An IOU from Lizzie

[augusta]

Found this at an auction site some time ago. I wonder what it was for?

[nbcatlover]

Francis & Chester Gardner, sons of Leland Gardner, were farmers. They bought some South Swansea property (originally purchased by Andrew Borden) from Lizzie & Emma on Feb. 14, 1910 (the date of the IOU). It might have been a loan to purchase farm equipment or seed the crops for their greenhouses. Chester, in 1921, was listed as the assistant postmaster in South Swansea-Touisset.

(VII) Leland Gardner, born April 21, 1844, was educated in Swansea, engaged in farming at Gardner's } Neck all his life, and was a member of the First Christian Church. He married May 23, 1869, Clara Hathaway, who was born April 8, 1845, daughter of Anthony and Emeline (Pierce) Hathaway, of Somerset. They had two children, Francis L., born Oct. 25, 1871, and Chester R., born Nov. 10, 1875.

(VIII) Francis Leland Gardner, who was born Oct. 25, 1871, at Gardner's Neck, in South Swansea, was educated in the public schools of his native town, the Warren (R. I.) high school and the Bryant & Stratton business college, Providence. He is extensively engaged in market gardening and his greenhouses, built in 1894, have 50,000 square feet of glass. The greenhouse produce is shipped to the New York market, and after the middle of May most of the shipments are to Providence. Mr. Gardner built his present beautiful residence at South Swansea, a house which shows culture and excellent taste. He has served his town well in public affairs. For several years he was town auditor, and since 1904 has been selectman of the towrn. Politically he is a Republican, and socially a member of Mount Hope Lodge, I. O. O. F. On June 27, 1900, Mr. Gardner married Etta L., daughter of David B. Gardner, of Swansea Center. They have had two children: Emily F., born May 12, 1903, who died March 17, 1904; and Rachel L., born April 26, 1909.

(VIII) Chester R. Gardner was born Nov. 10, 1875, at Gardner's Neck, South Swansea. He attended public schools and the Fall River high school, and the Bryant & Stratton business college, Providence, and is now associated in business with his brother. He married Alice Cleveland of Somerset, and they have had two children: Raymond C, born April 12, 1904, who died Feb. 25, 1905; Calvin L., born May 2, 1906.

From Representative men and old families of southeastern Massachusetts ..., Volume 3 By J.H. Beers & Co.
http://books.google.com/books?pg=PA1212 ... utput=text

[snokkums]

That is to cool. I only wish it was a little clear, bigger print, Sorry my eyes are really bad.

[augusta]

Thank you, nbcatlover! I had been pretty well resigned to never finding out what it was for. It's a lot more interesting now.

Snoookums, If you click on the picture of the document it will automatically magnify itself pretty big in size and pretty readable. Maybe you'd be able to make it out. So sorry to hear your eyes are not good.

[LizbethTurner]

Wasn't she using the name "Lizbeth" by then?

[LizbethTurner]

Oh, disregard my last message. I realized just now that Lizzie never changed her name legally, so all contracts woild have been signed "Lizzie."

[augusta]

Lizbeth - I have lately been wondering whether Lizzie changed her name to "Lizbeth" legally or not. I have never heard of her doing it. Do you have a source for it?

I think it would be very interesting to know just when Lizzie started using "Lizbeth".