STATE POJUOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 141 



DOMESTIC LIFE. 



We come in conclusion to that chapter of personal histor\' whicli, 

 in the case of such a man, is most sacred. Col. Wilder was a man 

 of the purest character and of domestic habits. Such tastes as his 

 were when cultivates! are certain to develop the home instinct, and 

 it was therefore natural that he should have a happy home. He was 

 married on December 31, 1820, to Miss Tryphosa Jewett, daughter 

 of Dr. Stephen Jewett of Rindge, N. H. Six children were born 

 of the marriage. Mrs. Wilder died during a visit to Rindge, July 

 31, 1831. Col. Wilder married a second time, Abigail Baker, 

 daughter of Capt. David Baker of Franklin, Mass., becoming his 

 wife August 29, 1833. Six children were born of this marriage, also. 

 Death again left him wifeless April 4, 1854, and he married on Sep- 

 tember 8, 1855, Julia Baker, a sister of his second wife, who has 

 borne him two children. 



The many friends of Col. Wilder honored the anniversaries of his 

 birth in late years by pleasant reunions and congratulatorj' calls. A 

 friend who sent kindly- greetings in September, 1886, received the fol- 

 lowing reply, which is characteristic of the man : 



Dorchester, September 23. 188G. 



My dear old friend: Your knid notice of me and your still kinder letter 

 are in hand. Words cannot express my gratitude I feel for the congratu- 

 lations I am receiving on the return of another anniversarj'^ of my birth. 

 I am not worthy of such affectionate regard, for I have only been follow- 

 ing the instincts of my nature and the convictions of my conscience in 

 mueli of what I raaj"- have done for the great interests which I have tried 

 to promote; and so I shall continue to labor while life and strength shall 

 hist. But ere long all of us must pass over to tliat better land where the 

 proofs of life shall be finally set up and the tj^pes of earth be exclianged 

 for the tj-pes of blessed immortality in Heaven. 



As ever yours, 



Marshall P. Wilder. 



1798-1886. 



A PERSONAL TRIBUTE. 



The memorial discourse at the funeral was delivered by Rev. Ed- 

 ward N. Packard, pastor of the Second Congregational Church, 

 Dorchester, with which Col. Wilder had maintained an active con- 

 nection for upward of half a century. The closing portion of the 

 discourse is here given : 



