The Old Homestead 1955

SWANZEY PLAYERS

1955

ouvraiR

Friday, Saturday and Sunday Evenings
14th Annual Revival

DENMAN THOMPSON'S

<<J Mie 0M Herriestead"

Potash Bowl Swanzey, New Hampshire

DIRECTOR

^Harold & <£rew

IN THE
MONADNOCK REGION

MUSIC DIRECTOR

Uncle Josh
Willard L. Thompson

and

Aunt Matilda
Ethel Dudley

7/2 e Old Homestead

DENMAN THOMPSON'S parents, Capt. Rufus Thompson and the former Anne
Hathaway Baxter, daughter of Dr. Henry Baxter of Swanzey, lived in Beech
Wood, Pa. for a short time and it was during this time that Denman was born.
After returning to Swanzey, Denman attended Mt Caesar Academy during the
winter, and worked on the farm summers.

At the age of 17 Denman left home and joined a circus in Boston, riding with
the opening pageant, and working with the wrestlers and tumblers. Later he
went on the stage and played comedy parts.

At the age of 42, Denman Thompson wrote a skit characteristic of New Eng-
land life which he called "Joshua Whitcomb" and which character part he por-
trayed. This skit was later developed into "The Old Homestead" play which
opened in the Boston Theatre on April 5, 1S86. The play toured all the major cities
of the United States and its success was tremendous. Denman played the character
lead of "Uncle Josh". It is said that he played this part 15,000 times, a single role,
longer than any other actor on the American stage.

The theme of the play is built around the age-old story of the Prodigal Son
and if Denman had searched the world over he could have found no other theme
which would touch as many human hearts as this. Denman embodied in tins
play the finer yet homlier characteristics of New England life — simplicity, rugged
honesty, piety, benevolence, partly hid beneath a rough exterior. Everywhere his
drama of Yankee life has stirred the hearts of men.

In 1939 the Hopkins P.T.A. and the Swanzey Congregational Church joined
m sponsoring a revival of this famous old play. It was a difficult task but the in-
centive was there, for this was no ordinary play — this was practically a living
page from the history of Swanzey. The original script, which is faithfully fol-
lowed in the revivals was presented by Mrs. Ethel Homes and Miss Anita
Gilpatrick to the Old Homestead Association.

The Swanzey Players take great pride in the authenticity of their production;
it has all the heart-warming philosophy of "Uncle Josh", the Yankee wit of "Cy
Prime" and "Seth Perkins", and the sympathetic story of "Rube Whitcomb,"

The audience, as of yore, still thrills when the yoke of oxen, drawing the
"last load o hay" passes in front of the stage; when the Salvation Army lassies
march by singing in front of the original Grace Church scene, and when "Josh"
finds his erring son on the sidewalks of New York.

All in Swanzey are proud to give their services to further this wonderful ex-
ample of neighborhood cooperation; and each year the profits derived from this
production are equally divided among the four churches of Swanzey — Catholic
and Protestant, and the Community Houses of North and East Swanzey.

"God Bless You Denman Thompson, jot the good y do our hearts

With the music an the memories o' youth,

God Bless Ye for the facirtty that tops all human arts

The good at Yankee faculty of Truth,"

— Eugene Field

Theodore Moe
President

Harold Drew
Director

: ^misiggm;

Aunt Matilda and Cy Prime
Ethel Dudley and Arthur Hanrahan

i |§j|

Uncle Josh
Willard L. Thompson

Rickety Ann
Dorothy Barrett

Happy Jack
Maurice Sullivan

THE POTASH BOWL AND VICINITY

MANY PEOPLE have perhaps wondered why this amphitheater is called the
Potash Bowl. During the early part of the last century and possibly earlier much
of the business of the general stores was by barter and one of the items taken in
trade was wood ashes. As early as 1800 the proprietor of one of these stores
in Swanzey, advertised in the New Hampshire Sentinel that he would pay Is 6d
for good wood ashes or would allow that much in trade for English and West
India goods such as West India rum at 5s 11 pence per gallon, sugar, 7 pounds
for 6s, and other articles in proportion.

The ashes taken in trade by at least one of these stores near this amphi-
theater were stored here, and later processed in huge iron kettles to produce
potash, lye, etc. for making soap and for other uses. Part was used here and the
rest sent to Boston.

It was therefore due to the early use of this site and to its natural contour
that it was thought fitting to call it the Potash Bowl.

The old road that passed by the Potash Bowl, once known as the Boston
Road, was at one time the most traveled road in Cheshire County. Most of the
travel from this section of the state as well as much of that of Vermont going to
Boston passed over this road. Due to this heavy travel there were at various
times as many as eight places in Swanzey Center used as hotels or inns for enter-
taining the traveling public. The last building used as a hotel was on the site of
the present Grange Hall adjacent to the Potash Bowl.

Near the Potash Bowl, to the west of the Carpenter Home, is the site of the
first church or meeting house which was built around 1764-5. Before it was en-
tirely completed it was damaged by the hurricane of 1765. Tradition says that
the members of a church council holding a meeting in the church had hardly
left the building when the hurricane passed and turned the building one quarter
round, so that it was made to face the east instead of the south.

The Mt. Caesar Union Library across from the Potash Bowl was formerly
the Mt. Caesar Seminary and Swanzey Academy which was founded in 1843.
It flourished for several years and many of its students later became prominent
in the industrial and educational life of the country. The library now houses in
addition to the library an extensive and interesting collection of relics and
mementos of the past.

The fields to the east and south of the library were used for military musters
during that period when all able-bodied men from 18 to 40 were required to
serve in the militia. At one muster in 1810 as many as four thousand troops
participated.

— Leon A. Woodward

v

Uncle Josh and Francois Fogarty
Willard Thompson and Robert E. Parent

Uncle Josh Looking for Bootjack

Rv,

r

SWANZEY MEETING HOUSES AND SEMINARY

THE FIRST SETTLERS came to Swanzey in 1733 and the Potash Bowl is in
the approximate center of this early settlement. The township was chartered by
New Hampshire in 1753 and took the name of Swanzey. It is not known by whose
influence the town took this name. Some of the early settlers possibly had con-
nection with Swansea in Wales or from Swansea, Mass.

The first Meeting House was built on Meeting House Hill in 1755. (This
site is marked by a stone tablet a few hundred feet to the north-west at the rear
of the Carpenter Home). It is perhaps doubtful whether it was entirely com-
pleted before it was damaged by the hurricane in 1765 and the damages then
caused were not wholly repaired until 1771. The building was "50 by 40 feet on
the ground and 22 feet posts. A gallery was on three sides, a row of pews around
the sides of the house, and back of the body seats; and likewise a row around in
the gallery." This building was used as a church building and town house until
about the year 1776 when a new building was erected by the town ( where the
present Town Hall stands). This building was used by both the Congregational
and Universahst Societies until 1836 when the Congregationalists built their own
church — the Brick Meeting House.

The Baptist Church ( mentioned in the play by Uncle Josh and Henry Hop-
kins in Acts II and III) is now the West Swanzey Community Church where
church services will be held this year. The church was formed in 1792 and the
meeting house erected in 1804, "standing lengthwise north and south, thirty-six
feet in width by sixty feet in length, with a gallery on the east side — box pews
on the floor and a line of pews in the rear of the gallery — the seats of the pews
were hung with hinges and by custom were raised during the time of prayer, and
the Amen 3 was the signal for the falling of the seats, causing a clattering some-
what like that of heavy musketry.

The Mt. Caesar Seminary was established in 1842. Denman Thompson at-
tended the seminary from 1847 to 1850 during the winter months and worked
with his father at the carpenter's trade the rest of the year. Three winter terms
at Mt. Caesar Seminary represents all the time he spent in acquiring a higher
education through school media. The Mt. Caesar Union Library Association was
formed in 1880 and, in 1885, by deed of Quitclaim by Mr. George Carpenter, the
old Academy building was presented to the Library Association, subject to the
following provisions: — "That it shall always remain where it now stands; that it
shall never be sold or transferred under any circumstances whatever; that it shall
never be used for a hotel or lodging house; that it shall never be used for the sale
or use of any intoxicating liquors or drinks whatever; that it shall never be used
for dancing, card playing, gambling or skating ... it shall always be kept for
literary purposes and for the promotion of knowledge and intelligence among the
inhabitants . . . and as long as the United States remain free and independent
the boys in the neighborhood shall have the right unmolested, to ring the bell on
each succeeding Fourth of July." (This deed may be seen in the Library, as well
as many interesting and historical relics, valuable for their antiquity.)

( Taken in part from History of Swanzey, N. H., 1734 to 1890,
by Benjamin Read)

\

BRIEF HISTORY OF THE BAPTIST MEETING HOUSE OF WEST SWANZEY

■■«"■■ II
I

PREVIOUS to the year 1880
little is known of the history of
the Baptist Meeting House as
it eanie to be known in later
years. However, what little in-
formation we have concerning
it would indicate that it really
came into being in the year
1792 with twenty-five charter
members.

The first meeting of tliis
church on record was held eight
years later on April 18th, 1800
in what was then known as the
"Corner School House." This
record is rather vague, however,
in diat it did not record the
names of either the moderator
or the clerk who participated.

It was later recorded that
on October 13, 1803 the church
united with the "Leyden Bap-
tist Association" at Guilford,
Mass. and in the year 1809 by
her own request was dismissed
from said Association and unit-
ed with the "Dublin Baptist As-
sociation" of N. H. She is still
a member of the latter Associa-
tion in good standing. A period
of 146 years.

According to the records
at hand it appears that the
church was not finished imme-
diately at the time of erection
— - — in 1804, for it is recorded that

in 1814 the exterior of the Meeting House was finished at a cost of $400.00, and in March
1820 the sum of one hundred and fifty dollars was raised to complete the interior..

Twenty-three years later, in 1843, extensive alterations were made throughout and it
was at this time that the original box pews were replaced with the more modern type.

Again in 1873 a committee was chosen to remodel and repair the Meeting House. This
committee raised the necessary funds and went about the task assigned to it and in June 1874
the work of remodeling was completed and the church was dedicated to the service of God
in due form.

This Church, and the Methodist Church, after having served for many years as two
separate bodies decided at last that the Kingdom of God could be better served if they could
come together and work as one church to the honor and glory of God. So, on January 22,
1939 forward steps were taken to this end. Several meetings were held during the next foul
months; and finally on the seventh day of Mav, 1939 the work of organization was completed
and the two churches became one under the official name, West Swanzey Community Church,
and under that name she has carried on for the past sixteen years.

A church, like a home, needs to be remodeled occasionally for the good of all concerned;
therefore, with this thought in mind, in the winter of 1946 plans got underway for another
remodeling Job. A committee was appointed to raise the necessary funds for this purpose, with
the result that a new Altar, chancel, parapet, lectern, pulpit, organ and chimes were installed,
a carpet was laid in the chancel and a runner in the middle aisle, and two beautiful memorial
windows set, one in the back and the other in front over the Altar. These were all given in
memoriam. The auditorium, vestrv and kitchen were redecorated all at a cost of about
S9000.0Q. On the 18th of April, 1947 the church was again rededicated with appropriate
services.

Thus the old Meeting House has stood the stress and storms of time, in war and in peace,
sorrow and joy, as a beacon light in the center of the community. Her voice is still proclaiming
the unsearchable riches of Christ. "And whosoever will may come."

— Rev. R. W. E. Mackenzie

^be Old SBdptist 3rieeting ^House, %Dest S'W^n^ey, 'where the &ld
^Homestead Sunday Service 'will be held at n a.m., $tdy yx.

I

QUfmxlj program

(Kmmmuuty Qlluu-ch (®Iie ©Jit pajittat ( $feeilug 3Umts*) Best ^lumiscg,^.^
Rev. R. W. E. MacKenzie, Pastor Barbara Graver, Organist

SUNDAY, JULY 31st, 1955

Organ Meditation "ADAGIO'' Ducoudray

Processional: Hymn No. 300

Call to Worship: "They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength and
faith, through prayer. For prayer is the sacred key which fits the door between
man's soul and God."

Response: "Come, then, let us worship Christ the Lord with hearts sincere,
through songs of praise and prayer. Amen."

Invocation; (In unison)

Almighty God, author of eternal light; illumine our hearts by the light
of thy grace, that our lips may praise thee, and that our worship may
glorify thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Lord's Prayer

Response ( Organ )

Responsive Reading: (Selection 68) "Coming Back Home"

Gloria Patri

Anthem " O Morn of Beauty " (Sibelius) Old Homestead Male Quartet

The Scripture Lesson: Mark 9:1-7

Tenor Solo "If With All Your Heart" (From 'Elijah" — Mendelssohn)

Richard Hutchms
Pastoral Prayer

Response (Old Homestead Male Quartet)

Offertory "Andante Pastorale" (Stephens)

Doxology

Anthem "Peace I Leave With You" (Roberts) Oid Homestead Male Quartet,

Ken Hallenbeck — Soloist
Sermon: Regal Companionship

Hymn: No. 384

Benediction

Threefold Amen Old Homestead Male Quartet

Postlude "March From Tennhauser" (Wagner)

The pastor and people of the Swanzey Center Church are participating in
this, the annual "Old Homestead" Sunday Service. Rev. Herbert Buhler will

assist.

The "Old Homestead" Double Male Quartet is furnishing the music. Prof. J.
Edward Bouvier, Director and Guest Organist.

Mrs. Maguire
Irene Wood

One of the Finest
Kendall Page

Eb. Ganzey (Willard H. Thompson)

Rickety Ann (Dorothy Barrett)

WSmm

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Happy Jack (Maurice Sullivan) Seth Perkins {Harlan Barrett) Cy Prime ( Walter Hanrahan)

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ASSISTANTS TO THE DIRECTORS

Make-up

Mildred Wilson
Lauralee Hooper

Scenery & Stage
Leland B. Bogue
Norman Cota
Walter Fred
Chester Guillow
Philip Woodward
John Madden
Edgar Madden
Karl Boes
Charles Hanrahan
Foster Martin
Wesley Castor, Jr.

Properties

Marion Haskins
Nathalie Tisdale
Marguerite Moe
Frank Tisdale
Leon Haskins
Hazel Wheeler
Dewitt Skinner
Amy E. Wright
Albert Armstrong

Wardrobe Assistants
Jean Belding
Arline Lane
Bertha Fairbanks
Pauline Ridley
Edna Stone
Barbara Emery
Rita Stone

Sound

Clark Whittemore
Caryle Lane
Pete Holbrook

Lighting

Everett Simonds
Carle Bell
Lyman Lane
Dan Emery
Don O'Brien

Souvenir Sales
Rev. R.W.E. MaeKenzie
Elsie Navish
Jeanne MaeKenzie
Ruth Aron

Publicity

Harlan Barrett
Philip Woodard
Perley Safliord
Helen Kershaw
Evelyn Thompson
Elsie Navish
Roger Emery
John Wrigbt
Leon A. Woodward

Grounds and
Eeautification

Warren Tracy
Douglas Navish
Edward Aron
Norman Staubaek
Morris Wilber
Edwin C. Landers
Arthur Duke
Dwight Stone
Carroll Dunham

Souvenir Program
R.ev. R.W.E. MaeKenzie
Elsie Navish
Leon A. Woodward

Ernest Dunham
Richard Goodale
Paul Talbot
Herman Twombly

Refreshments
Ellsworth Wilber
Harry Dunham
Edward Bourassa
Richard Keating
Louis Kirhy

Box Office Assistants
Mary Bogue, Chr.
Jacob Hackler
Roger Emery
Ralph Winham

Ticket Takers

Raymond Lane
Frank Domina
Francis Stone
Elmer Barton
Borden Webb

Seating

Austin Curtis
Fred Frieze
Cecil Plummer
Rodney Plummer
Henry Oski
Ralph Plummer
Oscar Bloom
Elbert WUlard
Paul Fisher
Austin Curtis, Jr.
Carl Jef ts, Jr.
Leo Miller
Al Dunnell
Reginald Grover
Waino Kauppi
Don Guyette
Joe Budzir

Information &.
Registration Booths

Evelyn Thompson
Helen Kershaw
FJsie Navish

Fire Protection
Robert Goodale, Capt,

Grange Supper
Committee
Willard Adams
Anna Goodale
Elise Adams
Thomas Fairhurst
Harry Adams
Veronica Goodale
Myrtie Hackler
Harriet Corliss

Church Supper
Committee
Phyllis Tracy, Chr.

G. Marsh
E, Jenks
H. Lewis
M. Goodell
E. Devoid
R. Parent
R. Pollard

Police

Chas. H. Miller, Chief
Ralph Rines
Max Brink
William MeLellan
Randolph Lavigne
Westly Braley
Robert Cornwell
John Dennis
Donald Duquette

Advertising

Ethel Barrett

Hazel Wheeler Snelling

Mary Bogue

Music

J. Edward Bouvier
Harlan Barrett
Mary Stone
Myrtie Hackler

Exhibits

Dorothy C. Robinson,

Chr.
Mildred Cross
Gladys Starkey
Francis Small
Zora Lane
Mary Whittemore
Myrtle Dunham
Edith Cummings

P.T.A. Refreshment

Committee

Charlotte Skinner, Chr.

Parking

E. Swanzey Fire Dept.

K. Ridley

E. Ridley, Sr.

E. Ridley, Jr.

L. O'Brien

R. Rines

H. Johnson

E. Morse

M. O'Brien

Max Brink

Ushers
Grace High
Clara Gomarlo
Esther Blake
Vera Blake
Myrna Curtis
Nancy Bradley
Patricia Sarsfleld
Mary J. Perry
Martha Perry
Patricia Armstrong
Norma Richardson
Ceona Martel
Barbara Stone
Barbara Bussiere

"Where Is My
Wardering Boy

Tonight ?"
George Lovell

"Walms"

Fred Hebert

Friday

Geraldine Plamondon

Garro

Saturday
Robert Prince

Sunday
Gordon H. Sargent "

Chimes
Richard Bogue

Double Male Quartet

John Russell

Herbert Capron

Richard Hutching

Frank Niles

Fred Hebert

Joseph Kershaw

George Lovell

Ken Hollenbeck

Salvation Army

Fred Hebert

Herbert Capron

Robert Calef, Jr.

Evelyn Thompson

Myrtie Hackler

Mary Stone

Alice Blackmore

Helen Kershaw

Mary Bogue

Amy Wright

Rose Dubois

Hazel Wheeler

Snelling
Ethel Barrett

Driver of Oxen
Robert Smith

Owner of Oxen
Charles Richardson

CAST OF CHARACTERS

Joshua Whitcomb Willard L. Thompson

Aunt Matilda Ethel Dudley

Cy Prime Walter Hanrahan

Happy Jack Maurice Sullivan

Eh Ganzey Willard H. Thompson

Rickety Ann Dorothy Barrett

Frank Hopkins Theodore Richardson

Annie Hopkins :.. Edith Armstrong

John Freeman Jerome J. Rogers

Nellie Freeman Josephine Richardson

Maggie O'Flaherty Joyce LeFebvre

Henry Hopkins Leslie J. Eraser

The Dude Clifford Coles

Mrs. Hopkins Marion Haskins

Alternate — Rua Ridley

Judge Patterson Leon Haskins

Nellie Patterson Josephine Richardson

Francois Fogarty Robert F. Parent

A Drunken Man Albert Armstrong

Rueben Whitcomb Edward Jenks

Hoboken Terror William Mitchell

One of the Finest Kendall Page

U. S. Letter Carrier Lester Pelletier

Mrs. Maguire Irene Wood

Seth Perkins - Harlan Barrett

Mrs. Murdock Ethel Barrett

Stratton Girls .. Esther Blake, Joyce LeFebvre, Karen Stone

Warren Ellis Walter Parker

Les Holbrook Harold Bell

Dave Willard Anton C. Bowie

Jew's Harp Laverne Bushnell

Melodeon Myrtie Hackler

A

1.

Homestead Farm of the Whitcombs
iri Swanzey

C

2.

Interior Hopkins Mansion, New York
City

T
S

3.

Grace Church at Night, New York
City

4.

Kitchen in the Old Homestead in
Swanzey

*

DEDICA TION

It is impossible, in an undertaking of this size, to properly credit all who con-
tribute to its success. There are many people in Swanzey and elsewhere whose
names do not appear on this programme, but have had a large part in the work
of "putting on the show".

We wish to thank these folks and everyone else for their unselfish help, then-
constant effort and their splendid cooperation.

The Directors of The Old Homestead Association

officers of the old homestead association

President Theodore E. Moe

Vice-President Harlan G. Barrett

Treasurer Mary F. R. Bogue

Secretary Elsie C. Navish

DIRECTORS
Harry Dunham Perley F. Safford Harlan G. Barrett

Warren Tracy Francis Stone Ivan L. Scribner

Ellsworth Wilber

COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN

General Manager Harlan G. Barrett

Asst. Gen. Manager Warren Tracy

Supervisor of Police and Parking: Supervisor of Grounds: Warren Tracy

Ivan L. Scribner Supervisor of Seating: Francis Stone

Supervisor of Refreshments: PntiiiVitT ■ Harlan Barrett

Ellsworth Wilber Publicity. Harlan Barrett

Ushers: Grace High, Clara Gomarlo Fire Protection: Harry Dunham

Souvenirs: Rev. R. W. E. MacKenzie Advance Ticket Sales: Evelyn Thompson

Overnight Reservations: Advertising: Roger Emery,

Helen S. Kershaw Philip Woodward

Supervisor of Box Office: Electricians: Richard Sloan, Lyle

rt . ■ rm M £ r y^R; Bogue Talbot, Clifton Hills
Director of Play: Harold F. Drew

Make-up Dorothy C. Drew Director of Music: J. Edward Bouvier

Stage Manager: Edwin E. Brewer Supervisor of Music: Harlan Barrett

Asst. Manager: Kenneth K. Lane Scenic Designer: Leland Bogue

Wardrobe Mistress: Jean Belding Asst. Scenic Designer: Mildred B. Wilson

Director of Lighting: Everett Simonds Master of "Props" Leon H. Haskins

Sound Engineers: Clark Whittemore, Asst. Master of "Props" Carroll Dunham

Pete Holbrook, Caryle Lane Exhibits: Dorothy Robinson

OLD HOMESTEAD BAND

Director J. Edward Bouvier

Manager Harlan G. Barrett

Harlan Barrett Carol Bernier Frank Blackington

Richard Bogue Barbara Bernier Carleton Russell

Rose Marie Niles Charles Banner Robert Calef, Jr.

Fred Story, Jr. Harold Bernier Edwin Sterling

William Zimmerman Francis Wheeler Edgar Reed

Cecil Nash Harold Tyler Dominic King

Herbert White Philip Barrett Anton Bowie

Robert E. Bethen Carol Croteau Frank Niles

Laverne Bushnell Herman Hill Solon D. Connors

This Play is produced by special arrangement

with the

WALTER H_ BAKER CO. of Boston, Mass.

Tentative Dates 1956 — JULY 20-21-22— FULL OF THE MOON

"Now don't let this be your last visit to THE OLD H&MESTEAD"