Noble Family Reunion
Westfield, MA
Day 1
September 28, 2002
The reunion group boarded the bus at the Best Western Hotel in West Springfield, MA and proceeded to the Noble Hospital in Westfield, MA, founded in 1893 through a bequest by Reuben Noble (1820-1890). Following a wonderful continental breakfast, the "Nobles" heard presentations from Bob Dewey, who graciously arranged most of the weekend events, Westfield Mayor Richard Sullivan, Jr. who welcomed everyone to Westfield, and the President of the Noble Hospital, Mr. George Koller, who told of the history of the hospital and its plans for the future.. The operations director then led a tour of this wonderfully clean facility which was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Following the trip to the hospital the group traveled to the historic Mechanics St. Cemetery, with many Noble and Dewey graves, including the oldest stone in the cemetery, belonging to Abigail Noble who was the wife of John Noble, and the daughter of John and Abigail Sackett. The following 15 photos are of various Nobles and Dewey gravestones.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Stephen Noble d Apr 9, 1791 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lunch was held at Gran-Val Scoop, a nice buffet with all the homemade ice cream you could eat. Joyce Jones gave a brief history of the Noble and Cooley Drum factory, which has been in existence for almost 150 years. Founded by Silas Noble and James Cooley, and now run by Jay Jones (Great-great-great grandson of James Cooley) and his wife Joyce, this drum shop has been in existence since 1854. They made drums for the Civil War, and now make some of the finest drums for Rock Bands. Noble and Cooley drums are known as the world's finest drums. The Jones' ran a wonderful tour.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Noble and Cooley Drum Factory has a web site. It can be reached by clicking HERE. |
From the drum factory, the next stop was the Pine Hill Cemetery in Westfield. Here all the Noble descendents lined up for a group photo. One was taken Saturday at Pine Hill Cemetery, The other group photo was taken on Sunday at the First Congregational Church. Both are shown here. Following these photos are a series of photos of various Noble and Dewey tombstones in the cemetery.
|
|
|
On to the Pine Hill Cemetery....
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 William E Noble 1844-1910 Fred N Noble 1869-1869 William H Noble 1870-1929 |
|
|
End of Day 1
