Mrs. Caroline Mead Makes Many Bequests (1910)

Source: Greenwich Graphic. June 18, 1910. Page 4.

The last will and testament of the late Caroline M. Mead, with four codicils attached, has been filed in the Probate Court and the former is dated October 26th, 1905, the codicils November 22nd, 1907, March 4th, 1908, June 26th, 1909, and April 6th, 1910.

The following legacies are made:

Greenwich Hospital, located on Milbank avenue, $5000 to endow "The William H. Mead Memorial Bed," and Rev. M.  Geo. Thompson, of Christ Church, appointed to nominate the persons who shall use the bed; Greenwich General Hospital, on Parsonage Road, $1000; Benjamin and Sarah A. Smith husband and wife, of River road, Cos Cob, and their survivors, income of $3000 for life, at their death to Rhoda L. Peck and Lizzie P. Mead, both of Cos Cob, absolutely; to Caroline E. Smith, $3000; to Mary F. Peck, $3000; to Christ Church, Greenwich, $1000; to Clara Hoyt, Van Buren Hoyt, Harriet L. Finch, James H. Finch, Lancely Lockwood, Kenneth F. Lockwood, Paul L. Lockwood, Irving M. June, Lottie B. Marshall and Edward P. Holly, each $100; to Rhoda L. Peck, Lizzie P. Mead, and Elizabeth Selden, each $500; to Christ Church, Trustee, for care of burial ground and for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of the will of William H. Mead, late husband of deceased, concerning the burial ground, $1000; to Rhoda L. Peck, a desk; to Lizzie P. Mead, a bureau; to Miriam F. Finch, a table; to Mary F. Peck and Carolyn E. Smith, her clothing; to Mary E. Peck, set of China silver spoons, silverware, all bedding, all other furniture, dishes, books and jewelry; the balance of the estate is divided as follows: One-third part to Mary F. Peck, of Cos Cob, absolutely; they use and income of one-third part to Benjamin P Smith, during his lifetime and on his death to pay over the following legacies: Rhoda L. Peck, $500; to Lizzie P. Mead, $500; to Lottie B. Marshall, $500; to Miriam F. Finch, $200; the balance to Mary F. Peck. 

The use and income of the remaining one third part is given to Carolyn F. Smith during her lifetime, and at her death one-half of said part to Christ Church, Greenwich, to be held as a trust fund, the income to be used toward the support of the church, and the other one-half to Mary F. Peck. H. Stanley Finch and Benjamin P. Smith are appointed as executors and trustees, and authority is given to them to sell the real estate; all inheritance taxes to be paid out of the estate, so that all the legacies, bequests, and devices should be free from such tax. According to the petition, the real estate is valued at $16,000 and the personalty at $34,000. The will and the were executed at Stanford; the other color Siles at Greenwich. Both will and codicils were admitted to Probate, on Wednesday.

PARTITION SALE-SARAH MEAD HOMESTEAD (1911)

Source: Greenwich Graphic. Friday, June 23, 1911. Page 1.

WM MEAD HOMESTEAD SELLS FOR $47,000 (1911)

Source: Greenwich Graphic. Friday, July 14, 1911. Page 1

What is known as the William Mead homestead, on Old Church Road, was sold at auction last Saturday under order of court for a partition sale, by Auctioneer N. A. Knapp. The homestead consists of the residence and some twenty-eight acres of land, 24 on one side of the street and 4 directly opposite.

There were twelve undivided interest in the estate, about two-thirds of which were purchased some time ago by John W. Masury and Laurence Timmons, on a basis of $40,000.

Several interests they were unable to purchase, and these were joined with George L. Slawson to make up a syndicate to purchase, Mr. Slawson bidding the property in at $47,000.

What the syndicate will do with the property is not disclosed, but presumably it will be disposed of either as a whole or in parcels.

Death of W.J. Mead; Well Known Resident (1910)

Source: Greenwich Graphic. Saturday, May 7, 1910. Page 1.

At White Plains-Had Many Friends-Had Held a Number of Prominent Public Positions

The announcement of the death of William J. Mead, at his home in White Plains, last week Friday, came as a shock to his numerous Greenwich friends this week.

He had been painfully injured in an auto accident not long ago, and had nearly recovered from the injuries when he was taken ill of pneumonia, last Thursday, and owing to his weakened condition, due to this accident, he was in able to withstand the disease and passed away the following day.

He was 75 years of age, and had spent with the exception of the few last years of his life, all his days in Greenwich, where he was born, at the ancestral home on North Street, now owned by his brother Cornelius.

He acquired the adjoining farm of 200 acres, which belonged to his great uncle, and the two brothers, William J. and Cornelius, lived side by side nearly their entire lives. Owing to the care of so large a property, and inability to secure assistance, he sold the property to A. Newton and S. Cristy Mead, some years ago, and removed to White Plains, where he has resided with his two daughters.

He comes from a large family connection remaining unbroken and maintaining the family traditions of his pioneer ancestry. His family is one of the oldest in the country, and much of the land occupied by different branches, has been held by the members more than two centuries.

His own farm was an example of high-class farming and his able management entitled him to high rank among scientific agriculturalists.

He was one of the most genial and generous of men, and his warm hearted dispositions was proverbial, and he was ever ready to extend a helping hand to those in necessity, and sympathetic consideration for any distress or trouble. His friends in Greenwich were legion, and his home life here was ideal, contentment and happiness being always observable among the numerous members.

His education was begun in the schools near his home, with Miss Worcester as his first teacher. When ten years old he entered Greenwich Academy, where his studies were continued about five years. He afterword attended Irving Institute at Tarrytown, also another school at Yonkers. At the age of seventeen he returned to the old farm, where he remained for several years,. After the age of twenty-four he was married to Miss Catherine Carroll, and they began housekeeping on the farm, where he lived so long.

In 1870 and 1871 he was a member of the legislature and was a selectmen from 1871 to 1875. He was identified with Christ Church, and was a member of the Acacia Masonic Lodge. 

His first wife died in 1869 and subsequently he married her sister, Miss Sarah Carroll. 

The internment will be held in Greenwich on the family plot. 

Obituary: Elizabeth Stillson Mead (Putnam Cemetery: Greenwich Graphic: May 7, 1910, page 4)

'Union Cemetery First Used in 1851' (1909)

Source: Greenwich Graphic. Saturday, September 25, 1909. Page 1.

A Statistical Work Just Completed by Spencer P. Mead, Gives Data of Interest and Value.

Spencer P. Mead, who is the author of the "Genealogy of the Mead Family," has recently compiled of work that will be very valuable to every lawyer in the town, as well as to everyone interested in statistical work of subjects concerning the town, and is in general character a history of the Town of Greenwich.

Mr. Mead has spent some time preparing this work, and expects to publish it early the coming year.

The book contains a list of the town officers from the incorporation of the town in1665 to 1910; representatives and senators from 1665 to 1905; and grant and titles prior to 1752; births, marriages and deaths from the earliest records to June, 1847, and an abstract of every known tombstone in the town, also the cemetery at Middle Patent, where many residents of the town have been buried.

Frequent we have had inquiries as to the Union Cemetery, when it was first used. We find in the book just the information that is wanted, as follows:

"Union Cemetery, at the corner of Milbank and Davis avenue, in the borough of Greenwich. The cemetery was originally called 'Burying Hill, and it was an old family plot. On the second day of November, 1851, Robert W. Mead, owner of the adjoining property, east and south of the old plot, deeded to the Second Congregational Society, now Second Congregational Church, three acres of land, and trust, nevertheless, as a burial ground, and for no other purpose, to be under the charge and superintendence of the committee of three persons, to be appointed by said society from among those of its members who are members of the church.

"1st, Lot 23 is to be free ground for the internment of people of said town, and strangers who may die in the town, who by reason of poverty were unable to purchase a burial lot.

"2d, The southerly part of said lot 23 is to be set apart for the internment of people of color, and such portion as it is deemed advisable to be sold in burial plots to people of color, at a rate not exceeding one cent per square foot.

"3rd, Lots 12 and 13 are to be reserved for free ground, if required.

"4th, The remaining 21 lots are to be sold from time to time, to any person or persons belonging to said town, at the rate of one cent per square foot, provided it does not exceed 1,800 square feet, said lots so sold not to be reconveyed without the consent of said committee.

"5th, The proceeds thereof to be used in keeping said burial ground properly enclosed, and in decent order. The remainder of such proceeds should be paid by said committee to the treasurer of the American Home Missionary Fund.

"6th, A right of way, 16 feet in width, is reserved in the westerly side thereof.

"7th, The grass on the said ground is to be for the use of the pastor for the time being of said Second Congregational Society, at all times, to mow, but not to pasture, unless by consent of said committee."

Obituary: Death of Mrs. J.G. Mead (1909)

Source: Greenwich Graphic. Saturday, October 2, 1909. Page 2.

Silver Wedding Mr. and Mrs. S. Warren Mead (1910)

Source: Greenwich Graphic. Saturday, February 26, 1910. Page 1.

The silver wedding of Mr. and Mrs. S. Warren Mead was celebrated at their Round Hill home, Tuesday afternoon, and was attended by forty or more guests, including relatives and friends.

Had the roads of been in condition the attendance would have been noticeably greater, as was indicated by numerous telephone calls. 

The various rooms were tastefully decorated, carnations and roses being dominant, and a large number of beautiful presents added their brightness in the general effect.

Mrs. Mead was assisted by Miss Lucy A. Mead, also by her daughters, Misses Abigail and Esther, in serving a choice and bountiful supper, and the evening as well as the afternoon were most pleasantly spent in social games and entertaining converse, making the occasion one long to be held in happy remembrance.

YOUR VIEW IS MY LIFE: SAYS I.L. MEAD TO THE GRAPHIC (1911)

Source: Greenwich Graphic. Friday, July 21, 1911. Page 1.

Doesn’t Believe Would Be Good Plan to Crowd Children in One Building-His Ideas on the Subject

Saturday morning the telephone bell rang. “This is I.L. Mead, of Lafayette Place,” was the response to our “Hello.” 

“I want to say to you that I have just had read to me your article on the schools question, and I assure you I am fully in accord with your views. I do not believe that it is a good thing to have all the children of the borough all assembled in one building. I don’t think it would be good policy, and for more reasons than one.

“In case of disease, such as measles and others of epidemic nature, it would mean that you would have to close the entire building in case of quarantine, and then it would mean more to spread among.

“In case of fire or panic it s not a good plan to have so many children congregated. And then Havemeyer building is on a very busy street and have so many children going to and from it across the street is dangerous. 

“Your idea of having school buildings in different sections of the borough is to me the proper thing to carry out the points of which I have spoken. So far as the town being parsimonious in the matter of furnishing money for educational purposes, it isn’t so. I don't believe for a moment that there would be any hesitancy on the part of the town in providing all the money necessary to educate the children and provide proper accommodations for them. But it isn’t a matter to be rushed into, but should be gone into in a careful way and not to be decided by a few people but by the majority of the taxpayers of the town. The money will be forthcoming from the town if the people are satisfied that the conditions demand it and that the plan is a proper one.

“I was very glad that you took the stand that you have in this matter, for I think it will appeal to the public in general. Let Havemeyer building remain as it is and build other buildings elsewhere to accommodate increasing demand for larger quarters for the school children of the borough.”

No one is better acquainted with the school situation in Greenwich then I. L. Mead. He has made a study of it. He was for years a member of the board of school visitors of the town, and he spent much time in this work. He often visited every schoolhouse in the town, using his own horse and carriage for the purpose, covering many miles in the course of the year, going through the winter storms as well as the summer heat. He did it because personally he was interested in it and he liked it. He did it from a public spirit and not from any mercenary motive. He gave his services and that of his horse and carriage free. And all the time that he was a school visitor he never sent in a bill to the town for any work that he did as school visitor, and he had a right to do it, and we believe it is the only instance on record in Greenwich where a man who held public office and had a right to draw money for his services refused to do it. As we have said there is nobody in Greenwich that is more capable of passing upon the school question in the light of experience than Mr. I. L. Mead.

Isaac Lewis Mead Building, at the top of Greenwich Avenue. 

And it is for this reason what he says will have that weight which experience, public spiritedness and standing of a man of the character of Mr. Mead can give. What he says on the subject has force, character and weight with the people of Greenwich, who know him and the work that he is done for our schools.