Overview
The newsletter from the Newport Historical Society presents local historical research, preservation updates, and community programming. It highlights notable Newport figures, archival discoveries, and guidance for researching house histories and genealogy, with practical resources and references for further exploration.
Key operational news includes the Pier Bridge Preservation Project bidding and expected schedule, membership information, and upcoming monthly meeting dates. The issue weaves biographical sketches (Ebenezer Allen, Charles Seamans, Joseph Parmelee) with local origins and archival holdings to engage history enthusiasts and supporters.
You can read the online version of the newsletter here.
This quarterly newsletter is generally published in January, April, July and October.
Main Points
- Ebenezer Allen: Born in Newport, NH in 1804, Allen became Secretary of State for the Republic of Texas, assisted with Texas annexation to the U.S., and supported secession during the Civil War, dying in Virginia in 1863.
- Early Settlement: Newport was first settled in 1766 by six men from Killingworth, Connecticut, after land was allotted at Fort No. 4 in Charlestown, NH.
- Native Inhabitants: The area was originally inhabited by the Abenaki, who suffered devastating losses from European diseases and warfare, with most survivors moving to Canada by the time settlers arrived.
- First Road: Newport’s first road was established in 1766, following a trail from Charlestown, NH, and facilitated the town’s early development.
- Charles Seamans: At age 19, Charles Seamans died in 1793 after falling from the roof of Newport’s first meeting house, marking a notable early tragedy in the town’s history.
- Joseph W. Parmelee: Grandson of original settler Ezra Parmelee, Joseph was a merchant, poet, and historian who documented early Newport life and created its earliest known map.
- Architectural and Genealogical Research: Investigating Newport’s house histories involves examining architecture, land, and genealogies, using sources like census records, newspapers, and probate documents.
- Community Development: Newport’s growth was driven by water-powered mills and the industriousness of its settlers, with both men and women contributing to its transformation from wilderness to prosperous town.
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