| Notes |
- -
Texas State Library and Archives Commission, Sam Houston Center
http://www.tsl.state.tx.us/shc/women.html
WOMEN WHO MADE A DIFFERENCE
A Case study of the Women Who Lived in the Norman House
. . . . . . . .
Adelia Wrigley Cameron was the next woman to live in the Norman House. Mrs. Cameron was born in Liberty in 1849. At the age of sixteen she marri ed Captain Benjamin Franklin Cameron who was nine years older.
Like Mrs. LaCour, she was a mother who faced many difficulties in life. Adelia Cameron gave birth to nine children, six of whom died during her life. In 1892 when her infant son, John Bannon, died she expressed her and her husband's sorrow. "Five times we have 'passed under the rod.' Five pair of little hands are calmly folded, and five pair of beautiful eyes forever closed. But we feel that five pair of little arms will be ready to clasp us at the beautiful gate, and hope and pray, that as our cross has been heavy our crown may be all the brighter." Mrs. Cameron lost her sixth child in 1901, when "consumption seized" her namesake, Adelia, "with its poisonous fangs."
The rigors of childbearing and rearing may have contributed to Adelia Cameron's chronic poor health. Like many wealthy women of that time, she journeyed for her health taking the waters at Sour Lake, and enjoying the dry climate of the Alamo City. Despite poor health she was a leader in the cultural and religious life of Liberty. She served as president of the Woman's Reading Club, a group which studied fine literature including Shakespeare, Sir Walter Scott and Socrates. While a Methodist she took part in fund raising dinners, organized a Sunday School class, and led a music program. Later she changed denominations but remained "earnest and zealous."
Adelia Wrigley Cameron died in the Norman House in 1903. After her death, Mr. Cameron moved away, but owned the property until 1910. For a time, the Cameron's daughter, Mattie, and her husband, Perl Blair lived in the house. Mattie Cameron Blair was a beautiful and energetic woman. For example, in 1896 Mattie and her friend and in-law, Stella Steusoff opened a millinery and dress making shop with an ice cream parlor in an annex. Although this venture didn't last long, Steusoff was the next woman to grace the Norman House living there around 1909. Stella Steusoff was a strong woman, a matriarch who raised three children. She worked tirelessly for the Episcopal church. In 1951 the fellowship hall of the church was named in her honor.
1870 census, Liberty, Liberty county, TX, July 12, 1870, p. 4
pcts 1 & 5, lines 21-24, HH 47/41
Cameron, Benjamin F, 29, dry goods clerk, $2500, $1000, Alabama
" , Adelia A., 21, housekeeping, TX
" , Bessie, 1, TX
Wrigley, Mary E, 14, TX
1900 census, Liberty 2nd ward, Liberty cty, TX
June 4, 1900, e.d. 35, sheet 4-B, lines 57-65, HH 59/60
Cameron, Benjamin, head, Dec 1840, 54, m. 35 yrs, AL, T, __, dealer in real estate
" , Adelia, wife, Jun 1849, 51, m. 35 yrs, TX, NY, TX
" , Ardie?, son, Dec 1882, 17, TX, AL, TX
" , Adelia, dau, Sept 1886, 13, TX, AL, TX
Broch, Thomas, boarder, Feb 1876, 24, TX, TX, TX, lawyer
DeBlanc, Sine A, boarder, Nov 1863, 37, m. 10 yrs, TX, LA, LA, locomotive engineer
" , Jessee, wife, May 1869, 31, m. 10 yrs, TX, MS, MS
" , Eva, dau, Oct 1891, 8, TX, TX, TX
|
1849 - 1903 (~ 53 years)
