Memoirs of George Leathrum transcribed from his ledger book

Date of birth: May 29, 1904

Place of birth: between Massey and Delaney in Maryland near county marker White Stone.

First memory: starting school at Blackiston with sister Gertrude; teacher's name was Grace Darby.

Walllked from Delaney to Blackiston each way 3 miles

remember first blizzard about 1909, a Mr. Reed walking, he wrote a book on earth quake; talk of a large carrot (Haley's)

Moved to Clayton while in first grade; Smyrna first grade teacher Miss Julia Griffith. went to 2nd grade in Smyrna at that time Gertrude was in 3rd grade and Henry was in 4th grade; during this time the ship Titanic sank.

Went with brother Bill January 1913 in Golts, Md. for 2 months, moved to small Donnely farm March 1, 1913. No school that year, Mar 1913

Mother died year 1914. Bill's 1st wife's baby died in Feb. He had sale and went back to work for Jim Burris. I went with Van Dara Larwence on Donneley home farm. Went to Oak Hill school. Walked 3 miles to school.

4th grade fell out of loft July 2nd, 1914 and broke wrist. Went back with Will first of 1915 as he rented farm of Juel Cochran on thirds(?) on Choptank road. He also got back his children. May and Agnes, and their grandparents and aunt Lizzie. Later in 1915. Will remarried. In early 1915, old Mr. Cochran died, his son-in-law Jule Foard became manager.

Moved to Dr. Clark farm Jan 1, 1916. Plenty of fishing, swimming, skating, hunting, and trapping and plenty of work. 400 acres of work. Ruth was born Mar 3, 1916 sister Edith died Jan or Feb 1916 during heavy sleet. Learned to skate and ride bike on frozen river.

Went to school part year at St. Augustine in 5th grade. Remember talk of the First World War. Was husking corn Nov. 11, 1918 when War ended then came 1919 with 40 days of rain. Had largest wheat acreage in(185 acres); it stubble fell(?) and later grew in shock(?); turned out very little. 1919 was also year of 17 year locust in swarms.

Late 1918 was time of the flu attack. Had large corn crop in 1919 - 110 acres turned out about 5000 bushels, big crop for that time. Loss of wheat and high cost of corn crop was starting of downfall on farm.

Started custom work with machines. March 4, 1924, started work on C&D Canal as laborer for 34 cents per hr. after 60 days got started by month, $99.00 per month, 30 days sick leave, 15 days vacation, driving Mack truck. Got my first new car first part of May 1924; it was a Ford coupe. Stayed on Canal for 2 1/2 years until complete later part of 1926 and locks were removed.

Worked wi th brother Bill at custom work with machines until Feb 1928

when I started to work for Milt (? Bill) Reynolds at Middletown setting-up machinery and repairing tractors until Feb. 1932 when he left J. Persky taken over until Sept. 1932; bought tools and rented shop in Davidson garage; worked for self until Jan. 1936.

1932: Mar. first date with Margaret, thanks to my boss. That night the Lindbergh baby was kidnapped. Just before Easter, got steel in eye and had to have it taken out by Dr. While (? White?) in Wilminton, charge $2.

List of Cars Owned:

1922 bought 1917 Maxwell Touring Car from Mr. Pyle; it was in bad shape and started my career.

1923 bought motorcycle from Marshall Smith; well used.

May 1924 bought new Ford

later 1925 bought new Essex coach

bought Ford coupe from Hukel garage to follow machines

about 1925 Essex roadster

1929 traded roadster for Pontiac sedan

Oct. 1935 traded Pontiac for Ford pickup

July 2, 1936 traded pickup for Ford sedan.

late in 1932 bought Dodge coupe to make pickup truck for work truck.

failure of stock market of 29 caused Wal ter J. Staats to fail and that took Wlt(? Bill?) Reynolds and my job.

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Married June 20, 1933 to Margaret Baker in West Chester, Pa. Went into housekeeping in house on Crawford St. , Middletown.

Worked for self for 3 years of hard times. Got parts from IH Co. at cost. No dealer in town. Got Reynolds I books that helped a lot; had work all the time.

Worked for others and made 2 wheel trailers in winter.

Started work for Carrolls I Jan 20, 1936; one cold winter; for $25 per week with my tools; worked until May 29, 1969; retired at age 65.

April 28, 1934, son George Nolan born in Wilmington General Hospital.

January 15, 1936 moved to Dover to take job with B. Carroll and Sons as farm machine mechanic.

July 1936, bought lot for $150 in South Dover Acres.

Sept. 1936 contracted with W. Garton to build house on lot. Finished in time to move in Jan 1, 1937. Contract price was $2885 less grading and light fixtures. About 2 years later bought 2nd lot for $225 (Note by JFL, I can remember the purchase of the 2nd lot, so it must have been later. ) Started work in 36 for $25 per week, $700 (? $7.00?) per (?) for house money.

Feb 26, 1980

Started using nat. gas for heat after fuel oil went to 90 cents a gal.

Mark Nolan Leathrum married Aug. 9, 1980 to Penney Ann Nickel.

James F. Leathrum changed from U. of Del. to Clemson U. August 18, 1980.

James F. , Jr. goes to Princeton starting Sept. 1980.

Geo. N. Leathrum from Elkton bank to Lancaster College, Sept. 1, 1980.