Meredith Historical Society publishes third annual collection of musings

MEREDITH — A resident of Quarry Road encountered the ghost of early schoolmaster Dudley Leavitt, not once, but twice. During the 1940s, mothers of local servicemen and women pooled resources for a support group and donated the town’s first World War II honor roll. The grandson of a local public official recalls his first memorable shave from the late Jesse Allen, Meredith’s cantankerous Main Street barber.

These are among the collection of stories gathered into the third annual volume of the Meredith Historical Society’s “Morsels of Meredith History” book. As with the past two years, the books have arrived just in time for the holiday gift-giving season.

This year’s selection of short- to medium-length essays includes entries both by Meredith Historical Society members and others sharing various memories or results of their research with the community at large. Among this volume’s pieces is one with updated research on the Mill Falls stream/canal that powered the village’s first mills, and another that gives the history of Lake Winnipesaukee’s mail boats.

Two essays present competing theories about the layout of the first road through Meredith Village dating from 1773-4 — a sort of “Dueling Banjoes” between a couple of local history nerds. Another relates the history of Laconia’s separation from Meredith back in 1855.

Two other essays are related to the history of the town’s library: one digging into the shared genealogy of the library’s founder and the original donor of the library building; and a second profiling that donor’s “black sheep” brother who was virtually banished from the town.

“These yearly ‘Morsels’ books are designed as collectors’ items,” said Society President John Hopper. “With each volume, we hope that the overall picture of Meredith’s history becomes clearer. Also, the books make great stocking stuffers or coffee-table books to give as gifts during the holiday season.”

For more information, visit meredithhistoricalsocietynh.org.  Books will also be available at the society’s annual membership meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 2 at Giuseppe’s Pizzeria & Ristorante.