9 Edgelawn AveWhen I was in fourth grade my parents built a new house and we moved from our home in the city of Lowell, MA, to our new suburban home in Chelmsford, MA. These are my memories of that home.
MEMORIES OF NUMBER NINE
Remember Edgelawn Avenue where we once grew?
We used to think that the houses were few.
But there were lots of kids on that small cul de sac
More than 50 at one time and that's a fact.
Ice cream trucks that came at dinner
Eating fast made you a winner.
"Ma can I have a quarter or maybe more?"
Then grab the dough and dash out the door.
Run outside and chase that truck
Run a little faster or you're out of luck.
Playing baseball out in the field
Homers over the hill were a really big deal.
Hours were spent hunting the ball
Lost in grass that was always too tall.
Playing outside in summer after dark
"Stay under the streetlight" our parents would bark.
Yell just a little and try to play quiet
Babies already in bed, moms ready to riot.
We'd wait for the bus at the end of the street
In blizzard snow and icy sleet.
Bus driver Smoky let the girls on first
Boys had to wait - ready to burst.
Trumpet lessons for the Wholey boys
Music from what started as noise.
One by one they learned to play
Practicing their scales day after day.
Older kids remember when
There was no route 3, only dense woods then
Cows in the field and hay that was baled
When the wind was right, railroad whistles wailed.
This memory of Edgelawn is from number nine.
It was a great place to grow and these memories are mine.
You were home and have a special place in my heart.
You will always remain a happy part.
BOOKS FROM COUSIN RICHARD
My cousin Richard sent me a few old books that his mother had kept. They are now part of our ever-growing family genealogy collection.
One of these treasures is a schoolbook entitled: The Franklin Fifth Reader by G. S. Hillard, dated 1873. Inside the front cover is the signature of Hattie M. Whittemore of Lowell, MA. It is dated September 9, 1874. It is also signed by her younger sister Ida Whittemore.
Hattie M. Whittemore was Harriet Maria (Whittemore) Humphrey. In my family line she was the mother of Alfred W. Humphrey, the grandmother of Richard E. Humphrey and my great grandmother. Harriet was born on December 18, 1857 in Lowell, MA. She would have been 17 when she signed this book and in eight years she would marry my great grandfather George W. Humphrey. I cannot tell you what a thrill it is to hold this book in my hands and know that she once held in in hers.
There is another very old book entitled: The Doctrines and Discipline of the Methodist Episcopal Church. This book is signed by Joseph Carter.
This is who I believe Joseph Carter is.
Joseph Carter was born in 1790 and died January 30, 1857 in Enfield, NH. He married Elizabeth Clough. They had a daughter Sarah Ann Carter, born 1827, died 1903. Sarah Carter married George S. Humphrey (b:1827, d:1891) . They had a son, George W. Humphrey (mentioned above). George S. and Sarah lived with George W. and Harriet in Littleton, MA. I believe the book belonged Sarah Carter and was left with the Humphrey family when she died. It then made its way to Ruth (Humphrey) Evirs, to Richard Evirs and then to me. Joseph Carter would be my great, great, great grandfather. Whew!
Another book that cousin Richard sent is: First Lessons in Geography (for beginners), by James Monteith, dated 1868. It may have belonged to family but I cannot prove it.
It does make for interesting reading. For example:
Q. By whom was America discovered?
A. By Columbus; about 380 years ago.
Q. How many states are there?
A. 37.
Q. Which is the largest state?
A. Texas.
Q. Who governed this country about 90 years ago?
A. The King of England.
Q. Who were our first parents?
A. Adam and Eve, who lived in Asia.
Lesson: The people of the United States are famous for their perseverance and inventive genius. A few years ago, people rode in stage-coaches over rough and hilly roads; but now they travel by steamboat or railroad.
Lesson: Here you have a view of the Andes Mountains...Immense and savage birds, called condors, are found here, which have been known to carry off and devour children.
Needless to say, a few things have changed since this book was written.
That's it for this issue of Branches.
Cousin Richard and I welcome family stories, information, photos, etc.
