family C 1945.

This farm became Annex #1 of Jasper Poultry Farms. Poultry man Jasper expanded the business into this new space. The dairy barn was remodeled into a three-deck poultry barn only to be burned in 1933. A new poultry barn was added as well as other improvements including a breeding/brooding house. From 1935 to 1939 operations at Annex #1 increased rapidly. The C 1830 farmhouse was used as living quarters for the employees of Jasper Farms.

Disaster struck the farmhouse during the early morning of January 17, 1947 when a fire started from the flooding and explosion of an oil burner near the kitchen. The flames from this explosion destroyed the entire house. The family in residence lost all their belongings; but, fortunately escaped without injury. The fire spread so quickly that the telephone could not be reached. The family fled on foot for about 1/4 mile to a neighbor in sub-zero January weather. Our second photo show the 1830 farmhouse as a result of the fire. There is no way of knowing what Hills family records were destroyed with this fire.

Results of Fire Which Destroyed Farmhouse Jan 1947

Little if any time was lost before rebuilding. The current house, as shown in our third photo, was immediately built using the old foundation.

Farmhouse as Rebuilt C 1948

By 1972, under the management of Robert Jasper, Jasper Poultry Farms ceased operations. However his son, Shawn, reopened a small poultry business at the Annex #1 location from 1979 to 1983. The property remains a part of the Jasper Corporation. The buildings at 62-64 Old Derry Road have been transitioned to retail space for light industrial uses and storage units; this mostly under the management and hard work of Shawn Jasper.

This farm was located on or near the end of Nathaniel Hill’s 900 acres (which proved to be closer to 1600 when finally surveyed). Until 1733 it was within the boundaries of Dunstable, MA; then it was part of Nottingham, MA. In 1734 the town of Litchfield, MA was chartered and this property was within it’s bounds. When the state line between MA and NH was settled this parcel became a part of Londonderry, NH. It finally was annexed to Nottingham West (later Hudson) , NH in 1788. This brief history gives you an idea behind the difficulty one has when researching historical records. All photos are part of the Historical Society Collection; complements of the Jasper Family.

Jasper Poultry Farms … Home Farm 1939

June 9, 2017 12:42 am / Leave a comment

83 Old Derry 1939

Establishing himself in the poultry business Grant steadily expanded his flock, developed more efficient methods of production and built better houses for the poultry. This success continued and his became the third largest poultry operation in New Hampshire. All the while retaining the reputation as a friendly and honest business man.

By the mid 1920’s he expanded by purchasing the adjacent farm, now 62-64 Old Derry Road. Over the next 15 years two additional farms were purchased. The first at what is now 36-38 Old Derry Road and the next at 53 Old Derry. Grant continued to use the name Mapleview Poultry Farm until the first expansion, at which time this home farm became the headquarters of Jasper Poultry Farms.

Grant and Bernice raised a family of 2 boys (Robert and Forest) and 2 girls (Nancy and Dorothy). Forest moved to Amherst where he operated a large poultry farm; Nancy moved to Anaheim, California. Dorothy married David Crockett and they lived locally. Robert “Bob” remained at the farm working with his father. By 1941 he and his wife Reita moved into the house at 53 Old Derry Road. Prior to his father’s passing in 1956, he took over the day to day operations of the farm, assisted by his brother-in-law, David. Business increased, requiring a work force of 13 or 14 people in the late 1960’s. In the 1960’s as a means of increasing local business, he opened Jasper’s Stand on Route 102 opposite Connie’s Country Kitchen. By 1970 production dropped and two years later Robert retired from poultry and closed down the farm and established Tuckaway Campground and later a mobile home park. Robert’s son Shawn did reopen a portion of the operation from 1979 to 1983. Like his father, Robert served as president of the NH Poultry Growers Association. He served on the School Board, representing them with the Budget Committee. He was an Alvirne Trustee for 26 years. Reita and Robert had a family of 1 son, Shawn, and a daughter, Maria (Jasper) VanderWoude. Upon his passing in 2012, both the Hudson Town and School District Reports were dedicated to him.

Since the poultry operation closed in 1983 the properties of the Jasper Family have transitioned into residential, storage, and retail space for light industries under the management and hard work of Shawn. Shawn has a calling for public service; he has served the Town of Hudson as a call firefighter, several terms on the Budget Committee and Board of Selectmen. He also has many years of service as a State Legislature and is currently Speaker of The House of Representatives. Shawn and his wife Laurie (Lyons) were married in 1992. Shawn, Laurie, and their daughter Sarah, a recent graduate of The University of New Hampshire at Durham, reside at the home farmhouse of his grandparents. Both Shawn and Laurie are active with the Historical Society.

Laurie is native to Andover, MA and a graduate of The University of Massachusetts at Lowell with a degree in English. In 1999 she authored Images of America: Hudson, NH published by Arcadia Publishing. More recently in 2015 she and Shawn co-authored Legendary Locals of: Hudson, NH also published by Arcadia. She is a regular reporter for Hudson-Litchfield News. One of her favorite activities is helping with the Hudson History Tours for the third-graders.

The photo is a 1939 view of the home farm from what is now Old Derry Road and is courtesy of the Jasper Family and now a part of the collection of the Historical Society.

Jasper Family Homestead at 83 Old Derry Road

June 2, 2017 1:06 am / Leave a comment

83 Old Derry Road has been home to five generations of the Jasper family. It all began back in August 1916 when Grant Jasper, then a young man of 26, purchased a small poultry farm from Carlton C. Brain and moved here with his parents, Arthur and Sarah Jasper.

Grant was born in Amsterdam, NY

Mapleside Poultry Farm 1919

and while a young child the family moved to Lowell, MA where he attended school and graduated from Lowell Textile School in 1912. He worked as an apprentice in the textile industry and then as a weaver for 3 years. His dad, Arthur, was also a weaver and known for his skilled craftsmanship. Preferring to work out doors, Grant went to work at Lord Farm, a poultry farm in Methuen, MA. He spent 20 months there, working and learning the basics of poultry farming.

From 1909 to 1916 Carlton Brain operated Mapleside Poultry Farm on Derry Road (now Old Derry Road) in Hudson. With failing health he sold his home, out buildings, a truck, 300 leg horns, and a row of Maple trees in front of the house to Grant Jasper for $6,000 and moved to California. By 1917 Grant and Bernice Louise Fall, a former secretary at Lord Farm, were married. Our first photo shows the house and barn with the wood and carriage sheds which connect them. Along what was then a dirt Derry Road is a beautiful stone wall. This photo was taken in 1919 by Carlton Brain. Prior to 1909 and ownership by Carlton Brain this property was owned by a number of individuals. The earliest known being Fredrick Peabody a blacksmith from Pelham who purchased from Nathan and Abigail Andrews in 1829. It is likely that prior to that this property was a part of Londonderry which was annexed to Nottingham West in 1778.

Establishing himself in the poultry business Grant steadily expanded his flock, developed more efficient methods of production and built better houses for the poultry. This success continued over the next 30 years and his became the third largest poultry operation in New Hampshire. All the while retaining the reputation as a friendly and honest business man.

By 1922 he expanded by purchasing the adjacent farm, now 62-66 Old Derry Road. Over the next 22 years two additional farms were purchased. The first at what is now 34-36 Old Derry Road and the next at 53 Old Derry. Jasper Poultry Farms continued to operate for two additional generations. First with the leadership of Grant’s son Robert “Bob” assisted by his brother-in-law David Crockett; and later by grandson Shawn who continues the management of The Jasper Properties to the current time. Our second photo shows the home farmhouse C1950 as home to Grant and Bernice Jasper.

Home of Grant and Bernice Jasper C 1950

The photos shown here are courtesy of the Jasper Family and a part of the collection of the Historical Society. In the up coming weeks we will be sharing the history of other properties along Old Derry Road, including those annexed by Grant Jasper as he enlarged Jasper Poultry farms.

Some Ancient History of the Hill Family of Hudson

May 25, 2017 11:35 pm / Leave a comment

Aerial View of Garrison Marker

The immigrant ancestor for the Hills Family of Hudson was Joseph Hills; born in England in 1602 he sailed in 1638 on the “Susan & Ellen” and settled in Charleston, MA (later set off as Malden) where he became active in town affairs. He was a lawyer, leader of the militia, and held many important officers. He later moved to Newbury. In 1645, he served on a committee to set off lots in Nashaway Plantation and In 1648 he wrote the first laws for the colony of Massachusetts. In return for his services to the colony, he received a grant of some 500 acres in what is now Hudson in 1661. Of these acres, 450 ran from a few rods north of the Taylor Falls Bridge, north along the east side of the river beyond Derry Lane to include the site of Hills Garrison. When the Town of Dunstable, MA was chartered all 450 acres were within the boundaries of that town.

Joseph passed away in 1688. By his will he divided the 450 acres into 9 parcels and passed ownership to members of his family. With one exception no settlement occurred on any of these parcels until ownership passed at least one more time and outside the Hills Family. The one exception was the northern most parcel of 89 acres he passed to his son Samuel. By 1710, Nathaniel, Henry, and James, three of Samuel’s sons, built and occupied a garrison house on their father’s land. Nathaniel was about 27, Henry about 22, and James about 13 years old.

By 1721 Samuel deeded the northern half of his land to Henry and the southern half to son James. In 1723 James married Abigail Merrill and a few days later he sold to Samuel Whiting and they moved to Newbury. Some time before 1732 Nathaniel purchased a 900 acre parcel of unsettled land from Jonathan Tyng. This parcel also bordered on the river and was adjacent to and north of what had been his father’s 89 acres. Samuel passed away in 1732.

Some time before 1733 Nathanial and his family moved from the garrison onto his 900 acres. He set up a dwelling about 1/2 mile north of the garrison and near the bank of the river. He later established and operated a ferry across the river, known as Hills Ferry. This was operated by him or one of his descendants until 1827 when the first Taylor Falls Bridge was built.

In 1733 the town of Nottingham, MA was chartered to include all Dunstable land east of the river. In 1734 the town of Litchfield, MA was chartered. This charter established the southern boundary of Litchfield at the northern most part of the Joseph Hills grant. Thus, the acres owned by Henry were in Nottingham, MA. The acres Nathaniel had just purchased were in Litchfield. About 1739 or 1740 Henry sold his land and the garrison to Deacon Roger Chase. Henry then moved 1/4 mile east and established a farm on his brother’s land. By that time none of the Hills Family had any ownership interest in the garrison or the Hills Grant. The families of Nathaniel and Henry were residing on the western part of Nathaniel’s 900 acres. James, his wife and 4 small children had returned to Nottingham, MA and settled on a farm (now 20 Old Derry Road) which he acquired from his brother.

In 1740 the boundary between NH and MA was established and by 1746 Nottingham West, NH and Litchfield, NH were chartered. These charters established the boundary between those two towns as we know it today. During this period of uncertainty over state and town boundaries there were a number of residents in nearby Londonderry which were of the opinion their homes would become a part of Nottingham West. When this did not happen these residents petitioned to be annexed. This became final in 1778 when some 4600 acres of Londonderry became a part of Nottingham West.

Henry Hills remained on his farm until he passed in 1757. A few years later it was conveyed to his nephew, Elijah Hills. Elijah was the grandfather of Alden and the great-grandfather of Dr Alfred K. Hills. Alvirne High School and the surrounding grounds, including the Hills House, are on land which was a part of this farm. As time progressed Henry Hills Jr purchased the farm which is now 34-36 Old Derry Road. Also, Nathaniel Hill Jr established a farm (now 62-64 Old Derry Road) upon part of his father’s land.

From 1661 to 1780 the one constant was the land and the location of the land that Nathaniel, Henry, and James and some of their descendants lived on. Around this many things changed: What state are you in? What town do you live in? Are we being taxed by more that one town? What county seat do we use to record land purchases? In the next few weeks we will be Remembering … some of these properties along and near Old Derry Road. This weeks photo, an aerial view of Garrison Farm, shows the original location of the historic marker for the Hills Garrison. The marker is in the open field behind the barn left of the roadway through the field.

Remember Hudson NH When…