Mary Caroline Findley timeline (sixth decade of life)

Life of Mary Caroline Findley

See the previous 10 years

Age 51: Called on the carpet by Phil Cole, boss at the Andover Press, for not being accurate enough with proofreading: (18 February) "Ross said Louis [Paine] was the one that blamed me for everything." Worried about getting fired; son Ernest John Edmands, 21, offered to drop out of Annapolis, get a job, and support her (Mary turned the offer down), and son Allan Christie Edmands I, 27, told Mary not to be discouraged and that she would never have to worry about a home. Wages increased in July by 22¢ to $28.71 per week. Granddaughter Mary Christine "Chris" Edmands, daughter of son Allan and daughter-in-law Mary Anna Hawes Edmands, born (as part of the Silent Generation) in San Diego, San Diego County, California. Offered to sell the Carmel Road house to Farraghers for $750 cash plus taking over the mortgage; final agreement was that Mary took out second mortgage of $600 and Farraghers to pay it off at $50 a year plus interest; in closing Mary received not one cent, Farraghers to pay her $50 per year. Moved from Carters on Wolcott Avenue to room at J. H. Flint's (35 Washington Avenue, Andover). Endured severe New England hurricane. Beau was still Jerry Sullivan. Karen Tucker, daughter of niece Eleanor Ramsdell Tucker, 26 (daughter of late sister, Susie Catherine Findley Ramsdell and brother-in-law Harry A. ("H.A.") Ramsdell) and her husband, Edwin Tucker, born. See her diary entries for 1938. 1938

Age 52: Boss at Andover Press, Phil Cole, docked Mary's pay $1 per week for the year because she had been paid for more time than she had been there in 1938. Difficulties continued at work: [1 June] "Half sick from worry over books. Wish I could quit. Hectic day about getting a fellow's name wrong..." Moved back to Carters on Wolcott Avenue. Broke up with Jerry Sullivan; he started dating Esther Batchelder. Lots of problems with teeth. See her diary entries for 1939. 1939

Allan and John in 1940
(Click to enlarge)

Age 53: In hospital for short spell with flu. Moved to 34 Chestnut St. in Andover, renting from Sweeney's. Visited both sons, Allan Christie Edmands I, 29, and Ernest John Edmands, 23, in Pensacola, FL; Allan's wife, Mary Anna Hawes Edmands, 23, and daughter, Mary Christine "Chris" Edmands, 2, were there as well. Niece Dorothy May "Dot" Edmands, 19, daughter of brother-in-law Nelson Wilfred Edmands and late sister-in-law Alice E. Blaney Edmands, married Ronald George Kinville. See her diary entries for 1940 1940

Age 54: Former beau Jerry Sullivan resumed occasional correspondence, retiring from his post office job (in summer Jerry took up with Esther Batchelder again). Gradually losing love of movies, especially war movies. Printers at Andover Press asked Mary to join union. Son Allan Christie Edmands I, 30, graduated from flight school in Pensacola, Florida, and received "wings." Allan visited Andover with daughter-in-law Mary Anna Hawes Edmands, 24, and granddaughter Mary Christine "Chris" Edmands, 3. Son Ernest John Edmands, 24, graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, and was commissioned as an Ensign. He also began his relationship with Marguerite "Peggy" Bailey. Ronald G. Kinville, son of niece Dorothy May "Dot" Edmands Kinville, 20 (daughter of brother-in-law Nelson Wilfred Edmands and late sister-in-law Alice E. Blaney Edmands) and her husband, Ronald George Kinville, born. Niece Frances Josephine Edmands Brown, daughter of brother-in-law Arthur Seymour Edmands and his wife Edith G. Mansfield Edmands, died in Scottsville, New York, at the age of 48; she was buried at sea in Boston Harbor, outside Red Rock, near Swampscott, Massachusetts. See her diary entries for 1941 1941

Mary holding baby Butch, Christine looking on, summer 1942
(Click to enlarge)

Age 55: Pressured by management at Andover Press not to join a union, temporarily relieved from having to punch the timeclock. Pay raised to $29 per week. Old nemesis at work, Louis Paine, now in management; new nemesis was George Collins, 50: (18 Feb) "Started Ash Wed off with a fight with George Collins. He's the ultimate in meanness and sarcasm. Felt punk all day after it." (3 Mar) "George Collins sick with cold. I don't care much." (8 Jun) "Collins ugly again about proof I hadn't finished reading wanting to know how long it took to read a proof like that. Of course I felt like smashing him one and leaving then and there." Worked nights. Asked to become an air raid warden, but refused. Attended canteen class. Taking a weight management course (gymnastics). Began making surgical bandages for Red Cross. Grandson Allan Christie "Butch" Edmands II, son of son Allan Christie Edmands I and daughter-in-law Mary Anna Hawes Edmands, born (as part of the Silent Generation) in Centralia, Lewis County, Washington. Son Allan I, in combat in the Battle of Midway and was aboard cruiser U.S.S. Astoria until it was sunk off Savo Island near Guadalcanal. Visited daughter-in-law Mary and grandchildren Chris and baby Butch on Mary's parents' chicken ranch near Centralia. Son Ernest John Edmands, 25, married Marguerite Phyllis "Peggy" Bailey, 21, in Vallejo, Solano County, California. See her diary entries for 1942 1942

Mary with her sons and granddaughter Christine, Christmas 1943
(Click to enlarge)

Age 56: Joined union at Andover Press after all. Made surgical bandages for Red Cross. Resumed occasional relationship with Jerry. In October moved out west (with intention to put down roots there) to live near son Allan Christie Edmands I and daughter-in-law Mary Anna Hawes Edmands in Long Beach, CA. Sister-in-law Helena Louise "Lena" Moltzen, wife of brother-in-law Oscar Melvin Edmands, died at the age of 71 years 6 months and 7 days. Richard N. "Dicky" Kinville, son of niece Dorothy May "Dot" Edmands Kinville, 23 (daughter of brother-in-law Nelson Wilfred Edmands and late sister-in-law Alice E. Blaney Edmands) and her husband, Ronald George Kinville, born. 1943

Age 57: Bored from too much childcare with grandchildren and homesick for friends, moved back from California to Andover, MA. Rented a room again at George and Nellie Carter's (both of them 68) on Wolcott Avenue. Resumed work with Andover Press. George Collins, 52, still nemesis at work: (6 Nov) "G. Collins began to blah about a proof that got pied after I'd read it and then apologized." Earned $1,669 from Press (with $245.03 withheld). Made surgical bandages for Red Cross. Did volunteer work at thrift shop. Granddaughter Anna Jane "Janna" Edmands, daughter of son Allan Christie Edmands I and daughter-in-law Mary Anna Hawes Edmands, born in La Jolla, San Diego County, California. Granddaughter Carla Howard Edmands, daughter of son Ernest John Edmands and daughter-in-law Marguerite Phyllis "Peggy" Bailey Edmands, born in Washington, DC. Both new babies were part of the Boom Generation. Nephew Wilfred S. Edmands, son of brother-in-law Nelson Wilfred Edmands and late sister-in-law Alice E. Blaney Edmands, a Tech Sergeant in the 101st Cavalry, committed suicide at army camp in Delaware at the age of 26 years 10 months and 15 days; he was buried in Riverside Cemetery in Saugus, Essex County, Massachusetts. See her diary entries for 1944 1944

Last picture of Allan
(Click to enlarge)

Age 58: Son Allan Christie Edmands I, Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy, skipper of Torpedo Squadron 5, killed in action on the U.S.S. Franklin near Kyushu, Japan, at the age of 33 years 9 months and 9 days. Daughter-in-law Mary Anna Hawes Edmands, 28, suffered severe breakdown and "gave away" her youngest child, infant granddaughter Anna Jane "Janna" Edmands, to her then friend and sister-in-law Margery Jane "Janie" Doyle Hawes, 30. Grandson John Allan Weeks, son of daughter Ethel Jean Edmands Weeks and son-in-law Roland C. Weeks, born (as part of the Boom Generation) in York, York County, Maine. Farraghers finished paying off 1938 mortgage on Carmel Road house. Losing desire to see movies: [16 July] "Kind of funny but I don't seem to care for movies anymore." Joined American Legion Auxiliary. Continued volunteer work at thrift shop. Robert W. Kinville, son of niece Dorothy May "Dot" Edmands Kinville, 25 (daughter of brother-in-law Nelson Wilfred Edmands and late sister-in-law Alice E. Blaney Edmands) and her husband, Ronald George Kinville, born. See her diary entries for 1945 1945

Age 59: Pay at Andover Press raised to $54.00 per week: [24 January] "I told Hap [Hap Harris, the boss] I was scared as I didn't think I was efficient enough for that pay." Earned $2694.51 during the year. Pressure and continued conflicts with colleagues at work: [18 June] "G. Carney said the woman at the Har. Bus. school found a lot of fault with the proofs. I feel like quitting." [10 April] "Louie had to tell me they didn't like it downstairs because I made remarks about the lazy lout Mueller. He's one of the super race I suppose. Poor fools." [2 July] "Collins wanted to know why I wouldn't work out with the lazy man-- said I wouldn't work with him. I sure got mad as I was in reading proof at the time. Asked R[uth Saunders] what she said that to Collins for and she said she didn't, but just said there was room for me as Mueller was running the folder. One of them lied. I wish they'd get something on her, the big tattletale." [18 December] "Talked with Louis about getting through for a while and he said they might hire a man for he could work longer hours." Union agitation at Andover Press. Took a slight interest in Christian Science (influenced by friends Nellie Carter, 70, and Lucy Gibson, 69): [19 February] "Didn't go to work. Nellie saw Louie in afternoon and told him I was sick. I guess my 'Christian Science' didn't do me any good, or I haven't faith enough. Nose and throat all filled up with nasty stuff. Took alka seltzer at night and did I sweat!" Knee acting up. Suffering scalp exzema. Joined King's Daughters. Continued volunteer work at thrift shop. Became interested in genealogy and began documenting ancestors. Daughter-in-law Mary Anna Hawes Edmands, 29, married Harry Lee Ashbrook, 34, son of James Ashbrook and Maxie Damron Ashbrook MacDonald (and stepson of James MacDonald), of Centralia, Lewis County, Washington. Granddaughter Marguerite Phyllis "Margot" Edmands, daughter of son Ernest John Edmands and daughter-in-law Phyllis "Peggy" Bailey Edmands, born (as part of the Boom Generation) in Washington, DC. Sister-in-law Annie Eliza Stewart Edmands, wife of brother-in-law Ellis Lincoln Edmands, died at the age of 74 years 11 months and 5 days. Brother-in-law Oscar Melvin Edmands, 70, married his second wife, Susan E. "Ella" Sheldon, 77. Brother-in-law Elbert H. "Bert" Edmands suddenly died at the age of 67 years 11 months 2 days. See her diary entries for 1946 1946

Age 60: Still having conflicts at Andover Press workplace: [15 January] "Went in road down Elm and car splashed me. Then Louie had a wise crack to make about my stepping off the curb at Verrettes. I told him to shut up." Resigned at the press (replaced as proofreader by Mr. Buell, a drunk). Became matron at Andover Town Infirmary at 88 Carmel Road and moved in there, with daughter Ethel Jean Edmands Weeks and son-in-law Roland C. Weeks. One patient there, Mr. Duvall, forgot his toilet training. Nurse Bea a little difficult to deal with: [13 June] "Bea got mad at R[oland] and gave us blue blazes. Just made me sick.... We've tried to be nice... but B. seems to think we are trying to make her work harder." Difficulty with town government oversight as matron, too: [15 October] "Letter from Mrs. Thornton sometime this week thanking us for what we sent down by the Costellos but wanted to know what my duties were 'that Jean should have to work so hard.' She 'worked hard all day, and sewed every evening.' I guess I'm just naturally lazy." Still suffering scalp exzema. Joined Daughters of the American Revolution. Nathaniel Melvin "Lanie" Edmands, Jr., son of nephew Nathaniel Melvin "Nat" Edmands, 30 (son of brother-in-law Nelson Wilfred Edmands and Alice E. Blaney Edmands) and his wife, Edie, born in Lynn, Essex County, Massachusetts. Rita A. Kinville, daughter of niece Dorothy May "Dot" Edmands Kinville, 27 (daughter of brother-in-law Nelson and late sister-in-law Alice) and her husband, Ronald George Kinville, born.Brother-in-law Ellis Lincoln Edmands died in Rochester, Vermont, at the age of 79 years 5 months and 17 days. See her diary entries for 1947 1947

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Age 51: Called on the carpet by Phil Cole, boss at the Andover Press, for not being accurate enough with proofreading: (18 February) "Ross said Louis [Paine] was the one that blamed me for everything." Worried about getting fired; son Ernest John Edmands, 21, offered to drop out of Annapolis, get a job, and support her (Mary turned the offer down), and son Allan Christie Edmands I, 27, told Mary not to be discouraged and that she would never have to worry about a home. Wages increased in July by 22¢ to $28.71 per week. Granddaughter Mary Christine "Chris" Edmands, daughter of son Allan and daughter-in-law Mary Anna Hawes Edmands, born (as part of the Silent Generation) in San Diego, San Diego County, California. Offered to sell the Carmel Road house to Farraghers for $750 cash plus taking over the mortgage; final agreement was that Mary took out second mortgage of $600 and Farraghers to pay it off at $50 a year plus interest; in closing Mary received not one cent, Farraghers to pay her $50 per year. Moved from Carters on Wolcott Avenue to room at J. H. Flint's (35 Washington Avenue, Andover). Endured severe New England hurricane. Beau was still Jerry Sullivan. Karen Tucker, daughter of niece Eleanor Ramsdell Tucker, 26 (daughter of late sister, Susie Catherine Findley Ramsdell and brother-in-law Harry A. ("H.A.") Ramsdell) and her husband, Edwin Tucker, born. See her diary entries for 1938.	1938
Age 52: Boss at Andover Press, Phil Cole, docked Mary's pay $1 per week for the year because she had been paid for more time than she had been there in 1938. Difficulties continued at work: [1 June] "Half sick from worry over books. Wish I could quit. Hectic day about getting a fellow's name wrong..." Moved back to Carters on Wolcott Avenue. Broke up with Jerry Sullivan; he started dating Esther Batchelder. Lots of problems with teeth. See her diary entries for 1939.	1939
Allan and John in 1940 (Click to enlarge)
Age 53: In hospital for short spell with flu. Moved to 34 Chestnut St. in Andover, renting from Sweeney's. Visited both sons, Allan Christie Edmands I, 29, and Ernest John Edmands, 23, in Pensacola, FL; Allan's wife, Mary Anna Hawes Edmands, 23, and daughter, Mary Christine "Chris" Edmands, 2, were there as well. Niece Dorothy May "Dot" Edmands, 19, daughter of brother-in-law Nelson Wilfred Edmands and late sister-in-law Alice E. Blaney Edmands, married Ronald George Kinville. See her diary entries for 1940	1940
Age 54: Former beau Jerry Sullivan resumed occasional correspondence, retiring from his post office job (in summer Jerry took up with Esther Batchelder again). Gradually losing love of movies, especially war movies. Printers at Andover Press asked Mary to join union. Son Allan Christie Edmands I, 30, graduated from flight school in Pensacola, Florida, and received "wings." Allan visited Andover with daughter-in-law Mary Anna Hawes Edmands, 24, and granddaughter Mary Christine "Chris" Edmands, 3. Son Ernest John Edmands, 24, graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, and was commissioned as an Ensign. He also began his relationship with Marguerite "Peggy" Bailey. Ronald G. Kinville, son of niece Dorothy May "Dot" Edmands Kinville, 20 (daughter of brother-in-law Nelson Wilfred Edmands and late sister-in-law Alice E. Blaney Edmands) and her husband, Ronald George Kinville, born. Niece Frances Josephine Edmands Brown, daughter of brother-in-law Arthur Seymour Edmands and his wife Edith G. Mansfield Edmands, died in Scottsville, New York, at the age of 48; she was buried at sea in Boston Harbor, outside Red Rock, near Swampscott, Massachusetts. See her diary entries for 1941	1941
Mary holding baby Butch, Christine looking on, summer 1942 (Click to enlarge)
Age 55: Pressured by management at Andover Press not to join a union, temporarily relieved from having to punch the timeclock. Pay raised to $29 per week. Old nemesis at work, Louis Paine, now in management; new nemesis was George Collins, 50: (18 Feb) "Started Ash Wed off with a fight with George Collins. He's the ultimate in meanness and sarcasm. Felt punk all day after it." (3 Mar) "George Collins sick with cold. I don't care much." (8 Jun) "Collins ugly again about proof I hadn't finished reading wanting to know how long it took to read a proof like that. Of course I felt like smashing him one and leaving then and there." Worked nights. Asked to become an air raid warden, but refused. Attended canteen class. Taking a weight management course (gymnastics). Began making surgical bandages for Red Cross. Grandson Allan Christie "Butch" Edmands II, son of son Allan Christie Edmands I and daughter-in-law Mary Anna Hawes Edmands, born (as part of the Silent Generation) in Centralia, Lewis County, Washington. Son Allan I, in combat in the Battle of Midway and was aboard cruiser U.S.S. Astoria until it was sunk off Savo Island near Guadalcanal. Visited daughter-in-law Mary and grandchildren Chris and baby Butch on Mary's parents' chicken ranch near Centralia. Son Ernest John Edmands, 25, married Marguerite Phyllis "Peggy" Bailey, 21, in Vallejo, Solano County, California. See her diary entries for 1942	1942
Mary with her sons and granddaughter Christine, Christmas 1943 (Click to enlarge)
Age 56: Joined union at Andover Press after all. Made surgical bandages for Red Cross. Resumed occasional relationship with Jerry. In October moved out west (with intention to put down roots there) to live near son Allan Christie Edmands I and daughter-in-law Mary Anna Hawes Edmands in Long Beach, CA. Sister-in-law Helena Louise "Lena" Moltzen, wife of brother-in-law Oscar Melvin Edmands, died at the age of 71 years 6 months and 7 days. Richard N. "Dicky" Kinville, son of niece Dorothy May "Dot" Edmands Kinville, 23 (daughter of brother-in-law Nelson Wilfred Edmands and late sister-in-law Alice E. Blaney Edmands) and her husband, Ronald George Kinville, born.	1943
Age 57: Bored from too much childcare with grandchildren and homesick for friends, moved back from California to Andover, MA. Rented a room again at George and Nellie Carter's (both of them 68) on Wolcott Avenue. Resumed work with Andover Press. George Collins, 52, still nemesis at work: (6 Nov) "G. Collins began to blah about a proof that got pied after I'd read it and then apologized." Earned $1,669 from Press (with $245.03 withheld). Made surgical bandages for Red Cross. Did volunteer work at thrift shop. Granddaughter Anna Jane "Janna" Edmands, daughter of son Allan Christie Edmands I and daughter-in-law Mary Anna Hawes Edmands, born in La Jolla, San Diego County, California. Granddaughter Carla Howard Edmands, daughter of son Ernest John Edmands and daughter-in-law Marguerite Phyllis "Peggy" Bailey Edmands, born in Washington, DC. Both new babies were part of the Boom Generation. Nephew Wilfred S. Edmands, son of brother-in-law Nelson Wilfred Edmands and late sister-in-law Alice E. Blaney Edmands, a Tech Sergeant in the 101st Cavalry, committed suicide at army camp in Delaware at the age of 26 years 10 months and 15 days; he was buried in Riverside Cemetery in Saugus, Essex County, Massachusetts. See her diary entries for 1944	1944
Last picture of Allan (Click to enlarge)
Age 58: Son Allan Christie Edmands I, Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy, skipper of Torpedo Squadron 5, killed in action on the U.S.S. Franklin near Kyushu, Japan, at the age of 33 years 9 months and 9 days. Daughter-in-law Mary Anna Hawes Edmands, 28, suffered severe breakdown and "gave away" her youngest child, infant granddaughter Anna Jane "Janna" Edmands, to her then friend and sister-in-law Margery Jane "Janie" Doyle Hawes, 30. Grandson John Allan Weeks, son of daughter Ethel Jean Edmands Weeks and son-in-law Roland C. Weeks, born (as part of the Boom Generation) in York, York County, Maine. Farraghers finished paying off 1938 mortgage on Carmel Road house. Losing desire to see movies: [16 July] "Kind of funny but I don't seem to care for movies anymore." Joined American Legion Auxiliary. Continued volunteer work at thrift shop. Robert W. Kinville, son of niece Dorothy May "Dot" Edmands Kinville, 25 (daughter of brother-in-law Nelson Wilfred Edmands and late sister-in-law Alice E. Blaney Edmands) and her husband, Ronald George Kinville, born. See her diary entries for 1945	1945
Age 59: Pay at Andover Press raised to $54.00 per week: [24 January] "I told Hap [Hap Harris, the boss] I was scared as I didn't think I was efficient enough for that pay." Earned $2694.51 during the year. Pressure and continued conflicts with colleagues at work: [18 June] "G. Carney said the woman at the Har. Bus. school found a lot of fault with the proofs. I feel like quitting." [10 April] "Louie had to tell me they didn't like it downstairs because I made remarks about the lazy lout Mueller. He's one of the super race I suppose. Poor fools." [2 July] "Collins wanted to know why I wouldn't work out with the lazy man-- said I wouldn't work with him. I sure got mad as I was in reading proof at the time. Asked R[uth Saunders] what she said that to Collins for and she said she didn't, but just said there was room for me as Mueller was running the folder. One of them lied. I wish they'd get something on her, the big tattletale." [18 December] "Talked with Louis about getting through for a while and he said they might hire a man for he could work longer hours." Union agitation at Andover Press. Took a slight interest in Christian Science (influenced by friends Nellie Carter, 70, and Lucy Gibson, 69): [19 February] "Didn't go to work. Nellie saw Louie in afternoon and told him I was sick. I guess my 'Christian Science' didn't do me any good, or I haven't faith enough. Nose and throat all filled up with nasty stuff. Took alka seltzer at night and did I sweat!" Knee acting up. Suffering scalp exzema. Joined King's Daughters. Continued volunteer work at thrift shop. Became interested in genealogy and began documenting ancestors. Daughter-in-law Mary Anna Hawes Edmands, 29, married Harry Lee Ashbrook, 34, son of James Ashbrook and Maxie Damron Ashbrook MacDonald (and stepson of James MacDonald), of Centralia, Lewis County, Washington. Granddaughter Marguerite Phyllis "Margot" Edmands, daughter of son Ernest John Edmands and daughter-in-law Phyllis "Peggy" Bailey Edmands, born (as part of the Boom Generation) in Washington, DC. Sister-in-law Annie Eliza Stewart Edmands, wife of brother-in-law Ellis Lincoln Edmands, died at the age of 74 years 11 months and 5 days. Brother-in-law Oscar Melvin Edmands, 70, married his second wife, Susan E. "Ella" Sheldon, 77. Brother-in-law Elbert H. "Bert" Edmands suddenly died at the age of 67 years 11 months 2 days. See her diary entries for 1946	1946
Age 60: Still having conflicts at Andover Press workplace: [15 January] "Went in road down Elm and car splashed me. Then Louie had a wise crack to make about my stepping off the curb at Verrettes. I told him to shut up." Resigned at the press (replaced as proofreader by Mr. Buell, a drunk). Became matron at Andover Town Infirmary at 88 Carmel Road and moved in there, with daughter Ethel Jean Edmands Weeks and son-in-law Roland C. Weeks. One patient there, Mr. Duvall, forgot his toilet training. Nurse Bea a little difficult to deal with: [13 June] "Bea got mad at R[oland] and gave us blue blazes. Just made me sick.... We've tried to be nice... but B. seems to think we are trying to make her work harder." Difficulty with town government oversight as matron, too: [15 October] "Letter from Mrs. Thornton sometime this week thanking us for what we sent down by the Costellos but wanted to know what my duties were 'that Jean should have to work so hard.' She 'worked hard all day, and sewed every evening.' I guess I'm just naturally lazy." Still suffering scalp exzema. Joined Daughters of the American Revolution. Nathaniel Melvin "Lanie" Edmands, Jr., son of nephew Nathaniel Melvin "Nat" Edmands, 30 (son of brother-in-law Nelson Wilfred Edmands and Alice E. Blaney Edmands) and his wife, Edie, born in Lynn, Essex County, Massachusetts. Rita A. Kinville, daughter of niece Dorothy May "Dot" Edmands Kinville, 27 (daughter of brother-in-law Nelson and late sister-in-law Alice) and her husband, Ronald George Kinville, born.Brother-in-law Ellis Lincoln Edmands died in Rochester, Vermont, at the age of 79 years 5 months and 17 days. See her diary entries for 1947	1947