#52Ancestors52Weeks....Week 42 Theme...Full House...The Hayes Family at Home Somewhere on 22nd Street

  Robert Franklin and Sallie (Crawford) Hayes at home in San Francisco (top right).  Who were the rest of the people in their parlor?  

The clothing styles date this photograph to between 1906-1909. 

      The theme for this week is Full House.  This picture was found in with the Hayes Family papers and was most likely taken by Lester Hayes who was around 23 years old at the time.  He was an amateur photographer and had a studio located at 3818 22nd Street, a 2 unit home that the Hayes owned. 

  According to the 1900 census, the Hayes rented out one unit of the 3818 property (the other was the photography studio) and  Franklin, Sallie and  son Lester lived at 3822 22nd Street, just two doors down from Lester's studio.  They owned this home also. 

   The mystery is....who were the rest of the people posing for the picture?  

 

  

Robert Franklin Hayes married Sallie (Sarah Elizabeth) Crawford in 1880.  They were my great great grandparents.  The picture in the background (above Franklin's head) was found in the King album, and was most likely taken by Lester Hayes. Lester married Emma Lavinia King, my great grandmother, in 1908 in San Francisco. 

    The same picture observed in the Hayes' parlor. From the King Album. Date and location unknown. 

     Possible identifications for the couple on the top may be Franklin's brother William and his wife Dorthea Christensen Hayes (from Denmark).   Posed with them may be Lillie Ross Hayes, the mother of Franklin and William (and brother Joseph). William, Dorthea, their young children and Lillie were living at 18 Elgin Street (Elgin Park) on the 1900 census. This was Lillie and Robert Hayes' family home since 1876.  

   Who are the rest of these lovely ladies?  The two women in the middle, left to right, may be mother and daughter.  The young lady at the bottom of the picture may be related to this group.  The woman on the far right is a mystery!  None of these women fit any relationships or ages in the Hayes or Crawford family tree.  They may simply be good friends or neighbors.

  Who is who is just speculation on my part.  But it is fun to enjoy the moment of the photograph.  Franklin and Sallie are looking directly at the photographer (probably their son) while the rest of the group is focused on a point to the photographer's left.  It is a happy and relaxed group; they seem to be very familiar with each other.  It was not a formal picture but more of an impromtu gathering of family and friends.

   The Hayes were proud of their parlor.  They exhibited several pictures that are familiar.  The large picture to the left is of Lester Hayes as a boy...this picture is now hanging in the dining room of my mother.  

   The large picture on the right did not survive, but the frame did which was restored and repainted.  It is now a beautiful mirror hanging in the hallway of my mother. 

The smaller cabinet card on the far left is of Lester around the time of his high school graduation around 1900.

 

    I can only speculate on the reason for this gathering and subsequent photograph.  The William Hayes family (William, Dorthea, their children Lilly and Robert) and Lillie Hayes lived at number 18 Elgin Street in 1900.  By 1910 they were living in San Leandro.  Of course, the Great San Francisco Earthquake and Fire happened in 1906.  Looking at when homes were built in the Elgin Park area,  you see that most homes still standing today were built after 1910.  The fire had reached this neighborhood.  Lillie Hayes' will stipulated that a lot should be deeded to her son Joseph after her death.  The lot was on the west side of Elgin Park.  Was there a home left? This home had been in the Hayes family since 1876.  Was this family staying with Franklin and Sallie because they had no home?  A possibility.  

   By the 1910 census Franklin and Sallie were living at the 3818 address with Sallie's father John Washington Crawford.  It was still owned by the Hayes. Sallie continued to live at this address after Franklin's death.  The 1930 and 1940 census shows Sallie and Lester living at this address together, as Lester and Emma had divorced.  In 1950 Lester was living at this address by himself. It was still a 2 unit dwelling. 

 Redfin 

 

The Hayes home in San Francisco, California.  The 3822 home is two doors down on the left.  Both homes were built in 1900 and survived the earthquake and fire.  

Google Street View

  

   Lillie Ross Hayes was listed on the 1910 census as living at 3902 22nd Street, just up the street from Franklin and Sallie.  She was living with her son Joseph and another couple by the name of Captain John Dart and Amy Dart.  Amy was a witness to Lillie's will on March 15, 1917.   Was Amy one of the lovely ladies in the photograph?  She was obviously a family friend and neighbor who graciously added Lillie and Joseph to her home until Lillie's death in 1918.  Franklin and Sallie were taking care of Sallie's father John Washington Crawford at the time and perhaps this was the solution they came up with to care for both aging parents.  

   This was a fascinating photograph to analyze.  There are still so many unanswered questions.  But at least we get a glimpse into the Hayes' parlor.  But which parlor was it?  3822 or 3818? There is always more research to do! 

Relationship Reference:

Me->Margaret Hansen Boothby->Margaret Elizabeth Hayes Hansen->Lester Hayes->Robert Franklin Hayes m. Sallie Crawford 

   

                   Robert Hayes (1825-?) m. Lillie Ross (1832-1918)

I

Robert Franklin Hayes (1854-1918)

William James Hayes (1859-1912)

Lilly Hayes (1864-1878)

Joseph Ross Hayes (1867-1927) 

#52Ancestors52Weeks....Week 33...Favorite Discovery.... Lester Hayes Was Buried With the Showfolks of America in Colma, California

Olivet Gardens of Cypress Lawn Memorial Park

Colma, San Mateo County, California

Show Folks of America section J, lot 2A.

Find A Grave

 

   Colma, California, is known as San Francisco's City of the Dead, or the City of Souls.  Olivet Memorial Park is just one of 17 cemeteries located in Colma, located south of San Francisco.  In the back section of the Olivet Cemetery you will find a Show Folks memorial, dedicated to clowns, circus and carnival performers.  Imagine my surprise several years ago when I looked on Find A Grave and saw that my great grandfather Lester Franklin Hayes was buried here in 1969! This was quite a mystery, as no living family members knew why he chose this spot as his final resting place.  This summer I had time to go through his papers that my great Auntie Dot saved after his death.  I discovered the reason for his burial in this particular cemetery; it was written on the back of  a Prudential Insurance Company Request for Beneficiary Change form.  It was my favorite discovery this year!

   Lester Hayes and my great grandmother Emma King Hayes (Nana) divorced in 1924.  Lester kept a somewhat close relationship with his daughters Dorothy, Fran and Betty but Nana never talked about him or their marriage after the divorce. He continued to live in San Francisco, and Nana lived in Grass Valley.  Lester passed away on April 5, 1969 and his oldest daughter Dorothy (Auntie Dot) closed out his estate in San Francisco. After that, he was never mentioned or referred back to in the family.  As a result, I never really knew my great grandfather's story until I began to research the Hayes side of the family several years ago. 

   When I added Lester Franklin Hayes to my family tree on Ancestry.com, the Find A Grave memorial was a complete surprise and obviously brought up quite a few questions! Was he a clown? Did he have connections to the circus? Was he a performer?  Did he dabble in theater? If so, no one had heard anything about it!  And Auntie Dot, sadly, was no longer here to tell me, either. 

Lester F. Hayes 1882-1969

His marker looks like the others placed on "Showman's Rest" row.

It is located in the OM-Section J,  Lot 2A, Niche 162. 

Find a Grave 

A program cover for a service held at the Olivet Memorial Park in 1968.   Annual memorial services are still held every January by Show Folks of America, Inc.   This was in Lester Hayes' papers and raised some interesting questions in the family! 

      

   Doing a quick search through some of Lester's papers several months ago I found a program for a memorial service that was held in the Olivet cemetery on January 6, 1968.  Did he attend? Why did he hang on to this? Several weeks ago I found an envelope stuffed with all kinds of papers and cards that I hadn't looked at yet. Inside, I found a membership card for the Show Folks of America Inc. with Lester's name on it.  Interesting!  With the membership card was a small booklet of Constitution and By-Laws for the Show Folks of America, Inc. San Francisco Chapter No. 2.  Oh my! 

A membership card for the year 1969 for Lester F. Hayes. He was a regular member, not an Honorary member or Associate member per the by-laws. 

A pocket-sized booklet for the Show Folks of America, Inc., San Francisco Chapter No. 2

    Also inside that envelope was an insurance company form.  Lester requested a change in his beneficiary on this particular policy. 

front

   Lester changed the beneficiary on his paid policy to the organization Show Folk of America, a non-profit organization, on April 20, 1967.  Bonnie Townsend , listed as a friend, was the secretary-treasurer for the organization.  On the back, under remarks, was the reason for the change...."reason for change is the daughters live a long way off and are hard to get in contact with".   

back

    My great grandfather died on April 5, 1969.  I found several letters and typed papers in the envelope that explained the rest of this mysterious business. 

The bill for Lester's burial and headstone.  

This was enclosed with the bill, and explained the arrangement Lester made with Show Folks of America, Inc. 

   Lester must have had a close relationship with Bonnie and this organization to make an arrangement like this.  I found another little note and two letters that helped tell the rest of the story.  Or, almost the rest of the story!

As Auntie Dot was closing out the estate and cleaning out the furniture, she found a spinning wheel which Lester was going to repair for Bonnie Townsend at some point.  It was returned to Bonnie. 

This letter was written to the  President of Show Folks of America, Inc., Mr. Gene Cardoza, by my Auntie Dot.  Apparently, Lester had a long time relationship with this organization!  

This letter was written to Auntie Dot from Bonnie Townsend, telling her of the final payments made for Lester's funeral expenses.  That letterhead is amazing!

    My great grandfather worked as a carpenter for most of his life and may have gotten involved with this organization that way. However, the little Constitution booklet states that membership is confined to "theatrical and show people, circus, carnival, free acts, stage, radio, advertising, music, fair and park personnel, or any person identified with any and all forms of entertainment of theatrical or out-door show nature and their allied professions."   In that last letter Bonnie Townsend mentioned "Santa suits"....why did Lester have Santa suits?? Was this why he was a member? And why did Bonnie Townsend want his Santa suits? 

   The current by-laws of the organization state that any paid up member can purchase graves in "Show Folks Rest" for his/her self,  spouse, parents or children.  I could not find this article in Lester's By-Laws booklet, but it must have been the same at the time of his death.  It looks like he was a regular member, and not an Honorary member or an Associate member according to his membership card.  How he qualified as a member remains a mystery. 

     From these letters it appears that Lester made friends and spent time with people in this group and was a member for sometime. He obviously was a qualified member and requested to be buried in their section of Olivet Cemetery; he made special financial arrangements to simplify things for his daughters after his death.  The Show Folks of America, Inc., San Francisco, is still going strong and is a proud supporter of several causes in the community.  My great grandfather's connection to this organization was a wonderful discovery, but there are parts of his story that are still untold.  Hum...those Santa suits.....!

   

Bonnie Townsend was buried in the same cemetery as Lester Hayes.  Her obituary stated that she was a dedicated member and  secretary of Showfolks of America for over 50 years. 

Find a Grave

   I  contacted the Show Folks of America, Inc. through email to see if they may have any records from that time period that may shed some light on my great grandfather's participation.  I haven't heard back yet! 

 https://www.showfolksofamerica.com/

 Relationship Reference:

Me->

Margaret Hansen Boothby->

Margaret (Betty) Hayes Hansen->

Lester Franklin Hayes = Emma King Hayes (daughters Dorothy, Frances and Margaret)

 

#52Ancestors52Weeks...Week 8...Heirloom....Lester Franklin Hayes Now Hangs in the Dining Room

 Lester Franklin Hayes (April 2, 1882-April 5, 1969) 

San Francisco, California. 

The picture dimensions are  28" by 35". 

Lester's  portrait now hangs in the dining room of Margaret Hansen Boothby, Nevada City, California. 

   

This week's theme is Heirloom...This very large portrait in its original frame and glass has been handed down for several generations and now hangs in my mother's dining room.  Lester Franklin Hayes didn't always reside there...

  Lester Franklin Hayes married Emma Lavinia King in 1908 in post earthquake San Francisco, California.   They were my great grandparents.  Lester was the only son of Franklin Hayes and Sallie Crawford Hayes who lived at 3818 22nd Street in San Francisco.  Sallie lived in that home until her death in 1940.  Lester lived there until his death in 1969.  We have several furniture heirlooms from this home, but this portrait has the most interesting history.  I also ended up doing a little bit of research into the process of enlarging cabinet card photographs at the turn of the century to learn more about this picture. 

  

 Original cabinet card photograph of Lester Hayes, probably taken around 1885-86 at the New York Gallery on Third Street, San Francisco.  Notice the wonderful detail of his collar and boots. 

Original cabinet card photograph of Lester Hayes, back.  

   Sometime after this original picture was taken, the picture was enlarged, colorized and framed.  The process, known as a crayon enlargement or a solar enlargement, was a popular medium between the 1850's and the early 1900's.  

  This information is from the Indiana Historical Society and gives a short history of the process.....

In the earliest days of photography, the only way to produce a large image would be to use a large negative – generally made of glass – that would come into direct contact with the photographic paper. To satisfy customer demands for larger photographs without having to use big cumbersome negatives, solar enlargers were invented to project a small negative onto a larger sheet of paper using sunlight.

Photographic prints created with the enlargement process had a few problems. Flaws in the negatives were amplified, images tended to be out of focus around the edges and they were prone to fading. Because of these issues, nearly all enlargements were retouched with crayons and paints. Even as the technology and resulting prints improved, the colorful retouching had become a desirable trait in enlarged photographs and by the end of the 19th century, these types of prints were not considered finished until they had been hand-colored.   https://indianahistory.org/blog/painting-or-photograph-it-might-be-both/                          

  Franklin and Sallie doted on their son and must have hung this picture in a special place in their home on 22nd Street in San Francisco.  The coloring looks like it was done with  chalk or pastel and more attention was paid to the face than the background or clothing. The noticeable detail in the original photograph is not there. Lester's eye color changed from blue to brown. The original glass is very old and wavy, the gilded frame has a velvet surround and is very beautiful.   It must have been a statement piece, for sure. 

a close up of the portrait

a close up of the original photograph

   When Lester Hayes passed away, two of his daughters, Dorothy and Fran, took items out of the home they thought other family members might be interested in.  This portrait ended up in my grandmother's home (Lester and Emma's youngest daughter Betty), but there was one problem with it.  My great grandmother and Lester had divorced in 1924 and Lester was not spoken of after that in our family.  So, the picture was given to my mother with the proviso that  it wouldn't be hung anywhere where Nana (Emma) could see it. Lester Hayes stayed under my parents' bed in Nevada City, California, until the mid 70's.  

   At that time good family friends purchased a quaint Victorian home in Nevada City.  After their renovation of the home was completed, Lester Hayes was prominently hung in their back parlor directly over the antique square piano. He had found a temporary home and fit right in with the period furnishings.  He was often a topic of discussion when ever company came over, and had a much more interesting life there than under the bed. I can remember attending birthday parties and playing in that house, since I was close friends with the family's daughter.  At that time, I really had no idea who this boy was, essentially watching me grow up from his perch above the piano.    

 

The Victorian house at the top of Broad Street where Lester Hayes resided for many years...he certainly fit the time period for the home! 

(Google Maps Street View)

After Nana passed away, and after this home was sold, Lester finally made it back to my parent's home and was given the very prominent position of  hanging in the dining room. We all became reacquainted with Lester Hayes. He has been there ever since and has presided over many family dinners and celebrations over the years. We always marvel at resemblances to Lester that we see in his great great grandchildren. I am so happy that this heirloom stayed in the family even though my great grandmother didn't want anything to do with it (for her own personal reasons). Her daughters and granddaughter thought enough of it to make sure it stayed with the family (with a minor detour).  It is a part of our family history and will eventually be handed down to other family members.  Lester's story will continue on. And hopefully he won't be under any more beds. 

Relationship Reference:

Me->Margaret Hansen Boothby->Betty Hayes Hansen->Lester Hayes m. Emma Lavinia King Hayes (daughters Dorothy, Frances, Margaret (Betty)

  

   

 

#52Ancestors52Weeks....Week 2...Origins....The Crawford Family (Part 2) The Family Record

   The Crawford Family Bible contains handwritten family records for Marriages, Births and Deaths.  I have put each section entry in chronological order and have begun to work out family relationships and geographic locations. 

Marriages

 This is to certify that John W Crawford and Sarah Byerly both of Philadelphia were joined in Holy Matrimony  the twenty third of Febuary (sic) 1848 (this marriage took place in Philadelphia)

*

This is to certify that Francis Merion Thompson of Cook Co. Ill. and Mary Amelia Crawford of the city of Philadelphia were joined in the Holy Bonds of Matrimony on the Seventh day of July One Thousand Eight hundred and Sixty Seven by J. W. Rofs (1867) (this marriage took place in the City of Sacramento)

*

This is to certify that George Byerly Crawford and Sarah Maddox were joined in the Holy Bonds of Matrimony on the eight day of March 1873 in the City of Sacramento 

*

This is to certify that William Cummings Crawford and Mary Virginia French of San Francisco were joined in the Holy Bonds of Matrimony on the twenty ninth day of June 1874 (this marriage took place in San Francisco)

*

 This is to certify that Frank Hayes of San Francisco and Sallie E. Crawford were joined in holy Matrimony on the 22nd day of February in the year of our Lord 1887 (this marriage took place in San Francisco)

*

Lester Franklin Hayes and Emma Lavinia King, both of San Francisco, were married December 1, 1908 in the Congregational Church (this marriage took place in San Francisco)

*

 John Crawford m. Sarah Byerly 1848 Philadelphia Pennsylvania

Children:

Mary Amelia Crawford m. Francis Merion Thompson 1867 in Sacramento Ca.

George Byerly Crawford m. Sarah Maddox 1873 in Sacramento Ca.

William Cummings Crawford m. Virginia French 1874 in San Francisco Ca.

Sarah Elizabeth (Sallie) Crawford m. Franklin Hayes 1887 in San Francisco Ca.

The only child of Franklin and Sallie was Lester Hayes.

Lester Hayes m. Emma Lavinia King 1908 (my great grandparents) in San Francisco California

 Births

                                                 

 (page 1)                                           

 John Washington Crawford was born the twenty third of February in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty   (1820) 

*

Sarah Byerly was born the twenty forth of November in The year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty seven (1827) 

*

Mary Amelia Crawford Daughter of John and Sarah Crawford was born the first of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty eight (1848)

*

George B Crawford was born on the 6th day of April A.D. 1851 at 10 minutes before 10 o.clock in the evening.

(son of John and Sarah Crawford)

*

William Cummings Crawford was born on the 4th day of december A.D. 1852 at 5 o.clock in the morning. (Son of  John and Sarah Crawford)

*

Sarah Elizabeth Crawford was born on the 17th day of October 1856 at Sacramento City California (daughter of John and Sarah Crawford)

*

(page 2)    I have included death records found on the next page if the death date was close to the birth date...

*

  George Crawford Thompson, son of Francis and Mary (Crawford) Thompson was born on the fourteenth of August 1869 at 3 o.clock in the morning ..............George C. Thompson died November 26 1872 in the City of Sacramento at 6-40 am Aged 3 years 3 months and 12 days

*

Francis J. Thompson son of Francis and Mary (Crawford) Thompson was born on the sixteenth day of August 1874 at 12.20 oclock in the morning...............Francis J.W. Thompson died December 4th 1875 in the City of San Francisco at 8-30 P.M. Aged 1 year 3 months 18 days

*

Emma Mason Crawford was born on the sixth of July 1874 at 2 o clock in the morning (daughter of George B. Crawford and Sarah Maddox)

*

John William Crawford was born on the first day of July 1875 at 3 o clock in the morning (not sure of father yet. Still researching) 

*

Henrietta Crawford was born the 10th day of June 1877. ( not sure of father yet.  Still researching)

*

 

 Edward F. Thompson was born October 6th 1876 San Francisco California (parents Francis and Mary Crawford Thompson)

*

Mabel F. Thompson was born March 10th 1881 San Francisco (parents Francis and Mary Crawford Thompson)

*

Hattie D. Thomspon was born July 28th 1883 Spokane Falls (?) ........Hattie D. Thompson died Dec. 6th 1886 at 4-30 P.M aged 3 years 4 months 9 days at San Francisco Cal. (parents Francis and Mary Crawford Thomson; not sure about location of birth).

*

Lester F. Hayes was born April 2nd 1882 San Francisco Cal. (parents Franklin and Sallie Crawford Hayes)

*

1910 May 17 Dorothy Ross Hayes born S.F.

1911 July 25 Francis Charlotte Hayes, born S. F.

1917 November 7 Margaret Elizabeth Hayes, born S.F.

(Parents of these daughters were Lester Hayes and Emma Lavinia King.  Margaret Elizabeth was my grandmother)

Deaths

George C. Thompson Died November 26 1872 In the City of Sacramento at 6-40 am Aged 3 years 3 months and 12 days. 

*

Francis J. W. Thompson Died December 4th 1875 in the City of San Francisco at 8-30 P.M. Aged 1 year 3 months 18 days 

*

 Sarah Crawford Died August 17th 1884 In the city of San Francisco Aged 56 years 9 months 10 days

*

Hattie D. Thompson Died Dec. 6th, 1886 at 4-30 P.M. aged 3 years 4 months & 9 days at San Francisco Cal.

*

 Francis Merion Thompson Died Aug 12, 1898 at 11.40 A.M. aged 61 years at San Francisco Cal. 

*

Mary A. Thompson Died July 18, 1903 at 4.10 P.M. aged 54 years. 8 mos. 18 days. 

*

John W. Crawford Died August 15, 1915 In the city of San Francisco Aged 95 years.

*

Frank Hayes died Oct 25 1918, in the city of San Francisco Aged 64 years

*

Sarah E. Hayes died July 10, 1940 in the City of San Francisco age 83-9 months

*

Lester Franklin Hayes, died April 5, 1969, city of San Francisco, age 87 yrs-3 days (the last entry written in the bible, written by Auntie Dot)

 This tiny little newspaper snippet was added to the inside cover of the bible by Auntie Dot.  

Now, on to preliminary exploration of  census records and creating a working family tree for this branch. 

 Relationship Reference:

Me:--Margaret Hansen Boothby--Margaret Elizabeth Hayes Hansen--

The parents of Margaret Hayes Hansen were Emma Lavinia King Hayes VanDuzer  and Lester Franklin Hayes.

(they had three daughters: Dorothy, Francis and Margaret)

The parents of Lester Hayes were Sarah (Sallie) Elizabeth Crawford and Franklin Hayes

The parents of Sallie Crawford were John Washington Crawford and Sarah Byerly of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, married in 1848.