The Minutemen of 1861 -- First Soldiers to Die in Civil War Were From Lowell

Ladd and Whitney
Civil War
Monument

Recently, Richard "Dick" Howe Jr.*, the Register of Deeds for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, for No. Middlesex County, gave a talk about Lowell's involvement in the Civil War, which included how the first deaths occurred in the war. Two of the first four soldiers who died in the Civil War were mill workers from Lowell, Massachusetts. Luther C. Ladd age 17 and Addison O. Whitney age 22 eagerly signed up with the Massachusetts 6th regiment of Volunteers and traveled south to Baltimore, Maryland to meet their fate. The talk explains the early history of the war, shows a lot of slides and presents a great narrative. If you are interested in the War, you will enjoy this talk, click HERE.



My title, The Minutemen of 1861, was taken from information from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts's webpage. And, some below information from that site is shared below.

"Massachusetts 6th infantry had been organized in January of 1861. They assembled and moved from Lowell to Boston, where they were outfitted; given their charge by Governor John Andrew and set off for Washington, DC on April 17th.

As was customary from the revolutionary war, Massachusetts's Governor presented the sixth regiment with a distinctive flag to carry in battle. The honor of a regiment was bound to its flag.

The regiment passed through New York and Philadelphia by train, reaching Baltimore on April 19th, 1861 -- the 86th anniversary of the "shot heard round the world" in Lexington and Concord. Little did the troops realize that they would fire their own shots heard round the world, and that the first union casualties in the war of rebellion would come from the sixth regiment later that day.

In Baltimore a local ordinance prevented steam engines from operating within city limits. Paul O'Neil, an interpreter for the Baltimore Civil War Museum, explains this ordinance was likely designed to benefit teamsters, who provided horse service through town to connect the city's train stations. So, the sixth regiment rode in train cars drawn by horses from Baltimore's Presidential Station to the Camden Yards station.

Seven of the ten cars carrying the 6th regiment made it before a growing mob blocked the tracks with sand and ship anchors. Once stopped, the soldiers began marching down Pratt Street in formation.

There on Pratt Street, the Civil War began to be fought. The incensed crowd hurled bricks, cobblestones, and any other objects within reach at the troops.

However, the young troops from Massachusetts disported themselves with military discipline. The regimental color was carried by Color Sergeant Timothy A. Crowley of Lowell.

Chaplain Babbidge, who was with the regiment that day wrote, "paving stones flew thick and fast, some just grazing their heads, and some hitting the standard itself." Shots from handguns came from the crowd, the Massachusetts regiment returned fire.

It is believed that 16 people were killed in the melee, including four soldiers - Luther C. Ladd and Addison Otis Whitney of Lowell, a Mr. Needham of Lawrence, and Mr. Taylor, whose history is unknown. These four became the first to serve and die on the 19th of April, 1861."

Photos and write-ups located on FindAGrave.


From Wikipedia, The History of Lowell, Massachusetts provides valuable information.


Another good site.


Finally, from a Google search, using the key words: "Ladd Whitney Lowell Civil War" I found a wealth of information on these men, Lowell and the Civil War.

The actual dedication was moved to June 17, 1865, due to
President Lincoln's death.

 * Dick is also a local historian for the city. Last year, he gave a tour of the Lowell Cemetery, and that was a blog post of mine.

Ladd and Whitney Monument and the Lowell City Hall.

Tombstone Tuesday -- Keeping it Together

Betsey E. DeWolfe Nichols

Born: 15 Oct 1839  --  Stafford, Genesee Co., New York

Married to Alonzo Nichols

Died: 29 Aug 1867  --  Stafford, Genesee Co., New York

Buried at Fargo/Temperance/Pioneer/Old Cemetery, Stafford, Genesee Co., NY

Betsey (above photo) and infant son, Albert Alonzo Nichols

(Photos and information from my cousin Claire.)

Orin Dewolf's Will -- New York -- Amanuensis Monday

GENESEE COUNTY
SURROGATE'S COURT
Orin DeWolf   Deceased
WILL AND CERTIFICATE
Proven May 23rd, 1898


In the name of God, amen: I Orin DeWolf, of the town of Stafford, in the County of Genesee and State of New York of [sic] the age of Seventy-five years, and being of sound mind and memory, do make, publish and declare, this my last Will and Testament in manner following, That is to say.


First, after all my lawful debts are paid, I give and bequeath to my wife, Zobeide DeWolf all of my personal estate, goods and chattels of what nature or kind so ever.
Second, I give and bequeath to my said wife, Zobeide DeWolf, all of my Real Estate, that may belong to me at the time of my decease, together with all the hereditaments and appurtenants  thereunto belonging to have and to hold the same--


And I hereby appoint my said wife Zobeide DeWolf to be sole executrix of this my last will and testament hereby revoking all former wills by me made.


In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and Seal this 13 day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighty.  Orin DeWolf  (seal)


The above instrument consisting of one sheet was at the date thereof, signed, sealed, published and declared by the said Orin DeWolf as and for his last Will and Testament, in presence of us, who, at his request and in his presence, and in the presence of each other, have subscribed our names as witnesses thereto.


Abner W. King, Stafford, Genesee Co., N. Y.
Henry G. Vallett, Stafford, Genesee County, New York
__________
The People of the State of New York, By the Grace of God Free and Independent :
To Lydia A. Kellogg, Mary C. Tuttle, John H. DeWolf, Sprague P. DeWolf, Emily J. Mann, Albert DeWolf, Sanford E. DeWolf, Helen I. Sprague, Henry C. DeWolf, Nancy A. Ball and Zobeida Gray, (Note: His wife, Zobeide is not listed because she is now deceased.)

heirs at law and next of kin of Orin DeWolf late of the town of Bethany in the County of Genesee, deceased, GREETING :


You and each of you are cited to appear before the Surrogate of the County of Genesee, at his office in the town of Batavia, in said County, on the 23rd day of May 1898, at ten o'clock, in the forenoon of that day, to attend the proof and probate of the last Will and Testament of said deceased, which relates to real and personal estate, and is presented for proof and probate by Orin J. DeWolf  Executor therein named.


And those of you who are under the age of twenty-one years are required to appear by your guardian, if you have one ; if you have none, that you appear and apply for one to be appointed. In the event of your neglect or failure to do so, a guardian will be appointed by the Surrogate to represent and act for you in this proceeding.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, we have caused the seal of office of our said Surrogate to be hereunto affixed.
WITNESS, SANFORD E. NORTH, Surrogate of our said County, at the Village of Batavia, the 2nd day of April A. D. 1898
F. A. Lewis, Clerk Surrogate's Court.

Copy of Will obtained by my cousin, Claire.

“State of New York, County of Genesee.

Recorded Feby. 21, 1919, at 3 o’clock P.N. in Liber 235

Of Deeds at page 231, and examined.

C. B. Pixley   Clerk”
___________
Amanuensis Monday was begun by John Newmark of the TransylvanianDutch blog. The term means, "a person employed to write what another dictates or to copy what has been written by another." Many bloggers enjoy doing this because it allows them to freely copy something that has been written.

The Roberts Family -- Surname Saturday

The below posting is from Sharon and Vernell Roberts of Minnesota. Sharon and I were in contact many years ago because the below Roberts line connects into my Schrambling family. She prepared a nice newsletter complete with several photos, and she has allowed me to post her information here, in hopes of locating other descendants.

Descendants of Eliakim and Margaret Bullock Roberts

Eliakim Roberts, a Welsh immigrant, enlisted in the NY Militia in the 1812 War at Pittstown (now known as Monroe) Ontario County and served at Camp Greenwich. He was honorably discharged at Albany, NY about January 1, 1815 per War of 1812 Widow Pension Records.

Margaret was born Margaret Bullock who married Eliakim Roberts in Canajoharie on either 17 Feb 1814 or 10 Dec 1820 per an 1812 War Pension Record received from the National Archives this week. Eliakim died in Sodus, Wayne County, NY on August 1830 or 1837.

Margaret Bullock married Eliakim Roberts on December 10, 1820 in Canajoharie, New York by a Rev. George B. Miller. Margaret is the daughter of Reuben and Anna Bullock formerly of Duchess County. Reuben and Anna Bullock moved to Canajoharie in 1811 where they farmed near the town of Canajoharie.

There is a note that states that there were “two witnesses that testify that they were present at the marriage of ELIAKIM and MARGARET BULLOC on 10 Dec 1820 and one witness testified he was present at funeral of said soldier. (signed) JOHN SHERMAN, July 15, 1871.”

Her residence (1871) listed is Wilna, Carthage Co, NY. Margaret's maiden name was Bullock and her family was associated with the Baptist Church of Ames just outside of Canajoharie, New York.

The Bullock family has a website that features the undocumented 16 children of Reuben and Ann Bullock whereby a Peggy (Margaret possibly) is listed who married a Roberts according to the extensive Bullock Family website: http://users.stargate.net/~qecpaul/history/bullockhistory.htm#APP. 

Children of Margaret and Eliakim Roberts:

Andrew Brounell Roberts, 18 Mar 1820, married Hester L, 28 Oct 1824 moved to Rock Co Wisconsin – 1870 census.

Hiram Roberts, 13 Aug 1825, married Catherin Scramling, abt. Dec 14, 1828 movd to Ionia, MI – 1870, 1880, 1900 census

Erastus Roberts, abt. 1826 (listed in a family sheet from an 1863 Bible)

Eliakim Roberts Jr., abt. 1829, married Mary – 1850, 1860, Eliakim Roberts held office on the City Board for Canajoharie, Montgomery County, New York.

William Roberts, 1828

Samuel Roberts, unknown

According to the 1812 Widow Pension Record, Eliakim died on either 11 Aug 1829 or 10 Aug 1830 in Williamson, County of Ontario.

Census records show Margaret living in Canajoharie, Montgomery County, NY from 1830 to 1870 living next to her mother, Anna Bullock, her brother, Hiram Bullock and with her children; Andrew, Hiram and Eliakim Jr. Margaret applied for the War of 1812 Bounty Land in July of 1856. 

Margaret moved with unknown family to Wilna, Carthage, Jefferson County, NY in 1871 whereby she began to apply for the War of 1812 Widow Pension Request of $18.00 which continued with appeals until 1877.

There was a letter sent to the Carthage Post Office inquiring about her in 1883 but did not find her. Margaret’s sister, Diantha Guthrie, was listed as a witness for the pension paperwork and it is possible she lived with that family but it is uncertain.

It is unknown where she is buried nor the placement of Eliakim Roberts.

Per 1812 War Widow Pension Request notes on master copy No. 680, Margaret lived in Wilna, Carthage, Jefferson Co NY during the process of rejections and appeals for Eliakim's pension.

Original application received on March 28, 1871, rejected on 17 July 1871 due to marriage date issues, letter of appeal by John Fulton of Carthage, NY, reopened case on Sept 19, 1872, rejection reaffirmed on 24 Sept 1872, Case before Circuit Court on 5 April 1878, and a letter to postmaster of Carthage to contact Margaret Roberts on 15 May 1883.

Hiram and Catherine Roberts

According to the 1860 Census, it lists Hiram Roberts (born August 1823 in New York) and his wife, Catherine Martin Scramling (born 1828), with children as:

Emmagene ­born 1851
Evelyn – born 1853

Charlotte – born 1855

Addison – born 1856

Nathan – born 1859 (died young) and Rosalie (died young) Then the Civil War began in 1861, whereby 

Hiram served as a cook. He returned to find that the two youngest children had died. Marlene wrote of a “Rosalie” as being born in New York. She could have been born after the 1860 census and she and Nathan had died by the time he returned home. Then the family moved to Ionia, Michigan by 1870 per 1870 Census. They had the following children:

• Hiram J. – born 1871 (aka Manley or Mannie?)
• Benjamin F. ­born 1873 Mother, Catherine had died by the 1880 Ionia, MI Census. A family member writes that she died when the boys were 7 and 9 years old. Catherine had worked very hard in a factory making heavy paper bags made to hold flour. Her fingers would bleed from the sharp edges and paste. (Possibly, Arkle and Smiths Flour Sack Company, Canajoharie, NY) Family story has states that Hiram was a“real Welsh man, a dude, a prim, as he did very little hard work.” He remarried and had a war pension of $30.00 monthly which came every 3 months so that was a great day. He died when he was around 60 years old and buried in Lyons, Michigan (13 Nov 1903 – actually 77 years/3 months).

Hiram and Achsah Roberts (2^nd wife)

Hiram is listed on the 1900 Ionia MI Census. Hiram is listed with his 2^nd wife, Achsah Giles Krieble, her adult son, Alvin H Krieble with his children; Alta and Robert. Hiram’s daughter, Charlotte, married Alvin H Krieble, which is the son of Achsah and 1^st husband Moses Krieble.

Addison and Emma Jane Roberts

There is a story of Addison walking with the mule barges down the early canals (Clinton's Ditch in New York) and was away from home for days. Addison's family was originally from Canajoharie, NY where his mother, Margaret (Bullock) Roberts was a widow as her husband, Eliakim Roberts (an 1812 War veteran) had died leaving her with 4 confirmed children (6 unconfirmed). 

Addison known as “Ed” and Emma had 4 children as follows:

Grace

 Hiram Edward

 Frank V

Clayton Alan

Emma Vernon was born Jan.10, 1864 near Mankato. She grew to womanhood there and was married Nov. 25, 1886 to Addison Edward Roberts. On July 6, 1896, they came to Inman Township in a covered wagon and located on a farm which has been the family home ever since.

Mrs. Roberts was a kindly woman and early in her married life, during the rugged pioneer days, she became well known for miles around for her tender and capable care of the sick. She left her home at all hours of the day and night and in all sorts and conditions of weather to help anyone who needed her.

Mr. Roberts died in September 1939 and her only daughter, Mrs. Grace Edin, died in 1938. Surviving are three sons ­Hiram of Parkers Prairie; Clayton at home and Frank of Inman; also twelve grandchildren and several great grandchildren. She also leaves one brother, Edward Vernon, of St. Peter.

Funeral services will be held Friday, Dec. 23 from the Belmont Funeral Home in Henning at one o'clock, the Rev. E.E. Anderson of the Methodist church officiating. Interment will be in the Inman cemetery beside her husband.

Benjamin and Eliza Roberts

Benjamin F. Roberts traveled to Le Seur County, MN where he is listed as "Rowing Boat." We know that the Vernon family would vacation at Lake Emily and maybe this is how Eliza and Benjamin met? It also could be that Emma Jane (Vernon) and husband, Addison Roberts, introduced them as well.

They both married sisters, Emma Jane and Eliza Vernon.

Eliza and Benjamin Roberts had a daughter, Bertha, in 1897.

They lived in a small house in Kasota, Le Seur County, MN, where Benjamin died in a kerosene fire as he attempted to start the stove with it and lived 10 days. He died at 30 years old. He was employed at the Stone Quarry according to his obituary in the Mankato Free Press on Dec. 15, 1902

St. Peter Herald on Dec 19, 1902.

BENJAMIN ROBERTS 

Benjamin Roberts, who was seriously burned on December 1st, was taken to St. Joseph's hospital in Makato where he died last Sunday morning, aged about 32 years.

The funeral was held at the Baptish Church in this place, Tuesday afternoon at 2 o'clock. Deceased leaves a wife and a little daughter to mourn his loss. The members of the local Workmen Lodge of which he was an honored member, attended to his body. Deceased was comparatively, a young man and highly respected by all who know him. The HERALD with the general public sympathies with the bereaved mother and daughter.

Eliza and Bertha moved to Ionia, Michigan to live with Hiram J (aka Manley) as shown in the 1910 and 1920 Fairplaine Township, Montcalm County Census reports. Eliza after she lost her daughter, Bertha, in 1927 in Michigan.

She came to live with her sister, Emma Roberts approx. in 1931 as her obituary states in the St. Peter Herald. She spent 17 years with Emma at the Inman Township homestead. Eliza died September 11, 1948, carried by train to her final resting place beside her husband, Benjamin in Kasota Hill Cemetery in Kasota, MN.

A Library, A Librarian and Two Cousins

"We have consulted no librarians, not even our own. Librarians are not practical men and have bees in their bonnets," said William W. Greenough, former president of the trustees of the Boston Public Library. I believe many of us will disagree with that statement.

The Reading Room in 1894, the year my
2nd great-grandfather died.
At least he saw it completed.

A good nine years ago, I connected with a distant cousin (she in Michigan, I in Massachusetts), discussing our Schrambling / Scramlin ancestry. Last week, in another conversation, we realized we had a connection to the Newberry Library in Chicago. One provided the funds for the new library and one was the first librarian. It is pretty interesting to think that two people can connect through a building and an occupation, not just through genealogy (we are 5th cousins, once removed). My 2nd great-grandfather, William Frederick Poole, was the first librarian at the Newberry Library and her 2nd great-uncle provided the funds to have the library built. 


From Wikipedia, "The Newberry's first librarian, William Frederick Poole, was a primary force behind the library's non-circulating research and rare book collections, as well as conceptualizing the facility to house them. The present building, designed by Poole^[1] and architect Henry Ives Cobb (1859–1931), opened in 1893.


Recently, cousin Joyce Luscomb provided me with some information on her side, "The Newberry Library was founded in 1887 by a bequest of Chicago land developer and city leader Walter Loomis Newberry (1804-1868). Newberry was an early Chicago resident, arriving in the city in 1833 from Detroit. He quickly became involved in a variety of business ventures and made his fortune in railroads, real estate, and banking. The young city also counted on Newberry's involvement in other ways: he helped found Chicago's Young Men's Library Association in 1841, served on the city boards of health and education and was president of the Chicago Historical Society from 1860 until his death.


Newberry's will provided for the establishment of a free public library on the north side of Chicago— but only if his surviving daughters died without issue. (At the time of Newberry's death, Chicago did not have a public library. The Chicago Public Library was founded six years after Newberry died, in 1874.) The daughters, Mary Louisa Newberry and Julia Rose Newberry, both died within 10 years of their father. Newberry's wife, Julia Clapp Newberry, died in 1885. Newberry's wishes for a library were finally honored two years later when half of his estate ($2.1 million) went towards the founding of the Newberry Library. By this time, the Chicago Public Library was thriving. The Library's first trustees, therefore, decided to devote Newberry's bequest to the establishment of a "library for scholars and people desiring to make careful researches." Over the next few years, the Library's collecting scope was further refined, and the Newberry became dedicated to the humanities."

They Met at a College

My father in Evanston, Illinois about to attend Union College in New York.
1938

Written on the back of the photo, by my grandmother.

The lady on the end was my mother's good friend. They saw each other for many years.

1942
I have no idea whose writing this is, but I suspect it was my grandmother's.

Amanuensis Monday -- Ratification of Will of Moses Westover

The 1809 will of Moses Westover was posted March 14, 2011.


Transcription of 
Ratification by Elizabeth Holmes, Widow of Moses Westover
From files of Notary Leon Lalanne,
St. Armand, Quebec


Notary Leon Lalanne
5 Mar 1827
Film #500.62


Before Notary E. Gray (no date)
John Westover deposited a document for lot #9
Caldwell Manor - Missisquoi Bay
By Henry Caldwell
(E. Gray stopped work in 1798)


5 March 1827
Ratification 
By Elizabeth
Holmes Widow
        of
Moses Westover
Exhs.[?]


Be it known and remembered that on the Fifth day of March, in the year of our Lord, One Thousand Eight Hundred and Twenty Seven; Before this Subscribing Notary Public, residing in St. Armand in the District of Montreal, in the Province of Lower Canada, personally appeared Elizabeth Holmes, of the Township of Sutton, in the said District, widow of Moses Westover, late of Sutton aforesaid, Gentleman, deceased, which said Elizabeth exhibited to the said Notary an authentic Copy of the Last Will and Testament of the said late Moses, dated the Twenty Second day of July AD One Thousand Eight Hundred and Nine executed before [crossed out: "the"] Louis Barbeau, Notary Public, and certain Witnesses, which said Will the undersigned Notary, in the presence of the Witnesses hereinafter named read to the said Elizabeth, who declared to have well understood its contents and to be [crossed out: "the"] content & satisfied with every the provisions [crossed out "th"] & dispositions therefore consents and agrees that it be executed according to the intent & meaning of the Testator, and declares[d?] further that whereas Stephen Westover, her son, late of Sutton aforesaid, Esquire, hath departed this life, and was by the said late Moses, his father, constituted his residuary Devise and Legatee, and by the said Will enjoined to fulfill and perform certain charges and conditions therein set forth, which since his decease Dorinda Ball his Widow hath undertaken & actually commenced performing the [word "the" written twice] said Elizabeth therefore doth hereby voluntarily declare that she is willing and even desirous that the said Dorinda for herself and the Children issue of her marriage with the said late Stephen avail herself of every the dispositions of the said Will which were meant for the benefit and advantage of the said late Stephen, the Same as he would have done if he had survived his said father.


Moreover, by the request of the said Elizabeth, the said Notary next read to [crossed out: "the said"] her an authentic copy of a Deed executed under private Signatures, dated the 21st day of October last past and afterwards, to wit, the 23d day of the same month, deposited in the office of the said Notary, by which the said late Moses Westover hath transferred to and vested in the said Dorinda Ball, in trust for Roswell Westover and Stephen Egbert Westover, his sons, minors, all his the said Moses Westover's Rights, Titles and Claims whatsoever in and to the equal Southwesterly, Southeasterly & Northeasterly quarters or fourth part[s?] of Lot Number fifteen in the tenth Range of Lots in the Township of Sutton aforesaid, which said Deed the said Elizabeth declared she had also well understood the contents of and forthwith did and doth hereby approve ratify and confirm.


In testimony of all which the said Elizabeth hath requested this act and after it being duly read, hath there under set her usual mark, a cross …
in the presence of Michael Preston[?];John Porter [?or Foster?] Esqs the said Witnesses [crossed out: "and"], who with me the said Notary have also set their names there under the day & year aforewritten.
     her
[signature:] John Foster [?] Elizabeth   X   Holmes
    mark
[signature:] Michael Preston
[illegible word]


(Typed by my court stenographer cousin, James Johnson, abt. 2001 and unable to locate for permission to use.)

Saturday Surname -- Help Needed for 1951 Class Reunion

My cousin, Fred Barnes, of California is planning the 1951 reunion for Lowell High School, Massachusetts. He has enlisted my help, since I live in the city. If anybody knows an individual/s below, please contact me at BarbaraPoole@Gmail.com and I will put you in contact with Fred.


I wrote about Fred in my post Conversation in July 2010.


Names of those he would like to locate

Baron, Lorraine M.
Beckley, Phyllis Arlene
Berube, Marie Ann
Blain, Robert Francis (deceased?)
Browne, Arlene / Alene m. Stuart
Buczynski, Frances Catherine - m. Bissonette
Burns, Marian Celena
Callahan, Joan Helen m. Poss. Brown
Carroll, Mary
Cassin, John
Cyr, Marilyn Joyce
Daley, Maureen
Davies, Donald Paul
Delahanty / Delehanty, Rita Marie - maybe m. Lockwood
Egan, Ann C. m. Poss. Contos
Fairbanks, Sally Ann
Gemmell, Beverly Jean m. John O’Gara
Gordon, Carolyn Elisa m. Atty Siegel
Hand, Mary Margaret
Kappler, Frank In Calif?
Leach, William H. In KY or TN?
Lynch, Eileen Frances
Marchand, Mary married John Edwards
Matton, Rita L.
McNeill, Helene Ann
Michaud, Theresa Marie
Potter, Mary Hilda mar. Vigneault
Russell, Joan E.
Sampson, Richard A. "Dick"
Thomas, David Walsh
Trebek / Treback, Leona
Twarog, Dolores Jane
Tyler, James J.
Watson, Esther M.

Follow Friday -- Research to do Only Once

In the past week, I've been thinking about the lives of my parents before I was born. A blogger, Remembering Those Who Came Before Us and facebook friend, Sara Campbell mentioned Union College. Hum, that is where my father went, and a thinking out loud thought to myself was written to Sara. I was curious to know if I could get a yearbook photo of him and any other information from his file. Sara sent me a link to the college, and the process began. After calling Union College in Schenectady, I called my mother's college, Skidmore in Saratoga Springs, both in New York. Below are some of the things I received.


Three days after my call to Union, I was looking at his yearbook page, and other copied files. I discovered my father was in the Choir, Dramatic, Track and Camera Clubs. Who was this person? He never sang, did any sports, didn't attend plays, and took very few photos. As my father, he collected old maps, old guns, old stamps and was an avid ham operator.  His nickname was "Pud," what kind of name is that, where did it come from, well, I'll never know.


The file contained my birth announcement, printed in two newspapers, and a few other pieces about his service. His obituary was in the file, and date stamped at the college a week after he died. Seems my mother knew what to do, as she sent all these articles to Union. He majored in Science/ Chemistry and became a Chemist, working at several Boston area companies.


My mother's  file was similar, with a yearbook photo and listing of her clubs. Since she majored in Costume and Textiles, she was quoted as saying, "Have to make a sweater to match the socks I knitted for the game tomorrow" Looking at her photos reminded me of the movie, Mona Lisa Smile, since Skidmore was a woman's college. (She was her class agent 15 years up to the time of her death.) Many years later, she attended Northeastern University and received her Masters Degree in Education, and became a teacher.


If your parents went to college, this might be a nice resource. I found out more than what is mentioned above. Neither college asked me for any information, perhaps because obituaries (with my name mentioned) were in their files. The process was so painless, and I got a huge payoff. Photos below are of my mother.

My mother holding the magazine.

My mother on the ladder.