Mrs. Bertha P. Preston Obituary

Was a physical culture teacher

January 26, 1941

A cloud of sorrow has overshadowed our town in the passing away, after a period of ill health, Sunday, January 26, of Bertha P. (Ames) Preston, daughter of Henry F. and Sarah F. (Preston) Ames and wife of William A. Preston, one of the old and prominent families of the town. She was born in Somerville in 1877.

Prominent in all social gatherings, she was Past Worthy Matron and charter member of John Everett Chapter O. E. S., and past president of the Parent-Teacher association. She was identified with the church and its societies, also Red Cross work.

Before her marriage she was a physical culture teacher in schools in Montclair, N. J. Possessed of much executive ability and always ready to help in needy cases, she had a very generous nature and was much interested in the children of the town. New Ipswich has lost a valuable citizen.

Besides her husband, there is an only son, John Preston, a volunteer now in the 211th Coast Artillery, Anti-aircraft, stationed at Camp Hulen, Texas. Within a month he came on his furlough to visit his parents. Another son, William Arthur, died at the age of three years. Funeral services were held Wednesday from the Congregational church at 2.30, with an undertaker from Fitchburg in charge.

The son, John, came by airplane from Texas for the services on Wednesday.

Photo Archives

I believe that these were storehouses located in Bank village between River Road and the Souhegan River.

Three storage barns

James Roger diary entry

18th August 1913

Warm and muggy; wind southwest, etc. This is my 72nd birthday. David went to Greenville for grain, kerosene, etc. in forenoon and at Store in afternoon. A good deal of thunder in afternoon but no rain. I singled some turnips in afternoon. Got letter from Hamish saying that Lucy’s mother was dead. I picked up 7 pails of apples in orchard which were blown down yesterday by the windstorm.

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