Alson Augustus Gilmore
June 12th Thursday Jane quite unwell and went off to
bed after breakfast, after dinner quite smart
Bridget came about nine & we finished our
ironing Howard & Clark sent over my cottage
bedstead & put Castors on the bedroom chamber
bedstead I have made my front chamber
bed clean & put clean window curtains &
valance Mr Whitwell called. I called at Mrs Lakes
Evelina did housework today, with qualified help from an ailing Jane McHanna and a big hand from Bridget O’Neil, who had been working for Evelina quite a bit lately. On the social scene, reliable Mr. Whitwell paid a visit, and Evelina went out to see a friend, Mrs. Lake.
This day marked the birthday of Alson Augustus Gilmore, son of Alson Gilmore and his late, first wife, Rachel Alger Gilmore. Known as Augustus, the 29-year-old was a frequent visitor to the home of his Aunt Evelina and Uncle Oakes. As we have seen throughout this winter of 1851, he had worked periodically for the Ames brothers – Oakes and Oliver Jr. – and taken many a midday meal at Evelina’s dining room table.
In 1851, Augustus appeared to be settling back into life in Easton, after having taught school elsewhere for several years. He brought with him his expectant wife, Hannah, and two-year old son, Eddie; the family settled into temporary quarters while Augustus scouted for some property on which to build a house. He, his cousin Oakes Angier Ames, and another man, Elisha Andrews, started a boot-making factory.
A successful small-town life lay ahead for Augustus. Not only would he be involved for twenty years in the shoe-making trade, but he would continue to work for his Uncle Oakes as well. A valued ally, he would courier important documents and mail for the Ames enterprises. Well known around town, Augustus served as a “model moderator […] in twenty-four annual town meetings, and seventeen special town meetings, besides other public assemblies.”* He was also active in the Unitarian Church and remained close to his Ames cousins throughout his life.
* William Chaffin, History of Easton, 1886
evelinaames 