The Tragic Death of Eben Algar Richmond

When Eben's father-in-law, Thomas Warren Pierce died on Jan 23, 1910, Eben grieved for him and had become despondent. Seven months later he shot and killed himself with a fatal gun shot wound to the right temple.  He was discovered on the third floor of the Thomas W. Pierce Hardware store in Middleboro between 9 and 10 a.m., lying face down, Monday morning on January 23, 1911.

Eben had worked at the Pierce Hardware store for 20 years and since the passing of his father-in-law was responsible for the conduct of the store. 

Eben played the piano and the cornet.  The last song he played on the piano the Sunday night before he died was "Now The Day Is Over".

Eben is buried in the Pierce family plot in the Central Cemetery, Middleboro, MA.

Middleboro Gazetter, Friday January 27, 1911

Autumn Marriage of 1865

Taken on their 70th
Wedding Anniversary

My great great grandfather, Philip Roesch returned from the Civil War and to his sweetheart Helen Jennette Cardey. Three months later, on September 7, 1865 she and Philip were married, near Boise Creek in the town of Potosi at the home of the bride's parents.  Coincidentally, September 7th is my my birthday.

Philip recalled in his memoirs, "It was a rainy day and there was no bridge over the creek.  It took some time and effort, but finally I managed to get across and the wedding proceeded on time."

Years later, on their 60th wedding anniversary celebration with family and friends Philip concluded the event by saying, "So this is our 60th wedding anniversary.  It rained the day we were married so one should dispel any significance in the omen that a rainy wedding day means bad luck."

Newspaper accounts of the event told of how the "grant County Pioneers" celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary with 200 dinner guest, under the friendly shade of trees at tables on the lawn at their home.  It was noted, "Mr. and Mrs. Roesch were still happy and hearty despite the vicissitudes of life."

Celebrations continued for this much loved couple year after year.

Once Upon A Time - A Century Old Secret

To better understand this story, read:  Amanuensis Monday - Once Upon A Time

There was this century old  family secret. No one could tell. What was the secret?  Why was it a secret.  It was all such a puzzle. What happened to Herbert?  I've known about this mystery my whole life.

When I began researching our family history, I brought my 82 year old Aunt over to my home, to pick her brain; scan the pictures she brought with her and to share my work to date with her.  She asked me, "Maybe you can find out about my mother's brother, Herbert, and what happened to him."   Could I ever solve this century old story?  I thought this was an impossible task.  But that all changed in October of 2010 because of a chance discovery.

My great grandparents, Mary Catherine Wilber Pierce and her husband Carl Z Pierce were separated shortly after their daughter, Mary Ann, my grandmother, was taken away from her by her in-laws. Carl never knew that his wife was expecting another child when she left and moved home with her mother.  Mary, afraid that her in-laws would also take this second child from her, kept this fact a secret.

On April 11, 1900 she gave birth to a son she named Herbert. Family stories indicate that her mother, Nellie, delivered him.  The census taken in June of 1900, just shy of two months after Herbert's birth, shows Mary Catherine still living with her mother.

Her in-laws, Thomas and Mary Besse Pierce had warned Mary Catherine that they would make her life miserable if she ever attempted to regain custody of their grandchild. Why they felt so strongly we will never know for sure. Mary did not forget the threats made upon by her in-laws.   Mary Catherine proved her bravery by moving forward and petitioned the court.

On May 26, 1900, when Mary Catherine was only 19 years old and Herbert was six weeks old, she went to court alone to face her in-laws in an attempt to regain custody of her daughter.  She lost her battle and her life was changed forever.

The outcome of this court hearing changed the family dynamics for the next 110 years. Mary Catherine was not going to take the chance that Herbert would also be taken away from her by her in-laws. She gave Herbert away to her mother to raise in order to keep him. She must have loved Herbert very much to take such drastic action.  She surely felt that this would be the only way to keep her son close.  She was determined that her in-laws were not going to take Herbert.  (His birth was not recorded)

All during Herbert's life his birth mother was always nearby watching over him as he grew.  Herbert never knew he was being raised by his maternal grandmother.  He was always told he was adopted.

Mary Catherine and her husband Carl reunited and had two more children.  But once the cover-up was done, it became impossible to undo and the decision was made to keep this secret forever.  But as we know, secrets are made only to be unveiled.  ( Eventfully the marriage did end in divorce.) 

Last October, 2010, a chance discovery of a old picture that was posted on the Town of Middleboro's website gave me the clue I was looking for.  Under the picture of a diner was the owner's name, Herbert Thompson.  Then there it was, a comment by the grandson of Herbert and a facebook logo.  I quickly typed a message and sent it off.  Amazingly, he answered almost immediately.  It took a little convincing that this was not a scam.  He was living on the west coast, I live on the east coast.  The first week in December of that year he flew out to meet me.

You can only imagine the joy we both shared.  The missing branch of his family tree is no longer lost. He in turn told me about his grandfather's life and how he was always told he was adopted and never knew who his parents were.   We continue to keep in touch with him and his family.  And yes, he has met my Aunt and other family members.

This century old secret is now revealed, and the truth has brought peace to many, and to my 90 year old aunt.  Herbert passed away in 1989 at the age of 89.

Once Upon A Time

In 1898 (my grandmother) the first born child of Mary Ann Wilber Pierce was wrongfully taken from her  by her in-laws, Thomas Warren Pierce and Mary Ann Besse.  (Mary Ann Besse was the mother of: (Little Girl Lost Has Been Found )  Mary Catherine was only 19 years old and separated from her husband, Carl Z Pierce when she took her in-laws to court to get her baby back. (You may want to read about Carl:  Rainbows and Flowers, vs. Black Clouds and Weeds )

The courts refusing her petition led Mary Catherine to make a devastating life-long decision out of fear. What happened to Mary and Carl's second child, Herbert, that she secretly bore while they were separated?    That 100 year old mystery I solved a year ago this month. Herbert died in 1989 but I found his grandson and together we joyfully celebrated. Today we are the best of friends that cousins could ever be.  It was the most remarkable genealogical journey event of my life.  I can't wait to share it with you.

Read:  Once Upon A Time - A Century Old Secret

NASA and Phillip Osborne Roesch



Oleander Hotel

 


 Phillip Osborne Roesch loved repairing radios as a young man with Buzz Creel and he always remained curious about how they worked.  Being the intelligent man that he was, Phil built upon his experience working in maintenance and repair of the electrical systems in the Oleander hotel that sat on the corner of Pineapple Avenue and Eau Gallie Boulevard.


All his past experience prepared him for the most interesting and challenging job of his lifetime.  In 1951, at the age of 34, he obtained a position with RCA, a subcontractor for NASA, working at Patrick Air Force Base in Cocoa Beach, Florida.  In seeking out an explanation of what he did, Phillip replied as if it could be understood, "I calibrate the equipment used to calibrate the monitoring instruments that are used to record the missile telemetry and other in-flight information and support activities."

It was always a top secret when and what time military missiles were to be launched.  NASA certainly didn't want the Russians knowing this information or anyone else that might have an interest.


Base Where Phillip Worked



A very rare picture of Phil at work

 Phil was involved with Cape Canaveral from the very early beginnings of space exploration.  There were various times he would be sent "down range" to Antigua, West Indies; Grand Turk, Ascension and other islands to monitor missile activities in that corridor.  Part of the monitoring was to pinpoint the recovery location of early pre-man missions of returning monkeys.  The first to return home safely on May 28, 1959 were Able, a rhesus monkey, and Miss Baker, a squirrel monkey.  These animals were launched to study the biological impact on man during space flight.



One page out of three of his resume

 It was on May 5, 1961 the first manned Mercury spacecraft lifted off with Astronaut Alan B. Sheppard that lasted a total of 15 minutes.  These missions took place during Phil's first 10 years of employment.  Phil, as Communication Manager, ultimately supervised a staff of 19 technicians and radio operators, directly in maintenance and operation in a number of communication center facilities.

Radio Sales & Repair

My Uncle Phillip Osborne Roesch had his own repair business with his best friend Buzz, but that all changed after a tragic accident  See:  Inconsolable

He then went to work for Allen's Radio Sales and Service, then finally with Cain's where he was in charge of radio Repair.  His experience with radios will lead him to the most important job of life with RCA in Cape Canveral, Florida.  That story tomorrow:  NASA and Phillip Osborne Roesch

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The Best Thank You Ever

Last March, my daughter and her family came to stay with us for a week in our condo in Florida.  This was the surprise I found when I looked down from our balcony.  People from the nearby condo's were all cheering and applauding.  It was the best thank you I have ever received.

Four Generations

Ghosts!

"In October 2008, a team of psychics toured the Rossetter House, the   Roesch House, and the Houston Family Cemetery.  Join us for an exciting tour where we will share with you the "impressions" that the psychics told us they received on this historic property.

This Ghost Tour is for entertainment purposes only.

Bring your camera - you never know who might show up!"

http://rossetterhousemuseum.org/welcome

Jillian is the site manager of the Rossetter Museum on Highland Avenue in Eau Gallie, Florida.  My great grandparents home, the Roesch House now serves as the museums headquaters where my ancestors pictures hang on the parlor wall.  




Roesch House my great grandfather,
William R Roesch built in 1901
(photo 2008)

 

Jillian told me that the psychics told her that a woman died in the Roesch upstairs bedroom.  I told her no, that was not the case.   My great grandmother Ada died in their farmhouse on Aurora Road in Eau Gallie and their daughter, my great Aunt Lena died in Titusville.  The Rossetters purchased the Roesch house and used it for storage.

Touring the Pioneer Houston Cemetery

Ghost tour in the dinning room
of the slaves quarters that became the first home of
Ada and William Roesch



The Rossetter House addition
 attached to the former slave quarters
and first home of Wm. Roesch, sits directly accross
the street from the Roesch House

Roesch House on the left, the way it looked in 1901



It was said that Susan E. Houston Stewart was laid to rest beneath the ancient oaks of the family plot in 1909.  According to old family records, "she carved her own tombstone of coquina rock".
I recently discovered through old newspaper articles of the time that Susan Houston Stewart, who married John Carroll Houston IV, have three children buried here beside her.  I have passed that information on to the Historical Society.

The First Time I Experienced Death



Malcolm Leroy Smith
1898-1953

 I was a little girl when my grandfather, Malcolm Leroy Smith, died of a heart attack on August 17, 1953.  The only thing I remember about that day is my father coming home early from work.  I sat beside him on the couch and noticed his face was red.  He had been crying, but he didn't let me see that.  I was only upset because I knew he was.

 I didn't know or understand what death was; I was just turning eight.  It was the first time that I had experienced that word. Anything other than that it was an uneventful day.  I never heard or saw anything else related to my grandfather's passing.  I just went about my business of playing and being a child.

There are only a few things about my grandfather that I remember.  In my mind's eye I see him standing on the front porch with his cap on.  I remember the story of his dog, Brownie, who was hit by a car and my grandfather had to shoot him to put him out of his misery.  I remember sleeping over at my grandparents home.  I would sleep on the couch in the living room.  My grandparents would sit in the dark, smoking their non-filtered camels, until I fell asleep.  I can still see it today, not them, but the red tip of their cigarettes dancing about in the dark. 

A few days before my grandfather's death, the company my father worked for, the Geo. O. Jenkins Co., held their annual outing for their employee's.  It eventually became a family event and I too would attend.  There was barbecued chicken, hot dogs, corn on the cob and watermelon.  A band would play and I would dance the polka with my dad.  And games, lots of games and door prizes.  But this outing in 1953 when I was nine was only for employees.  My dad caught the greased pig. My mom won the women's 50 yard dash and the cracker eating contest.  My mom and dad won the egg passing contest.  My Aunt Bertha and Uncle Tony were there too, Tony worked with my dad.  They won the needle and thread race.

So what does an outing have to do with my grandfather's death?   On this day, August 20, 1953 not only this story about the outing appeared, but also my grandfathers obituary, both on the same page. Read more about my grandfather:  Heartbreaking Misfortunes

Only one error in this notice, his father's name was Joseph, not James.