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FRESH OFF THE PRESS!
Docent Donn Smith has been busy poking around the attic of the Mather Homestead and he's found treasures abound! Check out his blogs which document his findings including artifacts from 250 years of American life - a bible from 1743, a girl's dress from the 1860's, Stephen Mather's camera, a love letter written by Stephen Mather to his wife ❤️ and more. Oh the stories they tell!
The Cleveland Connection ... three notes to Stephen Mather from two of his fifth cousins
On the Homestead site, under the “Mather Family Tree,” you will find that Stephen’s lineage traces back to Timothy, the “Farmer Mather,”...
Mather Homestead Foundation
Feb 18, 20242 min read
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“Father, I am poison with poison ive…Bertha F. Mather”Letters from Bertha to her father Stephen T.
The archives now have 17 letters and telegrams sent by Bertha to her father. Stephen saved and obviously treasured them and Bertha saved...
Mather Homestead Foundation
Dec 15, 20231 min read
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Let evening come…Letters from the passing of Stephen Mather’s brother, Josie.
In Robert Shankland’s book, Steve Mather of the National Parks, Stephen’s younger brother is mentioned only three times, all in the...
Mather Homestead Foundation
Dec 5, 20232 min read
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Lasting beginnings…and a few side notes.Stephen Mather’s National Park Service Report of 1926
We recently looked at Stephen Mather’s National Park Director’s Report for 1920. We are fortunate to have a copy of his 1926 report as...
Mather Homestead Foundation
Dec 4, 20231 min read
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So different and so much the same.Stephen Mather’s National Park Service Report of 1920
Each year, the Director of the National Park Service prepared a Report to the Secretary of the Interior. In 1920, Stephen Mather’s...
Mather Homestead Foundation
Nov 17, 20231 min read
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1920’s second most visited National ParkWhat made Hot Springs National Park so hot?
Now the 13th most visited National Park, Hot Springs, in 1920, was a mecca for those seeking and believing in the healthful benefits of...
Mather Homestead Foundation
Nov 14, 20232 min read
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The Games People Played…A look at a few pastimes from past times.
A chest in the Homestead attic holds a number of gaming items that undoubtedly belonged to Stephen Mather’s father, Joseph Wakeman...
Mather Homestead Foundation
Nov 9, 20231 min read
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The Sermon and the Steamboat ... thoughts from Deacon Mather and a tragedy on the Sound
In a past blog (“What slave should be held any longer”) we have looked at some writings by Deacon Mather in favor of immediate...
Mather Homestead Foundation
Oct 9, 20232 min read
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One more look at the Will of Phebe Mather … two bequests of interest - and intrigue!
In an earlier blog we looked at the wills of both Rana and Phebe, the unmarried daughters of Deacon Mather. The wills confirmed Ann...
Mather Homestead Foundation
Oct 8, 20232 min read
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The Last Will and Testament of Sarah Scott Mather. Remembering a mother who remembered her daughters
On October 7, 1842, a little less than a year before her death, Sarah, the widow of Deacon Mather, signed her will. It is transcribed...
Mather Homestead Foundation
Sep 27, 20231 min read
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Bats in the attic! (No, not that kind.)
On many tours of the Homestead, docents often point out the juxtaposition of a 1793 Bible and stereo speakers from the 1950s, both on the...
Mather Homestead Foundation
Sep 21, 20231 min read
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Bertha Mather McPherson, Architect, Darien CT. Appreciating a designing and pioneering woman.
The Mather Homestead site tells us that Stephen Mather’s daughter, Bertha, graduated from Vassar in 1928 and the Cam-bridge School of...
Mather Homestead Foundation
May 21, 20232 min read
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"You will please to send me some money…” The Margaret Williamson Henderson Letters
Visitors to the Homestead parlor will notice a portrait above the fireplaceA note from Edward McPherson, Stephen Mather’s son-in-law,...
Mather Homestead Foundation
May 7, 20232 min read
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“Buy land, they’re not making it anymore.” Stephen Mather, two cousins, and 98 acres.
During tours, visitors are told that when Stephen Mather’s father, Joseph Wakeman Mather, died he left the land to Stephen and to Bertha...
Mather Homestead Foundation
Apr 6, 20231 min read
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The sword in the attic…and a boy’s curiosity. What a search revealed—and a question unanswered.
Recently, on a weekday tour, a young boy and his mother were escorted to the Homestead attic. Much of the memorabilia, letters, and...
Mather Homestead Foundation
Apr 6, 20231 min read
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A revealing look at the Will of Timothy Mather (1681-1755)
What we learn from the last wishes of Deacon Mather’s grandfather. Timothy Mather, the father of Moses Mather, died in Lyme Connecticut...
Mather Homestead Foundation
Mar 17, 20231 min read
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The Many Deeds of Deacon Joseph Mather: The Growth of the Homestead from 1783 to 1827
On tours we often tell visitors that Deacon Mather built the house on land that was inherited by his mother, Hannah Bell. Until now...
Mather Homestead Foundation
Feb 20, 20232 min read
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Tea for two, or nine, or maybe once for twelve.The tea set and silver of Rana Mather.
If you look at the Darien map from 1867, you will see in the upper area the home of the “Misses Mather.” In 1840, Deacon Mather left...
Donn Smith
Feb 9, 20231 min read
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The well…the Tories…and Jesse Raymond’s £10 State Notes.
In tours of the Homestead, guides unfailingly tell visitors about the March 1781 raid on the Homestead when a party of Tories descended...
Donn Smith
Feb 9, 20231 min read
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Here’s my card…a treasury of Stephen Mather’s business and calling cards.
In a pocket of an accordion folder found in the Mather Homestead safe, we discovered Stephen Mather’s business cards from his time at the...
Donn Smith
Feb 9, 20231 min read
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