New Hampshire State Library Budget Cuts

The New Hampshire State Library on the morning of 25 March 2025
while lawmakers were debating its fate across the street in the statehouse

Yesterday, 24 March 2025, on WMUR TV there was a report that a bill would move forward to close the New Hampshire State Library and the Council on the Arts.  Joe Sweeney (R) of Salem stated that "There is no constitutional need to fund the state library" and he proposed eliminating funding.  The parent agency for the state library falls under the New Hampshire Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, which also oversees historical sites, NH forests and lands, and parks and recreation. 

Immediately on social media there was a firestorm of complaints about closing the state library, with lots of links posted on how to contact members of the statehouse and state senators.  I sent several emails, and I shared this information with my friends, members of genealogy groups, local history in New Hampshire groups, and other groups in New England.  People from as far away as Australia, Washington State, Canada, and California all wanted to know who to contact or how to help.  

Well, the email campaign must have worked, because by 11:30 on Tuesday morning 25 March 2025 the NH statehouse announced that they were no longer considering defunding the New Hampshire State Library.  However, they still had the New Hampshire Council for the Arts on the chopping block. I'm relieved, but still cautious that this does not bode well for the future of the state library or any other public libraries here in New Hampshire, across New England, or across the United States.  WMUR TV also had a story about this reprieve. 

Our New Hampshire State Library is the oldest in the United States.  It was originally founded in 1717 in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and then relocated to Concord in 1808.  The granite building at 20 Park Street is located across the street from the New Hampshire State House.  Most state libraries contain state government publications, historical records, legislative documents, maps, statute books, and records unique to the state such as town, city and county reports, family histories, town histories, manuscripts and newspapers. You can see why this is a valuable, one-of-a-kind resource for the citizens of the state.  It is located close to the statehouse so members and staff of the government can quickly and efficiently obtain historical and legislative information from specially skilled librarians.  

I have visited several state libraries across the country from Maine, to Massachusetts, to Hawaii, but the New Hampshire State Library is where I do most of my genealogy and local history research for this blog and for my own family history.  I refer people to this library often, probably at least once or twice a week from queries to this blog. The State Library is a terrific place for authors, historians, and genealogists who travel from across the globe to Concord for their research.  The skilled staff here is ready to assist anyone who shows up, not just lawmakers.  Out of state visitors and even local visitors to this library bring economic benefits to Concord and New Hampshire when they frequent the restaurants, hotels and local businesses.  

On March 14 the White House announced that the Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS) would be "governmental entities [that] shall be eliminated to the maximum extent consistent with applicable law." We need to be prepared to see libraries across the country face the same fight as the New Hampshire State Library. Since 2015 the IMLS has granted over $15 million to libraries and museums in New Hampshire. The State Library uses these funds for critical programs like the Interlibrary Loan System, digital access to ebooks, and the Talking Book program for the blind. [from an email from Michael Haley Goldman of the IMLS, received 25 March 2025]. 

Tuesday morning, while the lawmakers were debating this controversy across the street in the statehouse, I visited the staff at the State Library and took these photos.  

I will follow up on this story with a blog post about the wonderful genealogical resources available at the NH State Library.  Please, take some time soon to visit this wonderful resource in Concord, New Hampshire. We need to let the librarians and staff know they are valued, and that we are thinking about them and their careers at this stressful time.  

For the truly curious:

The 24 March 2025 story on WMUR, "Budget Plan would eliminate New Hampshire State Library, Council on the Arts":   https://www.wmur.com/article/new-hampshire-state-library-council-arts-budget/64277841  

The 25 March 2025 story on WMUR, "NH lawmakers back away from plan to eliminate state library after flood of email":   https://www.wmur.com/article/nh-state-library-budget-cut-reversal-32525/64286244   

Wikipedia New Hampshire State Library:   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Hampshire_State_Library  

Wikipedia New Hampshire Department of Natural and Cultural Resources:   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Hampshire_Department_of_Natural_and_Cultural_Resources    

The Chief Officers of State Library Agencies (COSLA):  https://www.cosla.org/    

Information about state libraries from the American Library Association:   https://www.ala.org/tools/atoz/state-library-agencies  

A previous blog post written in 2019 about genealogical resources in Concord, New Hampshire, including the New Hampshire State Library:   https://nutfieldgenealogy.blogspot.com/2019/05/researching-your-ancestors-in-concord.html  

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To cite/link to this blog post:  Heather Wilkinson Rojo, "New Hampshire State Library Budget Cuts", Nutfield Genealogy, posted March 26, 2025, ( https://nutfieldgenealogy.blogspot.com/2025/03/new-hampshire-state-library-budget-cuts.html: accessed [access date]). 

The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor, New Windsor, New York

 This is part two of three blog posts on a visit to the Newburgh/New Windsor, New York historic sites from the American Revolutionary War.  

Entrance to the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor, New Windsor, New York

Last fall we visited Newburgh, New York to see George Washington's last Revolutionary War headquarters, and the museum staff recommended that we go down the road to see the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor in New Windsor.  I was at Newburgh to see where George Washington had awarded by ancestor, Abner Poland (1761 - 1835) of Essex, Massachusetts a Badge of Merit. General Washington had devised two awards at his headquarters, the first was to signify loyal military service, he ordered a chevron to be worn on the left sleeve of the uniform coat for the rank and file that had completed three years of duty "with bravery, fidelity, and good conduct", two chevrons signified six years of service.  Abner Poland had served more than seven years, through to the Battle of Yorktown.  

The second badge General Washington awarded was for "any singularly meritorious Action"  "The figure of a Heart in Purple Cloth or Silk edged with narrow Lace or Binding".  This Badge of Military Merit was sewn on the left breast of the uniform coat.  Due to the war ending, and many other distractions, Washington only awarded three of these purple badges.  The Purple Heart was reinstated after World War I for soldiers who suffered injuries or death.  

It was at this museum, The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor, where I learned about the two awards established by General Washington.  I have a copy of Abner Poland's certificate signed by George Washington, and it is stored at the National Archives in Washington, DC.  Abner's widow, Sarah Burnham Poland (about 1759 - 1846) used this certificate to apply for a Revolutionary War widow's pension. 

This museum is located right next door to the New Windsor Cantonment State Historic Site.  The Hall and the Cantonment share a parking lot.  Both are worthy of a visit. These sites are only a few miles from General George Washington's Headquarters in Newburgh.  

When you press the button, you can see an actual Badge of Military Merit,

originally awarded to Sergeant Elijah Churchill in 1782.

Badge of Military Merit

General Washington wished to honor 

his enlisted soldier's merit, but Congress

limited his power to do so.  In a general

order dated 7 August 1782, issued in 

Newburgh, New York, Washington

established the Badge of Military Merit.

Only three Badges of Military Merit are

verified to have been awarded.

A close up of the original felt, embroidered 

Badge of Military Merit. 

This Purple Heart medal belonged to

World War I veteran Howard R. Bouton.

As the accompanying letter (facsimile)

describes, Mr. Bouton received this 

medal in 1944 for wounds he had

sustained during World War I. 

A display about the New Windsor, New York Cantonment

at the end of the Revolutionary War

Why Here on 

These Grounds?

At the end of the Revolutionary War, army officers met

here to select the first know recipients of the Badge of

Military Merit.  Three months after the modern Purple

Heart was created in 1932, 136 local World War I

veterans were awarded their Purple Hearts in a 

ceremony held on these very grounds.               

The Hall of Honor continues this tradition of honoring

service and sacrifice.  Purple Heart recipients are those

service members who were killed or wounded by enemy

action.  Our mission is to collect, preserve and share the

stories of all Purple Heart recipients.                           

Badge of Merit certificate for Abner Poland signed by George Washington

For the truly curious:

Last week's blog post on Washington's Last Headquarters in Newburgh, NY:   https://nutfieldgenealogy.blogspot.com/2025/03/george-washingtons-headquarters-at.html  

The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor:   https://www.thepurpleheart.com/   

The New Windsor Cantonment State Historic Site:    https://parks.ny.gov/historic-sites/newwindsor/maps.aspx   

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To cite/link to this blog post:  Heather Wilkinson Rojo, "The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor, New Windsor, New York", Nutfield Genealogy, posted March 25, 2025, ( https://nutfieldgenealogy.blogspot.com/2025/03/the-national-purple-heart-hall-of-honor.html: accessed [access date]). 

George Washington's Headquarters at Newburgh, New York

This is part one of three blog posts about the historic sites at Newburgh/New Windsor, New York where my ancestor recieved the Badge of Merit from General George Washington. 

Washington's Headquarters at Newburgh, New York

Last fall we visited Washington's Headquarters, a New York state park located on the banks of the Hudson River in Newburgh.  Washington was stationed here for more than 16 months at the end of the Revolutionary War.  Although it was not as famous as his winter headquarters at Valley Forge, it was his longest stay at any headquarters during the war. 

This stone house was built around 1725 and then owned by the Hasbrouck family.  The Continental Army was encamped nearby during the war at the New Windsor Cantonment.  Washington moved into the house on 1 April 1782 and left on 19 August 1783.  While he was in Newburgh he established the Badge of Military Merit, which was to be awarded to enlisted men for long and faithful service.  It was awarded to three men at Newburgh, all stationed nearby in New Windsor. The ceremony took place on the front lawn of the headquarters at Newburgh.  Then, with the war coming to a close, no more Badges of Military Merit were awarded by Washington. The program was abandoned until World War 1.  

It was during Washington's time at Newburgh, New York that the Newburgh Conspiracy occured.  In March some of the New Windsor Cantonment officers wrote an anonymous letter to take action against Congress.  They were angry about lack of pay, and threatened to disband the army. General Washington gave a speech known as the "Newburgh Address" to persude the officers to remain loyal to Congress and to him.   

The house was returned to the Hasbrouck family after Washington left.  The property remained in the family until 1848 when the owners defaulted on a mortgage payment and were forced to leave.  The house became the property of the state of New York, and later became a public historic site.  In 1910 a two story brick museum was added to the property, and the Hasbrouck house was decorated to reproduce how it looked during the Revolutionary War.   A monument "Tower of Victory" was built in 1887.  It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1961. 

Several years ago I was researching my ancestor, Abner Poland (1761 - 1835), who served in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War.  His service with the 8th Massachusetts Regiment included the battles at Hubbardston, Stillwater, Monmouth, and Yorktown - a total of seven years and six months.  Abner Poland received the Badge of Merit on 13 June 1783 from George Washington at Newburgh.  The certificate granted to Abner Poland read:  "The above Corporal Poland has been honored with the Badge of Merit for seven years and six months faithful service.  M. Jackson Colonel". You can find the link below for my interesting blog post on this unique certificate, signed by George Washington. 

Years later, Sarah Burnham Poland, his widow, applied for a widow's pension on 1 February 1837, and received $88 per year, which began on 4 September 1837. Sarah lived until 1846.  Sarah and Abner are buried at the Oakgrove Cemetery behind the Community Church in Enfield, New Hampshire. 

The Tower of Victory by the Hudson River

Items on display at the Newburgh museum

The Badge of Merit certificate awarded to Abner Poland

at Newburgh, New York and signed by General George Washington

(click to enlarge)

For the truly curious:

Washington's Headquarters at Wikipedia:   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington%27s_Headquarters_State_Historic_Site   

Washington's Headquarters, NY state park website:   https://parks.ny.gov/historic-sites/17/details.aspx  

For more information on Abner Poland, my 5th great grandfather, in blog posts:

Surname Saturday - POLAND of Essex County, Massachusetts:   https://nutfieldgenealogy.blogspot.com/2015/04/surname-saturday-poland-of-essex-county.html   

George Washington Signed Here? A Mystery Document:   https://nutfieldgenealogy.blogspot.com/2010/10/amanuensis-monday-george-washington.html   

Tombstone Tuesday - Abner Poland, Enfield, New Hampshire:   https://nutfieldgenealogy.blogspot.com/2017/10/tombstone-tuesday-my-5th-great.html    

The National Archives - Good News/Bad News (my trip to NARA to see Washington's signature on Abner Poland's discharge):   https://nutfieldgenealogy.blogspot.com/2011/04/national-archives-good-news-bad-news.html  

The National Archives - They read my blog!?     https://nutfieldgenealogy.blogspot.com/2011/04/national-archives-they-read-my-blog.html   

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To cite/link to this blog post:  Heather Wilkinson Rojo, "George Washington's Headquarters at Newburgh, New York", Nutfield Genealogy, posted March 18, 2025, ( https://nutfieldgenealogy.blogspot.com/2025/03/george-washingtons-headquarters-at.html: accessed [access date]). 

Betsy Holmes Shaw, died 1795, Plymouth, Massachusetts for Tombstone Tuesday

 This tombstone was photographed at Burial Hill in Plymouth, Massachusetts

 

Epitaph:

To the memory of

Mrs. BETSY SHAW

wife of

Mr. ICHABOD SHAW Jun.r

who died Dec.r 26, 1795

aged 20 years.

Also her infant daughter

Betsy Holmes by her side

aged 7 months & 15 days.

 Betsy Holmes Shaw was born 10 May 1774 in Plymouth, the daughter of Captain Ichabod Holmes and Rebekah Ellis.  She married Ichabod Shaw on 29 March 1795 in Plymouth.  When Betsy died on 26 December 1795, Ichabod remarried to Esther Homes (1769 – 1846) , her sister.  Esther outlived Ichabod, who died on 26 July 1837 in Plymouth. All three are interred at Burial Hill.

The top of Betsy’s tombstone shows a cherub, and a brick tomb, next to a funeral urn.  All three are common images by gravestone carvers in the early Federal period.  It is possible that Betsey died from complications of childbirth? She was buried with her infant daughter.

 For the truly curious:

Graven Images – New England Stonecarving and Its Symbols, 1650 – 1815 by Allen Ludwig, 2000, (pages 202 and 205 discuss this tombstone).   

Also see Epitaphs from Burial Hill by Bradford Kingman, 1892. See #1448 for Betsy Holmes Shaw.

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 To cite/link to this blog post:  Heather Wilkinson Rojo, "Betsy Holmes Shaw, died 1795, Plymouth, Massachusetts for Tombstone Tuesday", Nutfield Genealogy, posted March 11, 2025, ( https://nutfieldgenealogy.blogspot.com/2025/03/betsy-holmes-shaw-died-1795-plymouth.html: accessed [access date]). 

Edmund and Lucy Coffin, Newbury, Massachusetts for Tombstone Tuesday

 These two tombstones were photographed at the First Parish Burying Ground, Newbury, Massachusetts

LUCY,

Wife of Edmund Coffin,

Born

April 17, 1776,

Died

Dec. 3, 1858

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There remaineth a rest to the people of God. 

In memory of

MR. EDMUND COFFIN

who died Suddenly

Octr. 23, 1825;

aged 61 years. 

A noble mind!  Just generous, bold, sincere

of such a spirit, see!  The dust is here,

But while this ground, with fondest thoughts we tread;

Let no the partial living praise the dead;

The kindest tears that Friendship here can pay,

Is Sorrow weeping all her sins away. 

Lucy and Edmund Coffin, side by side in the Burying Ground

Edmund Coffin was born 14 January 1764 and died on 23 October 1825, the son of Major Joshua Coffin and Sarah Bartlett.   He was married twice, first to Mary Moody on 13 November 1792 in Newbury (six children), and then to Lucy Kimball on 25 April 1809 in Ipswich, Massachusetts (five more children).

Interesting trivia:

“In 1785, the Coffin House, which had for so many years seen multiple generations living as one family, was legally divided. Edmund Coffin, one of two adult sons of Joshua Coffin, reached twenty-one and wanted his share of his deceased father's estate. Consequently, a division was made first between the two sons and their widowed mother, and after her death in 1798, between the two sons, Edmund and Joseph. Each had exclusive use of certain rooms, stairways, and cellars with the right of passage through some of the other rooms. The "families" lived almost completely separately under one roof, using different kitchens and entertaining rooms. The house remained divided this way through the last generation of Coffins to occupy the house.”  [From The Coffin House Facebook page published 2 June 2017]

Lucy Kimball is the daughter of Nathaniel Kimball, born about 1776 in Ipswich, Massachusetts, and Elizabeth Low.  She died on 3 December 1858.  Lucy is my relative through her great grandmother, Mary Thompson of Ipswich (the daughter of my Scottish Prisoner of War ancestor Alexander Thompson (about 1636 – 1695), and her 2x great grandfather, Richard Kimball (about 1595 – 1675), an early settler at Ipswich, Massachusetts.  On her tombstone is a quote from Hebrews 4:9-16 KJV "There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that is entered into his rest, he hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his." 

Edmund and Lucy are buried at the First Parish Burying Ground in Newbury, Massachusetts, right across the street from the First Parish Meeting House.  The Coffin House is located nearby and is operated as a museum by Historic New England.  It was built by Edmund’s 4x great grandfather, Tristram Coffin (1632 – 1704), who came to New England from Brixton, Devonshire, England.  Tristram’s parents (Tristram Coffin (1609 – 1681) and Dionis Steven came to New England in 1628 and settled in Salisbury, Newbury and finally the island of Nantucket, and they are also my 11^th great grandparents.

 For the truly curious:

The webpage for the Coffin House Museum (1678) https://www.historicnewengland.org/property/coffin-house/ 

Edmund Coffin’s personal papers and manuscripts are stored at Historic New England Folder C.1.19-C.1.26 and GUSN-296354.  There is a description of these papers online at https://www.historicnewengland.org/explore/collections-access/gusn/296354 

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To cite/link to this blog post:  Heather Wilkinson Rojo, “Edmund and Lucy Coffin, Newbury, Massachusetts for Tombstone Tuesday”, Nutfield Genealogy, posted March 4, 2025, ( https://nutfieldgenealogy.blogspot.com/2025/03/edmund-and-lucy-coffin-newbury.html: accessed [access date]).