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James Williston Horne
In Memory of Michael James Horne, December 28 – 31, 1982 “May his spirit live on forever in the heavens above” Hey! Abigail Do You Believe In Rainbows?
Abigail Chase Lockton was born in Salem, New Hampshire on September 25, 1840 to Nathaniel and Rebecca Lockton who had immigrated to America in 1835 from South Yorkshire, England. Nathaniel and Rebecca were both 20 years old and newlyweds when they arrived in the United States. Not knowing what lied ahead of them, they were both ready to begin their new lives in this unknown country called America. After traveling around New England for some time, they settled in the town of Salem, New Hampshire whom Rebecca’s Uncle had told her about prior to leaving their homeland. An unknown town that they knew nothing about but were committed to call it home. Nathaniel and Rebecca purchased a plot of land consisting of approximately 500 acres, with a modest size house, barns, sheds, a large rolling pasture that was central to the property, a long winding stream with a covered bridge that led to the meadow and a small but beautiful pond. They were able to purchase the farm from money that was given to them from a wealthy relative. Farming, a life they knew little about but with hard work and determination, they would be successful. The first year was hard on both of them. Their crops flourished, their livestock flourished and they were still in love ready to become successful farmers they had dreamed of becoming. Abby was celebrating her eight birthday in the year 1848. A gathering of townsfolk and friends were invited to Abby’s birthday party. She had grown into a beautiful young adult and her parents were so very proud of her. Auburn hair with large blue eyes, which set Abigail apart from the other children. Her smiling face portrayed a girl with self-confidence and willingness to help those that might be in need of assistance. Nathaniel was the cook featuring beef and pork ribs, corn, potatoes, pies with a whole lot of other food. Not to mention what the guests themselves brought! It was a grand picnic with a lot of laughter, smiling and conversation. The children swam in the pond. The adults played horseshoes with many other activities going on throughout the course of the day. Toward dusk people started to go home after a day of celebrating Abigail’s birthday. Abigail was special and the whole town, surrounding area was aware of it. She possessed a special gift. After the crowd had left and only a few close friends remained Chester asked Nate to tell him once again about the birth of Abby. They were all sitting around a fire since it was a chilly September evening. The fire illuminated the area and Abby had fallen asleep in her mother’s arms looking quite content and comfortable. Nate started reflecting on the day that Abby was brought into the world on September 25, 1840 about 1:00pm. Rebecca had given a natural birth with the help of a local midwife who had been assisting new mothers with their deliveries. Her name was Adda and she was about 75 years old and still going as if she was only 35. There were no complications and Abigail was born into the world to be loved, nurtured and taken care of by her parents Nathaniel and Rebecca Lockton. After delivering the baby and reassuring Rebecca that all was fine , the midwife said goodbye and told Rebecca and Nathan she would return in a couple of days to see how things were going and then departed. Nathan looked at Rebecca smiled and said that our daughter is beautiful. Rebecca looked back at Nathaniel smiled and said that she indeed agreed with him. Just before the sunset, Nate held his daughter in his arms and with his wife by his side; they walked outside to see the sunset. It was a glorious beginning of the evening, the first night having their daughter in their lives. A new family, Nathaniel, Rebecca and Abigail. As they walked on to the front porch with Abigail who was looking straight-ahead. Nathaniel and Rebecca witnessed what they thought was to be a good omen. Abigail straightened out her little arms, spread them apart, smiled for the first time, then lifted her arms above her head, looked straight into the heavens and giggled. A magical event was happening right in front of them; a large bright rainbow appeared out of nowhere! It was brilliant with colors arcing throughout the sky. Both Nathaniel and Rebecca looked at one another, then down at Abigail and smiled. Abby giggled once again, lowered her arms and the rainbow disappeared as quickly as it had come! Abby then let out a big yawn and they returned into the house in total amazement! After a long stretch of silence, Rebecca looked at Nathan and said “Nathaniel we have been blessed with this child.” They then retired for a good night’s sleep. Chester and the remaining friends had started their long trip home. They thanked Nate and Rebecca for their hospitality and bid them a good evening. It was a good community, which they had settled into and they were thankful for that. The year was 1850 and the town of Salem had been steadily growing. The main economy consisted of farming, food, agriculture, manufacturing and related commercial industries. The surrounding area where Nathan and his family lived was predominantly farming and livestock. Once they approached the town of Salem, it became more commercialized as all new developing towns had. The way of the farmyard was starting to disappear as other companies started moving in, watching Salem grow and becoming less dependent on farming for a livelihood. Abigail started attending the local school in Salem, which was about 5 miles from her home. She would meet a few of her friends along the way and walk with them to school. Life was good to the Lockton family. Their farm was thriving, their health was good and when around the family you could sense the love, togetherness and security that they all had with one another. The year was 1858 and Rebecca came down with a very serious flu and was bedridden for about 8 months, which she had never recovered from. Her bedroom was situated by a large window overlooking the meadow and stream. Nate and Abby cared for her with tenderness and love but unfortunately could do little for her. Abby would constantly visit with her mother and create beautiful rainbows for her to look at. Those rainbows brought joy into her mother’s life at this critical time and that was so very important to Abby! Rebecca passed away that spring and was buried in the meadow that the family was so fond of. Nathaniel casted a monument carved in stone as her memorial. The headstone read “Here lays Rebecca Lockton loving wife of Nathaniel Lockton and mother of Abigail Lockton the Rainbow Maker.” For the next year, every evening Abby would create rainbows in memory of her mother. She developed many different forms of rainbows and displayed all of them over time. The rainbows lit the sky up and every time she created a rainbow, she would giggle and smile as she had done that first time so very long ago. We know them today as Red Bow, Reflection Bow, Twinned Bow, Wheel, Cloud Bow, Seawater Bow, Moon bow, Glass bows, and many more as time went on. The town had gathered for Rebecca’s funeral and when the service had ended, Abigail created her most brilliant, glowing and magnificent rainbow she had ever created, for and in the memory of her mother Rebecca Lockton. Nate and Abigail both had a hard time adjusting to life without Rebecca. Although things had changed for Nate and Abby, they both maintained the farm and became so very close in their relationship as father and daughter. The following Sunday a few years later Abigail, after the church service as usual Abby walked up to the pulpit, faced the gathering of townspeople, looked below upon them. As usual as in the past, since birth Abby would perform the same ritual as she did at birth looking straight-ahead Abigail straightened out her arms, spread them apart, smiled and then lift her arms above her head, looked straight into the heavens and giggle. Then a magical event would occur right in front of the crowd at the meadow and/or where ever Abigail wanted to create a rainbow; a large bright rainbow would appeared out of nowhere! It was brilliant with colors arcing throughout the sky then Abby would giggled once again, lowered her arms and the rainbow would disappeared as quickly as it had come! Abigail then spoke the following “The Rainbow is God’s Covenant With The World In Genesis 9:15-16, God told Noah and his sons, “And I will remember my covenant, which is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh. And the bow shall be in the cloud; and I will look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is upon the earth.” Even though man might forget the promise God gave through the rainbow, the Lord has not forgotten. He is not slack concerning His promises, and He will follow through with them. Our Lord is longsuffering, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). He will save those who serve Him just as He will surely destroy those who are disobedient (2 Thessalonians 1:3-10; cf. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18). God’s rainbow should cause us to appreciate the surety of His promises (Hebrews 6:10-19; cf. Romans 15:8; 2 Corinthians 1:20).The rainbow is a beautiful token of the Lord that continues to testify of the covenant that He made with the world and all flesh (Genesis 9:11-13). After she had finished, Abigale turned and walked down from the pulpit, headed over the bridge, went into her house and went to sleep. Abby continued going to school, helping her father manage the farm and creating her rainbows for the entire community to enjoy as she always had done. The Lockton meadow had become a gathering place every Sunday for the community and church services. Abigail, thankful to Iris the Goddess of Rainbows for being given this blessing of being able to create Rainbows to share with the world. The year was 1868 and Abby had just turned 28 years old. She remained working at the farm along with her father. The year was 1875. The farm had grown and flourished more so that any other area farm. In light of their good fortune and the popularity of the meadow, Nathaniel and Abigail decided to convert their barns and sheds on their land into boarding/hotel rooms and name it the Rainbow Inn. They sold all of their livestock, poultry, cattle and decided to be innkeepers. A few of the horses were kept for the guests and their own usage. All supplies were purchased in town and their life was simplified so they thought! Because of the popularity of the meadow and not to mention Abigail’s gift with the rainbows the Inn had become quite a success! People visited from all around the country and Europe. Nathan hired a manager to tend the Inn along with Abigail. The manager was from Salem and had been an Innkeeper prior to moving to New England. His name was Jacque and was originally from France. Jacque was an excellent chef and manager of the Inn. Word got out about his exquisite cuisine and soon the reservation list for the restaurant was unheard of for a town that size. Nathaniel also hired Elsie Mueller from Germany to tend the daily affairs of the inn. Her tasks included tending to the customers, waiting on tables, cleaning, and general maintenance of the inn. She eventually changed her name to Elsie Miller and remained with the family for many years. If someone wanted to know about the history of the Lockton clan Elsie would be the one to ask! Nathaniel in his wildest dreams had never expected the Inn to be such a success and wished that Rebecca was with them to enjoy the rewards. All was well for the Locktons. Abigail had been seeing a gentleman from Salem for quite some time that had been raised and has spent all his life in Salem. His name was Michael Winthrop III. Abigail and Michael were quite close and had preciously talked of marriage but in light of tending the Inn, farm and helping her father who she was very close to marriage was put on hold for the time being. The weekly church services in the meadow continued growing larger every week. Not sure if it was the service or the rainbows that drew the crowds but either way the farm continued to be a success. The year was 1874 and Abby had turned 34 years old. She was doing fine and enjoying her life. Church services continued, rainbows were a Sunday ritual, church services grew and grew. The meadow was a unique gathering place for the town and surrounding areas. That fall a contagious flu started circulating around the area leaving no one immune to it. Nathaniel was the first to get the flu but soon recovered, as did most of the residents of Salem. Nathaniel noticed that Abigail was becoming quite withdrawn from her father, Michael and the rest of the community. It was so unlike Abigail to distant herself being that she was always outgoing, full of pep, happiness and joy! Her father knew something was going on but had no clue as to what it might be! She started spending more and more time in solitude and less time going to the meadow, which was by far her favorite place to spend time and create her rainbows! Yes, Abigail was becoming very ill but not with the flu that had been circulating around. Nathaniel sent for the doctor! About that time and months previous, a drought had been occurring in the general area of Salem. The crops were not growing and the farmers were beginning to suffer the consequences. Abigail was not getting any better and started to remain in bed for pretty much the entire day. She stopped attending the services at the meadow, the rainbows stopped, the community was about to go thru a major change! Less and less people were going to the meadow for the services. The waiting list for the Inn grew less and less! Abigail was coming down with what is known as Leukemia today, showing signs of fatigue, malaise, weakness, joint pain, infections and fever. Things had certainly changed for the community and Nathaniel. The doctor was not sure what to do, but did his best in tending to Abigail. Nathan had become very distraught and started paying less attention to the Inn and farm dedicating practically all his time to Abigail. A funny thing happened a few Sundays later. Nathaniel was tending to Abigail when he peered outside at the meadow reflecting on how it had changed in the past few months. There were hundreds of people gathered around and chanting for Abigail. The energy was incredible and electrifying to say the least! Nathaniel then walked over to Abigail and sat by her side looking her in the face. Tears were cascading down Nicholas’s cheeks when he looked her squarely in the eyes and said hey Abigail do you still believe in rainbows? Abigail summoned her strength looked at her father and said father why are you crying? Nathaniel then turned to Abigail and said. Abigail, they are tears of a father who loves you and cherishes you more than you will ever know! Abigail once again looked at her father and said Father do you still believe in rainbows? Tears were coming down the cheeks of both Nathaniel and Abigail for a long time. Yes, Abigail I still believe in rainbows! Abigail looked at her father and said I think that we should show our extended family that rainbows still exist! At that point, Nathaniel picked up Abigail in his arms and carried her out to the meadow. As he stepped outside when so long ago he first carried Abigail he reflected on the first time that Abigail created her first rainbow as he smiled with tears still coming down his cheeks. When they arrived at the meadow, the community gathered around Abigail and said how they all had missed her so very much. Nathaniel sat Abigail in a chair and you could see the enlightened look on the whole community as they were gazing at Abigail and her father. At that point, Abigail stood up and started walking towards the pulpit as the minister was finishing a prayer for the community and Abigail. She walked up to the pulpit with the help of the minister and stood facing the community who had become a such vial part of her life and upbringing! As she had done so long ago, Abigail looking straight ahead straightened out her arms, spread them apart, smiled, then raised her arms above her head, looked straight into the heavens and giggled as a magical event was happening right in front of them once again. A large bright rainbow appeared out of nowhere! It was brilliant with colors arcing throughout the sky. The community and all others looked at one another, then at Abigail and smiled. Abby giggled once again for the last time, lowered her arms and the rainbow disappeared as quickly as it had come! Abby then let out a big yawn and her father carried her back into the house. The community and all others left the meadow a few hours later to return to their homes and work. The following day there was plenty of rain to nurture the failing crops and livestock. Abigail Chase Lockton passed away the following week. She was laid to rest next to her mother while the whole community was showing their love to the one who will always be known as Abigail the Rainbow Maker! Jacque and Elsie remained with Nathaniel tending to the Inn. They were part of his family as was the whole community of Salem. Nathaniel would frequently visit the meadow where his beloved wife Rebecca and his daughter Abigail were buried. When Nathaniel became overwhelmed with grief from his loss and tears started coming down his cheeks he would gaze into the sky! And, like all the other times he would vaguely hear a giggle and a rainbow would appear as it had in the past so many times knowing that it was a gift from Abigail and Rebecca looking over and protecting him. The End
Epilog: Try gazing into the sky on September 25 and see if rainbow appears in memory of Abigail Chase Lockton!
Just Another Left Handed Sagittarian with M.S All Contributions / Donations can be sent to your local Multiple Sclerosis Chapter
**** All Rights Reserved - James W. Horne – July 2010. ****
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