The Owens Connection - continued

In the photo collection of Mary Merritt, there were a couple more pictures of John Robert Owens, also known as Bob Owens.  These 2 pictures were on a page in the album where several of the pictures seemed to all have been taken in 1940, probably around Massena.  The picture below had written under it, and I cropped the picture so the writing could be seen, "Glenn, Leta, and Bob 1940."

There were a couple other pictures on this same page taken in front of that big tree.  Since I haven't yet located a marriage record on Glenn and Leta, I don't know if they were married at this time.  There are newspaper records showing that Glenn Tilden and Leta Owens were visiting some relatives of Leta's, and the listing of the names shows they were indeed not yet married.  There is no intent to make an issue of the marriage, just being genealogically transparent in admitting that I do not yet have the date or place of marriage.

The picture below I have shared before, believing now that I know all the men on the back row, although still working on verification.  From left to right they are Donald Merritt, Glenn Tilden, Bert or Albert Smith, Otis Tilden, and Bob or John Robert Owens. Bob would have been about 16 in both of these pictures.  On the bottom row for the ladies, I do know that the 2nd from the left is Leta Remarque Owens Tilden and next to her is Mary Merritt.  I don't know the name of the baby she is holding at this time.  The next lady is Doris Smith, one of Albert Smith's daughters.  That identification comes from another picture taken in 1940.

Smith and Tilden family 1940

The Owens Connection

The photo album contained some nice pictures of person called Robert Owens and Bob Owens.  The pictures below state they were of Robert Owen US Navy.  And there were a couple of pictures of him in a kilt, presumably while in Scotland.  I wanted to identify who this Bob or Robert Owens was, but for some reason, it took me a while to make the connection of this Bob Owens to another Owens in the album, Leta R Owens.  Guess all of the pictures, names, and lots of facts can sometimes hide the relationships that become obvious.  I have been trying to work on one big blog post about the Owens connection, but with so many parts and pieces, and for the sake of time, I will post parts as I go.

So Bob Owens turns out to be John Robert Owens, born in Auburn, Cayuga, New York 7 Dec 1923. He was the son of Leta Remarque and Francis Claire Owens.  Finding his mother's maiden name was part of what challenged me, as the records I had always listed her simply as Leta R Owens.  Francis Claire Owens died in 1939, when Bob Owens was about 16.  Leta later married Glenn Tilden, bringing us back to the Tilden family and the connection to Mary Merritt.  So far as I know, Leta was Glenn's first and only wife.

John Robert Owens turned 18 on the day Pearl Harbor was attacked.  He joined the Navy shortly thereafter.  He died in the Atlanta, Georgia area, 5 Aug 2001.  There is a transcription of his obituary that can be found at this link.  He had a very active and interesting life.  I always wondered if Ma ever had contact with him after she moved away to Florida.

John Robert Owens

Little Mary, Sunshine Radiator

Really enjoy this newspaper snippet from the Massena Observer, September 28, 1933.  This article mentions the visits of the Hale's and Tilden's in Massena, visiting Agnes Gibbs, after a trip to Ontario to visit other relatives.

Mary Merritt would have been 5 years old at the time.

This article came from a great website for searching old newspaper articles, http://nyshistoricnewspapers.org/

If you have relatives that lived in upstate New York, in particular, this would be a good place to search.  A link to the entire page of this paper that I snipped the article from can be found here:
http://nyshistoricnewspapers.org/lccn/sn84031311/1933-09-28/ed-1/seq-2/

Donald E Merritt, World War II

Donald E Merritt, Mary's brother, enlisted in the US Army June 9, 1940, in Syracuse.  His initial enlistment was for a term of 3 years.  He was released from service September 9, 1945.  From the information in the articles below, it is clear he saw considerable action, much in North Africa, was wounded, captured and rescued.  A press release described him as a rifle squad leader and he also became a Sergeant.

Donald Merritt home on leave 1944

Donald Merritt in center with 2 unknown men

From the Auburn Citizen May 1944

Mary Merritt and brother Donald abt 1944

Grace M Merritt Shaver and daughter Hazel

The picture below is another great picture from Donald E Merritt's album, shared with us by Roger Merritt.  It is the only picture I currently have of that generation of Merritt's.  Grace Merritt, a sister of Andrew Elijah Merritt, was the 5 of 8 children of George W Merritt and Anna Ennis,  She was born January 1, 1878 in Fleming, Cayuga County, New York.  On June 14, 1899, she married Ernest Gaylord Shaver at the home of her eldest sister, Adelaide Merritt Gardner.  They had the one daughter, Hazel A Shaver.  Earnest Gaylord died in 1928.  From my research, Grace lived most of her life from 1930 until her death in 1961 in Ithaca, New York.  Grace was buried in Soule Cemetery, in Sennett, next to her husband.  We visited that cemetery a few years ago and I have added a picture of Grace and Ernest's tombstone below.

Hazel was a one time married to Lawrence Palmer Gillette.  They married October 19, 1922, in Ithaca.  I believe they divorced sometime around 1940.

Ernest G Shaver and Grace M Merritt Shaver

Andrew Elijah Merritt and his siblings

Andrew Elijah Merritt was the father of Mary Merritt, and her two siblings, Donald E and Doris May Merritt.  For reference, I add below a typical Descendant Report of Andrew's father, George W Merritt, and shows Andrew's siblings.  The report is as accurate as the information I currently have but am always looking to update, revise, and correct.

Descendants of George W Merritt

Generation 1

1.      GEORGE W¹ MERRITT was born on 05 Oct 1833 in Cayuga, New York, USA. He died on 19 Sep 1902 in Fleming, Cayuga, New York, USA (Age: 69). He married Anna E Ennis, daughter of Andrew Ennis and Eliza Sally Collins, about 1864 in Cayuga County, New York, USA. She was born on 08 Jul 1848 in Fleming, Cayuga, New York, USA. She died on 25 Mar 1921 in Auburn, Cayuga, New York, USA.

George W Merritt and Anna E Ennis had the following children:

i.        ADELAIDE L² MERRITT was born in 1865 in Fleming, Cayuga, New York, USA. She died on 15 Jun 1927 in Auburn, Cayuga, New York, USA. She married Leonard Gardner, son of Godfrey Gardner and Catherine Pelon, on 17 Jan 1883 in Aurelius, Cayuga, New York, USA. He was born in 1857 in Canada. He died in 1913 in New York, USA (Age: 56).

ii.       MELVINA MERRITT was born on 26 Jan 1867 in Fleming, Cayuga, New York, USA. She died on 25 Jun 1900 in Watertown, Jefferson, New York, USA. She married (1) WILLIAM HENRY ANDERSON, son of Michael Anderson and Ann Ringwood, on 18 Sep 1885 in Auburn, Cayuga, New York, USA. He was born in 1857 in Moravia, Cayuga, New York, USA. He died on 18 Jun 1926 in Buffalo, Erie, New York, USA. She married (2) FRANK HEANY in 1885. He was born in 1866 in New York.

iii.      JAMES E MERRITT was born on 12 Jan 1869 in Fleming, Cayuga, New York, USA. He died on 29 Dec 1939 in Moravia, Cayuga, New York, USA. He married Sarah Elizabeth Baker, daughter of Lyman S Baker, in 1896. She was born in 1875 in New York. She died in 1959 in Fleming, Cayuga County, New York, USA.

iv.      NOBLE DERMON MERRITT was born on 04 May 1874 in New York, USA. He died on 05 May 1928 in Auburn, Cayuga, New York, USA. He married Amy M Ellsworth, daughter of George P Ellsworth, in 1896. She was born in May 1880 in United States. She died on 25 Dec 1933 in Ithaca, Tompkins, New York, USA.

v.       GRACE MERRITT was born on 01 Jan 1878 in Fleming, Cayuga, New York, USA. She died in 1961 in Cayuga, New York, USA (Age: 83). She married Ernest Gaylord Shaver, son of Milton G Shaver and Jeanette Wilkinson, on 14 Jun 1899 in Aurelius, Cayuga, New York, USA. He was born in Jul 1872 in United States. He died on 01 Jun 1928 in Auburn, Cayuga, New York, USA.

vi.      GEORGIA A MERRITT was born on 31 Dec 1880 in New York, USA. She died on 15 Jun 1903 in Sennett, Cayuga, New York, USA. She married OSCAR MAYNARD SHAVER. He was born on 26 Sep 1879 in Cayuga County, New York, USA. He died in 1954 in Syracuse, Onondaga, New York, USA.

vii.     GROVER CLEVELAND MERRITT was born on 24 Sep 1885 in Fleming, Cayuga, New York, USA. He died on 06 Jun 1935 in Throop, Cayuga, New York, USA. He married Alta Mae Pitcher, daughter of Frank Pitcher and Elizabeth Highriter, on 29 Nov 1906 in Auburn, Cayuga, New York, USA. She was born on 24 May 1884 in Auburn, Cayuga, New York, USA. She died on 13 Jul 1976 in Throop, Cayuga, New York, USA.

viii.    ANDREW ELIJAH MERRITT was born on 16 Jun 1888 in Fleming, Cayuga, New York, USA. He died on 01 Oct 1941 in Auburn, Cayuga, New York, USA. He married (1) MARJORIE ELLEN MYERS, daughter of George Wylie Myers and Mary Frances Philpott, on 18 Jun 1920 in Syracuse, Onondaga, New York, USA. She was born on 01 Oct 1900 in United States. She died on 27 Dec 1928 in Syracuse, Onondaga, New York, USA. 

Doris May Merritt

Found this picture in Mary Merritt's photo album of her sister, Doris May Merritt.  I would estimate the picture was taken about 1945-1946.  Doris May Merritt was the second child born to Andrew Elijah Merritt and Marjorie Ellen Myers.  Born June 22, 1923 in Syracuse.  She first married Winfield Roger Moore and they had one son, Richard Moore.  She also was married to John Elijah Cobb, Sr.  They lived in Palm Springs and they both were avid golfers.  She passed away February 8, 2011.

Doris May Merritt about 1945

Sisters Doris May and Mary Elizabeth Merritt

Below is a picture taken on my wedding day of Aunt Doris May Merritt Cobb and her sister, Mary Elizabeth.  She came to Pensacola for the wedding.  You can certainly tell the family resemblance.

Doris Merritt on right and Mary Merritt

 I wish I could have gotten to know her better but we were very honored that she came to our wedding, October 22, 1982.

On the far right is Stella Martin, whom Melanie affectionately called "Grandmother."  She loaned us two large ferns for the wedding.  Repeated thanks to Louis Codone for helping me get them to the church.

Some Merritt Genealogy

Not sure how well this will work but attempting to show some of Mary, Doris, and Donald Merritt's genealogy,  All three were the children of Andrew Elijah Merritt (1883-1941) and Marjorie Ellen Myers (1900-1928.)

Andrew Elijah Merritt was the youngest of 8 children born to George W Merritt (1833-1902) and Anna Elizabeth Ennis (1848-1921).  While perhaps not officially proven out, we can trace the Merritt line back to the original Pilgrims at Plymouth,  Anna Ennis' father, Andrew, was from Ireland, coming to America about 1843, and became a naturalized citizen about 1848.  I believe her mother was also from Ireland. The oldest of the 8 Merritt children was Adelaide Merritt born in 1865, who married Leonard Gardner.  She passed away in 1927 in Auburn, New York.  The oldest living sibling was Grace Merritt, married to Ernest Shaver.  Grace died in 1961 in Cayuga County, New York.  Andrew Elijah Merritt married Marjorie Ellen Myers on June 18, 1920 in Syracuse when he was 32 years old.  Marjorie was 18 at the time.

Marjorie Ellen Myers was the daughter of George Wylie Myers (1858-1941) and Mary Frances Philpott (1866-1944).  She was one of 5 children and Marjorie had a twin sister, Margret, who died June 2, 1906 at 5 years of age.  The Philpott's came from Pluckley, Kent, England about 1843.  You will notice this line includes Mary Judson, who was born in Foxholes, Yorkshire, England.  Mary Judson and family came to American in June 1830, when Mary Judson was about 6 months old.

And there's more...for a later time.

The home place in Collamer

Think this is a wonderful house.  Not sure if it was the home of Arthur and Irma Tilden Hale, or of Irma's parents, Otis and Grace Tilden.  Or perhaps they all lived together.  Wonder if the house is still standing?

The house in Collamer where Mary lived

Mary and her constant pal, Bill

The picture below was taken October 4, 1933 at Mary's home in Collamer.  The back of the picture is also added for the information it provides, and I am "studying" the handwriting to try and figure out who wrote the information on the back. Several of the pictures have this handwriting and it is most likely either that of Grace McCloud Tilden or Irma Tilden Hale, Grace's daughter.  Mary talked about when she was young and had a billy goat for a pet, and there is more than one picture with her and her constant pal.  I will get more into who Grace and Irma were in future posts.

The back of the picture says that Mary and her pal were under a "bullet nut tree."  Anyone know what that is?  Then John Mundy finally correct me...that's a "butter nut" tree!  The way's the t's are crossed on the back of some of these pictures indicates he is right! Another wonderful picture.  Mary would have been about 5 years of age.  The small building to the right is, I believe from information from another picture, the small pump house.

Mary and her constant pal, "Bill"

The back of the picture

Montrose School For Girls

Interesting connection about where Mary Merritt attended high school.  Montrose School for Girls was once Kingsley School in Essex Fells, New Jersey.  Kingsley School was a preparatory school for boys that existed for about 40 years, closing in 1940.  At that time, in became Montrose School for Girls for a short time. There are a set of pictures of young ladies who look to have been schoolmates at this school when Mary attended there.  I have been looking for a while to confirm where this picture was taken and I believe the link below establishes that.  Wish I knew for sure what building that was, when the picture was taken, and who was this friend of hers.  Click on the link below the picture to see more about the beginning of the school.  Need more information about that,

Friend at Montrose School for Girls

Some history on Montrose School for Girls

Mary, Donald, and Doris Merritt

A wonderful picture shared by Roger Merritt, Donald Merritt's youngest son.  Donald E Merritt was born June 11, 1922 in Syracuse and passed away March 4, 1977 in California.  Doris May Merritt was born June 22, 1923 in Syracuse and she died February 8, 2011 in Palm Springs.  This picture, I believe, is the only other picture I have of the 3 children together, although hoping more can be found.  Unsure of where or when the picture was taken, although I would estimate about 1940.  Enlistment records show that Donald E Merritt joined the US Army on July 9, 1940 in Syracuse.

Mary, Donald, and Doris Merritt

First Post

My first post about the life, family, and friends of Mary Elizabeth Merritt.  Most of these posts are inspired by her collection of photos.  Hopefully, I can link this blog to a Facebook group to enable sharing of these posts and photos with other members of her family.  The first picture below is the earliest known picture of Mary, when she was a baby.  It is taken with her mother, Marjorie Ellen Myers Merritt, and her brother and sister, Donald and Doris.

This picture was taken in 1928, as we know that Mary was born in May 28, 1928 in Syracuse, New York, and her mother died December 27, 1928.  Mary's mother, Marjorie Ellen Myers, was born on September 30, 1900, when her family was living in Manlius, New York.  Marjorie had a twin sister, Margret, who died on June 2, 1906.  There were 3 other siblings, Estella Mae, Cleveland H, and Granville D Myers.

Donald, Mary in the arms of her mother Marjorie, and Doris