MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR

RESEARCH FINDINGS

Bertha M. Jacobe Jones, daughter of John and 2^nd wife, Cora Mae (Brown) Jacobe, was born Oct. 30, 1899 and died March 6, 2001, at the age of 101.  John Jacobe’s first wife, Cora M. Albro was a great-great granddaughter of Benjamin Wiser.   Bertha’s husband, David Lewis Jones passed away April 11, 1935 in Erieville, New York at a young age.  When she was 97, Bertha related the following story about Christmas in 1934 to the local newspaper.  I thought each of us would enjoy this story that reminds us what the true meaning and spirit of this season is:

“The Great Depression wreaked financial hardship for families across the nation, including the Jones family.  Making matters worse was her husband’s cancer and the fact that one of their best cows died.  Trying to make the best of the situation, Bertha and her son David skinned the cow and sold the hide for 90 cents.  Mrs. Jones went to nearby Cazenovia, New York where she bought 10-cent gifts for each of the seven children, including toy rings for the girls.  She came home with 20 cents.

There was light in the midst of that bleak year.  Fishman’s, a five-and-dime store, opened in Cazenovia that December and announced it was accepting letters to Santa Claus.  Seven-year-old Betty Jones poured her heart out to the jolly old man.  Bertha recalled, “she told them her dad was sick and there wasn’t any money for Christmas, she just asked for something for everybody.”

Christmas Eve arrived with a nasty sleet storm.  The Joneses decided to let their farm employee drive to a church service with the four oldest children.  Mrs. Jones put the youngest three to bed and began wrapping the small 10-cent gifts and putting last-minute trimmings on the Christmas tree.  Since there was no money for lights, the family used popcorn on strings, paper chains and Christmas balls.

There was then a knock at the door.  Fearing her family had been in a car accident due to the slippery roads, Mrs. Jones timidly opened it to find a man standing there with his arms full of boxes.  He wanted to know if a Betty Jones lived there.  When she replied yes, “he said he was Betty’s Santa Claus.”

Someone at Fishman’s had apparently read the girl’s letter and wanted to do something nice for the family at Christmas.  The visitor came with gifts for everyone in the family plus candy, nuts, oranges and a large fruitcake. 

Mrs. Jones went to the bedroom to tell her bed-ridden husband the good news.  “We both had a good cry,” she said.  Then, “I had to do a lot hurrying to get that stuff under the tree before the kids got back.”  Christmas “was a happy morning to be sure,” she said.  Special as that Christmas was, it was also her husband’s last.  He died the following April. 

The Jones’ have passed this “miracle” onto the next generations.  Gratefulness will always live in their hearts.  “I truly believe there is a Santa Clause somewhere,” Bertha said.”   (taken from an article of the Cortland New York paper of December 20, 1996 written by Ms. Nogas and other family records).

Obituaries

We express our deepest sympathy to those who lost family members recently.

Syracuse New York Post-Herald, 28 Nov 2002; Donald James Murdent  (Robert H. Murdent, Howard J. Murdent, John Scott Murdent, Melissa Ann Albro Murdent, Sabra S. Morse Albro, Alithea Wiser Morse, Benjamin Wiser), 46, of 118 Angelou Terrace, Syracuse, died Saturday. Born in Syracuse, he attended Jamesville-DeWitt High School and Onondaga-Cortland-Madison Board of Cooperative Educational Services. He was a stockperson at Jo-Ann Fabrics. He was an Army veteran. Survivors: His wife, Adrienne N.; a sister, Margery Ayers of Baldwinsville; a brother, Robert H. of Potsdam. Services: 1 p.m. Friday in Tucker Missionary Baptist Church. Spring burial, Walnut Grove Cemetery. Calling hours, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday in the church, 515 Oakwood Ave., Syracuse. Garland Bros. Funeral Home, Syracuse, has arrangements.

Belfast Maine Daily News, 19 Jun 2001; Belfast-Frances F. Paige, 84, passed away on June 14, 2001, in Belfast.  She was born in Rindge, NH, Jan. 27, 1917, the daughter of Victor H. (Aaron Daniel Ford, Sarah Jane Wiser, Benjamin Wiser Jr., Benjamin Wiser) and Clara B. (Barette) Ford.  She liked to travel and do needle work.  Frances was predeceased by her husband, Harvey Paige.  She is survived by one son, Robert E. Ford of Monclair, Calif; two brothers, Wesley J. Ford of W. Swanzey, NH, and Richard A. Ford of Rindge, NH; one grandchild, Robert H. Ford of Chino, Calif.; one great-granddaughter, one cousin, four sisters-in-law, several nieces and nephews.  A graveside service will be held 1 p.m. Friday, June 22, 2001, at Grove Cemetery in Belfast, with the Rev. David Abbott officiating.  In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Waldo County Home Health Services, care of Laura Campbell at 1-888-254-5133.  Arrangements provided by Rackliffe Funeral Home, 54 Church St., Belfast.

Bangor Maine Daily News, 8 Aug 2000; Burnham and St. Albans, George W. Goodblood, 64, loving husband of Virginia (Ward) Goodblood (Marjorie Evie Atwood Ward, Ina Maude Wiser Atwood, Elmer P. Wiser, Norman Wiser, Solomon Wiser, Benjamin Wiser Jr., Benjamin Wiser), died Aug. 6, 2000, at his home in St. Albans.  He was born Feb. 24, 1936, in Fort Kent, the son of Percy and Emily (Sweezy) Goodblood.  George owned and trained horses and was a member of the U.S. Trotting Association.  He was a member of the Star in the West Masonic Lodge No. 85 AF & AM in Unity.  He enjoyed hunting, fishing and playing cards.  He is survived by his loving wife of more than 28 years; one son, Dwayne Goodblood; two daughters, Kathie Goodblood and Diane Chabot; three grandchildren, Mathew, Ashley and Ryan; four brothers, Ruel, Roy, Percy and Bobby Goodblood; four sisters, Harriet Scott, Phobe Hughs, Frances Hamilton and Helen Kelley; several nieces, nephews, cousins, friends with whom he played cards regularly.  He was predeceased by two brothers, Clair, who died in the Korean War and Elmer; three sisters, Caroline Woodbury, and two who were deceased at birth.  A Memorial service will be held 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 13, 2000, at the Trotting Park in Dexter.  In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Maine Standardbred and Breeder Owners Association, Equine and Equine Study, care of Alberta Emerson, 519 Boom Rd., Saco, Maine 04072.  Arrangements entrusted to the care of Pine State Cremation Service, 1-800-769-6371.

Logan Utah Herald-Journal, 28 Nov 2002; Marilyn Wiser Talbot Poole, Our beloved wife, mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend returned to her Heavenly Father on the morning of Nov. 25, 2002, following a brief illness. Marilyn was born April 28, 1931, in Lewiston, to Wayne (Samuel Frost, John McCormick, Samuel Wiser, Benjamin Wiser) and Eva Wiser.  She attended schools in Lewiston and graduated from North Cache High School.  She married her high school sweetheart, Layle O. Talbot, in the Logan Temple on Aug. 2, 1949.  She was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many ward and stake callings.  Following the passing of Layle in Oct. of 1971, she married Wesley H. Poole on June 22, 1974, with whom she shared 28 wonderful and happy years.  Together they served an LDS mission in Hilton Head, SC, and worked in the Boise, Idaho Temple.  She was an accomplished pianist and loved beautiful music.  She enjoyed scrapbooking, crocheting, sewing, and crafts.  Her apple dumplings and cinnamon rolls were a triumph!  She liked "Snowbirding" in South California and spending time with her family.  She had a quick wit and great sense of humor.  She is survived by her husband, Wesley; daughter, Debbie (Roger) Pool, Murray; son, Mike Talbot, Sandy; stepsons, Brad (Christine) Poole and Mitch (Evaly) Poole, all of Boise, Idaho; brother, Dahl (Karen) Wiser, Seattle, Wash.; sisters, Barbara Plowman, Logan, Janet (Milton) Petersen of Bountiful; 9 grandchildren; and 3 (triplet) great-grandchildren.  She is preceded in death by both parents; husband, Layle; son, Craig L. Talbot; and sister, Gayle W. Leavitt.   Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, Nov. 29, 2002, at the Goddard Road LDS Chapel, 8620 Goddard Road, Boise, Idaho.  Bishop Larry Hunter of the Boise 20th Ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will officiate.  Friends may call to visit with the family on Friday, Nov. 29, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. at the church prior to the services.  Interment will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30, at the Lewiston City Cemetery, Lewiston, Utah.  Arrangements are under the direction of the Relyea Funeral Chapel.

POSTSCRIPT

As we complete our seventh year of publication, thanks again for a wonderful year. I always appreciate any suggestions in regards to our family newsletter.  You may contact me at or at 6 Baton Rouge, Roswell, NM  88201, or at (505) 623-2534.