This post is part of a series focused on featuring and
remembering those who have no known living descendants.
Back reads: For Alex Sands From Bettie Ash, Age 12 yrs. Mar. 19, 1901.
Bettie Ford ASH was born January 7, 1889 in Gloucester Point, Virginia to James Polk ASH and Elizabeth W. HUGHES. She had several older half siblings from her father's previous marriage. When Bettie was 13 years old and spending some time with her cousin Lillian, she nearly drowned.
NARROW ESCAPE FROM DROWNING
Mr. and Mrs. Graw, of Washington, D.C., and Mr. Henry Flint, guests at Gloucester Point Hotel, and Misses Bettie Ash and Lillian Hughes came very near losing their lives by drowning during the severe thunder storm of a few days ago. They were on a visit to Mr. J.B. Hogge's peach orchard a few miles down the river when overtaken by the storm and narrowly escaped going to a watery grave. The skill of Joseph West, the man in charge of the boat, alone saved the party."
-Richmond Dispatch (Richmond, Virginia) 10 August 1902, Sun. Pg. 10
After having survived that frightening experience she lived to have perhaps, the grandest fourteenth birthday bash I've ever heard of.
YORKTOWN, Va., Jan. 1. - Miss Bettie F. Ash entertained her friends at a delightful birthday party at her home, Gloucester Point, the past evening. Mr. and Mrs. J. P. Ash, parents of the young lady gave a most elaborate entertainment incident to the coming out of their daughter. Dancing was the feature of the evening and was indulged in until a late hour. Among those present were Misses Lillian Newbill, Eva Richardson, Elnora Duffy, Lillie Wilson, Maggie Rowe, Jessie Hughes, Ruth Anderton, Mary, Lillian, Lucy, Ruby, and Fannie Ash, Mrs. Dick Sibley, Mrs. Maggie Ash and daughter, May. A large number of young gentlemen were also present.
-The Times (Richmond, Virginia) 02 Jan. 1903, Fri. Pg. 6
YORKTOWN, VA., January 1. - With today's festivities the holidays close. The most brilliant affair of the season was a most enjoyable reception given by Mr. and Mrs. James P. Ash at Gloucester Point, yesterday evening to the many friends of their popular young daughter, Miss Bettie F. Ash. The occasion was the fourteenth birthday of the attractive young lady, and the number of those present fully attested the esteem in which Miss Ash is held by a large concourse of acquaintances. The larger portion of the fair maidens and gallant youths of old Gloucester gathered at the hospitable home to engage in the festivities. The spacious rooms of Gloucester Point Hotel were thrown wide open and the light fantastic was tripped until the small hours of the coming morn ave the guests of the evening a keen appetite for the splendid collation prepared by the veteran caterer, Captain Jim Ash, and superintended by "Aunt Lizzie," the hostess of the evening. The music for the occasion was furnished by local talent, Professor William Seawell and Master Seawell, and heartily enjoyed. The feature of the evening was a number of artistic fancy dances executed by Master Seawell and Mr. George Harwood. Those attending were Misses Lillian Newbill, Eva Richardson, Elnore Duffy, Lillie Wilson, Maggie Rowe, Jessie Hughes, Ruth Anderton, May Ash, Lillian Ash, Ruby and Fannie Ash, Mrs. Dick Sibley, Mrs. Maggie Ash and daughter, Miss May. The gentlemen were Messrs. Avery Newbill, Willard Fary, Buddie Lawson, Todd Pointer, Dixie Bunting, Tom Leigh, Hawkins and Tommie Hughes, Henry Leigh, Hubert Crawswell, Herman Rowe, Lloyed Pointer, Lumpkin Harwood, Ervin and Sam Rowe, J.H. Minor, Bubb and Elmore Bray, Maryus Shackelford; Tom, Aubrey, and J.P. Ash Jr.; Winnie Rowe, John Newbill, Herman Weaver, Tom Bass, Otis Hogg, Droyette Pointer, George Harwood, Jesse Richardson, Marion and Frank Robins, Clinton Hogge, Bennie Bray, and Frank Ash. Mr. Edward L. Gallagher and the venerable Mr. Charles Gallagher were honorary guests of the occasion.
-Richmond Dispatch (Richmond, Virginia) 02 Jan. 1903, Fri. Pg. 2
I imagine that Bettie's marriage just two years later at age 16 was widely publicized in the papers but at this time I can't access the Dispatch after 1903. She was married to Louis Daniel Heideger with whom she had one daughter, Edith Elizabeth Heideger born in Philadelphia Dec. 18, 1905
Sometime before 1920 She and Louis divorced and Bettie eventually remarried to Herman Frederick HARDENBURG. They had no children and Bettie's only child Edith never married.
Bettie's handwriting at age 12
Bettie passed away the summer of 1969 in her 80th year.
HARDENBURG
June 1, 1969, BETTY F. (nee Ashe), of 5842 Akron st., beloved wife of the late Herman F. Hardenburg, mother of Edith E. Heideger. Relatives and friends are invited to attend services Thurs., 2 P. M., MANNAL FUNERAL HOME, 6925 Frankford ave. (at Tyson st.). Int. E. Cedar Hill Cem. Friends may call Wed. eve. Contributions may be sent to the American Cancer Society or Wissinoming First Aid Corps if so desired.
-The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) 03 Jun. 1969, Tue. Page 18
