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History
of the Applebrook--Happy 210th Birthday on 12/10/2007!
Welcome to the home of the first woman doctor of the White Mountains
This history is pulled together from various books, personal
accounts and Jefferson, New Hampshire folklore. We are trying to
find more information and stories on the Stalbird family of Jefferson
and previous owners of the property. We welcome our neighbors to
stop by or contact us with any memories, amusing stories or local
myths of the Applebrook property.
Who was Granny Stalbird?
Deborah Vicker or Granny Stalbird arrived with Colonel Joseph Whipple
in either 1774 or after 1788. She was servant girl and cook of the Colonel
and became the first female doctor of the area and held in high esteem.
According to The History of the town of Jefferson New Hampshire 1773 – 1927: “We quote from the Stratford history under Doctors: Probably the earliest remembered and most familiar name is that of Granny Stalbird. She lived in Jefferson and on horse back with hood and long plaid cloak and a bag of medicine, she was a familiar and often welcome object.” A woman with a rough exterior, and kindly face, Deborah made regular rounds with her herbal remedies and “greatly endeared herself to all who required aid.”(1) Find out more about Granny during your visit and you can stay in our Granny Stalbird room.
Was Granny a New England Witch?
One history book notes that some people in town thought Granny
was witch for she used herbal remedies and befriended the local Native
Americas. Back in the mid-1800's anyone with such knowledge was probably
regarded by the locals as having unnatural knowledge of plants and herbs. It is also said that Granny made the first maple syrup in Jefferson. (4)
Timeline of the Property
1727
Richard Stalbird is born on January 8th. (1)
1755
Deborah Vicker born on May 21st.
1774
Deborah Vicker (Granny Stalbird) brings a 1769 Bible to Dartmouth (Jefferson)
which she had paid for with ten weeks of work at fifty cents per week.(1)
This fact made Ripley's Believe it or Not! in 1959.
1782
Richard Stalbird and Deborah Vicker are married.
1788 or a little after (1)
Deborah Vicker (Granny Stalbird) arrives and “sees no other white woman for 18 months.” She arrived with Col. Joseph Whipple (1). Note: This date contradicts the 1774 arrival time above cited in the same publication.
May 29th 1793
Richard Stalbird listed on a petition to the New Hampshire legislature for incorporation of the town of Dartmouth which was renamed Jefferson during incorporation on December 8th, 1796.(1)
1796
Richard Stalbird listed on a town tax list.(1)
1797
Deborah Vicker and Richard Stalbird, a workman of Col. Whipple’s marry and the Colonel deeds her 50 acres of unsold land. She chooses the north half of Lot 10, Range 6 where they cleared and built.(1)
December 10th 1797
Property exchange from Colonel
Whipple to Deborah Vicker (2)
Click above to read the original document.
First structure(s) built on property. We assume this was a farmhouse and may have included a barn and other buildings. Exact dates and structures are unknown.
No Date Available
Property exchange from William Chamberlain to Levi Stalbird.
1812
The 1812 Inventory Book listed Nathaniel Stalbird as owning one poll, one horse, two oxen, three cows, two young cattle, two acres tillage, six acres mowing land.(1)
1820
Nathaniel Stalbird name appears on A List of the Legal Voters of the Town of Jefferson, 1820.(1)
1828
Nathaniel Stalbird, James Stalbird and John Stalbird names appears on A List of the Legal Voters of the Town of Jefferson, 1828.(1)
1840
Salinda Stalbird and Mary Stalbird listed on Baptist church list.(1)
No Date Available
Jefferson Historical Museum document suggests that the building was an inn known as “The Stalbird House” which could accommodate 25 guests.(2)
No Date Available
Property used as a riding stable.
No Date Available
Property known as “Saddle Farm” and often housed guests on hunting trips.(2)
June 19 th, 1899
Property exchange from Levi Stalbird to Nellie A. Stalbird (Cook).(2)
1927
Nellie Cook (Stalbird), daughter of Levi Stalbird
and great-granddaughter of Granny Stalbird still owns the farm. (1) She
is the woman on the right in this photo. Her sister, Etta Tuttle (Stalbird)
is on the left.
August 21, 1931
Property exchange from Stephen A. Burbank, Administrator of Nellie Cook
to William Ward. (2). Nellie died in May of this year.
July 24, 1942
Property exchange by will of William L. Ward to Evans Ward, Warren L. Ward, Dorthory Ward and Winifred Ward, Port Chester, New York.(2)
No Date Available
Property exchange from William E and Mary V. McIntyre to Herbert L. Malcolm (100 plus or minus acres) (2)
July 1, 1948
Property exchange from Herbert L. Malcolm to M. D. Murphy, Jackson Heights, Queens, New York. (2)
July 12, 1951
Property exchange from Mary Murphy to Cassandra E. Willey and Edward C. Willey. (2) The building is renovated and become the Jefferson Nursing Home.
No Date Available (early 1970's?)
Property exchange from Cassandra E. Willey and Edward C. Willey to George Grant, Clement Kacergis, et. al. The building is used as a private ski lodge for six families from the Boston area. (2)
August 30, 1985
Property exchange from Grantac Trust to Sandra J. Conley, Gregory K. Miller, Elizabeth C. Miller and Andrew C. Groag. (2) The property is improved and renovated.
1986
The Applebrook Bed & Breakfast is opened.
March 2, 1988
Property exchange from Sandra J. Conley, Gregory K. Miller, Elizabeth C. Miller and Andrew C. Groag to Sandra J. Conley and Martin Kelly. (2)
No Date Available
Sandy Conley discovers iron “Saddle Farm” sign in a pile manure.(3)
1993
Applebrook’s outdoor wood heated “hot tub under the stars” is first fired up bringing the town fire department who had a good laugh at the source of the smoke.(2)
April 29th 2005
Property exchange from Sandra J. Conley to Tom and Joy.
July 2006
Richard Stalbird, a
descendent
of Granny Stalbird, visits his ancestral home with his lovely wife.
Today
Tom and Joy continue the Applebrook tradition of welcoming guests and visitors to this wonderful property.
Tom has been collecting stories, photos and tall tales from the locals
which can be heard during your stay.
Sources:
- The History of the town of Jefferson New Hampshire 1773 – 1927. Evans, George C. Granite State Press, Manchester, NH 1927
- Jefferson New Hampshire Before 1996. Jefferson, Town of. Sherwin Dodge, Littleton, NH 1995.
- Sandra Conley, previous owner of the Applebrook Bed & Breakfast.
- Place Names of the White Mountains Revised Edition. Julyan, Robert and Mary. University Press of New England, Hanover, NH 1993
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