Memorializing Betsey ‘Betty’ Welch

Jordan-Small Middle School students visit the grave of Betsey
'Betty' Welch near Panther Pond in Raymond to place a wreath
for Christmas on her resting site. Front from left are Teagan
Simonsen, Kayla Rodriguez, Summer Bush and Rain Thomas.
Back from left are Lily Jordan, Bailey Ward, Phoebe 
Acosts-Afthim, Isabella Vassoler, and Taelyn Morris.
SUBMITTED PHOTO 

By Charles Martin

Special to The Windham Eagle

As a teacher you are always trying to find ways to “weave” your interests in with the curriculum that you teach.

For me, local history has always been important to share with my students at Jordan-Small Middle School. When I began introducing local history to the students, I would often get a “Please, no more local history, Mr. Martin!” but after reading a number of stories, students began to take a real interest in local icons from the Raymond area.

One such local person was that of Betsey Welch. After reading about her to my classes, the students decided that it would be nice to find her grave and place a Christmas wreath in memory of her.

The following is the history of Betsey, as written by Ernest Harmon Knight, in his book titled: The Origin and History of Raymondtown (1974).

“The first female born in Raymondtown was Betsey Welch who lived on the neck of land in Panther Pond, which bears the name Betty, which is what she was called in her old age when she was a much-loved person in the town. Her husband, Seth Libby, was afflicted all his life with rheumatism and the full burden of farm and home fell on her.

“Berrying provided a needed item of food in those days and on one occasion during a berrying trip a mile or so from home, killed a woodchuck and also a rattlesnake. With the woodchuck tied to her waist on one side and the rattler hanging on the other side, she returned home with two pails full of berries.

“The woodchuck provided a meal for her and her husband, the fat from the chuck provided oil for the lamp, and the oil (tryed) from the rattler provided liniment for her husband’s affliction.”

“Her grave and stone is located in the Raymond Village Cemetery.” (Page 102)

The inscription on Betsy’s grave reads:

“Betsey Welch Wife of Seth Libby1775-1867 She was the first daughter born in Raymond. Her strict integrity of character, true womanliness, and great kindness of heart won the love and respect of all who knew her. Precious in the site of the Lord, is the death of his saints.” <