posted on December 24, 2007 10:19:49 PM new
Transcribing 1800s diaries of my husband's ancestor, there's mention of going to an "LB party" for the new minister in town. Something about that phrase rings a distant bell for me; is it possible that people would bring a pound of this or that (probably food or soap or such) to welcome a new resident? I'm hoping someone here knows.
I googled but it was hopeless.
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posted on December 25, 2007 04:01:43 AM new
Boy that sure sounds familiar, I'm sure you are right, something to fill the new ministers larder as a welcome.
Or this: "After a bit of research, however, I found that a 'pounding party' in this context isn't nearly as dirty as it sounds. It is simply a party given to welcome newcomers to a community, where the guests each bring them a pound of different things that they may need in their homes, such as a pound of sugar, a pound of coffee, or a pound of nails." (everything2.com)
or this:
: : What is the origin of this phrase. "food pounding" usually describes when a pastor is given food from the congregation.
: In the movie "Cross Creek," about writer Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, one of the characters had a "pound party." Each guest had to bring a pound of food. Maybe there's a connection.
I found it under "pounding." It's like a gift "shower" or party. Also called "pound party." Eastern Alabama, western Georgia. 1909. "The custom of sending to the minister's home groceries, preserves, etc., each participant being suppose to give a pound." (The Phrase Finder)
posted on December 25, 2007 07:25:08 AM new
Wow. Thanks, people! I read "Cross Creek" many years ago, so that must have stuck in my mind.
The diary we began transcribing yesterday afternoon is from 1887, so we're right in the time period of the NY Times article. (We've done 20 now, from 1856 to 1883, with a few years missing, and I'm going to miss this activity when we're all done. It's been a real soap opera in that family, which includes Frances Folsom, who married Grover Cleveland in the White House, and her cousin, US Consul in England.
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posted on December 25, 2007 10:05:16 AM new
Are you related to Frances Folsom? I first heard about her when I was a student at Wells College where she is somewhat of an icon having married President Cleveland soon after graduation.
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posted on December 26, 2007 12:35:01 PM new
The diaries we're transcribing are for Mary Folsom, wife of Benjamin Folsom. She's my husband's great-great-grandmother. Benjamin Folsom (founded towns in New York and Nebraska) was the brother of Oscar Folsom, father of Frances Folsom. When Oscar died relatively young, his law partner, Grover Cleveland, became guardian of Frances--and then married her.
Mary's diaries mention meeting Grover "Cleavland" a few times in NY City when they traveled there but there's no mention of the wedding yet.
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