Monadnock Moment No. 122

Era 3: Revolution and the New Nation - 1763 to 1820

Patty Ward Remembered

Patty Ward was the daughter of Reuben and Sarah Ward, early settlers of Marlborough, New Hampshire. The Ward's first arrived in Marlborough in 1774. They had journeyed from Marlborough, Massachusetts with two young daughters, aged one and two years.

Reuben Ward cleared his farmland and soon became involved in the town's social and political affairs. He was the town hog reeve, and was on the church council, school district committee, and social library committee. His farm was prosperous and he was considered one of the wealthiest men in town.

The subject of our story, however, is young Patty Ward. She was born in April of 1790, the ninth of eleven children of Reuben and Sarah. Most of Patty's brothers and sisters went on to lead long and successful lives, with many moving west into New York state.

Patty, however, lived a very short life. In November of 1795, at 5 ½ years of age, just as she began her schooling and making childhood friends, she died a sad death. In order to perpetuate her memory, the tale of her tragic death was inscribed upon her gravestone. Patty Ward has not been forgotten. Her stone is the most well known in Marlborough's graveyards. It reads as follows:

"By boiling cyder she was slain,
Whilst less than six of age,
Then her exquisite racking pain
Removed her from the stage.
But her immortal spirit went
To the Almighty King,
Where all the Godly ones are sent,
The praise of God to sing."