# Representative women of New England/Ann M. M. Sprague

​ANN MARIA MILES SPRAGUE, educator and philanthropist, is a sister of General Nelson A. Miles and a descendant of the Rev. John Myles, who came to New England about the year 1663 from Swansea, Wales, and settled in Swansea, Mass., so named at the incorporation of the town a few years later. His death is thus recorded: "Mr. John Myles, pastor of the church in Swanzy, deceased February 3, 1682-3." His son, John Myles, Jr., who also resided in Swansea, Mass., was elected to the office of Town Clerk in May, 1670. Nathaniel, son of John Myles, Jr., was born, as recorded in the Swansea town register, 26th day, 8 mo., 1671; and James, son of John the younger and Mary, his wife, in April, 1674. Daniel Miles, a native of Pomfret, Conn., thought to have been of the fourth generation of this family, and son of a Samuel Miles, removed to Petersham, Mass., where he died early in 1777, his will being probated April 9. His son, Joab Miles, died in Petersham in 1835 at the age of ninety-one years. Joab married Elizabeth Fitch, a descendant, it is said, of John Fitch, who ​ was captured by the Indians at Fitchburg, and from whom that city derived its name. A tablet to the memory of John Fitch may now be seen in Fitciiburg. Daniel Miles, born in Petersham in 1799, son of Joab, married Mary Curtis, of ^^'estminster, who was born in 1802. Both died in 1875. Daniel and Mary (Curtis) Miles had four children — namely, Daniel Curtis, Mary Jane, Ann Maria, and Nelson Appleton. The last named, in his interesting book, " Personal Recollections of General Nelson A. Miles," refers to his parents and ancestors as follows: —
" Physical and mental advantages were not the only ones for which 1 feel it a very pleasant iluty to render thanks to my honored parents. Simplicity of life, purity of thought and action, and high moral standartls were as character- istic of them as of their ancestors through many generations. My father, Daniel Miles, excelled in strength, resolution, boldness, antl the highest sense of honor. To the example of his sterling integrity, spotless character, and loyalty to country I owe whatever of aptitude I have possessed in meeting the stern realities of a somewhat tumultuous life in an exacting profession. My father's high qualities had been transmitted through five generations from the Rev. John Miles, a Welsh clergyman, who hail not only been a soldier of the Cross, but also a soldier of approved valor and conduct in the Indian wars.
" For many years he carried on a school 'for the teaching of granmiar and arithmetic, and the tongues of Latin, Greek, and Hebrew, also how to read English and to write.' This ancestor's residence was strongly built, and when King Philip's War broke out, in 1675, it was fortified and became known as Myles's Garrison. There the colonial forces gathered at the first outbreak of Indian hostilities, anil the pastor became foremost in the defence of the settlement anil was chosen Captain. Having done valiant service in the war, he at the close resumed the duties of a country clergy- man. "His son Samuel graduated from Harvard College in 1684, and went to England soon after, where he took orders in the English church. Returning to Boston, Samuel Mdes became rector of King's Chapel in 1689, con- tinuing in this position for twenty-nine years. Oxfoid L'niversity conferred upon him the degree of Master of Arts in 1693. " My ancestors moved from Massachusetts to Pomfret, Conn. Thence they made a settle- ment at what is now the town of Petersham, in Central Massachusetts, when that was the extreme frontier. This settlement was at once abandoned because of the depredations of the Indians.
" My paternal grandfather, Joab, and great- grandfather, Daniel, were both soldiers of the Revolution.
[In " Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors of the Revolutionary War," vol. x., the record of Joab Miles is as follows: "Sergeant, Capt. Wing Spooner's Co., Col. Nathan Sparhawk's regt.; engaged Aug. 21, 1777, travel to camp and home 180 miles; service at twenty miles per day, 9 days; company marched from Petersham to Bennington, Aug. 21, 1777, to reinforce army under General Stark; also, 1st Sergeant, Capt. Josiah Wilder's company. Col. Nathan Sparhawk's regt., commanded by Maj. Daniel Clap, entereil service July 4, 1778: discharged July 15, 1778; service 13 days at Rutland Barracks, company raised for 20 days' service; roll dated Templeton."
The records of Daniel Miles in the same volume, beginning with service from August 3, 1776, and ending with discharge in December, 1780, cannot all refer to Joab's father, who died, as above noted, in 1777.]
"I have often heard my father tell of the experiences of his father and grandfather — of their sudden departure for the field and of the hardships encountered by them and their comrades.
"My father, Daniel Miles, was born in Peters- ham, but moved in early life to Westminster, in the same county [Worcester], in the State of Massachusetts, where he engaged in farming and in the lumber business."
In referring to their mother General Miles says: "My mother, Mary Curtis, possessed traits of character similar to those of my father, and excelled in those which most adorn womanhood. It is not possible adequately to ​express my sense of obligation for her devotion. She was a true Christian. Never was one more earnestly prayed for during childhood and manhood, during peace and war, than myself. It was her loftiest ambition to guide her children, by good example, pure thoughts, upright and praiseworthy life, to honorable and noble purpose. To her unselfish devotion, her gentle and loving admonitions, am I greatly indebted for whatever there may be in me that is commendable. My mother was a direct descendant of William Curtis, who arrived in Boston on the ship 'Lyon,' September 16, 1632."
Mrs. Lydia Gilbert Curtis, the mother of Mary Curtis, married for her second husband Mr. Hastings, of Princeton, Mass., the great-grandfather of the late ex-Governor Russell. When seventy years old, she became the bride of Deacon Timothy Downes, of Fitchburg. She lived to the age of ninety.
Daniel Curtis Miles, the eldest child of Daniel, Sr., and Mary Curtis Miles, was born in Westminster, June, 1828. He married Lucy Ann Puffer. Their children are: Mary Josephine, George Melville, Herbert Judson, Arthur Wellington, and Martha Gertrude. Daniel C. Miles was for many years a popular teacher. He afterward engaged in the lumber trade and in manufacturing. He founded the Westminster National Bank, and was its president twenty years. He is the present bank examiner of Massachusetts, and his son, Herbert Judson, is his assistant.
The second child of Daniel and Mary (Curtis) Miles is Mary Jane, who was born in Westminster in June, 1832. She was a successful teacher, interested in educational matters and in church work. She has been a liberal contributor to the Baptist society, and has accomplished much good in her quiet way. After her marriage to Gardner Merriam, of Princeton, she settled in Leominster, Mass. Mr. and Mrs. Merriam have four children—Nelson Curtis, Nellie Gracie, Mary Anna, and Sadie Jane.
Ann Maria Miles, the direct subject of this sketch, was born April 15, 1837, in Westminster, Mass. She received a good education, and as a teacher had a large experience in school work. Interested in the welfare of her pupils, she not only guided them in the paths of learning, but also trained them in those principles of integrity and sound morality without which no man or woman can achieve a perfect success. An instance of the manner in which she impressed upon her pupils the importance of punctuality is found in the fact that her youngest child attended school for fifteen years without receiving an absent or tardy mark.
Mrs. Sprague is a woman of excellent business capacity, successfully managing large affairs requiring tact, sound judgment, executive ability, and thorough knowledge of business methods. For .seven years she held a government post-office position. She is actively interested in philanthropic work, being a liberal contributor to various charities and a helpful and frequent visitor to the homes of the poor and unfortunate. She has been closely identified with the work of the Little Wanderers' Home and in placing children in country homes, where they could be taught useful occupations and learn to be self-supporting.
Married in 1856 to Samuel Hazen Sprague, she has since resided in Westminster, Mass. She is the mother of five children—Lovvie Maria, Samuel Nelson, Hattie Sophia, Theodocia Miles, and Lydia Gertrude.
Mrs. Sprague possesses in a high degree the art of agreeable conversation. She has travelled exclusively in (illegible text)s and foreign countries, has been an intelligent and accurate observer, and is well versed in the leading topics of the day. A patriotic American, she is proud of her country, and closely follows every event that concerns our nation's welfare.
Mrs. Sprague takes an especial pride in the career of her distinguished brother, General Nelson Appleton Miles, who was born in Westminster, and named by his mother in honor of Appleton Monse, a devoted Baptist clergyman. As Lieutenant of a company of volunteers, which he organized at the beginning of the Civil War, as Colonel of a regiment and commander of a brigade in that conflict, and later as a victorious leader against hostile ​Indians, he rendered services that have added to the glory and stability of our country, and made his name a household word in our land. Later, as Lieutenant General of the army, he attained the highest military rank in the United States, and during his tour around the world was tendered receptions by kings, emperors, and other rulers. He is honored in civil life as an eminent patriot and citizen. General Miles married Mary Hoyt Sherman, of Cleveland, Ohio, and has two children— Mary Cecelia Sherman and Daniel Sherman. Mrs. Miles accompanied her husband in his tour around the world, and was received with distinguished honors.
Mrs. Sprague takes an interest in the soldiers who have served with her brother and with other leaders, and also in the army nurses of the Civil War, being an honorary member of the Massachusetts Army Nurse Association.