David Sanders Wright (1887-1967)-W1 1911-1940

Alright, let’s move on to the years 1911-1940.  This period marks the growth of his family and tragic loss of his wife.

1911-1920

David Sanders Wright

David Sanders Wright
on Right

The city directories show he had gotten a job as a teacher in 1911 and worked as one until retirement.  From 1911 to at least 1915 the city directories have him living at 67 West St and working as a teacher. Sometime between 1915 and 1917 he moved to Great Barington, MA as his draft card has him living at 50 Dresser Ave, Great Barrington, MA and working as a teacher for the Town of Great Barringtion.  He is described as being short, of medium build, with brown eyes and slightly balding brown hair.

Chivales East Hospital

On May 1st, 1918 he was called up and served in the U.S. Army during World War I. I don’t have much on his time in the army but suspect he was stationed at a hospital in England based on a picture we have.  The photo is title Chivales East Hospital but I don’t know where that was. He completed his service on July 1st, 1919.  This is an area of his life I plan on looking into more.

Florence Edna Smith

The wedding of David Sanders Wright
and Florence Edna Smith

He returned from the war and married Florence Edna Smith (S1) on August 16th, 1919 in Great Barrington, MA.  By 1920, they had moved back to Northampton.  The 1920 census has them renting rooms at 101 West Street and David S. was teaching at the high school.  During that year they had their first daughter and moved back into the 67 West Street house.

David Sanders Wright and
Florence Edna Smith

Their Youngest Daughter-Age 1

1921-1930

David Sanders Wright,
Florence Edna Smith
and their oldest children-abt 1928

The family remained at 67 West Street and David S. was a teacher at the high school throughout the 1930s.  Their son, David Joy Wright (1922-1991) was born in 1922.  Charles Merrick (1924-2008) was born in 1924.  Their third son was born in 1927.  

In the 1930 Census, David S. is listed as being 42 and a teacher at the public school.  He is marked as a World War I Veteran.  The entire family is living at the 67 West Street house and David is renting the house for $30.00.  I assume he is renting from his mother who is also living in the house, but they don’t show that she owns the house and no property value is given.  Their last daughter was born later in 1930 and therefore doesn’t show up in the 1930 census.

1931-1940

The family seems to have managed the first part of the Great Depression pretty well.  The city directories show David S. continuing to teach at the high school.  That all changed with a series of tragedies from 1936 onward. On February 24th, 1936, David’s mother past away.  The next year, on November 28th, 1937, David lost his wife Florence Edna Smith to Pneumonia.  Two day later, her mother-in-law past away as well.

The 1940 census shows David S.  living with his five children and brother at the 67 West St. house.  He now owns the house and it is valued at $9400.  That is a Real Value of $312,000 today.  Given that the house has been torn down and an apartment building is now there I am not going to try and get the current value of the property.  He worked 35 hours the week previous to the census and for 40 weeks in 1939.  This is likely due to his schedule as a teacher.  His salary for the year was $2300 which translates to $104,000 today.  If you’re wondering how I am calculating these figures, check out Measuring Worth.

Sources:

• U.S. City Directories, 1821-1989, Northampton, MA-1912, 1913, 1914, 1915, 1918, 1919, 1920, 1923, 1924, 1925, 1927, 1928, 1929, 1930, 1031,1932, 1933, 1934, 
• 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.
• 1940 United States Federal Census: Database online. Year: 1940; Census Place: Northampton, Hampshire, Massachusetts; Roll: T627_1599; Page: 10B; Enumeration District: 8-40.
• U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918: Database online. Registration Location: Berkshire County, Massachusetts; Roll: ; Draft Board: . Record for David S Wright
• U.S., Department of Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File, 1850-2010: 
• Massachusetts, Marriage Index, 1901-1955 and 1966-1970: Vol 36, Pg 364

David Sanders Wright (1887-1967)-W1 1887 to 1910

Now I want to turn to the Wright side of the family.  I didn't get to meet either of my grandparents on this side, so this is really a voyage of discovery for me. As with all my posts, I would appreciate hearing if I was wrong about something or other stories so please comment!  First we will start with the basic information and then move into more detail.  

David Sanders Wright

David Sanders Wright (1887-1967) (W1)
Birth: April 16th, 1887 in Northampton, MA
Father: David Joy Wright (1851-1908) (W2)
Mother: Jane Caroline Reed (1846-1936) (W3)

Married: Florence Edna Smith (1892-1937) (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

1887-1910

67 West Street

David Sanders Wright (W1) was born on April 16th, 1887 to David Joy Wright (W2) and Jane Caroline Reed (W3).  The family was living at 67 West Street, Northampton, MA including David’s older brother Edward N. Wright.  Though Edward isn’t a direct ancestor, I plan to dedicate a post to him.  David Joy Wright is listed as a merchant.

Jane Caroline Reed, David Joy Wright,
Edward N Wright and
David Sanders Wright

David Sanders Wright

David Sanders Wright's class in 1894

Because the 1890 census information was destroyed, the first census we have for David is in 1900.  He is shown as living (age13) at 67 West Street with his father (age 49), mother (age 54) and older brother (age 16).  They had a servant named  Nellie Conway (age 20) from Ireland.  She seems to have emigrated in 1890, could read and write and speak English.

David Sander Wright (top) and
Edward N. Wright (bottom)

We know that David spent time working for his father as he was growing up.  My mother past along the following story which I think gives a little more color to his early life.  David Joy Wright owned a livery stable, as well as a general store, farm, and was an auctioneer.  Calvin Coolidge would hire a horse and sleigh to make his political calls and David Sanders Wright would put the sleigh bells on and pick him up at the Coolidge’s house.  Coolidge, always to be remembered as Silent Cal, would make David S. take the sleigh bells off and leave them on the porch.  After the calls were made, David S. would eat dinner with the Coolidge family in the kitchen, then put the sleigh bells back on and go home.  However David S., even in high school, was an anomaly in New England, a Democrat Yankee, and said he went and swept the Democratic headquarters for penance.   The Coolidge family attended my mother's church and were well liked by our family.  My mother says that Mrs. Coolidge was a lovely, outgoing woman who took part in all church events and, later, saw groups of young men off at the train station as they left for World War II.

David Joy Wright died on March 2nd, 1908 leaving the family at 67 West St.  At this point, Jane Caroline Reed’s Mother, Sister and Aunt move in to help out.  David starts to show up in the city directories in 1908 and 1909 where he is listed as a student at Amherst College in Amherst MA.  In 1910, he has graduated and moved back to 67 West St.  According to my mother, he had planned to go to law school but the family couldn’t afford it at the time so he took up teaching. This turned in be the profession he loved.

The 1910 Census has David (Age 22) living at the 67 West St house with his mother (age 64), brother (age 26), grandmother Sarah W. Reed (age 87), Great Aunt Lucy Sanderson (age 88) and Aunt Lucy A. Lawrence (age 62).  Edward is the only one that is listed as being employed. The have a live in Nurse named Viola Thayer (age 16)

Sources:

• Massachusetts, Birth Records, 1840-1915: Northampton 1887
• Massachusetts, Town and Vital Records, 1620-1988: Northampton pg 93
• U.S. City Directories, 1821-1989, Northampton, MA-1908, 1909, 1910
• 1900 United States Federal Census: Database online. Year: 1900; Census Place: Northampton Ward 2, Hampshire, Massachusetts; Roll: T623_31077_4113839; Page: 16B; Enumeration District: 0631; FHL microfilm: 1240654.
• 1910 United States Federal Census: Year: 1910; Census Place: Northampton Ward 2, Hampshire, Massachusetts; Roll: T624_593; Page: 2B; Enumeration District: 0698; FHL microfilm: 1374606

The Honeymoon

Mary Gertrude Connelly in a canoe on Togue Pond, with Mt. Katadin in the background, 1926

As I said in the last few post, I have a number of photos of Ervin Earl Putnam (P1) and Mary Gertrude Connelly's (C1) honeymoon.  This post is really just a publication of those photos.  They honeymooned at Togue Pond.  I believe this is Lower Togue Pond on the south end of Baxter State Park in Maine.

Mary Gertrude Connelly in a cabin at Togue Pond, 1926

Mary Gertrude Connelly
in a cabin at Togue Pond, 1926

Ervin Earl Putnam in a cabin at Togue Pond, 1926

Erin Earl Putnam starting the fire
in front of a cabin on Togue Pond, 1926

Ervin Earl Putnam in front of Cabins on Togue Pond, 1926

Mary Gertrude Connelly at Togue Pond, 1926

Mary Gertrude Connelly cooking at Togue Pond, 1926

Ervin Earl Putnam on Honeymoon, 1926

Mary Gertrude Connelly on Honeymoon, 1926

Mary Gertrude Connelly
hiking on Honeymoon, 1926

Mary Gertrude Connelly, 1926

Ervin Earl Putnam
hiking on Honeymoon, 1926

Mary Gertrude Connelly, 1926

Ervin Earl Putnam in a canoe on Togue Pond, with Mt. Katadin in the background, 1926

Mary Gertrude Connelly (1895-1972)-C1

Now I will try and add some information on my grandmother, Mary Gertrude Connelly Putnam (C1).  Much of the information I have for her will be a repeat of what I posted for my grandfather so I will center in on her early life.  First, some facts:

Mary Gertrude Connelly (1895-1972) (C1)
Birth: June 6th, 1895 in Needham or Boston, MA
Father:  Frederick Patrick Connelly (1859-1921) (C2)
Mother: Mary Ann Weatherby (1862-1939) (C3)

Married: Ervin Earl Putnam (1893-1988) (P1) in 1926 at Leeds, MA

Children:

Robert Ervin Putnam (1927-2011) (P0)

Living Son

Died: May 4th, 1972 in Houlton, ME

Mary was born on June 6th, 1895 in either Needham or Boston, MA. the Massachusetts vital records list Boston, but that could mean Needham. Her parents Frederick Patrick Connelly (C2) and Mary Ann Connelly (C3) where from Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada. Frederick was a carpenter.

The 1900 U.S. Census shows her at age 4 living with her parents and siblings in Cambridge MA. 

In all the census records, Mary Ann is listed as Annie M.

 The siblings were:

• Brother: Edwin A. age 11
• Sister: Maud M. age 8
• Sister: Helen L. age 7
• Sister: Jueannette age 2
• Sister: Madeline age 1

The 1910 U.S. Census shows she is still living with the entire family at age 14.  We get a bit more detail here, including that they were living at 50 Cedar St in Cambridge, MA.  She is marked as attending school and being able to read and write.  

Mary Gertrude Connelly, 1924

In the 1920 U.S. Census, she is still living at 50 Cedar st with her mother, brother Edwin (Edward), and sisters Jueannette, and Madeline.  It is interesting that her father doesn't appear because the information I have says he died in 1921.  This could be in error, or could be explained by the fact that Frederick traveled back to Canada allot.   The family is marked down as renters.  Mary Gertrude is marked down as being employed by the U.S. Civil Service as a stenographer.  

In 1926 she married Ervin Earl Putnam (P1) in Leeds, MA.  Given that they where both living in the Boston area before this, my suspicion is they met in Boston and Mary followed Ervin out to Leeds when he got a job at the hospital there.  Since Mary was working for the civil service and Ervin was working at the Veteran's hospital it could be they met through work.

Mary Connelly Putnam at
a cabin on Togue Pond, 1926

Mary Connelly Putnam at Togue Pond, 1926

As I said in the posts about Ervin, they honeymooned at Togue Pond in Maine.  After this, much of the rest of her life is obscured in the records and I wont repeat the information I posted under Ervin. I will post a few more pictures so you can get a feeling of her life.

Mary with son
Robert Ervin Putnam
1928

On boat trip to
Nantucket, MA
1931 or 32

Mary, Ervin, Robert
and Madge Connelly
at the beach, 1931

Mary, Ervin and sons at camp, 1931

Mary and son, Robert

Mary and son shooting at the camp

Mary Gertrude Connelly Putnam

Mary died on May 4th, 1972 in Houlton, ME. She is buried along side her husband in Evergreen Cemetery, Houlton, ME. To see a picture of her grave goto Find a Grave.

• Massachusetts, Town and Vital Records, 1620-1988: Births: 1891-1895; Vol· 46, Candrey - Dogherty
• 1900 United States Federal Census: Database online. Year: 1900; Census Place: Cambridge Ward 5, Middlesex, Massachusetts; Roll: T623_31077_4113842; Page: 4A; Enumeration District: 0730; FHL microfilm: 1240657.
• 1910 United States Federal Census: Year: 1910; Census Place: Cambridge Ward 11, Middlesex, Massachusetts; Roll: T624_597; Page: 8A; Enumeration District: 0789; FHL microfilm: 1374610
• 1920 United States Federal Census: Year: 1920; Census Place: Cambridge Ward 11, Middlesex, Massachusetts; Roll: T625_707; Page: 5A; Enumeration District: 101; Image: 440
• U.S. City Directories, 1821-1989, Northampton, MA-1928,1929, 1930, 1931, 1932, 1933, 1934, 1935, 1936, 1937, 1938, 1939, 1940, 1941, 1942, 1943, 1944, 1945, 1946, 1948, 1949, 1950, 1951, 1952, 1954, 1956, 1957
• Massachusetts, Marriage Index, 1901-1955 and 1966-1970: Volume 39, Page Number 575
• 1930 United States Federal Census: Database online. Year: 1930; Census Place: Northampton, Hampshire, Massachusetts; Roll: 912; Page: 2B; Enumeration District: 36; Image: 921.0; FHL microfilm: 2340647.
• 1940 United States Federal Census: Database online. Year: 1940; Census Place: Northampton, Hampshire, Massachusetts; Roll: T627_1600; Page: 3A; Enumeration District: 8-59.
• Maine Death Index, 1960-1997: Certificate 7203806

Ervin Earl Putnam (1893-1988) (P1) from 1941-1988

Surprisingly, I actually have less documentation from 1941 forward.  I also realized that most of the photos are still in physical form.  Sounds like another project.

1941-1950

24 Center St, Leeds, MA

The city directories show that they continued to live at the 24 Center St house until 1946.  I am missing the info for 1947.  In the 1948 directory the have moved to a few block over to 24 Upland Road.  They lived here to at least 1957.

In 1942, Ervin registered for the draft again.  There really isn't that much new information here other then we find out his phone number was 3517V.

1951-1988

The only thing of note in the city directories is that he stops listing his employment in 1957.  I am thinking that was because he retired, but if someone can fill in any of these blanks let me know!

The Achorage, Meduxnekeg Lake, ME

At some point after that he and Mary moved up to Houlton, ME.  They lived there until Mary's death in 1972 and grandfather continued to live there until the 1980's.  At some point in the 80's he would spend his summer at the family camp on Meduxnekeag Lake in Maine and his children's houses in Ohio.  I remember many a summer visiting the camp with him starting the wood stove in the morning.
Eventually, he had to move into a nursing home and died on March 10th, 1988 in Newark, OH at age 94.  He was buried at the family plot in Evergreen Cemetery, Houlton, ME.

Ervin Earl Putnam's Grave, Houlton, ME

Sources:

• U.S. City Directories, 1821-1989, Northampton, MA-1941, 1942, 1943, 1944, 1945, 1946, 1948, 1949, 1950, 1951, 1952, 1954, 1956, 1957
• U.S., World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942: Database online. Roll: ; Local board: Hampshire , Massachusetts., Record for Ervin Earl Putnam
• Maine Death Index, 1960-1997, Certificate No. 7203806
• Ohio, Deaths, 1908-1932, 1938-2007: Record for Ervin E Putnam
• Web: Maine, Find A Grave Index, 1700-2012: Record for Corp Ervin Earl Putnam, Find a Grave

Ervin Earl Putnam (1893-1988) (P1) from 1921-1940

Let's continue with our exploration of Ervin's life. If you are just coming to the story now, I recommend you go back a post and read that first.

1921-1930

Again, we have a lot of documentation for this period.  Ervin starts to show up in the City Directories in Massachusetts.  In 1924 he is listed as living in Boston, MA and working as a Assistant Roentgenologist.  I had to look this up, but it is another word for a Radiologist, which ties back to his army training.  The record has a “do” under residential address.  I think this means he was living the U.S. Veterans Hospital there.

West Lake, ME-1922

On top of Mt. Katahdin with his brother Frank-1924

On an island in Eagle Lake-1924

Ervin was know to take many trips back up into the backwoods of Maine. I will likely make a number of posts that just show pictures from those trips but here are a few to give you a taste.

In 1926 he married Mary Gertrude Connelly (C1) in Leeds or Northampton, MA.  I need to spend some time tracking down their official marriage record to see what else I can find out.  They honeymooned at Togue Pond in Maine.  

Mary Gurtrude Connelly

Ervin with sons-Spring 1930

On October 18th, 1927 my father, Robert Ervin Putnam (P0), was born in Northampton, MA. In 1928, my uncle was born. We find Mary and Ervin living at 179 North Maple St, Florence, MA.  They continued living here until 1930.  He is listed as working as a x-Ray Technician at the U.S. Veterans Hospital Number 95.  He worked in this profession at the hospital until at least 1956.   

In 1930, the family moved a block over to 22 Howes St.  They lived there

The Northampton V.A. Hospital

until 1938.  The 1930 U.S. Census lists Ervin as being 36 years old.  They own the house and it is valued at $6500.  That translates to a real value of $192,000 today.  Zillow estimates the property is worth $298, 234 today.  Ervin is still listed as having not attended school but being able to read and write. They have noted that he was a World War I veteran.  Additional, the family appears to have owned a radio.

1931-1940

Staff at the V.A. Hospital

Ervin continues to work at the Veterans Hospital throughout the depression.  I consider him lucky to have had a government job!  In 1937 and 1938, they are listed as having a phone in the house.  In 1939, the family moved to 24 Center St, Leeds, MA.   

The 1940 U.S. Census lists Ervin as being 46 years old.  He is still at 24 Center St.  The census says he was living in this house in 1935 which conflicts with the City Directory data.  The value of this house is $5000.  This would have a real value of $166,000 today.  According to Zillow, the property is now worth $289,866.  It still says he did not attend school or college, but says he had a 2 year college degree.  I suspect this is referring to his time in the Army.

Interestingly, he put in 42 hours of work the week before the census was taken.  He worked 52 weeks in 1939 and made $2600.  Assuming a 40 hour work week,he was making $1.25 an hour.  How does this translate to today?  It would represent an hourly rate of $56.50 and a yearly income of $118,000 today.

Check out the next post for more information on Ervin.

Sources:

• U.S. City Directories, 1821-1989, Boston, MA-1924, Northampton, MA-1928,1929, 1930, 1931, 1932, 1933, 1934, 1935, 1936, 1937, 1938, 1939, 1940
• Massachusetts, Marriage Index, 1901-1955 and 1966-1970: Volume 39, Page Number 575
• 1930 United States Federal Census: Database online. Year: 1930; Census Place: Northampton, Hampshire, Massachusetts; Roll: 912; Page: 2B; Enumeration District: 36; Image: 921.0; FHL microfilm: 2340647.
• 1940 United States Federal Census: Database online. Year: 1940; Census Place: Northampton, Hampshire, Massachusetts; Roll: T627_1600; Page: 3A; Enumeration District: 8-59.