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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.

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Call and Skinner of Malden, MA -- Tombstone Tuesday


HERE LIES Ye BODY
OF THOMAS CALL
JUNIr AGED ABOUT
45 Yrs DECd NOUEr
1678

Here Lyes ye Body

of Ms Lydia
Skiner Wife to
Mr Thomas Skiner
Formally Wife to 
Mr Thomas Call
Who Decd Decem
ye 17th 1723 Aged
about 87 Years *

*Lydia was married to Thomas Skinner, as his second wife. Thomas was my 9th great-grandfather. Thomas Call was her first husband.

Sunday, February 17, 2013

Pabodie of England, Massachusetts and Rhode Island -- Surname Saturday

Photo by Barbara.
The Pabodie line is another old Massachusetts line of mine. The emigrant ancestor, William Pabodie was my 9th great-grandfather. He had the distinction of having John Alden, of the Mayflower, as being his father-in-law. As usual, my direct lines are in All Caps and in green. If you would like sources, please contact me. Photo of his cemetery stone and of Elizabeth Alden, may be seen HERE.


Generation No. 1

1.JOHN PABODIE was born 1590 in Nosely Parish, Leicestershire, England, and died 1667. He married ISABEL HARPER BRITTAINE? BEF 1620 in England. She died AFT 1667.
Children of JOHN PABODIE and ISABEL HARPER BRITTAINE? were:
2  i.Thomas PABODIE was born in England.
3  ii.Annis PABODIE was born in England, and died ABT 1688. She married John ROUSE ABT 1639 in Duxbury / Marshfield, Massachusetts.
4  iii.Francis PABODIE was born BET 1612 AND 1614 in England, and died 19 FEB 1697 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts. He married Lydia w\o Francis PABODIE. He married Mary Foster (wid. Daniel WOOD). She was born 1618, and died 9 APR 1705.
+5  iv.WILLIAM PABODIE was born BET 1616 AND 1619 in England, and died 13 DEC 1707 in Little Compton, Newport Co., Rhode Island.


Generation No. 2

5.WILLIAM PABODIE (JOHN PABODIE1) was born BET 1616 AND 1619 in England, and died 13 DEC 1707 in Little Compton, Newport Co., Rhode Island. He was buried in Old Commons Cemetery, Little Compton, Newport Co., Rhode Island. He married ELISABETH ALDEN 26 DEC 1644 in Duxbury, Plymouth Co., Massachusetts, daughter of JOHN ALDEN and PRISCILLA MULLINS. She was born ABT 1624 in Plymouth, Plymouth Co., Massachusetts, and died 31 MAY 1717 in Little Compton, Newport Co., Rhode Island. She was buried in Old Commons Cemetery*, Little Compton, Newport Co., Rhode Island.
Children of WILLIAM PABODIE and ELISABETH ALDEN were:
6  i.John PABODIE was born 4 OCT 1645 in Duxbury, Plymouth Co., Massachusetts, and died 17 NOV 1669 in Duxbury, Plymouth Co., Massachusetts.
7  ii.Elizabeth PABODIE was born 24 APR 1647 in Duxbury, Plymouth Co., Massachusetts, and died BET 4 MAY 1677 AND OCT 1679. She married John ROGERS 16 NOV 1666 in Duxbury, Plymouth Co., Massachusetts.
8  iii.Mary PABODIE was born 7 AUG 1648 in Duxbury, Plymouth Co., Massachusetts, and died AFT 11 DEC 1727. She married Edward SOUTHWORTH 16 NOV 1671 in Duxbury, Plymouth Co., Massachusetts.
9  iv.Mercy PABODIE was born 2 JAN 1649 in Duxbury, Plymouth Co., Massachusetts, and died BET 26 SEP 1728 AND 8 NOV 1728. She married John SIMMONS 16 NOV 1669 in Duxbury, Plymouth Co., Massachusetts.
10  v.Martha PABODIE was born 24 FEB 1650 in Duxbury, Plymouth Co., Massachusetts, and died 25 JAN 1712 in Duxbury, Plymouth Co., Massachusetts. She married Samuel SEABURY 4 APR 1677 in Duxbury, Plymouth Co., Massachusetts. She married William FOBES AFT 5 AUG 1681 in Little Compton, Newport Co., Rhode Island.
11  vi.Priscilla PABODIE was born 16 NOV 1652 in Duxbury, Plymouth Co., Massachusetts, and died 2 MAR 1653 in Duxbury, Plymouth Co., Massachusetts.
+12  vii.Priscilla PABODIE was born 15 JAN 1653 in Duxbury, Plymouth Co., Massachusetts, and died 3 JUN 1724 in Plymouth, Plymouth Co., Massachusetts.
13  viii.Sarah PABODIE was born 7 AUG 1656 in Duxbury, Plymouth Co., Massachusetts, and died 27 AUG 1740 in Little Compton, Newport Co., Rhode Island. She married John COE 10 NOV 1681 in Duxbury, Plymouth Co., Massachusetts.
14  ix.Ruth PABODIE was born 27 JUN 1658 in Duxbury, Plymouth Co., Massachusetts, and died BET 25 APR 1724 AND 27 MAR 1725. She married Benjamin BARTLETT DEC 1678 in Duxbury, Plymouth Co., Massachusetts.
15  x.Rebecca PABODIE was born 16 OCT 1660 in Duxbury, Plymouth Co., Massachusetts, and died DEC 1702 in Little Compton, Newport Co., Rhode Island. She married William SOUTHWORTH ABT 1680 in Duxbury / Little Compton, Newport Co., Rhode Island.
16  xi.Hannah PABODIE was born 15 OCT 1662 in Duxbury, Plymouth Co., Massachusetts, and died 29 APR 1723 in Plymouth, Plymouth Co., Massachusetts. She married John CHURCHILL. She married Samuel BARTLETT 2 AUG 1682 in Duxbury, Plymouth Co., Massachusetts, son of ROBERT BARTLETT and ANN. He was born ABT 1639 in Cambridge, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts, and died 26 FEB 1711 in Northampton, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts.
17  xii.William PABODIE was born 24 NOV 1664 in Duxbury, Plymouth Co., Massachusetts, and died 17 SEP 1744 in Little Compton, Newport Co., Rhode Island. He married Elizabeth PECK. He married Mary STARR. He married Judith TILDEN BEF 1698 in Little Compton, Newport Co., Rhode Island.
+18  xiii.LYDIA PABODIE was born 3 APR 1667 in Duxbury, Plymouth Co., Massachusetts, and died 13 JUL 1748 in Saybrook, Middlesex Co., Connecticut.


Generation No. 3

12.Priscilla PABODIE (WILLIAM PABODIE2, JOHN PABODIE1) was born 15 JAN 1653 in Duxbury, Plymouth Co., Massachusetts, and died 3 JUN 1724 in Plymouth, Plymouth Co., Massachusetts. She was buried in Kingston, Plymouth Co., Massachusetts. She married Ichabod WISWALL 2 DEC 1682 in Duxbury, Plymouth Co., Massachusetts.
Child of Priscilla PABODIE and Ichabod WISWALL is:
+19  i.Elizabeth WISWALL.

18.LYDIA PABODIE (WILLIAM PABODIE2, JOHN PABODIE1) was born 3 APR 1667 in Duxbury, Plymouth Co., Massachusetts, and died 13 JUL 1748 in Saybrook, Middlesex Co., Connecticut. She married DANIEL GRINNELL BET 1683 AND 31 JUL 1694 in Little Compton / Saybrook, Middlesex Co., Connecticut, son of DANIEL GRINNELL and MARY WODELL. He was born ABT 1664 in (Prob.) Portsmouth, Newport Co., Rhode Island, and died 7 JAN 1741 in Saybrook, Middlesex Co., Connecticut.
Children of LYDIA PABODIE and DANIEL GRINNELL were:
+20  i.MARY GRINNELL was born 1685 in Little Compton, Newport Co., Rhode Island, and died 9 JUN 1755 in Westbrook, Middlesex Co., Connecticut.
+21  ii.Elizabeth GRINNELL was born ABT 1687 in Little Compton, Newport Co., Rhode Island, and died 20 JAN 1747 in Killingworth, Middlesex Co., Connecticut.
+22  iii.Priscilla GRINNELL was born ABT 1689 in Little Compton, Newport Co., Rhode Island, and died 11 JAN 1770 in Killingworth, Middlesex Co., Connecticut.
+23  iv.Pabody GRINNELL was born ABT 1691 in Little Compton, Newport Co., Rhode Island, and died 5 AUG 1767 in Saybrook, Middlesex Co., Connecticut.
24  v.Lydia GRINNELL was born ABT 1693 in Little Compton, Newport Co., Rhode Island, and died BEF NOV 1726 in Saybrook, Middlesex Co., Connecticut. She married Joseph CLARK 25 SEP 1712 in Saybrook, Middlesex Co., Connecticut.
25  vi.Rebecca GRINNELL was born ABT 1695 in Little Compton, Newport Co., Rhode Island, and died AFT 6 OCT 1762 in Killingworth, Middlesex Co., Connecticut. She married John DOUD BEF NOV 1726. She married Gideon WELLMAN 13 FEB 1741 in Killingworth, Middlesex Co., Connecticut.
+26  vii.Sarah GRINNELL was born ABT 1698 in Little Compton, Newport Co., Rhode Island, and died AFT 19 JUN 1754 in Killingworth, Middlesex Co., Connecticut.
+27  viii.George GRINNELL was born 12 APR 1702 in Little Compton, Newport Co., Rhode Island, and died 11 NOV 1759 in Saybrook, Middlesex Co., Connecticut.
28  ix.Daniel GRINNELL was born 11 JAN 1708 in Saybrook, Middlesex Co., Connecticut, and died BEF NOV 1726.
+29  x.Jemima GRINNELL was born 26 JAN 1705 in Saybrook, Middlesex Co., Connecticut, and died 3 FEB 1762 in Saybrook, Middlesex Co., Connecticut.




Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Mother and daughters in the Poole Family -- Wordless Wednesday

There are three photos of my 2nd great-grandmother, aged 21-22. At first glance, I thought they were all taken the same day. But I noticed she was wearing the same dress, but different collars. Children, are in two of them, and appear to be about the same age.
Frances (Fannie) Gleason Poole, about 1856 (taken after the death of one of her daughters, I believe, because she doesn't look happy and appears to have aged. See photo below.)
Photo from the book, William Frederick Poole and the Modern Library Movement.
A Happy Family above, ca. early 1856.
My cousin said this was Alice Poole, born 17 September 1855. Her twin sister, Helen, died 6 September 1856.
Alice a few years later. I love this picture.

The three photographs belong to David, my 3rd cousin once removed. They are used with his permission. We found each other online about 12 years ago.

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

The Tylers of Andover, MA -- Tombstone Tuesday


Recently, I received an email from Lori, "I really enjoyed the info on your genealogy blog. My maternal side are Tylers, from Job Tyler who was married to Margaret Bradstreet. And from there, we go to the Bradstreets / Dudleys and up the chain to the throne. Another long-lost cousin many times removed. Lori" She also mentioned the Tylers lived in Andover, Massachusetts.

After a little investigating, I discovered there was a memorial marker for Job Tyler, as he was the First Andover (MA) Settler, in the Old North Parish Burying Ground located near me. But, I've been to that cemetery at least 20 times, and never saw it. Why? Because it is at the back of the cemetery, in the area where the grounds were recently cleared away, and it seems to be the only stone that is facing the opposite direction (West) of all the others. It pays to walk around every cemetery stone!
In Memoriam
Job Tyler          Immigrant
First Andover Settler
About  MDCXL (1650)
Born MDCXIX (1619)      Died  MDCC (1700)
_________

Dedicated by His Whole Clan
September 4, 1901
Above is the foot-stone for son Moses Tyler. His headstone, below is facing the opposite way.
Here Lyes Buried
Moses Tyler Who
Died October Ye 2nd
1727 and in the
86 Year Of His Age.
(Note: The stone is similar to the one below.)

Here Lyes Buried
the Body of Mrs.
Abigail Tyler
With Her Child
The Wife of Mr.
Jacob Tyler Who
Died March
The 25th 1722 and
In Ye 23
Year of Her Age.
(Behind the cemetery, the land was recently cleared of many trees and shrubs.)

Monday, February 11, 2013

A Puzzlement


Interest in a redcoat, Bette Davis and a doll seem to be the only things people are checking out on my blog this past week. And I'm curious as to why the doll and Bette Davis's house in Lowell, MA are suddenly of interest. Neither is a recent posts.

The chart below shows four of my top five page-views as of today. The first two is easy to know why, because Dick Eastman posted my blog on his newsletter, regarding the Revolutionary War Red Coat. But why are two simple photos of Bette Davis #3 and The Doll #4

Does anybody have an idea? If so, I'd really love to hear it. Does anybody think I should post this question to the sites #3 and #4?

267
142
Aug 31, 2011, 7 comments
114
Jul 5, 2012, 4 comments
57

Note: The calendar was made by a New Zealand cousin. Sue Greatbanks.

Friday, February 8, 2013

Bleeding, He Chased The Enemy Nine Miles, Erected by the Descendants


He 
Was
At
Bunker Hill
He Was
Wounded 
At The
North Bridge
April 19, 1775

Home
of 
Jonas Brown

Born Dec. 15, 1752
Died July 13, 1834

Bleeding
He Chased
The
Enemy
Nine Miles

He
Was
Ensign
and
Lieut.
Erected
in
1887
By
His Descendants

My husband told me about this marker quite a while ago, and recently, on a return trip to home from Concord, MA, we decided to stop. It was quite interesting, and even more so because of what is written on the back. (It is either in Carlisle or Concord, MA, and a quick check on FindAGrave showed it wasn't listed). Strange, considering his history, but soon I found a lot of information (see below), and learned that Jonas is buried in Temple, New Hampshire, See FindAGrave entry.

"Ensign Jonas, eldest son of Thomas (3) and Mary (Flint) Brown, was born at Concord, Mass., Dec. 15, 1752, and died at Temple, N. H., July 13, 1834. He had a notable revolutionary record that is so interesting that we give it in his own words. The statement was made Aug. 17, 1832, before the probate court, then sitting at Amherst, Hillsborough county, N. H. Mr. Brown was seventy-nine years of age at the time, and the statement was made to enable him to secure a pension, according to the act of Congress, passed on June 7 of that year.

Mr. Brown stated that he entered the service of the United States: "That is to say, from the 1st of January, 1775, to the 1st of May. I was enlisted as a minute man (being a native and resident of Concord, Mass.), under Capt. Buttrick, of the Militia, trained twice a week, and with the rest of the company, kept guard most of the time over the public stores, roads, and bridges in Concord. Early on the 19th of April, an alarm was given that the enemy was coming from Boston to Concord, and our company was paraded about daylight, and kept under arms most of the time, until the enemy arrived, and destroyed military stores and provisions, and set a guard at the Bridge, and I was ordered with othes, to rout them, which we did, when several were killed on both sides, and the enemy retreated, and we pursued to Menotomy (West Cambridge), had various skirmishing on the road, and I returned to Concord. Capt. Buttrick went to Cambridge, and several times sent for his company. I went twice or three times and returned next day. On the 1st of May, 1775, I entered the service as a corporal, under Capt. Abisha Brown, in the regiment commanded by Col. Jono. Nickson, Lt. Col. Thomas Nickson, and Maj. Jno. Buttrick in the Massachusetts Line, and served eight months at Cambridge, Charlestown, &c.; was in the battle of Bunker Hill, on the 17th of June, and was dismissed 1st of January, 1776. Again the militia was called for, and on the 1st of Feb., 1776, I enlisted as a volunteer for two months, under Capt. Asel Wheeler, in the Regiment, commanded by Col. Jonathan Reed, in the Mass. Line, in the Brigade, destined for Canada, in which Regt was Lt. Col. Brown and Major Fletcher. I marched from Concord to Keene, N. H., thence by way of Charlestown, N. H., Otter Creek, and Shrewsbury, Vt., where he took boats and went down Lake Champlain, to Ticonderoga, and joined the army under Gen'ls Gates, Arnold and Waterbury, and Gen. Brickett of Mass. was there. I was at Ticonderoga when Arnold and Waterbury went down the Lake with a fleet of gondolas (flat-boats) which were mostly destroyed. I remained at Ticonderoga until about the middle of Dec. 1776, when I entered my name to serve during the war, as a Lt. under Capt. Monroe, of Lexington, Mass., and had leave to return to Concord, until called for. I did so, and about the middle of March, I was called upon to take my appointment as Lt. I obeyed the call, and went to the Capt., who told me there were othes who would like to take my chance. I resigned it and was excused from any further service, making eight months in which I was under orders as an Ensign.

It is gratifying to know that the old veteran received an annual pension of $117.33, rated from March 1831, though he lived only three years to enjoy it.
Engisn Jonas Brown moved from Concord, Mass., to Temple, N. H., in 1780, and the latter town was his home for more than half a century.
Aug. 10, 1784, Jonas Brown married Hannah, second daughter of Major Ephraim and Sarah (Conant) Heald, who was the first female child born in Temple, N. H. Her birth occurred Dec. 2, 1761, not long after that of her cousin, Peter Heald, son of Deacon Peter, who was the first male child born in Temple. The Healds were long-time residents of Concord, Mass., being descended from John Heald, who came from Berwick, England, and settled in Concord as early as 1635. Ephraim Heald was a noted scout, hunter, and explorer of the wilderness in Maine, N. H., and Mass.

Children:
1. Jonas, b. July 18, 1785, removed to Oppenheim, New York, in 1838.
2. Charles, b. Aug. 16, 1787, married Lydia Woods and removed to Batavia, New York.
3. Ephraim, b. July 13, 1790, married Sarah King, of Wilton, N. H., where he died in 1840.
4. Lucas, b. Sept. 17, 1792, moved to Norridgewock, Maine.
5. John, whose sketch follows.
6. Polly, b. Feb. 17, 1798, married Jeremiah Cutter, of Sebec, Maine.
7. Cyrus, b. Dec. 21, 1800, married Harriet Weston and moved to Bangor, Maine.
8. Thomas Buckley, b. March 16, 1803, married Martha Farnham, and moved to Bangor, Maine."

From: Genealogical and Family History
of the State of Maine
Compiled under the editorial supervision of George Thomas Little, A. M., Litt. D.

Lewis Historical Publishing Company, New York, 1909.

http://dunhamwilcox.net/me/me_bio_brown.htm
Transcribed by Coralynn Brown

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Peters of North Andover, MA -- Tombstone Tuesday

This is the condition of the Old North Parish Burying Ground in No. Andover, MA. I've often been asked to try and locate a tombstone. This shows why I often don't find it.
Here Lyes The
Body of Mr.
Andrew Peters
Who Deceased
December Ye 14
1713 in Ye 79th
Year of His Age.
(Full monument is below.)

Andrew Peters was my 9th great-grandfather.
Peters lineage was highlighted in my Blog Post.


In Memory of

___

Samuel Peters
born 1675   died 1736
And of His Wife
Phebe Frie Peters
born 1680   died 1757

Samuel Peters was my 8th great-grand uncle.


Phebe Ye Daughter
of Samuel and
Phebe Peeters
Aged 3 Years
Died August
ye 10th 1709.

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Constantly Surprising Me, From California to Massachusetts

Signature of  Charles H. Poole
See enlarged below.
Half of my information about my great-great-grandfather was found the usual way...I found vital records, city directories, the cemetery stone, will, and probate records. I didn't find his entire life history online, but pretty much everything I needed, except where he was married on March 26, 1850. Charles H. Poole with his facts of life, now surprises me in three ways.

The first amazing thing was my discovery eight years ago of the family genealogy manuscript he wrote, now located at the New England Historic Genealogical Society (NEHGS) in Boston. Because it is 257 fragile legal-sized pages, I wasn't allowed to copy it. Two weeks ago, I began taking photos with my iPad and sending pages to a cousin who offered to type them. Fortunately, the manuscript is typewritten, which makes it easy to read, and comes complete with a huge genealogy and transcripts of wills and deeds.

Second, I was rather excited upon learning that he surveyed parts of San Diego, California. A Google search brought up The History of San Diego, which said about him, "An engineer, Charles H. Poole, was hired and he surveyed a 200-mile railroad route to Yuma that followed the bed of the San Diego River, climbing 1087 feet gradually in thirty-nine miles through Mission Gorge, Santee, Lakeside, and Capitan Gorge and northeast through the steep-walled canyon to the base of Eagle Peak. From there the grade became increasingly steep for the next seven and a half miles, climbing 1255 feet out of the can­yon to the floor of Santa Ysabel Valley, near where Coleman Creek flows into the San Diego River. The last mile and a half from the canyon to the southern edge of the valley floor was to be a climb of 452.7 feet per mile through what Poole called Santa Ysabel Gulch. But the grade was more than 8.5 percent, virtually impassable. From Santa Ysabel, the route was to follow the wagon route to Warner's and down San Felipe Pass. Other surveys were to be made and many arguments advanced, and the hopes of San Diego lingered on until buried by the Civil War."  I also learned he was the Surveyor for San Diego County, then for other areas in California, and wrote with several others, a book, Reports of Explorations and Surveys, To Ascertain the Most Practicable and Economic Route for a Railroad from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean. Made Under the Direction of the Secretary of War, In 1853-6, According to Acts of Congress of March 3" by Parke, John G.; Albert H. Campbell and Charles H. Poole.

Third, I now learn he is back in Massachusetts, near where he was born, about 34 miles from me. This was my huge surprise last week. For somebody who had children born in San Diego, northern California, and Mobile, Alabama, I now find him in Roxbury, Massachusetts, per the city directory for 1852! Still in Roxbury in 1856, he drew a "Foldout map of City of Roxbury (Boston), 1856: by Charles H. Poole, engraved by E.A. Teulon. The book contains many pages of advertisements in the front section, along with lunar tables, a calendar, a fold-out map, and a city directory with Last name, First name, and street address location." See Northwest Press Books for a photo of the directory, description, and sale price. The dealer just gave me permission to show the book, so thanks to Eric Brown. (See Below.)

"Charles H. Poole was born in Salem, Massachusetts, in 1825, and while receiving his education at West Point, became a civil engineer and passed his entire life in the service of the United States government. His duties called him much of the time to Washington, D. C, where he passed away in the year 1880. His wife bore the maiden name of Mary A. Daniels and they were residents of Benicia, California, at the time of the birth of Charles Clarence Poole on the 27th of November, 1856." This short bio was from Chicago: its history and its builders, a century of marvelous growth, Volume 5  By Josiah Seymour Currey.

If I had not done Google searches on his name, I would not have known about his surveying career, nor known that he was sent to Massachusetts for a short period, before settling long-term at the Interior Dept. in Washington, D.C., where he worked and died. So, don't stop with the basic information, but dig deeper, and use combinations of keywords on Google.

Two mysteries are now solved because of what I discovered about him last week. First, he did maps, okay that was new to me, and it is probably why my father had a large map collection. Some were framed, and most were flat in a map drawer. Dad must have inherited them, and I've got one hanging on my wall. Second, I believe he began the Poole manuscript while he was working in the Boston area (Roxbury), and I wouldn't be surprised if he wasn't one of the earliest members of NEHGS, he had ties with the Society, his death notice was in the Register and he made sure his manuscript was donated there.


Sunday, January 27, 2013

Chelmsford, Massachusestts -- Revolutionary War Memorial



The War Memorial is on the Chelmsford, MA common. Across the street is the 1655 Forefathers Burial Grounds (photos from last week).
In Honor
Of The
Townsmen Of Chelmsford
Who Served Their Country
In The
War Of The Revolution
This Monument Is Erected
By A
Grateful Posterity.

L. Chamberlain
Builder.


Lt. Col. Moses Parker
And
Capt. Benj. Walker
Wounded at Bunker Hill
June 17. 75.
Died Prisoners in Boston
July 4 & Augt. 75.

Lt. Robert Spalding
Died At Milford, CT. 70.


John Bates
Died In Army at Cambridge.

David Spalding Jr.
Died In Army At Ticonderoga.

Pelatiah Adams
Killed At Cherry Valley.

Noah Foster
Shot At Capture of Burgoyne.

Henry Fletcher
Killed At White Plains.

1859.
Let The Children Guard
What The Sires Have Won.

C. S. Curtis
Architect
(4th Side)

Thursday, January 24, 2013

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.