Coe Family Reunion (2005)
The 103rd Annual Coe Reunion
Sunday July 17, 2005
The 103rd Annual William C. Coe Family Reunion was held on Sunday, July 17, 2005 at the Durham Fair Grounds, in Durham, CT. Everyone enjoyed a wonderful pot luck, which included a variety of many wonderful dishes and tasty desserts. At 1:55 P.M. the President, Henry W. Coe, Jr., called the business meeting to order. Henry started the meeting by thanking everyone for coming and for sharing their pictures and family stories.
Henry stated that this year, because the minutes of the 100th Coe Family Reunion celebration were so lengthy, the secretary printed them and that there was a copy for everyone to read. He asked if there were any corrections or additions to the minutes. There being none the minutes be accepted as printed.
Henry asked that John Gastler, Charlie Miller, and Elizabeth Burke serve on the nominating committee and come up with a slate of officers for next year. They accepted and retreated to their table for their selections.
The President thanked the secretary for all of her efforts with the 100th Reunion Minutes. He then called on the William C. Coe Family Reunion Historian, Mabel Gastler Hamma. As usual, Mabel had a wonderful presentation. It reflected on the sugar maples on the original Coe Homestead and what a significant role they were to play in our heritage. Mabel stated that Coe Reunion has made the news several times in the past. Mabel proceeded with a reading from Mrs. W. T. Coe, historian for the 1907 W.C. Coe Family Reunion. (Mrs. Coe’s reflections follow in its entirety):
Reunion, 1907
Written by historian, Mrs. W. T. Coe
Two years have passed since we last met here for the reunion of The William C. Coe family. Eleven times we have gathered here under these Maples on the Old Homestead we love so well. These trees may be a little historical just to our own descendents. The tree directly in front of the house came up in your Grandma’s flowerbed.
She cared for it, up to a stake that it might grow straight and she has lived to see it grow into a grand old tree. The next one to the cast William T. set out after the Tornado swept through, laying some of our shade trees low. During an electrical storm, the one, which formerly stood near the mailbox, seemed to be the shining mark and was struck hard so that it died. Grandpa sat out the present one, but it never has kept its foliage through the season like the other ones; we think it is the effects of the lightning. The one over our table came up just back of the blacksmith shop, which stood there. And, here in the old days, Grandfather shod a great many oxen and horses. This tree on the Point, Brother Henry set out, so you see these trees are only historical to us and not of worldly renown.
Since last we came together here as a family, some have married, some have passed over to the other shore and four little ones have been added to our number; another Page to our history, also a Stone making our foundation still stronger, one more in the Camp and one more great, great grandchild. The two youngest and last of the single grand children are married. Charles Coe, after much suffering, has left us for a better land. Although he never met with us but once, he was always with us at heart and his family has been represented here many times.
Aunt Betsey Coe, after a long and useful life of years, has joined her loved ones gone before. Uncle Charlie, we miss his face from our midst today. Although not connected with the Coe family by ties of blood, he more than enjoyed our Reunions and has always been with us unless detained by ill health and even in his last sickness expressed a wish to once more meet with us at Reunion. Mother, who was so smart and full of life when we first began our Reunions, is little but a wreck at the present time, pitiful to see, her mind is gone, so she hardly knows her own children. Nearly 97 years, almost a century, a long time to travel this earth. Looking back over the years that we have gathered here, what changes we see. We who then considered ourselves young or in the prime of life, today find old age coming creeping on and some of us find our heads thickly sprinkled with white. Those that were lads and lassies then are now husbands and matrons with families around them, and the babies then are the lads and lassies today.
There are now of the William C. Coe descendants, two sons, 14 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren and two great, great-grandchildren.
Perhaps it might be interesting to some of the younger members if I should reminisce a little and tell you something of our ancestors early days.
Long years ago, your grandfather, William C., went from Durham to Wallingford to woo and win his wife, the fair Eliza Allen. Now Grandpa went courting on horse-back and only once in two weeks, so you see, they did not enjoy any long carriage rides, as is quite customary in these days. Grandma’s people were strictly Presbyterians of the genuine blue type so their Sabbath commenced at sundown Saturday night and no more work must be done until after sundown Sunday night, which ended the Sabbath. Grandma’s father and brothers were carpenters. They went away to work Monday morning and did not return until Saturday. Of course there were mittens, gloves, and other garments to be mended so when Monday morning came, they would be all ready for another start. Grandma’s mother was old and almost blind so after sundown Sunday night, Grandma had to do the mending and Grandpa held the candle for her so that was the way they did their courting. But as time rolled along, they were married and Grandpa brought his wife home and they settled here, 78 years ago, and she has nearly reached the Century mark.
There was a great old house stood here then. Grandma said she used to be very lonesome for her husband was gone all day, but she was brave and ambitious and her days were busy, making butter, cheese, spinning and weaving, and a great many other things. She has often told me of the first years she lived here, how there were Indians, real Indians that used to travel through here occasionally. At one time, seven came and wanted to stay all night. Not liking to refuse them, they let them sleep on the kitchen floor wrapped in their blankets, and Grandpa and Grandma sat up all night and kept fire in the big old-fashioned fireplace. Another time, an Indian, Jim Sobuck by name, came in and asked for a codfish. Grandma gave him one, and then he wanted a kettle to make codfish stew
When he got it cooked, he wanted her to eat with him but she declined. She was sometimes frightened by tramps but she was quite brave and I think in those days it took a pretty smart man to frighten her. She chased one tramp out of the dooryard with an old iron bar, which fastened the front door. He was so frightened that he ran and cleared the fences, not seeing the gate at all. He told her he would kill the woman that denied him a piece of bread and that made her quite vexed.
I think I have occupied enough of your valuable time and will close by saying, as time rolls on, we older ones will have passed away, some of us who are here today may never see another Reunion, but it is our wish that these Reunions will always be held each year and never allowed to die, but that they will flourish and grow down to the great, great-grandchildren for generation after generation, until time is no more.
Mabel stated that she found the article below that makes reference to one of the sugar maples mentioned in the 1907 Coe Family Reunion Minutes above. She stated that the article shows that the sugar maple trees continued to have an impact on people’s lives 100+ years after they had been planted. I only go to show that we all truly leave our footprints behind.
MIDDLETOWN PRESS WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 21, 1991
Loss of Tree Saddens DurhamFamily
By KAREN A. GLEASON
DURHAM, CT
For Bonnie L. Pasqualoni, Hurricane Bob will be a memorable storm. It was the storm that took down a large portion of a sugar maple tree neighboring her home. But it wasn’t any just any maple tree. “This isn’t something we are going to replace in our lifetime. It affects the aesthetic value,’ she said. “It went beyond tree. It gave off a feeling of beauty and life that can’t be replaced.” Several portions of the tree, which measured more than 24 feet in circumference, fell Monday afternoon during the storm. Branches from a second sugar maple tree also fell onto her property but that tree was smaller than the large one that fell.
The town’s highway department had moved the large branches, which had been blocking the road, onto Pasqualoni’s property. I’m surprised it went down, it was in good health and weathered other storms:’ Pasqualoni said.
The tree is located on a small section of town-owned property on a triangle-shaped corner of Coe and Stage Coach Roads, but its branches had extended far onto Pasqualoni’s property and actually screened the road from her home.
First Selectwoman MaryAnn P. Boord said the town’s tree warden in the past suggested gutting the tree down because it was old and too close to the road. But the property owners had requested the tree remain intact, Boord said. Several people have stopped to lee the tree, Pasqualoni said, adding it was the largest sugar maple she had ever seen. “Kids used to wait for the bus under here, meet under here and play under here,” she said. “We tried tapping the tree for maple syrup. The Coe family used to have reunions on the triangle. Words couldn’t possibly do these trees justice.”
Pasqualoni, a former Wallingford resident, purchased her stage Coach Road property 22 fears ago. One reason she liked be area was its abundant sugar maple trees.
‘These trees made a thing of beauty out of the whole area,” said. In addition, the trees screened an old chicken farm located across the street. We planted a lot of trees but these tees were planted for us. An avid nature buff, Pasqualoni spends a lot of time hiking and camping. “I have a profound respect for nature. It’s a gift to us. We can nurture it and take care of it and make it bend to will,” she said. “You can’t measure this loss. This is something significant in passing. Definitely. But you can’t help because it is nature,” she added.
Bonnie Pasqualoni of Durham and her son, John Dante, sit on what is left of a sugar maple that abutted their property. The tree, which was more than 24feet n circumference was ripped apart during Monday’s hurricane. The two said the tree, at the corner of Stage Coach and Coe roads in Durham, was the largest they had ever seen.
Mabel also stated that we had the following additions and losses to our family:
BIRTHS:
Zane Nelson born September 13, 2001 to Scott and Stacey Tinker
Marceline Ann D’Errico born June 15, 2003 to Sharri and Ralph D’Errico III
KarLeigh Marie Coe born July 30, 2003 to Jeffrey and Jamie Tinker
Justin Patrick Coe born October 15, 2003 to Kevin E. and Patricia Coe
Cara Rose Tinker born August 11, 2004 to Scott and Stacey Tinker
KaitLynn Page Rose born November 8, 2004 to Jeffrey and Jamie Tinker
Benjamin Burke Cesca born April 12, 2005 to Sarah J. Burke and Gary Francis Cesca
MARRIAGES:
Jason Coe and Liza Paolino were married on June 4, 2002
Sharri Coe and Ralph D’Errico III were married on October 4, 2002
Sarah J. Burke and Gary Francis Cesca married April 16, 2004
Holly Pearce and Bruce Bisson were married on October 9, 2004
DEATHS:
Gerald Costello died November 11, 2002
Clara Korn died June 13, 2003
Nan Gastler died August 1, 2003
Mildred Page Coe died April 22, 2004
Elizabeth Burke died September 29, 2004
President, Henry W. Coe, Jr. introduced and welcomed:
Art and Ann Coe, from Cheshire, CT. They had heard about “Coe Reunion” last year at the Durham Fair and joined us for the first time this year.
Charlie and Margaret Coe from Portland, CT. They were able to attend this year because they were in Connecticut which has not been the case in the past. Charlie spoke of going to England and stopping by the Church of St. Mary the Virgin and scanning documents. He left copies with the family. The documents show 14 generations of the Coe family in England.
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE PARISH CHURCH OF ST. MARY THE VIRGIN, GESTINGTHORPE.
Since Domesday Book tells us that Ghestingetorp was held by Ledmar, a priest, in the time of Edward the Confessor, it is possible that there was a church here before the Conquest, but the oldest part of the present building is 13th.century, a blocked up lancet window in the north wall of the church. Otherwise most of the chancel, nave and aisle date from the l4th.century.
The comparative hardness of the lines of the arcade and clerestory is due to the restoration carried out by A.Blomfield Jackson, R.A., in 1894. At that time the great weight of the roof was thrusting the walls out to such an extent that the building was dangerous. The chancel arch, which had been largely blocked up, was re-built together with the wall on each side of it and the south arcade. During the reconstruction the stairs to the rood loft were discovered to the south of the chancel arch, but they were regrettably bricked up again.
The principal features of the church are the roof, the east window, and the tower. THE ROOF is one of the finest in Essex. Of the double-hammer-beam type, it was built in 1493, presumably at the expense pof 'Peter Barnard and Marget hys Wyf' and 'Thomas Loveda and Alys hye Wyf', whose names appear on the north and south sides respectively. The best view of it is to be obtained from the floor of the tower. The aisle roof is of the same date.
THE EAST WlNDOW is in the decorated style (cl320). Its tracery is unusual and consists simply of arches placed on top of the apexes of the arches below them. The inclination of the head in the second: and fourth lights is an extraordinary feature. The other chancel windows are also early 14th.century, but it willbe seen that a larger 15th.century window has been obstructed by a great buttress outside the north wall, and a small window dated 1673 substituted for it.
In the Nave, the larger windows are respectively 15th.century perpendicular and 14th.century decorated. The only bit of old glass that we have is high up in the latter, a small picture,restored, of the Madonna and Child. The windows in the south aisle are 15th.century.
THE TOWER is contemporary with the roof, about 1500. William Carter, in 1498, bequeathed forty shillings towards the cost. Its great bulk may be partly accounted fur by the presence
of a brick-field in the vil1age, closed early in this century because hand-made bricks were too expensive. It 1s typical of the early Tudor period, sixty six feet h1gh, and has diaper work in blue bricks in the north and south sides. The tracery of the windows is all of brick and, there are no stone dressings. The west door is original and secured only by an oak bar: there is no lock and no bolt. There is a heavy set of six bells. The first four were made by.Miles Gray of Colchester in 1658-9 the fifth, 1581, a Bury St.Edmunds bell, was re-cast in 1901as a thank-offering for the safe return of Captain L E G Oates from the Boer War the sixth was also re-cast in 1901, also from an ancient Bury bell which bore the inscription' Sancta Maria ora pro nobis’. On the floor of the tower are three tombstones moved from the chancel. One is that of John Elliston, of the Hall, who died in 1691, aged 31, and the other two formerly contained -brasses. One of these is believed to be the stone of John Coo, who died in 1530, and who held considerable properties in the neighbourhood. He willed his body to be buried ‘in the pace before Mary Magdalene'. This suggests that there was an altar dedicated to her in the south aisle. There is a piscina ( a basin for washing the communion vessels, with drain)both there and for the high a1tar in the chancel. Over the door into the vestry, there 1s a monument to John Sparrow Esq., who died in 1626 a kneeling figure 1n alabaster, with its back to the altar, because it was moved from the south side, when the sacrarium was restored in 1892 in memory of the Branwhite family. Another monument on the wall of the south aisle is to John Elliston, who died in 1741. The heroic Captain L.E.G.Oates, that ‘very gallant gentleman’, who died in a vain attempt to save the lives of his friends on the ill-fated Scott’s Antarctic Expedition in 1912, is commemorated in a brass on the north wall.
The Rood Screen, destroyed at the Reformation, was rebuilt in 1907. Apart from the omission of it loft and undervaulting, it is a faithful reproduction of the original, parts of the old screen having survived to be incorporated in the new work, where they are easily recognizable.
The SEDILLA– seats fro the priests – are in the usual place on the south side of the sacrarium: 14th.century, with restored ogee arches.
The FONT is late 14th century perpendicular with the symbols of the Evangelists respectively a The 18th.century pictures are of Moses and Aaron.
The Church owns two massive treasure chests hewn out of the trunks of trees, each with numerous locks. One is at the foot of the tower, and the other is in the ringing chamber. The Three-decker pulpit disappeared more than a hundred years ago. The pews date from about 1850. There is no ancient communion plate.
The PORCH, like the tower, dates from c.1500. The organ chamber was added in 1894.
The ORGAN, built by Binns of Leeds, was dedicated in 1910,and opened with a recital by Sir Frederick Bridge and Frederick Ranalow
Among the flints of the walls, especially in the east wall, can be seen fragments of Roman tiles. Since 1950 a Roman village has been unearthed about half-a-mile away to the east and excavations are continuing. The church has had many benefactors in the last seventy years. The most considerable material gifts have been mad by the Oates family, and these include the provision of the organ chamber, the reconstruction of the screen, the restoring of the bells and the lectern, building the lynch gate, as well as much else. IN addition to the brickworks already mentioned, there was, until 1912, a pottery works in Pot Kiln Chase, below the church. These had existed for about 300 years. Specimens of Gestingthorpe pottery are to be seen in the Colchester Museum, the Manchester Art Gallery and the Fitzwilliam at Cambridge. A stocks and pillory stood by the church gate, but have disappeared. The Stocks were last used about 1850, it is said, when some youths disturbed a funeral on a Sunday afternoon. The Hall standing to the north-west of the church is a good example of the early Georgian period:1735.
We were all pleased that both couples were able to join us this year.
The president then called on Charlie Miller to say a few words. Charlie spoke of his wife Tara and how she would have loved to have been with us this year but due to health concerns she was unable to attend. Tara is such an integral part of our family and she was instrumental in making our 100th Anniversary Reunion such a monumental success. The family sent her our Love and prayers. Mabel spoke of the book that Tara put together and encouraged everyone to make it a point to view it before the day was out. She stated that it was a wonderful tribute for the family.
Dori-Lynn Coe spoke of the video that she is producing. She stated that she had 12 minutes of tape finished and encouraged those interested to view it on a laptop computer that she brought from home. She stated that if anyone was interested in having one that they should let her know. When the video is completed she will let them know and they then could send her their payment for them and she would forward it to them or she will have the finished copies available at next year’s family reunion.
Henry called on the nominating committee to bring forth their slate of officers for next year. The spokesman stated that the committee agreed, unanimously, that the slate of officers should remain the same. President: Henry W. Coe, Jr.; Vice President: Jeffrey Grant; Treasurer: Jack Gastler; Secretary: Loraine Coe; Chaplain: Elizabeth Grant (in the event that Elizabeth is unable to carry out the duties of the position, the position will be filled by John Gastler); Office of Special Services: Tara Miller.
Henry called on the Treasurer, Jack Gastler for the Treasurer’s report. Jack reported:
Beginning Cash Balance $ 695.35
Interest for 2003 28.00
Interest for 2004 28.00
$ 751.35
Expenses for 2005 Reunion $ 223.21
$ 528.14
Raffle $ 84.00
$ 612.14
Collection $ 225.00
Ending Cash Balance $ 837.14
Motion was made to pay the Reunion expenses and motion was made and so moved to accept the Treasurer’s report.
Henry called on John Gastler to speak. John informed the group that a small group of family had met regularly in Florida and had a copy of their 6th Coe Reunion South. A copy of those minutes appears next.
The sixth annual Coe Family South
The sixth annual Coe Family South Reunion was held on Valentine’s Day 2005 at the home of Helen and Mal Pearce in Fort Myers, Florida with five members attending. Mal and Helen, Harriet and Dick Duval and John Gastler. Our hosts reported that they had talked by phone with regular Attendees Charlie and Tara Miller and that both were upbeat even though enduring their Northern clime.
During pot luck hors d’oeuvres the business of the day was thoroughly discussed by all. Of prime interest were health concerns of various family members up north and elsewhere, undoubtedly this topic was of interest because the average age of all attendees is due north of 70 years.
Dinner was served at the Macaroni Grill which one attendee termed the Radio Restaurant. It is not clear whether his failing eyesight interpreted “Macaroni “as “Marconi” or whether this was a poor attempt at even poor humor.
Upon returning to the Pearce’s for pot luck dessert a technical program was presented by the Pearce’s housekeeper “Roberta”. “Roberta” is a robotic, battery-powered vacuum cleaner which diligently cleaned every corner and cranny of the living room. To maintain a semblance of propriety no demonstration was presented of “Roberta’s” performance in a bedroom. A panel consisting of all present also reviewed the likely prospects of hybrid vehicles and digital cameras. All present enjoyed the program.
It was agreed that we would meet again next year” Lord Willin’ and the crick don’t rise and the Hurricanes don’t hit!
Respectfully submitted,
John Gastler- Secretary pro tem and Ad Nauseum.
Henry thanked John for his sharing and his wonderful sense of humor. Who knows… this may turn into an annual event as well.
The raffle (run primarily by Jessica Kirby (daughter of Lori (Gastler) & Ron Kirby) and her committee: Taylor and Cameron Corazzo (daughter and son of Krista (Coe) & Michael Corazzo) were held much to the delight and impatience of the little ones. All of the tickets were sold and many items were available for the raffle.
Henry then turned the rest of the meeting over to Harriet Duval. Harriet introduced her son Brian Russell who entertained the family with his wonderful talents. Brian is virtually a one man band. His Irish ditties and medleys and music which included: guitar, fiddle, drums etc. His accompaniment was a pre-recording of his own with his playing all of the individual instruments. He delighted everyone and we are truly blessed to have such talent in our family and thankful that he is willing to entertain us with it.
As his mother stated (and she can because she is his mother)… that his Grandfather would have been very proud of him. His grandfather and his mother entertained at many, many past Coe family reunions. Thank you, Brian!!!
Reunion came to a close with the “Coe Family Singers” singing a number of old favorites. It is this writer’s impression that it was a wonderful day and we all had a great time in spite of the skies opening up with torrential rains at one point. On cue… the rain started after everyone had arrived and stopped just prior to everyone leaving. Who could have asked for more!!!
Respectfully Submitted,
Loraine A. Coe
Secretary