Mary Larcom Dow

Born in 1835 and remembered as Mary Larcom Ober Dow, she is best known for Old Days at Beverly Farms, a work published in 1921 after her death in 1920. The book blends memoir, local history, and personal recollection, capturing life in Beverly Farms, Massachusetts, through stories of family, neighbors, and changing times.

The volume itself includes a biographical sketch by Katharine Peabody Loring, along with Dow's reminiscences, a piece on Lucy Larcom, letters, and tributes from friends. That framing suggests how deeply she was valued in her community, not only as a writer but as a memorable local presence whose life and voice others wanted to preserve.

For listeners who enjoy regional history and firsthand memory, her work offers a direct window into nineteenth-century New England. The charm of her writing lies in its closeness to real life: everyday scenes, affection for place, and the feeling that ordinary people and local traditions are worth remembering.