August 09, 2005
A visit with the Lathrop's at Red Top
Davison -> Howell; Davison-> Lathrop
(Click above to see the relationship)
View from 'Red Top' of the La Have River near Bridgewater, NS
This schooner belonged to Budd Davison, and this photo
was the centerpiece of Budd and Marj's Christmas card
(taken perhaps in 1950's. - photo from Stuart Davison's collection)
'Red Top' is a long-time summer gathering place for many in the Davison clan and their families in Canada. One hundred years ago, Red Top was a cook-house for one of the lumber mills belonging to E.D. Davison & Sons.
We (Dad, Claire, Susan and I), were invited to a wonderful lunch here, and an impromptu family gathering hosted by the current owners - cousin Ned Lathrop and his wife Diane. Also present were Ned's brother & sister, John Howland Lathrop and Margot Lathrop Brebner who also have homes nearby. We were especially honored that D. Whiting Lathrop (age 91), and father/grandfather/great grandfather of the clan present, was there. Whiting's wife, our cousin Margaret Helen Davison, was to arrive in a few days, but Dad and I did get to spend a few minutes with her on the telephone - more on that in a minute.. Also present: Ned and Diane’s son Eric Lathrop, and his wife Monica, kept busy by their baby daughter Elena. And last but not least, Rebecca Brebner, daughter of Margot who I'm sure must have a very long list of suitors.
Ned and Diane continue the tradition of keeping Red Top very much as it was in the 1800's. The structure is all wood (naturally), with many incredibly wide, rough planks milled from the trees right on the property. You can't miss the smell of pine and the beautiful view of the La Have river from the front porch. Along the way, a few small concessions such as indoor plumbing were added - but it strikes me the place is perhaps the most intact remaining structure of the old lumber mill today.
Ned explained that the surrounding thick forest of trees was actually second or third generation growth, planted by the Davison lumber company after the trees that were on this land were harvested. Interesting to note that even 'way back then' there was an appreciation that the supplies of timber were not without limits.
One of the photos hanging prominently at Red Top was of a graduating class at St. Andrews College in Aurora, Ontario. (as the brochure says: "Residential/Day school for Boys Grade 6-12." and "One of the oldest and most beautiful boarding shcools in all of North America") I can't remember exactly who was in the photo, but as it turns out – I learned for the first time that many Davison descendants have graduated from here – the thought occurred to us then that perhaps John E. Howell may have also attended before he went off to the University of Toronto - need to check that one out.
John Howland Lathrop and I discussed that his middle name is in honor of his/our direct line connection to Pilgrim John Howland of the Mayflower – something I had independently found and reported here on Nov. 6, 2004, but had never had anyone else in the family confirm it (click for tree). At some point it would be fun to locate some family lore related to this connection.
Rebecca Brebner was kind enough to volunteer to go next door and grab several boxes full of old family photos and documents – we unfortunately didn’t get a chance to go through them – but it is great to know they are there, and I’m sure will be the subject of further investigation! For one, I'm sure there must be a photo, newspaper article, or something documenting E.D. Davison Jr.'s Oct 1879 wedding to Alma M. Hickman. At this point we have no image of Alma but will discover one that is a candidate upon our visit next week at the Hickman reunion (separate entry to follow on that!).
L to R: (back) Ned Lathrop, John S. Howell, Jr.
(front) J. Spencer Howell, Diane Lathrop, Claire M. Howell
After lunch Dad and I took turns talking with Margaret Helen Davison Lathrop on the telephone. Dad was able to tell her that he was leaving a teacup for her that was part of his mother's estate with instructions that it be given to Margaret. 33 years must be a record for late deliveries as Nanny (Elizabeth Louise Stone Howell) died in 1972 - tempus fugit! Margaret also confirmed that some of the details we have on Nellie sounded at least familiar – including the marriage to Alfred Gruenburger. She also seemed to recall that Nellie was first married in Europe.
As above except Susan Boyer Howell in front center
(The rest escaped before we brought out the camera!)
We Howell's owe this branch of the Davisons a special debt of grattitude as it was through the financial and moral support of Harold 'Budd' Doran Davison (1890-1965) and Edward 'Ned' Sumner Davison (1889-1959) that John E. Howell (1902 - 1948) was able to come to Canada, learn English, and receive his college education. (I need more biographical information on Ned and Budd!)
Ah yes. One other thing I learned on this trip - Practically every Davison descendant with Edward in his name ends up being called "Ned" - as was E. D. Jr. It matters not if your first or middle name is Edward...you are Ned in this family!