Once a part of Charlestown that could only be reached via "The Neck" (present-day Sullivan Square); Somerville became accessible from Boston with the construction of the Middlesex Canal and the extension of various rail lines in the mid- to late nineteenth century. By 1842; Somervilles population had increased to the point that the town officially separated itself from Charlestown. Over the years; the population continued to grow. With the increase in population came tremendous change; including the subdivision of farms and estates for residential neighborhoods. The city of Somerville was incorporated in 1871; and the bucolic borough became the beloved hometown of many residents over the next century. Described by Mayor Edward Glines as "healthy; morally clean; comfortable and convenient;" Somerville has thrived for years as an attractive; modern residential neighborhood.
#1835911 in eBooks 2001-08-01 2001-08-01File Name: B00946HLLC
Review
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Poorly researched and atrocious editingBy Harvey HarrisonI rarely bother to write reviews on books. gadgets. restaurants. or much of anything else. While I understand books of this sort require very little knowledge of the subject. being more of a collection of photos and descriptions by those who donated them for inclusion. the author. and I use that term loosely - "compiler" would still be too generous - utterly failed in his attempt to pass along accurate information regarding many of the subjects in this book. It is clear that he did very little research of his own; did not verify names. spellings. or dates; and. when confronted with illegible handwriting in source documents or on photographs. simply winged it. He has little. if any. personal knowledge regarding Edenton and Chowan County. their people. and their histories. Of course. as with all Arcadia publications. knowledge of a subject is not a requirement. only the ability to collect pictures and information from others and convey those bits to readers in a watered-down. terribly simplistic format. Louis Van Camp failed at even this.Van Camp. for the sake of the families and areas you document. and Im using that word as loosely as I did "author." either quit being lazy and do your homework. or stop writing altogether. Many people. lay-historians and name collectors (genealogists who do no actual research of their own). will take your work as well-researched (which it isnt). and use it as source documentation (which they shouldnt). thus perpetuating your errors in perpetuity (which is a shame). You being able to call yourself "author" is not worth generations of misinformation.3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. A step down memory lane. but no further.By T. PridgenHistorians and proud Edentonians will find little data in the book but many photos of "famous" residents and landmarks. The book focuses mostly on the county seat of Edenton with only a few references to the "County" (Tyner. Rocky Hock. etc.). I expected something a bit more academic and less of a photo album - I could have refreshed myself on this information by getting a travelers brochure from the chamber of commerce or by opening up a yearbook.I was particuarly turned off of the fact that current residents have family group photos in the book. That would be fine for a journalistic book. however for an overview I felt it was too personal.After returning it to the library I chose not to purchase a copy.
