USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Petersham > Sketches of Petersham natives and adopted citizens > Part 11
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She was a person of many excellent traits, conscientious, faithful, generous, sympathetic ; punctuality was a prominent trait. She was a good reader of character, her opportunities were favorable, mingling as she did in so many families. She was an intelligent person, a reader of the best literature of the time, well posted on current events, would often have a paper, or a book, open before her on the table when pressing clothes ; was a poet of considerable local note, could write one upon the spur of the moment ; wrote the poem for the centennial celebra-
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tion of Petersham in 1854. She was very witty, it was as nat- ural as her breath, not meaningless, but wholesome, sparkling. Concerning her faithfulness, it was common for lier to begin her work by candle light early in the morning in the winter season and work till 10 and 11 o'clock in the evening and even till mid- night in order to meet an engagement at the appointed time the next day, and if the party expected didn't appear at the ap- pointed time, there might be a mild "explosion" that couldn't fail of being understood. To understand some of the difficulties one labored under in those days, they must consider that they had to sew by candle light, which required frequent snuffing, or they might have a whale oil lamp, which was but little better, except it required no snuffing. Two candles, at least, were ne- cessary to see to sew by. The old open fireplace was a source of some light in the early days. She was much interested in, and a constant attendant of the Unitarian Church, and gave generously of her means toward worthy objects. She couldn't endure to see animals ill-treated, it would bring down her con- demnation on the head of anyone whom she saw ill-treat a dumb beast in no uncertain terms. She was in some respects very timid. She was afraid to ride after a spirited horse. If she thot she was going to be run away with or thrown out she would close her eyes and trust to "fate." In Mr. James W. Brooks' allusion to Miss Howe in his 150th Anniversary address lie well describes some of her qualities (or characteristics) thus:
"Mary Ann Howe, who wrote the hymn sung at our former celebration. How familiar to some of us her big shears and goose and pressing-board and big steel thimble, that, for many years, went with her, from farm to farm, to cut and stitch and press the clothing of the farmer and his boys, at fifty cents a day ! How hier keen wits gauged his character and habits as her tape took measurements of his tabernacle of flesh !- an in- dustrious and helpful being, the product of whose honest and ill-paid toil was many a generous deed in life and a handsome sum bequeathed at deatlı. How rough her left forefinger, where the needle pricked it ! And what conscience went into the jerk of her linen thread as she drew our buttons home to stay !--- an altogether excellent woman, although it must be con- fessed she wrought such similarity of expression into the fore
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and aft of our trousers as to remind us of the breeches of the little chap whose mother said that, when too far away to see his face, she could never tell whether he was going to school or coming home."
And here comes the sad climax of a worthy life, full of use- fulness and unselfishness. Although she was a favored guest in the homes of the wealthy and much sought for in social en- tertainments, yet, for no reason assigned (tho it was said she had times of depression), she requested that there be no in- scription upon her monument. Thus there stands upon her lot in the cemetery an unpretentious marble shaft with only the name of "Howe" upon it.
POEM OF MISS HOWE, WRITTEN FOR THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY OF PETERSHAM IN 1854
I The birthday of Freedom ! A jubilee sound, From hill-top to hill-top re-echo it round : Our sires fought for Freedom-their sons know its wortlı, And a nation of freemen have sprung into birth.
2
And we, who a century count, since our sires First planted their hearthstones and kindled their fires, Assemble to thank Him whose watch and whose ward Hath ever been o'er us to guide and to guard.
3 We boast not of riches-our wealth is the soil, Our wants are supplied by the fruits of our toil : The sons of New England, as freemen we stand, And warm is the grasp of the toil-hardened hand.
4 No iron-horse tramples our valleys so fair, No lightning flash speedeth a message through air : But Hygeia sitteth enthroned on our hills,
Whose picturesque beauty with ecstasy thrills.
5
Old Nichewang welcomes her gathering sons, And greets with delight all her wandering ones,
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Returned to their birthplace-the links of a chain,
Long severed, and now are united again.
6 Heaven's arch bendeth o'er us in sheltering love, A pledge of re-union in mansions above : A hymn of thanksgiving and gratitude raise, A song of rejoicing-a pæan of praise.
Thomas W. Joyce and John G. Joyce
Thomas W. Joyce and John G. Joyce are two of Petersham's well known sons. Their father, Michael Joyce, was a native of Cloonborough, County Mayo, Ireland, but left that unfortunate land during the "Great Famine" of 1847. He landed at Montreal, Canada, where he remained for a short time. Later he obtained work in Underhill, Vermont. In 1849 he migrated to Worcester County, Mass., living in Barre until 1856. On Dec. 15th of that year he was married to Catherine Keaveney, a native of Glen- amaddy, County Galway, Ireland. A subsequent search for a permanent homestead led to their purchase, in March 1857, of a farm in the east part of Petersham. There they lived until the latter part of 1893. On December 24th of that year Catherine Joyce died and her death was followed next day, Christmas, by the death of her husband.
They were survived by two sons, the principals of this sketch.
The elder, Thomas W. Joyce, was born October 19th, 1857. and his brother, John G. Joyce, was born January 28th, 1860. Their boyhood was divided between attending district school No. 5 and assisting their father on the farm. After finishing the dis- trict school training they both attended Petersham High school and Barre Academy.
After attaining their majority they engaged in local indus- tries for a short time, but. believing that a broader future lay in wider fields they soon struck along a different line.
In 1883 they became travelling salesmen for a Boston pub- lishing house. In such capacity their activities extended over the greater part of New England. By dint of zealous perseverance their abilities found recognition in higher appointments and the
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year 1886-89 saw T. W. Joyce as road representative and J. G. Joyce the local manager of the office in Providence, R. I.
Inherent ability combined with indefatigable labor had yet greater fruits to offer, however, for in March, 1889, the two brothers formed a co-partnership as Joyce Bros. & Co., and opened an office on Arch street, Boston, for the sale of household necessities. In 1902 their business having proved successful they became incorporated under the same firm name and entered the clothing business.
From humble beginnings their business grew to noteworthy proportions, until today they own and operate a chain of seven retail clothing stores in important cities of New England and have received recognition as one of the leading retail clothing firms of the United States.
. On April 9, 1888. J. G. Joyce was married to Mary E. Bliss of Springfield, Mass. Seven children were born to them, five of whom are now living and reside with their parents in Boston. Mass.
T. W. Joyce was married to Annabelle D. Quimby of West- brook, Maine, June 24, 1891. They have two children and reside in Providence, R. I.
John B. Leamy
Born in Gardner, Mass., Aug. 9, 1858, son of Michael and Honora Leamy, who moved to Petersham in 1866. Educated in schools of Petersham. At seventeen began work in postoffice for J. G. Mudge, next in general store for Tower & Fobes. In October. 1879, went to Natick as clerk in dry goods store of Cleland & Co .: 1882 buyer for dry goods department of Hongh- ton & Dutton in Boston : March 1st, 1889, opened dry goods store Main and Summer streets. Natick, Mass .: March 1st, 1899, pur- chased half interest in the express business of Howe & Co., and on the death of G. W. Howe about three years later became sole proprietor of Howe & Co., being now in that business.
At the present time is a trustee and one of the investment board of the Natick Five Cent Savings Bank, director Natick National Bank, trustee and treasurer of Leonard Norse hospital. trustee and president of Dell Park Cemetery Association. Was married Sept. 25. 1901. to Nellie L. Fox. Natick, Mass.
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Daniel A. Leamy
Son of Michael and Honora Leamy, was born in Templeton, Mass., in 1857, came to Petersham with his parents in 1866 was educated in the public schools of Petersham and Gardner High school. Married Mary Regan of Gardner and had two children. Died at Allentown, Penn., in 1910, where he had carried on the furniture business successfully for many years.
Martin Leamy. brother, was born in Gardner in 1860, was educated in Petersham district and High schools. Taught in Petersham, Dana and Plainview, Neb., later studied law at Omaha and is now district attorney for Pierre county, Neb .; is married and has four children.
Elizabeth Leamy, born in Templeton in 1862, educated in Petersham district and high schools, taught years as principal of a Gardner grammar school, married Timothy Crowley of Ver- gennes, Vt. ; has one son.
Mary A. Leamy, born in Templeton in 1865, was educated in public and high schools in Petersham : taught as principal of a Gardner grammar school many years, also in Petersham, Hub- bardston and Rutland. Studied social work at Massachusetts General Hospital and with Mrs. Greely Smith of Cambridge, who is social worker for that city; has for the past five years done social work in Gardner, Mass.
Patrick Leamy, born in Petersham in 1868, was educated in the public and high schools of the town. Graduated from the Massachusetts Agricultural College : taught in Butte High school, Neb. : did expert mining some time. Married Mary Spillman of Louisville, Ky. Now lives at Live Oak. Cal., operating a large fruit and alfalfa ranch. Was moderator of an annual town meet- ing in Petersham when but little past his majority and proved himself very efficient.
German Legara
"Adopted Citizen"
It is said that he was born in France and went with his parents to Quebec, Canada, when very young, was born in 1830, came to Massachusetts in 1848. Settled in Petersham, was a mechanic. In 1861 he enlisted in the 21st Mass. volunteer regi-
George S. Mann
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ment. Before he enlisted he was a pail maker and a trapper. He was taken prisoner at the battle of Bethseda Church. Va., June 2. 1864, discharged March 29th, 1865 ; was in Libby and Ander- sonville prisons and suffered as others did from ill treatment, but being of a robust constitution he regained his health and strength. It is said of him by Dr. James Oliver, who was surgeon of the 21st regiment, that Mr. Legara was company cook and that while the regiment marched from Kentucky to Knoxville, Tenn., he wheeled the camp kettles all the way in a wheelbarrow, over 200 miles. He was always cheerful and jolly, the life of the com- pany. After his return he engaged in the manufacture of wood- enware of useful and artistic design, made from selected woods of the knottiest kinds he could find, which when polished and shellaced brought out the grain with fine effect. There was a ready sale for all he could make to city people.
In politics, a Republican. Of exemplary habits, had an ex- cellent memory, entertaining as a story teller and a highly re- spected citizen. Died in 1910. He had no children.
George Sumner Mann
was a descendant in the seventh generation from that Richard Man who emigrated from England to Scituate, in Plymouth Col- ony, in the reign of Charles I. shortly prior to 1(44. His nearest neighbor on the south was John Hoar, later of Concord, Mass., ancestor of the distinguished family of that name and town. The narre of Richard Mann, planter, appears. among the Conihassett Partners, so-called, who acquired lands in Scitrate in 1646, of Timothy Hatherly. Mr. Mann was a personage of note and much respected in the community. With thirty-one others, he took the oath of fidelity January 15, 1644. His farm was located on a beautiful elevation called Man Hill, in the northeastern part of that town, overlooking a wide expanse of ocean. The succes- sion in the male line is Richard 1. Thomas 2, Ensign 3, Ensign 4, Ensign 5, William 6, and George Sumner 7. The paternal great-grandfather, Ensign Mann, Jr., born on Mann Hill in 1740, removed with his father to Boston early in life, and was grad- rated from Harvard College in 1764. The College hall and library were burned during his collegiate course, and he lost many Looks in the fire. He removed to Lancaster, where he was teach-
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er for three years, and finally went to Petersham, where he also followed the profession of teaching. He took a prominent part in the controversies preceding the American Revolution, was an ardent patriot, and one of the Sons of Liberty. In 1773 he married Alice Whitney, daughter of Rev. Aaron Whitney, the minister of Petersham, and later in life bought a farm in the north part of the town where he was considerably employed in fitting young men for college. He was usually spoken of as "Master Mann." His grandson, William of Petersham was born July 25, 1809, and married Abigail Cook, who was born in Guildhall, Vermont, later of New Salem, Massachusetts. When ten months old his father died, leaving him to the care of his mother, who married for her second husband one Sanderson. William was a speculator in real estate and cattle, who owned over a dozen farms within a radius of five miles of Petersham meeting-house, and in 1867 purchased the Capt. Joel Brooks Farm, where he resided for some years. He was a man of sound judgment and enjoyed the confidence of his fellow townsmen. In politics he was a Jeffersonian, as were his sons, all being firm believers in the sovereignty of the states.
George Sumner Mann, the subject of this sketch, was born just over the Petersham line in New Salem. November 25, 1834. Sumner, the name by which he was commonly called, was given in honor of Rev. Joseph Sumner, D. D., of Shrewsbury, from which town his grandmother, Lydia Filmore, came. During his infancy his parents moved back to Petersham, where part of his youth was spent on his father's farm ncar the Athol line, now a part of the Harvard Forestry School. His education wos obtained in the "Bennet" Hill district school up to his eighteenth year. Then he spent a year in Goodale Academy at Bernardston. His early training as a merchant began in 1853 at the age of eighteen in the well known Theodore Jones store at Athol, and continued four years. Following this came a few months' sservice as clerk in the Erving post office.
In 1858 he went to Boston, where, after a few months' work in a dry-goods store, he entered into partnership with others and prosecuted a very successful dry-goods business in Tremont Row. with branches in Hanover and Tremont Streets, under the su :- cessive names of Mann & Company, Barker, Mann & Company
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and George S. Mann & Company. In 1863 he formed a strong intimacy with Justin Dewey of Great Barrington, then a law student in Boston, afterwards one of the justices of the Superior Court. Mr. Mann retired from mercantile business in 1878, de- voting himself thereafter to the real estate business and care of trust estates. In these lines of effort he was very successful and accumulated a competency.
Early in life Mr. Mann became interested in historical and genealogical studies, and after his retirement from commercial life found time to indulge these inclinations. He had great pa- tience in collection historical and biographical facts, which he turned to good account in frequent communications to the Boston Transcript and other publications. His most important contribu- tion was the "Mann Memorial." which appeared in 1884, and is a work of permanent value. Besides his membership in the New England Historic Genealogical Society, he belonged to the Brook- line Historical Society, the Bostonian Society, Sons of the Amer- ican Revolution, Bunker Hill Monument Association, Essex In- stitute, and Brookline Thursday Club .. During the last two years of his life he was secretary of the last named organization and devoted much time to its interests. He contributed several val- uable papers at its meetings, notably one on Shay's Rebellion, and another on Early London Clubs.
Mr. Mann bequeathed the town of Petersham $2000. the in- come of one-third of this sum to be applied to the care of certain burial lots. The yearly interest of the other two-thirds to be added to the principal until it amounts to $5000. Then the interest be applied to the purchase of books of a historical nature for the Petersham Memorial Public Library. A provision of an unusual nature appears in the creation of a fund of $20,000 to be called the "Mann Fund," which is eventually to be given to the Wash- ington and Lee University at Lexington, Virginia, for educational purposes, "in honor of the late General Robert E. Lee and others whose loyal adherence to the States' rights sustained them in the war between the States."
Mr. Mann is survived by a widow, Susan Alzea Stone, to whom he was married March 26, 1865, daughter of Jeremiah and Esther ( Wildes) Stone of Provincetown, by two daughters, Carrie Wildes, wife of William A. Spalding of Chestnut Hill, and
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Miss Gertrude Whitney Mann, by a younger brother, Horace Mann of Athol, and two sisters. Mary Sanderson Wilder; wife of Charles K. Wilder, and Miss Lydia A. Mann, both of Petersham.
The minute presented by Anson M. Lyman, Esq., in the Brookline Thursday Club, shortly after his death, well expresses the esteem in which Mr. Mann was held by his associates, and may properly close this sketch: "In the Brookline Thursday Club, of which he had been an honored active member for eight years and most constant in his attendance, all who met him must have been impressed with the charm of his manner and his un- failing courtesy. He was a companion we loved and honored. Of recent years, particularly during the time that he was our secre- tary, his love and thought was centred upon the welfare of the club. His reports as secretary were painstaking, discriminating, and often scintillating with flashes of wit and humor which added much to our enjoyment. We shall miss his genial presence and his kindly fellowship."
In 1891-92 Mr. Mann and family visited England and Ger- many. He visited the little hamlet of Petersham near London, Petersham's namesake.
Wilson Mann
Son of William and Abigail Cook Mann, was born in Barre. Mass., in 1837, the same year his parents removed to Petersham : was reared on a farm, received his education at the Bennett Hill school. At the age of 20 began his business career as a clerk in a dry goods store in Athol, Mass. Later, with a brother, George S. Mann, he engaged in the dry goods business in Boston, where he remained 17 years. In 1875 he removed to Orange, Mass., and opened a large dry goods store. In 1880 sold out to F. S. Par- menter ; two years later bought it back, taking into partnership A. W. Waite, and continued in the business until 1893, when the stock was sold out. Later he engaged in lumber and real estate business. He was a director in the Orange National Bank and was a heavy stockholder. He was reputed very wealthy. He died suddenly while returning from his daughter's grave, which he visited often to lay on flowers. In 1864 he married Alice Put- nam, daughter of John and Mary ( Merriam) Putnam of Orange. They had one daughter, Mary Alice, born 1872, died in 1903.
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Horace Mann
Son of William and brother of the above, was born in Peters- ham in 1838 ; was educated in the common school at Bennet Hill. Athol High and New Salem Academy. After engaging in teach- ing school a few years at Athol Centre and elsewhere, he en- gaged in the furniture business for several years : sold out, en- gaged in real estate business, built a number of houses, and in 1881 removed with his family to Jacksonville, Florida, then in 1882 to Ashville. N. C., where he engaged in real estate. After several years returned to Athol and since has been engaged quite extensively in lumbering, and is well-to-do. In 1886 he married Martha E. Lamb, daughter of James Lamb of Athol : has a son, James L., and a daughter, Mabel A. In politics a Democrat.
Horatio Mann
Son of William and brother of the above, was born in Peters- ham in 1841. received his schooling at the Bennet Hill school. brought up on a farm, as were his brothers, and always followed it in some line. Before he was of age he was farm manager for the Honorable John Sanderson on his large stock farm in Barre. Mass .. for several years: then farm manager for Mrs. Henry Ward of Montague, Mass., several years. Married Abbie Louisa, daughter of John F. and Mary B. Payne of Montagne, Mass .. when he took up his residence in Petersham ; engaged in farming and speculated in cattle. He had an unfailing good judgment of cattle and horses ; was elected assessor and served two years. In 1874 Mr. Mann removed to West Roxbury, Mass., and be- came superintendent of the well-known Aaron Weld farm until his death in 1895. He had two daughters. Jennie Dell and Louise Alice.
Mrs. Eliza A. Mudge
The following is a tribute to Mrs. Eliza A. Mudge and her (laughter, Mrs. Ruth Mudge Rogers, by Mrs. Elizabeth M. Gay. niere of the late J. B. Howe, on the occasion of unveiling a tal let in the Unitarian Church on May 30, 1915. in memory of Capt. Mudge. Mrs. Mudge and Mrs. Ruth Mudge Rogers.
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My earliests recollection of Mrs. Mudge is of her great motherliness. As children we could not run into the house with- out feeling the atmosphere of benevolence and later the assurance when going to her in trouble, that her advice would be the wisest. And at the age in the lives of girls when their aspirations are the keenest, there came the desire that our lives might be as full of usefulness as that of Mrs. Mudge-that was our highest ideal.
One of her strongest characteristics was seving the needs of others and helping every one who was in any way in distress. sending baskets of food and clothing as occasion required. As an instance of this, one very severe winter a family from Canada. ill and destitute, lived on the Phillipston road. Mrs. Mudge cared for them, clothed them and fed them. The fiercest storm or deepest snow did not deter Capt. Mudge from taking the things to them. During the war the women used to meet at the town house to sew for the soldiers, but that did not blind them to the immediate needs of this community. A mother died, leaving a large family of children. Dresses must be made. It was pro- posed they should be made without Lelts and yokes, but Mrs. Mudge said no, they should be made as well as she made them for her own children.
One of her co-workers said, "She was one of the best women to work with that ever, was-never dictated, always even." To our sewing society she gave unceasingly of her time, strength and material. The last time she came to Petersham she found much unfinished work on hand in our sewing chest. She took up the finishing as if she had been gone but a day and worked till it was completed and ready for the summer fair.
No one felt more intensely a wrong done, an animal abused or neglected-her words of condemnation would be strong. but never impatient. Impatience was not a part of her character.
She was an ideal hostess. No one could come into the town without feeling her welcome and the influence of her broad well- stored mind. To all these endearing qualities was added a quaint humor expressing itself in an original way of looking at things which gave an indefinable charm to a unique personality. Can anything higher Le said than that she was a mother, not in her own family alone, but to the town?
Her place in this community can never be filled, but her
JOHN G. MUDGE
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daughters followed in her footsteps-they both inherited their parents' love and care for dumb animals. During the last summer of Mrs. Rogers' life ,which she spent here in her summer home, while she was struggling with her dinner-which she never wanted-she heard one man in the street say to another, "there is a horse that has not been fed and there is no hay in the barn where he belongs." Mrs. Rogers said to her sister, with tears in her eyes, "I can never try to eat again until you go and get some hay put in that barn." It is needless to say the hay was sent before night. It was only one of many things she did in her quiet way, hiding her light under a bushel. She threw her life into the interests of the church and town when she came back and the details of her own home were not considered with more thought than those of the church.
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