Hello,my name is Olivia i am wondering if you have any idea of what
the real
true name of Bloody Town Forest......like that was the name before
it became
Bloody Town forest?if u have information on that or if u know of anybody
who
would i will really like to know,It is very important to me
-Thank-you
-*Olivia*-
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I would like to take a moment to thank all of the residents of Lancaster
who
voted for me, as well as all of the individuals I have had the pleasure
to
meet in the course of my service to the Town. I wish Shawn Winsor
well.
Norma Marshall
I was driving down a street and saw a rock that said blood town any
info
about it?
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Reply received:
Hello ... The sign you saw was probably the stone one by the entry
to
"Blood Town Forest" about half way along the eastern side of Brockelman
Rd. on Ballard Hill. The dirt road there (now blocked to vehicles)
winds
through the woods till it connects with Old County Rd. and then ends
at
Langen / Back Rd. The large tract of land along most of this
way was
given to the Town of Lancaster for recreational and park preservation
over three decades ago. The surname of the gentleman who left
the
property to the town was "Blood." Hence the name: "Blood
Town Forest."
There are two small ponds about half way between Brockelman Rd. and
Langen / Back Rd. Up until sometime during the mid-1970's
the road was
open to vehicles. Unfortunately, some of the rowdier patrons
began
frequenting the pond picnic area for events comprising more than what
the
"Town Fathers" deemed to be acceptable activities (late night parties
with generous amounts of alchohol, pot, sexual promiscuousness, etc.)
and
the road was closed to automobiles and trucks. Anyone looking
for a
peaceful walk in a natural setting will enjoy a hike along the old
dirt
road and exploring the small ponds still nestled within the quiet woods.
Cheers, John C. Schumacher-Hardy
Could you please tell me where the women's prison is in Lancaster and
is it
just for women? Do you have any data on it?
Thank you,
Lavi
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Thank you for the information. Could you please tell me if
there is a web
site for it?
Thanks again.
Kindest regards,
Rebecca Franco
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Reply received:
Rebecca,
It's so good to hear from you. Isn't that strange how you moved
to
Lancaster where it all began? I live in Vestal Ny, which is about an
hour
south of Verona, where some of the family settled after moving from
Massachusetts. I plan on traveling there this summer to visit the cemeteries.
My line is: Thomas, Nathaniel, Peter, John, Abijah, Abijah, Ephraim,
Philander, Ida, James, and James. My interest in all this started
when I
found a letter written by Philander about the family. He wrote it in
1902 at
the age of 92 and I was fascinated. I would be happy to share info
any time.
Hope to hear from you again.
Lynn
Reply received:
Hello Lynn:
I would love to obtain a copy of the 1902 Joslin family letter by
Philander Joslin.... any possibility of getting a photo copy of it
for my
files? THANKS for your consideration.
Cheers,
John C. Schumacher-Hardy
PO Box 1697
So. Lancaster, MA 01561-1697
Reply received:
Lynn,
Good to hear from you. Hope you're having a nice weekend.
My mother is from Lew Beach,NY where my ancestor David Joslin
settled after
the Rev. War. I have a several details concerning the Joslin
family and
would be glad to share what I know with you too. I would love
to hear about
the letter from Philander esp. now that I have found a few Joslin tombstones.
I have found a Capt. Peter and a Jonah. Not sure where
they fit in the
family. The dates were very hard to read but they both seemed
to have died
in 1802. I want to also visit the library in Lancaster.
Apparently there
are several books concerning the early history of Lancaster and I'm
sure the
Joslin's have to be in there somewhere. From all the research
I've done so
far, this Joslin family has lots of interesting history.
Thanks for replying. I hope to hear from you soon.
Kindest regards,
Rebecca Franco
Reply received:
John,
I would be happy to send you a copy of Philander's
letter.....there are
two of them. They are quite interesting and also surprisingly accurate,
considering he was 92 when he wrote them. Do you mind if I ask you
who you
are?
Thanks, Lynn
New message:
I'm looking for a 2 apartment or room in Lancaster, Clinton, or any town nearby ASAP. Please give me a call at 978-368-2661. Thank You.
After reading the posted messages regarding the mosquitoe concern in
Lancaster, please give me an update as my family is seriously considering
a
move here. I also agree that, if needed, this problem should
be taken care
of because of health reasons for everyone, especially to our children.
I
appreciate any information regarding the areas of Lancaster that would
be of
concern. Lancaster is a beautiful community and we should try
to maintain
this in every way we can. Thank you for your time, I think this
message
center is a wonderful asset to the town of Lancaster to provide valuable
information. (I hope it continues to be available and used)
Have a nice Spring day.
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I hate to stand on a soap box again but if we don't start doing something
now its going to be too late. I have worked in the pest control industry
for
over 10yrs. Since we have had an extremely wet spring this means it
will be
a great year for insects. The increased moisture provides and increased
breeding areas. Especially for the mosquitoes. Last year was
one of the
worse years for mosquitoes I can remember . If you feel the same
I would
encourage you to let the selectmen know where you stand on this. I
believe
that fogging for our town would greatly reduce the nuisance along with
the
potential health hazard.
Thank you
I'm hoping someone can answer two questions: #1. who Thomas
Rowlandson's
(my G+grandfather)
wife was while he was living in Lancaster. Bridget....? I've
seen four or
five different last names...the name
Bradstreet shows up more often than the others. Apparently, after
Thomas
died, Bridget married
William Kerley until she also died.
#2. I know that Thomas' son, Joseph, was a minister....reverend.
I
recently found a site that stated that
Thomas was also a minister. Does anyone know if that's true or
not?
Thanks so much for any help you can send my way.
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Reply received:
Greetings:
I am not certain that Thomas Rowlandson, father of Pastor Joseph
Rowlandson, ever resided in Lancaster. Joseph Rowlandson was
born c1631
in England and came to the New World with his parents c1638.
His father
was Thomas Rowlandson. I am not sure of his mother's name.
Thomas
Rowlandson settled with his family in Ipswich, MA. Joseph Rowlandson
wrote a satirical piece criticising the Ipswich Court and was reprimanded
for this, for which he later apologized. In 1652 Joseph was the
only
graduate of Harvard College. By 1654 he'd relocated to Lancaster,
MA,
just incorporated as a township in 1653, to be the settlement's first
minister. In 1656 he married Mary White, daugher of one of Lancaster's
most prosperous citizens, John White of Wenham. In 1660 Joseph
Rowlandson was ordained. After the Indian Massacre of 1675-6
the Joseph
Rowlandson family removed to Boston area and then to Wethersfield,
CT
where Joseph accepted a call to be the minster. He died there
on Nov.
23, 1678. I am not aware of his father, Thomas Rowlandson, ever
residing
with him in Lancaster and I don't know the name of Thomas' wife.
Have
you investigated any of the Ipswich, MA records? Have you checked
with
the New England Historic Genealogical Society at 101 Newbury St. in
Boston? What is your line of descent from Thomas Rowlandson?
Good luck
in your research. Cheers, John C. Schumacher-Hardy So.
Lancaster, MA
Reply from original person:
Thank you SO much for the information you've sent!
I just recently discovered that Thomas and his wife, Bridget....perhaps
Bradstreet.....Rowlandson were my G+grandparents. Their daughter,
Martha,
married John Eaton and my line comes from them.
I'm rushing out the door for a meeting so I'll send more detailed
information when I get home later. In the meantime, I'm sending
you a
couple of sites you may or may not have already.
The website that discusses marriages, births and deaths in Lancaster
shows
that Thomas died there, Nov. 17, 1657. Bridget then married William
Kerley.
I'll be in touch later today. Thanks again!!
Jan Byard Saremi,
Redding, CA
This sounds as if Thomas had been a minister there - "Reverand Thomas
Rowlandson"? I may not be reading it right.
FROM LANCASTER ONLINE: THESE LINKS WERE SENT BY JAN BYARD SAREMI, WHICH HE HAS BEEN USING IN HIS RESEARCH
http://archiver.rootsweb.com/th/read/MAWORCES/2000-09/0969139285
http://www.rootsweb.com/~maworces/lancster.htm
Additional information from Jan Byard Saremi:
I don't have everything typed into my computer yet regarding my HUGE
Eaton
> family. I'm still working on the 1600s with them and the rest
of the family
> I've found. It's hard because I made a decision to do a narrative
history
> of my family, rather than use a program that, to me, seems limiting
in
> important ways. I'm having to type every single word, other
than what I can
> cut and paste, and it's taking soooo long. When I'm finished,
though,
> whoever reads this family history will get a good lesson in American
History
> and how our family fit into the beginnings of this country.
Prior to
> starting this genealogy search (when I had a normal life!), I was
not in the
> least interested in colonial history. Living in California,
I was
> interested in covered wagons and Indians and cowboys and that was
as far as
> my interest extended. Now, after 7 months of looking for my
Maine and MA
> relatives, I'm beginning to sound like I know what I'm talking about
(a tiny
> bit). The books!!!! I've read from the library...just to try
and understand
> the times our G+grandparents and relatives lived through!
> The attack at Lancaster is a horrible and sad story. It makes
me sick that
> people had to live through that.
> I don't know how they survived after having lost so many loved ones
and
> neighbors. I'm not sure that we
> Americans could survive the kinds of tragedies and fears our ancestors
lived
> with day to day and that's a very big reason why I want to present
all the
> stories I can find, in my family history. I'd like, especially
the younger
> members of our family, to gain an understanding and respect for the
people
> that kept on going when the world was falling down around them back
then. I
> think we can gain strength and courage when we compare our
> lives with those who showed so MUCH courage, faced with situations
we can
> only dream of...in nightmares.
>
> Well! I'm sorry!!! hahahaha. My friends tell me that
brevity is the "spice
> of life" and I just can't seem to get
> that concept in my brain.
>
> OK. You asked about my connection to Thomas and Bridget.
Their daughter,
> Martha and John Eaton had
> a son, John who married Mary, maiden name unknown.
> Their son, Jonathan, married Judith Ash. Their son, Theophilus,
married
> Abigail Fellows.
> Their son, Moses, married Patience Bridges and they had Judith Eaton.
> She married my grandfather, John Byard, in Sedgwick, Maine.
> Their son, Hezekiah Byard married Maria Trussell in Sedgwick.
> Their son, George Agustus, sailed for nine years and finally got
off the
> ship in San Francisco.
> He met an Irish girl, married her and eventually moved to northern
> California on the coast in Humboldt
> County. One of their sons was my Ggrandfather, Robert Byard.
> His son, Byron (named for the poet) had my father, Byron
> and then there was me!
> I started this search in Sept., looking, I thought, just for John
Byard's
> father, Robert Byard. He was one of the earliest settlers in
Sedgwick, ME
> in 1763-4. Then I discovered I had more grandparents than I
ever dreamed of
> having!! Now I'm trying to find everyone and put them in my
family history.
>
> Whew!! Are you eyes crossing yet? hahaha.
>
> I'm interested in what you thought of the web sites I sent.
I've seen
> several web sites that show Thomas having died in Lancaster so it
seems he
> really did live there. In a book I read a few months ago, Lancaster
was
> described as a town that grew from a fur-trading settlement.
I assumed
> Joseph was sent there because the town needed a minister. I
don't know,
> though, if he made the choice to settle there or was sent there.
I also am
> curious why Mary's family was living there - the Whites. They
obviously
> didn't know what the outcome would be after choosing Lancaster for
their
> home!
>
> I'm not able to get to a genealogy library, at least not easily....it's
> about a 3-4 hr. drive from Redding in Sacramento. I try to
cross-reference
> what I find by e-mails to people who seem to have a lot of information.
> I've found some friendly, fun relatives that way too! That's
beter than a
> drive to Sacramento on Interstate 5! hahaha.
>
> Thank you for what you sent me this morning. Unfortunately,
I'm leaving in
> the morning for a two day job that keeps me away from home AND a
computer.
> I'll be back on Tues. morning. I'm curious....are you related
to
> the Rowlandsons also? or the Whites?
>
> Best regards,
Jan Byard Saremi
Reply:
Greetings again... I have since had opportunity to do some research
in
the Lancaster history books at my disposal. Pastor Abidjah
Marvin
stated in his "History of Lancaster" that Thomas Rowlandson, a brother
of
the minister Joseph Rowlandson, was shot in the neck and killed during
the 1675-6 Massacre. Marion Fuller Safford's book states, however,
that
it was Thomas Rowlandson, 19 year old nephew of the minister who died
during the Massacre. She also noted on page 16 of her book "The
Story of
Colonial Lancaster" the following: "His [Joseph Rowlandson] father
and
mother came to Lancaster with him. The father, Thomas Rowlandson,
died
in 1657 and his widow, Bridge, mother of the minister, married the
next
year William Kerley, Sr. and lived until 1662." Cheers, John
C.
Schumacher-Hardy
He emigrated from England, with his brother, George, and first settled
at
Dedham and later, at Lancaster. His garrison house was attacked.
He was
killed when Indians invested the town. This attack was considered parts
of
King Philip's War which was one of the most devastating wars ever fought
in
America. (George's name has been found throughout all town records
at
Concord MA since its founding).
There were probably very few families in New England not affected by
this
war. While I have found a lot of the persons in our family history
who may
have served, the family experience may undoubtedly have been typical
of
families in Massachusetts.
I would be interested in talking/sharing information. My email addres
is
keloid@aol.com. I live at 318 East Riverside Ave., Hopewell,
VA. 23860 Tel.
804/541-0632 (I lived in New England until 10 years ago).
I have very much enjoyed reading the Message Boards.
Sincerely,
Kathie (Wheeler) Lloyd
Response:
Greetings:
Yes, Richard Wheeler of Lancaster was a casualty in the Lancaster
Massacre of King Philip's War on Feb. 10/22, 1675-6 (noted by Mary
Rowlandson in her popular book). He had been born in England
c1611 and
married first at Dedham, MA, May 4, 1644 to Elizabeth Turner of Dedham.
She died in Dedham, Dec. 25, 1656. He married second in Lancaster,
MA to
Sarah Prescott of Lancaster on Aug. 2, 1658. She was born in
Halifax
Parish, England in 1637 to John & Mary (Platts) Prescott.
John Prescott
was considered the "Founder of Lancaster."
In a book on the Wheeler Families of Rutland, MA [by Daniel Wheeler?]
the
following quote is taken from page 4: "Richard Wheeler's house
lot was
situated in what is now known as South Lancaster south east of Georges
Hill extending probably to or beyond the B.& M. R. R. at and south
of
Thayer Station, formerly South Lancaster. His intervale of meadow
was
upon the east side of the Nashua River between South Lancaster and
Clinton and north east of the corner of High and Allen streets in the
latter town. The north end of this interale was probably opposite
and
easterly of the sewage pumping station of the town of Clinton.
It would
seem that Richard was a prosperous citizen as his name appears upon
the
valuation list of Lancaster in 1663 as one of the six wealthiest
resdents, his father-in-law, John Prescott, being also among the number."
And on pages 4-5: "Richard had built a 'block house' or garrison
house
on his farm at South Lancaster, this being one of the five similar
defences of Lancaster, and it was here that he, his brother-in-law,
Jonas
Fairbanks, and his nephew, Joshua Fairbanks, together with two other
persons, were killed by the Indians in King Philip's attack Feb. 10,
1675-6. Concerning these persons it is said, 'The first three
were shot
by the Indians who climbed upon the barn and so shot down over the
palisades. The other two were yalaid while outside upon some
errand.'
(Hurd's History of Worcester County Vol. 1 Page 15)."
Sarah (Prescott) Wheeler, Richard's widow, removed to Concord, MA and
then Dedham, MA after the Massacre and later married Joseph Rice of
Marlborough, MA on Feb. 22, 1677-8.
Richard Wheeler had six children by his first wife, Elizabeth Turner
of
Dedham: Sarah (1644-5 to 1656); Mary (b. 1646 and married Thomas
Wilder
of Lancaster); John (1648 to 1661-2); Samuel (1650-1 to 1656); Hannah
(b.
1653); and Joseph (1655-6 to 1675-6).
Richard Wheeler and his second wife, Sarah Prescott, had the following
eight children: Abraham (1659 to 1695, killed by Indians); Isaac
(1661
to 1730-1); Zebediah (1664-5 to 1729); Sarah (b. 1666, m. to Mr. Taylor
and was living still in 1742); Elizabeth (b. 1669 and m. Johathan Rice
of
Sudbury, MA in 1691); Samuel (1671 to 1691; was a colonial soldier
in the
Expedition to Canada); and [probably] Daniel.
My ancestry to Richard Wheeler is through his son Isaac Wheeler, who
later removed to Medfield, MA.
Henry S. Nourse's notes, Frederick Weiss's Early Lancaster Families
genealogical papers and the Wheeler Families of Rutland, MA book afore
mentioned are all good sources for family history on Richard Wheeler
and
his descendants. The LancasterPublic Library has them in it's
special
collections and rare book room.
Good luck in your research!
Cheers,
John C. Schumacher-Hardy
So. Lancaster, MA
A common mistake of local Wheeler family researchers is to confuse
Richard Wheeler descendants with Josiah Wheeler descendants.
Both
Richard and Josiah were Lancaster residents. Josiah Wheeler was
born in
Concord, MA in 1675 (within a year of Richard Wheeler's murder by the
Indians). Josiah was the son of Obadiah & Elizabeth (White)
Wheeler of
Concord, MA. He came to Lancaster and married Martha Prescott
of
Lancaster. They were admitted to the Lancaster Church from the
Concord
Church on Apr. 9, 1710. Martha was likely a granddaughter of
John & Mary
(Platts) Prescott, thus Josiah Wheeler would have been nephew, by
marriage, to Richard Wheeler. Elizabeth (White) Wheeler of Concord,
Josiah's mother, was granddaughter of Mayflower passanger William White.
See "Mayflower Families Through Five Generations...; Vol. 13 Family
of
William White;" published by General Society of Mayflower Descendants,
1997. My ancestry to Josiah Wheeler is through his daughter Experience
Wheeler who married William Pollard and resided in Bolton, MA.
Hello
I am writing to ask if there is anyone in Lancaster or the surrounding
area
that could do a look-up for me?? I am trying to find out where
my
GGrandmother, Laura Etta Goodwin was born...it is possible that she
was
b.July 14, 1866 in Lancaster to Jesse Goodwin and Sarah Leah
Wheeler. They
lived in Marlborough according to most of the records but there is
no birth
record...her Mothers' pension application stated she was born in Lancaster.
Can anyone confirm?? Thank you.
Lynette
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I am looking for information on my GGGG Grandmother who I believe was
from
Lancaster. Her name was Sally Phelps and she married Oliver Webster.
She
would have been born in late 1700s.
I believe her parents names were: Abel Phelps and Lois Willard Phelps.
Would appreciate any information anyone can send me.
Linda Thomas
Watertown, NY
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Reply:
Linda Thomas,
I can help you with some of the Lancaster genealogy.
Please e-mail me at cfifield@seneca24.net. I live in Seneca Falls, New
York and have a CD on Early Vital Records of Worcester County up to about
1850. I found 14 page references to Sally Phelps, 10 for Abel Phelps, 26
for Joshua Phelphs and none for Oliver Webster (He maybe in another town).
Here is a sample of what I found:
Saily (sic) Phelps, b. Oct. 28, 1780
Brothers and sisters.
Lucy, b. Feb. 22, 1779
Peter, b. April 17, 1783
Abel, b. Dec. 31, 1785
Mother and Father
F. Abel Phelps, b. Aug 7, 1750; i of 9 child.
Abel's parents; Joshua Phelps and Rebeckah Beman, (Marriage Int. Aug.
18, 1744)
Me, Clifford C. Fifield, Jr.; 289 Fall Street, Seneca Falls, NY 13148-1516.
I was raised as a child in Lancaster and am related to the Houghtons of
Lancaster, that is why I have the CD. Thanks for listening,
Cliff
Sincerely,
Cyndi
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Hi. I read your e-mail posted on the Lancaster, MA website.
I too am
researching the Joslin family tree and by a total fluke moved to Lancaster
MA
almost two years ago without any idea my ancestors helped settle this
town.
Have been to the cemetary recently and have found a few Joslin
tombstones--very hard to read. I will be going back in the next
few weeks
and hope to get a few etchings. I understand there is an even
older cemetary
in the woods behind this cemetary but have yet to find it. I
am related to
Thomas Joslin thru Nathaniel,Nathaniel Jr, Nathaniel II, John,
David,
George Snell, Amanda Joslin. Amanda was my gg grandmother.
Hope to hear from you.
Kindest regards,
Rebecca Franco
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I'm looking for information on the Joslin family in Lancaster.
Particularly Peter and his wife Sarah Howe. Is there an account of
the
massacre of Sarah and the children? I will welcome information on any
other
Joslin's who lived in the area also.
Thanks, Lynn Gurney
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Hi,
I'm doing a presentation on Lancaster during the time of Mary
Rowlandson's captivity. I was wondering if you have a map of
Lancaster
then and now? Is it accessible online? I can be e-mailed
at
kajoda@aol.com
Thanks,
Cyndi
Webmaster note: The following is a message by the same person
sent to the Historical Society
Do you have any other info about Lancaster at the time of Mary Rowlandson's
abduction? I am looking for a map of Lancaster then and now.
What type of
town was Lancaster then? Was it a typical Mass Bay town?
You should have
your own website.
Could you please advise if there is a public/private facility that offers
swimming and/or swimming lessons in your area? Thank you.
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Response:
Every summer the town sponsors swimming lessons at the Spec Pond. You
can
probably contact the town for the sign up dates. Also AUC has
an indoor
pool and has swimming lessons on a first come first serve basis. (This
is on
the south side of town in the Boys Dorm ) .Again you could probably
call the
College to find out sign up times. If your interested go early the
classes
fill up quickly Lastly Orchard Hills runs swimming programs I'm sure
you
could call them and find out. Boy you must really miss the heat to
already
be thinking about the water. Good luck and enjoy your swimming
Wes Ridlon
I was wondering is there a way I can find out what neighborhoods use
well
water? Thank you for your time.
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Reply:
Greetings: You asked how to determine which neighborhood's
use well
water in Lancaster. Actually, all of Lancaster uses well water...
the
town has one of the finest fresh water municipal well-reservoirs in
the
Commonwealth. Quality water is directed from the 146 feet deep,
gravel
well-reservoir between Bolton Rd and Mill St. straight up to the million
gallon-plus holding tanks (two of them) on the top of George Hill (near
Rowlandson Rock) and then the water is gravity feed throughout the
town
via the municipal water pipe system. Residents voted at the annual
town
meeting held Mar. 5, 1962 to create this public water system.
It was
established the following year, 1963, and continues to serve most of
the
residents. Some residents, however, who are "off the beaten path"
of the
system, in remote sections of town, share neighboring town's water
systems (Leominster, Clinton, etc.) or have a small private well on
their
own property. If you would like more details about sections in
town not
serviced by the municipal water system I would suggest you contact
the
Lancaster Water Division at (978) 365-2412.
Cheers, John C. Schumacher-Hardy
I have transcribed the Inscriptions from the earliest graves at
Lancaster...146 kb's
file sent as a text attachment on request.
Janice Farnsworth
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Webmaster note: Please include what you are requesting in your response
to make it easier for us to forward these requests. Thank you.
jouni voutilainen
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Reply
Greetings: There were two pizza places at that site (1183 Main
St.,
Clinton). The first one was Jon's Pizza which was there until
about
1980, or so, when it moved up the street (it's still there operating
at
995 Main St. in Clinton) to the old laundry mat building a short distance
past the Camelot Apartment buildings. The next pizza place there
was
Grady's pizza (in the same spot as Jon's Pizza had been). I believe
they
simply closed the pizza operation there and did not relocate.
Grady's
ran an alcoholic package store in the same building (next door).
The
two units were made into one single unit when the partitioned wall
was
removed and the convenience store began (soon after the pizza operation
discontinued there). The store has recently changed its name
from Apple
Country Market to the "Beer and Wine Store Next Door." Jon's
Pizza has
good business and delicious food. They have always catered to
the
vegetarians in the community, serving both meat items and "veggie meat"
(mock meat substitutes) for their pizza and grinder/sandwich costumers.
Cheers, John C. Schumacher-Hardy
Hi again.... Oops... I made a mistake. The new name of the former
Main
St. "Apple Country Market" is now the "Next Door Market." Cheers,
John
C. Schumacher-Hardy
New reply
it was paiges' pizza
It is managed, trail lead from it to the main cemetery.
Give me some time and I'll scan some pictures for you.
Bill Hitz
Hello! I'm doing some research for a paper at Drew University
in Madison, NJ
and ran across an article in the Boston Globe about a possible addition
to
the Bulfinch Church. Was this addition built? How has this
issue affected
the community? Thank you for any information anyone might supply!
-- Alicia
Skinner, West Orange, NJ
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From Michael
Does anyone have any information on the State Industrial School in
Lancaster that was there in 1920? I'm not sure if it still exists and was
looking for information or records from there.
Thank you
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Reply received:
The buildings are still there. They are presently used as a pre-release
center for the Massachusetts Correctional Institute, ie,prison.
RESPONSE
Subject: Thomas Wilder of Lancaster & Watertown, MA
Source: The Early Records of Lancaster, Massachusetts by Henry
S.
Nourse, A.M. Lancaster,
1884
p.297 to 299
Thomas Wilder, or, as he signed himself, "Wyellder," bought of John
Tinker a house and land half a mile south, next to John Prescott's
Cowdall purchase, then known as the Knight lot.
This remained the home of the Wilders for more than one hundred and
fifty years. Wilder was about forty years of age when he came
from
Charlestown in 1659. He had been admitted to the church there
in 1640, and
was made freeman in 1641.
Upon his arrival in Lancaster he was at once installed in the position
of selecman, vacated by John Tinker's removal. He died October
23,
1667. The inventory of his estate sums 405 pounds 18 shillings.
There are named in his will, his wife Ann, and children Mary, Thomas,
John, Elizabeth, Nathaniel and Ebenezer. None of these were born
in
Lancaster. Thomas and John, at the re-settlement of the town
established
their homes on Bridecake Plain, now known as the Old Common, living
on the
north side of the highway. Nathaniel retained
the old homestead, and was there an inn-keeper for nearly twenty-five
years.
During the war of the Revolution, twenty-two soldiers bearing the
family name Wilder served for Lancaster, then including Sterling.
In
the year 1798 there were seventeen landholders in town named Wilder,
exceeding the number of Willards, the next most frequent patronymic,
by four.
Thomas Wilder's daughter Mary married Daniel Allen, a cooper in Charlestown,
and upon a gift of forty acres of land from her father,
they came to Lancaster, bringing children born in Charlestown and
Watertown. Their son Ebenezer Allen returned to Lancaster and
his son
Ebenezer Allen was a man of note here in revolutionary times.
The Allen
homestead is in the borders of Clinton, and now occupied by E. A.
Currier. Benjamin Allen who had children born in Lancaster before
the
massacre, was probably a brother of Daniel. In 1716, Thomas Tucker
had lands under Thomas Wilder's Rights, near Clamshell Pond.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
p.277
In the settlement of Lieutenant Nathaniel Wilder's estate his son
Ephraim received "all the house Lott that formerly belonged to the
Prescotts," except one acre, which was set apart for the widow.
The
direct descendants of Captain Ephraim Wilder have resided upon the
property until within the memory of some now (1884) living. William
Toombs bought it, and the estate is by our older residents often called
the
Toombs place. This land has lately come into posession of
H. A. Marshall.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Transcribed by Janice Farnsworth
From: Vicki Street-Sando
I am interested in finding out if there was ever a St. James Church
in
Lancaster. I am researching my family genealogy and I was informed
that my
family members John Street and Lyndia Howe were married at St. James
Church
in Lancaster on Oct. 25, 1764. I would greatly appreciate any
info. you may
have on this church.
Responses will be posted and
forwarded
Reply:
Checked the early records for Lancaster and did not find a John Street
or Lyndia Howe. Early town records called the church "The First Church
of Christ". Could be a splinter church that was formed from Lancaster such
as Bolton, Sterling, etc. Will check my CD again. I'm out in New York so
do not have local references.
Thanks for listening,
Cliff Fifield
Janet Lincoln
From: Brett Cooper
I am on a little bit of a research mission. My great great great grandfather
lived in Lancaster and a few of the surrounding towns in the 1880's approximately.
His name was Paul Heerbrandt. It is my belief that he belonged to a society
known as the Lincoln Club. This was a group of men that supported Lincoln
for president. This club all had canes carved with Lincoln's head on them.
I am trying to get more information on this club and possible links back
to when and where it was made. If you have any idea about this club or
who I might be able to get in touch with to learn about it please respond.
Thank you very much
Responses will be posted and
forwarded
Greetings: I was browsing the Lancaster online bulletin / message
board
and noticed your question about the "legend" of Blood Town Forrest.
Perhaps someone already has answered you, but I thought I would in
case
not. The name of this lovely wooded section atop the George and Ballard
Hill region of town was named after the generosity of the gentleman
who
donated it to the town many years ago: Mr. Blood. Many fanciful
imaginations have conjured up wild tales of gore and blood to entertain
their piers when asked about the naming of this place. But, to the
best
of my knowledge, there have been no actual scary tales associated with
it
whatsoever. Cheers, John C. Schumacher-Hardy
Second Message: At your direction I called the Board of Health.
They informed me that we
have no budget for this type of service this year. They also referred
me to
the Board of Selectmen. After my conversation with this office I was
told
that formal complaints could be made, in writing, to the Board of Selectmen
and the Board of Public Works. I have included both addresses in this
e-mail
and would like you to include it on the message board. I ask that all
those
people that are tired of not being able to enjoy the outdoors without
being
eaten alive send a formal compliant. Being a resident I really don't
want to
see another reason for our taxes go up yet again, however one look
at my
children's bodies lead me to believe that this problem deserves some
attention
Thanks for your help
Wes Ridlon
From Lancaster OnLine: Lancaster Board of Selectmen, Town Hall, 695
Main St., Lancaster, 01523, or 365-3326
Greetings: I noticed you inquiry at the Lancaster online website.
Perhaps you've already received the information you requested, but
I'll
answer too (just incase not). In 1973 three two main newspaper sources
for this region were: 1) Clinton Daily Item (Clinton, MA... still
pubished); 2) Worcester Morning Telegram; and 3) Worcester Evening
Gazette (note, these last two were combined into one paper which is
still
published as the Worcester Telegram & Gazette; Worcester, MA).
Hope this
helps. Good luck on your family history quest. Cheers, John C.
Schumacher-Hardy
PS The Lancaster Public Library has back issues on microfilm of the
Clinton Daily Item (now simply the Clinton Item, published twice a
week).
The Worcester Public Library has the same for Worcester Telegram and
Worcester Gazette back issues. The Clinton Item was bought several
years
ago by the Worcester Telegram & Gazette owners. Cheers, John C.
Schumacher-Hardy
Response:
Subject: Aaron Gary/Geary
Source: Birth, Marriage, and Death Register, Church Records & Epitaphs
of
Lancaster, MA by Henry S. Nourse, A.M. 1890
p. 46
Aaron Gary & Lucy Beard both of Lancaster Entred their Intentions
of marriage
Oct'r ye 29th, 1772
p.130
Lucy, Daughter to Aaron & Lucy Gary was born May ye 13th 1773.
p.382 Chocksett Church Records
July 6, 1754 Children of Aaron Gary: Moses Gary & Benjamin Gary
baptized.
p.384 Chocsett Church Records
April 22, 1759 Child of Aaron Geary, Oliver Geary baptized. Records
have
surname
spelled Geary or Gary
p.42
James Carruth of Templeton, MA and Lucy Gary of Lancaster Declared
their
intentions of Marriage August 29, 1769
p.112
Benjamin Gary Son to Reuben & Lucy Cutter Gary was born June 23d
1774
Buried at Chocksett Cemetery
GEARY
Joseph Geary d. 13 Apr. 1781 age 65
p.39
Thomas Gary Jun. & Priscilla Jewet both of Lancaster Declared their
Intentions of
Marriage August 25, 1705
p.44
Thomas Gary and Rebecca How both of Lancaster Entred their Intentions
of
Marriage December ye 5th 1770
p.83
Thomas Gary Jun & Jane Wilder both of Lancaster, Intentions of
Marriage
Entered
March 20, 1756
p.85
Marriages performed by Rev. John Mellen
Thomas Gary Jun & Jane Wilder married April 22, 1756
p.101
Marriages performed by Rev John Mellen
October 24, 1765
Thomas Geary Jun & Priscilla Jewet
p.387
Chocksett Church Records
May 3, 1767 Child of Thomas Geary baptized
p.388
Chocksett Church Records
David Geary child of Thomas Geary baptized May 27, 1770
p.389
Chocksett Church Records
John Geary child of Thomas Geary baptized August 9, 1772
Transcribed by Janice Farnsworth
Response:
I have four entries for Aaron Gary.
1. Marriage intentions: Aaron Gary and Lucy Beard, both of Lancaster,
Oct 29, 1772.
2. Lucy daughter Aaron & Lucy Gary born May 13, 1773.
3. Bapt. Children of Aaron Gray, Moses and Benja: Glazier, Susanna.
4. Bapt. April 22, 1759 Child of Aaron Geary, Oliver.
Note change in spelling of Gary to Geary.
Don't know how to read the #3.
I have a CD on Early Vital Records of Worcester
County. Can print off pages if you need them and snail mail them to you.
My e-mail is cfifield@senecs24.net
Thanks for listening, Cliff Fifield
Greetings: I noticed your inquiry on the Lancaster, MA website.
I live
and Lancaster and likewise descend from the local Whitcomb and Houghton
families. They are among the regions earliest families. Are your
Houghtons from Boston or Bolton, MA? Bolton, MA was part of Lancaster
until it broke off to incorporate as a separate township in 1738.
Sometimes old handwriting is confusing to decipher and folks mistake
"Bolton" for "Boston." Have you received any other responses to your
inquiry? What is your connection to these families? The oldest item
I
have in my possession for family-related documents is a real estate
deed
from 1706 signed by my ancestors John & Mary Houghton of Lancaster.
Cheers, John C. Schumacher-Hardy
Response:
You have opened a big box here with the Houghton name. Go to <sites.netscape.net/cjvella>.
He has about 33,000 names in his genealogy. If you need help, contact me
at cfifield@seneca24.net.
Thanks for listening, Cliff
Fifield
Response: There is on old cemetery in close to the center of
town. On Main
Street after you cross over the Nashua River, before you get to Bigelow
Gardens, on the left hand side is a very old cemetery. If you go through
the
back of this cemetery over the railroad tracks there is a path that
will
lead you down a hill to the "Old Indian Cemetery". Here some of the
earliest
settlers of Lancaster have been laid to rest. The walk is approximately
5-10
minuets from the road. Good luck finding your ancestors.
Responses will be posted and
forwarded
Greetings: I am not aware of any such "print" company existing
now in town. There were several book printers / publishers in Lancaster,
beginning with the Carter & Andrews group of the early 1800's, but
no one is currently printing books in town to my knowledge. The most
recent book printers would have been those associated with the local Seventh-day
Adventist church and school. A number of books and tracts were
produced here, especially around the turn of the 20th century (1900's)
in a small print shop that was in the cluster of buisness buildings at
the corners of Sawyer and Prescott Streets (razed several years ago due
to their ruinous state and the need for more college parking). This
operation eventually expanded and removed, eventually coming to a building
by Orchard and Flagg Streets (part of the South Lancaster Academy and
Atlantic Union College properties). It was known for years as
the "College Press." When Atlantic Union College decided to sell
off it's college-owned industries in the late 1970's / early 1980's (including
the printing operation), one of the College Press managers, Mr. Ariel Schmidt,
and one of his co-workers, Mr. "Red" Graves, purchased the business. It's
name by this time was "Atlantic Graphics" or Atlantic Graphic Printers."
Several years later, and after strong financial success, Mr. Schmidtt had
the buisness moved to a commercial building purchased by the company on
nearby Plain St. in Clinton, MA. It is still
running and doing quite well. What is the title of the book you
seek to buy? The Southern New England Conference of Seventh-day Adventists,
on Sawyer St., has a book store with many religious titles. The store
is called "New England Adventist Book Center," or simply called "the ABC."
It was begun as the "Book and Bible House" over a half a century ago.
Perhaps the book you seek could be available there as a reprint.
Cheers,
John C. Schumacher-Hardy