Diary of Llewellyn: The End

diaryofllewellyn

 

Llewellyn’s diary might have ended on May 28th of 1925, but her life didn’t. Neither did her penchant for documenting her life and the lives of those around her.

On June 12, 1926, Llewellyn married William Lawrence Moore at her parents house at 75 Westville Avenue in Caldwell, New Jersey.

written on the back: "Llewellyn on her wedding day"
written on the back: “Llewellyn on her wedding day”
Newspaper article on the marriage
Newspaper article on the marriage

The diary even makes the wedding article so much richer. Now I know that Willa Steinhoff, who was mentioned throughout the diary, served as her maid of honor. I know that Llewellyn’s dear cousin, Marguerite from Suffern was the flower girl. Roswell was also mentioned frequently, often walking Llewellyn home from church meetings. He served as an usher with Llewellyn’s brother, George. Even better, he gets a last name of Winans now. Ernest Smith was also mentioned a few times and he sang at the wedding.

4 years after Llewellyn and William were married, they welcomed their only child, my grandfather, William Thorward Moore.

William T Moore birth announcement
William T Moore birth announcement

After their son’s birth starts Llewellyn’s very, very active hobby of photographing her son.

William with his grandparents (6 months, 16 days)
William T Moore with his grandparents (6 months, 16 days)

Yes, she was always that specific with his age!

William and Llewellyn
William Lawrence Moore and Llewellyn Thorward-Moore

They would live a long, happy life together. William would give them five grandchildren. Tragically one of those grandchildren was killed in an accident. That shook the family but Llewellyn and William were able to make sure their other grandchildren knew that their grandparents were there for them. Taking them on summer trips and making sure they had what they needed.

William worked at AT&T for over 30 years before he retired. Llewellyn was devoted to the Methodist Church her whole life, and it’s one of the characteristics I hear about the most from people I meet. I never knew William or Llewellyn but I can tell they’re my kind of people. Even though they had no idea if their children or grandchildren would be interested in it, they kept a record of their lives. I don’t know why Llewellyn chronicled that 3 years of her diary without fail. I just know because of it, I can get a glimpse of a woman I never knew. Through the writings and photographs, I’ve been able to grow the family tree.

Sometimes I look at the things that survived, and I know I probably could have found those branches of the family tree eventually. It just wouldn’t have been as cool as finding it written on the back of a diner menu.

dinermenu

 

My plan for the diary entries is to move them to their own section of the website. There I can make an index, add pictures and links back to my database. I tried to do that during the initial transcription but at the rate Llewellyn was writing, I just couldn’t keep up with the pictures! I’ll be working on that and when it’s ready, I’ll make sure and let everyone know to get it linked to from the main website! I hope you’ve enjoyed meeting Llewellyn as much as I have!

Diary of Llewellyn: May 28, 1925

diaryofllewellyn

 

I felt rather grouchy. Did not talk all the way in. At night we took walk up to Shoemakers & had ice cream.

Next Entry: NONE. 🙁

Diary of Llewellyn: May 27, 1925

diaryofllewellyn

 

Bill came down at 8 o’clock & we took walk up Hatfield Street. I felt rather grouchy.

Next Entry: May 28, 1925

Diary of Llewellyn: May 26, 1925

diaryofllewellyn

 

Bill came down. Helped us cut hedge & trim around. Folks went for ride. We did not go.

Next Entry: May 27, 1925

Diary of Llewellyn: May 25, 1925

diaryofllewellyn

 

We took ride to Suffern. Took r?charge to Uncle Rene. Home about 11:15.

Next Entry: May 26, 1925

Diary of Llewellyn: May 24, 1925

diaryofllewellyn

 

Rained on & off all day long. Not a nice day at all. Stayed in all day & night.

Next Entry: May 25, 1925

Diary of Llewellyn: May 23, 1925

diaryofllewellyn

 

Track meet. Very hot. Hottest day this year. Held at South Orange. We went over on D.L.W. Harold Menner dropped us off at Claridge coming back. Saw Charlie’s Aunt. Terrible wind storm came up.

Next Entry: May 24, 1925

Diary of Llewellyn: May 17, 1925

diaryofllewellyn

 

Took ride to Suffern in afternoon. Uncle Rene off. Had his car all taken down. Went to church at night. They came out about 9:45.

Next Entry: May 23, 1925

Diary of Llewellyn: May 16, 1925

diaryofllewellyn

 

Went with Bill over to Brooklyn to see his sister & Uncle. Took ride down to Coney Island. Walked all around Brooklyn.

Next Entry: May 17, 1925

Diary of Llewellyn: May 8, 1925

diaryofllewellyn

 

George’s birthday. Gave him a tire.

Next Entry: May 16, 1925