"This work is a private enterprise, not undertaken for gain or remuneration, but because it is work such as would not probably be done if I did not do it; and because it is a preservation of facts which may otherwise be lost." ... This is how Williams begins the preface to his book "Epitaphs in Old Bridgewater, Massachusetts: illustrated with plans and views". This book is vital to anyone researching the towns of Bridgewater, East Bridgewater, West Bridgewater, and Brockton. Williams published his book in 1882, and his sentiment is probably shared by many a Graver and Genealogist today.
Williams was a lifetime member of the New England Historic Genealogical Society. Taken from their publication "Memorial Biographies of the New England Historic Genealogical Society, Volumn 8, page 158", his memorial reads:
Williams Latham, of Bridgewater, Massachusetts, a Life Member and benefactor, elected to the Society in 1865, was born in East Bridgewater, Massachusetts, November 4, 1803, and died in Bridgewater, November 6, 1883.
His parents were Galen and Susanna (Keith) Latham. His mother was the daughter of Eleazer Keith.
He was the descendant of William Latham, of Plymouth, Duxbury, and Marshfield, Massachusetts (William 1, Robert 2, Chilton 3, Charles 4, Woodward 5, Galen 6, William 7), and could trace his descent from the Winslow, Chilton, Kingman, Woodward, Dean, and other Old Colony families.
Williams Latham was graduated at Brown University in 1827, and settled in Bridgewater, where he opened a law office and practiced law for more than forty years.
He manifested his public spirit by planting early in his life many hundreds of shade trees, with a desire to beautify his native town. He was an active member and officer of the Plymouth County Agricultural Society. He was often called to places of important trust. He prepared a record of the ancient burial-grounds of Bridgewater and the vicinity, and had it printed in a handsome volume. He was a member of the Massachusetts Historical Society. His familiarity with ancient records made him an eminent authority on the early history of New England, and his home was a museum of interesting and valuable material. He was identified with musical circles , and his collection of church music was notable for it's completeness. He was a member of the Stoughton Musical Society, and one of the active members of the First Congregational Society. His broad catholic spirit was in sympathy with all denominations, and he often remarked that he would rejoice to see one church that would embrace all sincere believes of the Christian religion.
He was married on June 29, 1843, to Lydia Thomas Alger, daughter of Abiezer and Anne (Cushing) Alger, of West Bridgewater. She survived him. He had no children.
He left a bequest of one thousand dollars to this Society.
Williams was a lifetime member of the New England Historic Genealogical Society. Taken from their publication "Memorial Biographies of the New England Historic Genealogical Society, Volumn 8, page 158", his memorial reads:
Williams Latham, of Bridgewater, Massachusetts, a Life Member and benefactor, elected to the Society in 1865, was born in East Bridgewater, Massachusetts, November 4, 1803, and died in Bridgewater, November 6, 1883.
His parents were Galen and Susanna (Keith) Latham. His mother was the daughter of Eleazer Keith.
He was the descendant of William Latham, of Plymouth, Duxbury, and Marshfield, Massachusetts (William 1, Robert 2, Chilton 3, Charles 4, Woodward 5, Galen 6, William 7), and could trace his descent from the Winslow, Chilton, Kingman, Woodward, Dean, and other Old Colony families.
Williams Latham was graduated at Brown University in 1827, and settled in Bridgewater, where he opened a law office and practiced law for more than forty years.
He manifested his public spirit by planting early in his life many hundreds of shade trees, with a desire to beautify his native town. He was an active member and officer of the Plymouth County Agricultural Society. He was often called to places of important trust. He prepared a record of the ancient burial-grounds of Bridgewater and the vicinity, and had it printed in a handsome volume. He was a member of the Massachusetts Historical Society. His familiarity with ancient records made him an eminent authority on the early history of New England, and his home was a museum of interesting and valuable material. He was identified with musical circles , and his collection of church music was notable for it's completeness. He was a member of the Stoughton Musical Society, and one of the active members of the First Congregational Society. His broad catholic spirit was in sympathy with all denominations, and he often remarked that he would rejoice to see one church that would embrace all sincere believes of the Christian religion.
He was married on June 29, 1843, to Lydia Thomas Alger, daughter of Abiezer and Anne (Cushing) Alger, of West Bridgewater. She survived him. He had no children.
He left a bequest of one thousand dollars to this Society.
"This work is a private enterprise, not undertaken for gain or remuneration, but because it is work such as would not probably be done if I did not do it; and because it is a preservation of facts which may otherwise be lost." ... This is how Williams begins the preface to his book "Epitaphs in Old Bridgewater, Massachusetts: illustrated with plans and views". This book is vital to anyone researching the towns of Bridgewater, East Bridgewater, West Bridgewater, and Brockton. Williams published his book in 1882, and his sentiment is probably shared by many a Graver and Genealogist today.
Williams was a lifetime member of the New England Historic Genealogical Society. Taken from their publication "Memorial Biographies of the New England Historic Genealogical Society, Volumn 8, page 158", his memorial reads:
Williams Latham, of Bridgewater, Massachusetts, a Life Member and benefactor, elected to the Society in 1865, was born in East Bridgewater, Massachusetts, November 4, 1803, and died in Bridgewater, November 6, 1883.
His parents were Galen and Susanna (Keith) Latham. His mother was the daughter of Eleazer Keith.
He was the descendant of William Latham, of Plymouth, Duxbury, and Marshfield, Massachusetts (William 1, Robert 2, Chilton 3, Charles 4, Woodward 5, Galen 6, William 7), and could trace his descent from the Winslow, Chilton, Kingman, Woodward, Dean, and other Old Colony families.
Williams Latham was graduated at Brown University in 1827, and settled in Bridgewater, where he opened a law office and practiced law for more than forty years.
He manifested his public spirit by planting early in his life many hundreds of shade trees, with a desire to beautify his native town. He was an active member and officer of the Plymouth County Agricultural Society. He was often called to places of important trust. He prepared a record of the ancient burial-grounds of Bridgewater and the vicinity, and had it printed in a handsome volume. He was a member of the Massachusetts Historical Society. His familiarity with ancient records made him an eminent authority on the early history of New England, and his home was a museum of interesting and valuable material. He was identified with musical circles , and his collection of church music was notable for it's completeness. He was a member of the Stoughton Musical Society, and one of the active members of the First Congregational Society. His broad catholic spirit was in sympathy with all denominations, and he often remarked that he would rejoice to see one church that would embrace all sincere believes of the Christian religion.
He was married on June 29, 1843, to Lydia Thomas Alger, daughter of Abiezer and Anne (Cushing) Alger, of West Bridgewater. She survived him. He had no children.
He left a bequest of one thousand dollars to this Society.
Williams was a lifetime member of the New England Historic Genealogical Society. Taken from their publication "Memorial Biographies of the New England Historic Genealogical Society, Volumn 8, page 158", his memorial reads:
Williams Latham, of Bridgewater, Massachusetts, a Life Member and benefactor, elected to the Society in 1865, was born in East Bridgewater, Massachusetts, November 4, 1803, and died in Bridgewater, November 6, 1883.
His parents were Galen and Susanna (Keith) Latham. His mother was the daughter of Eleazer Keith.
He was the descendant of William Latham, of Plymouth, Duxbury, and Marshfield, Massachusetts (William 1, Robert 2, Chilton 3, Charles 4, Woodward 5, Galen 6, William 7), and could trace his descent from the Winslow, Chilton, Kingman, Woodward, Dean, and other Old Colony families.
Williams Latham was graduated at Brown University in 1827, and settled in Bridgewater, where he opened a law office and practiced law for more than forty years.
He manifested his public spirit by planting early in his life many hundreds of shade trees, with a desire to beautify his native town. He was an active member and officer of the Plymouth County Agricultural Society. He was often called to places of important trust. He prepared a record of the ancient burial-grounds of Bridgewater and the vicinity, and had it printed in a handsome volume. He was a member of the Massachusetts Historical Society. His familiarity with ancient records made him an eminent authority on the early history of New England, and his home was a museum of interesting and valuable material. He was identified with musical circles , and his collection of church music was notable for it's completeness. He was a member of the Stoughton Musical Society, and one of the active members of the First Congregational Society. His broad catholic spirit was in sympathy with all denominations, and he often remarked that he would rejoice to see one church that would embrace all sincere believes of the Christian religion.
He was married on June 29, 1843, to Lydia Thomas Alger, daughter of Abiezer and Anne (Cushing) Alger, of West Bridgewater. She survived him. He had no children.
He left a bequest of one thousand dollars to this Society.
