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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.

Sunday, September 29, 2013

Appleton Farms, Ipswich, Massachusetts

Appleton Farms "is one of the oldest continuously operating farms in the country, established and maintained by nine generations of the Appleton family." Per their flyer.

1794 House, now used as an Office, Museum and Visitor Center on the 1,000 acre working farm.
Period room in the Visitor Center.
Updated kitchen which will used to give cooking classes, using many of the items they grow. They are even going to make pizza (note: newly purchased item on table).
Lots of trees, fields, fences, and animals such as cows and chickens. They sell homemade cheese, milk and others products here.
Entrance to the dairy and miscellaneous barns.
Above photo was taken from inside the below picture.

I'm thinking fall will be a nice time to visit again. Can't wait to see the colors.
The Bay Road 1640

Farmon, twin of Harmon, Scramlin Obituary


Copy of obituary from Gary Hanna (March 2013)

Farmon Scramlin was my first cousin 4x removed.

          Mr. Farmon Scramlin died at the
home of his son-in-law, Jay Sanstrom,
Thursday forenoon, June 30, at about
9:15. Mr. Scramlin was at work hoeing
among the out door plants at the
greenhouse Tuesday forenoon, and was
apparently in his usual health. At
about 11 o’clock he was seen at work,
and a short time later he was found
lying on the ground in an unconscious
condition. He was carried to Mr. A.
Melby’s residence where his son-in-
law lives, and medical aid summoned
all that could be done was restore
consciousness, but without avail, and
he gradually failed and he breathed
his last at the hour above stated.
Mr. Scramlin was born in Charleston,
Michigan, May 11, 1841, and in
1850 came to this county with his
parents. In June 1864 he enlisted in
Co. H, 76th Ill. Inf., and went to the
front. He served with his regiment
through the war, and at Ft. Blakely
was wounded in the right arm. At
the close of the war he returned here
and took a position as clerk in Patterson’s
hardware department, learning the tinner’s trade.
In 1871 he formed a partnership with W. Astle
in the hardware business. Later the
partnership ended and Mr. Scramlin
went into the same business in Grant
Park, remaining there seven years; he
then traveled for two years for the
Temple Pump Co. He then engaged
in farming, which he followed until
1888, when he moved into town.
During his long residence in this
city he made many friends who deeply
regret his sudden death. He was a successful
man in business as well as in farming,
and only gave up the latter when
compelled to do so on account of
the weight of years and ill health.
On October 3, 1872, Mr. Scramlin
was married to Miss Mary Lamport.
To them one daughter was born, Lura
M., the wife of J. Sanstrom. The wife
also survives him.
            Mr. Scramlin was a Mason, being a
charter member of the Grant Park
lodge, and was also a member of Worcester
Post, No. 627 G. A. R. In his death
these societies have lost a most
consistent and valued member.
            The funeral services will be held
from his late residence on West Fourth
Street tomorrow, Saturday, afternoon
At 2 o’clock.

Thursday, September 26, 2013

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.



Where the First Settlers of Newbury, Massachusetts Landed and Lived


Where the First Settlers of Newbury, MA Landed.




The names can be seen on a previous post HERE.

The above photo was taken in the summer of 2013. In late October I drove by and discovered all the shrubs had been removed.




For more on this Cemetery, see my post HERE.

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Saugus Iron Works, Saugus, Massachusetts

Saugus Iron Works, Saugus, Massachusetts
Iron works house above, ca. 1680s.

Birthplace of the American Iron Industry. Information from the Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site states "On September 17, 1954, The First Iron Works Association celebrated the grand opening of the Iron Works Reconstruction. They even brought in live oxen for the event!" This is a lovely nine-acre park, fun to stroll around, go into the reconstructed buildings, and learn. Our August 24, 2013 visit was a perfect day and I had to take a lot of photos. I couldn't decide which ones to delete.





Early photo of the park, posted on Facebook by the Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site. A more current view is above.






 
  Even though there was a Do Not Touch sign, I touched the old foundation before I saw the sign.




Saugus Iron Works, Saugus, Massachusetts
National Historic Site

Massachusetts Moments posted an article called "Winthrop Buys Passage for Ironworkers, May 5, 1643." May be seen HERE.


Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Once Again, Seeing Jones at Mt. Auburn Cemetery, Cambridge, Massachusetts -- Tombstone Tuesday


When I took the below photo in the fall of 2011, and posted it to my blog on January 24, 2012, I always knew I had to return. Two things I'd like to point out here, first while the fall colors are beautiful, and I got a perfect shot but, I didn't get the entire gravestone. In error, I didn't walk around the entire monument, and to my dismay, I discovered I had missed two other panels, with names. The other thing I did in error just happened two days ago, when I took new photos with lots of shadows from the trees. Ideally, I now like to take pictures on a cloudy day, without many trees around, but you can't always get the perfect. However, I can walk around a stone. Please scroll to see new photos.


EDWARD F. JONES
COLONEL 6TH REG MA. V. M.
FIRST IN THE FIELD
BALTIMORE APR. 19, 1861
COLONEL 26TH REG. MASS. VOLS.
BVT. BRIG. GENERAL U.S. VOLS.
LT. GOV. NEW YORK
1886 TO 1892
BORN JUNE 3, 1828
DIED AUG. 14. 1913

NETTIE
HIS WIFE
DIED OCT. 23, 1862
AGED 35
FATHER
LORENZO B. JONES
BORN 1794 - DIED 1877

MOTHER
SOPHRONIA CHAPMAN
HIS WIFE
BORN 1800 - DIED 1883

FRED C. A. JONES
BORN NOV. 17, 1822
DIED JAN. 25, 1858

ELLEN M. JONES
BORN APRIL 22, 1832
DIED MAY 23, 1852

ISABELLA JONES
BORN APRIL 25, 1837
DIED JAN. 9, 1838

Monday, September 23, 2013

Ipswich Library, Ipswich, Massachusetts

Ipswich, Essex Co., Massachusetts
Founded 1869
This was one of the first libraries I ever did research in.

As with almost all the libraries I've visited, there is a distinct original section (above and below) and the new addition, not shown here.

A Genealogists worst nightmare....Archives Closed Until Further Notice!

Through the glass door, I see the "Tan Books" on the table and storage area.
On February 1, 2014, we went back to the Library and I was able to go in. The recent photo is below.
Two historic plaques on each side of the front door (below).
DANIEL TREADWELL

Born in Ipswich, Mass.
October 10th 1791.
Professor in Harvard University.
A Generous Contributor in Books
and Funds to This Free Public Library.
Died in Cambridge, Mass.
February 27th 1872.
This Tablet is Erected to His Memory
by the Trustees of the Library That
Future Generations May Know From
Whom These Additional Gifts of Books and
Funds were Received.
AUGUSTINE HEARD

Born in Ipswich, Mass.
March 30th 1785.
A Successful Merchant in China.
Established and Endowed This
Free Public Library in 1868.
Died in Ipswich, Mass.
September 14th 1868.
This Tablet is Erected to His Memory
by the Trustees of the Library That
Future Generations May Know the
Source of This Munificent Gift.