159th Children's Fair (Retrospective)
New Ipswich Historical Society
A Look Back at the 159th Children’s Fair
This was a Covid-19 year. An auto parade was organized. Social distancing at the book sale and most people wore masks.
NOTE that the 162nd Children’s Fair will take place on Aug 19, 2023 at 10 AM on Church Grounds at 150 Main Street, New Ipswich, NH
Newspaper Clipping
Jan 19, 1928 - N. H. COUPLE SEEK CUSTODY OF CHILD
Seek To Adopt Orphan Niece Wanted Also by Worcester Cousins
Special to The Union
WORCESTER, Mass., Jan. 17.- Ina Martha Dickerman, 10-year-old Spencer girl, who has passed part of each summer for several years at the home of her uncle, Walter E. L. Hardy of New Ipswich, N. H., will probably make her permanent home at the Hardy residence, as the result of a hearing in Probate Court here yesterday. The girl is now an orphan, her father, Ellsworth Dickerman, having died two weeks ago, and her mother, Emma L. (Hardy) Dickerman, having passed away two years ago.
Mr. Hardy and his wife, Persis, came here from New Hampshire yesterday to press their petition for guardianship of their little niece. Opposition was expressed by Stuart and Everett Dickerman of Spencer, adult cousins of the child.
Judge Favored Adoption.
At the end of the long hearing Judge Frederick H. Chamberlain suggested that he would prefer to act on a petition for adoption, rather than for simple guardianship, and this was filed by counsel for the New Hampshire people. The court intimated, however, that he would probably make no decree until the close of the present school year. From remarks made by him it is considered likely that he will allow the Hardys to take the child into their home.
Mrs. Hardy said that the mother of the child was his sister, and that she always told him that if anything happened to her, she wished him to care for Ina. A memorandum left by the mother, to be opened at her death, expressed the wish that "Walter and Persis have full control of Ina and her affairs."
The Hardys testified that they have no children and are anxious to take their niece into their home and care for her as their own. No thought of being paid for this service entered into the case, they said. Mr. Hardy is a painter, and claims to be financially able to give the girl a good home. He said she has visited them for periods of from two to four weeks every summer for several years, and always seemed contented there.
Miss Alice M. Draper, who has kept house for Mr. Dickerman since the death of his wife, said she and Ina have grown attached to each other, and she is willing to stay on at the house and care for the child.
James Roger diary entries
16th August 1912
Cool and clear; wind northerly. David went to blacksmiths for screen for C. Newcomb. John Cummings & I went to Club and played 15 holes of golf. Cummings 1 up. I afterwards got Church ready for Mrs. Davis’ funeral. The pall bearers were Myron Taylor, Henry Wilson, C. Pratt, and myself. Mr. Lord & Mr. Peacock were officiating ministers. David at funeral, afterwards tossing hay. Alice & I took the settees out Hall for dance tonight. Rehearsal by old time Choir in Church at 7 tonight. The children walked to near Greenville this forenoon. Got Chambers’ Journals from Roslin.