Person:Olive Ferguson (1)

Written By Adelia Date Unknown:

Childhood Home

It was in a quiet town on the banks of the winding Susquehanna, that Ipassed the happiest of my childhood days. It was there I received myfirst impressions and first learned to appreciate the kindness of thosewho loved and cared for me. It was these parents, brothers, and sisters,gathered around the same table, encircled the same fireside, bowed at thesame family altar, and all participated in the joys, or griefs, common tosuch a household. Very many are the fond recollections, that clusteraround that dear old home. The farm house with its quiet surroundings,the orchard... the sides, the sails, so noble, the old schoolhouse by theside of a running brook, all these fond memories, bring me in fancy backto those scenes, and I almost seem a child again. The garden too withits varigated profusion of plants and flowers, well do I remember, whendelighted and astonished I trod in childhood its paths; for all thattaste and skill, could do to beautify a spot, were lavished upon this....came to our happy home, and we beheld the forms of those we lovedsuffering with disease and soon our parents were laid in the graves; andbrothers and sisters one after another were laid beside them. When camethe separation our circle was broken, and we that are left, became widelyscattered.

Adelia Ferguson

1. ↑ 1850 U.S. Census, New York, Chenango County, Bainbridge, M432_488, Image 73.
2. ↑ Carol Hulse - March 2003.
3. ↑ Carol Hulse.
4. ↑ 1850 U.S. Census, New York, Chenango County, Bainbridge, M432_488, Image 73.
5. ↑ 1860 U.S. Census, New York, Delaware County, Middletown, M653_744, Page 43.