Tuttle/Fisher Families at home in South Dedham

Louisa M. Fisher Tuttle (1825-1884)

Julia L. Fisher (1827-1828)

Louisa M. Fisher was born in November, 1825. Her parents were Herman F. Fisher and Lavina M. Andrews Fisher. Lavina was the daughter of Joel and Levina Andrews and the sister of John Andrews, all interred in the family lot 63.

On March 17, 1844, Louisa Fisher married Levi F. Tuttle. Tuttle had been born on January 18, 1820 in New Hampshire. They had three children: Levi F. (1845-1918), Harriet L. (Hattie) (1849-1929), and Mary Lizzie, who was born in 1856 but died in 1857.

Levi Tuttle held various occupations. In 1850, he was a farmer; in 1855, a laborer. By the US Census of 1860 Levi Tuttle’s occupation was noted as a “jig sawyer.” In the nineteenth century, a sawyer was an occupational term referring to someone who works in a sawmill. Tuttle may have worked in the mill on Water Street, then operated by Francis Morse, a descendent of Ezra Morse.

In 1860, Louisa Tuttle also had an occupation – that of “sewing straw.” This cottage industry was a thriving business in South Dedham in the mid-19th century. Women would pick up braided strings of straw and hat molds from a supplier, return to their homes, and construct straw hats.

In 1868, Levi and Louisa’s daughter, Hattie, married Albert Ellis, a Civil War veteran and member of a long-standing South Dedham family. Hattie and Albert are interred in lot 101.

Louisa M. Fisher Tuttle died on February 28, 1884. She was 58. She was interred in lot 63. LOUISA M. TUTTLE \ Died \ Feb. 28, 1884 \ Aged 58 Yrs.

Louisa Tuttle gravestone under repair by OPPV.

Also buried in this family lot is Louisa Fisher’s sister, Julia, who died in 1828. Her stone reads: In memory of \ JULIA L. \ daugh. Of Mr. Herman \ & Mrs. Lavina Fisher, \ who died \ Sept. 3, 1828: \ Aet 1 year & 8 mo. \ My friends be still and eye the rod, \ And know the hand that struck was God.