Civilian military duty in New Hampshire was required by law until 1851, when the state had 42 regiments. Local companies of militia would gather annually for parade and inspection at their regiment's fall muster -- often involving a thousand or more men from half a dozen towns. Food and alcohol vendors, showmen, fiddlers, auctioneers, charlatans, gamblers, and several thousand spectators turned these gatherings into regional festivals in an era of few such diversions. Muster days thus structured social interactions among a regiment's towns in ways not duplicated since.

Local author Carlton Bradford provides a detailed look at some interesting aspects of this branch of the Harvey family. Read to learn about a devastating fire that caused the rebuilding of the Harvey Tavern, Matthew's quarrel with the New London Baptist church and decision to build not one but two meeting houses in Sutton, Matthew II and Jonathan's trips to Washington City in the time of Adams and Jackson, and Matthew II's inaugural speech in 1830 on becoming Governor of NH, plus much more!

Preventing the loss of a valuable resource. Written by John C. Porter, Extension Specialist -Dairy UNH Cooperative Extension and Francis E. Gilman, Extension Agricultural Engineer, Emeritus UNH Cooperative Extension