Generations: 1891 -1940 Living on the Islands of Boston Harbor

My Mother and Aunt recall a well on Great Brewster, Mom remembers it to be a long walk up the large hill and thank goodness she states the water was so very cold, colder than she has ever had. My Aunt has many childhood memories of Great Brewster, oldest of the two girls; she can remember life on the Island, full of lazy summer days spent swimming, exploring the island from top to bottom. They were up at the crack of dawn and in bed before the sun set. Recalling one winter they spent on Brewster Island, one very cold Christmas, seeing the flying Santa, although she did not receive a gift, it was exciting to see Santa fly by. Both my Mother and Aunt giggled, who would have thought he would be someone to write about us. Life as a child on the Island was less challenging then that as an adult. The men would be up and out to sea for lobster / fishing all day, back to only ready their vessels for the next day, eat and retire for the evening, while the women would maintain the home, which in those days, especially on the island without any of the modern appliances (when I say modern, I am referring to the 1900’s, out on the Island they had nothing) wash the cloths in wash tubs, (of course they had to get the fresh water from the well on top of Brewster) hang them, make breakfast, lunch and supper from supplies they may have, darn all the clothing that was torn the previous day. Make sure there was enough wood for the fire for cooking, and in the winter for heating. (I was always impressed, watching my Grandmother clean a fish, not a bone would be left). Of course Mom and Aunt Chris said their Mother thought they were lucky, it was much harder for her mother when she grew up on the Island. They did not have nearly the things we have today! Imagine, they went on to say Grandmother’s family did not usually have vegetables and fruit, for them it was a special treat when a boat heading to or from Boston loaded with supplies would pass by, Grandmother and her sisters would run to the beach see if any of the items would wash ashore, hoping for a loose orange, or apple. Great Grandmother, Christina, in her friendship with Miss Arthur, would trade Lobster for Veggies. As a grandchild listening to my Grandmothers stories full of love and laughter, she told us about the bright warm sunny days with just a small sea breeze, and of the children playing on the beach or swinging on the handmade swing that hung from a large tree. Truly, their life was not an easy one, but one they made the best of. In the summer months, other families would vacation on Great Brewster; in later years they called themselves the Brewsterites and would have reunions, the 1st reunion held was a total of 93, among the 93 attendees, many of our family members were included. I am not sure just how many families actually vacationed (spent the summer) on Great Brewster, for that matter, how many reunions they had, but a letter was sent out November 16, 1955 stating what a grand reunion indeed, with plans on a harbor trip in June, 1956 to Brewster Island as guest of the present owner. It goes on to say, they felt sure all would want a mailing list of those who attended the first gathering. The letter names Mrs. Gertrude Crowley President of the organization, Secretary Mrs. Dorothy Dame Rogers. Grandmother, saved many document over the years, this is one of them. As stated in the letter, “Old Brewster Spirit”