NIHS Newsletter - Week 15, 2025

1901 Gift

Mortar and Pestle

There is an iron mortar and pestle in the collection of the New Ipswich Historical Society. It is labeled as being used by a goldsmith. But news clippings offered an alternative history.

Mortar and Pestle - John M Poltrack 2018

October 11, 1901 Clipping

BANK VILLAGE.

Ancient Mortar and Pestle.

There has just been presented to the New Ipswich, library an iron mortar and pestle used nearly 150 years ago by the first doctor in New Ipswich, John Preston. The donor Is Mrs. Walter B. Page of Pepperell, Mass., whose maiden name was Lucy Preston Bancroft, being named for her great-aunt, who was the doctor's daughter.

In a chapter of Chronicles published almost 40 years since, referring to preceptor of 1812, the sentence occurs, "Though thou wert brayed like a donkey with a pestle and mortar"-the chronicler evidently being a little rusty on Proverbs xxvii: 22, and it is claimed that this is the very mortar alluded to, though the good doctor had then ceased mixing "Elixer Pro" and "Picra" for nearly 10 years. In old days country doctors had to be their own druggists. We could not telephone to our good-natured senator at Green-ville and be sure that the prescription was properly prepared, and from pure materials, but the doctors must make their own compounds, and their offices, no doubt, often resembled the one in Romeo and Juliet, adorned with "an alligator stuffed, and a beggarly account of empty boxes."

In Nicholas Nickleby, when Smike tries to learn this part in the play, he made a decided hit, as his course of brimstone and molasses at the school of Mr. Squeers had given him unusual advantages in assuming the role of the apothecary.

Our early doctors were not devoid of humor, and tradition tells that some-times with a stick of licorice they enticed the small boy to hold the crucible over the fire while the elements were melting and the sudden explosion of the compound would send the urchin heels over head, to the delight of the doctor and those in the secret who were watching the process.

In the Hillsborough County History our first doctor is spoken of as a soldier in the French and Indian War, who, at the coming of peace, "exchanged the sword for the scalpel, and ostensibly gave up the practice of killing people." As his wife gave him 13 children, while her brother had 12 and her brother's niece 12, it would seem as if the family practice alone was no trifle.

In those Calvinistic days the religous views of public men were narrowly watched, and it is rumored that in a neighboring town this question was asked, "Is not Doctor X a sceрtic?" pronouncing the word with the "c" soft. "Why, no, he is a strong antiseptic." "I am glad to hear it, but I feared he was an Agnostic." "Why. bless you, he has been a diagnostic these 20 years."

On the 12th of April 1861, at the attack on Fort Sumter, a South Carolina poet telegraphed to Washington: "With cannon mortar and petard

We tender Old Abe our Beauregard."

We do not anticipate any such war-like use of this mortar by Miss Barr in the New Ipswich library, nor will she imitate the one of whom Tenneyson sings in Maud, and "pestle a poisoned poison behind the crimson lights," but she can use the pestle, as a gavel to call her meetings to order, and the mortar can serve as a contribution box for the many friends of the Institution which she has so ably managed

October 18, 1901 Clipping

Sentinel Oct. 18. 1901

Mrs. Page's Gift.

A correspondent who signs himself "An Old Ipecac"-we suspect that he means "Epicure"-writes about Mrs. Page's gift to the library as follows:

"I note what was recently said in reference to the use to be made of the pestle and mortar presented to the library, but why cannot some more natural turn be given it by a hand so noted as Miss Barr's in preparing dainty dishes for the epicure? I, for one, will volunteer to pound crackers in it if she will oversee their application to croquettes or fried oysters, which never should be out of season.

It brings up the old ballad of Sir Launcelot, which Dan Setchell used to sing in Faust, 40 years ago:

'Sir Launcelot was a doughtie knighte Who dwelt in Palestine,

He won hys spurres in bloudie fighte

Slaying hys ninety and nine; He was some on ye foils and eke with

ye gloves,

In battle was ne'er known to falter, And he was ye founder, as history proves,

Of Ye Anciente Sonnes of Malta.

He was prompt to respond at ye clar-ion's calle,

Or at ye rolle of ye drummes, And when he oystered ye Ladye Blanche,

He went it on fried in crumbs.'

I warrant that in them you will never taste the suspicion of aloes, jalap, senna and squills, once so familiar to the mortar."

James Roger Diaries Entries - 1909

7th April 1909 (Wednesday)

Fair and warm 42 degrees at Mr. Gordon’s at 1pm. David & H. Royce at brooder house and filling tank at Mr. Spofford’s. Wm Davis cleaning carpets at Mrs. Huckins with his patent vacuum cleaner. He also cleaned our hair cloth sofa. It certainly does excellent work. Selectmen called today. I did not see them but Dave met them in barn. Cows values $32 each. I do not know horse valuation.

8th April 1909 (Thursday)

High winds all night and day, moderating in afternoon. David at Spofford’s clearing up, and Royce & him brought the ashes down in afternoon. I lit Church fire &c for sewing circle tonight and Hall fire for Grange. Miss Dean and Miss Wilbur called in afternoon. 19 at Grange closed 11 pm.

9th April 1909 (Friday)

Snow flurries cool east to wind. David painting at Miss Palmer’s Huckins place sold to Flushing. Sent incubator tank to Farrar’s. Got watch from New York, also letter and Easter card from Hamish , papers from Scotland last night.

10th April 1909 (Saturday)

Frost very cold west wind. David at Miss Palmer’s. I took turnips to M. Robbins and brought meat, laundry, and incubator tank from Farrar’s. Got letters and Easter cards from Bayshore, papers from Roslin. Flagstaff at Club House blown down.

11th April 1909 (Sunday)

Hard frost 16 degrees, cool wind N.W. to W. growing warmer in afternoon. Mr. Peacock preached on Christ the Light. S.S. after 8 present. A large attendance of people at Church. C.E. Tonight 7 pm. Topic “The Risen Christ” Leader Mr. Peacock 21 present.

12th April 1909 (Monday)

Frost cool westerly wind variable after. David painting at Miss Palmer’s. I filled little incubator and planted a tree for John Preston. Got letters from Hamish and Easter cards from Cora Roger. Telephone man called today to fix the phone. I paid him monthly bill. Mr. Gordon spoke about planting a tree in cemetery lot.

13th April 1909 (Tuesday)

Fair day strong south wind, drying up roads &c. David painting at Miss Palmer’s. I filled boiler and put some stones in orchard drain. Had horses out, also cows. Got Easter cards from brother Bob, and Agnes Roger. Bert Mansfield started for out west yesterday. Mrs. Sampson telephoned that May was coming on Thursday. Mr. Huckins telephoned for Fred Cushing to come over and see him. Heard the frogs peeping tonight.