The story of Asaph Perry

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FAMILY LIFE STORY LINE
Opening Gramma Asaph after Ethel Amanda Bell and Ethel Bertie

Ethel's passing in 1916 was a tragedy to the large young family. Those that either knew her or at least knew of her (most of the town), tried to find solace in the fact that Ethel's prolonged illness was finally over. Just before her death, Ethel was able to see her oldest daughter's wedding. Asaph and Ethel's second child, Ethel Bertie, stepped into a maternal role for her younger siblings. Asaph settled into his job as the barber of Canton.

Later a new relationship between Asaph and a coy older lady known only as Alice emerged. Some of this relationship is mysterious, but the lack of information suggests the outcome. Whatever the circumstances, the family grew and adjusted as they were want to do. Asaph's resting place next to Ethel told of his enduring commitment to that insecure young lady he courted a half century before his death.

NEXT: Amanda Bell and Ethel Bertie

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Writing the Story

This portion of the story was, of course, exceedingly difficult to engage. The death of Ethel, in the prime of her life, left a hole in the Perry family and the story. We did not discover her death until well into our work on this project. While her death helps explain some things, such as the reduction in what might be called family progress, it leaves many other things unanswered. We do not know, for example, if Asaph ever loved again, although some evidence suggest he may have. We do not know how the children were affected by their mother's death. We do not know why she died. These unanswered questions can propel further inquiry and writing, but might most elegantly be a useful reminder of the incompleteness of our understanding of the past.