These are a few of the more interesting items I've bought on Ebay. Somehow, though purchased at different times, they're all from the Worden line on my father's side. Below is Inez Worden (1908-2001) holding her baby sister Gladys (1914-1937), they were children of Arthur Worden and Edna Warner of Shortsville, NY. Inez never married and Gladys never got the chance. She died at age 22 almost two weeks after an operation for appendicitis.
The next item is a post card written by Flora Worden Post of Manchester, NY to Frank Mull who was hospitalized at St. Mary's in Rochester, NY. Flora was the half sister of the girl's father Arthur Worden. She was a Sunday school teacher at the local Methodist church. On the front is written,
June-14-08 Children's Day Decorations Of Mrs. Post's Class, Manchester M.E. Church.
April 30 -10
Dear Friend Frank, Will has just come home this morning, all tired out, is lying down, he stayed with Gilbert last night, am so glad he went up to see you - he is so glad he went for he said you were so pleased to see him. I have been sick for two weeks, when you get able you must come down and stay awhile with us - it is beautiful down here now. I have sat on the porch most all morning and enjoyed nature for I am not able to work. Mrs. W.H. Post Manchester N. York
Last is a fuel ration card from 1945 issued to Arthur Worden
And the hunt goes on...
I have owned a makeshift fabric diary owned by an Inez Mary Worden of Shortsville, NY for over 20 years now. I bought it at an antique show in NYC. Worden's full name and the city and state are written on the front page along with the date "Feb. 1935." The fabric diary is actually an old book (about 12" x 6.5") with the word "RECORD" on the cover that was used to paste in swatches of fabric. Next to each swatch is a description of what item of clothing was made and sometimes the exact date it was made (although the book appears to have been started in 1935 some of the swatches on the first pages and are from earlier years (the earliest being a dress made in 1919 and many, many entries from the 1920s). Dresses, coats, blouses, skirts, baby dresses, aprons -- even bits of yarn are glued telling of a cap or sweater that was made.
ReplyDeleteSome of the pages have a beautiful formal quality, with each colorful swatch about the same size and dozen or more swatches carefully glued in per page. 37 of the 100 pages of the book were used. The last entries, from 1951 to 1956, find Worden probably busy with other things, as the swatches are placed in the book -- not glued -- and quick pencil notations can be seen as to the clothing she's made. The carefully written ink descriptions from the 1930s and 1940s are no more.
My name and email address: Andy at Thatdogoliver@gmail.com
That's amazing! Does she describe who received the clothing? Great find, in NYC yet.
DeleteEllie
Hello Ellie,
DeleteYes, there are references to other people. Her mother (Ma) is mentioned often. Her father (Pa) is mentioned at least once (in 1951). Althea is mentioned very often (first mentioned in 1938). Viola (1950). Shirley G. (1943). Mrs. H (1948).
The most often listed name is Gladys. Her name first appears in 1937 with three entries. Six references in 1938. Two in 1939. Three in 1940. There is no mention of Gladys after 1940.
Inez Worden must have been a very thorough person. She often makes notations years later regarding what became of the clothing (when it was changed by dyeing it a different color, when it was given to charity, when a dress was turned into an apron, when it was discarded 20 years later. She was a very detail-oriented person and took pride in the dozens of outfits she made.
If you would like I can photograph the contents of the book for you this week and email it to you.
Hello, Althea was another Worden sister. I would be forever grateful if you photographed the book for me! So kind of you to offer. I'll get my email address to you. Many Thanks!
ReplyDelete