On October 26, 1853, Mr. Vinal was maried to Miss Augusta Smith Peirce, daughter of John and Sarah Peirce, of Chelsea, now Revere, and great-granddaughter of Captain John Parker, one of the heroes of the battle of Lexington, and grandfather of Rev. Theodore Parker. Two memorials of Captain Parker have been preserved in the Massachusetts state house, one, the first firearm captured in the Revolution, the other, the gun carried by Captain Parker at the battle of Lexington.
On the fiftieth anniversary of their marriage, October 26, 1903, the golden wedding of Mr.Vinal and Mrs. Vinal was celebrated at their home on Aldersey street, upon which occasion they received the congratulations and good wishes of many hundred friends and guests.
Mr. Vinal died on July 14, 1904, at the age of seventy-seven years. A widow and seven daughters survive him, viz.: Miss Anna Parker Vinal, a member of this society, Miss Mary Lowell Vinal, Miss Martha Adams Vinal, Miss Josephine Vinal, Mrs. Sarah A. (Vinal) Keene, Miss Leonora Vinal, and Miss Leslie T. Vinal.
Mr. Vinal in religion was a Unitarian, and a member of the First Unitarian Society. In politics he was a Republican. He was a man of strong convictions and unimpeachable character; successful in his business career and as a public official. He loved his native town and city, and his memory was stored with reminiscences of its history. An interesting paper by him recalling events of former times, and entitled ‘Neighborhood Sketches,’ was read on January 8, 1903, before this society. Mr. Vinal was amiable in his relations with others, and a man with innumerable friends, and in whom friends could place the most implicit confidence. He was one of the few men who were born and lived their entire lives in our city. As a prominent citizen of Somerville, whom here we shall meet no more, his memory will be recalled with feelings of the greatest respect.
October 3, 1904.
