Mrs. Mary H. James Ames Obituary

"Mary Hartwell Barr"

May 1893

   One of the most esteemed and beloved of the daughters of New Ipswich was laid to rest in the village cemetery on Monday, May 29th. Mrs. Mary H. Ames, wife of Samuel T. Ames, died at their winter home, No. 7 Gloucester Street, Boston, Mass., on Saturday previous aged 68 years. Her father was Dr. James Barr a physician of reputation. Her early days were spent amid the attractive scenes of her native town where she was a student at Appleton Academy. Since her marriage with Mr. Ames, but a few days short of a half century ago her home has been in Pepperell and Boston, also during recent Summers in New Ipswich. Everywhere she made many friends and impressed all who knew her as a lady of the rarest worth. Remarkably energetic, sympathetic and judicious she did good with her might as she had opportunity. Her tact for making home attractive was so exquisite that every visitor could but feel the charm of her thoughtful kindness. Tender and true in every relation she has left memories as fair and fragrant as the many flowers laid lovingly upon her casket. "Having served her generation by the will of God she fell asleep.

     " Asleep in Jesus! blessed sleep, 
        From which none ever wake to weep." 

Besides her long time partner in benevolent activity, Mrs. Ames leaves two children, Prof. James B. Ames of the Law department in Harvard University and Mrs. Mary, wife of Hon. Heman N. Burr of Newton, Mass.

Tarbell Ames House

This large residence was built by Samuel Tarbell Ames (1810-1897),probably around 1890, as he is listed as owner on the 1892 Map. He was a Boston businessman who summered in New Ipswich, presumably before he built this house, as his wife was Mary Hartwell Barr, a daughter of Dr. James Barr, who lived at #33 across Appleton Common, and a sister of George Lyman Barr and Caroline Frances Barr, and whose cousin Elizabeth Keyser, lived at #30. The house then passed to Samuel's son, James Barr Ames (1846-1910), who was an Assistant Professor and Dean of the Harvard Law School. He was esteemed for his teaching and writing on legal matters. He took a great interest in Appleton Academy, serving as Trustee, and his widow donated this house to the Academy in 1912. It served as a boarding house for teachers and students until it reverted to private ownership. For a short time from 1969-74 it again served as a dormitory, when the Academy served as a private boarding school again, before passing into public ownership.

Formulas

Stephen A. Thayer’s “One Hundred Formulas” was published in 1883. It contains recipes from everything from printing ink to pain killers. Sure Cure!

WARNING: Please don’t try any of these “remedies”, many contain ingredients which have been shown to be harmful.

James Roger diary entry

November 30th 1908 (Monday)

Fine warm day, wind west to south west. Unseasonably mild.  David went to Greenville for grain, brought Hamish’s grip, laundry and grass seed Hartshorn’s (420) to pay.  I picked a fowl, raked leaves of several lots & in afternoon.  David harrowed field at J.B. Davis and seeded it down.  I picked rocks of field. Got letter from Jimmie Mair (Jessie?) last night.