Tuesday, October 16, 2018

A Postcard dated August 30,1909

Once again, in my endless endeavor to preserve out family's history for future generations, I share a postcard written by Margaret Mary Coleman to Mr. T. J. O'Donnell.  The postcard is stamped Aug 30, 3P.M. 1909, Binghamton, N. Y.
It is addressed to T. J. O'Donnell, State Hospital, Binghamton, N. Y. 
It says, " Just reached town today. Am going on Stage this P. M. Hope to see you at Fair. I expect to take it in. Margaret "
My grandfather ( T.J. O'Donnell ) left the family farm where he grew up in St. Joseph, PA to take a job as an orderly at Binghamton State Hospital and my grandmother ( Margaret Mary Coleman ) was a teacher in a one room schoolhouse.  Having been born on Feb 16, 1887, Margaret was 22 years old at the time.  T. J. was having been born on March 22, 1885, was 2 years older.
It seems obvious that Margaret was interested in T. J. at that point in her life, although they did not marry until many years later on January 19 , 1916 ( St. Patrick's Church in Middletown Center, Pa).
Margaret was just shy of her 30th birthday.  No wonder she dismissed her students for the rest of the day when the mailman delivered her engagement ring to her schoolhouse! seems she waited a long time to marry her man. 

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