About Sullivan County, NH

Charlestown, New Hampshire's First Name was Number4 in the 1700's - Part Two, when you come to New Hampshire, you'll want to make time to visit our Fort at No.4 Living History Museum here in Charlestown, New Hampshire. You'll be able to see what life was like and what a Fort of the 1700's was like. Theres just no better way to learn a part of our Grand Country's History, than to actually see it and to hear it from some mighty fine History Interpreters and Re-enactors of the 1700's time period.

This is a Four Part series about the main kind of Firearm that would have been used by the folks living here, which for many years was the Northern most outpost settlement in the frontier of New England. Charlestown, New Hampshire's First Name was Number4 in the 1700's - Part Three, has to do with the safety Do's of the Muzzleloader shooter and Charlestown, New Hampshire's First Name was Number4 in the 1700's - Part Four, has to do with the safety Don'ts of the Muzzleloader shooter. The Number4 settlement was chartered by the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1735, the Number4 settlement started in 1740. When King George's War was imminent in 1743, the proprietors moved buildings to create a fortified village known as the Fort at No.4. Then on July 2, 1753. the settement was rechartered by New Hampshire and became known as Charlestown.

Charlestown, New Hampshire's First Name was Number4 in the 1700's - Part Two, will have to do with the lock of the Flinlock Firearm. In the 1700's the Flinlock smoothbore Musket would have been the main shoulder arm folks would have had in their homes, that the Soldiers and Militia of the Fort at No.4 would have had to use. Some folks think it takes a long time to load and fire a firearm of this kind. As with anything, the more you practice the better you become at it. I can actually load and fire four shots a minute with my Muzzleloading firearms.

The lock is the very heart of the Flinlock smoothbore Musket because, its the lock that provides the ignition for your main powder charge in your Musket's barrel. A flinlock Musket utilizes the exact same principle as flint and steel firs making does. When you fire your flintlock Musket, the cock jaw holding the flint, swings through an arc, then scraping the flint down the hardened steel face of the frizzen which produces a shower of sparks. When the frizzen is hit by the flint, it moves forward and uncovering a small indentation, which is known as the flash pan. The flash pan holds FFFFg priming powder. The shower of sparks from the flint hiting the steel face of the frizzen ignites the priming powder, which in turn the flash of the ignited priming powder is then carried through the touch hole, which is a small hole that connects the flash pan with the main powder charge of FFg powder in your Musket's barrel. All of this only takes a fraction of s escond, when you have proprly loaded, primed your Musket, and it carries a properly knapped and sharp flint and a properly hardened frizzen.

The photo below is of some of my flints with my flint knapping hammer:

Here is something thats highly important to always remember: The spark from a flintlock falling into an unprimed flash pan, has been known to fire a loaded Musket. Besure to always treat your Flintlock Musket, be it primed or unprimed, as if its loaded at all times.

Charlestown, New Hampshire's First Name was Number4 in the 1700's - Part Two, now let me talk a bit about powder changes and range with you. This is an area the Muzzleloader can really shine over a cartridge firearms shooter. By following my advice of shooting at 60 grains for 50 yards for your zero. When shooting at 25 yards, drop 10 grains from your powder change and you should end up being close to zero, if shooting at 75 yards, then add 10 grains for 70 grains, and when your shoot is placement is 100 yards, then add another 10 grains for 80 grains. Depending on your Musket or other kind of Muzzleloader Firearms you my own, you just might need to add or even subtract more than 10 grains. When a Muzzleloader shooter is out hunting or just target shooting, this is where it really pays to know the range and know their powder loads. With a cartridge Firearm shooter is forced to compensate with elevation adjustments. But us Black Powder shooters, can choose our load and take the guesswork out of the elevation through the sight picture. This is especially true for those that like to still hunt, were they might find a place to hide but its not at the range they had loaded their ammo for. But a Muzzleloader, can load their Firearm once they find a spot and then find the range the game they are hunting is likely to appear at.

A Flintlock Muzzleloader is a mighty enjoyable and very exciting Firearm to use and should be tried by anyone that is interested in the Muzzleloading sport.

There are some accessories that you'll want to have if you want to be a Flintlock shooter. Like the ones below!

A spring Vise, this tool comes in real hand when ever you would need to disassemble your lock, and you will need to at times. A spring vise is required when remove the V-Spring from a Musket lock. Without using the appropriate tool, you very well endup damaging the spring and/or the mounting screw. This is one of the most common mistakes a New Flintlock owner makes.

A 18th Century Musket tool, its comprised of several handy tools. The top is a flint knapping hammer, the shaft unscrews and reveals a vent pick, and the bottom of it holds a tow worm and a adapter that will fit to some Military Muskets.

You'll also want to have a Whisk and Pick, this tool you hang it from your shooting bag, or from a button on your waistcoat where it will be within easy reach so you can clear your Flintlock's lock when it gets fouled. The pick is for clearing the vent hole, and the brush is to be able to sweep the chunks of fouling away from the flash pan.

And you'll also want to have a 18th Century turn screw (which today is known as a screwdriver) the one I have, has two different sized turn screw blades and a punch inorder to drive out the barrel pins. You'll want to besure its hand forged and case hardened.

Charlestown, New Hampshire's First Name was Number4 in the 1700's - Part Two, besure to keep an eye out for Part One. It well be the longger of the four parts of this series. Untill then happy and safe Smoke Poling.

Have a good one
Dale in New Hampshire

Localism blog post 805 - 30 July 2010 Charlestown, New Hampshire

Proud to live in New Hampshire the Safest State in America!!!

If you would like to view how your State ranking click here summary of the CQ Press report.

Click to Discover and Explore New Hampshire with

Dale Baker

Click below to visit

Baker Home Energy Audit and Commercial Properties Inspections
PO Box 570
Charlestown, New Hampshire 03603

Office: 603-826-4207

Cell: 603-477-8072

Disclaimer: Any of the information herein may come from various sources, some of which may not be reliable and may change without any kind of notice. Dale Baker does not guarantee or is in any way responsible for the accuracy of the information in this blog and the information provided is without any kind of warranties, either express or implied. The information on this blog represents the opinions and ideas of the author; comments left by others may not express the views of the author. Dale Baker Owner: Baker Home Energy Audit and Commercial Properties Inspections. Copyright 2010 By Dale Baker-all rights reserved.

Copyright photos and Graphics by Dale Baker, all rights reserved and may not be reproduced without the written permission of Baker Home Energy Audit and Commercial Properties Inspections. If Permission is granted, you will need to link back to my website and/or blog providing your site is appropriate for all ages. Property and Copyright 1980-2010 by Baker Home Energy Audit and Commercial Properties Inspections. Thank you for respecting my creative expression and not plagiarizing.

Things to do and Places to visit Sunapee, New Hampshire-Sullivan County New Hampshire-Sunapee Historic Walk, on Saturday the 31 July there will be a Historic Main Street Walk. This event will be held from 9:00 A.M. tell 12:00 P.M. in Sunapee's Lower Village.

This Historic Main Street Walk event is sponsored by the Sunapee Historical Society. The walk will feature conversations with many of the residents who lived on Main Street in the early 1900's. Which will include Governor John Henry Bartltt, whose home still stands at the corner of Lower Main Street and School Street.

Photo of Governor John Henry Bartlett below

Birth: Mar. 15, 1869, Sunapee, New Hampshire - Death: Mar. 19, 1952, Portsmouth, New Hampshire

He served in the New Hampshire State House of Representatives before he was elected Governor in 1918. After leaving the office of New Hampshire's Governor, he became president of the United States Civil Service Commission and then he was appointed as the very first United States Assistant Postmaster General.

Cost of the event is $5.00 per person and $10.00 per family. Folks are able to park at either the Community Methodist Church or at the Sunapee Middle High School, which is located on North Road. Lower Main Street will be blocked off during the Historic Main Street Walk event.

You can start at either end of Lower Main Street and attend the talks you are interested in. There will be a program and schedule provided to those that attend the event.

Have a good one
Dale in New Hampshire

Localism blog post 801 - 29 July 2010 Sunapee, New Hampshire

Proud to live in New Hampshire the Safest State in America!!!

If you would like to view how your State ranking click here summary of the CQ Press report.

Click to Discover and Explore New Hampshire with

Dale Baker

Click below to visit

Baker Home Energy Audit and Commercial Properties Inspections
PO Box 570
Charlestown, New Hampshire 03603

Office: 603-826-4207

Cell: 603-477-8072

Disclaimer: Any of the information herein may come from various sources, some of which may not be reliable and may change without any kind of notice. Dale Baker does not guarantee or is in any way responsible for the accuracy of the information in this blog and the information provided is without any kind of warranties, either express or implied. The information on this blog represents the opinions and ideas of the author; comments left by others may not express the views of the author. Dale Baker Owner: Baker Home Energy Audit and Commercial Properties Inspections. Copyright 2010 By Dale Baker-all rights reserved.

Copyright photos and Graphics by Dale Baker, all rights reserved and may not be reproduced without the written permission of Baker Home Energy Audit and Commercial Properties Inspections. If Permission is granted, you will need to link back to my website and/or blog providing your site is appropriate for all ages. Property and Copyright 1980-2010 by Baker Home Energy Audit and Commercial Properties Inspections. Thank you for respecting my creative expression and not plagiarizing.

Charlestown, New Hamshire's First Name was Number4 in the 1700's - Part Three, I've been using smoke poles for hunting, for many many moons now. You really get to become one with the outdoors when using one of the three main firearms, that folks used when they first landed in our Grand Country.

After becoming an interpreter and re-enactor at the Fort at No.4 Living History Museum, here in Charlestown, New Hampshire. One of the things I had to go out and buy was a 1700's time period Flintlock Smoothbore Musket. Let me tell you, I sure have been having a lot of fun helping at Fort at No.4, and I sure have meet a lot of other mighty fine folks that are interpreters and re-enactors that are a part of the Charlestown, New Hampshire's Fort at No.4 Living History Museum. Just like here in the ActiveRain Real Estate Network community, being a part of the mighty fine group of folks at the Fort at No.4, its like having even another family. And they really go out of their way to give a helping hand to new folks that join them, as interpreters and re-enactors. And they do a mighty fine job of helping the public understand the life that folks lived during the 1700's here when Charlestown, New Hampshire was known just as Number4 and when those folks had to live at the Fort at No4. Thank you to all the folks at the Fort at No.4!!! each of you sure have made it fun being a volunteer at our Fort at No.4 Living History History Museum. And a spacial Thank you goes out to Wendy Baker, our Fort's Diector, and all the members of the Olive Branch Masonic Lodge No. 64 located in Chester, Vermont.

Charlestown, New Hamshire's First Name was Number4 in the 1700's - Part Three, Charlestown, New Hampshire's First Name was Number4 in the 1700's - Part Four was about the Don'ts of using a Muzzleloader firearm. Lets take some time talking about why its highly importent to clean a black powder firearm right after you out shooting.

Black powder is highly corrosive to metal if its left on cleaned. Black powder will damage your firearm barrel, it only takes one time for you not to clean your muzzleloader. And your will end up with a rusted and pitted barrel. I'm sure you would not want that, seeing that the you would not be able to use it safely after that. Remember to always clean the same day.

Now we are going to talk about the Important Muzzleloading Safety Do's, that all Muzzleloaders should know.

Be sure to read and fully understand your instruction manual. If for some reason you did not get one with your muzzleloader, then you should order one from the manufacturer. Or go to the manufacturer's website and down load it. Many manufacturers have a page for their manuals.

If you have never owned a muzzleloader, or have never used one. Then be sure to seek instruetion from a qualified instructor. Many shooting club can help you with this.

Only use genuine black powder of the proper size granulation, or black powder substitute like Pyrodex, Triple Seven, or Clear Shot only. (Never use smokeless powder in any muzzleloader!)

Handle a muzzleloader with the same respect due all firearms!!!

Treat a misfire or failure to fire (this kind of thing happen to all of us at some time or another) as though the firearm is ready to fire at any second. Wait at least two minutes with the firearm pointed at a target.

If you are going to visit a shooting club's range for the first time, be sure to find out about their range rules before hand.

Have a good one

Dale in New Hampshire

Localism blog post 800 - 28 July 2010 Charlestown, New Hampshire

Proud to live in New Hampshire the Safest State in America!!!

If you would like to view how your State ranking click here summary of the CQ Press report.

Click to Discover and Explore New Hampshire with

Dale Baker

Click below to visit

Baker Home Energy Audit and Commercial Properties Inspections
PO Box 570
Charlestown, New Hampshire 03603

Office: 603-826-4207

Cell: 603-477-8072

Disclaimer: Any of the information herein may come from various sources, some of which may not be reliable and may change without any kind of notice. Dale Baker does not guarantee or is in any way responsible for the accuracy of the information in this blog and the information provided is without any kind of warranties, either express or implied. The information on this blog represents the opinions and ideas of the author; comments left by others may not express the views of the author. Dale Baker Owner: Baker Home Energy Audit and Commercial Properties Inspections. Copyright 2010 By Dale Baker-all rights reserved.

Copyright photos and Graphics by Dale Baker, all rights reserved and may not be reproduced without the written permission of Baker Home Energy Audit and Commercial Properties Inspections. If Permission is granted, you will need to link back to my website and/or blog providing your site is appropriate for all ages. Property and Copyright 1980-2010 by Baker Home Energy Audit and Commercial Properties Inspections. Thank you for respecting my creative expression and not plagiarizing.

Charlestown, New Hampshire's First Name was Number4 in the 1700's - Part Four, being a interpreter and re-enactor at our Fort at No.4 here in Charlestown, New Hampshire. I thought I'd share with you the Do's and Don'ts of Muzzleloading Safety. The kind of shoulder arms you'll see being carried by the re-enactors and interpreters at the Fort at No.4 when you visit, are flintlock smoothbore muskets.

This part will have to do with the important Don'ts for the safety of a Muzzleloader:

Never fire a muzzleloader unless the ball is firmly seated against the powder charge. Firing a muzzleloader with the ball off the powder or part way up the barrel, could very will cause serious damage to your firearm and or serious injury to yourself. (note to my readers, when we are re-enacting or demonstrating. We only use powder in our arms).

Never attempt to shoot out a ball which is mot firmly seated against the powder charge. The ball and powder charge should always be removed. Start by putting a small amount of black powder bore cleaner through the nipple or clean-out screw hole, thoroughly soak the powder. Now screw a ball puller directly into the ball. Once you have anchored the ball puller into the ball. it can be pulled out of the barrel of your muzzleloader. Now dump the powder charge out of the barrel.

Never use FFFFg black powder for a barrel charge in any kind of muzzleloader at any time. The only safe use for this fine priming powder is for the priming pan on a flint lock. FFFFg fine powders will cause excessive pressures and there have been cases where a barrel has burst.

Do not exceed the manufacturer's recommended maximum powder charge. The proper charge for a muzzleloading firearm is an efficient load which will provide you a consistent ignition, consistent velocity and yields a barrel chamber pressure which is well below the maximum safe levels of your firearm.

Never never lean over or stand in front of the muzzle at any time.

Never drink alcohol while shooting or hunting!!! Never smoke while loading, shooting with or handling black powder. Always follow the manufacturer's safety precautions, as listed on the container. All it takes is one spark and its going to spell disaster.

Do not pour a powder charge directly from a powder horn or flask. If there is a smoldering ember present in your barrel, it will ignite the powder charge, as its poured into the barrel, as well as in the larger container, you are pouring the powder from.

Never blow into your barrel at any time! Like you may have seen done in movies and TV shows. The reason for not blowing down the barrel between shots, by doing so could very will cause a flash of unburned powder that could burn you!!!


Have a good one
Dale in New Hampshire

Localism blog post 799 - 26 July 2010 Charlestown, New Hampshire

Proud to live in New Hampshire the Safest State in America!!!

If you would like to view how your State ranking click here summary of the CQ Press report.

Click to Discover and Explore New Hampshire with

Dale Baker

Click below to visit

Baker Home Energy Audit and Commercial Properties Inspections
PO Box 570
Charlestown, New Hampshire 03603

Office: 603-826-4207

Cell: 603-477-8072

Disclaimer: Any of the information herein may come from various sources, some of which may not be reliable and may change without any kind of notice. Dale Baker does not guarantee or is in any way responsible for the accuracy of the information in this blog and the information provided is without any kind of warranties, either express or implied. The information on this blog represents the opinions and ideas of the author; comments left by others may not express the views of the author. Dale Baker Owner: Baker Home Energy Audit and Commercial Properties Inspections. Copyright 2010 By Dale Baker-all rights reserved.

Copyright photos and Graphics by Dale Baker, all rights reserved and may not be reproduced without the written permission of Baker Home Energy Audit and Commercial Properties Inspections. If Permission is granted, you will need to link back to my website and/or blog providing your site is appropriate for all ages. Property and Copyright 1980-2010 by Baker Home Energy Audit and Commercial Properties Inspections. Thank you for respecting my creative expression and not plagiarizing.

Charlestown New Hampshire Event Old Home Day Weekend Celebration-Sullivan County New Hampshire Discover New Hampshire with Dale Baker, let the Celebration begin, this weekend 23rd, 24th, 25th of July 2010 will be full of fun for folks, familys and friends in Charlestown, New Hampshire, located in Sullivan County New Hampshire. The Old Home Day celebration kicks off at Patch Park this evening.

The line up of events of the Charlestown Old Home Day:

Friday the 23rd of July at Patch Park

Food concessions by the Charlestown Recreation Department

Glow Sticks by the Charlestown 4-H Dairy Club

Cheryl the Clown, and Fran the Magician - waling Magic at 6:30 P.M.

Bob Cunniff Orchestra at 7:00 P.M.

9:00 P.M. or dusk which ever comes first: Spectacular Fireworks Display!!! which will be put on by Atlas Pyrotechnic Co.

Note from the Charlestown Police Department:

After the Fireworks at Patch Park tonight, they intend to have traffic Exit the park in two lanes after the show. The left lane will only be able to turn left, and the right lane will only be able to turn right. They ask that you just go along with it! and if you should find yourself in the wrong lane, just stay there. You all know how to get to where you are going, it may just take you a couple of more minutes longer.

The Fort at No.4 will be open from 10:00 A.M. to 5:30 P.M. today, Saturday the 24th of July and Sunday the 25th of July to help celebrate the origins of Charlestown. We are not charging folks an admittance this weeken, however if you would like to give the Fort at No.4 a donation, it would be welcome, and much appreciated.

The Fort's parking lot will be open for fireworks parking and the Fort's grounds will be open for folks to view the fireworks. Please understand the fortifed village will close at 5:30 P.M.

Charlestown New Hampshire Event Old Home Day Weekend Celebration-Sullivan County New Hampshire Discover New Hampshire with Dale Baker, Saturday the 24th of July, Note from the Charlestown Police Department: They will be shutting off Railroad Street during the Old Home Day celebration, from the Police Department parking lot to Main Street. So folks can utiliz it for some of the activities of Old Home Day.

The Old Home Day Parade will start at 10:00 A.M., which will feature marching bands, floats, antique cars and tractors, the Fort at No.4 Militia will be in the parade, cheer us on as we pass by you. And there will be much much more to see!

11:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. Charlestown Memorabilia Display - Town - Historical Society, 12:00 P.M. Fran the Magician - Magician Show in a tent on the lawn of the Unitarian Church, 11:00 to 4:00 Music in front of the Library, featuring Contoocook Blues Society, 1:00 P.M. to 1:30 P.M. Silver Tones, 2:30 to 3:00 P.M. Silver Country, 11:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. Jim Dandies 4-H Children's Games, Face Painting, Gladiator Games, Bouncing Tent, Horse Drawn Wagon Ride - Unitarian Church lawn, 12:30 P.M. to 3:30 P.M. Four Square Church - Upstairs in Town Hall - Square Dancing, 1:00 P.M. The Elvis Experience - Village Video

11:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. Charlestown 4-H Dairy Club -Free Frappes at the Unitarian Church lawn, 11:00 A.M. Antique and Classic Cars, Antique Tractors will be parked at the Connecticut River Bank, 10:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. Chicken BBQ at the Congregational Church, Old No.4 Rod, Gun and Snowmobile Club Chicken BBQ in the Heritage parking lot, all day events Police Association - Kids and Cops, Fire Department - Kid Wash - Walk thru mister - beside library, Ladies Auxiliary - Balloons and Snow Cones, 10:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. Tours of the Old Connecticut River Bank and Vault 1880's Built in 1824 at a cost of $2,400, the Bank has served customers for 143 years. Learn about the bungled burglary of June 11, 1850 when $11,750 went missing for a few hours. All weekend Free admission to the Town Pool, Four Square Church - Watering Hole on Main Street.

Charlestown New Hampshire Event Old Home Day Weekend Celebration-Sullivan County New Hampshire Discover New Hampshire with Dale Baker, Fort at No.4 all day events Fire starting demonatrations, Baking and cooking demonstrations, 18th Century style games, Cannon Fire demonstratraions, Sutlers and blanket traders selling period wares. Besure to come and visit us down at the Fort at No.4 located at 267 Springfield Road

6:00 P.M. Charlestown High School Alumni Banquet to be held at the Senior Center, located at 233 Old Springfield Road

Sunday 25th of July: 8:00 A.M. to 10:00 A.M. Rotary Club Pancake Breakfast at Old Town Hall, 1:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M. Open House at the Little Red Schoolhouse on Acworth Road, 11:00 A.M. Morning Prayer at Fort at No.4 using the 1662 Book of Common Prayer, 10:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. Tours of the Old Connecticut River Bank and Vault

You'll be able to find facilities located at the beginning of the parade route at the Primary School, two outside of Silsby Library on Main Street, Plus the Town Hall and Silsby Librart will be open.

Come to Charlestown, New Hampshire for a fun filled weekend and help us celebrate Old Home Day!!!


Have a good one
Dale in New Hampshishire

Localism blog post 797 - 23 July 2010 Charlestown, New Hampshire

Proud to live in New Hampshire the Safest State in America!!!

If you would like to view how your State ranking click here summary of the CQ Press report.

Click to Discover and Explore New Hampshire with

Dale Baker

Click below to visit

Baker Home Energy Audit and Commercial Properties Inspections
PO Box 570
Charlestown, New Hampshire 03603

Office: 603-826-4207

Cell: 603-477-8072

Disclaimer: Any of the information herein may come from various sources, some of which may not be reliable and may change without any kind of notice. Dale Baker does not guarantee or is in any way responsible for the accuracy of the information in this blog and the information provided is without any kind of warranties, either express or implied. The information on this blog represents the opinions and ideas of the author; comments left by others may not express the views of the author. Dale Baker Owner: Baker Home Energy Audit and Commercial Properties Inspections. Copyright 2010 By Dale Baker-all rights reserved.

Copyright photos and Graphics by Dale Baker, all rights reserved and may not be reproduced without the written permission of Baker Home Energy Audit and Commercial Properties Inspections. If Permission is granted, you will need to link back to my website and/or blog providing your site is appropriate for all ages. Property and Copyright 1980-2010 by Baker Home Energy Audit and Commercial Properties Inspections. Thank you for respecting my creative expression and not plagiarizing.