The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1913-04-12
MRS. NATION DEAD,
AFTER LONG ILLNESS
Was Hospitable and Philanthropic in
Spirit, a Former Teacher and
Friend Of Homeless Girls.

Mrs. Julia Miranda Boyd Mattoon, |
y, died at $40 clock last evening at
her home at 40 Main street. after a
lingering illness with rheumatism and
heart trouble. Her condition was
such that she had not lain down for
several days and was unconscious dur
ing the last % hours. The last time
she was able to 90 out was Christmas
week, when she visited at the home of
her son, II. &. E. Pratt, in Crosby
block. She possessed unusual ambi-
ton and ability, and always was in
terested in embroidery and all lines of
fancy work, and up to the last week
of her life she did much of that work.
She was familiar with all the latest
stitches, and crOcheted and knitted
many handsome articles.
Mrs. Mattoon was born Sept. I,
1910, in BrattlebOro, on what is
known as the Charles Sargent place
near Guilford. Her parents were Ruel
and Almira (Bugbee) Boyd. The fam
lily moved to Dover when she was a
young child and she attended the
schools Of Dover and Wilmington. BY
her death the last survivor of the
family is removed. She had a sister,
Jane, who was married to Elijah
| Walker of this town and who was en-
gagged in the millinery business in
town several years, and one brother,
| George B. Boyd, who was a prominent
| citizen in Dover many years.
After finishing school she taught in
! Dover and in the school on Higley hill
/ in Wilmington. AS a teacher she was
very popular and many have expressed
/ their appreciation of the completeness
| of her methods and discipline in that
capacity. After teaching several terms
| she came to Brattleboro to learn dress
making of Mrs. Nettie Farnsworth
! During that time she sang in the choir
/ Of the Methodist church (then on
| School street,, for which she received
enough to pay her board.
She was twice married. Her first
/ husband was George II. Draft of Brat
/ tlebOrO, who was then proprietor of
the American House Their marriage
took place March 10, 1861, in the Com
gregational church in Dover. AT the
same time her brother, George B. Boyd,
and Miss Rena J. Howard were mar
ried. Rev. John l.. Smith was the of
floating clergyman. After her marriage
she lived in Brattleboro. Mr. Pratt
lied June s, 1869. They had one son,
Harrie G. E. Pratt, who survives.
i.
Mattoon of NorthfieId, Mass They
were married April p, 1871, and went
to West Brattleboro, where Mr.. Mat
toOn owned and conducted a black
smith shop several years. He died May
2l, 1890. In March 1891, Mrs. NATION
sold her house and the blacksmith
shop in West Brattleboro to Leavitt
] +. Bond of Dummerston, who took i'm
mediate possession, and she moved tC
her late home in the Cox building.
II During her residence in West Brat
| tlehOr0 she was actively associated
with the Baptist church and was a lib
I eral contributor towards building thu
= vestry. She was instrumental in organ
: ling the West BrattlebOro Enterprise
| society, by which the first street light
q were installed in the village. TIL
: lights were kerosene lamps inclosed il
glass and suspended on iron posts. A
present but two are in existence an
are used at private entrances.
Mrs. Nation was exceptionally hos
pitable and it was considered out o
d the ordinary if she was not entertain
ing one or more guests. She made
home for several homeless girls, on
Of whom is Mrs. Nellie (Sawyer) Spot
ford, whose present home is in Spring
field, Mass Besides her son she leave
two nephews, D. H. Boyd of Brookly
and R. G. Boyd of West Brattlebort
also several cousins and a sister in Law
Mrs. Fanny Pratt of Westfeld, Mas
The funeral will be held Monday a
ternoon at 3 clock at the house Re-
f. O.. S. Osgood, pastor of the Unitar
IN church, will officiate and the burit
~ viii take place in the family lot
Prospect Hill cemetery