Gertrude May Wyeth a Self-made Woman

Gertrude May Wyeth photos are
courtesy of her niece Marian Gertrude Wyeth

We know of many self-made men in our family.  Lesser known, but equally as important, are the contributions of Wyeth / Wythe women.  For Woman’s History month 2024, we honor Gertrude May Wyeth.  She more than fills the bill of a self-made woman. 

Gertrude was born Sarah Lelia Wyeth to George Wyeth and Jennie Sullivan on 12 Aug 1896 in Nashua, New Hampshire.  After service in the U. S. Army, George left Nashua to fight with the British Army in The Boer War.  George’s abandonment sent Gertrude’s mother over the edge.  Already distraught about being disowned by her family for marrying outside of the Catholic faith, Jennie was unable to care for her three children and was institutionalized for more than 57 years until her death at age 93. 

 Growing up in a series of foster homes, somewhere along the way, Gertrude lost her birth name.  Without parental support, she struggled to put herself through the Boston Normal School Teachers College.  Throughout her trials in foster homes, Gertrude did remain close to her grandfather, Oren T. Wyeth.  His death on 15 Jun 1920 made her graduation ceremony on 23 Jun 1920 bittersweet.
 
Shortly after Gertrude began her 44-year career in the Boston public school system, on 2 Nov 1920, she was among the first women able to vote in a presidential election.  Although unknown at the time, perhaps Gertrude drew strength as an independent woman from the Wyeth genes.  One particularly strong woman in the family was Grandfather Oren’s fifth cousin, Susan Brownell Anthony.  Susan, who famously played a pivotal role in the women's suffrage movement, descended from Jonathan Ward.  Oren was the third great grandson of Jonathan’s sister, Deborah Jackson Ward Wyeth.

Gertrude on a binder in the Saskatchewan fields 

 Gertrude took advantage of her summer vacations to reconnect with her father while George was living on the prairie in Saskatchewan, Canada.  On visits there, for a city girl, she was amazingly adept at playing the farm hand.  Nevertheless, Gertrude’s consummate skills were in teaching and administration.  Bolstered by earning bachelor's and master's degrees in education from the Teachers College of the City of Boston, Gertrude held many supervisory positions during her long career in education. 
 
When she passed away in 1996, just a few months shy of age 100, Gertrude had contributed promise to countless lives.  Undoubtedly, she knew teachers have the most important job in the world. They not only have the power to favorably change the lives of the students they teach, but to positively impact society as a whole.

Wyeth and Wythe Book is in the LOC and several Libraries across the USA

Christina Wyeth Baker in the Cambridge Room 

The Library of Congress (LOC) and the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Library in Washington DC both hold The Wyeth and Wythe Families of America book.  For all their help during the nine years it took me to write the book, I gifted the 558-page Wyeth/Wythe history to two libraries in Massachusetts... The New England Historic Genealogical Society in Boston and the Cambridge Public Library.  

It is most appropriate for the Cambridge Room to hold this history on their shelves since the Wyeth and Wythe families of America started in Cambridge shortly after Nicholas Wyeth purchased a house across from Cambridge Common in 1645. The donated volume honors Nicholas Wyeth's 9th great granddaughter, Jennifer Lena Wyeth (1988-2020), of Malden, Massachusetts. 

Other libraries who have purchased the Wyeth/Wythe book show at the bottom right.  If you would like to own this book for your personal library, please contact me at the email address shown above.

Navy Lt. j.g. Sidney Wyeth Brinker's Craft First to Land on Omaha Beach

LCT-30 commanded by Sidney Wyeth Brinker (insert) 

on the sands of Omaha Beach, 6 June 1944

When the fog lifted over the Normandy coast on this day, 6 Jun 1944, the German officer in command of Omaha Beach fortifications reported seeing 4,000 ships headed directly at him. His men fired their guns on the Allied landing crafts until they ran out of ammunition. Navy Lieutenant j. g. Sidney Wyeth Brinker, veteran of invasions in North Africa and Sicily, was the skipper of LCT-30, the first craft to land on Omaha Beach at H-Hour. 

Sidney said the tide just pushed his boat ashore right into the sand. LCT-30 carried troops and gear of the 29th Infantry, many of whom never made it more than a few yards onto the beach. Sidney's college picture here is inserted into a photo from footage showing the LCT-30 in Victory at Sea, mark 26 min 05.  The documentary ends with allied soldiers moving forward after the breakthrough. The narrator states, "Behind the survivors lie those who died to enslave the world and those who died to free it." 

Although Sidney was wounded during World War II, he blessed the day when he returned home to the loving arms of his mother, Lorna Alice Wyeth. For Christmas 1943, it had been Lorna's fervent wish her other son, Lt. Comdr. Robert M. Brinker, would be found. Robert's submarine had been lost at sea near the Philippines on 9 Sep 1943. Lorna's hopes were kept alive until Robert was officially declared dead on 3 Jan 1946.

Joshua Wyeth Honored with Medallion Grave Marker

Engraved Boston Tea Party Participant Marker
 installed at Joshua Wyeth's Cenotaph in
Spring Grove Cemetery, Cincinnati, Ohio

On 16 Dec 1773, Joshua Wyeth helped change the course of history by destroying chests of East India Company tea. Joshua was the first to call the act of defiance and protest that propelled America on the road to Revolution “The Boston Tea Party.”  In honor of his bravery and participation in the historic event, the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum, Revolution 250 and the Cincinnati Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution (CCSAR) honored Joshua Wyeth with a medallion grave marker during a ceremony on 8 May 2023 at his memorial monument in Spring Grove Cemetery.  

Along with a musket salute, contributions included were from the individuals pictured.  Michael Gunn represented CCSAR.  Christina Wyeth Baker spoke about her 4th great grand uncle's actual grave below Washington Park in downtown Cincinnati and the effort to obtain his memorial tombstone from the VA.  Kristin Harris and Evan O'Brien, of the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum, presented Joshua's personal history.  Heather Amos, Spring Grove Cemetery Docent, talked about the History of Spring Grove and Cincinnati’s connection to the Revolutionary War.  Cathryn Philippe, portraying Phillis Wheatley, installed Joshua Wyeth's commemorative plaque.  Here is a link to a video about the event.

Pat King Harms Responded to Nation's Call in Rosie Legacy Fashion

Pat "Rosie" King at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard Foundry

During Women’s History Month 2023, we recognize the contribution of Patricia Ruth “Pat” King Harms for her work in the defense industry.  During World War II, every man, woman and child was called upon to defeat the Axis Powers.  Recruited in national "Rosie the Riveter" campaigns, women responded to our nation’s call by filling jobs traditionally held by men.  

Pat's life intertwined with much of the history of the 20th century.  Her grandfather, Louis Wyeth, developed the famous Wyeth’s Sage and Sulphur hair tonic that was advertised in newspapers coast to coast.  After his business failed, Louis settled on homestead land in Nebraska.  Pat's parents John and Dorothy Wyeth King homesteaded, rented and developed land into a 10,000-acre cattle ranch.  Since Pat was born during Prohibition, the doctor who delivered her asked to be paid in bootleg whiskey.  Those merry times were followed by banks’ failing, the Great Depression, the Dust Bowl, and loss of the King family ranch.  Pat moved west to work in her sister's apple orchard.  In 1942, after deciding business school wasn't for her, Pat signed up to sell war bonds and make metal castings at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard foundry.  At age 18, she worked alongside much older men.  The young men, like her boyfriend, Vince Harms, were away fighting deadly battles overseas.  

When the war ended in 1945, young servicemen returned to jobs the women had been doing.  For Pat it was fine.  She married Vince, took up volunteer work for the blood bank and Cancer Society and started her family.  Born with underdeveloped lungs, tragically, Pat lost her only son at 13 months.  With strong resolve, Pat poured devotion and love into caring for Vince and raising their three daughters.  In 2011, Pat proudly accepted the honor of recognition on the Washington Women in Trades “Rosie Legacy” calendar for her nontraditional role as a laborer to support the war effort of the 1940s. 

Photo of Pat King Harms (1924-2016) courtesy of her daughter Judi Harms Edwards; Sources: Rae Hight, Pat Harms "A Brief Memoir" (prepared 6 Sep 2005), 4-5; Christina Wyeth Baker, The Wyeth and Wythe Families of America (Berwyn Heights, MD: Heritage Books, 2019), 93, 395-396; Keeley Smith, "Calendar honors Port Orchard resident's wartime shipyard work," The Kitsap Sun (Bremerton, WA), 18 Jan 2011.

35 Wyeth and Wythe Men Fought to put down the “Slaveholders' Rebellion"

 Private John Jasper Wyeth, 44th Mass. Infantry

On this date, 160 years ago, President Abraham Lincoln issued the preliminary Emancipation Proclamation. It declared all slaves, in states still engaged in rebellion against the Union, would be free on the first day of 1863. The declaration turned the Civil War into a crusade against slavery. Many descendants of Nicholas Wyeth fought and died for America’s democratic ideal that all men are created equal. One of them, John Jasper Wyeth, wrote a memoir called “Leaves from a Diary Written While Serving in Co. E, 44 Mass.” In his book, John did not refer to his service in “The American Civil War” or in “The War Between the States” or “The War of Secession." John unequivocally called the war the “Slaveholders' Rebellion.” The Wyeth and Wythe Families of America book charts on pages 79-83 the names of 35 Wyeth and Wythe men who fought to put down that “slaveholders' rebellion.” Nine of those men died to keep the Union whole, destroy slavery and maintain the Constitution.  Photo of John Jasper Wyeth (1841-1906) is courtesy of his great grandson Keith L. Wyeth.  

Washington took Command of the Army a Stone's Throw from the Wyeth Farm

Cambridge Common, 3 Jul 1775, Currier and Ives Engraving

One of the days that made this country possible occurred 247 years ago on Cambridge Common.  Our ancestors had a front row seat to that history.  Across the road from the Common was the farm Nicholas Wyeth purchased in 1645 when he first settled in the New World.  On 3 Jul 1775, when George Washington took command of the Continental Army there, the Wyeth house was then occupied by Jonas Wyeth Sr.  Undoubtedly, Jonas’ nephews, Joshua, Jonas, and Ebenezer Wyeth III were stirred by the ceremony, for they soon joined the Continental Army.  The three brothers fought in several losing battles, but they had such respect for General Washington, because of his incomparable character, they served their full enlistment and supported the General's ideals long after many other soldiers dejectedly deserted the Army.  Please see pages 63-72 of the Wyeth/Wythe book for more information on the three brothers’ service.

Not all Wyeths and Wythes Across the Globe are Descended from Nicholas Wyeth

V. J. Wythe died in World War II

You will not find information on every Wyeth or Wythe across the globe in this book.  If you want to verify a relationship to Nicholas Wyeth, please contact the author at the Gmail address above right to find out if and how you are related to Nicholas. The name V. J. Wythe appears on this monument honoring war dead between 1939 and 1945 from St. Michael's church in Framlingham, Suffolk County, England. We don’t know how, but V. J. Wythe is likely descended from a brother or cousin of Nicholas Wyeth of Saxtead who came to Cambridge, MA circa 1644.  St. Michael’s in Framlingham joined with All Saints in Saxtead long before Nicholas was baptized in Saxtead in 1600.  Early Suffolk County probate records show a proliferation of Wyeths and Wythes with similar first names.  Of course, many people did not leave wills.  However, for those who did, it would be impossible to determine how the families match, even if all recorded wills were read.  This is why researchers have not been able to verify the legend that Nicholas Wyeth was related to Declaration of Independence signer George Wythe.  For theories of their connection, please see pages nine through 16 of The Wyeth and Wythe Families of America.

Risking Everything for an Abstract Ideal called Democracy

Battle of Lexington by William Barnes Wollen, 1910

Today marks the 246th anniversary of the beginning of the American Revolution. Burdened by increasing taxes and diminishing liberties, at least 14 descendants of Nicholas Wyeth were among the patriots on 19 Apr 1775 willing to risk everything for an abstract ideal called democracy.  Nicholas Wyeth's great grandson, Thomas Fessenden III, present on Lexington Green, heard Lexington Militia captain John Parker order his men to disperse after seeing his troops vastly outnumbered by the British.  Thomas later testified the Red Coats shot first in the battle that killed eight Americans.  While the British continued their fight at Concord, Parker assembled his survivors and the newly arrived Cambridge Militia near the Lexington and Lincoln town line.  Joseph Wyeth, brothers Jonas Wyeth, Noah Wyeth and Ebenezer Wyeth Jr. and Ebenezer’s son, Jonas Wyeth Jr. were Cambridge minutemen present in the battle which came to be known as “Parker’s Revenge.” The Wyeth and Wythe Families of America book details family heroism in the Revolutionary War on pages 57-72.

Remembering the World War I Service of Mary Elizabeth Wyeth

Mary Elizabeth Wyeth (insert) and the Army Nurse Corps, Base Hospital 68, A. E. F.

For Women’s History Month 2021, we honor World War I nurse, Mary Elizabeth Wyeth.  Mary was named for her great, great grandmother, Mary Elizabeth Brewer, the wife of Boston Tea Party and Continental Army veteran, Joshua Wyeth.  

A few years after graduating from Union Hospital’s nursing program in Terre Haute, Indiana, 27-year-old Mary set sail on 16 Sep 1918 for France with 100 other young women of the Army Nurse Corps of the American Expeditionary Forces.  Their destination was the newly purposed Base Hospital No. 68 in Mars-sur-Allier. 

Since the sea crossing took place at the height of the Spanish flu pandemic of 1918, the deadliest in history, Mary’s nursing work for the Corps actually began aboard ship.  Once in France, none of Mary’s nursing experience prepared her emotionally or physically for caring for the vast numbers of soldiers wounded by high-explosive artillery shells, poison gas burns and "shell shock" who arrived by the trainload at No. 68.  Many men were sickened by flu that in turn took the lives of several of Mary's fellow nurses.  

When Hospital No. 68 closed on 15 Jan 1919, Mary transferred to Base Hospital No. 93 in Cannes, France.  There in May 1919, Pvt. John McLaughlin, a young man from her hometown, on leave from the 8th Battalion, 20th Engineers, wrote his mother about seeing Nurse Mary on the sunny coast.  After 59 years of marriage, Mr. and Mrs. John McLaughlin and their military tombstones now rest side by side in Terre Haute’s Highland Lawn Cemetery.  

Sources: Ethel Ross Wyeth Canion; Alpha Sawyer, US Base Hospital 68 A.E.F (Boston: Griffith-Stilling Press, 1920), 26, 40, 43 and 124; Christina Wyeth Baker, The Wyeth and Wythe Families of America (Berwyn Heights, MD: Heritage Books, 2019), 211; and the Terre Haute Saturday Spectator, 17 May 1919, 24.