By Gabe Ross, Farm Manager
This month, instead of writing a blog I thought you might enjoy a Christmas diary entry from 1938 written by my great grandmother Edith Ross. My great grandparents, Edith And Afton Ross, lived in Lewis Center in 1938 (a much different place than today) and moved to a small 26-acre farm in White Sulphur a few years later. There they raised Corriedale sheep and a large garden that stocked the cellar, Edith was an excellent cook. She taught school and Grandpa Afton worked in Delaware at the Sohio Station. They had three children Max, Sheldon, and Joyce. These Diary entries are from Christmas Eve and Christmas day 1938. Max was 8, Sheldon was 5 and Joyce was almost 1. Helen mentioned in the entry was my grandmother’s sister.
December 24th 1938
“Max has flu – Sheldon and I went to Sunday school and church, Rev. Borror, a retired minister preached. In the evening we went up to church program, Joyce saw Santa. After program we went over to Helen’s to stay all night. Children hung up stockings. Afton coon hunting, returned 5 am.
December 25th 1938
One grand Christmas –
Cold, sunny day, kids got up about six and got their presents, had baked apples and nuts, waffles with bacon for breakfast, had dinner about 4 – roast duck, dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy, fruit salad, cottage cheese, celery, olives, pickles, grape jam, hot rolls, ice cream and cake. Francis and Bud came up in evening- came home about 9.
Note about pictures
Ross Family Farm circa 1965, If you look closely at the corner of the front porch you can see Grandma Edith in a yellow dress.
Edith and Afton on their wedding day in 1929.
Gallant Farm will be closed on Christmas day, but you can visit us and walk the grounds after the holiday. We are open Thursday – Sunday, 12pm – 5pm. Happy Holidays from everyone here at Gallant Farm and Preservation Parks!
