By Richard Mabey Jr.
At 72, I am becoming more and more acutely aware of how blessed my early childhood was. One of the most influential people of my early boyhood days was my great grandmother, Dora Mabey. Great Grandma Mabey was an incredible woman, one of the wisest individuals whom I have ever known in all my life.
Born on October 14th of 1873, Great Grandma was the husband of William Mabey Jr., who was born on October 15th of 1868. They were married on June 27th of 1889. Great Grandma gave birth to six children. She had four daughters (Myrtle, Alberta, Mereata and Edna) and two sons (Watson and Earl). Edna died, when she was just an infant. Her son, Earl, was killed in action, in France, during World War I. Great Grandma’s son, Watson, was my grandfather.
When they were first married, my great grandparents lived with Great Grandpa Mabey’s parents, William and Catherine Mabey. They lived atop Hook Mountain, in Beavertown (as Lincoln Park was known then) near the Towaco border. They were newlyweds, when they secured an area of land that ran from Route 202 to the path of the old Morris Canal, around 12 acres in size. Together, they built the old Mabey Homestead, located at the corner of Route 202 and Mabey Lane. The home was completed around 1890.
Great Grandpa Mabey suffered from a stroke and passed away in 1936, at the age of 67. Great Grandma Mabey then continued to live in the old Mabey Homestead with her daughter, Alberta (Mabey) Sly. Great Aunt Alberta and her husband, Edward Sly and their son Leroy, lived with Great Grandma till she passed away in 1959.
side of the old Mabey Homestead.
Great Grandma Mabey was my living connection to my pioneer heritage. I was a shy, sensitive child. Just about every Saturday, Mom, Dad and I would spend the day, visiting at the old Mabey Homestead. Great Grandma Mabey would sit on the front porch, swaying back and forth in her old rocking chair, snapping green beans or knitting or peeling apples, as I sat on the floor, at her feet, playing with an old set of Lincoln Logs.
Great Grandma Mabey would tell me such a wonderful, heart moving, tender stories of her days as a young girl and then of her days as a young pioneer woman. I remember that whenever she would talk of her son, Earl, she would just cry and cry and cry. My heart would be deeply moved and I would get up from the floor and hug my dear, beloved great grandmother. I was just a little boy, but even then I knew that Great Grandma Mabey still deeply mourned losing her son, from the horrors of war.
It’s only in the past year or so, that I have developed an even greater appreciation for my dear, sweet Great Grandma Mabey. She probably didn’t know it at the time, but she was planting the seeds of the elements of good story telling into the heart, mind and soul of her great grandson.
I don’t think a day goes by that I don’t think about my beloved ancestors. I loved them all so dearly and still miss each and every one of them. I was taught my family heritage, from a very early age. Something that I dearly cherish.
If you’ve reached an age where you have grandchildren, and even great grandchildren, please consider taking time to pass on your family heritage to them. Truly, it will be time well spent.
Richard Mabey Jr. is a freelance writer. He has recently had two books published. He currently hosts a YouTube Channel entitled, “Richard Mabey Presents.” Richard may be contacted at richardmabeyjr@gmail.com.