Thomas Eames Sign
Driving along a road in Framingham is this roadside sign that marks the location where the home of Thomas Eames once stood.
There is no remaining structure, only the sign indicating that this was the site of a 17th century homestead.
On February 1, 1676, during the King Philip’s War, the Eames house was attacked. At the time, Framingham was a sparsely settled frontier area, consisting of isolated farms carved from forest. During the war, Native forces carried out raids on outlying settlements throughout Massachusetts.
While Thomas Eames was away from home seeking assistance, his house was attacked. His wife and several of his children were killed. Other children were taken captive.
The event occurred during one of the most violent phases of King Philip’s War, a conflict between English colonists and Native tribes led by Metacom (known to the English as King Philip). The war resulted in heavy casualties on both sides and widespread destruction of frontier homes and towns across New England.
The Tercentenary Commission was established in the early 20th century to commemorate 300 years of Massachusetts settlement. As part of these efforts, markers were placed across towns to identify important 17th-century sites and events. The Thomas Eames sign is one of those historical reminders.
Read More From Nancy
Old Soldier’s Lot
I drove to the Framingham Cemetery to discover the stone monument marking a section known as the Old Soldier’s Lot. Monuments like this quietly ask us to stop and remember. At the top of the plaque are the words: “This tablet in honor of John Nixon“. The monument recognized John Nixon, a Framingham native who played an important […]
Millmore’s Confederate Statue
Standing outside the Framingham History Center is a powerful piece of the town’s history: a Civil war memorial sculpture created by the noted nineteenth century artist Martin Millmore. Millmore, an Irish-born sculptor who became one of Massachusetts’ more prolific creators of war memorial, is known for honoring ordinary citizens who answered extraordinary calls to service. His works appear in communities across […]
Framingham History Center
The home of the Framingham History Center is as much a historical artifact as the collections inside. The Center is housed in the former Edgell Memorial Library, a late 19th century structure that was completed in 1898. It was constructed as a public library through a private gift from philanthropist George Loring Edgell. This was an era when […]
