Home Sweet Home
If you have been following our account for any length of time, you will know that our property has been in the family for six generations. My great, great grandparents John & Eva Harvey bought it in 1901. They raised their family here - two sons and a daughter - one being my great grandmother Edith.
John & Eva Harvey with their youngest son John.
Everywhere I look there are remnants from the time my ancestors lived here. Old wire fencing to keep in the livestock, wood beams that once held a small bridge to cross the creek that runs through the property and we have dug up 100s of shards over the years. Some very old patterns have been revealed as well as many utilitarian items - everything from early mocha ware to utilitarian salt glazed pottery.
Just a few of the shards dug up on our property.
In February 1917, the home of my great, great grandparents experienced a devasting fire. Everything was lost but luckily no one was injured. My great grandma, who I called Nanni, told us that they lived in a neighbour’s chicken coop while they rebuilt their home. Nanni would have been 15 years old at the time of the fire. I wished I’d asked more questions about that experience. Whose chicken coop? How did they stay warm in February? Where did they cook, eat, and sleep? How long did they stay in the chicken coop? So many questions.
The Waterford Star, the local newspaper of the day reported on February 8, 1917, “Much sympathy is extended to Mr. John Harvey and family in the loss of their home by fire.” Two weeks later on February 22, 1917, the same newspaper wrote in the Local Happenings column, “Mr. and Mrs. John Harvey and family wish to thank their many friends for their kindness and assistance in their recent loss by fire.”
Waterford Star - February 8, 1917
Waterford Star - February 22, 1917
The house was rebuilt. It was a humble home consisting of 2 bedrooms, a kitchen, a very small pantry and a living room. They didn’t finish the second floor. The water well was located right outside the back door. The outhouse was located on the other side of the house surrounded by shrubs. Some of the foundation wall from the original home was reused in the “new” build and today remains charred from that fire more than 100 years ago.
The old house has seen many changes over the years. As I walk across the old pine floors I often think of those who came before me and I wonder about the lives they lived here. I’m sure they never suspected that their descendants would still be living here some 125 years later.
What a privilege.