James Benjamin Davis

New Ipswich Historical Society

James Benjamin Davis

March 26, 1915

James B. Davis, one of the honored and industrious long. time residents of this town, recently died very suddenly in San Diego, California, his adopted home since 1912.

He belonged to the well-known Davis family so long identified with the religious as well as commercial history of the town, which embraced men of stalwart Integrity, and whose memory is kept alive in the name of Davis Village, still the residence of one of his descendants.

His father. Thomas, a member of the Davis brotherhood-Benjamin, James. and Thomas-and his mother, Nancy Fletcher, were the parents of five children: Mary, Ebenezer, Richard Hall, Mary, Sivona and James Benjamin, the last survivor of his immediate family

He was born in Enosburg, Vt., and later moved to this town with his father, and resided on the Campbell farm near the Souhegan river. He married June 3, 1859, Miss. Helen M. Bailey. After leaving the south part of the town, he built a home and stable in Central Village near school No. 13, occupying the same until the autumn of 1913.

Mr. Davis was a very honorable citizen, reliable, endowed with a love for hard work, greatly interested in general education, travel and talented preachers. His credit was first class. his principles good; he loved his neighbors and was at peace with the world. He cared little for office holding, but carried the burdens of life as a private citizen without shirking or complaint.

He was a member of the Stearns Lecture commission and heartily cooperated with his colleagues. He was also associated with Watatic Grange, P. of H.. No. 36, for a long time, and entered into its work with great zeal. He committed a number of the senior Dr. Talmadge's addresses as well as poems and writings of other talented persons to memory, and at opportune times, Intelligently entertained assemblages of people. He possessed a marvellous memory for a self educated man, was a voluminous reader and constant patron of the public library. In his early career he worked in Fitchburg, and showed an interest In saving by opening accounts with the city's saving banks. He was an eager reader of the Fitchburg Sentinel.

On June 3, 1909, Mr. and Mrs. Davis celebrated their golden wedding, sur rounded by a large delegation of relatives, friends and neighbors, who contributed generously to their esteemed host and hostess.

His sunset of life closed suddenly amid the beauties of the Pacific stope. One of his daughters died in infancy. The survivors are his only daughter, Mrs. Florence G. Kingsbury and two granddaughters, Esther Almira Kingsbury and Alberta Gertrude Kingsbury, residents of San Diego, Calif.

His ashes arrived here a few days ago by parcel post. consigned to the sexton for interment In the family lot in Central ceme

Memories of Our School Days at New Ipswich Appleton Academy

Are you an Appleton Academy alum who relishes reminiscing about your time in high school? Or perhaps, your parents and grandparents shared stories about their Appleton school days (before Mascenic became the local high school in 1969) and you’d like to hear more? And even if you’re new to town, you may enjoy learning about Appleton Academy from local alums who attended the well-regarded town high school in the 1950s and 1960s. If so, you are welcome to attend a loosely-moderated discussion hosted by the New Ipswich Historical Society on Saturday, November 18, from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the New Ipswich Library (6 Main Street). This program, which is free and open to the public, is part of an ongoing NIHS effort to chronicle important aspects of New Ipswich’s history in the 20th-century. It will be video-recorded and eventually available on the NIHS website.

Saturday, November 18, from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the New Ipswich Library (6 Main Street)

James Roger diary entries (catching up)

10th November 1912 (Sunday)

Fair with cold north wind. Mr. Lord preached from the text “I shall be satisfied with thy likeness”. S.S. after evening service 41 present Seeking Jesus the topic.

11th November 1912 (Monday)

Frosty and fair wind variable. David teaming on roads down town with Henry Royce on Town Hill. I finished the cabbage and took leaves from barn to brooder house after dinner wheeled in sand to henhouse and went to meeting at parsonage. Discussion preparation & Thanksgiving also Roll Call fixed for first January. Sunday School interest and missions and general welfare of church. Got letter from Hamish.

12th November 1912 (Tuesday)

Fair and mild west wind. David and Daniel fixing attic windows. I raked leaves in the orchard and filled pens in henhouse. Mrs. Lowe called for a dozen of eggs. Got letter from Sandy last night.

13th November 1912 (Wednesday)

Rain east wind all day. David whitewashing at Mrs. Brooks cellar. I picked a chicken and kept in house all the rest of the time.

14th November 1912 (Thursday)

Rain east and northeast. David took ashes from church and hall also out the brooder house and spread them on the grass. Also took some coal to Mrs. Brooks. I swept hall and fixed lamps for Grange tonight. Also swept church and got a nice woolen stockings from Alice also letter from Hamish. Got letter from Johnnie and May.

15th November 1912 (Friday)

Fair and cool west to northwest wind. David at Spofford’s in forenoon and teaming apples from Mrs. Lowe to depot in afternoon. I fixed the Preston fountain pipe and went to mail. Paid W. Preston the insurance on Mason lodge. Bought blankets, needles, envelopes, Globe paper. Tuttle finished the fence at John Preston’s and I wheeled away some of the old wood. Went to smoke talk at Appleton Inn in evening. About 50 folks there, good time. Mr. Duncan of Jaffrey speaker.

16th November 1912 (Saturday)

Fair and cold wind mostly north. Ice pretty thick on hen troughs. David teaming lumber from King house and teaming sand to henhouse in afternoon. I cleaned up John Preston’s place and lit furnace fire in church. Got letter from Alice.

17th November 1912 (Sunday)

Fair and cold north wind. A slight flurry of snow in afternoon. Put coal furnace on in church. Mr. Lord preached on Missions Sermon from a compound text “What he saideth unto you do it (John 2) then go ye into all the world and preach”. S.S. after 17 present. Mr. Lord and I went to Mrs’ Ramsdell’s sabbath school in afternoon. Mr. Lord presented two bibles to the best attending scholars Hazel Davis and Phillip Davis. There were 15 scholars present. Evening service at 7pm. Topic: the value of being a Christian. The music was coronet played by Howard Wilkinson and quartet by Mr. and Mrs. Ed Wheeler and Robert and Lena Walker

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