Second Entry
Okay, so I'm only six days late with my second entry. Was rushing to get my work done so I could leave for vacation with a clear conscience.
Got some interesting email — two stepsisters wrote me after one discovered their names on the website. Margaret Cote and Drucine Onze are the great grand-daughters of Charles Bill and Eliza Drew. Eliza was the sister of Sarah Drew, my great-great grandmother (the difference in generations is because Sarah was 14 years older than Eliza). Enjoyed hearing from them — Eliza Drew Bill was a major figure in my great-grandfather Vernon Hodges' life as well as his brother and sisters. Eliza (known as Auntie B) took into her home at least a couple of her sister's children after they were sent to America following the death of their parents. In the journal of Vernon's sister, Violette Hodges Curtiss, Auntie B is a frequent visitor and surrogate grandmother to Violette's children.
In searching for some common experiences, Drucine mentioned how she too remembered visiting Alice Drew Lockwood, a niece of Eliza Drew Bill, who lived in Norwalk, CT in a lovely home overlooking a golf course. Like Drucine, who is about my own age, I remember going to Alice's home and having her mark my height on the doorjam to the kitchen pantry. We'd also occasionally take her out to Skipper's Restaurant down in the harbor. One time, we met her there when we sailed across Long Island Sound from Northport. A fun trip.
Anyway, it was great hearing from some relatives I've never met and a special thank-you to Margaret for giving me an update on her family's information for the website.