Maynard and Robinson Reunion 1947

Family Reunion 1947

Maynard and Robinson Reunion

Appears to be a well attended year, with 47 attending the 22nd annual reunion held Saturday, August 2, 1947 at Eldridge Park. As I continue my quest recognize names and recall bits and pieces of information, a few. As the attendee list increased, I find some interesting passages that lead me on investigative avenues.

Like my sister, I wonder who will take on this task. Personally, I am entertained by the challenge and gratified by each conquest, each success, each new data point.

Research is the search for data/information and is not to be judgmental. Rather, a collection of Primary and Secondary Source materials while avoiding feelings, “I think” statements. The systematic investigation into and study of materials and sources in order to establish facts and reach new conclusions. Supportable conclusions that could change with additional documentation.

This year we see the birth of a Patricia Low Maynard on February 29, 1948. After an hour of searching, all I could locate followings:

Hospital Note (Star-Gazette Monday April 14, 1952)

Patricia Maynard, 4, of Gillett RD 2, Pa., cut tongue in a fall.

That’s all.

Historical Note

Deaths Melvin Maynard

Couple Say Nuptial Vows At Campbell

Miss Nancy Tedford and Melvin G. Maynard were united in marriage at 2 p.m., Saturday April 22, 1961, at the First Methodist Church, Campbell…

…The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Donald Vetter of Campbell. Mrs. Hazel Maynard of Campbell is the mother of the groom.

…Miss Linda Tedford was maid of honor for her sister. Bridesmaids were Miss Carol Louise Reed of Thurston and Miss Eleanor Maynard, sister of the groom.

…Dawn Vetter was a flower girl for her sister and Keith Maynard, the groom’s nephew, was ring bearer.

…Mr. Maynard graduated from the same high school and is serving with the U.S. Army at Ft. Dix.

Historical Note (Star-Gazette Saturday Nov 14, 1942)

Miss Babcock Becomes Bride

Miss Lillian Mae Babcock, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Earl C. Babcock of Big Flats, became the bride of Melvin C. Maynard, son of Mr. and Mrs. Cola N. Maynard of Gillett, Wednesday, Nov. 11, 1942.

The Rev. C. Wellington Hardy performed the service at the Southside Baptist Church. Mr. and Mrs. Rexford L. Maynard of Troy, Pa., and brother- and sister-in-law of the bridegroom, attended the couple.

The bride is a graduate of Corning High School and is an employed by the Consolidated Brick Co., here, expects to leave Monday for U.S. Army service.

Historical Note

Pfc. Maynard Dead In Germany

Pfc. Melvin Maynard of Gillett died in Germany Oct. 16, his wife Mrs. Lillian Maynard, has been informed by the War Department.

Pfc. Maynard was a member of the Quartermatsre Truck Corps. He entered service in November, 1942, and trained at Ft. Monmouth, N. J., and Drew Field, Fla. Overseas two years, he served in England and France before going to Germany. He was awarded the European Theater of Operations ribbon with two battle stars and the Good Conduct Medal.

Besides his wife, he is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Cole Maynard; brothers, Lester and Rexford, all of Gillett; a sister, Mrs. Pauline Woods of Ovid and a brother, Pfc. Lynn Maynard with the Army in Italy.

Historical Notes (Maynard and Robinson Reunion Materials)

The fifteenth annual reunion August 5, 1939 (Primary Source)

…Melvin Maynard Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. Melvin Maynard, was born May 9, 1940

The 1943 reunion

…Vice President Melvin Maynard

…Melvin Maynard died Oct. 16, 1945 (in Germany)

Maynard and Robinson Reunion August 1951

…Hazel Maynard R. D. 2 Campbell, N. Y.

……Elnora Maynard

……Melvin Maynard [Melvin G. Maynard]

……Marion Maynard

……Eleanor Maynard

……Sylvia Austin

……Cheryle Austin

……Charles Austin

……Ruth Maynard

…Cola Maynard

……Pauline May Maynard

……Melvin Charles Maynard [Melvin C. Maynard]

……Rexford Layton Maynard

……Lynn Dewey Maynard

……Lester Cola Maynard

Really, what do we know?

We have:

Melvin C. Maynard

Melvin G. Maynard

Melvin Maynard Jr.

Melvin Maynard [Sr.]

Melvin Maynard

And a Keith Maynard, who was a ring bearer. So they say. Could there be another me?

Plus a Melvin [C.] Maynard married to Lillian Mae Babcock on Nov. 11, 1942, died in Germany October 16, 1945, serving overseas for two years. He was married on Wednesday then reported for duty in the U.S. Army on Monday. It would be amazing if someone kept assuming they existed, their correspondence! The love story of the century. Somewhere in the proverbial “Cigar Box” these letters rest waiting to be found.

Melvin C. Maynard

Parents: Cola N. Maynard and Mae E Wright

Grandparents: Layton M. Maynard and Ella Scott

Great Grandparents: Orville A. Maynard and Emily A. Gardner

Nephew: Richard E. Maynard [my great-grand father] and Kenneth N. Maynard

Winfield Scott Maynard [my grandfather]

Richard E. Maynard [my father]

Keith E. Maynard [me]

Perhaps some future generational relative will update and or correct, good luck.

Now for a new thread…

On the last page we find my dad,

“Richard Edward Maynard Wellsburg” having brought a… visitor. Betty Jane Eddy. Let’s rewind.

Richard b. March 9, 1926

…Enlisted January 22, 1946

…Discharged May 18, 1946

…Reunion August 2, 1947 (visitor Betty Jane Eddy)

…Blind date with Marilyn A. Thomas

…Engaged December 20, 1948

…Married April 2, 1949

…Died March 28, 1998

Betty Jane Eddy b. 1928

…Attending Byram School 3A February 10, 1937

…Treated St. Joseph for dog bite August 25, 1941 (age 11)

…Graduated Greenwich High School June 18, 1946

…Reunion August 2, 1947 (guest of Richard Edward Maynard)

…Died May 18, 1990 (age 64)

The school she was attending was thirty miles from the Brooklyn Naval Yard. A short drive from where dad was stationed. The fact he invited her to the family reunion identifies her as an acquittance or friend.

Betty Jane Eddy, nursing school grad

Chenago Forks, New York - Betty Jane (Stanton) Eddy, 64, of Route 79, Chenago Forks, died Friday, May 18, 1990.

Mrs. Eddy was a graduate of Baptist Bible Seminary and the Arnot-Ogden School of Nursing, Elmira. She was a member of the Whitney Point First Baptist Church.

Nichols Funeral Home, Whitney Point, is handling the arrangements. (Star-Gazette Sun. May 20, 1990 Newspapers.com 20202)

Among dad’s photos are several friends, on one found written the name Betty. Funny, it is just a name and a few details, yet I now feel a connection and want to know more. Odd.