The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1917-02-15
Memorial

her late home Monday, February 5, at
Murray of kingfield officiating. In
terment was in the family lot at Lex
ington. The bearers were her two
sons, S. NJ Boynton of Scion and F.
S. Boynton of Lexington. Among
the relatives present were her two
sons above mentioned; her only liv-
ing daughter Mrs. f. L. Norton of
North New Portland; two grand
daughters. Mrs. Maurice Lane of Lex
ington and Miss Gladys Boynton of
Scion; Miss Lydia Boynton, a sister
in law; c. S. Allbee, a nephew and
Mrs. l.. A. Bradbury, niece: Mr.. and
Mrs George Pinkham and grandson,
Master Leslie Pinkham; F. l.. Norton
of Lexington; Frank e. Boynton of
kingfeld, a relative and particular
friend of Mrs. Boynton's family;
Mrs. Walter Boynton of Lexington;
also Mrs. Charles Peterson and two
children, Evelyn and Iva. Several
near relatives were prevented from
attending the funeral by illness or
bad travelling. Among these were
the children of the late Thomas M
Pinkham of Freeman, also an aged
brother-in-law Alvin f. Allbee of
Lexington and the family of A. j. ALI
bee of the same place. Mr.. Murray
took for his text clause from | Sam
uel, 20-3, and preached an able SER
mon, speaking earnestly of Mrs.
Boynton's long and useful life. He
gave special stress to her religious
life, basing much of her success in
the rearing of her family to her
strong religious faith. She was for
more than fifty years an active, faith
full member of the Free Baptist
church in Lexington, joining its men,
bership when her youngest daughter
was three years old. The sermon
was listened to with close attention.
Mrs. Fred Jackson of No. New Port
land played the organ and Mrs. Jack
son and Frank E. Boynton of King
field sang two selections Some
where and Nearer My God to Thee
A beautiful floral piece consisting of
carnations, the gift of her children,
lay on the open casket, and nearer
the head a graceful spray of gera-
mum leaves sent by Mrs. C. S. Allbee
who was unable to be present
Special mention should be made of
Eugene Durrell, Delbert Green and
Edwin f. Hewett who gave the
kindest and most neighborly help on
this occasion. Mrs. r. l.. Peterson,
Mrs. Tavia Chapman, Mrs. Rose Dex-
ter and others did all in their power
to tighten the cares of those bereav-
ed. All were eager TO render some
small service for Aunt Ann" whose
interest and care for old and young
had been almost without limit. Tive
little children who were present
spoke out in childish prattle occa-
sionaly during the sermon, and all
spoke of it as appropriate to the SER
vice. All children were dear TO Aunt
Ann and they loved her devotedly in
return.
Mercy Ann (Pinkham) Boynton was
born in Starks. Maine, Jan. 5, 1881,
and was eighty-siX years and twenty
eight days old. Her parents Wright
Hale and Mercy Norton Pinkham,
moved their family to Lexington
when their Oldest daughter, the sub
iect of this sketch. was twelve years
old. There were seven children
then. The mother held the young
est child William in her arms and
Amanda, two years old was AIMS
baby and was the special care of
this loving sister in the long and
tedious journey on an ox-sled from
Starks to Lexington. This incident
Mrs. Boynton, though feeble in body
and mind. was able to recall with
distinctness last July, more than
seventy years after its occurrence.
More recent events came to her less
wildly.
Among her choicest "reminiscences
was her remembrance of noted men
whom she had met. Foremost among
these was Gov William King, whose
visits at the king House" in Lex
ington where she was employed she
could wildly recall. Mrs. Washing
ton Clark, for whom she worked
when young girl often delegated to
her the task of standing behind
Governor Kings chair to wait on him
at his meals. She said he was al
ways a gentleman. She spoke in
much the same way of Squire
Miles Standish of Flagstaff, and of
George c. Getchell. prominent bust
ness man of Waterville. These
three often stopped at the King
House The keeness and intelligence
of their minds delighted her. They
were smart men" she often said, and
liked to hear them talk She
learned from them that men of am
pie means had their trials and were
able to hold prestige only by I'M
ceasing industry and watchfulness.
She was married to Alpheus Boyn-
ton of Lexington. July 5, 1852. His
death occurred in Placerville, Cali
forna some years ago. To them
were born four children, three of
whom survive her. The eldest Mel
vina, wife of E. F. Stafford, late Of
Roslindale. Mass. died thirty years
ago. The two children of this cid
est daughter, Edward Raymond and
Jessie Mae Stafford, were with Mrs.
Boynton a large part of the time in
their childhood and often returned
there for long visits in later life Ray
mond now postal clerk in Boston,
made long visit to his aged grand
mother in the late fall of the past
year Jessie, the granddaughter,
now Mrs. Maurice Lane of Lexington
was with Mrs Boynton during the
last three months and has given her
the most tender care and unwearied