Marianne Agnes (Scott) Holden (1898 - 1986)

Born 3 Sep 1898 in Dulwich, London, England

Ancestors

Died 13 Feb 1986 at age 87 in Clearwater, Pinellas, Florida, United States

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Biography

Marianne lived a fascinating life and was quite a character. It was with some nostalgia that her grandnephew recalls watching as she rolled her Top tobacco in papers using a mechanical roller, and was thrilled at 10 years old, when he was permitted to pack and roll cigarettes for her using a wonderful hand-held metal packing machine.

In the spring of 1913, she travels with her mother Mary and brother George to America aboard the S.S. Minnetonka, sailing from Southampton on May 24th, 1913.^[1] She is 15 years old. She and her family live in London, England, listing her father R(obert) M(orton) Scott of 21 Havleston (sp?) Road as nearest relative and residence, and New York, NY as their final destination. This was a visit to her mother's brother, Matt Burke, a lawyer.

A little over a year later, on July 15th, 1914, Marianne finds herself at about age 16 attending a Luncheon aboard the S.Y. Endurance. On the menu is an appetizer of salmon mayonnaise, followed by a choice of lobster cutlets, lamb cutlets Victoria, bechamelle chickens, smoked tongue, peas, and new potatoes. For dessert, currant and raspberry tarts, and finally, anchovies on toast.

Here she is found in photograph on this July day in 1914, seated aboard the S.Y. Endurance, alongside her younger brother, George (dressed smartly in sailor garb) and one of her older sisters, Helen (probable) or Martha. This is Shackleton's Endurance, the ship lost to the ice during the Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition. Seated in the middle of the photo is Douglas George (D.G.) Jeffrey, who actually left the expedition soon after the photo to sign up as World War I started. On the back of another photograph, this of the Endurance, is written in flowing script, "Miss Helen Scott with Capt. Worsley's complements." This post card note was quite the trigger, as we will see below that it led to post card correspondence from "Uncle Wuzzles" AKA Frank Worsley - the famed Captain of the Endurance during the Expedition to the Antarctic - to Marianne. Another picture we have is of D.G. Jeffrey, Frank Worsley DSO OBE RD (who has autographed the back), and Herbert Hudson {1886-1942} (navigator) seated together on board the Endurance.

Finally, a memento from Marianne's brother, George: the luncheon menu card on the back of which are the autographs exactly as follows, "Frank Wild 13/7/14; Lieut F.A. Worsley RNR commanding S.Y. Endurance; George Marston; Douglas G. Jeffrey Lt RNR; Huberht T. Hudson RNR". Written on the post card in blue ink, "I was at reception following this luncheon, aboard Endurance", states the note by G.P.B.S. and further on card bottom, "This was the Endurance of Shackleton's Trans-Antarctic Expedition 1914. Lost in ice in Weddel Sea. Wild and Worsley sailed with Endurance, Jeffrey went on active service with Royal Navy and did not sail, Hudson was 1st mate of Aurora disabled in Ross Sea. Marston I don't remember." in the distinct hand writing of G.P.B.S..

More info on these characters of history can be found on Wikipedia.

But, back to the correspondence. The first post card from Frank Worsley is dated February 20, 1919 to Miss Brownie Scott (London, England): "We are not there yet, but this is Moscow where Jean Toddleoff was born. I wish to Christ I was in New Zealand where I was born but I'm still happy since I got your p.c. {post card}! Uncle Wuzzles." On the front of the post card is a statue and title, "Moscow. Monument du premier imprimeur Jean Theodoroff." This post card was sent while Worsley was serving with the North Russian Expeditionary Force.

A later post card is addressed to Miss Marion Scott, and pictured is a waterfall of a great river in a bleak treeless landscape. Worsley writes on March 12, 1921, "Schooner Annie, Bildurdal Armafjord, Iceland. Cheerioh! Brownie, Gorblesshyer {Godblessyou} & the whole D. {damn} Family. Have 'ad an L {had a hell} of a rotten time for 4 G. {four God} forsaken months in this polluted putrid island, but thank whatever gods there be for gift of free profanity. Hope to sail for Orkneys tomorrow. Uncle Wuzzles." He's scrawled an upside-down note on the photo frontside of postcard which reads, "This is a place. We're frozen up, no coal, no water & I feel crummy!"

In Worsley's book Endurance: An Epic Polar Adventure the Chapter titled Northern Waters talks about his very significant struggles before and after this visit to Bilmudal, Iceland.

Upon Worsley's return to a warmer climate and the end of World War I, he joins up with Shackleton once again for another expedition, this time as Captain of a re-purposed whaler re-named Quest. And, in 1921, Marianne finds herself holding a card printed, "Shackleton-Rowett Expedition. Admit bearer and friend to view R.Y.S. Quest. Hours 10 A.M. to 5 P.M. St. Katherine's Dock, Tower Bridge, S.E." It is inscribed on Worsley's hand, Miss M. Scott and signed F.A. Worsley. On the reverse, stamped in purple ink, the monicker Quest R.Y.S. and the instructions, "In order to permit as large a number of visitors as possible, to whom the special cards are issued, to visit the Quest, holders are asked to make the round of the ship in as short a time as possible. This will also avoid obstruction of ship's work which it is vital to complete as early as possible. Two worthy Charities, the London and Poplar Hospitals, will have collecting boxes at the Gangway. Each visitor is expected to contribute at least one shilling. E.H. Shackleton" Signed along the edge is the autograph of Douglas G. Jeffrey, also back to join Shackleton in this Expedition as Lieutenant commander, Navigator and Magnetician.

At some point, Marianne returns to America, and marries Charles Holden, who is a breeder of show dachshunds in the 1940s. By about 1935, she and her husband build, own, and operate Clinton Oaks Tavern, a bar in Route 22 in Clinton, New Jersey. Her mother, Mary Burke, arrives at the Port of New York on August 3, 1935 and comes to stay. Mary, possibly, remains in America and is taken care of by Marianne when getting seriously ill, possibly until Mary died.

In Clinton, Marianne befriends the modernist jeweler, Maxwell Chayat, who lives nearby. From him she acquires and wears numerous pieces, primarily brooches, for which he is well known.

On October 19, 1960, it is reported that Marianne has sold the Tavern to Robert Halvorsen of Norton.^[2]

Soon after, she moves to Largo, Florida, near her brother George and his family who live just a few streets away.

Sources

1. ↑ Department of Commerce & Labor. "List or Manifest of Alien Passengers for the United States". S.S. Minnetonka sailing from Southampton May 24, 1913.
2. ↑ “The Courier-News.” The Courier-News from Bridgewater, New Jersey, 19 Oct. 1960, pp. 11. Robert Halvorsen of Norton has purchased Clinton Oaks Tavern in Route 22 from Mrs. Marianne Holden, widow of Charles Holden who built the tavern and operated it for many years until his death several years ago.

• Scott, Marianne A. Personal records with hand written notes on photographs, post cards, book. Transcribed January 1, 2017.
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Worsley

Research Notes

There is a strong connection to ships and the sea in this Scott Family. Somehow, there is a network that is probably introducing Marianne and her siblings to these opportunities to board vessels such as Endurance and Quest. Was it their father? Was it their mother's father - with Irish sailing blood?