A Puzzlement

Interest in a redcoat, Bette Davis and a doll seem to be the only things people are checking out on my blog this past week. And I'm curious as to why the doll and Bette Davis's house in Lowell, MA are suddenly of interest. Neither is a recent posts.

The chart below shows four of my top five page-views as of today. The first two is easy to know why, because Dick Eastman posted my blog on his newsletter, regarding the Revolutionary War Red Coat. But why are two simple photos of Bette Davis #3 and The Doll #4

Does anybody have an idea? If so, I'd really love to hear it. Does anybody think I should post this question to the sites #3 and #4?

Was it a Revolutionary War Red Coat, or Made Befor... Dec 29, 2011, 13 comments	267
Revolutionary War Red Coat worn by my Ancestor Jan 13, 2010, 8 comments	142
Wordless Wednesday -- Bette Davis House Aug 31, 2011, 7 comments	114
The Doll -- Treasure Chest Thursday Jul 5, 2012, 4 comments	57

Note: The calendar was made by a New Zealand cousin. Sue Greatbanks.

The Doll -- Treasure Chest Thursday

Additional photos of the doll my grandmother gave me, see my July 3rd post. All six pieces of clothing are removable. Please see below for another doll post in which the doll is in an identical high chair as mine. See Carol Bowen Stevens' Treasure Chest Thursday, the Googly Eye Doll, a Rerun Post.

Doll sits in handmade Amish highchair (for dolls).

February 12, 2013. I have noticed a large number of people looking at this site, and while I'm delighted, I am just a bit curious. Since it is just a photo of a old doll, I'm wondering if there is anything else you would like to see or want explained  Could you fill me in on why, during this week, so many of you are looking at it. Of course I am pleased. You could leave a comment here at the post or email me at: BarbaraPoole@Gmail.com.

Old and Plain Spoons

After my grandfather's death, I took these spoons because nobody wanted them. I didn't have a clue who the previous owners were.

Through research, I discovered they belonged to my great-great and great-great-great grandmothers.

The top initials are LAL for Laura Ann Lowrey

The bottom initials are HN for Harriet Newell

Laura Ann was born Sept. 3, 1820, died June 14, 1892

Harriet Newell is the mother of Laura

Harriet was born March 3, 1794, died June 17, 1878

Treasure Chest Thursday

Long silver decorative serving  spoon.

Above spoon received the same time I got the Gorham "Fairfax" setting as described in post called A Mixed Table Setting.

Treasure Chest Thursday -- A Mixed Table Setting

My silverware is a combination from sets belonging to both grandparents. My Bishop grandparents had Gorham, the pattern is Fairfax. My Poole grandparents had the ornate pattern by Towle, called Old Colonial.

Both sets of grandparents married in 1918, one in Connecticut, the other in Illinois. It is clear that the women had different tastes.

Both pieces have initials, the B is clearly seen, the pattern first made around 1900.

There is an A on the back of a fancy serving spoon. The A stands for my grandmother's maiden name, Adams and the pattern was first manufactured in 1895.

Both patterns are still manufactured.

From each pattern I was fortunate to receive a setting of four.

Cross Made from California Gold -- Treasure Chest Thursday

Engraved A. T. B.

Charter Oak

There was a note with the partial cross. "Part of a Cross which was made for Albert T. Bishop. The wood is from the Charter Oak tree; the gold came from nuggets secured in California during the gold rush by Thomas Bishop, the father of Albert T. Bishop.

Loaned by Mrs. Roy Gilman Pavy"


Thomas was my 2nd great-granduncle, Albert my 1st cousin, 3 times removed, and Mrs. Roy Pavy my 1st cousin, 3 times removed. Both men lived in Connecticut. I obtained  the cross shortly after my grandfather's death. A room was set aside to display some personal items, and even though I was the last to pick what I wanted, I was delighted with this, and the other things I took 30 years ago. All items were related to genealogy or family history.


July 25, 2012 follow-up.
While looking at The Connecticut Historical Society Bulletin (Vol. 49 winter, 1984 #1), I came across an article called, The Charter Oak Artifacts on pages 126-157. There were many photos of items made out of the Charter Oak, including a crucifix just like the above, and many other items.

New source found 8/2018.
San Francisco Ship Passenger Lists by Louis J. Rasmussen, Baltimore, Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., 1978.

"Ship:  Panama; Type: Steamer, from Panama; Captain: Bailey; Arrived: April 22, 1850 (4:00AM); Passage: 21 days from Panama; Cargo: $300,000 in coin ($62,516 of which goes to Thomas Bell)." Thomas Bishop listed as a passenger.

Treasure Chest Thursday -- New Beginnings

My father, as a freshman, on his way to Union College, Schenectady, New York.

1938

Joined the Navy in 1942.

Corpus Christi, Texas

Treasure Chest Thursday -- Mother and Child

Grandmother Sarah Ten Eyck Bishop

with my mother, Jane

Grandmother Marjorie Adams Poole

with my father, John

(above and below)

Both of my parents were born in 1919, mother born in New York City, and father in Evanston, Illinois.  Each was the first child.