Guide to the New Hampshire Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.) Records, 1876-1892

Collection number: MC 323
Size: (1 boxes) (0.33 cu.ft.)

About the New Hampshire Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.)

The Grand Army of the Republic was a fraternal organization founded in Illinois in 1866 for veterans of the Union Army and their family members. The Department of New Hampshire, which oversaw individual posts within the state, was comprised of 95 individual posts throughout the state. The GAR ceased operations in 1956.

About the New Hampshire G.A.R. Records

This collection consists of three volumes: one from the Louis Bell Post No. 3 of Manchester and two from the Senator Grimes Post No. 23 of Hillsborough Bridge, NH. Included are the incorporation volumes of each post. Handwritten notes were taken by a recorder at each meeting of each post, and then read and voted on for approval at the opening of the next meeting. Topics include membership, benefits to veterans and their families, political resolutions, building and maintenance of halls, holiday events, name changes of posts, and relationship to other local fraternal organizations.

Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

This collection is open.

Copyright Notice

Contents of this collection are governed by U.S. copyright law. For questions about publication or reproduction rights, contact Special Collections staff.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], [Folder Number], [Box Number], New Hampshire Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.) Records, 1876-1892, MC 323, Milne Special Collections and Archives, University of New Hampshire Library, Durham, NH, USA.

Acquisitions Information

Purchase from Carmen Valentino Rare Books, ca. 2010.

“History of memorial services conducted by Louis Bell Post No. 3, G.A.R., Manchester, N.H., Saturday, May 29, 1880 […]” Manchester, N.H. : John B. Clarke, Printer, 1880. Copy held at the New York Historical Society Library.

Collection Arrangement

Arrangement is chronological.

Collection Contents

Box 1
Folder 1	Louis Bell Post No. 3, Manchester (1883-1886) This single volume dates from the founding of the post on December 27 1882 through September 22 1886, and is only 47 pages (the rest of the book is blank). Topics include paying the debts of members, rental of the hall, and membership. See also the Louis and Mollie Bell Papers, MC 165, Milne Special Collections.
Folder 2	Senator Grimes Post No. 25, Hillsborough Bridge (1876-1881) This is the incorporation volume for what eventually became the Senator Grimes Post. The first entry is dated October 5 1876 and contains a vote to name the post the Encampment Reynolds Post No. 25. In September of 1878 the name was changed to the Pierce Post No. 25, and on the 24 August 1881 the post settled on its final name, Senator Grimes Post No. 25 GAR. The front half of the book is meeting notes, and the back half is more formally copied “Special Orders”.
Folder 3	Senator Grimes Post no. 25, Hillsborough Bridge (1884-1892) This is probably the third volume; the years 1881-1884 are partially or completely missing. Interesting items include pg. 111, a resolution passed against US President Grover Cleveland for his veto of the Dependent Pension Act of 1887, and several resolutions of sympathy to bereaved families of veterans and members who had lost children.

Box 1

Folder 1

Louis Bell Post No. 3, Manchester (1883-1886)

This single volume dates from the founding of the post on December 27 1882 through September 22 1886, and is only 47 pages (the rest of the book is blank). Topics include paying the debts of members, rental of the hall, and membership.

See also the Louis and Mollie Bell Papers, MC 165, Milne Special Collections.

Folder 2

Senator Grimes Post No. 25, Hillsborough Bridge (1876-1881)

This is the incorporation volume for what eventually became the Senator Grimes Post. The first entry is dated October 5 1876 and contains a vote to name the post the Encampment Reynolds Post No. 25. In September of 1878 the name was changed to the Pierce Post No. 25, and on the 24 August 1881 the post settled on its final name, Senator Grimes Post No. 25 GAR. The front half of the book is meeting notes, and the back half is more formally copied “Special Orders”.

Folder 3

Senator Grimes Post no. 25, Hillsborough Bridge (1884-1892)

This is probably the third volume; the years 1881-1884 are partially or completely missing. Interesting items include pg. 111, a resolution passed against US President Grover Cleveland for his veto of the Dependent Pension Act of 1887, and several resolutions of sympathy to bereaved families of veterans and members who had lost children.

Collection