A Historic Look at New Ipswich, NH

Trivia Related to the James Roger Family By Kim Black, December 2022 While researching James and Hamish Roger, I stumbled upon a very interesting factoid.  The steamship SS State of Nebraska had carried some significant passengers by the time the Roger family made their way to America in 1897. Before we get to that, though, you might be interested in the origins and specs of the ship.  It was built in 1880 at Glasgow by London & Glasgow Co. for the State Line.  In 1891, it was taken over by the Allan Line of Liverpool, England.  The ship was 385.2 ft. from stem to stern and 43.3 ft. wide.  James and family boarded in Glasgow, picked up additional passengers in Moville, Ireland and disembarked at the Port of New York.  The State of Nebraska made many Trans-Atlantic trips before being decommissioned. SS State of Nebraska James Family on the Passenger List of the SS State of Nebraska Below is an image of the deck of the SS State of Nebraska.  This image gives a sense of how small the

WHO WAS HAMISH (HAY-mish)? By Kim Black, December 2022 HAMISH - the Anglicized form of Sheumais or Seumas. Seumas (SHEH-mes): The Scottish Gaelic form of James. Assuming our readers have been following the James Roger diary entries, they (you) are then well familiar with the name Hamish. James, almost daily, mentioned Hamish's comings and goings. Arguably, the Roger family vicariously satisfied any longing for adventure they may have had through Hamish. He came and went by way of the train that stopped in Greenville, regularly pursued various forms of available work, and moved around Massachusetts often due to job location(s) as well as dissatisfaction with his "digs". After a good deal of research, I strongly believe Hamish was the youngest son of James and Margaret Roger. When two family members share the same name in any given household, somebody is going to acquire a nickname. It appears the Roger family was no exception and young James became Hamish. As you

 

 William Jurian Kaula included this news clipping in his September 1897 diaries. It  was published in the Boston Herald on September 12, 1897. At the time William was studying painting in France. He apparently found this description of the American artists in France applicable to his own experiences.

 Painting by William Jurian Kaula at New Ipswich Library 18 Apr 1897 I am not so pleased with the country outside of Moret.  Most all of the picturesque spots seem to be in the immediate vicinity.  A long walk up the canal did not reveal any new desirable material.  I have enough work in progress to keep me busy all the day for over a week to come and will remain with Hazard.  The rest of the party left for Paris this afternoon.  This is Easter Sunday and a most beautiful day.  The little town presents a more enlivened appearance since the arrival of numbers of visitors who are here to spend the day.  There was a good prospect of a good late-afternoon effect of sunlight and as I walked in the direction of the forest of Fontainebleau.  I walked some few miles and on the road into the forest, overtook two droves of sheep that had passed through Moret during the afternoon, and then retraced my footsteps to see the last rays of the sun bathe the house tops and towers of the town.  The cath

 The William Jurian Kaula Diary - April 12-16, 1897 12 Apr 1897 - RETURN TO MORET The party on this occasion consisted of eleven persons - namely Mr. and Mrs. Wyeth, Mrs. Wyeth's mother and brother (Gilman), Misses Olcott and Baumann*, Glover, Logan, Cartwright, Hazard, and I.  We have planned to stay the rest of the week and with every prospect of a glorious time.   *Miss B. is a blonde but too heavy to be an angel.   13 Apr 1897 The season has advanced considerably since our last visit here and there is much more verdure.  We have been busy making small sketches and Hazard and I are planning to paint a few canvases.   14 Apr 1897 Glover and Logan are not doing any work and are devoting their time and attention to another matter - the young ladies.  It would be impossible for me to calculate how many miles these couples have walked since their arrival in Moret.  Both cases look very serious and are very interesting to watch.  Mr. Wyeth has been doing some deadly work with his new