Letters from Culpeper: ‘On the farm’
Published: June 25, 2009
Updated: June 25, 2009
It was the summer of 1951, the USA was fully engaged in the Korean War, the economy was booming and the Nelson family with mom and dad, one set of grandparents and four children were moving to Culpeper.
Dad was a pilot for Pan American Airways and was being transferred from the Miami base to the station in New York City. Within a year, he would have to reposition the family yet again, but this time it would be permanent.
The choice of where to relocate was not without challenges. Jack Nelson’s Texas ranching roots ran miles deeper than the sum total of youthful days spent on the streets and beaches of ultra urban Los Angeles, Calif. The young family desired a rural life style with close proximity to more cosmopolitan areas; the need to access the culture of academia, the arts and an advanced transportation system was equally important. In early 1951, the farm in Reva was purchased.
Grandmother and Granddaddy would move immediately bringing with them, from Texas, a string of working “cow ponies.” Granddaddy would manage the farm and Grandmother would be Betty’s right-hand-man in the task of raising the children.
As soon as school was out, Betty and the four children headed north from Florida to spend the summer at the farm. A note of clarification: my mother and father were raised in California, the land of freethinking and modern philosophies and determined to break from tradition. We four children were to address our parents by their given names; to us they were Jack and Betty.
Still based out of Miami, Jack was unable to spend the summer with us. The result is a treasure trove of letters “from Culpeper “On-the-farm” regaling him of all the activities, friendly neighbors and general goings on.
I am not sure why, but midway through the summer, Betty returned to Miami with little 2 year-old Lizann — that would be me — leaving the three boys on the farm. Specific written instructions were left regarding their conduct until her return.
“Things The Boys Are Expected To Do
Wash and dry dishes.
Set and clear the table.
Make their own beds and straighten up their own clothes, also bathroom after bathing.
Bath at least once every day, and brush hair.
Brush teeth after every meal, have bowel movement after breakfast.
Do any outside work granddaddy has for them to do.
Don’t ask them what they want to eat! Just put it on the table and don’t give them dessert unless they eat it. They are used to eating what is put before them.
The biggest trouble you will have is with them fighting between themselves, or arguing. We have told them that if they cause you any unhappiness this way, or any other way, we will have to bring them back home. So if they begin to argue or fight, separate them or punish them in the way you see fit. This is something we have to handle quite frequently, and don’t want you to have to suffer with it any more than possible.
DON’T LET THEM BOTHER YOU. We want you to spoil them and enjoy them all you want, and you are the bosses when they are with you. BUT we don’t want them to worry you or make a lot of trouble or work. We want them to be good children and a real help, as well as pleasant company.”
Betty’s return to the farm found all to be in good spirit.
Until next week, be well.
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