NIHS Newsletter - Week 14, 2025
Chili Cookoff
Chili Cookoff - April 5, 2025
We had lunch at the Congregational Church on Saturday. It was the first event of our 275th celebration. There were seven entries and the unofficial vote was:
Chili 1 - six votes
Chili 2 - five votes
Chili 3 - seven votes
Chili 4 - nine votes
Chili 5 - thirteen votes
Chili 6 - nineteen votes (winner of $100)
Chili 7 - seven votes
If this is incorrect, please add a comment.
It was a cold wet April afternoon and Chili was just the thing to take the “chill” off.
Fitchburg Sentinel - March 11, 1892
FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 1892
A look back at the news from New Ipswich, 133 years ago
Albert F. Walker sent 32,000 rundles for ladders from his wood-turning factory, last week, to J. C. Moulton & Co., Cam-bridge.
Mrs. Nancy Fuller of Davis Village arose, last week Thursday morning, and stood near the soapstone stove in her room, the stove door being open. Her back was towards the stove and the strong dranght drew in a portion of her clothing, which caught fire. She screamed and Fred Prindle of Boston, who was in an adjoining room, extinguished the flames. with some difficulty, severely burning his right hand. A large portion of her clothing was burnt off, and a number of square feet of blistered surface resulted, causing intense pain. A physician was speedily summoned, and alleviated her sufferings to some degree. She continued to sink under the shock and died, Saturday evening. She was 79 yrs. 6 mos. old. Her father's name was James Jaquith. Her sister died from the effects of an accident about a year ago at St. Louis. At the time of Mrs. Fuller's accident, a letter arrived, announcing the death of her brother-in law. She resided with Charles F. Lougee, who did everything possible to ease her sufferings. Her funeral took place on Tuesday afternoon.
Fred Preston was home, last week.-Charles Taylor is again out on the street. -Mrs. George Fox is slowly improving from a severe illness. Miss Sophronia Blanchard is now able to assume house-hold duties. John S. Cummings spent last week in Worcester.-Miss Emily Far-well has been visiting at Dr. Maxwell's at Farnumsville, Mass. Mrs. Lucinda Far-well of Mason is visiting at Russell Farwell's, Smith Village.
The last paper published in this town was the "New England Star." George D. Burton was the editor and proprietor. His subscription list at one time numbered 6500 names. Charles A. Whitney, post-master at that time, gave him a written statement that he sent more mail matter through this office than any one else.
George S. Wheeler has sold a large number of his Toulouse geese; one lot was shipped to Kentucky. Mrs. George Lougee has been on a visit to Boston.-George Lougee, cotton broker in Boston, was home to attend town meeting-
The winter term of Appleton academy has closed.
Charles Wheeler is filling up his mill yard in Smith Village with logs.-Fred Wheeler has a lot of logs in his mill yard at Gibson Village.
Daniel G. Murphy has been quite ill in Clinton, Mass.-Mr. and Mrs. Savage have moved from the Center to South Ashburnbam. She is the youngest daughter of Mr. Stiles.-
On town meeting day the ladies of the Congregational church served a dinner. in the vestry, which was appreciated by the voters.
James Roger Diaries Entries - 1909
March 31st 1909 (Wednesday)
Frosty fine day, cool north west wind ice melting. David went for the wagon front wheels he bought a week ago at Waldo Whitney’s auction, and helping Lonie in afternoon. The robins appeared this morning in the trees beside our house and I heard them whistling in the trees down the street. I started my incubator this morning with F. Mansfield’s eggs 308 and 52 of our own.
1st April 1909 (Thursday)
Frost fine day, cool north wind. David cleaned up Church cellar. Got letter from Alice. Church meeting today. Mr. & Mrs. Travis, Mr. & Mrs. Corbett, Mr. & Mrs. Sargent & baby, Mr. Bucknam, Mrs. Sampson, Mrs. Ferrin, Mrs. Newell, Mrs. Aldrich, Mrs. Thayer, Mrs. Stephen Wheeler, Mrs. Balch, Miss Lee, Miss Taylor, Mr. & Mrs. Charles Wheeler, and myself. Mr. Wheeler Moderator opened at 215 pm with prayer by Deacon Roger. Miss Taylor elected clerk, Mr. C Wheeler treasurer (Who reported $40000 withdrawn from Bank at Greenville and $50000 deposited in Massachusetts.) Mr. Travis and Mrs. Ferrin elected standing committee of the Church. Mrs. C. Wheeler Ed Wheeler & James Roger trustees of Lincoln Fund Deacon Roger appointed delegate to County Convention and Charles Wheeler alternate. Deacon Roger & Daniel P. Maynard to take the collection in Church. Mr. Travis alternate to Daniel. Voted to retain Mr. Peacock for 1 year from 1st June at same salary. Yeas 13 Nos 2. Move to adjourn by J Roger. Supper and social in Church tonight. 45 at supper cleared 5 dollars closed at 945pm.
2nd April 1909 (Friday)
Frosty fine day wind S.W. to S,E, clouding at night. David painting windows, wagons etc and went to Mrs. Walker for eggs for hatching got 240. I went to Warren Pratt’s funeral service which was with Mason’s rites. He was the oldest Man and Freemason in town in his 89th year. I believe Otis Wheeler is older than he was. Mr. Peacock gave a very nice address at the funeral service. The body was taken to Fitzwilliam the Masons present at the funeral were Mr.’s Blanchard, Beard, Moore, Maynard, Phelps, Spofford, Gordon and myself. The roads got pretty muddy but the sky was blue overhead and the robins whistling in the trees. Got letter from May last night.
3rd April 1909 (Saturday)
Snow and sleety showers, wind E & N.E. David choring round, painting &c. I swept Church vestry, little room, and stairs. Started another incubator. W. Preston called today with paper about state tax bill for signature. Moses Balch sent papers from Bank of England about Spanish Swindle. The snow is today covering my darling Mary’s grave, her 41st birthday. Got letters from Alice & Hamish.
4th April 1909 (Sunday)
Fine day, westerly wind. Mr. Peacock preached on “What a good man should be” a fairly good congregation. S.S. after present 10 in all. C.E. at night topic “Proverbs” Mrs. Aldrich leader 17 present Coal fire not lit today in Church.
5th April 1909 (Monday)
Frosty fine day wind variable. David choring round, swept chimney &c, and went to Greenville in afternoon for grain &c. Miss Bacou’s funeral today. I filled boiler put out cows, horse blankets &c. Got letter from Hamish whose shift is changed from night to day work, 1pm to 11pm. Measuring contest at Baptist Church tonight.
April 6th 1909 (Tuesday)
Fair and warm wind west to S.W. David & H. Royce jacking up brooder house. I had cows & heifer out. Went to mail Mrs. Beard. Met Miss Dean on road. Social at Parsonage tonight, I spoke on the “Moon”..
A very interesting collection of stories. Particularly about the Spanish Swindle being foisted upon men perceived to be successful. If you read Wikipedia description it reminds one of modern scams involving alleged grandchildren calling grandparents for ‘bail’ money. In New Ipswich generations ago I recall people caring about their neighbors and the town. There wasn’t always much agreement but folks realized we collectively had something worth preserving there. The Town is unique as are its people in many dimensions.
Enjoy reading James' journal entries. Like seemed simpler then and there was more concern for the welfare of one's neighbor. New Ipswich was a classic small town pop 880, now 5X that. New Ipswich still has that small town atmosphere and rallies around those in need even today. Thanks, John, for those postings. I now live in a town of 15000. We have no newspaper, no police force, and a volunteer fire dept. I read the Town Board, Planning Board, Zoning Board minutes to know what's going on. However, I don't know health status of my neighbors.