If you are interested in joining the association or learning more please contact Terrill Covey, chair of the membership committee at tmjcovey@gmail.com or Facebook Messenger or phone (603) 988-1322.
David H. and Mary F. Tewksbury Family Association
The purpose of the Association shall be to perpetuate the memory of David H. and Mary F. Tewksbury by forming a closer bond of friendship and cooperation among the descendants and their spouses and to maintain the homestead known as Windhaven.
Membership in the Association is open to any direct descendant of David H. and Mary F. Tewksbury, their spouses and children, whether natural, adopted or stepchildren.
Our donor website just got an upgrade!
We are excited to announce that the Tewksbury Family Association has moved to a new platform called Zeffy. Our goal is to make your experience as a member or donor completely seamless.
What this means for you:
- Convenient Tools: When you renew your membership or donate through our new site, you’ll get an instant e-receipt and a digital membership card. From your receipt, you can even create a login to track your giving history.
- 100% Impact: Zeffy is built specifically for non-profits and charges the Association 0% in fees. This means every dollar you give goes directly to the Tewksbury Family Association.
- Modern Payment Options: We now accept all major cards and digital wallets. For those who prefer checks, the ACH Bank Transfer option at checkout is how you have the option to “send a digital check” and save a stamp! Woohoo!
FAQ:
- Is there a cost? No. You will always see a separate donation for Zeffy at checkout added to your total. Zeffy does this to help them keep their platform free for non-profits, but this is entirely voluntary and you can remove the additional donation manually.
- Can I still use Venmo/Paypal or Zelle? Yes, these platforms can be used to make donations and to pay dues.
Association Membership Drive
We are excited to announce that in response to suggestions from several family members the Tiered Donations model leading to Association membership is now active. Membership in the Association is open to any direct descendant of David H. and Mary F. Tewksbury, their spouses and children, whether natural, adopted or stepchildren. We encourage everyone to engage at the highest level they are able, as maintaining Windhaven as a cherished community resource comes with ongoing expenses. The membership year runs from July 1 to June 30.
Tiered Donation Model:
Benefactor $500
- Reflects the financial needs of the Association to keep and maintain Windhaven beyond breaking even.
- Stabilizes our financial future and fully covers operating costs including electricity, taxes and insurance.
- Supports a maintenance reserve fund for anticipated recurring upkeep of a 200 year old structure
- Benefactor Donors can vote, attend annual and Board of Directors meetings and serve on Association committees as members of the association.
Sustainer $250
- Accounts for the Association’s average yearly operating costs (i.e. breaking even) covering electricity, taxes, insurance, lawn care and minor maintenance projects. Sustaining donors support the year to year expenses of the association.
- Sustainer Donors can vote, attend annual and Board of Directors meetings and serve on Association committees as members of the association.
- Sustainer donation amount may vary year to year based on projected funds required to meet the operating expenses of keeping Windhaven including taxes, insurance, electricity and miscellaneous fees.
Advocate $125
- Make a meaningful contribution to keeping the legacy of Windhaven in the Tewksbury family. This tier would cover three months of electricity or five days of the operating cost of Windhaven.
- Advocate Donors can vote, attend annual and Board of Directors meetings and serve on Association committees as members of the association.
Supporter $90
- Contribute to keeping Windhaven in the family
- Donation covers about 4 days of operating cost of Windhaven
- Supporter donors can serve on Association committees, attend the annual meeting of the association and access Windhaven if eligible for association membership.
- Does not have voting privileges.
Patron $50
- Contribute to keeping Windhaven in the family
- Donation covers one month of electricity or two days operating cost of Windhaven.
- Patron donors can serve on Association committees, attend the annual meeting of the association and access Windhaven if eligible for association membership.
- Does not have voting privileges.
Donations at less than a membership level ($125) will be monitored by the treasurer and cumulative totals will count towards member status. Donation Form
Payment Options:
- Checks or money orders payable to the “Tewksbury Family Association” and mailed to the Treasurer.
- PayPal.Me/DMTFA using email address tfawilmot@gmail.com if requested.
- Venmo uses @bond-davis-2 as payee.
- Zelle uses tfawilmot@gmail.com as payee.
- Credit card or debit card use Zeffy (https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/organizations/david-h-and-mary-f-tewksbury-family-association)
Upcoming Events
Board of Directors Election: The Board of Directors will be elected at our annual meeting scheduled for Sunday, July 12. All members of the Association are eligible to vote. This year, we have open positions for president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer, and two directors.
Upcoming Reunion: Our Reunion is set for the weekend of July 18 and 19. The Blueberry Brunch will be at 11:00 am on Saturday and the Annual Picnic at 12:30 pm on Sunday, July 19. Click for more information.
Auction for Association Fundraising: Pearle Butler has crafted a beautiful full-sized old-fashioned crazy quilt to be auctioned off during the reunion, with proceeds benefiting the Association. Bidding is currently open! You can place your bids on the family page on Facebook, by messaging Pearle directly, or by contacting her via text (802-793-3793) or email (danprlebutler@aol.com).
50/50 Raffle: Pearle will also be organizing a raffle at reunion this year. The grand prize will be 50% of the proceeds of the ticket sales. Additional prizes will be added. Please let Pearle know if you have any prizes to donate. Tickets will be $1 each or 6 for $5.
Let's share our thoughts about Windhaven
Most of us who have had the opportunity to visit Windhaven once or multiple times have stories we could tell. If you would share your story with tewksburysecretary@gmail.com we’ll start to share on this page.
Front Parlor Ceiling Project
The sagging plaster ceiling and lath was removed by a dedicated crew of volunteers on Saturday, May 16. Many old mouse nests came down with the lath but the discovery of the original beams was remarkable. Some of the beams still had the tree bark attached after almost 200 years!
The association will decide in July whether to seal the exposed beams or to replace the ceiling with gypsum board. Many thanks to all who have participated in the project.
-
- Anne
-
- Henry
-
- Preston
-
- James & Terrill
-
- Beams
Take the time to look up! Windhaven is perfect to avoid light pollution!
Photos shared by Mike Covey
Recent Donations to the Association
Jane B. Clee
Marla Edson
Barbara Erickson
Jess & Nate Gidding support the website
Anne & Henry Jedraszczak
John H. Turner
Association Calendar
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
Virtual Summer Board Meeting | Sunday, June 28, 2026 at 7:00 PM Eastern |
2026 Virtual Annual Meeting of the Association | Sunday, July 12, 2026 4:00 PM Eastern |
2026 Annual Family Reunion Weekend | July 18 and 19, 2026 at Windhaven |
Mary Frances and David Henry Tewksbury
Mary Frances Langley
Mary was born July 18, 1846 to Andrew “Blacksmith” Langley and Lois Sanborn in N. Wilmot, NH. They lived on the Piper Pond Road. Mary’s occupation was listed as a school teacher when she was married to David Henry Tewksbury on July 18, 1866 by his stepfather Rev John M. L. Babcock in Springfield, NH.
To raise extra money Mary would knit toes and heels into socks from the Sulloway Hosiery Mill in Franklin, NH for $0.20 per dozen pair. Once the mill found a way to knit on the toes and heels in two parts, Mary would sew the parts together with a darning needle with a designated stitch with yarn furnished by the mill. For this she was paid $0.10 a dozen pairs.
Sheep were raised on the farm and some wool was sold and some was cleaned, carded at the mill and shaped into balls. Mary would spin the wool into yarn and knit mittens and socks. Mary was a consummate reciter of poetry from memory. She had great musical ability and a splendid alto voice. She liked to go berry picking barefoot for any kind of berries. She would make pies and gems for breakfast and berries and milk for supper.
Tradition tells us that Mary would mark her pies with TM. For the mince pies, it meant “tis mince” and for the other pies it meant “taint mince.” Some of her descendants continue this tradition at Thanksgiving.
Seldon said the children referred to Mary as Marm. Mary died January 5, 1929 in Manchester, NH. She is buried in the Tewksbury Cemetery in N. Wilmot, NH.
David Henry Tewksbury
David was born to Miriam Tewksbury and Israel Perrin on January 26, 1844. His parents were married February 26, 1842. It was discovered that Israel was already married and they separated. David was adopted by his grandfather, Henry Tewksbury, Jr. His mother married Reverend John Martin Luther Babcock, a Free Will Baptist minister and a widower with a child, Martha Anna Babcock on April 5, 1849. He had four half siblings, Lilla Babcock, Sophia Babcock, Charles S. Babcock and Milton Babcock.
David served in the 4th Regiment NH Volunteer during the Civil War. The rheumatism he suffered later in life was thought to be related to sleeping on the ground during the war. In the 1860’s and 1870’s he worked as a section hand on the railroad. On the farm, David kept a few sheep and used oxen to work the land. David planted potatoes, corn and beans for the family to use and some to sell or swap for groceries. They also grew watermelons and muskmelons.
Blanche remembered her father as a hard working man, really talented in some respects having had few educational advantages. He had a fine talent for dramatic lines and was very generous. Buy a bushel of potatoes from him and he would throw in a peck for good measure. Blanche says he had a musical ear but couldn’t carry a tune. Some of her older siblings spoke of him as being a bit severe in discipline but to Blanche he was always gentle and jovial. David liked to dress up and play Santa Claus at Christmas.
David married Mary Frances Langley on July 18, 1866. He worked as a farmer most of his life. He died April 13, 1897 and is buried in the Tewksbury Cemetery in N. Wilmot, NH.
Please direct any corrections or ideas for additional content to Cheryl Davis at cluisedavis@gmail.com.