Teacups



Teacups, hanging on a wall in my son's living room.  I wonder if they mean much to him ... I wonder if he even knows where they came from.

Teacups on a wall

 

The top one and the bottom one come from his father's family.  I think the top one was given to me by Aunt Alma when she moved into Parkview, and we bought her house.  The bottom one was prized by his grandmother, Sue Burkholder.  It is one of the Royal Albert Provincial Flower series, and is the Ontario Trillium. 

 

The two middle ones come from his mother's family.  They were the special cups that my mother and father used every Sunday, fall, winter and spring, for our 'evening tea' ... supper to most Canadians.  Dad used the bluish one and Mum used the pink.  Throughout the winter, particularly, this would be in the living room in from of the fire.  There would be something like "Cheese Dreams" -- made by putting a slice of cheese on a slice of bread [or half a hamburger bun] and part of a rasher of bacon on top and then broiling them until the bacon was cooked and the cheese melted -- to eat with gherkin pickles, and then dessert. 

 

Lois and I would have hot chocolate from the very fragile Japanese pot with the little cups and their delicate handles.  We would marvel at the way you could see right through the china.  I am sure there was a story being told by the pictures, but we never knew what it was.  I wonder where that pot and the other three cups are now.

 

Teacups ... just china on a wall.  Teacups ... memories are made of these.

Some Happenings in 1939

Found a box of photos ... thought I would share some with you.  Grampa was on his own this summer but I don't think he is in any of this group of pics ... maybe the next post will be of him.

Mum spent a lot of time with the "Falkys" ... the family if Ern, Gladys, Norma and Ruth ... and dog Nigger ... that summer, as she seems to be with them, and other, in the photo pile.   Here are a few:

Hard to believe that this is May when they went to Niagara Falls.  The first photo is Mum and Auntie Glad, the second is Uncle Ern and Norma.  Not my "real" aunt and uncle, but the ones that we saw the most as we grew up.

 



Evening of Ern's Ordination, June 1939



In June of 1939, Uncle Ern was ordained to be a minister of the Gospel. I am not sure where they were living, nor what church he then was involved with ... guess I will have to find out!

 I don't know where they went in Bala for vacation, but there are lots of photos of them in the water, on the dock, near the lake, and even washing the car.

More photos to come at a later time.

And What about Grandpa?

   Joseph Childs met Sophia Weston while she was in New Zealand. Followed her back to England where they were married. Edna tells me that they lived in a house named Dollis Hill Lodge on Dollis Hill Lane before they came to the USA in 1910. They used to walk across Gladstone Park to meet their father coming home from work on the train to Willisden Green. He was an inventor and thought he would do better in America. He had a Mr. Kneeland as a business associate. This business venture fell through before it really got started. Grandpa came to America about a year before he sent for his wife and family. They arrived on the "Majestic" - a White Star Liner - October 9, 1911 and went to Rochester NY.

   They moved to a rented house on the Morgan farm in April 1912 on River Road between Lewiston and Youngstown NY. Later they moved to a house in the village of Lewiston. From both homes the three girls were sent to a Catholic Girls' School (Stella) about three miles out of Lewiston.

   Grandpa Childs obtained financing for his project - a wind turbine for making electricity - from Mr. Norrie. When he couldn't market sufficient of them to make the project pay, both Grandpa and Mr. Norrie lost their money. To keep body and soul together and to put food on the table Grandpa also worked as an accountant for companies like Curtis and Pierce Arrow.

   Grandpa started a mission while in Lewiston and Mr. Norrie's daughter, Ruth Black of Leesburg FL, [now deceased] tells me that while their family had been faithful Presbyterians before this mission started, they used to love to go to the mission meetings Sunday evenings. She especially loved the rousing singing, so different from the Presbyterian service.

   When his parents died in New Zealand in 1919 Grandpa thought he would like to live on a farm and so bought one (Lakeside) in 1922 just outside Port Robinson with the money he received as his inheritance. Every morning Edna would have to get up early to harness the horse and put a bag of feed in the buggy so that Margaret and Norah could ride to Niagara Falls to go to high school.

   In December of 1922 the family were living at 60 Louisa Street in St. Catharines, according to the US Immigration Deptment Border Crossing records.

   He was still installing his windmills and from Nov 1920 to May 1922 was in Conley, near Danbury, Connecticut taking with him first Mig (Margaret) and then Edna to look after him. She got a job as a telephone operator there and then attended Bethel Bible Institute of Newark, NJ, graduating in 1924.

It was at Lakeside, in 1927, that Grandma and Norah were shot accidently shot by a hunter while they were on the steps of their home talking to a neighbour. Grandma had one bullet pierce her neck and lodge in her lung. Norah had six bullets in her legs, three which could not be removed.

   Not long after that incident they moved from the farm. Norah went to Hamilton first and then later came to Toronto to work for the Excelsior Life Insurance Company, and in the Toronto City directory for 1933 Joseph G. Childs is listed as a civil engineer, the householder of 262 Gerrard St. East.
Grandpa died 28 November 1940, sitting in his arm chair in the living room.  Norah told me that he did not respond to her call, and she went in and found that he had peacefully passed away.  From the Toronto Tellegram , 29 Nov 1940:  CHILDS, Joseph G. -- Suddenly at Toronto on Thursday, November 28th, 1940, Joseph G. Childs, husband of the late Sophia Rebecca Weston and beloved father of Edna, Margaret and Norah, in his 71st year.  Resting at the Chapel of McDougall and Brown, 1491 Danforth avenue. Service in the chapel 4 o'clock Saturday. Interment, St. John's Cemetery, Norway.

More about Grandma

Thought you might find it interesting to read her obituary:

Obituary, 29 April 1939: Mrs Sophia Childs is Taken by Death -- "Was founder, with husband, of Toronto All Night Mission -- Descendant of an old English family, Mrs. Sophia Rebecca Childs died yesterday at her home, 55 Howard Street. She was in her 70th year and had been ill for some months. Mrs Childs was the daughter of the late Thomas Weston of Bristol, England, where her family had lived for generations. Her father's uncle, the late Sir Joseph Weston, was mayor of Bristol for many years and later a member of the House of Commons. She left England with her husband, Joseph Childs, about 30 years ago and after living in the United States for 10 years, they moved to Toronto and had been here ever since. She and her husband were the founders of the Toronto All Night Mission which did such good work in the Parliament Street district about ten years ago. Mrs Childs was also active in St. Peter's Anglican Church. She is survived by her husband and three daughters, Mrs Edna Johnson, a missonary in India, Mrs Margaret Meyerhoff, of Rochester and Miss Nora, at home, by two sisters, Mrs Laura Marsh of Bristol, and Mrs Edith Fisher of Croydon, and a brother, Major Arthur Weston, of London England."

Condolence Letters Part 2

8.  From Wilfred Yerex, Baltic Canadian Trading Co. , Excelsior Life Bldg, Toronto   May 4th, 1939

Dear Miss Childs:-  It was with a great deal of regret I learned this morning from Mr. Needham and Mr. Gertley of your recent bereavement - the death of your mother. Kindly accept and convey to your father my deepest sympathy.  I will see both of you soon.  Yours sincerely,  Wilfred Yerex

9.  From George Black, 119 Eglinton Ave West, Apt #18, Toronto 12  5 May 1939

Dear Mr Childs:- It was quite a shock to us to hear from Mr Bonyin [?] that Mrs Childs had been called home. We only heard of it after the funeral.  I hasten to convey to you and your family, especially Miss Childs, our sincerest sympathy in your hour of sorrow and loss.  "The heart knoweth its own bitterness", but God makes no mistakes, and very soon we shall all be united again -- it cannot be very long -- we can only commend you to an all wise loving Father who sees the end from the beginning. You sorrow not as those who have no hope. "We look for the Resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come."  May He give you grace and strength to carry on till the day dawns and the shadows flee away.  My wife joins me in remembrances and prayers.  Kind regards to Miss Childs and yourself.  Yours Sincerely,  George Black.

10.  From Mabel   Fordwich ON  May 5, 1939:

Dear Miss Childs:  I hardly know how to tell you I felt when your letter came the other day. It just seemed impossible to think that your Mother had "gone home" so suddenly and I surely feel for you in your loss.  Isn't it wonderful tho' to know that she was looking forward to being with Jesus.  -- it seems to take away the real grief of losing a loved one. I surely have been praying for you and I know the Lord will be "all that you need" in your trying times.  I will never forget how good you all were to me and I certainly enjoyed the fellowship I had in your home.

   Now that the roads are good again I will be looking for you up any time. We are always home on Saturdays so you won't need to write unless you want to.  I am chording a very little on the guitar now and I expect to be getting in quite a bit of practice.

  We had prayer meeting at Pries' last night and we surely enjoyed it.  Mr Berry was in for supper too -- it surely is a treat to see someone who is spiritual.  We are starting our Revival Services the last of May and we would love to have you here then. They will last a couple of weeks.

   How glad I was for the testimony in your letter that even now Jesus is holding you up and sustaining you. What a wonderful Friend we have!  I remember when you used to tell us in the SS class that you tho't none of us would grow up to be women before Jesus came. Now we will be able to look forward with hope for that day when we will all be united again and we can sing His praises.  It will surely be wonderful.  "The dead in Christ will rise first, the afterwards we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them ... Wherefore comfort one another with these words."  It is real comfort I think to remember that that day may soon be here.   Love from Mabel.

11.  From Walter and Dorothy Crone, pastor of the Evangelistic Centre, Temperance Ave., Niagara Falls, Canada  May 10th 1939

Dear Mr Childs:-  It is with deep regret, that we have just heard of the decease of your dear wife, and our hearts go out in deepest sympathy, to you and your family, in this, your hour of bereavement.

   We shall never forget what a good and kind mother and wife that she was, and her life spread much sunshine, far beyond the realm of her own home.  We shall never forget, that on many occassions, she was most kind to us.

   As we ponder the words of our Saviour, "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me" found in Matthew 25:40, we do not hesitate to say, that, our dear Heavenly Father, has great rewards laid up in store, for Mrs Childs.

  Please extend our sympathy to each of your family, and our prayer is, "that you may find much rest and comfort, in THE SECRET PLACE of the Most High, abiding under the shadow of the Almighty", knowing, that even at the longest, it is but a moment, until, with her, you shall be caught up together to meet the Lork in the air, and so shall you ever be with the Lord.

  With much love in Christ Jesus, we are

  Yours in His glorious service   Walter and Dorothy Crone.

12.  From Esther A.  St. Paul Minn   May 29, 1939:

Dear Nora and Mr Childs. -- This morning I received a card from Ingrid and she said Mrs Childs passed away about three weeks ago.  It just stumped me and I sure feel for you I feel so terrible that I did not know about it before so that I could have at least written to you before.

  Ingrid told me some time ago that Mrs Childs had been ill and so when I was down town after I got a card to send to Mrs Childs but as I had not written to you Nora for so long I wanted to write a letter with it but seemed I never got that far until I was afraid that it be improper to send this not know just how your mother was at the time so I wrote Ingrid to tell me and now she wrote this.
  I can just imagine your sorrow and the emptyness of her being gone. Its hard for the ones  that are left behind but the wonderfull consolation of knowing she is at peace and not suffering any more but resting up there with the Lord until the big day when she shall meet all her dear ones and be with you for ever. But the parting is hard and not to have her with you and around will be a hard burden to bear, I do realize.
   I have been find all winter very fortunate did not even have a cold. I plan to leave for home the 1st part of July and be home for a couple of months. have rader[sic] been wondering what to do. I have good pay in a way and not such hard work but "Mrs" is quite a trial at times and very much tied in can hardly get out an evening except my day off as I get through so late. Sunday I am through sometimes not before a quarter to four in the afternoon so it does get so late so am not so fussy on the job and I feel I want it to be with the folks for awhile again one never knows how fortunate we are or how long we can have our parents with us so I feel I want to go home and be with them this summer again even if I have to look for some thing else in the fall.
   We have had quite cool weather here for some time but has been quite hot today. Time seems to fly on so soon summer will be all over before we know it. Ingrid says she will be coming through about the 14th of June I sure will be glad to see her. Wish I would be able to come in to see you again also.
   I will now close and hope to hear from you some time Nora when you have time and feel you are able to write.
  May the Lord strengthen and bless you both in these days of sorrow.
  With much love, Esther A.
P.S.  My brother was married  again the 3rd of May has a very nice wife I like her very much. Also Laura is married Nora to a farm boy at home.
     {The writer of this letter was very sparing with the use of periods.  I have tried to copy it as written, so have fun making out what is meant!}

13.  From Bertha Fahy or Faby, June 3, 1939:
Dear Nora -- I have been wanting to write to you for some time to tell you how shocked and grieved I was to hear of the passing of your beloved Mother.  I know how sad and empty the days must seem to you since her departure.  There was such a beautiful bond of love and understanding existing between you and your Mother that I know the many precious memories will, with Gods help, give you strength to bear up in this great sorrow.
   You have been in my thoughts so much and I sympathize so deeply with you and your dear Daddy. 
   Let me hear from you my dear child when you can find time.
   With dearest love  Bertha Fahy

Norah Childs

Condolence Letters from 1939 when Grandma Childs passed away

SOPHIA REBECCA WESTON

14 Mar 1871 - 28 Apr 1939

born in Bristol England; died in Toronto ON

married 27 Aug 1899  in London England

JOSEPH GERSHOM CHILDS

10 Jun 1870 - 23 Nov 1940

born in Malvern Chase, Jamaica; died in Toronto ON

I found a number of letters from friends of my mother sent to her when her mother passed on.  I was going to put them in the recycling bin ... NOOOO ... I did put them in the recycling bag a few months ago, and was about to throw the bag out, when I thought that I would like to post these somewhere and see what happens.  There are 13 letters and 2 cards in all, so that is what I will start this blog with ... and who knows where it will take off to after that!





1.  From Anne B. McLean at 25 Maclennan Ave, Toronto 5   29 April 1939:

Dear Mr Child and Miss Child:  Tonight we have just read the sad news for you both, but glad news for your dear one, and I hasten to send on behalf of my sister and self our kindest love and sympathy. I am so glad I was privileged to have the sweet visit with her when I did, as a few days after I got "flue" and have been ill ever since. I hope to go out to church tomorrow.  We shall be remembering you both in prayer with a new petiton tonight that our Lord will make His Presence very real to you and soothe and comfort as He alone can.  Dear Mrs Child has left behind a very very sweet memory to all who knew or met her, and now she is gone to her reward. May our Heavenly Father bless you both, and grant you also strength for these days and sleep -- Again our loving sympathy. Yours most sincerely, Anne B. McLean. 

2.   From Audrey Wilkinson ... a card, undated:

So sorry for your loss, but we know it is her gain.  Loving sympathy.  Audrey Wilkinson

3. From Edmund N. Jarvis  171 Spadina Rd    undated:

My dear Mr Childs and Family:  You have our sympathy in the calling Home of Mrs Childs to be with her Saviour whom she loved.  I can immagine the joy that is hers in seeing Jesus Christ face to face. What is your loss is her gain. I feel sure it will not be long before our dear ones are coming back with Jesus Christ to get us so we shall ever be with the Lord [1 Thes 4:13-18] May our loving Heavenly Father comfort and sustain you and your family. Mrs Jarvis and Ethel join me in this.  Yours very sincerely,  Edmund N. Jarvis.

4. From Leah Stewart  May 1, 1939

Dear Nora: Received the sad news of your mothers death on Sunday evening and my heart ached for you. I am so sorry not to have been able to see you personally but as I am now working my time is not my own. Nevertheless I know you, though sad for your own loss, are rejoicing in the fact that the mother who has been so dear to you is gone to be with Jesus which is far better.  May God strengthen and comfort you as He alone can.  Ever yours in Jesus, Leah Stewart.

5.  From Annis Perrot   443 1/2 Rhodes Ave   May 1, 1939

Dear Miss Childs:  Do you mind if I have a little chat with you on paper?  I was sorry that I missed you when I called at the 'parlour's' on Saturday afternoon.  My thoughts and prayers were with you all day yesterday, but I felt rather shy about going to see you again, knowing that you had closer friends and loved ones with you.

    But because I know what it means to have a sweet little Christian mother taken Home ahead of us, I am writing to tell you how much I feel for you right now.

   We know that our Lord has answered the many prayers on your behalf as we could see that He has given you divine strength to bear up bravely under the strain of the past few days.  You have proven Him, that He is indeed a Refuge and Strength in time of trouble.

   The service was beautiful.  God's own peace on your dear mother's brow and in the general atmosphere was a triumphant witness to His undying Word that Death is swallowed up in victory.

   You will miss her, Miss Childs.  Likely you will feel like I did sometimes, that you just had to see her, or talk something over with her. But I'm glad you will be busy in the King's happy service, and the sure knowledge that it is only "till He comes" will help you bear the "little while between."

   I have been very grateful to you Miss Childs, and to your dear mother for your prayers and kindly interest in me, though I have not been able to show it to you as I would have liked.  I hope whe was not disappointed because I had the operation. I took it to the Lord and He showed me it was His way for me. 

  We do not understand all His ways with us, but like His people of old, "He led them forth by the right way". And praise His name, "all His ways are peace."  Even when He leads us through deep trials, He gives us the peace that passeth all understanding. Surely we have a good foundation to stand on in the storms of life and His banner over us is love. I have been so comforted lately to know that nothing, absolutely nothing, can separate me from His love. [Romas 8: 35-39]

   I hope these few words will let you see that we care.  May you, your sister and father know in deep measure, the comfort of Him who says, "As one who His mother comforteth, so will I comfort you."

   Yours in loving sympathy, Annis Perrott.

6.  From L. Armstrong  of 624 Spadina Ave, Knox Church House   May 4/39:

Dear Miss Childs:  I would like to convey to you my deepest sympathy in your recent sad bereavement. But how blesssed it is for us to know it is only for a short time and then the grand reunion.  This I know is not very comforting at the moment, but our Saviour is able to heal all our sorrows and in my own case, I know it was the means of a greater spiritual experience. So I do comment you at this time to Him who is ever full of compassion toward us.  You who know the Saviour so will will understand.  He doeth all things well, and in His own time we to shall understand. I know you will accept this with my sincere Christian sympathy and any comfort these feeble words may bring you. Yours in His Service.  L. Armstrong.

Sophy's coffin



7.  From Lilly Eyre   Toronto   May 4, 1939

Dear Nora, I have thought of you so much, and prayed for you, in the last few days -- for I always knew the love you had for your Mother, and I knew what that loss would mean to you.  It is so hard to let those we love so dearly pass from us, even though we know, they are passing to a sweet rest, and  that they have really only gone a little before and the Gates they have passed thru are open for us, and those dear Loves will be waiting to meet us.

   I tried to get down to see you Sunday, but I couldn't leave home.

   Maybe one day, when you feel you can, you would come out to see me.  I would like it so much and you could meet my little mother -- she is so sweet, I know you would love her.

   My thoughts for you, dear.  Lilly Eyre