“Donna in the News” is my reporting of newly discovered newspaper articles and advertising regarding my grandmother, Madonna Montran (aka Donna Montran and aka Donna Darling). I am always excited when I find a new venue for my grandmother’s exciting show business career of the 1910s and 1920s.
This week’s article is from page 4 of the Kenosha News (Kenosha, WI), dated 25 November 1925.
VAUDEVILLE ON THANKSGIVING. ——- Special Act to Accompany Feature Picture, “The Pony Express.”
A special vaudeville act will be given on Thanksgiving Day at the Orpheum theater in conjunction with the feature picture, “The Pony Express.” The act will be Donna Darling and girls in “Her Little Jewel Revue.” There will be singing, dancing and special scenery.
The picture which starts Thursday for the rest of the week has one scene on the mammoth location set near Cheyenne, Wyoming, that was directed by Vice-President Charles G. Dawes. The vice-president extended the range of his versatility when he assumed the role of motion picture director. Aided by an occasional word from James Cruse, the producer, and Betty Compson, who has the featured feminine role in this epic production, the general appeared to enjoy the experience, shouting “Camera” like a veteran.
Thanks to this new posting at Newspapers.com, I learned that on Nov 26, 1925, in Kenosha, Wisconsin at the Orpheum Theater, Donna Darling and girls presented the “Little Jewel Revue.” I was able to add another venue for Donna’s “Little Jewel Revue” tour.
Contemporary writers said Ezra was a “remarkably muscular man, possessed of great nerve and quickness of perception.”[i] They also said he was “a mechanic, a respectable member of society, a kind husband and parent, a good neighbor and an honest man.”[ii] Wow. What great things were said about my 5th Great-Grandfather, Ezra Clugston Sanford. He is definitely an ancestor that I would have loved to have met in person. He sounds amazing.
800 – 7th Great-grandfather: Samuel Baldwin Sanford (1703-1758)*
1600 – 8th Great-grandfather: Samuel Sanford (1680-1729)*
3200 – 9th Great-grandfather: Samuel Sanford (1643-1691)*
6400 – 10th Great-grandfather: Thomas Sanford (Immigrant Ancestor) (1607-1681)*
* Italicized individuals were newly added as a result of my research into Ezra Clugston Sanford. Their information and relationships have not been confirmed.
Birth
Ezra Clugston Sanford was born 22 April 1763 in Newtown, Fairfield County, Connecticut. He was the fourth of ten children born to Amos Gilbert and Mary Cluckstone (Clugston) Sanford. Newtown was a thriving town of nearly 2000 people when Ezra was born.
In 1763 the Treaty of Paris ended the Seven Years’ War and France ceded New France (Canada) to Great Britain. Just days after Ezra’s birth, Chief Pontiac of the Odawa people, along with 17 other nations, began attacking the British Fort Detroit in what become known as “Pontiac’s War.”
Childhood
Ezra was baptized in the First Congregational Church in Newtown, CT on 8 May 1763.
In 1780, Ezra’s uncle, Thomas Sanford, built a house at 71 Riverside Road in the Sandy Hook section of Newtown which stands today and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[iii]
When Ezra turned 21 in 1784, another Treaty of Paris was ratified—this time to end the Revolutionary War.
Marriage
Ezra married Mercy Gay on 11 October 1786 in Sharon, Litchfield County, Connecticut. The couple had four or five children.
Children of Ezra and Mercy (Gay) Sanford
Name
Birth
Death
Electa Sanford
1790 – Litchfield Co., CT
?
Ezra Gay Sanford
1792 – Litchfield Co., CT
1855
Sally Sanford
1796 – Pownal, VT
1881
Lucy Sanford
1799 – Pownal, VT
1870
The 1790 Census indicates that Ezra is living with three females in Litchfield. One is his wife, and one is his daughter Electa. That leaves one unknown female. That female could be anyone, including another child. Ezra and Mercy were married in 1786 and had Electa in 1790. However, a four-year gap between marriage and their first child is longer than I would expect. As such, I believe that this unknown female in the household is a daughter born about 1788 and who died before 1800. (See: Ezra Sanford in the Early Censuses for details.)
Adult
Ezra, Mercy, and children moved to Pownal, Bennington County, Vermont in February, 1792.[iv]
1800 Census – In the 1800 Census. Ezra is the head of a household consisting of 3 males and 4 females. There is one unknown adult male in the household and one female that was there in 1790 that is not listed, but the other members of the household are enumerated as expected.
Ezra Sanford 1 – – 2 – | 2 1 – 1
Ezra Sanford in the 1800 Census
1809 – The Vermont Gazette (Bennington, Vermont) on 17 July 1809, Page 3, indicated that Ezra was living in Pownal but had mail waiting for him at the post office.
1810 Census – The Ezra Sanford household is still in Pownal, with Ezra and Mercy with four children, Ezra (Jr.). Electa, Lucy, and Sally/Sarah.
1812 – The Vermont Gazette (Bennington, Vermont) on 11 May 1812, Page 4, indicated that Ezra was living in Pownal and was a commissioner in the probate of Leah Barber’s estate. \
Death & Burial
Ezra Clugston Sanford died on 22 June 1812 at the age of 50 years and 2 months in Pownal, Bennington County, Vermont. He was buried in the Towslee Cemetery in Pownal.
Will & Probate
I wrote about Ezra’s estate previously. Please see:
Today I remember my ancestors that served in the military. I served during Vietnam and my ancestors served during every generation and many of our wars – Korea, both World Wars, the Civil War, the War of 1812, Revolutionary War, the French and Indian War, and even peacetime. I know of seven ancestors who served during the Revolution and three who served during the Civil War for the Union.
Korean War
My Uncle – Russell Kees (1927-2016) fought in Korea.
World War II
My stepfather, Edgar Jerome Matson fought in Europe during World War II
1928-1931 – Peacetime Service
Clifford (Dick) Brown – 3rd from left, back row – Corozal (Panama) Basketball Champions – 1928.jpg
My Grandfather – Richard Earl Brown (aka Clifford Durwood Brown, aka Richard Earl Durand) (1903-1990) My maternal grandfather “Dick” served in the Army. Little is known about his peacetime military service.
In 1928, he was in the army stationed in Panama. He was a member of the base’s champion basketball team (See: Article).
In 1930, he met my Grandmother in Panama. It appears that he was discharged in 1931.
World War I
My step-grandfather Sammy Amsterdam served during World War I.
Civil War – Grand Army of the Republic
My 2nd great-grandfather – John William Manning(1846-1888).
On 29 Aug 1863, John enlisted in the GAR, at the age of 17, into the 45th Regiment of Kentucky. His father, Enoch Mannin, gave his consent for young John William to enlist. Sometime between May and June of 1864 he was captured by the South (Morgan).
He mustered out on 30 Dec 1864.
My 3rd great-grandfather – Enoch Mannin (1823-1907)
On 29 Aug 1863 – Enoch enlisted (at the same time as his son John) in the 45th Regiment of Kentucky.
Between May and June of 1864, he was captured by the South (Morgan)
He was discharged on 29 Dec 1864 at Catlettsburg, KY.
My 2nd great-grandfather – Asa Ellis Roberts (1835-1887)
On 15 Aug 1861, Asa Joined the Union – Company I, 31st Regiment, Illinois Volunteers for 3 years. He was discharged early due to chronic pericarditis.
War of 1812
My 4th great-grandfather – Jacob Lawson (1800-___)
2nd Regiment (Lillard’s) East Tennessee Volunteers.
Was a private in Captain Waterhouse’s Company Tennessee Volunteers Florida.
15 Star flag War of 1812
My 3rd great-grandfather –John Calvin Roberts (1795-1873)
John C. Roberts was a veteran of the War of 1812, serving in Captain Chiles & Lieutenant Conway’s Company of Tennessee Militia. He enlisted Sep. 20, 1814 at Kingston, TN and was discharged there on May 1, 1815, serving 224 days. He received a pension for his War of 1812 military service.
Revolutionary War
My 5th great-grandfather – Silas Taft (1744-1822)
Serviced under Capt. Bezaleel Taft and Col. Nathan Taylor.
My 6th great-grandfather – John Maben (1753-1813)
(DAR – Patriot # A072838) Private – 1st Claverack Batt, 9th Regt.
Private – Capt Hawley, Col Van Ness; Albany Co. Mil/New York
My 6th great-grandfather – John Parsons, Sr (1737/1738-1821)
DAR – Patriot# A088240
Lieutenant – Second LT in Capt Samuel Wolcott, 10th Co, 1st Berkshire Cnty Regt of MA Militia.
Lieutenant – Also Lt. Cap. Elijah Daming, Col Ashley.
My 6th great-grandfather – Wicks Weeks Rowley (1760-1826)
(DAR – Patriot # A09932)
Private – New York Militia
Minute Man – Lexington, Massachusetts
My 6th great-grandfather – Stephen Taft (1710-1803)
Stephen was a Lieutenant of Massachusetts Militia. He was a Minute Man at the Lexington Alarm.
My 6th great-grandfather – Samuel Wolcott (1736-1802)
(DAR Patriot # A127434)
Captain – 10th Co, 1st Regt, Berkshire Co Militia; Col Hopkins Regt to Highlands.
My 7th great-grandfather – Grover Buel (1732-1818)
Revolutionary War (DAR – Patriot # A016639
He was a soldier of the Dutchess Co. New York Militia 6th Regiment.
He received Land Bounty Rights
French and Indian Wars
Colonial Ensign
My 8th great-grandfather – Samuel Wolcott (1679-1734)
“He commanded a military company.”
According to “The Family of HENRY WOLCOTT” by Chandler Wolcott. See: https://archive.org/details/wolcottgenealogy00wolc “He probably served in either King Williams War 1688-1697 or Queen Ann’s War (1702-1713). These wars were the first two of the four French and Indian Wars, which pitted New France against New England.
I know I have more to discover and more to learn about their service, but 18 known ancestor Veterans is a great beginning.
Donna and “Chin Chin” play at the Hippodrome in Pottsville, Pennsylvania on 24 & 25 April 1920.
Donna Montran
Vaudeville
Chin Chin
My grandmother, Donna Montran, joined the cast of the vaudeville show “Chin Chin” on October 30, 1919, and toured with the production until the production ended playing on May 31, 1920.
Before the cast of “Chin-Chin” arrived at Pottsville, they had had a tough series of one-night shows and were probably pleased to have off on Sunday, April 25th before playing at the Hippodrome in Pottsville, PA. Also pleasing to the cast had to have been they would play at Pottsville for two days in a row.
“The Hippodrome” that must be the place where Hippo’s roam. That sounds good but isn’t right. The word “Hippodrome” comes from a Greek word, hippos, which means horse, and dremon, meaning path or way.[i] I doubt very much that horses ever raced at the Hippodrome in Pottsville, however, Mademoiselle Falloffski surly rode her horse in circles on stage during the production of “Chin-Chin” at the Hippodrome.
12 – 1st Great-grandfather: Thomas Washington Harris
24 – 2nd Great-grandfather: Raymond O. Harris
48 – 3rd Great-grandfather: Thomas L. Harris
Thomas Washington Harris (1897-1987)
Birth
Thomas Washington Harris was born on 12 Mar 1897 in Boothbay Harbor, Lincoln, Maine, USA. He was the first child of Raymond Orlando Harris and Addie Richards. William McKinley was sworn in just days before Thomas’ birth. Later that year, the first Boston Marathon was run with fifteen men competing. Also, a strike by the United Mine Workers union brought an 8-hour workday to the mines.
Childhood
Siblings of Thomas W. Harris
Born
Dorothy E.
Sep 1898
Gladys M.
Jan 1900
William C.
ca. 1902
The 1900 Census finds the Harris family living in Boothbay Harbor. Three-year-old Thomas is living with his parents and two siblings.
Thomas’ mother died sometime between 1900 and the 1910 Census. Likewise, it appears that his sister, Gladys, had also passed.*
The 1910 Census found Thomas living with his father (a widower), and Dorothy and William. Thomas is attending school and his father is a restaurant proprietor. Thomas continued with his education through the 8th grade.
Thomas was too young for the First World War I draft registration on June 5th, 1918 (He was only 20 years old). However, he turned 21 in time for the second draft on June 5, 1918, and registered in Saco. Thomas was living on Thorton Ave., Saco. He was working as a shoemaker at the Mechanic Shoe Co. in Biddeford. Thomas was medium height, medium build, had black hair, and brown eyes. He was inducted three months later, on 4 September, and accepted the next day, 5 September. His military service needs further research.*
Marriage
On 13 December 1919, Thomas filed an “Intent to marry” to marry Alise Dorcas Ladd, also of Saco, Maine. They married on Christmas Eve December 1919 in a ceremony performed by Horace H Hauyer, a clergyman, in Saco, Maine.*
Thomas and Alise had two children, both of whom are living.
Just a week after their marriage, during the 1920 census, they can be found rooming at 106 Elm Street in Saco. Thomas is a laster at a shoe factory, and Alise is a beamer at a cotton mill. A laster is a person who shapes or stitches soles on shoes or boots. A beamer was a person who watched over a beamer machine or carried new beams to the loom. According to Wikipedia, “The taper’s beam is a long cylinder with flanges where 400 plus end (thread) are wound side-by-side. Creels of bobbins with the correct thread mounted on a beaming frame wind their contents onto the beam.”[i]
By 1930, Thomas, his wife, and two children had moved in with his wife’s parents, Edwin and Dorcas Ladd, on Boon Road, Saco. Thomas is still working in a shoe shop as a puller and is identified as a WW veteran. He is probably a tack puller doing shoe repairs at this time.
In the 1940 Census, Thomas was the head of a household consisting of Thomas, his wife, Alice[ii], lived on Boon Road with their two children, and Alice’s mother, Dorcas, who is identified as a widow. All are living in the same house that they lived in on 1 April 1935.
Thomas is in the 1948 Town Directory for Saco and Biddeford. It indicates that he was employed in Biddeford, and he and Alice are still living on Boon Road. He continues to appear in the town directories into the 1960s.
Death
Thomas died in May 1987. I have not been successful in finding a burial location.*
Locations
Boothbay, Lincoln County, Maine –1900 – Lived
Boothbay Harbor, Lincoln County, Maine – 1897 – Birth
Fairfield, Summerset County, Maine – 1910, Census
Saco, York County, Maine – 1918 through 1987 – Enlisted, Married, Lived (1920, 1930, 1935, 1940, 1948, 1951, 1961), Death.
Other than military service, it appears that Thomas Washington Harris spent his entire life in Maine and his adult life in Saco, York County, Maine. Map available here.
Further Actions / Follow-up
Research Thomas’ mother’s death.
Research Thomas’ sister, Gladys, death.
Research Thomas’ military service.
Research what church/religion Horace H Hauyer was a clergyman for.
UDEVILLE ON THANKSGIVING.
My 5th great-grandfather – Silas Taft (1744-1822)
