It is so interesting to see what children thought and what they wanted from Santa Claus in the year 1907. Previously posted were some letters from 1915, which will give you some comparison from a few years before. As to the fate of the little ones, please see below:
Little Mr. Monroe Smith, in his letter to Santa, certainly did not hold back on what he wanted under the Xmas tree! Monroe was the son of James M. Smith, an engineer aboard the steamer "Florida" in support of his family at 311 East Romana Street. His father was born in 1849 so was much older than his mother Bertha born in 1878.
Miss Rosa May Reno Porffiel was born in 1900 and raised in Pensacola where she would grow up to marry and have children of her own. She would pass away in February of 1974 at the age of 73.
Little Daisy Parker lived at 104 South Alcaniz Street with her widowed mother Arabella "Amy" and her sisters Saphronia and Leander and brother Lewis Parker. Saphronia's letter to Santa is located just below Daisy's (Daisy Arabella). Their mother did her best to support her family as a dress maker. Daisy was born in 1899 and would marry and pass away in 1970. Her sister Saphronia wrote her own letter and told Santa "I'm a poor little girl and get nothing. I will be glad for you to help me." Saphronia was born in 1896 and would pass away in 1993.
The next down the list is Mary Abbie Burnham, daughter of Mary and Thomas Burnham living at 516 West Romana Street. Her father was a ship's carpenter for the Warren Fish Company and her mother Phillippa took care of the house and children. Little Mary Abbie would marry John Henry Wells before passing away in 1975 at the age of 74.
Next up is six-year-old Miss Myrtle Godwin of 909 East Desoto Street where she lived with her parents Thomas A. and Samantha "Mamie" Godwin. Her father supported little Myrtle and as she said, "lots of brothers", Arthur, William Creal, and Malcolm as a drayman. Myrtle would marry and pass away in Winter Haven, Florida in April 1965.
Next came a little six year old boy who forgot to put his name or address but he asked Santa "I do not want you to forget me." However, he was very proud to have written the letter himselt!
Then came Murrell Ames Beck whose family lived on Gregory Street and were all involved as brick masons. Murrell was born on May 5, 1901 and would marry Uneva Bedgood before passing away in Okaloosa County in April 1959.
And then along came Miss Maud Gagnet who, of all things, wanted a toothbrush! Some toys too, but a toothbrush! Little Maud was the daughter of John M. and Nettie Quigley Gagnet (1875-1947) living at 401 South Barcelona Street. Her grandparents were from Mexico and her father supported the family as a bookkeeper for a furniture store. Her siblings were Walter, Bertha (1897-1992), Leona, and Roland E. Gagnet (1905-1971). Maud grew up and became a bookkeeper for a transfer company in Toledo Ohio. She would pass away in 1985 and was buried there amongst her family.
Maud's sister Leona Gagnet sent in the next request for Santa and even mentioned her brother Roland who wanted a "billy" goat. But I'm not sure of her statement, "Now Santa if you bring us what we ask for, you will be a good old man!" The records don't show whether Santa took offense at this or not! Leona was born in 1899 and would marry Otto J. Rayle in 1931. She would pass away in September 1982.
The next entry for Santa's attention was from Miss Teresa "Tessie" Louise Morgan of 400 East Belmont Street. As usual, every child in the early 1900's wanted fruit, candy, and nuts and little Tessie was no different. Born in 1899, she was the daughter of a local butcher, Gamuel Johnson Morgan (1873-1937) and his wife Clara Teresa Wilson (1875-1939). Tragically, she and her husband Willard Walter Suggs were in a funeral procession of Mrs. Lina A. Eisenhower when a truck went out of control on January 15, 1963 and veered the group. Tessie's husband and Mrs. Mary Fairley Morgan, wife of Thomas Gillis Morgan, were killed instantly and "Tessie" died later of her injuries.
Just like the young lady wanting a toothbrush, our next child wanted a box of handkerchiefs for Christmas. Young Miss Dora Thorn was born in 1897, the daughter of a local blacksmith and Confederate veteran Thomas Henderson Thorn (1844-1935) and his wife Mary E. Flowers. She would marry John Britton Mayo before passing away herself in 1992.
Irene Elizabeth Butler was the daughter of Jerome Bonaparte Butler (1848-1941) who married Bertha Knoll (1866-1932) in 1890. Her father supported his wife and five children as a carpenter, and they lived at 412 East Belmont Street. Irene would marry James W. Abbott in Pensacola in 1926 before passing away in 1974.
Young Charles Benjamin "Benny" Davis of 610 East Jackson Street was very considerate of his young siblings in his wish list. He made sure to look out for them during the upcoming holiday festivities!
Then came a little eleven-year-old unknown girl who lived at 303 North San Carlos Street that wanted one Roman Candle to shoot and made sure to tell Santa that she "never got anything for Christmas!" But sadly, she forgot to tell Santa who she was! In 1907, the address was occupied by J. M. Weaver however, there's very little information on hi. However, Santa had the address so I'm sure something was worked out for this sad little child who never got anything!
Hattie Louise Jeudevine was born in 1898, the second child of three born to Frank and May Humphreys Jeudevine. In 1907, when this letter was written, Hattie had an older sister Ernestine and a younger brother Gadsden, all living at 22 South Spring Street. She told Santa "Hoping you will bring me these things. I will be so happy. Our papa is dead, and we do miss him so much!" Sadly, her father died from an "abscess of the lungs" on August 5, 1905 just ahead of the Yellow Fever epidemic that struct Pensacola that year. However, her sister Ernestine did contract the deadly disease but survived to ordeal to marry and pass away in 1966. Hattie would marry Julian Kahn Isaacs (1895–1966) in 1919 and pass away herself in 1964. So, here's hoping Santa brought this young child what she wanted!
Comments