Representative women of New England/Mary J. P. Fales
MARY J. PRESCOTT FADES, the subject of this sketch, is a daughter of sturdy old New England blood, coming from Scottish ancestry.
In the year 1608 was born in Scotland Deacon John Leavitt, who came to America in 1628 and settled in Hingham, Mass. Of his descendants among the best known are Moses Leavitt, his son, and Dudley Leavitt, his great-great-grandson, who was so named from Governor Thomas Dudley, to whom his family was related. The life of Dudley Leavitt was silent in the (at that time not inconsistent) occupations of teacher and farmer. Though in all he had not more than three months' schooling, he was a student by nature and spent every leisure moment in study, so that at the age of twenty he was well grounded in all the science of that day, especially in mathematics, and able to give instruction in algebra, geometry, trigonometry, navigation, gunnery, astronomy. and philosophy. For this instruction he received from each pupil the generous tuition fee of three dollars a Quarter. At the age of twenty-two he married Judith Glidden, of Gilmanton, N.H. They resided in that town until 1806, when he removed to Meredith, N.H., which was his home for the remainder of his life.
With all his teaching and other work, he found time to make practical use of his scientific attainments in the compilation of a farmers' almanac. His first edition of this was published in 1797, his last in 1858. He died in 1851, leaving one edition in the press and six others in manuscript, a total of sixty-two continuous issues. He taught some portion of every year until he was seventy-four, and at the same time carried on his farm. After his marriage he studied Greek and Latin, and later in life Hebrew and several of the modern languages. He made the calculations for the New Hampshire and Free Will Baptist Registers, and was the author of several school text-books, having at the time of his death a work on astronomy nearly ready for the press. He was the "most robust style of scholar," thinking that whatever was to be known he must know, And as Prof. Agassiz said, should be painted with a book in his hand, others filling his pockets, and knowledge sticking out all over his tall head. In the only portrait of him in existence his head and face are very remarkable for intellectuality and a certain childlike yet noble dignity. One of his pupils expresses her impression of him as a man who loved knowledge and reverenced God.
He had eleven children, five boys and six girls. the daughter, Jane, .married the Rev. John L. Seymour, who was a missionary among the Indians from 1832 to 1846. Another, Judith, married the Rev. John Taylor Jones, a missionary at Bangkok, Siam. One son, Dudley, who was fitted for college by his father, was graduated at Dartmouth in 1889, and studied divinity at Andover Theological Semi- nary, but died suddenly before graduation. A younger child, Mary, was no exception to the rest of the family in her ambition to obtain knowledge, and, after she became a devoted wife and mother, always found time in the midst of her busy household cares to aid materially, spiritually, and intellectually those dependent upon her. She was blessed with a sweet Christian character, and commanded the respect and love of all who knew her. About the year 1837 she married Josiah S. Prescott, of Meredith, N.H., whose occupation was that of farmer and carpenter. Mr. Prescott was always active in the public welfare, serving the town on the Board of Selectmen and satisfactorily representing his district in the State Legislature. They had four boys and two girls.
The fourth child and oldest daughter of Josiah S. and Mary (Leavitt) Prescott is the one whose name heads the present article. Mary J. Prescott was born in Meredith, N.H. As a mere child she displayed great talent for music, shown in her ability to read unfamiliar compositions with correctness of tune and tune. The advantages of a musical education were not sufficiently appreciated as compared with the more practical and utilitarian attainments. Consequently her training was confined to patient and persistent individual effort and the annual winter singing-school. While living at home she was a valued member of the church choir, and later she acceptably filled the position of leading soprano in several Massachusetts churches, being also for a number of years an active member of the Handel and Haydn Society of Boston, Mass. Although her instruction on the pianoforte was very limited, she mastered some of the most difficult music. Naturally an earnest and apt student, she completed her education at Tilton (N.H.) Seminary, and taught successfully in the district schools of her native State. It may here be said that one of the most pleasant experiences in her educational life was the two years spent as a pupil in the Emerson College of Oratory, Boston, Mass.
In seeking these higher attainments she did not lose her interest in the affairs of every-day life, but has continued to manifest that adaptability which enables one to accomplish what the hand finds to do. Her life from childhood has seemed one continuous effort and sacrifice for others. In the year 1871 she was called to a position in Boston, and a few years later she married John G. Fales, of Thomaston, Me. From the time of her marriage she has lived in Boston and vicinity, her home since 1892 being in Cambridge, Mass. She was reared in the Baptist denomination, and affiliated with that church until she became a Christian Scientist. A devoted disciple, she gratefully bears testimony as follows: "From earliest remembrance I longed to express that soul music in song which would convert the listener. Since embracing the science of Christianity as given in the Christian Science text-book, 'Science and Health, with Key to the Scriptures,' by Mrs. Eddy, I have in a measure realized that long-desired soul harmony 'with signs following,' not only in having been raised from invalidism, but through experiencing its invaluable spiritual uplifting. In common with others who imbibe the spirit of this teaching, it has been my high privilege to show many the way to health ancl harmony, leading them to an understanding of their true being as children of God. Such work has sought me to such an extent and the benefit afforded others has been so gratifying that all other ambitions have become secondary.