Ammi Burnham Stiles

Ammi was born in Milford, NH on July 13, 1815 to Joshua and Elizabeth (Tuck) Stiles, the youngest of their five children. Joshua was a teacher, and especially gifted in mathematics, and assisted Nathaniel Bowditch in the calculations in his book “Navigator”. Around 1825 the family moved to Waltham, MA.

On New Year’s Day in 1839 Ammi married Hannah Annie of Saugus, MA. He made his living as a house and sign painter. The couple had no children.

Ammi died of pneumonia on February 17, 1877. Hannah passed almost 30 years later on June 29, 1904. They rest side by side in Waltham's Grove Hill Cemetery.

From his obituary:

“The young Ammi learned the painter’s trade from his brother Joshua, and was a very skillful workman. Mr. Stiles was the only sign painter in town for many years. He was, besides, a very ingenious man, and a perfect master of tools. He conducted his business systematically and accumulated property.

He was very fond of music; understood the theory perfectly, and played well on the organ, piano and violin.

He was an earnest Episcopalian, and a constant attendant upon the services of the church.

A zealous friend of temperance, an ardent anti-slavery, man, he let his principles be known on every suitable occasion. He was very fond of the study of astronomy, and owned a large telescope with which he took frequent observations.”