Mrs. Marjorie Ida Margie Rolfe, 88, of Jacksonville, FL, passed away October 2, 2009 after a lengthy illness. Mrs. Rolfe was born in Hawthorne, FL June 27, 1921. She was of the Baptist faith. She was the last living child of the W. J. and Ida Baxley family of Weirsdale, FL. She was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Edward Rolfe. She is survived by daughters, Marjorie Ann Dees of Jacksonville, Harriette Watford of Belleview; son William Rolfe, Jr. of Port Angeles, WA; 5 grandchildren, 7 Great Grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. Parents: W.J. and Ida Baxley family of Weirsdale, FL. Interment to follow at Greenwood Cemetery, Weirsdale, FL.
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(Note: there are some misspelled words in the following account, notably Hawthrone should be Hawthorne, from notes Aunt Margie wrote out a few years before her death in this classic):

History of William James Baxley, born January 05, 1877, Hawthrone, Florida, Alachua County and Ida Melissa Boone,
born April 30, 1882, Hawthrone, Florida (as told by Marjorie Ida (Baxley) Rolfe, and others)........................

The marriage of William James Baxley and Ida Melissa Boone, took place on January 01, 1899, at the home of
Ida's parents. Boones at Hawthorne, Florida.

Ida and Will met at a party. In those days, it was call a pound or something. They also had
good times at cane grindings.

Ida and Will courted for two years. Ida had another boy friend she like very much, but she
made her decision between the two, and married Will. In the years that followed she knew that
she had made the right decision and was very glad that she had married Will.

Will was a farmer, but in later years worked in turpentine harvest, and citrus grove work. He
was a very hard worker, and never lacked for a job.

The following children were born to Ida and Will:

04/20/1900 Lance Leo Hawthrone, Florida County, Alachua

09/02/1901 William Melvin Hawthrone, Florida County, Alachua

03/22/1904 Ruby May Hawthrone, Florida County, Alachua

08/01/1907 Ralph Dennis Whitney, Florida County, Lake

09/01/1909 Annis Oni(Bill) Hawthrone, Florida County, Alachua

10/03/1912 Vera Carolyn Hawthrone, Florida County, Alachua

02/27/1914 Cecil Alton Hawthrone, Florida County, Alachua

02/16/1916 Clyde Eugene Hawthrone, Florida County, Alachua

10/09/1918 Martha Ann Hawthrone, Florida County, Alachua

06/27/1921 Marjorie Ida Hawthrone, Florida County, Alachua

06/07/1924 William James, Jr. Grove Park, Florida County, Alachua

They lived around Hawthrone, Florida. We always had a place to live, and food grown from
the garden. The babies were born at home, and a mid-wife came to help deliver the babies. Ida
was a very strong woman, both physically, and morally. She had to work hard and with children
coming along so regularly, she had much to do taking care of them. During the times that her
children were born, she did not have the conveniences of modern times. There were not
disposable diapers, washing machines, or dryers. Her days were long, "early to bed and early to
rise" was the norm of her day. As the children became older, they were put in charge of every
day chores, and were expected to do it correctly. This taught responsibility and fostered in the heart of the
children the need of family unity. Years?..........

When they lived at Grant, at Honest John's place, (near to Sebastian FL). Ruby was a young girl. She
became very sick. They only had one chicken, and Ida killed the chicken, which went to make
soup to feed Ruby.

Poppa had to carry Ruby to the Doctor in a row boat, to the mainland, at Grant, Florida. She
finally begin to feel better, it was at this time someone started calling her Gem.

In 1907, Ralph Dennis was born at Whitney, Florida, in Lake County, and Annis Onei (Bill),
Vera, Cecil, Clyde, Martha (Mattie), Marjorie were all born at Hawthrone.

In 1924, William James, Jr. Was born at Grove Park, Florida, west of Hawthrone, at the Big
House, called the Mansion. I can't remember very much about the place, but I do remember that

I was very "spolt". They always brought me Hershey Bars, from a little store near by.
W.J. Baxley, Jr., was born at this place, at the Mansion. He was a light sleeper, so a large baby
buggy was used to put him in, and he was rolled around until he went to sleep. He was never put down for a nap.

There was a wide stair case in the middle of the house, so I have been told. Vera and Bill had
trunks at the foot of their bed for clothes.

I found a post card sent to Ida from her sister, Clarice, which told of the birth of her son
Burtin.

(1) From Grove Park, Florida the family moved to Weirsdale, Florida and into the old Douglas, two story house.
This was located, up the lane, off State Road 42, west of Weirsdale. I remember that the first Christmas
we were there, was a big Christmas for the family. All the family came for dinner (noon meal).
We had Breakfast Dinner and Supper, but in 2005, it has changed, it is now, Breakfast, Lunch, and Supper.
That Christmas ......?year, there were lots of presents.

Mattie and I received rocking chairs, a little table, tea sets, and a baby face (Barlow Dolls,
china face, soft body). There were long pretty white dresses, for the dolls. That very special
Christmas, keeps coming to my mind. (2) We also lived in the Banks Grove in a big pretty two story house.
There was a wrap around porch. A long lane with stately old oak trees line each side of the lane. There was a
big orange grove all around the house. A black family lived in the grove also. I am sure the man worked with
poppa.

Bill went to Jacksonville, for maybe a business course, later she and Marion (Hud)
Huddleston married.

Vera and Fred Reedy married, and that night, (it was called a serenade), young people around
town, came late and made a lot of noise, by beating on pots and pans. The boys in the group
carried Fred down to Little Lake Weir, at the Seaboard Airline Railroad dock. They threw him
in the lake.

When we were at this place, a train came from Summerfield, Florida, to the dock, to pick up
fruit (oranges and grapefruit), to be shipped. (3) ..?...........?we called the house upon the hill North
of Weirsdale, but before East Lake Weir. Morthland Hill...(later 1950's), son's name was "Kauk". The grove
was then known as "Woodmar Groves", owned by Ocala Ice and Mfg. Co.

Again, we enjoyed living in a big two story house. This house did not have a porch. There
were wide stairs in the middle of the house. Yes, there was orange trees all around the area.

This place we called home, and had a large barn that could house two vehicles. There was a
truck, a gas pump for the trucks and tractors, or whatever needed gas. I can not remember this
move. I do remember churning butter, but remember not liking this job, at all. Mama always
had a peach tree switch, and yes, it was used often. One Christmas Eve we went to church (we
always went on Christmas Eve). There was a Christmas tree, singing, and bags of candy.

Anyway, when we got back home our big Christmas tree had fallen over and needless to say,
all of us children were very upset. Mama and Poppa told us that Santa was in a hurry and that is
why it fell over.

Poppa did not drive, so one of the boys, maybe, Cecil, drove and we went with poppa to the
scrub (forest), over the Ocklawaha River to chop down a tree.

While living here, poppa bought a Ford Model A-Ford. What a car What excitement to go for a ride in it.

We had a record player; it had to be cranked (there was a handle and it would play for a
while). Mamma got a new and maybe, first peddle sewing machine. The brand name was White.

We went to church in Oklawaha until they started building the First Baptist Church at Weirsdale, just east
of the school house. When it was about half constructed, a storm came along and blew it down. When money was
available, they reconstructed it. W.J. and Ida were Charter members. While going to Oklawaha Church,
(I), Margie, accepted Christ into my life and was baptized in Lake Weir.

The school always had May Day program. Bill was taking us to school, for she had a small
two door car. Down the lane, she drove, then turned out on the road. As the car turned, the door
came open and Mattie, in her pretty crape paper dress rolled out of the car, down into the ditch.
Thank goodness she was not hurt, the dress was torn, but not too bad. With a snip here, and a
snip there, and some fluffing up, it did ok. We could really do a lot with crape paper.

Our grandpa Boone would come stay with us for about six months, then he would go live with
another one of his children. He was very handy and creative with a hammer and saw. He really
like to fish in the pond across the road from the house, and was a very good fisherman. Grandpa Boone like to
play a card game, "sat back". Wish I could remember how to play the game.

(4) Cohn Grove, when..............?. Family picture taken on 12/25/1931. With so many
children, we again enjoyed the comfort of a large two story house. It had a wrap-a-round porch,
upstairs and downstairs, which were wonderful to sit on in the cool of the day. It had a lane, but
not too many trees. There were beautiful, oak trees on the sides of the lane. Stairs were on the outside,
covered over from upstairs, with a wrap-around porch. Another day, I will try to draw a picture of the
floor plan, of the house. Four bedrooms, a living room, and dining room. It had a double fire place.
It had a big kitchen, and it was big enough to have a table and eat there. There was also a wood stove,
a pantry with lots of shelves, and a double sink. There was a bath by the down stairs bed room,
with a small fire place

There was early and late season oranges. Grapefruit, tangerines, and satsumas. There were Guavas, and
different kinds. Little ones for jelly, and big pink ones for canning. Loquats and kumquates were also very
plentiful.

I was told that the people who owned and lived there, were from the north. There were many
different kinds of trees and shrubs. I am guessing they were brought from south Florida or Cuba. There was
always a garden, and chickens. One time we had ducks and guineas, and mamma
once baked a duck and the taste was very good. We had plenty of eggs, milk, and clabber, which was like cottage
cheese.

Clothes were washed in tubs with rub board, the clothes were boiled in the wash pots. It was
hard work, and of course, there was a clothes line to hang all the clothes. We always had plenty
to eat and mama made a lot of our clothes. Ironing was accomplished by heating the iron on the
stove or fire place. I think we look very neat.

Christmas at the Cohen was a big day. During the day, all the children, the ones still at home,
and married females came. Bill always made a dish pan full of egg nog. Starting about ten a.m.,
we had food, presents and a very good time. I really had in mind, December 25, 1935, when the family picture
was taken. It was a big day and every one putting on their Sunday best.

My socks were suppose to be up almost to my knees, but I did not like them that way, so I
pushed them down, but mamma did not know it.

December 25, 1935 was a very special and fun day. My brother W.J. and cousin Leo, each,
had a cigar box of fire crackers. A small, little fire, lit the fire crackers, from yes saved
matches. Wish I had the pictures.

During this time, margarine that came in a pound block, and was white, and with a little foil
packet which had color. Then we would kneed in the color, and it would turn yellow.

The Seminole truck would bring our order for cow and chicken feed, when we needed it. We
also had an ice man and big wood ice box. Jell-O and bananas was served on Sunday, with fried
chicken and other foods. Chicken and rice, baked chicken and dressing, banana pudding with
meringue, and lemon fruit pies. Mama's pie crust were delicious and would melt in your mouth.

During this time, everyone who could, and lots of times, friends and families, all went to
Crystal River for a day, to buy and cook fish and oysters. Yum, Yum Each family would bring
something to eat, and everyone had a very good time.

R.D. Douglas' store had groceries, dry goods, a drug store and a small milkshake soda fountain. But there was
not much money to buy ice cream. As years went by, we had an ice cream churn, which made delicious home made
ice cream.

Some of the games the children played were jacks, dolls, jump rope, marbles, sling shots, and
play school. Mattie, W.J. and I made up a game, we called "blind fold a person", each of us
got one turn around. We would turn the "it" person around and around, then take off down and
around the grove. The blind folded person would then have to point to the house. This game
was lots fun. W.J. got himself a used bicycle, and I learned to ride it.

Poppa would read a newspaper to us at night, and talk about politics and voting. Homestead
exemption came in later years and social security. Poppa was a very smart man, in many ways.
Yes, mama was also smart, in her ways. She could look at a picture of a dress, make a pattern
from newspaper, or just cut out pieces and make something to wear. Lots of things were made
from flower sacks with a pretty print on it. Not bad.

R.D. Douglas had a silent outdoor theater between two buildings, with benches to sit on.
A lady, whose name was Ruth Russell, played the piano during the movie. Sometimes there
would be a Western or Circus movie. Poppa would take us but mama stayed at home. Maybe she needed a rest.

In the winter before dark, we would go out and pick a bucket of nice cold oranges, tangarines, or any of the
fruit we wanted to eat after supper and put the peelings in the fire place. When the peelings got hot we had a
good smelling room. Cold fruit was so very good.

When a battery radio became, price wise, something that poppa could afford, he bought it
and, we would listen about hour a night. We could play it and listen to the programs like: Lum
and Abner, Grand old Opry, and Amos and Andy. There was no news or weather, or there could
have been very little. News and weather, we gleamed from the Ocala Star Banner.

Poppa had a thermometer that he looked at often, and I looked at our thermometer, even to this
day, winter and summer. Years ago, during a freeze, the groves had to be fired with big logs
fires in between the trees, to keep them from freezing.

Summertime we went to Legion Beach, nearly every afternoon, water was very clear and
there was a sandy bottom. Oh yes, there were many sunburns.

We caught fish and a lot, at Sandy Hook, we would wade out in the water with a can pole
and have lots of fun catching those fish.

Sometime a traveling medicine show came to town, they had something that looked like the
back of a wagon. They would put on a little show and sell medicine, and yes, it was suppose to
cure everything. They were called "Snake Oil Salesmen".

There was another kind of traveling salesman who came to the door, and he was called the
Watkins Man, he sold vanilla extract, which was very good, spices, and maybe brushes.

There was always work to be done after school. We had to change clothes, to do this work.
We always had a big garden, we had to hoe, rake, pick vegetables. Chopping wood and carrying it into the house,
was a necessary chore.

Every time we had fried chicken, my job was to catch the chicken, put the chicken's head
on a block of wood, and with a sharp hatchet, chop off the head of the chicken, then throw the
chicken on the ground. Mattie's job was to get the chicken after it stopped flopping, then put it
in a bucket of hot water. What a smell, then we had to pick the feathers off. As I look back,
those were the "good old days".

Mama and poppa did a super job raising their eleven children. Thank God I was child
number ten. I am Marjorie Ida, and the last survivor of the family. (October 4, 2005)
The children that were at home were: Cecil, Tom Mattie, Margie, and W.J.. We all loved this
home.

(5) God was so good, when we moved again, we moved into another spacious two story
house, called the "diddy-dotey house", east of Weirsdale on State Road 42. It was, maybe, one/half mile or less
east of Weirsdale. This was the first place that we enjoy the modern convenience of electricity,
the year was (1945-?).

(6) A dreadful event happened which plunged our family into sadness and despair on
September fourth, 1946. After serving in the military during World War II, Jay came home,
only to have a wreck. He suffered a broken arm and shortly after the cast was removed, he and a
friend, Robbie Taylor, went fishing on Lake Weir, in a small jon-boat. A sudden storm came up, causing the small
boat to capsize. He asked his friend to go for help, but because of his weak arm that was just out of a cast,
he was not able to stay a float. A great tragedy, for the William and Ida Baxley family. It took three days to
find his body.

Sometime after this, Will and Ida built a two bedroom house, west of Weirsdale on State
Road 42. This was their house after all the years of being furnished a house.

........?the house was built west of Weirsdale. Did they pay rent? W.J. and Ida Baxley's address was:
PO Box 53, Weirsdale, Florida, and this was their address the remainder of their lives. They did not have a
zip code. They did finally have a phone, maybe in the late 1950's.???

Mama and poppa's last house, west of Weirsdale, about a mile out. They had someone build it for them
(on the south side of of SR 42). At last in their senior and golden years they owned their own home.

MEDICINE: as a child, I remember lots of Vicks Salve, Castor Oil and aspirin being used.

SEARS CATALOG: we ordered by mail from Sears. Good for county people, and handy at the "out-house".

LAMPS: Very often, shades (glass) had to be washed, wicks trimmed, and filled with kerosene.

Momma's word: "carry one at a time down to cow barn". Mattie and I tried to learn to milk
the cow. Mattie did get a little milk, and I got nothing, O

SMOKING became very popular with young girls and women. Ruby, Vera and Bill slipped
away to smoke when they came to visit, until one day the three girls decided to tell mamma that they smoked.
Mattie and I did not smoke.

I was 12 or 13, when Ma Barker and her gang came to Ocklawaha, Florida. They were all
killed in a shoot out.

When my parents moved to the Diddy Dody house, a short distance from Weirsdale (east)
All the children had their own homes and families except W.J. and he was in the military, or
lived in Umatilla.??

Oh yes, chicken's, orange trees, pear trees, garden, the dirt made super good peanuts. Poppa
would pull up the vines, wash the dirt off the peanuts, shake off the water. and put them
on the front porch, so when anyone came to visit, they could help pick off the peanuts, then they
would be boiled, in a big pot. Delicious, scrumptious eating.
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(Note: The "Banks grove" she names as house "(2)" in this list she gives above was the large orange grove across road 42 from the Hamp Smith house west of Weirsdale)