Distinguished Hampstead Citizens

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William L.S. Tabor is the only resident of Hampstead to receive the Congressional Medal of Honor, our country's highest award for bravery during combat. 

Tabor was born in Methuen, MA in 1843 and lived in Hampstead when he enlisted to serve in the Civil War in Company K, 15th New Hampshire Infantry. He served in the 15th N.H. Infantry Regiment in 1862-63 and in the N.H. Navy Artillery Regiment from 1864-65.

Tabor was awarded the Medal of Honor for his action in the Siege of Port Hudson in Port Hudson, Louisiana in July 1863. He was honored on 10 Mar. 1896 in Concord, NH and his citation reads "Voluntarily exposed himself to the enemy only a few feet away to render valuable services for the protection of his comrades." 

After serving 2 tours in the war, Tabor returned to Hampstead and later took up residency in Derry where he passed away in 1921.

See Wikipedia: William L.S. Tabor  for more information.

Harriette Eliza Noyes was a member of one of founding families of the town of Hampstead. She gave the Historical Address at the 150th Anniversary of the town on July 4, 1899 at. In 1899 and 1902, she published the most comprehensive historical record of Hampstead in a two volume set called A Memorial of the Town of Hampstead, New Hampshire. This set not only includes historical information, photos, and sketches that she collected, but the proceedings of the 150th anniversary celebration and a reprinting of the proceedings and address of I.W. Smith from the 100th anniversary celebration.

These volumes are available at the Hampstead History Museum, the Hampstead Public Library, and online at the links below:

A Memorial of the Town of Hampstead, New Hampshire : Historic and Genealogic Sketches. Proceedings of the Centennial Celebration, July 4th, 1849. Proceedings of the 150th Anniversary of the Town's Incorporation, July 4th, 1899. (Volume 1)

A memorial history of the town of Hampstead, New Hampshire : Volume II, Congregational Church 1752-1902, With an Appendix to Vol. I.

"Maurie" was a lifelong resident of Hampstead, NH. A retired electrician, Maurie loved the town of Hampstead, where he was the Town Historian and President of the Hampstead Historical Society. He was a former Chairman of the Hampstead School Board, a member of the Planning Board and the Hampstead Fire Department. He was also very active in Hampstead Little League. He was a US Navy veteran, serving during the Korean War. 

 Maurie, along with his father, was responsible for saving much of the History of Hampstead. Maurie reported that the town's historical documents had been distributed for safekeeping among the residents living on Main street. The Town was afraid of fire, as many other towns had lost their important historical documents to fire. This way a single fire could not destroy all of the town's documents. Typically kept in the attic, over time, these "old papers" sometimes ended up being left out on the street for trash collection. First his father, then Maurie, would walk up and down the street, before trash day, retrieving any valuable papers from the rubbish.  In this way, Hampstead still has the hand-written sermons of the Reverend Henry True, the town's first permanent minister, who came to Hampstead in 1752. 

Maurie published the book History of Hampstead New Hampshire in 1999 which is available at the Hampstead Public Library as well as for purchase for $25 at the Hampstead Historical Museum. Click here to learn more about this book.

Rob Morris is a lifetime resident of Hampstead and the current President of the Hampstead Historical Society and the Chairperson of the Hampstead Historic/Heritage Commission.