Florence Edna Smith (1892-1937)-S1

Now let's talk about my grandmother Wright, Florence Edna Smith.  I wish I had more information to pass along, but will include what I have.  If anyone has additional information, please pass it along!

Florence Edna Smith

Florence Edna Smith (1892-1937) (S1)
Birth: March 19th, 1892 in Mitteneague, West Springfield, MA
Father: Merrick Luther Smith (1856-1934) (S2)
Mother: Catherine Ellen McCann (1861-1937) (S3)

Married: David Sanders Wright (1887-1967) (S1) on August 16th, 1919 in Great Barrington, MA.

Children:
Living Daughter
David Joy Wright (1922-1991)
Charles Merrick Wright (1924-2008)
Living Son
Living Daughter

Death: November 28th, 1937 in Northampton, MA


1892-1900
Florence Edna Smith was born in Mitteneague, West Springfield, MA on March 19th, 1892 to Merrick Luther Smith and Catherine Ellen McCann.  We have one document that lists her birth location as Somerville, MA but that doesn't match with where the family was living at the time.  She had an older sister, Estella L. Smith.

Florence Edna Smith

The 1900 census shows the family living in West Springfield, MA with Florence's Uncle Grove C. Smith.  They were renting a house at 73 Front St. Florence is listed as being 8 years old, Estella  is 13, Merrick is 40 and Katherine is 37.  Grove is older then Merrick at age 43.

1901-1910
Sometime between 1901 and 1910 the family moved to Great Barrington, MA.  The 1910 census
shows them renting on Park Street.  Florence's father, mother, sister and uncle are still living with her.  The household also has a lodger, Margeret Scanlon, living with them.

1911-1920

Florence Edna Smith graduation photo

Mount Holyoke 1915 Yearbook

From around 1913-1915 Florence went to College at Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, MA.  According to my mother, she was studying English.  Her family owned a grocery store in Great Barrington, and whenever Florence wanted to through a dinner party for her friends the food would be shipped down from Great Barrington by train.  We have copies of some of her letters home during this time which I will try and transcribe in future posts.

Mount Holyoke parade, 1914

Mount Holyoke Graduation-1915

After graduation, Florence went back to Great Barrington to teach.  This is where she met David Sanders Wright.  They were engaged before he shipped off to serve in World War I and married after he returned on August 16th, 1919.

By 1920, they had moved to Northampton, MA.  According to the 1920 Census they where renting at 101 West Street.  They then moved to 67 West Street.

Florence Edna Smith with
her youngest daughter

1921-1930

Florence Edna Smith and
her youngest son

Her children were born between 1920 and 1930. The 1930 Census shows the first four children living with her and her husband at the 67 West Street house.  Her youngest daughter was born after the census in 1930.

1931-1937
Florence was very active during the Great Depression.  We know she invited people into the house to teach them how to can and encouraged people to grow vegetable gardens.  We also know she was the head of the Woman's group at their church.
Unfortunately, her life was cut short.  On November 28th, 1937, she passed away from pneumonia leaving her five children to be raised by David Joy Wright and his brother.  She is buried at Bridge Street Cemetery in Northampton, MA.



Sources:

• 1900 Untied States Federal Census: Year: 1900; Census Place: West Springfield, Hampden, Massachusetts; Roll: 653; Page: 24B; Enumeration District: 0612; FHL microfilm: 1240653
• 1910 United States Federal Census: Year: 1910; Census Place: Great Barrington, Berkshire, Massachusetts; Roll: T624_572; Page: 3A; Enumeration District: 0036; FHL microfilm: 1374585
• 1920 United States Federal Census: Database online. Year: 1920; Census Place: Northampton Ward 2, Hampshire, Massachusetts; Roll: T625_705; Page: 10B; Enumeration District: 165; Image: 646.
• 1930 United States Federal Census: Database online. Year: 1930; Census Place: Northampton, Hampshire, Massachusetts; Roll: 912; Page: 14B; Enumeration District: 27; Image: 638.0; FHL microfilm: 2340647.
• Massachusetts, Death Index, 1901-1980: Vol 71, Page 117, Index Volume Number 99, Ref Number Massachusetts, Death Index, 1901-1980
• Massachusetts, Town and Vital Records, 1620-1988: 
• Mount Holyoke College 1913 and 1915 Yearbooks