Memorial Tablets, Revolutionary War and Civil War, Stow, Massachusetts

These Tablets

Are Erected

by the

Town of Stow

on its

Two Hundredth Anniversary May 16, 1883

in Commemoration of the Valor

and Devotion of its citizens who aided

in Achieving American Independence

and Extending the Liberty

and Preserving the Unity of Our Country

and Who Died in Their Country's Service

___

SOLDIERS IN THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR

___

John Gordon

Died in Camp at Cambridge June 19, 1775

Daniel Gates

Died Jan 20, 1778

Ephraim Gates

Died March 19, 1778

Stephen Hale

Died July 2, 1778

Benjamin Gates

Died July 9, 1778

SOLDIERS IN THE CIVIL WAR ENDING AUG. 20, 1866

Winfield H. Benham

May 18, 1863 New Orleans

John Brown

Sept. 5, 1864 Point Lookout VA

John Alpheus Brown

Dec. 8, 1864 Winchester VA

Thomas Cunningham

Oct. 30, 1864 Saulsbury Prison N.C.

Edward Andrew Davidson

Nov. 9, 1864 Baltimore, MD

William Henry Dunlap

Jan. 13, 1863, New York

Samuel Hampton

June 5, 1864 Rebel Prison

Albert Mordough Kinsbury

Aug. 31, 1864 Gaines Mill VA

Daniel Artemas Lovering

June 3, 1864 Cold Harbor VA

Francis William Moore

April 19, 1863 New Orleans

Albion Nutting

Oct. 14, 1864 Washington D.C.

George Whitmarsh Parks

July 2, 1863 Gettysburg Penn

Charles F. Perry

Mar 18, 1863

James Rye

Mar 4, 1864 Vienna VA

Abraham Foster Rogers

Aug. 5, 1862 Baton Rouge LA

Matthew Smith

Dec 2, 1864 Danville VA

Joseph Albert Swift

Oct 12 1864 Winchester VA

Albert Walcott

Apr 15, 1864

George Franklin Whitcomb

Jan 2, 1865 Saulsbury Prison N.C.

Thomas Whitman

June 19, 1862 Fair Oaks VA

Henry Windsor Wilder

Sept 1, 1864 Winchester VA

George Willis

Sept 1, 1862 Chantilly, VA

The tablets are on the left and right walls in the Stow, MA Library shown below. More photos and blog post about Library may be seen HERE.

Newberry Library, A Bust and Portrait of my Ancestor Taken by Diane Boumenot

I wrote about the Library in my post, "A Library, A Librarian and Two Cousins" three years ago this month, and have always wanted photos of the interior. My genealogy friend and blogger, Diane Boumenot who writes the blog, One Rhode Island Family mentioned she was going to go to the Newberry Library in Chicago if she had time during a conference. I asked if she did, could she take photos for me. She did a year ago, and I am just now posting them. Thank you, Diane.

My ancestor was the first Librarian at the Newberry, and Diane was aware of that. Below are a bust and portrait of him, William Frederick Poole.

 

The Library stands on the site
formerly occupied by the
Mahlon D. Ogden residence
the only house in the path of
the great fire of 1871
which was not burned.

Presented by the General Henry Dearborn Chapter
Daughters of the American Revolution
1929

Poole's Index of Periodical Literature was written by my 2nd great-grandfather.

Be Sure to Thank Your Friends

The book I received through the Inter-Library Loan, and the 28-page numbers for my ancestor.

Back in February 2013, blogger and friend, Cynthia Shenette, writer of the Heritage Zen blog, went on a business trip/vacation with her husband to San Diego, CA, 3,000 miles from my MA home. With a bit of free time, she decided to do some research at a major library. Not finding much on her family, she remembered that mine had ties to San Diego since he was a very early surveyor. She spoke to the librarian about books on surveyors and was led to their selection. One book, Lay of the Land, The History of Land Surveying in San Diego County by Michael J. Pallamary, PLS mentions my ancestor was named on 28 pages. Cindy then took quite a few photos and sent them to me.

Of course, I had to get my hands on that book, but it wasn't in any local library. As a matter of fact, WorldCat only listed 6 locations. The light bulb went on, and I went to my nearest library to see about ordering it through the Inter-Library Loan (ILL). I was extra lucky because, CG and Librarian, Christine Sharbrough ordered it for me. Within weeks it arrived and I went to all 28 pages, and read.
It has been over half a year since I've looked at the book, and I'm finally getting around to publicly thanking Cindy for using some vacation time to try and find something for me. She went above at the library in San Diego, and it was such a nice thing to do. If you want to keep your friends, please don't do as I did, and put it on the back burner. I am fortunate that she still claims me as a friend, and tomorrow, we are meeting for our 3rd annual outing, and all three have had nothing to do with genealogy. Thanks, Cindy.

An Ancestor, FB friend Pam, and the Cincinnati Library, 1874

On June 5th, I wrote Facebook and blogger friend, Pam Seavey Schaffner (blogger of Digging Down East, who currently lives in Cincinnati to see if she could help me out. Earlier that day, I discovered on a google search, a historical marker is in front of the Cincinnati Library, and it mentioned my 2nd great-grandfather! I wondered if Pam would be able to take a photo of the marker. The next day, she did as well as other photos, which are below. Thanks, Pam.

Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County
The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County's new Main Library that opened in 1955 at the corner of Eighth and Vine was post-war America's first major central public library. It was dedicated as a memorial to the servicemen and women from Hamilton County killed while in the Armed Forces. Its boldly modern "International Style" exterior was the work of local architect Woodie Garber, and its consumer-oriented "department store of knowledge" layout was the creation of Librarian Carl Vitz. The 1955 "New Main" garnered national attention and architectural praise for its sidewalk "store" entrance, generous use of glass, bright colors, rooftop terraces, and serpentine brick garden wall. Additions in 1982 and 1997 quadrupled the size of the Main Library. 

 Books in the park, located in front of the Library.

Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County
Among the first in America, Cincinnati's public library dates from March 14, 1853. A public reading room opened in 1856, but funding remained a problem until 1867 when local school board president Rufus King II secured legislation for a renamed Cincinnati Public Library. In 1869, King lured leading librarian William Frederick Poole to organize Cincinnati as a national model for the growing public library movement. Poole designed 19th century America's most advanced library at 629 Vine Street, which fully opened in 1874. Becoming a countywide system in 1898, the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County was a pioneer in the 20th century with special services for the blind and for children, bookmobile services, and circulation of audiovisual materials. (continued on other side)

Above photos taken by Pam Seavey Schaffner

In addition, I ordered the book, "Free and Public: One Hundred and Fifty Years at the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, 1853-2003" by John Fleichman. Thanks, Pam for suggesting this.

Speaking of books, my above ancestor wrote, "The Construction of Library Buildings" now a Google book, for free.

Regarding the book cover picture, Mr. Poole wrote, "3. I object, in the third place, to the shelving of books in galleries under any circumstances, and especially in this instance, where the alcoves are piled one upon another six stories high. I may group my objections under three heads:

(a) Because galleries are a wasteful expenditure of the physical strength of attendants in climbing stairs and of the time of readers in waiting for their books." Thank goodness people listened to him." And, on Page 23, "Mr. Poole's plan of a fireproof library is highly original and deserving of serious consideration by those who have occasion to erect new library buildings.

Update: In June 2014, my above mentioned Pam sent me an online article about the Library, called, "Seriously though, how did the most Beautiful Library in America get Demolished" by MessyNessy, June 17, 2014.

Early Honors, or Distinguished Tributes

Certain things catch my eye while researching and at that instant I know I must find out more. While looking through a listing of burials at the Salem Street Cemetery in Salem, Massachusetts, I came across death information about Nathaniel Ward, who died at the age of 23. That wasn't all that caught my eye, it was the large paragraph showing the inscription on his headstone. My fourth great-granduncle was the Librarian at Harvard University! A 23-year-old, having that job is quite impressive, so I set out to discover more.

I discovered from a listing of Graduates of Harvard University, Nathaniel received his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1765, he was about 19.

Bibliographical contributions of the Librarians of Harvard University, Vol. 4, issue 52 : 29, provided the following sad information:

1768.

"Nathaniel Ward, dying 12 October 1768, just a week after his appointment as Librarian of Harvard, was a young man of unusual promise. The papers of the time with one accord deplored his death. The Essex Gazette said: "Few young Gentlemen ever received such early Honors, or distinguished Tributes to superior accomplishments; fewer so well deserved them."

Nathaniel Ward was born at Salem, 29 July 1746, the son of Miles and Hannah (Hathorne) Ward. He took his degree of A.B. in 1765, followed by the degree of A.M. He was particularly fond of mathematics in college, and was offered the chair of mathematics and natural philosophy at King's (now Columbia) College, New York. This offer he declined, as well as a vacant tutorship in Cambridge. The office of Librarian at Harvard accepted and was looking forward with great pleasure to his duties when he was prostrated with a fever which proved fatal. He was to have married Priscilla, youngest daughter of President Holyoke. Among the tributes in the Boston Weekly Xeics-letter is the following: "Of an open and frank disposition, his mind was elevated above everything mean and groveling, and his whole conduct discovered the Benevolence of his Soul."

He is buried in the Charter Street Cemetery  Salem, where the Latin inscription over his grave is still to be seen. The calculations, transits, etc., for the 1769 edition of the "Essex Almanac" were made by Mr. Ward.

Authorities: Essex inst. Hint. Collection*, ii.206, (article by B. F. Browne). Essex Gazette, 18 Oct. 1768."

"Ward, Nathaniel Born July 29, 1746, Died October 12, 1768 age 23 years. The son of Miles and Hannah (Hathorne). The inscription on his headstone reads as follows: "In this grave are the deposited remains of Nathaniel Ward AM. Late librarian of Harvard College, whom penetrating genius, improved by extensive Acquaintance, with liberal arts and sciences rendered superior to most; his native good sense, and literary accomplishments, attracted universal notice, while amiable disposition, and social virtues, especially his singular frankness and dissembled benevolence, gained him esteem and love of all. He was a dutiful son and affectionate brother, a faithful friend and an agreeable companion. Sincere toward God, crowned his other virtues, and promised a life eminencely useful, but blasted hope. In vigor or youth amidst happy prospects, cut off by raging fever. He breath forth his soul October 12 in the year 1768 aged 23." From: Carlson, William Compiler. Charter Street Cemetery Burial Records: Salem, Massachusetts. Salem, MA: Higginson Book Co., 2009. Page 59.

Additional information:
His parents outlived Nathaniel by 24 or more years.

Nathaniel was the great-granduncle of William Frederick Poole, one of the most well-known of all Librarians in America.

Once the weather turns warm, I'll locate Nathaniel's stone, read, compare the inscription to the above, and take photos.

Not all are Tan (Massachusetts Vital Records Series)

Many genealogists doing early Massachusetts research will probably use the Vital Records, either on microfilm or in book form. The books are often referred to as the "Tan Books." However, as indicated by the photos below, that term may not make much sense in the future. As I've been revisiting the majority of the libraries for my Library series, I've noticed a change. The "Tan Books" are changing color. The orange books are from the Chelmsford, MA library, and the black ones from Lowell, MA. In addition, I've seen blue and green bound books. I'm not sure if the library is deciding on the colors when they are rebound, maybe I'll ask. All I want you to be aware of is the fact that they are not all tan.

From Archive Publishing, their description of the Massachusetts Vital Records to 1850 is below.

PRINTED VITAL RECORDS FOR 2/3 OF STATE

Are you searching for names in Massachusetts? If so, maybe you've already looked through the tan books of the old printed series of vital records to 1850. This series, published nearly a hundred years ago for 210 of the 350 or so Massachusetts towns and cities, lists births, marriages, and deaths for the earliest settlers, and continues through 1849.

 

SOURCE OF DATA

Most of the data come from original records safeguarded in town halls, sometimes supplemented with facts from church, cemetery, court, or family bibles. Because the information comes from such a diverse group of sources, many now missing; these books, compiled years ago as a secondary source, sometimes now serve as the only link to primary-source documents.

 

VALUE OF PRINTED RECORDS

Not only do these volumes contain valuable data, but they are easy to use; being printed, with names arranged alphabetically, cross-referenced to alternate spellings, and placed in categories of births, marriages, and deaths. Further, though not entirely error-free, these records are remarkably accurate. 

_____________

An example of a book is for Dana is below. It gives you an idea of what is included. (Some larger towns, like Salem, MA have six volumes, two for births, for marriages and deaths.) Regarding Dana, Massachusetts, unfortunately, the town (with others) was flooded to make way for the Quabbin Reservoir in 1938. The entire Dana Vital Records book is online, maybe seen.

.

 

Sights and Flowers of New York City in April

A beautiful and warm day on April 21, 2012, to walk around New York City to see familiar sights.

Radio City.

Inside Trump Towers, on an escalator, opposite mirrors and pink granite.

The NBC studios at Rockefeller Square (above) and inside Saint Patrick's Cathedral (below).

I was here on a very warm April day, everybody was out to enjoy the weather.

Bryant Park with popular Carousel and pink roses.

Skaters at Rockefeller Square, and lots of flowers in the plaza.

 New York Public Library on 5th Avenue.

 Pretty fancy public water fountain.

 Empire State Building as seen from inside the New York Public Library.

 The main reading room is called the Rose Room.