The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1920-07-21
NEWBURY
A Tribute to Robert Meserve, Who
Died July is.

Dleu jury 10.
Bv the death of Robert Meserve
/ the town has lost citizen of ster-
| ling worth, who was connected with
] it during his entire life. He was the
| third and last survivor of the six chill
| dren OF William and Susan (Thomp-
SOM Meserve, and was born January
10th, 1889, on Leighton hill, in house
not now standing. Later the family
lived on the place now owned by Clark
Holmes. Here the father died in 1851
The mother was in frail health, and
homes were made for the children in
kind families. Robert found place
in that of Deacon Freeman Reyes,
where he attended the district school
and Newbury seminary. As youth he
was faithful and Industrious and, as
he grew older. he was gradually in
trusted with the management of the
farm.
When the Civil war broke out, he
was one of the first to enlist from
Newbury, in the Bradford guards,
which formed Co. ID of the lst Vermont
volunteers, serving three months, being
mustered out August Is, 1861. This
company had part in the engagement
of Big Bethel, the first battle OF the
war OF this company, he was the
last survivor in Newbury. His second
service was sergeant of Co. H., 18th
Vermont 1862 -'63, He was first lieu
tenant of company OF militia, which
existed for some years after the war.
His brother, Amos, next older than
himself, enlisted in Co. G, 3rd YER
mont, and was killed in a skrmish at
Lewisville, Va, September IL, 1861.
II, was the first soldier from Yer
mont killed in battle, and the only one
from Newbury, whose remains were
brought home for burial.
Mr. Meserve had charge during sew
cral years of the farm Of Deacon Free
man Reyes in Newbury and later of
the Henry Reyes farm in Haverhill,
one of the largest in New Hampshire.
He was a faithful husband and things
prospered under his hands. In 1883
he returned to Newbury and bought
the Colonel Jacob farm. where his
son. Milo, lives For some years, being
infrm, he had spent his time in the
families of his sons, enjoying peace
full and honoFed old age.
He married in 1872, Margaret,
daughter of Andrew and Margaret
(Galbraithl Dunnett, a young woman
Of noble Scotch characteristics. She
died in 1890, and he married in 1894
q Miss Farrar, who lived only few
years. BY the first marriage, there
were three sons. William A., lawyer
in Nebraska. Frank and Milo OF New
bury, and daughter, Nettie, who died
in childhood. His three sons were with
him in his lasI days. He is also sur.
yived by four grandchildren.
Mr. Meserve was modest, retiring
man of excellent Judgment and kind
ways, man who knew his own mind
and was well informed; a wise and dis
reader. but who never held
or desired public Office. During his en-
tire life, till the infirmities OF age pre-
vented, he was regular attendant of
the Congregational church of Newbury. |
His death, on the morning of the
18th was caused by general failure of
the vital powers, The funeral serv-
ices, at the house of his son, Frank,
were attended by a large concourse of /
people. and were conducted by Rev. |
Mr.. Ives, assisted by Rev. Mr.. Brock. !
He was a member OF Washburn post, |
No II. and Is veterans of the Civil |
war attended the services