An interview with Harriette Jane Crocker Cochran

Seated: Ralph Sterling (1896-1961) holding Robert Henry Sterling (1922-)
Back left: Emma Cochran Sterling (1870-1967)
Right: Harriette Jane Crocker Cochran (1842-1929)

This is a "Mock" conversation with Harriette Jane Crocker Cochran. She is the webmaster's GG-Grandmother, and it is done as if my Grandfather (Ralph Sterling) and Grandmother (Bessie Clem Sterling) were talking to her in the spring of 1922 just after the birth of their second son (their first died within a few hours of his birth).
This conversation as written is based on facts. Information was taken from newspaper clippings, and obituaries. Though it is not known if this conversation ever really took place, it is entirely possible.

A Conversation with Harriette Jane Crocker Cochran

Ralph: Mornin Grandma. How are you today? We brought Robert Henry to visit his Great-Grandma.
Harriette: Oh, let me look at him. He is so sweet. Here Ralph, let me hold him. He's so handsome, looks just like his Great-Grandpa.

I can't complain Ralph, how are you? Bessie are you alright? Should you be out yet? My, what a precious baby. He is a good little youngin ain't he? Didn't care at all when I took him.
Ralph and Bessie: Yes Grandma, we're just fine.
Bessie: and yes Grandma, Robert Henry is a good baby. He is such a joy.
Ralph: Grandma, is that cookies I smell?
Harriette: I just took the last pan out of the oven. Oatmeal Raisin. Help yourself. There's coffee on the stove.
Bessie Sit down Ralph. I'll get the cookies and coffee. I know you want to visit with Grandma.
Harriette: I wish your Grandpa Robert was here to see Robert Henry. He would have been so proud that you named the baby after him and his other Great-Grandpas. Robert loved babies and got so much joy from little Harry Jr. He didn't get to see Max either.
Ralph: Yup, I wish Grandpa could have seen little Robert Henry too. He was a good man. The little ones will miss the stories he told me about the "Great War" and being taken prisoner at Shilo. I sure hope this last war does end all wars. I would hate for Robert Henry, Max and Harry Jr. to have to go to war.

Tell me Grandma. You followed the soldiers and wore the "Uniform of the Apron". Did you know Grandpa then?
Harriette: (With a shy smile and far away look in her eyes) Lands yes, I knew him! He was just the handsomest man in the county. So tall and straight. I was "smitten" with him, but no one knew it. We didn't live very far apart - with us on the Montgomery Farm and them just west of there at the Cochran place. We saw each other at church and box socials and such doins. When he went to war my heart broke, but I was so proud of him. You know he was one of the first to go when President Lincoln called our men. He was so brave and proud of his Country. He was born here - well, in Pennsylvania, you know. His Pa and Ma now, were born across the water.
Bessie: You grew up here Grandma, but when did you come to Sullivan County?
Harriette: I was about 12 years old when we came. It was a hard time with Ma sick and Charles and Byron and all.
Ralph: Tell us about your Ma. You said she was sick?

These cookies are just laripin Grandma! Were they for something special. I know lots of the boys and girls still stop by after school. I've eaten almost this whole pan.
Harriette: No - you just go ahead and eat all you want. There's plenty more for the youngins. There's always some that still stop by on their way home from school. They loved to sit and listen to your Grandpa tell Bible stories and eat cookies and drink milk. I guess some of them just got in the habit of stoppin by and they still do most days. I'm glad too, I look forward to them stoppin by.
Ralph: You started to tell me about your Ma.
Harriette: Ma had a hard life, she never said, but I believe her folks had money. She was from New York you know. Felthousens of New York. After she and Pa married, well after Mary Ann was born they moved west. To Ohio. Eb and me and Sam was born in Ohio. Pa died there and when I was about 4. I don't much remember Pa. I don't think Ma had it as nice as she was used too. She had a looking glass and hair brush from New York that she was mighty proud of. She would just look and look at them. She never said anything or complained. She had her table too, that she brought from New York. She was proud of it too and kept it real pretty.

Then Ma married Mr. McCaughey. They had two boys. Charles Albert and Byron, then Mr. McCaughey died and Ma was left with all us youngins. I was about 10 or 11. Ma had a hard time taking care of all us youngins by herself. She was tired and peaked looking. But before long Ma married Mr. Montgomery. I was about 12 and we came here cause Mr. Montgomery had a farm here and lots of family here too.
Bessie: Here Grandma, let me take the baby. He is getting hungry. You and Ralph go ahead and visit.
Ralph: You said your Ma was sick. What was wrong?
Harriette: I don't really know. Probably just wore out from all us youngins and Pa dying then Mr. McCaughey. Then she and Mr. Montgomery had Almedia and Ma just kept feeling worse. Charley was apprenticed out and she missed him. Not long before she died Byron was apprenticed out too. And Mary Ann had gotten married to Mr. Morrison. It was like Ma had lost too much. It was just too hard. Ma died when I was 20. Robert had just gone to war, and we heard they were in Tennessee, so some of the wives of the men that were fightin and other ladies decided we were going to go find them and help if we could.

Land sakes, Ralph where are my manners. You and Bessie must be famished. Here it is dinner time and I'm just sitting here talkin. Get me some more wood while I see to Bessie and the baby then I'll fry us a chicken. I just killed one this morning. I've got apple pie too. Skiddadle on, now Ralph and get that wood. We can talk more later.