The History of Stonewall Farm

THE BEGINNING
Stonewall Farm has a rich history which can be traced as far back as the mid-1700's. It should also be noted that the stagecoach route came through the farm where Chesterfield Road now runs during the 1800’s, and later the Cheshire Railroad bordered the property.

In 1788 John Daniels sold a portion of the acreage to his son Ezra Daniels, who is said to have been the first to build a house and live on the Pemberton property. Ezra cleared many of the trees to provide pasture for the few cows and the sheep he owned. Upon his death he bequeathed the farm to his son James Daniels, who continued clearing the land for more pasture and farming area.

James Daniels died in 1858, leaving the farm to his daughter and her husband, Louisa and Lewis Pemberton. In addition to working the farm, Lewis was a cobbler.

The stagecoach route during the 1800's came through the farm where Chesterfield Road is now.

A larger portion of the John Daniels property changed ownership several times, until Isaiah Robbins purchased it in 1832. The property remained in the Robbins family for 76 years and was eventually transferred to John R. Robbins, son of Isaiah.

In his day, John was known as one of the most eligible bachelors in the area. He worked the farm for most of his life. In 1908, the John Robbins’ property was sold and turned into a dairy by Swedish immigrants, Carl Johnson and his wife Nanny Stromgren, sometimes called “Jenny”.

Carl and Nanny had about fifty cows and created a milk delivery service in the Keene area.

At that time the farmhouse was very large with a total of 22 rooms, and the Johnson’s took in boarders during the summer months.

In May of 1910 a chimney fire completely destroyed the home and the family lived in the carriage shed that summer while rebuilding. The house was duplicated and rebuilt with just 16 rooms.

Carl and Nanny had two daughters, Jennie Johnson-Chase and Selma Johnson (Campbell-Thayer). Both daughters married and lived on the farm with their husbands Norm Chase, Sr. and Robert Campbell.

Jennie and her husband Norman had one daughter, Margaret Chase (Scarrell) born August, 1925, a son Carl, who died of pneumonia in infancy in November, 1925, and another son, Norm Chase, Jr., born October 18, 1922.

Norm, Sr. also passed away the day after Carl on December 1, 1925. At this time Margaret was 3 months old and Norm was 3 years old.

Carl Johnson died in January, 1929. Norm, started milking at the age of 7, along with his cousin Emil Campbell (son of Selma Campbell), who was almost the same age, and the rest of his family kept the dairy going.

Nanny Johnson passed away in 1948 without a will, leaving Norman at the age of 25, no choice, but to buy back the farm.

Norm Chase, Jr. married twice, first to Teal Vingeault in 1949. She died unexpectedly from pneumonia. Margaret “Peggy” Colson and Norman Chase married in 1971. Neither marriage provided Norm with an heir.

1973-1974 Norm purchased, what was known as the Pemberton property, adding a corner to two sides of the acreage.

Having strong ties to his family’s property and to farm life, Norm wanted to see the acreage remain as a working farm and not be turned into building lots. He sought a buyer who would promise to keep the farm in tact.

In 1989 Norm Chase found a buyer, Michael Kidder. Norm and Peg worked together with Mike, a friend and neighbor, to ensure that what we now know as Stonewall Farm would remain an open, productive, working landscape to benefit the neighborhood and the entire community.

Mike's passion for draft horses is what ignited the spark for the Stonewall Farm vision. He had used Belgian draft horses in the contract logging business for twelve years and was always impressed by their incredible power and grace. The purchase of the farm provided a site that was more conducive to working the horses and an avenue for Mike to preserve the ways of farming for the general public. He decided to showcase their grandeur to the public by offering horse-drawn sleigh and hayrides. These horse-drawn rides provided the roots of what is now Stonewall Farm.

With a continued vision, the educational dimension of the farm and the first maple-sugaring program for school children emerged in 1991.

In 1994 Mike Kidder received not-for-profit status for Stonewall Farm. Mike saw this move as a way of giving to the community something that would remain theirs forever.

Now through the leadership of a well-educated board, knowledgeable executive director, an excellently trained staff, and the support of the community, Stonewall Farm will remain an integral part of the Keene landscape for generations to come. We now offer programs for school and the general public and serve over 18,000 children and community members each year.

Norm, passed away on January 13, 2004 after working on and keeping the family dairy for almost 69 years. (picture)

We wish to show our appreciation to Norman Chase, Jr. and his wife Peggy for their assistance in bringing you a better understanding of just how strong a commitment Norm and his family had to the farm and his wish to see it continue as a legacy to all.

We wish to acknowledge our gratitude to Norman Chase, Jr. for his strong commitment to and preservation of traditional farm and agricultural practices.. Norman passed away in January of 2004. His legacy lives on at Stonewall Farm.