Antietam: Judson Far Away

Judson Cheney
Born: May 11, 1838, Hopkinton, St. Lawrence County, New York
Died: September 29, 1864, Chaffin Farm, Virginia
Relation to Author: 2nd Great Grand Uncle

On this day 150 years ago, the Battle of Antietam was fought. More than 23,000 men were wounded, missing or killed, making it the bloodiest day of fighting in the war and the bloodiest day in American history.

Fortunately, Judson Cheney was far away. His regiment was still in Yorktown, MD. I'll have another post soon that explains how and when he went from Harrison's Landing on the James River down to Yorktown. 

Just for some quick context, there is more to the battle than the incredible loss of life. There were a few major developments that resulted from this battle. Abraham Lincoln issued his Emancipation Proclamation after the victory. Lincoln had been waiting for a Union victory to issue the proclamation (good advice from Secretary Seward). The battle also made Lincoln finally decide to remove General McClellan from command. And the victory kept European nations from recognizing the Confederacy. 

Genographic Project: Stand By

I have a post drafted on the results of the National Geographic Genographic project. However, I went back to the website recently for more information and to finish the post, and I got the following message:

You are receiving this message because your DNA kit was either a) missing swabs or b) part of a small batch of kits which were improperly assembled in September, 2011.

To ensure the quality of your results, we will need to send you a replacement kit and give you a new Genographic Project ID (GPID).To receive your free replacement kit, go to http://www.familytreedna.com/GenographicReplacements.aspx and complete the form.

If you have any questions or problems using this form, please email us at genographic@ngs.org or call us at +1 713 868 1807, 8 am to 5 pm CT, M-F.

We apologize for this inconvenience and we appreciate your patience.

Thanks,

Genographic Project..

I don't imagine the results will change (since it seemed to make sense with what we think of our history), but I suppose I will resubmit anyway.

Woodsy Folksy: Updated

Katherine Burritt Gauntlett (married name Place)
Born: February 28, 1862, Ithaca, New York
Died: January 20, 1947
Relation to Author: 2nd Great Grandmother-In Law

Updated

The first time I posted this, I got the information wrong (I thought she was her daughter). I should have trusted my instincts that this seemed to be of the same time as the picture of Ira Place. And I should have asked someone first if I had the right person. Anyway, this should now be the correct information for the person pictured. 

This is a picture of Katherine Burritt Gauntlett Place. She was married to Ira Place and grandmother of Jean Place Adams (married name Blake).

Like Ira's picture, I am assuming this was also taken in the Adirondacks. Enjoy.

Another Wedding Picture

Helen Leary (married name Keenan)
Born: November 4, 1909, St. Lawrence County, New York
Died: May 1, 2004, Brasher Falls, St. Lawrence County, New York
Relation to Author: Grandmother

Hubert Keenan
Born: March 20, 1907, St. Lawrence, NY
Died: November 14, 1984, North Lawrence, St. Lawrence NY
Relation to Author: Grandfather

Yesterday was the anniversary of Helen Leary and Hubert Keenan's wedding. Below is another picture from the wedding. This one is the happy couple with their wedding party. From left: Barry Leary, Alta Martineau, James Keenan, Arthur Leary, Catherine Leary, Helen Leary, Hubert Keenan, Mrs. and Mr. Harold Garey (sorry - the newspaper only gives her married name - and not even her own first name).

The newspaper article says the breakfast reception took place at the home of the bride, which means it is the home of Walter and Ida Leary in North Lawrence. 

PS - I had previously posted the picture of the bride and groom with their parents.

Stats on the others pictured after the jump...

Happy 75th Anniversary Grandma and Grandpa!

Hubert Keenan
Born: March 20, 1907, St. Lawrence, NY
Died: November 14, 1984, North Lawrence, St. Lawrence NY
Relation to Author: Grandfather

Helen Leary (married name Keenan)
Born: November 4, 1909, St. Lawrence County, New York
Died: May 1, 2004, Brasher Falls, St. Lawrence County, New York
Relation to Author: Grandmother

On this day 75 years ago, Helen Leary and Hubert Keenan were married. Below is a lovely picture of the smiling couple. 

The Potsdam Courier and Freeman had a story on the wedding (the title of the story was "Miss Helen Leary is a Charming Bride of Hubert Keenan"). The story tells us that they married at the St. Lawrence Catholic Church. Arthur Leary performed the ceremony and celebrated the mass. Lilian Plumadore sang "Believe Me, if All Those Endearing Young Charms" (an Irish folk song according to Wikipedia) and "Ave Maria". Following the wedding there was a breakfast reception at the bride's home.

The bride's gifts to her attendants were gold crosses on neck chains. The grooms gifts to his attendants were leather wallets. The attendants were Catherine Leary, Alta Martineau, James Keenan, Barry Leary, and Mr. and Mrs. Harold Gary.

The article describes what everyone wore, but unfortunately the description of Helen's dress is too faded to read in the article. However, you can see for yourself in the picture - what isn't shown in the picture but can be made out in the article is that she wore a Juliet cap of seed(?) and something about a shoulder-length veil. (The maid of honor wore a rose gown with navy accessories and the bride's maids wore peach satin and halo hats.) The groom and best man wore white suits.

The article tells us that the bride's going away dress was a powder blue knitted suit with navy accessories. Their honeymoon was a trip through New England.

Sounds like an amazing day. Happy anniversary! We miss you.

Letter from Art to Helen

Rt. Reverend Monsignor Arthur Michael Leary
Born: December 15, 1903
Died: May 19, 1968
Relation to Author: Grand Uncle (Brother of Helen Leary)

Helen Leary (married name, Keenan)
Born: November 4, 1909, St. Lawrence, NY
Died: May 1, 2004, Brasher, St. Lawrence, NY
Relation to Author: Grandmother

The post below is a typed version of a letter from Arthur Leary to Helen Leary (married name Keenan). The letter is about Helen's engagement and upcoming marriage to Hubert Keenan. Arthur was in Washington, DC at the time getting his master's degree from Catholic University. Arthur talks about the plans and also gets philosophical and gives some advice. Enjoy!

Update:
I forgot to mention that this letter was sent 75 years ago today!

Update II: 
You can see the scanned version of the letter here: (P1, P2, P3, P4, P5, envelope)

The Catholic University of America

Washington, D.C.

July 24, 1937

My Dear Helen,

Now that you have recovered from the shock of last Thursday I hasten to tell you that your plans sound mighty good to me. You have worked out every detail, and there is no reason why this should not be a grand affair unless “the parson” makes his usual quota of blunders i.e. the officiating minister in the person of your “over heated” brother. May I venture to suggest that it might be better if I spoke to the Father Hoffman about placing you in the sanctuary? He would prefer that himself I feel confident but he has said on other occasions that the sanctuary was too small. How about a collapsible bride and groom? However I shall gently and diplomatically suggest it to him in some way. The banns will be published for the 1st time tomorrow while the Learys will patronize the neighboring parish. If there is anything at all that I can do to help you for this big event in your lives be assured that I shall be very pleased. I’m sorry that I have not been home to officiate at the mock weddings or take part in them as a blushing bride or groom and to participate in all the planning. Perhaps it is well for I wouldn’t be of much help – all bachelors like me don’t know much of these things having never experienced the thrill of preparing for such an event.

I’m sure that you and the Hub will be very happy. You know each other as brother and sister. You know each other's little whims and weaknesses. You have each other in spite of them because you see the good points in each other. They must be magnified and developed as you walk along life’s road together. The others must be lost or forgotten or what may be even more ideal, recognized but understood in the light that every human being is far from perfect. Life has its heartaches and dark hours, let them be the means of binding you even more closely together. It has its joys and its hours of sunshine. Enjoy them, look forward to them and make them the means of driving away the dark clouds that may cross your path occasionally. It is a beautiful tribute to you both that knowing all these things you are nevertheless ready and wiling to face the future with courage and hope. God will guide your every step for you will both gently but firmly place your hands in His. He will lead you to understand everything, especially your selves, in the light of His loving Providence. You are both blessed by a long, steady and strong tradition in the Catholic faith. What a blessing! To live that faith every moment of the day is a certain guarantee of happiness. There is no other way. Faith and love in God; faith and love in yourselves; faith and love in others; let no one rob you of your priceless treasures. Be interested in each other, smile from dawn to dusk especially when the going is hardest, encourage one another, avoid arguments at all times, (the best way to ruin an argument is to avoid it), respect each other’s opinions, if you are ever wrong be the first to admit it, see things from the other’s point of view, be sympathetic, loyal and true, ever ready to concede a point for the sake of harmony, in a word, “Do unto others as you would want them to do unto you.” These, my dear are the natural virtues upon which you will build a rich and glorious supernatural life.

Have I preached too much? No, I can hear you say for you realize how interested I am that you start out rightly with very definite principles. We must plan for the future. We must lay down very definite rules of conduct if we are to reap the fruits of happiness. Nothing haphazard every succeeds. If ever either of you steps down from the ideals you have set up for yourselves – simply forget the fall – rise up courageously and start anew as though nothing had happened. Life can be such a joy in a humble cottage or in a stately mansion if we but make it so. My vote goes to the farmer for I think it has greater possibilities. Smile, be hopeful, rejoice in your mutual love for each other, thank God for everything with a humble request that He be kept close to you and you, above all, to Him. May God bless you both! I shall follow you daily at mass in my prayers, at all times, ready to encourage, help and love you as I always have and always will. Tonight I returned from Philadelphia where I went by train this A.M. to see the Mother General of the Grey Nuns.

We have had a splendid week. Weather man has been most kind. Hope the old boy can hold out for two more weeks. This heat gets me down. So, I says, says I, Art take it easy. You haven’t much to lose, so I sit and just let what will ooze out.

Aunt Eva will accompany us home. We should be an L.I. two weeks from tonight.

I have spoken my piece. I hope you have not been annoyed. I shall now take my rest. It is nearly 10 P.M.

Love to all the folks. I shall see you soon.

Art.

P.S. Should we invite Father Dan to the big affair? I suggested to him already that he should be there. He no doubt will.