Welcome to our blog, where we embark on a captivating journey through time, exploring the rich tapestry of history and genealogy.
In this edition, we'll delve into the treasure trove of historical news articles dated December 17, unearthing stories that resonate with genealogists and history enthusiasts alike.
From local happenings to global events, we'll uncover the stories that shaped the lives of our ancestors, providing valuable insights for those on a quest to discover their roots.
So, grab your magnifying glass and step into the past as we unravel the December 17 historical headlines that may hold the missing pieces of your family's history puzzle.
Rockingham, Vermont, USA (Bellows Falls) (Saxton's River)
Farnsworth hall, one of the main buildings of Vermont academy grounds and aroused Principal Lawson and others. The fire stated from some unknown cause, and it spread rapidly with the help of a strong wind, so the the entire structure was consumed within an hour. No one had been in the building since early in the day, as the students and teachers left Wednesday for their Christmas vacation. All their efforts were burned, with the exception of a few trunks and a little furniture. It is thought... Read MORE...
Springfield Republican - Springfield, Massachusetts - December 17, 1910
Comments
1910 - FIRE IN VERMONT ACADEMY Farnsworth Hall Totally Destroyed at Loss of $30,000, While Students Were Home for Christmas Vacation.
Farnsworth hall, one of the main buildings of Vermont academy grounds and aroused Principal Lawson and others. The fire stated from some unknown cause, and it spread rapidly with the help of a strong wind, so the the entire structure was consumed within an hour. No one had been in the building since early in the day, as the students and teachers left Wednesday for their Christmas vacation. All their efforts were burned, with the exception of a few trunks and a little furniture. It is thought... Read MORE...
Springfield Republican - Springfield, Massachusetts - December 17, 1910
Comments
Manhattan, New York, USA (New York City) (New Amsterdam) (Washington Heights)
Congregation Shearith Israel, also known as the Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue, is one of the oldest Jewish congregations in the United States. It is located in New York City and holds a prominent place in American Jewish history. Here are some key points about Congregation Shearith Israel:
Founding: The congregation was established in 1654 by Sephardic Jews who fled Recife, Brazil, and sought refuge in New Amsterdam (now New York City) after the Portuguese recaptured the region. This... Read MORE...
onthisday.com
December 17, 1728
Comments
1728 - December 17 - Congregation Shearith Israel of New York purchases a lot on Mill Street in lower Manhattan to build the city's first synagogue
Congregation Shearith Israel, also known as the Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue, is one of the oldest Jewish congregations in the United States. It is located in New York City and holds a prominent place in American Jewish history. Here are some key points about Congregation Shearith Israel:
Founding: The congregation was established in 1654 by Sephardic Jews who fled Recife, Brazil, and sought refuge in New Amsterdam (now New York City) after the Portuguese recaptured the region. This... Read MORE...
onthisday.com
December 17, 1728
Comments
1937 - December 12 - Mae West makes a risque guest appearance on NBC's Chase and Sanborn Hour, which eventually results in her being banned from radio.
Their "Adam and Eve" Rankles
It was innocent fun in the script, and innocuous enough for N.B.C. officials in the final rehearsals, but the actual broadcast of "Adam and Eve," as done last Sunday by Miss West (particularly) and Don Ameche, Sunday, drew shouts of protest from all over the continent.
Mae As Eve Rouses Flood of Protests
Script, Rehearsals Harmless, But Actress "Pepped Up" Inflections On Air, and Sponsors Promise "Never Again"
NEW YORK, Dec. 17. - Ever since the Mae... Read MORE...
The Winnipeg Evening Tribune - Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada - December 17, 1937
Comments
1800s Cooking Tips and Recipes
White Cake Two cups of pulverized sugar, one cup of butter beaten together, four cups of flour, one cup of sweet milk, one teaspoonful of soda and two of cream-tartar, the whites of eight eggs. Flavor with lemon.
Bismarck, North Dakota, USA
Mrs. Kooyer, wife of Engineer Kooyer of the 300 road, was the victim Sunday evening of an accident which came near being the cause of her death. She was going down into the cellar with a lighted lamp in her hand when she stumbled and fell, breaking the lamp and scattering the oil over her clothing, which took fire. Crazed with fear she ran upstairs and out into the street with her clothes and hair on fire. Charlie Hanson, living in the same block, hearing her screams, rushed to her assistance... Read MORE...
Bismarck Daily Tribune - Bismarck, North Dakota - December 17, 1907
Comments
1907 - BADLY BURNED - MRS. KOYER FALLS WITH LIGHTED LAMP SETTING FIRE TO HER CLOTHES - NEIGHBOR EXTINGUISHES FLAMES BY ROLLING HER IN SNOW AND SAVES HER LIFE.
Mrs. Kooyer, wife of Engineer Kooyer of the 300 road, was the victim Sunday evening of an accident which came near being the cause of her death. She was going down into the cellar with a lighted lamp in her hand when she stumbled and fell, breaking the lamp and scattering the oil over her clothing, which took fire. Crazed with fear she ran upstairs and out into the street with her clothes and hair on fire. Charlie Hanson, living in the same block, hearing her screams, rushed to her assistance... Read MORE...
Bismarck Daily Tribune - Bismarck, North Dakota - December 17, 1907
Comments
1800s Advice and Etiquette for Men
Having made your choice, and obtained the object of your desire, let it be your ambition that both she and those who gave her to you may ever find increasing cause to rejoice in the union.
Elmira, New York, USA
A few minutes after 3 o'clock the other afternoon an engine of the Beech Creek Railroad blew up with tremendous force near Elmira, N. Y. Five men were on the engine at the time, and all were instantly killed but one.
The killed are: PHILIP KNIGHT, engineer; ALLEN RAMSEY, fireman; JAMES WARREN, engineer; and JOSEPH FIELDS, machinist. JOHN STAPLETON, machinist who was on the engine at the time, was blown about twenty feet down a bank and escaped unhurt. All the bodies were terribly mangled. At ... Read MORE...
The Cranbury Press - New Jersey - December 17, 1886
Comments
1886 - FOUR MEN KILLED - Victims of the Explosion of a Locomotive Boiler
A few minutes after 3 o'clock the other afternoon an engine of the Beech Creek Railroad blew up with tremendous force near Elmira, N. Y. Five men were on the engine at the time, and all were instantly killed but one.
The killed are: PHILIP KNIGHT, engineer; ALLEN RAMSEY, fireman; JAMES WARREN, engineer; and JOSEPH FIELDS, machinist. JOHN STAPLETON, machinist who was on the engine at the time, was blown about twenty feet down a bank and escaped unhurt. All the bodies were terribly mangled. At ... Read MORE...
The Cranbury Press - New Jersey - December 17, 1886
Comments
Château-Richer, Québec, Canada (La Visitation-de-Notre-Dame de Chateau-Richer)
Quebec, P. Q., Dec. 16, 1884. - An aerolite fell on the farm of C. Francois, at Chateau Richer, below Montmorency Falls, a short distance from Quebec, at three o'clock Saturday morning. It was dug up from the ground, in which it had imbedded itself, and was found to measure about a foot in diameter. The people at Chateau Richer were so startled by the intense light that many rushed out of their houses to ascertain its cause. They say that the falling meteor presented the appearance of a huge... Read MORE...
The New York Herald - New York, New York - December 17, 1884
Comments
1884 - An Aerolite Falls in Canada
Quebec, P. Q., Dec. 16, 1884. - An aerolite fell on the farm of C. Francois, at Chateau Richer, below Montmorency Falls, a short distance from Quebec, at three o'clock Saturday morning. It was dug up from the ground, in which it had imbedded itself, and was found to measure about a foot in diameter. The people at Chateau Richer were so startled by the intense light that many rushed out of their houses to ascertain its cause. They say that the falling meteor presented the appearance of a huge... Read MORE...
The New York Herald - New York, New York - December 17, 1884
Comments
1839 December 17 - Singular Coincidence
A man named Cain Able, keeps the Adam and Eve tavern in Eden, Vermont. Yes, and no doubt the Serpent can be found there too, as busy as ever in destroying Adam and Eve's children.
The Greensboro Patriot
Greensboro, North Carolina
Visit Eden, Vermont, USA (Eden Mills)!
1927 December 17 – The U.S. submarine S-4 is accidentally rammed and sunk by the United States Coast Guard cutter John Paulding off Provincetown, Massachusetts, killing everyone aboard despite several unsuccessful attempts to raise the submarine.
wikipedia.org
Visit Provincetown, Massachusetts, USA!
1843 December 17 – Charles Dickens' novella A Christmas Carol is first published, in London. Released on December 19 it sells out by Christmas Eve.
wikipedia.org
Visit London, England!
A man named Cain Able, keeps the Adam and Eve tavern in Eden, Vermont. Yes, and no doubt the Serpent can be found there too, as busy as ever in destroying Adam and Eve's children.
The Greensboro Patriot
Greensboro, North Carolina
Visit Eden, Vermont, USA (Eden Mills)!
1927 December 17 – The U.S. submarine S-4 is accidentally rammed and sunk by the United States Coast Guard cutter John Paulding off Provincetown, Massachusetts, killing everyone aboard despite several unsuccessful attempts to raise the submarine.
wikipedia.org
Visit Provincetown, Massachusetts, USA!
1843 December 17 – Charles Dickens' novella A Christmas Carol is first published, in London. Released on December 19 it sells out by Christmas Eve.
wikipedia.org
Visit London, England!
1884 December 17 - A three week blockade of snow began at Portland, OR. A record December total of 34 inches was received.
WeatherForYou.com
Visit Portland, Oregon, USA!
1870 The oldest office-holder in the United States is probably the Town Clerk of Southbury, Conn., who is 95 years old.
St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
Visit Southbury, Connecticut, USA!
1910 WINDSOR LOCKS. Tobacco Shed and Contents Burn.
A tobacco shed and a small barn close by belonging to the estate of P. J. McMahon on Spring street were burned to the ground Thursday morning. In the barn was a quantity of tobacco and some laths, all of, which were consumed. The cause of the fire is unknown. Nobody, had been a the barn during the day and combustion is suspected. Henry McMahon had three acres of tobacco bundled up ready for sorting upon which he had $800 insurance. James Murphy and Dr. J. A. Coogan had small lots of tobacco...
Read MORE...
Springfield Republican
Springfield, Massachusetts
Visit Windsor Locks, Connecticut, USA!
WeatherForYou.com
Visit Portland, Oregon, USA!
1870 The oldest office-holder in the United States is probably the Town Clerk of Southbury, Conn., who is 95 years old.
St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
Visit Southbury, Connecticut, USA!
1910 WINDSOR LOCKS. Tobacco Shed and Contents Burn.
A tobacco shed and a small barn close by belonging to the estate of P. J. McMahon on Spring street were burned to the ground Thursday morning. In the barn was a quantity of tobacco and some laths, all of, which were consumed. The cause of the fire is unknown. Nobody, had been a the barn during the day and combustion is suspected. Henry McMahon had three acres of tobacco bundled up ready for sorting upon which he had $800 insurance. James Murphy and Dr. J. A. Coogan had small lots of tobacco...
Read MORE...
Springfield Republican
Springfield, Massachusetts
Visit Windsor Locks, Connecticut, USA!
1884 CRASHING INTO A LAND SLIDE. A TRAIN ON THE WEST SHORE WRECKED AND SEVERAL PERSONS INJURED.
The Atlantic express of the West Shore Road is due at Jersey City at 7 o’clock in the morning. It lost a few minutes south of Albany yesterday morning, and a little before 5 o’clock was booming along to make up time when it crashed into landslide at a bend in the road about a quarter of a mile above Highland Station. The engine mounted the pile of dirt and rocks and swerving to the left fell flat on its side across the track for north-bound trains. The tender parted from the engine, and it...
Read MORE...
The New York Times
New York, New York
Visit Albany, New York, USA (Fort Orange)!
The Atlantic express of the West Shore Road is due at Jersey City at 7 o’clock in the morning. It lost a few minutes south of Albany yesterday morning, and a little before 5 o’clock was booming along to make up time when it crashed into landslide at a bend in the road about a quarter of a mile above Highland Station. The engine mounted the pile of dirt and rocks and swerving to the left fell flat on its side across the track for north-bound trains. The tender parted from the engine, and it...
Read MORE...
The New York Times
New York, New York
Visit Albany, New York, USA (Fort Orange)!
America - Did you know?
1857 - Dred Scott v. Sanford: Landmark Supreme Court decision holds that Congress does not have the right to ban slavery in states and, furthermore, that slaves are not citizens.
Quebec - Did you know?
1840s - As American factories in New England offered good jobs, thousands of French Canadians emigrated to the United States. In the eyes of the Roman Catholic clergy, however, this emigration was equated with losing the faith, and strong efforts...Read MORE...richardjohnbr.blogspot.com/ 2010/ 10/ eastern-townships.html
Picture of the Day
Visit Berthierville, Québec, Canada (Berthier-en-Haut) (Ste-Genevieve-de-Berthier)!
Discover the people who lived there, the places they visited and the stories they shared.
Ecole des Garcons, Berthierville
Murray, Spink & Co.
Jobbers of Fancy Goods,
Show Cases in Large Variety,
26, 28, & 30 Pine Street, & 26 Hay Street,
Providence, R.I.
MURRAY, SPINK & CO., Importers and Jobbers of Fancy Goods, Nos. 26, 28 and 30 Pine Street and No. 30 Hay Street. -- This immense business dates its inception back to 1852, when it was founded by Messrs. Burrington & Hutchins, who developed most important interests and far-reaching connections, which their successors have built upon to great advantage. They were succeeded by the firm of Hutchins & Murray and in 1878 the present firm was organized by Messrs. P. S. Murray, G. A. Spink, H. K. Blanchard and H. A. Young. A more competent body of business men are rarely combined in an organization of this nature. They brought to bear every qualification for the business and have ever retained the confidence and esteem of the commercial world. They are direct importers and leading jobbers of fancy goods, notions and novelties, handling watches and clocks gold and plated jewelry, ladies' and gents' furnishing goods, show cases and Yankee notions in great variety, and are also extensive manufacturers of cigars, being owners of the Standard Cigar Factory, and are agents for Young Brothers' paper boxes, used by jewelers. Their establishment is eligibly located, at Nos. 26, 28 and 30 Pine Street and No. 30 Hay Street, and comprises a splendid five-story building, 80 x 100 feet in dimensions, the internal arrangements of which are thoroughly perfect and complete, rendering the house a model emporium of its kind. This firm have the finest opportunities as buyers in the markets of both America and Europe. They take advantage of every fluctuation in prices, of all the great trade sales and forced offerings of mills and commission houses, and are, unquestionably, the best prepared of any house in this section of the country to offer the latest novelties and choicest goods at the most moderate prices. Their stock always includes the newest styles, shades and patterns in ladies' and gents' furnishings, such as ladies' silk hose, unbleached Balbriggan hosiery, opera hose, gentlemen's silk and cotton hosiery, merino half hose and bicycle hose; men's white shirts, silk outing shirts, night shirts, flannel and overshirts; gentlemen's linen collars and cuffs, waterproof celluloid collars and cuffs, gentlemen's silk scarfs in Tecks, puffs and four-in-hands; white silk and satin neckwear white lawn ties; suspenders and braces, garters and hose supporters; lawn tennis and yachting shirts, in English worsted and flannel; traveling bags and cases, wallets and pocketboods, and leather goods generally; fine quality neck ruche, ruffling and veilings, black and white laces; ladies' and gents' silk and linen hankerchiefs, Hamburg embroideries and nainsock edgings, lawn and Lonsdale aprons, embroidered piques and tuckings, lace tidies and pillow shams, toilet scarfs and covers, and satin pincushions; merino and woolen underwear, including the most desirable shapes and fabrics, of foreign and domestic makes; ladies' gauze vests, men's gauze underwear, bathing outfits, corsets, and notions in great profusion. The watch, clock and jewelry departments include all that is rich, rare, artistic and decorative, as well as serviceable in those lines, and the firm's stock of gold jewelry is unrivaled in the city and covers every possible form and device for personal adornment. The stock is noticeable for elegance of design and careful finish in every minute detail, and in sets, half and quarter sets and single articles, such as rings, lace and shawl pins, brooches, necklaces, bracelets, chains and ornaments, the requirements of all classes of buyers can be promptly gratified. In plated jewelry the assortments are equally extensive and desirable. The department devoted to watches in one of large size, containing hundreds of the finest imported and domestic movements in all desirable casings and including the most expensive chronometers and repeaters made. The styles embrace massive cases and smaller sizes, plain, etched, chased and decorated in scores of new designs. Here are also clocks in marble, bronze and ormulu; high-art glass from Vienna, decorated china wares, fancy porcelains and artistic pottery, bronze statues and ornaments, and a great array of fancy brass goods. Here are the most beautiful fans of ivory and other material, decorated with precious stones and richly mounted; and umbrellas in all the novel styles, easels and pedestals, and scores of foreign novelties, unique in design and ornamentation. The two upper floors of the building are devoted to the manufacture of cigars, where a force of eighty skilled hands is constantly employed. The cigars are all hand-made, in the most careful, cleanly manner, and the leading brands are, without exception, the most popular of any in the fine American trade. The firm are direct importers of the best growths of Havana leaf, and of Sumatra leaf for wrappers; allow no inferior tobacco in their factory, nor any but the most skillful cigarmakers, and, under vigilant supervision, the result is a perfect cigar, one that all lovers of the fragrant leaf enjoy and always call for. It is, therefore, a very judicious thing for tobacconists, hotels, restaurants and jobbers to keep the cigars in stock. Messrs. Murray, Spink & Co. send out a corps of expert salesmen on the road and sell to the trade throughout all the New England and Middle States. With their splendid facilities and connections they are in a position to guarantee the prompt and perfect fulfillment of all orders and to make their terms and prices invariably satisfactory to buyers in every line. We know of no firm more satisfactorily constituted for success in this business, and none, certainly, which more worthily stands betwixt the producers and dealers in this multifarious line of goods.
Industries and Wealth of the Principal Points in Rhode Island, being the city of Providence, Pawtucket, Central Falls, Woonsocket, Newport, Narragansett Pier, Bristol & Westerly.
New York: A. F. Parsons Publishing Co., 1892, page 98
Visit Providence, Rhode Island, USA!
