Frank Beacom Light (1899 - 1974)

The meeting between the two different Light families happened just after My Mother returned from Ohio. Where she lived for work and schooling at the home of her youngest brother Roy and wife Ethel. Roy worked for Dupont Corp. and was to use her new Nursing Certificate two good years. When she came, back home, awaiting new assignment, returned to work in the Baisley Studio in the city of Danbury, Ct. One day a tall young man came in to have a photo taken for a new position in the N.Y. State Gas and Electric Co. , at nearby Brewster, New York. Calling to her, Mr. Baislley,"Elsie come out here and meet your cousin." Neither had ever seen the other and after a brief conversation both went there separate ways, to ask questions from folks at home. Actually there was no connection between these two Light families. When he returned to pick up the photos, Mr. Baisley urged them to have a date. They were married 20 April 1927. The office job didn't work out for this outdoors man and he was encouraged to use his Constructional Engineering Degree and Electrical Engineering Certificates. Many of Outside Electric Substations in the whole area, are credited to his abilities ;all the way to Kingston, and west through Ulster and Orange County, as well as east to the Ct.. border. Many are still standing yet, built in the early 1920' & 30's. The couple lived for little time in the Village of Carmel, Putnam Co. , New York and decided to build their own home, and purchased a piece of property nearby. My Mother's earnings went to pay that off and sought a friend to collect stones and work on a small foundation about 20 feet & 15 feet which only just walled up under Kitchen [and indoor bathroom] later. My Mother used her Nursing Skills and training with the local Doctors, long before we had a hospital. Even the little Mahopac Hospital, where I had my first born in 1959 but my second had to be born at Northern Westchester Hospital at Mt. Kisco as the opening of the Putnam Community Hosp. ;did not open until Fall of 1963. The use of Midwives was still prevalent in the area for "home deliveries". My father was often away for weeks at a time, helping the storm damaged and Blizzard conditions, or flood-Repaired areas, much like Service Repairers currently. But my Dad had a secret which became known just a few months before their 1st son was born December 1929...He approached her with the fact He had been married before when younger and had a daughter half her age. According to an Newspaper Article dated July 1922 recently found Putnam Co. Newspaper, Carmel NY, His Lawyer had expunged his marriage from an adultious wife and at the same time caused the adoption of his 22 month old daughter to his Sister. and her husband. Ok, so Family Court was conveined in Fall of 1929 and he had the Adoption Disolved between him and his sister, to demand my Mother bring up This little girl, now almost 9 years old. His sister the only Mother she ever knew.. But Mom did - and had their own son born December 2nd, 1929, she was just 20yrs old.

We were never allowed to refer to Marion as a half sister- EVER. She graduated 8th grade1936-7, had big graduation party for her and she was married aged 21,In 1941 3oth May. His sister Marjorie and I were Flower girls in beautiful hand made, beatitfuly embrordered matching dresses, one in pink the other in green. We both were going on 10 yrs. My maternal Uncle gave away. In 1943 their son was delivered at our house by my Mother, before the Doctor got there. He said he wasn't worried in the least. Marion' s Husband was in service in Military, WW11,while he was away, She and the baby lived with us from time to time. These particular events during that unknown event . You can imagine trying to collect Family records and lines. The receptions were met with much hostility and anger with me for asking questions. Actually I continued to search out if there was a connection other than marriages between. Fortunately or unfortunately so far, I still have not a single connecting those two families. Confidential before he died, My Mom had sent him a letter saying "I truly forgive you."( I found the postmarked letter stuck in my old Bible many years later). bmlb

My father Frank Beacom Light was a self educated student having barely an eighth grade in District schools of Farmers Mills and Carmel of Putnam County.NY. taking I.C.C. to earn degrees in Construction and mechanical Engineering degrees. He was expert mathematician and riddles called "connundrums" . He was an skilled artist gunsmithy and even making gun barrells , fine finished stocks ,bulletsbesides being a sharp shooter and organizer of the Croton River Rifle Club with (my Mom,and some notable friends of Brewster) besides hunter gatherer for the family. He worked 40 yrs.for the New York State Electric and Gas at Brewster, and prior to that Fowler Electric Co. at Carmel,NY. After his retirement in1964, his spare time was as Natural Wildlife and family Photographer.