Wakefield Historical Society

Wakefield Historical Society rogra

The Wakefield Historical Society was organized in 1890
* To preserve documents and artifacts related to Wakefield and its historical record.
* To inform people about
the town's history through public programming.

Stimpson, William, died of typhoid at Baton Rouge, AE 23William Wheeler Stimpson of South Reading the son of Alfred and ...
05/25/2026

Stimpson, William, died of typhoid at Baton Rouge, AE 23

William Wheeler Stimpson of South Reading the son of Alfred and Mary (Gould), enlisted in the RLG for nine months at the age of 22. He had been a Cordwainer prior to enlistment. He died of typhoid fever on May 19, 1863 in the General Hospital at Baton Rouge. He is interred in our Old Burying Ground.

Francis Sweetser. Died at Oak Grove VA, AE of 27Francis Sweetser was born around 1839 the son of Lydia (Burditt) and Th...
05/25/2026

Francis Sweetser. Died at Oak Grove VA, AE of 27

Francis Sweetser was born around 1839 the son of Lydia (Burditt) and Thomas J. Sweetser. He worked as a cordwainer before he enlisted in 1861 for three years at the age of 22 into the 16th Mass. Volunteers Inf. Co. E at Camp Cameron, Cambridge. (This company also called the RLG).
While engaged in battle at Oak Grove, Virginia, he was wounded in the abdomen on June 25, 1862. He lay wounded in much pain but was quiet and smiling, “as though the hour was full of joy to him.’ “Thank God,” he said that I am permitted to die for my country; thank God yet more than I am prepared. At least I hope I am.”

Those who knew him and his humble Christian life in his regiment, have no doubt of the full assurance of his faith, and that all he hoped is now realized in bliss.”

Captain Thomas McKay , murdered by recruit at Culpepper AE 27Born in Boston on December 5th, 1836, Thomas M. McKay was t...
05/25/2026

Captain Thomas McKay , murdered by recruit at Culpepper AE 27

Born in Boston on December 5th, 1836, Thomas M. McKay was the son of John and Elizabeth (Irish and German immigrants, respectively).

He was working as a carpenter in Wakefield when he enlisted for a private for three months at the age of 25 on April 16, 1861. He initially joined the 5th Mass. Vol. Militia Inf. Co. “B” (also called the RLG). After this term expired, he re-enlisted as a 1st Sergeant into the 20th Mass. Vol. Inf. Co. “G.” He was commissioned as a Lieutenant in 1862 and was wounded in the battle at Fredericksburg, Virginia.

Commissioned 1st Lieutenant and then Captain in 1863 where he was put in charge of Co. “F” and Ist Company Andrew Sharpshooters, who had lost their commanding officer, who’d been court-martialed and cashiered out for drunkenness. Under tragic circumstances, murdered by a recruit.

Warren, Horace M. was born on July 8, 1841, in Topsham, Maine, the son of Rev. Edwin R. And Mary H. (Hathorne). He was w...
05/25/2026

Warren, Horace M. was born on July 8, 1841, in Topsham, Maine, the son of Rev. Edwin R. And Mary H. (Hathorne).

He was working as a clerk in South Reading. enlisted as a private for three months at the age of 19 on April 16, 1861, into the 5th Mass. Vol. Militia Inf. Co. “B” in Boston. (Known as the Richardson Light Guard.)

After discharge in July. he re-enlisted for three years as a sergeant on August 24, 1861, into the 20th Mass. Vol. Inf. Co. “E” at Camp Massasoit in Readville. He was severely wounded: fractured left forearm, shot through left side and through his right thigh, on October 21, 1861, in Ball’s Bluff, Virginia.

Although he was given a disability discharge as the result of those wounds, he was commissioned 1st Lt. for nine months at Camp Stanton, Boxford into the RLG unit. After much fanfare on Boston Common, he received a discharge again in Wenham, and received a $100 bounty from South Reading.

When the 59th Mass. Vol. Inf. was being formed, Colonel Jacob Parker Gould was put in command. He contacted Horace Warren, and requested he sign on as his Adjutant. Horace agreed. He was commissioned as 1st Lieutenant Adjutant of the 59th Field and Staff, for three years on November 19, 1863, on an island in Boston Harbor. He was wounded on May 31, 1864, while engaged in battle in Totopotomoy Creek, Virginia.

For his brave and gallant service, he was commissioned as a Major on August 4, 1864. He was wounded again on August 19, 1864, while engaged in battle at Weldon Railroad, Virginia. He died of that wound on August 27. 1864. His funeral and burial were at South Reading

As we make our remembrances to those who have died in service, let us take a moment to remember the soldiers who died in...
05/25/2026

As we make our remembrances to those who have died in service, let us take a moment to remember the soldiers who died in the War of the Rebellion. The very first memorial day bore its roots to Decoration Day just after the War. Last year, we published many biographies of those who served. We’ll try to do that once again today, just in remembrance.

In 1937, this book was written by Samuel Chamberlain. It was meant as a sort of travelogue and shows one or two propert...
05/22/2026

In 1937, this book was written by Samuel Chamberlain. It was meant as a sort of travelogue and shows one or two properties per town. In Wakefield, it’s the Col. James Hartshorne House. It notes that it was “a former tavern” which was built in 1690 and 1745, and features a location that was visited by Lafayette. Of course, we know Lafayette never came here, and the hidden staircases are prominent features, but it’s interesting!

More Anderson ephemera. I also included one ad from inside: Winshop Boit, which at the time manufactured women’s under...
04/28/2026

More Anderson ephemera. I also included one ad from inside: Winshop Boit, which at the time manufactured women’s underwear.

Ephemera from the home of Herbert Anderson: the Catholic Club seems to have been made up of only women. It traced its ...
04/28/2026

Ephemera from the home of Herbert Anderson: the Catholic Club seems to have been made up of only women. It traced its origins to 1905.

Here is the gravestone of Captain John Walton, a Revolutionary War veteran, who died on April 14, 1783, at the age of 73...
04/16/2026

Here is the gravestone of Captain John Walton, a Revolutionary War veteran, who died on April 14, 1783, at the age of 73.

“This Major Swayne, the records say, Was a great warrior in his day,And in our ancient Indian wars, A victor chief, belo...
04/15/2026

“This Major Swayne, the records say, Was a great warrior in his day,
And in our ancient Indian wars, A victor chief, beloved of Mars ; And when King Philip with his troop, With tomahawk and dread war-whoop.
With poison'd arrows and fire-brand, Bore down upon the pilgrim land, Old Major Swayne, with courage true.
Forth to the post of danger flew.
Was made commander of the free.
And led them on to victory.
And once, 't is said, it so fell out.
While Major Swayne was on a scout.
Exploring swamps and other by-land.
Within the State of old Rhode Island, He found the Indians, whom he sought.
Gathered in force, within a fort.
Our hero's numbers being few, He wish'd to hide them from their view, So lurking near their palisade, Conceal'd them there in ambuscade ; Then, bold as e'er a lion was.
His glitt'ring steel the Major draws.
And, mounting on a rising stone.
He cries, in loud, undaunted tone : " We 've found the foe, let 's storm the fort.
To drive them thence will be but sport

Come, Captain Poole, and Sargent Brown,
Wheel up your squadrons into line." The Indians heard this fearless boast.
And thought there came a mighty host

With terror struck, and wild dismay,
They quit the fort and ran away ; Our little band with triumph then
Into the empty fortress ran, Unfurl'd the flag of liberty.
And gain'd a bloodless victory.”

Lilley Eaton’s poem, recited in 1844.
(I couldn’t find my photo of Jeremiah Sweden’s gravestone, but I will!)

A sampling of our Revolutionary War items. The blanket that belonged to Nathaniel Cowdrey, a cartridge belt and some of...
04/07/2026

A sampling of our Revolutionary War items. The blanket that belonged to Nathaniel Cowdrey, a cartridge belt and some of our documents.

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39 Prospect Street
Wakefield, MA
01880

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