Found this ad in the South Jersey Star of 16 Nov 1917. Call, in this context, must mean knock on your front door.
So, how did a piano tuner wind up in rural South Jersey. Piano was the form of entertainment at that time. Folks gathered in the parlor and entertained themselves with the new songs of the day, so there may have been more pianos around than we would believe; certainly more than in the households of today.
In 1918 when it was required for Albert Edward Cotton to register for the draft, he said he was living in Newtonville, New Jersey, was born 13 June 1878, and was working as a carpet weaver for a company in Philadelphia. He probably just hopped the train to get to work. Since he didn’t mention piano tuning, it was probably a secondary occupation. The draft card tells that his wife’s name was Mary Jane, and that he became a citizen of the US by virtue of his father’s naturalization before Albert’s majority. Doesn’t say where he was born.
Going forward, the 1920 census lists Albert and Mary in Philadelphia and learn that both were born in England. He is still a carpet weaver; perhaps the commute got too much for him. He is living on Nicetown Lane, next to the Walter Chamberlain family. Walter is also a carpet weaver. Chamberlain is a known Newtonville family name.
By 1930, Albert and Mary Jane are living in Kirkwood, Voorhees Township, Camden County. They have a nine-year-old adopted son named John who was born in Pennsylvania. Albert is a farmer on a poultry farm. The Walter Chamberlain family is next door. In 1942, we still find the Cotton’s on Pine Avenue in Kirkwood. This time, Albert tells us that he was born in Birmingham, England.
Going backwards, the 1910 census tells us Albert and Mary Jane are both carpet weavers living in Philadelphia. Did they meet at work? They have been married for 8 years, and have had two children who have died. Where is neighbor Walter Chamberlain in 1910? He and his wife Ada are in Buena Vista Township, living next to the family of William Chamberlain on 9th Street. Perhaps the Chamberlain’s are a topic for another story.
In 1900, both Albert and Walter were weavers living in Philadelphia. Both arrived from England in the 1880’s. Simple camaraderie at work? Related in some way? And what would make him follow Walter to Buena Vista Township?
So, our piano tuner did not stay here for very long. Defnitely less than ten years, and perhaps as short as one or two. His ads seem to appear from October 1917 through January 1918. But, even in that short time, his name is permanently connected to Newtonville, New Jersey
If you have any information for us, you can email BuenaHistorical@gmail.com or contact us by regular mail at P. O. Box 114, Buena, NJ 08310
Buena Historical Society meets on the third Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. at the Buena Vista Township Municipal Building, Route 40, Buena. Please join us. January meeting is our annual business meeting.
BUENA HISTORICAL SOCIETY TO HONOR
TWO “BABES”
Buena Historical Society is holding its annual Holiday Party on Wednesday, December 16, 2009, at 6 p.m. at Buena Tavern. At this event each year the Buena Historical Society honors local residents who have served the communities of Buena Borough and Buena Vista Township. This year’s honorees are
Richard “Babe” Cantoni and Lewis “Babe” Lolli.
Tickets for this event are available at $18 per person for a buffet dinner. They may be obtained by mailing your check to Buena Historical Society, PO Box 114, Buena, NJ 08310. For further information, please call 856-692-5227.
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