| Res.1/Male/Husb} Williams, Theodore John (John T.) |
Family History} Hancock |
| Res.2/Fem./Wife} Bird, Myrtle A. |
HH Type} Historic household
 |
| Address/Location: | |
| Name(s)} | Theodore & Myrtle Williams |
| Optional} | RFD #2 Box 55 |
| Str./Apt.} | Old Sonoma Road, Carneros |
| City/etc.} | Napa County, California |
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| Household Dates: |
| Source} Exa 1982/1984 |
| Move-In} Cir 1909/1910 |
| Move-Out} Cir 1933/1934 |
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Last Updated
by} Dan Hancock |
Date Updated} 1 Jan 2006
Date Created} 16 Aug 1999 |
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Notes: Theodore purchased two acres of land (date not yet known) on what is now the
Old Sonoma Road about a half mile from the Five Mile House and about a
half-mile east of Carneros Creek. On it, Theodore built a wood and tool
shed, then a barn, and finally a small house. The family then moved
to the new house. Next to the barn for the horse, he built a workshop
and an outdoor privy — all side by side. Theodore also built a
cabin in the back yard so that Simeon could practice on his violin late at
night without disturbing anyone.
Theodore was a professional water-well driller. Although he perforated
his two acres with about 36 wells, he never did get enough water to
fill his family's needs. He hauled water in a barrel on a wagon from
a county well a half-mile away. He also had a concrete cistern for
collecting rainwater. He had settled in the poorest groundwater area in
the Carneros district.
The Williams used the hauled water for washing clothes, mainly. There was
a basin and a bucket on the screened-in porch for washing up before coming
into the kitchen. There was only enough water from their well for
cooking and to wash dishes. Myrtle used any water left over from washing
hands to water her verbenas. She always had a big garden of verbenas year
after year.
Their granddaughter Viola remembered
"the wood stove and right near it a red velvet chaise lounge
with a 4-inch fringe that hung to the floor. Seemed like every Sunday when
we went out to visit (in the old Dodge touring car) Grandma always had custard
pie in the oven. I just loved those pies with the nutmeg on top.
They had a cow and chickens so lots of milk and eggs made lots of custard
pies. Grandpa taught me to break an egg into a pan by using a knife.
Many times I cut the egg clear through."
"Behind the wagon shed, which was connected to the barn, was a small room where
Grandpa would take his rest after lunch. Lorraine and I would go with him
and he'd tell us stories about the tar-baby that got caught in the barbed wire
fence."
Theodore died on 2 Nov 1933 while on a shopping trip to Napa. After
that Myrtle moved in with Simeon and Bess. Simeon sold the little "ranch"
and most of the furniture. He kept their walnut bed, dresser, a small
table, and the walnut dining table. The latter two item later given to
Viola. Myrtle died on 26 Apr 1934.
(Note: Source 494 is a deed, dated June 11, 1909,
whereby Theodore sells two acres for $10.00.) |
| Total # of Residents} 5 |
| Other Residents: |
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| Household | His Last HH} 141 | His Next HH} 94 |
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| Links => | Her Last HH} 141 | Her Next HH} 94 |
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Copyright © 2004 - 2006 by Daniel W. Hancock. All Rights Reserved. |
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