The Death of William H. Armstrong

The Armstrong Homestead Windham NH

WINDHAM, November, 1915.— “In the death of William H. Armstrong, which occurred last Thursday, the 11th, the town has lost one of its old and well known residents and a representative of one of its early and prominent families. He was the son of John Davidson Armstrong, of Bedford, and was born in that town November 29, 1840, consequently he had nearly reached the age of 75 at the time of his death. In 1861 he married Elizabeth, the daughter of his cousin, Samuel Armstrong, and settled on the ancestral Armstrong farm here, which was thereafter his home. (Just to make clear, David Armstrong, was the first Armstrong on the property and he was the thrice great-grandfather of Elizabeth, who married her cousin William, who then took over the property.) The house built in 1762, according to Morrison’s history, has been changed but little from its original appearance. Besides farming, Mr. Armstrong for many years drove a butcher’s cart through town. Whenever a customer would chose an item from his cart, will would say, ‘Its delicious, I had some myself for breakfast.’ His size indicated he may have been telling the truth. He was of genial disposition and in his bluff way was a friend to all. In politics he was a staunch Democrat. Three sons and one daughter survive, all residing here. Urvin S., Eugene W., Almy A., and Edna M., who has been her father’s faithful house-keeper, his wife having died many years ago. The funeral on Sunday afternoon was attended by a large number of neighbors and townspeople. The service was conducted by Rev. A.L. Dunton.” The house is still standing on Londonderry Road.