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Weekly Update

8/14/2021

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​Happy Saturday to my fellow lovers of all things historic!  It has been very hot this week, with temps approaching 100 degrees and accompanied by summer’s ever-present humidity.  Ice water and a cold salad for lunch never tasted more refreshing than it has this week.
 
While going through the recently donated papers of the Lawson family, I came across this photo and tribute to a man, Charles Lawson, who came from his native Sweden and worked hard to become successful in his adopted country of the United States.  The photo is a formal portrait of Charles Lawson and his wife Christina (Johanson).  He was born June 29, 1845 in Sotterby, Socken, Nabara, Sweden.  She was born in Horreb, Socken, Nabara, Sweden on September 15, 1845.  The couple married in Sweden on June 29, 1877, and eight years later came to North Easton, where Mr. Lawson took a job as a gardener at the estate of Cyrus Lothrop.  You may know it better as the Parker Estate, or its historic name, Unity Close.  Lawson spent the next forty-eight years working for Lothrop and Mr. and Mrs. Parker, retiring at the age of 86.  Following his retirement, he continued to stay active walking daily to North Easton Center and enjoying automobile rides.  When he turned 97 he was the oldest man in Easton.  He died the following year, 1944 at age 98.  His wife died eight years prior.  The couple had nine children, some of whom you might know – H. I. Ingman of Salem, N.H.; Mrs. Ida Jacobson, Charles H. Lawson, Mrs. John Stromvall, Mrs. John Hanson, Mrs. Albin Anderson, Miss Esther Anderson, and Harry Lawson, all of Easton; and Ernest W. Lawson of Brockton.  With such a long life came the pleasure of seventeen grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.  The photo was taken in the greenhouse or conservatory on the rear of the Unity Close property.
 
The writeup titled “An American From Sweden” is from an unnamed source, but may have been from a newspaper in Lynn, MA. where one of his sons, Ernest, was a publisher and general manager.  The tribute speaks briefly about what he did, but makes more of a point about the character of the man.  As an immigrant from Sweden, he worked hard to contribute to his new country, bringing with him “industry, integrity, health and strength and skill as a gardener.”  He clearly did not want to be a burden to anyone.  He appreciated the opportunities granted to him, and tried to make sure he could give more than he received.  As the column notes in its closing, Charles Lawson passed onto his children the above-mentioned qualities, with son Ernest “carrying out the lifelong teachings of a father who was a gardener for 86 years and a good American to the day of his death.”
 
Charles Lawson is one story out of the many stories of those who came from Sweden to Easton to seek out a new life.  He achieved the “American Dream” and worked hard for it.  He made sure he passed that dream along to his children with an appreciation for what they had and what it took to get it.  He was indeed a “good American.”
 
Until next week (and a week closer to fall!),
Frank
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    Curator: Frank Meninno

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Hello! June closes with a beautiful weekend of sun and warm, summer temperatures. This weekend would be terrific for sunning on the beach, working in the yard, cooking out, or taking in a ball game.

Sixty-five years ago that is exactly what was going on at Frothingham Park. In the summer of 1957, someone took a photo of a baseball game being played at Frothingham. The photo is taken from the hill near the Sheridan Street gate, and overlooks the outfield towards home plate. Though the photo is printed in black and white, one can easily see why playing ball at Frothingham Park is such a special experience! The field is well manicured, the basepaths smooth, the infield and outfield grass short and sturdy. Dozens of people are watching from the concrete stands. Others find the shade of the beautiful trees is the best place to watch from. Since the trees are well leafed out, I think this might be a summer game, perhaps our beloved Easton Huskies. How many of us have trekked to the Park to watch the Huskies, or our Oliver Ames High School teams, or Little League teams play? Even better, how many of us played in any of those games? With its beautiful baseball field, shade trees, natural beauty, and welcoming water fountain, Frothingham Park has no equal when it comes to a great place for sports. Today the Park is still a wonderful place to play in, or watch a baseball game. This photo, taken from approximately the same location as the 1957 photo, looks over that same green outfield towards the area of home plate. The field itself, aptly named for the late Robert "Buddy" Wooster who took such great care of the field, the park, and played games there, is as nicely kept as ever. The trees have matured since that 1957 photo was taken, providing even more beauty and shade. Driving by one can still catch a good ballgame, and certainly catch memories of heroics of years past. Does anyone remember Ken MacAfee hitting a ball onto Sheridan Street, over the iron fence? That must have been a truly Ruthian blast! Today the Park provides a safe playspace for young people, basketball, tennis, and pickleball courts, a track and paths for walking. A new pavilion adds a nice piece to an already inviting area. How many people packed a picnic lunch and escaped to the shady places at the Park to escape the summer heat? The Park is many things to many people, and a true treasure to our town since its establishment in 1930 as a gift from Mrs. Mary Ames Frothingham in memory of her late husband, Congressman Louis A. Frothingham. By the way, Mr. Frothingham was an excellent athlete and one of the best baseball players ever at Harvard. During the Great Depression, the Park was an anchor for so many. During this past pandemic, the Park once again proved its importance to so many people as a place to play, a place to relax, and a center of our community. Until next week, stay well,
Frank
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  • Home
    • Our Story
    • Curators Corner
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  • Discover
  • Gallery
    • Richardson Buildings
    • Records
    • Maps
    • Ames Mansions
    • Event Photos
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    • Easton Ledger Collection
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    • Frank Seymour Hersey Papers
    • George Warren Andrews Collection
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  • Weekly Update