The Red Flannel Rag

John and Mary Morris with the oldest of their eighteen children — Aunt Zilla, Uncle Carl, and Uncle Charlie (circa 1906)

Grandma Mary across Little North Mountain to stay with her sister because he

was afraid he would get her pregnant again. She never returned to her family and died

at her sister’s house. According to Aunt Goldie, she died of “heart dropsy.” I t was

believed that childbearing weakened her heart so that it “leaked fluid” into her chest

until she could no longer get her breath. Today we would say she died of congestive

heart failure.

Twelve of her eighteen children lived to adulthood while three died as young

children and three were stillborn. The twelve who lived gave birth to a good portion of

my ninety-nine first cousins that I brag about to my students and anyone else who will

listen.

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