This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: RonColby41 Surnames: Colby, Long Classification: obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.colby/1156/mb.ashx Message Board Post: July 19, 1901 LAID AT REST Funderal Services of Late Moses L. Colby Held at the Historic Macy-Colby House Very Largely Attended - Delegation From Organizations The funeral of Moses L. Colby took place as it was fitting it should from the Macy-Colby house. His remains followed by a long train of mourners were borne from this ancient home of his fathers to their last resting place on the green hillside near the gravers of his ancestors. It was the funeral of one in whom many were interested and the attendance at the obsequies was large. Besides the many relatives and friends to whom Mr. Colby was well known and beloved, there was a large number of citizens and some strangers. Representatives also of the Bartlett Cemetery Association, Josiah Bartlett Chapter of D.R. , Town Improvement Society had the two remaining '49ers in town, A.M. Huntington and Ephraim Brown, also F.F. Morrill of Newburyport. The services were conducted by Rev., D. W. Davis who discoursed at some length. In closing he spoke tenderly of the deceased bringing out some of the traits of his character. He emphasized feelingly the moral life, the gentle manner, the quiet reticent ways, the noble patriotism and magnanimous spirit of Mr. Colby in presenting the town with the invaluable gifts of his ancient ancestral home the its spacious grounds so finely graded and adorned. Mr. Colby's religious belief it was not easy to define for he was a man of few words on these things and of an exceedingly taciturn disposition. His brother Luther was a leading spiritualist but one who knew them both well and at whose home they were frequent guests remarked that in the discussion of such matters Moses never showed by word or act that he had any sympathy with spiritualism. A quartette consisting of C.S. Wingate, Dr. E.L. Noyes, Mrs. Sadie Taylor and Miss Mildred Daniels sang two selections, "Lead Kindly Light" and "Still, Still With Thee". And closed the service by chanting the Lord's Prayer. The floral tributes to the memory of the deceased were many and very beautiful. There were wreathes set pieces and bouquets by the family, the immediate friends and others. Hose Four contributed a basket of choice flowers, the Bartlett Cemetery Association a large set piece and Josiah Bartlett Chapter of D.R. a wreath of rare flowers. The bearers were Horace S. Worthen, G.W. Osgood, George S. Bartlett and Willis McFarland. When the body was placed in the hearse it was followed to the grave in the Bartlett Cemetery in the rear of the old home by a large procession of mourners formed of relatives, friends, citizens and others. At the grave Mr. Davis read few appropriate selections from Scripture and offered prayer. ========================== MOSES L. COLBY Death of a Well Known Resident Was a '49er and a Veteran Fireman Generous Gift of the Historic Macy-Colby House On Tuesday Moses L. Colby, a well known resident of the town passed away at his home in Kendrick's Court. He was the son of Capt. Wm. And Mary Long Colby and was born in 1821. His father was twice married. The children by the second wife were Joseph, Obadiah, Moses, Elizabeth and Luther, who was the editor of the "Banner of Light" for many years. The first Colby came to this country in Governor Winthrop's company in 1636 and Moses was of the seventh generation from Anthony, the first Colby settler of Amesbury. He went to Boston when a young man and learned the trade of a boot maker and followed that trade for some years. He belonged to one of the Boston Fire Companies, the equipment of which he loved to preserve to his last years. Moses was one of those who went to California in '49 and resided there for 18 years, keeping store part of the time. He was a member of one of the '49 Clubs of Boston. In his return from California he boarded with his nephews who kept house for their father Obadiah in the old Macy house. This house has been in the possession of this family for ten generations, since 1654 when they purchased it from Thomas Macy the first town clerk who erected it. After the death of Obadiah, Moses became legal heir to the Macy house be purchasing the property rights of others. Since his nephew Wm. Moved from the Macy house to Allen's Corner Moses had boarded with his nephew Edward who resides in Kendrick's Court. At this home he had for himself rooms which he kept in orderly arrangement relics of other years which he treasured so highly. He ever had a strong desire to see the Macy house preserved as an object of historic interest by the town and in this he was fully sustained by the members of Josiah Bartlett Chapter D.R. The Bartlett Cemetery Association having purchased from Mr. Colby the land in the rear of the house, it was placed in their hands and would be kept in an excellent stare of preservation. The Cemetery Association would thus secure by his gift to them what they had desired, an entrance to their grounds. For this reason, he gave a deed of the house to the Association stipulating that it should be kept in excellent order. It had been a great labor of love to Mr. Colby this summer in putting the grounds in to proper shape and adorning them. Mr. Colby was a great lover of his country, a true patriot. Last Saturday only he remarked to a friend who visited him that it caused him keen regret in not seeing the old flag float from the Macy house on the Fourth of July, the first time in all his life he had ever missed it there on that day. He was a man that was neat and orderly in all his habits and ways of life. He was upright and square in all his dealings with his fellows and was gently and retiring in disposition. His familiar form will be greatly missed by all his friends at the Ferry and elsewhere; but he will not be forgotten for he has left us an enduring memorial of his kindness and generosity. The death of Moses Colby removes from our midst a highly respected and most public spirited citizen. His generous gift to Josiah Bartlett Chapter Daughters of the Revolution of the historic Colby-Macy house will ever endear his name to the people of this town. This ancient house which has so many interesting historic facts connected with its history will always be highly prized. Mr. Colby did not wait until after he had departed this life before he did good with his money, his liberal contributions in fixing up the historic house and grounds were fully appreciated and he lived to see the generous use of his funds benefit those around him. Would that other men of means might emulate his example and by a liberal use of their wealth give the public something from which they can receive benefit. Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.