Elizabeth Johnson -- Tombstone Tuesday

Elizabeth Johnson Mead Sanger

Born:  November 07, 1751, Lynn, Essex Co., Massachusetts

Died:  March 19, 1799, Dublin, Cheshire Co., New Hampshire

Elizabeth Johnson was my 5th great-grandmother (her parents are brick walls).

Correction: From my original post of November 2, 2010, I stated Elizabeth's birth year as 1751, it should be 1750. In addition, her parents are no longer brick walls. With the help of a professional genealogist and historian, he discovered her parents were William Johnson and Elizabeth Wiley. These discoveries were made last week, and since tomorrow is the anniversary of her death, I thought I would repost this blog post.

Elizabeth's stone is directly in the middle.

Abner Sanger was the husband of my 5th great-grandmother, Elizabeth Johnson Mead.
I wrote about his journals, see Very Poor and of a Lo Make.

Abner is buried at the Washington Street Cemetery in Keene, New Hampshire.

Reading Public Library (See the Resources for Genealogists)

Reading Public Library

64 Middlesex Ave, Reading, MA 01867

(781) 944-0840

Website: https://readingpl.org/

This library opened in 1896 as a school, and as you can see it still looks like a school. I visited the library several times, as proved by some of my photos towards the end of this thread. Since my last visit in 2015.

The side view shows the new addition.

Below are the photos of the History and Genealogy Room. It is normally locked but the reference librarian took me to it. She was thrilled when I told her I have four generations who lived in  Reading. The first, per From The Great Migration Begins, Immigrants to New England 1620-1633, Vol. III, by Robert Charles Anderson, NEHGS, Boston, 1995

Pages 1493-1496.

JOHN POOLE

ORIGIN: Unknown

MIGRATION: 1632

FIRST RESIDENCE: Cambridge

REMOVES: Lynn 1633, Reading by 1650

OCCUPATION: Miller.

EDUCATION: John Poole signed his name to deeds and to his will. Margaret made her mark, an "M," to one deed [ELR 2:105].

I found a lot of information through their books on previous visits. Although the room was modernized and it had a large table, there were fewer books. They didn't have the well-known tan books (as described in my post shown below.

The Local History and Genealogy link is https://readingpl.org/local-history-genealogy/ I wasn't very impressed with what they have online, but I am interested in their information showing what the Reading Town Archives Town Hall 16 Lowell Street Reading, MA 01867 781/942-6661 Holdings are. Included - Vital Records, Valuation Records, Town Reports, State/Federal Census, Street Directories, Maps, Genealogies, Obituary Collection, and an extensive photo collection. Records maintained by volunteers call for appointment. 

Early map copies in the map cabinet.

The above photo shows some of the books I used a lot.

The lobby above, and the reading room below.

From the parking area below, you enter the library from these steps or take an elevator.

Back entrance.

Older photos below, probably from 2012 and  2015.

Above is the Reading Public Library, formerly a large school. It was a very overcast day when we entered through the back entrance.

The local history room is on the main floor. The photo is of my husband, not a patron.

The above photo and the two following are in the same room. The collection is mostly for Reading, but other nearby towns are included.

 The room is very small and seats only four people. However, the local history books and records are great. I met two genealogy friends here on another day.

The below photo is in the second room. Shown is a large collection of the Vital Records for Massachusetts, otherwise known as, the tan books. In addition, there is a table, chair, microfilm reader (I believe), and other equipment. A person was there, so I left quickly. This is a favorite photo of mine. Note: The renovated room no longer has them and when I asked where they were, they didn't know.

This is the back of the library where the entrance is. It was closed that day, but I took this anyway. Well, I did return on August 29, 2015, and this is what greeted us.

The Founders of the Sudbury Minutemen Marker in The Wayside Inn

The founders of the Sudbury Minutemen

Alfred Bonazzoli

Alberat Berberian

Joseph Brown

Roger Bump

Arthur Fay, Jr.

Maurice Fitzgerald

Frank Koppeis

Edward Kreitsek

Donald MacRae

John Powers

Frank Sherman

Rex Trailer

"On May 21, 1963, according to one Publius, a Committee of Correspondence met in the Old Bar Room of the Wayside Inn. The gentlemen of the Committee were twelve, all told; their intent was to raises a Militia in Sudbury, renewing a centuries-old organization in the Town.

The Militia was to be organized in the fashion of the Minutemen of 1774. They drew inspiration from Colonel Ezekiel Howe, Innkeeper, who had led the men of Sudbury to Concord in the Defenses of Liberty on April 19, 1775.

On this, the Fiftieth Anniversary of that fateful meeting, the officers, enlisted men, and distaff of the Sudbury Companies of Militia and Minute present this plaque in honor of those twelve men. Their love of history, and for the citizens of Sudbury, has brought joy to many, and provided us with some of the brightest moments of our lives."

Dan Meenan, Colonel

May 21, 2013

When I saw this plaque in the historic Wayside Inn* in Sudbury, Massachusetts, I knew I had to take the photo, after all, I assumed it had the names of the original Minutemen from Sudbury. The sunlight was shining brightly (you can see me, the iPad and sunny window above) so a kind man offered to hold up his jacket so I could get my photo (first photo). It wasn't until I began typing this that I discovered, that wasn't the case. These are far more recent names. However, I decided to post this because these individuals probably have descendants, and I wanted to show the restaurant rooms.

"Longfellow's Wayside Inn—a nationally significant Massachusetts Historic Landmark—is the oldest Inn still operating in the United States and has been serving travelers along the old Boston Post Road for almost 300 years. What began as a two-room home in 1707, the Howe family ran a successful tavern and innkeeping business on this site from 1716 to 1861."

  

Side view from the garden.

New Books or Reprints at NEHGS -- Wordless Wednesday

Recently displayed books on the 5th and 7th floors in the Library at the New England Historic and Genealogical Society in Boston, Massachusetts. Some are brand new and others are reprinted.

Photo below taken in April 2013.

Westford, Massachusetts -- Memorial

VIETNAM VETS

"WHEN YOUR COUNTRY CALLED YOU CAME.

WHEN YOUR COUNTRY REFUSED YOUR HONOR.

YOU REMAINED SILENT WITH TIME.

OUR NATION'S WOUNDS HEALED. WE

HAVE FINALLY COME TO APPRECIATE

YOUR SACRIFICES."

DEDICATED

MAY 30, 1988

IN HONOR OF ALL THOSE FROM WESTFORD

WHO SERVED IN AND DURING THE

VIETNAM CONFLICT.

1964 - 1975

TO THOSE WHO MADE THE SUPREME

SACRIFICE.

AARON CHARLES E.

BRUNDRETTE, RICHARD E., JR.

CONNOLLY, RICHARD

HUGHES, KENNETH R.

AND TO ALL AMERICANS MISSING IN ACTION.

IN HONOR OF ALL THOSE FROM WESTFORD

WHO SERVED IN AND DURING THE

KOREAN CONFLICT.

1950 - 1955

TO THOSE WHO MADE THE SUPREME

SACRIFICE.

BLACK, JOHN L.

LANGLEY, ROBERT G.

AND TO ALL AMERICANS MISSING IN ACTION.

Brick Walls of Mine, If you Solve, I Pay

On October 13, 2010, I posted the below request. As yet, my 10 9 big brick walls are still unsolved. I thought it was time to repost this in hopes somebody can help. Thank you.

Top Ten -- Brick Walls

IF ANYBODY CAN SOLVE ANY OF THESE BRICK WALLS, ALL OF THEM WOULD BE GREAT, I WILL PAY YOU $100 FOR BREAKING THROUGH THE WALL.  PLEASE WRITE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION I ALREADY HAVE ON SOME OF THOSE MENTIONED BELOW.

ADAMS, JOHN (Parents information needed.)

Born abt 1757of Wintonbury (now Bloomfield), CT - Lexington, MA - Hamilton, NY - Elba, NY

In Lexington, MA during Revolutionary War

Died September 25, 1830, Elba, Genesee Co., New York

Married to HANNAH SMITH, dau. of Joseph Smith and Eunice Drake of  Windsor, CT

FARMER, ALEXANDER “ALEX” (Parents information needed.)

Born March 05, 1814 in New York or Canada

Died January 27, 1864, Calhoun Co., Michigan

Married HULDAH LAY abt 1833 in prob. Niagara Co., New York

Children 5 born bet. Niagara, NY and Leroy, Michigan

HAWLEY, BENJAMIN (Parents information needed.)    SOLVED BY ME    DECEMBER 2017

Born abt. 1743

Died Jan. 25, 1831, Tompkins, Delaware Co., New York

Married February 05, 1778 to THEODOSIA FITCH at Lebanon, New London Co., Connecticut  (Had 8 children)

HULL, NANCY (Parents information needed.)

Born 1790, Woodbridge, New Haven Co., Connecticut

Married 1807 to JESSE WRIGHT, son of ASHER WRIGHT Prob. Killingworth, Middlesex Co.,Connecticut

She and her husband both died February 07, 1878, one in New Haven, and the other in Killingworth

JAQUAYS, WILLIAM (Parents information needed.)

Born bet. 1784 – 1790, poss. CT or VT (No other information)

Married LUCY CROSS of Windham, Windham Co., Connecticut

Lucy died January 14, 1878 at Cowansville, Missisquoi Co., Quebec, Canada

Children were: Louisa Jane / Elizabeth Jaquays, Thankful, Sarah, William Cross, and Harriet C. (all of Addison, Vermont and Missisquoi Co., Quebec, Canada

JOHNSON ELIZABETH / BETSEY  (Father was William, need more information and her mother's name)  SOLVED by a reader, AND PAID HIM.

Born November 07, 1751, Lynn, Essex Co., Massachusetts

Died March 19, 1799, Dublin, Cheshire Co., New Hampshire

Married October 21, 1773 DAVID MEAD / MEED at Lynn, Essex Co., Massachusetts

(Two children born Lynn, Mass., one in New Ipswich, New Hampshire)

JOHNSON, LYDIA (Parents needed, no other information.)

Born Abt. 1822, Vermont

Died March 22, 1858, Dunham, Missisquoi Co., Quebec, Canada

Married WILLIAM CROSS JAQUAYS October 24, 1839 at Franklin Co., Vermont

MUNSON, ANNA or ANN (__) (Surname needed.)

Born Abt. 1731, Died April 18, 1772, Plainview, Hartford Co., Connecticut

Married WAITSTILL MUNSON (They had 2 children, Esther and Anna.)

RICHARDSON, ALMIRA “MIRA”  (Parents names needed.)

Born abt. 1798 of Orange, New Haven Co., Connecticut

She was adopted by JOHN BYRAN.

Died April 22, 1861, New Haven, New Haven Co., Connecticut

Was married to AARON KILBORN of Hamden Co., Connecticut

WYCKOFF, GERRITJE (Parents' names needed.)

Died Abt 1725

Married JOHN (Jan) PIETERSE Van NESS (his 1st wife of 4 years)

Had son, JOHN (Jan) PIETERSE Van NESS born 1722 Readington, Somerset Co., New Jersey

Happy Birthday, Ansel Adams

Reprinted from my 1979 negative, March 7, 2014

Today is the birthday of Ansel Adams, born February 20, 1902. I'm sharing a photo I took of him, while he was on a book tour in Washington, DC on September 9, 1979. I knew he was giving a free lecture about his book on that Sunday, so I brought along my camera and the current edition of Time magazine, with his picture on the cover, with the hope that he would sign his autograph. After the lecture and with my newly purchased $15 book and magazine just autographed, I walked around The National Museum of History Museum on Constitution Ave. and saw his chauffeur waiting for him. Nobody was around, just the driver. We conversed for maybe 10 minutes before Mr. Adams came outside.  I asked him if I could take his photo, he was delighted, and I was too.

Two things, I told him where to stand and I only took one photo (35mm camera that I had to focus. 

The book I had with me was bought at a Yosemite Falls gift shop in May 1978, and I just now looked at it again. Ansel wrote the date 9-9-79 with his name. Perfect documentation. The Sunday was a little cloudy at a little after 4. I don't think I'll ever forget a thing about that afternoon. He passed away five years later.

The first printed picture shown below could be used as a postcard! Guess that is what they did in 1979.

Watertown, Massachusetts -- War Memorial

FIRST WORLD WAR

Ernest M. Allen

David Brodette

Ivan E. Ellis

Domenico Filippelli

Vincent Gorman

Eugene Guihan

Edward Hooks

Edwin G. Keith

Peter J. McHugh

Ernest R. McNamara

James Morgan

Timothy J. Mullen

Jeremiah O'Toole

Luigi Romano

Pasquale Talarico

SECOND WORLD WAR

George E. Bellehumeur

James R. Bermingham

John J. Bindon

Frank C. Brennan

Aldo J. Callarino

Albert Camarra

James W. Campbell

Alfred F. Cole

Arthur Cole

Rosario C. Colella

Louis DeMilia

Anthony English

SECOND WORLD WAR

James J. Donovan

Warren R. Donovan

Chester Dorant

Raymond G. Dougan

James P. Duffy

Edward A. Dunlap III

George H. Elms

John M. A. Falco

Patrick S. Feroleto

Daniel J. Gorham

Lawrence J. Jenkins Jr.

Carlton H. Joy

Andrew J. Kinsella

Minas L. Loisou

Richard M. Miller

Domenick A. Molinelli

Edward F. Moran

Thomas J. Mullins

Frank Novick

Michael Pappas

Pasquale G. Patuto

George R. Peacock

Harold D. Pohl

Vincent J. Ranucci

Lawrence N. Rice

Donald T. Robinson

Angelo M. Russo

Walter A. Swanson

John Thomas

Peter J. Webber

Wendall L. Stonehouse