Helen Pettengill
UPDATE - This photograph of Helen Pettengill has been claimed by a granddaughter of Helen's brother George, and has been sent home!
Identification on photo: Helen Pettengill
Photo taken: P.W. Taft & Son Studio, Saxtons River VT,circa 1904-1906
Purchased: Aug 2018 Madison-Bouckville NY Antiques Week
 |
| (Click for larger image) |
The photographic studio which took this image was known as P.W. Taft & Son. It is named for the photographer Preston William Taft (1826-1901). All three of his sons became photographers. The studio was still doing business under the name "P.W. Taft & Son" as late as 1906, according to the book "History of the Town of Rockingham Vermont: Including the Villages of Bellows Falls, Saxtons River, Rockingham, Cambridgeport and Bartonsville, 1753-1907", published in 1907 by Lymon Simpson Hayes.
The genealogy on the Pettengill Family, at left, is taken from the same book.
The genealogy on the Pettengill Family, at left, is taken from the same book.
This is Helen Barrett Pettengill (born 4 Aug 1878, died 22 Apr 1945) whose parents were Dr. Edward H. Pettengill (1837-1900, son of Jonathan S. Pettengill and Sally Barrett) who served the Saxtons River community for over 30 years, and Rhonda Jane Wilder (1831-1908, daughter of Abijah Wilder and Rhonda Sanger).
In 1900 her father Edward Pettengill died. The local papers all ran a story on his passing. (Click the image for a larger version.)
She attended Mount Holyoke College in Massachusetts.
In 1922, her brother George Thomas Pettengill died, leaving a wife and two boys.
In the 1944 City Directory for Springfield, Mass., Helen is listed as a teacher at 340 Sumner Ave. (Forest Park School, pictured at right) and resides at 545 State Street, which is also the address of Fanny M. Pettengill in the same directory.
SIBLINGS:
George Thomas Pettengill (1869-1922) m. Louise Bunnell (b.1873)
-- John Edward Pettengill (17 Sep 1902-1918)
-- Robert Bunnell Pettengill (6 Mar 1904-1997) father of John S, David, Richard and Gail.
Fanny Mabel Pettengill (22 Sep 1870-1958) died unmarried, age 88.
Florence Wilder Pettengill (23 July 1872 - 8 Jun 1941) died in Manhattan, unmarried, age 68.
Edward Barrett Sanger Pettengill (19 Nov 1874 - 19 Jan 1917) 1902 clerk in S.R, 1904 Calif voter rolls, 1916 Alameda county voter rolls.
January 22, 1917, Oakland Tribune, Oakland Calif. carried this insert on the death of Edward B S Pettengill. No mention of family other than siblings.
Thank you for reaching out to me, Gail Pettengill French. Helen was my great aunt and I have never seen a photo of her before. She is currently buried in the Saxon River Cemetery in the Pettengill family plot along with her siblings and her Uncle who also served in the Civil War. Also interned there are my father, Robert Pettengill, son of George, my stepmother Janet Pettengill, and my brother Richard Pettengill.
ReplyDeletethank you so much for helping me learn a little more about Helen. Gail Pettengill French
Thank you for letting me know the burial location of Helen. I could find no mention of it in newspapers. The photo will be sent to you shortly.
ReplyDeleteSo cool when that happens! I have goose pumps all over!
ReplyDeleteDid you know there are 2 books written about dr pettengill and his brother Samuel
ReplyDeleteThe 2 books are written about their adventures in the civil war
ReplyDeleteBoth are recently published and being published by the Grafton Historical Society in Grafton Vermont
The one entitled Grafton Cavaliers which is about Samuel you can purchase it there
thank you, I will look for it. Gail Pettengill French
DeleteThe one about Edward is in the works to be published this winter
ReplyDeleteGrafton’s medical men
Tom, my goal was only to return the photograph to the family it belongs to. But I will be happy to relay your comments to the woman who received the photo. Thank you for bringing this to my attention.
DeleteGail
ReplyDeleteI found a picture of Helen's sister Fanny..