 1860 - 1897 (37 years)
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| Name |
Gwendolen Alice Reese [3, 4] |
| Suffix |
"Alice" |
| Birth |
1859-1860 |
Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States  [5] |
| Gender |
Female |
| Alt. Birth |
Cardiff, Wales, UK |
| Religion |
Olney, PA [6] |
| Member, St. Albans Episcopal Church |
| FindAGrave URL |
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/88246836 |
| FindAGrave ID |
88246836 |
| FamilySearch ID |
LKCT-H83 |
| FamilySearch URL |
https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/LKCT-H83 |
| Death |
9 Feb 1897 |
Olney, Philadelphia, PA [7, 8] |
| Burial |
13 Feb 1897 |
Greenmount Cemetery, Philadelphia, PA [9, 10] |
| Person ID |
I91 |
Main |
| Last Modified |
3 Jul 2020 |
| Family |
George Washington Boyer, b. 21 Feb 1848, Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States d. 16 Jan 1926, Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States (Age 77 years) |
| Marriage |
11 Apr 1887 |
Olney, Philadelphia, PA [11, 12] |
| Notes |
Married:
- From the marriage record p.280 : Married Monday April 11, 1887 at 455 N. 7th St. George Washington Boyer age 37, residence Olney, Phila. Parents Jacob & Margaret Boyer. Gwendolen Alice Reese age 29, residence 457 Marshall St.. Parents Thomas & Gwendolen Reese. Signature of Clergyman: R. Boroden Shepherd (no witnesses shown in register) [13]
|
| Children |
| | 1. Edith Ruth Boyer, b. 13 Feb 1888, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania d. 14 Oct 1888, Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States (Age 0 years) |
| | 2. Mabel Gwendolen Boyer, b. 19 Oct 1889 d. 19 Dec 1900, Olney, Philadelphia, PA (Age 11 years) |
| | 3. George Washington Boyer, Jr., b. 22 Jun 1892, Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States d. Dec 1977, Reading, Berks, Pennsylvania, United States (Age 85 years) |
| + | 4. Wilbur Russell Boyer, b. 7 Dec 1896, Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States d. 30 Jun 1985, Ft. Myers, FL (Age 88 years) |
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| Documents |
 | Boyer - Reese Marriage
|
 | Mabel Gwendolyn Boyer - Baptism
Church Records
Church of the Advent (Episcopal)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
22 Jun 1890
Source Citation
Historical Society of Pennsylvania; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Historic Pennsylvania Church and Town Records; Reel: 224
Source Information
Ancestry.com. Pennsylvania and New Jersey, Church and Town Records, 1669-2013 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011.
Original data: Historic Pennsylvania Church and Town Records. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Historical Society of Pennsylvania. |
 | Edith Ruth Boyer - Baptism
Church of the Advent (Episcopal) records
Philadelphia, Pa
10 Jun 1888 "Edith Ruth Boyer"
Birthplace "Feb 13, 1888"
Parents "George W Boyer, Gwendolen Alice Boyer"
Sponsor or Witness "Ruth Reese"
Source Citation
Historical Society of Pennsylvania; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Historic Pennsylvania Church and Town Records; Reel: 224
Source Information
Ancestry.com. Pennsylvania and New Jersey, Church and Town Records, 1669-2013 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011.
Original data: Historic Pennsylvania Church and Town Records. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Historical Society of Pennsylvania.
Methodist Church Records. Valley Forge, Pennsylvania: Eastern Pennsylvania United Methodist Church Commission on Archives and History. |
 | Edith Ruth Boyer - Death Certificate
|
 | Mabel G. Boyer - Death Certificate
|
| Family ID |
F64 |
Group Sheet | Family Chart |
| Last Modified |
3 Jul 2020 |
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| Event Map |
|
 | Birth - 1859-1860 - Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States |
 |
 | Alt. Birth - - Cardiff, Wales, UK |
|
 | Religion - Member, St. Albans Episcopal Church - - Olney, PA |
|
 | Marriage - 11 Apr 1887 - Olney, Philadelphia, PA |
|
| Death - 9 Feb 1897 - Olney, Philadelphia, PA |
|
 | Burial - 13 Feb 1897 - Greenmount Cemetery, Philadelphia, PA |
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| Documents |
 | Phila Inquirer re: Gwendoline Boyer fire
Article appearing in the Philadelphia Inquirer 11 Feb, 1897 describing the terrible fire in which Gwendoline was killed. |
 | Boyer house fire article
pdf version of Article appearing in the Philadelphia Inquirer 11 Feb, 1897 describing the terrible fire in which Gwendoline was killed. |
 | Gwendolen A. Boyer
Coroner and Undertaker report |
 | No Birth Record
Confirmation that no birth records exist for Gwendolen A. Boyer in 1863 and for Mabel Boyer in 1888-1890 |
 | Phila Inquirer headline of Boyer fire
Headline of article appearing in the Philadelphia Inquirer 11 Feb, 1897 describing the terrible fire in which Gwendoline was killed. |
|
| Mabel Gwendolyn Boyer - Baptism
Church Records
Church of the Advent (Episcopal)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
22 Jun 1890
Source Citation
Historical Society of Pennsylvania; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Historic Pennsylvania Church and Town Records; Reel: 224
Source Information
Ancestry.com. Pennsylvania and New Jersey, Church and Town Records, 1669-2013 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011.
Original data: Historic Pennsylvania Church and Town Records. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Historical Society of Pennsylvania. |
| Headstones |
 | Boyer Plot - Greenmount Cemetery
Greenmount Cemetery, Philadelphia, PA - unmarked plot of George Washington Boyer, his wife Gwendolen Reece, his daughters Edith Boyer and Mabel Boyer. |
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| Notes |
- From the marriage record p.280 : Married Monday April 11, 1887 at 455 N. 7th St. George Washington Boyer age 37, residence Olney, Phila. Parents Jacob & Margaret Boyer. Gwendolen Alice Reese age 29, residence 457 Marshall St.. Parents Thomas & Gwendolen Reese. Signature of Clergyman: R. Boroden Shepherd (no witnesses shown in register)
From The Philadelphia Inquirer - 11 Feb, 1897:
Fatally Burned at Her Home by the Upsetting of an Oil Lamp, Mrs. Boyer Loses Her Life
Mrs. Gwendoline Boyer, of Olney, was so badly burned on Monday night that she died. Her baby, which was in her arms, was saved by her husband, who leaped from a sick bed to try to save both.
Enveloped in flames that leaped from her oil-soaked garments, Mrs. Gwendoline Boyer, aged 37 years, met a horrible death at her home in Olney. Miraculously, almost, her infant, which she was holding at the time her clothing took fire, escaped without injury, but her husband, George Boyer, and Emil Wireman, a farm laborer, were both severely burned in their efforts to put out the fire.
The Boyers live in a three-story stone house on Maple avenue near Old Second street turnpike, and have carried on prosperous trucking business on the few acres which surround the dwelling. Some time ago Mrs. Boyer was taken sick and her illness developed into a severe case of grip. Her husband, too, became ill and was confined in his bed. Last of all the baby was attacked by the same malady, and with a ll the family down things were decidely gloomy.
BEFORE THE ACCIDENT
Slowly the parents improved, but the baby grew worse. So critical was its condition on Monday that hope was about given up, and it was then decided to have it christened at once. Rev. Dr. Upjohn, of Germantown was sent for and performed the ceremony in the presence of the sick parents and Miss Ruth Ingram, their nurse. Toward night the baby rallied somewhat, and when at 10 o'clock preparations for retiring were made the babe was carefully disrobed while lying in its mother's arms.
Mrs. Boyer sat near a washstand on which was a good-sized kerosene lamp and in reaching for some clothing for the baby the lamp was overturned. It crashed against the marble-top of the stand, the burning oil spreading all over the baby and Mrs. Boyer. In a twinkling the mother's clothing was a mass of flames.
THE HUSBAND'S BRAVERY
From his sick bed the husband leaped to aid his wife and child. He succeeded in taking the baby unharmed from the mother's arms and he quickly laid it on the bed. The he rushed to his wife's rescue. Meanwhile the screams of the woman had brought Wireman and another farm hand to the rescue and the three men worked like mad to save her. They beat at the flames and finding that this did no good they carried the victim to a window and literally tore off the burning garments strip by strip. They threw the burning rags outside. Finally the carpet was torn from the floor and with this the men managed to smother the flames. When this was done the woman was burned from head to foot.
Dr. Rush was called and hurried to the house. he saw Mrs. Boyer was fatally hurt, but with morphine he managed to alleviate in a measure her awful pain. The poor woman lingered until morning when she died.
The shock, excitement and burns have caused Mr. Boyer to take to his bed again and he is pronounced seriously ill. Wireman is badly burned about the hands and arms, but is not seriously hurt. Quite recently Mrs. Boyer had come into posession of a considerable sum which was left to her by a relative. With this the couple had intended building a home in the city and quitting the truck business.
The Philadelphia Inquirer - 13 Feb, 1897:
"Boyer - Suddenly, on February 10, 1897, Gwendolen A. wife of George W. Boyer, aged 37 years. The relatives and friends of the family are respectfully invited to attend funeral services, on Saturday afternoon, at 2 o'clock precisely, at her late residence, Olney, Philadelphia. Interment at Green Mount Cemetery."
Coroner's Certificate Details (on file):
Name: Gwendolen A. Boyer, White, Female, age 37, Married, date of death Feb 10, 1897, Cause of death - Burns - Acc. Rec'd, S.H. Ashbridge Coroner.
Undertakers Certificate (on file):
Occupation - Housewife, Place of Birth - Phila. (no entry for Mother and Father names), Ward - 22nd, Street - 2nd St. Pike, Olney, Phila. Burial date - 13 Feb 1897, Place of Burial - Green Mount, Albert Cummings - Undertaker residence Olney, Phila.
Visited her grave in May 2004 at the Greenmount Cemetery. Photo and copy of plot card on file. Others buried in this plot are: George W. Boyer (husband), Baby Edith Boyer, (daughter), Mabel G. Boyer (daughter).
The cemetery records show that the only gravestone marking the plot is that of Baby Edith Boyer, however upon visiting, no gravestone, other than one that was illegible, could be found.
Last name spelling is unknown: may be Ryse.
Evelyn (Boyer) Hinsdale notes (Dec 2005):
"She accidentally spilled lamp oil on herself and it caught fire. Her husband George tried to save her, but could not. She was holding her son Wilbur at the time, but threw him on the bed and wrapped him up in bed sheets which saved him. The house did not burn down. Can't remember if my father told me the fire happened in the house on Ella Street in Philadelphia, or the next house they lived in which was on Front street 5 block away." [14, 15, 16, 17]
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-
| Sources |
- [S2] John S. Howell, Jr., JSH Feb 13 2003 gedcom.
- [SAuth] John Spencer Howell, Jr., John Spencer Howell, Jr., (http://www.jhowell.com/ jhowell@jhowell.com).
- [S1598] Orphan's Court - Philadelphia, Marriage License Index 1885 - 1916, https://www.familysearch.org/s/image/show#uri=http%3A%2F%2Fpilot.familysearch.org%2Frecords%2Ftrk%3A%2Ffsrs%2Fidgs%3A004141911.004141911_00057&hash=HloWXpZgU9zB10k5M56iYku8TUc%253D.
- [S1735] The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, FamilySearch.org, ((http://www.familysearch.org)), accessed 27 Jun 2020), entry for Gwendolen Alice Reese, person ID LKCT-H83.
- [S1252] Death Certificate, Coroner's Certificate City of Philadelphia #16867 - Age 37. born Philadelphia.
- [S8] WR Boyer, 6 Sep 2003.
- [S864] 1900 U.S. Census, Does not appear. Husband appears as widower.
- [S1122] Philadelphia Inquirer, The article published on 11 Feb, 1897 stated the fire was on Monday night (Feb 8th) and that she died the next morning (Feb 9th).
- [S8] WR Boyer, 6 sep 2003.
- [S1252] Death Certificate, Coroner's Certificate City of Philadelphia #16867 -.
- [S1598] Orphan's Court - Philadelphia, Marriage License Index 1885 - 1916, Reese Gwendolen A (Boyer) Year 1887 F License #10233.
- [S1649] Philadelphia Marriage Records, (online: http://sharing.ancestry.com/1925332?h=9faf23&e=d2VuZG94eUBhdHQubmV0), "Pennsylvania, Philadelphia Marriage Indexes, 1885-1951," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-DZ5Q-JLJ?cc=1388247&wc=M6P3-Y29%3A10548501%2C10937301 : 21 May 2014), 1885-1916 > R > image 57 of 279; citing Clerk.
- [S1649] Philadelphia Marriage Records, (online: http://sharing.ancestry.com/1925332?h=9faf23&e=d2VuZG94eUBhdHQubmV0), p. 280.
From the marriage record p.280 : Married Monday April 11, 1887 at 455 N. 7th St. George Washington Boyer age 37, residence Olney, Phila. Parents Jacob & Margaret Boyer. Gwendolen Alice Reese age 29, residence 457 Marshall St.. Parents Thomas & Gwendolen Reese. Signature of Clergyman: R. Boroden Shepherd (no witnesses shown in register)
- [S518] John Spencer Howell, Jr., John Spencer Howell, Jr., (http://www.jhowell.com/ jhowell@jhowell.com), Visited cemetery May 2004.
- [S1252] Death Certificate, Coroner's Certificate City of Philadelphia #16867, Undertakers Certificate.
- [S1122] Philadelphia Inquirer, 11 Feb, 1897.
- [S1649] Philadelphia Marriage Records, (online: http://sharing.ancestry.com/1925332?h=9faf23&e=d2VuZG94eUBhdHQubmV0), p. 280.
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