Town Column : Tisbury
By Kay Mayhew
Published: March 5, 2009
Sorry, but I gave you some wrong information last week. Allan Davey Sr., tells me that the World War I veterans memorial tablet that was moved from the library grounds is no longer at the Legion Field. It was moved again. Now it resides appropriately at the entrance to the Oak Grove Cemetery. The memorial to veterans of World War II is nearby.
Genealogy and family connections can be fun. I wondered if the Dunham family on our Island had a connection with Obama. The President's mother was a Dunham. But it turns out that the Dunham name was assumed in the late 1600s by Obama's ancestor, who was born Jonathan Singletary in Massachusetts about the year 1639.
Jonathan Singletary lived in Haverhill where he married. He is said to have led a stormy life in Haverhill, often being imprisoned for actions against the church and local government. In 1662 he charged John Godfrey, a local man, with being a witch. It was reported that Jonathan "being about [age] 23 who testifieth that I being in prison this night last past between nine and ten of the clock at night..." heard "a great noise." He attributed this noise and imagined building damage to the witch that he named.
Mr. Godfrey won his suit for slander against Jonathan (and similar suits against some others). Jonathan soon afterward moved to Woodbridge, N.J., with his wife's family. He built a mill in 1670 and became a respected member of the community in Woodbridge, active there in the Episcopal church. He was known as Jonathan Dunham. Some early land records show he sold land in Massachusetts as Jonathan Singletary alias Dunham. But we still don't know why he took the name Dunham.
Congratulations to Otis Jeffers and his wife, the former Barbara DeBettencourt. They were married 50 years ago on March 23, 1959. Many of you may remember him as the UPS man. Otis and Barbara moved from here several years ago to live in Hollywood, Fla. You can send your best wishes to them at 1515 Arthur Street, 33020.
Not many of us are happy with the idea of tolls for cars to cross the bridges on the Cape Cod Canal. This is one way the Barnstable County politicians hope to offset the economic problems on the Cape. Next thing we know they will charge a docking fee for getting off the boat at Woods Hole.
Big bunches of birthday balloon wishes go out tomorrow to Laurel Chapman. Jonathon Scoggins also parties on Friday. Saturday belongs to Evan Kristal. Wish the best on Sunday to Michelle O'Donnell. Monday is a very special day for Connie Leonard. Also celebrating that day will be David Clark. Tuesday is Sue Merrill's birthday. Her buddies at Dr. Finklestein's office wish her a happy golden one. Happy birthday on Wednesday to Nan Carter and Dorothy Gould. Of course, Dorothy was born at midnight on the 10th so she may be double dipping this year.
Heard on Main Street: Don't take life too seriously; no one gets out alive.
