In a predominantly white town with Scots Irish history, you might not notice Black history at first glance. Nevertheless, it's there and genealogical research skills can be used to unearth it. William Hobdy was born in Virginia around 1862 and moved with his parent's, Lewis and Margaret, to Lawrence, MA. He married Maud Hogan and worked in Boston as a postal clerk for a short period of time before moving to Derry, NH. He brought the first ever ragtime ball to Derry, hosted ice cream gardens at his house, played music at local gatherings and arranged cake walk events in Lawrence and Derry. William married Maud Hogan and they adopted a daughter, Rose. It was reported that once when leaving the hospital after a 3 week stay, William stopped at the children's wards to play music. Join us to hear more about the charitable life of William Hobdy as we explore old newspapers, land deeds, census records, maps and more.
64 E Broadway, Derry NH | 03038 | (603) 432-6140 | Hours