Colonel James Rogers of Londonderry, New Hampshire, received a royal grant and led the first settlers into an area called Kent between 1770 and 1772, renamed Londonderry in 1780. The population increased sharply from 1810 to 1830, as a farming and industrial base was built, but after the Civil War, the town went into decline. Mills were lost to floods and fires; farms were abandoned as the population declined. The railroad, chartered in 1867, was seen as the salvation for the area’s economic woes, but it was not so. Even today Londonderry is primarily an agricultural town, with only about 1700 inhabitants.
In 1971 was founded the Londonderry Historical Society, which houses its collection and holds exhibits in the Bernadine Custer Sharp House (circa 1840) on Middletown Road. Bernadine Custer Sharp (1900-1991), an artist and founding member of the Southern Vermont Arts Center, bequeathed her house to the LHS. Much of her art work now belongs to the society (over 3000 pieces). The Historical Society was instrumental in gaining recognition of South Londonderry, as a National Historic District in 1986; 79 buildings are included. There are probably an equal number of other buildings of historical interest that have not been inventoried.
About the stamps
The first stamp, dedicated to James Stewart (1908-1997), is part of the series Legends of Hollywood, about which I wrote here. James Maitland "Jimmy" Stewart was an American film and stage actor, known for his distinctive drawl voice and down-to-earth persona. He was known for portraying the American middle class man with everyday life struggles. Stewart was nominated for five Academy Awards, winning one in competition and receiving one Lifetime Achievement award. Stewart was named the third greatest male screen legend in cinema history by the American Film Institute.
The last stamp is part of Wedding series, about which I wrote here.
References
Town of Londonderry - Official website
Sender: The Thompsons
Sent from Brockton (Massachusetts / United States), on 22.07.2014
Photo: Scott T. Smith / Larry Ulrich Stock / 2003
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