Harriet Belle West was born Dec 17, 1884, in Alba, Bradford County, Pennsylvania.[1] She was the daughter of Joseph West and Ida Blodgett.[1][2][3]
When Hattie was just six years old, a major breakdown occurred in her family unit. We do not know what caused this split. It was rumored that her parents were killed in a buggy accident, but this is absolutely untrue. Hattie and the other children were brought by their mother, Ida West, to the Bradford County Home and admitted 10 Dec 1889. With Hattie were her siblings, Charley age 8, Minnie age 6, Frankey age 2, and Emma age 7 months. Hattie's baby sister Emma died 16 Feb 1890 and was buried at the County Farm Cemetery. Younger brother Frankie went home 21 Mar 1890. Minnie went to live with an uncle, Charles Blodgett, and Charley and Hattie were discharged 17 Mar 1890 to Joe Tebo of Roaring Branch, Lycoming Co., Pennsylvania.[4]
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This was evidently a good move for Hattie, who was raised in a warm loving household as daughter to Joseph and Verna Tebo, although she was never formally adopted. The 1900 US Census recorded Hattie Tebo, b. Dec 1884, age 15, living in Mcnett, Lycoming, Pennsylvania, with the Tebos and attending school.[5] Just up the mountain, a few farms away was living her future husband Charles H Crofutt.[5]
A year later, 7 August 1901, Miss Hattie Tebo and Mr. Charles Crofutt, both of Hagers, served as bridesmaid and groomsman to their friends Naaman Gruver and Florence Bailey in Carpenter. After the wedding dinner, the newlyweds took a train to start their honeymoon trip. Hattie and Charles "invited the Rev. Mr. Adams to accompany them to Elmira, to tie the knot for them there, which he did." They were married in a hotel parlor, with the Gruver couple as witnesses.[6] Charles worked as a fireman and engineer for the railroad.Hattie was a lovely, artistic, talented, woman who excelled at the culinary arts and raised five fine children. Besides painting, she produced clothing for her children and quilts and afghans to keep the family warm.[7]
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Still life : Harriet (West) Crofutt |
Squash Pie recipe from Hattie Belle[8]
3 eggs
1 1/2 cup cooked, mashed Hubbard Squash
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon each cinnamon and ginger
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon allspice
1/2 teaspoon salt.
Beat Eggs Slightly. Stir in squash, cream, sugar, spices and salt. Beat until smooth. Pour into unbaked 9 inch pie shell and bake in preheated 405 degree oven for 10 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 300 degrees and bake 50 minutes to one hour longer. The pie is cooked when a knife inserted in center of the filling comes out clean. Cool. Hattie served it at room temperature without whipped cream or other topping.
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She had a high moral code which she passed on to her children and grandchildren.[7] She was active in the Centenary Methodist Church in Elmira,[7] and before that she played the organ at the Newelltown Methodist Church.[9] Charles retired in 1946 and the couple moved to Avon Park. When she and Charles first arrived, she went to her first church supper at the Methodist Church in Avon Park, with her casserole and her apron, ready to help. Unfortunately, the other ladies didn't give her the welcome she expected, so the couple switched to the Congregational Church.[7]
In Elmira, Hattie belonged to the Grand International Auxiliary of Locomotive Engineers and served as it's secretary.[10] She also belonged to and served as vice-president of the Floroma Lodge No. 299 of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Engineers[11][12][13]
Before the move to Avon Park, considering California as a possible retirement spot, Harriet and Charles traveled to San Diego, to visit their son Kenneth, stationed there at the time.[14][15]
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Charles & Hattie's Children: Bill, Fannie, Ken, Flo, Emerson |
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Connections to Super Bowl halftime show performers: Harriet is 22 degrees from Prince Nelson, 17 degrees from Dan Aykroyd, 16 degrees from Garth Brooks, 27 degrees from Chubby Checker, 23 degrees from Ella Fitzgerald, 19 degrees from Dusty Hill, 28 degrees from Whitney Houston, 22 degrees from Mick Jagger, 18 degrees from Paul McCartney, 19 degrees from Tom Petty, 19 degrees from Chris Stapleton and 20 degrees from Shania Twain on our single family tree. Login to see how you relate to 33 million family members.
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Categories: Alba, Pennsylvania | McNett Township, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania | Elmira, New York | Avon Park, Florida | Woodlawn Cemetery, Elmira, New York | 52 Ancestors - 2018 Week 2 'Favourite Photo'