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.