>>The title "Mrs." was simply a term of respect, and had no reference to the marriage relation,-- a lady of high social standing, whether married or single, being addressed as Mistress, or with the abbreviated form Mrs. << Noted after 1st 10 marriages recorded in Andover, MA 1647-1648 Source: [CHAPTER I -p. 76] HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF ANDOVER. by Sarah Loring Bailey, 1880 OCR editing by Phylis Holmes, scanned and OCRed by David Blackwell http://www.usigs.org/library/books/ma/Andover1880

If I understand your question correctly, you know what a commonwealth is. You are asking why the state is called the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. I think you will have to go back in history to when the state was named. Remember that the first settlers lived in Plymouth Colony and Massachusetts Bay Colony. These colonies were joined into the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for the common wealth or common good of all of its residents, English and Indian. Generally speaking the same thing happened in the other "Commonwealth" states. Georgia and New York were established as single large colonies. There was no merging of colonies involved.

Maybe a stupid question: can anyone tell me why the state is called the Commonwealth of Massachusetts? Eliane Heseltine -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

page 742 Jonathan SARGENT, from whom the SARGENT's in town descend, came to Leicester as early as the year 1728 from Malden, MA. Among his descendants have been many men of more than ordinary standing and influence. To some of thes we have already referred. Col. Joseph D. SARGENT, the father of Edward, was one of the most enterprizing and successful business men in the town, and one of its most public-spirited and highly honored citizens. His 3 sons, Joseph Bradford, George H., and Edward have been associated in extensve business interests in Leicester and elsewhere. Edward SARGENT was born in Leicester, Marc 25, 1832. He was the son of Joseph D. and Mindwell (JONES) SARGENT. He received his education in the Leicester schools and the Academy. He, with his brother Joseph B., as has been before stated, began the manufacture of hand cards, at the "Brick Factory" on the 1st of May 1854. On the first day of the year 1859 they received their brother George H., into the firm, and at the same time organized the SARGENT Hardware Commision House in New York City. Mr. SARGENT was connected wit the company through life. They built extensive works for the manufacture of hardware in New Haven, Conn., and have become the largest hardware concern in the country. While the company were manufacturing cards in Worcester, Mr. SARGENT spent several winters there. Asie from this he passed his life in Leicester, and was one of its wealthy and valued citizens. He was a selectman of the town. He was interested in everything thatrelated to the welfare of the place, and contributed liberally both money and personal supervision to all public improvements. END of PART 1

His marriage with Ruth WOODCOCK (daughter of John WOODCOCK Sr., and sister of John, Josephus and Lucius ), in 1826,founded a family life of great happiness and unity for more than 50 years. When they celebrated their golden wedding, Jan 8, 1876 "we saw then" said Rev. Mr. COOLIDGE, " standing together, a spectacle rarely witnessed, an unbroken family," parents, children and grandchildren, a circle which death had then never entered. But in September of that year Mrs. BISCO died, with little warning; and Mr. BISCO suffered the severest loss which could possible happen to him. He had become vey deaf and her loss was the more severe. Their children who are all living are: Emily A., Charles D., George, John W., William, Henry and Frederick A.; all married but William. Mr. BISCO died Dec. 7, 1882. He was repeatedly a selectman of the town; director of the Leicester Bank for 11 years; treasurer of the Pine Grove Cemetary Company for 40 years; treasurer of the Unitarian Congregational Society as long, and a deacon of that church. He was a member of the State Legislature in 1847 and 48. In a notice of him in the "Christian Register", Mr. Abraham FIRTH wrote of " his marked faithfulness in all these relations, and in every sphere of life in which he moved. He was always found on the side of virtue, and of political and spiritual freedom. Brought up under the teaching of Calvinism, it never satisfied him." One who was long in daily business association with him wrote, in the Worcester Spy " he was known among his associates as an honest, upright man of superir sense and judgement." His pastor, during his later years, wrote of him, " I have never known a truer man, nor one of greater strength of character." His first minister,at the funeral services, paid a warm tribute to his character and life. " No man in Leicester, said a fellow citizen " has a better record than Dwight BISCO." A memorial book of Mr. and Mrs. BISCO has been printed. THE END

He was at different times nominated as a candidate for the State Legislature and though not belonging to the winning party, he had the habit of running invariably beyond his ticket, in his own town, in which he was general favorite. In the time of the Civil War he as a ardent patriot ad freely contributed to all its demands. In 1864 Mr. SARGENT completed the building of his elegant residence, opposite the attractive sheet of water on what was originaly the " Town Meadow", where the beavers built their houses and dams, ad through which ran "RANSOM Brook", but which has long been called, after his name " SARGENT's Pond." This house is now the home of his son, J.B. SARGENT. At the same time he built his handsome stable for his horses. He was a good horseman and especially in the earlier years of his life, very fond of the horse and of driing. He regarded time as too valuable to be wasted in making distances on the road. He was married Feb. 9, 1858, by Rev. A.H. COOLIDGE, to Adelaide Sophia, Daughter of Austin F. and Sophia ( HATCH) CONKLIN. She was a woma of amiable and cheerful spirit and superior intelligence and worth. After 25 years of married life, she died on the 11th day of February, 1881. They had 3 children--Joseph Bradford, Winthrop (who died in childhood) and Harry E. Mr. SARGENT was much affected by the death of his wife, to whom he was devotedly attached, and survived her less than 2 years. He die Jan. 3, 1883 THE END

page 736 Dwight Bisco, who was for 60 years one of the leadng citizens and business men of Leicester was born in Spencer April 27, 1799, one of several sons of Jacob Bisco. Upon his father's farm he lived and worked until 22 years of age, wen with a siver dollar as his only money capital he came to Leicester,and engaged in the employment of Cheney HATCH, one of the card-clothing manufacturers,-- abusiness of which Leicester then had almost a monopoly. Bringng with him good character, intelligence, habits of industry and self control, and not afraid of work, he steadily acquired skill in the intricate and difficult manufacture. In 1826 he associated himself as partner with Isaac SOUTHGATE, Joshua LAMB, John STONE and Joseph A. DENNY, another house inthe same business. In 1843 Mr. DENNY and he bought the interest of the other partners, and continued the business under the name of BISCO & DENNY, until Mr. DENNY's death in 1875. It was then passed on by Mr. BISCO into the hands of his sons and Mr. DENNY's only son, he continuing to occupy himself in the factory until February 1882, when he entirely withdrew, being then in his 83rd year. In middle life he had invested thechief part of his savings in the Leicester Boot Company. It was unfortunate, and was brought to an end by the burning of the company's buildings and stock, September 25, 1860, inflicting on him a total loss of all he had paid in. With a quiet courage he applied himself again to business, as closely as in his youth and was able to make good his loss, and to present to his 8 children, at the Thanksgiving dinner table, $500 each. END of PART 1

Hi Eliane: Here is what my Webster's Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language 1989 pg 297 says: The official designation (rather than "state") of four States of the US: KY, MA, PA, VA. A self-governing territory associated with the US: official designation of Puerto Rico. Commonwealth meaning any group of persons united by some common interest. Regards, Alison Franks Archivist, Rawson Family Association --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.393 / Virus Database: 223 - Release Date: 9/30/2002

The present Worcester County Musical Association was organized at a meeting hld in Mechanics Hall October 2, 1863, with Samuel E. STAPLES as president and a board of directors selected from various towns in the county. The object of the association is stated in its by-laws, " the improvement of choirs in the performance of church music; the formaton of an elevated musical taste, through the study of music in its highest departments; and a social, genial, harmonious reunion of all lovers of music." The name under which it was originally known was the Worcester County Musical Convention. (A successful convention under the direction of Edward HAMILTON and B.F. BAKER, in 1858, was held under the name of the Musical Institute.) and this name was retained til the adoption of the present one in 1871, at which time it was also voted to call the annual gatherings, Musical Festivals. Since 1865 annual sessions of the Association have been held, at which oratorios of Handel, Hadyn and Mendelssohn, also the best prductions of Rossini, Gounod, Verdi and others have been given. The annual festivals of the association have been constantly growing more popular and it now has prestige and a prosperity not equaled by any similar one in the country. The number in attendence increases yearly, ad its patrons are not only from Worcester County, but lovers of music from both the New England and Middle States. Soloist from all parts of Eurpe, as well as of our country are procured with the best available orchestral accompaniment, and a local chorus which has won well deserved commendation from the musical critics the Board of Government for 1888 was Edward L. DAVIS president; William SUMNER vice president; A.C. MONROE secretary; J.E. BENCHLEY treasurer and 8 directors- B.D. ALLEN, C.M. BENT, Charles I. RICE, J.Q. ADAMS, Daniel DOWNEY, L.M. LOVELL, C.C. STERNS of Worcester and B.L.M. SMITH of Whitinsville. If space would permit, it wold be of interest to speak in detail of other musical societies that have existed in Worcester, but mention can be made only of the HAMILTON Club, named in honor of Edward HAMILTON for many years the leading singer of Worcester; the SCHUMANN Club organized in 1877; the singing society FROHSINN organized in 1858, with G.A. PATZ musical director and Benjamin ZAEDER as secretary, William LICHTENFELS is now the presdent and Heinrich BAYERLE is secretary; the Gounod Club organized in 1886, the president is Henry F. HARRIS, secretary is Josiah A. RICE and musical director is E.N. ANDERSON.

The earliest musical society in Worcester, of which any reliable record is to be found, was the Worcester Harmonic Society. The exact date of its formation cannot now be ascertained, but it was in existence as early as 1825, at which time Emory PERRY was president and Henry W. MILLER was secretary; and in October 1826 the society gave an oratorio at the Old South Church. This society also furnished the musci to the Fourth of July celebration in the last named year, on which occasion Hon. Charles ALLEN delivered an oration. The society continued in existence for several years, occasionally giving concerts and often furnishing the music on public occasions.( In 1815, there was a musical society in the county called " Old Hundred Musical Society", wich gave a cncert in Hopkinton, MA that year, and itis quite probable that some of the Worcester musicians and singers were members of it." In 1845 the Worcester Sacred Misical Society was formed, wit Rufus D. DUNBAR as presidet, and the next year gave a miscellaneous concert in Brinley (now Grand Army) Hall and mention is made in the newspapers of a concert given in the Spring of the following year. It is probable tat this society was in existence only 2 or 3 years. In September 1850, the Worcester Mozart Society, the first regularly organized association fr musical culture was formed, with Putnam W. TAFT as president and Albert L. BENCHLEY vice president. This society continued in active existence till November 1866, when it was united with Beethoven Society, formed in 1864 with Austin L. ROGERS as president. The nae after the union was the Worcester Mozart and Beethoven Choral Union, the first president being Edward HAMILTON, William SUMNER as vice president, and Carl ZERRAHN as conductor. The society was incorporated in 1872, by a special act of the Legislature, as the Worcester Choral Union and I.N. METCALF was chosen prsident, J.A.TITUS was vice president and B.D.ALLEN conductor. TO BE CONTINUED:

Alison & Don, thank you so very much! I've definitely better direction now! I spent the whole weekend looking through the 136 pages of the 1860 Blackstone census forms on ancestry.com but didn't find the family. The last several sheets were annotated as the post office being Milford but I didn't see a reference to Millville. Then again, I am breaking in new contacts. :-) I'll look through the 1870 census using the "pointers" you gave so what I find will help me be more specific when I write to the Town Clerk inquiring about vital records. My g-grandfather, Edward James Ranslow was born October 1883 in Naugatuck, CT. His older brother, Clifford Louis was born October 1877 in Millville as was his father, Louis Clifford (born December 1856). That's why I started with the 1860 census. The family moved from MA to CT between October 1877 and October 1880. Again, thanks for the focus. It certainly is most appreciated. Sincerely Dow Norfolk, VA -----Original Message----- From: Alison Franks [mailto:franks1ag@earthlink.net] Sent: Monday, September 30, 2002 6:27 AM To: MAWORCES-L@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: [MAWORCES] 1860/70 FEDERAL CENSUS QUESTION Good Morning: Millville, MA was part of Blackstone until 1919, and Blackstone became a town of it's own in 1845 breaking away from Mendon. I have a copy of the Blackstone Marriages published under the direction of the American French Genealogical Society in 1994. On page 468 are these entries: Ranslow, George W. b. age 36 Wareham, MA son of George and Hannah ( ) Ranslow m2) 09 Mar 1871 in Woonsocket, RI Mary ROWE b. ag 29 in England dau of John and Mary ( ) Rowe NOTE: 2d marriage for George W. and 1st marriage for Mary NOTE: George W. was a shoemaker NOTE: I spelled Rowe/Roe as I found them in the records. Ranslow, Lillian A. b. age 17 Blackstone, MA dau of George and Mary (Roe) Ranslow m 24 Dec 1890 Blackstone, MA William H. Carter b. age 23 Pascoag, RI son of William and Naomi (Rich) Carter NOTE: 1st marriage for both, and Pascoag, RI is part of the town of Burrillville, RI NOTE: William H. was a rubber boot maker NOTE: Lillian was a rubber shoe maker Ranslow, Mary J. b. age 17 Blackstone, MA dau of George and Mary J. ( ) Ranslow m 22 Oct 1888 Blackstone, MA William J. Campbell b. age 23 Nova Scotia son of Archibald and Sarah J. ( ) Campbell NOTE: 1st marriage for both NOTE: William J. was a rubber boot maker NOTE: Mary J. was a felt cutter Not knowing how much you are tracing, the marriage of William and Naomi (Rich) Carter is listed on page 90 as follows Carter, William b. age 28 England son of Joseph and Ann ( ) Carter m 02 May 1863 Blackstone, MA Naomi Rich b. age 22 England dau of Joseph and Mary ( ) Rich Note: 1st marriage for both Regards, Alison Franks Archivist, Rawson Family Association --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.391 / Virus Database: 222 - Release Date: 9/19/2002 ==== MAWORCES Mailing List ==== Worcester GenWeb has many Resources Check it out!! http://www.rootsweb.com/~maworces

History of Worcester, Co. MA page 686 The town of Leicester stands upon the ridge of the water-shed of Central Massachusetts, one thousand and seven feet above the sa level. Its waters flow easterly, through Lynde and Kettle Brooks, into the Blackstone River; southerly, through French River, into the Quinebaug and Thames, and westerly from Shaw Pond, through the Chicopee River, into the Connecticut. Lynde Brook Reservoir, on to the east, is one of the sources of water supply for Worcester, and Shaw Pond, on the west, is the source of the supply for Spencer. Leicester is about 48 miles from Boston. It is 6 miles west of Worcester and 500 feet above that city. It's villages are the Centre, at first called Strawberry Hill; Cherry Valley, 2 miles east of the Centre, generally so-called since 1820, Rochdale, at first South Leicester, named Clappville, from Joshua CLAPP, who purchased the mill property in 1829, and changed to Rochdale in November 1869; Greenville, which about the middle of the present century began to be so called from its founder, Captain Samuel GREEN; Mannville 2 miles north of the Centre, which was named after Mr. Billings MANN about the year 1856; and Lakeside, which has come tobe so called within a few years. The northeast part of the twn is called "Mulberry Grove", the name being first given in 1827 to the estate of Silas EARLE, on which he raised Mulberry trees and produced silk from the silk worms. At the timeof its original purchase the township of Leicester was a part of the extended domain of the Nipmuck tribe of Indians. The character of this tribe had been greatly changed, and many of its members had been converted to Christianity through the labors of John ELIOT and Daniel GOOKIN. GOOKIN in his "Historical Collections," mentions seven "new praying towns" among the Nipmuck Indians. One of these was in Oxford, and another was Pacachoag, in Worcester and the southeastern border of Leicester. The Massachusetts Colony, like the Plymouth, recognized the claim of the aborigines to this land, and secured it of them by fair purchase. The territory embrassing Leicester, Spencer, a part of Paxton and a small portion of Auburn was bought of the Indians by nine gentlemen of Roxbury and vicinity, who became the original "associate proprietors". The sachem, Oraskaso, had recently died, and the deed is signed by his heirs. The price paid for the land was 15 pounds, New England money. The deed was acknowledged before William STOUGHTON, "one of his Majesty's Council of his territory and dominions of New England," June 1, 1687. Twenty seven years afterwards the number of proprietors was increased to 22. They were men of wealth and influence, and some of them owers of large tracts of land in other towns of Central Massachusetts. None of them settled in Leicester.

John P. SOUTHGATE, son of Samuel and Hannah (WAITE) SOUTHGATE was born in Leicester, MA. July 29, 1804 and died Feb. 7, 1882. Samuel SOUTHGATE (father) was also born in Leicester, 1776, and probably attended the schols of the town. During the latter years of his life he engaged in the manufacture of cards, and continued te same until his decease, February 1882. John P. learned the trade of cabinet making from Deacon MURDOCK, then town sexton in Leicester, and after attaining his majority in 1825, worked at his trade a few years in Worcester, MA. and then returned to Leicester where he changed his business to brush making, in a building which stood on the site of the present Horticultural Hall on Front Street. In 1837 he removed to the north corner of Main and Mechanic Streets where he went in company with James H. WALL in the boot, shoe and leather trade, and was burned out in 1841. THE END of this SERIES.

Isaac SOUTHGATE, son of Richard and Eunice (BROWN) SOUTHGATE married Rebekah BROWN, daughter of John BROWN, 1769 and they were the parents of one daughter, Rebekah, born in 1770, married to Mr. HODGES of the State of New York. Mr. Isaac SOUTHGATE married for the 2nd time Eunice WHITE, 1771, and their children were: Asa born 1772, Betsey born 1774, married Nathan BEERS 1790, Samuel born 1776, marred Hannah WAITE 1801, and they reared a family of children in Leicester; one of their sons John P. died in 1882 in Worcester and another Samuel died in 1874 in Leicester; Eunice born 1779 married Sylvanus EARLE, removed to Ohio and died in 1835, Isaac born 1782, married Maria WEBB, daughter of Peter WEBB Esq. and granddaughter to Thomas DENNY Sr. Mr. Southgate died in 1800 age of 56 years. He was one of the active business men and public-spirited citizens of the town, for many years a manufacturer of cards. He represented the town in the Legislature, served as trustee of the Worcester County Agricultural Society and took an active part in promoting te interests of that important association. James SOUTHGATE, who came with his brother Ricard from England, as above stated, became a proprietor of the settlers' half of the town, as owner of Lot # 30. At the first town meeting he was chosen one of the Selectmen and Surveyor of Highways. He with his brother and several other inhabitants of Leicester addressed a letter to the Govenor in 1725, asking for soldiers to guard the town from the Indians. He was a Deacon of his church and took an active part in settling Mr. PARSONS in 1720. His wife's name was Mary, and they had one son named James, born 1718, who married Dorothy Lincoln in 1741. They were the parents of one daughter, Dorothy, born 1746. His house was located a little North of Mr. MORTON's, in the East part of town. There is no trace of the family after that period. END of Part 3

John SOUTHGATE, son of Steward, married Eleanor SARGENT, daughter of Jonathan SARGENT, 1776, and their children were: Sally born 1777 and died unmarried, John born 1778 died 1804 unmarried, William born 1782, a talented painter, he had cultivated his taste under several masters among others Ralph EARLE to whom he was remotely related and Gilbert STUART. The department of art to which he devoted his attention was that of portraits, in which he would have probably attained a dstinguished reputation had he diligently devoted himself to it as a profession. Harriet born 1792 died 1841 unmarried, Eliza born 1796 married Jacob BIGELOW, then of Montreal, where she died leaving a son, Dr. George F. BIGELOW of Boston. Last child was George W. born 1800. Mrs. SOUTHGATE died in 1825. Richard SOUTHGATE, youngest son of Richard and Elizabeth (STEWARD) SOUTHGATE, the pioneer ancestors, came with his father from England. He married Eunice BROWN, daughter of Samuel BROWN, 1741, and their children were: Richard born 1742 removed to Bridgewater Vermont, Isaac born 1744, Samuel born 1747 resided in various places and died in Searsboro 1773, Elijah born 1751, married Patty HASTINGS died Shrewsbury 1837 without children, Jonas born 1753 married Mary WHITING of Grafton 1782, and died 1784, Eunice born 1757 died unmarried, Judah born 1761 married Susannah TAYLOR of Spencer 1798, and died 1799, and last child (no birthdate given) Mercy, died unmarried. Mr. SOUTHGATE was known as "Elder" and was a Baptist preacher. He held meetings in the schoolhose when it stood opposite t where Esquire RAWSON lived. He resided in the southeast part of the town near the line of Spencer and was a farmer. END of PART 2

Found in book: Historic Homes and Institutions and Genealogical and Personal Memoirs of Worcester County, Massachusetts with a History of Worcester Society of Antiquity Volumes 1 and 2 Ellery Bicknell Crane, editor Lewis Publishing Company 1907 page 255 Richard SOUTHGATE born in 1670 Coombs County, Suffolk England married in October 1700 Elizabeth STEWARD; they had 6 children, all born in England, 5 of whom came to Leicester, MA. Steward born 1703, Elizabeth born 1705 died 1791 unmarried, Hannah 1709, married Nathaniel WAITE of Leicester 1737 and died 1751, Mary born 1712 and married Daniel LIVERMORE of Weston, MA. 1732, Richard born 1714. Richard SOUTHGATE (father) died April 23, 1758 at 88 years of age, and hiswife died Nov. 3, 1751. They are said to be the ancestors of all of the name in New England. Steward SOUTHGATE, son of Richard and Elizabeth (STEWARD) SOUTHGATE, married Elizabeth SCOTT of Palmer, MA., then called the "Elbow" in 1735, while he as living there. About 1740 he returned to Leicester and spent the remainder of his days there. Their children were: John born 1738, Robert born 1741 and was a physician removed to Scarboro, Maine, and is noticed in his work, Margaret born 1743, Sarah born 1744 married Azariah DICKENSON of Hadley, MA. , and lastly Steward born 1748. Steward SOUTHGATE, son of Steward and Elizabeth (SCOTT) SOUTHGATE, married and removed to Hardwick. He was a soldier in the Revolution and after the close of the war went to Bernard, Vermont where in 1795 he lost 5 children by the canker-rash within a few days of each other. Steward married a 2nd time to Elizabeth daughter of Nathaniel POTTER, and their children were: Amos born 1751 and died Boston 1775; he married and had a daughter born after his death who became the wife of Jonah EARLE, Rebekah born 1754 died 1756, Ruth born 1758 died in Boston 1777, Moses born 1761 died in Boston 1777. Mr. SOUTHGATE was at first a member of the Congregational Church but became a zealous and leading member of the "Society of Friends", to which his 2nd wife's father belonged prior to 1732. He must have been well educated for his day and seems to have a clear head, strong purpose and great sensibility and Christian resignation. He had a commanding influence among his religious brethren, and the memoranda that he left alludes in terms of deep emotion to the afflictions through which he was called to pass. He died in 1765 and his 2nd wife died in 1748. END of PART 1

Good Morning: Millville, MA was part of Blackstone until 1919, and Blackstone became a town of it's own in 1845 breaking away from Mendon. I have a copy of the Blackstone Marriages published under the direction of the American French Genealogical Society in 1994. On page 468 are these entries: Ranslow, George W. b. age 36 Wareham, MA son of George and Hannah ( ) Ranslow m2) 09 Mar 1871 in Woonsocket, RI Mary ROWE b. ag 29 in England dau of John and Mary ( ) Rowe NOTE: 2d marriage for George W. and 1st marriage for Mary NOTE: George W. was a shoemaker NOTE: I spelled Rowe/Roe as I found them in the records. Ranslow, Lillian A. b. age 17 Blackstone, MA dau of George and Mary (Roe) Ranslow m 24 Dec 1890 Blackstone, MA William H. Carter b. age 23 Pascoag, RI son of William and Naomi (Rich) Carter NOTE: 1st marriage for both, and Pascoag, RI is part of the town of Burrillville, RI NOTE: William H. was a rubber boot maker NOTE: Lillian was a rubber shoe maker Ranslow, Mary J. b. age 17 Blackstone, MA dau of George and Mary J. ( ) Ranslow m 22 Oct 1888 Blackstone, MA William J. Campbell b. age 23 Nova Scotia son of Archibald and Sarah J. ( ) Campbell NOTE: 1st marriage for both NOTE: William J. was a rubber boot maker NOTE: Mary J. was a felt cutter Not knowing how much you are tracing, the marriage of William and Naomi (Rich) Carter is listed on page 90 as follows Carter, William b. age 28 England son of Joseph and Ann ( ) Carter m 02 May 1863 Blackstone, MA Naomi Rich b. age 22 England dau of Joseph and Mary ( ) Rich Note: 1st marriage for both Regards, Alison Franks Archivist, Rawson Family Association --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.391 / Virus Database: 222 - Release Date: 9/19/2002

In a message dated 30/09/2002 12:05:24 GMT Daylight Time, jnrose@webtv.net writes: > What are hand-cards and card-clothing? > Dear Jan, I hope that I won't make too many mistakes in my attempt at answering your question! My wife is related to the DENNYs (she is a descendant of the English branch of the family) and I was privileged to be in the Leicester area last October. Thanks to the kindness of a friend (on this list!) I was able to see both hand cards and 'card clothing' - the latter a term that had me totally confused at first! Hand Cards are pieces of flat wood board about 9 inches by 6 inches with a wooden handle attached. On one side of the board is tacked a similar sized piece of leather in which are impaled masses of tiny wire spikes or claws. I believe that these were used to draw out or 'card' wool and cotton staple or threads. In England I have also seen the same used to 'fluff up' and clean the wool of live sheep for showing purposes at such as County Shows (Fairs), but this may be irrelevant to Massachusetts. There are some examples of hand cards in the Museum that is above the Leicester Public Library. 'Card Clothing' seems to have been the generic term for large lengths (sold at so much a foot) of the same type of leather impaled with tiny wire spikes or claws that were used on machines for drawing out wool and cotton staple or threads. I saw such a machine at Old Sturbridge Village. It seems that several families made fortunes from manufacturing hand cards and card clothing and that Leicester was an important centre of such manufacturing. Yours, etc. Geoffrey Woollard in Cambridgeshire, England.

The object that is used to "Card" wool....it has a handle attached to a flat piece of wood about 4"w x 6"l and it has "spikes" attached to the flat piece. One would put raw wool on there and card it which makes you think the person is combing the wool and the carding of the wool must be done prior to spinning it or anything else. here is a site that has a picture of a hand card.. way down bottom of the page. http://www.si.umich.edu/Projects/695cobblestone/Carding.h tml -- Cynthia Administrator for Ma-Bay-Colony- L@rootsweb.com *email Bunnydust@attbi.com MBC archiver (postings) http://archiver.rootsweb.com and put Ma-Bay-Colony in the box > Hi List Members, > What are hand-cards and card-clothing? > William EARLE is my 7th great grandfather. > Thanks, Jan Jordan in Northern Vermont >   > Marcia in TX transcribed: > "Leicester, MA, p. 729 Manufacture of Card-clothing" <snip> > "Colonel Thomas DENNY and > William EARLE made hand-cards on Denny Hill. In 1802 he began the > manufacture of cards, hand and machine, on the corner of Main and Market > Streets, which he conducted on an extensive scale til his death in > 1814." > > > > > > > ==== MAWORCES Mailing List ==== > To UNsub go here: > http://lists.rootsweb.com/index/usa/MA/worcester.html >

Hi, I just thought I would ask others if they too are encountering problems with the SAVAGE dictionary that is on the WEB. It comes up that it is unavailable for the last week or so. JSR