Sturbridge, Massachusetts, USA (Fiskdale)
1905 - Must Await Funeral

William Willard of Sturbridge, Mass., who painted the portraits of several of Massachusetts' Governors, was a collector of colonial furniture. He had an annoying experience with other collectors who came to him trying to purchase some of his prized articles.

A New York woman visiting in the vicinity of Sturbridge, hearing that the old artist possessed a beautiful colonial mirror and a rare clock, tried to buy them. Mr. Willard seemed readily to agree to the sale, but when asked when it would be convenient to have them packed, replied: "Not until after the funeral."

"Whose funeral?" asked the woman.

"Mine," replied Mr. Willard. -- Baltimore Sun

The Inter Ocean
Chicago, Illinois
August 11, 1905

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