West Family Tree

Notes from Marian Newell Morris (Mrs. Whitley)
1981

L.C. Mandeville home, Maple Street, completed 1890.
First house in Carrollton to have running water. Water from a well was pumped to storage tangks (3 large ones) on third floor in attic area. (I suppose they are still there, they were a few years ago.) Water was piped down to one bath and toilet, in separate rooms.

There were 2 marble basins in 2 bedrooms. Italian marble, 1 pink and 1 green.

Early there were only fire places. Later central heat. One of a few houses to get telephones first. (Cheney also had phone.)

Blinds were let down in wall, but raised in summer to keep out early heat and left up till sundown. Lace curtains in living room and parlor. Wool rugs were taken up in summer and straw matting, room size, was put down. This was a big help in cooling.

Kitchen was separated from the house by an open porch (or breezeway). Now is enclosed.

Wooden bucket and gourd dipper were on wash stand as we entered side back door - a basin to wash and roller towels.

All flour, sugar, meal, lard, coffee, etc. were kept in barrels and large containers in kitchen pantry. Mrs. L.C. Mandeville kept the keys.

Well on the back portch was covered and ice boxes put in. (Not sure when - but were there in 1915.) Cooking was all done on wood stove or open fire place. There was always, for breakfast, corn meal muffins and grave, (The gravy was called "milk gravy" and white - a dish from Vermont. Flour and lard and milk.) country fried steak or fried chicken or ham and sausage, plus usual.

We got up at 6:00, after George Washington Avery had lighted all the fires. Dressed and went to the barn to visit the horses, cows, and pigs. Came back for the big breakfast, then had family prayer in living room. We walked to College Street School except in bad weather then went in the surrey (sure enough fringe, too) with 2 big red horses, Tige and Buster.

All meats were raised and processed and cured at home. Good ham and sausage.

Long table was set up in the kitchen, just at "Hog Killing" time. Ground meat was spread out and Mrs. L.C.M. seasoned it. She also supervised the making of Souse (?) sp.

All the coffee was ground each A.M. fresh. I remember the sound each day.

For a party or wedding all lettuce and celery and fancy foods came out of Atlanta. (flowers too) on the train via Newnan. (We used to go from Carrollton to Newnan and to Atlanta to shop by train. Spent at least one night, some times more, at the Piedmont Hotel.)

When L.C.M. died in Ashville, N.C. (Sept., 1926) his body was brought to Carrollton from Bremen by Central of Georgia R.R. The engine was draped in black crepe, train stopped at Maple St. crossing and casket was carried to the house.

Land and home were sold to Tyre Watson for $6,000 (?). I don't know the date. He sold off to Ford for building that is west of home place. He also opened Watson St. The date of transaction would be recorded.

After 1941. Mrs. L.C.M. died Mar., 1941 and had remained in the house. Moving to first level and installing bath. The house then went to Mrs. C.K. Henderson (Kennon's mother). I don't know when she sold it.

The house had a front stair and a back stair (for servants, etc.) The back stair has been taken out to make rest rooms for "Mansion".

As we grew up we always had Thanksgiving and Christmas diner at Mama's. The table in dining room seated all the adults and later some of the older children. (Probably 12 adults and 9 children.) The younger children ate at a table in the serving room. There was a damask cloth for dining table. Later we made napkins from all the big cloths.

Typical Holiday Menu:
Oyster stew, round oyster crackers
Celery Olives
Turkey, dressing, cranberries, home made pickles, etc.
Sweet potato souffle, Irish potatoes creamed
Hot breads, Rice and gravy
Always Boiled custard and Home made cake
(I cannot remember the other vegetables)

LCM built (Carrollton Hotel)
It was originally "The Clifton" for C in his name.

Uncle Will, bachelor brother to LCM lived in A. Mandeville house until he died. (Date on tombstone if you want me to get it.) He raised the grapes and made home made wine. If he caught us stealing grapes he let us have it. Had porch on house and had bannisters (salt box). My mother said that twice a year two sewing ladies came in, lived at the house, and helped my grandmother make clothes, every thing, for the children and most things for adults. They stayed two weeks in spring, two weeks in fall.

Marian Newell Morris
Granddaughter of LCM