Family Papers and Postcards from the Past

Leon Wilson Photograph

2010-07-18T21:09:00.003-04:00

This is an old, unmailed, real photo postcard. On the reverse it reads, "Baby Leon Wilson Age 4 1/2 mo, April 30, 1917. Also written on the reverse, "To Grandmother Mattson". The photo was taken by the Atlas Studio in Philadelphia PA

This is possibly the Leon Wilson born 1916 in the Peter Gunnarson Rambo line.

Note: the image above has been cropped and labeled for posting here. The original photo is post card sized and in fair condition with a crease down the center.

Davis Family Photos

2010-07-18T19:39:00.007-04:00

A box full of Davis photos, recently rescued here in Delaware. There is an old card box filled with photos and negatives, mostly featuring the Davis Family, particulary son Billy Davis (William Davis). There are also five, 5 x 7's of Billy from about one year to maybe 12 years old. There are several photos taken by Ruhl Studios in Cumberland Maryland. There are also some taken by Ward's Studio in Frostburg, MD.

The photos are mostly undated, but Billy must have been born around March of 1952 and most of the photos and negatives appear to be from the 50's. There is one old real photo post card which is undated an unlabeled, and also taken in Frostburg (McElfish Studio).

There is one, small class photo of FHS (probably Frostburg High School).

There are not many names on these photos, but here are the ones I could find: Mrs Eugene Davis, 507 Pine St, Cumberland Maryland. Jean Sigler, Alma (probably Alma Davis), and Mary Robinette (Mary Teter).... and of course Billy Davis.

Jerome Cross & Family

2010-07-18T14:50:00.006-04:00

Here is an nice old, cabinet card photo of Jerome Cross and his family. The photo was taken by W.S. Davis studio in Ellenville NY (129 Canal Street). The photo is undated but judging from the scalloped gold edges of the card, I'd guess that it's from around 1890-1900.

This could be the Jerome Cross who married Amy Sheley (daughter of John H. Sheley and Amy Sheley) of Ulster County in New York. Denning and Ellenville are both in Ulster County.

Aside from the name, there is nothing else written on the photo. The image shown here has been cropped and labeled for posting; however the original image is the typical cabinet card size and without any scanned labels.

Perry Children

2010-07-17T14:47:00.007-04:00

A nice old undated photo of Charles Perry, Sanford Perry and George Perry. The photograph was taken by Schultz Duryea Studio in Brooklyn NY. This looks like a photograph from around the turn of the century, circa 1900.

Aside from the names, there is nothing else written on the photo.

Note: The above scanned image has been cropped for this post. The original photo is 4.5 x 6.5 inches and in excellent condition.

Two old Boddy family postcards

2010-07-12T20:53:00.006-04:00

Here we have two old postcards sent to Mrs. Boddy in Conowingo, Cecil County Maryland. The postcard on top was sent to Mrs. L.H. Boddy in March of 1926 and the salutation reads, "Dear Sister". The handwriting is almost as bad as mine, but I can read that the sender is also a Boddy writing from Philadelphia.

The postcard on the bottom was sent to Mrs. Lulu Boddy in Conowingo, MD in September of 1924. The sender is Edna and the salutation reads, "Dear Mother".

Each postcard is in fair shape.

Marylawn of the Oranges

2010-07-03T23:58:00.008-04:00

This old photo taken by Newark Photo Studios features Hallowee'n at Marylawn of the Oranges. Marylawn is an all-girls catholic school in South Orange, New Jersey. The school has been open since 1935. This photograph has no date.

The image above has been cropped and labled for posting here. The Original photo is in good condition.

John G. Walter Photo

2007-11-04T00:14:00.003-04:00

Just in time for Veterans Day, here is an old, framed photograph of John Walter, Company D, 151st Division. John was killed in action in France on July 28, 1918.

Update, March 11, 2009: Since my last post, I've learned a little more about Pvt. Walter. This is what I found at the American Battle Monuments Commission website:

Private First Class, U.S. Army 151st Machine Gun Battalion, 42nd Division

Entered the Service from: Pennsylvania

Died: July 28, 1918.

Buried at: Plot B Row 21 Grave 29 Oise-Aisne American Cemetery Fere-en-Tardenois, France.

And from http://www.genealogybuff.com/misc/ww1/il-ww1-ago-casualties25.htm , I've learned that you were from Lancaster, Pa.

Somebody loved you, John...they kept this old photo of you until they died. You were taken so young, you never had a chance to have a family of your own. You've been gone now for 91 years, but there are still people who honor your memory, John. I am proud to be one of those people.

See this on Wigix

Old Roosters... by L. Lee Layton, Jr.

2007-06-10T16:13:00.001-04:00

Old Roosters... by L. Lee Layton, Jr.
Originally uploaded by imsobob.

Written on March 3, 1942 by Dover businessman and famous Sussex Countian, L. Lee Layton, Jr, this short analogous article compares young men and old men to Roosters and Broilers in wartime America. Four pages in pamphlet form, Mr. Layton's article was a call for people on Delmarva to get to work supporting the armed forces, and he used the poultry industry here as an example. And remember, there were no magnetic yellow ribbons in 1942.
Mr. Layton was born in Georgetown in 1889 and was well known in the Dover area for his strong and very public opinions. He was married to Marianne Layton.

Grandpa and Grandma Starner

2007-05-27T15:02:00.009-04:00

"Henry Starner, Art Starner Jr's Grandpa and Grandma Starner."

Henry Starner lived in Idaville, just south of Starners PA in what is now Adams County. The photo was taken by Mumper photogarphers of 27 & 29 Baltimore St. in Gettysburg PA, around the time of the Civil War.

The image above has been cropped and labled for posting. The original photo is the size of the typical cabinet card and the only writing is on the reverse identifying the Starner family.

Learn more about the Starner Family on Rootsweb or on the Starner Family Web Site.

Henry Phillipps of Pittsburgh Pennsylvania

2007-05-22T21:57:00.001-04:00

Henry Phillipps of Pittsburgh Pennsylvania

An old AZO real photo postcard taken in Pittsburg PA probably beween 1904 and 1911. The AZO is no older than 1904 and the spelling of "Pittsburg" reverted to "Pittsburgh" in 1911. On the reverse of the card has been written "Henry Phillipps dressed up for Halloween." Henry's name could also be the more common spelling of Phillips.

Luthersburg PA Holiness Convention

2007-05-14T20:32:00.001-04:00

Holiness Convention

An old poster inviting folks to the holiness convention at the M.E. Church in Luthersburg Pennsylvania. Held under the auspices of the Armstrong County Interdenominational Holiness Association, and presenting Mr. and Mrs Mark R. Smith, Evangelists and the Reverend A.O. Tillotson, Pastor in Luthersburg. This old thing looks to be circa 1920's. The Holiness movement originated in America way back in 1850 or so and was an endeavor to preserve the teachings of John Wesley.

Luthersburg PA is in Clearfield County. The poster tells you how to get there... Luthersburg is six miles from DuBois on the B.R. & P.R.R. (Buffalo Rochester and Pittsburgh Railroad).

William J. Plank Ditch Digging Machine

2007-05-06T22:06:00.002-04:00

plank

Harve Kauffmans mailed this old postcard to Amos Jay Miller in Topeka Indiana back on October 14, 1949. The old print features a contraption known as William J. Plank's ditch digging machine. This may have been the William Plank of Elkhart Indiana, related to the families Schrock, Zook, Mishler, Plank and Miller.

If you can help me identify Mr. Plank, or if you are a family member, please leave a comment.

Iron Bitters

2007-04-21T23:49:00.001-04:00

Iron Bitters

An old trade card, circa 1880, encouraging moms to keep their children healthy and strong by giving them Iron Bitters. Made by Brown Chemical Company in Baltimore, this medicine contained cocaine.

Touted for curing indigestion, dyspepsia, fevers, belching and loss of strength, a couple of swigs of the famous Iron Bitters was guaranteed to provide energy and add new life to the nerves.

Happy Easter to the Jenkins Family

2007-04-08T20:06:00.001-04:00

Happy Easter to the Jenkins Family

Mrs. J.W. Downham of Viola Delaware mailed this old Easter postcard to Mary Jenkins of Woodside Delaware on April 4, 1908. Springtime, new life and the wonder of it all adorns this old beauty. Not much of a sentiment on the reverse though... Mrs Downham had invited Mary to "a special display of millinery in my parlor". Maybe that was the Victorian's version of a Tupperware Party. Do they still have Tupperware Parties?

Florence sent this Easter card from Dover Delaware to Mary Jenkins. The embossed card distorted the postmark, but it looks like it was sent in 1908 or 1909. Agnes is Mary's daughter.

Another old Easter card, this one sent to Glancy Jenkins on March 25, 1910. Glancy Jenkins would grow up and he and his wife, Elsie would take over operations at the Jenkins Store in Woodside.

Blue Coat Inn

2007-04-01T21:31:00.001-04:00

Blue Coat Inn
Soon to be another nostalgic image of Dover, DE... the Blue Coat Inn. I liked the Blue Coat, it was a nice restaurant, most times. I have to add the disclaimer because this the very place that holds my personal record for the longest wait for a table, 2 hours and 30 minutes on February 14, 1996. Valentines Day, I know...I know, but a friend of mine had a coupon and he talked us into it. Anyway... We miss you Blue Coat Inn.

Here's an old postcard by A. Ken Pfister of Dover Delaware advises on the Reverse: Blue Coat Inn & "Sailing Eagle" Tavern on Silver Lake in historic Dover, Delaware. Once a private home, the inn today offers the publick a varied BILL OF FARE in Countri-style dining. Meetings and Parites also accomodated in distinctive lake-front rooms reflecting themes from Delaware's early history. Phone 674-1776.

Another postcard from A. Ken Pfister of Dover, this one featuring "The Independence Room" Blue Coat Inn on Silver Lake in historic Dover, Delaware. The painting depicts Colonel John Haslet's Delaware Regiment, whose uniform inspired the name Blue Coat Inn, marching from Dover Green to join General Washington's troops in the summer of 1776. Dining daily except Mondays.

Here's what it looks like now (May 16, 2007).

The Jenkins Store

2007-03-26T21:43:00.001-04:00

Once, in Woodside Delaware, there was a general store known as the Jenkins Store. This little shack played a central role in the goings-on in Woodside, providing necessities and a gathering place for the locals until 1988. A classic American general store, the Jenkins Store now sits at the Delaware Agricultural Museum in Dover, Delaware... in a place called Loockerman Landing. You can see it in this article by delawarewoman.

The store opened in 1865* (when the name of the town was still Fredonia) and was first known as the Reed General Store after proprietors John and Jane Reed. Their daughter Mary Jane Reed and her husband Phillip Jenkins took over the store when the Reeds retired, and ran it until 1947. After that, son Glancy Jenkins and his wife Elsie operated the store. After Glancy died in 1967, Elsie operated the old place until it closed.

*According to Woodside, A Bicentennial Commemorative, published by the Town of Woodside in 1987, the store opened in 1865.

You can find a lot of old postcards to and from the Jenkins family on this blog.

USS Pennsylvania

2007-03-16T22:06:00.001-04:00

Here's an old postcard, mailed free in 1944 from Bainbridge Maryland. The card has a U.S. Navy postmark and was mailed by A/S Herman G. Moore to his son, Hiram Moore, in Felton Delaware. Mr. Moore told his son that he was sorry that he had missed his birthday and asked him to be a good little man.

The wartime postcard features the big guns of the Flagship Pennsylvania.

The U.S. Navy Training Center at Bainbridge was established in 1942 to train Navy recruits during World War II. To learn more about the center, visit the USNTC Bainbridge Association.

St. Patrick's Day from Ellen H. Clapsaddle

2007-03-12T20:40:00.001-04:00

Ellen Clapsaddle was a wonderful artist, and is a postcard art legend. Her work was first noticed in 1900 and by 1906 she was illustrating for the Wolf Company in New York. One of the very few women illustrators of her time, she soon became the sole illustrator and designer for Wolf. Most postcards of the day were printed in Germany (as were these) and Ellen found herself in Germany for business in 1914 at the outset of WWI. She was trapped there, a displaced person unable to return to America. After six months, one of the Wolf brothers made his way to Germany and found her wondering the streets penniless and mad. She and the Wolf company lost all of their money, and Ellen lost her mind at the peak of her career. She died in 1934, desolate, broke, and forgotten.

We love you Ellen Hattie Clapsaddle (1865 - 1934).

This old St. Patrick's Day postcard dates from around 1907 and features the art of Ellen Clapsaddle. The card was addressed to Miss Irene Hendrickson of Washington DC and it was signed "Mother". The Irish character wishes us "The Top of the Morning to You".

The card here was mailed on March 16, 1908 by Hattie in Wilkesbarre PA, and sent to Maw McAnall in Berwick PA. "From the Auld Sod" (Ireland).

Pvt. Wilton Virdin, to Magnolia Delaware

2007-02-20T21:13:00.001-05:00

Pvt. Wilton Virdin, to Magnolia Delaware

A great old wartime print of men lining up for chow at the reception center at Fort Dix, NJ. I wonder how many of them are still around today? Private Wilton Virdin mailed this to the folks back home in Magnolia Delaware on February 8, 1943. He sent this card to Mr. Russell Virdin, but I have other Virdin Cards in the collection, including Nettie, Medford and Virginia Virdin of Frederica DE.

Click on the photo for a larger view. You can fill your screen with this photo if you want to see the smiles on them faces.

See another old Virdin (Virden) card posted back in June 06, Right Here!

Big Run PA

2007-02-19T21:42:00.001-05:00

Mailed to Mr. Herbert Slichter of Mohnton PA from Big Run back in June of 1908, this old postcard features a nice view from the hills behind the town. This postcard is a bit ragged, but such a nice scene from nearly a century ago. Not much traffic in Big Run, you'll notice.

The Chicago Worlds Fair of 1893

2007-02-18T23:42:00.001-05:00

The World's Columbian Exposition of 1893 introduced picture postcards to the American public. Here is a postcard from that Expo... a genuine pioneer era postcard. The Expo showcased the power of the coming (20th) century, electricity, and the Fair also introduced carbonated beverages and hamburgers. A young Scott Joplin worked there, honing his Ragtime skills.

A wildly successful Expo, in my opinion.

Is it love

2007-02-17T00:04:00.001-05:00

Four old postcards featuring perspectives on love from about a century ago. Is that a Pittsburgh Pirates Uniform worn by the young lady in the card on the upper left? In May of 1910, that old card was sent by Jack Dixon to Mr. Sheldon Fairchild, 415 Market Street in Wilmington Delaware.

The Johnny on the Spot card was sent to Miss Marian Shakspeare in Marshallton Delaware back in May of 1908.

And in April of 1907, the Holding My Own card was sent to Mr. S.E. Rodgers in Hestle Alabama.

The old postcard featuring an angry lady slapping her husband is unmailed but most likely from around 1910.

Would You Be My Valentine?

2007-02-14T20:48:00.001-05:00

Valentines Day

The card on the upper left was sent to Mrs Mary Nelson on Madison Street in Wilmington, Delaware nearly a century ago. The card next to it was sent to Miss Ethel Reynolds of Lumberton New Jersey on February 14, 1907.

Happy Valentines Day!

Would You Be My Valentine?

2007-02-14T18:03:00.000-05:00

Happy Valentines Day to one and all.

Happy Birthday President Lincoln

2007-02-12T21:23:00.000-05:00

Happy Birthday President Abraham Lincoln.

click on this photo to see a good lithographic print of President Lincoln

East Earl Township PA ... Class of 1911

2007-02-10T19:07:00.000-05:00

Here is a Class Souvenir from a school in East Earl Township in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. These old things were kind of like yearbooks without the pictures, or the signatures. Memories made and meant for safe keeping, and now here it is after nearly 100 years have passed.

The teacher was Sallie V. Bowman and the Directors were Roland Good, David Wenger, John J. High, Clayton Bair, Barton Sauder and Frank Wise.

The list of students for October 1910 through March 1911 include:

Lizzie Weaver, Esther Weaver, Bessie Keiffer, Ada Horst, Bertha Weaver, Francis Martin, Lizzie Sauder, Lizzie Leinbach, Rebecca Horst, Anna Z. Martin, Alice Taylor, Clara Ziemer, Anna M. Martin, Marion Kieffer, Anna Sauder, Susan Gehman, Luella Horst, Moses Martin, Erbie Sauder, Horace Weaver, Eli Zimmerman, Eli Gehman, Adam Crills, Lloyd Sprecher, Raymond Shirk, William Horst, and Horace Ziemer.

Anna and Elizabeth (Lizzie) were certainly popular names of the Day, and just look at how many Weavers and Horsts there were in that small class. Some of the younger pupils may still be alive today ...and I'll bet they still have this little Souvenir booklet from 1911 ... memories made and meant for safe keeping.

Downtown Pittsburgh ... 1905

2007-02-05T22:12:00.000-05:00

Here is an old view of downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, featuring the Farmer's Bank Building. You can see the trolley cars and the bustle on the street below. There is a large sign painted on the side of a building advertising Eisner and Phillips Outfitters where you could order a suit for just $15.00 cash money.

This is an old, real photo post card, as we collectors call them. It was mailed from Pittsburgh on September 21, 1905 and sent to Miss Leak Blankley of Philadelphia. The post office didn't allow anything but the address on the reverse of any post card sent during this era... so folks usually penned a short note on the front, as did Harry on this occasion. I can't find any human name of "Leak" so this card may have been sent to Leah Blankley.

I'm always amazed that a fragile little piece of paper, with it's little message, survived so many years. And I wonder how many more it will endure. I will have it a little while and then it will continue its journey, I hope.

As featured on eBay.

Mary Leaman, 17 years old ... about 1905

2007-01-31T20:55:00.000-05:00

Today, I received a comment from Jane on my earlier Leaman blog from November 30, 2006.

Jane said...
wow, can i see the picture with Mary Leaman? I wonder if they are from Paradise PA...i've been reading about her from the book, Queen of the Dark Chambers.

Well, here is the photo of Mary Leaman (age 17), Dr. Leaman (age 66) and Aunt Mary Leaman (age 69). This was taken in Gettysburg Pennsylvania about 1905, according to the inscription on the reverse. It's not a good photo, I'm sorry to say, but I'd enjoy hearing more about Mary and Queen of the Dark Chamber.

Steam Tractor

2007-01-21T14:41:00.000-05:00

This isn't your father's John Deere, that's for sure. This is an old steam traction engine. Too big and too heavy to be very mobile on soft soil, it was often strategically located on (or near) a farm field and its engine used to move or drive other equipment. Sometimes two of these behemoths were used... one pulling a plow to one side of a field and another pulling it back the other direction. I'm not a farmer, but these farm workers may have been using the steam engine to drive a wheat thresher which is out of the photo. Whatever they were doing at the time, they've been immortalized in this old AZO real photo postcard from the 1904 - 1918 time period.

The area pictured is as flat as Felton,Delaware so the photo may have been taken around these parts (Lower Delaware, Maryland Easter Shore). I think this old contraption may be a Case Corporation or a Peerless steam tractor, but I've not been able to find a match. If you recognize this old beauty, please leave a comment to identify it for us. Other possible manufactures may include Best Manufacturing, Ransomes, Fordson, Advance Rumely, Peerless, and Deering Harvester.

ADDED January 22, 2007: Thanks to some good advice from our friends at Yesterday's Tractor Magazine, this old tractor is very likely a Peerless steam traction engine, manufactured by the Geiser Manufacturing Company of Waynesboro, PA.

A Woman Without a Hat

2007-01-16T22:21:00.000-05:00

Victorian beach wear, modeled by a nineteenth century woman when modesty was the style of the day. It's tempting to look back and wonder "what were they thinking". Recognize that someday, somebody will be asking the same question about you.

Cousin Mollie mailed this old postcard to Mrs Fermor Stouffer of Greencastle Pennsylvania back in March 1909. Contrary to the risque pose featured on the front, the reverse has a short message about the improving health of a sick child in Five Forks Pa.

Downingtown High School class photo

2007-01-14T14:23:00.000-05:00

These high school students send us greetings from their class trip to Gettysburg, early in the last century. In their Sunday best at Devil's Den on that warm spring day, you can see the hope and confidence shining on their young faces. Filled with aspirations and dreams and with a lifetime in front of them, they stood there in the sunshine and captured that moment in time.

The photographer has marked the photo as DHS at Devils Den. I found this old photograph postcard in with a bunch of postcards from or to the Larkin family in Downingtown Pennsylvania, so DHS very likely stands for Downingtown High School. The postcard itself dates from sometime between 1907 and 1920, and I believe, based on the dates of the other postcards, that the photo was probably taken around 1910 or so. These other Larkin Family postcards include cards to Jessie Larkin, Rachel D. Larkin, Elizabeth Larkin, Martha Larkin, Mrs. Edgar Larkin and Dr. E. D. Larkin as well as cards to or from other family or friends including Norman Rodgers, Mary Rodgers, Ruth Thompson, Mrs. Jessie L. Rodgers, Mrs E. A. Speakman (the Barclay, West Chester, Chester County PA), Elizabeth Speakman, M. A. Parsons (a soldier in France 1919) and M.P. Dewees

Warm-weather whispers from Ocean City

2007-01-07T22:29:00.000-05:00

At least once every summer, Mrs J. J. Johnson would travel to the shore, to the beach, to the ocean, etc...to vacation. Every summer, she would send greetings via postcard to her good friend, Mary Jenkins, in Woodside Delaware. Here is another of those old cards from Mrs. Johnson letting Mary know how nice it was in Ocean City on that August day of 1912. Today, people use their cell phones for messages like this. Of course, in 100 years, nothing remains of a cell phone conversation ... or does it?

As featured on eBay.

Wounded Knee ... a view from 1891

2007-01-03T20:50:00.000-05:00

This news article was written 3 months after the military action at Wounded Knee in December 1890, and it presents the confrontation between the U.S. Army and the Lakota from the perspective of the time... a perspective much different from ours today. The story features the actions of 21 year old Corporal Paul H. Weinert at Wounded Knee on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota.

According to this old newspaper clipping....

For his actions at Wounded Knee on that stark December morning, Corporal Weinert was awarded the Medal of Honor for heroism. History speaks of the ravine on this ground and of the Hotchkiss Gun that did so much damage there. Corporal Weinert was there at that ravine, behind that light cannon on that very morning. After the commander of his detachment (Lieutenant Hawthorne) was felled by bullets, the enraged corporal was heard to cry out "By God, I'll make them pay for that". During the fray, Weinert's cannon was peppered with bullets, with one round finding its way through his hat and one round knocking a shell from his fingers.

The article tells us that there were others deserving of the highest praise, but that Corporal Weinert undoubtedly carried off first honors. Other medal winners are listed as Jacob Trautman of the Seventh Cavalry, Joshua B. Hartzog, George Green, and John Flood, all of Light Battery E, First Artillery.

Valentine for Miss Faye Queber

2006-12-27T21:36:00.000-05:00

On February 14, 1942, Joseph S. Bednar of Souderton Pennsylvania sent a valentine card to Miss Faye Queber of Philadelphia Pennsylvania. The card is not remarkable when compared with the ornate script on this envelope. Joseph must have worked a very long time to address this for his sweetheart.

Miss Queber could be a decendant of Harry J. Queber and Margret Queber of Philadelphia. Be sure to look to Familyhistory.com for more about the Queber family. And for more Bednar (aka Beadner) links, check out GenForum.

1894 report on Eva Simmons

2006-12-26T21:39:00.000-05:00

1894 calling....in this old "Report of Deportment, Attendance, and Examination of Grades" for little Miss Eva Simmons. This old report card is 112 years old and was signed by Eva's father, Perry Simmons, as well as her teacher, Miss Addie Marble. She was a well educated girl, taking lessons even for physiology. A nice snapshot in time, culminating on May 10th, 1894, with the promotion of little Miss Eva Simmons to the 6th grade.

The School or area is not identified, but Dad collected most of his old paper in the Maryland, Delaware and Pennsylvania area. This past October, I listed another old Simmons relic (from Wyoming Delaware) right here on this blog, but I have not been able to discover if there was a Simmons connection here.

Merry Christmas

2006-12-21T19:55:00.000-05:00

Merry Christmas sent to Master Edgar Reed Ebersole probably around 1910 or so.
Another old postcard from the Maryland Delaware Pennsylvania area.

Christmas Cards from 1920's and older

2006-12-17T21:06:00.000-05:00

This is a classy old card sent by Janet Hibberd Davis. It's undated, but probably from 1920's or older. I have other old Christmas cards sent by Dr. John H. Girvin, Gertrude W. Ferguson, Isabelle Ewing, Alberta Marguerite Dean, Katharine E. Snyder, Katharine Adair Wilson, Elizabeth B. Vinyard, Helen Josephine Forrest, Lillian Allison Thompson, Hattie Brown, and others.

They were special to somebody and somebody treasured these old things for many years.

S. May Collins, Maryland Eastern Shore Farm

2006-12-13T20:40:00.000-05:00

S. May Collins

On March 29, 1895, little S. May Collins composed this short story of a summer vacation and titled it, "The Maryland Farm". The story is three pages long and chronicles the summer vacation of 4 children, Elmer, Fannie, Eva and Flo on their Grandparent's farm on the "Eastern coast of Maryland near a river". Sailing, rowing, bathing, and horseback riding were some of the things that she loved, and was obviously looking forward to for the summer of 1895. Although riding on the hay wagon was forbidden by Father, little May describes the ideal summer for a kid of any century.

This is the original, three page, hand-written story, still bound by a ribbon tied over 111 years ago, probably by little May Collins herself. A bit of her childhood preserved.

Learn more about the Collins family at GenForum or explore some more on Rootsweb.

Old Christmas Cards

2006-12-09T22:33:00.000-05:00

D. W. Kerr

Pastor David Wagner Kerr (1864 - 1941) ministered to a lot of people in a great many places. He sent this Christmas card in 1925 while he was Pastor at the Union Church in Tyringham Massachusetts.

This stylish old card was sent by Catharine Stoneback, but it's not dated.

Edith Diehl of Grand Junction Colorado sent this old Christmas Postcard to Mr. Isaac McCabe in Selbyville Delaware in 1920. Edith breaks some sad news about her Mother in the message on the reverse. Katharine Gassaway's art is featured on this lovely old card.

Showell Abbott of Milford Delaware

2006-12-08T22:22:00.000-05:00

Showell Abbott

An old report card belonging to Showell Abbott, signed by teacher Anna Hall, of the South Milford Public School, in Milford Delaware. This is probably from the late19th century or very early 20th century since the North (Kent County) and South (Sussex County) public schools were consolodated early in the 20th century.

Little Showell passed, in case you may be wondering.

You can see an earlier postshowing the baby-faced mug of George Richard Abbott of Milford, right here on Family Papers and Postcards.

C. F. J. Schaefer Co. card to William G. Abbott

2006-12-07T22:02:00.000-05:00

C. F. J. Schaefer Company

The Schaefer company sent this postcard from Philadelphia in 1913, in hopes of doing business with a Milford Delaware ship builder, William G. Abbott. Ship building was big business in Milford during this time period, and the William G. Abbott shipyard was the perhaps the greatest in lower Delaware. In 1917, the Abbott yard launched the 174 foot Albert F. Paul, a ship that sailed the seas until torpedoed by a German sub in World War II.

The photo shows Mr. C.F.J. Schaefer, whose business was located at 105 North Second Street in Philadelphia Pennsylvania.

Find more Schaefer history at GenForum or join in the Abbott discussion at Rootsweb.

Pvt. Peter Luzetsky, Fort George Meade MD

2006-12-05T20:27:00.000-05:00

Private Peter Luzetsky sent this card to Miss Elizabeth Crowgey on Elkton Maryland on March 28, 1943. He told her that he was with a "gang of Elkton Boys and that he is being shipped out to a different camp in a few days. He talks a little about his routine and asks her to pass a message along to the 40?? year class. The card was postmarked from Fort George Meade. This card features a print of the Division Service Club at Fort Meade.

Reverend Charles Leaman

2006-11-30T20:27:00.000-05:00

This is an old photograph of reverend Charles Leaman. On the reverse is also written "taken in Nanking China". This is a very large old cabinet card photo, mounted by Darmstaetters of Lancaster Pennsylvania. You can read more about the Leaman family at the Penn State Library. The Leaman family feature prominently in the history of Strasburg township and Paradise township area around Lancaster PA, and of course, Leaman Place.

I also have an old photo of Dr. and Mrs. Leaman and daughter Mary, taken around 1905.

See also, my photo of Henry Leaman in an earlier blog, or check out the discussion on GenForum.

Newlin Family of Wilmington Delaware

2006-11-27T20:32:00.000-05:00

These two old postcards were sent to Miss Phoebe Newlin at 11 E. Summit Avenue, in Wilmington Delaware. The top card was sent from Virginia Beach by "Little Susie" and mailed at a time when Phoebe was ill (July 1955). The bottom card was mailed from Rehoboth Beach (date unreadable) by Magie. As well as the Summit Ave. address, the address on this card included Ashley, Richardson Park. These two postcards are the newest of a set of 6 cards sent to the Newlin Family in Wilmington DE.

The other four cards were sent to Phebe Newlin, Miss E. May Newlin, Mrs Catharine Newlin and Mrs. Harry Newlin, all of Wilmington. Three are postmarked (1908, 1910, and 1914). These Newlins lived on 7th Street and on North Jackson Street. One card was also sent by a Wilmington Newlin, Mr. Nathan B. Newlin.

Visit Genforum for more about the Newlin Family. Rootsweb also has an active Newlin forum.

Ansonia Apartment Hotel in New York

2006-11-21T22:54:00.000-05:00

Here's a great old, undivided-back postcard mailed on August 27, 1906 .... over 100 years ago! It was mailed from Brooklyn, Coney Island Station, to Mrs. James Esterly in Reading PA. The card was published by the Stern Pub. of Brooklyn N.Y. It features the famous Ansonia Hotel, still standing today after all these years. This is an amazing old building.

As featured on eBay!

Babe Ruth lived here at one time. And this is the semi-spooky place where, "Don't Say a Word" was filmed. Learn more about this grand old building at Wikipedia.

Perry Street, Cape May New Jersey

2006-11-16T22:37:00.000-05:00

This is an old, unsent postcard published by the Albertype Co of Brooklyn New York. The street in old Cape May is shown unpaved. A sign on the house in the foreground has a sign that says "Mae Ville" or "Mae Villa". Do you recognize this scene? If so, please leave me a comment.

Miss Agnus Jenkins Woodside DE Christmas 1909

2006-11-16T21:17:00.000-05:00

Elizabeth Caulk mailed this Christmas postcard to her friend, Miss Agnes Jenkins, in Woodside Delaware. Agnes was the daughter of Phillip and Mary Jenkins of Woodside. Mary ran the old Jenkins Store (Reeds Store) on the other side of the railroad tracks in Woodside.

Mailed on December 23, 1909, this is a whisper from Christmas past.

The Christmas postcard below was also sent to Agnes Jenkins. This one was sent on December 23, 1907 (from Rosie) and features a cloth Santa. Note the American Flag in Santa's sack, and that he's being helped by angels, not elves.

This old postcard was mailed on November 20, 1906 from Felton Delaware to Glancy Jenkins in Woodside. I believe that Glancy was Agnes' brother. This postcard was mailed 100 years ago.... imagine.

Thanksgiving 1914, Pughe Family of Longmont CO

2006-11-09T20:40:00.000-05:00

The signature on this old card is hard to read, but it was most likely sent by daughter Mary (Drinkwater) to her parents in Longmont Colorado. The card was addressed to Mr. C. E. Pughe, who was most likely Charles E. Pughe of Longmont, and born in Aberystwytb Wales. Mr. and Mrs. Pughe's 7 children included Mrs. Coy Klingler (nee Edna Pughe), Will S, Mary Pugh Drinkwater, Frank Pughe (worked at the Denver Mint), Emma (living at home), George Arthur Pughe (attorney and State Legislator), and Edgar (who died when he was only eight months old). The card mentions Lucile, who was most likely Mary Drinkwater's daughter.

Mr. Pughe was a farmer and also in the mining business as Manager and Director of the Lynn Consolidated Mining Company. He came to America in 1866, shortly before his brother John Pughe, also a mining man. Their father was probably Tudor Pughe of Cardiganshire Wales, and their mother, Mary Morgan Pughe.

I have many old post cards from this family, most sent to Emma D. Pughe. In the history that I've been reading, their names are often spelled Pugh.

Can you hear them speaking ... talking to you from nearly a century ago?

George Weisensel, Magician

2006-11-06T20:44:00.000-05:00

George Lewis Weisensel was a Magician known as "Weisini". He was well known in his time for his "Splinter from the Hand" illusion where he asked a spectator to pull a small splinter from his hand... and what came out was a giant splinter, 7 inches long.

This post card and several others in my collection, were written by George to his wife Margaret (Peg) Weisensel. These post cards are from the 1920's through the 1950's. George must have spent a lot of time in hotel rooms, but he always sent Peg a note to let her know where he was. This particular card was mailed from the Rossi Motel Court in New Orleans in July 1954. One post card, mailed in 1933 from the Colonial Theater in Norfolk Virginia, was sent by William Tomlin (most likely Magician Tommy Tomlin) to George and Peg.

George, who was born in Rochester New York in 1898, became interested in Magic at the age of 15 when he saw the famous Houdini perform. George Weisensel was also a traveling dental salesman out of Baltimore Maryland when he was not performing magic.

Here is a great photo of George L. Weisensel from the Conjuring Arts Research Center.

Magicians. An amazing group of people, always with a story to tell. Thank you George, for sharing yours with me.

We're What?

2006-11-04T23:16:00.000-05:00

Here we have an old newspaper clipping of Your Delaware and Mine, date unknown; newspaper unknown. Bob Swain was the author of this piece, which was written on Columbus Day and described Henry Hudson's journey up the Delaware River in search of a short route to China. Obviously, this was back before the days of Google Earth and Mapquest.

In the style of the old Ripley's Believe it or Not, this little clipping has some juicy little tidbits of Delaware information . Now, I didn't go to school in Delaware, so these little factoids are all news to me. For instance, did you know that another nickname for Delaware is Uncle Sam's Pocket Handkerchief"? I looked on the State website and that nickname wasn't mentioned... I wonder why? I think that the nickname would look just swell on all the signs that greet you coming into the state.

The clipping also discloses that, In old Delaware a forger, if convicted, was sentenced to the pillory for one hour, after which his ears were cut off, and his nostrils slit in half! Ouch.

Interesting old facts about my adopted home state.

Wyoming Delaware Musical Prodigy ... 1900

2006-10-29T22:14:00.000-05:00

This old newspaper clipping is from February 12, 1900, but no telling what newspaper it was clipped from. The print shows little Miss Della E. Simmons, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William G. Simmons of Wyoming, Delaware. Little Della, as the clipping tells us, was a child prodigy with the violin. At only 4 1/2 years old, she began studying music under Miss Katharine Spencer of Dover, Delaware. By the age of 5, Della could play pieces that she had practiced but once, and made her solo debut before the Union Lodge, in the Hotel Richardson in Dover. "She astonished the Sons of Hiram".

I've not been able to find anything more about Della. Whatever happened to her and her violin? Would such a talent have simply faded into obscurity? Did she grow up, and did she continue to play? If you have a clue, please share it.

Join the search for the Simmons family on Genforum or at RootsWeb.

Wesley Junior College Concerts in Dover

2006-10-26T21:10:00.000-04:00

Earle Blakeslee was the guest soloist in the auditorium of the People's Church for this March 30, 1950 concert in Dover DE. The show was presented by Wesley Junior College Chorale. The back of the poster tells us a little about Mr. Blakeslee: A tenor of unusual warmth and charm, Earle Blakeslee combines a high degree of vocal ability with expert musicianship--and accomplishment which stands him in good stead in his dual role of singer and conductor of chorus and orchestra.

How about this one:

An old poster for the Spring Concert of April 16, 1948. Guest Soloist Floyd Worthington at the Capitol Theatre... presented by Wesley Junior College Choir and Glee Club.

Lots of opportunities for Dover folks to mingle and have a nice time.

Victorian Era Trade Card, Wilmington Delaware

2006-10-22T13:31:00.000-04:00

This old Wilmington DE trade card, a crisp, black and white lithograph printed by W.J. Morgan and Company of Ohio, dates from the 1880's. It was copyrighted in 1882 and the business is listed in the Wilmington City Directory dated 1889. Businesses handed these ads out and many folks collected them to put them into their scrap albums. Those Victorians loved their scrap books, but this old thing missed being pasted into an album, and both sides (front and reverse) are free from glue.

The Domestic Sewing Machine Company of Wilmington was located, of course, on Market Street (414 Market Street). You'll see in the Wilmington City Directory, that there were 3 other sewing machine stores on Market St. in 1889, Including Singer.

Here's the front of the card....

Follow my links for more historical paper from Wilmington:
Union Park Gardens Photo Album, 1940's
Young Bearded Wilmington Gentleman, 1880's
19th Century Wilmington Boys
Mammoth 5 Cent Store, Victorian Trade Card
Circa 1858 Wilmington Men
Unknown Wilmington Man
Circa 1858 Wilmington Women
1939 Wilmington Cowboys on WDEL
William Webb Pusey Photo, 1870
Mary Dunlap in 1903

Confederate Calvary Soldier

2006-10-18T22:02:00.000-04:00

A carte-de-visite taken at the Morse & Peaslee, Gallery of the Cumberland, No. 25 Cedar St., Nashville Tennessee. A very young soldier with two side-arms and a saber. A an actual Civil War relic. Who was he, what happened to him, what was his connection with the Maryland, Delaware area?

Union Park Gardens, Wilmington Delaware album

2006-10-12T21:59:00.000-04:00

I just discovered this old photo album from Wilmington Delaware, and here are a few photos that I pulled out and scanned. The woman who kept this album is pictured by her boyfriend/husband Joe in the long white coat. She is known only as "Me". Joe is also pictured often, first in that long white coat back in 1940, then in front of the DuPont, Wilmington Shops in 1943, then in uniform in 1943 just prior to going overseas, and then finally in France. There are no homecoming pictures... I hope those are in another album somewhere.

Three of the photos shown above were taken at the DuPont Wilmington Shops, and in fact, she has titled one of the photos as "Four Wilmington Shops Gals". That photo of the four women includes "Me", Eileen Kelleher, Irene Manista, and Jean Travis".

Violet Condiff is the lady pictured alone.

Other photos in the album show the women and their boyfriends and husbands, some taken in the Union Park Gardens neighborhood in Wilmington. Most of the fellows are in uniform, including Sailor Leonard sitting beside Mrs. Williams on the porch. Other names in the album include Larry Read (Reed?), Anne Santillo, Dorothy Mitchell (Dot), Rose Gravino and Dom (Dominic?), Mrs. Collison, Everett Swenson, Robert Dobois (Dubois), Mr. Tully, Mr. Taylor, Jack Maxwell, and Mrs. and Mr. Oesterle.

My parent's generation, the "Greatest Generation".

Derickson Family, Selbyville Delaware

2006-10-09T22:04:00.000-04:00

Here are 3 old postcards that were sent to the Derickson Family in Selbyville DE. Two of these pictured were sent to Mrs. N.M. Derickson and one to Mary E. Derickson.

Mr. Derickson must have worked on a ship, because one card in this collection was sent to him in care of the Schooner Mary B. Baird, in Jacksonville Florida. The sender originally mailed the card to Mayport FL, but that address was scratched out possibly because Mr. Derickson had already left for the next port. The new address also included (in care of) J.H.A. Hussey.

The postcard on the lower right is a "Carte Postale" and it features a print of Le Theatre Municipal in Saigon, Vietnam.

There are twelve old Derickson postcards in all, and they were mailed between 1909 and 1917.

Find your Derickson Family at Genforum.

Or try RootsWeb.

Whispers to Little Nell Hunnicutt, 1908, Athens GA

2006-10-08T23:10:00.000-04:00

Her big brother John Hunnicutt sent these postcards to "little Nell" during the period from October 1907 through April 1908. John was probably attending school in Baltimore, where the postcards were postmarked. There is no evidence of sibling rivalry at all in these sweet old cards from "devoted brother John". From John's tone, little Nell may have been ill. Nell's sister Sara also sent her a card from Baltimore. I can hear these old whispers from the past as clear as the day they were sent.

Nell lived at 325 Milledge Avenue in Athens, later known as the Hamilton-Hunnicutt House. Her brother John went on to become Dr. John A. Hunnicutt, Jr. He had graduated from the University of Georgia and graduated in medicine at Johns Hopkins University in 1911. Afterwards, he went back to Clarke County, and set up a general practice in Athens.

I also have some postcards to or from Eleanor Hunnicutt, Mary D. Hunnicutt, Martha Hunnicutt, Sarah Hunnicutt, and Nellie Grattan Hunnicutt.

Join the Hunnicutt discussion on Genforum.

Scene around Greensboro Maryland

2006-10-08T00:02:00.000-04:00

Donnie in Greensboro MD sent this postcard to his Grandmother, Mrs. Fulton Jones, on June 19, 1944. Mrs. Jones lived on Upton Street in Salisbury, Maryland, and I have seen a number of cards to her.

Greensboro is a nice old town in Caroline County Maryland, not too far from Dover, Delaware.

Learn more about the Jones Family at Genforum.

Mrs. Robert Potts, Newark Delaware, 1923

2006-10-06T21:37:00.000-04:00

Mary sent this old postcard to Mrs. Robert Potts, 323 E. Main St., Newark Delaware. The card is postmarked in Philadelphia Pennsylvania on October 4, 1923 and features the Lit Brothers Store in Phiadelphia.

Visit Genforum for more Potts family history.

Young, bearded gentleman, Wilmington DE

2006-10-04T22:01:00.000-04:00

I wanted to look distinguished. I wanted this photo to remind you of me. I believe that I pulled it off, don't you?

A cabinet card photo taken at the Holland Studio at 307 Market Street in Wilmington Delaware. The photographer, Thomas G. Holland, was listed in the 1889 Wilmington City Directory, but beyond that, I can't find out much about him.

More Wilmington Photos

Even More Wilmington Photos

A Wilmington Girl

Curry Studio Photos

Eliason Photo

Wilmington Delaware Pair

Site of Future Dover Post Office

2006-10-02T20:49:00.000-04:00

Pictured here is the Dover Hotel "Overlooking the Lake", Manager: George Takach, phone number, Dover 7481. This is a very nice old aerial view of Treadway Towers before the Lobby House patio, but that's not the only thing missing in this postcard view of Loockerman Street and Mirrow Lake.... the present day post office hadn't been built yet. Also, long before DNREC occupation, the old Richardson and Robbins Plant sits on the upper right side of the card just above the water tower.

My friend Bill Hill, who worked in the Richardson and Robbins building as the Chief of DNREC Enforcement, gave me this post card when he retired. Published by A. Ken Pfister of Dover, Delaware, this is one of my favorite postcards of Dover. Thanks Bill.

198th Coastal Artillery, Bethany Beach DE

2006-10-01T21:36:00.000-04:00

198th Coastal Artillery, Bethany Beach Delaware

A nice old postcard postmarked on August 6, 1932 and mailed to Miss Marie Rosengren in Hartly Delaware. The card was sent by Pvt. Clarence Courtney, Battery G of the 198th (the Kent County Battery). This could be the Clarence C. Courtney buried in Camden Delaware along with his wife, L. Virginia Courtney. The 198th was commanded by Col. George Schulz of Hartly during this time period.

Known later as the 945th in Kent County, and redesignated the 193d Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion.

Tyrone Pennsylvania, Women With Hats

2006-09-28T22:06:00.000-04:00

Daring trio of respectable Tyrone PA ladies, having a little fun, circa 1871 -1887. Photographed by the Stem and Smith studio of Tyrone. I actually visited Tyrone last week and found it to be a beautiful old town. I must have arrived during the rush hour because it sure was a busy place. We spotted the old YMCA, which looks like they're ready to either tear it down or start a major renovation. We also stopped in the library, which has a fantantic room dedicated to Tyrone history and genealogical research (Thank you Mrs. Smith).

I probably never would have seen Tyrone if not for all these old photos left behind by Dad. It was almost like he was riding with us on that trip.

For more Tyrone treasures, check out my other postings.

Check out the Tyrone Business Directory before phones.

Lewes Delaware and Rehoboth Beach too

2006-09-26T21:37:00.000-04:00

Just three nearly new/slightly old, postcards from Lewes and one 60's view of the boardwalk at Rehoboth. If you look closely, you call see Dolles up the walk, near the right hand side of the Rehoboth card. It looks a little different from the more recent version photographed by Mike Mahaffie on Mike's Musings, but an icon (minus the sign) nonetheless.

Shown also, the Zwaanendael House, the Methodist Church (a classic postcard view) and the Monument commemorating the settlement of the first Dutch colony in 1631.

Happy 375th Birthday, Lewes Delaware. You're still looking pretty good for 375. And you still have the best restaurants in the State as far as my amateur palate is concerned and (solemnly) I still name the Second Street Grille as the place that served me the best meal that I have ever eaten (except for those prepared by my lovely wife Cindy or old Mommy Hartman herself...of course).

R. C. Holmes Studio, Dover Delaware

2006-09-24T21:39:00.000-04:00

R.C. Holmes Studio

Here is an old photo taken by Russel C. Holmes and preserved in its original paper frame. The young lady in the photo may be a Jenkins family member. Folded behind the photo was a letter to Mrs. Jenkins of Woodside Delaware from the Viola Y.P.S.C.E. (Young People's Society for Christian Endeavor), H. P. Killen President. Found also behind the photo, 4 pages of charms, potions, and ways to predict just who a young woman would be marrying. The first charm is titled "The Nine Keys", and here is my translation... the writing is a little difficult to read:

Get nine small keys; they must all be your own by begging or purchase (borrowing will do), nor must you tell what your want them for; plant a three pl???ed band of your own hair, and tie them together fastening the ends with nine knots; fasten them with one of your garters to your left wrist on going to bed and bind the other garter around your head; then say St. Peter, take it not amiss, To try your favor I've done this; You are the ruler of the keys; favor one then if you please let me then your influence prove and see my dream and wedded love. This must be done on the eve of St. Peter and is an old charm used by the maidens of Rome in ancient times, who put great faith in it.

Now here is a potion for predicting your future mate:

Take a walnut, a hazelnut and a nutmeg; grate them together, and mix them with butter and sugar and make them up into small pills, of which exactly nine must be taken on going to bed, and according to your dreams, so will be the state of the person you will marry. If a gentleman your dream will be of riches, if a clergyman, of white linen; if a lawyer, of a darkness; if a tradesman, of odd noise and ?????; if a soldier or sailor, of thunder and lightning; if a servant, of rain.

(I'm not making-up that part about the lawyer)

There is also a potion for sleeping in a strange bed and one to know if a woman shall have the man she wishes. Hey don't start hollering at me, I'm as PC as the next guy. This is just old superstition....right?

The photographer, Russell C. Holmes, was a photographer here in Dover Delaware for nearly 50 years, opening his business way back in 1877 (after moving from Milford). Mr. Holmes studied under famed civil war photographer Mathew Brady.

If you can identfy this woman, please leave a comment.

For more Dover photos, click here............ and here .

Ellsworth Norris, Easton Maryland

2006-09-15T22:23:00.000-04:00

Mama must have just made these new breeches for little Ellsworth, and judging from the bored expression on the lad's face, little boy's attitudes concerning clothing have changed little in the last 100 years. Written on the reverse of this vintage photo is "Ellsworth Norris" (could be Ellsworth Morris) and "Easton Maryland". Another happy Delmarva tyke.

See the Norris Family discussions on GenForum.

And check out the history of Talbot County in Postcards. A great site!

Wilmington Delaware Boys

2006-09-14T23:19:00.000-04:00

These three young fellows in short pants were certainly posed awkwardly by the Beecher Studio in these old Cabinet Card photographs from around the turn of the (19th) century. That poor lad in the center is even partially covered by the curtain. These three may have been brothers or part of the same family. All three photos found together and all taken by the Beecher Studio at 315 Market Street in Wilmington DE.

The Abram P. Beecher studio is listed in the 1889 Wilmington City Directory

Richard Beaston, Tyrone PA

2006-09-12T21:46:00.000-04:00

Tyrone Pennsylvania

Looks like a creative toddler tried to colorize this old photo taken on August 31, 1921. On the reverse, an adult has stamped their mark... "Richard Beaston". The scene is of a lady feeding a small black bear. I still haven't figured out the Dover-Tyrone connection, but I'm still working on it. If you have any suggestions or clues, please be sure to leave a comment right here or send me an email.

Join the Beaston Family discussion at GenForum. Or read a short biography on USGENWEB.

Another old real photo postcard that I like to refer to as the Tyrone Tapper, and this one features a girl dancing. The photographer was W. H. Agnew of Tyrone Pennsylvania. This AZO postcard was printed sometime between 1918 and 1930.... I'd say this looks like it was the 1920's based on the syle.

W.H. Agnew shows up as an active citizen of Tyrone in the June 3, 1918, Tyrone Topics in the Altoona Tribune, Blair County, PA (as transcribed by Jessica Orr on Rootweb).

Mr. Agnew was also featured in Tyrone of Today, the 1897 Tyrone History by the Rev. W. H. Wilson.

For another look at Tyrone PA, check out the Basketball Champs.

Vane photograph, Dover Delaware

2006-09-11T21:49:00.000-04:00

J.H. Vane photograph

This unidentified lady was photographed by J. H. Vane, Photographer, Dover Delaware. This is another Dover ancester who is looking for her name, so please let me know if you recognize her.

The 1913 Farm Directory of Kent County lists a Druggist by the name of Harry Vane. His Drug Store was located on Loockerman Street and he owned a home at the corner of New and Reed Street. There may be a connection with J.H. Vane the photographer, although this photo looks much earlier than 1913.

Wilson Roe, Harrington Delaware

2006-09-10T19:54:00.000-04:00

On August 22, 1911, somebody in Atlantic City New Jersey sent this postcard to Mr. Wilson Roe in Harrington DE. It was 1911, so this couldn't have been too naughty, right? Frankly, I have no idea what it meant. The postcard must have been printed prior to 1907 because the reverse is undivided, a practice that stopped around that time.

The old post card below was mailed from Felton Delaware on February 21, 1911 by M. S. Melvin and it was sent to Mrs. Ira Roe of Harrington DE. Mrs. Melvin talks about her plans for coming down on the train for the funeral.

This Christmas postcard was sent to Lina Roe (could be Tina Roe) in Harrington Delaware. The sender was Rachel Cohee in Brooklyn New York, and the card is postmarked December 1910. Bring back the Christmas Postcard. I like the idea.

See another Roe postcard on an earlier posting from July 26th.

Henry Leaman

2006-09-10T13:07:00.000-04:00

Henry Leaman

This old cabinet card photograph was taken by the Gilbert & Bacon Studio (1030 Chestnut St. and 820 Arch Street, Philadelphia PA). On the reverse is written: "Henry Leaman 21 months" and sadly; "died when 4 years old". From the advertising on the reverse, I know that the photograph was taken sometime after 1886.

Another old photo from Dad's collection, most likely found here in Delaware or nearby Maryland or Pennsylvania.

I've also posted another Leaman photo showing Reverend Charles Leaman in China.

Click here for the Leaman discussion at GenForum.

Mammoth, Wilmington Delaware

2006-09-09T23:21:00.000-04:00

Wilmington Delaware trade card

Here is an old, Victorian era trade card from Wilmington DE. The card is for the Mammoth Five Cent Store at 221 Market Street in Wilmington. The victorians pasted these into scrapbooks... the 19th Century equivalent of a "favorites list".

Does anybody remember the Mammoth store?

John S. Cary

2006-09-08T23:48:00.000-04:00

John S. Cary

This is a nice old undated portrait of baby John S. Cary, Age 1 year, weight 29 lbs. Back when a fellow could wear a dress and get away with it... and yes, there is a photo of me at this age, wearing similar attire.

The studio and location are not identified, but this old thing probably originates in the Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania area. Lots and Lots of photos in Dad's old boxes from our First State.

There's tons of Cary discussion at GenForum.

Check out my Flickr Photos too.

Petite Wilmington Delaware photos

2006-09-07T21:33:00.000-04:00

Old Wilmington Delaware photos

These petite photos are only a little more than 1 1/2 by 3 inches but with excellent detail as was true with most photos of this time period. The unidentified young man was photographed at the studio of T. G. Holland at 307 Market Street. The young lady, as you can see, had her picture taken at the Cummings Gallery at 302 Market Street. Most of these Wilmington Delaware photographers were open for business on Market Street, it seems. The competition must have been fierce. Both Thomas G. Holland and J. R. Cummings were listed in the Wilmington City Directory in 1889. Mr. Cummings even had an ad on the page following his listing. It was no refrigerator magnet, but it musta been an attention grabber during the Victorian Era.

These were the days before chocolate phones, traffic cams and even before James Earl Jones (probably). Back in the day when a photograph was something to get dressed-up for. Its a shame that these old things lost their way, so if you suspect who they may be, please let me know.

Unidentified Wilmington Delaware Men

2006-09-04T11:54:00.000-04:00

Two Unidentified Wilmington DE Men

This old carte-de-visite was taken sometime between 1858 and 1869 at the A. P. Beecher studio in Wilmington Delaware. Two men in casual poses, smoking cigars and apparently out for a good time in Wilmingon. Those were the days.

Tommy Waller Savings Stamps, Seaford DE

2006-09-03T15:29:00.000-04:00

Tommy Waller, Seaford DE

Tommy A. Waller (possibly Thomas Waller), Middleford Road, Seaford Delaware saved up $3.40 worth of U.S. Savings Stamps in this old stamp album before he called it quits. Why Tommy, why did you stop saving and why didn't you cash in these stamp for the coin? Are you still out there somewhere?

Wallers on Genforum or find more Wallers at Rootsweb.

Staub Family, Seaford Delaware

2006-09-02T23:21:00.000-04:00

Staub, Seaford Delaware

Cousin Virginia (sitting) sent this old photo to Miss Laura Staub living in Seaford Delaware. This is a AZO real photo postcard published sometime around 1910. Also pictured is Rose Yanney (possibly Rose Yancey or Rose Yaucey). There is a short note from Virginia to Laura on the reverse.

See my other Staub photo while you're here, or check out the Staub discussions at Genforum. The Yancey Cousins United Website is a great resource for Yanney, Yancey surnames.

Wilmington Delaware Photo

2006-09-01T22:21:00.000-04:00

Wilmington Delaware man

This young fellow had his photo taken by A. N. Sanborn in Wilmington DE sometime between 1907 and 1918. You can see another Sanborn photo of a beautiful young, unidentified Wilmington lady on my earlier post. Or maybe you'll recognize the photos taken by the Curry studio in Wilmington.

Do you know who this Wilmington Delaware man is?

Bryn Zion Baptist Church, Kenton Delaware

2006-08-31T21:41:00.000-04:00

Brinzion Church, Kenton DE

This was actually the Bryn Zion Baptist Church of Kenton Delaware where Thomas Attix was buried in 1907 (later moved to Lakeside Cemetery in Dover Delaware). This is an unmailed postcard, with a note to "Glancy" (Glancy Jenkins of Woodside Delaware) from his grandmother. Glancy was the son of Mary Jenkins and Phillip Jenkins of Woodside DE, and this old card must be from around 1910 or so. Just how many postcards do you see featuring our very own Kenton Delaware.

Visit the Jenkins Family at Rootsweb. Or, see the Jenkins scrapbook on an earlier post on this blog. There's also some other Jenkins postcards here or even here.

Can You identify this Wilmington DE girl?

2006-08-30T22:13:00.000-04:00

Wilmington Maid

Another unidentified photo from the Wilmington Delaware studio of A. N. Sanborn, 404 Market Street. This studio was operated by first the father, Arthur N. Sanborn, and then the son, A. Nelson Sanborn. They didn't need to change the signs and stationary, you see. This is an AZO real photo postcard, printed sometime prior to 1918. A very pretty young lady in her best bonnet, but now in search of a name.

Find some Sanborn discussions at Rootsweb.

Staub Brothers Fruit Farm

2006-08-29T21:24:00.000-04:00

Staub Bros Fruit Farm

Three farm workers and a fliver full of Staub Fruit Farm produce ... maybe cider. This old truck looks to be just a notch or two above the wagon on the farm-vehicle evolutionary scale. The tires look like wagon wheels with a layer of rubber on them, and that has got to make for a bumpy ride. That jasper on the back barrel just might get shook loose if he doesn't hold on real tight. Last minute instructions from the boss man, and off they go into history and my blog.

If you recognize this farm, please let me know.

Check out the Maryland, Pennsylvania and New Jersey Staubs at Rootsweb.... or on Genforum.

Tyrone PA, Basketball Champs, 1915

2006-08-28T21:51:00.000-04:00

Basketball Champions

Tyrone Pennsylvania keeps turning up, and here we have the Basketball Champs of 1914 - 1915 in a photo taken at Holtzinger's Studio in Tyrone PA (Blair County). The photographer, J. H. Holtzinger appears in the 1897 history of Tyrone done by the Reverend W. H. Wilson ... The Tyrone of To-Day, Gateway to the Alleghanies.

Please contact me if you can identify this team.

Added September 6, 2006: I've learned from the Tyrone e-Cafe that the names of two of these gentlemen may be Sam Hayes Sr. (probably Samuel Hayes Sr.) on the far left and Jess Templeton, the big guy in back (3rd from the left). Thanks Robbuck!

Wilmington Marble & Granite Works

2006-08-26T22:25:00.000-04:00

Wilmington Delaware Marble Works

With a several cute kittens spilling out of a basket, this old Victorian Trade Card announced the Wilmington Marble and granite Works at 610 Market Street in Wilmington DE. The Works was established in 1848 and Chas E. Smith (Charles E. Smith) may have been the owner.

Trade cards were collected and usually pasted into scrap books, and this one is no exception. You can see the faint residue of glue on the reverse of this old lithograph. I'm sure the cats were meant to make this card more collectible, after all, who would want a print of a hunk of granite (apologies to my geologist friends). If you want to learn more from folks who take their minerals very seriously, check out the Stone Quarries and Beyond pages.

Vintage Loockerman Street, Dover Delaware

2006-08-25T23:05:00.000-04:00

Loockerman St. Dover DE

Loockerman Street is really busy in this 1929 print published by the Chamber of Commerce in Dover, Delaware. This photo was taken from the second floor of the post office, which once stood at the intersection of State Street and Loockerman Street. You can see the old Wise Pharmacy on the left and you can barely make out the location of the train station at the end of Loockerman St. Take a look at the print below to see the view of Loockerman looking east.

Yes, that is the old post office at the end of Loockerman Street. This Chamber of Commerce pamphlet was printed by Cann Brothers & Kindig, Inc. of Wilmington Delaware, and there are 20 or so other old Dover photos in here. If you have an interest in seeing any in particular, leave me a comment and I'll do my best to get it on the blog.

Mike Mahaffie shows us what it looks like today, and I think I prefer how it looks now. Since I work nearby, I do walk in this area several times a week, and I gotta tell you, Dover Hardware is my favorite hardware store on the planet. I love that place. If you want to be part of the legend, you'd better get down there and buy something pronto. The wrecking ball is headed their way, I am very sorry to say.

Curry Studio, Wilmington Delaware

2006-08-24T21:31:00.000-04:00

Wilmington Delaware

This is the same 19th Century Wilmington gentleman at different times in his life or possibly brothers who look remarkably alike. Is this anybody that you might recognize?

These two old carte-de-visite photographs were taken at the W.H. Curry studio at 414 Market Street in Wilmington DE sometime during the 1860's, judging from the mount and the address of the Curry studio, which started out at a different address, 309 Market Street. William H. Curry produced ambrotypes and photographs in Wilmington between 1859 until sometime in the late 1870's. Mr. Curry lived at 101 Poplar Street in the city.

Harry Walker, Clarksburg WV

2006-08-22T20:42:00.000-04:00

Meet Mr. Harry Walker of Clarksburg West Virginia. Here he is on this old, undivided-back, Real Photo Post Card, most likely snapped sometime between 1901 and 1907. Mr. Walker sent this to his cousin, Mr. W. S. Morris (probably W. Smith Morris) in Millville New Jersey with a little note on the front. Before 1907, the back of the post card was reserved just for the address. Many of these postcards left some white space on the front for the sender to write their message. This card was never postmarked, so it's likely that Harry inserted it into a letter to Cousin "Smith".

Find more Walkers on GenForum or at RootsWeb.

Check out the Morris discussion at RootsWeb.

Carlotta Eliason, Wilmington Delaware

2006-08-19T23:41:00.000-04:00

Carlotta Eliason

Actually, there are two names written on the reverse of this old photograph, Carlotta Eliason and also Ella Horsey, but I believe Carlotta may be the lady shown here. This is the first of two photos mounted in this manner and taken by the Bucher Studio at 720 Market Street in Wilmington Delaware. This photo is a little difficult for me to date because there is not much in the way of clothing syle visible and the photo is not your standard carte-de-visit, but there are some clues that point to the 1870's or 1880's, including the thickness of the mount and the beveled edges.

Both the Bucher Studio and a family of Eliason's were listed in the Wilmington City Directory of 1889.

Join the search for Eliasons at Genforum or check out the Eliason discussion at RootsWeb.

Irene Draper, Rally Day 1911

2006-08-18T19:05:00.000-04:00

Draper Rally

Another postcard mailed to Miss Irene Draper. See my previous post for more about Irene.

Mame Van Burkalow mailed this Rally Day postcard from Magnolia Delaware on October 3, 1911. The card announces a school Rally Day for October 8th, 1911 and says "We want every pupil present. Notify your friends and relatives. Let us have a rousing beginning of our winter work. Cordially yours, Mame VanBurkalow". Irene Draper was still in Asbury Park New Jersey, but Mame sent this to her there anyway, telling her, "...wish you were going to be with us..."

These days we don't have Rally Day postcards, but we know school is near when the TV ads begin to show school children leaping over buildings, dancing in the street, and jumping into swimming pools with their bookbags.

Mame Van Burkalow , 1865 - 1916, one of the Delaware Van Burkalows, now resting at Barratts Chapel with her husband Caleb. This surname itself has quite a bit of history behind it, originating from the name of Dutch town of Borculo, the Burkalow website tells me that at one time there were over 300 variations of the spelling of the surname taken from the village name of Borculo. Prior to immigrating to American and having their names changed to Borculo, Burkalow, Burklow, Barkalow, Barricklow, Bartlow, Barkelow and several hundred other misnomers by well-meaning civil servants (I can relate), the actual family name appears to have started out as Lubberdinck ... go figure.

Visit the Van Borculo family website.

There may be a connection here with the Stout Family of Magnolia Delaware. Joan Stout was photographed in Asbury Park, near where Irene was staying. See the photograph here.

Irene Draper, Magnolia Delaware

2006-08-16T20:58:00.000-04:00

Irene Draper, Magnolia DE

Greetings from Magnolia Delaware, part of Caroon Manor and formerly Millichop's Woods! I have several postcards to Miss Irene Draper of Magnolia Delaware. This particular card was mailed from Magnolia DE while Miss Draper was staying in Asbury Park, New Jersey, and soon after she had traveled to hear President Taft speak. This paper relic was mailed sometime around 1911, a long time prior to the housing boom in Magnolia. I wonder if Miss Irene may have been a descendant of Magnolia's Captain Thomas Draper, the man who bought the old Banning Church near Magnolia and moved it away to convert it into a barn. Captain Tom ... predecessor to Trashcan Dan?

Search for other Magnolia items at http://familypaper.blogspot.com/ , or join the Draper Discussion on GenForum.

See Irene's Rally Day Card from Mame VanBurkalow.

To Mabel Ballard from Mama

2006-08-15T16:24:00.000-04:00

Mabel Ballard

Her mother mailed this old postcard to little Mabel Ballard of Rockland Delaware way back in 1914. Mama was working very hard for a family in Worcester New York, and she was longing to see her daughter. A sweet old whisper from the past. The old card is postmarked from both Elsmere DE and Worcester NY

Learn more about the Ballard Family on GenForum. Or see the Ballard Family pages on RootsWeb.

Card to E.B. Morris in Milford DE

2006-08-13T22:09:00.000-04:00

E.B. Morris, Milford Delaware

This is an old card from the Golden Age of postcards and printed in Germany sometime between 1907 and World War I. It still has the message about Bowers Beach sent by M.L. Milman to Mrs E.B. Morris of Milford Delaware.

The card features the Fort Wyoming Monument at River Front Park in Wilkesbarre Pennsylvania. That looks like a nice summer day that they were enjoying.

Explore your Morris roots at RootsWeb.... or learn more about the Milmans on RootsWeb.

Postcard to Mrs O. W. Davis of Milford

2006-08-10T21:14:00.000-04:00

Here we have an old AZO, Real Photo Post Card published in the 1920's. It features the President Hall at Wilson College in Chambersburg Pennsylvania. Olive (probably Olive Davis of Milford) sent it to Mrs O.W. Davis of Milford on July 4, 192?. I believe that Olive was probably letting her mother know that she was going to be late getting home.

I have other Davis family postcards from this branch of Milford Delaware Davis', including Dorothy Davis, Orra Davis, Ora Davis, Olive Davis, O.B. Davis, William W. Davis and others. There are also a couple to Mrs Nick E. Davis and Mary Davis of Chestertown Maryland. These are all from 1911 through the early 1920's. Maybe you can sort them all out.... if you can, please let me know.

Be sure to read my other Davis Family Blogs from August 9th, and August 5th.

Join in the Davis discussion on Genforum. Or try your Davis luck on RootsWeb

Mr. O. W. Davis, Milford Delaware

2006-08-09T21:09:00.002-04:00

This old postcard was mailed to Mr. O.W. Davis in Milford Delaware from a patient at the Maryland State Sanatorium, Mr. J. William Salmon. Mr. Salmon said that he was improving slowly and asks Mr. Davis about the sawmill business. The card was mailed on November 16, 1922.

Genforum has some SalmonFamily discussion
Or join in the Davis discussion there as well.

This card is for sale on Wigix

Kent County Delaware Scrap Book

2006-08-06T21:16:00.000-04:00

Mary Jenkins Scraps

Here are ten pages of scraps collected by a member of the Jenkins or Reed family during the 1930's and early 1940's. The page above includes an article about Amos n' Andy (Freeman Fisher Gosden and Charles J. Correll) visiting President Hoover. There is a short article about the body of a Camden man, Alvin Marker, found in the asparagus patch of George Butler of Camden Wyoming Road (next to the old Quaker Meeting House). There is memorian for John G. Reed and a notice about the property of John D. Hawkins of Dover Delaware. The funeral rites for Miss Lizzie Buckingham of Bradford Street in Dover, who died February 14, 1937 are described. Also included, a short article about the tragic shooting death of Mrs. Annie Morrow of Felton Delaware.

The Reverend W. C. Buckson pastor of St. Pauls M.E. Church of Dover married Mrs Virginia Melvin of Dover and little Dorothea Cohee of Woodside was recovering from her injuries after being struck by a truck near the Woodside School. The P.W. Jenkins Store in Woodside was robbed by a pair of men from Philadelphia, allegedly Bill Robinson and Arthur Littlejohn. The case was advanced "following a grilling" by City Patrolman James Collins ( I hope he read them their rights). Mrs Emma Stewart of Viola died on April 11, 1940.

There are also a couple of quirky news-pieces, including one about Eunice Winstead Johns, a nine year old Sneedville Tennessee girl who wed Charlie Johns, a mountain man; one about Edward and Mrs Simpson; and a couple more about Amos and Andy. My favorite is a short story and photo of Barney the Cat. Barney's owner, Miss Frances M. Barney of Torresdale says that Barney the Cat, age 24, is the oldest cat in the county. Barney, who has had 173 kittens, attributes her longevity to Milk and Mice.

There is a print of a band showing Earl Shappell, Just Plain John, Brother Bob, Joe, Bobbie and Donnie (no it's not the Osmonds).

Somebody 70 or so years ago clipped these and posted them into a scrap book to treasure them for the remainder of their life. A touching brush with the past and with the goings on around Kent County.

Notices or articles on other pages concern Dr. Marcus W. Reed, Camden Druggist (formerly of Mr. Clair New Jersey), Theodore C. Warrington, Mr and Mrs Charles Poore of Clayton Delaware, Miss Helen Biddle, Mr. Francis Harrington, Mrs Mary H. Benson, Alfred G. Shahan of Woodside, Edith M. Minner, Mrs Barnard Jenkins, Roy Farrow of Woodside, Robert H. Reed of Dover, Miss Catherine Saunders of Woodside, John Lindale of Magnolia, Herman Schneider, and Linda Cox.

Join the discussion about historic Kent County on RootsWeb.

1918 message for O.W. Davis of Milford

2006-08-05T23:35:00.000-04:00

Camp Dix NJ

A card from a soldier very likely on his way to France to fight in World War I. This old postcard was mailed from Fort Dix Branch, Trenton New Jersey on May 9, 1918. It was sent by A. V. Foster, 309th F.A. (Field Artillery) Battery C. Foster mailed the card to Mr. O.W. Davis in Milford Delaware to inform him of his new address.

Over 9 Million soldiers died in Battles in what was known at the time as the Great War. The soldiers that returned had experienced a war like no other war before and they became known as the Lost Generation. In a final irony, the Great Influenza, the pandemic of 1918 killed more people than were killed during all of World War I. A.V. Foster was a member of this Lost Generation who mailed this postcard just as the first wave of the flu was striking military camps thoughout the United States.

Milford's connection to the Great War survives to this day. The Volunteer Fire Company was named in honor of Paris T. Carlisle, a Milford resident born in 1893 and killed in action in France on October 6, 1918. I wonder if Mr. Foster survived the war and the flu.

Minner & Welch Meat Market, Camden DE

2006-08-04T21:34:00.000-04:00

Minner & Welch

Here is one of the newest items on the blog and it's not exactly oven fresh. This 1948 Clover Farm Calendar features the Minner and Welch Sanitary Meat Market in Camden Delaware. The Sanitary Meat Market offered its customers fancy meat, groceries, and produce .... as well as Free Delivery! Just phone Bedford 4861.

Minner and Welch. Now those names are familiar around these parts.

There should be lots of Camden, Woodside, Dover folks who remember this place. Drag Grandma to the computer screen and see if this rings a bell with her. Then maybe you can tell us more about this place. They had nice calendars, thats one thing I do know.

If you are interested in old Camden Delaware, please see my Commerce Street Blog as well.

Unknown Smyrna Man

2006-08-03T21:29:00.000-04:00

Smyrna DE

This size of this old cabinet card photograph suggests that it was made following the Civil War, however the man's style of dress and grooming point to the latter part of the 19th century, perhaps as late as 1890. The photographer was "Bradford" in Smyrna Delaware. I've tried, but I can't find much at all about G.W. Bradford. Does anybody know what time period he (she?) operated the studio in Smyrna.

That is a wild bow tie, Mister. For more history about the origins of the bow tie, or instructions how to tie one on, you should check out Wikipedia.

If you are searching for more 19th Century Smyrna photos, please see my Smyrna Delaware blog entry from July 4th. You can see how Commerce Street looked to your granddaddy 100 years ago RIGHT HERE.

A Card to Mother

2006-08-01T21:35:00.000-04:00

This old postcard was postmarked in Rising Sun Maryland on September 18, 1924. Edna sent it to her mother, Mrs Lulu Boddy, in Conowingo, Cecil County Maryland. Edna tells her mother about her travel plans from Rising Sun to Perryville and mentions a fellow named John.

Back in the days when your "wireless plan" consisted of some one-cent Franklin postage stamps and a good supply of postcards.

The Boddy Forum at genealogy.com sure needs some Boddy discussion. Check it out.

Or take a look at the Boddy discussions on RootsWeb.

Jail or Prison Guards

2006-07-30T21:55:00.000-04:00

This is an old AZO Real Photo Post Card dating from sometime between 1904 to 1918. It was addressed to Mr. Fred Jackson in Centerville Delaware and has a short message on the reverse. This card was not stamped or postmarked, but probably enclosed in a letter, judging from the message.

The scene is an interesting one, featuring a group of guards pictured outside of a jail. You can see one prisoner looking through the bars on the window. The photo is most likely from the Delaware or Pennsylvania area.

I wonder if this could be the old Kent County Jail... the one used before the Morris Correctional Institute in Dover Delaware (now known as the Morris Community Correctional Center) was built. It is very likely that Frederick Jackson isn't around any longer to tell us, so if anyone recognizes anything about this old photo, please leave a comment or send me an email. Calling all Delaware Corrections Officers, how about a little help here?

If you are interested in finding out about the Jackson Family, check out Genforum.

Delaware Dentistry, 1880's

2006-07-28T22:40:00.000-04:00

Dr. Honeywell

This is a Victorian era trade card featuring painless dental procedures by Dr. Honeywell. Dr. E.C. Honeywell operated Dental Parlors in Wilmington Delaware, Philadelphia and Harrisburg Pennsylvania in the 1880's. In Wilmington, his parlor was located at 703 Market Street, the location of present day Cavanaugh's Resturant. You can find him listed in the 1889 Wilmington City directory, in the business section under Dentists.

Back in the 1880's you could get all your teeth pulled for free by Dr. Honeywell as long as you agreed to buy a good set of replacement teeth for just 5 dollars. Dr. Honeywell, who stayed open until 8 in the evening, would clean your teeth for just 75 cents and could fill a tooth for just 50 cents. Oh my... inflation has been cruel to us 21st century chewers considering the price for dental care these days. My dentist will probably read this so let me also say, "Hey Doc R... you're the best, and yes I recognize that there have been tremendous advances in your science since 1889 (see you in October)".

But getting back to this old trade card, doesn't "Dental Parlor" have a better sound to it than "dentist office". Not that it will lower those painful modern fees, but from now on I plan to refer to my dentist's office as the Dental Parlor. The Dental Parlor, I like that.