Genesee Flats/Olbiston Lecture

[fiona]

This is my maid, Miss Anne Sullivan.

[fiona]

I would like you to meet my girl, Miss Anne Sullivan or "Annie" as I call her. She lives with us in The Genesee and has her own chamber. Annie is 16, just a few months older than I. I shall be 16 on the 8th of April, 1896. I am very joyful about it, for Maman and PaPa have promised me that we should be able to do the Grand Tour when I finish school and Annie will accompany us. Annie is Irish, as you know. The Irish girls know how to "do for the quality" as they are fond of saying amongst themselves. Maman believes that "it's in their blood." meaning, I suppose, that it comes naturally to them. We have a Chinese houseboy at our home in California. It is my opinion that the Chinese are excellent servants, even though they, as a race, tend to be somewhat duplicitous as they all have secret pockets sewn inside their clothes and when they are paid they "bite the coins", always. Annie knows just how to do hair, lay out my clothes, draw my bath, brew my tea just as I like it. She keeps my chamber neat and clean, assists me with dressing, and carries my packages when we are on the street. She can mend, iron and crimp ruffles of all my favorite shirtwaists. Oh! There a million sweet little things she does for me and I do so love her for it! She is perfectly deferent to all my guests as well as Maman and Papa. The only person who doesn't approve is my aunt Blandina. She feels all the Irish steal and that I should dismiss Annie and try for a nice German girl from West Utica but I do not care for them. They have a certain "odour" about them and they are far too large and clumsy overall. I hope to retain Annie always and when I marry, for I shall certainly do so and marry well, I may add, it is my hope that Annie stays on to care for the children. However, I have some misgivings. Annie went out walking last Sunday after church and I heard from Mrs. Albright that she was seen speaking a bit too fondly with a young man whom Mrs. Albright believes is a cordwainer at the RopeWalk on Oneida Street. Mrs Albright fashions herself the Grand Matron of Genesee Hill; she knows absolutely everything there is to know - and she makes sure that everyone else knows it too- her nose is a mile long.
This troubles me and I wonder if I should continue to allow it? Annie's gandering about of a Sunday afternoon, I mean... not Mrs. Albright's nose. Mrs. Albright is merely light entertainment of a pleasant afternoon. Just new money, you know.

[fiona]

Here are some of the coiffures that Annie can do. They are delicious and adorable for the day or evening.

[fiona]

Please alow me to introduce you to some members of my mother's family.

[fiona]

May I present to you the Most Honorable Judge Morris Smith Miller
my Great Grandfather and Maman's grandfather... he was born in 1779... so very long ago... that I almost cannot think of it... They cooked their meals on hearths and firepaces then... they did not even have stoves... I can hardley imagine dining in such a primitive fashion. They say I resemble him about the eyes. What do you think? He married the beautiful Maria Bleecker of the Albany Bleeckers. Great Grand Papa passed on in 1821, but not before leaving his mark on the city. Maman,of course, has no memory of him, but he leaves us to mourn and to understand that he was a fine man, with outstanding personal qualities as well as a perfect gentleman. Of great Grand Mama I have no portrait and for this I offer my profoundest apologies.

[fiona]

Here are two beautiful views of the estate he laid out before he passed from amongst us, the living. The grounds were then finished around 1830 by his son, Maman's PaPa, and my Grand PaPa, Rutger Bleecker Miller. Isn't it just lovely? The two other homes were built around the Civil war - I think -We visited there in 1891 before we set out for California. The house on the bottom belonged, at that time, to my Aunt Julia Conkling and her late husband Roscoe.

I found it rather smallish, but my dear Aunt said of it: " After the hustle and bustle of Washington, my Darling niece, I feel right at home. It is just right for me: large enough for me to have company without trouble and small enough for me to feel cozy when I am alone. And when I have shuffled off this mortal coil, Dear One, I shall remain to haunt this house because I love it so."

I remember how she laughed and then pinched my cheek. "Does that frighten you? Ghosts?" She laughed again and gave me a peppermint from a pocket in her gown. "It is a beautiful house and I shall live here always and forever."

My Grand Papa Miller lived there until - I think - I am unsure - 1842? Well, my Aunt Blandina was five years old when she left there and Maman was only two- I could find out exactly, but then I would have to ask Aunt Blandina her age - and, my Dear, that would never do! Aunt Julia passed from us in 1893 and Roscoe in 1888. I think a Senator, Francis Kernan lives there now. I am not sure. PaPa would know. I shall have to remember to ask him.