Memory of her Grandparents, Aunts and Uncles- by Sylvia Vivian Tuttles

     There was 9 children in my Father’s family. Charles, Frederick, Eugene (my father) Edmond S., Frank, Byron, Matie Lillian, Nina Louella, Robert and Floyd.  I knew them all except Edmond S. and Nina Louella, they having died before I was born. Grandfather, of medium height, strong, blue eyed and kind to me loved my father as did all of his family.  I remember when Uncle Robert got sick Father took him to the hospital.  Aunt Matie owned and operated a drug store in Utica New York.  She never married and was so good to us my brothers and sisters as we grew up.  She dressed beautifully and very chic.  She was so pretty.  She died when I was about 8.  I remember how sad my father was when he went to the funeral.  Outside of my father’s brothers and his parents she was the nicest person I ever remember as I grew up.  Uncle Byron owned a grocery store.  I was so proud of my father when the hard years came and he never went to him for favors.  My Uncle Frank was a baker and worked for years at the St Lawrence Inn in Gouvernur New York where we all lived..  Uncle Robert worked at the marble quarries.  He made tombstones, book ends, door stops and many other things.  Uncle Floyd lived in Watertown, 30 miles away.  We never saw him after Grandmother died grandfather kept a residence while the people were away at their great summer home at the Thousand Islands.  He tended the horses and kept the grounds.  One day when I was about 12 he took me for a ride in the small rubber tired topless carriage of the time, drawn by a beautifully groomed chestnut horse.  Right down main street we went clippity – clop.  He sat straight and tall.  I was so honored I’ve never forgotten.  Once during school he loaned me $2.50 a lot of money in those days.  I told him I’d pay him back but never did.  His temple work has been done for him and his wife and family sealed also that of many of his great ancestors.  I hope it was a fair exchange.  My grandfather lived at our home for a while when I was small.  He was blind in one eye.  We would have the drippings of the pork for fat for our potatoes.  Also my mother made syrup from sugar cooked with water.  Both were kept in small bowls on the table at meal time.  One time Grandfather put syrup on his potatoes instead of the pork fat.  We kids hid our heads under the table and laughed.  My Father’s house was a haven for his family and some one was always staying with us until one day my Mother objected.  That was the end of it.  Father always listened.  There were 12 children at the time.

     My father’s Mother Harriet Cornelia Osterhout was a wonderful little person.  She had dark eyes and white hair.  When I was very small we would go to her home for dinner.  The table was covered with a beautiful white cloth and she had lovely silver ware. The lace curtains at the windows and beautiful soft chairs we sat on were the loveliest I had ever seen.  She made chocolates and I remember how she would press the trousers of my Uncles as they prepared to get ready for a date.  She was a quiet, humble little soul.  I take after her in coloring and features.  My Grandmother loved my father.