Up earlyish – had a bath & to breakfast- all very amusing. Marie & Sam there too. After breakfast one of the boys – Jack – arrived & took us over to Mill & Ford’s. Arranged things & home again.
Ford came over with Margs & Hugh & Mum & Peg & I got in & we went a ride – very lovely. The country & mountains are glorious. So many trees everywhere & lakes too – the trees amaze me– they’re all over the place. To West Point Military Academy first- a marvellous institution – everything beautifully arranged & set out – then up to Bear Mountain Inn.
A lovely place – all logs. Sat down for a drink & in arrived Aunt Phine & the rest. I had Planter’s Punch- very strong, made me feel quite pleased.
Took snaps – one of the policeman. Ate doughnuts-quite different to our – all icing on! Home through Tuxedo Park – where the millionaires live! Very lovely.
Margs, Mum, Ford & I dashed off for a bathe at the pool – lovely & warm. Rushed home & changed. Had drinks & then supper- ate a lot! All sang & played games – everyone very merry.
They went eventually & Margs, Bibi, Lois, Peg, Mona & I off to Community Pool to Bathe in the nude. Much giggling & we got in- lovely feeling- suddenly the light went on. We nearly had a fit! Pegs threw our bathing suits in, but before we had time to do anything 2 men arrived – said it was time to lock up. A great scramble to dress & so home. Awfully funny!
Peggy, Bebe, Marie Dorman, Cynthia, Sam Dorman, Millie, Ford & Hugh, Mona, Cora Pembleton Auntie Muriel, Aunt Trixie, Aunt Phine, Uncle Arthur, Aunt Ettie, Carol Ewing, Marguerite Taken at Uncle Artie’s place, Central Valley, NY
Hugh woke me up – the sweetest little boy. Up gradually & to breakfast one at a time. Played with Hugh, then Ford took me to Central Valley in the car to Uncle Artie’s. Saw Peg again – she quite happy, & Aunt Phine & Bibi & her friend Lois. Back to Highland Mills & Uncle Artie arrived.
The whole lot of us went out to lunch to the White Cat – a nice restaurant & had lunch on the veranda. Drank mint julep!
Those present.
Home afterwards & then some of us drove into Newburg to the pictures to see Robert Donat in “Goodbye Mr. Chips”. A marvellous film – acting – setting – atmosphere & all. I cried like anything & so did the rest – even Bill!
Home & everyone to supper at Mill’s – a buffet supper & you eat a bit of everything – great fun! Afterward 3 boys came in- young- about Peg’s age- very young & dumb. Most unsophisticated & home town compared to a boy like Bobby. They went out after a while- had great talks with Ford. Over to Aunt Phine’s to sleep eventually.
Hot again – got a foul cold – felt awful. Wrote letters- had lunch & then to the shops. Got cheques changed. Nothing much. Home & packed for the weekend. Monie home & had supper. Set out in the car- me & A. Ettie with Mona driving – terribly hot. Drove right through the World Fair – over a bridge – thro’ Harlem & over a ferry. Drove for ages with tons of traffic- awful holdups at places – took us ages. Up to Central Valley & Highland Mills about 11:0. The rest arrived before us in Bill’s car. Met Milly & Ford & peeped at Hugh. Ate ice cream & then the 9 of us found Places to sleep – Mum & I on camp beds in the sitting room & Monie on the couch. Very nice too.
Mummy & I up latish & had breakfast, then wrote letters. Just as hot as ever. Got ready after a while & Aunt Ettie, Trix, Moo, Mum & I into New York by bus & then underground – subway. Into two Churches – one Saint Patrick’s – don’t remember the other- then as we were looking at shops it started to rain. Ran & got into a News Theater. Still raining when we got out so we dashed into Radio City. Looked round a bit & I had a strawberry ice cream soda. Yum!
Then with some other people with a guide we were taken around the Rockefeller Centre or Radio City. – through the buildings – out onto one of the Roof gardens & everywhere until at last he took us up onto the very top of the RCA building. It was raining so we couldn’t see very much. Then down & to meet Margs & we went into a restaurant for a drink – I had a Daiquiri – very amusing.
Met Mona & all crammed into a taxi & to the Taft Hotel. To the Grill Room downstairs where there was dancing as well. Nice dinner – I tried to eat clams but couldn’t manage it – they wouldn’t go down whole & I had to chew. Also had iced consommé.
When we had finished we went to the Centre Theatre to see “The American Way” with Fredrick March and Florence Eldridge. A sort of American Cavalcade, but not nearly so good. Very well staged & dressed, but I thought it missed fire somewhere. Played “The Star-Spangled Banner” in the last act but I didn’t know the tune.
Out of the theatre and walked along to see the lights of Broadway. Stopped at Sloppy Joe’s on the way & drank pineapple & coconut juice! Along & saw all the lights – lovely. Home in the subway – hot as hell. Raining again. Home at last & to bed.
Slept late, then up feeling lousy. Girls away – Aunt Trix out. Had lunch & then lay down & read- hotter than ever. Ice cream at teatime – then nothing much. Marg’s not coming in- out with Frenchman – Henri. Mona home.
Out drive in the car in the evening. Round & saw the Fair lit up & watched the fireworks. Home & Aunt Trix in. Gave out presents. To bed.
Pembleton Welcome
After adjusting to the weather, and seeing a bit of the city, the plan was for the family to move into New York State a bit north, to Central Valley where Uncle Artie lived, for the reunion on the weekend, and then for the English visitors to be taken on a road trip! The Pembletons, Millie, Ford and Hugh, lived close by in Highland Mills. Hugh was about 2 1/2 in the summer of 1939, as his baptismal photo suggests.
On the back of the photo is the date 2/28/37, and Auntie Moo has written “Hugh Pembleton in family christening robe, he was 23rd baby to wear it; George Hazell 1873 being the first.”
Before the ship docks in New York, a bit more genealogy is required! As I have said before, Cynthia’s mother Carol was the youngest of 12, and this trip was to reunite her with sisters she had not seen for 20 years (when she had left St Vincent after the Great War and joined her husband in England with the 4-year-old Cynthia) and with her oldest brother possibly for the first time in 40 years.
The oldest Hazell son, Arthur Hazell, (Uncle Artie) had lived in the United States all his adult life, married Josephine (Aunt Phine), had adopted Marie who married Samuel Dorman and had a daughter Bebe. They lived in Central Valley, New York.
Her sister Ethel Simmons (Aunt Ettie) had also stayed in the West Indies during WW1 with her three girls, but had joined her husband in New York soon after. Those girls, Millie, Marguerite, and Mona, had grown up on Long Island, New York, and were American. By 1939, Millie had married Ford Pembleton and had a son, Hugh; Margs was dating Bill Jaeger who she was to marry, and Mona, like Cyn, was fancy free!
Visiting from St. Vincent were the sisters Muriel Hazell (Auntie Moo) and Beatrice Otway (Aunt Trix or Trixie).
Visiting from England were Peggy, (whose mother Auntie Mil, and older sisters Jean and Brenda, had seen off on the train in London, and whose father, Fred Hazell, was at home in St Vincent) and Carol Ewing, with her daughter Cynthia Ewing.
There was definitely a generation divide- the siblings and spouses in their 50s and 60s (Carol, the youngest, was 45); the cousins, all girls, in their teens and 20s or early 30s, and essentially meeting each other for the first time- on July 25 1939…
Tuesday 25th July.
Awoke early. Fog horn blowing still but the sea terribly calm. To breakfast. Everyone looking so proper in landing clothes. Up on Sports Deck afterwards & talked to Nelson & Hebert. Took a few snaps. Jacob up & we all played shuffleboard. Jacob said his coat was “just like a dog” after my jacket last night, so I lent him my coat brush & we went to brush it to discover that all his luggage had been removed! Up on deck again watching lots of little boats.
Peggy & I then decided to go into 1st lunch so as not to miss anything, so we asked our steward & he fixed it. Jacob came & had coffee with us then we all went & finished packing. Jacob & I up on fore deck then and saw heaps of boats. Most terribly still and hot with a heat haze all over. Peggy joined us & then at last land appeared – little bit a time. More & more land & then in the distance the Statue of Liberty – it came closer & closer & then suddenly in the mist we saw the skyscrapers- great shadows which got clearer & clearer. Nelson came & showed us a few of the things then we began to get into the dock. Crowds of people waiting & every minute it got hotter- talk about heat waves! As the ship came along side the dock, all the hundreds of people waiting waved & shouted, but we couldn’t see anyone we knew. Peggy & Jacob & I stood on piles of rope & watched for ages until at last I saw someone that looked like Marguerite then Peggy recognized Auntie Muriel & we all got wildly excited & waved & yelled.
We then had to go down for the Immigration inspection & we got a message that the Captain said we could go through 1st class, so I said goodbye to Herbert & Harry- then a very touching farewell to my Poppa! – dear Nelson he is so kind – and to poor Jacob, who was very woebegone. Peggy meanwhile had tripped downstairs & broken the heel off her shoe, poor kid, so the steward eventually took off the other one to make them quits! I then saw Clifford & said goodbye & he gave me his card & asked me to write! After this we all rushed through to the 1st class – had to wait ages, but got at the beginning of the queue & at last Margs found us & Uncle Artie got us through quickly. Onto the dock & then such a business meeting everyone- Margs – Uncle Artie – Aunt Ettie- Auntie Muriel- Trixie & Bill Jaeger! Some reception! Then the Customs! What a mess – everything upside down & us all hot & bothered! Quite a nice Customs man who chatted when he took me to pay the tax 1$75c!! Then Peggy & Uncle Artie rushed off & we went – Margs & I in to car with the luggage & the rest in a taxi.
Everything & everyone is so American that they make me laugh. The cars all on the wrong side of the road & dashing along at a terrific rate- the policeman – just like on the films! & Broadway & 5th Avenue & everything!
It took about an hour to get to the house then we just passed out – the heat! Never seen anything like it – I nearly died! Sat around & had a drink – Tom Collins – rum – pineapple juice & ice! Then after a while dinner. After dinner Bill arrived – terribly American complete with cigars & straw hat! Then we packed in cars & went down to Jones Beach. Dark by then lay on rugs on the sand & I fell asleep. Home after a while & slept all the way. To bed. What a night – hot & felt like hell!
Rough & choppy when we got up. Peggy not in the breakfast, but the rest of us braved it – terribly hot & stuffy. Better up on deck. Peggy came up- sat about & I played games. Violently windy. Nelson & I played shuffleboard with Peggy and Mr. Pennycook!
Up on deck after lunch. Clifford came & played with us- & talked. Had tea on deck & I tried to pinch an old Russian man’s rug! He found me in the act & came & wrapped me up in it!
Mummy & I have got an invitation from the Captain to go & have cocktails with him! We nearly passed out! All alarmed & het up! Had to get our packing done & then get all dressed up in evening clothes. At the last minute decided I must have my Angora jacket to hide my sunburnt arms – Peggy sewing and me knitting. Got it finished with one sleeve short, but it looked quite sweet! Ready much too early and had to sit & wait & wait & wait. Eventually set out & got there quite easily. The Captain on the Bridge, & the 1st Mate – Mr. Robertson met us instead- a charming man – I got on with him awfully well! The Captain popped in & shook us by the hand- a sweet little fat man – then popped out again – it was foggy & he had to be out. Then Mr. Robertson gave us Sherry & I ate asparagus tips & caviare!!! Had a most amusing time and Mr. R paid us all sorts of compliments- also about my bolero!
Down to the dinner – all hilarious! Paper hats & balloons! Got everyone to sign my menu. Finished packing then up to the lounge for dancing. Norwegian young man danced with me – called Jacob – he wrote on my menu in Norwegian & wouldn’t tell me what it was- very tormenting! Danced all evening with him & some others. An American girl pinched Clifford! Eventually found out what Jacob had written from his friend Nielsen “I have longed to flirt with you for three days”! He certainly made up for lost time! But he’s very nice & very amusing. Talked after band had gone, then Mummy & Peggy to bed & I stayed up & talked to Jacob in the lounge. Sammy came in very attached to a blonde. Wandered round & to bed eventually after experiencing a little of the Norwegian technique! He is rather a pet though.
Up very early and met Nelson at 7:30! Steward took a crowd of us round Cabin and Tourist part of the ship. Lovely cinemas & lounges & swimming pool! Back again and had my bath & to breakfast. Up on deck and walked round & round the deck with Nancy and Peggy. Then Peggy & I dashed & got into the Service just as they were closing the door. Stood at the back all the time. Short and quite nice- sang for those in peril on the sea! Back up on deck and played games until lunchtime with Nelson. Such a joke Nelson told me- when Clifford asked if I was American he thought Nelson was my Father! Afterwards he asked a friend of Nelson’s who told Nelson about it! Now we call each other Daughter and Poppa! Then to my horror- Peggy- not knowing who the young man was – told it all to Clifford – was I embarrassed! Talked to Clifford and played games in the afternoon.
Peggy, Sammy, Poppa & Me
Simply glorious night- moon & stars & warm. All felt very excited and exhilarated! Nothing to do, but after a lot of bother started playing ‘Hearts’- Peggy & I – Clifford- Nelson- Sammy-Harry & a funny American man. Sammy made us howl & we had fun. Afterwards up on deck all of us – then all to bed – Clifford & I up on Games Deck & trotted around a bit- loving couples all over- most embracing!
Gorgeous hot day. Spent all morning playing deck games with Nelson & other people. In the afternoon wasted time in the Cinema with landing cards & passports. No- that was yesterday – must’ve spent the afternoon playing games I suppose. Got all sunburnt and sore. Got rougher towards the end of the day. After dinner Peggy rather alarmed – Gup told us stories to take her mind off it. Sammy there too. Talked to an American girl Nancy- her Mother and Father – Father Chinese I think.
Peggy & Nancy away to bed – Sammy vanished. I talked to Nancy’s mother. Danced a little with various people – Mr. Pennycook, nice young Scotsman with a very pretty wife. Nelson took Mummy & I down to the bar for a drink. His room mate & young woman there too – quite amusing. Up to lounge again & spent to rest of the evening dancing with a young man called Clifford Lamington- English and an architect – rather nice. Asked if I was American and said I had a twang! Huh!
Nice bright day & the sea much calmer- Peggy up & feeling quite all right. Talked to an amusing American man called Gup! Had a rash bet with him over the nationality of a girl– I bet him anything she wasn’t English- she was! He threatens to collect. Played deck games. John with another new girlfriend! This time an American girl who has lived nearly all her life in Bruges- Rosemary! Played games in the afternoon. Talked to Herbert & Harry.
Cyn and Carol on deck.
At night thought we might try the flics again with Harry & Nelson, but the same result – hot and I couldn’t see so we came out. A Belgian singsong going on in the lounge – awful- so Nelson, Herbert, Peggy & I retired to the Smoke room and Herbert taught us a game called Hearts. Very funny – especially as he lost! Afterwards Herbert and I went on deck – pitch dark and wildly windy. I had no coat & my skirt was continually over my head! Had a very serious talk- Sammy meanwhile holding my arm most gingerly! Back & found Nelson & Peggy had been gatecrashing 1st class & had seen the Swimming Pool and all!
A Family History in Letters 