This is a transcription of the Mary L. (Noyes) Prescott biography from New Hampshire Women: A Collection of Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Daughters and Residents of the Granite State, Who are Worthy Representatives of their Sex in the Various Walks and Conditions of Life, The New Hampshire Publishing Co., Concord, NH, 1895, page 193.
Mary L. (Noyes) Prescott
MARY L. (NOYES) PRESCOTT, wife of the late ex-Governor Benjamin F. Prescott, is a native of the town of Atkinson, a daughter of Jefferson and Nancy (Peart) Noyes. She removed with her parents to Concord in early childhood and her home was in that city until her marriage. She was educated in the Concord schools and at Atkinson academy. Her marriage occurred June 10, 1869, since when her residence has been at the Prescott ancestral home in Epping. Mrs. Prescott is a thoroughly domestic woman, and her life work has not been directed in public lines, except that during her husband’s term of office as chief magistrate, there were many important public and social occasions of note in which she necessarily participated, maintaining her position with dignity and grace. Notable among these occasions was the visit of President Rutherford B. Hayes and family, with several members of his cabinet, and other distinguished persons, to this state, in August, 1877, when a four days’ trip among the New Hampshire lakes and mountains was made. In the spring of 1878 Governor and Mrs. Prescott visited Washington, and were entertained at dinner at the executive mansion, as well as by Secretary of State Evarts, and other notables. They received much attention while at the capital, especially from New Hampshire people there. In November, 1878, they visited Montreal, attending the reception and ball in honor of the Marquis of Lorne and Princess Louise, and being specially honored, as the only Americans present. At the centennial celebration at Bennington, in 1877, and at the dedication of the Bennington Battle monument in 1891, they were also present, Governor Prescott in his official capacity as president of the Bennington Battle Monument association. Since Governor Prescott’s death in February, 1895 (his burial occurring at Concord February 26), she has lived quietly in the Epping home. Their only child, Benjamin F. Prescott, Jr., is a member of Phillips Exeter academy, class of 1897.