Accidental Amputation

As it was written in the Middleboro Gazette newspaper:
Loses part of three fingers in sawing mishap 9/20/1912

Carl Z Pierce

Carl Zachariah Pierce, my great grandfather, was born in 1872.   He was a handsome young man who played baseball on the Middleboro, MA town league.  In 1897 at the age of 25 he married 16 year old, Mary Catherine Wilbur just before Christmas.   Six weeks later, on February 2nd, she gave birth to their daughter, my grandmother, Mary Ann.

According to divorce records, the marriage ended in April 1909 due to gross and confirmed habits of intoxication that began on or about December 1, 1898. 

This addiction held on tightly for the rest of his life, causing many confrontations with police and acquaintances.  It also caused him to not only lose his job in his father's hardware store but also caused him many health problems. 

In 1912, Carl was earning money by sawing blocks of ice out of the Carver pond in Bridgewater.  The pond sat at the bottom of hill surrounded by trees and accessible only by a path from the road.   One day while Carl was sawing out a block of ice he accidently amputated part of three fingers.

Carl Z. Pierce died on July 29, 1927 at the age of 55 of a root canal pharysurgical abscess, myocarditis acute while incarcerated at the Bridgewater State Hospital for alcoholism. Myocarditis is an inflammatory disease of the heart muscle (myocardium).  He died from inflammation of the heart muscle caused by an infection, namely his abscessed tooth.

He is buried at Hillside Cemetery, Auburn Street, Bridgewater, MA. He has no marker but was told he rests to the right of his daughter, Mary Ann.

Sisters Cora and Grace



Cora Ella Pierce

Cora Ella Pierce was born in Middleboro in 1866. She was the second-born child of Thomas Warren Pierce and Mary Ann Besse.  Cora played the piano and became a teacher of singing. 

On June 6, 1888 at the age of 22 she married Eben Algar Richmond.  They rented an apartment that her parents owned located just behind their house.  They had one child, a son, Lysandra born on Nov 17, 1892.  For the next 23 years you catch a glimpse of her teaching others to sing.

When Thomas Warren Pierce died, Eben took over managing his father-in-law's business, the Pierce Hardware Store.  Family folklore tells us that Eben became despondent over Thomas' death.  Eben committed suicide on January 11, 1911. 

From this date on we see her very active in her music.  She put on chamber concerts that were reported as being highly pleasing.  Cora moved her studio to the Pierce Co. building where she arranged four concerts.  She put together a series of chamber concerts and sold season tickets.  At one time she conducted a summer concert series in Cotuit, Massachusetts.  In Yarmouth, MA, she had a quartet perform.  She entered the NE Conservatory of Music.  She was offered and accepted a position from a girl’s college in Maryland.   In 1913, she was enjoying teaching at Acadia College, in Nova Scotia.

Grace Gordon Pierce

Her sister, Grace Gordon Pierce, the fifth and last child was born in 1884.    Just as all her siblings before her, she too became involved in the world of music.  She was a vocal teacher and also played piano.  Grace became the Supervisor of Music for the State of Massachusetts.

 Grace was engaged to marry to a Mr. George Howard Ristine of Philadelphia, PA, who worked in a financial firm with his brother.

 A big affair was held at Cushing Hall were sixty women were in attendance. A barn dance was held in a most unusual celebration where half the women dressed in men's attire.  The symbolic pumpkin with burlesque and vines with an engagement ring attached on each leaf.  The bride occupied the first inside leaf.  For whatever the reason, the wedding never took place and Grace remained single for the rest of her life.

Grace went to work with her father in the hardware store and became very involved in the business.  Grace was the only woman at the NE Hardware Convention Association meeting.  From time-to-time she would sing at these conventions. Grace became the son Thomas needed.  His one and only son, Carl, an alcoholic, was unable to fulfill that roll. 

 Being financially able, like the rest of her siblings, she bought herself a roadster.  When her father died in 1910, she was the executor of her father's will.  As sole owner of the Pierce Hardware Store she sold it in January of 1913, but she returned to work there in May of that same year.

One entire summer she sang at the church in Marion, MA. She was a soloist at the Brockton Women's Club. Grace sang at the Bridgewater High School graduation in June of 1914. 

The pictures of the girls you may note are very similar.  The pictures were part of the advertising to promote a Minstrel Show the sisters produced together.

Pierce Line



Arodi Peirce, 4th great grandfather

My grandmother was a Pierce, born in Middleboro, MA.  The family name has quite the military history.  Just about every cemetery in the area has a Pierce/Peirce gravestone in it.  The most surprising was the Pierce Cemetery, hidden in the middle of the woods.  Not many people know it is there.  I was in awe of it.  You have to walk through someone's back yard to find a small path that eventually led to a clearing with a iron fence encircling the graveyard.
 

There was always a mystery about my grandmother's birth, so the name Pierce always left me curious.  For the longest time I thought any other spelling of the name such as Peirce, the E before the I, or any other configuration was not in my family tree.  But soon discovered that was not the case at all.  I found stones of parents and their children spelled both ways. The spelling was interchangeable. 

Arodi's brother, Eliphalet Pierce

 There are many stories, the good the bad and the ugly, about the Pierce family.  They married into the families of Wilber, Hoar, Ryder, and Jones to name a few.  It was the wife of Captain Eli Pierce, Fidelia Ryder, that connects me to most, not all, ancestors who came over on the Mayflower.  It was their son, Thomas who produced a line of children and grandchildren who made history in  music, particularly the violin; concert singers and  actors.  Out of all the names on my family tree, the Pierce line has been the most fascinating to research and learn for there were surprises around every corner. I have found so many Pierce gravestones I lost count long ago.

Abraham Pierce (1600 - 1673)  Arrived on the ship Anne in 1623

Isaac Pierce (1661 - 1731) 

Thomas Pierce (1679 - 1754)

Thomas Pierce (1715 - 1785)

Arodie Peirce (1750 - 1825)

Captain Eli Pierce (1796 - 1871)

Thomas Warren Pierce (1842 - 1910)
 

Carl Zachariah Pierce (1872 - 1927)

Mary Ann Pierce (1898 - 1982) my grandmother

Robert Frank lin Smith (1923 - 2008)  Dad

Kathryn Marie Smith

Gold Rush

Thomas Warren Pierce, my paternal 2nd great grandfather was born January 17, 1842  in Rock Village, Middleboro, Massachusetts.  He ventured off to California with his friend Phillip, like many other young men, in search of their fortune during the gold rush.

 Like most, what he didn't find was gold. He did take note however, of how others were spending their hard earned cash. The men were purchasing picks, shovels, boots, pans and other supplies in their pursuit of finding very little.  Most lost the money they went west with, very few in comparison left being a rich man.

Thomas went home, became a door-to-door salesman for a time in the town of New Bedford saving his money.  It was here that he met his future wife, the widow Mary Ann Besse.   They were wed on May 27, 1865 in Mattapoisett, Massachusetts.

The couple moved back to his hometown of Middleboro, where he put his gold hunting experience and knowledge to work.  He learned that men needed supplies and he would be the one to supply it.  He eventually became owner of the Pierce Hardware Store.

During his whole career he was always considering carefully the wants and needs of his customers and the growth of his business was attributed to his integrity.  His entire working life was devoted to his business and almost to the day of his death was offering advise and council as to the conduct of business.

After being confined in bed for a short of period of time, Thomas died at home on June 27, 1910 from heart trouble at the age of 68 . 

Note: Discovered that a bathtub from his store is in the Middleboro Historical Museum on Jackson Street.

4 Ryder & 4 Pierce Siblings Wed

Remarkable when you find that four children of Arodi Pierce and his wife Jemima Caswell, married four children of Nathaniel Ryder and Patience Dunham, both my 4th gr grandparents. The two families lived in Rock Village, Middleboro, MA. I have found all their gravestones. The first three are buried in Rock Village, Middleboro, MA  and the fourth in Achushnet, MA.

Huldah & Standish

Huldah Pierce Married Standish Ryder
Roland Pierce married Sophia Rider    
Elisha Pierce married Mercy Rider       
Eli Pierce married Fidelia Rider            



Roland Pierce




Sophia Ryder

                                                         

Elisha Pierce

Mercey Ryder



Captain Eli Pierce and Fidelia
My 3rd gr. grandparents



Capt Eli Pierce & Family

Rock Village RR Station

I had been looking for Eli Pierce and his wife Fidelia Rider (3rd gr grandparents) for some time.  I knew that they had lived in Rock Village, Middleboro, MA near the railroad station for their son Thomas Warren Pierce (2rd great grandfather) was born there.



Church at Highland Street Cemetery

 I found a cemetery on Highland Street that had my 4th and 5th great grandparents; that was exciting to find, but no Eli or Fidelia.  The family surely attended church here.  Sadly, the church was struck by lightning and burned to the ground.  A new church was built near where the old railroad station was.

So now I was on the hunt for the missing 3rd set of grandparents.  Fidelia was the link that led me to nine grandfathers that came over on the Mayflower.  So she alone was a very important person for me to find.

Eli Pierce and other generations of the Pierce line were all men with wonderful  military histories.  Eli  was commissioned lieutenant of a company of militia in Middleboro's south part, May 18, 1824, and captain on May 11, 1827, in the regiment of Col. Benjamin P. Wood, of Middleboro, 4th regt. of 1st brigade, 5th Division.

I next searched in Rochester, the next town over for one full day to no avail.  I then discovered they had moved to Rochester and Fidelia died there and was buried in Acushnet.  I chose the cemetery closest to the Rochester line, Long Plain Cemetery, Circa 1800.  This is where I found not only them, but others were noted on this gravestone that is taller than me.

Here I discovered their son Eli Wilson who was named after Fidelia's brother Wilson, and who was a minister.

 His wife Annie A (Slocum)  is here with a dedication to her on the back of this tone that reads:
"Weary hands lay still and rest folded oe'r a lifeless breast. God these hours of toil will bless, He will give thee sweetest rest"

Eli and Fidelia's son Nathaniel is there, named for Fidelia's father. This son was a clerk in the town of Rochester and at the age of 20 died of Typhoid fever.  Son Samuel who is listed here worked for years in his brother's, Thomas', hardware store in the town of Middleboro.

Now we have an Annie F and an infant that I have yet to connect.  That mystery will be solved another day.

A tale of Two Wives

 Thomas Pierce was superior to his brother Isaac.  Isaac was apparently much the slimmest link in the genealogical chain from Isaac, through the oldest sons down to the present time.  Both brothers married into the Booth family, but scarcely if ever were two women more dissimilar.  Isaac marrying a woman decidedly his superior, and Thomas one as much below his station.  Isaac's wife Judith  was a most industrious, enterprising, neat and tidy person, not stingy or mean but economical, and as a result adding thrift to the affairs of her family.  

Thomas' wife Naomi, became the synonym of laxness, laziness and utter worthlessness.  She was always complaining, sick, sick, always sick, too feeble to attend to a house-keeper's legitimate cries, too feeble to cook, and indeed too feeble to get out of bed till it was cooked and fully prepared for eating.  When she came to the table, she astonished all beholders with her gluttony." 

"The mulish Isaac Pierce Jr through the assistance of his model wife, made his life a success.  His more intelligent brother Thomas incapable of resisting the downward and distructive tendency in his, encumbered and ever discouraged as he was by this burden of Naomi like a mill-stone about his neck."

April 5, 1909, Divorced

Confirmed habits of gross intoxication led to divorce of Mary Catherine Wilber and her husband Carl Pierce.  Read:  Rainbows and Flowers, vs. Black Clouds and Weeds



The Tragic Death of Eben Algar Richmond

When Eben's father-in-law, Thomas Warren Pierce died on Jan 23, 1910, Eben grieved for him and had become despondent. Seven months later he shot and killed himself with a fatal gun shot wound to the right temple.  He was discovered on the third floor of the Thomas W. Pierce Hardware store in Middleboro between 9 and 10 a.m., lying face down, Monday morning on January 23, 1911.

Eben had worked at the Pierce Hardware store for 20 years and since the passing of his father-in-law was responsible for the conduct of the store. 

Eben played the piano and the cornet.  The last song he played on the piano the Sunday night before he died was "Now The Day Is Over".

Eben is buried in the Pierce family plot in the Central Cemetery, Middleboro, MA.

Middleboro Gazetter, Friday January 27, 1911

Once Upon A Time - A Century Old Secret

To better understand this story, read:  Amanuensis Monday - Once Upon A Time

There was this century old  family secret. No one could tell. What was the secret?  Why was it a secret.  It was all such a puzzle. What happened to Herbert?  I've known about this mystery my whole life.

When I began researching our family history, I brought my 82 year old Aunt over to my home, to pick her brain; scan the pictures she brought with her and to share my work to date with her.  She asked me, "Maybe you can find out about my mother's brother, Herbert, and what happened to him."   Could I ever solve this century old story?  I thought this was an impossible task.  But that all changed in October of 2010 because of a chance discovery.

My great grandparents, Mary Catherine Wilber Pierce and her husband Carl Z Pierce were separated shortly after their daughter, Mary Ann, my grandmother, was taken away from her by her in-laws. Carl never knew that his wife was expecting another child when she left and moved home with her mother.  Mary, afraid that her in-laws would also take this second child from her, kept this fact a secret.

On April 11, 1900 she gave birth to a son she named Herbert. Family stories indicate that her mother, Nellie, delivered him.  The census taken in June of 1900, just shy of two months after Herbert's birth, shows Mary Catherine still living with her mother.

Her in-laws, Thomas and Mary Besse Pierce had warned Mary Catherine that they would make her life miserable if she ever attempted to regain custody of their grandchild. Why they felt so strongly we will never know for sure. Mary did not forget the threats made upon by her in-laws.   Mary Catherine proved her bravery by moving forward and petitioned the court.

On May 26, 1900, when Mary Catherine was only 19 years old and Herbert was six weeks old, she went to court alone to face her in-laws in an attempt to regain custody of her daughter.  She lost her battle and her life was changed forever.

The outcome of this court hearing changed the family dynamics for the next 110 years. Mary Catherine was not going to take the chance that Herbert would also be taken away from her by her in-laws. She gave Herbert away to her mother to raise in order to keep him. She must have loved Herbert very much to take such drastic action.  She surely felt that this would be the only way to keep her son close.  She was determined that her in-laws were not going to take Herbert.  (His birth was not recorded)

All during Herbert's life his birth mother was always nearby watching over him as he grew.  Herbert never knew he was being raised by his maternal grandmother.  He was always told he was adopted.

Mary Catherine and her husband Carl reunited and had two more children.  But once the cover-up was done, it became impossible to undo and the decision was made to keep this secret forever.  But as we know, secrets are made only to be unveiled.  ( Eventfully the marriage did end in divorce.) 

Last October, 2010, a chance discovery of a old picture that was posted on the Town of Middleboro's website gave me the clue I was looking for.  Under the picture of a diner was the owner's name, Herbert Thompson.  Then there it was, a comment by the grandson of Herbert and a facebook logo.  I quickly typed a message and sent it off.  Amazingly, he answered almost immediately.  It took a little convincing that this was not a scam.  He was living on the west coast, I live on the east coast.  The first week in December of that year he flew out to meet me.

You can only imagine the joy we both shared.  The missing branch of his family tree is no longer lost. He in turn told me about his grandfather's life and how he was always told he was adopted and never knew who his parents were.   We continue to keep in touch with him and his family.  And yes, he has met my Aunt and other family members.

This century old secret is now revealed, and the truth has brought peace to many, and to my 90 year old aunt.  Herbert passed away in 1989 at the age of 89.

Once Upon A Time

In 1898 (my grandmother) the first born child of Mary Ann Wilber Pierce was wrongfully taken from her  by her in-laws, Thomas Warren Pierce and Mary Ann Besse.  (Mary Ann Besse was the mother of: (Little Girl Lost Has Been Found )  Mary Catherine was only 19 years old and separated from her husband, Carl Z Pierce when she took her in-laws to court to get her baby back. (You may want to read about Carl:  Rainbows and Flowers, vs. Black Clouds and Weeds )

The courts refusing her petition led Mary Catherine to make a devastating life-long decision out of fear. What happened to Mary and Carl's second child, Herbert, that she secretly bore while they were separated?    That 100 year old mystery I solved a year ago this month. Herbert died in 1989 but I found his grandson and together we joyfully celebrated. Today we are the best of friends that cousins could ever be.  It was the most remarkable genealogical journey event of my life.  I can't wait to share it with you.

Read:  Once Upon A Time - A Century Old Secret

Rainbows and Flowers, vs. Black Clouds and Weeds

Rainbows and flowers are what we all expect to find in our family trees. What happens when we find black clouds and weeds?  A friend reminded me that they are the ones who lend a bit of color to our trees.

My great grandfather, Carl Zachariah Pierce was born into a family of social and financial status on the 7th of January 1872 in Middleboro, Massachusetts. He worked as a clerk in the Pierce Hardware store owned and operated by his father, Thomas Warren Pierce. Out of six children, Carl was the only son.  I can only surmise that the business would have be left to him one day.  His sisters all became well-known multi-talented musicians, singers and actors.  (See story: A Star Is Born )

Carl is in the top row, 2nd from left

In 1893 Carl played second baseman on the Middleboro baseball town league. You can see the big M on the players' shirts. Carl, at least to me, was indeed a handsome, strong, eligible bachelor in his era.  It is the only picture I have of him for all other pictures were lost in the house fire of his daughter.  (See story: Heartbreaking Misfortunes


On December 29, 1897, at the age of 27, he married Mary Catherine Wilber, age 16.   Six weeks later, their first child, a daughter was born.

Carl went out drinking socially with his best friend, his wife's uncle.  But it went terribly wrong. About a year and a half into his marriage he had become a full-fledged alcoholic.  Carl's life spiraled out of control as the disease consumed him.

Twelve years and four children later, his marriage ended in divorce and he was disowned by his parents.  He was in and out of trouble with the law due to assaulting his wife's step-father and uncle.  The legal system forced his hospitalization numerous times in state institutions without any permanent success. 

Carl Z. Pierce, died on July 29, 1927 at the age of 55 of a root canal pharysurgical abscess, at the Bridgewater State Hospital. Myocarditis is an inflammatory disease of the heart muscle, (myocardium) caused by an infection, namely his abscessed tooth.

His two daughters gave him a proper burial and laid him to rest at Hillside Cemetery in Bridgewater, Massachusetts.  They had no money to give him marker.

I have located the spot where he rests, next to his daughters and beside his twin grandchildren.  Alcoholism is such a tragic disease, not only for the inflicted, but also for the family members who love them.   And even  though I never knew him, I can forgive him.  I hope to give him a gravestone one day to say yes, he did exist, and contributed to life.  After all, I wouldn't be here today if not for him.  So this black cloud and weeds gave me rainbows and flowers.

A Child Prodigy




Three-years-old
Photo provided by
Diana Burgin

 Ruth Pierce Posselt was born on September 5, 1911 to a musical family.  Her mother, Ida Pierce was an accomplished pianist and her German born father, Emil Posselt, was a conductor of the Boston Symphony.  Three of her sisters, Gladys, Mollie and Marjorie used to sing under the name of Posselt Trio.  They also played the piano, cello and violin respectively.  Ruth was the youngest sister playing the violin at age three with a violin that was specially made for her. 

Ruth became an outstanding American violinist whose career spanned over half a century.   She was invited to perform at The White House by President and Mrs. Roosevelt in 1937.  Posselt toured frequently as a recitalist, and formed a duo with pianist Luise Vosgerchian in 1958. A favorite of Koussevitzky and Munch, she appeared more than sixty times with the Boston Symphony, playing both the classics and 20th century composers like Bloch, Khachaturian, Hindemith, Copland, Barber, and Vernon Duke (Dukelsky). Married to Richard Burgin, long-time concertmaster of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, she appeared often under his baton.  Posselt toured frequently as a recitalist, and formed a duo with pianist Luise Vosgerchian in 1958. 



My 1st cousin
2x removed
Photo provided by
Diana Burgin

 Ruth Posselt performed several world premieres in her career, including Walter Piston's First Violin Concerto, a piece which was written for her, in 1940. (Violin Concerto No. 1) She also premiered a violin concerto by Vladimir Dukelsky, a.k.a. Vernon Duke, with the Boston Symphony Orchestra and conductor Serge Koussevitsky in March 1943. Also with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Posselt premiered violin concertos by composers Edward Burlingame Hill (Concerto for Violin, Opus 38), in 1939, and Samuel Barber (Concerto for Violin and Orchestra), in 1942, and played the New York premiere of Paul Hindemith's Violin Concerto in 1941. In 1944, Posselt premiered Aaron Copland's Violin Sonata with the composer at the piano.
Later in life, she and her husband moved to the state of Florida.  Posselt taught and performed at Florida State University from 1963 to 1978, coming to the school as a visiting artist, continuing her stay as an artist in residence and member of the Florestan String Quartet, with her husband. Posselt eventually became a professor at the University. She also taught privately at Wellesley College and New England Conservatory.


Ruth and her husband, Emil during rehearsal
Photo provided by
Diana Burgin

Ruth was ahead of her time, becoming a virtuoso in a predominately male world.  She died February 19, 2007. 

Although I don't have any of Ruth's recordings as of this date, I hope to before long.  Recently I met Ruth's daughter through ancestry.com.  We have been enjoying and sharing family stories and information. She lives not too far from me.  We plan to meet this September.

A Star Is Born

Maude Franklin Pierce

Maude Franklin Pierce, my great grand aunt, was born on November 30, 1879 in Middleboro, Massachusetts. She was the fourth of five daughters born to Mary Ann Besse and Thomas Warren Pierce.  Growing up in a well-to-do family, she and her four sisters were afforded every opportunity. They all became refined ladies, college educated and proficient in the art of music. The Pierce girls were well-known within the music circuit. Maude became a classical pianist, sang opera, performed in concerts and was an actress. She performed at The Boston Symphony Hall and other grand halls around the world.   

       On September 6, 1918 Maude applied for a passport as an entertainer for the Soldiers with the America's Over There Theater League under the YMCA.   With the approval of the United States War Department, Maude departed from New York to entertain the soldiers serving in WWI. 

       Army orders allowed soldiers a week's leave every four months of active duty.  During this week of vacation, soldiers could enjoy the cinema, play athletic sports such as baseball, volleyball and soccer. There was swimming and  boat excursions on the lake.  The soldiers enjoyed with great enthusiasm, the entertainment shows provided by Maude and others in the YMCA league.

       When the time came for the men to go back to their posts of service, there was unanimous appreciation and praise for the good times enjoyed and regret that they were so soon ended.  The primary purpose of the leave was to restore their spirits and heighten morale.

       Maude married Joseph Allen, a gentlemen from South Yarmouth, Massachusetts.  From Middleboro they moved to Fairfield, Connecticut where their first child, a son, was born in 1903.  A second son arrived in 1912.  During these years, Maude continued to give concerts in New York City. 

           The family moved to Los Angeles, California.  Maude was born and raised in the Methodist Church, but while living here, she and her husband became Christian Scientists. Sometime later, the marriage ended in divorce.  Maude began her career as an actress under the name Maude Pierce Allen.  She had roles in films such as, The Big Pond, The Cowboy Millionaire, Danger Ahead and many others.  She was best known for her role in the Adventures of Red Ryder.  She played the role of Duchess, Red's mother.  It indicated on the movie posters that this was an action packed western cliffhangers seen in 12 exciting episodes.  The film was shown in movie theaters and always ended in some pending tragedy.  To see what happened, you had to return the following week.  I was able I was able to obtain the video with all 12 episodes.  It was great seeing her perform.  It brought her back to life.

       In Maude's later years, she returned home to Middleboro.  She entered the Hannah B. G. Shaw Home for the Aged.  Every day she would play the piano and sing to all the residents and staff.  My father, Robert Franklin Smith would go and visit her there.

     Maude passed away on April 24, 1960.  She is buried in the family Pierce plot the Central Cemetery, Middleboro, MA. This medallion sits on her gravestone.