My Great Grandparents Were Star-Crossed Lovers. But Their Story Had a Happy Ending.

If It Weren’t For Them, I Wouldn’t Be Sitting Here Writing To You

It’s strange how fate, bravery, and second chances can affect an entire family for generations.

This is a real story of my great-grandparents' elopement, as reported by the NY Times.

Mary pictured far right bottom. 1942, many years later.

It was 1892 and Mary from upstate NY, was looking for love. She was only 16. That’s when she met Charles (Chas), who was from a farming family.

Charles

Mary’s father was not impressed. Their well-off family came from a long line of prestigious American settlers. He thought Mary was too young and Charles wasn’t appropriate.

They told her to stop seeing him. This was 1892 and women had to listen to their parents or face becoming social outcasts.

However, Mary had a strong will and decided she was not going to listen.