Right to Vote - Check, Run for Office - Check

In my last post, I wrote about my nana and her mother gaining the right to vote. Since then, I have been introduced to a new ancestor on my dad’s side who went beyond casting a vote. Eusebia Krise born 1884 in Altoona, lived most of her life in the New York City area. Eusebia was 35 years old, single, working as a clerk for a furniture store in New York City when she gained the right to vote in 1920.

Eusebia's Candidate Photo

Two years later, living in the Junior League Hotel for Women at 78th Street and East River, New York City she decided to run for the 16th District New York State Senate seat as a Prohibition Party candidate. The Prohibition Party founded in 1869 is the nation’s third-oldest operating political party. Since 1872, the party has fielded presidential and vice presidential candidates every four years. The Prohibition Party was formed by a group of disillusioned Republicans defecting from the GOP, believing that big business had claimed their party. They decided to focus their new party on the continuing problems caused by alcohol. The new forward-thinking party also sought suffrage for women and was the first to grant women equal status as convention delegates. As a modern single working woman it is understandable why Eusebia would have been drawn to the party's women's plank. While we have not found any concrete information that Eusebia actively participated in the suffrage or prohibition movements, it seems logical she must have been involved in one if not both the movements, given her run for office on the Prohibition ticket. As the only woman running for the office she came in 4th in the field of five. Clearly this was a lady ahead of her time, and I am proud to call her cousin.

For my Armstrong cousins this diagram shows how Eusebia Krise fits into our family tree.  After a DNA match led me to Lewis Krise I have had contact with one of his great granddaughters who is a wealth of information on this branch of our family including providing pictures of Eusebia. There is a question as to whether Lewis Krise was Eusebia’s biological father. However, Lewis treated her like a daughter, and she carried the Krise name so she’s family.

#familyhistory #womensvote100 

Review: Hardcore Twenty-Four

Hardcore Twenty-Four by Janet Evanovich
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I think this may be the Plum saga's jumping the shark book. I'm not sure which irritates me more, Stephanie pumping her own gas or the lack of character in this book. Ms Evanovich has lived in New Hampshire too long, she has forgotten Jersey Girls NEVER pump gas. This in NJ where it is blessedly illegal to pump gas. [Seriously, it is 7 degrees out, why in Gods name would anyone want to get out of their car to fill up?]

Years ago when the first three books were out, my friend's teenager and her girlfriends wanted to read the series. Their parents wanted to know if the series were appropriate for the girls, I said yes. The books were light and laugh out loud funny. Stephanie was working in a new field, taking the advice from a great mentor who was super sexy. She had an on again/off again relationship with a high school flame who had a good job and was super sexy. Unfortunately in the 20 books since Stephanie, Ranger and Morelli have had little character growth. Meanwhile that teenager has become a lovely woman, married and about to have her 1st baby. Where I used to purchase the book and read the Plum books the day they came out, I have lately been borrowing them from the library. Now I'm at the point, I'll read the reviews, if it looks like the characters have finally grown [adding Diesel doesn't count, he should go back to his own series] I'll consider reading Plum again.

View all my reviews

Be Wise, Focus on the Future with Education

The Ferro-Monte Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, will welcome New Jersey Daughters of the American Revolution State Regent Cornelia B. Olde to their November meeting. The meeting will highlight the Daughters of the American Revolution commitment to education and the DAR Schools at Roxbury Township Free Public Library 103 Main St, Succasunna, NJ on November 14 at 10:15am. 

Ferro-Monte Chapter meetings are held on the 2nd Saturday of the month from October - May. Prospective members are always welcome. If you have an interest in learning about your family tree, we can help you; maybe we can even find a Patriot among your leaves. For information the Ferro Monte Chapter: like us at Facebook.com/FerroMonteChapterNSDAR, visit our website FerroMonteDAR.org or email NJDARFerroMonte@aol.com.

The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution was founded in 1890 to promote patriotism, preserve American history, and support better education for our nation's children. Its members are descended from the patriots who won American independence during the Revolutionary War. With more than 165,000 members in approximately 3,000 chapters worldwide, DAR is one of the world's largest and most active service organizations. To learn more about the work of today's DAR, visit DAR.org

Your Family Came From Where?

Wednesday, June 10 the Morristown Festival of Books’ One Community, One Book initiative is hosting “Your Family Came From Where?” that will be held at the Madison Public Library beginning at 7 PM.

The program based on the family heritage theme from this year’s One Book selection The Lost Ravioli Recipes of Hoboken by Laura Schenone.  We are partnering with the Morristown Library's genealogical department to showcase the information available in Morris County. Cher Turkington from the Morristown & Morris Twp Library will be our speaker on how early immigrants transformed the Morristown community. Philip Hussa from the Family History Center in Flanders will be presenting information on the area Family History Centers collections and of course familysearch.org. Both of these organizations will have materials on hand for attendees to learn more about the breadth of genealogical services here in the Morris County area.

The book that the OCOB committee selected to be this year’s featured selection that we hope you will enjoy is The Lost Ravioli Recipes of Hoboken written by Laura Schenone of Montclair.  By offering this and other programs leading up to the Festival which will take place on October 2 and 3, to generate enthusiasm for the book as well as the Festival. To find out more about One Community, One Book and the Morristown Festival of Books visit the website www.morristownfestivalofbooks.org and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

Roxbury Joining Wreaths Across America

Roxbury is joining the Wreaths Across America family in honoring veterans by laying wreaths on the graves of the departed servicemen and women. We hope that you will be able to take part in this moving event.

It is our mission to place a wreath in conjunction with Wreaths Across America on all Gravestones in the combined Cemeteries of the First Presbyterian Church and the United Methodist Church to Remember, Honor our Roxbury's veterans and to Teach our future veterans that we are and will be thankful for their service and show them “We Do Not Forget, We Will Never Forget”.

Our service men and women sacrifice their time and safety every single day of the year, to preserve our freedoms. At many homes, there is an empty seat for one who is serving, or one who made the ultimate sacrifice for our Country. We honor our veterans every day. And we think there is no better time to express our appreciation, than during the hustle and bustle of the holiday season.

In order to meet our mission we rely on the generosity of individuals and businesses for support. Without the assistance of community-minded individuals just like you, we will not be able to meet our goal of laying wreaths on the 560 veterans’ graves in the combined cemeteries.

We ask that you make a commitment to honor our veterans by sponsoring a wreath and participating on December 13 by laying a wreath or attending the memorial ceremony.

Wreath Laying will begin at 11am in the combined cemeteries. The Memorial Ceremony is not just a Roxbury ceremony, this ceremony will be synchronized across the country. Our ceremony will be held at 12:00pm EST, December 13th at First Presbyterian Church. Refreshments will be served in Fellowship Hall during the wreath laying and after the memorial ceremony.

Thank you in advance for your support. To make a tax deductible donation go to www.RoxburyWAA.org For more information contact:  NJDARFerroMonte@aol.com

John Honeyman Washington's Spy

As publicity chair for my Daughters of the American Revolution chapter, I thought it would be nice to post tidbits on our chapter's Patriots on our Facebook page. In the case of John Honeyman, I found intrigue and controversy.

Born in Ireland of Scottish descent,  he came to the colonies as a British soldier to fight in the French and Indian War.  After the war ended, John settled in Philadelphia, married and engaged in trade as a butcher and weaver. It was during his time in Philadelphia that John began his assoication with George Washington.  They met whilst Washington attended meetings at the Continental Congress in 1774; where the General accepted the services of the former soldier. John Honeyman became one of General Washington's spies.  At a subsequent meeting in November 1776 in Fort Lee, General Washington asked Honeyman to pose as a Tory sympathizer and to spy on the British. In particular to establish relationships with the British military in Trenton. To that end, General Washington neatly arranged for Honeyman to be outted as a Tory sympathizer at the family's home in Griggstown.  

Forced to flee to the “safety” of British controlled Trenton, John made connections with the British military as a trader, peddling his meats and textiles. Such trading with the officer core made it possible for John to gather the requested intelligence. Prior to Christmas 1776, Honeyman was “captured” by the Continental Army and brought before General Washington.  Honeyman was able to provide his commander detailed information on the Hessian troops, their commanding officer, and maps of enemy locations. After the debrief, Honeyman was put into jail where he “escaped” and made his way back across the Delaware.

Washington Crossing the Delaware

Upon his return to Trenton, Honeyman told the Hessian commander of his capture and the disarray of the Continental troops, dis-information Washington hoped would lull the enemy into relaxing their defenses for the holiday. The ploy worked; Washington crossed the Delaware on Christmas night and the British handed defeat at the Battleof Trenton.

There are books, videos and even a play chronicling John Honeyman’s contribution to the Patriots victory. Even so, in today’s revisionist history, his accomplishments have come under attack. I found a wonderful piece on the CIA website in defense of John Honeyman and George Washington. Next time I’m in the Princeton area, I’ll have to pass by the Honeyman house to pay my respects. And that play looks like an interesting program for a chapter event… 

Mother Nature, Your Boys are Misbehaving Again!

Last week New Jersey was in the grip of the polar vortex. Yesterday the temperature spiked to 50 for the Superbowl. Today we're back under freezing and the snow is steadily coming down. Clearly Misters Heat Miser & Cold Miser are at it again. Mrs Claus, can you get on the horn to Mother Nature and help us out?

Fág an Bealach! Morris County Resident to Discuss the Irish Brigade

Clear the way! Mine Hill resident Andrew Bermingham fought at the Battle of Antietam as a part of the Irish Brigade. Hear Civil War chronicler Steve O’Neill recount the story at the Ferro-Monte Chapter, NSDAR on Saturday February 8th at 10am.  

Ferro-Monte Chapter meetings are held at Roxbury Township Free Public Library 103 Main St, Succasunna, NJ at 10am the 2^nd Saturday of the month from October - April. Prospective members are always welcome. If you have an interest in learning about your family tree, we can help you; maybe we can even find a Patriot among your leaves. For information, email: NJDARFerroMonte@aol.com.

The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution was founded in 1890 to promote patriotism, preserve American history, and support better education for our nation's children. Its members are descended from the patriots who won American independence during the Revolutionary War. With more than 165,000 members in approximately 3,000 chapters worldwide, DAR is one of the world's largest and most active service organizations. To learn more about the work of today's DAR, visit www.DAR.org.

3rd Grader writes to her inspiration Derrick Coleman

Riley's letter to Derrick Coleman went viral, then mainstream. Riley along with her twin sister Erin and dad Jake appeared on Good Morning America this morning. Unfortunately for those of us in New Jersey, GMA was preempted due to the snowstorm. Happily the segment has now been posted online. 

Derrick Coleman Duracell Ad: Deaf NFL Player Inspires Hearing Impaired Twins Riley and Erin Kovalcik to Write Letter | Video - ABC News

Ferro-Monte Chapter NSDAR celebrates Lenape Culture

The Ferro-Monte Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, hosts a NJ Council on the Humanities program by Beverly A Friend titled “Lenape Culture: An Introduction to American Indian Life in New Jersey”, on Saturday November 9^th.  The Lenape Indians occupied New Jersey at the time of European exploration and colonization. Ms. Friend will present a variety of authentic artifacts, crafts and clothing used in Lenape daily life, beliefs, history and creative expression.

Illustration courtesy of
Herbert C. and John T. Kraft

Ferro-Monte Chapter meetings are held at Roxbury Township Free Public Library 103 Main St, Succasunna, NJ at 10am the 2^nd Saturday of the month from October - April. Prospective members are always welcome. If you have an interest in learning about your family tree, we can help you; maybe we can even find a Patriot among your leaves. For information, email: NJDARFerroMonte@aol.com.

The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution was founded in 1890 to promote patriotism, preserve American history, and support better education for our nation's children. Its members are descended from the patriots who won American independence during the Revolutionary War. With more than 165,000 members in approximately 3,000 chapters worldwide, DAR is one of the world's largest and most active service organizations. To learn more about the work of today's DAR, visit www.DAR.org.

Roxbury Library Desperately Needs Help

Our Roxbury Twp Free Public Library plays a vital role in the community. It is the center where people can gather, where they can use a computer or where they can borrow a book or DVD to learn new skills and be entertained.  Sandy and its aftermath made this very clear when over 18,000 residents came to the Library to access the internet, re-charge their batteries and pass the time until power was restored to the town.

Computer Center during Sandy

Sandy has past and most of us in Roxbury have gotten back to our daily lives. The Library however is experiencing a storm of its own. The state mandated MINIMUM portion of the Library’s budget has been released with a $68,000 reduction from 2012 numbers.  Most people know that the vast majority of library funding is raised through local taxes, but you may not know that the State mandated annual minimum appropriation for the operation of our Free Public Library is equal to 1/3 of a mill on every dollar of assessable property within the municipality.  Due to the downturn in the economy, the mandated funding that the Trustees rely on for daily operation of the library has been decreasing each year for the past several years.  The minimum funding for 2013 is $1,096,213. In total, the 2013 proposed funding is $241,000 less than it was in 2008. The dramatic decreases in funding have necessitated difficult budget cuts; reducing hours, limiting book purchases and forcing technology to surpass its “End of Life” usefulness. Many needed projects and improvements have been set aside or scrapped altogether.  

The time has come for the residents to ask the Town Council to once again step up and support the Library beyond the state minimum. In years past the Council routinely added to the Library budget to create a Library that was looked up to in the county.  The past few years the Council has chosen not to continue that assistance. The result of the decreased funding; reduced hours, staff reduced by 1/3, program funding eliminated, and materials purchase (books, CDs and e-books) at a paltry 3% of the budget. We will need additional municipal funding to begin to restore our Library to the premier facility it once was. Please help the library by contacting your councilman and ask him or her to consider adding to the 1/3 mill for the library. Contact info for the council can be found at http://roxburynj.us/index.aspx?nid=3 .

Friends of the Roxbury Twp Public Library

The Friends are dedicated to preserving the library and its programs, an effort that has become increasingly important with the continued budget cuts to library funding. For more information on the Friends of Roxbury Twp Public Library visit http://www.roxburylibrary.org/friends/membership.html.

NJ Libraries Vying for Pepsi Refresh Grant

NJ Libraries are trying to win a $250k grant from Pepsi Refresh to create Technology Catch-up Centers at libraries throughout the state. Pepsi accepts 1000 proposals every month from groups that have ideas that can create a positive impact on their society. The public then votes and the top 2 vote getting ideas will receive $250k grants.

The New Jersey Library Association (NJLA) and the NJ State Library have joined together in this proposal to bring the latest technologies to New Jersey Libraries. The “catch-up” centers will contain e-readers and a flip-camcorder which will allow patrons access new technologies. These centers will help parents “catch-up” with their digital native children. They will help the unemployed or under-employed to “catch-up” with their full-time employed counterparts.

The grant provides money for not only the hardware, but training, and downloadable books. Each center’s kit will contain an Ipad, nook, kindle, and flip ultra camcorder. The centers will open up a world of possibilities for all patrons and further NJLA’s goal of libraries being community centers where library patrons become lifelong learners.

I would love to use a Technology Catch-up Center in my library. Please vote EVERY day from now through January 31, 2011.

Obits aren’t Free Anymore

One of the bizarre, but interesting and useful bits of information I picked up during the process of my mother’s passing is regarding obituaries. While once considered news, in the tightening financial crunch newspapers have been facing for many years, obituaries are now considered classified ads. As such, the length of the record of your loved ones passing is counted by word and charged accordingly. Since it is now considered an ad, the rates fluctuate wildly region to region as well as the size and scope of the publication. 


We live in suburbia, our town’s weekly paper charges a couple hundred while the local daily rates are just under $400. The wider the reaching papers such as our state wide paper not only charges for the print ad, but an additional fee to publish it online as well. One story I recently heard was that the obituary in the New York Times for a stockbroker cost $12,000. That was more than the cost of his cremation and memorial combined. Obviously, obituary costs are now something you seriously need to consider when planning your loved ones final arrangements.

I want to thank my BFF Cathy McGuckin for helping our family write mom’s obit. For the record (and one that is still free), this is my mom’s obituary:

MT. ARLINGTON, NJ—Joyce D. Armstrong died on Friday, November 27, 2009, at Morristown Memorial Hospital after a brief illness. She was 77.

Born in Wilkensburg, PA, to the late Clinton and Mary (Ritts) Burket on October 23, 1932, she was a 34-year resident of Mendham until moving to Mt. Arlington in June, 2006.

Joyce graduated then worked at the Business Training College in Pittsburgh, PA, where she met her husband Joseph Armstrong. Joyce and Joe married on June 6, 1955, at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD. She would fondly remember their ‘two-year honeymoon’ in Hawaii, while Joe served with the U.S. Marine Corps. Prior to their honeymoon, Joyce enjoyed working for Radio personality Mark Evans in Washington, DC.

Joyce was a member of the Newcomers’ Group of Mendham for more than 20 years and enjoyed playing in the bridge club. She also enjoyed traveling and the Naval Academy. Joyce will be remembered by friends and neighbors for her deep love of her family, her beautiful Mendham home—especially her porch swing, her Christmas Eve and Army-Navy Game parties, and her kindness.

She was predeceased by her brother Clinton (1993) and her sister Maybelle Gillespie (1992). Survivors include her husband of 54 years Joseph, her daughter Kimberly of Succasunna, her son Scott of Wilmington, NC, and her beloved grandson Colin of Rockaway.

A memorial service to celebrate Joyce’s life will be held at the Bailey Funeral Home on Saturday, December 12, 2009, at 1:00 PM. A reception will be held at the Elks Club in Gladstone. Entombment will take place at the U.S. Naval Academy Cemetery in Annapolis, MD at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made in Joyce’s name to Cancer Center for Education and Patient Support Fund, Morristown Memorial Health Foundation, PO Box 1956, Morristown, N.J. 07962.

Arrangements are by the Bailey Funeral Home, 8 Hilltop Road, Mendham, NJ, 07945—(973)543-4720, www.baileyfuneralhomes.com.