GEORGE E. JOY

1850 - 1909

Sudden Death of One of Newmarket’s Best Known Citizen  —

Newmarket Advertiser, Friday, October 1, 1909, pg 1.

The entire community was shocked and saddened by the sudden death of George E. Joy, which occurred at about six o’clock Wednesday evening. Mr. Joy hurt his ankle a few weeks ago, and in consequence was in the habit of riding to and from his work.  Wednesday he was being driven home as usual, and when near the drinking fountain in North Square he was suddenly seized with a severe pain near his heart and told the driver he was in terrible distress and asked him to stop the horse. No sooner had the driver complied with his request than Mr. Joy threw up his arms and toppled over in his seat, dying almost instantly.  His physician gives the cause of his death as heart failure resulting from kidney disease.

                                                                                                 (photo: George E. Joy, NHS# P.66.4)

George Eben Joy was the son of Eben and Mehitable M. (Doe) Joy, and was born in Newmarket Dec. 15, 1850.  He attended the public schools and when about fifteen years of age he entered the employ of the Newmarket Manufacturing Company as a clerk in the office (1)*. 

In 1880 he was promoted to Yard Master, and later to head of the Shipping Department, which position he held to the day of his death. For nearly 43 years he had served the company faithfully and efficiently, and his place will be hard to fill.

Mr. Joy had long been an active member of the Congregational church and was an energetic worker in all the affairs of the church and society. Possessed of a remarkably sweet tenor voice, he sang for many years in the choir, and at social functions and entertainments he was in great demand as a singer. Especially in the house of mourning were his services often required and he always cheerfully complied. (2)*

 Of a genial obliging disposition, he was universally loved, and was esteemed by all for his sterling character and integrity.  No man will be more missed in the community than will be George E. Joy.

(photo: Newmarket Manufacturing Company Cotton Book, an accounting of cotton bales purchased 1893-1897.  NHS # 13-01.10, gift of Bucky Bailey)

Mr. Joy was an enthusiastic member of the New England Order of Protection, and was a Past Warden of Piscataqua Lodge No. 72 of this town, and at the time of his death was secretary of the lodge, a position he had held for nearly twenty years.  He was a Past Grand Warden of the state and a member of the supreme lodge.  He was also a member of John J. Hanson Camp, Sons of Veterans  (3).

He held the office of camp musician, as  Mr. Joy was a cornet player of no mean ability and at various times he has been a member of different local bands and orchestras.  At the time of his death he was also a member of the Newmarket Cornet Band. 

(photo: George Joy’s Cotton Book, details every purchase of a bale of cotton. He lists dates, plantation, or storehouse between 1893 and 1897.)

March 15, 1879, Mr. Joy married Abbie S. Gilman of this town, who died September 14, 1907.  He is survived by three brothers: Timothy M. Joy of Minneapolis, Minn., Edward Joy of Boston and Charles F. Joy of North Attleboro, Mass;  also two sisters, Mrs. Martha Higbee of Meriden, Conn., and Mrs. Ida Murray of Kansas City, Mo.   His sisters were here visiting him at the time of his death, which is a terrible blow to them, as well as all his relatives.

The funeral will be held at the house Sunday afternoon at 2 o’clock.

(1)    George’s brother Timothy was 5 years older and employed as a clerk at the Newmarket Manufacturing Company.  He worked directly as an assistant to then Agent George E. Frost.   Frost was later commissioned as a Colonel in the US Army during the Civil War – due to his business experience, his first-hand knowledge of the cotton plantations in the south, and his organizing capability.  “Frost was no stranger to the ports of Louisiana.  Prior to his enlistment, he travelled on business for the Newmarket Manufacturing Company to the Cotton Mills to Louisiana, as late as 1862 accompanied by Timothy M. Joy acting as his assistant clerk.”

(2)     George Joy’s name is printed fairly regularly in obituaries published by the Newmarket Advertiser between 1900 and 1909.  He sang at just about every funeral service for Civil War Veterans, Sons of Civil War Veterans and theitr families, Congregational parishoners,  or fellow musicians.

(3)    –George was a member of the Sons of Veterans of the Grand Army of the Republic. His father Eben (Ebenezer) Joy   enlisted in the Union Army on 5 Sep 1862 at age 44 as a Private in Company D, 15th Infantry. Eben mustered in 8 Oct 1862; discharged 13 Aug 1863 as his term of service expired.  He was born, resided in and credited to Newmarket.  His military record indicates that he was born 1818; however other records show he was born 30 Nov 1812; he died 15 Sep 1889 in Newmarket. (Father= Timothy Joy; Mother =Mary French). He married Mehitable Doe on 28 Feb 1833, (she was the daughter of Eben Doe & Sally Taw).

(photo- bales of cotton taken by horse cart to the mills. NHS # 71.92.13)

“The Newmarket Manufacturing Company received 944 bales of cotton during the past week, which are now stored in various storehouses for future use”.

Newmarket Advertiser 26 Feb 1910—