The Cowper Birthday Book
The birthday book was a gift to a young Ernest Freeman just a year or so before his family left their home in England forever. Some kind person probably presented the book to him as a remembrance of his first home in Olney, Buckinghamshire, England, back in 1900 when he was just seven years old.
The book was special to him for two reasons
. The right hand pages had dates, three to a page, where friends and relatives could write their names on the date of their birth. The left hand pages had verses from William Cowper (pronounced Cooper), a well-known poet who lived in Olney.
As young boys often do, he inscribed his name and a message in youthful handwriting at the beginning of the book:
Ernest Freeman
Wellsville
Utah
Cash Co
Then he added this admonition:
Steal not
This Book for fear
Of shame for
In it stands
The owners name
For if you do
The Lord will
Say where
Is that book
You stole away
The tragedies and joys of life are hinted at throughout the pages of the book. In boyish writing is the name of Ernest’s younger brother, James Bert Wallinger Freeman, born 1897 with a note that Bert died March 28, 1919. He died in an army camp in Wyoming of complications from the Spanish ‘flu. Ernest, recently returned from the war in France, was sent by his family to bring his brother’s body home.
James Bert Wallinger Freeman
In mid-January my grandmother’s handwriting appears with an entry telling of the birth of her oldest granddaughter.
Grandma was a dedicated genealogist, so she helped Grandpa write in the names of various ancestors and relatives, such as his aunt, Sarah Elizabeth Carter Davis Wood, his family’s only pioneer ancestor.
On January 25th, the name Sarah Wyatt is inscribed. We have often wondered just who she is as she is not a relative, but now with modern technology, we find that Sarah Wyatt was born January 25, 1829 in England and died in 1914 in Wellsville, Utah. Her husband, John and grandson, Tom, are listed in May as well as John’s brother, William in July. Ernest’s two older brothers, came to the US a year before the rest of the family. One of his brothers worked for the Wyatt family, so this is likely why the Wyatt family is in the book. In more modern times, the Wyatt farm became the American West Heritage Center where we volunteer.
Though we now feel far removed from the Freeman family left behind in England, it is clear from the pages of the book that family ties were still maintained in earlier years. Joyce Sybil Burrows, daughter of Ernest’s 2nd cousin, Harry, is mentioned in March. She is one of the few of those left in England who made it to visit the American branch of the family. When she visited our home when we were children, we thought it so entertaining to listen to her British accent.
Also in March is the birthday of Jane Carter Freeman in 1857. What a relief to see her called Jane, her middle name, instead of her first name, Euphemia! If I search far enough back in my memory I can still envision her sitting on her front porch making french-cut green beans. I was impressed that she could make three complete lengthwise cuts through each bean at age 98!
Euphemia Jane Carter Freeman
August 4th was a busy day in our family as it is the birth date of my grandmother, Ruby Kotter Freeman, as well as my aunt, Marilyn Farr Freeman, and my father Verlin Clark Stephens, who married into the Freeman family when he married my mother. I recall many triple birthday celebrations for these three.
Ernest’s cousin, Rose Freeman Gibbons, was the only other English relative who came to visit in the US. Her entry is in November. I was just 12 or 13 when she came to see our family. We were so excited to meet her. My young sister, Eileen, was about 4 years old at the time, so we told her a special cousin, named Rose, was coming to visit. When Rose at last appeared, Eileen kept calling her ‘Flowers’.
English cousin, Rose Gibbons "Flowers" visits Indiana
Back: Roma, Verlin, Rose, Ida, Ruby
Front Eileen, Nancy, Karma, Mark, Rebecca
Interspersed with all these memories of people long since gone are the words of the poet, William Cowper. As I was reading the book one day, a particular verse struck me at a time when troubles seemed to overwhelm. He wrote:
Ye fearful saints fresh courage take,
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy, and shall break
In blessings on your head.
I loved the visual image of a veritable cloudburst of blessings. I didn’t recall ever hearing that verse before, but when I looked it up to see where it came from, the familiar first verse appeared - “God moves in a mysterious way, His wonders to perform.” I had sung the verse many times, but hadn’t noticed it before!
Another poem I liked said,
Have you no words? Ah! think again,
Words flow apace when you complain,
And fill your fellow creature’s ear
With the sad tale of all your care.
Were half the breath thus vainly spent
To heaven in supplication sent,
Your cheerful song would oftener be,
“Hear what the Lord has done for me.
William Cowper died nearly 100 years before Ernest was born, but he was still well remembered in the town of Olney as one of the most popular poets of the time. He also wrote many hymns. He wasn’t born in Olney, but lived there for a time where he became friends with John Newton, who wrote Amazing Grace. Newton and Cowper collaborated in a volume called Olney Hymns.
William Cowper
He wrote a famous, semi-autobiographical poem called “The Task” after recovering from a bout of severe depression.
The Task
I was the stricken deer that left the herd
Long since, with many an arrow deep
infixed
My panting side was charged when I
withdrew
To seek a tranquil death in distant shades.
There I was found by one who had himself
Been hurt by archers. In his side he bore
And in his hands and feet the cruel scars.
He drew them forth, and healed and bade me live.
Birthdays in the book. Any relationships are given in relation to Ernest Freeman, the original owner of the book, or his wife, Ruby Viola Kotter Freeman.
2 Jan. Norma Kotter Hodson - Ruby’s
sister
3 Jan. James Bert Wallinger Freeman-
Ernest’s younger brother
7 Jan. Roland Gyllenskog- first cousin,
once removed
10 Jan. Richard Green - great-
grandfather
14 Jan. Nancy Lynne Stephens -
granddaughter
16 Jan. William Colse - unknown
19 Jan. Carolyn Morris - Ruby’s
niece
19 Jan. Ben Hodson - Ruby’s brother-
in-law
22 Jan. Sarah Elizabeth Carter Davis
Wood - Ernest’s aunt
23 Jan. Darwin Wayne Freeman -
grandnephew
24 Jan. Charlotte Rosetta Stratton -
first cousin, once removed
25 Jan. Richard Andrew McLain-
spouse of niece
25 Jan. Sarah Wyatt - Alf Freeman’s
employer in Wellsville
28 Jan. Charlotte Emma Goss Freeman
- grandmother
28 Jan. Mary Ann Wall-grandniece
30 Jan. Mary Ann (Polly Carter) Ogden
- Aunt
2 Feb. Sister Baker - unknown
6 Feb. Duane Stephens - grandson
7 Feb. Wynn George Freeman -
nephew
11 Feb. Linda Dattage - 1st cousin,
twice removed
11 Feb. Eileen Marie Stephens -
granddaughter
13 Feb. Florence Freeman -
grandniece
15 Feb. Lois Gyllenskog Hess Humphrey
- first cousin, once removed
16 Feb. Enoch Goss - great-grandfather
19 Feb. Colleen McCrary - niece
21 Feb. Robert Christensen -grandnephew
22 Feb. Gail June Kotter - niece
24 Feb. Eugene McCrary - nephew
25 Feb. Dean Bert Freeman - son
25 Feb. Clara Wall- unknown
26 Feb. Ida Freeman - sister
27 Feb. Ileen Rhodes Freeman -
nephew’s wife
27 Feb. J. D. Morris - nephew
28 Feb. Doris Kotter Nuttle (Nuttall) -niece
28 Feb. Doyle Lind Kotter - nephew
1 Mar. Elsie Freeman Knowles -niece
3 Mar. Annie Lucas Goss-wife of first
cousin, once removed
4 Mar. Samuel Freeman- great-
grandfather
7 Mar. Dwight Carl Freeman, Jr.-
grandnephew
14 Mar. Randy K. Peterson - grandnephew
14 Mar. Annie E. Freeman Peters-sister
15 Mar. Blaine McCrary- Nephew
15 Mar. DeLar Morris - nephew
17 Mar. Kalona Kellogg Freeman - sister-
in-law
17 Mar. Joyce Sybil Burrows- second
cousin, once removed
18 Mar. Richard E. Kotter - nephew
21 Mar. Keith Freeman - nephew
23 Mar. Jane Carter Freeman-Ernest’s
mother
26 Mar. Ethel Mayo - unknown
27 Mar. Fontella Taylor Kotter- sister-in-
law
31 Mar. Wendell Carl Kotter - brother
6 Apr. Effie Tingey Freeman- sister-in-law
6 Apr. Wilhelmina A. Erickson Kotter-
Ruby’s mother
7 Apr. Ella J. Kotter - first cousin’s wife
7 Apr. Florence May J. Freeman - daughter
-in-law
11 Apr. Kent Dee Brimhall- grandnephew
11 Apr. Gary Frank Kotter- nephew
14 Apr. Elizabeth Branson Green - great-
grandmother
16 Apr. Linnea Freeman - grandniece
16 Apr. Rinnea Freeman - grandniece
17 Apr. Richard Freeman - grandfather
17 Apr. Frederick A. McCrary- brother-in-law
20 Apr. Olga Olson Freeman - sister-in-law
20 Apr. Garth K. Morris - nephew
22 Apr. Gertrude Kotter Morris - sister
25 Apr. death of poet William Cowper
26 Apr. Joseph Gyllenskog- first cousin
27 Apr. Richard Charles McLain- grandnephew
27 Apr. Rebecca Lynne Freeman - granddaughter
27 Apr. Julie Anne Freeman - granddaughter
28 Apr. Cleon M. Kotter - nephew
29 Apr. Ruth Kotter Peterson Poore - niece
1 May Eval(e) Peterson - unknown
2 May Ronald Hodson - nephew
2 May Benjamin Carter- great-grandfather
3 May LaMar V. Kotter - nephew
4 May Henrietta Kotter McCrary - sister
5 May Scott Ernest Freeman - grandson
6 May Bernard Kotter - nephew
7 May George Knowles - nephew-in-law
9 May Tom Wyatt - Alf Freeman’s employer
in Wellsville
10 May Donna Andreasen Curtin - grandniece
10 May Hen(e)ry Carter - grandfather
22 May May Freeman Wright -first cousin
22 May John M. Wyatt-Alf Freeman’s
employer in Wellsville
25 May Richard Brent Freeman- grandnephew
26 May Josephine Kington- Wyatt family
26 May Myrtle Kington - Wyatt family
27 May Virginia Flint Kotter - sister-in-law
31 May Frank Freeman - first cousin
1 June Linda Whatcott - grandniece
1 June Ernest Freeman - b. 1893
2 June Mary Loenza Wassom Freeman -
niece-in-law
3 June Craig Ernest Freeman - grandson
7 June Verle Glen Kotter - nephew
7 June Ada Erickson Laudie - first cousin
8 June Elizabeth Ann Wallinger Freeman-
great-grandmother
14 June Beth Peters Brimhall- niece
14 June Gerald Clive Hartmann - nephew-in-law
16 June LueJean Christensen -grandniece
19 June Dale Richard Brimhall - grandnephew
19 June Jerry K. Peterson - grandnephew
24 June Mark Jerold Stephens -grandson
26 June Nellie Taylor - unknown
27 June Marilyn Kotter - niece
29 June George Freeman - father
1 July Nellie Wilhelmina Stoneman Freeman -
niece-in-law
2 July Kathy Kay Christensen - grandniece
3 July Sterling K. Morris - nephew
4 July Grace H. (Goss) Bonham - great aunt
9 July Tiffany Freeman- great-granddaughter
10 July DeAnn Christensen - grandniece
10 July Edwin Erickson - first cousin
11 July T(homas) Stratton - first cousin once
removed
12 July Maud Freeman - first cousin
17 July Arthur Henry Stratton - first cousin,
once removed
18 July William Wyatt - Alf Freeman’s
employer in Wellsville
18 July Kent Val Freeman - grandson
20 July Herman B Kotter - brother
21 July Keith Kotter - nephew
23 July Paul Wendell Kotter - nephew
23 July Charlotte Stanley Marshall - great-
grandmother
24 July Mary Rose E. Stratton - first cousin,
once removed
24 July Sharlene Andreasen Gillis-grandniece
1 Aug. Patti Ann Freeman - granddaughter
4 Aug. Ruby Viola Kotter Freeman - b. 1895
4 Aug. Verlin Clark Stephens - son-in-law
4 Aug. Marilyn Farr Freeman - daughter-in-law
5 Aug. Wanda Freeman Whatcott - niece
5 Aug. Larene Kotter Hook - niece
7 Aug. Leola Whatcott Freeman- niece-in-law
9 Aug. Dwight Carl Freeman - nephew
11 Aug. Ann Freeman - grandniece
12 Aug. Brent F. Christensen-grandnephew
13 Aug. Irene Freeman Wall - niece
14 Aug. Thomas Charles Freeman- uncle
15 Aug. Ida Denton - first cousin, once removed
16 Aug. Edna Hammer Kotter - sister-in-law
19 Aug. David Herman Kotter - nephew
21 Aug. Nora Kotter Biddulph - half-sister
21 Aug. Elizabeth Green Carter- grandmother
21 Aug. George Dwayne McLain - grandnephew
24 Aug. Elmer H. Kotter - brother
25 Aug. John Bonham - great uncle
27 Aug. Carol Call Freeman-granddaughter-in-
law
30 Aug. Glen Freeman - nephew
30 Aug. Paul Fred Moynier, Jr. -grandnephew
1 Sep. Florence Davis(Wood) Gyllenskog-first
cousin
1 Sep. Wilford Lee Freeman - nephew
2 Sep. Robert Don Freeman - grandnephew
4 Sep. Eliza Timpson - unknown
5 Sep. LaRee Kotter - niece
6 Sep. Matt John Gillis - great-grandnephew
6 Sep. Annie Cook - unknown
7 Sep. Ida Freeman Christensen - niece
7 Sep. Colleen Ann McLain - grandniece
10 Sep. Earl Richard Freeman - nephew
10 Sep. Wilford Freeman - brother
17 Sep. Karma Jean Stephens - granddaughter
18 Sep. Harry Freeman - brother
19 Sep. Kathleen Freeman - grandniece
20 Sep. Fern Hinchcliff Kotter-sister-in-law
20 Sep. Harry Ogden- first cousin
21 Sep. Afton Peters - niece
22 Sep. Frederick Stratton - first cousin, once
removed
26 Sep. David Bert Freeman - great-grandson
27 Sep. Loa Freeman Hunsaker - niece
27 Sep. Roma Freeman Stephens-daughter
28 Sep. Dorothy Robinson-first cousin,
once removed
29 Sep. Fred Stanley Freeman- grandnephew
29 Sep. Kent Hodson -nephew
30 Sep. Carol Freeman -grandniece
1 Oct. Dianne Freeman - grandniece
4 Oct. Elizabeth Freeman Burrows - first
cousin, once removed
4 Oct. Bert L. Christensen-nephew-in-law
6 Oct. Ada Gyllenskog Johnson - first cousin,
once removed
11 Oct. Carolyn Jane Freeman- granddaughter
16 Oct. Sarah N. (Goss) Denton - great aunt
19 Oct. John Robert Morris - brother-in-law
19 Oct. Nancy Waite Freeman - granddaughter-
in-law
20 Oct. Gladys Gyllenskog - first cousin, once
removed
24 Oct. Paul Fred Moynier - nephew-in-law
25 Oct. Joseph George Toombs Davis - uncle
26 Oct. Elaine Freeman - niece
27 Oct. Annie Knight Freeman - aunt
27 Oct. Alan Brent Freeman - grandson
29 Oct. Reed Henry Kotter - nephew
30 Oct. Frank Bott Freeman - nephew
1 Nov. Wayne Freeman - nephew
3 Nov. Victor M. Kotter - brother
4 Nov. Kay Ernest Freeman - son
4 Nov. Rose Freeman - first cousin
12 Nov. Donald Harry Christensen -grandnephew
16 Nov. Richard David Peters - brother-in-law
18 Nov. Beth Gyllenskog Dattage - first cousin,
once removed
20 Nov. Henry Herman Ludvig Kotter- Ruby’s
father
21 Nov. Gordon Kotter - nephew
22 Nov. Homer Leon Kotter - nephew
24 Nov. Ada Goss Denton-first cousin,
once removed
26 Nov. Homer C. Kotter - brother
27 Nov. Arthur Goss-first cousin, once removed
28 Nov. Harry Burrows - second cousin
30 Nov. Dennis Kay Freeman - grandson
6 Dec. Vernice Kotter - niece
7 Dec. Roslyn Carol Brimhall - grandniece
7 Dec. Josephine Kington - Wyatt relative
8 Dec. Doreen Gibson-first cousin, once removed
9 Dec. Anne Esther Freeman- grandniece
10 Dec. Esther Bott Freeman - sister-in-law
12 Dec. Alma DeVoe Brimhall - nephew-in-law
12 Dec. Alf L. Freeman - brother
13 Dec. Charlotte Ann Marshall - unknown
20 Dec. Arthur Winter - brother-in-law
20 Dec. Hazel Freeman McLain - niece
20 Dec. Ruth Gyllenskog - first cousin, once
removed
21 Dec. Dean Bert Freeman, Jr. - grandson
22 Dec. Rhoda Freeman Robbinson Smith-
first cousin
23 Dec. Rita Freeman- grandniece
23 Dec. Richard Carter Freeman - grandnephew
23 Dec. Janice Kotter - niece
25 Dec. Thelma Tingey Kotter-sister-in-law
26 Dec. John Wilford Wall - grandnephew
26 Dec. Beth McCrary Walker - niece
27 Dec. Mae Freeman Moynier - niece
30 Dec. Mary Ann Carter Ogden - aunt
31 Dec. Fred Freeman - nephew
31 Dec. Fred Freeman - first cousin
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