By Ed Karvoski Jr., Contributing Writer
Northborough – Countless drivers have passed an historic marker for the grave site of Mary Goodnow (1673-1707), located on the south side of Route 20 near the Northborough and Marlborough town line.
Provided by the Massachusetts Bay Colony Tercentenary Commission, the marker reads: “Mary Goodnow, who lived here with her parents, was lame and unable to run to the Garrison House for safety when the Indians attacked Northborough, August 18, 1707. A short path leads through the woods to her grave near the place where she fell.”
A marker of the Garrison House is located at 416 Main St. The gravesite marks the spot where Goodnow was killed and buried. It was erected by the town in 1889, a period when the early history of the area was being explored and celebrated.
Since then, history buffs have visited the site including a Northborough resident who became concerned about the rotting wooden fence bordering the grave. He anonymously donated the funds to replace the fence.
Norm Corbin, acting chair of the Northborough Historical Commission, is grateful for the resident’s generosity.
“This was a very generous gift to keep the grave site in good condition,” he said. “The posts were rotting in the ground, so they actually became unsafe. If you were to lean against the fence, it would have collapsed.”
The Goodnow family was among the earliest settlers of the region and owned considerable property in the east end of town. Corbin considers the burial site a key historic location in Northborough.
“This is the only evidence we have of an Indian battle within he town of Northborough and the Goodnow family was one of the original settlers,” he noted.
The commission is in the process of having the Goodnow grave site considered for the National Register of Historic Places.
“We’ve heard it’s very promising that we’ll get the okay to apply,” Corbin added.
The trail leading to the grave site is open to the public 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is accessed from the Pheasant Hill Condominium Community grounds near the historical marker on Route 20. After entering the property, turn right where three parking spaces are designated for visitors to the grave site, which is now preserved with a more durable fence courtesy of the anonymous donor.
“I wish there were many more people like him,” Corbin said of the donor. “We really appreciate what he has done for the town.”
