#Lavinia Gosnoll

[sims-half-crazy]

Autumn 1873

Effie was so relieved when her mother arrived. She'd missed her so! As it turned out, Lavinia arrived just in time as Effie went into labor that very evening. In the early predawn hours of the next day, Estella Marie Collier was born. Nanny was ready and waiting to assist Effie, as the ENTIRE house slept through her labor. Nanny told her that she should've tried to make more noise.

Lavinia didn't stay more than a week though, because Lauretta was expecting as well. She told Effie that she looked as if she was carrying more than one baby, but anytime she said that German turned an unhealthy shade of white.

As luck would have it, the letter that arrived some weeks later informed Effie that her sister had been carrying two babes! A boy and a girl, named Amos and Pauline. Effie was happy for her sister, but at the same time she was a little envious at the ease her sister had in carrying babies. Why couldn't she had had her baby well after her? She struggled with the baby blues after Estella was born and it wasn't made any better when news of another death came to her attention. Their dear neighbors, the Walker's, lost their only daughter, Anna, to pneumonia.

#Gosnoll Ancestry #GA Gen 2 #Effie Gosnoll #ts4 historical #sims 4 historical #ts4 decades challenge #simerican #sims 4 decades challenge #sims 4 random legacy #GA Gen 3 #Estelle Collier #Lavinia Gosnoll #GA Gen 1 #GA 1870s

[sims-half-crazy]

Lavinia noticed a fox lurking around while scrubbing clothes. She chased it into the garden and caught the little devil red-handed, err... red-mouthed? As Lavinia relayed her tale of woe to Eustis, she also complained about the exercise and how active it made the babe. She was less than pleased when the baby kicked her ribs. Eustis listened with a sympathetic ear, but he worried about being able to get the rest of the land cleared so they could have some chickens. Having chickens would make providing food for his family easier.

#Gosnoll Ancestry #GA Gen 1 #GA 1850s #Eustis Gosnoll #Lavinia Gosnoll #ts4 historical #sims 4 historical #ts4 decades challenge #simerican

[sims-half-crazy]

In Memoriam of Lavinia Jacobs Gosnoll

Lavinia was the perfect opposite to her husband, Eustis. She led by quiet example and taught her daughters how to survive without a man next to them. She maxed out the gardening, cooking, parenting, and herbalism skills. She used her skills to create elixirs and salves to sell to the local population and the travellers that were headed farther west. Her concotions caught the eye of a local shop owner who became her son-in-law when he married her youngest daughter, Lauretta. She helped her eldest daughter, Euphemia, raise her young son before her husband returned for them from university. She was close to all her family, but her grandson, Eugene, held a special place in her heart. She is preceded in death by her husband, Eustis, and her granddaughter, Edith Collier. She is survived by her daughters and their husbands, Misters Gilbert Collier and German Ware, and 7 grandchildren. Rest in peace, Lavinia

#tw death #Gosnoll Ancestry #ts4 historical #sims 4 historical #ts4 decades challenge #simerican #GA 1880s #GA Gen 1 #Lavinia Gosnoll

[sims-half-crazy]

Late 1888

Lavinia passed peacefully in the night as her husband before her. The family gathered to lay her to rest on a clear, chilly day. Only little Josephine was absent as she was sick in bed back at the old homestead.

Eugene took the loss of his grandmother very hard. She was his first confidante and his rock. The pain that coursed through him now only served to remind him why it was dangerous to get too attached or close to anyone. Estella stood by her brother's side knowing that he was hurting more than she, but she felt helpless to assuage his pain.

#Gosnoll Ancestry #ts4 historical #sims 4 historical #ts4 decades challenge #simerican #sims 4 decades challenge #sims 4 random legacy #GA Gen 3 #GA 1880s #Estella Collier #Eugene Gosnoll #GA Gen 1 #Lavinia Gosnoll #GA Gen 2 #Effie Gosnoll #Lauretta Gosnoll #Gilbert Collier #tw death

[sims-half-crazy]

The family laid Edith to rest just before her first birthday. The anemia was just too great. Gilbert blamed himself and as much as Effie tried to console him, she couldn't help but feel a little angry. Not so much angry at Gilbert, but angry at the world. She hoped as time went on that the anger and sadness would ease.

#Gosnoll Ancestry #ts4 historical #sims 4 historical #ts4 decades challenge #simerican #sims 4 decades challenge #sims 4 random legacy #GA Gen 2 #Effie Gosnoll #Gilbert Collier #GA Gen 3 #Edith Collier #Eugene Gosnoll #GA Gen 1 #Lavinia Gosnoll #tw death #GA 1870s

[sims-half-crazy]

Village of Wythe, Id. Spring 1874.

Mother,

Effie said I need to practice my epistolary skills because any gentleman worth their salt knows how to write a proper letter. I think she wants me to do this because that dumb teacher told her that I can't write a letter to save my life. I can write letters; I just don't have anything to say that's worth putting down into a letter.

I wish you hadn't left, Momma. I miss you. The new baby cries all the time. Effie says I should use her name, but she's so young she's not going to know if I call her Estella or baby, so what does it matter? I thought I'd like having a baby in the house. I do not. She cries all the time and her nappy is not very nice smelling most of the time. Usually smells the worse when she's crying the loudest. Effie said that that's how she tells us she's messed herself. I told Effie then she shouldn't do it so often. Effie just smiled, patted my head, and said that she wouldn't be this small forever.

Gilbert has been trying to do more things with me. He told me that we could go fishing next week. Effie said that he needs to be better about taking his salts. When he doesn't take them he sleeps a lot. I wish he had more time for me. His law office is fascinating! He gets to handle all sorts of things. I wish he'd tell me more stories about his day. His day is much more interesting than Effie's. Sisters, I've decided, are just boring creatures who like to dress up, have tea, and attend social gatherings. I'm sure my new niece will be the same when she gets big.

Maybe I did have something to put into a letter after all. I hope you write back and I can't wait to see you after this term is over.

Your devoted son, Eugene G. Gosnoll

Mr. Gilbert Collier Roseburg, Oregon

print version under the cut

Village of Wythe, Id. Spring 1874.

Mother,

Effie said I need to practice my epistolary skills because any gentleman worth their salt knows how to write a proper letter. I think she wants me to do this because that dumb teacher told her that I can't write a letter to save my life. I can write letters; I just don't have anything to say that's worth putting down into a letter.

I wish you hadn't left, Momma. I miss you. The new baby cries all the time. Effie says I should use her name, but she's so young she's not going to know if I call her Estella or baby, so what does it matter? I thought I'd like having a baby in the house. I do not. She cries all the time and her nappy is not very nice smelling most of the time. Usually smells the worse when she's crying the loudest. Effie said that that's how she tells us she's messed herself. I told Effie then she shouldn't do it so often. Effie just smiled, patted my head, and said that she wouldn't be this small forever.

Gilbert has been trying to do more things with me. He told me that we could go fishing next week. Effie said that he needs to be better about taking his salts. When he doesn't take them he sleeps a lot. I wish he had more time for me. His law office is fascinating! He gets to handle all sorts of things. I wish he'd tell me more stories about his day. His day is much more interesting than Effie's. Sisters, I've decided, are just boring creatures who like to dress up, have tea, and attend social gatherings. I'm sure my new niece will be the same when she gets big.

Maybe I did have something to put into a letter after all. I hope you write back and I can't wait to see you after this term is over.

Your devoted son, Eugene G. Gosnoll

Mr. Gilbert Gosnoll Roseburg, Oregon

#Gosnoll Ancestry #ts4 historical #sims 4 historical #ts4 decades challenge #simerican #sims 4 decades challenge #sims 4 random legacy #Lavinia Gosnoll #GA Gen 1 #GA 1870s

[sims-half-crazy]

Early Summer 1871

Gilbert couldn't wait to get back to Effie. He breezed through his finals and received his degree with honors in History. He'd secured a position at Mitchell, McKee & Alter in Roseburg, which was a bustling frontier town about a 3 day ride from Fort Wythe. Roseburg was said to have a magical charm about it. It was heavy into the lumber industry and where the town lay, several rivers converged. It made floating the logs downstream to the mills easier.

Upon arrival, Mrs. Gosnoll pulled him aside and asked if he'd look over some contracts she was thinking about signing. Although, she doubted the need for such things when it looked as if Mr. Ware was going to become her son-in-law.

"You should always have a contract. It protects the both of you," he stated as he took the sheaf of papers from her hands. The contract looked pretty standard and laid out in adequate sense the expectations of both parties. Handing them back to her, he stated that everything looked good.

"I hesitate to ask, but have you heard from you father? We've heard stories from time to time about him and, of course, there were your letters to Effie. He's not going to make trouble is he?"

"No, he's not. In fact, I don't even anticipate seeing him. I've rented rooms at the hotel, and if I can help it I'd like to avoid him. I'll miss seeing my brothers and sisters but I'm in contact with some of them so they understand."

"Now let's talk about this wedding..."

Days Later...

There was to be a double wedding! Both daughters were marrying their respective beaus and Lavinia was ecstatic that her girls were going to be taken care of. The only incident that occurred that could have cast a pall upon the whole joyous affair was when the living arrangements for Eugene and herself came up. Having just entered into the contract with Mr. Ware, it made sense that Lavinia would continue to live with Lauretta, but Lauretta did not want Eugene to live with them. Lavinia didn't like to speak ill of her children, but Lauretta never fully accepted Eugene. It wasn't his fault for how he was born and though she was kind to him; she did not want to assume responsibility for him. Lavinia couldn't exactly blame her, but the world thought that he was her child and not Effie's. Effie and Gilbert were more than eager to take their son and start their lives together, but the problem was that Eugene thought he was their brother.

The boy was almost 5 years old and he had only known Lavinia as his momma; Effie was the doting aunt. Effie suggested they still take the boy, under the guise of providing better schooling for him and he could be with them in the same capacity, as her brother. It wasn't ideal but it did mean Eugene would be with his parents, even if he didn't know it. When Effie settle down next to him to tell him, he seemed excited but Effie wondered if he really knew what was going to be occurring.

#Gosnoll Ancestry #ts4 historical #sims 4 historical #ts4 decades challenge #simerican #GA Gen 2 #Lauretta Gosnoll #German Ware #GA 1870s #GA Gen 1 #Lavinia Gosnoll #Gilbert Collier #Effie Gosnoll #Eugene Gosnoll #GA Gen 3

[sims-half-crazy]

Late 1870

Lavinia had been putting off Mr. Ware's questions for months now. He came by like clockwork to help out and Lavinia grew to enjoy his conversation and the extra hands made light work. Lauretta even agreed that he was helpful, which made the conversation Lavinia was about to have with her easier.

"Enjoying your meal, Lauretta?" Lauretta's answer was a muffled, if enthusiastic, affirmative. Lavinia knew it would be which is why she'd made that particular meal. "I'm going to agree to Mr. Ware's request. I'm going to request a contract and we're going to finalize the numbers, but the extra money would be nice."

Lauretta knew that her mother was up to something, but she never imagined it would be to go into business with Mr. Ware. She supposed that he was a perfectly fine fellow if one didn't converse with him too long. He was excitable and always so damned happy. It unnerved Lauretta. "Mama, I'm not trying to tell you your business -"...

"Then don't. Don't say another word. Your father is gone and we don't have the luxury of his fur trapping money any more. There is money but I want it to last. I've made up my mind. I'm only telling you so you don't create a scene." Lauretta pouted a bit as she finished up her meal, but she wasn't about to cross her mother. She'd have more luck shouting at a mountain to move.

A few days later though, she did finally voice her opinions to the man who was responsible. Mr. Ware, German, as he'd asked her repeatedly to call him, was back and helping her with the chickens. Well, not really. He was standing beside her as she fed the chickens and he talked. A lot.

"I'm so pleased that your mother finally agreed. Do I have you to thank for her change of heart?"

"No. I was going to argue with her about it, but she told me not to. I will tell you, however; that I think you're trying to swindle her and I won't let that happen!"

"I am not trying to do any such thing, Miss Lauretta! I am merely trying to sell a product that I have every faith in. I've seen what your mother's creations can do and I want to share them with the country."

"While making money off of it?"

"Well, of course, it is what I do. I'm a salesman. I'll pay your mother for her time and labor and share the profits with her. We're off to the lawyer's office next week." Lauretta and Mr. Ware had wandered away from the chickens, as the tone of their voices had upset some of them and Lauretta wasn't keen on getting pecked that day. She guided Mr. Ware over by Poppa's old horse and continued their conversation.

"I don't disagree with the money making part, but I worry about my mother. We don't know you. How are we to trust you?"

"Your mother seems to trust me just fine and she's ensured that that trust will be backed up by an ironclad contract. Have I done anything that is untrustworthy? I have come out to your home and helped where I can while being completely forthright in my desire to sell your wares." Lauretta was annoyed that he was correct, but she was loathe to admit it. Her face worked through the emotions and the logic. Mr. Ware stared at her intently and she got so very warm and her stomach started to flutter.

"Mr. Ware, you have not given us any cause to think anything untoward about your person or the measure of the man you are." German's face erupted into the biggest smile and he abruptly planted a kiss on her cheek. Lauretta was shocked but she didn't hate it.

German fumbled for an apology and quickly left the Gosnoll's. Hours later, Lauretta would still be thinking about that kiss.

#Gosnoll Ancestry #ts4 historical #sims 4 historical #ts4 decades challenge #simerican #GA Gen 2 #Lauretta Gosnoll #GA Gen 1 #Lavinia Gosnoll #German Ware #tw kissing #GA 1870s

[sims-half-crazy]

Early 1870

The new decade dawned and with it a new influx of people dreaming of starting a new lives. Some were running from past deeds or people, others were just hoping to improve their lot. German Ware was one of the latter sorts of people. He was a salesman by trade and had hopes of running his own store. Right now he ran his store out of his wagon. He travelled along the trail selling his wares, bartering for new ones, and thrifting what he found along the way. He happened upon the Village of Wythe and he was glad he did. For near the fort and village was a small homestead. This homestead was owned and run by women!

The man had died a year earlier, and his widow took over. She was a competent and lovely woman who had a shrewd look about her, but she was not unkind. Missus Gosnoll was a woman who knew what needed to be done and when it needed doing and you had better look like helping or step aside. She was known be gifted with salves and elixirs and German was keen to sell them for her. She was not so keen on it, however.

German was determined though and he stopped by every week for 6 months or so, offering to help out and around their homeplace. If getting Missus Gosnoll to soften up to him, getting her beautiful youngest daughter to pay him any heed was much harder. She was similar in looks to her mother but she had stormy gray eyes, whereas her mother's and siblings eyes were a bright blue. German had never seen such eyes, and figured they must be a gift from her dearly departed father, whom they had no trouble telling all the tales of his fights and shenanigans. It was clear to him that they'd been a close family and that the loss was still fresh even if the pain had begun to dull. Rather than try and win Miss Lauretta with pretty words and compliments, he figured he'd win her over the same way he did her mother - with kindness and determination. Why couldn't either of these women be like Miss Euphemia?

#Gosnoll Ancestry #ts4 historical #sims 4 historical #ts4 decades challenge #simerican #GA Gen 2 #Lauretta Gosnoll #GA 1870s #Lavinia Gosnoll #GA Gen 1 #German Ware #Effie Gosnoll

[sims-half-crazy]

Late 1868

Eustis' health noticeably declined during that harsh winter. He was always tired but couldn't stay asleep. He seemed to sleep best in the rocker, but that made his back hurt. Lavinia implored him to stop going out and trapping which he did finally relent. They would have to survive off the land and try to make money from the salves and elixirs that Lavinia had been developing over the years.

Since moving west, Lavinia had always suffered from a runny nose and eyes that wouldn't stop streaming, but those symptoms did seem worse in the spring and fall, but as she aged it seemed that no matter the season her face was acting up.

One day Eustis laid down for a nap, as he often did nowadays, and he simply didn't wake up.

#Gosnoll Ancestry #ts4 historical #sims 4 historical #ts4 decades challenge #simerican #GA 1860s #Lavinia Gosnoll #GA Gen 1 #Eustis Gosnoll #tw death

[sims-half-crazy]

It was the coldest winter any of the Gosnoll's could remember in recent history. The window in the girls' room was consistently frosted over. The main bedroom wasn't much better. They moved the baby's crib to the main room, near the stove, to help him stay warm. Lavinia knitted more blankets, scarves, and sweaters so that all of them could layer up. The rocker became a prime location for naps because of it's proximity to the stove.

#Gosnoll Ancestry #ts4 historical #sims 4 historical #ts4 decades challenge #simerican #GA 1860s #Lavinia Gosnoll #GA Gen 1 #GA Gen 3 #Eugene Gosnoll #Eustis Gosnoll

[sims-half-crazy]

Life settled into a nice routine after Eugene was born. Eustis and Lavinia were able to steal moments with each other after all the children had gone to sleep. The love they shared was as strong as ever, but Eustis' health was failing and Lavinia was worried. That didn't stop her from enjoying the attention he paid her though.

#Gosnoll Ancestry #ts4 historical #sims 4 historical #ts4 decades challenge #simerican #GA 1860s #Eustis Gosnoll #Lavinia Gosnoll #GA Gen 1

[sims-half-crazy]

Early 1867

The last 4 months had been hellish for Euphemia. After Gilbert had been banished to Wickbury to attend university, Effie had fallen into a deep depression. Then her pregnancy started showing. She was hidden away indoors and everyone was told that she'd gone to visit relatives back east and Lavinia padded her belly to look like she was pregnant again. Her only bright spot had been the letters that arrived periodically from Gilbert. They were filled with hope and dreams, but those things didn't help Effie now. Her mother tried her best to cheer her, but it was a losing battle. Effie figured she had a month to go before the babe got there when her mother sat her down and had a frank discussion with her.

"You can either live the life you're given or let life live you. Which is it going to be, because I know we didn't raise you to lay down and take whatever is thrown at you."

"Not now, Mama. Please. I can't do this again with you."

"Well when then? You're about to become a mother. You are going to be the first, last, and only thing this baby is going to have to protect it and raise it. Your father and I aren't going to be around forever and the world will think this babe is your sibling but in your heart you'll know the truth. I know you're hoping that Gilbert keeps his word and comes back to you, but life happens and a lot can happen in 4 years."

"Please...stop," tears welled up in Effie's eyes as she choked out the plea. Her mother gathered her in her arms and gave her a big hug.

"Everything will turn out the way it's supposed to, but I figure you might just want a say in it. Now have you decided on a name?"

"I know what you want me to do, Mama, and I am trying. I'm just so overwhelmed. I feel so out of control. Gilbert wrote that his family usually gives the names of their fathers to their first born sons, but he doesn't want to do that. I don't know what I'd call a girl; I just can't seem to settle on a name for a girl."

Three weeks later, Effie welcomed Eugene Gilbert Gosnoll into the world.

#tw pregnancy #Gosnoll Ancestry #ts4 historical #sims 4 historical #ts4 decades challenge #simerican #Effie Gosnoll #GA Gen 2 #GA 1860s #Lavinia Gosnoll #GA Gen 1 #GA Gen 3 #Eugene Gosnoll

[sims-half-crazy]

Lavinia celebrated one of the "big" birthdays with a cake made by Effie, and a lovely evening with her family. She'd been noticing more aches and was slower to move around be she didn't quite feel like an elder yet.

Not 6 months later were they celebrating Lauretta's birthday. Despite the problematic toddler she'd been, she'd grown into a helpful and delightful child. Hopefully her teen years would continue to be easy, even if the cake Effie made left her feeling stuffed with gas.

#Gosnoll Ancestry #GA Gen 1 #Lavinia Gosnoll #ts4 historical #sims 4 historical #ts4 decades challenge #simerican #Effie Gosnoll #GA Gen 2 #Lauretta Gosnoll #GA 1860s

[sims-half-crazy]

Mid 1863

Both Effie and Copper celebrated birthdays that summer. The gray around Copper's face matched Eustis' and it had Lavinia feeling nostalgic and melancholy. She couldn't imagine her life without those two constants, but just as she was incapable of stopping the march of time for them, she was equally outmatched when it came to keeping her eldest a child. Effie was maturing into a fine young woman, and as her twelfth year began she had begun exploring interests that she'd not previously given any mind too. She had such a yearning for knowledge that Lavinia knew she'd be a maker of some sort in the coming years.

#Gosnoll Ancestry #GA Gen 1 #GA 1860s #ts4 historical #sims 4 historical #ts4 decades challenge #simerican #Effie Gosnoll #GA Gen 2 #Lavinia Gosnoll

[sims-half-crazy]

One day after a less than successful outing to the stream, Lavinia came across an oddly shimmering rock near her favorite fishing bank. She dropped to her knees and dug up the pretty glittering rock only to discover that it was gold! It wasn't very big, but it was enough to settle the worry over money for some time.

Finding that treasure couldn't have come at a better time, because the stress of worry about his family was taking a toll on Eustis. He could barely keep his eyes open when he got home from trapping and was often found asleep in his favorite rocker while Lavinia prepared dinner.

The girls helped out by traipsing all over the area looking for frogs and insects that could help the family. Lavinia was especially fond of using frogs as bait, so Effie would spend a bit of time every morning looking for those slimy creatures. Lauretta usually joined her after she was done playing with Copper. The girls were as close as sisters could be, but Effie relished the time she had by herself while walking about the forest. Not that she didn't love Lauretta, but she loved to talk and Effie enjoyed listening to the sounds of the trees.

#Gosnoll Ancestry #GA Gen 1 #GA 1860s #Lavinia Gosnoll #ts4 historical #sims 4 historical #ts4 decades challenge #simerican #Effie Gosnoll #GA Gen 2 #Lauretta Gosnoll #Eustis Gosnoll