The Soldiers' Monument, located on the northeast corner of the Worcester Common was commissioned in 1871 to honor the men (only) of the city who gave their lives in service during the Civil War. The monument was designed by Randolph Rogers and construction was funded with an appropriation of $35,000 by the City of Worcester along with an additional $15,000 raised by subscription. The monument was dedicated on July 15, 1874.
Soldiers’ Monument: June 19, 2018
Athena Nike, the Greek goddess of Victory, surmounts the memorial while four bronze statues representing separate (at the time) branches of the military – Artillery, Cavalry, Infantry, Navy – stand at each corner of the granite base. Surrounding the whole are four cannons, buried barrels down, that were captured from the Confederacy during the war.
Dedication Plaque: ERECTED BY THE PEOPLE OF WORCESTER, IN MEMORY OF HER SONS WHO DIED FOR THE UNION OF THE REPUBLIC, A.D. 1861-1865
Postmark: 08/06/1909 - Worcester, Mass.
Sent to: Mrs. Chauncy Davis
Address: Eagleville, Conn. (R.F.D.)
Dear Rose. What is the matter with you Why don’t you write to me. What are you doing with yourself. Ella.
THE MYSTERY
What was the matter with her? Why didn’t she write? What was she doing with herself? (Perhaps, with a five-year-old running about—see below—and a rural household to manage in the early 1900’s, she was otherwise occupied.)
THE SENDER
Ella certainly expresses her frustration . . . but little else. What kind of response could she be expecting? (This message, in particular, mirrors the kind of communication (or lack thereof) so prevalent in modern day text messaging.)
THE RECIPIENT
Rose Williams Lamb was born March 7, 1869 in Exeter, Rhode Island and married Chauncey Crandall Davis on October 25, 1898. They had one daughter, Frances Beatrice Davis, who was born October 27, 1903. Rose died on December 25, 1952 and is buried in Maplewood Cemetery, Norwich, Connecticut.
REFERENCES
(1) Summary Information - City of Worcester (Official Website)
(2) Civil War Monuments Forum - CivilWarTalk.com
(3) Dedication Booklet (July 15, 1874) - Google Books [ Sign-in Required ]
(4) Family Histories - Ancestry.com
THE CARD
The Metropolitan News Co., Boston, Mass.
Manufacturers of Souvenir Postal Cards
Made in Germany
[ FRONT ] Card #5593