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Biographies

Town of Canton >> Visitors >> Sight-Seeing >> Your Silent Neighbors >> Biographies

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Your Silent Neighbors

Take a tour through the past with “Your Silent Neighbors", which introduces readers to people out of Canton’s past.

“Your Silent Neighbors” introduces readers to people out of Canton’s past.  Readers are encouraged to visit these gravesites and pay their respects to the people who have helped make our community what it is today.

Choose a name from the list to begin your journey into Canton's past:


9/20/2021 - James Spencer

YOUR SILENT NEIGHBORS, James Spencer, Church Organist
by David K. Leff
Town Poet Laureate and Deputy Town Historian   
  
Of his 73 years, James Spencer (d. 1888) spent 36 as organist for the Collinsville Congregational Church.  He was blind, and succeeded another blind man named Brady at the job.  Sometime before 1869, Spencer built the clapboard house at 138 Main Street. 
  
Given his blindness, the inscription on Spencer’s gravestone is particularly poignant.   A quote from Isaiah 33:17, it reads: “Thine eyes shall see the king in his beauty.” 
  
James Spencer is buried in the Village Cemetery, Collinsville. 
  
“Your Silent Neighbors” introduces readers to people out of Canton’s past.  Readers are encouraged to visit these gravesites and pay their respects to the people who have helped make our community what it is today.





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Contact Us


Kathleen Taylor
Town Historian

Carolyn Woodard
Deputy Town Historian

Christopher Hager
Deputy Town Historian

 

Office: (860) 693-5800
Fax: (860) 693-5804
Email
Location: 40 Dyer Ave, Canton, CT 06019