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Helen E. Field James was a true friend to Williamsburg. Though born into the Field family in Conway on February 3, 1837, she lived her life here on North Main, where she raised her family of four, after marrying James General Store owner Lyman D. James in 1857. Beloved for her “sweet simplicity and democratic spirit” she was known for her kindly acts as well as her generous gifts. Enabled by a trust left to her by her entrepreneur brother Marshall Field, Mrs. James supported many village improvements, including a walk from Main Street to the cemetery, the Chapel and clock-belfry of the Congregational Church, the Fire Station and the town school that bore her name. Mrs. James had a life-long interest in the education and welfare of town children, stemming from her own teaching at the one-room schoolhouse on Nash Hill, when she was just 17.

Mrs. James was much loved by the people of the town. In 1919 a Friendship Calendar was “Presented to Mrs. Helen E. James by the people of Williamsburg in appreciation and love.” Personal greetings, photographs and drawings covered every date. (The calendar is on permanent deposit in Meekins from the Williamsburg Historical Society. Connect to a digital version on the Meekins website.)

Who was Helen E. James? Perhaps the inscription on her Village Hill Cemetery stone captures it best: “The love that lingers over her name is more than fame.” Daria D’Arienzo, Meekins Archivist and 2023 photographer. #throwbackthursday; #tbt.

Posted to Facebook 3/2/2023

elderly woman with curly hair wears a hat and light colored clothing, looking slightly to the side in a black and white portrait.
a large, two story house with lit windows stands on a lawn at dusk, surrounded by bare trees under a deep blue sky.
large blue victorian style house with a wraparound porch sits on a snowy lawn, surrounded by leafless trees under a clear blue sky.
williamsburg fire department engine house number 1, white and green building with american flag and fire department insignia above garage doors.
white church building illuminated at night, with lit windows and a sign reading “first congregational church of williamsburg” in front of the entrance.
a front view of an old, red brick school building with large windows, double doors, and a faded concrete walkway leading to the entrance.
a dated calendar page from march 24, 1919, with a handwritten quote and signature from ada m. dawson.
a black and white photo of a small child standing next to a calf on a july 24, 1919 calendar page, with handwritten notes and greetings below the photo.
a 1919 calendar page for march 8, saturday, featuring a pencil sketch of a wooded stream by edward parker hayden. published by rineshvip calendar co., new britain, connecticut.
a vintage calendar page from january 2, 1919, featuring a quote about friendship by hugh black and a handwritten signature, "ada hinds.
a worn, yellowed paper titled "friendship calendar," presented to mrs. helen e. james by the people of williamsburg in 1919, with handwritten text and tape repairs.