Chapter 21: The Hannah Dustin Memorials

The Five Memorials to Hannah Dustin in America.

First Memorial: 1874: Penecook Island: First Memorial Statue to a Woman in America.

It was erected in 1874, primarily as a tribute to Motherhood, as exemplified by Hannah Dustin. Huge crowds overwhelmed the island on the day of it's dedication, with speeches presented all day long.

It was the first publicly-funded statue in New Hampshire.
Note the one bare foot, the hatchet and that she is holding a cluster of scalps.

The base of the New Hampshire statue reads as follows:

Westerly side facing the tracks:

"Heroum Gesta Fides-Justitia. Hannah Duston Mary Neff, Samuel Leonardson March 30, 1697, Midnight.

Easterly side facing the river :

March 15 1697 30. The War-Whoops-Tomahawks-Fagot and Infanticides were at Haverhill, the ashes of the camp-fires at night and ten of the tribe are here. Northern side: honors 23 donors

Southerly side:

Statua 1874
Know ye that we with many plant it;

In trust to the state we give and grant it,

That the tide of time may never can't it

Nor mar, nor sever;

That Pilgrims here may heed the Mothers,

That truth and faith and all the others

With Banners high in glorious colors,

May stand forever

Graces.

(Personally I think that is the worst poem I have ever seen.)

Second Memorial: 1879: Duston Monument Erected in Haverhill Massachusetts

(Photography by Joseph R. Modugno)
citation: http://www.hawthorneinsalem.org/images/image.php?name=MMD2436

The monument stands on the site of the Second Church, of which Hannah Duston became a member in 1724.
(Photography by Joseph R. Modugno)
citation: http://www.hawthorneinsalem.org/images/image.php?name=MMD2433

The original small axe or hatchet held by Hannah Duston can be found today in the Haverhill Historical Society. The Duston hatchet is not a tomahawk. It is usually called a biscayan or biscayenne, a common trade item of the late seventeenth-century New England frontier.
(Photography by Joseph R. Modugno)
citation: http://www.hawthorneinsalem.org/images/image.php?name=MMD2435

There are four plaques on the base of the Hannah Duston Haverhill Statue:

1. The capture of Hannah Duston and Mary Neff

(Photography by Joseph R. Modugno)
citation: http://www.hawthorneinsalem.org/images/image.php?name=MMD2437

2. Thomas Dustin Defending his children:

Hannah Duston's husband defending the Duston children
(Photography by Joseph R. Modugno)
citation: http://www.hawthorneinsalem.org/images/image.php?name=MMD2438 3.

3. Sleeping Abenaki Indians

(Photography by Joseph R. Modugno)
citation: http://www.hawthorneinsalem.org/images/image.php?name=MMD2440

4. The Escape of Hannah Dustin, Mary Neff and Samuel Lenorson (Lennardson) down the Merrimac River

(Photography by Joseph R. Modugno)
citation: http://www.hawthorneinsalem.org/images/image.php?name=MMD2441

Third Memorial: 1908: Boulder in Memorial to both Hannah and Martha, placed on the site of Hannah's son Jonathan's home.

(Be sure to enlarge these and check out the ladies in hats. The dedication events must have lasted for hours, it just amazes me that the women spent the day wear those huge heavy hats. I have had an opportunity to try on similar hats of that era, and let me tell you, those hats are very heavy. VERY VERY heavy!)

Old Postcard of the Jonathan Duston House Site, Monument Street, Haverhill, MA.

The Duston boulder (location of the home of Jonathan Duston with whom Hannah lived in her final years.)

Local history tells us that Haverhill's immense Duston boulder marks the site of Jonathan Duston's home, where Mrs. Duston lived her final years with a son. Haverhill public library records say it took 30 horses with 14 drivers to haul it to the present location.

Its weight is estimated at from 30 to 60 tons. Hannah Duston died at this location in 1736.

(courtesy of “The Story of Hannah Duston/Dustin of Haverhill, Massachusetts” Website )
citation: http://www.hawthorneinsalem.org/images/image.php?name=MMD2122

Fourth Memorial: A mill stone placed on the shores of the Merrimack River where Hannah, Mary and Samuel beached their canoe upon their return to Haverhill.

I can not remember when this memorial was dedicated, but I think it was 1982. Or 1928, based on the date inscribed on the top. If any one out there reading this knows, please leave a comment!

Fifth Memorial: The Site of James Lovewell's Home, where Hannah, Mary and Samuel rested on their way home from captivity.

Then there are the more, um, shall we say, unique tributes:

There is a Hannah Dustin Health Care Center, a Hannah Dustin Rest Home, and a Hannah Dustin Elementary School, that a few years ago was under discussion for renaming due to the controversial elements of Hannah's story.

Wonder why they didn't think of re-naming it Thomas Dustin then?

Anyway, there are apparently a couple of train engines christened "The Hannah Dustin":

And Hannah Dustin Memorial Parking

(Parking in memory of Hannah? A memorial parking lot? Oh wait, I get it, it is the parking lot where you leave your car before walking over to the bridge to the Penecook Island.)

After seeing all these memorials, we got a little punchy. We later went to the coast for a sea food dinner, and there was a statue of a woman looking out to the ocean.

Bernie quipped: "Oh look, it's "Hannah goes to the Sea Shore!"

But it is this final tribute that has left us in stitches:

The 1973 collectible "Hannah Dustin" Jim Beam bottle:

"4/5 quart 180 month old 86 proof. Beam Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey."

We all knew Hannah was a Christian woman.

And know we can say with confidence that Hannah Dustin was also "Spirit-filled."

Glory!