AFFLICTIVE CASUALTY.--On Saturday afternoon at about half past 1 o'clock, a sail boat, in which three young lads, of from 12 to 15 years of age, had imprudently embarked for a sail down the river, was unfortunately capsized near Palmer's Island. The accident was observed by Mr. Albert Sowle, from the wharf, who immediately put off in a boat to their assistance, and fortunately succeeded in rescuing one of the number, Nathan, son of Mr. Charles P. Maxfield, from a watery grave. The two others, William Howland, aged 14, son of Capt. Jonathan Howland, and Tilson Wood, Jr., aged 15, son of Mr. Tilson Wood, failed in their attempts to swim to the shore, and sank before assistance could be rendered. We understand that master Wood had returned home from a six months' attendance at school at Nantucket only on the morning of the same day. Capt. Howland is now absent from the city, and has yet to learn the afflictive tidings which await him.Nathan was described as a carpenter or house carpenter in the 1860, 1870 and 1880 censuses, his military enlistment record and in the records of both of his marriages. He served in the Civil War from 31 August 1862 to 20 May 1865 (MSSMCW 6:336):
Maxfield, Nathan D., Private, Res. New Bedford, 26, carpenter, enlisted Aug 21, 1862, mustered Aug 31, 1862; discharged May 20, 1865 as Corporal. 3d Regt Mass Vol Cavalry, Co A.Nathan Maxfield married as his first wife LYDIA A. TERRY at New Bedford on 31 October 1865 (VR Ma 180:123:234; NB Merc M 788):
Nathan D. Maxfield of New Bedford, 29, carpenter, b. New Bedford to Charles P. and Eliza Maxfield; 1st;Lydia Terry was born at Fall River, Massachusetts, about 3 August 1839 (from age at death). She died at New Bedford on 3 Mar 1868 (VR Ma 211:120:86; NB Merc D 937):
Lydia A. Terry of New Bedford, 26, b. Fall River to William and Lydia H., 1st;
by T. C. Moulton, clergy
Mar 3, 1868, Lydia A. Maxfield, F, married, 28 y, 7 mo, kidney complaint, d. 3 Atlantic St., New Bedford, b. Fall River to William Terry (b. Fall River) and Lydia (b. Fall River).Nathan Maxfield married as his second wife MYRA A. (STUDLEY) STOWELL at Dartmouth, Massachusetts, on 1 June 1870 (VR Ma 226:111:92; NB Merc M 788) (New Bedford Record; in South Dartmouth--NB Merc)
Nathan D. Maxfield of New Bedford, 33, carpenter, b. New Bedford to Charles A. and Eliza D., 2d;Myra Studley, called "Almira" in many records, was born at Dartmouth on 5 January 1836 (death record), a child of Allen and Hettie Studley. She had previously married DANIEL STOWELL at Dartmouth on 4 September 1853 (MA VR 1841-1910:69:96:27). He was born at Dartmouth about 1830/1 and died before 1870. Myra brought one child into her new marriage.
Myra A. Stowell of New Bedford, 34 b. Dartmouth to Allen Studley and Hettie; 2d;
by George Matthews, clergy
The 1870 Census (605:1:202A) found these newlyweds in New Bedford:
| Name | Age | Sex | Race | Occupation | R.E. | P.E. | Birth | Other |
| Tripp, Benjamin | 63 | M | W | house carpenter | $3000 | MA | ||
| Maxfield, Nathan | 33 | M | W | house carpenter | $200 | MA | m. May | |
| Maxfield, Mira | 34 | F | W | keeps house | MA | m. May | ||
| Maxfield, Wilfred | 14 | M | W | in school | MA | school | ||
| Maxfield, Charles A. | 2 | M | W | MA | ||||
| Maxfield, Charles P. | 69 | M | W | house carpenter | $3000 | MA |
No relationship to Benjamin Tripp has been determined. The child called "Wilfred Maxfield" was Wilfred Stowell, Myra's child by her first marriage. Charles A. Maxfield was Nathan's child by his first marriage. Charles P. Maxfield was Nathan's father.
The 1880 Census (525:206D) reported Nathan and Myra in New Bedford with son William M. Stowell, age 24, a polisher. Son Charles was not mentioned, as he was living with his grandfather in Providence, Rhode Island.
The 1900 Census (634:9B) reported Nathan and Myra living on Russell Mills Road, Dartmouth. According to this record Almyra had six children, only one still living at the time.
Nathan Maxfield died at Dartmouth on 13 January 1905 (MA VR 1841-1910:35:198:2). He was diabetic and an injury to his toe turned to gangrene.
The 1910 Census (574:247A) reported "Laura A. Maxfield," widow, 74, living with Wilfred Stowell on Aponagansett Road, Dartmouth. Almira A. Maxfield died at Dartmouth on 13 March 1915 (MA D), from asthma.
Nathan Maxfield and his first wife Lydia had the following child:
Nathan Maxfield's second wife, Myra A. Studley, had the following child by her first husband:
Information on this family can be found in:
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