Two Women

New Ipswich Historical Society

Two Women

Unidentified women, residents of Bank Village

Newspaper Clipping

New Ipswich Post office History

This office was established in the autumn of 1800, and therefore has a record of over 115 years. The postmasters and the date of appointment were Samuel Batchelder, Jan. 1, 1801; Benjamin Champney, Feb. 2, 1802; Sampson Fletcher, July 8, 1822; Josiah W. Spaulding, Mar. 23, 1839; Charles Hastings, Jr., Mar. 10, 1843; Charles Chickering, July 31, 1845; Edward M. Isaacs, April 23, 1849; John Peabody, Feb. 3, 1855; John U. Davis, July 23, 1855; John G. Leonard, Oct. 24, 1857; Charles A. Whitney, May 31, 1861; Henry O. Freston, June 13, 1878; Charles S. Brown, Aug. 24, 1885; Joseph E. F. Marsh, Jr., Feb. 10, 1890; Bessie M. Tar- bell, July 22, 1893; Bessie M. T. Thompson, June 29, 1896; Bessie M. Cushing, Sept. 27, 1909.

Samuel Batchelder opened the office in his store, then located in Davis Village. Benjamin Champney established the office in his law office, then located near the Dr. Barr residence. Later it was moved to the Old Corner store. In 1822 Sampson Fletcher removed the office to Fletcher block. Charles Hastings, Jr., opened the office in Dr. Preston's drug store. Charles Chickering kept the office in the old hotel block. Edward M. Isaacs established the office in the old Corner store. John G. Leonard officiated in the Nichols house- Charles A. Whitney restored the office to the old Corner store in 1861, where it has continued to remain.

For many years the postal facilities have been exceptionally fine for a town of this size, with three outgoing mails each day to Boston and else- where and three incoming mails. In 1801 history states that one letter was received. In 1913, the aggregate of letters mailed from this office was about 30,000, and a larger number were received.

In 1884, Bank Village post office was opened. Charles L. Tarbell was appointed first postmaster and Mrs. Ida M. Frye in 1895, who held the office until it was abolished. In 1892 Smithville post office was established. The following postmasters continued to serve until this office was discontinued: Lyman M. Chandler, 1893-1895; Carrie B. Chandler, May, 1895: Herbert W. Chandler, December, 1895.

Since writing the history of the local post office, William E. Davis informs the Sentinel correspondent that the first post office was opened and kept in his house in Davis Village. After the house came into his possession, he found the boxes and the door of the post office. The latter had a wooden lock. As the late R. H. Stearns, a merchant prince of Boston, once occupied this house in his early days residing there with his father, Mr. Davis presented the lock to him as a souvenir of the early woodcraft.

James Roger diary entries

25th August 1912

Fair, warm and nice breeze. Alice took Mother, Mary, & Johnnie [for] a drive to the Club House and brought J. Cummings’ and my golf bags. Mr. Lord preached from Job on the Phenomena of Nature with its unknown agencies & possibilities—referring to the windstorm of Friday. S.S. after. 11 Seniors; 7 Juniors. Collection: 32 cents. Alice went to Depot to meet Roger & StewartBorland. Vesper service at 4 p.m. Good attendance.