How my Jeans Ended Up in the Smithsonian

Posted on January 22, 2007 by Steve

After I blogged that my bluejeans had been on display in the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History from 1995-2006, I received a lot of messages and comments .  I thought I would save the story until after I found the photos of the exhibit .  Sad to say, I haven’t found the photos, but I did find the negatives .  It’ll be a few days before I can have prints made, so I decided to end the suspense . 

Back in 1994, when I was working for a company called Genencor, curators from the Smithsonian visited the company and asked for a tour . Â The employees who usually led such tours were at an off-site meeting, so the company receptionist asked me if I could show the guests from the Smithsonian around the facility.
 
The curators explained to me that the National Museum of American History was preparing a new permanent exhibit on “Science in American Life” and was looking for some ideas to include in the section on biotechnology .  I told them about Genencor’s project to use enzymes from microorganisms to give a stonewashed look to jeans.
 
Up until then, manufacturers of bluejeans actually washed the jeans with pumice stones to abrade the jeans and give them a “worn” look and feel .  The technology Genencor was developing would avoid the use of stones, avoid a lot of wear and tear on the washing machines, provide a more uniform product, and avoid the problem of having to clean the residue of the stones from the jeans after they were stonewashed.
 
The curators from the Smithsonian liked this idea and asked if I could provide some materials for the exhibit .  So, I sent them two pairs of jeans – one was a stiff, dark blue, unwashed pair (you can hardly find these in the stores anymore) and one was a pair that I washed with cellulase enzymes (and yes, I actually wore the jeans before I sent them to the Smithsonian) .  Today, almost all “stonewashed” jeans are really enzyme-washed.
 
The Science in American Life exhibit opened in 1995 and, a few years later, the museum moved Julia Child’s kitchen into a space right across the hall from where my jeans were displayed .  I was honored that my bluejeans shared the company of Julia Child’s pots and pans.
 
Presently, the museum is closed during renovation and will reopen in 2008. Unfortunately, the Science in American Life exhibit will not have a place in the remodeled museum .  Still, for 11 years my bluejeans were on display to the public.
 
So, no racy stories at all .  No protests, no arrests .  But, I wonder how many people have viewed my bluejeans in awe and wonder over the years?

And, by the way, may I have my jeans back now?

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I’ve Been Tagged!

Posted on January 21, 2007 by Steve

I’ve been tagged by Jasia and asked to reveal five facts about myself that you probably don’t know .  Well, here goes:

  1. I hold a B.S. in Chemistry from the State University of New York and a Ph.D. in Botany and Plant Pathology from Oregon State University.
  2. I’ve taught Archery at summer camps in New York and Vermont.
  3. While in elementary school, Gregory Maguire and I wrote At Kenter’s Lane and Amberside, unpublished books about the adventures of two brothers living in England .  Greg has gone on to become the best-selling author of many books, including Wicked, the book which became the basis for the Broadway musical of the same name.
  4. My all-time favorite children’s author is Edward Eager who wrote Half Magic, Magic by the Lake, Knight’s Castle, The Time Garden, The Well Wishers, and Magic or Not?
  5. My blue jeans were on display at the Smithsonian Institution (The National Museum of American History) in Washington, DC from 1995-2006 .  They are now in storage while the museum undergoes renovation.

The second part of the tagging challenge is to tag five others to reveal five things about themselves .  Are George Morgan, Drew Smith, Apple, James Curley, and Megan Smolenyak Smolenyak up to the challenge?

Copyright © 2006 by Stephen J. Danko

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The Death and Burial of John Frank Gibson

Posted on January 20, 2007 by Steve

I haven’t been able to find any records for the birthdates of the children of Clark Gibson and Maryette Olds that were recorded at or near the time of the event .  The Canadian Census for 1861 recorded the ages of the children who were living as of the enumeration date and provides a reasonable estimate of the year of birth for those children.

The only other record I’ve found that was created within a few years of the birth of one of Clark and Maryette’s children is the Burial Record of John Frank Gibson.

Burial Record for John Frank Gibson

The Burial Record for John Frank Gibson

SOURCE:  The Methodist Church Serving Frelighsburg, Quebec, Canada. Burial Records. 1878. John Frank Gibson. FHL US/CAN Film 2027346 Item 3, Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah.

Click on the link for a PDF copy of the Burial Record for John Frank Gibson – 1878 .  The record reads:

folio Three L.M.G. D.C.C.C.

Burial:- J. F. Gibson

John Frank, son of Clark Gibson black-smith of St. Armand West in the county of Missisquoi, and of Marriett Olds his wife, died on the seventeenth day of January Eighteenth hundred and Seventy-eight in the third year of his age, and was buried on the eighteenth day of the aforesaid Month and year by me
[Signed] J.E Richardson
M.M.

Witnesses:- [Signed] Clark Gibson [Signed] Marriett Gibson

This record shows that John Frank died on 17 Jan 1878 and buried on 18 Jan 1878 .  It further shows that John Frank was in the third year of age, suggesting that he was born in 1875, but no further information was provided about his birth.

Thefirst name of Clark’s wife is spelled Marriett in this record, but is spelled Mariette, Maryette, Maryett, and Maryetta in other records.

The initials “M.M.” below J.E. Richardson’s signature stands for Methodist Minister.

Copyright © 2007 by Stephen J. Danko

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The World War I Draft Registration of Lewis Dwight Gibson

Posted on January 19, 2007 by Steve

When attempting to find the birthdates for the children of Clark Gibson, I realized that the job would not be easy .  There were no civil registrations available for the children, and because Clark’s family apparently adhered to no religion, there were no infant baptisms available for the children.

For Ada May, I used a combination of her age in the 1861 Canadian Census Record and her stated date of birth listed in her adult baptism to determine that she was born on 04 Aug 1859 in Canada.

For Arnold, I used a combination of his age in the 1910 and 1920 US Census Records, his absence from the 1861 Canadian Census Records, and his stated date of birth on his Death Certificate to determine that he was born on 17 Aug 1862 in Vermont.

For Lewis Dwight Gibson, the route to finding the date of birth required a third approach .  I found the World War I Draft Registration Card for Lewis where he stated that his date of birth was 24 Jan 1874 .  The 1910, 1920, and 1930 US Census Records provided Lewis’ age as 36, 45, and 55, respectively, indicating he was born between 1873-1875, so the date in the World War I Draft Registration is consistent with that in three census records.

World War I Draft Registration for Lewis Dwight Gibson - Front

The World War I Draft Registration for Lewis Dwight Gibson – Front

World War I Draft Registration for Lewis Dwight Gibson - Back

The World War I Draft Registration for Lewis Dwight Gibson – Back

SOURCE: Louis Dwight Gibson, World War I Selective Service System Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918. Micropublication M1509 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration), roll VT5.

Click on the link for a PDF copy of the World War I Draft Registration for Lewis Dwight Gibson – 1918 .  The record shows that:

  • Lewis Dwight Gibson lived at R.F.D. Fairfield, Franklin Co., Vermont;
  • On September 12, 1918, Lewis was 44 years old; his birthdate was 24 Jan 1874;
  • He was white;
  • He was not a native US citizen, he was not naturalized, but he was a US citizen because he was younger than the age of majority when his father became of citizen;
  • Lewis was a farmer and was employed by Ward Paradee of R.F.D. Fairfield, Franklin Co., Vermont;
  • Lewis’ nearest relative was Mrs. Carrie Gibson of R.F.D. Fairfield, Franklin Co., Vermont;
  • Lewis was tall, of medium build, with hazel eyes, brown hair, and no deformities.

The Registrar filled out this form, and spelled Lewis’ first name as Louis .  Lewis correctly spelled his name when he signed the form.

Mrs. Carrie Gibson, and Ward Paradee, are listed on the form .  Carrie Gibson was Lewis’ wife .  Ward Paradee was Lewis’ employer .  Ward Paradee’s son, Ward Sturgess Paradee, would later marry Lewis and Carrie Gibson’s daughter, Grace Irene Gibson.

Of note is the fact that Lewis had derivative citizenship, since his father became a US citizen before Lewis attained the age of majority .  Since I don’t have any idea where the family lived between 1861 and 1900, this piece of information shows that Clark Gibson had become a US citizen no later than the early 1890s.

Take a look at the year of birth as written on this card .  At first glance, the year looks like 1884, but close inspection reveals that the year is actually 1874, as evidenced by the curved downstrokes on the “8” and the strong, straight downstroke on the “7”.

Copyright © 2007 by Stephen J. Danko

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The Gibson Households in the 1851 Census of Lower Canada (Québec)

Posted on January 18, 2007 by Steve

In 1851, the families of John Gibson and Clark Gibson are enumerated in St. Georges de Clarenceville in the county of Rouville, Lower Canada (Québec) on lines 19-27 of pages 37-38 .  Only the first half of page 37 is shown below.

The 1851 Census Record for John Gibson and Family

The Gibson Households in the 1851 Census of Canada East (Québec)

SOURCE:  John Gibson Household, 1851 Lower Canada Census (Québec), St. Georges de Clarenceville, Caldwell (Manoir), Rouville (County), pages 37-38, lines 19-27. National Archives of Canada Film C-1137 Schedule A. Microfilm FHL US/CAN Census Area 517289, Family History Library [FHL], Salt Lake City, Utah.

Click on the link for a PDF copy of the Census of Lower Canada (Québec) for the Gibson Households – 1851  .  The Census Record for Schedule A (the nominal household census) covers pages 37-38 .  The image above is only the first half of page 37 .  The record states:

  • John Gibson, a 50-year-old farmer, is enumerated with his 45 year-old wife, Sarah Gibson
  • John and Sarah Gibson’s children are James, a 21-year-old laborer; Martha, 18 years old; William, a 15-year-old laborer; Sarah, 10 years old; and George, 2 years old
  • In addition, Clark Gibson, 29 years old, is listed with his wife Maryette, 19 years old
  • John and Sarah are listed as Methodist; there is no mark in the religion column for the others
  • John and Sarah were born in the United States; their children, including Clark and Maryette, were born in Canada
  • Clark and Maryette are shown as living in St. Armand in the “Residence if out of limits” column

Additional information is provided on parts of the census not shown above:

  • John, Sarah, Clark, and Maryette are married; all others are single
  • All individuals are listed as “Members” except for Clark and Maryette who are listed as “Not Members”
  • None of the household members are listed as attending school
  • There were no births or deaths in the family during 1851
  • None of the household members were “Colored Persons – Negroes”, “Indians if any”, “Members absent”, “Deaf & Dumb”, “Blind”, or “Lunatics”
  • The family’s residence was a one-story log farmhouse; this family was the only family occupying the house
  • There were no “Vacant” homes, no “Buildings”, no “Shops, Stores, Inns, Taverns, &c.”, no “Public Buildings”, no “Places of Worship”, no “Information as to Mills, Factories, &c., &c., their cost, power, produce, &c.”, no “Number of persons usually employed therein”, and no “General Remarks of the Enumerator”

The information in this Census Record shows that Clark and Maryette were married in or before 1851.

The header of this Census Record states in full:  “PERSONAL CENSUS – ENUMERATION DISTRICT, No. Ten OF St. George de Clarenceville IN THE COUNTY OF Rouville COMPRISING the Parish of St. George of Clarenceville OF THE SAID County TAKEN UNDER ACT 14th & 15th Vict. Chap. 49. Wm. T. Ford ENUMERATOR.

Copyright © 2007 by Stephen J. Danko

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The Gibson Households in the 1861 Census of Canada East (Québec)

Posted on January 17, 2007 by Steve

After I presented the problem of the birthdates of Ada May Gibson and her brother Arnold Gibson, Cindy Henry posted a comment that helps to clear up the issue .  According to Ada May’s Baptismal Record, Ada May was born on 04 Aug 1859 in Canada, and according to Arnold’s Death Certificate, Arnold was born on 17 Aug 1859 in Vermont .  Something is wrong here.

Cindy wrote:

I found Arnold and Hattie Gibson in the 1910 and 1920 Vermont census on Ancestry.com. His age of 48/58 respectively provides an estimated birthdate of 1862.

I, myself, found Ada May in the 1861 Census of Canada East (Québec) .  She is enumerated on line 10:

1861 Census Record for the John Gibson and Clark Gibson Households

The Gibson Households in the 1861 Census of Canada East (Québec)

SOURCE:  Clark Gibson and John Gibson Households, 1861 Canada East Census (Québec), Parish of St. Georges de Clarenceville, Missisquoi County, page 253, lines 5-10 and 24-30. National Archives of Canada Film C-1297 Nominal. Microfilm FHL US/CAN Census Area 517397, Family History Library [FHL], Salt Lake City, Utah.

Click on the link for a PDF copy of the Census of Canada East (Québec) for the Gibson Households – 1861 .  The census record shows:

  • Clark Gibson is enumerated with his wife and family on lines 5-10 of page 253 in the census of the Parish of St. Georges de Clarenceville, Missisquoi County, Canada East;
  • Clark is a 37-year old blacksmith born in Lower Canada;
  • Clark’s wife is Maryette Gibson, 27 years old, born in the U.S.A.;
  • Clark’s children are Willard, 9 years old, born in the U.S.A.; Hannah, 7 years old, born in Lower Canada; Emily, 5 years old, born in the U.S.A.; and Addia [Ada May], 2 years old, born in Lower Canada;
  • John Gibson [Clark’s father] is enumerated with his wife and family on lines 24-30 of the same page in the same census as Clark;
  • John is a 60-year-old farmer born in the U.S.A.;
  • John’s wife is Sarah Gibson, 47 years old, born in the U.S.A.;
  • John’s children are James, a 31-year-old laborer born in Lower Canada; William, a 24-year-old laborer born in Lower Canada; Martha, a 27-year-old spinster born in Lower Canada; Sarah, a 19-year-old spinster born in Lower Canada; and George, 12 years old, born in Lower Canada;
  • Clark and his family are all listed as having no religion; John and his family are listed as being Wesleyan Methodists.

This record shows that Ada May was 2 years old in 1861, so she was born in about 1859 .  This estimate agrees with the date on her Baptismal Record.

The census records that Cindy found indicate that Arnold was born in about 1862 .  Arnold does not appear in the 1861 census with the rest of the family, so it is likely that 1862 is a better estimate of his birth year than the 1859 date shown on his Death Certificate.

An examination of other census records between the 1861 Canadian Census and the 1910 US Census may help confirm these assumptions.

Since Clark Gibson’s family is listed as having no religious affiliation, it would be unlikely that his children would be baptized as infants .  This may explain why Ada May was baptized at age 22 and why I haven’t been able to find Baptismal Records for any of Clark’s other children.

Copyright © 2007 by Stephen J. Danko

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The Baptism of Charles Edward Saxton

Posted on January 16, 2007 by Steve

Charles Edward Saxton, son of George Saxton and Ada May Gibson, was baptized in the Methodist Church on the same day as his mother Ada May Saxton and his brother Thomas Clark Saxton.

Baptismal Record for Charles Edward Saxton

The Baptismal Record for Charles Edward Saxton

SOURCE: The Methodist Church Serving Frelighsburg, Quebec, Canada. Baptismal Records. 1881. Charles Edward Saxton. FHL US/CAN Film 2027346 Item 3, Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah.

Click on the link for a PDF copy of the Birth and Baptismal Record for Charles Edward Saxton – 1881 .  The record states:

Baptism:- C. E. Saxton

Charles Edward, son of George Saxton of the Parish of St. Armand West in the county of Missisquoi and province of Quebec and of Ada May Gibson his wife, was born on the fifth day of March Eighteen hundred and eighty-one and was baptized on the twenty-first day of March Eighteen hundred and eighty-one in the presence of the subscribing witnesses
by me
[Signed] J.E Richardson
M.M.

Witnesses:- [Signed] Adie May Saxton [Signed] Thomas Hightman

Since Thomas Clark Saxton was baptized only 16 days after birth, the date of birth provided in this record is probably fairly accurate.

In the 1851 and 1861 Canadian Census Records, Ada May’s grandparents were listed as Methodist .  In the 1861 Canadian Census Records, Ada May, her parents, her brother Willard, and her sisters Hannah and Emily are listed as having no religion.

The family of George and Ada May Saxton later joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints .  What was the religion of George Saxton before he emigrated from England?  When did the family join the LDS Church?

Copyright © 2007 by Stephen J. Danko

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The Baptism of Thomas Clark Saxton

Posted on January 15, 2007 by Steve

Thomas Clark Saxton, son of George Saxton and Ada May Gibson, was baptized in the Methodist Church on the same day as his mother.

Baptismal Record for Thomas Clark Saxton

The Birth and Baptismal Record for Thomas Clark Saxton

SOURCE: The Methodist Church Serving Frelighsburg, Quebec, Canada. Baptismal Records. 1881. Thomas Clark Saxton. FHL US/CAN Film 2027346 Item 3, Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah.

Click on the link for a PDF copy of the Birth and Baptismal Record for Thomas Clark Saxton – 1881 .  the record states:

Fourth folio [H?] [@@@]

Baptism:- T. C. Saxton

Thomas Clark, son of George Saxton of St. Armand West in the county of Missisquoi and province of Quebec and of Ada May Gibson his wife, born on the seventh day of October Eighteen hundred and seventy eight and was baptized on the twenty-first day of March Eighteen hundred and eighty-one in the presence of the subscribing witnesses by me
[Signed] J.E Richardson
Meth. Minister

Witnesses:- [Signed] Adie May Saxton [Signed] Thomas Hightman

Thomas Clark was baptized on the same day as Ada May, his mother, was baptized .  His mother served as a witness, and the second witness, Thomas Hightman, also witnessed Ada May’s baptism.

Since Thomas Clark Saxton was baptized only 2-1/2 years after birth, the date of birth provided in this record is probably fairly accurate.

One lingering question I have is:  Did the child’s father attend the baptism?  The mother signed the baptismal records as a witness but the father did not.

Copyright © 2007 by Stephen J. Danko

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The Baptism of Ada May (Gibson) Saxton

Posted on January 14, 2007 by Steve

According to some sources I’ve found, Ada May Gibson and her brother Arnold Gibson (children of Clark Gibson and Maryette Olds) were born 13 days apart in different countries .  Ada May was born on 04 Aug 1859 in Québec and Arnold was born on 17 Aug 1859 in Vermont, USA .  The evidence for Ada May’s birthdate is derived from her Baptismal Record.

The Baptismal Record for Ada May (Gibson) Saxton

The Baptismal Record for Ada May (Gibson) Saxton

SOURCE:  The Methodist Church Serving Frelighsburg, Quebec, Canada. Baptismal Records. 1881. Ada May Saxton. FHL US/CAN Film 2027346 Item 3, Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah. 

Click on the link for a PDF copy of the Baptismal Record for Ada May (Gibson) Saxton .  The record states that:

Fifth folio [H?] [@@@]

Baptism:- Mrs. A. M. Saxton

Adie May Gibson, wife of George Saxton of St Armand West in the county of Missisquoi and province of Quebec, was born on the fourth day of August Eighteen hundred and fifty-nine and was baptized on the twenty-first day of March Eighteen hundred and eighty-one in the presence of the subscribing witnesses by me
[Signed] J.E Richardson M.M.

Witnesses:- [Signed] Adie May Saxton [Signed] Thomas Hightman

The notation M.M. after the minister’s name stands for “Methodist Minister”.

Curiously, Ada May (or Adie May as she is called in this record) was a witness at her own baptism!

Ada May was baptized as an adult .  Although her birthdate is listed as 04 Aug 1859, the accuracy of the date is suspect, since the information was recorded some 22 years after the fact.

Ada May’s brother Arnold was born on 17 Aug 1859, but this information is derived from Arnold’s Death Certificate – 68 years after the fact.

Either one or both of these dates is wrong .  But which one?  And how do I find a better source for their birthdates?

Copyright © 2008 by Stephen J. Danko

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The Marriage of Arnold Gibson and Hattie Fadden

Posted on January 13, 2007 by Steve

I previously published the death record and burial permit for Arnold Gibson and the burial permit for Hattie Fadden Gibson .  Arnold and Hattie were married in Sheldon, Vermont in 1885.

Marriage Record for Arnold Gibson

The Marriage Record for Arnold Gibson

SOURCE: The State of Vermont. Department of Health. Marriage Record. 1916. Arnold Gibson and Hattie Fadden. FHL US/CAN Film 2022665, Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah.

Click on the link for a PDF copy of the Marriage Record for Arnold Gibson – 1885 .  The record states:

  • Arnold Gibson and Hattie Fadden were married on 1 Jul 1885 in Sheldon, Vermont;
  • Arnold was born in Alburgh;
  • Arnold was 23 years old at the time of marriage and this marriage was his first marriage;
  • Arnold’s parents were Clark Gibson and Mariette [no surname given]; the birthplaces of Clark and Mariette are not provided;
  • W. N. Roberts, a minister, officiated at the marriage;
  • The document includes the number P599 and is documented by E. M. Brown, Town Clerk in Sheldon.

In Vermont, the marriage records for this period are recorded on separate cards .  This card is for the groom.

The birthplace for Arnold Gibson, as stated on this record, is Alburgh in Grand Isle County, Vermont .  This conflicts with the information on Arnold’s Death Certificate, which stated he was born in Island Pond, Essex County, Vermont.

Copyright © 2007 by Stephen J. Danko

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