Harriett was the second wife of CW veteran Nathan Berkey (b1843). After his first wife's (Mary Ellen Boyd Berkey) death in 1886, Nathan's oldest child, Amanda, took over the household duties, including the care of her 7 younger siblings. In 1889 Amanda became engaged to be married. Nathan returned briefly to his home area in Somerset County, PA, asked around about a marriagable woman and was introduced to Harriet Shaffer.
Harriet had a boy out of wedlock by the hired man and had been living in shame with her parents. Although accepting responsibility for caring for 7 minor children, not her own, meant a lot of hard work, her marriage to Nathan provided her with the opportunity to move to IN where she had a chance at a more normal life, free from the scarlet letter that haunted her in her PA home. Nathan and Harriet were married for about 33 years. They had no children from their union; they were both in their mid-40's at the time of their marriage.
Harriet had a boy out of wedlock by the hired man and had been living in shame with her parents. Although accepting responsibility for caring for 7 minor children, not her own, meant a lot of hard work, her marriage to Nathan provided her with the opportunity to move to IN where she had a chance at a more normal life, free from the scarlet letter that haunted her in her PA home. Nathan and Harriet were married for about 33 years. They had no children from their union; they were both in their mid-40's at the time of their marriage.
Harriett was the second wife of CW veteran Nathan Berkey (b1843). After his first wife's (Mary Ellen Boyd Berkey) death in 1886, Nathan's oldest child, Amanda, took over the household duties, including the care of her 7 younger siblings. In 1889 Amanda became engaged to be married. Nathan returned briefly to his home area in Somerset County, PA, asked around about a marriagable woman and was introduced to Harriet Shaffer.
Harriet had a boy out of wedlock by the hired man and had been living in shame with her parents. Although accepting responsibility for caring for 7 minor children, not her own, meant a lot of hard work, her marriage to Nathan provided her with the opportunity to move to IN where she had a chance at a more normal life, free from the scarlet letter that haunted her in her PA home. Nathan and Harriet were married for about 33 years. They had no children from their union; they were both in their mid-40's at the time of their marriage.
Harriet had a boy out of wedlock by the hired man and had been living in shame with her parents. Although accepting responsibility for caring for 7 minor children, not her own, meant a lot of hard work, her marriage to Nathan provided her with the opportunity to move to IN where she had a chance at a more normal life, free from the scarlet letter that haunted her in her PA home. Nathan and Harriet were married for about 33 years. They had no children from their union; they were both in their mid-40's at the time of their marriage.
Inscription
Harriet M.
Wife of
N. Berkey
1844 - 1922
Family Members
Siblings
Children
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Records on Ancestry
Advertisement
