Total Number Of Pages: 1
Source: Scanned from the original photograph which is 10 inches in height and 8 inches in width.
Date: 1965-00-00
Language: English
Coverage: Unknown
Creators:
Red Thunder Cloud [Cromwell Ashbie Hawkins West]
Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions
Description: The caption reads:
"Aunt Jean Arch whose correct name was Stella Virginia Arch was one Shinnecock who stood out in the memories of many people of all races. She was kindly and she was understanding and always willing to do a favor for people. When Indians from tribes from other areas used to find housing difficult to obtain for the weekend of the Shinnecock Pow Wow they would always be referred to the home of Aunt Jean.
Indians representing the Chickahominy, Pueblo, Apache, San Blas, Inca, Catawba, Montauk, Mohawk, Hopi, Winnebago, Delaware, Narragansette, Wampanaog, Rappahannock, Micmac, Creek, Schaghticoke and probably other tribes found a welcome at the cozy home of this lovable lady who never turned anyone away from her door if she had the space for them.
The author found her a wonderful person with a fine sense of humor and an ability to speak her mind when the occasion required it. Southampton residents many of who she worked for in past years never forgot her when Xmas came. Her living room would be loaded with boxes and baskets of gifts that would be brought to her from far and near and cards would be everywhere. I used to bring her wood from East Hampton and try to keep her supplied throughout the winter.
Pretty Pony my wife and I would take her for long drives to places that she had not been to in many years. She was an excellent cook and among the things that we learned from her was "Long Island Hurry" a delicious stew that the wives of whalers used to be able to make up in a hurry when the Whaling Ships were ready to anchor.
Aunt Jean was a member to the Shinnecock Presbyterian Church but used to also attend faithfully the services at the little Shinnecock Adventist Church on Tuesday evenings.
She used to ride her bicycle from Shinnecock to Southampton daily and only stopped doing that when she was in her 7o's after the doctor advised her against it. She had an extremely independent spirt and always tried to take care of her needs without depending upon anyone else.
She was born in 1872 and passed away on March 6th, 1969 at the Todd Nursing Home in Southampton. Her funeral was held on March 9th at the Shinnecock Presbyterian Church and my wife and I attended.
She will be missed by her hosts of friends all over the country and we will miss the wonderful times that we enjoyed in her home both during the winter and the summer.
Her home which is one of the familiar landmarks on the Shinnecock Reservation will be occupied by a Shinnecock family who lived in a trailer in her front yard."
