"OUR WOMEN OF SANDWICH"
(2020 Summer Exhibit)
ESTHER L. MARTIN
(1918-2004)
At the suggestion of my (then) neighbor, Judy Stoehr, I had the opportunity to meet Esther a couple of weeks before she passed. Although I had no way of knowing at the time that my visit would be my first and last, I was so thankful to have met her and let her know how much I loved the home where she was born and raised. I had made plans with her to take her to see the house. While I don’t remember much of the conversation, I do remember she was pleased someone loved her home as much as she did and that I would take very good care of it. Looking back, I think Esther would be very proud of all the love and hard work put into her homestead!
In preparing a little history about Esther, I remember folks stopping by the house to share with me their recollections of Esther – especially her sitting on the front porch on her chaise lounge (which seemed to be a favorite pastime for her by all those who had the same reminiscence) or about the many cats she had in the barn.
In preparing a little history about Esther, I remember folks stopping by the house to share with me their recollections of Esther – especially her sitting on the front porch on her chaise lounge (which seemed to be a favorite pastime for her by all those who had the same reminiscence) or about the many cats she had in the barn.
Former "Maple House" (7 Maple Street) ~ c. 1940
The telephone office was located here for many years. You can see the phone lines above the front porch coming across the street.
Esther was born on December 21, 1918, the daughter of the late Eugene and Sarah E. (Skinner) Martin. She attended school at the Lower Corner Schoolhouse and was a 1937 graduate of the Quimby School. Many remember her as Sandwich’s telephone operator for many years. She was also a clerk at Nichols Variety in Center Harbor and at the Sundry Shop in Meredith.
Like most Sandwich women of her generation, Esther was a member of many different organizations in town and held offices in some: Sandwich Historical Society (volunteer and tour guide), Quimby School Alumni Association (President), Mt. Israel Grange (Secretary), Ladies Aid Society, and the Federated Church (Historical Records Committee) to name a few. Did you know in 1983 her spice cake won first prize for the Mt. Israel Grange in the local Grange Baking Contest?
Do you have a story about Esther you would like to share?
Jennifer Wright
June 2020
Like most Sandwich women of her generation, Esther was a member of many different organizations in town and held offices in some: Sandwich Historical Society (volunteer and tour guide), Quimby School Alumni Association (President), Mt. Israel Grange (Secretary), Ladies Aid Society, and the Federated Church (Historical Records Committee) to name a few. Did you know in 1983 her spice cake won first prize for the Mt. Israel Grange in the local Grange Baking Contest?
Do you have a story about Esther you would like to share?
Jennifer Wright
June 2020
Sadie and Esther on the porch (Grove Street)
