William Augustus Mowry
Encyclopedia
William Augustus Mowry was an American
educator
and historical writer, born at Uxbridge
, Massachusetts
.
to Providence
in 1666. He was born to Johnathan Mowry and Hannah (Brayton) Mowry. His mother was from Rehoboth, Massachusetts
. His father was from Uxbridge. It appears that William Augustus had two sisters and that he was the youngest in the family. His father was a farmer, a "fanner" and a boot and shoemaker. One of his sisters died in childhood. His father died at the age of 32 after a severe flu-like illness. From the text he wrote it is clear that he was close to his sister, Emmeline Maxwell Mowry, who became a teacher at the age of 15. She was an scholar of botany, natural sciences, mathematics, and English literature. His great-grandfather, Richard Mowry
, was a nodal point in his boyhood at Uxbridge; William Augustus wrote a book about the older man's life, his ancestors and his descendents.
, John Brown, and other prominent Rhode Islanders of Colonial times related in some way to the early Mowry settlement in the Rhode Island Colony. The family was prominent in Northern Rhode Island
and southeastern Massachusetts
from the 17th century onward. By the 19th century, the Mowry family had migrated across the continent, as far as California
, the text says.
, from which he received an honorary master of arts
in 1866. He also served as Superintendent of Schools in Salem, Massachusetts
. For many years he was engaged in educational work in Rhode Island
and Massachusetts
. In 1884 and 1885 he was editor of the Journal of Education and from 1886 to 1891 of Education.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
educator
Education
Education in its broadest, general sense is the means through which the aims and habits of a group of people lives on from one generation to the next. Generally, it occurs through any experience that has a formative effect on the way one thinks, feels, or acts...
and historical writer, born at Uxbridge
Uxbridge, Massachusetts
Uxbridge is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, in the United States. It was first settled in 1662, incorporated in 1727 at Suffolk County, and named for the Earl of Uxbridge. Uxbridge is south-southeast of Worcester, north-northwest of Providence, and southwest of Boston. It is part of...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
.
Family
William Augustus was an eighth-generation descendent of the Mowry family that immigrated from EnglandEngland
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
to Providence
Providence, Rhode Island
Providence is the capital and most populous city of Rhode Island and was one of the first cities established in the United States. Located in Providence County, it is the third largest city in the New England region...
in 1666. He was born to Johnathan Mowry and Hannah (Brayton) Mowry. His mother was from Rehoboth, Massachusetts
Rehoboth, Massachusetts
Rehoboth is a town in Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 10,172 at the 2000 census.-History:It was incorporated in 1643 making it one of the earliest Massachusetts towns to be incorporated. The Rehoboth Carpenter Family is among the founding families...
. His father was from Uxbridge. It appears that William Augustus had two sisters and that he was the youngest in the family. His father was a farmer, a "fanner" and a boot and shoemaker. One of his sisters died in childhood. His father died at the age of 32 after a severe flu-like illness. From the text he wrote it is clear that he was close to his sister, Emmeline Maxwell Mowry, who became a teacher at the age of 15. She was an scholar of botany, natural sciences, mathematics, and English literature. His great-grandfather, Richard Mowry
Richard Mowry
Richard Mowry, 1748–1835, was born in Providence County, Rhode Island Colony, and became an Uxbridge farmer, in Worcester County, Massachusetts, who 'successfully built and marketed equipment to manufacture woolen, linen or cotton cloth', from around the time of the Revolution.,-Family :Richard...
, was a nodal point in his boyhood at Uxbridge; William Augustus wrote a book about the older man's life, his ancestors and his descendents.
Ancestry
The family history of the Mowry family authored by William Augustus mentions Roger WilliamsRoger Williams (theologian)
Roger Williams was an English Protestant theologian who was an early proponent of religious freedom and the separation of church and state. In 1636, he began the colony of Providence Plantation, which provided a refuge for religious minorities. Williams started the first Baptist church in America,...
, John Brown, and other prominent Rhode Islanders of Colonial times related in some way to the early Mowry settlement in the Rhode Island Colony. The family was prominent in Northern Rhode Island
Rhode Island
The state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, more commonly referred to as Rhode Island , is a state in the New England region of the United States. It is the smallest U.S. state by area...
and southeastern Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
from the 17th century onward. By the 19th century, the Mowry family had migrated across the continent, as far as California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, the text says.
Education and occupation
From 1854 to 1857 he studied at Brown UniversityBrown University
Brown University is a private, Ivy League university located in Providence, Rhode Island, United States. Founded in 1764 prior to American independence from the British Empire as the College in the English Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations early in the reign of King George III ,...
, from which he received an honorary master of arts
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
in 1866. He also served as Superintendent of Schools in Salem, Massachusetts
Salem, Massachusetts
Salem is a city in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 40,407 at the 2000 census. It and Lawrence are the county seats of Essex County...
. For many years he was engaged in educational work in Rhode Island
Rhode Island
The state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, more commonly referred to as Rhode Island , is a state in the New England region of the United States. It is the smallest U.S. state by area...
and Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
. In 1884 and 1885 he was editor of the Journal of Education and from 1886 to 1891 of Education.
Publications
He wrote the following published works:- A Family History of Richard Mowry of Uxbridge, Massachusetts, his ancestors and his descendents (1878)
- Who Invented the American Steamboat? (1874)
- Political Education in the Schools (1878)
- The School Curriculum and Business Life (1881)
- Talks with my Boys (1884; fifth edition, 1909)
- Elements of Civil Government (1890; new edition, 1913)
- War Stories (1892)
- Art Decorations for School Rooms (1892)
- Sunshine upon the Psalms (1892)
- Lov'st Thou Me More than These? (1892)
- A History of the United States (1896)
- The Uxbridge AcademyUxbridge AcademyThe Uxbridge Academy was part of what now is known as the "Uxbridge Common District" in downtown Uxbridge, Massachusetts. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Other historic buildings including some on the national historic register in this district include the Uxbridge Free...
, a Brief History with a Biographical Sketch of J. Mason MacomberJoshua Mason MacomberJoshua Mason Macomber, A.M., M.D , was a noted educator and a physician from New Salem, Massachusetts, United States.-Early life:...
, A.M., M.D., Preceptor (1897) - First Steps in the History of our Country (1898; revised edition, 1914), with A. May
- American Inventions and Inventors (1900)
- Marcus WhitmanMarcus WhitmanMarcus Whitman was an American physician and Oregon missionary in the Oregon Country. Along with his wife Narcissa Whitman he started a mission in what is now southeastern Washington state in 1836, which would later become a stop along the Oregon Trail...
and Early OregonOregonOregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
(1901) - The Territorial Growth of the United States (1902)
- American Heroes (1903), with Blanche S. Mowry
- American Pioneers (1905)
- Essentials of United States History (1906; revised edition, 1914)
- Recollections of a New EnglandNew EnglandNew England is a region in the northeastern corner of the United States consisting of the six states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut...
Educator (1908)