Glossary

Here I will try and define people, places, and things abbreviated and otherwise in Ray’s journals with the help of many.

5 Points: The conjunction of Routes 38, 34 (North Street Road), 5, and 20. The roads all come together, in downtown Auburn and is the location of many stores used by the family. See it on the map.

Aunt Floy: “I think she is Ethel Burtless sister. When I was quite young she was either living at Fairview Farm or visiting there. Bedroom in John Burtless apartment, I think. I remember talking with her while she crocheted. She was very friendly. I do not think she ever married.” -Jim Cappy

“Trudy remembers Aunt Floy as being a bit odd. She would hang her sheets out of the bedroom window or take them out and drape them over a bush to sun and air them.
One day she and Trudi were home alone and someone came to the door. Floy dragged Trudi into the cellar way and shut the door and they had to remain quiet until he left.
Aunt Floy apparently moved about from sister to sister staying months at a time.
According to Trudi.” -Woody Widrick

Bob, Joe, & Richard: “Bob was Ethel Burtless’s sister Marguerite Godfrey. She was called Aunt Bob. Dont know why. Joe was Aunt Bob’s husband and Richard was their son.” –Sharon Seymour

Carl: Carleton Cappy. Hired man and daughter, Sylvia Marguerite’s future husband.

“I think dad may have started at the farm as a hired man; however, I think dad, Grampa, Raymond, and Charlie became partners. I do not know if it was formal (a legal partnership) or informal.

Charlie later branched off with his fertilizer spraying business and dad to Cortland to run his own farm and whitewashing business. Uncle Raymond stayed on the farm, of course.” -Jim Cappy

Carrie: Ethel Burtless’ younger sister Caroline Adele Weaver (1893-?)

Charles Burtless’ Hospitalization: ” Charlie developed Osteomylytis [infection in the bone] as a child.  He eventually had surgery–they scrapped away the infected bone.  I think in his right leg.  He always walked with an odd gait as a result, could not raise his foot up so had to sort of throw it when he walked.  Kept him out of the army in WW II. Today a round of antibiotics would have knocked the infection out in a matter of days.” –Woody Widrick

Copper: Ray kept track of his hours presumably to pay him for his time.

durm or Durram cow: There is a valuable breed of cattle from England called Durham that was used as a breeder.

Florence: Florence Cappy, Carleton Cappy’s sister.

gro: Short for groceries.

Harry: “there was a great uncle Harry I remember at family reunions who once got drunk and rode a bicycle around the farmyard with his pant legs pulled up singing his heart out. We children were not allowed down at the milk house but a steady stream of mostly men were. That is where Uncle Harry began his wild ride.” -Jim Cappy

Raymond had an older brother Harry Burtless (1888-1972). According to Sharon Seymour’s genealogy, “He was in the army and fought in WWI. He was gassed in Germany. His job in th Army was to care for the horses. He married Kitty Wise. She was a widow and had children from her previous marriage. Harry was a farmer but was troubled with flat feet. So he left farming and went to work for the Salvation Army as a caretaker and helper.”

Hunter:

Mabel: Mabel Cappy was the daughter of Carleton’s sister, Blanch.

Mill: “A grist mill on wheels Carl drove from farm to grind grain for cow feed.” -Jim Cappy

Mr. Gates: Carl & Marguerite visited. Who?

Mr. Lee:

Mrs. Hoyt: Neighbor who Ray shared chores with. Hoyts may have boarded cows with Ray as Ray pays them a cut of milk money.

R & I: Raymond Jr. and I (Ray Sr.)

ram & raming: “there is a type of pump called a “ram” that works from water pressure .” -Woody Widrick

Rao: Milk broker?

TTM or ITM: I think now that TTM and is short for “Tucker Took Milk” and ITM is short for “I Took Milk.”

Tucker: Picked up milk.