Her Brain Instantly Died . . .

While catching up on paperwork today and posting obituaries I came across this one.  Something in it instantly jumped out at me!

Before her marriage she taught school and she was a woman of marked intelligence???

I’m sorry, I don’t buy it.

 

Two Important Events in Nana’s Life; Both on the Same Day

On June 18, 1913 the Senior Class of Sacramento High School held their graduation ceremony. My grandmother, Bertha Emma von Breyman was the first child in her family to walk across a stage and receive her diploma. Quite a feat considering she was the second to youngest of ten children.
Her mother was widowed when my Nana was five years old.  In order to attend high school Nana had moved to her sister’s home to care for the children and do household chores. Throughout her life she was proud of the fact that she had graduated from high school and always emphasized the importance of education. Each one of her six children attended some form of higher education, from the Navel Academy to Stanford, coast to coast, and points in between.
The graduation ceremony was in the morning. Wearing the same suit she had made for her graduation, she and Henry August William Lindgren went down to City Hall and were married the same afternoon. The picture at the head of this blog was taken at the Pan Pacific Exposition in San Francisco on their honeymoon. 

Fifty years later the family gathered in Sacramento to celebrate their anniversary.  The group from left to right:

Jack (deceased), Pat, Catherine (my mother) Henry and Bertha, Bettie, and Henry (deceased.)  Missing from the picture was Bill who lived on the east coast at the time.  Henry was the oldest, followed by Jack, then my mother, Bettie and Pat.  Bill is the baby of the family.

Point of the story?  

If you want to remember an important event in your life, schedule your wedding on the same day!  

 

Alumni News, Lancaster High School, 1898

Another of my finds!  I found this 35 page booklet titled “The High School News. Commencement Number. 1898.” and it was from Lancaster, Pennsylvania!  Since I found it in Franklin County, it wasn’t priced as high as it would have been in Lancaster, and I bought this treasure for $5.00!  

The publishing information states that it was the “Official Organ of the Lancaster High School Alumni Association” and was published monthly.

Since I can’t share the book with it’s wonderful advertisements with everybody, I thought I’d share the Alumni Notes and Class Reunion Section via this blog.  I will get around to a few other things, later.

Meanwhile, enjoy this part!

ALUMNI NOTES.

’67.  Mr. A.N. Breneman, formerly of this city, has notified Secretary Spencer, of the Alumni Associateion, of his change of residence from Westminster, North Carolina, to Aldrich, Shelby county, Alabama.

’76.  Mrs. Harriet Curtis Stein was in Lancaster for serveral weeks this spring, having been called East by the illness of her father, who has since died.   Mrs. Stein and her husband, Mr. Henry W. Stein, ’78, live in Seattle, Washington.

’76.  Mrs. William Henderson, nee Wickersham, of Harrisburg, was visiting her friends in this city during the past week. 

’81.  Mr. W. Scott Adler, of the firm of Chiles, Adler & Cobble, merchants of South Bend, Indiana, sent his regrets and good wishes to the secretary of the Alumni Association in response to the invitation to the annual meeting.

’85.  The wedding of Mr. Charles Emory Long, ’85, and Miss Caroline Louise Metzger, ’88 was celebrated at noon on Wednesday, June 1.  The ceremony was performed at the residence of the bride’s father, Mr. P.A. Metzger, No. 36 North Lime street, by the Rev. W.H. Shaffer, pastor of the First M.E. Church.  Mr. and Mrs. Long will make their home at No. 618 East King street, in this city.

’86.  Dr. M.D. Lederman, who has become a prominent specialist of New York City, sent his regrets and best wishes to the Alumni Association in response to the invitation to the annual meeting.

’88.  Miss M. Grace Hoffmeier was married on Wednesday morning, June 15, to Prof. Thaddeus G. Helm, of this city.  The ceremony was performed at St. Paul’s Reformed Church by Rev. J.W. Meminger, assisted by Rev. Dr. J.S. Stahr, president of Franklin and Marshall College.  A large number of invited guests were present.  Prof. Helm is one of the principals of Franklin and Marshall Academy, and will reside there with Mrs. Helm.

’90 Miss Lucy Pixton, of Philadelphia, spent several days visiting among friends in this city in the early part of this month.  Miss Pixton sang a solo at the First M.E. Church on Sunday, June 12, and also sang at the Iris Club during her stay in Lancaster.

’90.  Miss Sarah E. Cramer was married at noon on Monday, June 6, to Mr. D.S. Horman, of Pottstown, at St. James’ Episcopal Church, the ceremony being performed by Rev. Percy J. Robottom.  The wedding was followed by a reception at the home of the bride’s father, Mr. George Cramer.  Mr. and Mrs. Horman will make their home in Pottstown.

’91.  Rev. Howard W. Diller, who graduated at the General Theological Seminary, in the New York City, on May 25, was ordained a deacon of the Episcopal Church at Altoona, on June 15, by Bishop Talbot, of the Diocese of Central Pennsylvania.  Rev. Mr. Diller has been placed in charge of the church at Renova, Pa., and will assume his duties about the end of June.

’91.  Dr. Newton E. Bitzer graduated from the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania on June 8, and received his degree of M.D.  He has also passed the State Board of Examination, and has been licensed to practice int he State of Pennsylvania.  Dr. Bitzer also passed an excellent hospital examination receiving first appointment.  He will be resident physician at the Howard hospital, in Philadelphia during the ensuing year.

’92.  Miss Lydia M. Schofield was married on Wednesday evening June 8, to Mr. Wm. F. Diller of this city.  The ceremony was performed at the home of the bride’s mother, Mrs. Mary B. Schofield, No. 502 West James street.  Mr. and Mrs. Diller will reside in this city.

’92.  Mr. Samuel Albright is home on vacation from the Moravian College, at Bethlehem, where he is a student.

’92.  Mr. Harry E. Edgerley was elected second lieutenant of the company which was mustered into the provisional guard from this city last week.  The company contains a large number of High School alumni an ex-students.

’93.  On Wednesday morning, June 1, Miss M. Grace Faesig was married at the home of her father, Mr. Frank J. Faesig, to Mr. Harry S. Gruger, of this city.  The ceremony was performed by Rev. Dr. J.M. Titzel, of the First Reformed church.  The couple will make their home in this city.

’93.  Dr. O.C. Campbell has graduated from the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania, and has also successfully passed the State Board medical examination.  Dr. Campbell will be resident physician at St. Joseph’s hospital in Philadelphia during the next year.

’93.  Robert C. Davis graduated this spring from the West Point Military Academy, and received his appointment as second lieutenant.  Lieutenant Davis went immediately to the front with his regiment, after spending a week visiting in this city.

’93.  Edgar Herr Levan graduated on Thursday, June 9, in the Senior class at Franklin and Marshall College.

’94.  Mr. H.C. Bolenius and Mr. William H. Kready graduated with the Senior class at Franklin and Marshall College on Thursday, June 9.  Mr. Bolenius was one of the class prophets on class-day during the Commencement exercises.

’94.  Mr. Eugene A. Heim is home from the Moravian College at Bethlehem, Pa.

’96.  Mr. Sigmund S. Albert has left for West Point where he will commence his work as a student in the United States Military Academy.

’97.  Mr. Newton W. Buch has returned for the summer from Lehigh College where he won a prize for proficiency in chemistry.

’96.  W. Lewis Haldy is home from Dickinson College.

CLASS REUNIONS.

Class of ’91

The Class of ’91 held its Seventh Annual Reunion at the Imperial Hotel, on Tuesday evening, at 9:30 o’clock.  Fifteen of the twenty three members of the class were present as follows: D.B. Bartholomew, Dr. N.E. Bitzer, Wm. Dorwart, B. Frank Kready, Joseph R. Mercer, Harry W. McGinnis, J. Roland Kinzer, Walter A. Miller, Washington W. Nixdorf, Walter J. Leonard, Alden J. Pontz, Frank T. Thurlow, Fred J. Rieker, James F. Erisman and Edward L. Page, of Philadelphia.  Proprietor Weingarten furnished an excellent menu, which was greatly appreciated by the banqueters.  Several hours were spent in the reminiscences of school-life, singing and anecdotes.  The Class of ’91 has the unusual record of having held a reunion every year since their graduation.

Class of ’93.

The Class of 1893 will hold its Annual Reunion during the week following commencement week.

Class of ’94.

The Class of ’94 will hold its Third Annual Reunion on Tuesday evening, June 28.

Class of ’96.

On Thursday evening, June 23, the Class of’96 held its annual banquet at Hotel Maennerchor.  Caterer Sands spread a magnificent feast before them, and at the close toasts were responded to.  Horace C. Kinzer acted as toastmaster, and C. Reah Weber as historian.  A telegram of congratulation and regret at his absence was sent to their class-mate, Sigmund I. Albert, at West Point, and all there indulged in reminiscing old times.  The cimmittee in charge of the affair consisted of North W. Shetter, C. Reah Weber, J. Howard Bursk and Harold D. Pyott.

Class of ’97.

The Class of’97 held its banquet on Wednesday evening, June 22.  Andrew E. Biggs acted as toastmaster, and each one present responded to a toast.

 

 

Jury Duty. A Privilege? A Right? or a Real Experience?

Lancaster County Courthouse from an Old Post Card

I was called for Jury Duty this week.  My husband was called last week.  Now we’ve lived in Pennsylvania for nine, count them, nine years and never been called and all of a sudden we’re both called at once!  He didn’t get picked for a jury; I did.  He loves jury duty; I don’t.  Isn’t it funny how the cards are dealt?  I do have a medical excuse from jury duty which I’ve had a number of years.  Since I have not used for only God knows how many years, do you think I could find it?  Nope!  But what are the chances I’d get picked for a jury?  Pretty good, it seems!

I reported for Jury Duty at the designated time, 7:30AM!  Early for Linda?  You Bet!  But I did it and was among the first to arrive.  Others drifted in as late as 8:30!  What don’t they understand?  and why exactly did they expect me to give up my good, easy escape aisle seat for them?  Just not going to happen!

We were all given our “Juror” buttons and instructed to have them visible at all times.  (turns out that’s a good thing if you want discounts at local eating establishments!)  After watching a short film about Jury Duty, Judge Madenspacher came in and gave us a short talk about what to expect if we got chosen for a jury.  He took questions, from “what’s the difference between Civil and Criminal court” to “How long until I get my check for serving?“

Juror Button ~ Ticket to Court Room #2

Juror Selection:  Since we all had our Juror number assigned on our Jurors Summon, we were split into groups according to that number.  I was in group one since I was Juror #21.  There were approximately 75 people in this group and we marched, in numerical order, into Courtroom #2, for Jury selection.  It was here we got our first glimpse of the defendant who was sitting with his attorney.

Judge Madenspacher explained the case and what our duty would involve and what we were not to be concerned with.  We had all filled out a Juror’s information sheet with questions such as “have you ever been convicted of a felony?” or “Are you or any member of your family employed in law enforcement?”  and Judge Madenspacher asked us questions about our answers.  I felt that my answer to the law enforcement question would disqualify me, since my son-in-law is a Correctional Officer.  The only question I was asked is whether he was local!

After the Judge asked questions, the attorneys asked theirs.  The juror elimination then began, with the attorneys swapping forms back and forth.  The juror numbers were then called.  It appears they worked from the top of the stack since all jurors were called from the first two rows!  When they called the number next to me, I knew, yes, I knew, I’d be next!  and I was.  Both women on either side of me were called, and on down the row!

Trial Begins:  With jury selection complete, the rest of the prospective jurors were dismissed and we took our seats, according to juror number, of course.  My seat was in the middle of the first row ~ and I’m a back-row person!

In the courtroom were the Jury, the Judge, the Court Reporter, the Bailiff (who would become the jury’s closest friend for two days) a member of the County Recorder’s Office, Judge Madenspacher’s Law Clerk, the defendant and his attorney, the Assistant DA (prosecutor), one witness and three members of the Law Enforcement community.  Nobody else ~ no audience, no family member of defendants, nobody else!

Background of case: Megan’s Law Registration violation.  We were not to be concerned with the original charge that made it imperative he register for the list.  According to the law, you must register within 48 hours of changing residences.  Sounds easy enough, doesn’t it?  You’ll soon find out why it was not as easy as it sounds. . . . 

Opening Arguments:  The Prosecuting Attorney for the Commonwealth introduced his case and what he would prove and who his witnesses would be.  The Defense attorney said he would wait and have his opening argument before he produced his witnesses.  

Then it was Showtime!

Witnesses for the Prosecution:  The first witness was a Trooper with Pennsylvania State Police who was in charge of Megan’s Law Registration.  She appeared with a pile of paperwork and a copy of the statute for Megan’s Law.  She never referred to the statute and the paperwork seemed to be in no order, so she spent a lot of time sorting through it!  She did answer the questions, however, eventually.  The need for sex offenders to register was emphasized at this point in the trial.

The second witness was from Dauphin County Corrections who produced documents the defendant had signed signifying he was aware he had to register within 48 hours of change of residence.

The third witness was from Dauphin County probation who also produced documentation signed by the defendant.  Her testimony was adamant until the Defense caught her on where she was CERTAIN the interview with his client took place (courthouse vs prison.)

The next three witnesses were the defendant’s ex-landlord, Postal employee of his previous town and a law enforcement officer.  They all kept hammering that nail into the defendant’s coffin.

Defense Opening Argument and Witnesses: After a lunch break the Defense took the stage and started with his opening argument.  He did create some doubt in my mind; he was good!  The two witnesses he called were the defendant and the Chief of Police from a neighboring community.

The defendant was not asked questions but chose to give his side of the story and why he thought he did not have to register.  The Chief of Police verified one small part of his story.  The defense rested at this point and we were dismissed for the day. 

Tuesday, closing arguments would begin and the jury would begin deliberation. Should be a short day. . . . .

A Panel of His Peers:

Day two was when the real fun started! Jury Deliberation! After closing arguments by both sides we received our instructions from the Judge and the Bailiff escorted us across the hall into the Juror’s Room. For all intents and purposes, a nice room, with comfortable chairs, a large table, two rest rooms (one had no light so only one was used), paper, pencils and of course the exhibits that were introduced into the trial. The bailiff provided us with our drinks of choice (from the cafeteria, of course) and then it began!

Twelve Jurors: Four men and eight women. Out of this group, two men and three women could not be heard over the other seven people. The others were so loud that the Bailiff appeared several times to tell us to hold the noise down! In the order in which we sat:

• Woman ~ louder than anybody in the room, also the most stubborn. We learned that the last time she was on jury duty she addressed her wedding invitations during deliberation. She had made up her mind and anybody who did not agree with her were basically not understanding it!
• Man ~ young man, quiet, took notes and when he spoke everybody listened. If you did not agree with him, he understood.
• Woman ~ educator, had gas (badly) the first day. She, too, was loud and opinionated, but she smiled when she looked down at you.
• Me. Sat next to #3 and because of her first trait was anxious for the trial to come to a conclusion. I tried to speak on several ocassions but gave up. I’ll get back to that later.
• Woman ~ young mother who also tried to speak on several ocassions but just gave up and sat back and watched after awhile.
• Woman ~ and this one was unique. She had “enhanced” her upper torso with augmentation and a very large colorful tattoo just in case you missed the size! To make sure you saw it, she wore garments with deep V’s down the front. We learned her son had been in prison, her boyfriend, his mother and five other people were living in her home and she was the only one who worked. She was our jury foreperson. She volunteered right off the bat.
• Woman ~ older than me, no upper teeth, tattoos on both legs and a pack and a half a day habit. She was nervous all day, and adamant about her decision in the case. She was our final hold out, but it appears gave up because she really, really needed a cigarette.
• Man ~ He should have been the jury foreman. He seemed to be level headed, took charge of the deliberations and tried to get everybody involved. He was probably in his 30′s, clean cut and had the respect of all.
• Woman ~ quiet, also a smoker, but not to the extent of juror #7. She was also firm in her decision, but would listen to others.
• Man ~ all we knew about him was that he was a retired postal worker who had issues with the Post Office and he took the bus into town for jury duty. He spoke infrequently and could have gone either way on the decision.
• Man ~ truck driver. He spoke quite a bit and seemed to analyze everything. He seemed to understand both sides of the issue.
• Woman ~ probably in her 20′s, piercing in her nose, nicely dressed and opinionated. She was not an equal to juror number one, however.

Deliberations: There were three counts of Megan’s Law Registration Violation against the defendant. Everybody agreed he was guilty on counts one and three. Count two was different, and it wasn’t because he wasn’t guilty, it was because of the way the law is worded.

Megan’s Law Statute in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania defines “residence” as the place you reside or intend to reside for 30 days or more. It also states you must register your change of address within 48 hours. The defendant had left his previous residence to move into a trailer park but when he arrived at the trailer park he was informed he couldn’t live there. He was looking for another place to live and was arrested there 2 weeks after leaving his prior residence.

Those jurors with the guilty verdict were going on the 48 hour clause, those with the not-guilty verdict were going with the “intent to reside for 30 days or more.” Juror number one’s contention was he changed his address when he vacated the previous premises. My contention was he had no new address to change it to since he had no intent to live in the trailer park for 30 days or more. Yes, I was one of the three dissenters. I was not, however, the final hold-out.

Our instructions had included the words “Innocent until proven guilty” and “beyond a reasonable doubt.” I used those words in making my decision. In my heart of hearts, I knew he was guilty, but it was not proven in this one count.

After 2 hours of deliberation, the youngest person on our panel announced that she was going to be so disappointed in us if we were dead locked on this. Why can’t we all just say guilty? She was afraid if we returned our verdicts with two guilty and one no decision, they’d throw out the guilty pleas. I said that would never happen, but she had all ready cast doubt with some of the other members of the panel.

We went back into the Courtroom on two different occasions, asking the same question, worded differently, and got the same answer. On the second visit we informed the judge that we had reached a decision on two counts but seemed to be deadlocked on one count. He asked us to go back and try again and meanwhile he’d send a lunch menu in for us. We were to report back to the Courtroom at 1:30.

The Verdict: We finally convinced that last hold out to vote “not guilty” on the final charge, ate our cafeteria, white bread sandwiches and were ready to rock ‘n roll at 1:30.

At 1:30 we lined up and headed back to court. This time there were people in the courtroom. There were at least 4 people sitting in the audience section, people we had not seen the whole time during the trial. The decision was read and the judge told us he’d be in to talk to us in a few minutes. We walked back in and waited.

The Judge: He came in with his Law Clerk and they sat down. He then started explaining why we had made the right decision. The law was ambiguous at best. He explained that the 30 day residency was put into place to cover the fact that everybody went on vacation now and then and hotels can’t be considered a residence for that purpose. Thank you very much! I tried to explain this and was shouted down. They told me that didn’t apply to Megan’s law!! I have never considered the Marriott my residence no matter how long I’m staying there!

He also agreed that the prosecution did not prove the charge in this particular instance. Thank you very much! The judge had validated the opinions of us three dissenters! Did any of those with the opposing viewpoint say anything? Of course not!

He also said that two guilty verdicts and one count deadlocked was something that happened frequently and was not a big deal. The defendant’s sentence was not going to change and he’d be sentenced in the same courtroom in about a month. Thank you very much! another one of my points validated!

Did I earn my $9 a day? You bet I did! Would I serve again? In a New York Minute! It’s a right, it’s a privilege

. . . and it’s a real experience!

 

What Is This? It’s Anybody’s Guess!!

Today my “Antique Group” met and Kathy brought this interesting item.  She thought they might be sugar snippers.  From afar I suggested tiny melon ballers, or even grape ballers they were so small.  Upon examination, I really think, and a few other concur, that they were a mold for lead bullets.  Any other guesses?

 Open View of item.  It is approximately 6″ long, maybe a little longer.

Notice the little hole when they are shut.   I think this was for pouring the lead into the instrument.  Was the number “85″ the size?

Back of item.  No hole for mold ~ right?   Any other guesses or knowledge of what this really is?  Am I right in my assumption?  Anybody know?

 

The Queen is in Residence! ~ Truly the Noblest of Lives

She would show up for cameras.  If we showed up with a camera, she made sure she would glare, not smile, for it!  After all, she was Queen, and she wasn’t ready to have her picture taken quite yet!  There’s a void in our life and we surely miss our Katrinka Dinka Do!  After all she traveled across country with us, watching the landscape change as we did, sleeping when we wanted to and keeping us awake when we finally had a chance to sleep.  She was one of a kind and kept us on our toes!

Tinka, as we called her sometimes, always showed an interest in what we were doing.  If not, she made sure, we knew she wanted our attention by plopping herself where she knew we would see her.  Everyone knows I love my books, and she did, too!  She, as well as I, preferred the oldest ones she could find.  If she wasn’t reading, she was doing her needlework, and that entailed her from preventing me from doing mine!

She was a valuable cat to have around.  If we were missing anything, anything at all, she seemed to know where to search for it.  We had no idea we were missing a quarter until we lifted the rug under the kitchen table to see exactly what she was trying to retrieve!  Yup!  She knew somehow there was a quarter under the rug!  How it got there is anybody’s guess!

She was a beautiful Russian Blue and we miss her horribly!   The picture below is one of the last we have of her and shows her in her more “mature years.”  After 12 1/2 years in our home, she left us last September.  I can see her keeping everybody on their toes in Cat Heaven. 

We miss Katrinka Dinka Do so much, we are going to welcome Katrinka Dinka Two into our home.  She was born in March and will be ready to join us in the next couple of weeks.  Katrinka Dinka Two is another hypo-allergenic breed, a Tonkinese Blue point.  Isn’t she cute?

Stay tuned for the adventures of a child in a home occupied by set-in-their ways, old fogies!  I bet she’ll change things here!  

We’re looking forward to it!

 

Now Why Didn’t I Think of Doing This??

Found in the Lancaster Intelligencer Journal, 2 February 1914:

NEPHEW BY PARCEL POST

TWO YEAR OLD YOUNSTER SHIPPED BY MAIL FOR 18 CENTS

Wellington, Kas., Feb. 3 – Mrs. M.H. Staley, of this city, received her two year old nephew by parcel post to-day from his grandmother in Stratford, Oklahoma, where he had been left for a visit three weeks ago. The boy wore a tag about his neck, showing it had cost 18 cents to send him through the mails. He was transported 25 miles by rural route before reaching the railroad. He rode with the mail clerks, shared his lunch with them and arrived here in good condition.

 

I bet there are postal regulations in place against this today!

 

Easter Traditions

Our family, like many other families throughout the country, celebrated Easter with several traditions.

The last Easter the entire Sherman Family shared

Growing up in the 1950′s it was imperative that we each had new “Easter Outfits.”  These Church clothes were worn only on Sunday and only for Church through spring and into summer.  When school started the dress would become a school dress for the start of the school year and we would get a new “Church only dress.”  That was the important tradition and it involved Church.

One Easter in the early 1980's (Farrah Fawcett hairdo, anyone??)

The second tradition was THE Easter egg hunt.  The hunt was preceded by the Egg Coloring.  The three children would color the eggs in the most bizarre color combinations we could imagine and each one of us had “our special egg.”  

Now I know every family had Easter Egg Hunts, but our family put a sadistic twist on it!  After hunting the eggs our parents hid for us, we would hide eggs for them!  The egg hunt for the three kids was so complicated that my father actually drew a map so he wouldn’t forget where they were hidden!  This after one of us found an egg during the summer in a planter, under the mulch!

Finding the egg in the lighting fixture

We retaliated by planning their egg’s hiding places for days before the event.  Places we would hide the eggs?  How about in the flour canister in the middle of the flour?   or in the tennis shoe hanging on the clothes line?  or in my mother’s purse?  The best one was the year we removed the the clock workings from the stove, stuffed the egg in and replaced the clock.  We nixed the idea of hiding an egg in the cat’s potty box ~ we felt that was crossing the line ~ like there was a line!

We grew, married, and had children of our own and continued the tradition of THE Egg hunt.

Looking for the elusive last egg . . .

 

 

The year we rented a cabin in the San Bernardino Mountains with my brother’s family is one memory that stands out in my mind.  My sister in law and I had the task of hiding the eggs.  We decided to hid one of the eggs in the toilet tank in the water.  Never in our wildest dreams did it occur to us that the egg we hid in the toilet tank would end up in the bowl with the first flush!  The child that flushed that toilet, and I can’t remember which child it was, was thrilled to think the Easter Bunny had left an egg in the toilet for them!  

. . . and the grandchildren continue the traditon

Our children grew, married and children of their own. We continued the tradition of the egg coloring and egg hunt, but without the bizarre hiding places. We colored eggs with the grandchildren and hid their eggs in semi-obvious places.

After all, they hadn’t been broken into the bizarre traditions of a semi-dysfunctional household!

 

Oh Susannah! Was this you??

Lancaster County Historical Society is the repository for the old County records, and entering them into the Society’s database is a long, time consuming process.  One person works eight hours a day on this task.  It will take years to finish it.  

A couple of Saturdays ago, when I was volunteering at the Historical Society, I was surfin’ through the database on Lancaster County records and came across an entry for “Susanna Leader” that had been added since I had last surfed through them.  It caught me entirely off guard! I had to find out what was in the Quarter Session documents, so I requested a copy of them from the Archives.

I knew Susannah had lead a tumultuous life, but this came as a complete shock!  In the 1823 November Quarter Sessions the “Grand Inquest for the County of Lancaster” found that Henry Heckroth, “late of the county aforesaid” (did he skip out??) . . . the ninth day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty . . . did commit fornication with a certain Susan Leader of Marietta and there did beget a Male Bastard child. . . .

Now, bear in mind that Susannah and Samuel Leader lived in Marietta ( the court findings have “Susanna Leader of the Borough of Marietta”) and her son, Frederick was born in 1821, seven years after her last child.   Also, in 1831, on the “Poor Children’s List,” Susannah, alone, was listed as the parent for Frederick.

The strange part of all of this is the fact that Samuel did not die until 1839, and Susannah’s Bible and her purchase of another home all center around his death date.  Were they separated for awhile?  Did they divorce?  So far, I can’t find anything to indicate so.  Did he die intestate with a little money?  No record of that either.

Timeline:

• 18?? Samuel and Susannah marry
• 1813 Samuel purchases a home in Marietta
• 1813 Maria born, first child
• 1814 Jacob born, second child
• 1819 Samuel in Debtor’s Prison, everything sold
• 1820 April 9th – Fornication w/Henry Heckroth
• 1820 Census shows 1 male 0-10 and 1 male 45 and older (Jacob & Samuel)
• 2 females 0-10, (Maria and ??) 1 female 26-45 (Susannah)
• 1821 Frederick born – month unknown
• 1824 Samuel’s home sold for debts (another home??)
• 1831 Susannah listed as parent on Poor Children’s List; Frederick owes for 3 sheets of paper
• Tax lists between 1829 and 1837 show Samuel owned no property
• 1839 Samuel dies
• 1840 Susannah purchases home in Elizabethtown
• 1844 Susannah marries George Kehler of Elizabethtown

This is going to take some more digging.  I’m going to start going through old newspapers on microfilm and find out what happened to dear old Henry.  Was he Frederick’s father?  Court records indicate such. . . .   we’ll see

I have a persistent nature. . .

 

I Think They Belong ~ I Just Don’t Know How!!

 

Upon my father’s death, I inherited every bit of his family history that he had set aside at my Aunt’s house.  Among the things were a stack of photographs and portraits that he had saved. Were they labeled? What do you think? I have managed to figure most of them out, but this family has intrigued me.

I’ve shared this picture with others in various family lines and nobody thinks anybody looks familiar.  I know it must be family, otherwise it would not have been saved all these years!

What I know about this family:

• They were not an affluent family.  Their clothes don’t fit, their shoes are scuffed, they need haircuts and they are standing in dirt.
• They were probably photographed by a traveling photographer.  
• Either they or the photographer covered the home with their tablecloths. To show off the tablecloths?  To cover their home?
• This was either two or three generations.  I’d guess three.
• This was photographed in the winter when the leaves were off of the trees, most probably in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania since that is where most of my family is from.

Any thoughts on this?  I wish the photographer had taken the time to put his name on this.  He, after all, took the time to put it on a cardboard backing. . . .