(1980 memoirs)
I can't tell you anything about Frankie's father, oldman Clapp [Quartus]. I think originally they lived out on a farm, not too far from Ripon. Frankie's mother [Almira] was little and frail but lived a long time, and because Frankie was such a dear devoted daughter, she gave her youth to caring for her mother and set her marriage aside.
December 15, 2012
December 14, 2012
Drain & cool
[In Frankie's house] a large hinged, covered drain took care of all dirty water. And lord, now that I think of it, I have to say it was in the dining room; however, actually rarely used. As to refrigeration, I recall things like butter and milk being kept covered in the earth-floored basement; for the rest, I guess we just went to the store more often.
December 13, 2012
Bedroom washstand
(1980 memoirs)
In the bedrooms [in Frankie's house] they had wash bowl and pitcher on a wash stand, fresh towels hanging on its side racks, soap in the proper soap dish. The toilet I think was down the short, clean basement stairs. And a pot under the bed - a chamber pot.
In the bedrooms [in Frankie's house] they had wash bowl and pitcher on a wash stand, fresh towels hanging on its side racks, soap in the proper soap dish. The toilet I think was down the short, clean basement stairs. And a pot under the bed - a chamber pot.
December 12, 2012
Newberry Street
(1980 memoirs)
[Henry Clapp's] sister Frances [1866-1958] was a very dear and unusual person. She lived in a nice little white colonial house on Newberry Street [in Ripon] and let out some rooms converted into an apartment to an unmarried lady - Clare Mears - who sewed beautifully and made her living by it. They got along year after year with no bathrooms, no furnace, no refrigeration. Imagine that.
[Henry Clapp's] sister Frances [1866-1958] was a very dear and unusual person. She lived in a nice little white colonial house on Newberry Street [in Ripon] and let out some rooms converted into an apartment to an unmarried lady - Clare Mears - who sewed beautifully and made her living by it. They got along year after year with no bathrooms, no furnace, no refrigeration. Imagine that.
December 10, 2012
Congo cow
(1980 memoirs)
One thing I remember with a smile is the tale of wicked Halloween tricks college boys played in Henry Clapp's day [1880s?]. I am thinking of the one where somehow boys got a cow up in the belfry of the Congregational Church, the one college vespers were held in, etc. Henry was a good story teller. He was small boned, slight, small twinkling eyes now, and had a good command of language. November1 when school opened there was an unfamiliar lowing, heard by all, understood by the farm boys, a cow wanting to be milked in her own familiar quarters. Memory fails when I try to recall how "the authorities" got her down, but of course it was done and amid no tell-tale faces.
One thing I remember with a smile is the tale of wicked Halloween tricks college boys played in Henry Clapp's day [1880s?]. I am thinking of the one where somehow boys got a cow up in the belfry of the Congregational Church, the one college vespers were held in, etc. Henry was a good story teller. He was small boned, slight, small twinkling eyes now, and had a good command of language. November1 when school opened there was an unfamiliar lowing, heard by all, understood by the farm boys, a cow wanting to be milked in her own familiar quarters. Memory fails when I try to recall how "the authorities" got her down, but of course it was done and amid no tell-tale faces.
December 9, 2012
Helen & Carol
(1980 memoirs)
But later two children were born to them [to Florence Clapp & Herman Hillsburg]: Helen, dark haired, smaller again than her mother but like her, musical; and her brother Carol a couple of years younger. They had many slim years and Florence gave piano lessons to help out. I believe eventually Florence and Herman were divorced. No doubt once passion was satisfied the difference in their education and experience made living together too trying to be bourne. [In 1910 Florence wrote Lois a long letter detailing her life as a single mother in New Hampshire.]
But later two children were born to them [to Florence Clapp & Herman Hillsburg]: Helen, dark haired, smaller again than her mother but like her, musical; and her brother Carol a couple of years younger. They had many slim years and Florence gave piano lessons to help out. I believe eventually Florence and Herman were divorced. No doubt once passion was satisfied the difference in their education and experience made living together too trying to be bourne. [In 1910 Florence wrote Lois a long letter detailing her life as a single mother in New Hampshire.]
December 8, 2012
Sad doings
(1980 memoirs)
On the night of Florence's graduation from the [Ripon College] School of Music, her parents had a "doings" for her, sort of a social hour, and Herman was not invited as he was only the hired man, and her pleas were ignored. So the poor girl lay on her bed and cried her eyes out. Aunt Lois told me, and I think she said she went up to her. Some time later the lovers laid their plans and ran away together. I don't know any details about this.
On the night of Florence's graduation from the [Ripon College] School of Music, her parents had a "doings" for her, sort of a social hour, and Herman was not invited as he was only the hired man, and her pleas were ignored. So the poor girl lay on her bed and cried her eyes out. Aunt Lois told me, and I think she said she went up to her. Some time later the lovers laid their plans and ran away together. I don't know any details about this.
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