George and Cora Putnam Hasner An Anniversary Poem Written for: Mr. and Mrs. George Hasner Married: November 28 or 29?, 1877 at the Hubbard House, James Street, Clayton, N. Y.
Most likely written by Mrs. Minnie A. Conklin. This poem was found in March, 2003, by Lisa Morrow among the Conklin Family papers. The poem was written in Minnie Conklin’s handwriting. The guests of honor were this website owner's grandparents and Lisa Morrow's paternal great-grandparents. Dear friends, come take a trip with me, We’ll choose an old familiar place, For here the gay autumnal flowers For Cora Putnam wakes to greet While farther on at old La Farge, Let’s go along, (our plane is strong,) ‘Tis Frank and Prudy, My. and Lib. They surely tied it strong and true, Congratulations came in turn, We wish that we might have a taste. Neighbors and friends unitedly But bride and groom elusive proved There’s one poor lad, was very sad, The months and years came on space Each girl and boy have brought them joy Their Sadie girl had dainty ways Her little feet sought flowers sweet. Alvin had an inventive turn, Nina was too sweet a flower Then Beryl was an attractive belle Martin had a trusty sheep, He found a home for bumble bees Baby Doris liked a song. The years went by, the little ones And Sadie liked a Martin, Then Martin went a Warning
And brought Edith to the hill; The little ones soon came again And Donald, too, has joined the ranks Full many happy gatherings Fond memory reverts again And now this Golden Wedding Day We wish you Godspeed on your trip And when the springtime flowers bloom, ********************************************************************************************************* Notes by transcriber: This anniversary gathering probably occurred in November of 1927, during a time when our country was all agog over the Charles Limberg solo flight across the Atlantic. Notice the author’s metaphors. What is a “horning bee?” We found the following on the Internet: “Troy, June 28—the dictionary says that a “shivaree” is a “word derived from the Latin meaning a noisy gathering with grotesque costumes and discordant instruments of music, restricted to the reception of a bride and groom on their home coming” but down here in the hills we call it a “horning bee” and the one given to Mr. and Mrs. Jack Parsons, newlyweds, Monday night was the largest ever seen in this community. “ Grandpa Putnam’s home was undoubtedly the bride’s grandfather, Parley Putnam, who most likely lived on Three Mile Creek Road. Remember, Cora’s father, Alvin Putnam, died when she was 2 years of age in 1862. Parley Putnam was still alive in 1877 -- he died in 1882 -- his wife, Prudence Allen Putnam, died in 1890. LaFarge means LaFargeville in the Town of Orleans (Jefferson County, N. Y.). At one time George Hasner’s parents, Archibald and Minerva Sweet Hasner, lived in the LaFarge Mansion in that village, but I haven’t yet determined when and for how long the family lived there. (info from an Ernest Cook article about George’s sister, Mary Hasner Eddy). The Hubbard House was a hotel on James Street in the village of Clayton, N. Y. The people waiting at the Hubbard House were probably attendants. Frank -- not known -- maybe a Heyl or Jerome -- will work on this. Prudy was Cora’s sister - not yet married to George Bent. I believe Prudy was older than Cora. "My," was probably Myron Daniels, who was married to Lib. (Elizabeth) Lingenfelter. They were the bride’s uncle and aunt, who at some later time, moved to Chaumont, N. Y. Elizabeth was the youngest daughter of Conrad and Elizabeth Padgett Lingenfelter -- she was born in 1861 -- and quite close in age to the bride, her niece (Cora). I need help in interpreting the “doughnut and cider mug” lines. I also need help with “the poor lad.......some plug hat chap........watch and cane.” Sadie was the first-born daughter -- I imagine the cake which is mentioned is the “sour cream” cake recipe that my mother used -- and which I’ve lost.....anybody have it? Delicious -- like a pound cake! Nina died at age 14 -- family lore yields that her death was caused by “St. Vitus Dance” -- but it was fact that she had recently received an inoculation for one of the sometimes fatal diseases of the time. Need to call the Village Clerk in Glen Park for the reason stated on the death certificate -- assuming that Nina died at the home on Woodlawn in Glen Park. Alvin, Sadie's brother did like to tinker, I do know that. Yes, Beryl was very pretty -- I’ll soon include a photo of the three girls. Any help with Martin's sheep? I believe this was George and Cora's son, Martin. The home on Woodlawn had farm land with the property, so it's likely that the Hasners did have sheep. Any help with Doris’s songs? Sadie married Martin Schenck -- once a paper mill superintendent, who came to town -- he was, as far as I can tell, born in the Columbus, Ohio area. Alvin married Amelia DeMarse. Beryl married Lewis Buckminster, from an old Perch River-Limerick-Brownville family. Martin married Edith Warn - from the Paddy Hill-Brownville area. For some reason the author chose to insert information about Ethel. She was Cora’s niece and the daughter of George & Prudence Putnam Bent. She was older than Doris by several years, but probably she had much input to the anniversary party in 1927. Ethel was a most gracious host, indeed, when she'd have Doris's children up for dinner. And, of course, Doris, married William Conklin (these were my parents). Donald and Elaine were the grandchildren -- Donald, being Martin’s first-born, and Elaine, being Doris’s first-born. I don’t understand why Alvin’s children, Norris, Alice, and George were not mentioned. They were all born well before 1927!!!!!!! Same with Beryl’s two living children -- Richard and Harold Buckminster sons. Please, please -- someone help me with the “jolly face” person -- I believe this was probably Martin Schenck, daughter Sadie’s husband. Sadie’s obit indicates he died ten years before she died in 1932. Update 12-12-2011: From reading the 1927 newspapers - it was found that Martin Schenck died about January 2, 1927. This was 11 months before the anniversary party of his in-laws. I'd heard that Martin was a very likeable man - perhaps he was indeed the "jolly faced" fellow. Also, the roast pig story -- what’s that all about ?-- and is that reference connected to the “jolly faced” person, who it appears had died? The “fruit and nuts” reference certainly leads me to believe that it was Martin Schenck who lived in this "land" -- because Martin and Sadie, I am told, lived in California on the site which is now Disneyland (near Arcadia). Strange this term would refer to California at that time - it familiarly has a different interpretation in the 2000's! Apparently, was George & Cora's trip to California was imminent when the anniversary party took place -- a trip to the California home of the Hasners’ oldest daughter, Sadie? Hoping we can affix a date when this trip was taken. How long did they stay? Was Martin Schenck alive at that time. I was told that Cora suffered a stroke either on the way out or on the way home. From a 1924 newspaper, it was noted that Martin Hasner went to Glen Park to visit his mother who was ill. So, perhaps Cora Hasner had been seriously ill three years before this anniversary celebration. Any help on this? I found an obit which indicated that George died in August of 1928. So....there was no celebration like this in 1928!!!! George Hasner died in August of 1928. I look forward to help, corrections, and elaborations regarding this wonderful poem. Thank you, Lisa, for sending this to me -- I had never seen it before. Shirley Farone - granddaughter of the honored couple Return to Index of Poems Return to Shirley Farone's Homepage |