If you could go back in time to March 1836 would life be much simpler? Join the Grafton Historical Society at the Grafton Community Barn, 37 Wheeler Road, North Grafton on Sunday, November 17th at 2 pm for “Finding William Lewis” The diaries Mr. Lewis penned between March 1836, when he was 17 years old, and December of 1895, thirteen months before his death reveal his life as a tanner, currier, and farmer. Bruce Craven and Christie Higginbottom, employees of Old Sturbridge Village, will share the interesting stories using William’s own journals and over 200 account books and farm records. They will tell the tale of a young man born in Vermont on February 14, 1819, moving through New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Connecticut who took on numerous jobs along the way. By the 1850’s he was traveling throughout towns surrounding Barre, MA peddling books and Yankee Notions. In their Power point presentation we also meet his wife Abby who lived in North Grafton, MA. Thanks to William’s devoted friends, Mr. & Mrs. James N. Patterson along with their descendants these detailed documents have been preserved. Their research project is ongoing and they hope to publish William’s story. This event is free of charge. Refreshments will be served.
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