A BIt Of History

May 26, 2019

Good morning.  The sun is shining, temps are at 60F degrees, but headed for the eighties in a few hours.  We had wicked thunder during the night and the rain came down so heavy that I thought it must have destroyed all my plants.  But it did not!  I looked this morning, and they are okay.

Friday, my grandson Bobby was here working in my gardens, and Deanne and Eddie were here for a while too.  Pogo and I spent most of the day on the porch.  Yesterday was another lovely day, so again, Pogo and I were on the porch almost all day.  I got a lot of crocheting done, while Pogo was busy watching the yard critters. 

This is a holiday weekend, so families and friends everywhere are getting together for barbeques and parades.  Tomorrow is Memorial Day, and I'll post about that tomorrow. 

Today I thought I'd write about one of my ancestors, Mr. John Jacob Loud.  He was born in Weymouth, MA. on November 2, 1844.  He prepared for college at the Weymouth High School (me too) and was graduated from Harvard College in 1866.  Here is a photo of him taken when he graduated from Harvard.

John Jacob Loud was a well respected, and involved, member of the community.  He was one of the founders, and for many years, president of the Weymouth Historical Society.  He was always interested in music and mechanical invention, and was the inventor of the Ball Point Pen, which he patented October 30, 1888.  He also invented and patented December 27, 1887, the Home Guard Safety Cannon for firecrackers. 

It is a note of interest that another John Loud (Piano Maker's Branch) invented the Fountain Pen.  He was from Philadelphia.

John Jacob Loud was a famous musician, and noted speaker.  At the launching of the Torpedo Boat Destroyer "Lawrence". the first war vessel built by the Fore River Ship and Engine Company, Nov. 7, 1900, he made a stirring and much appreciated address, designating this vessel as the "Kit Carson of the Ocean."  (My Dad worked at the Fore River Ship Yard for many years.)

Here is a photo taken in 1910 of John Jacob Loud holding his grandson, Frederick Vickery Loud.

John Jacob Loud died August 10, 1916.  He and his wife Emily are buried at Weymouth, MA. 

Folks, I grew up in Weymouth, not knowing anything about all of my ancestors who came before me.  However, I always felt safe and at home in that town.  The cemeteries there are filled with the graves of so many of my ancestors.  I wish I'd learned of all this history back then when I was younger. 

I will have to post about my ancestors more often.  There are so many wonderful stories in my big family book that I want to share with all my grandchildren and great grandchildren.  And who knows, before it's my time to go, maybe there will be some great greats too.  They should all know about those wonderful folks who made it all possible for us to be here.

Today I have a new quick page for you.  This one is celebrating this lovely Spring weather.  Have fun with it.

Here is your download link:
http://www.mediafire.com/file/z99tfl6asdd5wj3/EB_-_QP_2019_-_29.zip/file

I was planning on doing a few chores in the house today, but I think instead Pogo and I will be spending most of the day on the porch.  It's too nice a day to miss.  We have many rainy days coming up when we can stay inside and do household chores.  On that note, I'm off.  So, till tomorrow, Y'all have a fantabulous day.

Hugs. Edna B.