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Descendants of JOHN WELD
1. JOHN1 WELD was born in Long Melford Co., SFK, ENG, and died 1551. He married
ALICE (MNU).
2. THOMAS2 WELD (JOHN1) was born Bet. 1532 - 1535 in Sudbury, SFK, ENG, and
died 08 Apr 1597 in Sudbury, SFK, ENG. He married ALICE (MNU) WELD.
3. EDMUND3 WELD (THOMAS2, JOHN1) was born 1559 in Sudbury, Suffolk, England
(Source: "Weld Collections", by Charles Frederick Robinson p.21.),
and died 22 Jul 1608 in Sudbury, SFK, ENG (Source: "Weld Collections",
by Charles Frederick Robinson p.21.). He married (1) AMY BREWSTER CLARK 04
Jun 1584 in Houghton Conquest, BDF, ENG, daughter of FRANCIS CLARK. He married
(2) AMYE DERESLYE Bef. 1585 in Sudbury, SFK, ENG. Notes for DANIEL WELD:
Notes for EDMUND WELD:
Notes for BENJAMIN WELD:
4. THOMAS (REV.)4 WELD (EDMUND3, THOMAS2, JOHN1) was born 04 Jun 1589 in Sudbury, SFK, ENG, and died 23 Mar 1661/62 in London, ENG. He married (1) MARGARET (MNU) WELD. She died Bef. 16 Nov 1671 (Source: "Weld Collections", by Charles Frederick Robinson p.29.). He married (2) JUDITH (MNU) WELD ABT 1624 in Terling, Wrtham, ESS, ENG. She died 04 May 1656 in England (Source: "Weld Collections", by Charles Frederick Robinson p.29.). He married (3) MARGARET DERESLYE 1635. Notes for THOMAS (REV.) WELD: Thomas Weld matriculated as "pensioner" at Trinity College, Cambridge, in 1611, the registrar writing his name "Well." He took his B.A. in 1613, and his M.A. in 1618. He was ordained by the Bishop of Peterborough, deacon, 1 March, priest, 2 March, 1618/9. He became Vicar of Haverhill, Suffolk, and in 1624, of Terling, Essex. His entries in the Terling Parish Register begin 13 Feb. 1624/5, and close with an anticipated "April, 1632". He belonged to the Puritan party, then strong in Essex. Laud, on his accession to the bishopric of London, proceeded to cleanse the church of irregularities, and excommunicated Weld. As a minister, he seems to have been marked by directness and force of character, combining with religious zeal a good deal of that practical business ability that has so often marked the New England ecclesiastic. Weld's practical contribution to New England's welfare is seen in his support of education and literature. He was one of the founders of the Free School in Roxbury; and was active with other ministers in the establishment of the College in Cambridge, of which he was on the first managing committee, 20 Nov, 1637. He was a joint author with Eliot and Mather of the famous "Bay Psalm Book", the first hymn book to be published in America. Thomas Weld was not destined to remain in America even for one whole decade. The General Court of the Colony at its session of 2 Jun, 1641, resolved: "The Court doth entreat leave of the Church of Salem for Mr. Peters, of the church of Roxberry for Mr. Wells, and of the church of Boston for Mr. Hibbens, to go to England upon some weighty occasions for the good of the country as is conceived." It would seem that he left his children in this country, taking his wife with him. His son Thomas was by this time well established, and at least two of the others, John and Edmund, as well be seen, where studying at Harvard at later dates. He never returned, as the triumph of the Puritan party in the Civil War restored to him the privileges of the English ministry, and he secured a living at St. Mary's in Gateshead near Newcastle, County Durham, where he ended his days. Notes for JUDITH (MNU) WELD: Notes for JOHN WELD: iii. SAMUEL WELD, b. ABT 08 Oct 1629 (Source:
"Weld Collections", by Charles Frederick Robinson p.35.); d. died
young. Notes for DANIEL WELD: Generation No. 5 5. THOMAS5 WELD (THOMAS (REV.)4, EDMUND3, THOMAS2, JOHN1) was born in Terling (Source: "Weld Collections", by Charles Frederick Robinson p.35.), and died 17 Jan 1682/83 in Boston MA (Source: "Weld Collections", by Charles Frederick Robinson p.53.). He married DOROTHY WHITING 04 Jun 1650, daughter of SAMUAL WHITING. She was born ABT 1628 (Source: "Weld Collections", by Charles Frederick Robinson p.53.), and died 31 Jul 1694 in Roxbury MA (Source: "Weld Collections", by Charles Frederick Robinson p.53.). Notes for THOMAS WELD: He was one of the supporters and "foefees" of the Free School in Roxbury, or the Roxbury Latin School, as it later became. He was evidently a soldier in King Philip's War, for his name is listed among the soldier claimants of narrangansett, No. 5, now Bedford, NH, where his claim is presented by his son Edmund (Bodge, "Soldiers of King Philip's War" (Boston, 1906), p. 432) His will, dated 13 Jan., 1682, proved 6 Feb.,
1682.
6. EDMUND6 WELD (THOMAS5, THOMAS (REV.)4, EDMUND3, THOMAS2, JOHN1) was born 29 Sep 1659 in Roxbury MA (Source: "Weld Collections", by Charles Frederick Robinson p.54.), and died Bef. 14 Apr 1747. He married ELIZABETH WHITE, daughter of JOHN WHITE and ELIZABETH BOWLES. She was born 22 Mar 1666/67, and died 20 Dec 1721. Notes for EDMUND WELD: The records of his children's birth are somewhat deficient, and their order becomes somewhat uncertain, especially in the case of v and vi. From the will, however, we are able to place them about.
Notes for ELIAS PARKMAN: iii. JOHN WELD, b. ABT 1690.
7. EDMUND7 WELD (EDMUND6, THOMAS5, THOMAS (REV.)4, EDMUND3, THOMAS2, JOHN1) was born 23 Jun 1695 in Roxbury MA (Source: "Weld Collections", by Charles Frederick Robinson p.79.), and died Jul 1748 in Roxbury MA (Source: "Weld Collections", by Charles Frederick Robinson p.79.). He married CLEMENCE DORR 08 Jul 1725, daughter of EDWARD DORR and ELIZABETH HAWLEY. She was born 17 Jul 1700 (Source: "Weld Collections", by Charles Frederick Robinson p.21.). Notes for EDMUND WELD:
8. EDMUND8 WELD (EDMUND7, EDMUND6, THOMAS5, THOMAS (REV.)4, EDMUND3, THOMAS2, JOHN1) was born 12 Jan 1728/29 in Roxbury MA (Source: "Weld Collections", by Charles Frederick Robinson p.125.), and died in Roxbury MA (Source: "Weld Collections", by Charles Frederick Robinson p.125.). He married SARAH (MNU) WELD. She was born 1733, and died 12 Mar 1824 in Roxbury MA (Source: Roxbury VR II.662.). Notes for EDMUND WELD: Notes for CLEMENCE WELD:
10. EDMUND GRINDELL9 WELD (EDMUND8, EDMUND7, EDMUND6, THOMAS5, THOMAS (REV.)4, EDMUND3, THOMAS2, JOHN1) was born 12 Oct 1753 in Roxbury MA (Source: "Weld Collections", by Charles Frederick Robinson p.125.), and died Bef. 05 Apr 1796 in Roxbury MA (Source: "Weld Collections", by Charles Frederick Robinson p.125.). He married SARAH HARRIS. She died Aft. 1821. Notes for EDMUND GRINDELL WELD:
11. JAMES10 WELD (EDMUND GRINDELL9, EDMUND8, EDMUND7, EDMUND6, THOMAS5, THOMAS (REV.)4, EDMUND3, THOMAS2, JOHN1) was born 1768, and died 18 Jun 1867 in Roxbury MA. He married (1) ELEANOR WENDELL CUSHMAN (Source: (1) Boston VR which have been microfinched by Jay Mack Holbrook. Recorded in Vol 2 pg 414 of the Boston Marriages., (2) Historical and Biographical Genealogy of the Cushmans: The Desc. of Robt. Cushman, the Puritan, by H.W. Cushman, Boston: Little Brown, and Co. 1855.) 17 Feb 1811 in New North Church of Boston MA (Source: Historical and Biographical Genealogy of the Cushmans: The Desc. of Robt. Cushman, the Puritan, by H.W. Cushman, Boston: Little Brown, and Co. 1855.), daughter of ELKANAH CUSHMAN and SUSANNAH LATHROP. She was born 19 Aug 1793 (Source: Historical and Biographical Genealogy of the Cushmans: The Desc. of Robt. Cushman, the Puritan, by H.W. Cushman, Boston: Little Brown, and Co. 1855.), and died 18 Dec 1847 (Source: Historical and Biographical Genealogy of the Cushmans: The Desc. of Robt. Cushman, the Puritan, by H.W. Cushman, Boston: Little Brown, and Co. 1855.). He married (2) ISABELLA CUSHMAN (Source: Historical and Biographical Genealogy of the Cushmans: The Desc. of Robt. Cushman, the Puritan, by H.W. Cushman, Boston: Little Brown, and Co. 1855.) ABT 1849, daughter of ELKANAH CUSHMAN and SUSANNAH LATHROP. She was born 31 Mar 1801 in MA (Source: Historical and Biographical Genealogy of the Cushmans: The Desc. of Robt. Cushman, the Puritan, by H.W. Cushman, Boston: Little Brown, and Co. 1855.), and died 11 Jul 1877 in Linnfield, Essex Co., MA (Source: Death Registered in the Town of Lynnfield.). Notes for JAMES WELD: In the Index of Marriages in Massachusetts Centinel and Columbia Centinel 1784-1840 published by the American Antiquarian Society 1952 (Vol. II C-D under Cushman) it was found that Eleanor Cushman's marriage to James Weld was in Boston on the Sunday prior to the newspaper notice which appeared in the Columbia Centinel 20 Feb 1811. With the knowledge that the Weld - Cushman marriage was in Boston, I found it in Boston Vital Records which have been microfiched by Jay Mack Holbrook. It was recorded in Vol. 2 pg. 414 of the Boston Marriages. James Weld and Eleanor W Cushman were married 17 Feb 1811 by Revd. John Eliot. From Boston Churches and Ministers by John Hayward 1849 we find that Revd. John Eliot was pastor of New North Church (Unitarian). It is believed James first appears in the census in Boston in 1830. James Weld appears in 1840 in Dorchester and in 1850 he is in Roxbury (1850 US Census Film M432-330 pg. 122) . He is aged 62 and is a baker with an estate of $12,000. His wife Isabella Weld, aged 50, was born in Mass. living with him was twelve year old Charles Eaton who was in school and two domestics, Sarah Hammond, aged 40 and Elisha W. Cobb aged 50. Further research done by same source as listed above on Sept. 7, 1998 I my earlier letter to you I told you that I had found a James Weld in the 1850 census, but that I was unsure that he was yours as he had a wife Isabella. I speculated that he had remarried. I found a copy of that page (1850 US Census, Roxbury, Norfolk County, Massachusetts Film M432-330 pp. 122-123). James was aged 62 (born about 1788) and a Baker and his Real Estate was valued at $12000, a very rich estate in those days. Isabella was aged 50 (born about 1800). Just a few doors farther along the same street was the home of Ellen Cartwright, (born about 1815) aged 35, born in Massachusetts. Living with her were daughters Ellen, aged 16, Susan 14, Ann 12, Mary 3 and Sarah 8, and sons James 7, and Edmund 5, all born in Massachusetts. They also had two domestics, Mary and Delia White aged 20 & 18 respectively, born in Ireland. Also living with her were Samuel and Martha Eaton (23 & 22) who may have been related to Charles Eaton aged 12 seen in James' household. (They appear too young to be his parents). Proof of death of James was found in (Massachusetts Vital Records - Deaths 1867, vol. 203 pg. 264, Roxbury, Norfolk Co., Mass. ). James died 18 Jun 1867 in Roxbury aged 78 years, 7 months, 8 days. He was married and he died due to Old Age. He was a merchant and had been born in Roxbury, son of Edmund and Sarah Weld, both of Roxbury. Based on this new information I returned to the Weld Collections by Charles Frederick Robinson (1938) and found an Edmund Weld, a tanner, b. 12 Jan 1728/9, with a wife Sarah. He had eleven children, though none named James are listed and it is unlikely that he would have had a son as late as 1788. But he did have a son Edmund Grindell Weld, b. 12 Oct 1753 a "felt-monger." He would be the right age to be the father of James. Edmund Grindell Weld was b. in Roxbury 12 Oct 1753. He died before 5 Apr 1796, the date that his wife, Sarah, applies for the administration of his estate. Roxbury had just recently been set off as a part of Norfolk County. I have located this administration (Norfolk County Probate #19565 Roxbury 1796). An allowance was made to the widow but the estate was insolvent so there is no distribution to their children. The bondsmen to James' estate was Samuel Weld of Boston and John Harris of Boston. This suggests that Sarah may have been a Harris. Roxbury Vital Records lists no children for this couple, though he was sexton of the First Church of Roxbury. Dedham Courthouse has the will of James Weld of
Roxbury (Norfolk County Probate #19587 Roxbury 1867. Highlights of these records include; Edward S. Rand of Boston asked to be executor of the estate of James Weld of Roxbury who died 18 Jun 1867, leaving a widow, Isabella Weld and his only child and daughter, Ellen M. Cartwright, wife of John W. Cartwright of Nantucket. James Weld was a Baker. Mrs. Weld received $65 per month from the trust and C. E. Cartwright received a sum for "the board of Mrs. Cobb." Mrs. Cobb is not mentioned after Sep 2, 1874. I suspect that Mrs. Cobb is the sister of James Weld. The 1878 report names the children of Ellen M. Cartwright as "the only parties interested" in this trust. This suggests that Isabella died in 1877, probably in August (She received payment 5 July). Ellen must have also died before her as she is not named and her children are. In the Final report dated 13 Feb 1879, the children of "his [James Weld's] deceased daughter Ellen M. Cartwright" each receive a settlement from the trust amounting to $147.14. They were: John W. Cartwright, Ann E. Richardson, Sarah W. Galucia, Edmund G. W. Cartwright, Susan H. Folger, Mary S. Coffin, James W. Cartwright, Wallace F. Cartwright, Frederick H. Cartwright, Charles E. Cartwright, Frederick G. Cartwright, Annie M. Cartwright The last three in this list appear to be grandchildren of Ellen, children of her son Charles E. Cartwright. In the History of The Graveyards of Boston, by William H. Whitmore (1878) Benjamin Weld and his wife Nabby sold the Town of Boston a parcel of land to enlarge Copp's Hill burial ground on Hull Street. The 37th Lot in this new section went to James Weld who sold it to Phineas Capen, 23 May 1851. The Capen family was originally from Dorchester and James Weld had moved from Dorchester back to Roxbury by 1850. Boston Taxpayers in 1821 by Lewis Bunker Rohrbach (1988) shows James renting a shop in the Custom House, valued at $1,200 while he owns a Bake House in the Custom House valued at $2,300, and another shop in the Custom House valued at $100, also a building on Broad St. valued at $500, and a building on White Bread Street valued at $200. Clearly, James is a man of property. James' Mother was living in his property on White Bread Street and must have died after 1821. The widow Sarah Weld who died in Roxbury 12 Mar 1824 aged 91 (b. 1733) was probably the wife of the elder Edmund6 Weld, not Edmund Grindell Weld (Roxbury VR 11.662). The Town of Roxbury by Francis S. Drake (1878) tells us that Edmund Weld bequeath the Weld Estate to his son Edmund, being "part of the homestead and training field, and the land adjoining." This land was bounded by the present Moreland, Fairland, Greenville and Winthrop Streets and is in the Mount Pleasant section of Roxbury. Lastly, I went through Norfolk County Deeds for James Weld. He appears to have had extensive real estate dealings, primarily in Dorchester, both buying and selling and mortgaging and giving mortgages, over fifty deeds in all. His holdings are throughout Dorchester. Eleanor W. Weld released her dower rights on each sale up to 22 Jul 1847, when Ellen M. Cartwright witnesses her signature (suggesting that Eleanor was too ill to attend the signing herself). Ellen appears to have taken an active role in her father's ventures and often appears as a witness on his deeds. On 1 Aug 1848 James states that he "has no wife," and repeats that statement 2 Dec 1848 and on 14 Jun 1849, Isabella Weld signs off her dower rights on a deed. So, Eleanor died between 22 Jul 1847 and 1 Aug 1848 and he married Isabella between 2 Dec 1848 and 14 Jun 1849. James moved from Dorchester to Roxbury just after his wife's death. Source: Historical and Biographical Genealogy
of the Cushmans: The Desc. of Robt. Cushman, the Puritan, by H.W. Cushman,
Boston: Little Brown, and Co. 1855 p. 495 Notes for ISABELLA CUSHMAN: Source: Historical and Biographical Genealogy
of the Cushmans: The Desc. of Robt. Cushman, the Puritan, by H.W. Cushman,
Boston: Little Brown, and Co. 1855
12. ELLEN MARIA11 WELD (JAMES10, EDMUND GRINDELL9, EDMUND8, EDMUND7, EDMUND6, THOMAS5, THOMAS (REV.)4, EDMUND3, THOMAS2, JOHN1) was born 21 Aug 1814 in Roxbury, MA (Source: Place: Barney Genealogical Record, a 1594-page holograph document in the possession of the Nantucket Historical Assoc., considered to be the most accurate of any genealogical records of Nantucket now available. (1/1997)), and died 26 Apr 1873 in Roxbury MA. She married JOHN WILLIAM CARTWRIGHT, SR. 05 Jun 1832 in Nantucket, MA (Source: Nantucket Vital Records 3:180 ), son of CHARLES CARTWRIGHT and SUSAN HAYDEN. He was born 08 Sep 1812 in Roxbury, MA (Source: Nantucket Vital Records 1:179 & Barney Genealogical Record, a 1594-page holograph document in the possession of the Nantucket Historical Assoc., considered to be the most accurate of any genealogical records of Nantucket now available. (1/1997) ), and died 19 Feb 1869 in Nantucket, MA (Source: copy of Cert. of death Record #8.). Notes for ELLEN MARIA WELD: Research done by Certified Geneoligist, David T. Robertson, Genealogical Consultant & Family History Researcher, Telephone (617)- 479-3095, E Mail DTRobertson@Prodigy.net, P.O. Box 309, Quincy Center, Massachusetts 02269-0309, on August 23, 1998 Ellen Maria Weld was not born in Nantucket. In the book Vital Records of Nantucket she is the only Weld birth listed and following the entry is the source note "p.r.38" meaning private record 38. This record was the genealogical research of William C. Folger which was placed in the possession of the Nantucket Historical Association. The authors of Nantucket VRs noted "This compilation has been used because of the valuable clues it affords, but its statements should be received with caution, as it is not free from errors. It should be understood that in many instances the events recorded did not take place in Nantucket.." In fact I find evidence to doubt that Ellen ever lived on Nantucket. Her husband's family, the Cartwrights, did originate on Nantucket. It is possible that John W. Cartwright, Sr. was born there, though his birth record comes from the same source as his wife's. I found that their son John W. Cartwright Jr. also married a Boston woman, (Nantucket VR 179). Their daughter Ann Eliza married James H. Richardson of Boston, (Nantucket VR 177). Their son John W. married Mary J. Johnson of Boston, (Nantucket VR 179). This suggest to me that they lived in Boston not Nantucket.
This finding backs up other data he has that the 5 April 1832 date for the marriage in the Nantucket Vital Records 4:493 is wrong. John Jr. (his G Grandfather) was born 23 December 1832. Ellen Maria was two months pregnant when they were married. That explains why someone from a Boston Blueblood family was married by a JP rather than a minister. Marriage Notes for ELLEN WELD and JOHN CARTWRIGHT: Notes for JOHN W CARTWRIGHT, JR: Marriage Notes for JOHN CARTWRIGHT and MARY JOHNSTON: ii. ELLEN M CARTWRIGHT, b. 25 Nov 1834, Nantucket,
MA (Source: Barney Genealogical Record, a 1594-page holograph document in
the possession of the Nantucket Historical Assoc., considered to be the most
accurate of any genealogical records of Nantucket now available. (1/1997));
d. 04 Apr 1877, Nantucket, MA; m. HENRY L JONES; b. of Boston. Notes for JAMES W CARTWRIGHT: viii. EDMUND G W CARTWRIGHT, b. 27 Aug 1844, Nantucket, MA (Source: Barney Genealogical Record, a 1594-page holograph document in the possession of the Nantucket Historical Assoc., considered to be the most accurate of any genealogical records of Nantucket now available. (1/1997)); m. CATHARINE (KATE) MCCOY, 1865 (Source: Barney Genealogical Record, a 1594-page holograph document in the possession of the Nantucket Historical Assoc., considered to be the most accurate of any genealogical records of Nantucket now available. (1/1997)); b. Of Salem, MA. Notes for EDMUND G W CARTWRIGHT: ix. GEORGE FREDERICK CARTWRIGHT, b. 05 Feb 1846;
d. 08 Feb 1846.
13. CHARLES E.12 CARTWRIGHT (ELLEN MARIA11 WELD,
JAMES10, EDMUND GRINDELL9, EDMUND8, EDMUND7, EDMUND6, THOMAS5, THOMAS (REV.)4,
EDMUND3, THOMAS2, JOHN1) was born 14 Mar 1839 in Nantucket, MA (Source: Barney
Genealogical Record, a 1594-page holograph document in the possession of the
Nantucket Historical Assoc., considered to be the most accurate of any genealogical
records of Nantucket now available. (1/1997)), and died 19 Mar 1877 in Nantucket,
MA. He married ELVIRA O BRADWATER. She was born in of VA.
Notes for MARY STARBUCK CARTWRIGHT: Notes for GEORGE WILLIAM COFFIN: He was appointed as an acting midshipman from MA. He rose steadily and was commissioned a Captain on September 27, 1893. In 1863, he was assigned to the Sloop Ticonderoga. He served in 1864/65 in both attacks on Fort Fisher, being wounded in the ground assault. In 1884 he commanded the Rtr. ALERT of the Greeley Relief Expidition under Schley. He retired in 1897 because of ill health. The following is from a letter attached to George
William Coffin's portrait, Perhaps his Obituary, Portrait currently owned
by Langley Hoge Kenzie (1/1/94): Entering the U.S. Naval Academy in 1860 he was graduated and commissioned an ensign in 1863 and assigned to the steam sloop "Ticonderoga" of the North Atlantic blockading squadron in which he served until the end of the Civil War, participating in all actions in which that vessel took part. He was severely wounded in the land assault on Fort Fisher, North Carolina, but continued in command of his men until the Blue Jackets were withdrawn. For conspicuous bravery on this occasion he was especially commended in dispatches, and by a special act of congress was given a medal and the thanks of Congress and was advanced 30 numbers in grade. He was promoted to Master and Lieutenant in 1866, to Lieutenant Commander in 1868, to Commander in 1878, and to Captain in 1893. After the Civil War he served on the "Shawmut" on the Brazilian Station 1866-67, on the "Franklin", Admiral Farrauut's flagship on the Mediterranean Station 1867-68, and at the U.S. Naval Academy 1868-69. In 1870 he was made Chief of Staff of the North American Fleet. He commanded several ships both on the east and west coasts and in foreign waters. In 1884 he answered the request of the Navy Department to volunteer for the relief expedition under Admiral Winfield Scott Schley to go to the Arctic in search of Lieutenant Adolphus W. Greely and his party. He was placed in command of the "Alert", lent to the U.S. Government by Queen Victoria, one of the three vessels to make up the expedition. The exigencies of this command required him at one period to spend seventy-two hours in the crow's nest look-out and the leg which had sustained the wound during the Civil War became frost-bitten. This was a source of continued trouble to him and was a partial reason for his eventual retirement. In 1886 he was again on duty in the Mediterranean and upon his return was made chief of the Lighthouse Division which was then under the Navy. Upon the death of his wife he requested a return to sea duty. In 1895 he took the cruiser "Charleston" to the Pacific, making official records of the waters of Manila Bay. These were filed with the Navy Department and given to Admiral Dewey and used by him (together with a personal letter from Captain Coffin who had been a classmate and close friend) in navigation at The Battle of Manila. Due to ill health Captain Coffin was placed on the retired list in 1897, but on the outbreak of the Spanish-American War he applied, against advice, for active duty and was placed in charge of the 12th Lighthouse District. Captain Coffin designed and patented a novel safety keel made of wood and steel for use on Navy and other vessels to protect them from damage in the event of running aground. It was first used on the Lighthouse Service Cutter "Columbine". He was a companion of the California Commandery of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States, and a member of the Army and Navy Club of Washington, D.C., Bohemian Club of San Francisco, and the Yokohama (Japan) Club, where he resided after his retirement from the Navy, and where his son-in-law, Medical Inspector Frank Anderson, U.S. Navy was in charge of the Naval Hospital. Captain Coffin was a brave and efficient officer, devoted to the service of his country, able in the performance of duty and highly esteemed by his fellow officers and superiors. He was a man of cheerful good nature and deep felling, and had many warm friends. He was married at Nantucket, Mass., December 18, 1866, to Mary Starbuck Cartwright, daughter of John Cartwright, of Boston, Mass., and had a daughter, Eleanor Calder Coffin, wife of Dr. Frank Anderson, U.S. Navy, and two grand-daughters, Dorthy Morgan and Eleanor Anderson. He died at Yokohama, Japan, June 15, 1899. He requested that his ashes be placed beside his wife in Oak Hill Cemetery, Georgetown, D.C. instead of at Arlington National Cemetery, and this was done.
THE GREELY RELIEF EXPEDITION The third relief party, which proposes to attempt the rescue of Lieutenant A. W. Greely and followers, is now in readiness for departure at the Brooklyn Navy-yard. This is the most powerfully equipped expedition which has as yet been organized for exploration in the arctic regions. Commander W. S. Schley, in charge, has had the wealth of experience, failure, and disaster of the many previous expeditions on which to base a plan of extraordinary preparation. The crushed ships, the unknown, unmarked graves, the frozen dead, and the mourners of all nations are specters which rise to demand that every emergency shall be met. The inceptive theory held that for arctic exploration ships constructed especially for such service were necessary. Hence the purchase of two vessels built at Dundee, Scotland-the Bear, a sealing, and the Thetis, a whaling steamer, in addition to the steamer Alert presented by England. So nearly alike are these vessels that each approximates 210 feet in length over all, 30 feet in breadth, 19 feet in depth, and a tonnage of 490 tons. A slight dissimilarity in appearance is caused by the Bear having her machinery and smoke-stack well forward, and the Thetis hers well aft. When these steamers arrive their previous service was instanced in their oily, fishy odors, greasy wood-work, foul holds, and unpainted and begrimed appearance. A swarm of laborers relieved the dreary evidences of rough usage. The Construction Department of the navy formulated plans to thoroughly overhaul the hulls, strengthen the strong parts, and make strong the weak ones. The Engineer Department undertook an examination of every bolt and part of the machinery and running gear. The Ordnance and Storage departments looked after the magazines and stores. It will be remembered that the Jeannette was crushed in the ice like a mere egg-shell. To prevent such a possibility the present vessels received extra hold beams braced diagonally with seventeen sets of braces. These braces run from the hold beams diagonally down to the turned bulge on either side of the vessel. The forward holds have been divided by collision or watertight bulk-heads. Forward of these, under the berth-decks, are ponderous beams. By the means of eleven sets of hooks and two of pointers, running from the berth deck beams to the throat-lines and keelsons, the force of the ice received forward is transmitted to the berth-deck beams themselves. The stems and forward dead-woods have an enormous thickness of six and a half feet of timber. The hold and main-deck beams are supported from the top of the keelsons by hold and between-deck stanchions of oak. Thus the force of the ice received on the bottoms is transmitted clear to the decks. Besides this, the bottoms have eight inches of planking, one foot of floor timber, seventeen inches of keelson, and ten inches of keel, making the great total thickness of four feet lacking one inch. The vessels are double-planked with green heart six feet above and six feet below water. These arrangements are regarded as proof presumptive that there is no possibility of crushing by ice. Yet it will seem that the vessels are not strengthened aft, particularly where the magazines and medical stores are placed in the bulk-heads, and where an ice-floe is as liable to operate as elsewhere. These vessels have an approximate light draught of ten feet, and a low draught of seventeen feet, allowing five feet free board. Their light displacement is 850 tons, low displacement 1560 tons, and a displacement available for cargo of about 700 tons each. The living arrangements for officers and crews are in innovation on standard methods. The cabins were torn out. State-rooms were reserved only for captains and ice pilots. There is a single room for the officers on either vessel, surrounded by berths. By this means there is and economy of fuel, and better heating for all. For the crews is a house on each vessel's deck, extending forty-one feet back from the forecastle, with room for thirty seamen in each. The houses are water-tight, and protected from the weather by two thicknesses of sheeting, with a thick layer of felt between. The bulk-heads are divided into magazine and medical storage compartments. The former contain in each 2000 pounds of blasting powder, 1000 pounds of gun-cotton, thirty rifles and sporting pieces, a harpoon gun for walrus and other large game, and necessary ammunition. The experience of arctic expeditions has been that to the ordinary foods of the sailor is largely due to disease of scurvy, discontent, and melancholy. A remarkable feature of the present expedition is its immense stores of foods of every possible variety, delicacy, and nutritive value. From a volume indexing one hundred and seventy-five tons of food a few samples may be mentioned in pounds: 101,920 of bread in tins; 25,480 of barley, oatmeal, Samp, and split pease; 7280 of rice; 3640 each of corn meal and buck-wheat; 911 each of vermicelli and macaroni; 450 each of cornstarch, tapioca, and farina; 228 of arrowroot; 600 of baking powder; 3640 each of sugar cakes and French compressed vegetables; 14,560 of fried potatoes; 36,700 of salt pork; 21,480 of bacon; 1840 each of sauces, pig jowl, hoc, etc.; 29,120 of salt beef; 911 of smoked beef; 3640 of beef tongue smoked; 14,520 each of raw and cooked hams and canned beef; 95,000 of canned stuffs; 7280 of canned mutton; 1820 each of fried oysters, raw oysters, mackerel, and salmon; 911 each of sardines and Liebig's extracts; 545 each of cabbage and sour-krout; 457 of Bologna sausage; 1820 of soup stuff; 3640 of half-pickled onions; 600 of sauces; 112 of garlic; 7280 of tomatoes; 1820 of plum-pudding; 1400 of prepared pumpkin; 3600 of mince-meat; 1800 each of apple-butter, raisins, butter, compressed tea, chocolate, nuts, etc.; 5000 each of cheese and lard; 300 each of mustard and spice; 400 of olive oil; 1300 of dried herbs; 100 of flavoring extracts; 4200 of lime juice; 30,000 of pemmican; 1820 gallons of beans; 911 gallons each of green pease, Lima beans, and corn; and hundreds of other items. It is urged as a further excuse for this extraordinary array of eatables that the Esquimaux use no money, and much of this food will be bartered for information, services, etc. In the matter of clothing the preparations have been as elaborate as in foods. Indeed, it would seem impossible for one to walk under the burdens imposed. There are five hundred pairs of seal skin boots for sledging parties. These are made of skins of the hair seal, extend to the knee, are lined with wool, and have leather soles. They are also provided with in-soles. The hose is very long and heavy, extending above the knee, of red color. The under-wear is of extra heavy flannel, the wrappers being double and long. There are Jerseys of the heaviest quality. There are hoods of wool with capes, which have but small openings for the face. Accompanying these are wool mittens and wristlets. This is but the beginning of the costume. Next come oogjood-skin jackets to be cut and fitted as needed. There are sou'westers, or oil-skin suits, for damp weather; wool mufflers; heavy-grain leather boots; arctic overshoes reaching to the knee; rubber sandals with bottoms on them like a rubber door mat. In addition is all the regular line of clothing, from a pea-jacket down, that is worn by the sailor. Fifteen hundred rein-deer skin were converted into trousers, jackets, and hoods. There are blanket in-soles of three thicknesses of blanket and one of canvas; foot-nips of felt, made like a stocking , and reaching about to the ankle. All of the clothing is securely packed in bales, covered with enameled cloth, and having the seams covered with white lead. One trouble heretofore has been with eyes. There are cases of freezing, and of blinding by the reflection of the sun on the ice and snow. To obviate this, goggles of every description are provided, with wire screens and eye shields. Each vessel is provided with numerous small boats. On the starboard side is a steam ironclad launch, strongly built. There are two iceboats, which may be sailed on ice or in water, or drawn by hand or by dogs as sledges. Each ship has four whale-boats, for escape or other purpose. They are fitted with sails and oars, and have stanchions for the weather side to protect the occupants from the water. There are small sledges to be drawn by hand, and larger ones to be drawn by dogs, with which the expedition will be thoroughly provided. The dogs and Esquimaux interpreters will be shipped at Newfoundland. The engines were thoroughly overhauled. They have 300 horse-power each, a speed of nine knots, and a capacity for ten tons of coal per day. There are powerful steam-pumps and ejectors to relieve the holds in case of leak. The improved distilling apparatus is fitted in such a way that no circulation of water is required, but cold air will act in its place. By means of these machines a plentiful supply of fresh-water will be secured. The Brooklyn Navy-yard has sent forth and equipped the expeditions of Grinnell (the first American expedition after Franklin), Kane, the Polaris, the Tigress, and others. None of these had anything like the equipment of the Greely relief expedition number three. It is only to be regretted that Lieutenant Greely was not so well prepared, that he might to-day be quietly resting on the honors won in the arctic regius. Was a Sea Captain. (Capt. USN) Thanks of Congress for conspicuous bravery. Severely wounded in assault on Ft. Fisher. Commanded ALERT in 1884 Expedition to Rescue Greely in Arctic.
In St. Peter's Chapel on Mare Island Naval Shipyard a Vallejo, California is a Tiffany window dedicated to George W. Coffin, who had a variable and notable career from his graduation from the Naval Academy in 1863 until his retirement due to ill health in 1897, two years prior to his death in 1899 at Yokohama Japan. In addition to serving his country on land and sea as a naval officer, Captain Coffin designed and patented a novel safety keel made of wood and steel for use on Navy and other vessels to protect them from damage in the event of running aground. This keel was first used on the Lighthouse Service Cutter COLUMBINE. George William Coffin was appointed from Massachusetts to the U. S. Naval Academy 20 Sep 1860 and was graduated and commissioned an ensign on 1 Oct 1863. He was assigned to the steam sloop TICONDEROGA of the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron in which he served until the end of the Civil War. He participated in both assaults on Fort Fisher North Carolina and was severely wounded by a minieball in the right leg during the land assault on Fort Fisher. He continued in command of his men until the unit was withdrawn from the action. George W. Coffin was highly commended for conspicuous bravery and was advanced 30 numbers in grade by a special act of Congress. Coffin was promoted to Master and Lieutenant 25 Jul 1866 and assigned to the steamer SHAWMUT of the Brazil Squadron. In 1867 he was assigned to the steam frigate FRANKLIN, Admiral Farragut's flagship on the Mediterranean Station of the European Squadron. Lieutenant George Coffin was promoted to Lieutenant Commander 12 Mar 1868 and assigned to the U. S. Naval Academy. In 1870 Lt. Commander Coffin was Chief of Staff of the North Atlantic Fleet. He served in this capacity until 1871 when he was assigned to command the gunnery ship CONSTELLATION. In 1873 he was assigned to the Naval Academy where he served through 1874. He commanded the PLYMOUTH on the North Atlantic Station in 1875, the HARTFORD, flagship of the North Atlantic Station in 1875-6, the HASSLER of the Coast Survey 1876-8. George was promoted to Commander in 1878 and he served as Light House Inspector in 1881-4. "In 1884 he answered the request of the Navy Department to volunteer for the relief expedition under Admiral Winfield Scott Schley to go to the Arctic in search of Lieutenant Adolphus W. Greely and his party. He was placed in command of the ALBERT lent to the United States Government by Queen Victoria, one of the three vessels to make up the expedition. The exigencies of this command required him at one period to spend 72 hours in the crow's nest look-out and the leg which had sustained the wound during the Civil War became frostbitten. This was a source of continued trouble to him and was a partial reason for his eventual retirement." This was the third relief party sent by the Government to rescue the American Arctic explorer and his party of 25 who had been sent to establish a series of Polar stations in the Arctic regions. They had reached 83 degrees 24 minutes, the farthest north anyone had reached at that time and discovered land north of Greenland. By the time they were rescued by the third relief party of Captain Schley they had crossed Grinnell Land to the Polar Sea, suffering the utmost privations until starvation had reduced their number to seven, Greely being one. In 1886 and 1887 he was again on duty in the Mediterranean Squadron commanding the steamer QUINNEBAUG. He was again a Light House inspector in 1898-9 and was Secretary of the Light House Board from 1889 to Nov 1892. Commander Coffin was on leave of absence from 1892 until 1894. After his wife died in 1893 he requested a return
to sea duty. Captain Coffin was placed on the retired list in 1897 due to ill health, but on the outbreak of the Spanish American War he applied, against advice, for active duty and was placed in charge of the 12th Light House District. George William Coffin, son of Francis Chase and Emeline (Wyer) Coffin, was born at Nantucket MA 23 December 1845 and died 15 June 1899 at Yokohama Japan where he had been living near his daughter and her husband, Naval Inspector Frank Anderson who was at the time in charge of the Naval hospital there. At his request his ashes were placed beside his wife in Oak Hill Cemetery at Georgetown, DC rather than in Arlington National Cemetery. At the age of 10 years George's father died in South America and at 13 his mother died. On 20 Jul 1858 his older brother, Francis E. Coffin and Timothy W. Calder were appointed guardians of George William Coffin, minor child of Francis C. and Emeline Coffin, both deceased. He married 18 Dec 1866 at Nantucket to Mary Starbuck Cartwright, daughter of John W. and Ellen Maria (Weld) Cartwright of Boston. They had a daughter Eleanor Calder Coffin born 30 Oct 1868 and a son George born 24 Jun 1869. Eleanor married 17 Jun 1886 Frank Anderson. We have no record of his son George after the birth recorded in the Nantucket town records. Eleanora was baptized at the Nantucket Episcopal Church 10 Jul 1870 and George, who would be a year old, was not. So it appears that George was deceased in his first year. The following information was obtained from THE RECORDS OF LIVING OFFICERS OF THE U.S. NAVY AND MARINE CORPS, Fifth Edition, revised, with Numerous Additions. It was published in Philadelphia: L.R. Hamersly & Co. in 1894, and was sent to me (Mrs. Sue Lemmon) from the Naval History Center, Washington, D.C. George W. Coffin.--- Born in Massachusetts. Appointed from Massachusetts, September 20, 1860; Naval Academy, 1860-3. Promoted to Ensign, October 1, 1863; steam-sloop "Ticonderoga," North Atlantic Blockading Squadron, 1864-5; both attacks on Fort Fisher; wounded by a Minie'ball in right leg at land assault on Fort Fisher; steamer "Shawmut," Brazil Squadron, 1866. Commissioned as Lieutenant, July 25, 1866; steam-frigate "Franklin," European Squadron, 1867-8. Commissioned as Lieutenant Commander, March 12, 1868; Naval Academy, 1868-9; Chief-of-Staff, S.S. of North Atlantic Fleet, 1870-1; "Constellation" (gunnery-ship), 1871-2; Naval Academy, 1873-4; "Plymouth," North Atlantic Station, 1875; "Hartford." Flag-ship, North Atlantic Station, 1875-6; Coast Survey (commanding "Hassler"), 1876-8. Promoted to Commander, November, 1878; Light-House Inspector, 1881-4; ordnance duty, Navy Yard, New York, 1884-6; commanding steamer "Alert," Greely Relief Expedition, 1884; commanding steamer "Quinnebaug," Mediterranean Squadron, 1886-7; Light-house Inspector, 1888-9; Secretary Light-House Board, 1889, to November 1892; leave of absence, November. 1892, to Source: "The National Cyclopedia" Vol. XXIX, by James T. White & Co 1941 COFFIN, George William, naval officer, was born at Nantucket, Mass., Dec. 23, 1845, son of Francis C. and Emeline (Wyer) Coffin. Tristram Coffin (q.v.), his first paternal American ancestor, was one of the first settlers of Nantucket Island, the descent from him and his wife Dionis Stevens being through James and Mary (Severance) Coffin; John and Hope (Gardner) Coffin; Richard and Ruth (Bunker) Coffin; Richard and Mary (Starbuck) Coffin, and Charles and Miriam (Parker) Coffin, the grandparents of George W. Coffin. Entering the U.S. naval academy in 1860, he was graduated and commissioned an ensign in 1863 and assigned to the steam sloop "Ticonderoga" of the North Atlantic blockading squadron, in which he served until the end of the Civil war, participating in all actions in which that vessel took part. He was severely wounded in the land assault on Ft. Fischer, N. C., but continued in command of his men until the blue jackets were withdrawn. For conspicuous bravery on this occasion he was especially commended in dispatches and by a special act of congress was given the thanks of congress and advanced thirty numbers in grade. He was promoted to master and lieutenant in 1866, to lieutenant commander in 1868, to commander in 1878 and to captain in 1893. After the Civil war he served in the "Shawmut" on the Brazilian station, 1867-68, and at the U.S. naval academy 1868-69. In 1870-71 he was chief of staff of the North Atlantic fleet. He commanded several ships of the navy in home and foreign waters and in 1884 was in command of the "Alert", a vessel lent to the U.S. government by Queen Victoria of England, which he took to the Arctic as one of the ships of the Greely relief expedition under Com. Winfield Scott Schley (q.v.). Because of ill health he was placed on the retired list in 1897 but on the outbreak of the Spanish-American war he applied for active duty and was placed in charge of the 12th lighthouse district. Coffin designed and patented a novel safety keel make of wood and steel for the use on navy and other vessels to protect them from damage in the event of grounding. It was first used on the lighthouse service cutter "Columbine". He was a companion of the California commandery of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States and a member of the Army and Navy Club of Washington, D.C., Bohemian Club of San Francisco and the Yokohama (Japan) Club, where he resided after his retirement from the navy. He was a brave and efficient officer, devoted to the service of his country, able in the performance of duty and highly esteemed by his superiors and fellow officers. He was married at Nantucket, Mass., Dec. 18, 1866, to Mary Starbuck, daughter of John Cartwright, of Boston, Mass., and they had a daughter, Eleanor Calder Coffin, wife of Dr. Frank Anderson, U.S. navy. He died in Yokohama, Japan, June 15, 1899.date. Promoted Captain, 1893. Marriage Notes for MARY CARTWRIGHT and GEORGE
COFFIN:
15. ELEANOR CALDER13 COFFIN (MARY STARBUCK12 CARTWRIGHT, ELLEN MARIA11 WELD, JAMES10, EDMUND GRINDELL9, EDMUND8, EDMUND7, EDMUND6, THOMAS5, THOMAS (REV.)4, EDMUND3, THOMAS2, JOHN1) was born 31 Oct 1867 in Nantucket MA (Source: Certificate of Birth Record #42.), and died 30 Oct 1942 in Elizabeth NJ, bur. Arlington (Source: (1) Certified copy from a record of Death in the office of Registrar of Vital Statistics from the City of Elizabeth, N.J.., (2) Copy of Report of Interment from Arlington National Cemetery.). She married FRANK ANDERSON 17 Jun 1886 in St Martins in the Fields, Trafalgar Sq., London, England (Source: Certified copy Entry of Marriage Pursuant to Marriage Act 1949 #TF097446.), son of WILLIAM ANDERSON and LOUISA MORGAN. He was born 20 Jul 1852 in Stapleton, NY (Source: Naval Records of F. Anderson in "Abstracts of Service Records of Naval Officers", Vol. 15 pp 417, 219 in National Archives, Wash DC MF #M1325.), and died 31 Mar 1921 in Washington DC Bur. Arlington Cem. (Source: (1) Copy of Report of Interment from Arlington National Cemetery., (2) Naval Records of F. Anderson in "Abstracts of Service Records of Naval Officers", Vol. 15 pp 417, 219 in National Archives, Wash DC MF #M1325.). Notes for ELEANOR CALDER COFFIN:
Source: Memoirs of Sidney Morgan Henry Marriage Notes for ELEANOR COFFIN and FRANK ANDERSON: Notes for DOROTHY MORGAN ANDERSON: ANDERSON FAMILY I'm not sure how the New Orleans property came into the family, but it was there in my Grandfather Anderson's day, through his wife Louisa Morgan who had inherited her shares. My father gradually bought up the Henry boys' divided inheritance as they came of age so that he owned all his mother's share, which set him somewhat ahead financially (eventually) of most U.S. Navy doctors. HENRY As the Henry boys grew older they were put into various not too expensive schools, except Frank, who went to a good school in Staten Island. My memory picks up where Aunt Hattie Irving (my Godmother) used to bring Frank to visit us in the 19th Street house in Washington. She dressed in black silk with a triangle of lace on her head topped with a lavender bow. I thought she was a hundred, but she was probably sixty. Frank was a sort of stilted, highly literary, anxious for playmates little boy, quizzical sense of humor which he always had, but blind in one eye which made him "different". He had several operations, which made it less obvious. I first remember Reg when he was about fourteen, came to George Washington Catholic Boarding School, spent his holidays with us. He thought he'd be a Bishop, it was a good job. Sid came too, and went to day school. He was sixteen. Still in short pants. Lived with us for a while, especially when my father was at sea, and my mother in the house alone with us, two servants. My grandparents Coffin had lived on R street until my grandmother died when I was six, and my grandfather applied for sea duty. He came back and lived with us in 1895-96. As the boys grew up, their father "placed" them, no special regard to what they wanted. Will, the eldest, at fifteen, went into railroad shops, (he wanted to be a doctor, but Uncle Henry said he couldn't afford anything and had Cassatt cousins) Jim into the Naval Academy, he wanted West Point. Rob into West Point, he wanted that, but failed in math for lack of any preparation, and his father said he disgraced the family and wouldn't do anything more for him. So Rob said, "Give me a dollar to go to New York, and you'll be free of me." So he did. Rob got a job sweeping out an office, and as you know, got his own banking and investing business, Sid wanted the navy, and "retrieved" the Henry reputation by graduating second in his class and becoming National Fencing Champion. He went on to M.I.T. and then retired and went into business as maritime finance consultant, at one time president of Matson Lines. Reg, not prepared for anything, but crazy for one of the services, worked for Rob for a while but was then to old for an appointment so only opening was a line. He chose medicine and the older boys clubbed together and put him through U. of Virginia then medical school, and he got into the Navy, served with marine corps. not too hot as a practising doctor, but good on public health. Laid out San Juan System. They all married their own kind of people and never any question about their tastes or how they behaved. They had the advantage while young of visiting us in vacations and going for a while in the summers to Lake George where their father was commodore of Lake George Yachting Club where they met nice girls and were a part in the regattas. Will married May Du Bignon of Atlanta. He became Supt of Eastern Lines of Penn. R.R. Jim married Mary McLaughry from Leavenworth. Her father was a prison authority and introduced thumb printing to U.S. Rob married Jean Tolar, Bay Ridge, they lived at St. John's Place Brooklyn, where I used to visit them. I was bridesmaid at their wedding while I was at Oldfields. The "Mister" announced his engagement at Rob's wedding to Margaret, 50 years younger the he. They were married nine years. My father's only remark was she got more out of him than his sister ever did. But he left nearly nothing and the boys took care of her until she died. You know about Reg and Frank. COFFIN The Coffin geneology is pretty complete and is on record for us with the Colonial Dames. Reg also had it where it interlocked with us. He also had what was known of the Anderson connection. My mother was Eleanor Calder Coffin, her mother Mary Calder Cartwright. (I think her mother was Starbuck, my grandmother). She married George William Coffin, Nantucket, who was brought up by aunt and uncle, his parents dead. He was the first of the sea-going Coffins who went into the U.S. Navy, graduated early (from Naval Academy) because of Civil War held Fort Fisher (at age 21) until Fort Sumter was taken, wounded in leg, promoted to Lt. Cmdr. went to Russia and Admiral Farragut - that's why my mother was called Lena. Volunteered for Greely Relief Expedition and had command of the "Alert" - one of the three ships commanded by Admiral Schley. He stood in the crow's nest 72 hours and got his leg frozen where it had been wounded. After return was offered head of navigation but turned it down and took the Lighthouse Service because, I think, it kept him near home, and my grandmother was ill. The Lighthouse Service was then under the Navy. After her death, he went to sea, on U.S.S. Charleston to the Far East. plotted Manila Bay (then Spanish) then sent plans to Admiral Dewey (his roommate at Annapolis) who had never been there, and who used them in battle of Manilla Bay. He retired in 1896, went to Yokohama with us, went back to active duty during war 1899, but it was too much for him, died in Yokohama in 1900. Until his death I knew him better than I knew my father, and was with him a great deal. He was wonderful.
NOTE: This poem was written by DAH and published in
The New York Times Sept. 20, 1957. Box-like, withdrawn, his checkered
US Army IST LT Corps of Engineers 1917,Captain, Major, Construction Div QM Corps 1918 The following is a letter written by Dorthy Anderson Hoge, wife of Philip Barlow Hoge, between 1965-1970. Hoge Phil's father married Mary Stearns, whose mother was the Lee connection, I think her name was Harriet. Another sister Josie married Johns Hopkin's brother. Phyllis (Hoge) has her picture. One was married to Uncle Will Hastings. Stearns was an Episcopal minister from upper New York. This was during the civil war and they were very poor, but certainly had great taste and education of the sort acquired from books, not schooling. I don't know where she and Willy Hoge met but I think at the Hopkin's in Baltimore. We had mutual cousins there. The Hoge children were Nan, Rachel, Will, Phil, Mary, Margaret, Barbara. Nan's children are Fred Savage Jr., Dorothy Oudin, Nan & Rachel married brothers - Fred, and Frank (Savage). Rachel's only child - Anne Pettit. Will's - are Bill, Mary Gleysteen, and Betsy, now Diamond. Mary married Murdock Norris. Mary's children are Anne Poole, Alan, and Polly - Polly married John Rulon-Miller. Margaret married J. Nicholas Brewster, had daughter Peggy. Barbara married Laurence Stickney whom she met visiting Rachel Savage in St. Paul. He died and she married Hugh Blair Grigsby Galt (no children from either marriage). Janet Bangs' mother was a Hoge from Loudoun Co, first cousin of the Willy Hoges. She married Charles Norris (no relation to Murdock Norris) from the wide farm land in Illinois, raised horses and cattle. The miniature that Eleanor Dickinson has is Janet Bangs' mother. She kept a fascinating diary which I read to Janet the last time I was there, covered her engagement, wedding and early married life in the big household she went to. It was hard to read, I'm afraid it's lost. There are a great many legends of the Hoge connection in the middle west who used to come and visit the Washington Hoges. They were always welcome. One was Aunt Fred, married a one time mayor of Chicago - a more or less no-good and detereriorated, but Aunt Fred was something. On the spread out prairie she decided it was lovely for people so posted a notice in the store post office of a 4th of July picnic, for everybody to come with family and food in wagons to certain grove. Everybody came. There were over a hundred families. She never got enough ice cream so on one visit Mr. Hoge ordered two gallons and she ate through it on her visit. Another odd one was cousin Debbie whose mission in life was to visit, preach to, and convert prisoners, so wouldn't do anything else on her visit but visit Washington prisoners. On his mother's side,(the Lee side), were Aunt Minnie and Aunt Jinny in the old house in Alexandria, the ones whose servants sold off the downstairs furniture. They let down the front door key on a string so Mrs H and Phil could come in. Senator Smoot bought the house. It's now government owned. As to Phil and me, I had a friend at Miss Dorsey's school where I went for a year after I came back to Washington from Paris having spent a year out of school with nervous headaches. She was Grace Allen.(Years later around 1975 when Grace, who never married, was living in a nursing home in Ridgewood, N. J. having been put there by a nephew, she was visited by Dorothy Hoge and her daughter, Langley Hoge Kenzie. By this time they were both very old, and Grace's memory had partly gone. Grace asked Dorothy whatever happened to Phil Hoge? And Dorothy answered, " I married him", They were both crying.) She knew other Army girls and some Navy who all went to Miss Haxall's dancing class at Rauscher's. The Hoges had sent Mary and Phil. They went to public high school. Phil got to know the young group and stuck with them. The girls drifted off and went to boarding school, but I wouldn't go to the dancing class (like the fortnightlys in Elizabeth) but I got to know the group through Grace. I went with her and a group to the High School Cadet Training Corps Graduation contest where Phil's company (he was captain) won the flag. Great occasion. He had worked it all out on paper first. Grace thought he was a "rough diamond" preferred some others who seemed to me the walking disaster types. Of course I had had an awful lot of experience of people by the time I was fifteen. Phil was eighteen then, just plain himself. We went on long walks (whole group) though Rock Creek Park, on lots of Sundays, played ping pong at various houses, tennis on somebodys fixed up lot on P Street and went to matinees, very good stock companies during the summer. Mostly Phil and I did that alone, got seats in the last row and sat on the back, with our feet in the seats. The theater served paper cups of sherbet between the acts, 25 cents an afternoon. They all went off to college in the fall but we continued more or less though the next few years holidays and Phil and I kept up a correspondence always. He never talked about his family. We were of different groups. It was years before I knew he had a brother or sister besides Mary and Margaret. Later as I grew to know Phil's people and background better there were things almost legendary that fascinated me, being so different from anything that had ever touched my life. The idea of his father and uncle the two oldest of a Quaker farm family after the civil war, walking from Lynchburg or Warrenton all the way to Providence to go to Brown, picking up rides along the way. Their mother and aunt and other children ran the farm. Somehow they were never stuck, they were all educated and managed to visit relatives as far as Illinois. A tradition. The middle westerners all visited the Hoges in Washington and there were always extras in the house. Phil's father did the marketing. He'd go out, pick up a little colored boy somewhere to carry the basket, and go to the old P St. market and load up. A great plenty of the best plain food which Mrs Hoge doled out each day from locked store room. They had a smoke house in the back yard. When Phil worked for his father after leaving college he'd go out about 6:00 to get things started, return to an assembled enormous hot breakfast. During their childhood when Mr Hoge and Uncle James made money, they bought land outside of Washington called Washington View where they could take all the children in the summers, orchard, fresh vegetables, horse & buggy, preserving. Probably they all got interested in land development there. Rachel & Phil were the only ones who wanted to go to college. Rachel afterwards taught a few years in the public school. I gathered not too successfully, but always enthusiastically. An arranger whose plans didn't always work out. Nan was the social one and Washington being small and they being what used to be called "cave Dwellers", long time settlers not congress or diplomats - or service, all knew each other. One of Nan's best friends was Lucy Bayne Theall.
"THE ROOSTER BIRD" The silliest sound I've ever heard "GEESE" Geese sure do make an awful squawk CORRECTED VERSION & NEW TITLE "GOOSES" When goose to goose essays to talk
Oft have I thunk and thunk and thunk, This was a talk given to the Monday Evening Club, in Elizabeth, NJ at the house of P. B. Hoge, about 1940 - after which Hoge asked lawyer friend in the audience group - (Mr. Bart Woodruff) to come up and present him with award for Liars Club - "Liar of the Year" or some such. In the summer of 1906 - during school vacation, I got a job as roadman in a surveying part on the Northern Pacific Railroad in western Montana. As I had to pay my own way as far as Livingston, Montana, where I joined the party, I rode in a coach. From there on, we were carried free, but as we were not very high-priced workers we all rode in coaches the rest of the way. My pay was the magnificent sum of $50.00 a month - board and lodging free. This is twice the amount I had gotten as axeman 4 years previously in another survey party. Our first location was Bonver, Montana a small village at the foot of a mountain. The village itself was dwarfed by a huge sawmill plant of the Big Blackfoot Milling Company. I never saw as much lumber in one place in my life - before or since - and I suspect the forests in that location were being rapidly denuded as this was before the days of serious forest conservation. For the first week or ten days we lived in style, sleeping and getting our meals in the hotel in Bonver, until some thrifty soul in the home office must have decided that such treatment was too fancy for a field party. So two much-used and rather drafty box cars (of the type familiarly known as side-door Pullmans) were rolled in on a side track and fitted with wooden bunks, and arrangements made with a local boarding house to feed us. We were given blankets, but anything else we had to get for ourselves. A box car properly fitted up is not an uncomfortable place to live - and as there were only 6 or 8 men in our car - a double decker bunk in each corner - it wasn't too bad. The only trouble was during the first night. What the car had been used for previously I do not know, but it looked as though some cattle might have been in there for a while. At any rate, one of the boys was given the job of cleaning it out - and he did - with a vengeance. He used a shovel and broom and then to make sure all was sanitary he sprinkled chloride of lime around generously - and then water to lay the dust. I am not sure of my chemistry, as it has been a long time since I have had anything to do with the subjuct, but I think when you mix chloride of lime and water you get chlorine gas. At any rate, whatever it was, I was in a lower bunk in one corner - with a blanket and no mattress and I breathed the awful stuff all night long - and shivered - and I even shivered the next day in the warm sunshine, so the party chief sent me to the Company hospital in Missonla - just a few miles down the railroad. I will never forget the perfectly delightful feeling of setting into the hospital cot in a warm room after a good hot bath. I must have picked up a bug along with the chlorine, as I was off the job for about 2 weeks with the flu - except we called it the grippe then. I would like to say something here - parenthetically - a few side remarks. Remember, these were the days before employee insurance of any kind - when men were sick or injured on the job and had to get along as best they could until they could work again and get back on the payroll. The N.P.R.R. must have had this hospital in operation for some years. The buildings were not new, there was a staff of doctors and nurses and 30 or 40 beds - 20 or 25 were occupied by patients while I was there. The company gave complete medical and hospital care and paid wages, too - not from any paternalistic or philanthropical idea, but purely from intelligent self interest. They had probably learned by experience that it was cheaper and more satisfactory to get experienced men back on the job quickly than to hire new untried men. The towns were quite far apart and the country thinly settled. So far as I know they ran the only hospital in Missonla. Other railroads there must have done the same thing, because a brother-in-law of mine - a doctor living in St. Paul, Minnesota was a railroad doctor for some years as a young man. I bought a mattress in Missonla to take back with me. The other boys had done the same. No use not being comfortable. We settled down to the routine of surveying. The Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad (better known simply as the Milwaukee) had decided to extend its rail to the Pacific Coast and had surveying parties in to locate a line. The Northern Pacific didn't like that idea much and had put our party in the field in what they claimed was a desire to shorten their line and eliminate steep grades - no doubt true - but it was also on attempt to put a crimp in the Milwaukee plans and get in ahead of them using up the best locations whereever posible. Our chief of party always pulled up whatever Milwaukee stakes he found and threw them away - a nice friendly gesture. However, it didn't stop the Milwaukee at any rate. As far as I know they not only reached the coast, but they electrified their lines - if not all the way - at least over the mountains. Maybe somebody here knows better about that than I do as I haven't been that far west again for over 50 years. I don't know what is the best kind of job for a young man to have, but that summer was a pleasant and healthful experience. A great deal of walking, some trees to cut down, some brambles to slash through, swamps to muck through and a swift river to ford occasionally. The river - called the Hellgate then - but now according to the map by the much more dignified and proper name of Clark River - was not large nor very deep - but very swift and with many rapids. In many places it was possible to wade it in perfect safety - in fact it was a relief to get in the water, as the days were clear, hot and dry - so dry in fact that I have been wet and dried off completely 3 times in one day - that means clothes, shoes and all - as you had to ford the river as you were. There was one place we wanted to cross and started ont confidently enough but as the water got deeper and we saw the rapids not far down the river - each one of us would turn back - and someone else watching from the shore - from which point it looked so easy - would try it a bit farther and then turn back again. I made several false starts losing my nerve each time and finally getting to where the water started getting shallow again beyond the middle of the river and had just started up the slope when the current got me. I swam back for the shore I had feft and was grabbed as I swept by. I learned one thing from that experience. I was scared to death wading that river and remembering the rapids below but once I was off my feet I was so busy swimming back to the shore it never occured to me to be frightened. Anticipation is often worse than actuality. Our party consisted of the chief - named Heckman - and about 10 men. Heckman, as I remember, was a cynical man, but probably a good man on location surveys. I guess he knew his business. Woody, the transit man was a morose individual. Ernie was a good man who did his job - I have forgotten what his duties were - and minded his own business. Ed was the level man - my boss - a moody individual. The thing that I remember best about him was when I was slowly plowing knee deep in the muck of a drying up swamp and Ed at the surveying level on dry ground in the shade of a tree and cursing me for being so slow - and with each sloggy step I was getting madder and madder. Cupid was a gay pleasant little man about 35 years old - I don't remember what his duties were, but it was pleasant to have him around. Murphy the axeman was a nice young Irish lad almost 18. Slim was a big pleasant young man named Claude Averill - but who was always addressed as "you big Swede you." He was head chairman or tapeman - and M.J. Harrison was rear tapeman. M.J. Harrison - the last on the list - was a - well it wouldn't be polite to say what he was - but that is what he was. He was a red haired tough little runt. I do not know what kind of work he was best fitted for but he had been many things during his checkered career. He had bee |