User talk:Potvinr

Welcome
Hello Potvnr! Welcome to Wikipedia!

Here is some stuff you may want to use for your history. In particular, it shows how to reference stuff that is on the web. I will play with some formatting to show you how some is done.

A heading starts like this
You can emphasize text like this!

You cite a book in italics like this!

Wonder what this does 'Hmm'?

A subheading goes like this

 * 1) You can make certain lists with automatic numbering
 * 2) See again
 * 3) And again
 * 4) And again
 * 5) And again
 * 6) And again
 * Lists without numbers go like this
 * Lists without numbers go like this
 * Lists without numbers go like this
 * Lists without numbers go like this

When you want to sign a message you use four tildes like LymanSchool 18:13, 16 May 2007 (UTC). That just printed my login name and a date/time stamp. You reference other Wikipedia pages like this North Brookfield, Massachusetts or for a shorter name NB -- you use the '|' plus what you want to print on the screen. Generally it is easier to create articles off-line, getting the spelling correct, etc., then doing the cut/paste routine. remember to NOT use the <-- and --> arrows to change Explorer pages when you are in the editing window. You might lose you edits! Generally, we talk to each other by editing each other's talk page. It is considered bad form to edit one's home page.

Later, --LymanSchool 18:13, 16 May 2007 (UTC)

Some sample history
Early history of North Brookfield describes many dairy farms. The land was so rocky that early Americans cleared the land mostly for cattle grazing. Most plots of land retain those stonewall boundaries built in many cases, over 300 years ago.

At the turn of the 18th century, some industry moved into town. One such facility was the Matthews Fulling Mills. Rufus Putnam, one of George Washington’s engineers during the Revolutionary War, served as an apprentice millwright from 1754 to 1757.

The Matthews Mills built several canals and tunnels to support waterpower. They also used natural glacial “kettle holes” for processing. In 1770, the town became part of Dr. Thomas and Dr. Kittridge’s successful experiment to inoculate people against the deadly smallpox, which was ravaging the state. They infected persons with cowpox, a weakened version that created the antibodies necessary to obtain immunity from the deadly disease.

North Brookfield sent 150 Minutemen to the Battle of Lexington and Concord. Additionally, North Brookfield residents helped support Shays Rebellion in 1780 by hiding weapons in Ayre’s Tavern, one of the town’s oldest buildings.

At the turn of the 19th century, a shoe industry started. One of the original shoe manufacturers, Quabaug Rubber, remains on its original site.

The American poet William Cullen Bryant, lived in North Brookfield while preparing for college. He lived with his uncle Reverend Bates, the minister in town for 64 years. Bates gave his observatory to the town in the 1890's.

George M. Cohan’s grandparents lived in North Brookfield. He was a famous, actor, producer and playwright.