Red Cross - Part II

In our RC unit Frankie as Social Worker was in charge, Lucy and "Sadie" Recreation workers and I was staff aide - sort of a general handy woman. We wrote letters for patients, planned recreation, took patients on sight-seeing trips thru Rome, helped with problems - similar to Gray Ladies in domestic hospitals.

In April and May 1945 I was sent on TD (temporary duty) to the 34th Station Hospital (Colonel Max was in charge) which was outside of Rome about 20 miles in an old monastery. There I met mamie Mauk and Rebecca Blackburn.

In july the 73rd was sent back to the States on their way to Tinian but I was left in Rome with the 34th which moved in where the 73rd had been.

In April 1945 we got Lucy married to Carl Loftis. His outfit had moved up to France and we had to sweat out his arrival.

I lost a couple of patients on one of the sighseeing trips and had to have the MPs pick the up. The patients were quite pleased they had gotten away from the hospital for a few hours, but it took me quite a whild to live it down. Colonel Schade of the hospital wasn't too pleased.

"Sadie" was sent to Livorno and Rita McDonald joined us in her place. She was a medical secretary.

I was given a few days of R & R and drove to Florence with a couple of RC administrators. Later, I was able to wangle a trip to Switzerland, but it took 3 starts before I made it.  The first time, I was called at the hospital before leaving for the airport (Ciampino) and told they couldn't fly that day. The next time we flew over Milan, but couldn't land because of porr weather which caused at least one green face (the soldier opposite me) and a lot of air sickness (me included). By the time we got back to Rome, a sandstorm was in progress and we were sent to Naples to spend the night. The next day we made it back to Rome. The third time we couldn't land in Milan but came down in Genoa and were taken by jeep to Milan, arriving in darkness.

Switzerland was such a relief after Italy. It was so clean, the air so fresh/ A wonderful interlude. Everything worked well.  One night I was asked to give a dance exhibition! It seems the night before I had gone dancing with a soldier and someone in my group had seen us. Evidently we dances quite well.  He was a good dancer but all I did was follow.  I had to refuse because I had no partner and I wasn't that good! (In the bargain I didn't want t get the soldier in trouble. He was already in enough trouble - he was AWOL.

Of course, Italy had the dust and dirt, the rubble of former buildings, the insecurity of not knowing when something might bread down.  Getting stuck on the elevator of the hospital was a fairly common occurance - particularly when we were first in Rome.

I had a chance to attend a couple of audiences with the Pope, Pius XII, and attend a concert at the Vatican gardens when Beniamino Gigli sang. I also met Tatiana Tolstoy, Leo Tolstoy's oldest daughter.

Mamie Muk and I left Italy on the aircraft carrier, Randolph, with Capt. Jackson R Tate, as the commanding officer in December of 1945.    The weather had been terrible - one of the worst storms of the season. The ship right behind us turned back. We sprang leaks in the bow and lost catwalks. Practically everyone was sick (several thousand people on board). I was so close to it but somehow managed to stave it off. Mamie was in her berth most of the time. My roommate ordered me not to get sick and I didn't.

When we left, the Captain promised us he would get us back to the US by Christmas. We made it at 2pm Christmas day.

Red Cross - Part I

In March 1944, Millie resigned from NJ Bell Telephone Company and joined the Red Cross as a Staff Aide.  After 3 weeks of training at American University in Washington DC and another 3 weeks in Fort Knox, she went home for a weekend. The next week she left from the Prince George Hotel in Brooklyn.

She remembers being part of a large group (88) that was ... "sent on a British Hospital ship, the Atlantis. The weather was perfect, the ocean like glass and lights on every night according to war rules. Since this was a hospital ship, its position was supposed to be known at all times and the lights were always on.  I was like a wonderful cruise. In true English fashion we had a lot of the niceties - tea, moring and afternoon with fabulous little goodies with the afternoon tea.

"For some reason I always made up my berth so tightly I couldn't slide in.

"We reached Naples and anchored to an overturned ship in the harbor, then were sent to the Repo Depot (Replacement Depot). No lights, bare buildings, no glass in the windows. (There was) only one air alert, probably a false alarm, but the food was the worst. I was just ready to go on a hunger strike, whin June 1st Iwas sent in a command car to join the 73rd Station Hospital. It was stationed in Caserta at what had been the royal stable. Caserta was the capital of Italy and the King's palace was there.

"Out patients were a mixture with a great many from Africa - Senegalese, etc. The Red Cross unit was composed of Frankie Adger, Lucille Horton, and Natalie Olmstead (Sadie Hawkins). When I joined them, they were expecting Madeline Carrol but they got Millicent Chapman. Only the initials were the same. In the evenings we slippped out at times and visited the Canadians down the street and Am. Air Force Spec. Serv. unit out about 10 to 15 miles. Everything had to be done in darkness and pretending it was an emergency (we were in an ambulance) if we were stopped. Fun!

"About 3 weeks after I joined the 73rd, the hospital was moved to Rome - to the Marine Barracks on the Tiber - just a few blocks south of the Recreation Center where Mussoline had his swimming pool. I stayed there almost 18 months.  

"We were transported in open 6x6 trucks. No cover. The trip took about 10 hours with a field stop once or twice. By the time we reached Rome, we were filthy. Taking off glasses left white eyes in black faces.

"It was several weeks before the hot water was in service. Until then everything we did was done with cold water.  Try washing hair in a helmet in cold water, it was like putting my head in the Arctic Ocean."

"I was stationed in Rome from the end of June 1944 to November 1945. The war went on a left us behind."

The Bernardsville News - 1 May 1945

Thomas Osborn

Thomas Osborn was born about 1750 and died after 1797. Thomas’ son’s indenture to blacksmith George Young names Thomas and implies that he is living in Rensselaer County.  I have not found him there, but there is a Thomas in Hoosick Falls, which is about 25 miles from Troy in 1800, that could be a brother.  He is 25 or under and living with him is another male between 16 and 25, a female of that age, a male under 10 and a female over 45.  This connection is worth exploring along with other possibilities in New York and possibly Connecticut.  

Thomas Osborn and Millicent (unk) were married before 1782.

Signature on William Osborne's indenture

The back of William Osborn's indenture as a blacksmith is sent in the care of Millicent Osborn, who we assume was his mother. William named his daughter Millicent. The indenture was sent to Troy to the home of Mrs. Woods with a note to keep until the arrival of Mrs. Osborn. 

This presents a couple of possibilities, first it would seem that Millicent was not with Thomas when the indenture papers were signed, but she also wasn't in Troy where the apprenticeship was to be. Might she have been in Hoosack where another Thomas had set up household by 1800? Might that have been the family home and Thomas was travelling?  Might she have been visiting relatives somewhere else, going from that visit to Troy?

Among the tidbits of information that are floating in cyberspace is a marriage of Lt. Thomas Osborne to Millicent Garnsey the daughter of Jonathan.  This Millicent died in New York City, according to the cybernotes, in 1803.  The burial is real and it had seemed a likely fit for William's mother, perhaps they are the same person.  A Millicent Osborn died on 27 Apr 1803 in Manhattan, New York. She was buried after 27 Apr 1803 at St. Paul's Chapel and Churchyard in Manhattan, New York.^[1]

The tombstone reads, "In memory of Millicent, wife of Thomas Osborn; who departed this life April the 27th 1803 in the 43d year of her age./ While on this earth I did remain/ I was opprest with sorrow grief and pain / Adieu to friends and foes likewise / My journey is beyond the sky 

There is a burial listed for Thomas Osborn age 64 in St. Paul’s Churchyard 30 May 1811.  The age would be a fit for Millicent’s husband.  No tombstone has been found to date[2].

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[1]. Find AGrave Memorial# 11907379. Saint Paul's Chapel and Churchyard, Manhattan, New York County, New York, USA, Plot: Section C1; Baptisms, Marriages and Burials from 1750, Trinity Wall Street.org: Osborn, Millicent; 4/28/1803; age 47; St. Paul’s Chapel

[2] Baptisms, Marriages and Burials from 1750, Trinity Wall Street.org: Osborn, Thomas; 5/30/1811; age 64; St. Paul’s Chapel

William and Hannah Osborn

William Osborn was born on 3 May 1782 on Long Island, Suffolk County, New York. Adding to the difficulties of pinning down the ancestors of William is the fact that his death certificate states he was born in Long Island.  There are a few Thomas' of the right age located there, but little other information to make a connection. 

In 1797, William was apprenticed to blacksmith George Young in Troy, New York.^[1] In return for his term of indenture, George agreed to provide William with the skills of a blacksmith, food, lodging, clothing, washing and 6 months of schooling. At the end of the term he was to provide him with a new suit of clothes

NY City and County 1832 - David Burr NY
Highlighter shows Cherry and Front Streets

William Osborn and Hannah (unk) were married sometime between his release from indenture on 3 May 1803 and 1808 when their daughter Millicent was born.

Hannah was born on 9 Aug 1785, her son William's death certificate says that his mother was born in New Jersey. With no surname it is difficult to look for records.  Available marriage records have been checked in both New York and New Jersey with no result. 

It is unknown when William moved from Troy to New York City.  Millicent was supposedly born in Lansingburgh, which was a few miles from Troy, and is now a part of the city.  Henry born a year later was supposedly born in New York City.  

We do know that he is listed at 63 Front Street (Old Ship & Cuyler Alley) in Manhattan at some point.^[2] This may be the address of his smithy rather than a home address. By 1826 the family was living on Cherry Street.

William was injured in a fall caused by a fit and died on 19 Apr 1826 at the age of 43 in Manhattan, New York.^[3]

He was buried after 21 Apr 1826 in Trinity (St. John’s Burial Ground) in Manhattan, New York.^[4]  In his journal, grandson Will Chapman transcribes the tombstone , "Sacred/To the Memory of/William Osborn/who departed this life/April 19,1826/in the 44th year of his age."

This cemetery was turned into a park in the late 19^th century.  The tombstones were buried rather than moved.  

William died intestate and Hannah was appointed administratrix of his estate which was all located in New York

Hannah was living in Ward Eight in New York City in 1840.^[5] Living with Hannah were her son William Henry, her daughter Millicent who had been widowed in 1832 and Millicent’s three children.

At the time of her death on 1 Aug 1847, Hannah was living at 36 White Street.^[6] Her death certificate says that her body was removed from the city for burial.  No age, maiden name or place of nativity was recorded.

The Brooklyn Eagle reported her death, "Monday, Aug. 2, Hannah relict of William Osborn in 60y."

Hannah is buried in Lot 2066 section 66 in Greenwood Cemetery in Brooklyn.^[7]  One might wonder why she is not buried with William, perhaps she was not a member of Trinity Church, or her children might have been drawn to the new rural cemetery.   Greenwood was not in existence at the time that William was buried and by the time Hannah was buried, burials in downtown NYC had been curtailed.   Here is no stone for Hannah in the Graveyard.  She is buried in the same plot with Ezekiel Applegate, to date no connection has been found.

William and Henry had two known children.  While it is possible there were others, when Hannah died in 1847 only William H and Millicent Clark were listed as heirs.

William and Hannahs Dropbox File

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[1]. Original Indenture Papers -. signed 6 jul 1797 William Osborn son of Thomas apprentice blacksmith to Geo. Young. Owned by Gregory Trindle June 2014

[2]. Chapman, William Osborne Sr., The Journals of William Osborne Sr.  A collection of sayings, civil war remembrances, insurance sales , names dates and addresses of relatives and other trivia.  Owned by Gregory Trindle June 2014.  William found the address in an old Directory in the possession of Husseys Express on Pine Street - Did not note year of directory - but would need to be prior to 1826.

[3]. New York City New York  Death Register 6, Willm Osborne, 19 April 1826;  New York City: Letters of Administration Book 22:30.

[4]. Tombstone reading by William Osborn Chapman, Sr. prior to 1900.  Trinity Cemetery, head of Varick Street, New York City, "Sacred/To the Memory of/William Osborn/who departed this life/April 19,1826/in the 44th year of his age."  Find a Grave Memorial 132020949; Baptisms, Marriages and Burials from 1750, Trinity Wall Street.org: Osborne, William 04/21/1826 age 44, Gravesite: St. John’s

[5]. Bureau of the Census RG 29 M794 580 Rolls, Sixth Census of the United States 1840, population schedules (Washington, National Archives and Records Administration), Roll: 302; Page: 385; Image: 779.

[6]. Death Record, Certificate: at the time of her death Hannah was residing at 36 White Street.  Her body was removed from the city for burial and no age, maiden name nor place of nativity was recorded.  New York City New York Book 15, Hannah Osborn.  From an Original Obituary, Brooklyn Eagle 4 Aug 1847.

[7]. Find A Grave, Find A Grave Memorial# 58818005.

Millicent Osborne

Millicent Osborne was born in 1808 possibly in Lansingburgh, Rensselaer, New York. 

Millicent and Darius Chapman were married on 4 Feb 1824 in Manhattan, New York.^[1]  Just eight years later Darius died leaving Millicent with three young children to raise.  Their oldest child Martha born in 1825 had died in 1827.  Remaining were William born 1826,  Ann Eliza, and Harriet Louise.  

On 12 Jan 1841 nearly a decade after Darius’ death Millicent married George R Clark (1819 NY – 15 Feb 1864 Rochester, NY)^[2] in Manhattan. After their marriage, the second for both, George and Millicent lived at 33 Sophia St. in Rochester, New York. Rochester which lies in the center of Monroe County, 7 miles from the mouth of the Genesee River, was incorporated as the village Rochesterville in 1817.  The name was changed to Rochester in 1822 and the village was incorporated as a city on 28 April 1834.  The Genesee divides the city in two.  Flour mills were erected early in its history, taking advantage of the immense power of the river. 

George was a VP with the Commercial Bank, so it is assumed that the family lived  a comfortable life.   George and Millicent had two daughters, Sarah born in 1845 and Maria born in 1846.

Sarah and Maria Clark

Millicent was a member of the Third Presbyterian Church from at least 1850 until her death on 26 Sep 1876.

"In another column will be found a notice of the death of Mrs. Millicent Clark, widow of the late George Clark, who was well known throughout this section of the country as a leading merchant in the hat and cap trade.  He died in 1864.  Mr. and Mrs. Clark were residents of this city for many years, having moved here from New York in 1841.  Deceased was an exemplary Christian woman, being for many years a member of the third Presbyterian Church, she was beloved by a large circle of friends....Mrs. Chauncey W. Clark, Mrs. Dr. C. Mills of this city and William Chapman of Jersey City Heights, is a son by a former husband and Mrs. J.H. Jeffres and Mrs. John H. Telfer of Rochester are daughters through her last marriage". [3]  

On his death George was buried in New Hope Cemetery in Rochester.  Millicent is not buried with him. Perhaps she was buried with Darius.  His grave is also missing.

Millicent's only son, William was angry when she remarried.  He felt that she should have devoted herself to the three children she had and not married again.  He disowned her, and she in turn disowned him, which is evident by her will in which she left a $1000 to her two older daughters, and the residue of her estate to her two daughters by George Clark.

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[1]. Samuel Woodworth and George P Morris, The New York mirror: a weekly gazette of literature and the fine arts: volume 1 (Murray St. New York NY: George P Morris, 1824), 223 - Marriage of Darius Chapman and Millicent Osborn.

[2]. Albany Evening Journal  This entire product and/or portions thereof are copyrighted by NewsBank and/or the American Antiquarian Society. 2004. George Clark Page: [2] Bank of Attica-Forged Certificates from the Rochester Daily Advertiser July 18
 .

[3]. Clipping saved by son William in file, paper unknown.  

More Memories

Annapolis 1935

"In 1935,  Roberta Potts and I were invited by Warren "Bud" Hall and a friend of his to Annapolis for for the 90th Anniversay Celebration."

Border of Nova Scotia

"Mother and I went to Nova Scotia in Sept 1939. We spent most of our time in Yarmouth but did take a trip one day up to Digby. While we were in N.S., England and France declared war against Germany after Hitler invaded Poland. Of course that meant Canada went along.

Fog Horn Station Bay of Fundy

When it came time for us to return to the US, Canadian Immigration officials insisted we prove we were US citizens. Since we had no proof with us, it was suggested that I go back to NJ and pick up my birth certificate whle they kept Mother in Nova Scotia.  But they finally relented and let us go. We made sure we applied for birth certificates when we got back to N.J."

Halifax

Telephone Girl

At Work

After leaving Juillard in 1933, Millie notes "I worked for a couple of weeks as a fill in at a local dairy. Then as Christmas help at Hahne's Dept. Store in Newark, N.J.

"I eventually got a job with the New Jersey Bell Telephone Co. and became Chief Operator. Was with them about 10 years. Then the 2nd World War started and I decided to join the ARC. NJ Bell felt they were as important to the War effort and would not hold my job for me. Because my Evening Chief Operator joined the WAVES and the Co. held her job, I'm afraid I was a bit miffed but my boss took me into the District Office when I returned."

Another time she noted, "Didn't like using a phone so joined Telephone Co. and became an operator, eventually Chief Operator. Some people are crazy, aren't they? Still dislike some things about phones - particuarly talking to answering services when there's no one to answer."

Written by Winnie Goudey for Millie
Trip to Nova Scotia 1939