Appleton Homestead
New Ipswich Historical Society
Birthplace of Samuel Appleton. Built approximately 1756, photo taken Sept 1912. Photo provided by Society for the Preservation of New England Antiquities, 141 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA 020114 - Negative 6493B
Summer Scene
We have no information about this photo. It seemed an appropriate pick for a summer day.
On this day - July 4, 1908
James Roger diary entry - Fourth of July
4th (Saturday)
Cloudy and warm with occasional slight showers. A very very quiet 4th. David, Mother &c in bed shortly after midnight. I waited until 1am. One window broken in Preston house is all the damage up this way. Dance in Hall at night a good turn out.
On this day - July 4, 1897
William Jurian Kaula diary - Independence Day
The day we celebrate. It is several years since I displayed as much patriotism and enthusiasm as to-day. But Indendence [sic] Day in France was a far different day than it is in Boston. Everything depended upon our own exertions. We had no baloon [sic] asencion [sic] to watch, no pink lemonade to drink, no band concert of patriotic airs, and no small boys to disturb our slumbers in the early hours of the morn. The American Colony entered into the celebration with so much genuine fervor that I doubt if it was surpassed by any other Americans in Europe on this day. A picinic [sic] was held in the "Forest" of Crécy - the woods that lie on the plain some two miles above Voulangis. Our party consisted of the two young ladies, Smith, Hazard, and myself. A picinic [sic] means lots of luncheon and a lazy time as usual. Three cameras did deadly work taking souvenir groups. The forest needs no mention as it was an ordinary wood except that every tree of a respectable size was numbered and I suppose that the clerks and bookeepers [sic] of the forest have entered each tree in their ledgers with its variety and value. Our dinner was served at the little hotel in our village. All the American flags available had been put into use for decorations and the peasants were soon aware of les fêtes American. The mayor redily [sic] granted the permission for a display of fireworks which took place in front of the hotel and opposite the "Marie." So we are situated on a hill, the illumination which lasted almost an hour, must have been visible for many miles. French fireworks resemble ordinary fireworks except in the difficulty in setting them off. Pin wheels went tearing down the street like a buz-saw [sic] on fire shedding out sparks like a fountain; Roman candles would shoot the balls anywhere except up in the air and it was no easy matter to dodge these colored meteors sailing around the street; and cannon crackers exploded without being asked and it is no wonder that the peasants who had assembled on the scene to keep at a respectable distance. When all was over no one was found to be missing and aside from a few burns, blisters, and a hole that was burned here and there in someone's clothing, everything went satisfactorily.
Happy 4th of July
Please be safe with fireworks, just like Harry “Butch” Cotterly AKA “Pyroman”.
I'm at Camp Woodworth most weekends! :-)
We surely miss Pyroman.
I can say that when I found myself in Melbourne on the 4th the Aussies treated us well, taking us out for hamburgers to celebrate. No fireworks allowed in Melbourne however.