Introduction (by Dorothy Overbaugh Vander Meulen)…
The following is a transcript of an old, typewritten letter sent to me by our cousins, James and Ann Estabrooks. Jim has given permission for this to be published on Pearl sites and for this, I thank him for sharing this treasure, not only for myself, but also for our family.
This letter dates from 1901 and was sent by Frank C. Lummis to Elmer C. Jewett. It is a testimony of the appreciation and love, that those who knew her, had for Eva Maria Pearl who had died the 8th of July 1901, unmarried, at age 25. Eva was a school teacher and had taught in one room school houses in Hampton and in Chaplin. There is reference in the letter to her failing health. My mother told me that Eva died of tuberculosis and, in the last days or weeks of her illness, had been nursed at home by her family, till her death. She is buried in Hampton’s North Cemetery.
My Mom’s middle name is Eva, after her aunt. Eva Pearl was the oldest child of seven. Her parents were Austin Eugene Pearl and Mary Emma Weeks. In chronological order, the children were: Eva, Arthur, William (my grandfather), Reuben, Mary, Florence and Evelyn (Jim Estabrook’s Mom.)
The photographs of Eva Marie Peal and her school handbell were contributed by Carolyn Stone. We do not have a group photograph of Eva and her family; but will happily share one here if found, as well as other images and mementos of her. As always we are eager to share family stories, images, and information through this site.
Chaplin, Conn.,
Oct. 12, 1901
Mr. Elmer C. Jewett,
Clark’s Corner, Conn.
My Dear Sir:-
I gladly comply with your request and have sent you a copy of our town report for the past school year. It came within the province of our acting school visitor to report concerning the death of Miss Eva M. Pearl, and to officially express the sense love felt by all who had an interest in the welfare of our public schools. But the scope and limits of an official report do not permit of an adequate testimony to her character and worth, and although it may seem somewhat presumptuous for one who had known her but two short years, to express to her friends and associates from infancy, so imperfect an estimate of the qualities of mind and heart, which endeared her to those with whom she came in contact, in her line of duty as a teacher. I would beg leave to add to the tribute which Mr. Frary has so fitly borne to her memory in the funeral address and in his official report, my personal view of one of the best and most successful teachers we have had for many years.
The Pearls of Hampton 