Thursday, November 30, 2023

Wright Family Photos: Barn at 67 West Street, 1965

Any idea which of the cousins is in the front of this photo?

Wright Family Photos: Barn at 67 West Street, 1965
Wright Family Photos: Barn at 67 West Street, 1965

 

Saturday, November 18, 2023

Wright Family Photos: Unknown Location around 1941

I have know idea where this is, but it was in the Wright family photos.  Any guesses?


Wright Family Photos: Unknown Location around 1941
Wright Family Photos: Unknown Location around 1941

 

Friday, November 17, 2023

Article that mentions my Mother: Citizens for Parks Elect Swope President, The News Journal April 25th, 1967

 Citizens for Parks Elect Swope President

April 25th, 1967

Floyd Swope of Newark was elected president of the Citizens Committee for Parks at its meeting last night at Faulk Road Elementary School.

Swope succeeds Mrs. Robert E. Putnam of Cragmere in Brandywine Hundred. Putnam will continue as the committee's legislative representative.

Joseph Myers of Deerhurst is the new vice president and Dr. Edwin Fluevog was re-elected secretary-treasurer.

The committee also enlarged its board of directors from 15 to 25.

New Directors are Edward R. Bache, Mrs. S. William Bender, Edward T. Cline, Edward B. Cooper, William Corbishley, Mrs. Cyrus L. Day, Mrs. Roy C. Grills, Mrs. John E. Harris and A.L. Oppegard, all elected for three-year terms, and Brig.-Gen. H. Wallace Cook, elected for a two-year term.

Conservationists who reviewed conditions in the area were William Poole, president, and Larry Dodge, executive vice president of the Upper Chesapeake Watershed Association Inc.; Robert G. Struble, executive vice president of the Brandywine Valley Association and Clayton M. Hoff, executive vice president of Forward Lands, Inc.


Wednesday, November 15, 2023

Wright family photos: Barbara, around 1943

 I don't know who Barbara was, and I am guessing that this was taken in the early 40s.

Wright family photos: Barbara, around 1943
Wright family photos: Barbara, around 1943


Tuesday, November 14, 2023

Mom's Buckeye Recipe

 I make this every Christmas.  I think she got this when she moved to Marietta, but I am not sure.

Buckeyes

  • 1 small jar (1/ 12 cup) peanut butter
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
  • 1 lb. confectioner's sugar
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla
  • 1 (12 oz) pkg. semi-sweet chocolate morsels
  • edible paraffin wax
After softening the butter, mix peanut butter, butter, sugar and vanilla with hands or electric mixer.  Form into small balls.  Melt chocolate in top of double boiler and add small amount of paraffin. Dip balls into chocolate coating, using toothpick and a spoon.  even better when double dipped.

*I skip the paraffin which is a hardening agent and to add a shine to the buckeyes. I freeze the buckeyes instead.   

Sunday, November 12, 2023

Cats(Bush kitten) at 67 West Street, Northampton, MA, around 1941

Sorry for not posting for a bit.  House stuff has been eating up my time. 

Cats(Bush kitten) at 67 West Street, Northampton, MA, around 1941
Cats(Bush kitten) at 67 West Street, Northampton, MA, around 1941

 

Saturday, November 11, 2023

Another Mom's holiday recipes: Tipsy Trifle

 My sister asked to get this one up.  This is from an email my Mom sent to me in 1998 and I haven't made it in quite some time.  I don't have all the proportions so I will add what I have.  When I make this, I can update the recipe.

Tipsy Trifle

  • Angle Food Cake
  • 1 small boxes of Vanilla Pudding(not instant)
  • milk
  • 1 bag or 2 boxes of frozen frozen raspberries
  • 3 bananas
  • 1/2 cup of good (not sweet) sherry
  • 1 half-pint whipping cream
  • 3 tablespoons of sugar
  • 1 teaspoon of Vanilla
Make the pudding according to the directions on the box.  Put a few spoonful on the bottom of a pretty dish. Slice cake into thin slices(1/2 inch or less) and line bottom and sides of dish with it. Sprinkle slices with sherry(the amt. is your choice. I use 1/2 cup sherry for all). Put 1/2 of the berries and 1 and 1/2 of the bananas(sliced) in the dish. Cover with pudding. Repeat cake, sherry, fruit, bananas and pudding. Top iwth cake, cover with pudding.  Chill.  Whip cream with 3 tablespoons of sugar and 1 teaspoon of vanilla. Spread over trifle and decorate with cherries or what you will.

I sometimes need more pudding, so you might get another box to have on hand.  I never use the entire cake unless I'm making a huge trifle.  Then I would increase the other ingredients.  You can use other fruit, but we like raspberries best.

Quick Recipe

Substitute instant pudding for pudding. Use jelly roll for cake.  Canned berries can be substituted.

She also talked about getting a pseudo-1900s British version from the Mrs. Bridges' Upstairs Downstairs Cookery Book.  Unfortunately, I don't have that one.

Enjoy, and if you make it let me know w how it works.  You can see all the recipes I've transcribed on the Putnam Wright Chronicles website.  



Saturday, October 21, 2023

Mom's Flank Steak Recipe

I mentioned the family flank steak recipe the other day So I thought I would post it as well.  My sister remembers my Mom tenderizing the meat before hand, but I don't.  really your call, do you need to get some aggression out?  

Flank Steak, photo by Effy Bennet
Flank Steak, photo by Effy Bennet

Flank Steak

  • Flank Steak
  • 8 oz of Italian Dressing

Slash both sides of the flank steak and marinate in Italian dressing overnight. I do this by placing the steak in a zip lock bag with the dressing and placing it back in the refrigerator.

Broiling instructions

Broil steak in oven 5 to 7 minutes and then flip and broil for an additional 5 minutes. This should make the steak medium rare. Tent for 10 minutes. Slice across the grain into thin strips.

Grilling Instructions

Grill at abt 450 degrees F for 15 minutes and then flip and grill for an additional 10 minutes. Steak should be 130 to 135 degrees F. Tent for 10 minutes. Slice across the grain into thin strips.

Again, here are all the recipes I've transcribed so far.


Wednesday, October 18, 2023

Mom's Popover recipe

 There are many traditional foods in the Family but Mom's Popovers and flank stake a two that everyone remembers and wants.  I made the popovers in the new house and thought it would be a good time to add it to the family recipe posts.  Each oven is different so you should experiment to get this correct for your oven and elevation. 

Popovers
Popovers
  • 7Shortening for greasing the pan
  • 2 eggs at room temperature, beaten
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 tablespoon cooking oil
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
Grease six custard cups with shortening an place custard cups on a baking sheet and put in oven. Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.  In a mixing bowl combine beaten eggs, milk, and oil. Add flour and salt.  Beat until mixture is smooth.  Remove pan from oven. Fill the hot custard cups half full with the mixture and then return to oven.  Bake at 450 degrees F for 20 minutes. Reduce heat to 350 degrees F and bake for an additional 15 to 20 minutes until very firm. If popovers brown too quickly, turn off oven and finish baking in the cooling oven. Serve Hot with butter or jam.

What are your variations on this?

If you want to see all the family recipe's I've posted go here

Sunday, October 15, 2023

My Great Grandfather's Fertilizer analysis part 2

Here is the next entry in the Massachusetts Sate Agricultural Experiment Station at Amherst, Mass.  July, 1883 that my Great Grandfather submitted. So here are some of them.  Here is an entry under Fertilizer Analyses.

  • Pg. 11
112. IXL Ammoniated Bone Superphosphate, of Geo. W. Miles' Co., Milford, Ct. Collected of D. J. Wright, Northampton, Mass., by State Inspector.
    Guaranteed composition; soluble and reverted phosphoric acid (available), 8 to 12 per cent.; potassium oxide, 1 to 3 per cent.; ammonia, 2.5 to 4 per cent. (equivalent to nitrogen 1.65 to 3.30 per cent.
   
Pounds per Hundred
Moisture at 100 degrees C.19.04
Total phosphoric acid,11.95
Soluble phosphoric acid,6.94
Reverted phosphoric acid,1.49
Insoluble, phosphoric acid,3.52
Potassium Oxide1.83
Nitrogen,2.25
Valuation per 2000 lbs.,$33.78

Thursday, October 12, 2023

My Great Grandfather's Fertilizer analysis

 I found a number of entries in the Massachusetts Sate Agricultural Experiment Station at Amherst, Mass.  July, 1883 that my Great Grandfather submitted. So here are some of them.  Here is an entry under Fertilizer Analyses.

  • Pg. 7
110. Fish and Potash [s], of George W. Miles' Co., Milford, Ct. Collected of D.J. Wright, Northampton, Mass., by State Inspector.
Guaranteed composition; soluble and reverted phosphoric acid (available), 5 to 8 per cent.; potassium oxide, 4 to 6 per cent.; ammonia, 4 to 6 per cent. (equivalent to 3.3 to 5 per cent. nitrogen).
   
Pounds per Hundred
Moisture at 100 degrees C.15.60
Total phosphoric acid,7.51
Soluble phosphoric acid,4.88
Reverted phosphoric acid,.07
Insoluble, phosphoric acid,2.56
Potassium Oxide4.52
Nitrogen,2.70
Valuation per 2000 lbs.,$30.18

Tuesday, October 10, 2023

Saturday, October 7, 2023

Wednesday, October 4, 2023

Tuesday, September 19, 2023

Monday, September 4, 2023

Unknown Child on Scooter, Likely Housatonic, MA around 1917. From the Smith Family Photos


I'm getting into a bunch of photos from the Smith Family that I am not able to identify.  These people and places may be lost to time, but I feel I should still try and share them.

Unknown Child on Scooter, Likely Housatonic, Ma around 1917.  From the Smith Family Photos
Unknown Child on Scooter, Likely Housatonic, Ma around 1917.  From the Smith Family Photos

 

Sunday, August 27, 2023

Good Housekeeping May 14, 1887 to October 29, 1887

Why would I be posting about Good Housekeeping?  It turns out it was being published out of Springfield Massachusetts and my Great Grandfather David Joy Wright's store is listed in it in 1887.  Here is the list of stores he was in.

  • Louis F. Plimpton, Merchant, Florence, Mass.
  • F. A. & W. E. Barnes, Druggists, Florence, Mass.
  • J. W. Bird, Newsdealer, Florence, Mass.
  • E. L. Abercrombie, Harness Maker, Florence, Mass.
  • J.E. Riley, Dry Goods, Florence, Mass.
  • W. M. Smith, Jeweler, Florence, Mass.
  • Shumway, Riley & Boynton, Tinners and Plumbers, Florence, Mass.
  • R. M. Branch, Merchant, Florence, Mass.
  • F. Schadee, Photographer, Florence, Mass.
  • W.L. Wilcox, American Express Agent, Florence, Mass.
  • Geo. F. Smith, Insurance Agent, Florence, Mass.
  • A. Bryant, Blacksmith, Florence, Mass.
  • Rev. J. F. Allen, M. E. Church, Florence, Mass.
  • Rev. E. G. Cobb, Congregational Church, Florence, Mass.
  • Mrs. A. L. Litchfield, Florence, Mass.
  • Mrs. D. H. Eggleston, Dressmaker. Florence, Mass.
  • J. M. Allen, Agent N. H. & N. R. R.. Depot, Florence, Mass.
  • J. W. Moore, Butcher,  Florence, Mass.
  • V. C. Goodwin,  Builder,  Florence, Mass.
  • E. B. Goodwin, Coal and Wood, Florence, Mass.
  • H. W. Sanford, Mechanic, Florence, Mass.
  • J. H . Riley, Tinsmith, Florence, Mass.
  • Mrs. C . C. Westover,  Florence, Mass.
  • Edward L. Kirkby, Clerk, Florence, Mass.
  • Mrs. Geo. A . Burr, Florence, Mass.
  • Oscar N. Kyle, Manufacturer, Florence, Mass.
  • Charles E. Gould, Florence, Mass.
  • R. D. Brown . Dentist, Florence, Mass.
  • C. S. Cutler, Physician, Florence, Mass.
  • A. T. Rilly Retired, Florence, Mass.
  • A. P. Bridgman, Janitor,  Florence, Mass.
  • Mrs. Fred E. Stall,  Florence, Mass.
  • Nelson A. Davis, Druggist, Florence, Mass.
  • Mrs. J. L. Otis, Florence, Mass.
  • P. J. Flagg, M. D., Northampton , Mass.
  • E. :E:. Wood, J r., Hardware, Northampton , Mass.
  • C . N. Fitts, Dry Goods,  Northampton , Mass.
  • E. H . Wade, Printer,  Northampton , Mass.
  • Chas. L. Warner, Ed. l lamp. Co. Journal, Northampton , Mass.
  • F. D. Barnes, Grocer,  Northampton , Mass.
  • H. S. Gere, Editor Gazette,  Northampton , Mass.
  • I. A. Sullivan, Pres. North. Cream'y Ass'n,   Northampton , Mass.
  • C . L. Thayer, Northampton , Mass.
  • Collins H. Gere, Printer, Northampton , Mass.
  • C. H. Pierce, Insurance, Northampton , Mass.
  • L W. Whittlesey, Cashier N. N . Bank, Northampton , Mass.
  • Lewis \Varner, Pres. Hamp. Co. N . Bank, Northampton , Mass.
  • J. M. Fay, M. D. Northampton , Mass.
  • D. Robinson, Merchant, Northampton , Mass.
  • Geo. H. Walker, Druggist, Northampton , Mass.
  • H. J . Walker, Druggist, Northampton , Mass.
  • A. G. Hill, Mayor, Florence, Mass.
  • H . K. Parson s, Alderman. Florence, Mass.
  • Myron C. Howard, Councilman, Florence, Mass.
  • William Fulton Councilman, Florence, Mass.
  • E. A. Brooks, Boots and Shoes, Northampton, Mass.
  • S. S. Warner, Agent B. F. Co., Northampton, Mass.
  • C. D. Clapp, Florence, Mass.
  • L. J. Dudley, Northampton, Mass.
  • E. C. Stone, Ed. Northampton Herald, Northampton, Mass.
  • Mrs. M . F. Conroy, Northampton, Mass.
  • W. H. Riley. Reporter S. Republican, Florence, Mass.
  • Geo. H . Ray, Asst. Treas. N . S. Co., Northampton, Mass.
  • Mrs. E. P. Avery, Northampton, Mass.
  • Mrs. J. Hannah, Northampton, Mass.
  • Joseph S. Wells, Grocer, Northampton, Mass.
  • John S. Springer, Hardware, Northampton, Mass.
  • R. S. Garneld, Carpenter, Northampton, Mass.
  • W. M. Trow , M. D., Northampton, Mass.
  • D. F. Cutting, Steam Fitter, Northampton, Mass.
  • E. Bridgman, Northampton, Mass.
  • A. L. Kingsbury, Box Manufacturer, Northampton, Mass.
  • A. E. Steele, Northampton, Mass.
  • L. Berkley Rood, M. D. , Florence, Mass.
  • James F. Brainerd, Clerk, Florence, Mass.
  • R. H . Pease, Merchant, Florence, Mass.
  • J . P. Maine , Meat Dealer. Florence, Mass.
  • Jesse F. Angell , Postmaster, Florence, Mass.
  • C. L. Knowlton Physician, Northampton, Mass.
  • James Dunlap, Physician,  Northampton, Mass.
  • Geo. W. Paine, Meat Dealer, Florence, Mass.
  • D . J . Wright, Agricultural Tools, Northampton , Mass.
  • Samuel Lloyd, Marketman, Florence, Mass.
  • E. V. Barrett, Councilman, Florence, Mass.
  • Geo. B. Drury, Supt. of Schools, Northampton, Mass.
  • Ervin Putnam doing Dishes, Northampton, MA, abt 1927

    Ervin Putnam doing Dishes, Northampton, MA, abt 1927
    Ervin Putnam doing Dishes, Northampton, MA, abt 1927