Tredyffrin Easttown Historical Society
History Quarterly Digital Archives

Source: January 1985 Volume 23 Number 1, Pages 13–14

Chirstmases of Years Ago

Atlee Kirkner

Page 13

A Note by Libby Weaver

Atlee Kirkner is my oldest brother, now 85 years-of age, living in Fort Washington Estates. My middle brother is Wayne Kirkner, the father of Mildred Kirkner. Percy Kirkner, our other brother, is deceased. The sister mentioned in the article is me, Elizabeth (Kirkner) Weaver.

Atlee, Wayne and I were each born in a different home along Yellow Springs Road in Tredyffrin Township; Percy was born ona farm which is now the King of Prussia Shopping Center.

Our father was a farmer, at one time farming for Mr. Philip TenBroeck, the father of Ed TenBroeck.

I would like to write a few notes about the Christmases of years ago. I have enjoyed many, many happy Christmases.

I was the oldest of four children, with two brothers, and then a sister arrived when I was sixteen years of age. We lived in beautiful Chester County.

Page 14

We always had a large family dinner on Christmas, with aunts, uncles, and grandparents. One year we would have a roast pig, another a duck, the next year a goose, and then, if we could afford it, we would have a turkey. Our largest dining room was the kitchen. Since it contained the coal stove, we were always good and warm.

There would be two settings. I do not know when or where this started, but the men always sat down first, and the ladies and children later. Were we hungry when the men finished! I am glad that we are more thoughtful and consider the ladies now. We always had plenty to eat - mashed potatoes, fresh country vegetables, bread, rolls, and cake and pies by the half dozen.

The children could not open their gifts until after dinner - and what a scramble! I was glad if I would get some "Horatio Alger" books. We would also enjoy the wind-up trains, a few other toys, and perhaps some clothing, such as socks, gloves, or a shirt. Maybe sometimes there would be a sled or skates, and if there was snow enough or if cold enough we would enjoy sledding or skating. Even if it was zero degrees outside, nobody felt the cold.

We always had a nice tree, trimmed with tinsel, a few balls of different colors, and colored paper chains made from circles. Popcorn, both plain and colored, was always strung on the trees. Sometimes we would have a small tree for our dogs - I don't know why, but it just got to be a custom.

My brothers and I went to a one-room school, the Walker's School in Tredyffrin Township. There were approximately 25 children in attendance. (My brother Wayne and I served as "water boys", carrying the water in a five-gallon container fastened on a wagon shaft. Of course, we were paid at the end of the season.)

We always enjoyed the holidays, no matter how little we had.