Dave and Ruth must have stayed in Middleburg for a time after Percy’s death, and then moved to Ticonderoga, NY with Lydia and Francis. They lived at the same address, where Jennie had sent them letters (see below), but in different parts of a house, which might have been a duplex. Lydia gave birth to a son, Richard, in May of 1937, and Ruth to a daughter, Janet, a month later in June. Francis took a job running the Willows farm in Catskill, NY, and moved his family there. The Coffins moved back to Middleburg for a time, and then joined the Spragues at the Willows in 1939. As the families grew larger, Dave moved his family to Athens, but still maintained work on the farm, as detailed in this post here. Eventually, the Coffins moved back to the Willows and raised their three daughters there. In the early 1960’s, Dave and Francis built a house across the street from the Willows, where he lived with Ruth until his death in 1986.
After Ruth had left Adams Center, from the letters it appears that many family members pitched in to help Jennie: Ethel Spencer, young Joyce Parker, Edna, Grace, and possibly her sister-in-law, Martha.
[Addressed to Middleburg]
February 9, 1937
Adams Center, N.Y.
Dear Children,
It is 7:30 A.M. Bill has gone to the plant, thought they were going to start filling the ice house but after a sleet storm yesterday it rained hard again. We had quite a thunder storm last night. The lights went off for a short time and I sent Bill up after the oil lamp, however, did not have to use it.
This morning the mud is deep as ever. I am a little worried about the beef so am going to send a note down to Harold to hustle thru his chores and he and I will go at it alone. Maybe he can cut up his quarter and I can fill up one boiler and then Bill says he will work at night at it. We certainly cannot let all that go to waste. If David still has paying work, do not worry about it and we will do our best. Janie said she would help but 5 children and about 800 hens are about all one woman can stand up in.
I do not know where Lydia may be but you can let her read this and it will answer for both of you. I know I neglect my children in writing to them but our family must eat. Bill scolds me about doing so much, but where is the remedy.
He gave my floor a good scrubbing last night. Joyce does the two washings each Saturday. Says she is glad if she can commence to pay back for some of the washings that have been done for them. The boys bring up the water and empty the dirty water. We have the machine upstairs and I can sort the clothes.
Mrs. Carrie Clark died Saturday and I would like to have gone to the funeral today but feel it is too much of a chance to take. Little Jean is getting well again but Kent says very cross. Little Doris has been quite ill and under the Dr.’s care. Stomach trouble. Were days she could keep nothing in it, but is better now. Eva’s family has all had the flu.
Love,
Mom
[Addressed to 8 Summit Street, Ticonderoga]
April 8, 1937
Adams Center, N.Y.
My Dear, Dear Girls,
Received Ruth’s letter this morning. Harold brought in my mail this morning. I also had one from Edna, will enclose it and save time and effort.
I had Grace go home last night. Glenn took her, as it was the girls were out of school three days. I hardly know what I could have done without her. I was in bed six days and did not dare get up until yesterday. Grace worked very hard and only went home when I told her she must. She thinks Joyce is doing fine and is such a nice girl. Of course, Junie’s mind is taken up when another little girl is here. Billy is trying hard to be a little man. I tell him he is the only man on our place. I think he is trying hard to fill his responsibilities.
Well I have eaten my noonday lunch and will try and finish. Kent, I think, is making about $3.00 per day. He asked the other day when Lydia would need that money. I told him I thought as soon as he could get it.
I have had just the first news of Bill. Maybe will hear again tomorrow.
I think I am having a new roof put on the barn down home, the side towards the house. It will cost but they guarantee it not to leak. It is a lock roof and will be put on by Griffin.
I think it is drying off around the yard and driveway. I am so sick of mud.
I do not see what would prevent you girls from staying home this summer if the boys are going to be so far from home anyhow. You would be at least miles nearer somewhere and a car to drive and I suppose a telephone in soon. However, do what seems best for you both.
I do not seem very strong yet and am doing no work at all, not even knitting. The hours seem long while the children are away. I do not think I see anyone on an average of two minutes a day besides Harold and his boys.
The boys have not been here much since I had tonsillitis.
Well better sign off.
Hoping God will bless and care for both of my girls.
Worlds of love,
Mom
[Addressed to 8 Summit Street, Ticonderoga, N.Y]
May 3, 1937
Adams Center, N.Y.
Dear Children All of You,
Received a nice long letter from you both and Ruth’s card today. Thanks for both. It is certainly a nice looking hospital and you girls can feel quite independent.
I do not think I ought to ask Edna to paper for me as it is so much hard work. I think I will have Martha, she said she would. I think it might be well to let Edna help her but do not think Edna is very well yet.
I think I will try and get paper for the four rooms downstairs when I get some more money from Bill which will probably be this week.
Ethel has cleaned the kitchen woodwork. She has done a big washing today.
I just think Grace will be very much pleased with what you girls sent her. Ethel and I went after Eva and Friday and Kent took her back last night. I told her I would not have her leaving Frederick, she could come to stay longer in vacation.
Ethel and I went up to see the Dr. Saturday for the first time since Bill left. My blood pressure was down 10 points being exactly 200. He said my heart action was better and I had lost 6 lbs. in one month. I asked him if I was alright to stay alone with June and Billly and he said yes but he was afraid I was not to be trusted to not overdo as it was what I had always done. Then I asked if it was alright to drive a car and he said around the neighborhood or maybe one mile. I seem to be fairly well limited but am thankful I am not as I was last year.
Did I ever tell you girls that Lon Squire married Arthur Sidmore?
Yes, I got the interest, $89.50, but it went to a good big advance. We have had to buy 4 tons of hay and feed galore so also paid $10 on hay $10 on feed. The cows are doing fairly well so again we can be thankful.
This has been a beautiful day, have read and knitted on the front porch.
Lots of love from,
Mom
Bill and the boys changed the furniture. I did not.
[Addressed to 8 Summit Street, Ticonderoga, N.Y.]
May 20, 1937
Adams Center, N.Y.
Darling Girls and Dear Boys,
Received Ruthie’s letter this morning. The papering is going strong. Martha has papered my bedroom, living room and dining room and has the ceiling nearly on the kitchen, also papered the bathroom. Thought at first I would not paper the upstairs just now but she said she would rather finish it up now so Eva and Ethel went over to Belleville and got the upstairs paper. So my dear ones will probably have a newly papered room to sleep in.1
L-R: George Alton Spencer, Carrie Irene, and Martha. ~1920’s
I wish the boys could have taken part of their spare time to have done some inside painting but miles still divide us so think I’ll have to wait for Bill this fall.
I hope the boys got a good mess of fish and wish I was where Lydia could give me more than my part and hide some more away for me as she did last summer.
I am so glad you girls are keeping so good. Thankful you know who to call on during the last, long hours before you receive the little ones you have all looked forward to having. God bless my girls.
I read a piece in the Times yesterday which touched my sense of humor. I am enclosing it to the boys.2
By the way, I am using my pillow cases and like them a lot. Am using my writing pad and envelopes and surely appreciate them a lot. The underwear I will not use until I get my new gray dress I am planning on.
Kent was chopping wood and a chip struck him in the eye. He could not work for several days. This is his second day of work but do not think he should as the eye looks badly.
You asked where Howard got the idea of enlisting. He got a letter from Albany asking him to report to the Post Office in Watertown if he would care to join the army.
I am not working any now but feel pretty good. Eva thinks unless she gets word otherwise, she will see the papering thru. Jeanie is not feeling very good, seems to keep a cold hanging around her most of the time.
I think Margaret put her P.S. (scribble) on this letter. Martha rescued it just in time.
Worlds of love to you all,
Mother
Dave and Ruth Coffin, July 1975
Footnotes
- Martha here might be Jennie’s sister-in-law, Martha Adams Spencer, who was married to George Alton Spencer (see photo). They had two children. Doris, who died during childhood in 1918, and Carrie Irene (1912-2001). Martha would have been 61 years old at the time this letter was written. Martha was also the sister of Isabelle, who was married to another Spencer sibling, Eber. Eber and Isabelle both died of the flu in 1912, and were the parents of all the Spencer children mentioned throughout the letters (Edna, Lydia, Eva, Howard, and Kent). Martha and Isabelle’s parents, along with their sister, Ruth, are pictured in this post here.
- Jennie snipped this article out of the paper, and it can be viewed by following this link here. It is too big to include as an image in this post. The article is an opinion piece by William Brady, M.D. with advice for expectant fathers.