Historical Article, Dobson, Stamford Seminary

Edna Louise Dobson – Mrs. Thomas Hall By Karen Cuccinello
The graduating class of 1925 Stamford Seminary caught my eye because there was one person of color which was unusual for the times. So I thought I would try and find out about Edna Dobson.
Edna was born October 5, 1905 in Blenheim to Edward James (1880-1964) and Fannie (VanZandt or Zandt 1890-1948) Dobson. She was the oldest of 14 children.
1910 census Blenheim – Edward age 28 born in CT occupation farm laborer, Fannie 20 married 5 years, Edna L. 4, Emma E. 2
Edna lists as a Junior in the 1923 Stamford Seminary S.S. Camera yearbook. Every scholar had little two sentence write-ups about them. Edna’s says she came from South Gilboa and makes her home at the Ivanhurst and is always talking during school hours. I am suspecting that since her family was so large she must have worked out a deal to board at the Ivanhurst boarding house in order to go to school in Stamford and she must have been driven to seek an education above district schools. It was a common practice for large families to board children out to lessen the load at home. I did not find any other Dobson children going to school at the Seminary.
Edna is a senior in the 1925 S.S. Camera and the write-up on her lists her nickname as “Dobbie” who came from Gilboa. The rest of the write up: Lessons may come and lessons may go, but Dobbie keeps on smiling. There are some people in this world who, to all outward appearances, are absolutely carefree. Dobbie is one of this sort. Her smile seems to be invincible, and she always appears as if things might be a whole lot worse. She started in as a Freshman making life merry for the teachers and so has continued right through. Lessons and exams are nothing to Dobbie and it doesn’t matter in the least if she flunks at least so we believe. But beware Dobbie, there is a judgment day at hand.
1925 census Gilboa, Shew Hollow- Edward Dobson age 44 farm laborer, Fannie 36, Edna 19, Emma 17, Ellen 14, Marion 12, James 11, Gertrude 9, Lena 6, Frank 3, Faith and Frances 120 days.
September 26, 1925 marriage in Harpersfield/Stamford – Thomas Hall age 30, residence Smithville, GA, occupation hotel, born Smithville, GA, parents Ander and Emily (Wilson) Hall to Edna Louise Dobson, residence Stamford, age 19, occupation housework, born Blenheim, parents Edward J. and Fannie (VanZandt) Dobson – both were listed as colored.
Thomas, one of the faithful employees of H. H. Mase (boarding house proprietor), was married to Edna in Churchill Hall. I have found a handful of other employees coming up from the South to work in the boarding houses.
I could not find anything else about Thomas and Edna, absolutely nothing. When people were organizing Seminary reunions in the 1950’s they mentioned that Edna was among the missing alumni and hoped to locate her.
Shortly after Edna married, her family moved to Westford, NY where they bought a farm. The 1940 census shows the family still in Westford – all but the mother, Fanny, who is in the Binghamton State Hospital. Fanny appears to remain in the hospital until her death in 1948. Edward moved to Schenectady about 1942 and worked a few more years. His 1964 obituary lists two sons and 10 daughters surviving him; Edna is not on the list.
If anyone happens to know what happened to Edna with the beautiful smile, please let me know: karenc@midtel.net.
The Stamford Seminary yearbooks are housed in the Stamford Village library history room.