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Weekly News July 9, 2012Description
The Rectors and Hazzards of Kennett Township: “Ol’ man Rector” served in one of the black regiments of the Grand Army of the Republic during our Civil War. He lived in Kennett Township all his life, passing away in the early 1930s when he was in his 90s. In those days when someone became too old to work, he had to depend on relatives or friends to keep him going, and Rector, like others, was a friendly “tramp.” He walked the roads and stopped in at many homes where he knew the lady of the house would give him something to eat. In succession, both my grandmother Lizzie and my mother Esther were two of these ladies. I barely remember him, but he would be invited to sit down at the kitchen table, where he was given a sandwich and a cup of coffee and possibly a piece of cake or pie. He thanked them politely and was on his way. Probably they would see him again within a month.
Rector had at least three sons known to me. “Johnny” Rector was a local preacher who had a church in the small black section of Kennett Square on East Linden Street. A brother whose name escapes me married a woman named Ella, and they lived in a stone house close to Route 82 at Marshall’s Bridge. One of their children, Bertha, married Lawrence Lincoln Hazzard. After Ella Rector’s husband died, she married Beaton S. “Bait” Dennis, an oysterman from St. Michaels, Maryland, (see the “News” of 12/26/05) who moved into the stone house and who worked for Marshall Brothers Paper Company and later for my parents. As a four-year-old, I rode with Bait and Ella in my father’s Model T Ford through Meetinghouse Road from Marshall’s Bridge toward Hockessin before that road was closed about 1930.
A brother of Johnny and Ella’s first husband was Addison “Bell” Rector. Bell was a good-looking man who had worked around the mills, but he was unemployed in the early years of the Depression. The National Bank & Trust Company of Kennett Square was looking for a janitor, and my father recommended Bell Rector. He was hired and became a fixture, handsome in his uniform near the bank’s front door, where he exchanged greetings with the customers. He was there as long as he was able to work, but the bank personnel couldn’t get used to “Bell,” so they called him Addison.
Bertha and “Linc” Hazzard also lived in the stone house at Marshall’s Bridge and raised three children: Lawrence Jr., Luella, and Stanley. Luella was my age, and when Bertha would come to do day work in the house for my mother, she brought Luella with her, and we played together. “Linc” was the head of Roy Benge’s “gang of four” who did the heavy lifting and other back-breaking work around the paper mill. Lawrence Jr. got a job at the mill and worked there for the rest of his life while living in Kennett Square. When I came home from the service in August 1946 and rode the Short Line Bus from Wilmington to Yorklyn, I sat next to Lawrence, and we talked “old times.” Luella married Leon Spencer, and they had two children, Leon Jr. and Sandy and all still lived in the stone house at Marshall’s Bridge. When Bertha Hazzard died, Luella kept house for not only her family but for her father “Linc,” and her brother Stanley, who was mentally deficient. Sandy became a preacher of sorts, and Leon Jr., after attending Muskingum College in Ohio (John Glenn’s alma mater), eventually became mayor of Kennett Square.
Work Report: The emphasis this week was cleaning up after the July 1 Steamin’ Sunday, preparing for the July 4 parade, and getting two cars ready for the Steam Car Tour in Vermont next week. In addition, a lot of progress was made on the Model 607: the hood has been striped, and the windshield is back with its glass installed. A new steam pipe was made for the Model 87, and the car was tested Thursday night and approved for the Vermont tour. Kelly Williams gave Rob Young and Paul Kratunis a lesson with the Model 725 on Thursday. Six cars went to the July 4th parade in Hockessin: John and Robert Hopkins carried State Rep. Deborah Hudson in the 725; Mark Russell and Emil Christofano successfully operated the Rauch & Lang electric; Dan and Heather Citron took the Model 735; Richard Bernard, Art Wallace, Dave Leon and Tim Nolan were in the Model 740; Steve and Ann Bryce and Anne and Ryan Cleary were in the Model 76; and Chuck Erikson and Bob and Linda McGovern accompanied Ruth and Tom Marshall in the Mountain Wagon. Most went to Woodside Farm for ice cream following the parade.
On Tuesday, the following 13 members were on hand: Jerry Lucas (in charge), Richard Bernard, Jay Williams, Art Wallace, Bob Jordan, Ted Kamen, Jerry Novak, Steve Bryce, Robert Hopkins, Mark Russell, Emil Christofano, Anne Cleary, and Tom Marshall. On Thursday, 15 answered the call, viz: Dave Leon (in charge), Butch Cannard, Tim Nolan, Art Wallace, Steve Bryce, Lou Mandich, Kelly Williams, Paul Kratunis, Rob Young, Robert Hopkins, Brent McDougall, Ted Kamen, Bob Jordan, Jerry Novak, and Tom Marshall.
Auburn Heights Invitational Historic Auto Display, Sept. 29, 12:30 to 4:30
Mark your calendar for the Auburn Heights Invitational and the chance to see this extraordinary automobile. We will have some magnificent historic vehicles, an exceptional setting, festive food and entertainment, and must-see programs. Plus the opening of the Smithsonian exhibition The Way We Worked, which will debut in Delaware at the Marshall Steam Museum (made possible by the Smithsonian's Museums on Main Street program and thanks to Delaware Humanities Forum).
RAFFLE: Steam Car Outing to Granogue: Enter the inaugural Steam Team Raffle to win a personal outing for 4 in one of the Marshall Collection steam cars to Granogue, a renowned du Pont family estate. A lucky foursome will be chauffeured in an antique auto from the Marshall Steam Museum through the beautiful Brandywine countryside to this extraordinary private residence. The outing will take place on Saturday, Sept. 22 (rain date Sunday, Sept. 23). There, all passengers will enjoy a delicious catered picnic provided by Back Burner to Go, followed by a personal tour of the estate, including the magnificent Aeolian organ and original Maxfield Parrish mural, both of which adorn the estate's incredible music room.
Tickets are $5 ea. or 5 for $20 and may be purchased by contacting the FAHP office at 302-239-2385. All proceeds benefit the Marshall Steam Museum and Friends of Auburn Heights Preserve. The raffle drawing will take place at the Hagley Car Show, Sept. 16, 2:30 pm, but participants need not be present to win. Important note: To comply with Delaware Child Safety Seat and Seat Belt Laws, passengers must be 16 or older to ride in a Stanley to Granogue.
