Around Town

Civil War Nurses of Mount Auburn Cemetery: Harriet Ann Jacobs

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Harriet Ann Jacobs

By Bill McEvoy

In honor of National Nurses Week, local historian Bill McEvoy has compiled histories of some of the Civil War nurses who are buried at Mount Auburn Cemetery. This is part six of seven. Harriet Ann Jacobs was born into slavery, on February 11, 1813, in Edenton, North Carolina. She died on March 7, 1897, in Washington, D.C. Raised in Edenton, Harriet, and her brother, John Jacobs were born to Delilah Horniblow and Elijah Knox, a carpenter. Harriet recalled a happy early childhood. 

In her book, Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl, available as a free download on Google Books, she noted: We lived together in a comfortable home; and though we were all slaves, I was so fondly shielded that I never dreamed I was a piece of merchandise.

Around Town

Watertown Group Sets $4,000 Goal for Mother’s Day Walk for Peace

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A group from Watertown will be participating in the 2023 Mother’s Day Walk for Peace in Dorchester. Pictured here is the group that participated in the 2022 walk. The following announcement was provided by Watertown Walks for Peace:

On Sunday, May 14, Watertown residents will join together with residents from Boston and surrounding communities in the annual Mother’s Day Walk for Peace in Dorchester. This year will be the 27th annual event, as well as Watertown’s ninth consecutive year participating in the event to support the families of victims of gun violence. The theme for this year is “Cultivating Cycles of Peace”.

Around Town

Civil War Nurses of Mount Auburn Cemetery: Anna Cabot Lowell Woodbury

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By Bill McEvoy

In honor of National Nurses Week, local historian Bill McEvoy has compiled histories of some of the Civil War nurses who are buried at Mount Auburn Cemetery. This is part five of seven. Anna Cabot Lowell Woodbury was the niece of poet James Russell Lowell, and sister of Lt. James Jackson Lowell and Brig. General Charles Russell Lowell. 

In the early summer of 1862, having recently been trained as an Army nurse, Anna was assigned to the hospital ship Daniel Webster on the James River. When she arrived at Harrison’s Landing, Virginia in June 1862, she continued her work despite news that her brother James had been killed in the Seven Days Battles during the Peninsula Campaign.

Around Town

May at the Library: Learn to Tell Your Story, Read to a Dog, Cooking Demo

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Watertown LibraryThe Watertown Free Public Library. The Watertown Free Public Library has plenty going on in May. Here are some of the upcoming events provided by the Library. Multicultural Fest — Call for Performers and Artists!The Watertown Free Public Library and the New Rep Theatre are teaming up to host a brand-new event this summer — Multicultural Fest at Noche de Dominó! On Thursday evening, 8/3, we’ll meet outside under the lights of Saltonstall Park for dominoes, music, dancing, food, and more!

Business

Celebrate Small Business Month With the WBC, Hear Immigrants’ Stories

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Business Coaltion:

For our next WBC Event we turn our focus back to East End. It’s National Small Business Month and we’d like to celebrate those who have come from another country to make an impact in our community by creating culture through a long-standing business. East End businesses & patrons of local business … we’d love to see you there!!! WBC Coffee ConnectWednesday, May 17th @ 8:30AMArmenian Cultural & Educational Center80 Bigelow Ave, Watertown, MA 02472

RSVP HERE!!! At our May event and learn about two multi-generational family businesses in the East End.

Around Town

Civil War Nurses of Mount Auburn Cemetery: Mary Phinney von Olnhausen

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Mary Phinney von Olnhausen

By Bill McEvoy

In honor of National Nurses Week, local historian Bill McEvoy has compiled histories of some of the Civil War nurses who are buried at Mount Auburn Cemetery. This is part four of seven. If you heard this name recently, it stemmed from PBS’s series, Mercy Street. I located and read her diary in 2012, long before PBS’s 2016 series. I gave several lectures that noted her diary.

Around Town

Community Foundation Hosting Food Drives to Help Watertown’s Food Pantries

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The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Community Foundation:

Our Watertown food pantries need your donations! On May 13 and May 20 Watertown’s food pantries are collecting nonperishable food items such as pasta, beans, tea/coffee, and canned goods to replenish stocks for those in need. The Watertown Community Fridge welcomes donations daily at the Belmont Watertown United Methodist Church, 80 Mt. Auburn St. Check out WATERTOWN HELPS OUT volunteer opportunities in May.

Around Town

Civil War Nurses of Mount Auburn Cemetery: Mary Sullivan Felton

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The grave of Mary Sullivan Felton at Mount Auburn Cemetery. By Bill McEvoy

In honor of National Nurses Week, local historian Bill McEvoy has compiled histories of some of the Civil War nurses who are buried at Mount Auburn Cemetery. This is part three of seven. Mary Sullivan Felton was born on April 30th, 1839, in Cambridge, Massachusetts. She died April 29th, 1896, in Boston, from pneumonia and pericarditis. Her father, Cornelius Conway Felton, died in 1862 at age 57.