Springfield Historical Society

People with Springfield Connections - Misc. People and Events

Electricity Arrives in Springfield

Ella Carpenter Pickering and Eleanor Carpenter Farr gave some family pictures and articles that they had saved over the years to the Springfield Historical Society. One of the items of interest was when electricity arrived in Springfield. This article dated March 26th was cut out of a NH paper in 1937. We do not have the name of the paper, but the by-line was H.N, Wells. The city is Claremont. The headline reads, “SPRINGFIELD, SOUTH CORNISIH AND NORTH CHARLESTOWN AREAS GOT SERVICE—WASHINGTON PLANNING 19 MILE SETUP SOON” The article said that Springfield folks could rejoice that they could put away their kerosene lamps that had served them so long because electricity had come to town! The Public Service had flicked the switch. The red letter day had been March 13th for the “strictly rural town tucked away in the northeastern corner of Sullivan County. This made electricity available to most of the town.

The people involved in bringing electricity to Springfield were Mr. and Mrs. Ed. C Philbrick, A.H. Metcalf and Mrs. S. A, Alexander. They were aided by Sullivan County Extension Svc. and the Farm Bureau. The town’s people voted additional funds to complete financing the project. The construction began at Robinson’s corner near Georges Mills and covered about 9 miles. It went through West Springfield village, Philbrick Hill, and George Hill.

Through these efforts, 40 homes were lighted as well as a “powerful beacon on Philbrick Hill to guide the ships of the Boston and Maine airways as they pass in the night.” The leaders of the enterprise hoped that the arrival of electricity would bring more “summer folks.”

Around 1940-1941, the REA (Rural Electric Agency) one of the New Deal programs, brought electricity to 4A, then called the 4th NH Turnpike. What a difference that made to my grandparents’ farm on 4A. I quickly learned about the power of electricity when at age four, I stuck a bobby pin in a wall plug in our new house by Lake Kolelemook! I believe that most of the Springfield people kept their kerosene lamps handy for sometimes electricity was know to fail especially in the winter. Who remembers the “powerful beacon Philbrick Hill”? If you do let us know. Neither my mother nor I remember it. (Patsy Heath Caswell)

Veteran’s Day/Armistice Day

    There are those among us “of a certain age,” who remember when the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month was the day Americans set aside 11 minutes of silence to remember the armistice and the veterans of World War 1914.   In the late 20th century, it became Veterans’ Day.

    Looking through the historical society material and some of my own, three veterans with Springfield connections from earlier wars, were found.

The first, George Mason Lovering was born in Springfield 10 January, 1832. He received the Medal of Honor in the Civil War. George entered the service in East Randolph, MA. He was a First Sgt., Company 1, 4th MA Infantry at Port Hudson, LA. His citation reads, “ On 14th June 1863, during a momentary confusion in the ranks caused by other troops rushing upon the regiment, this soldier, with coolness and determination rendered efficient aide in preventing a panic among troops. The Medal of Honor was issued 19 Nov 1891. George Mason Lovering died in Holbrook, MA, 2 April 1919. There is a memorial plaque just behind the Unknown Soldier Monument in Old Pleasant View Cemetery.   There are flags each side of the plaque.

*****

    The other two servicemen chosen had been corresponding with cousins back home. The first also serving in the Civil War was Dr. David Goodhue, Acting Assistant Surgeon on   the “USS Maumee” at Hampton Roads, VA. Dr. Goodhue had studied medicine with Dr. E. K Webster of Boscawen and attended lectures at the University of Vermont and Dartmouth where he received his MD in 1863. While on the “USS Maumee”, he received a letter from his cousin Maria Augusta Agar. Excerpts of her letter writing style of the period are interesting.

My Dear Cousin…I consider you very excusable for not writing me sooner. In these times of trial the Pen is always to be thrown aside for the sword, but I hope the time is not far distant when these deadly weapons which our soldiers now wield, will be beat into ploughshares and pruning hooks. Does it not indeed seem terrible, that our land from Maine to the Gulf is moistened and enriched by the blood of, well I call them mistaken men on both sides and hope and trust you do…
Please give me some particulars of the fights in which you have been engaged. How sad was the death of our cousin S.O. Stone. I wonder whether Uncle’s folks ever recovered the body….Not many households now but have a vacant chair….I hope that you and brother Tom will render Gen. Sherman all the advice and assistance possible, and then I think this cruel war will soon be over. Please accept the love and good wishes of your affectionate Cousin. Maria Augusta Agar

    There are some date discrepancies between the letter and the biography of Dr. Goodhue in THE HISTORY OF SPRINGFIELD, by Charles McDaniel, but he served on several ships and was discharged 9 October 1865. On 19 February 1866, Dr.Goodhue began his successful medical practice in Springfield. His family lived in the house on the corner of Main Street and George Hill Road. His great granddaughter still resides there. He and Abbie had four children. Most of us would be familiar with Libbie Abbie Goodhue Cass for whom our Libbie A. Cass Library is named.

****

    And now for the war President Wilson thought “…would end all wars,” World War 1914.
    Col Arthur Heath was serving with the Lafayette Espadrilles in France where he would receive fourragere and medal of France. His service with the 103rd American Pursuit Squadron took him to France, Belgium and the Netherlands.
    On 3 October, 1918 Arthur answered a letter from his cousin Elsie May Heath, who lived in Springfield on the family farm located on the Fourth NH Turnpike (4A).
She, as well as other farm girls from the area, worked at the hotels in Georges Mills and other towns around Lake Sunapee during the tourist season.

My Dear Cousin, I will try to answer your letter this morning. I am more than pleased to hear from you as I am on the sick list. I have a chance to do a little writing. My hand got sore. I could not work…We have been having a lot of rain here lately, and it is getting cold. No, I don’t suppose “Georges Mills” are the same old mills. These days…I don’t imagine that “Mother’s” pancakes have changed much…ooh-la,la…
    (Evidently Elsie had told him about a boyfriend and he sent some advice.)
…I am glad you are enjoying yourself…A fellow trying to entertain you, well whatever you do be careful when you go to get in that gig. Because it may hit the ground. “N’est-ce-pa?”
I reckon [sic] I will close for this time and get some water to wash with. Hope you are well and happy.
Love and best wishes from Arthur.

    Sadly, Elsie May, age 20 years, died 30 October 1918 in Springfield from influenza. She may never have read the letter that was written by cousin Arthur, on 3
October 1918. The armistice ending World War 1914 was signed the 11th of November 1918.   Arthur came home from the war and married Elsie Philbrick. They had two sons, Sherman who died young and Arthur W. Heath. Jr. The family lived in Otterville for many years and Arthur was involved in several endeavors from landscaping to real estate. Arthur W. Heath, Sr. died early November, 1983.

****

    References: Medal of Honor Citations, Civil War (A-Z) www.army.mil/cmh-pgmohl.htm, Senate Medal of Honor Recipients 1863-1973. Letter to David P. Goodhue from Maria Augusta Agar on file SHS. History of Springfield, Charles McDaniel, and Letter from Corp. Arthur Heath to Elsie Heath, October 9, 1918.   Argus Champion Obituary, November 1983, of Arthur W. Heath.

19th Century:

Sarah Josepha Hale

Sarah Josepha Buell was born in Newport, NH in the family homestead located on East Mountain, October 23, 1789. Her parents were Revolutionary War Capt. Gordon Buell and Martha Whittlesay Buell. Young ladies did not attend college, but Sarah was educated by her mother and brother, Horatio, who taught her what he learned at Dartmouth. In 1813, Sarah married David Hale a lawyer and Freemason. She continued her private studies, but was widowed in 1822 with five children under the age of seven to support. She attempted having a millinery shop for a short time. She also taught school in Guild. With the help of her husband's Freemason's Lodge who paid for the publication, she wrote her first book of poems, The Genius of Oblivion and soon after, her first novel Northwood, about a Yankee Thanksgiving. Sarah is famous through the generations for writing "Mary had a Little Lamb." The entire poem was published in Poems for Children in 1830-31. Sarah claimed that she wrote the book, not compiled it. Over the years, others such as Mary Sawyer Tyler claimed to have written the nursery rhyme. Sarah's publisher, Lowell Mason, published it in a song book giving credit to Sarah. Four days before her death, Sarah dictated a letter at the request of Mason, claiming authorship of the 1831 poem. The same year, 1827, that Sarah published her first book she became editor of Ladies‟ Magazine in Boston It was the first magazine written for women. She remained there until 1836. In 1837, until 1877, she became editor of Godey's Lady's Book . She continued as the editor, and also writing until she was 90 years old. No early retirement for Sarah! During her career, Sarah was instrumental in persuading President Lincoln to declare Thanksgiving a National holiday in the US. It had previously been celebrated at different times in various states. She also helped raise money for the Bunker Hill Monument. As an editor, Sarah published the original American manuscripts to copyright in her magazine. Published in her magazine were the famous authors and poets of their day such as Longfellow, Poe, Catherine Sedgwick, and Alice Neal. Her editorial policy was conservative. She avoided controversial subjects. The Civil War was never mentioned, yet she opposed slavery. Her support for women was to make them better wives and mothers which she believed was women's most important career. She opposed the women's rights movement as an attempt to take women away from the home front. Yet, even with this attitude, Sarah promoted education and outside careers for women in industry and missionary medicine. When the women's rights movement gained support, Godey's Magazine began to decline. The magazine folded 21 years after Sarah's retirement. Sarah has been criticized by the feminist scholars, yet she did play a role in women's lives by providing them with a magazine in which they could get ideas and expressed themselves; stressing education, and oh yes, encouraging them to learn how to swim. It was good exercise and they might fall off one of those new fangled steamboats. Sarah Josepha Hale died March 30, 1879 aged 90. She is buried in Laurel Hill Cemetery in Philadelphia. Every year Friends of Newport (NH) Library give a medal in her name to an outstanding writer chosen by their committee. References: Domestic Goddesses by Lisa Niles, Univ. of Central Oklahoma, update 2007; "\Widow with Five Children, Sarah Josepha Hale", News Leader, 11/28/98; NH American Guide Series, Federal Writers Project, WPA, 1938; "NH Woman led crusade for holiday of Thanksgiving," Ann Kim, Union Leader, 11/25/99."Hale Advanced Thanksgiving, Women's Skill" by Lisa Singhania, Union Leader, 11/28/1996. "Sarah Josepha Hale" fm Wikipedia, the Free encyclopedia..


	Home Cemeteries Historical Research General Info Membership Newsletter People with Springfield Connections - Misc. People and Events Electricity Arrives in Springfield Ella Carpenter Pickering and Eleanor Carpenter Farr gave some family pictures and articles that they had saved over the years to the Springfield Historical Society. One of the items of interest was when electricity arrived in Springfield. This article dated March 26th was cut out of a NH paper in 1937. We do not have the name of the paper, but the by-line was H.N, Wells. The city is Claremont. The headline reads, “SPRINGFIELD, SOUTH CORNISIH AND NORTH CHARLESTOWN AREAS GOT SERVICE—WASHINGTON PLANNING 19 MILE SETUP SOON” The article said that Springfield folks could rejoice that they could put away their kerosene lamps that had served them so long because electricity had come to town! The Public Service had flicked the switch. The red letter day had been March 13th for the “strictly rural town tucked away in the northeastern corner of Sullivan County. This made electricity available to most of the town. The people involved in bringing electricity to Springfield were Mr. and Mrs. Ed. C Philbrick, A.H. Metcalf and Mrs. S. A, Alexander. They were aided by Sullivan County Extension Svc. and the Farm Bureau. The town’s people voted additional funds to complete financing the project. The construction began at Robinson’s corner near Georges Mills and covered about 9 miles. It went through West Springfield village, Philbrick Hill, and George Hill. Through these efforts, 40 homes were lighted as well as a “powerful beacon on Philbrick Hill to guide the ships of the Boston and Maine airways as they pass in the night.” The leaders of the enterprise hoped that the arrival of electricity would bring more “summer folks.” Around 1940-1941, the REA (Rural Electric Agency) one of the New Deal programs, brought electricity to 4A, then called the 4th NH Turnpike. What a difference that made to my grandparents’ farm on 4A. I quickly learned about the power of electricity when at age four, I stuck a bobby pin in a wall plug in our new house by Lake Kolelemook! I believe that most of the Springfield people kept their kerosene lamps handy for sometimes electricity was know to fail especially in the winter. Who remembers the “powerful beacon Philbrick Hill”? If you do let us know. Neither my mother nor I remember it. (Patsy Heath Caswell) Veteran’s Day/Armistice Day There are those among us “of a certain age,” who remember when the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month was the day Americans set aside 11 minutes of silence to remember the armistice and the veterans of World War 1914. In the late 20th century, it became Veterans’ Day. Looking through the historical society material and some of my own, three veterans with Springfield connections from earlier wars, were found. The first, George Mason Lovering was born in Springfield 10 January, 1832. He received the Medal of Honor in the Civil War. George entered the service in East Randolph, MA. He was a First Sgt., Company 1, 4th MA Infantry at Port Hudson, LA. His citation reads, “ On 14th June 1863, during a momentary confusion in the ranks caused by other troops rushing upon the regiment, this soldier, with coolness and determination rendered efficient aide in preventing a panic among troops. The Medal of Honor was issued 19 Nov 1891. George Mason Lovering died in Holbrook, MA, 2 April 1919. There is a memorial plaque just behind the Unknown Soldier Monument in Old Pleasant View Cemetery. There are flags each side of the plaque. *** The other two servicemen chosen had been corresponding with cousins back home. The first also serving in the Civil War was Dr. David Goodhue, Acting Assistant Surgeon on the “USS Maumee” at Hampton Roads, VA. Dr. Goodhue had studied medicine with Dr. E. K Webster of Boscawen and attended lectures at the University of Vermont and Dartmouth where he received his MD in 1863. While on the “USS Maumee”, he received a letter from his cousin Maria Augusta Agar. Excerpts of her letter writing style of the period are interesting. My Dear Cousin…I consider you very excusable for not writing me sooner. In these times of trial the Pen is always to be thrown aside for the sword, but I hope the time is not far distant when these deadly weapons which our soldiers now wield, will be beat into ploughshares and pruning hooks. Does it not indeed seem terrible, that our land from Maine to the Gulf is moistened and enriched by the blood of, well I call them mistaken men on both sides and hope and trust you do… Please give me some particulars of the fights in which you have been engaged. How sad was the death of our cousin S.O. Stone. I wonder whether Uncle’s folks ever recovered the body….Not many households now but have a vacant chair….I hope that you and brother Tom will render Gen. Sherman all the advice and assistance possible, and then I think this cruel war will soon be over. Please accept the love and good wishes of your affectionate Cousin. Maria Augusta Agar There are some date discrepancies between the letter and the biography of Dr. Goodhue in THE HISTORY OF SPRINGFIELD, by Charles McDaniel, but he served on several ships and was discharged 9 October 1865. On 19 February 1866, Dr.Goodhue began his successful medical practice in Springfield. His family lived in the house on the corner of Main Street and George Hill Road. His great granddaughter still resides there. He and Abbie had four children. Most of us would be familiar with Libbie Abbie Goodhue Cass for whom our Libbie A. Cass Library is named. And now for the war President Wilson thought “…would end all wars,” World War 1914. Col Arthur Heath was serving with the Lafayette Espadrilles in France where he would receive fourragere and medal of France. His service with the 103rd American Pursuit Squadron took him to France, Belgium and the Netherlands. On 3 October, 1918 Arthur answered a letter from his cousin Elsie May Heath, who lived in Springfield on the family farm located on the Fourth NH Turnpike (4A). She, as well as other farm girls from the area, worked at the hotels in Georges Mills and other towns around Lake Sunapee during the tourist season. My Dear Cousin, I will try to answer your letter this morning. I am more than pleased to hear from you as I am on the sick list. I have a chance to do a little writing. My hand got sore. I could not work…We have been having a lot of rain here lately, and it is getting cold. No, I don’t suppose “Georges Mills” are the same old mills. These days…I don’t imagine that “Mother’s” pancakes have changed much…ooh-la,la… (Evidently Elsie had told him about a boyfriend and he sent some advice.) …I am glad you are enjoying yourself…A fellow trying to entertain you, well whatever you do be careful when you go to get in that gig. Because it may hit the ground. “N’est-ce-pa?” I reckon [sic] I will close for this time and get some water to wash with. Hope you are well and happy. Love and best wishes from Arthur. Sadly, Elsie May, age 20 years, died 30 October 1918 in Springfield from influenza. She may never have read the letter that was written by cousin Arthur, on 3 October 1918. The armistice ending World War 1914 was signed the 11th of November 1918. Arthur came home from the war and married Elsie Philbrick. They had two sons, Sherman who died young and Arthur W. Heath. Jr. The family lived in Otterville for many years and Arthur was involved in several endeavors from landscaping to real estate. Arthur W. Heath, Sr. died early November, 1983. References: Medal of Honor Citations, Civil War (A-Z) www.army.mil/cmh-pgmohl.htm, Senate Medal of Honor Recipients 1863-1973. Letter to David P. Goodhue from Maria Augusta Agar on file SHS. History of Springfield, Charles McDaniel, and Letter from Corp. Arthur Heath to Elsie Heath, October 9, 1918. Argus Champion Obituary, November 1983, of Arthur W. Heath. 19th Century: Sarah Josepha Hale** Sarah Josepha Buell was born in Newport, NH in the family homestead located on East Mountain, October 23, 1789. Her parents were Revolutionary War Capt. Gordon Buell and Martha Whittlesay Buell. Young ladies did not attend college, but Sarah was educated by her mother and brother, Horatio, who taught her what he learned at Dartmouth. In 1813, Sarah married David Hale a lawyer and Freemason. She continued her private studies, but was widowed in 1822 with five children under the age of seven to support. She attempted having a millinery shop for a short time. She also taught school in Guild. With the help of her husband's Freemason's Lodge who paid for the publication, she wrote her first book of poems, The Genius of Oblivion and soon after, her first novel Northwood, about a Yankee Thanksgiving. Sarah is famous through the generations for writing "Mary had a Little Lamb." The entire poem was published in Poems for Children in 1830-31. Sarah claimed that she wrote the book, not compiled it. Over the years, others such as Mary Sawyer Tyler claimed to have written the nursery rhyme. Sarah's publisher, Lowell Mason, published it in a song book giving credit to Sarah. Four days before her death, Sarah dictated a letter at the request of Mason, claiming authorship of the 1831 poem. The same year, 1827, that Sarah published her first book she became editor of Ladies‟ Magazine in Boston It was the first magazine written for women. She remained there until 1836. In 1837, until 1877, she became editor of Godey's Lady's Book . She continued as the editor, and also writing until she was 90 years old. No early retirement for Sarah! During her career, Sarah was instrumental in persuading President Lincoln to declare Thanksgiving a National holiday in the US. It had previously been celebrated at different times in various states. She also helped raise money for the Bunker Hill Monument. As an editor, Sarah published the original American manuscripts to copyright in her magazine. Published in her magazine were the famous authors and poets of their day such as Longfellow, Poe, Catherine Sedgwick, and Alice Neal. Her editorial policy was conservative. She avoided controversial subjects. The Civil War was never mentioned, yet she opposed slavery. Her support for women was to make them better wives and mothers which she believed was women's most important career. She opposed the women's rights movement as an attempt to take women away from the home front. Yet, even with this attitude, Sarah promoted education and outside careers for women in industry and missionary medicine. When the women's rights movement gained support, Godey's Magazine began to decline. The magazine folded 21 years after Sarah's retirement. Sarah has been criticized by the feminist scholars, yet she did play a role in women's lives by providing them with a magazine in which they could get ideas and expressed themselves; stressing education, and oh yes, encouraging them to learn how to swim. It was good exercise and they might fall off one of those new fangled steamboats. Sarah Josepha Hale died March 30, 1879 aged 90. She is buried in Laurel Hill Cemetery in Philadelphia. Every year Friends of Newport (NH) Library give a medal in her name to an outstanding writer chosen by their committee. References: Domestic Goddesses by Lisa Niles, Univ. of Central Oklahoma, update 2007; "\Widow with Five Children, Sarah Josepha Hale", News Leader, 11/28/98; NH American Guide Series, Federal Writers Project, WPA, 1938; "NH Woman led crusade for holiday of Thanksgiving," Ann Kim, Union Leader, 11/25/99."Hale Advanced Thanksgiving, Women's Skill" by Lisa Singhania, Union Leader, 11/28/1996. "Sarah Josepha Hale" fm Wikipedia, the Free encyclopedia..
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