My Phantom Bible

 

Where, oh where to start? This Bible has been around. It documents Amos and Sarah Hubbard Seward and their family of Guilford, CT. I believe it to have belonged to Ellen Agnes Seward Pinney, as much of her family is contained in the documentation of births of her children: Sarah Agnes b. Oct. 23, 1838; Annie Foster Pinney Bissell b. Apr. 14, 1848 (her data written after her marriage); Ella (Ellen) Reed Pinney b. July 10, 1852.

The Bible was printed in 1875, which was the year after Sarah Hubbard Seward died. Her death is recorded in it as, "Mother died April 12, 1874". Amos was still alive until 1881 when his death is recorded. The entries look to be in a more feminine hand. The other possible owner of the Bible is Agnes Lee (his daughter) and a spinster. Agnes lived at home with her parents Amos and Sarah, all her life until her father's death in 1881. It is just a hunch, but Agnes may have inherited the Bible from her sister Ellen Pinney when she died in 1889. When Ellen's husband John Brooke Pinney died in 1882, Ellen went on to marry Willis Lord in 1884. It was a late in life marriage, at age 68 and she would die 5 years later.

After father Amos died, we lose track of daughter, Agnes from the Guilford home on Harbor St. for 19 years. She turns up again in the 1900 Census with my GG grandparents, Burton Lyman Sperry and Lydia Buell Sperry on State St., as a boarder age 69. With no 1890 Census, it is hard to fill in the 19-year gap. Agnes died in 1904, possibly still a boarder with my GG grandparents. Between 1920-30 Burton and Lydia moved to Whitfield St. They may have stored books in the attic of their son Burton Elwyn on Graves Ave. during the move or possibly the Bible made its way over when Burton Lyman was put in the Guilford Sanitorium around 1940.

From what I can tell, the entries are made by 3 different hands. All lettering appears female. The first page of Marriages has the letter "R" written like a backwards 3 almost. The marriages are all of the children of Amos and Sarah Hubbard Seward.

The first birth page is mostly the children of Ellen Agnes Seward Pinney and are written with the same ornate "R". They are written with a fountain pen and ink well ink and a broad point.

The next births page is written in much finer ink with more open slanting letters done very freely and not with the precision of the first two pages. It contains one entry, Fannie Baylies born Nov. 1833 Died Nov. 1907.

On the last page, the Deaths are written in the same ornate script and ink from a well, as the first pages. This last page is what leads me to believe the Bible might have been Agnes'. The page contains the death dates of Ellen 1889 and other family who died as late as 1897.

Agnes was alive until 1904 and Fannie and William Todd until 1907 Nancy M. died in 1912. Fannie was living in Winsor, CT. in the 1900 Census and her husband Ripley had passed.  Agnes appears to be the only one in the Guilford area and was boarding with my GG grandparents. The last few entries of the deaths of Agnes, Fannie and Nancy are made in light ink possibly ballpoint or fine point pen and totally a different hand, very free flowing. I believe these entries to be made by Lydia Buell Sperry, prior to the Bible ending up at my G grandma May Sperry's attic.

Remember 46 Graves Ave and her first Mistress and Matriarch, Mary Ann Evarts? She married William Beckwith, who built the house at 46 Graves Ave. Purchased by my G grandparents with an assist from my GG grandma Lydia Buell Sperry. That Evarts name is about to come full circle. 

My first ancestor searches were all of my blood relatives and there was no bloodline that I could find back to the Sewards. My ancestors were of Puritan roots and having servants was not the sort of thing that they would have done. Time and time again with all the Seward children and descendants, they had servants, Irish and Polish, in the Census Records. They were Doctors, Lawyers Lumber company owners, University Presidents and Ministers, the upper crust of Society.

I turned my search next to the more prominent spouses of my blood kin and I looked for those that had servants in their history. The Bristols and Dudleys  were my choices. I got lucky with both.

I have found two lines back to the ancestors of, "My Phantom Bible". It has taken over a month of searching, so hold on tight as I take you through this Maze.

My G grandfather, Burton Elwyn Sperry's sister Edith was the key to the first line.

1. Edith Sperry married Robert Deforest Bristol (b. 1879) They had two children. Robert would serve as Postmaster of Guilford from July 1, 1924, to Nov. 23, 1931

2. Robert Deforest Bristol was son of Eugene Bristol and Harriet Perry

3. Eugene Deforest Bristol (b. 1843) was son of Leverett Bristol and Sarah Field.

4. Leverett Bristol (b. 1816) was son of Samuel Bristol V and Sophronia Doude

5. Samuel Bristol V (b. 1788) was son of Samuel Bristol IV and HULDAH EVARTS

6. HULDAH EVARTS (b. 1757) was the sister of ELEAZER EVARTS JR. 

7. ELEAZER EVARTS JR. (b. 1748) married Elizabeth Seward (b. 1745)

8. Elizabeth Seward (b. 1745) was the daughter of Capt. David Seward and Elizabeth Bushnell and sibling of Timothy Seward (b. 1756) 

9. Timothy Seward (b. 1756) married Rebecca Lee their son was Amos Seward (b. 1786)

10, Amos Seward married Sarah Hubbard (THE PHANTOM BIBLE FAMILY)!!!!!

According to my Ancestry site, the connection is from the " Nephew of wife of second G. Grand Uncle of husband of G. Grand Aunt (Edith Sperry Bristol)" This is the most direct link; going from Sperry, Bristol, Evarts to Sewards.

The second route to the family goes up from my Grand Aunt Grace Walker Dudley husband's side Shelton Weld Dudley. The Ancestry site Connection is "Nephew of wife of brother-in-law of 4th great granduncle of wife of 1st cousin 1x removed (Shelton Dudley Jr.) son of my Gr. Grand Aunt (Grace Dudley)" This link is a bit lengthier and goes from Griswold, Dudley, Evarts to Sewards.

My connection to the Sewards goes to the family of Eleazer Evarts Sr. Three of his children, Mary, Huldah and Eleazer Jr married into families that would lead to my link with Amos and Sarah Seward. What are the odds that this Phantom Bible with ties to the EVARTS family would find its way to 46 Graves Ave.: the home of Mary Ann EVARTS Beckwith, the first Mistress? It was, as if, I was supposed to find it and tell the story.

AMOS SEWARD was a rather colorful individual. He was elected Postmaster of Guilford, CT. and served from June 15,1829 to February 26, 1833. He was said to have dealt in the trade of the West Indies. (Alcohol) He was born 13 Nov. 1786 in Guilford, CT and died Oct. 16, 1881, and is buried in Alderbrook Cemetery, Guilford, CT. There is a brief story about him in, "A Yankee Post Office" by Frederick Calvin Norton

He married Sarah Hubbard July 10, 1814, in Guilford. She was born Jun. 12, 1792 and died Apr. 12, 1874.

The children documented in the Bible and elsewhere in Public Records were:

1. Sarah Elizabeth Seward 1815-1839 married Ezekiah L. Hosmer.  She died at age 24 and they had no children.

2. Ellen Agnes Seward 1818-1889 married John Brooke Pinney. Had 7 children He was a Presbyterian Minister and Missionary.

3. Rachel Stone Seward 1817-1882 married Ralph Dunning Smyth (Smith) They had 4 Children. He went to Yale and became a famous Lawyer. Their grandson, Bernard Christian Steiner would become a well-known Historian and write, "The History of the Plantation of Menunkatuck and the Origin of the Town of Guilford, Connecticut." It is written largely from the Manuscripts of the Hon. Ralph Dunning Smyth, (his grandfather).

4. Mary Hedges Seward 1821-1895 married Frederick A Drake They had 2 children one died in first year. Frederick was a Shoe Dealer.

5. Nancy Seward 1822-1826

6. Anna Marie Seward 1826-1827

7. Nancy Maria Seward 1827-1912 married Christian Wolfe Slagle and they had 4 children. Christian was a prominent Iowa lawyer, Regent and eventually President of the University of Iowa.

8. Agnes Lee Seward 1829-1907 unmarried and possible reason the Phantom Bible came to 46 Graves Ave.

9. William Todd Seward 1832-1907 married Sarah Elizabeth Wheaton Had 3 children. Fought in Civil War. Was to be shot in Hawaii as a Revolutionist but got pardoned.

10. Fanny Hubbard Seward 1833-1907 married Ripley Baylies had 3 children. He was a Retail dealer of stoves.

This Bible, The Yankee Post Office Book by Frederick Calvin Norton and the History of Guilford by Bernard Christian Steiner, and information I have gathered on the entire family  will be passed down to my daughter for the enlightenment of our future generations. 

It will be interesting to see where they end up in the next 236 years, that being the length of time it took to come to me! (Marilyn Senecal Cavanaugh) 

Sarah Owens was born to John Owens and Sarah Collins Beard, they were both widowed. They married in the Parish of Holyhead, Wales Jan. 19, 1834.

In the 1841 Census, they are living on Stanley Crescent John age 40, Mother Sarah 35 Richard Beard age 13 and little Sarah age 4. John is listed as a Publican, who manages or works in a Pub.

In the 1851 Census, Sarah age 14 is living with her mother Sarah 49(Head of Household), half-brother Richard Beard 23, John age 5, and Mother's brother John Collin's age 27 (a mariner). The mother Sarah's occupation is Keeping the White Lion Tavern. The family lives on Harp St. in the same neighborhood as James Walker at age 16.

James Walker is already listed as Mason in the 1851 Census

and living on Morton Terrace. He and his dad, James might have been stopping in at the White Lion Tavern.

It was not until Dec. 3, 1858, that they would wed at the Parish Church. One of the witnesses was a Joseph Collins, possibly an Uncle of Sarah's. The couple took up residence on Harp St. near Sarah's Mom. That is where we find them in the 1861 Census, just before the birth of son, John Robert.

The next we see them is in the East Lyme, CT. Census of 1870. The family was brought over by John Beattie to work in the Niantic Quarry. Salina (Celina), James's sister came to help with the children.

The Niantic Quarry closed, and the family was moved to the Leete's Island location. James died June 9, 1871 at age 35, after just 13 years of marriage and a relocation to a foreign land.

Sarah must have been devastated and still nursing 10-month-old David! Six children, a foreign land and no husband to provide for them! John Robert became useful as a water boy, William James age 12 would have had a job to do, as well.

Sarah fixed lunches for the Quarrymen and sold them and took them in for meals. I am guessing she did their laundry, too. Her boys would eventually get employed by Mr. Beattie full time and a new house would be built for her. John Robert would become a Foreman at a young age and have a house next door to his mother's. By age 72, she is living in his home. The children would take good care of a Mom that managed to bring them to a new world and raise them under outrageous odds! Sarah never remarried.

I love the story, my great Aunt Grace told of Sarah quieting the baby by putting molasses on his fingers and giving him a feather.

Quite the inventive woman! She was a strong Matriarch. When asked if I could have a chance to spend time with someone who has passed, Sarah Owens Walker would be my choice.

Sarah died Apr. 7, 1917, after a brief illness. On my side of the family, it was said she had stomach cancer.

It is often that the men's stories are told, in the building of this country. In my family history, the Matriarch is what holds everything together! She was a Guilford citizen for 48 years.

 

 

Love and Laughter of Yore

In this season, where Covid 19 has laid siege to our homes,

I am finding the internet my safest place to roam;

Afraid to visit and so lacking of hugs,

Memory Lane's sure producing the greatest of tugs.

My days spent in Guilford offer the safest of Havens,

Wandering memories of Old, offers the Love I am cravin;

When missing the grandkids and sometimes in tears,

My mind takes me back to those earliest years.

Funny, how we compensate for what we are lacking,

Oh, how I wish this Covid would cease its attacking!

I visit those days of yore, when I felt so much love,

And each night, I send a prayer to "Our God" up above!

Return us to days of memory making with family and friends,

And gatherings, not fearing we cause the life of someone to end;

Send us Your Healing this Christmas, that is all that we ask,

So, we can see the smiles of our loved ones, not hidden by masks.

You have shown us how fragile our existence can be,

Please give us, "Your Miracle" of being Covid Free.

Christmas 2021

                                                  Marguerite Sperry Walker Denner

Marguerite Elizabeth Sperry was born Oct. 6, 1903, in New Haven, CT. She was the second child of Burton E. and May. The name she preferred was "Rite"...pronounced "Reet". Other names attributed to her were: AKA "the Pistol", "Firecracker" and "Leader of the Gang"!

Older sister Pauline was refined and demure like May. Rite was a ball of fire like her Dad! She was moody, quick to act, very social, a flirt and instigator. She also possessed her Dad's ability to manage finances, bookkeeping and stenography. She was quick and eager to learn new things. My motto of, "I'll try anything once, must have come from her genes!

Rite's first job was working for the Department of Motor Vehicles. She had the personality for working with the public and the clerical skills.

Marguerite Elizabeth Sperry, you can see the fire in her eyes! She preferred being called Rite...pronounced "REET". Other names she was called were: "The Pistol", "Little Spitfire". "Leader of the Gang", and "Red".

Her hair was red and curly and downright unruly! It suited her feisty personality perfectly! She grew to be all of 4' 11" with a personality 6 ft tall!

Rite is the little girl giving the scowl to the gal crying. This was a favorite look of disapproval. She used it often as she grew! If you got that look, you knew you were in trouble!

Susie Baldwin Norton and Rite. I believe the Norton house was down the street next to and behind the Blacksmith house on the corner of Graves and Boston Post Rd. In the 1960's, I think Merriam Norton lived there.

Rite's Fourth Grade Class 1911.
I have most of the names of the front row. Lft to rt: Maude Briggs, Robert Landon, Marguerite Sperry, Jane Conway, Alice Hibbard, Ruth Bartlett, ?, Frank Brown, ?, Percy Howarth,, Ernest Howarth, ?, Herbert Dudley.

There are over 40 kids, so I expect two grades were combined.

Rite's Gang, Lft to rt: Edith Ashman +Robert Norton, Charles Ives +Pearl Putney, Ernest Howarth + Rite,, and Merle Jillson +Margaret Rolf another photo from the Mulberry Point Picnic. Photo is not dated. Ray Rolf in previous photo was in Navy hat, which puts it about 1918

Rite only wore cheek rouge, powder and light lipstick. I can remember a mirror that hung in the corner by the sink, On the porcelain drainboard was her hair curling iron. She always used it to tame her hair, most of her life!

Now she is in the 1920's

                          Fannie Ella Augur Sperry Clarke   

                            Caught in the Wheels of Time

Fannie Ella was the daughter of Daniel Philemon Augur and Almira Smith of East Haven, CT. born Aug. 30th 1854. By the time her sister Ida Isadore was born Oct 29th 1857, the family had moved  to the old Stephen Spencer house built 1754, where Stephen was a Blacksmith until around 1850.

Daniel became the Blacksmith and added a south wing to the house around 1870. This is how Edwin R. Sperry would probably meet Fannie. The families were both Congregationalists. 

This is what the house at 43 Park St. looks like today and the addition by the Augurs is now a porch. Taken from the Digital Historic Blgs. of Connecticut site. 

Edwin and Fannie would be married Dec.2, 1874 and reside at 291 Boston St. in Guilford by the 1880 Census. Son Lynde Cartwright would be age 2 and Fannie's age was listed at 25. This is very important because as she aged, she did not tell the truth about her age. It was either that or whoever was giving the info didn't have their facts right. Her younger sister Hettie would die the next year at age 15.

Edwin worked as telegraph operator at the Guilford station and a station agent from Guilford to Fair Haven. He also worked in Pennsylvania for the railroad for 3 years but I don't know the timeframe.

The twins May Elinor and Daisy Elizabeth were born Aug. 14th 1881. As listed in the Town Hall Tomes that you must wear white gloves to handle, May was the first born twin. 

By July 18th of 1884, Fannie would fall in love with another man, Thomas Lloyd Clarke. The date is listed on Edwin's Divorce papers.. If Edwin had been seldom home and working in Pennsylvania at this time, Fannie would have been overwhelmed with Motherhood. But alas, I do not know the timeframe but 3 years from 1881 would make it around July of 1884, when she was said to be unfaithful.

The Divorce Decree cites specific dates which leads me to believe that Fannie told Edwin she was pregnant. Divorces were becoming common in the 1880's but were usually granted for men. Women had little or no means of support other than by a man. Women were stuck in unhappy marriages because they had, no legal rights. It would not be until 1920 that the government would even recognize a Woman's Right to Vote.

I believe, she was lonely and sought companionship that led to a much deeper relationship. She would have to leave Guilford or there would be shame and scandal. I, also believe, Edwin told her to go. The dates he stated in the Divorce papers were an almost 9 month timeframe and he listed adultery which guaranteed him custody. Women had no rights or means of support. Women were another possession and status symbol.

I question the timing of the Divorce filing by Edwin. The papers were not filed until May 7th, 1885, yet Fannie had been pregnant since Oct. of 1884 and had probably left around that time with Thomas. Their daughter Katrina Lucille would be born July 12th, 1885. The divorce from Edwin would not be final until May 6th 1886. It appears to me that it may have been a deliberate act on his part to delay filing so the child would be born out of wedlock. I do not know these things for certain, only dates!

Thomas and Fannie would live in Smyrna, Florida, where he would work as a bookkeeper and then real estate agent until 1915. On July 4th, 1893, their son Lloyd  Joseph Ike would be born. Both children were born in New Smyrna, Florida. Eventually the family would move to Palatka where he is listed as a general farmer.

The couple would be together for 45 years until Fannie's death, Aug. 6th 1929. To my knowledge, Fannie never returned to Connecticut. Her son Lynde would find his half sister Katrina (Kitty) years later and he and May Elinor would visit. 

Edwin was considered a good man but his 3 children would go to separate homes to be raised.. Was he hurting them to hurt her or could he just not handle young children on his own? His mindset was never to remarry.

I have carefully analyzed the facts and dates, something I put off for years, believing Fannie had just abandoned her children in Guilford. I have put the pieces together, as I see them. We can never know, how things happened but this seems a more plausible scenario, then Fannie just up and running away with a man, as family lure came to have it. 

She fell in love, at a vulnerable time and then became caught in the legality and morality of the times. It looks like she gave her love to her new family but there must have been an enormous sense of guilt and sadness for the ones she left behind.

Fannie and Thomas are buried at Oak Hill East Cemetery, Palatka, Florida

After the Heat Wave

 Christopher

Up you climb to hug me,

Full of kisses, too;

Stealing sips of my tea,

As only you can do.

As you make yourself a spot,

You cover up your head;

Mommy has to check a lot,

To make sure you're not dead!

Your yellow jammies now fit you,

And make you look so long,

Adorned with Winnie and Tigger, too;

You look so big and strong.

Your smile brings me such gladness,

As year by year, you're growing;

It leaves a touch of sadness;

As onward time is going.

I'll try to hold this memory,

Forever in my mind;

For gladness is remembering,

  The love that grows with time.

                                                 Lynn Cavanaugh

           

                   Ode To A Four Year Old            

              A birthday comes but once a year,     

           You've leaped from three to four;    

   Dreams turn to what to wear, 

 And girlish things galore.     

    At three you were quite elfish,

You loved to kiss and hug;  

And often you were selfish,

Giving brothers quite a tug.

        You grew with disappointments,  

      Were strong and yet, so fragile, 

           Required doctoring appointments,

While learning to be agile   

          No stitches seemed to phase you,

Or hamper you in play;      

Anything would you do,    

For means of making gay.

      But now, you've gained a year,

And have matured to four; 

To play is not so dear,        

 As dancing about the floor.

You want to be a dancer,     

   At four, you are quit certain; 

Ballerina and high prancer,

To play before the curtain. 

You are, as yet, quite tiny, 

     With dreams that do astound; 

      Your eyes so wide and shiny,  

 Curiosity does abound.      

     You really are quite serious,  

In everything you say;     

              Sometimes making me delirious,   

     In a wonderful sort of way . 

I treasure all the days,     

In each and every year;   

But seeing you today,      

 Can't help but cause a tear.

     You've begun to color nicely,

          And your printing is quite plain,

      The alphabet is said precisely;

 You even write your name.

                 What can I say except, "I Love You",

        And this much you must know,

                 Birthdays are happy yet painful, too,

It hurts to see you grow.   

            It doesn't seem you could be four,

       You've grown all quite too fast;

         Today, I give my love to store,   

A present that will last!      

                                                Lynn Cavanaugh

             

                                      

                                                                         Motherhood

                                                      Thoughts in the evening are mine to keep,

                                                      When all my children lay fast asleep.

                                                      The night is still, with just their snores,

                                                      And once in awhile, a creak of the floor.

                                                       The quiet now brings me such pleasure,

                                                       Although their noise is such a treasure.

                                                       This busy Mommy sure deserves,

                                                        A cup of tea to calm the nerves.

                                                        I think of how I spent the day,

                                                        And all the things that are left to say.

                                                        Have I been firm or much too soft?

                                                        Oh, no I think I heard a cough.

                                                        My work seems never to be done,

                                                        Yet having kids is so much fun.

                                                        They take so much of me, it seems,

                                                        That what is left, is only dreams.

                                                         I wouldn't change a single day,

                                                         Except to give, more love their way.

                                                         I renew my strength each quiet night;

                                                         Then start a fresh in morning light.

                                                         The nights are mine to always treasure,

                                                          But in the morn, their noise is pleasure.

                                                          I dread the day the noise will cease;

                                                          I do not need quite that much peace!

                                                                                                                      Lynn Cavanaugh

     

                                                   

                                                                 Just A Housewife     

                                                    Day after day, all melt into one,

                                              As the housewife's chores are never done.

     Make the breakfast and feed the kids,

                                                      I thought, yesterday, this is what I did!

                                                If it's not summer, they're off to school,

                                            Maybe the teachers can teach them some rules;

                                                    Do the dishes and make the beds,

                                                      It seems I will never get ahead!

                                                    

                                                 Gather the laundry and wash the clothes,

                                                 Now, how did I ever miss a pair of those?

                                               Closets each day must be cleaned and resorted,

                                                 And under their bed, a snake's been reported!

                                           Gathering dirty clothes, is like searching for treasure,

                                                Hiding their duds gives kids so much pleasure;

                                                     Even the food items don't hit the basket,

                                             Concealed old apple cores, make me blow a gasket!

                                                     A housewife must be a sort of detective,

                                               And there's no paycheck, cuz the job's an elective!

                                                    Having cleaned and scoured and disinfected,

                                                      You get the rewards that are least expected.  

                                           The children are home and their books are just dumped,

                                                   And now you have entered the 3 o'clock slump.

                                                     Snacks are in order and then there is dinner,

                                                            This is no job for just a beginner!

                                                      A housewife is special in stamina and spirit,

                                                    No other job makes demands that come near it.

                                                        The same old routine, day in and day out;  

                                                           Even in factories, you get a time out!

                                                     So, if you're a housewife and getting the blues,

                                                       Remember, not many can fill out your shoes.

                                                         A true endangered species...the family tree,

                                                     For there is no "family", without those like me!

                                               The flowers on the table, homemade biscuits and stew,

                                                    Are touches, not just anyone can find time to do.

                                                 The helping with homework, the wiping the tears;

                                                 A profession that's endured for thousands of years.

                                                      The Libers may come, the Libers may go.

                                                   And who is there really to show them some woe?

                                                    For memories are made, by those who are giving,

                                                   Thus giving a housewife, a life that's worth living!