# Representative women of New England/Annie C. Shattuck

​ANNIE C. SHATTUCK, of Fitchburg, Mass., a National Aide in the Woman's Relief Corps and a devoted worker for the cause of patriotism, was born November 26, 1851, at New Ipswich, N.H., her parents being William K. and Elizabeth (Stark) Hassall. On the paternal side she comes of a long line of worthy New England ancestors, one of whom, Anna Hassall, was massacred by the Indians, September 2, 1691. On her mother's side she is a descendant of Archibald Stark, born in Glasgow, Scotland, in ]&)7, who married Eleanor Nichols in Londonderry, Ireland, and came to New England in 1720 with the party of Scotch-Irish that settled Londonderry, N.H. From this pair Mrs. Shattuck claims descent through Major-general John Stark (as a great-great-grand-daughter) the noted Revolutionary hero, who at Bennington and on other battle-fields achieved so much for the cause of American independence.
Annie C. Hassall was educated in the public schools and at the then noted Appleton Academy in her native town. In 1861, on the breaking out of the Civil War, when societies were being formed for the relief of the soldiers at the front and in the hospitals, her mother, who was an active member of some of these societies, wishing her to aid in the good work, taught her how to knit. Although then but a girl of ten, she knit several pairs of hose, which, with ​ comfort bags that she helped to make and fill and other supplies, were sent to the brave "boys in blue." Among her most treasured keepsakes now are some letters that she received from one of these soldiers, who was wounded and very ill in the hospital, and who on receiving one of these comfort bags wrote to express his gratitude and appreciation of the work done by those at home for the soldiers.
In 1871 Miss Hassall became the wife of Frederick D. Shattuck, who had enlisted in the Union army soon after the attack on Fort Sumter, and served subsequently until the close of the war. He is now a member of E. V. Sum- ner Post, No. 19, G. A. R., of Fitchburg. Mr. and Mrs. Shattuck are the parents of three children, two daughters and a son. The son, Frederick A. Shattuck, was for two years and a half a teacher in the service of the United States government in the Philippines, where he instructed the children in the principles of liberty and representative government, and taught them to love the flag of the country whence they had received these blessings. From the islands he forwarded to his home in Fitchburg some valuable and interesting souvenirs, accompanietl by letters containing 9. record of his experiences, with interesting descriptions of the country and its people, showing him to be a young man of observation and keen in- sight as well as literary ability. He is now teaching in Tokio, Japan, where he is associated with the Rev. Dr. Gate, a Universalist missionary.
In 1885 Mrs. Shattuck was initiated a mem- ber of E. V. Sumner Corps, No. 1, W. R. C, of Fitchburg. After serving in several offices she was elected President two successive years, and has held the oflice of Secretary for eight years. Since uniting with the order she has attended as a delegate (with one exception) every department convention, and has -served continuously on important committees in the corps and the department. She has efficiently performed the work of an Assistant Inspector and Installing Officer, besides attending to numerous other duties. She has also taken part in many patriotic gatherings in different parts of the State. She was elected three years in succession a member of the Department Executive Board at the State conventions, and is regarded in many quarters as a future leader of the Department of Massachusetts.
Mrs. Shattuck has attended several national conventions, and is a National Aide the present year (1904). She is one of the vice-presidents of the General Conunittee, and also a member of the ICxecutive Committee of Arrangements for the national convention in Boston. The corps of which she is a member is the oldest in the country, the first convention of the order having been held in Fitchburg. There are now three thousand corps in the various States and Territories of the Union. Mrs. Shattuck was the first President of the Worcester County As- sociation of the Woman's Relief Corps, and is highly esteemed in the different posts and corps in the county. During the war of 1898 with Spain she was a member of the citizens' com- mittee, which was composed of the leading citizens of Fitchburg, who held their "meetings in the State armory and formulated plans for the relief of the soldiers of that war. She also attended the meetings of the ladies who met to carry out those plans, in which she took a very active part.
Mrs. Shattuck was one of the Vice-Regents of the Fitchburg Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, a Past Matron of Lady Emma Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star, and a member of the Woman's Club, of Fitchburg. She is actively identified with the work of the LTniversalist church, of which she is a member, and vice-president of the ladies' circle of the church in Fitchburg.
Mrs. Shattuck is a pleasing speaker, and had the honor of delivering the Memorial Day address at her native town this year (1904) by invitation of the Grand Army Post of New Ipswich, N.H. The Fitchhuni (Mass.) Sentinel, in referring to her address on this occasion, said: " Her reference to the purpose of the Grand Army, to the origin of the Relief Corps and of Memorial Day as a nation's holiday, and her address to each organization represented, were all heard with the keenest interest, and would be heard again with pleasure. She seemed in- spired by her subject, and with her clear, distinct utterance, her voice without apparent
​effort was easily heard in every part of the hall."
Mrs. Shattuck is a woman of strong individuality and kindness of heart, generous and hospitable, a lover of liberty, of home. State, and country. She believes in striving each day to leave a record of some good accomplished, "some worthy action done," and in exemplifying the true principles of a Christian life.