Miss Madeline Thurston, 1864-1939, according to info found online, was a native of Rhode Island and a teacher in Newton MA who summered in New Ipswich. The Thurstons were a large clan descended from Daniel Thurston, who settled in Newbury MA in the early 1600s. Thurstons were prominent in early Fitchburg history, the most famous of whom was Asa Thurston, first missionary to the Hawaiian Islands. Sally (Thurston) Phillips of Fitchburg and Ashburnham, 1783-1848, mother of Colonel Ivers Phillips, was a 3gr-grandmother of Betsy Thoms.
I replied in a previous note that I thought those were apartments for the mill workers. Highbridge was a French Canadian village. Wherever there was a textile mill in NH you'll find French Canadians. In Highbrige in 1930-1940s you'll find families with last names like Duval, Leger, Soucy, Ouellette, Desrosiers, Guilmette, LaCroix, Rochon, Montagne, Boulerisse, Croteau, Belanger, Vaillancourt, Charois and others. Highbridge must have been known to Canadian postal workers since one day in the 1950s I received a letter from a former teacher who had gone back Quebec. The letter was addressed "William Niemi Highbridge USA" and it got to me! No zip code, no town, no state!
Miss Madeline Thurston, 1864-1939, according to info found online, was a native of Rhode Island and a teacher in Newton MA who summered in New Ipswich. The Thurstons were a large clan descended from Daniel Thurston, who settled in Newbury MA in the early 1600s. Thurstons were prominent in early Fitchburg history, the most famous of whom was Asa Thurston, first missionary to the Hawaiian Islands. Sally (Thurston) Phillips of Fitchburg and Ashburnham, 1783-1848, mother of Colonel Ivers Phillips, was a 3gr-grandmother of Betsy Thoms.
Thanks for background information
I replied in a previous note that I thought those were apartments for the mill workers. Highbridge was a French Canadian village. Wherever there was a textile mill in NH you'll find French Canadians. In Highbrige in 1930-1940s you'll find families with last names like Duval, Leger, Soucy, Ouellette, Desrosiers, Guilmette, LaCroix, Rochon, Montagne, Boulerisse, Croteau, Belanger, Vaillancourt, Charois and others. Highbridge must have been known to Canadian postal workers since one day in the 1950s I received a letter from a former teacher who had gone back Quebec. The letter was addressed "William Niemi Highbridge USA" and it got to me! No zip code, no town, no state!
Great seeing a French-Canadian family who contributed to the area and knowing Rick Blanchette is still giving to our town.
Yes, our history is a puzzle and it is great when people step in to give us new information.