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Terry Mason's Family History SiteMajor lines: Allen, Beck, Borden, Buck, Burden, Carpenter, Carper, Cobb, Cook, Cornell, Cowan, Daffron, Davis, Downing, Faubion, Fauntleroy, Fenter, Fishback, Foulks, Gray, Harris, Heimbach, Henn, Holland, Holtzclaw, Jackson, Jameson, Johnson, Jones, King, Lewis, Mason, Massengill, McAnnally, Moore, Morgan, Overstreet, Price, Peck, Rice, Richardson, Rogers, Samuel, Smith, Taylor, Thomas, Wade, Warren, Weeks, Webb, Wodell, Yeiser, Boyce, Branch, Cooper, Jackson, Mann, Nichols, Prior, Sweeting. |
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1Ephraim Orcutt Jameson 1832-1902, Jamesons in America, The 1647-1900 (The Rumford Press, Concord, N.H. Published in Boston, Mass. 1901), pg 156, FHL film 1036257 Item 2. There were six chldren listed.
1Oregon Death Index, 1898-2008. "Name: Colvin, James Y
County: Marion
Death Date: 2 Jun 1960
Certificate: 7585
Spouse: Lillian."21910 U.S. Census, T624_1284 pg 9B, 22 Apr 1910. "Colvin, J.Y. Head MW 26 M1 7 Georgia US Georgia
------, Beulah wife FW 30 M1 7 3 3 Iowa Pennsylvania New York
------, Myrtle daughter FW 6 S Washington Georgia Iowa
------, Agnes daughter FW 3 S Oregon Georgia Iowa
------, Lois daughter FW 3/12 S Oregon Georgia Iowa."31920 U.S. Census, T625_1924 pg 6A, 9 Jan 1920. "Colvin, Jas Y head MW 35 M Georgia Ohio Georgia Dealer fuel wood
------, Buela C wife FW 39 M Iowa Pennsylvania New York
------, Myrtle R Daughter FW 16 S Washington Georgia Iowa
------, Agnes D Daughter FW 13 S Oregon Georgia Iowa
------, Izola L Daughter FW 9 S Oregon Georgia Iowa
------, Floyd L Son MW 6 S Washington Georgia Iowa
------, Virginia M Daughter FW 2 7/12 S Washington Georgia Iowa."
1Oregon Death Index, 1898-2008. "Name: Colvin, James Y
County: Marion
Death Date: 2 Jun 1960
Certificate: 7585
Spouse: Lillian."21910 U.S. Census, T624_1284 pg 9B, 22 Apr 1910. "Colvin, J.Y. Head MW 26 M1 7 Georgia US Georgia
------, Beulah wife FW 30 M1 7 3 3 Iowa Pennsylvania New York
------, Myrtle daughter FW 6 S Washington Georgia Iowa
------, Agnes daughter FW 3 S Oregon Georgia Iowa
------, Lois daughter FW 3/12 S Oregon Georgia Iowa."31920 U.S. Census, T625_1924 pg 6A, 9 Jan 1920. "Colvin, Jas Y head MW 35 M Georgia Ohio Georgia Dealer fuel wood
------, Buela C wife FW 39 M Iowa Pennsylvania New York
------, Myrtle R Daughter FW 16 S Washington Georgia Iowa
------, Agnes D Daughter FW 13 S Oregon Georgia Iowa
------, Izola L Daughter FW 9 S Oregon Georgia Iowa
------, Floyd L Son MW 6 S Washington Georgia Iowa
------, Virginia M Daughter FW 2 7/12 S Washington Georgia Iowa."
1Ellen Johnson, Yeiser , A Narriative History of (part 4). "Narrative continued from source notes of mother.
TO MISS ROSE YEISER, OF "ROSE TERRACE."
I've ne'er seen the face of this maiden,
Never heard her soft silvery tone,
Never looked with delight on her picture,
Portraying the charm all her own.
But her grace, her gifts and her bearing,
Have so oft been repeated to me
that this sweet blushing "Rose of the Terrace"
I oft in my dreaming doth see.
In her form she is tall like a Goddess,
Her hair it is dark as the night.
Her lips, they are richest carnation
Her eyes black; and wondrously bright.
We have seen the rare work of her genius
Which we prize more than jewels and gold one,
It not only pictures our loved one,
But brings up the memory of "Rose."
Yet, it hangs where it catches the sunlight
When it first sheds its glories around
And when "Dear Jeff" is gone from the fireside,
His picture looks lovingly down.
It will hang there perhaps when the "Painter."
Has laid by both easel and brush,
Perhaps when the head of "the Painter"
Is white, under times ruthless touch.
No matter, if old age has crowned you
With chaplets that are fleecy as snow.
The canvass will recall to our memories
The "Hopes and the Happiness of yore.
Very Kindly
Violet Dell Sept. 12, 1877. S.V.P.
Rose was busy with her brush these days. It was about this time that she painted a portrait of her father with his long beard, which many years later she gave to her eldest son, James Yeiser Colvin, because he bore his grandfather's name. It is now in the possession of the great-grandson, Hal Colvin of Woodburn, Oregon.
The boarders were now gone from Rose Terrace. Araminta had done her job well. With her help the children were enjoying educational advantages unusual in southern homes in the years following the war. The old house was now filled with the life and activities of young folks.
William Chartres, who was learning the drug business in his father's store was elected Captain of the Rome Light Guards. They gave balls, parties and Bazars for the benefit of the Guards and Rose donated lovely hand painted china as popularity prizes. On the blank pages of two old French volumes. on the bookshelves of Rose Terrace there are pencil sketches of local personalities and one especially of Rose and a girl friend after the ball. These sketches it is believed were by William Chartres.
One of the big and important social events of the year 1878 was the marriage of Agnes Smith to Linton A. Dean, a young lawyer of Rome. They were both members of the Baptist Church. There is no better way to describe the affair than to quote what a Rome paper had to say about it.
Rose did some traveling in the next few years. She visited her cousins on the Marshall side of the family in New Orleans and joined in the gay life of the Mardi Gras season. Araminta hurriedly took care of the requests for new clothes as she was glad to have her daughter out of Rome because of a romantic attachment to a young man there who was in ill health. Later she visited in Kentucky with her father's sister, Rose McGrority at the Pines in Danville.
The lovely old brick mansion was the original home of Lucinda Bradford built for her by her husband Frederick Yeiser. After the Mexican War Janes deeded his share of the family estate to his sister's husband Alexander Scott McGrority. Rose enjoyed through life the understanding love and affection of her cousin, Clara Lee McGrority, 9th. child of Rose and Scott McGrority. The two girls were together and saw from their bedroom window in the yard the guest who had just arrived from the old country. He was William Dick Peddie and he was wearing his native kilts. Possibly the first time the girls had seen the costume it made quite an impression on them. William later married Clara Lee's sister Alice Barbee, 8th. daughter of Rose and Scott Mcrority.
Several years had elapsed since the marriage of Rose's friend Agnes to Linton Dean. He was now a well established lawyer in Rome and they had made their home at Coliginie. Rose had returned from her travels and spent time with her art, especially china painting and the affairs of "Rose Terrace." Victor Ashby and Callie were the popular coming young folks in the home at this time. Many of the young people of Rome belonging to Rose's set were married and their entertainment had taken on a dignified aspect. At a reception in the home of the Deans' at Coligmie Rose was introduced to a young lawyer from Ohio. He was a member of the Bar Association of that state and he was also a qualified mineralogist. Later he was authorized to practice law in the State of Georgia.
After the introduction, I am afraid he thought of little else but the charming southern Belle whom he immediately determined to make his wife.
It would not be easy. He would have to win Araminta as well as Rose. The odds were against him, but he was fortunate in that his Scotch father was a professor and had taken no part in the Civil War. His grand-father was a Presbyterian minister. The Yeisers had remained close to Episcopal Church. St. Peters of Rome had been the church home of the family since 1859.
Ralph's father attended the University of Edinburgh for four years expecting to enter the ministry, but on coming to America he broke away from the orthodox faith of his forefathers. He directed his son's studies toward broader views. They were influenced by the work of Thoreau and Thomas Payne. Ralph considered himself a Diest. How wise he was not to allow his views stand between him and his charming and accomplished daughter of the south, Rose Yeiser of "Rose Terrace."
At festival season with her prolific brush. Rose painted cards which she placed in her father's drug store for sale, The spring of 1883 they were all sold immediately. Later she found them in her husband's luggage, and he admitted that he could not bear to see her handiwork in the hands of others.
They were married in St. Peters on April 15, 1884. It was a beautiful day and the bride was gowned in heavy white brocaded satin, a scrap of which, with many others told a story of gaiety in a crazy quilt. Rose made this work of art with its wide border of black velvet as she sat quietly in the garden of "Rose Terrace," awaiting the birth of her first child. Even the Devil himself with horns and tail was painted on one of the crazy squares. It delighted the eyes and imaginations of the Colvin children until the gay bits of silk fell into shreds and could no longer be held together by the many and varied fancy stitches used in its creation. The quilt played its part in family finances after many years by winning first prize at the State Fair in Atlanta whenever entered.
James Yeiser was born on Feb. 19, 1885 and Ewing Dean two years later on June 19, 1887. Ralph kept his promise to not interfere in the religious life of his children, but only Ewing's baptismal certificate has survived. It took place on Aug. 28, 1887 in St. Peters Church in Rome.
Shortly after Ewing's birth Ralph Colvin became a partner in the Delkin Lime Works and moved his family to Atlanta to be near his business.
In their first home, a brick building on Forsyth St., a third boy, Ralph was born on June 6, 1890 and a year and half later Jean was born.
At "Rose Terrace" before the family circle was broken a group photograph was taken including the in-laws and the grand children. (In Rose's scrap book.)
The Delkin Lime Works, a young business could not pay Ralph the full value of his services. He acted not only in the capacity of Mineralogist but also handled the legal business for the firm. He had faith in the promises of Mr. Delkin that he would be amply paid when the business was in better financial condition.
About this time Rose and Ralph purchased a modest home in Decatur. There during the year of 1894 Rose's father paid them a visit. He was in failing health and he felt very deeply the tragedy which had come to his youngest son, Victor Ashby who took his own life Jan. 1, 1892. (This is Victor Ashby Yeiser 5-D-196-7, that married Katherine "Kate" Yeiser, daughter of Charles Ridgley Yeiser.
Ewing was only seven years old when he sat on the steps of the diminutive porch in Decatur and listened to the tales of his grandfather about the Mexican and Civil Wars. Then sank deep into his child's heart, especially when his grandfather said: "Some day we will be engaged in a great war, and the sons of the south and the sons of the north will go out to fight together; then, and only then will the wound between the states be healed."
Before the passing of another spring the great and loving heart of our grandfather had gone to rest. He was known and beloved by most of the people of Rome where he had made his home for 36 years. A local newspaper of the day said in describing the services attending his funeral: "A courtly gentleman, he was highly educated and with a kindness of heart that made every one who knew him have a feeling of friendship for him."
"No more imposing ceremony and pageant has ever been witnessed in Rome" The military and veteran organizations as well as his associates in the drug business, who closed their stores in order to join in paying his honor, joined in this tribute. Services were held from the Baptist church because the auditorium at St. Peters was not large enough to accommodate all these who wished to pay their respects. After the service in which his Masonic brothers of Oostenaula Lodge No 113 acted as pall-bearers in the church, the procession formed and moved into Broad Street and up to Myrtle Hill Cemetery. It consisted of the Rome Light Guard, Hill City Cadets, Confederate Veterans' Association and a long line of carriages.
At the grave-side on Myrtle Hill the Masonic rites were concluded and the military fired a three-volley salute over the open grave.
Decatur:
In Decatur on Jan. 12, just two months before the death of her beloved father, Rose gave birth to the long hoped for daughter. I was named Ellen Dorcas Colvin, (5th. child of Mary rode & Ralph Colvin.), the given names of my two grand-mothers, Ellen Araminta Marshell and Dorces O'Neal.
My father put in long hours for the Delkin Lime Works. About this time Mr. Delkin decided to go west seeking new fields. The entire management and responsibility of the lime works in Georgia was left in the hands of his manager and legal adviser, Ralph L. Colvin. Like so many who followed the lure of the western trail at this period, death overtook him when he was far from home. But he did not forget his promise to his friend and business associate who had served him so well.
In his will made in the far west, Mr. Delkin left the management of the Georgia Lime Works to Ralph L. Colvin until it was out of debt and he was fully paid for his services. Not knowing the laws of his own state he had only two witnesses to the document. My father's only comment when he saw the will was: "It is not worth the paper it is written on. The State of Georgia requires three witnesses to a will." He was right the Delkin family had the will declared illegal and took over the business, leaving my father completely out.
Soon after the death of Col. Yeiser, Rose and Ralph, disheartened by the financial reverses experienced in Atlanta and by Ralph's ill health heeded the call and promise of the West. Rose did not question her husband's decision in spite of the vigorous protests of Ellen Araminta who felt that her grandchildren were being taken onto a wild land of barbarians. Although her heart was heavy at being uprooted from her childhood home, the new life was faced with a courage which never failed.
OREGON
Some time during the year 1897 Rose Yeiser Colvin, this talented daughter of the south and her husband Ralph and their family of five children arrived strangers in the town of Salem, Oregon.
For three years the family struggled to gain a foothold in this western town where the customs and people were so different from anything they had ever known. On Dec. 8, 1898, another daughter was born into the family. Rose named her Agnrs Blanch, (the 6th, child born into this family.), named for her two most intimate girlhood friends.
The three other boys James, Ewing and Ralph attended school in Salem. In the spring of 1900 James, 16, read the annual essay of the Salem High School, (Clipping from Salem paper 1900, found in father's old wallet.), entitled, America in the Philippines." James also played the violin in the school orchestra.
With a sick husband and a homesick heart, Rose did not falter in her duties as a mother. It was in Salem that she began to assume the responsibilities of bread-winner for the family. Here in this new country of the far west she found time, with her clever pen, brush and needle to create many salable art objects which were eagerly sought after by the residents of Salem during festive and holiday season.
That spring and fall of 1899, Ewing first contributed his efforts to add to the family budget. With a box fixed for him by his mother, he canvassed the residence districts, showing and selling her lovely gift creations. About this time Susan B. Anthony made a tour of the west and her enthusiastic suffragette followers of Salem commissioned Rose Colvin to make a fancy oval pillow, edged with lace, with the face of their etched in India ink on the fine lawn cover. It was their gift to her when she visited their city. During the hours spent on this work Rose gave much thought to the responsibility of women outside the home.
Other similar etchings on lawn, such as the face of the poet, Bobby Burns and Longfellow kept the artistic and cultured spirit if our home high not-with-standing the dire monetary difficulties. Only one of these gems remain. Longfellow is preserved between cellophane leaves in an old scrap book.
My father made a brave struggle in the face of ever increasing ill health. As revealed in old correspondence and a personal business card of R.L.R. Colvin, office at 1020 First Ave., Room 7 Seattle, Wash. "Mines and Real Estate." James was old enough to help in such a project., but there is no other record of further progress along this line. A home was established in Vanasset, and with the help of the two older boys truck gardening proved quite successful. Receipts to R.L.R. Colvin from A.D. Blowers, Commission Merchants, Western Ave., as late as August 1901 are a part of the old records. There in that house near the river, where in flood times the water rose around the house and isolated it as though it were standing in the middle of a lake, I was first conscious of my surroundings. It was great sport for the children, taking care of the chores and making necessary trips from the house to the road; the ducks loved it but the chickens sought the back porch and the low branches of the trees to roost.
During these cold, damp, dark days of enforced farm inactivity, my father, although his body was racked with rheumatic pains made no complaints. The bitterness of the situation was charged away by soothing and expressive reading voice. My mother, gifted in animal paintings was working on an oil reproduction of Rosa Bonheur's famous "Lion and Lioness," and my father was reading aloud to her the "Hunchback of Notre Dame." Only the thrill and intense romance of the episode in the courts of the Cathedral were the recluse in her call recognized the gypsy Esmerelda as her daughter, caught and held my imagination and fired my determination to learn to read. This vague remembrance is the only conscious picture I have of my father and mother in the home together. James, Ewing, Ralph and Jean really knew him, and to them his gentle and loving nature with firm principles of right and wrong remained a guide-line throughout their lives."2Ellen Johnson, Yeiser , A Narriative History of (part 5). "
The spring and fall of 1901 is vague and sketchy in my memory. Our father with James and Ralph evidently worked the truck farm near Georgetown. Mama, no doubt through her purchases of art materials had become acquainted with the Magdells. It was the period when there was a great enthusiasm for enlarged photographs, and Mr. Magdell was in this business. When he realized that Rose Colvin could make these sometime photographic horrors come to life, he offered her all the work she could do. It was a time of desperate need and she did not hesitate to use the opportunity.
Three outstanding situations only, of this period remains with me. It was lunch time, and the studio where mama was working. (no doubt in the home on Denny Way) Agnes and I were having lunch on a low table. Only the beverage, buttermilk is remembered for it was served from the most beautiful pale blue Tiffany glass pitcher with a fluted edge and straight glasses to match. The set was of my mother's wedding presents. Years later I realized how we had always been surrounded in the home by lovely art, music and literature. My mother had brought west three barrels of haviland china which she had painted before her marriage in 1884, as well as many other lovely things from her southern home. We used the china every day and it is amazing that any of the precious pieces remain after almost 100 years.
But to get back to 1901, Mama had just finished an order; she left the easel for a few minutes, and Agnes, not yet three years old, but doing what she saw her mother do picked up a brush and put streaks of Prussian blue across the white front of the gentleman's shirt. Our artist mother did not panic or scold; this was a situation she could handle and the picture was delivered to Mr. Magdell at the appointed time.
Jean and I were enrolled in school that fall but the only thing I remember about it was the day that we, instead of going straight hone, stayed and peaked in the window when some other children were being kept after class. The teacher saw us and we were ushered into the room for a closer view. I was scared out of my wits the rest of the season is a blank just as though it never happened.
One document from this period remains which tells a story. It is dated, Seattle, Wash., Oct. 26, 1901, on note paper of Bartell Drug Co. 506 2nd. Ave. and reads: "Ewing Colvin has been working for us for past six months and we have found him entirely honest and trustworthy. He is a boy of good habits and we cheerfully recommend him to needing his services." Signed Bartell, Ewing was just fourteen at the time.
My next Conscious knowledge of events was the excitement of the family mobilized for a train departure a couple of days before my sixth birthday, Jan. 14, 1902. We were on our way back to Georgia, and I a beautiful doll with a bisquet china head, curling brown hair and brown eyes which closed and opened. The body was white kid and the arms and legs from the elbows and knees were also bisque, I did not realize that my father was not with us and that the doll was my last birthday present from him. There was no Christmas excitement in our house that year for our father had passed away in the Seattle Catholic Hospital on Oct. 14, 1901.
Mama made friends where ever she was and under whatever circumstances. One of these friends was a Miss Osola Griffin. Miss Griffin was governess and house-keeper for the two children of Judge Sacs, who was prominent in law circles in Seattle at that time. They lived in a very nice home on Queen Ann Hill with a lovely view of the Sound. Bertha, the eldest was partially paralyzed from illness and Ben was a very young boy.
The friendship, though short was strong and sincere, and miss Griffin, as she had no family, requested that all of us call her "Sister."
It was Ewing who sent the telegram announcing our Father's death to grandmother Yeiser in Rome, and after more than sixty years I found her reply, written on Oct. 15, 1901, among my Mother's "souvenirs." It tells the story of our return to the south.
My darling Child:
I was too shocked at receiving Ewing's tel to write you yesterday. Although I dreaded the worst, yet your letter of the 7th. said dear Ralph was better, and then I hoped he would get well, but God willed it otherwise. He knows how hard it is for us poor mortals to bear up under such sorrow and will help us. I looked at dear paps's picture which hangs over the mantle and felt glad that he is not here to share in our sorrow. He loved the dear one who has just been taken and they are now together in our heavenly home where we will meet them to part no more. Now my darling child, you must bear up. You've got your children to live for and me. Oh! how I wish I was with you to comfort you in this the saddest of all trials. But you must come home. So many times I have been on the eve of selling the dear old home, but failed. How glad I am that it is still a home for you and the children to come to and God will provide a way for us to clear it of the debt hanging over it.
I can have my Mexican War pension increased to $12.00 per month. I shall apply for a Confederate pension, which by a recent law passed in Georgia I can get, and then we all can help you. Mrs. Simons does not like Lulla Ross and she is a dear friend of mine - and perhaps you could get the place of Art Teacher at Shorter, if not you could teach at home. Maime W. came out last night and suggested that we take the home and could get a few boarders. People left Rome last summer because they could not get good boarding homes. I am well and I could attend to the little ones and the housekeeping and I know the boys can get something to do. They are good business boys and industrious. We have good schools for little ones, and, My Child, you have many kind friends who will help you. I can get the home at anytime as it is only rented by the month. I want dear Ralph's body brought back too, and lay him beside dear papa - that can be done later - it would not do to move him now. I have had to put this down so often - sympathizing friends calling. Aggie has just gone. God knows if sympathy would help you, you would be comforted. Aggie says she wrote you last night. Another visitor - so I must close this to send this afternoon. Will write again. Callie joins me in love to all. God bless and comfort you, my darling child, is the prayer of your loving mama. Tell the dear children to be brave and take care of Mama and bring her home to Grandma. If you can not write, get someone to do it for you. You cannot tell how I shall be until I hear from you.
Affec
Mama
Mama had faced the years of hardship and sickness with courage when she had my father's wonderful companionship; but now he was gone the terrible home-sickness which she had so bravely suppressed overwhelmed her, mother's letter, it seemed that she just must get back to her girlhood home and friends.
James who was 17 felt that he could best help the family circumstances by remaining in Seattle. It was a time of National unrest in the Pacific over the Philippines, and on May 15, 1902 James was recruited into the U.S. army and became a member of Co. "G" U.S. Infantry, stationed at Vancouver, Wash. As he had some musical training, he was soon a member of the Band. in Vancouver he met and married Beulah Haskell of Albany, N. Y. on Dec. 12, 1902. In July 1903 his outfit was sent to the Philippine Islands, where he served on the Island of Mindanac in field operation against the Minos during 1903-4 and five.
Only Ewing or Mama could have given an accurate account of that trip across the continent. We stopped for two days in the home of our father's step-mother, who had married into the McCormick family of Billings, Mont. Then I remember only arriving in Chattanooga, Tenn., where we had to change trains for Rome. How six people with all the baggage necessary for a cross country trip could be directed to the wrong train seems a little fantastic in these days. But when the conductor came around for the tickets we were put off in the snow at a bleak little Wayside station to await the return train to Chattanooga.
When we finally got to Rome, many hours latter, of course there was no one to meet us. But there was a friendly greeting. As we filed into the waiting room from the train and Mama came into sight, a pleasant voice exclaimed: "Laws if it ain't Mis Rose and her children." It was the portress who had known Mama in her girlhood. We were soon surrounded by friends.
"Rose Terrace," was a lovely old place and we were soon settled there. The rooms were large and spacious and the hallways divided the house in a T shape with the stairway at the end of the hall to the right. The yard which was a child's dream of paradise is described in letter to my brother James:
Rome, Ga.
1/8/1903
"Mr. J. Y. Colvin
Dear Sir:
My very good friend Mrs. L. D. Yeargan asked me to write this.
Your grandmother' home set far back in a large yard filled with many flowers and shrubbery. I remember quite well. I think her special pride was her lonely dahlias and large tube roses. Your Mother was a contemporary of my oldest sister and in our house are two lovely vases painted by her. Your uncle was Capt. of the Rome Light Guards when they sponsored an old fashioned bazaar lasting a week. These vases were the prize given the young lady receiving the greatest number of votes as the most popular young lady of Rome. Another sister of mine won this prize.
Your aunt Callie Yeiser, I also remember with pleasure.
Sincerely,
Addie Mitchell."
Mama's friends in Rome were wonderful to her, but she of course was quite a different person from the popular young woman who had been raised in that charming southern college town in the hills of North Georgia. Her married life though harassed by financial difficulties had been a most wonderful expansion.
My father had a Scotch Presbyterian background, but had become a great admirer of Thomas Payne and Thoreau. His politics had been influenced in his northern home by Abraham Lincoln. Although a republican he never voted the ticket while in the south in deference to the family of the woman he married. He never in any way found fault with her religious faith and each child in the family was christened in the Episcopal Church with the name of their father, Ralph Colvin as Godfather.
It was the minister of the church in Salem, Ore., who sewed the first seeds of dissent in my mother's mind when he objected to our father's name appearing on Agnes' christening certificate because he was not a communicant of the church and even then no objection was made to the ceremony though he was deeply hurt. It was agreed that her brother Janes should take his place.
Mom of course, as was the custom, was in deep mourning when we returned to Rome. One day it seemed to her that a friend crossed the street rather than meet her. She felt that it was because of her doleful appearance - she never again wore the long black veil. It took courage to return to her home town and again, as was done after the days, take boarders at "Rose Terrace." But her attitude and motto in life was; "The Lord will provide," and this at the moment was the proviso.
I believe her first boarders, because I remember no others, were three very impressive appearing ladies from Port Huron, Mich. I never knew what kind Roman directed them to "Rose Terrace."
The three women were representatives of a women's fraternal insurance company of Port Huron, Mich. which was called "Ladies of the Maccabees of the World." Like many other such organizations, it had its beginning as a social auxiliary to the Knights of the Maccabees, a fraternal insurance company. This roll, however, was not challenge enough for its capable woman and they soon had a greater and more practical vision for their efforts. After a struggle against prejudice, their group was licensed to write life insurance on women in the State of Michigan. By the year 1892 they were doing business in over 30 states and on Sept. 16, 1893 they paid their first claim of $1,000.
For the first time in the spring of 1902 this Fraternal Insurance group for women only and staffed and directed by women, was ready to carry its message of protection and fraternity to the homes and women of the deep south. There they would have to fight another battle against custom and prejudice. No one knew this any better than Lady Lillian M. Holister, Supreme Commander of the supreme Hive at Port Huron, Mich. The three representatives sent to Georgia (whose picture with that of mother is in her scrap book: I remember only the name of one of the other ladies, Mrs. Odem) were authorized to seek a southern woman with the qualifications of organizer.
Was it the hand of fate which guided them to boarding accommodations at "Rose Terrace!" Surley there was no more fitting candidate than Rose Y. Colvin for the job.
My mother's friends in Rome were very wonderful to her. One of them had given my brother Ralph, who was twelve, a job as small parcel messenger boy, which he immediately forfeited by writing on a small parcel which he was delivering, "Lazy Bones." He had seen two ladies ride up to the store in a carriage to make the purchase. Agnes Dean of Rome tried to get Ralph in Martha Berries school, but he did not qualify because he was not born in the mountains. But he had the privilege, that first year in the south of being a member of the family at Coligini.
If mama had any doubts about her ability to do the Maccabee work they were never voiced. To add to her difficulties, I had scarlet fever that spring and had to be isolated in the left wing of the lovely old house. I was not conscious of any of the preparation for the move to Atlanta, where the first unit of L.O.T.M., known as Gate City Hive, was to be organized. What a pity "Rose Terrace" had to go.
Our first days in Atlanta were spent in the home of Cousin Rena Sower who became one of the first Lady Maccabees. She became record keeper of "Gate City Hive, "instructed to do the work by her cousin Rose.
Mama was a handsome woman with dark flashing eyes, a clear complexion and an abundance of black hair. She had a full figure and carried herself erect. It was the period of the shirtwaist and long skirt, just missing the floor, for the woman in business. Her approach was disarmingly friendly, and her experience had made her a firm believer in the message of protection she was carrying to her southern sisters. After winning the mother in the home the father had to be convinced that his ability to look after his family was not being questioned. Then too, it was a secret organization. What did the woman do behind those closed doors?
Oh! Yes, the Eastern Star of which Lady Colvin was a member in Atlanta, was also a secret order, but husbands were allowed into those secrets.
There were disheartening days: days when Lady Colvin walked the streets of Atlanta, called at homes where the mother had been referred to her as a prospective member.
Her only support and confident during these dark days was her son Ewing. He was up before daybreak in the morning to walk the weary paper route for the Atlantic Constitution, and his last two years of any kind of formal school was secure after a hard days work.
The first Christmas in Atlanta 1903 was a gay one at least for the three youngest members of the family. We were living in the unused rooms of a private school, whose mistress was Miss Emma Tilla. Jean was supposed to sharpen pencils, empty waste baskets and sweep the schoolroom floor after school.
That fall Mama spend the mid-night hours making Christmas tree decorations and small gifts as a pair of moccasins for my doll. There were placed for safe keeping in the lovely gold and deep blue winged vases which stood on the mantel. My faith in Santa Claus vanished that year because the hiding place was revealed to me, but it was replaced by a deep trust in my mother which never failed.
To make an appearance for the Fraternal Order she was representing, a suite of rooms was obtained in the Grand Opera House Building on Peachtree St. at five corners. The old church with the steeple was still standing on one of them. Though her many moves the choice pieces of furniture from her original home in Decatur, crates of pictures and barrels of china and glass had been moved from place to place. There were plenty of attractive furnishings to make a pleasing reception room for prospective clients. At night they were turned into sleeping quarters with beds on the floor.
There were prosperous days for the family and a few cents were even found for a performance or two in the theater below. We entered from the alley at the rear and climbed to the gallery, Ewing carrying Agnes on his shoulder. We saw such plays as "Ben Hur" and "The Little Church around the Corner."
When going through a worn copy of a History of the Maccabee Order, Copyright 1892, a small yellowed sheet of paper slipped out of the pages: on one side the conditions of a Contest put on by L.O.T.M. from April through June, and on their the names of the ladies in the two contending teams. There were seventy-two in all. Rose Colvin's name appears at the end as a member of a Committee of three. It was a money making contest for Gate City Hive, Atlanta, possibly to finance their drill team.
There were always a drill team, trained by the organizer - Who taught to "Cut her corners square." Evening programs of course were on for purpose of advertising and gaining new membership. Lady Colvin held the attention of the members and their guest, men and women with her enthusiasm for the Ladies of the Maccabees, the only women's benefit association.
The order was well established in Atlanta and Lady Colvin was now State Commander of Georgia. Her duties as organizer called her to other fields. There was no longer need for the suite of rooms in the Grand Opera House. Macon was chosen as her next field of endeavor and boarding arrangements were made where she could have Agnes, who was still just a baby, with her, I became a boarder at the Sacred Hart Convent on Capitol Ave., where I had been attending day school.
Again Rose's charm and natural abilities carried her to success. Ewing, who was now sixteen could see no future for himself in Atlanta. His brother James was to be discharged from the U.S. Army in the Philippines early in the year of 1905 and would make his home in Woodbutn[?], Oregon. where his wife's family lived.
Ewing wanted to go west again. He had remained with his mother until she was a success in business and confident of her own ability. It was decided that eventually the whole family would move west, Seattle would be our future home. Ewing's railway ticket was purchased and he left Atlanta with a few extra dollars in his pocket.
During the summer months new members were solicited locally, but our amazing mother missed no opportunity to add to the family budget. Dr. Huff, the dentist whose home we occupied half, suggested that Mama assist his wife at the birth of her second child. With her wealth of personal experience she felt quite capable and welcomed the opportunity.
This was the summer in which a deep and lasting friendship grew up between Rose and May Baptist. May was pianist for Gate City Hive, and the two spent hours playing duets.
As fall came Lady Colvin had to be off again to new fields and Brunswick was chosen. Why? I do not know. With Ewing gone, Mama offered a place to stay to a Miss Anderson from England to have someone with us and in order to leave Agnes at home this time. Miss Anderson, who has lost the sight of one eye in early childhood with small-pox was a happy person and an inveterate dirt chaser. She took the feathers (feathers which mother had plucked from her own geese when we lived in Vanassrt) from the pillows and washed the ticking. From her home in England she brought the saying: "If you clean the corners, the center of the room will clean itself."
The work was not progressing smoothly in Brunswick, Sam Jones, a revivalist, had scheduled meetings there and the women of the town were deep in the throes of religious fever. Rev. Jones was no help. She was characterized as an instrument Satin himself, sent to entice the women away from their husbands, homes and churches.
In the midst of these difficulties she received a phone call from Ralph in Atlanta. The connection was poor and all she heard was that one of the children was seriously ill and she must return at once. Miss Anderson had found permanent employment and we had been left alone. It was Agnes who was ill. She an angry looking eruption on both cheeks - the doctor had pronounced it "erysipelas," and stated that she must not move.
The work in Brunswick had to be terminated and because of the situation it was imperative that the Insurance Company's representative be there. A boarding place was found for Ralph and Jean and I was placed in a friend's a home near the school I was attending.
In the fall of 1906. Florida was added to my mother's territory and again she was faced with the problem of moving the family to a center location. The furniture and household belongings were stored in Atlanta and we went to Jacksonville, Florida to live. My fine looking sturdily built brothers, Jean and Ralph had no difficulty in securing positions in the fashionable ice-cream parlors and soda fountains.
Grandmother, Ellen Araminta, was living with us at this time and we located in furnished rooms with kitchen privileges.
This was the year that Lady Maccabees held a convention in Richmond, Va. which Mama attended with all expenses paid. she returned to Florida with renewed enthusiasm for her work.
Jean, who at one time had started west on foot, to join his brothers, but returned home after several days on the road, now had his trip planned for him to Woodburn, Org., where he could help his brother James, in the store and go to school.
That year Florida had its share of unusual weather. The main Streets of Jacksonville were flooded and Ralph came from work in a row-boat right to the bottom steps of our rooming house. One day a hailstorm as large eggs shattered the windows, unprotected by shutters, facing the storm. But the organization was accomplished early in the spring and the Hive would carry on its own affairs.
Early in the spring of 1907, Grandmother Yeiser had gone to Bilouxi, Miss. to be with her daughter, Callie Evins who soon was to give birth to another baby. Callie had been burned badly when her family garments were drawn into a hall fireplace by an updraft. She did not fully recover, Mama who was always ready in an emergency, with Agnes, left immediately for Bilouxi to take charge of her sister's family, in which there were four young children, until their father Tom Evins could make arrangements for them and close the house in Biouxi. After school closed I too went to Bilouxi.
It was a beautiful home; tall blossoming oleander trees swayed over green lawns which extended right to the edge of Bilouxi Bay. Being daily in the waters of the Bay with my cousins, who were good swimmers, it was a challenge to me and I was not long in racing them.
The daily household duties were capably performed by trained employees, the cook had a French background. This left Mama with more leisure time than she had enjoyed for many years. In these precious hours she sought out and made friends with those around her who needed encouragement. This was vividly brought home to me when I was required to spend some parts of my morning reading to a neighbor who was a hopeless cripple from arthritis. Early in the difficult days in Atlanta, we attended the Unitarian Sunday School and Mama had become interested in the New Thought movement. These ideologies helped her to look on the bright side of life and she eagerly carried their message to others.
The summer was gone and the Evins home was closed. We were only a few hours from that wonderful old historical city of the deep south, New Orleans, where Mama had visited and enjoyed such a gay time as a young lady. There was no hesitation in obtaining authority from Port Huron, Mich. to carry the message of fraternal insurance to the women of the Crescent City. We did not arrive there as absolute strangers. For the first few days we were in the home of Mama's cousin Willie Andrews whose parents had entertained the attractive and gay Rose Yeiser of Rome, Ga. about the year 1880.
No time was lost in securing living quarters. Now we needed only one room with an additional small area to prepare and eat meals. Such a facility usually consisted in a two burner gas stove, a few dishes and pan for washing them. We were fortunate in locating such a place in the home of a Jewish widow, Mrs. Eagle whose husband had been a scholar. There were four young people in the family, two sons in college and two daughters, Teckoa, a lovely curly headed brunette and Dahlia, a perfect blond.
Agnes was enrolled in school, but it was decided that I should not go that year. I spent my days in the wonderful library of the Eagle home getting acquainted with Tolstoi, Dumas and Victor Hugo.
March came with Mardi Gras and a magic evening of Canal Street with its crowds of maskers, lights and fantastic floats. For a treat one of the famous brown sugar and pecan goodies. We had our day at the French Marker and the famous old square with Jackson's monument.
We were always well dressed. Mama's nimble fingers were busy far into the night embroidering her white blouse and garments for we which were made from material picked up at bargain prices. Proud of one of her creations which had cost so little, at two or three cents a yard, she mentioned the cost. When Sunday came the dress was turned down as not good enough to wear to Sunday School. But Mama decided that this was not the right frame of mind in which to receive any instruction, so the rebellious one was denied the privilege of Sunday School and was sent out to walk until in a better frame of mind.
Plans had been made with Ewing, now working in a Clerical position with the law firm of Hastings and Steadman for Ralph to leave Jacksonville and join him in Seattle in the early spring. Everything went off as planed except that when that fine looking, confident young man reached St. Louis he was relieved of his train ticket and all of his cash. He soon secured work and was on his way west again in a few months.
The spring months were busy ones. The request number of women for the organization of a new Hive had signed for the insurance. Officers to carry on the business and keep the records of the group had to be instructed and trained in their duties. Preparation for the important evening of installation was made by intensively training the leaders, not otherwise occupied, as a drill team. Lady Colvin was business instructor, drill master, often pianist and speaker of the evening. She needed no script or previous preparation to hold an audience with her eloquence in describing the fraternal and protective benefits brought to families by The Ladies of the Maccabees of the World, the only such order run entirely by women.
At the close of the ceremonies, Mama was presented with a gold watch-bob. Engraved on the back were the following words:
Crescent City Hive #4 to
Lady Colvin
1908
Before returning to Atlanta, Mama, Agnes and I stopped for a short vacation in Natches, Miss. We were the guest of Cousin Gussie Robinson, one of Mama'a companions during the happy days of her New Orleans visits. One day while there I was amazed to find "Rose" in the barnyard, milking the family cow. Was there no end to her accomplishments?
Ralph who was still working in Port Gibson, came down to Nachez to see us. He would soon be leaving for the west again. But fate decreed that he should meet in Natchez the charming blue-eyed strawberry blonde, Octevia Zebelon Chaney, whose mother was cousin Gussie's neighbor. Several years later he returned to the south to make her his wife.
We were back in Atlanta again. It was rather lonely with the boys so far away, but not for long. Lady Colvin had reached her goal. In the eight years since taking the suite of rooms in the Grand Opera House building, her family had been adequately cared for; she had a success in business and had spread across the southern states the first message of Insurance for women.
Through the years there had always been a small savings account and in spite of bank failures there was now sufficient to place the three of us with what was left of our materials goods back in Seattle. Accompanying us was the daughter of a very dear old neighbor in Rome, Miss Annie Fenner."
1Ellen Johnson, Yeiser , A Narriative History of (part 4). "Narrative continued from source notes of mother.
TO MISS ROSE YEISER, OF "ROSE TERRACE."
I've ne'er seen the face of this maiden,
Never heard her soft silvery tone,
Never looked with delight on her picture,
Portraying the charm all her own.
But her grace, her gifts and her bearing,
Have so oft been repeated to me
that this sweet blushing "Rose of the Terrace"
I oft in my dreaming doth see.
In her form she is tall like a Goddess,
Her hair it is dark as the night.
Her lips, they are richest carnation
Her eyes black; and wondrously bright.
We have seen the rare work of her genius
Which we prize more than jewels and gold one,
It not only pictures our loved one,
But brings up the memory of "Rose."
Yet, it hangs where it catches the sunlight
When it first sheds its glories around
And when "Dear Jeff" is gone from the fireside,
His picture looks lovingly down.
It will hang there perhaps when the "Painter."
Has laid by both easel and brush,
Perhaps when the head of "the Painter"
Is white, under times ruthless touch.
No matter, if old age has crowned you
With chaplets that are fleecy as snow.
The canvass will recall to our memories
The "Hopes and the Happiness of yore.
Very Kindly
Violet Dell Sept. 12, 1877. S.V.P.
Rose was busy with her brush these days. It was about this time that she painted a portrait of her father with his long beard, which many years later she gave to her eldest son, James Yeiser Colvin, because he bore his grandfather's name. It is now in the possession of the great-grandson, Hal Colvin of Woodburn, Oregon.
The boarders were now gone from Rose Terrace. Araminta had done her job well. With her help the children were enjoying educational advantages unusual in southern homes in the years following the war. The old house was now filled with the life and activities of young folks.
William Chartres, who was learning the drug business in his father's store was elected Captain of the Rome Light Guards. They gave balls, parties and Bazars for the benefit of the Guards and Rose donated lovely hand painted china as popularity prizes. On the blank pages of two old French volumes. on the bookshelves of Rose Terrace there are pencil sketches of local personalities and one especially of Rose and a girl friend after the ball. These sketches it is believed were by William Chartres.
One of the big and important social events of the year 1878 was the marriage of Agnes Smith to Linton A. Dean, a young lawyer of Rome. They were both members of the Baptist Church. There is no better way to describe the affair than to quote what a Rome paper had to say about it.
Rose did some traveling in the next few years. She visited her cousins on the Marshall side of the family in New Orleans and joined in the gay life of the Mardi Gras season. Araminta hurriedly took care of the requests for new clothes as she was glad to have her daughter out of Rome because of a romantic attachment to a young man there who was in ill health. Later she visited in Kentucky with her father's sister, Rose McGrority at the Pines in Danville.
The lovely old brick mansion was the original home of Lucinda Bradford built for her by her husband Frederick Yeiser. After the Mexican War Janes deeded his share of the family estate to his sister's husband Alexander Scott McGrority. Rose enjoyed through life the understanding love and affection of her cousin, Clara Lee McGrority, 9th. child of Rose and Scott McGrority. The two girls were together and saw from their bedroom window in the yard the guest who had just arrived from the old country. He was William Dick Peddie and he was wearing his native kilts. Possibly the first time the girls had seen the costume it made quite an impression on them. William later married Clara Lee's sister Alice Barbee, 8th. daughter of Rose and Scott Mcrority.
Several years had elapsed since the marriage of Rose's friend Agnes to Linton Dean. He was now a well established lawyer in Rome and they had made their home at Coliginie. Rose had returned from her travels and spent time with her art, especially china painting and the affairs of "Rose Terrace." Victor Ashby and Callie were the popular coming young folks in the home at this time. Many of the young people of Rome belonging to Rose's set were married and their entertainment had taken on a dignified aspect. At a reception in the home of the Deans' at Coligmie Rose was introduced to a young lawyer from Ohio. He was a member of the Bar Association of that state and he was also a qualified mineralogist. Later he was authorized to practice law in the State of Georgia.
After the introduction, I am afraid he thought of little else but the charming southern Belle whom he immediately determined to make his wife.
It would not be easy. He would have to win Araminta as well as Rose. The odds were against him, but he was fortunate in that his Scotch father was a professor and had taken no part in the Civil War. His grand-father was a Presbyterian minister. The Yeisers had remained close to Episcopal Church. St. Peters of Rome had been the church home of the family since 1859.
Ralph's father attended the University of Edinburgh for four years expecting to enter the ministry, but on coming to America he broke away from the orthodox faith of his forefathers. He directed his son's studies toward broader views. They were influenced by the work of Thoreau and Thomas Payne. Ralph considered himself a Diest. How wise he was not to allow his views stand between him and his charming and accomplished daughter of the south, Rose Yeiser of "Rose Terrace."
At festival season with her prolific brush. Rose painted cards which she placed in her father's drug store for sale, The spring of 1883 they were all sold immediately. Later she found them in her husband's luggage, and he admitted that he could not bear to see her handiwork in the hands of others.
They were married in St. Peters on April 15, 1884. It was a beautiful day and the bride was gowned in heavy white brocaded satin, a scrap of which, with many others told a story of gaiety in a crazy quilt. Rose made this work of art with its wide border of black velvet as she sat quietly in the garden of "Rose Terrace," awaiting the birth of her first child. Even the Devil himself with horns and tail was painted on one of the crazy squares. It delighted the eyes and imaginations of the Colvin children until the gay bits of silk fell into shreds and could no longer be held together by the many and varied fancy stitches used in its creation. The quilt played its part in family finances after many years by winning first prize at the State Fair in Atlanta whenever entered.
James Yeiser was born on Feb. 19, 1885 and Ewing Dean two years later on June 19, 1887. Ralph kept his promise to not interfere in the religious life of his children, but only Ewing's baptismal certificate has survived. It took place on Aug. 28, 1887 in St. Peters Church in Rome.
Shortly after Ewing's birth Ralph Colvin became a partner in the Delkin Lime Works and moved his family to Atlanta to be near his business.
In their first home, a brick building on Forsyth St., a third boy, Ralph was born on June 6, 1890 and a year and half later Jean was born.
At "Rose Terrace" before the family circle was broken a group photograph was taken including the in-laws and the grand children. (In Rose's scrap book.)
The Delkin Lime Works, a young business could not pay Ralph the full value of his services. He acted not only in the capacity of Mineralogist but also handled the legal business for the firm. He had faith in the promises of Mr. Delkin that he would be amply paid when the business was in better financial condition.
About this time Rose and Ralph purchased a modest home in Decatur. There during the year of 1894 Rose's father paid them a visit. He was in failing health and he felt very deeply the tragedy which had come to his youngest son, Victor Ashby who took his own life Jan. 1, 1892. (This is Victor Ashby Yeiser 5-D-196-7, that married Katherine "Kate" Yeiser, daughter of Charles Ridgley Yeiser.
Ewing was only seven years old when he sat on the steps of the diminutive porch in Decatur and listened to the tales of his grandfather about the Mexican and Civil Wars. Then sank deep into his child's heart, especially when his grandfather said: "Some day we will be engaged in a great war, and the sons of the south and the sons of the north will go out to fight together; then, and only then will the wound between the states be healed."
Before the passing of another spring the great and loving heart of our grandfather had gone to rest. He was known and beloved by most of the people of Rome where he had made his home for 36 years. A local newspaper of the day said in describing the services attending his funeral: "A courtly gentleman, he was highly educated and with a kindness of heart that made every one who knew him have a feeling of friendship for him."
"No more imposing ceremony and pageant has ever been witnessed in Rome" The military and veteran organizations as well as his associates in the drug business, who closed their stores in order to join in paying his honor, joined in this tribute. Services were held from the Baptist church because the auditorium at St. Peters was not large enough to accommodate all these who wished to pay their respects. After the service in which his Masonic brothers of Oostenaula Lodge No 113 acted as pall-bearers in the church, the procession formed and moved into Broad Street and up to Myrtle Hill Cemetery. It consisted of the Rome Light Guard, Hill City Cadets, Confederate Veterans' Association and a long line of carriages.
At the grave-side on Myrtle Hill the Masonic rites were concluded and the military fired a three-volley salute over the open grave.
Decatur:
In Decatur on Jan. 12, just two months before the death of her beloved father, Rose gave birth to the long hoped for daughter. I was named Ellen Dorcas Colvin, (5th. child of Mary rode & Ralph Colvin.), the given names of my two grand-mothers, Ellen Araminta Marshell and Dorces O'Neal.
My father put in long hours for the Delkin Lime Works. About this time Mr. Delkin decided to go west seeking new fields. The entire management and responsibility of the lime works in Georgia was left in the hands of his manager and legal adviser, Ralph L. Colvin. Like so many who followed the lure of the western trail at this period, death overtook him when he was far from home. But he did not forget his promise to his friend and business associate who had served him so well.
In his will made in the far west, Mr. Delkin left the management of the Georgia Lime Works to Ralph L. Colvin until it was out of debt and he was fully paid for his services. Not knowing the laws of his own state he had only two witnesses to the document. My father's only comment when he saw the will was: "It is not worth the paper it is written on. The State of Georgia requires three witnesses to a will." He was right the Delkin family had the will declared illegal and took over the business, leaving my father completely out.
Soon after the death of Col. Yeiser, Rose and Ralph, disheartened by the financial reverses experienced in Atlanta and by Ralph's ill health heeded the call and promise of the West. Rose did not question her husband's decision in spite of the vigorous protests of Ellen Araminta who felt that her grandchildren were being taken onto a wild land of barbarians. Although her heart was heavy at being uprooted from her childhood home, the new life was faced with a courage which never failed.
OREGON
Some time during the year 1897 Rose Yeiser Colvin, this talented daughter of the south and her husband Ralph and their family of five children arrived strangers in the town of Salem, Oregon.
For three years the family struggled to gain a foothold in this western town where the customs and people were so different from anything they had ever known. On Dec. 8, 1898, another daughter was born into the family. Rose named her Agnrs Blanch, (the 6th, child born into this family.), named for her two most intimate girlhood friends.
The three other boys James, Ewing and Ralph attended school in Salem. In the spring of 1900 James, 16, read the annual essay of the Salem High School, (Clipping from Salem paper 1900, found in father's old wallet.), entitled, America in the Philippines." James also played the violin in the school orchestra.
With a sick husband and a homesick heart, Rose did not falter in her duties as a mother. It was in Salem that she began to assume the responsibilities of bread-winner for the family. Here in this new country of the far west she found time, with her clever pen, brush and needle to create many salable art objects which were eagerly sought after by the residents of Salem during festive and holiday season.
That spring and fall of 1899, Ewing first contributed his efforts to add to the family budget. With a box fixed for him by his mother, he canvassed the residence districts, showing and selling her lovely gift creations. About this time Susan B. Anthony made a tour of the west and her enthusiastic suffragette followers of Salem commissioned Rose Colvin to make a fancy oval pillow, edged with lace, with the face of their etched in India ink on the fine lawn cover. It was their gift to her when she visited their city. During the hours spent on this work Rose gave much thought to the responsibility of women outside the home.
Other similar etchings on lawn, such as the face of the poet, Bobby Burns and Longfellow kept the artistic and cultured spirit if our home high not-with-standing the dire monetary difficulties. Only one of these gems remain. Longfellow is preserved between cellophane leaves in an old scrap book.
My father made a brave struggle in the face of ever increasing ill health. As revealed in old correspondence and a personal business card of R.L.R. Colvin, office at 1020 First Ave., Room 7 Seattle, Wash. "Mines and Real Estate." James was old enough to help in such a project., but there is no other record of further progress along this line. A home was established in Vanasset, and with the help of the two older boys truck gardening proved quite successful. Receipts to R.L.R. Colvin from A.D. Blowers, Commission Merchants, Western Ave., as late as August 1901 are a part of the old records. There in that house near the river, where in flood times the water rose around the house and isolated it as though it were standing in the middle of a lake, I was first conscious of my surroundings. It was great sport for the children, taking care of the chores and making necessary trips from the house to the road; the ducks loved it but the chickens sought the back porch and the low branches of the trees to roost.
During these cold, damp, dark days of enforced farm inactivity, my father, although his body was racked with rheumatic pains made no complaints. The bitterness of the situation was charged away by soothing and expressive reading voice. My mother, gifted in animal paintings was working on an oil reproduction of Rosa Bonheur's famous "Lion and Lioness," and my father was reading aloud to her the "Hunchback of Notre Dame." Only the thrill and intense romance of the episode in the courts of the Cathedral were the recluse in her call recognized the gypsy Esmerelda as her daughter, caught and held my imagination and fired my determination to learn to read. This vague remembrance is the only conscious picture I have of my father and mother in the home together. James, Ewing, Ralph and Jean really knew him, and to them his gentle and loving nature with firm principles of right and wrong remained a guide-line throughout their lives."2Ellen Johnson, Yeiser , A Narriative History of (part 5). "
The spring and fall of 1901 is vague and sketchy in my memory. Our father with James and Ralph evidently worked the truck farm near Georgetown. Mama, no doubt through her purchases of art materials had become acquainted with the Magdells. It was the period when there was a great enthusiasm for enlarged photographs, and Mr. Magdell was in this business. When he realized that Rose Colvin could make these sometime photographic horrors come to life, he offered her all the work she could do. It was a time of desperate need and she did not hesitate to use the opportunity.
Three outstanding situations only, of this period remains with me. It was lunch time, and the studio where mama was working. (no doubt in the home on Denny Way) Agnes and I were having lunch on a low table. Only the beverage, buttermilk is remembered for it was served from the most beautiful pale blue Tiffany glass pitcher with a fluted edge and straight glasses to match. The set was of my mother's wedding presents. Years later I realized how we had always been surrounded in the home by lovely art, music and literature. My mother had brought west three barrels of haviland china which she had painted before her marriage in 1884, as well as many other lovely things from her southern home. We used the china every day and it is amazing that any of the precious pieces remain after almost 100 years.
But to get back to 1901, Mama had just finished an order; she left the easel for a few minutes, and Agnes, not yet three years old, but doing what she saw her mother do picked up a brush and put streaks of Prussian blue across the white front of the gentleman's shirt. Our artist mother did not panic or scold; this was a situation she could handle and the picture was delivered to Mr. Magdell at the appointed time.
Jean and I were enrolled in school that fall but the only thing I remember about it was the day that we, instead of going straight hone, stayed and peaked in the window when some other children were being kept after class. The teacher saw us and we were ushered into the room for a closer view. I was scared out of my wits the rest of the season is a blank just as though it never happened.
One document from this period remains which tells a story. It is dated, Seattle, Wash., Oct. 26, 1901, on note paper of Bartell Drug Co. 506 2nd. Ave. and reads: "Ewing Colvin has been working for us for past six months and we have found him entirely honest and trustworthy. He is a boy of good habits and we cheerfully recommend him to needing his services." Signed Bartell, Ewing was just fourteen at the time.
My next Conscious knowledge of events was the excitement of the family mobilized for a train departure a couple of days before my sixth birthday, Jan. 14, 1902. We were on our way back to Georgia, and I a beautiful doll with a bisquet china head, curling brown hair and brown eyes which closed and opened. The body was white kid and the arms and legs from the elbows and knees were also bisque, I did not realize that my father was not with us and that the doll was my last birthday present from him. There was no Christmas excitement in our house that year for our father had passed away in the Seattle Catholic Hospital on Oct. 14, 1901.
Mama made friends where ever she was and under whatever circumstances. One of these friends was a Miss Osola Griffin. Miss Griffin was governess and house-keeper for the two children of Judge Sacs, who was prominent in law circles in Seattle at that time. They lived in a very nice home on Queen Ann Hill with a lovely view of the Sound. Bertha, the eldest was partially paralyzed from illness and Ben was a very young boy.
The friendship, though short was strong and sincere, and miss Griffin, as she had no family, requested that all of us call her "Sister."
It was Ewing who sent the telegram announcing our Father's death to grandmother Yeiser in Rome, and after more than sixty years I found her reply, written on Oct. 15, 1901, among my Mother's "souvenirs." It tells the story of our return to the south.
My darling Child:
I was too shocked at receiving Ewing's tel to write you yesterday. Although I dreaded the worst, yet your letter of the 7th. said dear Ralph was better, and then I hoped he would get well, but God willed it otherwise. He knows how hard it is for us poor mortals to bear up under such sorrow and will help us. I looked at dear paps's picture which hangs over the mantle and felt glad that he is not here to share in our sorrow. He loved the dear one who has just been taken and they are now together in our heavenly home where we will meet them to part no more. Now my darling child, you must bear up. You've got your children to live for and me. Oh! how I wish I was with you to comfort you in this the saddest of all trials. But you must come home. So many times I have been on the eve of selling the dear old home, but failed. How glad I am that it is still a home for you and the children to come to and God will provide a way for us to clear it of the debt hanging over it.
I can have my Mexican War pension increased to $12.00 per month. I shall apply for a Confederate pension, which by a recent law passed in Georgia I can get, and then we all can help you. Mrs. Simons does not like Lulla Ross and she is a dear friend of mine - and perhaps you could get the place of Art Teacher at Shorter, if not you could teach at home. Maime W. came out last night and suggested that we take the home and could get a few boarders. People left Rome last summer because they could not get good boarding homes. I am well and I could attend to the little ones and the housekeeping and I know the boys can get something to do. They are good business boys and industrious. We have good schools for little ones, and, My Child, you have many kind friends who will help you. I can get the home at anytime as it is only rented by the month. I want dear Ralph's body brought back too, and lay him beside dear papa - that can be done later - it would not do to move him now. I have had to put this down so often - sympathizing friends calling. Aggie has just gone. God knows if sympathy would help you, you would be comforted. Aggie says she wrote you last night. Another visitor - so I must close this to send this afternoon. Will write again. Callie joins me in love to all. God bless and comfort you, my darling child, is the prayer of your loving mama. Tell the dear children to be brave and take care of Mama and bring her home to Grandma. If you can not write, get someone to do it for you. You cannot tell how I shall be until I hear from you.
Affec
Mama
Mama had faced the years of hardship and sickness with courage when she had my father's wonderful companionship; but now he was gone the terrible home-sickness which she had so bravely suppressed overwhelmed her, mother's letter, it seemed that she just must get back to her girlhood home and friends.
James who was 17 felt that he could best help the family circumstances by remaining in Seattle. It was a time of National unrest in the Pacific over the Philippines, and on May 15, 1902 James was recruited into the U.S. army and became a member of Co. "G" U.S. Infantry, stationed at Vancouver, Wash. As he had some musical training, he was soon a member of the Band. in Vancouver he met and married Beulah Haskell of Albany, N. Y. on Dec. 12, 1902. In July 1903 his outfit was sent to the Philippine Islands, where he served on the Island of Mindanac in field operation against the Minos during 1903-4 and five.
Only Ewing or Mama could have given an accurate account of that trip across the continent. We stopped for two days in the home of our father's step-mother, who had married into the McCormick family of Billings, Mont. Then I remember only arriving in Chattanooga, Tenn., where we had to change trains for Rome. How six people with all the baggage necessary for a cross country trip could be directed to the wrong train seems a little fantastic in these days. But when the conductor came around for the tickets we were put off in the snow at a bleak little Wayside station to await the return train to Chattanooga.
When we finally got to Rome, many hours latter, of course there was no one to meet us. But there was a friendly greeting. As we filed into the waiting room from the train and Mama came into sight, a pleasant voice exclaimed: "Laws if it ain't Mis Rose and her children." It was the portress who had known Mama in her girlhood. We were soon surrounded by friends.
"Rose Terrace," was a lovely old place and we were soon settled there. The rooms were large and spacious and the hallways divided the house in a T shape with the stairway at the end of the hall to the right. The yard which was a child's dream of paradise is described in letter to my brother James:
Rome, Ga.
1/8/1903
"Mr. J. Y. Colvin
Dear Sir:
My very good friend Mrs. L. D. Yeargan asked me to write this.
Your grandmother' home set far back in a large yard filled with many flowers and shrubbery. I remember quite well. I think her special pride was her lonely dahlias and large tube roses. Your Mother was a contemporary of my oldest sister and in our house are two lovely vases painted by her. Your uncle was Capt. of the Rome Light Guards when they sponsored an old fashioned bazaar lasting a week. These vases were the prize given the young lady receiving the greatest number of votes as the most popular young lady of Rome. Another sister of mine won this prize.
Your aunt Callie Yeiser, I also remember with pleasure.
Sincerely,
Addie Mitchell."
Mama's friends in Rome were wonderful to her, but she of course was quite a different person from the popular young woman who had been raised in that charming southern college town in the hills of North Georgia. Her married life though harassed by financial difficulties had been a most wonderful expansion.
My father had a Scotch Presbyterian background, but had become a great admirer of Thomas Payne and Thoreau. His politics had been influenced in his northern home by Abraham Lincoln. Although a republican he never voted the ticket while in the south in deference to the family of the woman he married. He never in any way found fault with her religious faith and each child in the family was christened in the Episcopal Church with the name of their father, Ralph Colvin as Godfather.
It was the minister of the church in Salem, Ore., who sewed the first seeds of dissent in my mother's mind when he objected to our father's name appearing on Agnes' christening certificate because he was not a communicant of the church and even then no objection was made to the ceremony though he was deeply hurt. It was agreed that her brother Janes should take his place.
Mom of course, as was the custom, was in deep mourning when we returned to Rome. One day it seemed to her that a friend crossed the street rather than meet her. She felt that it was because of her doleful appearance - she never again wore the long black veil. It took courage to return to her home town and again, as was done after the days, take boarders at "Rose Terrace." But her attitude and motto in life was; "The Lord will provide," and this at the moment was the proviso.
I believe her first boarders, because I remember no others, were three very impressive appearing ladies from Port Huron, Mich. I never knew what kind Roman directed them to "Rose Terrace."
The three women were representatives of a women's fraternal insurance company of Port Huron, Mich. which was called "Ladies of the Maccabees of the World." Like many other such organizations, it had its beginning as a social auxiliary to the Knights of the Maccabees, a fraternal insurance company. This roll, however, was not challenge enough for its capable woman and they soon had a greater and more practical vision for their efforts. After a struggle against prejudice, their group was licensed to write life insurance on women in the State of Michigan. By the year 1892 they were doing business in over 30 states and on Sept. 16, 1893 they paid their first claim of $1,000.
For the first time in the spring of 1902 this Fraternal Insurance group for women only and staffed and directed by women, was ready to carry its message of protection and fraternity to the homes and women of the deep south. There they would have to fight another battle against custom and prejudice. No one knew this any better than Lady Lillian M. Holister, Supreme Commander of the supreme Hive at Port Huron, Mich. The three representatives sent to Georgia (whose picture with that of mother is in her scrap book: I remember only the name of one of the other ladies, Mrs. Odem) were authorized to seek a southern woman with the qualifications of organizer.
Was it the hand of fate which guided them to boarding accommodations at "Rose Terrace!" Surley there was no more fitting candidate than Rose Y. Colvin for the job.
My mother's friends in Rome were very wonderful to her. One of them had given my brother Ralph, who was twelve, a job as small parcel messenger boy, which he immediately forfeited by writing on a small parcel which he was delivering, "Lazy Bones." He had seen two ladies ride up to the store in a carriage to make the purchase. Agnes Dean of Rome tried to get Ralph in Martha Berries school, but he did not qualify because he was not born in the mountains. But he had the privilege, that first year in the south of being a member of the family at Coligini.
If mama had any doubts about her ability to do the Maccabee work they were never voiced. To add to her difficulties, I had scarlet fever that spring and had to be isolated in the left wing of the lovely old house. I was not conscious of any of the preparation for the move to Atlanta, where the first unit of L.O.T.M., known as Gate City Hive, was to be organized. What a pity "Rose Terrace" had to go.
Our first days in Atlanta were spent in the home of Cousin Rena Sower who became one of the first Lady Maccabees. She became record keeper of "Gate City Hive, "instructed to do the work by her cousin Rose.
Mama was a handsome woman with dark flashing eyes, a clear complexion and an abundance of black hair. She had a full figure and carried herself erect. It was the period of the shirtwaist and long skirt, just missing the floor, for the woman in business. Her approach was disarmingly friendly, and her experience had made her a firm believer in the message of protection she was carrying to her southern sisters. After winning the mother in the home the father had to be convinced that his ability to look after his family was not being questioned. Then too, it was a secret organization. What did the woman do behind those closed doors?
Oh! Yes, the Eastern Star of which Lady Colvin was a member in Atlanta, was also a secret order, but husbands were allowed into those secrets.
There were disheartening days: days when Lady Colvin walked the streets of Atlanta, called at homes where the mother had been referred to her as a prospective member.
Her only support and confident during these dark days was her son Ewing. He was up before daybreak in the morning to walk the weary paper route for the Atlantic Constitution, and his last two years of any kind of formal school was secure after a hard days work.
The first Christmas in Atlanta 1903 was a gay one at least for the three youngest members of the family. We were living in the unused rooms of a private school, whose mistress was Miss Emma Tilla. Jean was supposed to sharpen pencils, empty waste baskets and sweep the schoolroom floor after school.
That fall Mama spend the mid-night hours making Christmas tree decorations and small gifts as a pair of moccasins for my doll. There were placed for safe keeping in the lovely gold and deep blue winged vases which stood on the mantel. My faith in Santa Claus vanished that year because the hiding place was revealed to me, but it was replaced by a deep trust in my mother which never failed.
To make an appearance for the Fraternal Order she was representing, a suite of rooms was obtained in the Grand Opera House Building on Peachtree St. at five corners. The old church with the steeple was still standing on one of them. Though her many moves the choice pieces of furniture from her original home in Decatur, crates of pictures and barrels of china and glass had been moved from place to place. There were plenty of attractive furnishings to make a pleasing reception room for prospective clients. At night they were turned into sleeping quarters with beds on the floor.
There were prosperous days for the family and a few cents were even found for a performance or two in the theater below. We entered from the alley at the rear and climbed to the gallery, Ewing carrying Agnes on his shoulder. We saw such plays as "Ben Hur" and "The Little Church around the Corner."
When going through a worn copy of a History of the Maccabee Order, Copyright 1892, a small yellowed sheet of paper slipped out of the pages: on one side the conditions of a Contest put on by L.O.T.M. from April through June, and on their the names of the ladies in the two contending teams. There were seventy-two in all. Rose Colvin's name appears at the end as a member of a Committee of three. It was a money making contest for Gate City Hive, Atlanta, possibly to finance their drill team.
There were always a drill team, trained by the organizer - Who taught to "Cut her corners square." Evening programs of course were on for purpose of advertising and gaining new membership. Lady Colvin held the attention of the members and their guest, men and women with her enthusiasm for the Ladies of the Maccabees, the only women's benefit association.
The order was well established in Atlanta and Lady Colvin was now State Commander of Georgia. Her duties as organizer called her to other fields. There was no longer need for the suite of rooms in the Grand Opera House. Macon was chosen as her next field of endeavor and boarding arrangements were made where she could have Agnes, who was still just a baby, with her, I became a boarder at the Sacred Hart Convent on Capitol Ave., where I had been attending day school.
Again Rose's charm and natural abilities carried her to success. Ewing, who was now sixteen could see no future for himself in Atlanta. His brother James was to be discharged from the U.S. Army in the Philippines early in the year of 1905 and would make his home in Woodbutn[?], Oregon. where his wife's family lived.
Ewing wanted to go west again. He had remained with his mother until she was a success in business and confident of her own ability. It was decided that eventually the whole family would move west, Seattle would be our future home. Ewing's railway ticket was purchased and he left Atlanta with a few extra dollars in his pocket.
During the summer months new members were solicited locally, but our amazing mother missed no opportunity to add to the family budget. Dr. Huff, the dentist whose home we occupied half, suggested that Mama assist his wife at the birth of her second child. With her wealth of personal experience she felt quite capable and welcomed the opportunity.
This was the summer in which a deep and lasting friendship grew up between Rose and May Baptist. May was pianist for Gate City Hive, and the two spent hours playing duets.
As fall came Lady Colvin had to be off again to new fields and Brunswick was chosen. Why? I do not know. With Ewing gone, Mama offered a place to stay to a Miss Anderson from England to have someone with us and in order to leave Agnes at home this time. Miss Anderson, who has lost the sight of one eye in early childhood with small-pox was a happy person and an inveterate dirt chaser. She took the feathers (feathers which mother had plucked from her own geese when we lived in Vanassrt) from the pillows and washed the ticking. From her home in England she brought the saying: "If you clean the corners, the center of the room will clean itself."
The work was not progressing smoothly in Brunswick, Sam Jones, a revivalist, had scheduled meetings there and the women of the town were deep in the throes of religious fever. Rev. Jones was no help. She was characterized as an instrument Satin himself, sent to entice the women away from their husbands, homes and churches.
In the midst of these difficulties she received a phone call from Ralph in Atlanta. The connection was poor and all she heard was that one of the children was seriously ill and she must return at once. Miss Anderson had found permanent employment and we had been left alone. It was Agnes who was ill. She an angry looking eruption on both cheeks - the doctor had pronounced it "erysipelas," and stated that she must not move.
The work in Brunswick had to be terminated and because of the situation it was imperative that the Insurance Company's representative be there. A boarding place was found for Ralph and Jean and I was placed in a friend's a home near the school I was attending.
In the fall of 1906. Florida was added to my mother's territory and again she was faced with the problem of moving the family to a center location. The furniture and household belongings were stored in Atlanta and we went to Jacksonville, Florida to live. My fine looking sturdily built brothers, Jean and Ralph had no difficulty in securing positions in the fashionable ice-cream parlors and soda fountains.
Grandmother, Ellen Araminta, was living with us at this time and we located in furnished rooms with kitchen privileges.
This was the year that Lady Maccabees held a convention in Richmond, Va. which Mama attended with all expenses paid. she returned to Florida with renewed enthusiasm for her work.
Jean, who at one time had started west on foot, to join his brothers, but returned home after several days on the road, now had his trip planned for him to Woodburn, Org., where he could help his brother James, in the store and go to school.
That year Florida had its share of unusual weather. The main Streets of Jacksonville were flooded and Ralph came from work in a row-boat right to the bottom steps of our rooming house. One day a hailstorm as large eggs shattered the windows, unprotected by shutters, facing the storm. But the organization was accomplished early in the spring and the Hive would carry on its own affairs.
Early in the spring of 1907, Grandmother Yeiser had gone to Bilouxi, Miss. to be with her daughter, Callie Evins who soon was to give birth to another baby. Callie had been burned badly when her family garments were drawn into a hall fireplace by an updraft. She did not fully recover, Mama who was always ready in an emergency, with Agnes, left immediately for Bilouxi to take charge of her sister's family, in which there were four young children, until their father Tom Evins could make arrangements for them and close the house in Biouxi. After school closed I too went to Bilouxi.
It was a beautiful home; tall blossoming oleander trees swayed over green lawns which extended right to the edge of Bilouxi Bay. Being daily in the waters of the Bay with my cousins, who were good swimmers, it was a challenge to me and I was not long in racing them.
The daily household duties were capably performed by trained employees, the cook had a French background. This left Mama with more leisure time than she had enjoyed for many years. In these precious hours she sought out and made friends with those around her who needed encouragement. This was vividly brought home to me when I was required to spend some parts of my morning reading to a neighbor who was a hopeless cripple from arthritis. Early in the difficult days in Atlanta, we attended the Unitarian Sunday School and Mama had become interested in the New Thought movement. These ideologies helped her to look on the bright side of life and she eagerly carried their message to others.
The summer was gone and the Evins home was closed. We were only a few hours from that wonderful old historical city of the deep south, New Orleans, where Mama had visited and enjoyed such a gay time as a young lady. There was no hesitation in obtaining authority from Port Huron, Mich. to carry the message of fraternal insurance to the women of the Crescent City. We did not arrive there as absolute strangers. For the first few days we were in the home of Mama's cousin Willie Andrews whose parents had entertained the attractive and gay Rose Yeiser of Rome, Ga. about the year 1880.
No time was lost in securing living quarters. Now we needed only one room with an additional small area to prepare and eat meals. Such a facility usually consisted in a two burner gas stove, a few dishes and pan for washing them. We were fortunate in locating such a place in the home of a Jewish widow, Mrs. Eagle whose husband had been a scholar. There were four young people in the family, two sons in college and two daughters, Teckoa, a lovely curly headed brunette and Dahlia, a perfect blond.
Agnes was enrolled in school, but it was decided that I should not go that year. I spent my days in the wonderful library of the Eagle home getting acquainted with Tolstoi, Dumas and Victor Hugo.
March came with Mardi Gras and a magic evening of Canal Street with its crowds of maskers, lights and fantastic floats. For a treat one of the famous brown sugar and pecan goodies. We had our day at the French Marker and the famous old square with Jackson's monument.
We were always well dressed. Mama's nimble fingers were busy far into the night embroidering her white blouse and garments for we which were made from material picked up at bargain prices. Proud of one of her creations which had cost so little, at two or three cents a yard, she mentioned the cost. When Sunday came the dress was turned down as not good enough to wear to Sunday School. But Mama decided that this was not the right frame of mind in which to receive any instruction, so the rebellious one was denied the privilege of Sunday School and was sent out to walk until in a better frame of mind.
Plans had been made with Ewing, now working in a Clerical position with the law firm of Hastings and Steadman for Ralph to leave Jacksonville and join him in Seattle in the early spring. Everything went off as planed except that when that fine looking, confident young man reached St. Louis he was relieved of his train ticket and all of his cash. He soon secured work and was on his way west again in a few months.
The spring months were busy ones. The request number of women for the organization of a new Hive had signed for the insurance. Officers to carry on the business and keep the records of the group had to be instructed and trained in their duties. Preparation for the important evening of installation was made by intensively training the leaders, not otherwise occupied, as a drill team. Lady Colvin was business instructor, drill master, often pianist and speaker of the evening. She needed no script or previous preparation to hold an audience with her eloquence in describing the fraternal and protective benefits brought to families by The Ladies of the Maccabees of the World, the only such order run entirely by women.
At the close of the ceremonies, Mama was presented with a gold watch-bob. Engraved on the back were the following words:
Crescent City Hive #4 to
Lady Colvin
1908
Before returning to Atlanta, Mama, Agnes and I stopped for a short vacation in Natches, Miss. We were the guest of Cousin Gussie Robinson, one of Mama'a companions during the happy days of her New Orleans visits. One day while there I was amazed to find "Rose" in the barnyard, milking the family cow. Was there no end to her accomplishments?
Ralph who was still working in Port Gibson, came down to Nachez to see us. He would soon be leaving for the west again. But fate decreed that he should meet in Natchez the charming blue-eyed strawberry blonde, Octevia Zebelon Chaney, whose mother was cousin Gussie's neighbor. Several years later he returned to the south to make her his wife.
We were back in Atlanta again. It was rather lonely with the boys so far away, but not for long. Lady Colvin had reached her goal. In the eight years since taking the suite of rooms in the Grand Opera House building, her family had been adequately cared for; she had a success in business and had spread across the southern states the first message of Insurance for women.
Through the years there had always been a small savings account and in spite of bank failures there was now sufficient to place the three of us with what was left of our materials goods back in Seattle. Accompanying us was the daughter of a very dear old neighbor in Rome, Miss Annie Fenner."31920 U.S. Census, T625_1930 pg 14A, 7 Jan 1920. "Colvin, Rose Y Head FW 63 Wd Georgia Ohio Georgia
-----, Ellen D Daughter FW 24 S Georgia Ohio Georgia
-----, Agnes Daughter FW 21 S Oregon Ohio Georgia."
1U.S. Social Security Death Index. "Name: Agnes Colvin
SSN: 533-28-4629
Last Residence: 98199 Seattle, King, Washington, United States of America
Born: 8 Dec 1898
Died: Oct 1985
State (Year) SSN issued: Washington (Before 1951)
Source Citation: Number: 533-28-4629;
Issue State: Washington;
Issue Date: Before 1951."2Washington State Dept. of Health, Washington, Death Index, 1940-1996. "Name: Agnes B Colvin
Date of Death: 19 Oct 1985
Place of Death: Seattle
Age: 86
Estimated birth year: abt 1899
Residence: King
Gender: Female
SSN: 533-28-4629
Certificate: 027576."
1Ephraim Orcutt Jameson 1832-1902, Jamesons in America, The 1647-1900 (The Rumford Press, Concord, N.H. Published in Boston, Mass. 1901), pg 150, FHL film 1036257 Item 2.
1Ephraim Orcutt Jameson 1832-1902, Jamesons in America, The 1647-1900 (The Rumford Press, Concord, N.H. Published in Boston, Mass. 1901), pg 150, FHL film 1036257 Item 2.
1Ephraim Orcutt Jameson 1832-1902, Jamesons in America, The 1647-1900 (The Rumford Press, Concord, N.H. Published in Boston, Mass. 1901), pg 150, FHL film 1036257 Item 2.