Around Town

Our History: Society Works on Veterans’ Grave Registration Project

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Helen Learned’s gravestone in Common St. Cemetery (Photo courtesy of Joyce Kelly)

This article is part of a series on local history provided by the Historical Society of Watertown. It was written by Joyce Kelly, Board member of the Historical Society of Watertown. Joyce writes articles for the newsletter and is the newsletter editor. This was published in our April 2011 newsletter, “The Town Crier.”

In the early 1930s, the American Legion veteran’s organization launched an effort to identify the gravesite of every deceased veteran buried in the United States and create a permanent record.

Around Town

Final Part of Civil War Nurses of Mount Auburn Cemetery Features 3 Women

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Anne Kendall Freitag

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 seven of seven. Annie Frances Kendall Freitag:

Annie Frances Kendall Freitag was born in Boston on May 4, 1830. She was the daughter of Abel and Anne Mayo Richards Kendall. In 1856, Abel committed suicide, by hanging himself, in the attic of their Somerset Street home in Boston. His death notice stated that he was depressed and was losing his hearing.

Around Town

Armenian Memorial Church Hosting Fair, Portion of Proceeds Going to Syria Earthquake Relief

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The Armenian Memorial Church of Watertown will hold its Annual Fair on Friday, May 19, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday, May 20, from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. (rain or shine). Both days, the Church will be serving its delicious kebab dinners and exquisite desserts. Visitors will have two days to enjoy the fabulous Armenian beef, chicken and losh (ground meat) kebab dinners complete with sauce, rice pilaf, salad and pita bread. The selection will also include meatless meals. Visitors may enjoy eating at tables under the tent or may purchase take-out orders if they prefer.

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!