A Postcard

 When I share things I want to focus on the juicy details whenever possible. No one wants a big genesis-like list of names and dates. So items and photos especially, and where other information is warranted I will focus on facts that I can verify through primary documents, or if not, at least multiple sources. Regularly I see items on FamilySearch.org (its free! thanks Mormons!) where you can tell if someone had just viewed the source with their eyes instead of continuing to copy and paste they would tell what the record was supposed to say and not continued to pass on incorrect information. 

This postcard I found in a book I took from my grandma's house. I found other treasures in the book as well, we'll have those another time. The caption says "Winter Home of John D Rockefeller, Ormond Beach, Fla". Here's a nice overview of the house, which is called The Casements. It must be nice to name your house. Mine would be called something related to Hobbits, I think. 

It is addressed to "V-- H.A. Post, Coudesport, PA. Potter County" The text is as follows (as well as I can gather)

"Coronado Beach, Fla

10 December 1925

Dear Archdeacon,

    We are here enjoying the sunshine and the out-of-doors -- which for me means so much. The ___ is __ anxious for me to be back on the job-- __ only promise him to come just as soon as __. Our kindest regards to you and to Mrs Post from us all--

Ever yours, A.S.P."

As you can see I couldn't make out all of those words. If you can pick them out, please do. Paleography is quite the art form! As best as I can gather from census data and other sources, the family lived in Pennsylvania for some time (and non-consecutive times, as my grandfather was born in PA but his next sibling in Nevada, and the following two back in PA). From an obituary notice in the publication “The Living Church” which appears to have been a sort of church directory, vol 125 Nov 3 1952: "After a curacy on Staten Island, he was rector of the parishes in the diocese of Harrisburg and Erie PA, later becoming Archdeacon of Harrisburg for 5 years". However, a little tidbit from the religious publication “The Churchman” vol 121, (Jan 3 1920) says that Henry Atwell “Resigned the rectorship of All Saint’s Church in Harrisburg PA, and will become the rector of St Paul’s, Elko Nevada, and have charge of the missions at Wells, Clover valley, Palisade, Eureka and Tuscarosa”. Douglas was born in May 1920 in Nevada, and his next sibling Joe was born in July of 1921 back in Pennsylvania. So perhaps the rectorship in Elko was previous to becoming Archdeacon, and the "Living Church" blurb just didn't think to mention it as it seems to have been rather short!

I have no idea who A.S.P is. Henry was an only child (which seems very rare for his day), but I'd hazard a guess its another Post, perhaps a cousin. Maybe I will figure it out!