Reunion at Theodore Wellington’s, Norwood—Another Brother, Also a Veteran, Dead.
Back Row, Left to Right—George Fred Wellington, Theodore F. Wellington, James Lowell Wellington.
Front Row—William Sumner Wellington, John Maynard Wellington.
May 15, 1911 — A remarkable and deeply moving reunion took place last week at the Norwood home of Theodore F. Wellington, drawing widespread interest throughout the region. The gathering brought together five Wellington brothers, all of whom had served in the Civil War and all of whom were members of the Grand Army of the Republic. Their reunion, captured in a photograph taken at the event, stands as a rare testament to both family devotion and military service.
There had been six Wellington brothers who served in the war; one, Willis Wellington, died in 1869. The survival and continued good health of the remaining five—nearly half a century after the war’s end—was noted as an extraordinary occurrence.
The reunion was held on Wednesday evening in conjunction with a reception hosted by the Sons of Veterans and the Grand Army of the Republic in honor of Division Commander James T. Wellington, son of Theodore F. Wellington and head of the Massachusetts Division, Sons of Veterans.
The Wellington Brothers and Their Service
Three of the brothers reside in Waltham and are members of Post 29:
- William Sumner Wellington — Enlisted August 1862 in Company A, 44th Massachusetts.
- John Maynard Wellington — Enlisted at the same time and in the same company as William.
- James Lowell Wellington — Enlisted April 1861 in the Concord company of the 5th Massachusetts for three months; reenlisted in the 32nd Massachusetts for three years; reenlisted again in the 32nd when his term expired.
Another brother, George Fred Wellington, of Dorchester, is a member of Abraham Lincoln Post 11 of Charlestown. He enlisted in Company A, 44th Massachusetts in August 1862, alongside two of his brothers.
The host, Theodore F. Wellington of Norwood, enlisted July 28, 1862, in Company C, 35th Massachusetts. A member of George K. Bird Post 169 of Norwood, he is well known locally for his stirring recitations of Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, which he delivers from memory each Memorial Day.
The sixth brother, Willis Wellington, also enlisted in the 35th Massachusetts, but passed away in 1869, just a few years after the war.
A Rare Family Legacy
Few families in the nation could claim six sons who served in the Civil War, and fewer still could gather five of them—decades later—in good health and high spirits. Their reunion was not only a family celebration but a living reminder of the sacrifices made by thousands of Massachusetts men during the conflict.
The presence of their descendants, including Division Commander James T. Wellington, underscored the continuing legacy of service carried forward by the Sons of Veterans.
A Night of Honor and Remembrance
The reception held by the Sons of Veterans and the Grand Army was marked by pride, camaraderie, and reflection. The Wellington brothers, representing multiple regiments and years of service, stood as symbols of the Commonwealth’s contribution to the Union cause.
Their gathering in Norwood—nearly fifty years after Appomattox—offered the town a rare glimpse into living Civil War history, embodied not in statues or memorials but in the men who had borne the hardships themselves.
15 May 1911, Mon The Boston Globe
Text and images may have been created, edited, colorized, or digitally restored using AI tools such as Microsoft Copilot or Google Gemini. All content is reviewed for accuracy and historical integrity before publication by the Norwood Historical Society
More Norwood Veteran Stories
-
Citizens of Tomorrow-This Day in Norwood History-February 3, 1948
Tod row, left to right: 6-month-old Patricia Sheehan of 401 Nahatan street; five-month-old Patrick Burke of 24 Oolah avenue, and four-month-old Robert Simoni of 172 Neponset street. Bottom row, left to right: Paula Alexander, four months old, of 78 Cottage street; E. Theodore Llynarski of 89 Winfield street, five months old, and t.ve- month-old Richard…
-
Plans Speeded Up For Construction Of Vets’ Memorial-This Day in Norwood History-January 29, 1948
To Be Developed With Eye To Future Construction Of Recreation Center William L. Hyland, chairman of the Norwood Servicemen’s Building Committee, accompanied by committee members Irving Berkland, Edward F. Farmer, Howard M. Horton, and Ernest F. Zinkowski, appeared before the Board of Selectmen Tuesday night with three requests which would not only get the veterans…
-
Pfc. John E. Johnson Is Commended For Work In Korea-This Day in Norwood History-January 21, 1948
Private First Class John E. Johnson, son of Mr. and Mrs. John E Johnson of 58 East Cross street, was commended recently by Colonel K M. Moore, Corps Engineer Commander, for his work as a draftsman and his assistance in a real estate survey in his regimental area in Korea. The commendation, which was endorsed…
-
75th Anniversary Parade Seen by 20,000 in Norwood-This Day In Norwood History-November 1, 1947
75th Anniversary Parade Seen by 20,000 in Norwood This Day In Norwood History-November 1, 1947
-
Awarded Bronze Star For Heroic Rescue Of Comrades-This Day In Norwood History-February 21, 1947
The award of the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V’’ for the heroic rescue of two wounded comrades near Saint-Malo, France, during operations following the invasion, has been made to Frank J. Miloszewski, ex-Coxsman, USNR of 564 Pleasant Street, Norwood, it was announced this week by Headquarters. First Naval District, Boston. Miloszewski was engaged in…
-
New Marine Corps League Post Is Organized Here-This Day in Norwood History-January 31, 1947
Once again the town of Norwood has been honored by being chosen as the headquarters of a new veterans’ organization, a Marine Corps League Post. This new Post was started in Walpole but it was decided to transfer it to Norwood because of the more central location in regard to the nearby towns of Dedham,…
-
Sgt. Henry C. Baker, Jr Home on Furlough-This Day in Norwood History-January 25, 1947
HOME ON FURLOUGH FROM GERMANY, Sgt. Henry C. Baker, Jr. was the Honored guest at a belated Christmas Party Saturday night at the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Baker of 63 Adams Street. Sgt. Baker (seated center) is shown at the happy reunion surrounded by members of his family and friends. Included…
-
Silver Star Medal Awarded Posthumously To Sgt. O’Brien-This Day in Norwood History-November 26, 1946
Posthumous award of the Silver Star Medal has been made to the late Marine Platoon Sergeant Raymond F. O’Brien, formerly of Norwood, killed in action with the Fourth Marine Division, during, the invasion of Iwo Jima on 21 February, 1945. The medal was received recently by Sergeant O’Brien’s brother Platoon Sergeant Leo J. O’Brien of…
-
Cpl Robert F. Lobisser Wins Good Conduct Medal In Pacific-This Day in Norwood History-November 14, 1946
HEADQUARTERS. 13th AAF, Southwest Pacific—Corporal Robert F. Lobisser, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Lobisser, 535 Walpole street. Norwood, has earned the Army’s Good Conduct Medal with a 13th AAF signal air warning unit in the Southwest Pacific. Serving as an operator of air warning equipment with his unit. Corporal Lobisser had technical training at…
-
The United Church Honors Veterans of World War II-This Day in Norwood History-November 12, 1946
Before a large congregation at the regular service of Divine Worship on Sunday morning, the United Church paid tribute to both the living and the dead of World War II ) Speaking on behalf of the Church, the Rev. Edmund A. Miller officially welcomed the returned men and women of the armed forces. “We were…
Discover more from Norwood Historical Society
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.