320 Two Strong Women

Appendix B -- 1

WHY WE LIVE IN AMERICA Two Strong Women Make Courageous Decisions I live in America because my father and mother met, married, conceived, and bore me in America. —In Laurelview, Oregon, to be exact. And they were there because two strong women, my grandmothers, made courageous and crucial decisions. The part played by my grandfathers is less clear because they died younger than my grandmothers and didn’t get to tell the story to my generation. Here’s how the story unfolds: Dad was born in Woodford Green, England in June 1896 and came to America at the age of 10 with his family. Mother was born at Laurelview, Oregon in January 1897. Her parents came to America about 18 years ahead of Dad’s family. Now read this letter. As you read it think about two young single maidens, two very attractive red haired Scotch lasses. One, Flo, the younger has gone to Portland, Oregon as a governess. The other is a maid-of-all-work in a household in Woodford Green, a London suburb. Try to read the beautiful, but old-fashioned handwriting or trust the printed version. I admire the letter’s literary style but my Englishteacher cousin, Ruth, is quick to point out that there is not a sign of punctuation. Never mind that. It tells the story very well. If we combine the information in the letter with the group picture taken 16 years later you will begin to see how the tale unfolds.

Jane Ann McBeath’s letter to her sister Flo, Side #1

Flora & Jane McBeath Ca. 1886

Appendix B -- 2

Jane Anne McBeath’s letter, side 2

Appendix B -- 3

Our ancestor, then Jane Ann McBeath, wrote this letter on August 27th 1889 to her sister Flo. Both sisters were then single. Because of the decisions they made then we were born in America. Think of that when you read this is the letter. Notice the lovely handwriting and the charming formality between sisters. It is indeed a letter from another century. Kessock Ferry Inverness August 27th 1889 Dearest Flo It gives me great pleasure to write a few lines to you in answer to your very kind and very welcome letter and the Order. It is really good of you to send so much. Just fancy three pounds. I don't know how to thank you enough but god will reward you. Father says to thank you very much for him. He is very pleased indeed. I received the photos today. You have made a splendid Photo and so has Agnes, and I think Mr. Linklater a fine looking young man, and so does Mother and Father and, Flo dear, I may tell you I read your letter to Father and Mother last night. Father said the young man seemed to do his best for you and both said if he was as good (and) principled a man as you say he ought to make you a very good husband. Of course it lies with yourself if you think you can love him and care to serve him as his wife and companion for life. Now dear Flo I don't know how to congratulate you most and if it be God's will that you should go together I hope, Dear Flo, you will feel satisfied with what he gives. You must know if you can spend a Christian life with your husband. It must be a happy and prosperous one so I hope, Dear Flo, I hope you will judge wisely and not hasty. Just fancy yourself getting a man and such a nice house to live all in one year, and me keeping company with Ted 4 years and have to wait one more before we can afford to get married. Not money, but love, brings happiness. I hope you will feel more settled next time you write. The neighbors are all sending love to you and Mrs. Cameron, and Anna. I will bring your photo up to Lina and Donald to see. We had a very dry summer but it has turned rather wet now. Every one is very busy at the harvest. Goodby. Write soon. I remain your loving sister, Nan (I think she signs it "Nan". Perhaps Nan was a family nickname. Her full name was Jane Ann McBeath.) 1 have corrected some, but not all of the punctuation and spelling errors in the original because I want you to concentrate on the flavor and meaning, not the flaws. Notice how the frugal Scotch lass uses every square inch of the stationery. Question: What in the letter led me to suspect that my great grandparents perhaps could not read? [Hint: See seventh line below “Dearest Flo.”] The picture on the next page was taken 16 years later just before the Edwin Watkins family emigrated to Portland, Oregon. Do you see a connection between the letter and the picture? Look at the picture of William Watkins in his chapter. No doubt the photographer took that pose at the same time as this one. Do you think that the adults in the picture were thinking that the Edwin Watkins family would never again see England? Only old William seems to dread this. [How I wish I had the photo of Mr. Linklater mentioned in the letter.]

Appendix B -- 4

The Family of Edwin and Jane Watkins shortly before departing for America in 1906

Back: Edwin (Father) and William Watkins (Edwin’s father) Front: Annie, Amos, Jane Ann (Mother), Flora, Alex Photo by a commercial photographer in Woodford Green, a London suburb 1906.

I see Edwin proud of his family and confident that they will prosper in the new land. I see William sad that he may never see the family again, and, perhaps fearing the loneliness. Even so he must be proud of this group, his son so confident and able to dress his family so well. I see young Annie feeling proud and responsible as the most grown up of the children. I see young Alec being restrained by the steady hand of his grandfather—a mischievous lad, ready for adventure, but more than a handful. I see Amos anxious to get the dress-up and posing over with but gamely holding the desired pose. I see Flora, the baby of the family already knowing that she will be a red haired beauty. I see a benevolent smile on Jane’s face. Does she know something special? Ted and Jane Ann married in 1890, the year after the letter was written. In the next 10 years they established a household and had four children. Probably Ted got a promotion and, most certainly, Jane quit her job as maid and spent full time caring for the growing family. The home in the picture looks modest, almost poor, but the clothes are not those of poor people. Most likely old William was living with them. What became of him when they moved? Who paid for the tickets, arranged for a job in Portland, promised to welcome them on arrival? I think that we descendants should thank the sisters, Flo and Jane, because I think that they conspired to arrange the whole thing.

Appendix B -- 5

I’m not sure just what route the Edwin Watkins family took to Portland. We know that they crossed the Atlantic on the SS Lake Manitoba, and that they landed in Canada, probably Quebec. They departed England Aug 15, 1906 and landed in Canada on Aug 25, 1906. These are the dates shown on Flora Watkins’ inspection card for “Immigrants and Steerage Passengers”. They chose a good season to cross and probably had a smooth crossing—very important for steerage passengers who rode in the lowest and smelliest part of the vessel. The card is stamped by the US Marine Hospital Service. Unfortunately it doesn’t specify the port of entry so we must use other sources. Family lore has it that they crossed on the Canadian Pacific Railway and came to Portland via Vancouver, BC. Since Jane was famously “Scotch” [read frugal] I doubt they ate in the diner. I’m guessing she bought bread and sandwich makings and fed the family out of a suitcase. You’ll note that the Watkins had the wit to wait until the Indians were subdued and the trans-continental railroad built before they made the trip. No covered wagons and scalping parties for them. I have no doubt that Jane engineered the move to America, and that her sister, Flo, helped her arrange it. Jane wanted a better life for her children than domestic service in class bound England. So, I am sure, did Edwin, but he was no risk taker and probably would not have made the move but for his wife’s urging. [After writing this I found Amos’ written memoir in which he says that the Linklaters sent money for the passage, and that they traveled via Canadian Pacific.

Johanna Marie (Vibbert) Larsen’s Courageous Decision This picture shows the four children of Laurits and Marie Larsen [She didn’t like the name Johanne and never used it.]. The picture was taken in 1896, the year of Laurits’ tragic death, perhaps to mark the occasion. Laurits’ death worked a cruel hardship on the Larsen family and most especially on Marie. She found herself charged with the care of four small children and pregnant with a fifth. The farm was operating but not really complete. There were still buildings to build, land to clear, and, of course, there was the grueling daily management of the dairy farm: cows to milk and feed, harvest to be brought in, orchards to care for, fields to till and plant. There was enough work to make both the farmer and his wife bone weary at the end of every day. Laurits died in the fall and winter was coming on. Now Marie had to deal with all of this alone. You The Larsen Children in 1896 may be certain that that year took courage and will Rear: Charles and Josie. power. To her credit and to our good fortune she Front: Walter and Mabel. persevered. She kept the two oldest, let the two youngest stay with neighbors, and bore the child, Lily Laurene, my future mother. Somehow, with some help from the neighbors she kept the farm running and saved it for her family. Soon she had hired help and was able to recall the children. She drove herself and her oldest children very hard to survive the crisis, but survive she did. Her farm stayed in the family for 65 more years. Three descendants still live on parts of the original property. Read her story in her chapter.

Appendix B -- 6

1904 The Widow, Marie Larsen weds Anton Naderer Rear: Walter, Josephine, Charles Larsen Front: Anton Naderer, Lily Larsen, Marie, Mabel Larsen An important event—the only pictures I have of Grandma with her hair done nicely.