Out of Tin Boxes

by Carlton Bradford

Mr. and Mrs. John Parker of Andover, Massachusetts, descendants of Matthew Harvey, donated two suitcases of old Harvey documents to the Muster Field Museum. Carlton Bradford, the author, discovered that inside the suitcases were several tin boxes filled with an amazing assortment of Harvey family documents dating from the 1770’s.

Carlton decided to gather many of the documents into a publication, recognizing the importance of the three most prominent Harvey men: Matthew, the founder and his two eldest sons, Jonathan and Matthew II.

Some interesting aspects of Harvey Family history included in the book:

The devastating fire and rebuilding of the Matthew Harvey Tavern
Discover how roads and fields were built from dense wilderness
Read of Matthew's quarrel with the New London Baptist Church and decision to build not one but two meeting houses in Sutton
Matthew's 1799 will and inventory listing what possessions a wealthy farmer of the time owned
The 17-day horse and buggy trip with Jonathan and Ruth's uncle Jacob for his cure at Saratoga Springs
Matthew II and Jonathan’s terms of office in Washington City in the time of Adams and Jackson
Matthew II's inaugural speech in 1830 on becoming Governor of New Hampshire
Read Matthew II's will and discover that two on his grandsons fought in the Civil War on the Confederate side

Proceeds from the sale of this book will benefit Muster Field Farm Museum.

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