Those Celebrating Birthdays are: December 26, Brigette Tibbetts,
Christopher Ward; December 28, Hannah Marston, Karmen Bean, Sonya
Butterworth; December 29, Jim Stapleton, Sis Butterworth.
A Very Happy Birthday To One and All!
Celebrating Anniversaries are: January 1, Russ and Sandi
Courtemanche
Best Wishes!
The Pittsfield Historical Society will hold its annual meeting at
Society headquarters, 13 Elm Street, on Tuesday, January 8, 2013 at
7:00 pm.
Pittsfield’s Hospital: The Pest House And The Small Pox Epidemic Of
1900
Submitted by Larry Berkson
In June of 1900 an epidemic of small pox started in Pittsfield.
Initially it was thought to be a mild form of chicken pox. The first
case was in the Wilson family on Concord Road near the Chichester
Town Line. Next the David Genest Family, living nearby, came down
with the disease and then David’s parents who lived on Lyford Hill.
Local physicians treated all and none of them was very ill.
In August, Dr. St. Pierre of Manchester happened to be in town and
examined some of the patients. It was his opinion that they were
victims of small pox, not chicken pox. The Board of Health
immediately set out to investigate the matter. Its members arranged
for Dr. Watson of the State Board and Dr. Cook of Concord to examine
the patients. They, too, believed the disease to be smallpox.
The infected houses were quarantined as was the practice in those
days and a search for other cases was made. Two more were found in
the family of David Edgerly at the foot of Concord Hill and two in
the Butcher family in the rear of Ellery B. Ring’s store on Main
Street.
Due to the mild strain of the smallpox, members of the Wilson and
Genest families recovered by early August. Their homes had been
fumigated and the Board of Health had ordered vaccination of the
general public. Ultimately 500-600 people ended up with very sore
arms. By mid-August the local newspaper reported that no more cases
had been discovered and it was expected that further spread of the
disease would not take place. Unfortunately some of those
quarantined persisted “in going out” and so a strict watch was
maintained on the premises day and night by special police officers.
Nonetheless, cases continued to be reported. These conditions led
the Pittsfield Board of Health to take drastic action. Quarantine
and vaccination had not stopped the epidemic and so it was deemed
that the public good demanded that the smallpox cases be isolated.
They decided to purchase a “special hospital” for the treatment of
patients.
Initially the Board conducted negotiations with Mrs. I. G. Sargent
of Haverhill, Massachusetts who owned the Peaslee Place on Hanson
Hill. A bargain was struck with her agent in Pittsfield for an
undisclosed amount but when it was learned that the Town would be
the purchaser, the price was increased by $100. The Board rejected
the increase and negotiated the purchase of the Hilliard Place on
Tan Road in South Pittsfield for $200. The deed was transferred on
August 23, 1900. It was considered an excellent location because it
was away from public travel and a safe distance from any other
dwelling house.
The goal was to have all known infected people located in the house
by August 25th. Although the cases still seemed to be of the mild
variety, no chances were being taken elsewhere in the community. For
example the trustees of the library took the precaution of
suspending the issuance of books until the epidemic was over.
Uriah Fogg probably built the house itself between 1837 and 1840.
During the latter year Mr. Fogg sold it to John L. Thorndike. There
were several subsequent owners until Mr. Hilliard purchased it from
Charles and Alice Holden in 1894 for $300. Thus, it appears that the
Town paid a reasonable price for the property but it also appears
that it might not have been in great condition.
Almost immediately the building was referred to as the “Pest House.”
In the Annual Town Report for 1900 it states: “Paid H. L. Hilliard
pest house, $200.00.” Later in the report the building is referred
by town treasurer John A. Goss as a hospital, but the following year
he, too, referred to it as the “pest house.”
The building contained six large rooms and by the day after it had
been purchased it was fitted up with modern beds “with woven wire
springs,” cotton mattresses and “a good quantity of linen.” Bathtubs
had been installed and other renovations made. Labor was supplied by
F. E. Cram who was paid $7.75, Edric S. Foss who was paid $1.50, F.
O. George who was paid $162.70, and B. P. Brown who was paid $21.00.
Supplies were purchased from over a dozen local merchants.
Dr. Cummings, who had attended all of the smallpox cases to that
date, was placed in charge of the operation. He had the assistance
of nurse E. Duffie from Concord. Louis Shonyo was the janitor. By
February 1901 Mr. Shonyo had received $112.00 for his services.
By August 24, ten more cases were discovered. Infected were the
Bishop, Come, Constant, Doucet, Drollett and Real (Riel) families,
all of whom lived on the Corporation. Viola Steele, daughter of C.
M. Steele who lived on South Main Street was also infected. All were
moved into Pittsfield’s new “hospital.”
During the week of August 26 two new cases were reported, Phebe
Ozier and Fred Pecor, both of whom were promptly removed to the
hospital. All of the houses where cases existed were disinfected and
subsequently released from quarantine. That week the Board hired Dr.
Frank Sargent to take the place of Dr. Cummings at the hospital.
No new cases were reported the next week but the School Board placed
a notice in the local newspaper that State law required all school
children to be vaccinated. This was mandatory and the School Board
was charged with prosecuting offenders. There were severe penalties
for the Board if it allowed unvaccinated children into the schools.
For each case they could be fined up to $20.00.
The week of October 14 brought good news. The last small pox patient
was released from the hospital. The building was thoroughly
fumigated and closed up. In all, there had been 28 cases of small
pox in the community, 19 of which were treated at the pest house. It
was believed that there were actually more cases. Some had likely
gone undetected before the nature of the disease was known. Most
cases had been very mild and no deaths resulted. In all 1200
children had been vaccinated including every pupil attending school.
It was estimated that the epidemic cost the Town over $3,000 as well
as the loss of a considerable amount of business. Undoubtedly the
wild false rumors circulating in surrounding towns had kept people
away from Pittsfield. For example, at one time it was believed that
the roads to Pittsfield had been fenced off. In Manchester it was
“confidently reported” that there were 105 cases present in
Pittsfield during mid-August. It is likely that these and other
rumors circulating around Pittsfield hastened the Board of Health to
take the drastic action of purchasing the “hospital.”
Apparently, the Pest House was never used again for the purposes of
a hospital. There is no evidence that it was used to thwart the
subsequent diphtheria and scarlet fever epidemics and was sold
before the horrendous influenza epidemic swept the community in 1918
and killed many Pittsfield citizens.
Occasionally the building or field was rented. During 1903, for
example, the Town rented it to F. O. George for $12.00. In 1905-06
rent brought in $12.26, and in 1908-09 J. A. Walker paid $5.00 for
grass at the Pest House. The following year F. D. Clough paid $5.00
for the grass. In 1911 he paid $3.00.
On March 9, 1915 at its annual meeting, the Town voted to sell the
“old Pest House” building to Horace Locke on condition that it would
be removed from the land. The price was $1.00.
In 1914, the year before Mr. Locke purchased the Pest House, he had
acquired a 116-acre farm from Sherburne J. Winslow on what is known
today as Old Governor’s Road. This is in very close proximity to the
Pest House Lot. Two tracts of land were involved. One was on the
southeast side of the road and apparently has not had any buildings
on it to the present day.
The other tract was on the northwest side of the road. It contained
about 97 acres with about 1,850 feet of road frontage. It had a
two-story building on it that burned either shortly before or after
Mr. Locke made the purchase. He moved the Pest House onto the old
cellar hole. Joseph F. Murphy acquired the property in 1927 and
three years later, on July 5, 1930, all the buildings burned and
were completely destroyed.
Interested In Exploring A Career In Law Enforcement?
Since August, the Chichester and Pittsfield Police Departments have
partnered to create the Suncook Valley Explorers post 331.
Exploring is a Learning for Life’s career education program for
young men and women who are 14 (and have completed the eighth grade)
or 15-20 years old. Exploring’s purpose is to provide experiences
to help young people mature and to prepare them to become
responsible and caring adults.
At monthly meetings, Exploring Post 331 will focus on introducing
the youth to the field of law enforcement through focus lessons,
guest speakers, and field trips. If you are interested in exploring
the career of law enforcement this may be the opportunity you’re
looking for.
Call or email Corporal Wright at 798-4911,
[email protected]
for additional information or find them on Facebook at Suncook
Valley Explorers Post 331.
Pittsfield Area Senior Center
January News
To ring in the New Year the Center will resume all regular classes.
STARS: Strength Training and Restorative Exercise for Seniors is
held on Wednesdays at 9:30 am, beginning January 2nd. Gentle Yoga is
held on Mondays at 11:00 am starting January 7th, and Art Classes
with Larry Frates are held on Tuesdays at 12:30 pm starting January
8th. You can join any of the classes at any time, and the first
session is free, so if you’ve been thinking about trying something
new, come in and check out the activities at the senior center!
At 12:30 pm on Thursday January 3rd the Concord Regional Visiting
Nurse Association will provide a free workshop “A Picture Worth A
1,000 Words: Relaxation Techniques Using Your Mind.” Join us for
lunch at noon and then learn how your imagination, guided imagery
and visualization can be a powerful tool to help you combat stress,
pain and tension.
To commemorate Belly Laugh Day we’ll be having a Laughter Session
with laughter yoga instructor Marcia Wyman on Wednesday, January
23rd at 10:00 am. Join the merriment, then stay and enjoy a gleeful
luncheon.
On Tuesday, January 29th we’ll be traveling to the Suncook Senior
Center for a 10:00 am American Automobile Association workshop
“Keeping the Keys.” The presentation is designed to help keep
seniors driving as long as safely possible by being proactive in
managing their driving careers, recognizing the changes in driving
that come with age and planning ahead for continued mobility. Call
the Center at 435-8482 to reserve a lunch at the Suncook Senior
Center following “Keeping the Keys.”
Letter
I am very sorry to see that The Toy Box in Pittsfield is closing. It
was a store that added a lot to our community. Local toy stores are
hard to come by these days. I have good memories of going to
French’s Toy Shop in Concord when I was little. And that wasn’t all
that long ago, merely 25 years or so.
For a child, nothing can beat the experience that a small toy store
can offer. Certainly no box store can offer the same experience.
Although I do not have children of my own, I tried to support The
Toy Box when the occasion arose, like buying gifts for my nephews.
When it comes to small businesses, every little bit helps. As a
community, we need to remember to support the stores that add to our
community. Even if we just purchase a few gifts locally, it can
really make a difference.
Once again, I am sorry that The Toy Box is closing it’s doors. The
corner of Carroll and Depot Streets just won’t be the same.
Jennifer Marsh
Pittsfield
Pittsfield Listens Honors Citizens With Community Impact Awards
BACK: Beverly Drolet, Minni Plante, Jason Darrah, Laura Okrent, Stan
Bailey, Suzi Bard, Sgt, Rick Walter, Stephanie Lamere, Dave Patsos,
Alexandra Briggs, Paul Rogers, Andrea Riel, Pam Clattenburg, Louie
Houle, John Freeman FRONT: Rene Drolet, Jeremy Kennepohl, Quinn
Boyce, Morgan Morasse, Cassidy Kearns, Elizabeth Cyr, Olivia Tobin.
Organizations represented: Jitters Cafe, Pittsfield Rotary Club,
Children’s Store & Tree Lighting, Parks & Recreation Commissions,
The Clothes Closet, Victory Workers 4-H
On December 13, Pittsfield Listens honored 19 individuals, groups,
and businesses with their 2012 Community Impact Awards. Nominations
for these awards were submitted by Pittsfield residents totaling 56
nominees in 15 categories.
These awards were presented to 19 community leaders in recognition
of their outstanding positive impacts on the Pittsfield community.
The 2012 Community Impact Award recipients are: Business – Jitters
Cafe, Civic Group – Pittsfield Rotary Club, Coach – Jason Darrah,
Community Event – Children’s Store and Tree Lighting, Individual –
Stephanie Lamere, Local Government Group – Parks & Recreation
Commission, Local Government Individual – Sgt. Richard Walter,
Organization – The Clothes Closet, Outstanding Student K-6 – Morgan
Morasse and Olivia Tobin, Outstanding Student 7-12 – Cassidy Kearns,
Elizabeth Cyr, Jeremy Kennepohl, and Quinn Boyce, Pittsfield
Elementary School Teacher – Dave Patsos, Pittsfield Middle High
School Teacher – Alexandra Briggs, School Administrator – John
Freeman, Volunteer of the Year – Andrea Riel, and Youth Group –
Victory Workers 4-H and Pamela Clattenburg.
Congratulations to the 56 nominees for the 2012 Pittsfield Listens
Community Awards! Alexandra Briggs, Alyssa Heppler, Amanda Newton,
Andrea Riel, Cassidy Kearns, Children’s Store and Tree Lighting,
Chris Davitt, Christie Dunlavey, Clothes Closet, Danielle
John-Zensky, Dave Patsos, Deb Doscher, Derek Hamilton, Dorcas Guild,
Elizabeth Cyr, George Bachelder, Globe, Hot Air Balloon Rally, James
Zensky, Jason Darrah, GEF and Linda Freese, Jennifer Cole, Jeremy
Kennepohl, Jitters, John Freeman, Jonathan Uhouse, Karen Trefry,
Katie Loud, Kristen Ahearn, Leavitt’s Cider Mill, Mark Tobin,
Merrill Vaughan, Morgan Morasse, Olivia Tobin, Pamela Clattenburg,
Pittsfield Beautification Committee, Pittsfield Chamber of Commerce,
Pittsfield Elementary School PTO, Pittsfield Fire Department,
Pittsfield Old Home Day, Pittsfield Parks & Rec. Commission,
Pittsfield Players, Pittsfield Police Department, Pittsfield Post
Office, Pittsfield Rotary Club, Pittsfield SADD, Pittsfield Women of
Rotary, Pittsfield Youth Workshop, Quinn Boyce, Ruth Strickhart,
Sgt. Richard Walter, Stephanie Lamere, Steve Manteau, Tara Pinto,
Teen Mentoring Program, Tobi Chassie, and Victory Workers 4-H Club.
To have your voice heard, join Pittsfield Listens at their next
community forum on Thursday, January 17 beginning at 6:30 pm at the
Pittsfield Youth Workshop.
The mission of Pittsfield Listens is to be an
unbiased facilitator and encourage open dialogue and collaboration
between all members of the community. To learn more about Pittsfield
listens and to see pictures from this event, visit:
Facebook.com/PittsfieldListens or email:
[email protected].
Retirement Party For Sam Cocker Spaniel Benoit,
Known Professionally As “Sam The Reading Dog"
There will be a retirement party drop-in, from 3:00-5:00 pm on
Wednesday, January 2, 2013, for Sam Cocker Spaniel Benoit, known
professionally as “Sam the Reading Dog,” at Josiah Carpenter Library
since May 27, 2011. January 2nd will be Sam’s final official day at
the library. He will continue with his web presence and may even
briefly visit on future special occasions, but will no longer act as
the Library Reading Dog.
Sam’s friends and fans are invited to come in to give a pat, accept
a paw shake, or “Sam’s High-Five.” Those who wish to bring Sam a
treat are gently reminded that due to health issues, he is only
allowed fat-free treats, such as pet-safe fruit and veggies (his
favorites are bananas and baby carrots) and occasionally very
low-fat (1% or less) dog treats – such as Dingo Brand Dental Sticks.
The “Sam the Reading Dog” Program will continue to bear his name, in
honor of the beloved cocker spaniel. We are seeking applications for
Reading Dogs at this time. Applicants need not be named “Sam” to
apply. Young readers develop reading skills and confidence by
reading aloud to dogs in private 20-minute sessions. Research has
documented that children participating in such programs improve
their reading skills. Due to the temporary Children’s Room Closure,
pending construction of a secondary interior staircase between
floors, all Reading Dog appointments have been cancelled until
further notice. We plan to resume the Reading Dog Program in June of
2013.
Sam joined the staff of Josiah Carpenter Library on
May 27, 2011 and read with his first client on June 15, 2011. Since
becoming Josiah Carpenter Library’s popular mascot, he has
established his own Facebook fan page, a Blogspot Blog, and his own
portfolio photo album linked through the library’s website at
www.josiahcarpenterlibrary.org.
He receives and responds to email at
[email protected].
Sam has chronicled his health issues and has brought awareness to
the little-known danger of pancreatitis in pets. Sam has battled
chronic/recurrent pancreatitis after an initial acute
life-threatening attack in October 2011. He also documented his
weight-loss efforts, dropping from an obese 49 pounds to the plateau
of a chubby 38, with a goal of 34 still in place. At age 13, Sam
also struggles with weather-related arthritis flare-ups, has poor
night vision and is losing his hearing.
Sam will miss all of the Trustees, Staff and Volunteers who treated
him as their own. He will miss all of the younger patrons,
especially his Reading Buddies, all of the grown-up patrons who took
time to speak to him by name and offer a loving pat or playful ear
scratch. All are welcome. Light refreshments will be served of, you
guessed it, Baby Carrots and Bananas and Cold Water. There will also
be Dingo Dental Sticks for the well-behaved Therapy-Dog patrons.
The Library welcomes well-behaved registered therapy dogs with their
owners. Companion dogs are also welcome for brief patron visits,
limited to book drop-off, reserve-item pick-up and brief e-mail
checks. All visiting dogs must be well-trained and on a leash.
Beginnings And Endings
With a kiss for the future,
And a sigh for the past,
We will love and remember
And hope to the last,
That for all the old lies that the calendar holds,
With love in our hearts
We will never grow old.
Roger and Jan Heath announce their retirement from Heath’s Flower
Shoppe as of December 24, 2012.
After 32 years of being in business, they are looking for a quieter
life style and more time with family.
Hopefully, new owners for the shop will be found in the new year and
Heath’s Flower Shoppe, which was once Cotton’s Flower Shop sixty-two
years ago, will continue to serve the Suncook Valley as the next
generation.
School Lunch Menus
January 2 - January 4, 2013
PES
Wednesday
Pastabilities!
Spaghetti and meat sauce, green beans, apple slices
Thursday
PES Favorite
Chicken nuggets, green beans, oven fries, peaches
Friday
Fresh Picks Pizza
Cheese pizza or chef’s topping, cucumber wedges, fresh fruit
PMHS
Wednesday
Pastabilities!
Spaghetti and meat sauce, green beans, apple slices
Thursday
Winter Warmer
Baked potato bar, dinner roll, glazed carrots, spice cake with
peaches
Friday
Fresh Pick Calzone
Assorted calzones, garden salad, fruit cocktail
Dorcas Guild
December 2012
The Dorcas Guild met the evening of December 11 for the annual Pot
Luck Supper/Gift Exchange and Christmas Meeting. Devotions and
prayer were led by Peggy Jacobs and included a very moving poem
titled, “A Soldier’s Christmas.” A bountiful meal of great offerings
was served by hostesses Peggy Jacobs and Corine Miller.
The secretary gave her minutes of the November meeting and the
treasurer reported the current bank balance, most of the funds
coming from the most successful Christmas Fairs ever. Many Christmas
cards were signed for mailing.
The food basket from Nella Hobson went to Diane Vaughan, next to
Nancy Fogg and then Bev Murdough. The traveling apron is ready to
travel from Corine to Leslie Vogt, then to Kathy Bergeron, Carolyn
Davis, Audrey Moore, Beverly Moore and Robin Gray. The mystery
package, brought by Kathy was won by Joan Riel.
Service projects this year will be blankets for the needy and
“Project Linus.” Mary Jo Powelson, also a member of the Diaconate
Board and Missions Committee reported on the Diaper Pantry Project
to be implemented in January. Bev Murdough brought in choices for
selection of a changing table for the nursery. A choice was made,
and she will make the purchase. Gift cards were purchased for a
Pittsfield family.
New officers for 2013 are: president, Nancy Fogg, co-vice
presidents: Kathy Bergeron and Mary Jo Powelson, secretary, Joan
Riel; treasurer, Reny Boyd.
Yearbooks for 2013 were reviewed for hostesses and programs. Gifts
were voted for the pastor and music director and a poinsettia will
be placed in the church in memory of deceased Dorcas Guild members.
It was decided to serve the Fellowship Hour on January 13. It was
also noted that the Wednesday work group meetings will begin again
February 6, 2013 from 10 am to 2 pm.
At the close of the meeting a gift exchange was held and “Prayer
Partners” were revealed. The next meeting will be held January 8
with Corine Miller and Elaine Coffey as hostesses. Members will
enjoy a “Birthday Party for All” and are asked to bring a wrapped
gently used book to exchange.
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