Copyright © 2020 by Wendy Waszut-Barrett
In 1920 Thomas G. Moses wrote, “Sister Lucia passed away on June 23rd, and I had about an hour to get ready to make the trip to Woonsocket, R.I., after a good deal of hard work. I got down and back very quickly. Frank and Pitt came over to the funeral. I went home with Pitt and remained overnight. Left on Sunday. Arrived in Chicago early Monday ready for a hustle.”
In a 1932 letter to his son Pitt, Moses wrote, “While I hope to enjoy a few more years of painting, the sudden passing of Illie, Frank and Lucia has forced me to realize that I have only a few more years at the most and when I do pass out, I want to feel that my life has not been wasted, and my work will live on for many years after I am gone.”
Lucia but also kept a diary, an 85-page book that she described as “My special occasions diary . . . a record, not of every day’s trivial round, but the events in each year which most express the general tenor of our lives.” She made entries from 1898 until the time of her death in 1920. Lucia is included in “A Guide to Women’s Diaries in the Manuscript Collection of the Rhode Island Historical Society Library,” edited by Rick Stattler. Her brother Tom is repeatedly mentioned in some of the excerpts posted online.
Although I have written about it before, here is a little background on the Moses family. Lucia was part of the first family, born to Lucius Manlius Moses and Mary W. Titcomb Moses. After Mary’s death, he remarried and fathered two more children with his second wife.
Capt. L. M. Moses was born in Great Falls, New Hampshire, in 1823. A sea captain and part owner in the ships that he sailed, he was the son of a sailor -Theodore Bland Moses, a merchant marine. Capt. Moses’ last ship was a bark built by William Hanscom in 1833. Of the ship, Thomas Moses recorded, “The wonderful full rigged ship ‘Pactolus’ was handed over to another Master, much regretted by my Father, for he loved saltwater and sailing. As I do sketching and painting, I am afraid I inherited some of his roving disposition.” The family sailed as far as east India, and as far south as Rio de Janeiro. Both Lucia and Thomas Moses were born at sea. Moses’ diary records that that his father was fortunate in the fact that he was allowed to bring his family along on seas voyages. Life on the sea, however, was never without tragedy. Two of the Moses’ children died while at sea, their first son Lucius and their daughter Kate. The remaining children were Lucia Gray (1854), Thomas Gibbs (1856), Frank Deming (1858), and Illinois “Illie” Mary (1860). Capt. Moses then married his second wife, Adeline (Adaline) Gowen, Fifteen years his junior, the family increased in size again, with the births of Kirk W. and Walter D. Moses.
Capt. Moses was a sea captain for twenty-two years. He left the sea in 1859, selling his interests in the ships and moving his family inland. They headed west and eventually settled in small town of Sterling, Illinois. The “Sterling Daily Gazette” reported Lucius Moses to be “one of several old New England sea captains who settled in Whiteside county” (Dec. 13, 1927, page 2). The newspaper article also recounted, “A number of older residents of Sterling remember the Moses family. John Dundon’s father sold his first residence here to Mr. Moses when the family came here, and Mr. Dundon went to school with the two Moses boys and their sister, Grace Moses.” “Grace” Moses, was actually Lucia Gray Moses, who went by “Gray” when she was young
I know that I have mentioned this before, but it is extremely difficult to track down a woman’s history because their names are constantly changing. It is like they disappear when their name becomes erased and replaced with another. For example, when Lucia Gray Moses married her husband, she did not just get a new last name; that would have made it easy. At first, she was listed as Mrs. Lucia Gray Cook, Mrs. Lucia G. Cook, and Mrs. L. G. Cook.” Later the initial of her middle name even changes; “G,” is replaced with “M” to signify her maiden name of Moses – Mrs. Lucia M. Cook. In other cases her entire birthname is completely dropped, and she is solely noted as Mrs. Stephen R. Cook, or Mrs. Stephen Cook. Now if you throw in a nickname, like Grace or Gray, it becomes even more difficult. Or when an individual goes by their middle name, it is doubly hard. Even my husband goes by his middle name, Andrew, and not first name, George. In 1870, Illie was listed by her middle name of “Mary,” and similarly, Lucia was listed by her middle name, “Gray.” “Grace” was the name used by childhood friends in Sterling.
In Sterling, Illinois, Capt. Lucius Moses established Sterling Hide and Leather Shop with a partner. His business was a successful one and eventually he owned sole interest in the company, also running a tannery and harness shop. On Jan. 2, 1875, the “Sterling Gazette” advertised, “There are two tanneries in the city, one owned by Captain L. M. Moses, both doing good business) (page 2). He would later move to Chicago and run a grocery store on Randolph Street. His second family was raised in the windy city, a far different experience for his younger sons Kirke and Walter.
Back to Lucia’s story… On Feb. 2, 1883, the “Boston Globe” announced the marriage of Samuel P. Cook and Lucia G. Moses, “both of Woonsocket” (page 3). The couple celebrated the birth of a son (Theodore P.) and daughter (Gertrude N.) In 1900, Samuel Cook was employed as a bank cashier, and the two children ages 14 and 15 were in school. By 1910, Cook was listed as a banker.
The same year as her passing, Lucia was mentioned in “History of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations: Biographical” (NY: The American Historical Society, Inc. 1920). She was part of the entry for her husband:
“SAMUEL PENNY COOK — When a youth of eighteen years, just out of high school, Samuel P. Cook entered the service of the Producers National Bank of Woonsocket. That was nearly half a century ago, and from the year of his admission, 1870, until the present, 1918, he has known no other business home nor a greater business interest. This long term of service, eleven years of which has been as president of the bank, coupled with the fact that for a quarter of a century he was city treasurer, has given him a grasp of matters financial and brought him so prominently before the people that his opinions on finance carry the weight of authority. The radical changes made in the banking laws during the past few years, although not at first cheerfully accepted by the financiers of the country, and the problems presented were approached by bankers with characteristic caution, but as their value became apparent and their ability to meet national and international demands was proven, all doubt vanished and the splendid response made by national banks and bankers to the enormous demands made upon their financial resources and upon their patriotism is the best answer to any criticism of either American banking laws or upon the patriotism and good faith of American bankers. No business has been called upon for greater sacrifice during these years of national stress and storm, and the best thought of the financial world has lent itself to the solution of the war’s financial problems. As executive head of Woonsocket’s leading bank, Mr. Cook has borne his part in carrying the financial burden imposed upon this city and has as well ably fulfilled his obligations to those who look to the Producers Bank as their source of financial supply…Samuel P. Cook, son of Ariel Lindsey and Mary Harris (Phillips) Cook, was born in Albion, Rhode Island, July 20, 1852. He attended graded and high schools of Woonsocket until 1870, then entered the employ of the Producers’ National Bank of Woonsocket, that bank having a savings department bearing the same name. He developed unusual banking ability, and in 1885 was elected cashier of the Producers National Bank and treasurer of the Producers Savings Bank. He held that office until January 14, 1907, when he was elected president of the Producers National Bank, his present high and responsible office. He is a thoroughly capable financier, learned in the law of national finance as applied to banking, conservative yet not timid, ready at all times to trust his judgment in financial matters. For twenty-five years he was treasurer of the city of Woonsocket and his business interests in the city are not inconsiderable. Mr. Cook is a member of the State Banking Association and of other societies, financial in their scope, is a Republican in politics, and an attendant at the First Universalist Church, his club the Squantum Association. He holds all degrees of York Rite Masonry, belonging to Morning Star Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; Union Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, and Woonsocket Commandery, Knights Templar. He is interested in the welfare of his adopted city and is generous in his support of all worthy aims.
Mr. Cook married, in 1883, Lucia G. Moses, and they are the parents of Theodore Phillips, born in Woonsocket, August 7, 1884, now receiving teller of the Producers National Bank, and a daughter, Gertrude Nourse, born April 15, 1886.” Here is the link: http://sites.rootsweb.com/~rigenweb/articles/125.html
As I mentioned earlier, Lucia also kept a diary. She is included “A Guide to Women’s Diaries” in the Manuscript Collection of the Rhode Island Historical Society Library (https://www.rihs.org/mssinv/WomenGuide.htm#Intro). The document was originally compiled for a University of Rhode Island seminar in women’s history with Dr. Sharon Strom, April 1997. It was greatly expanded with the help of Rhode Island Historical Society staff and volunteers, June 2004.
Here is the full entry for Thomas G. Moses’ sister, Lucia:
Notes on the Lucia G. (Moses) Cook Diaries
Entries dated 1898 to 1920
Biographical:
Name at birth: Moses, Lucia Gray
Name after marriage: Cook, Lucia G. (Moses)
Birthdate and place: Circa 1854, at sea
Death date and place: Between 1920 and 1928
Age range during diary: 44 – 65
Residence during diary: Woonsocket, RI
Places written: Woonsocket; Digby, Nova Scotia.
Biographical note: Raised in New Hampshire, married a Woonsocket banker, and raised two children there.
Ethnicity: Yankee
Social class: Upper-middle
Background and comments:
Number of volumes: 1
Number of pages: 85
Exact dates: September 23 1898 to January 1 1920
Frequency of entries: Very irregular – perhaps two or three entries per year.
How was author identified?: Label on front cover
Brief description: Describes the diary herself as “My special occasions diary . . . a record, not of every day’s trivial round, but the events in each year which most express the general tenor of our lives.” Most entries are retrospective, covering the events of the past several months.
Writing quality: Generally good, although the handwriting is somewhat difficult.
Related papers at RIHS: Letter written by Lucia to her grandmother, 1868, inserted in diary.
Family members:
Father’s name: Moses, Lucius M.
Father’s occupation: Ship captain, born New Hampshire, died Chicago. Married 2nd: Adeline Gower.
Mother’s name: Titcomb, Mary W.
Mother’s dates: 1825-1861
Brothers: Thomas G. Moses (1856-), Frank D. Moses (1858-), Kirke W. Moses (1871-) (half-brother), Walter F. Moses (1874- ) (half-brother)
Sisters: Illinois Mary (according to genealogy)
Husband’s name: Cook, Samuel P.
Husband’s dates: 1852-1928
Husband’s occupation: President, Producers National Bank of Woonsocket
Marriage date and place: January 31 1883, Boston
Father-in-law’s name: Cook, Ariel L.
Father-in-law’s dates: 1823-1886
Mother-in-law’s name: Phillips, Mary H.
Mother-in-law’s dates: d.1917
Sons: Theodore Phillips Cook (1884-)
Daughters: Gertrude N. Cook (1886-, m. Smith?)
Topical content:
Events discussed: “On this day the awful world war ended, peace was declared! Banks, schools, mills, shops closed, and a joyous pandemonium reigned all day! The awful strain ended. Everyone relaxed!” [11/11/1918]
Social life: On 12/31/1910, “I gave a tea, to which I invited 204 people! Every morning, I was up at five, writing my invitations, and arranging my house. I had a caterer from Providence, and Raia the harpist… People were kind enough to say the affair was a great success.” [4/1910]
Family: On Christmas, “Cousin Theodore was an unexpected but welcome guest… Cousin Theodore spent a week, and left us, as he always does, the richer for the visit, for his outlook on life is broad and uplifting.” [12/25/1898] “I sat before the blazing open fire and read a bundle of my mother’s letter, which Tom sent me. They were written fifty years ago, and I am selfish enough to wish they were going to be mine.” [1/1903] Trouble with mother-in-law: “Mrs. Cook came to make her home with us… Right after X-Mas we began doing over what was my maid’s room for a room for Mrs. Cook…. The winter from then on was hell, no less. My children will know this and if this record falls into other hands I do not care… Mrs. Cook never liked me, and it is the irony of fate that she should have to end her days with me – only I am convinced that I should go first. But one lives through a great deal!” [10/1909] “Mrs. Cook spent the month with Ida Lord. For this relief, much thanks.” [1/1915] Death of mother-in-law on 2/26/1917 [4/12/1917].
Childhood: “Theodore and Gertrude were the best-looking children there – the best – but if they only fulfill the promise of their youth!” [9/13/1903]
Marriage: “My twenty-fifth wedding anniversary! Does anyone who has had a happy married life ever realize how the years slip away like summer clouds!” [1/31/1908]
Health: Lengthy description of diseased glands under daughter’s arm (possibly caused by vaccination) which resisted three operations and took several months to heal, interrupting her freshman year of college. [5/1905]
School: “In August Sam and I decided after grave deliberation to send Theodore to Phillips-Exeter. our chief reason being his lack of self-reliance.” [11/1901] Sends daughter Gertrude to Wellesley College so she can continue her music studies with Mrs. Hamilton. [9/1904] Theodore’s graduation from Exeter “the very happiest week of my life.” [5/1905] Daughter graduates from Wellesley. [4/1911]
Class relations: Trouble with an inexperienced servant: “I had under my elastic roof at one time Tom and Ella, Louise Greene, Horace Holden. Then Ernest Greene and Louise visited me, and they made the welkin ring. It was very hot, and I had a green Norwegian, but I somehow managed.” [6/1906] “The first of November, the axe fell. Mary Dooley, after living here three years, and serving good meals, garnished by a bad temper and lies, departed to live at the Donahoes and cook. With her went domestic peace. From the first of November until the first of June a procession of imbeciles, idiots and incompetents passed through my kitchen – seven in all. Most of the time I was my own chief cook and bottle washer.” [9/1912] “In May I made my usual visit to Dover: when I returned Polish Sofie gave her notice to earn $25 a week in a factory!” [11/11/1918]
Travel: Circa May 1898, “I began to agitate the question of Sam’s going to England. After his many years of faithful service in the bank he badly needed a change of thought and scene. He needed a great deal of persuasion before he could be induced to go.” [9/23/1898] Visits Ogunquit Beach in Maine 8/1900 [11/1900]. Spends a few weeks in Digby, Nova Scotia at second family home called “Bleakside” late each summer.
Geographical and architectural: “We had our first X-Mas celebration in the new house.” [12/25/1898] “Every year I realize more and more that, though transplanted, my roots are deep in New Hampshire soil.” [7/1901] Describes minor house renovations. [5/1902]
Cataloging information:
Catalog number: MSS 9001-C
Collection title: Lucia G. (Moses) Cook Diaries
Location within the collection:
Size: 10″ x 8″
Condition: Excellent
Graphic content: 1920 photograph of Nova Scotia home after final entry.
Provenance: 2002. 43. 2, gift of L.H. Strickland
Cataloged by Rick Stattler, July 2002
Bibliography:
Moses, Zebina. Historical Sketches of John Moses of Plymouth…, 219. Hartford: Casey, Lockwood & Brainard, 1890
Woonsocket directories, 1920-1928
1920 U.S. Census, Rhode Island E.D. 336, page 11
Subject headings:
Nova Scotia – Description and travel
Woonsocket, R.I. – Social life and customs
If you happen to visit, Lucia’s diary is in MSS 9001-C Box 12.
To be continued…
