Martins Cemetery Scavenger Hunt - October 2021 - Created by Carolyn Cronin Volunteer, Hooksett Heritage Commission - Town of Hooksett

Martins Cemetery
                        Scavenger Hunt
                                   October 2021

Created by Carolyn Cronin
Volunteer, Hooksett Heritage Commission

About Martins Cemetery

Martins Cemetery is located on Cemetery Road off of Martin’s Ferry Road. It’s unclear
when the cemetery was originally laid out, but records indicate the cemetery dates back to
at least 1791. The oldest grave the town has a record of is Elisha P. Head, who died and
was buried in 1837. The area of Martin’s Ferry was a bustling village with a log
schoolhouse, railroad depot, trading post, and inn. Today much of the land is owned by
Southern NH University.

      Receiving Tomb, historically used to temporarily store the deceased in winter seasons (before
      adequate equipment existed to excavate frozen ground), or until a burial plot was arranged
      and paid for. The Martins Cemetery Receiving Tomb was constructed in 1896.

How to play the cemetery Scavenger hunt

Use the clues to learn about each historic Hooksett-ite and find their headstones.

During the month of October, jot down the answer to each question below and email your
answers to Hooksett.heritage@myfairpoint.net by November 1st for a chance to win a
piece of Heritage Commission Hooksett merchandise. Hint: the answers are all found on
the headstones. Good luck!

Former Martin house, 1956. The house still exists.

(1) Alfred T. Martin & Orrin W. Martin

Alfred was the grandson of the ferry founder, for which this street is named.
His tall, gray stone is obelisk in shape.
Alfred’s son Orrin also rests at this stone.
They're both former owners of the 53 Martin’s Ferry home.
Alfred was a farmer. Orrin, a NH State Rep and store clerk.
They were both busy with local politics, family life, and work.
Now they lay in their cemetery beneath the grass so green.
Fun fact: Orrin's daughter Goldie was born on Halloween.

Question: What is Alfred’s wife’s name?

(2) Joseph L. Davis

Bravely fought in the Civil War and was wounded at Cold Harbor.
Two days later he succumbed, and can be found 'neath a red, obelisk marker.
About 20 paces from the Martin stone, he rests in eternal sleep.
Widowed his wife and gave his life for Country at age 33.

Question: What is Joseph’s father’s name?

(3) Arah Wilbur Prescott

Benefactor Prescott funded Hooksett's first library in 1909.
Finished in oak, with an ornamental fireplace, the building was quite fine.
"A source of great pleasure indeed," he said of his beloved library.
Today it’s occupied by the Historic Society. I bet he'd think that's extraordinary.
On the east side of the path, not far from the gate,
A gray obelisk in a raised bed marks Mr. Prescott's fate.

Question: What was Arah’s wife’s name?

(4) Bradford hinkley holmes

Private Holmes enlisted in 1861.
At the young age of 17, his serving days were done.
Was in the 7th NH Regiment in the Civil War,
A brave and noble troop, who could ask for more?
A dangerous time to serve his country. It brought him within Death’s reach
At Fort Wagner, South Carolina, but this was no day at the beach.
On a hot and humid July day, fought beside the storied 54th Massachusetts Regiment.
But thunderstorms and heavy gunfire ensued to their detriment.
“7th New Hampshire, keep closed on the colors,” was the order given.
They pushed forward to relieve the 54th, focused, brave, and driven.
Their mission to capture Fort Wagner came to a tragic head,
When it left 216 of the 7th NH wounded, missing, or dead.
Just across the path from Prescott, a stone decorated with medals and flags,
A hero’s display at that old, gray stone. It’s about 3 rows back.
Just a boy of 17, brave Bradford Hinkley Holmes
Served his country so valiantly but, sadly, never came home.

Question: What is Bradford’s birthday?

(5) EDMund Jackson Langley

The tragic tale of an American vet.
In 1862, he enlisted as a Private.
Fought in 11 battles in the Civil War. Such drive!
But was wounded many times, and honorably discharged in 1865.
A farmer from Candia, it seems a simple life
To take care of the farm, four children, and a wife.
He rests at a tall, gray stone across from Prescott, the west side of the path,
Beside a great pine tree and adorned with a flag. All that’s left in the aftermath.
We’ll never know what transpired or what internal strife,
Caused him to believe he could take no more, and so he took his own life.

Question: Edmund’s wife has a matching headstone next to his. What is her name?

Former home of Moses Collins, 1956

                                     (6) Moses COLLINS

   Collins was a farmer who lived on Whitehall Road. His house still stands today.
     In addition to his farming, he was a cooper and made barrels for extra pay.
        Coopers were important because handcrafted barrels were multi-use.
   The barrels had to last several years because folks could only afford one or two.
                    In Moses’ later years, his health began to fail.
               He became a town charge and this is what that entailed:
           In the early days of welfare, neighbors would support their own
      If they could not pay their bills due to accident, health, or other sorrows.
           The townspeople stepped in to pay for Moses’ board and care.
     And when he died and needed a funeral, the townspeople were also there.
                     Alfred T. Martin even paid to dig his grave.
                 Two rows behind Edmund Jackson Langley he lays.

                           Question: What is Moses’ wife’s name?

(7) John S. Burbank and Clara Burbank

      On the east side of the path, a bit north of Prescott’s plot,
      You will find John and Clara Burbank’s final resting spot.
 Clara had a homemade ketchup recipe and John had a milk route.
        The enterprising couple decided to combine the two.
         What started in a small family kitchen atmosphere,
  Grew to serve a regional audience up to 12,000 bottles per year.
     From growing their own tomatoes, to grinding them down,
Straining, and seasoning, Burbank Ketchup was the talk of the town!
 The family-run business operated on Route 3 from 1888 to 1913.

              Question: What year was Clara born?

Former home of Capt. Warren Kelley on Martin’s Ferry Road across from the cemetery

                    (8) Captain Warren M. Kelley

                   In 1865, Captain Kelley took command
       Of the skirmish line of Union soldiers, all went according to plan.
        He led the very first Union troops into Richmond, so they say.
 They marched the streets to the mansion of the Confederate President that day.
           They flew the flag, and gave a cheer, 200 Union infantry.
The humble Captain would take no credit, claiming the honor belonged to many.
Now march the path north, and follow it due west at the crossroad to find his stone.
       Adorned with soldier's hat and sword to mark his humble bones.

                   Question: How old did Captain Kelley live to be?

(9) Fred C. Underhill

A previous owner of the former Martin home next door on Martin’s Ferry.
On the western wall, on his former property line, he is buried.
Follow the western wall north almost, but not quite, to the corner.
He rests beside his wife, Lizzie, in case you want to mourn her.
Donated the land across the street to the school, which bears his name.
The first Hooksett Citizen of the Year in 1959 is his other claim to fame.

Question: What year was Fred born?

(10) William George Fraser

     At the young age of 20, William served his country in the Marines.
He was trained and assigned a scout dog, then left for Vietnam into the unseen.
             The enemy fire was relentless on that December day.
         William was struck by a sniper. Now in this cemetery he lay.
You’ll find his grave in the northwest area, a gray stone, and you should know
       That it’s across the path from Mr. Underhill, in the second row.
    He was the first lifelong Hooksett resident killed in the Vietnam War.
                A tragedy that shook the community to its core.
      A park across town bears his name so his memory will never die.
              So pay your respects, never forget, and Semper Fi.

               Question: What are William’s parents’ names?

(11) MARY WHITTIER

         When Mary was a child she learned to use her grandfather’s knife
            To whittle dolls from pine. It became a hobby her whole life.
          She carved handmade dolls from her home on Whitehall Road,
            Complete with painted faces, her attention to detail showed.
           When the Flood of 1936 took out the Congregational Church
    She tried to help as best she could. She didn’t leave members in the lurch.
              Mary salvaged a wooden pew from the flooded disaster.
        She carved the wood into tiny dolls for the members and the pastor.
                 She found beauty and joy even when all fell apart.
         Now her little handmade figures are an example of local folk art.
In the 1930s, she was invited to be a member of the League of NH Arts and Crafts.
   You’ll find her between Kelly and Underhill on the opposite side of the path.
              You’ll have to look down low because hers is a flat stone.
                Fun fact: Mary lived in Moses Collins’ former home!

            Question: Mary passed away the day after which holiday?