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Ardrey Morley, Susannah Ellen JMB.jpg

Words of Gold
Page Liked · January 11 · 2017

Well, I’m up a stump, as the saying goes. The idea bucket is empty. So I am going back to a story I wrote sixteen years ago.
When I sit here in my cozy house with a cup of coffee I have reheated in the microwave with the latest news chattering from the TV set in the corner, I wonder again how those ancestors of mine who were early settlers of this area, especially the women, managed to survive. The hardships and the wrenching loneliness must have nearly overwhelmed them at times. Here is the story of one of those women:
Sometime in the late 1840s Susanna Ellen Ardrey and her four siblings came with her parents, William and Mary Brong Ardrey to Potter County from the Finger lakes area of New York State. An older daughter and son were both married and stayed behind.
By 1850, according to the census, Mr. Ardrey had died and Susannah was listed as head of the household that included her mother, her brother James and his wife Olive and their daughter.
In 1854 Susannah married William S. Morley, who was seven years her junior. Ten years later he was drafted into the Union Army, leaving her nearly destitute with four small children: Chester, Jasper, James and baby Sarah Jane. However, from all accounts, she was a tough and hardy woman. Family legend relates that after her husband left for the war, Susannah moved her family from south of Gold near where the railroad later ran, to a farm a mile or so north of the town. She cut the road, chopping her way through the woods to make way for her horse and cart. Her two older sons, still quite young, helped her as much as they could.
William came walking home at last one late summer day in 1865. He was so bearded and worn that at first, his eldest son Chester did not recognize him.
Respite did not last long. Money was scarce and William took work in a logging camp near Sinnamahoning, again leaving Susannah to fend for herself and the family.
Her children recalled walking miles with her to visit a sister and that she carried a “drop-spinner”, spinning wool from one apron pocket into yarn which she rolled into the other pocket. All the while, she puffed on her clay pipe as she strode along.
Eventually, Susannah’s sister Margaret and her husband Silas Bowker moved to Michigan and a few years later James Ardrey and wife followed them. Another sister, Sarah, married after coming to Potter County. She and her husband joined the trek west with so many others and were never heard from again.
In 1872 Susannah’s mother, Mary Brong Ardrey died at the age of 100. In July of the same year, William Morley contracted a fever while working in the woods and died. Once again, Susannah was on her own. A letter from Silas Bowker, who was a sometimes preacher, dated March 1873 expressed sympathy for her many sorrows. “We would be glad to see you, but as we cannot, we must be content to talk to you through the silent language of the pen.”
In a final letter from Bowker dated June 5, 1878 he tells Susannah that Margaret has died. Rather abruptly, it seems to me, he announces “I have got me a woman and we are not enjoying very good health. ---- .”
I wonder how Susannah reacted to a later paragraph in the same letter:
“I often think of you and your hardships in taking care of Mother and the losses of both mother and husband; the trials which you have had to pass through in this life perhaps have been great and no doubt has worn you out so that you do not look as you used to when I saw you last and now instead of the young fresh looking girl you were then perhaps you are a broken down old lady.” “But” he added, I suppose in a way of small comfort, I “I see you in my memory as you used to look when pulling leeks when we lived in PA.”
Well.
Susannah and William Morley’s four children became respected citizens of Gold and Potter County. James served one term as County Commissioner. The many descendants of all four are scattered around the area and well beyond.
Susannah died August 6, 1906, well into her eighty-second year. Her life was difficult to say the least. She left a strong and proud legacy of tenacity and grit that the family still claims today.
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Cheryl Hurler
Cheryl Hurler I saw enjoy this story. And I crave more!!!
Like · Reply · 1 · January 13 at 9:37am
Words of Gold
Words of Gold You need to come visit again soon
Like · Reply · 1 · January 13 at 9:38am
Cheryl Hurler
Cheryl Hurler Yes I do!!!
Like · Reply · 1 · January 13 at 9:38am
Words of Gold
Words of Gold Cheryl Hurler anytime! Just give me a call! or message.
Like · Reply · January 13 at 9:39am
John Christy Wetzel

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Sarah Lewis
Sarah Lewis She had a beautiful smile and a twinkle in her eyes even though her life was filled with hardships. Glad you reposted this story; I enjoyed learning about her.
Like · Reply · 1 · January 12 at 7:31am
Eileen Smith
Eileen Smith Don't often see pictures this old where the subject is smiling. I absolutely love this.

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