John Beahan, died 1816 Portsmouth, New Hampshire

This tombstone was photographed at the Old North Cemetery in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

HTWSSTKS

Washington 

Chapter

Here rests in peace

the Body of

John Beahan

A native of Ireland

who emigrated to this happy land

AD 1809 died July 31, 1816,

AEt 31

Stranger; Brother; Companions Gone

To join the Royal Arch above,

Where the Great High priest will sure reward

His acts of Kindness, Charity & Love.

 In researching the life of John Beahan I found the website for the St. John's Lodge of Freemasons from Portsmouth, New Hampshire, with an explanation of the symbols on this tombstone.  The initial letters HTWSSTKS are for Royal Arch Masons.  The letters are "Hiram, Tyrian, Widow's Son, Sent to King Solomon", which is a reference to the mason and architect of the Temple of King Solomon.  John Beahan was a member of the Washington Chapter, No. 3, Royal Arch Masons in Portsmouth.  He became a master mason on July 7, 1813.  

John Beahan was a hatter.  He learned this trade in Ireland and he continued with this occupation here in New Hampshire. According to the Portsmouth Freemason website, his gravestone was carved by Samuel Treat. 

For the truly curious:

"John Beahan" by Alan Robinson, Historian for the St. John's Lodge, Portsmouth Freemasons, accessed June 24, 2022:  https://portsmouthfreemasons.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/JanuaryTrestle_Board_for_Email.pdf   

North Cemetery Epitaphs:    https://files.cityofportsmouth.com/files/library/North%20Cemetery%20Epitaphs.pdf  

John Beahan's entry at the Find A Grave website:   https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/8091086/john-beahan   

An explanation of HTWSSTKS: 

https://tuisnider.com/2015/08/18/historic-cemetery-symbols-the-acronym-htwsstks-its-meaning/  

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To cite/link to this blog post:  Heather Wilkinson Rojo, "John Beahan, died 1816 Portsmouth, New Hampshire", Nutfield Genealogy, posted September 20, 2022, ( https://nutfieldgenealogy.blogspot.com/2022/09/john-beahan-died-1816-portsmouth-new.html: accessed [access date]). 

Jacob Sheafe, died 1791 in Portsmouth, New Hampshire - Tombstone Tuesday

 This tombstone was photographed at the Old North Cemetery, Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

This Stone is erected

in Memory of

JACOB SHEAFE ESQUIRE

who died June 26th 1791

in the 76th Year of his Age.

His useful life was deservedly esteemed

And his death sincerely lamented.

As a man,

He was humane, just and generous.

As a merchant, 

which business he followed for upwards of fifty years, 

he was ever esteemed for his honesty and punctuality. 

His conduct in private and public life,

Will erect the best statue to his memory. 

Jacob Sheafe, son of Sampson Sheafe and Sarah Walton, was born 21 October 1715 at New Castle, New Hampshire, and died 26 June 1791 in Portsmouth.  He married Hannah Seavey, daughter of James Seavey and his wife Abigail Pickering.  They had eleven children:

1. Matthew Sheafe, shipmaster, born 13 August 1741, died at sea, married Abigail Hart

2. Abigail Sheafe, born 26 April 1744, died 10 December 1805, married John Pickering

3. Jacob Sheafe, IV, merchant, b. 6 September 1745, died 25 January 1829, married Marcy Quincy

4. Sarah Sheafe, born 1 August 1748, died 8 June 1839, married John Marsh

5. Hannah Sheafe, born 24 April 1750, died 1 September 1845, married first Hugh Henderson and married second William Hart. 

6. Thomas Sheafe, merchant, born 16 April 1752, died 4 September 1831, married first Mary Bell, ad second Mary Hale.

7. Mary Sheafe, born 22 November 1753, died 6 March 1826, married Joseph Willard (President of Harvard College).

8.  James Sheafe, merchant, born 16 November 1755, died December 25, 1829, married first Sarah Merserve, and second Sarah Fisher.

9. William Sheafe, merchant, born 11 September 1758, died 1839, married Anna Wentworth.

10. Mehitable Sheafe, born 12 April 1760, died 4 September 1843, married Eben Smith.

11.  John Sheafe, born 13 July 1762, died 24 January 1812, married Elizabeth Bunbury.

Jacob Sheafe was a successful merchant in Portsmouth, like his father and grandfather before him.  He had a large house which formerly stood near the southwest corner of Market and Deer Streets. When he died he left each of his ten surviving children a house and a farm. The family warehouse (built about 1705 by his grandfather Sampson Sheafe) still stands on the waterfront next to Prescott Park.  

Sheafe Warehouse, photographed 2013

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To cite/link to this blog post: Heather Wilkinson Rojo, "Jacob Sheafe, died 1791 in Portsmouth, New Hampshire -  Tombstone Tuesday", Nutfield Genealogy, posted September 13, 2022, ( https://nutfieldgenealogy.blogspot.com/2022/09/jacob-sheafe-died-1791-in-portsmouth.html: accessed [access date]). 

Mr. and Mrs. John Mushaway, Portsmouth, New Hampshire - Tombstone Tuesday

 This tombstone was photographed at the Old North Cemetery, Portsmouth, New Hampshire

In memory of

MR. JOHN MUSHAWAY

who departed this life

April 4th, 1826

aged 72. 

In memory of

Mrs. Mary Mushawy,

Consort of

Mr. John Mushaway,

who departed this life

July 13th, 1819

aged 67

Refrain my friends and cease to weep,

For I in Christ have fell a sleep

We photographed this tombstone because of the unusual surname MUSHAWAY.  While doing some research on the family I found that the name was spelled many ways in the Portsmouth records - Masseure, Massuerre, Masoury, Masury, Massua, etc.  Perhaps it was a Huguenot family? 

John Mushaway (Jean Francois Masoury Giron?) was born about 1754.  He married Mary Libbey on 30 March 1774 in Greenland, New Hampshire.  Mary Libbey was the daughter of Theodore Libby and Deborah Shackford.  She was first married to Samuel Lamson, Jr. 

John Mushaway is listed as a mariner, boatswain, and as a pilot in several records. He was recorded on a list of Naval pensions on January 1st, 1820 with a monthly pension of $10.  There is a Peter Mushaway in the records, who married Sarah Loud before 1754 in Portsmouth (brother? cousin?) 

John and Mary Mushaway had one son and one daughter:  

1. John Francis Mushaway, born about 1776 in Portsmouth, died 8 May 1859 in Boston, and married to Susan Draper. They had three children: George, Lucy Ann and Caroline. 

2. Rebecca, born 23 March 1785 in Portsmouth, married first to William Leighton and second to Samuel P. Hutchings.  

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To cite/link to this blog post: Heather Wilkinson Rojo, "Mr. and Mrs. John Mushaway, Portsmouth, New Hampshire - Tombstone Tuesday", Nutfield Genealogy, posted September 6, 2022, ( https://nutfieldgenealogy.blogspot.com/2022/09/mr-and-mrs-john-mushaway-portsmouth-new.html: accessed [access date]). 

A Pig - Weathervane Wednesday

 This little piggie was photographed at Kimball Farm, Westford, Massachusetts.

This two dimensional pig weathervane is located near the beach volleyball court at the very popular venue called Kimball Farm in Westford, Massachusetts.  This farm has been a popular location for ice cream since 1939.  The original dairy farm is now not only an ice cream parlor, but it is extremely busy hosting family, business, and social events in tents.  Many birthday parties, class reunions, scout trips, corporate outings, weddings, and more are hosted daily.  The cow pastures have been replace with driving ranges, mini-golf, amusement park like rides, a petting farm, and lovely gardens and wooded walkways.  There are also three other Kimball Farm locations (ice cream only). 

There is a lovely green patina developing on this pig weathervane. I love the details, like the curly tail and the flat snout!  This weathervane is only about ten feet above the footpath, so you can enjoy the artistry without looking through binoculars or the zoom lens of your camera. It is also close enough for children to enjoy, too.  

For the truly curious:

The Kimball Farm website:    https://kimballfarm.com/  

I am a descendant of Richard Kimball, the immigrant.  Most Kimball families (but not all!)  in New England are related to Richard Kimball. Here is my blog post showing my descent from Richard Kimball: 

 https://nutfieldgenealogy.blogspot.com/2015/06/richard-kimball-about-1595-1675-my-11.html  

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To cite/link to this blog post: Heather Wilkinson Rojo, "A Pig - Weathervane Wednesday", Nutfield Genealogy, posted August 31, 2022, ( https://nutfieldgenealogy.blogspot.com/2022/08/a-pig-weathervane-wednesday.html: accessed [access date]). 

Thomas Harvey, Revolutionary War Veteran, died 1837, Portsmouth, New Hampshire

This tombstone was photographed at the Old North Cemetery in Portsmouth, New Hamphsire.

THOMAS HARVEY

a worthy

Soldier of the Revolution

Died

Jan. 18, 1837

Aged 84 years. 

 Thomas Harvey was born in Portsmouth, New Hampshire around 1752, and died in Portsmouth on 18 January 1837.  He served in the Continental Army for seven years during the Revolution.  He crossed the Delaware with Washington, and was at the Battle of Brandywine in 1777.   His wife was named Hannah, and they had several children Martha (baptized at the North Church 5 December 1784),  Samuel (baptized 3 September 1785), Nancy (baptized 17 May 1788),  and Hannah (baptized 4 September 1791).  Find A Grave also lists two more children - Lyman S. Harvey and Susan S. Harvey and a second wife "Mary".  Susan's little gravestone is next to her father's. 

In memory of

Susan S. Harvey,

daughter of

Tho. & Mary Harvey

(illegible)

There is an interesting sketch about Thomas Harvey in The Soldier's Memorial: Portsmouth, NH 1893- 1921, by Joseph Foster, see page 32 for an excerpt from the Portsmouth Journal, February 4, 1831:

"When Lafayette visited Portsmouth in 1824 an interesting scene occurred in the hall of audience. Harvey was introduced to the General as a soldier who had fought under him. 'Do you recollect, Marquis (said Harvey), who bore you on his back, after being wounded at the battle of Brandywine, to the surgeon's quarters?'  'He was called Tom Harvey', said the excellent Lafayette." 

Also from the Daughters of the American Revolution Magazine, Volume 26, page 15:

"Sergeant Thomas Harvey, brother-in-law of Mark Green, whose gravestone will be found in the North cemetery, Portsmouth, near the entrance, "served over seven years in the Continental army", and "had a fine record".  He died in Portsmouth, January 18, 1837, aged eighty four years. "He was at the battle of Brandywine, where General Lafayette was wounded.  He was with the reception to Lafayette in Portsmouth on September 1, 1824, when they renewed the acquaintance." 

For the truly curious:

More stories about Thomas Harvey in the American Revolution:  https://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WMH9JG_Thomas_Harvey_Old_North_Cemetery_Portsmouth_NH   

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To cite/link to this blog post: Heather Wilkinson Rojo, "Thomas Harvey, Revolutionary War Veteran, died 1837, Portsmouth, New Hampshire", Nutfield Genealogy, posted August 23, 2022, ( https://nutfieldgenealogy.blogspot.com/2022/08/thomas-harvey-revolutionary-war-veteran.html: accessed [access date]). 

North Cemetery, Portsmouth, New Hampshire

The Old North Cemetery (Also known as the North Burying Ground) can be found near the North Mill Pond on Maplewood Avenue in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. We have driven by this place dozens of times, and finally decided to get out of the car and explore!  The first burial here was in 1751, and it borders Union Cemetery (which is often thought of as part of the same burial ground).  The gate is locked, and the stone wall is low enough to climb over, but there is an opening in the wall near the railroad tracks, next to an information board (see below).  

NORTH CEMETERY

----------o-------------

The town of Portsmouth purchased

this land in 1753 for 150 pounds

from Col. John Hart, Commander of

the N.H. Regiment at Louisburg.

General William Whipple, Signer of

the Declaration of Independence,

Gov. John Langdon, Signer of the

Constitution, Capt. Thomas Thompson,

of the Continental ship Raleigh, are

among the noted citizens buried here.

 For the truly curious:

Old North Cemetery at Wikipedia:   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_North_Cemetery_(Portsmouth,_New_Hampshire)   

"Historic Portsmouth Cemeteries", Seacoast Online: http://www.seacoastnh.com/Travel/Quick-Guides/Historic-Portsmouth-Cemeteries/   

North Cemetery at the Find A Grave website (listing of notable burials):   https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/103000/north-cemetery    

Portsmouth Public Library Cemetery Index (maps and plot plans)  The text and transcriptions for North Cemetery were made in 1907 and corrected in 1954, which is wonderful since time and pollution have obscured some epitaphs since then!

  https://www.cityofportsmouth.com/library/local-history-genealogy/cemeterymaps   

"'A Special Treasure": North Cemetery, a gem of Portsmouth's history, needs repair", Portsmouth Herald, 1 September 2021:     https://www.seacoastonline.com/story/news/local/2021/09/01/north-cemetery-portsmouth-nh-has-constitution-declaration-signers/5584124001/   

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To cite/link to this blog post: Heather Wilkinson Rojo, "North Cemetery, Portsmouth, New Hampshire", Nutfield Genealogy, posted August 16, 2022, ( https://nutfieldgenealogy.blogspot.com/2022/08/north-cemetery-portsmouth-new-hampshire.html: accessed [access date]). 

Millie in the Millyard, Manchester, New Hampshire

I've blogged about this beloved state before (you can find the link below) and this artwork is even more beloved today.  The original name of the statue is "The Mill Girl", but she is affectionately known as "Millie" here in Manchester, New Hampshire.  Millie is located on North Commercial Street, next to the Stark Mill on a flight of stairs that has become quite hazardous and broken.  The city has not yet roped off the area, but as you can see in the photos below, the staircase is quite dangerous.  

I decided to photograph the area around Millie because the city of Manchester is going to soon revamp this and change the layout of the pedestrian way.  They want to include a ramp, signage, and a new location for Millie.  The city was seeking ideas and feedback from the public last year. 

When the construction begins, I will document this, and the final results, too! 

The restoration project has begun!

For the truly curious:

A previous blog post about Millie, the Mill Girl from 2012

https://nutfieldgenealogy.blogspot.com/2012/02/millie-mill-girl-of-manchester-new.html   

From the Manchester Ink Link website: 

https://manchesterinklink.com/city-seeks-ideas-for-mill-girl-makeover/   

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To cite/link to this blog post:  Heather Wilkinson Rojo, "Millie in the Millyard, Manchester, New Hampshire", Nutfield Genealogy, posted August 9, 2022, ( https://nutfieldgenealogy.blogspot.com/2022/08/millie-in-millyard-manchester-new.html: accessed [access date]). 

2022 Swimsuit Edition at Nutfield Genealogy

My great grandparents, Etta and Arthur Hitchings,
1930s, Wingaersheek Beach, Gloucester, Massachusetts

We're having a heatwave!  For generations my family and yours have cooled off swimming! Here are some vintage photos from the family albums showing ancestors and relatives in swim suits and bathing costumes.

Gordon Hitchings and a friend, 1920s
(my Grandmother's brother) Hamilton, Massachusetts 

1947, my Dad and his friends
Misery Island off Beverly, Massachusetts

My Mom, Mexico, 1959

1965 Lynch Park, Beverly, Massachusetts
Me, Mom and little sister

1960s Crooked River, Maine
My aunt and uncle's camp

1974 Holden, Massachusetts Public Pool
on the right my sister and I

August 1975 heatwave in Holden, Massachusetts
My Dad and a neighbor with lawn chairs and the sprinkler

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To cite/link to this blog post: Heather Wilkinson Rojo, "2022 Swimsuit Edition at Nutfield Genealogy", Nutfield Genealogy, posted August 4, 2022, ( https://nutfieldgenealogy.blogspot.com/2022/08/2022-swimsuit-edition-at-nutfield.html: accessed [access date]).