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Claude R. Batchelder

AMERICAN LEGION POST 72

Alton, New Hampshire

POST HISTORY for CLAUDE R. BATCHELDER POST NO. 72

CLAUDE R. BATCHELDER POST NO. 72, is located at 164 Wolfeboro HWY, Alton, NH 03809. The first home for Post 72 was located in downtown Alton. The history of this building is somewhat obscure. Some contend that it was an enlisted post during the French and Indian War of the Middle Eighteenth Century. This may have been in reference to another building on or near the same spot. However this does not seem plausible, as the building is not that old. Its description in the Belknap County Registry of Deeds is as follows: “A certain tract of land with the building thereon situated in Alton, known as the Cocheco House and formerly owned by George F. Savage, bounded and described as follows: ‘Commencing at the Bay Road, so called, at the southwesterly corner of the land of Calista F. Mitchell, and Running road (so called), and the highway known as the Wolfeboro Road to a point of intersection with the Bay Road to the point begun at. Excepting and reserving ten feet of land on the northerly side of the hay scales and such right as any of the public may have to use said land in front of the said Cocheco House as a highway.”

The land in question was sold by Charles Rogers from a grant on June 15, 1829 for ten dollars, to James Jewett. The Hay Scales and Aqueduct were mentioned in this transaction. It is spelled “Acquedock” in this early document. The land was then subsequently sold to Dudley Barker in 1836 and here mention is first made of a building. It may be gathered that the hall was erected around 1830. The legend of a mustering post here during the French and Indian War is thus proved almost wholly untrue. No mention is made of a building before this time in the deed, which was common practice during this time. It may be generally concluded that no post was erected at this location. However, down through the years, it has served as a meeting place for volunteers for various wars.

The Twelfth New Hampshire Regiment was recruited at this building for the Civil War through the patriotic efforts of Major George Savage who purchased the Cocheco House in 1850. In four days over one thousand men were enlisted from the community and the surrounding towns. For four years the war raged. Major Savage was wounded at Chancellorsville and his brother, Moses Henry Savage, was killed there. When it was over, approximately ten percent of the two hundred thirty one men furnished by this hamlet had been killed in action or had died from wounds received in the battle. This was more than the total number of the twentieth century wars combined. It paid its share of $62,000 of the cost of the conflict. In 1896, a monument was erected to these men “who bravely gave their lives that the nation might live.” It was erected on the square, the same spot where these men were mustered, that their names could be preserved in the annals of history forever.

Early in 1914, the Savage Home, as it came to be known, was purchased by H. Henry Savage, in memory of his father. The building had passed out of the family after the death of the elder Savage. It was owned by several people during the intervening twenty five years and kept as an inn and tavern, previously a stopping post en route to Gilmanton. Refreshments were likewise served to man and beast.

The Sons of Union Veterans and their Auxiliary were organized through the efforts of Henry W. Savage. This nationally primary organization once had a very large membership for a town of this size.

After World War I, the American Legion was established and the Alton Unit took the name of the Claude R. Batchelder Post. Mr. Claude R. Batchelder gave his life for his country in that war along with two other citizens of this community.

During the Second World War, a Civil Defense Program was continually in operation in the hall throughout the entire war. In more recent years, the post has sponsored a Boy Scout Troop and other fund raising projects, keeping true to its traditions of service to the community and our neighbors.

The Claude R. Batchelder Post No. 72 was organized in January 1920 and its first commander was Chester P. Hanson. There were ten members. The Auxiliary Unit was also formed in 1920 and its first president was Emma Adams.

The building was donated in honor and memory of Capt Moses Henry Savage, Company A, 12th Regiment, New Hampshire Volunteers by his son in 1914. In the year 2000, this property was sold due to the expansion needs of Claude R. Batchelder Post No. 72. The post’s current location, 164 Wolfeboro Highway, was an older restaurant that was purchased and remodeled to fit the posts needs.

Affiliated Organizations: A Women's Auxiliary of Batavia Post 504 was formed on November 10, 1921. The Legion has every reason to be proud of its Auxiliary, which gained statewide recognition because of its programs of service. Auxiliary members are always anxious and willing to cooperate in every Legion activity.

MEMORIAL DAY has always been an outstanding occasion in this community. In addition to memorial events throughout the Batavia the grave of every veteran of any of the wars of the country are decorated on this National Holiday. Today, jointly with Batavia's Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1197 this tradition is being carried on. If one might attempt to prophecy, in an historical account, Batavia's veteran organizations will carry on this tradition to its last man to keep MEMORIAL DAY sacred to the memory of our war dead.

ARMISTICE DAY, now called VETERANS' DAY, originally marked the end of fighting in World War One. It is an important holiday on the calendar of Legionnaires everywhere and in the hearts of all veterans. It has been in Batavia. Annually the Post sponsored the Armistice Day Parade. An important tradition was established when the Post led in the memorial exercises at 11 o'clock on the morning of November 11, marking the exact hour of the cessation of hostility on the war fronts. Today, together with VFW Post 1197, Batavia's Post 504 solemnly observes this tradition.

REGISTRATION OF GRAVES: Since its inception Batavia Post 504 has been a leader in this County in the area of graves registration, which has been incorporated by all the American Legion Posts in Kane County. Grave Registration enables all interested parties to locate the site of the grave of each veteran. Batavia Post 504 acquired a burial lot in West Batavia Cemetery and this has been marked by the erection of a massive monument marking it as the burial lot for service men without kin. Each year, together with the VFW, active members of both organizations place a flag on each veteran's grave.

BATAVIA CARES: During the Vietnam War Batavia Post 504 initiated a program called "BATAVIA CARES" Four times a year we sent packages to our fighting men in Vietnam containing man supplies, plus money to each veteran. Many legion posts began to use our program as a model and we were cited by the National Headquarters. Today, spearheaded by Batavia's VFW Post 1197, the BATAVIA CARES programs is reaching our active men and women. Its success has been guaranteed by the overwhelming participation of the entire Batavia community.

SCHOLARSHIP AND COMMUNITY PROJECTS: Batavia Post 504 Sponsors various scholarships for the further education of our children. We also sponsor and financially assist many worthy community projects and programs initiated by the National American Legion.

JOIN US AND KEEP THIS HISTORY ALIVE.