Life From The Roots

The Life From The Roots blog topics have changed several times since I began this blog in 2009. I initially wrote only about the family history I had been working on for 20 years. Years later, I was into visiting gardens, historical homes, churches, libraries that had genealogical collections, historical societies, war memorials, and travel/tourism places. I also enjoy posting autographs and photos of famous people I've met or have seen.

Along with my New England roots, other areas include New York, New Jersey, Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, and the Eastern Townships of Quebec, Canada.

Please check out the labels on the right side for topics (please note, they need work). Below the labels and pageviews is a listing of my top nine posts, according to Google. Four of them pertain to Lowell, MA. These posts change often because they are based on what people are reading.

Thursday, November 7, 2013

The Minutemen Marched Along This Trail

Hartwell Tavern and House, Lincoln, Massachusetts

Circa 1732-1733

"The tavern was on the main road, the "Bay Road," running from Boston through western Massachusetts out to Crown Point, N.Y. This was the road that the British troops used on April 19. The soldiers passed by the tavern on their way to Concord, and again on their way back to Boston." The above house, other buildings and about five miles of this road are all in the Minute Man National Historical Park system.

See http://www.nps.gov/mima/forteachers/the-historic-hartwell-tavern.htm

The original road where the Minutemen and British marched from Boston to Concord, and then returned to Cambridge soon after the battle at The Old North Bridge. It is now known as the Battle Road Trail. This road used to be paved, but it was removed over 20 years ago, to make it look ca 1775. It is now perfect for walking to different sites, other buildings, the Visitor's Center and to the site where Paul Revere was captured.

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Hildene Estate, Where is it? It's in Vermont.

Hildene Estate

1005 Hildene Road

Manchester, Vermont 05254

802-362-1788

http://www.hildene.org/about.html

The information below was taken from the website of Hildene. The day trip from my home in Massachusetts to Hildene took close to three hours. The October 2013 weather was warm, and there was an overflow of tourists, trying to find some fall foliage.

"Robert Lincoln built Hildene as a summer home at the turn of the 20th century. He was the only child of Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln to survive to maturity. Robert first visited Manchester as a young man in the summer of 1864 when he came to the Equinox Hotel with his mother and his brother Tad. Some forty years later he returned to purchase 400 acres of land to build what he would call his ancestral home. At the time, Robert was president of the Pullman Company, the largest manufacturing corporation in the country."

"The 400 acre estate with its Georgian revival mansion and 13 historic buildings includes the home, formal garden and observatory; Welcome Center and The Museum Store in the historic carriage barn; 1903 Pullman car, Sunbeam; a solar powered goat dairy and cheese-making facility and the lower portion, the Dene, was recently incorporated into the guest experience."

If you want to learn more about Hildene and all that it has to offer, here is their website.

As the sign says, Hildene was the summer home of Robert Todd Lincoln, son of Abraham Lincoln.

No taking of photos in the house were allowed. However, I asked if I could shoot this picture from the second floor.

Also on display is this beautifully restored Pullman Palace car. We were allowed to take photos, and I took full advantage of it. Robert Todd Lincoln was the president of the Pullman Company.

Stained glass, and you won't believe where it was. (See very bottom.*)

Ceiling (above) and Seating / Bed area (below).

Too bad it was an overcast day when we got there. Still, we enjoyed the scenery.

*The bathroom.

Sunday, November 3, 2013

Naumkeag, a Beautiful Estate in the Berkshires, Massachusetts

Side Views of the House. The sun was too bright to take other house pictures.

Plenty of places to sit and chat with a friend.

Oh the views. Can't wait to go back in the Spring.

Information about this beautiful estate, a summer retreat, was taken from the Trustees of Reservations website. Being a member, we frequently receive information about some of their many holdings. This one intrigued me, so one late September day we went to Stockbridge, Massachusetts. It didn't disappoint. Since we are members, our tour of the house was free, no interior photos allowed. I learned Naumkeag is the native American name for the people who lived in Salem, and is the original name of Salem, Massachusetts, where the Choate family lived.

"What makes Naumkeag a special place?

With its gracious house, magnificent gardens, and panoramic views, Naumkeag is a quintessential country estate of the Gilded Age.

This architectural masterpiece is, at its heart, a family home. Joseph Choate, a leading 19th-century attorney, hired the architectural firm of McKim, Mead, & White to design the 44-room “cottage,” Naumkeag, which would serve as a summer retreat for three generations of Choates.

With its views of Monument Mountain, its stunning collection of gardens created by Joseph Choates's daughter, Miss Mabel Choate, and Fletcher Steele over 30 years, its original artwork, and its shingle-style house, Naumkeag creates an unforgettable experience for visitors. Don't miss the self-guided audio tour of the Naumkeag gardens, including the Blue Steps, a series of deep blue fountain pools, flanked by four flights of stairs and a grove of white birches. Walk through the equally beautiful Afternoon Garden, Tree Peony Terrace, Rose Garden, Evergreen Garden, and Chinese Garden to encounter the playful, inventive spirit of Miss Choate and Mr. Steele."

For additional information see Wikipedia HERE.

Saturday, November 2, 2013

Reeves of Salem, Massachusetts -- Surname Saturday

A Bridge to the Past

Below is the Reeves line in my tree, another very early New England family from Salem, Massachusetts. My direct lines are in All Caps. As in the past, I'll share my sources, if you want them.

My many surnames already posted are on the right side, if you want to see them, scroll down to the Surnames.

Generation No. 1

JOHN REEVES was born 1616 in St. Andrews, Enfield, London, England, and died 1681 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts. He married JANE GREGSON BEF 1640 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts. She was born BET 1615 AND 1620 in of Duffield, Derbyshire, England, and died 4 JUN 1702 in New Haven, New Haven Co., Connecticut. He married Elizabeth BEF 1658 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts.

Children of JOHN REEVES and JANE GREGSON were:

+	2	i.	Elizabeth REEVES was born ABT 1642, and died AFT 1681.
+	3	ii.	WILLIAM REEVES was born ABT 1646 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts, and died FEB 1718 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts.
+	4	iii.	Mary REEVES was born ABT 1650 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts, and died AFT 1687.

Children of JOHN REEVES and Elizabeth were:

+	4	i.	Mary REEVES was born ABT 1650 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts, and died AFT 1687.
	5	ii.	Freeborn REEVES was born 10 JUL 1658 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts, and died AFT 1676. He married Mary FELTON NOV 1715 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts, daughter of John FELTON and Mary THOMPKINS. She was born 30 MAR 1674 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts.
	6	iii.	Benjamin REEVES was born 30 DEC 1661 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts.

Generation No. 2

Elizabeth REEVES (JOHN REEVES¹) was born ABT 1642, and died AFT 1681. She married Richard RICHARDS 16 JAN 1660 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts. He died BEF 25 JUN 1687 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts.

Children of Elizabeth REEVES and Richard RICHARDS were:

7	i.	Elizabeth RICHARDS was born 28 DEC 1661 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts.
8	ii.	John RICHARDS was born 25 MAY 1663 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts.
9	iii.	Elizabeth RICHARDS was born DEC 1665 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts.
10	iv.	Johana RICHARDS was born MAR 1668 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts.
11	v.	Mary RICHARDS was born DEC 1670 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts.

WILLIAM REEVES (JOHN REEVES¹) was born ABT 1646 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts, and died FEB 1718 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts. He married ELIZABETH COLLINS 14 MAR 1670 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts. She was born 8 APR 1648 in Salem/Lynn, Essex Co., Massachusetts, and died 7 OCT 1690 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts.

Children of WILLIAM REEVES and ELIZABETH COLLINS were:

	12	i.	William REEVES was born 1671 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts, and died OCT 1737 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts. He married Mary CARDER 19 DEC 1706. He married Sarah FOUNTAIN 23 DEC 1714 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts.
	13	ii.	John REEVES was born 12 JUL 1673 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts.
+	14	iii.	COCKEREL REEVES was born 1675 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts, and died 1757 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts.
	15	iv.	Freeborn REEVES was born ABT 1679 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts, and died 1732. He married Margaret FELTON 22 NOV 1715 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts.
	16	v.	Elizabeth REEVES was born ABT 1690 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts.

Mary REEVES (JOHN REEVES¹) was born ABT 1650 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts, and died AFT 1687. She married Ephraim KEMPTON ABT 1673 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts, son of Ephraim KEMPTON and Joanna RAWLINGS. He was born ABT 8 APR 1649 in Scituate, Plymouth Co., Massachusetts, and died BET JAN 1713 AND 12 APR 1714 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts.

Children of Mary REEVES and Ephraim KEMPTON were:

	17	i.	Ephraim KEMPTON was born 14 NOV 1674 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts.
	18	ii.	Samuel KEMPTON was born 4 MAR 1681/2 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts.

Children of Mary REEVES and Ephraim KEMPTON were:

	17	i.	Ephraim KEMPTON was born 14 NOV 1674 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts.
	18	ii.	Samuel KEMPTON was born 4 MAR 1681/2 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts.

Generation No. 3

14.

COCKEREL REEVES (WILLIAM REEVES², JOHN REEVES¹) was born 1675 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts, and died 1757 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts. He married ELIZABETH ROBINSON 17 JUL 1723 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts, daughter of JONATHAN ROBINSON and SARAH BEAN. She was born 6 SEP 1679 in Exeter, Rockingham Co., New Hampshire, and died AFT 1762. He married Judith HASIE 12 MAR 1707 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts, daughter of William HASIE and Judith w\o William HASIE. She was born 8 DEC 1689 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts, and died BEF 1723 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts.

Children of COCKEREL REEVES and ELIZABETH ROBINSON were:

+	19	i.	MARY REEVES was born BEF 12 JUL 1724 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts.
	20	ii.	John REEVES was born BEF 6 FEB 1725 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts, and died 15 SEP 1781 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts.
	21	iii.	Benjamin REEVES was born BEF 28 FEB 1731 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts, and died 15 NOV 1759 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts.

Children of COCKEREL REEVES and Judith HASIE are:

22	i.	Samuel REEVES was born BEF 2 JAN 1709 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts.
23	ii.	William REEVES was born BEF 24 DEC 1710 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts, and died 2 OCT 1796 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts. He married Mary PICKERING 16 JAN 1734.
24	iii.	Susanna REEVES was born BEF 22 MAR 1712. She married Joseph CLOUGH.
25	iv.	Elizabeth REEVES was born 20 OCT 1715 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts. She married Gabriel HOLMAN.
26	v.	Nathaniel REEVES was born BEF 2 NOV 1718 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts. He married Mercy DUDLEY.
27	vi.	Jacob REEVES was born BEF 7 AUG 1720 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts. He married Abigail Furgeson \ FERGUSON.

Generation No. 4

19.

MARY REEVES (COCKEREL REEVES³, WILLIAM REEVES², JOHN REEVES¹) was born BEF 12 JUL 1724 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts. She married RICHARD PALMER 31 JUL 1745 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts, son of RICHARD PALMER and HANNAH PICKERING. He was born ABT 1712, and died 28 SEP 1796 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts.

Children of MARY REEVES and RICHARD PALMER were:

	28	i.	Mary PALMER was born ABT 19 MAR 1749 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts. She married James BOWMAN 5 OCT 1773 in Danvers, Essex Co., Massachusetts.
	29	ii.	Richard PALMER was born ABT 1 JUL 1750 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts.
	30	iii.	Elizabeth PALMER was born ABT 11 AUG 1751 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts.
	31	iv.	William PALMER was born ABT 21 JAN 1753 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts.
	32	v.	Richard PALMER was born ABT 26 MAR 1758 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts.
+	33	vi.	LYDIA PALMER was born ABT 6 MAY 1759 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts, and died 12 JUN 1825 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts.
	34	vii.	Sarah PALMER was born ABT 13 DEC 1761 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts. She married William BURDEN 24 JAN 1790 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts.

Friday, November 1, 2013

Newburyport Public Library, Newburyport, Massachusetts -- History and Genealogy Room

Newburyport Public Library

94 State Street

Newburyport, Essex Co., Massachusetts

https://www.newburyportpl.org/

As with many other library reports I've done, I do these for the purpose of letting genealogists know what the library has as resources for them to use.

The first three photos were taken in the old section of the library. Love the two fireplaces in the same room.

Check the home page for the house of the library. Many days are 9 - 9, but be sure to double-check by calling.

The Newburyport Archival Center has special hours as shown here:

Monday-Friday: 9-12, 1-4
Saturday: 9-12, 2-4 (Saturday afternoon hours can change. Please call 978-465-4428, ext. 231 prior to your visit).

On my first visit, I was 45 minutes late when I arrived at 12:45. Be sure to call ahead to make sure they are open.

Two years later, I returned and took the following 4 photos. As you can see, it is loaded with books.

Visit the website for the Archival Center before visiting to see what they have to offer. Their link offers you online databases and resources as well as a listing of local resources, which I am showing below.

Local Resources List

The building was Built in 1771, used as a library since 1865.

As with all the other libraries in my series, I love that they kept part of or all of the original building.

Thursday, October 31, 2013

Not Just the Oath, But the Will as Well! For William Frederick Poole

On Monday, October 28th, I posted a copy of the first document in the Probate packet for William F. Poole, my 2nd great-grandfather. The packet was quite large, and I was upset that there wasn't a will. An hour later, I decided to go to his wife's file, and there in a clear sheet protector were a few papers. I could see that the first one was the Executor's Oath (see below), but what were the other documents? One of the three single pages surprised me, there it was, smack in front of me...the Will! I don't even remember receiving this, and I guess it's because it is only one page long. I couldn't believe it because he had a wife and family, so I was expecting much more. I wanted to see if there were any old Poole documents, photos, and what books did he leave to the various libraries he worked in, as the Librarian, such as the Chicago, Cincinnati and Newberry Libraries. The other two pages were my bill (for this cost) and a certification (with seal) that I had copies of the letters to his estate.

The moral of this is twofold. Don't think for a minute you will remember everything you received in March 1999. And, keep everything pertaining to a person together, don't spread the documents around. If you do, at least make a copy stating where the original is.

EXECUTOR’S OATH.

I do solemnly swear that this writing contains the true last will and testament of the within named William F. Poole deceased, so far as I know or believe, that I will well and truly execute the same by paying first the debts and then the legacies mentioned therein, as so far as his good and chattels will thereunto extend, and the law charge me that I will make a true and perfect inventory of all such goods and chattels, rights and credits, as may come to my hands or knowledge, belonging to the estate of the said deceased, and render a fair and just account of my executorship when thereunto required by law, to the best of my knowledge and abilities, so help me God.

Subscribed and sworn to before me,

ROGER C. SULLIVAN, Clerk of the Probate Court of Cook County, Fanny M. Poole

This __ day of March A. D. 1894

Roger C. Sullivan Clerk.

The Will

This is the last will and testament of me, William F. Poole, Evanston, County of Cook, and the State of Illinois. I give devise and bequeath all the real and personal estate to which I shall be entitled at the time of my deceases, unto my beloved wife, Fanny M. Poole and I appoint the said Fanny M. Poole sole executrix of this my will, hereby revoking all other testamentary writings. I direct that my said executrix shall be exempt from the necessity of giving bands.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 18th day of January, A. D. 1888.

William F. Poole (seal)

The within and foregoing instrument was signed by William F. Poole, the testator therein named, and by him declared to be his last will and testament, in the presence of me, who, at his request, and in his presence and in the presence of each other, have hereto subscribed our names as witnesses.

Daniel L. Shorey Chicago, Ill.

John J. Herrick Chicago, Ill.

William Eliot Furness Chicago, Ill.

_______________

Estate: William F. Poole
File Number: 11-5934
Docket: 033
Page: 244

Note: When I requested the file, I was billed $24, which included 39 xeroxed pages, the certification and postage.