Abbie Emma York Willard
Our Great Grandmother, Abbie Emma York Willard, was born on January 4, 1879 and died on March 17, 1979 at 100 years old.
From our father's genealogy work, the York's arrived from England in the 1600's. Samuel York was born in Oyster River New Hampshire in 1645. His son, Benjamin was born in what is now Falmouth, Maine in 1680. Maine became a state in 1820, by the way. That make's my children and their Tilton /Grannell / Johnson cousins 12th generation Mainers... And the 13th generation, their children, oldest to youngest, Ava Claire, Noah Peter, Brooke Louise, Lydia Grace, Griffin James, Isla Rose, Rae Lynn, Davis Lowe, Eden Ashley, Daxton Daniel, Emmett Michael, Isaac Foss, Lyla Mae, Hunter Ryan and two little girls due very soon. As they used to say, "that and a quarter gets you a cup of coffee." Still, we are darned proud of it.
Let's not forget the Davis clan, Izzy and Ian 12th generation and new baby girl Lulu. And the Johnson clan (gonna need some help here with names and ages...)
If you knew Gram Willard you'd know why we are proud. She was a spunky old gal. She was 72 when Craig and I, her oldest great-grandchildren, were born and we remember her laugh , more like a joyful cackle, even today. She lived to hold 4 of her great-great grandchildren; Christopher, Sayde, Eric and Ryan.
When I told her the names we had chosen for our son's she said, "Land sake, Sonny Boy. Where did you get those names... under the wood pile?" That from a woman married to Clarence with a daughter named Maybelle and a son-in-law named Morris.
I remember her telling the story of sitting on the point on Orr's Island as a child with her sister and watching the very first steam boat to ever enter the harbor. We were watching TV. It was July of 1969 and Neil Armstrong was walking on the moon.
Once when I was in 9th grade, I was explaining the names of the different types of clouds that I had learned in earth science class; cumulus, stratus, cirrus... Gram listened and then set me straight. "We call them Summer Floaters..."
Gail tells the story of visiting her shortly before she died. Gram told Gail she was pregnant. Gail said, "No Gram, that's Connie. I'm not pregnant." Still, Gram insisted that she was and told the rest of the family. 3 weeks later, when Gail learned that she WAS pregnant (with Kimberly Rose) she called Gram and asked how she knew. Gram said "I saw it in your eyes."
Gail tells the story of visiting her shortly before she died. Gram told Gail she was pregnant. Gail said, "No Gram, that's Connie. I'm not pregnant." Still, Gram insisted that she was and told the rest of the family. 3 weeks later, when Gail learned that she WAS pregnant (with Kimberly Rose) she called Gram and asked how she knew. Gram said "I saw it in your eyes."
Mom passed Abbie's oil lamp on to me.
Here is a audio/video piece of her recording a greeting to Morris and Maybelle in Florida sometime in around 1975.
or
Today would be her 141st birthday.
So, Happy Birthday Abbie Emma.
So, Happy Birthday Abbie Emma.
We remember.
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