I love the bold greens in the woods in winter – a constant reminder that spring is just around the corner. Ravenswood Park is a beautiful place to walk, thanks to the generosity of Samuel E. Sawyer. In 1889, Sawyer’s will created Ravenswood Park which he named after the castle in Sir Walter Scott’s The Bride of Lammermoor. We also have Samuel Sawyer to thank for the Gloucester Lyceum and Sawyer Free Library as much of the funding for the library came from him. Samuel Elwell Sawyer was born in Gloucester on November 25, 1815 and died in Gloucester on December 15, 1889, at the age of 73.
E.J. Lefavour
Good Morning Gloucester 
I love reading and seeing the pictures you post about Gloucester’s history. Thank you 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks Christina. I am hoping to get back to doing more Gloucester history and Did You Know posts. Glad to know you enjoy them.
LikeLike
Is there anything prettier than moss on rocks? Beautiful.
LikeLike
Hi Kathleen. I agree, especially in winter when everything else is brown and dead looking.
LikeLike
Absolutely gorgeous EJ…..WOW!!!!!
LikeLike
Thanks Laura – glad you like them. There’s nothing like green to brighten a winter walk in the woods. That and a nice coat of freshly fallen snow which is also beautiful.
LikeLike
Mr. Sawyer is also the namesake of the esteemed Sawyer Medal that is bestowed upon the top students in our school system.
LikeLike
Thanks Linn. I didn’t know that. Mr. Sawyer made quite an impact on Gloucester.
LikeLike
What a gift it is – feel like your with robinhood in sherwood forrest? 🙂
LikeLike
It does have a feel of Sherwood Forest there, but no robbers or travelers on horseback.
LikeLike
🙂 that’s a plus! Dave
LikeLike
What a beautiful walk ~ thanks for sharing it with us. I have never been to Ravenswood Park so thanks for the “did you know” as well.
LikeLike
You have it visit it one day Mary, it is a lovely woodland park with many trails.
LikeLike
Do we know how Mr. Sawyer made his money, EJ? He sure did do great things with it!
LikeLike
Quoted from a story in Wicked Local Gloucester: “He was a diligent and hard worker. Born to a working class family he began his business career working as a clerk in a dry goods store in his early teens. After a few years, still in his teens, he worked his way into a position as a salesman with a Boston firm.
He was bold and forward in his thinking; not afraid to try new things. In Boston, he associated himself with a larger company as manager and then part owner in a company that bought and sold materials and goods around the world.
He was tenacious — he didn’t give up even when he experienced financial losses. He didn’t become discouraged. He persevered and through hard work managed to amass a large fortune.
He remained modest in his wealth and conducted himself with honor and integrity in his business affairs.
Throughout his life he believed it was important to give back to others what fortune had bestowed upon him. He was very generous to charities and actively supported many civic, art and literary organizations. To quote Arthur Joy, “Samuel Sawyer was indeed soft of heart about Gloucester.”
Read more: http://www.wickedlocal.com/gloucester/news/x895211271#ixzz2rFj32vwW
Follow us: 112261465453654 on Facebook
LikeLike