Skeletal Remains Mystery
On October 20, 2000 Raynham Police were called to respond to the Raynham landfill. The caller had reported the discovery of what appeared to be human remains at the trash facility. Police located skeletal bones which were sent to the Medical Examiner’s Office for further examination. The bones were identified as leg bones and confirmed to be human.
A forensic anthropologist further determined that the bones were from the right leg/femur and tibia and from a male whose age could range from 14 to 30 years old. The death of this individual was estimated to be between 1998 to 2000.
On October 20, 2000 Raynham Police were called to respond to the Raynham landfill. The caller had reported the discovery of what appeared to be human remains at the trash facility. Police located skeletal bones which were sent to the Medical Examiner’s Office for further examination. The bones were identified as leg bones and confirmed to be human.
A forensic anthropologist further determined that the bones were from the right leg/femur and tibia and from a male whose age could range from 14 to 30 years old. The death of this individual was estimated to be between 1998 to 2000.
Tobias "Toby" Gilmore 1742-1812 Mystery
Tobias was born in coastal West Africa as Shibodee Turry Wurry, he was the son of a local Chieftain. Toby was kidnapped at age sixteen (16) by slave traders and was placed on the slave ship “Dove”. The ship was bound for Virginia, but due to a storm was forced to go to Rhode Island instead. While in Rhode Island, Toby was auctioned off and was purchased by Sea-Captain John Gilmore of Raynham Mass. The Gilmores had their own children, but raised Shibodee, whose name was changed to “Toby Gilmore” as their own child. They taught Toby how to read and write. Toby volunteered for the Revolutionary War and began service on Dec 8 1776 as a Private in the 3rd Bristol Regiment. He was enlisted from September 19 1777 to September 3 1780. He was discharged from the army in December 1781 and returned to Raynham.
Toby purchased over 45 acres of land in Raynham and built two homes (the older of the two still stands today at 1681 Broadway). He was a successful farmer and married Rosanna Hack with whom had at least 8 children. His family continued to live in North Raynham for a few generations.
Toby Gilmore died on April 19 1812 at age 70 and is interred at Hall & Dean Burial Ground in Raynham Mass.
For his service, he was awarded a cannon, that today is housed at the Old Colony Historical Society in Taunton Mass. Every July 4th in celebration Toby would fire the cannon fourteen (14) times, thirteen (13) for the original colonies and the last shot in honor of General George Washington.
Tobias was born in coastal West Africa as Shibodee Turry Wurry, he was the son of a local Chieftain. Toby was kidnapped at age sixteen (16) by slave traders and was placed on the slave ship “Dove”. The ship was bound for Virginia, but due to a storm was forced to go to Rhode Island instead. While in Rhode Island, Toby was auctioned off and was purchased by Sea-Captain John Gilmore of Raynham Mass. The Gilmores had their own children, but raised Shibodee, whose name was changed to “Toby Gilmore” as their own child. They taught Toby how to read and write. Toby volunteered for the Revolutionary War and began service on Dec 8 1776 as a Private in the 3rd Bristol Regiment. He was enlisted from September 19 1777 to September 3 1780. He was discharged from the army in December 1781 and returned to Raynham.
Toby purchased over 45 acres of land in Raynham and built two homes (the older of the two still stands today at 1681 Broadway). He was a successful farmer and married Rosanna Hack with whom had at least 8 children. His family continued to live in North Raynham for a few generations.
Toby Gilmore died on April 19 1812 at age 70 and is interred at Hall & Dean Burial Ground in Raynham Mass.
For his service, he was awarded a cannon, that today is housed at the Old Colony Historical Society in Taunton Mass. Every July 4th in celebration Toby would fire the cannon fourteen (14) times, thirteen (13) for the original colonies and the last shot in honor of General George Washington.
Fowling Pond Mystery
The pond was two miles long, three-quarters of a mile wide and used for swimming and boating. In 1793 the pond disappeared. The answer to "how did the pond disappear?" has been discovered after some research. The pond was beaver-dammed (created by beavers) and once the beavers abandoned it, the natural process of silting up and vegetation growth.
The pond was two miles long, three-quarters of a mile wide and used for swimming and boating. In 1793 the pond disappeared. The answer to "how did the pond disappear?" has been discovered after some research. The pond was beaver-dammed (created by beavers) and once the beavers abandoned it, the natural process of silting up and vegetation growth.