CFH-Hd. Julia Ann Maltby, born in 1810 (Stephen 4, Benj.3, Dan.2,Wm.1).

"Auntie Bidwell" was my great-great aunt. She was still living in New Haven, at the home of her son, when I was about seven years old. I recall sitting over an hour in the carriage waiting for my father and mother who had gone to see her when she was dying.

The compiler has her Daguerrotype picture. Her hair, quite dark, is parted in the middle, combed smoothly down over the ears; eyebrows arched, face oval. From the back of the hair, at either side is a fine lace ribbon, falling over the shoulders. It is a strong face. A satin faced jacket seems to be worn over the gown, which is opened over a white vestee.

I also have a photograph of her. My Grandmother Maltby laughed very seldom but I have seen her laugh until the tears rolled down her checks when she looked at this picture of "Julia." It was the day of hoop-skirts, but what "Julia" did not realize was that even hoop skirts did not conceal the fact that a child was soon to be born. I gather "Julia was exceedingly vexed" when she saw the photograph: Briefly, from the waist down, the result is startlingly enormous. She is wearing an elaborate "bonnet" tied under the chin with wide white (?) satin ribbon, small bow but the ends must be three-quarters of a yard in length. The dark skirt has four bands of velvet ribbon at the bottom. Over all is a heavy gray coat. Her right hand holds her gloves, the left is in a large chinchilla muff; on her wrist is, apparently a plain gold bracelet.

Her son, Henry Stuart Bidwell was born in 1838, so possibly this picture was taken about that date. His name was the only child name given me, by her daughter-in-law, but I distinctly remember Grandmother saying "Julia was never the same after her daughter died, a beautiful young girl." In grandmother's album is a tin-type labled "Miss Jane Bidwell," a lovely girl, and to me there is no question but what she was dau. of Julia Maltby Bidwell. There was also a large engraving of "W. H. Bidwell," possibly father of Henry Bidwell. He looks to be a man of considerable importance.

Julia had a very handsome mahogany table--which Mrs. Stuart Bidwell left to me. It was claimed it had belonged to my great-great grandfather, Col. Stephen (4). I had an antique dealer clean and put it in good shape, and as I was living in Canada, when Mrs. Bidwell died my cousin, Helen (Benedict) Barnes, kept it for me, with the understanding I could send for it at any time. She certainly would have sent it. Her last letter from Florida said she was very ill, and that her daughter was to take her, by plane, to Long Island.

She closed by saying, "Be sure and write to "Pestie." I not only wrote to this daughter, Mrs. Richard R. Borgarts, 39 Sunset Drive, Nanhasset, Long Island, N.Y., asking her to let me know how her mother was, but wrote to Helen--a very dear cousin. After waiting weeks I again wrote Mrs. Borgarts, saying how anxious I was about Helen and would she please drop me a line. Probably Helen died--but it does not look as though I should ever know.

It may be that at some time this card table may turn up--if so, whoever owns it may care to know its history. I list two children as I feel very certain there were two. So many, many times, where a child died unmarried, people have failed to include its name when sending records. Henry Bidwell was b. in 1810.

     Children of Julia Ann Maltby and Henry Bidwell:
VI.1007.  Jane Bidwell
VI.1008.  Henry Stuart Bidwell, b.  1838.

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