General Notes

The following is based on a typewritten copy of an interview between my Aunt Peg (Margaret Shields/Eberhardt) and my Great-Aunt Lil (Lillian Shields/Tyree) in June of 1978:

Annie either carried and/or concieved Edward durring the time period (Summer-Fall of 1888) of her mother's decline and subsequent death.  It is said that when Annie was at the cemetery for the funeral she caught cold because it was raining.  She became very run down and couldn't take care of her family; so the children were farmed out [which ones?].  The doctor told Annie that she would carry the effects of the cold in her lungs for the rest of her life as she was spitting up blood.  She then told him that she was pregnant [with Edward], and he said it couldn't be. When Edward was about two months old, Annie took him to the doctor [presumably the same one].  The doctor was a big man, and he bounced Edward on his knee and said, "God Dammit!  Where did you get this baby from?!"  [imagine a pediatrician doing that these days!]  Then he gave him his examination; and he told Annie that he was sorry to tell her but Edward would not live more than a year.  It was hard for Annie to believe that because Edward was so big and healthy in appearance.  However, one day when he was about a year old and sitting in his  highchair for dinner, Edward had a convulsion and died.  [could it have something to do with the "cold" Annie had while she carried him?]