The French Memorial
In the Spring, one of the many activities offered by the 350 the Anniversary Committee will be a photographic scavenger hunt! For three weeks in May, you and your family will have a chance to visit some of the most interesting places in our town and learn about some of the events and people that created our community. To help you get prepared, a series of short articles will be published about many of the locations which will give you “the rest of the story”. Much more information about both the hunt and the objectives will be available but as an example, here is the story of The French Memorial.
It was Jonas H. French (1829-1903), a Lt. Col. In the 30th Mass Infantry of the Union Army, who donated the watering trough in the center of town. Among other military assignments, he served as the Chief of Police during the Union occupation of New Orleans at the end of the Civil War. Lt. Col. French became a business partner with his former commanding officer, General Benjamin Butler, and created the Cape Ann Granite Mining Company at Halibut Point in Rockport MA. Although there is no positive reference to it, it would not be surprising to learn that the stone for our watering trough likely came through this source. Mr. French donated the watering trough and agreed to pay all costs, if Dunstable would supply the water, which came from a well on Chaney Hill at the corner of Pond and Pleasant Streets. The trough was designed to provide water for the weary traveler, be they man or beast by having basins at four different levels. One for horses, one for man, one for oxen and one for man’s faithful companion, his dog. Mr. French’s offer was accepted on Dec 17th, 1887, and the trough became operable in 1888.
The first member of the French family, Samuel, arrived in Dunstable in 1682 and was one of the organizers of the first church in town, and his descendants lived here for generations. French Court, a dead-end road, is found off Thorndike St. and stops just before the New Hampshire state line while French St. connects Route 113 to Thorndike St.
Calamity struck in 2004, when a speeding car lost control, struck the trough, knocked it off its foundation and twisted it. Over the years the “dog basin” had almost sunk out of sight so during the repair process, the entire trough was raised up as well as repaired. Today, an anonymous donor seasonally maintains and beautifies this distinctive reminder of our heritage and those who have served our community.