Digger's First Cars

When I was born, Mom and Dad lived in this house. According to Google Earth, it is still there. The address is 111 Wright Street, Sumter, SC. If you look at the left side, you can see their car in front of the garage. These three photos are dated 3/2/46.This may be the first car dad ever owned. I have no idea what it is. Anybody? So it just came to me. A DeSoto? I looked it up and here's a photo of a 38 DeSoto. The grill isn't exactly the same, but everything else looks good to me.April, 1950: Easter in Montgomery, Alabama. Mom and I are sitting in our 1949 Lincoln Cosmopolitan. Black. Two door model. This car went on a ship to Japan where it was a huge hit with the Japanese. When we lived in in the Japanese house, Dad used to cram it full of little kids and drive them around. (We lived across the street from an orphanage, so there was no shortage of little kids.) I also have memories of driving down really skinny streets and there being concern over whether or not the car would fit. Sometimes we had to back up and go on another road.

I sat behind Mom, and Greg sat behind Digger. I think I remember Mom saying she learned to drive in this car. It had the amazing feature of automatic windows. I remember Dad l.o.v.e.d this car!
Because Dad grew up in the Bronx, he didn't need to have a car. The subway would take him anywhere he wanted to go. Mom talked about him learning to drive in Utah. Tthe first time they drove by a farm with cows he had to get out of the car to go look at it. He was so excited to see a cow in real life. (The Bronx is a bovine-free zone.)

The Davitt Dinner Table

Before Mom and Dad bought the Danish teak dining table and chairs, this was the dinner scene. Russell Wright American Modern dinnerware, crocheted glass cozies, Yellow Ice Formica kitchen chrome table set, and Eternally Yours silverplate service by Rogers Brothers.

This is in the dining room of the house dad bought in Falls Church. Pretty Patty is playing with her rosary beads. Maybe it is Sunday?

Uncle Bob Was In the Navy

and came to visit me (Terry) when I was 3 weeks old. 9/12/46Terry - I came with Grandma Davitt to the Baptism. I believe she was the Godmother and I the Godfather but checked the records. Some things I can recall - Grandma Davitt was a bit put out as she was offered no cup of tea upon arrival- it was unlike her - but it was her first trip in a plane! I remember at the Christening when the priest asked the name - (meaning the newborn) she responded with a loud, "Mary Davitt" - wherein your Father promptly corrected her - so you could have been named Mary if the Priest was not paying attention.

I was a Midshipman at Fort Schyler at the time - thus the uniform. When I graduated with a Third Mates License they also gave me a Ensign's Commission in the USNR (US Naval Reserves.) I paid for it years later when I was recalled into the Navy during the Korean War and made a Gunnery Officer on repair ship in Sasebo, Japan - but that is another sea story.

Did you know that the davits (they lift the lifeboats) aboard seagoing vessels was invented by a Davitt in 1810 and still holds a patent in England? The Royalties are still passed along to the heirs to this day - but with a condition - as long as that Heir is involved the the Maritime Trades - That's why I went to a Maritime School in order to keep the Royalties being awarded. I can not reveal the amount I receive yearly - because it would void the award. So don't reveal this situation to anyone - because it is not true. Amen - False Chapter 2 to come.
Love -Uncle Remus

Terry Davitt's Wedding

From left to right: Digger, Greg, Terry, Moose (our best man,) Mike, Terry Rauh, Mike Rauh (Mike's sister's boys,) Pat's hair bow, G'ma Hansen (Erika Hansen), Rick, MaryJane.

Terry, born in Sumter, SC

There were two addresses for Sumter, SC, where I was born. One house had a Murphy bed.
111 Wright Street, Sumter, SC
202 Crescent Ave, Sumter, SC
Here's Dad, hanging up my diapers!These photos were in Grandma Davitt's album and I don't recall ever seeing them before. I know she came down to visit.