Old Perry Place Burns
Owned by Chauncy Perry
Thank you Chauncy Perry for sending a news clipping and notes about the your historic home in Bank Village and the fire that destroyed it.
May 9, 1968
Monadnock Ledger Article
Ancient house burns NEW IPSWICH -- The local Fire Department was called out at four o'clock Saturday morning to the historic Old Perry Place in Bank Village when Police Officer Robert Thibault called in to report that the old place was engulfed in flames. Officer Thibault was on duty in Greenville at the time when he noticed the red flames high in the sky. He followed in that direction until he came to the place. An old sign which was lying on the ground had "REDPINES 1750" written on it. The old 8-room 2-story structure which is an authentic salt box construction and had three fireplaces, is owned by Chauncy Perry of Waltham, Mass., who spent summers in New Ipswich. Mrs. Jonathan Bateman (Helen Perry) of Mason lived there with her children for many years until just a few years ago when she moved to Mason. It had no electricity or plumbing, but was filled with old antiques and books of much value. It was unoccupied at the present time. It was built in 1750 by the Whittemore brothers who also built the Old Tavern, now remodeled and occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Robert Byam and family, and the Stanley Kellogg residence which was the old stagecoach stop. The Whittemore brothers owned most of the land in that area of town which was known as the Whittemore farm. When the firemen arrived at the scene, the ell was completely burned and the rest of the house was engulfed in flames. It is considered a total loss. The Greenville Fire Department was summoned immediately and arrived at the scene with men and two trucks. Approximately 25 firemen helped fight the blaze. Water was pumped from a nearby waterhole. Fire Chief Theodore Karnis said the cause of the fire is unknown and is under investigation by the State Fire Marshal's office.
Before the Fire
!930’s photo (below) of the house built in 1750. House was purchased in 1911 by Helen T. and Chauncy R. Perry for a summer home with their family John, Margaret, Chancy V. and G. Nelson.
House then enjoyed summers and weekends by G. Nelson and family - Dorothy, Helen and Chancy S.
Site visit in 2021
In September 2021, Carl Toko, Dottie Perry and I visited the location of the former house. All that remains is an lawn overgrown with Vinca.
James Roger diary entry
September 12th 1908 (Saturday)
Warm and still smokey with reddish sun, wind NE to SE. David at Ashburnham with chair stock from Walker. The men finished shingling the Hall today. I brought home a quantity of shingles. Got a basket of pears from Mrs. Obear.
September 14, 2024 - 13:30
New Ipswich Historical Society cordially invites the public to its Annual Meeting and Program.
FINNS: An Oral History of Finnish-Americans
in New Hampshire’s Monadnock Region
Presented by Patricia Kangas Ktistes
New Ipswich Museum of History (72 Academy Road) - formerly Appleton Academy
Our 30-minute business meeting will be followed by this year’s featured speaker, Patricia Kangas Ktistes, who will describe her experience of interviewing Finnish-Americans in New Ipswich and surrounding communities for the purpose of preserving their stories for future generations.
In addition to sharing interesting anecdotes and audio clips that she collected for her Master’s thesis in the 1990s, Patricia will provide participants with her recommendations and useful tips for collecting family histories before elders pass and their knowledge and experiences are lost to time.
Patricia Kangas Ktistes was born in New Ipswich in 1952, and attended town schools through ninth grade. In 1967, she moved out of state with her family. In 1987, she earned a B.S. from Colby-Sawyer College and received her MALS degree at Dartmouth College in 1997. Her master’s thesis is entitled FINNS: An Oral History of Finnish-Americans in New Hampshire's Monadnock Region. Patricia has two daughters and five grandchildren; she and her husband John Ktistes reside in Rockport, MA
Was the Perry place ever rebuilt?
Sad day. I spent many hours in that house in the company of the Perrys.