Winters Past

When the cold temps get you down, remember that it can be and has been worse! I found a weather report from January 23, 1857 in Bethel, Maine on the web site Genealogy Bank. It said the temperature 26 below at sunrise and still 15 below at 9 am. The wind was blowing and going outside was dangerous because of frost bite. So if it's cold, windy, snowy where you are, light a fire in the woodstove or fireplace, pile on the quilts, and if you must go out, remember to bundle up!

Try to remember to get out an enjoy the winter when you can! And remember that we live in a time when it's never been easier to move to some place warmer if you truly hate the winter and the snow. 

Happy 86th Birthday!

Mary Jane (Abbott) Capen was my 2X great-grandmother. Her daughter with whom she lived, Fannie Carter, was my great-grandmother and my grandfather, Richard Carter was one of her seven grandchildren (brother to Rebecca mentioned in the article). Fannie's husband was killed when he was struck by a car in 1923 and raised her 5 children, E. Augustus, Rebecca, Richard, Stanley, and Paul on the Carter family farm in Middle Intervale, Bethel. This newspaper article describing Mary Jane's birthday celebration is full of genealogy information as it lists the names of her parents, her children who lived to adulthood along with some important dates in the family timeline.
Lewiston Evening Journal - Jan 10, 1933

86 YEAR OLD E. BETHEL WOMAN ACTIVE IN THE HOME

EAST BETHEL, Jan 10 - At the age of 86, Mrs. Mary Jane Capen is in very good health and is able to do considerable work in the home. She quietly observed her 86th birthday Friday, at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Fannie Carter at Middle Intervale, with whom she now lives. She received gifts from her seven children and cards from her many friends. 

Mrs. Capen was born in Bethel, the daughter of John and Sarah Akley Abbott. Seventy years ago, she was married to Edward Capen, who died in 1912. To this couple were born seven children, two sons who died when young; a son, Charles, who died in 1930, and four daughters, Mrs. Laura Roberts of China, Miss Minnie Capen, Miss Alice Capen of Bethel, and Mrs. Fannie Carter. 

Mrs. Capen has seven grandchildren, one of whom is Rebecca Carter, a student at Bates College. She also has two great-grandchildren. Mrs. Capen attends the Methodist church at Bethel.