1.EmilyA.Burd, born 28 Oct 1909 in Mine Hill, Morris Co., NJ (Source: Federal Census New Jersey 1910. Delayed Birth Certificate One Year Off); died 01 Jun 1991 in Tampa, Florida (Source: Florida Death Record #39-91-003370). She was the daughter of 2. StewartE.Burd, Jr. and 3. AnnieM.Hulmes. She married (1) WilliamEbneter 04 Sep 1926 in Little Falls, New Jersey. He was born 10 May 1896 in Weehawken, Hudson Co., NJ, and died 18 Jun 1980 in Dover, Morris Co., NJ. He was the son of Joseph Anton Ebneter and Barbara Thalmann.
Notes for Emily A. Burd:
Emily A. Burd is listed as Emma in the 1910 Census. Her delayed birth certificate says Emily A. Burd with date of birth as 28 Oct 1910, but in the 1910 Census she was already eight months old. She was listed as Anna in a New York state census when she lived with her Uncle William H. Bird and Grandmother Alice Benjamin Bird Edwards in New York state for a brief time.
From Emily's granddaughter and daughter of Bill Ebneter, Sue, 25 Mar 2003:
Now in the after-life is a wonderful woman, my grandmother, Emily Anne Burd Ebneter. This woman was a powerful influence on my life. She lived through many trails and tribulations. She came out of those times each time stronger than ever. I want to share with you the woman, the grandmother, I knew.
Gramie (as I knew her) was born October 28, 1909 in Mine Hill, Morris County, New Jersey. Gramie’s mom died when she was very young. Gramie would say, "When you’re left without a mother, you learn to be tough". She prided herself on being brave and strong. Relatively, fear was non-existent in her life. She always said that when your time is up, your time is up.
As a young girl she had to lift heavy milk cans and drive a wagon pulled by a horse. This made her physically strong which enabled her to protect herself on at least one occasion when a boy picked on her and she beat him up. This brings a chuckle to my heart, I could just see her doing that too.
Before Gramie married my grandfather, whom I knew as Pop-Pop, she worked in a factory. I can recall her telling me about making cardboard boxes. She married Pop-Pop when she was only sixteen, but she turned seventeen only a month later. Her cousin, Margaret, remembered he wanting children so bad, she would push a baby doll around in a stroller.
Gramie gave birth to four children, all boys. So, when I came along, the first grandchild, a girl at that, I was spoiled rotten. All four of her sons grew up to be well respected, hard workers, intelligent men. I’m sure she made them tow the line as they were growing up as she did my sister and me when we were with her. When her boys were late coming home she would go out looking for them. Once found, she would whip them on the spot with a willow switch. I remember those switches myself.
After her children were in school, Gramie worked at a shirt company. She also took in laundry. She was always taking odd jobs like washing floors, gift wrapping, etc. around the holidays for extra money for Christmas. Gramie worked hard all her life.
When my father was four or five years old, Gramie & Pop-Pop built their family home in Ledgewood, New Jersey. Gramie lived in this same home until she was about 79 years old in 1988 when she moved to Florida. This was the perfect home. Gramie was the best homemaker I’ve ever known. There was always delicious foods, mostly from the garden. Gramie canned and made jellies every year. She baked lots of cookies at Christmas time. I especially loved those almond cookie press Christmas trees. She sewed a lot too. The home was always clean with everything in it’s place. I remember those days of spring cleaning every year, when we cleaned everything everywhere, from top to bottom.
Not only was the inside of the home kept in perfect order, so was the outside. The lawn and gardens were immaculate. Gramie loved flowers and she had them everywhere. One side of the home was dedicated to the vegetable garden, fruit trees, and rose bushes. I can remember weeding the tulip beds that ran along the driveway.
Gramie was a caretaker at heart. Not only did she take care of her husband, children, and animals, she also took care of her father whenever he was ill. He would come and stay with Gramie when he was ill. Then, later in life, she took care of my sister, Lorrie, and me, her grandchildren.
It was rare that Lorrie or I had any chores to do, other than being responsible for our rooms. She took the attitude on washing dishes that the mess we would make trying to help would not be worth it. She always did the cooking and dishes by herself. Everyone was to stay out of the kitchen until she was done.
Gramie had a strong will, bred into her from her youth. Gramie stayed married to and loved Pop-Pop until his death. Gramie went through the great depression during her twenties, which was a feat in itself, with a family to care for. She said Pop-Pop always worked and that he was a hard worker. Maybe those rough years are what made her the woman I knew.
The woman I knew settled for nothing less than the best. No two ways about it. Lorrie and I lived with Gramie and Pop-Pop for four years during our childhood. Our clothes and possessions were always top of the line. Nothing but the best for us!
If you asked Gramie what nationality she was, she would tell you she was 100% Yankee, meaning she was 100% American. She might be surprised to know that she had distinguished ancestors going back to the early colonial days of our nation. She was 100% American.
Gramie had a soft spot for children (especially girls) and animals. When I was about five years old, she had about thirteen cats and three dogs. She loved Persian and angora cats and German Shepherd dogs. She had several German Shepherds, one after the other, all named Bullet.
Gramie was in her late 50's and early 60's when Lorrie and I lived with her. Lorrie and I agree that those years were the best years of our childhood. During that time, she made sure we went to church every Sunday. I had received gold pins from Sunday School for perfect attendance three years in a row. She also sent me to Brownies and Girl Scouts. Lorrie was sent to baton twirling and gymnastics classes. Without a doubt, we were well taken care of.
Gramie went through many surgeries during her lifetime, numbering in the teens. She was even a cancer survivor, twice. In the end, it was repeated strokes that took her life. Gramie made a powerful impact on my life. I am very grateful for the time I was graced to spend with her. If I had to choose a
hero, she definitely would be mine.
More About William Ebneter and Emily Burd:
Marriage: 04 Sep 1926, Little Falls, New Jersey