(Photo identification speculative). Tirzah Snell Emerson (1846-1922) was born in Brookline, Massachusetts to Elijah Carleton Emerson and Tirzah Strong Snell. Her father was a prominent merchant in Brookline. The family estate was at 81 Davis Ave., in what is now Emerson Park. She married George Francis Arnold (1848-1914) in Brookline in 1873. George was born in Corfu, Greece, to American parents, Albert Arnold and Sarah Allin. He attended Roxbury Latin School and Colgate University, and studied at the University of Bonn, Germany. He taught Greek and later worked as a librarian at Harvard University.

Tirzah's father died in 1888; in 1892, the couple moved from Cambridge to 81 Davis Ave. where they lived with her mother until her death in 1903. In 1907, the town of Brookline purchased their land to create Emerson Park. The main house was moved across the street to 74 Davis Ave. and one of the caretaker's cottages was moved to 72 White Place. The Arnolds moved to 60 Davis Ave. George died in Brookline in 1914. Tirzah died in Hardwick, Massachusetts in 1922.

The Arnolds spent their summers in Mt. Desert, Maine and traveled to Europe several times. The Historical Society has in its collection letters written by Tirzah S. Arnold to Miss Elizabeth A. Andrews of New Boston, New Hampshire. An additional letter in the collection addressed to Andrews was written in 1912 by Mae G. Rodger, a district nurse in Brookline.

The Brookline Cronicle, October 21, 1922
Mrs. George F. Arnold
Mrs. Tirzah Emerson Arnold, widow of George Francis Arnold and one of, Brookline's best-known women, died on Thursday of last week while visiting with Mrs. Arthur Williams at Hardwick. Death followed a short illness with which she was suddenly stricken. Mrs. Arnold was born in Brookline seventy-six years ago, attended the local schools, and resided here until her marriage in 1866. She then spent several years abroad while Mr. Arnold was completing his studies, and on returning to this country resided in Cambridge for some time. She returned to Brookline to live about thirty-five years ago and had since resided here, occupying the old home, Davis Avenue. Mrs. Arnold was a member of the First Parish and for many years had been active in all branches of parish affairs. She was also a member of Hannah Goddard Chapter, D. A. R., of which she was regent at her death, and belonged to a number of women's societies and charitable and welfare organizations, in all of which she was actively interested. There is no immediate family surviving, but she leaves a wide circle of friends to mourn her loss.
incl. People

Gift of the New Boston Society; Boston, NH