I am a resident of a town south of Boston, on the 'South Shore' of Massachusetts. I've been a student of history since 1975-76, especially town (local) history. It was that year, my Senior year of high school in Easton, Massachusetts that I took a town history course taught by Hazel Varella. She had created and taught the course for many years and now in retirement is still an active member (2021) in the Easton Historical Society as the Recording/Corresponding Secretary.

Easton has been over shadowed by its 'North Easton' village which had been the headquarters of the former Ames Shovel Co. and home to the Ames family for generations. My high school was named after Oliver Ames . The family left a big imprint on the town with historic factory structures, residential estates, and public buildings. Because of the Ames family the town has five buildings designed by H. H. Richardson and grounds planned out by Frederick Law Olmsted.

Once I moved to Plymouth County (Pilgrim country) I became interested in the founding families, many of which still have members in my town. When my brother Christopher passed away my parents had the opportunity to purchase two graves, side by side, in Mayflower Cemetery. This section of Mayflower Cemetery is known as the "Old Burying Ground" which was created by the adjoining First Parish Church. The first burial was in 1787. Someday, my final resting place will be next to my brother. Christopher. At the foot of the grave is buried Content Darling who died in 1792 at 20 days old, and her parents. The grave of Ruth Graves Wakefield, who died in 1977, is worthy of note. She was the creator of the Toll House/chocolate chip cookie, in 1930. It is about two-hundred steps away.

Daniel White.

I am a resident of a town south of Boston, on the 'South Shore' of Massachusetts. I've been a student of history since 1975-76, especially town (local) history. It was that year, my Senior year of high school in Easton, Massachusetts that I took a town history course taught by Hazel Varella. She had created and taught the course for many years and now in retirement is still an active member (2021) in the Easton Historical Society as the Recording/Corresponding Secretary.

Easton has been over shadowed by its 'North Easton' village which had been the headquarters of the former Ames Shovel Co. and home to the Ames family for generations. My high school was named after Oliver Ames . The family left a big imprint on the town with historic factory structures, residential estates, and public buildings. Because of the Ames family the town has five buildings designed by H. H. Richardson and grounds planned out by Frederick Law Olmsted.

Once I moved to Plymouth County (Pilgrim country) I became interested in the founding families, many of which still have members in my town. When my brother Christopher passed away my parents had the opportunity to purchase two graves, side by side, in Mayflower Cemetery. This section of Mayflower Cemetery is known as the "Old Burying Ground" which was created by the adjoining First Parish Church. The first burial was in 1787. Someday, my final resting place will be next to my brother. Christopher. At the foot of the grave is buried Content Darling who died in 1792 at 20 days old, and her parents. The grave of Ruth Graves Wakefield, who died in 1977, is worthy of note. She was the creator of the Toll House/chocolate chip cookie, in 1930. It is about two-hundred steps away.

Daniel White.