History of the Portsmouth, N. H. Salvation Army Corp.
Courtesy of the Portsmouth Athenaeum, Portsmouth, N.H., with permission of the author William and Catherine Booth are co- founders of the Salvation Army. William was a Methodist Minister and they worked in the Whitechapel area of London England. William would take the “outcasts” of society; criminal, unemployed, handicapped, prostitutes and bring them to church. They were treated like 2nd class citizens. They had to sit in the back and not bother the affluent members. William and Catherine Booth Photo; Territorial Heritage Museum
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Courtesy of the Portsmouth Athenaeum, Portsmouth, N.H., with permission of the author From “Volunteer Army” to “Salvation Army”
Because of the differences William had with the established Churches, he decided to create his own movement which he called “Christian Mission”.
Despite its difficulties the mission was a success. In 1878, As William was reviewing the record of the mission; he saw The phase; The Christian mission is a volunteer army. He Struck out the word volunteer and put in Salvation. William Booth the “Founder” and General; Catherine Booth became the “Mother” of the Salvation Army.
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Courtesy of the Portsmouth Athenaeum, Portsmouth, N.H., with permission of the author Salvation Army comes to New York After a particularly difficult crossing, where many were sickened, and the ship suffered problems; Com. George Railton and seven Hallelujah Lassies disembark From the ship “Australia” to Battery Park, New York. 10 March 1880 New York Salvation Army . Org
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Courtesy of the Portsmouth Athenaeum, Portsmouth, N.H., with permission of the author From the Portsmouth. N. H. Daily Chronicle
Courtesy : Robert Jeffrey; Director of Salvation Army Heritage Museum Eastern Territory
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Courtesy of the Portsmouth Athenaeum, Portsmouth, N.H., with permission of the author From the “War Cry” of 17 Oct. 1885
Courtesy : Robert Jeffrey; Director of Salvation Army Heritage Museum Eastern Territory
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Courtesy of the Portsmouth Athenaeum, Portsmouth, N.H., with permission of the author DH1 From the War Cry – Nov. 1885
Courtesy : Robert Jeffrey; Director of Boston Globe; 17 Mar. 1886 Salvation Army Heritage Museum Eastern Territory
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Courtesy of the Portsmouth Athenaeum, Portsmouth, N.H., with permission of the author Salvation Army Barracks
Salvation Army barracks are at 42 Market St. in market square area. Salvationists would parade from an open meeting back to the barracks for another meeting. Note: This parade is likely a memorial day parade.
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Courtesy of the Portsmouth Athenaeum, Portsmouth, N.H., with permission of the author “Joe the Turk” visits Portsmouth Salvation Army
Portsmouth Herald; 31 August 1900
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Courtesy of the Portsmouth Athenaeum, Portsmouth, N.H., with permission of the author Portsmouth Salvation Officer prevents suicide
Capt. R. B. Evans lent writing paper to a gentleman and discovered the man was writing a suicide note to family. He notified the police. He and police officer Shannon followed the man to a nearby wharf where he was convinced to “forego his rash act”. Capt. Evans was also able to find work for the man. Portsmouth Herald; 11 May 1908
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Courtesy of the Portsmouth Athenaeum, Portsmouth, N.H., with permission of the author Capt. Weatherly plans a “Day Nursery” Capt. Weatherly plans a day nursery to care for the children of parents who “are forced to work to support themselves”. Children will be cared for “until the arrival of the mother at night”. Thanksgiving dinner is planned and the Christmas charity will distribute baskets containing food, clothing, and fuel among the poor. Portsmouth Herald; 22 Nov. 1911
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Courtesy of the Portsmouth Athenaeum, Portsmouth, N.H., with permission of the author Salvation Army dedicates 202 State St.
The Salvation Army occupied this building when in: 18 Mar. 1912 - it was rented by Salvation Army, (bought in 1919), until Feb. 1940 when the corps. moved to the Army Navy Association bldg. 12 May 1941 – when the Army Navy Association needed their building back.
Photo; Portsmouth Athenaeum
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Courtesy of the Portsmouth Athenaeum, Portsmouth, N.H., with permission of the author Capt. Lawrence starts a brass band
Portsmouth Herald; 21 Aug. 1916
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Courtesy of the Portsmouth Athenaeum, Portsmouth, N.H., with permission of the author Com. Evangeline Booths speaks at North Church
Evangeline Booth; U. S. Territorial Commander speaks about “The work of the Salvation Army in the present war”. Portsmouth Herald; 31 May 1918
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Courtesy of the Portsmouth Athenaeum, Portsmouth, N.H., with permission of the author Dorothy Lawrence leads Portsmouth Salvation Army Dorothy Lawrence; the 14 year old and her sister Jessie, who is 13 years old are leading the Portsmouth Salvation Army because their parents; Capt. And Mrs. William J. Lawrence and are ill.
“We all had the influenza dreadfully in the fall and we never really got over it. I think that is one thing that is the matter with dad”.
Portsmouth Herald; 17 Mar. 1919
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Courtesy of the Portsmouth Athenaeum, Portsmouth, N.H., with permission of the author Irene McIntyre visits Portsmouth
Salvation Army Lassie serving in France near the firing lines during WW1. They were called “donut lassies” They did so much more than make donuts, pies, and cakes. They sewed uniforms, wrote letters for soldiers, sang to them, and provided reading material. Some considered them “Angels of the battlefield”.
Photo; WW1donutgirls.jpg
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Courtesy of the Portsmouth Athenaeum, Portsmouth, N.H., with permission of the author Doughnut Girl sees Portsmouth Boys
Portsmouth Herald; 18 Apr. 1921
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Courtesy of the Portsmouth Athenaeum, Portsmouth, N.H., with permission of the author Salvation Army Prison / Correctional Ministries
Capt. And Mrs. William Addy, of the Portsmouth Corps. held services at the Rockingham County jail and the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard on 25 Feb. 1923. Note; The Salvation Army supports incarcerated people and their family.
Portsmouth Herald; 26 Feb. 1923
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Courtesy of the Portsmouth Athenaeum, Portsmouth, N.H., with permission of the author Gen. Evangeline Booth calls for prayer
“I feel it is my duty, "she said, “to call the Salvationists throughout the world to unite in prayer that God’s blessing may attend the deliberations of the high council meeting in London on Aug. 15.”
Note; originally Salvation Army Generals were selected by the outgoing general only. This changed in 1929 after a particularly difficult challenge which unseated Gen. Bramwell Booth due to ill health and named his successor; Gen. Edward Higgins.
(Note Ref; E. B. Daughter of Salvation; page 110) Portsmouth Herald; 10 Aug. 1939
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Courtesy of the Portsmouth Athenaeum, Portsmouth, N.H., with permission of the author Portsmouth Salvation Army at Army Navy Association Building
18 Feb. 1940 Salvation Army dedicates their new facility – the Army / Navy Association bldg. on Daniel St. In May of 1941 – The Army Navy Association needed their bldg. back and the Salvation Army moved back to 202 State St.
Photo; Portsmouth Athenaeum
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Courtesy of the Portsmouth Athenaeum, Portsmouth, N.H., with permission of the author Founder’s Day Radio broadcast; Through Jordan Quotes from William Booth’s sermon; “A crown and a kingdom thy face will discover. Thy troubles are great but they soon will be over”. “On what will thou lean when thy strength is all wasted? Thy reeds will fail and thy hope will be blasted”. “Oh, Cry unto Jesus, Thy soul to deliver and bear up thy spirit when crossing the river”. “Thy soul from all danger he then will deliver Portsmouth Herald; 11 Apr. 1940 and nothing shall harm thee when crossing Through Jordan (1910) the river”.
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Courtesy of the Portsmouth Athenaeum, Portsmouth, N.H., with permission of the author Capt. And Mrs. Clair T. Lowman
Led the Corps. for three years. Some of their programs and accomplishments are: Sending 100 kids to camp Dedicating & opening the Corps. at the Old Army Navy building on Daniel St. Serving lunch for the towns midnights snow removal crew on 27 Nov. 1940 In 1939; about 100 Christmas baskets distributed. Facilitating the Men’s Red Shield Club Portsmouth Herald 28 Aug. 1941 and the Home League.
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Courtesy of the Portsmouth Athenaeum, Portsmouth, N.H., with permission of the author A joyous occasion on 6 June 1944; the wedding of Marie Penny and Alfred Cashman. 9 June 1942; Maj. Cashman and volunteers ready for emergency response. Pictures; Portsmouth Herald.
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Courtesy of the Portsmouth Athenaeum, Portsmouth, N.H., with permission of the author Three Portsmouth Girls Graduate Salvation Army Training center.
Emma Bertrand Emily Hand Charlotte French
On 21 June 1943, the above persons graduated from the Salvation Army Training Center. The ceremony was held in the Carnegie Hall of New York. Collectively, the above ladies have served as Sunday school teacher, Sunbeam leaders, and Corps. Cadet Guardians. Portsmouth Herald; 21 June 1943
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Courtesy of the Portsmouth Athenaeum, Portsmouth, N.H., with permission of the author Typical Directory Listings; 1943 and 1947
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Courtesy of the Portsmouth Athenaeum, Portsmouth, N.H., with permission of the author Capt. Charlotte French Marries Capt. James Geddes
A Wedding at the Portsmouth Salvation Army when Capt. Charlotte French married Capt. James Geddes of Putnam, Ct. on 23 Sept. 1944.
The Salvation Army was well represented with leadership from the New England area and several Salvationist friends of the bride and groom there.
Portsmouth Herald; 23 Sept. 1944
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Courtesy of the Portsmouth Athenaeum, Portsmouth, N.H., with permission of the author Major and Mrs. Albert Warren
Portsmouth Herald; 27 Sept. 1949 Portsmouth Herald; 14 Nov. 1950
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Courtesy of the Portsmouth Athenaeum, Portsmouth, N.H., with permission of the author Capt. and Mrs. William Hartman
Succeeding Maj. and Mrs. Albert Warren; were Capt. and Mrs. William Hartman at the Portsmouth Corps. in Nov. of 1952. They had strong public outreach programs, hosted Sunbeams and Girl Guards, a 60th. Anniversary celebration the Portsmouth corps. and held a yearly Harvest Festival. July of 1954, they were promoted to Senior Captains. Portsmouth Herald; 15 Nov. 1952; 22 Apr. 1954; and 2 July 1954.
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Courtesy of the Portsmouth Athenaeum, Portsmouth, N.H., with permission of the author Portsmouth Herald; 22 May 1954
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Courtesy of the Portsmouth Athenaeum, Portsmouth, N.H., with permission of the author Mrs. Elizabeth Hanks mans the kettles in 1959.
Portsmouth Herald; 5 Dec. 1959 Portsmouth Herald; 6 Dec. 1956
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Courtesy of the Portsmouth Athenaeum, Portsmouth, N.H., with permission of the author Mr. and Mrs. Capt. Lloyd Scott and a camp counsellor pose with children ready to go to Camp Sebago. Some of them are in Sunbeam uniform. Note: Linda Scott; their daughter is in the middle of the picture. Picture , Portsmouth Herald; 30 June 1959.
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Courtesy of the Portsmouth Athenaeum, Portsmouth, N.H., with permission of the author Linda Scott writes about her childhood with Salvation Army parents
Story; courtesy of Portsmouth Athenaeum
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Courtesy of the Portsmouth Athenaeum, Portsmouth, N.H., with permission of the author Portsmouth Corps. Hosts musical Weekend on 17 Mar. 1962
Portsmouth Herald; 17 Mar. 1962
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Courtesy of the Portsmouth Athenaeum, Portsmouth, N.H., with permission of the author North Church Parish house becomes Portsmouth Salvation Army
Portsmouth Herald; 21 Aug. 1967 Portsmouth Herald; 17 Aug. 1967
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Courtesy of the Portsmouth Athenaeum, Portsmouth, N.H., with permission of the author Portsmouth Salvation Army phone drive
Portsmouth Commander: Maj. Herbert Thatcher supervisors a phone drive in June of 1962
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Courtesy of the Portsmouth Athenaeum, Portsmouth, N.H., with permission of the author Major and Mrs. Jack Ryans; 1970’s Maj. J. Ryans played with the Salvation Army Band of New York and taught at the Salvation Army Star Lake Music Camp. Maj. H. Estelle Ryans personified the Salvation Army role to all ages; involved with Home Maj. H. Estelle Ryans League, Young Portsmouth Herald; 10 Oct. 1972 Soldiers, Girl Memorial Photo Apr. 2018 Guards, and Sunbeams. 36
Courtesy of the Portsmouth Athenaeum, Portsmouth, N.H., with permission of the author Major and Mrs. Jack Ryans 51 youngsters and some parents lined up and ready to board the bus to go to Camp Sebago. It will be a ten day vacation.
Portsmouth Herald; 16 July 1976
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Courtesy of the Portsmouth Athenaeum, Portsmouth, N.H., with permission of the author Famous Contributors; Portsmouth Herald, 31 Aug. 1919
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Courtesy of the Portsmouth Athenaeum, Portsmouth, N.H., with permission of the author Recommended reading:
A to Z of the Salvation Army Author; Maj. John Merritt General Evangeline Booth of the Salvation Army Author; P. W. Wilson Soldiers without Swords Author; Herbert A. Wisbey Marching to Glory, the history of the Salvation Army in the United States. Author; Edward McKinley
Thanks to:
Major Reed and Lt. Clark Greater Seacoast Salvation Army Commanders Susan Hands For review and commenting Robert Jeffery Salvation Army Heritage Museum, New York Portsmouth Public library For research assistance Portsmouth Atheneum For research assistance Portsmouth Herald Newspaper New Articles and pictures
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Courtesy of the Portsmouth Athenaeum, Portsmouth, N.H., with permission of the author This presentation of one of several Salvation Army historical presentations; some others are:
1. Origin of the Salvation Army 2. Salvation Army comes to the United States 3. History of the Portsmouth, N. H. Salvation Army 4. William and Catherine’s Gift from God
I do these presentations freely and am willing to travel to present them. I may be reached at 1-(207)-703-2727.
Donald G. Hands Kittery, Maine
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Courtesy of the Portsmouth Athenaeum, Portsmouth, N.H., with permission of the author