Calving
New Ipswich Historical Society
Marion Davis Audio-Tape Transcriptions
Sometime before her death in 1986, Marion Davis recorded her memories at the encouragement of her brother, Walter Buck. The recordings were transcribed by a secretary.
The Friends of Wapack have made these available to the Historical Society. Marion was born on February 8, 1894 in Fitchburg, MA.
Calving
It was that Spring we put some of the Hereford cattle over to the Conant pasture over in New Ipswich. I remember how we has to go over and watch them. One day we went over, and 1 cow seemed to be missing from the group; we began to hunt or her, and she was trying to calve and she couldn't deliver her calf. I had to go back to the car and get a rope. We had to tie this rope around a tree. and The feet of the calf were out but couldn't seen to get the head started. By fastening the rope onto her feet and twisting it around a tree to pull we finally got her started. I worked on her some and got the nose started and we delivered the calf but she had such a hard time she never amounted to a whole lot after that. When it came time to bring them home we'd had one or two frosty nights.
Frank said, "I guess tomorrow we'll have to get the cattle home". Well that evening just about dusk Harris Rice same driving into the yard and said, "Frank, your cattle are on the way home". We had to hitch Sukie, and we went over and we met them. They were strung out clear back to the pasture. An old dead tree had knocked part of the fence down and some of then had come out but there was a cow and 2 or 3 calves that didn't know enough to get over the wire fence. After We got them out and got them started. They all seemed to know where to go; we didn't have any difficulty getting them home. It's funny, there was a fork in the road that went toward Jaffrey; they turned north there and went toward the farm. The next fork went out toward Timbertop but they took the farm direction. We got them home very easily.
Photo Archives
The Baptist Church (before the clock was installed)
James Roger diary entry & pullet count (8)
29th December 1912
Frosty, fine winter day, westerly wind. Good sleighing, fine blue sky. David started church fires and I did the dusting, which took nearly 2 hours. Mr. Lord preached from Leviticus 27th and 12th. "As thou valuest it, so shall it be." S. S. after. Evening service at 7 p.m. 18 present. Subject: Why I should be a Christian. Text: Romans 12–1. Howard Wilkinson played coronet. Ida Wheeler – pianist. A good many sleighs out taking advantage of fine day. Pete sick on Saturday night but apparently all right today. Pullets 8.
There’s an old saying that until the proverbial cows come home, nothing can be accomplished. Well, the cows did come home, and in their own good time despite needing a little help, for Marion and Co.
And another thing. Deacon James Roger reports there were many sleighs out as folks were enjoying the clear sunny day. Can you just imagine it? What a beautiful sight it must have been.
I like the dark colour of the ground level of the church. And the dark shutters. It makes it appear more solid and impressive. Wish they would paint it like that again.