The Nelson Family: Service, Loss, and Remembrance in Norwood

Patricia Fanning
6 hours ago
2 min read

lot 16, Highland lot 141

Flora Louisa Nelson (1870-1871)

Albert Stephen Nelson (1872-1872)

Jesse Edwin Nelson (1875-1881)

Major (his given name) Jesse Nelson was born in 1841 in New Hampshire. During the Civil War, he enlisted as a private in Company D, of the 12^th New Hampshire Volunteers, a famous fighting regiment. He served from August 12, 1862 until June 21, 1865 and was in the battles of Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville among others. Nelson had two brothers in the same company. All three were wounded at Chancellorsville; his brother Daniel was killed and his brother Albert died later of illness related to his wounds. The GAR Post in Bristol, New Hampshire was named in their honor. Upon his return from the war, Major J. Nelson went to New Jersey, where he married Susan Marie Samler in 1867.

The couple moved to Norwood where Nelson was employed at the Railroad Car Shops as a carpenter. He was employed at the shops in Norwood and Readville for about 34 years. When he died in 1913 at his home at 22 Cottage Street – the family had previously lived at 87 Vernon St. – his obituary noted that he was highly respected and well-liked throughout the Norwood community. “Quiet and unassuming,” the report went on, “he made friends everywhere.” Major Jesse Nelson was survived by his wife, a son, and two grandchildren; he was interred in Highland Cemetery.

Site of Nelson family home as it appears in 2019 on Cottage St.

Decades earlier, however, the Nelsons suffered great tragedy when their three other children passed away very young.

Born in November of 1870, Flora Louisa Nelson died on August 14, 1871, less than a year old.

Albert Stephen Nelson, born on June 22, 1872 died only four months later on October 21, 1872.

And, finally, Jesse Edwin Nelson, born on April 11, 1875, died. on April 23, 1881 of “diphtheria and croup,” He was six years old.

Jesse E. Nelson's death as recorded in 1881.

All three children were interred in Old Parish Cemetery, lot 16. In 1884, they were removed to Highland Cemetery, lot 141, where three tiny stones mark their graves.