Lettie Esther Kelly and James Smith White Merritt
James Merritt, born 0/1/1892, married Lettie Esther Kelly, born in Grimes, ME [found now as Grimes Mill-near Madawaska] on 2/1/1890, in Hodgdon on 1/10/1912. [[photo of Lettie on her 80th birthday. I had the newspaper clipping and saw it earlier this morning in photos, and it has now disappeared!]
Their children:
Ralph Edward, born 10/28/1912 in Hodgdon, married Iona Ireland on 8/1/1935. He died of congestive heart failure at Houlton nursing home on 1/4/1999.
Harold Cecil, born 5/14/1914 in Hodgdon, married Ellen F. Snow [birth?] in Houlton on 5/16/1937. Harry died 5/24/1987 in a Bangor hospital of heart disease.
Evelyn Pearl, born 6/28/1916 in Hodgdon, married Melburn Cole on 11/27/1040 at the Baptist parsonage, Hodgdon.
Wendell A., born 12/18/1922 in Hodgdon and died there on 1/19/1923.
Alston L., born 2/28/1924 in Hodgdon and died 3/7/1924.
Barbara Rose, born 8/3/1926 in Hodgdon, married Gordon Bates on 8/19/1846 in Hodgdon and died 7/29/1992 of breast cancer.
James died n Hodgdon on 4/7/1965; Lettie died in Hodgdon on 12/24/1976 and they are interred in the Hodgdon Cemetery.
NOTES:
James Merritt’s names were after James Smith White, the local physician. James was born with one deformed foot. When he was about 12 years ago, he was sent to Boston by train to a hospital to see if it could be corrected. He told me [Peter] that he didn’t have any money and was befriended by a street peddler which was his only sustenance. [Peter writes nothing re whether Uncle James [Peter’s grandfather] got the help for his foot.] James also had a skin condition, called vitiligo [a change in the pigmentation of his skin], which gave his skin patches of pink, white and brown.
James was a painter, harness repairer, barber, local constable and worked in the potato industry, primarily for Perley Rhoda and his son-in-law, Gordon Bates. James had a garden, a cow, pigs and hens. He smoked cigarettes and died of lung cancer. He was a real character who liked to tease—the family kingpin.
Lettie Kelly Merritt was orphaned by parents who succumbed to consumption. She was taken in by a young couple named Hale when she was a year old. Her parents’ names were Rev William and Rosetta [Tracy] Kelly of Grimes, ME. Lettie was a member of the Hodgdon Baptist Church. Her brothers and sisters were raised by others, some being formally adopted, giving rise to last name confusion on existing photographs.
Lettie is remembered as a quiet person whose kitchen always seemed to smell of molasses cookies. She and James took in a number of children over the years whose parents were no longer able to care for them. Their home was always heated by a woodstove upon which Lettie did all of her cooking. They never had running water but pumped it by hand from a well in the dooryard. The water pail and ladle always sat on the sink sideboard.
When Lettie was older and alone, her sister-in-law, Mildred Sharman Merritt [Eben Merritt’s widow], was moved in with her to help her with the household chores. Mildred was mentally challenged and proved to be more of a companion than a helper with physical tasks.
James met Lettie at a house party in Houlton. He had taken another girl, but took an interest in this new girl and took the other girl home. Lettie was down from Caribou visiting cousins at the time. After they were married, they lived with Edward and Barbara Merritt, [James’ parents] and their oldest son, Ralph, was born in this home. Lettie was taught to cook by her mother-in-law, Barbara, who was an excellent cook and she was also used as a midwife by those in the area, so she [Barbara] probably helped deliver Ralph.
NOTE: Mom said Dr White had lived in Aunt Cora and Uncle Les’ house earlier on. [probably when Mom was growing up as she lived just across the road. -KH]
I have numerous memories of Aunt Lettie and Uncle James as well…especially recall working for them during my high school years in their little hotdog stand they sat up just across from the school. I’m not sure if I got paid or not, but probably did…just know I enjoyed it and it was kind of a prestige thing!
Alice Stitham Jackins; Dot E Merritt; Evelyn Merritt Cole; Margaret Bates
Lettie and James Merritt -50th Anniversary
I left what was remaining of the article as you can spot some of the family names listed.
Steve Merritt; Eben Merritt; James Merritt
Poor quality as it was a copy of a photo...anyone got the original? or at least better version?
Alice Gerow - in Mom's grass skirt
I know this belongs in a later generation, but wanted to be sure I got it in here. Dad brought back the skirt and bra to Mom from Hawaii when he was there during the war - expect on his way home. Too bad Dad couldn't have convinced Mom to move and settle there or in California!