I have been working on an field guide to herbal/plant medicine in Nipmuc Country (central MA, northwest RI, northeast CT). I put the book aside for a couple of years during covid since working at a hospital didn’t leave much free time or relaxed time to write. Why this Guide? Our Nipmuc ancestors used plants to maintain their health and bring balance into their lives. … Continue reading Moskehtu (medicine)
I made this ribbon skirt some years ago for a women’s full moon ceremony. It was the first ribbon skirt that I sewed and it has a few flaws that are better covered up. So I made a light pink overlay so I could wear it with confidence. I began this wall hanging more than 20 years ago. I found it wrapped in tissue in … Continue reading Finally finishing old projects
My 3 eldest grandsons and I rode Amtrak trains back and forth across the United States for a month. We visited several cities and had great time. We’re back in Massachusetts and a bit tired now and a lot closer as a family. Chicago Our first stop was Chicago – Los Angeles View from the train – Chicago to LA Seattle San Francisco View of … Continue reading Kokummus (grandmother)
Susanna Toney was born around 1789 in Barre, MA to Abraham Toney and his wife Mary Harry. She was commonly known as Susan. Barre was and is a small rural farming community just northwest of Worcester. Her mother, Mary Harry, was part of the Narragansett tribe and her father, Abraham, was a Black man born free in Upton, MA to free parents. Upton was another … Continue reading The Root Doctress
On May 31, 2021, William Francis Shepard, Jr was remembered and honored by the City of Worcester for his sacrifice during World War I. The ceremony took place at his gravesite in Hope Cemetery. William was born in Worcester, MA on 15 April 1899 to Mabel and William Shepard, Sr. William, Sr was the 2nd son of Jeremiah James Shepard of Monson, MA and Nipmuc … Continue reading Remembering the Sacrifice of William Francis Shepard, Jr.
Thank you for following along this month and reading the short sketches of everyday Black citizens of the city of Worcester. Our ancestors lived through times that we cannot imagine and survived for us. They hoped for the future we have now. We are the answers to their prayers. Continue reading Black History Month
As the image above states, Amos Webber was born a free Black man in 1826 Attleborough, PA. His parents were Samuel Webber and Fannie Johnson. In the 1852, he married Elizabeth Douglas. Around the same time, he began keeping a series of diaries which he called Thermometer books. Each day he recorded the temperature and other weather conditions in the books. He also commented on … Continue reading “We All Got History”
Cheryll Toney Holley 