Is This One Of The Andre Family?

 

Does anyone know if this oil painted portrait is one of the Andre family that came to Ste. Genevieve from France about 1850?

Maurice Andre

It certainly looks a lot like Maurice Andre, who bought Maison Huberdeau in the 1850s. . .It could be a son or other family member. . .On the back of the portrait is only an "A". . . .

A few months ago, I discovered the painting at the Antique Mall here in Ste. Genevieve. . .When I saw it, I was very drawn to the man in the portrait. . .Something kept me staring at him. . .and thinking I had seen him somewhere before. . .Of course, I purchased him. . .hanging the painting to be admired in the living room. . .

It wasn't more than a month later while researching the inhabitants of the Huberdeau that I found a photo online of Maurice Huberdeau. . .who turned the house over to his son Louis in 1858. . .The only stipulation was that he and his wife were allowed to remain in the house until their death. . .

As soon as I found Maurice online, I have felt the oil portrait was possibly him. . .If so. . .isn't it interesting how he returned home? . . It would make a good story. . .And it's not the first strange happening in this 18th century home. . .We have a ghost cat, a small ghost child, and now someone who smells of perfume or scented powder popping in every now and then. . .But. . .more about that later. . .(grin).

Timeline of Joseph Marie Simon Huberdeau

 

“Like many of the French families, they vanished. All that remains, which carries on their name, is the House.” *

I had never heard the name Huberdeau even once in the four years that I had lived in Ste. Genevieve. I thought I was at least aware of the majority of old Colonial French families that resided here, until one day, as I took my morning walk around downtown, I finally stopped to read a sign on an historic stone house, Huberdeau House. 

Over the past year, I have made it my mission to find out about this mysterious Huberdeau family that no one seems to know anything about. In a few local histories, Simon and son Jean Baptiste are mentioned, but my big break came while researching Canadian genealogies, specifically in Montreal, going back to the era of “Novelle” France. Gradually, I have been able to piece together a fairly large collection of information about the family, tracing them back to France. The more I collected, the more discrepancies I noticed, which is not uncommon. My solution to this problem has always been to start a timeline, entering dates and short notes of information in an attempt to verify each person’s history. Here I have the beginnings of a timeline on Simon Huberdeau, whom I am thus far convinced built the old stone house. Dates and information are subject to change, many to be verified. Updates will be added as I discover more.

Joseph Marie Simon Huberdeau was an enterprising, wealthy, and somewhat eccentric merchant in Ste. Genevieve, Upper Louisiana (now Missouri) during the second half of the 18^th century. He was the 17^th child of Jean Baptiste and Charlotte Huberdeau dit LaFrance of Montreal, Quebec, Canada (Novelle France). 

Citadelle de Montreal

His father, Jean Baptiste, arrived in Canada and is first mentioned in 1716 when he was 19 years old. He was residing in Montreal at “ L’Hotel Dieu de Quebec” where it was noted that he came from Paris, France. It is believed Jean Baptiste came to New France as a soldier. In 1722 at the time of his marriage, he was in Monsieur Francois de Gann’s Company in Montreal. At that time, he was listed as a barber and master wigmaker. There he met and married Charlotte Gertrude Roulleau dit LaFleur at Notre-Dame de Montreal on 27 July 1722. 

Notre Dame Basilica, Montreal, Canada

While Jean Baptiste and Charlotte remained in the area, at least four of their sons left. The oldest, Jean Baptiste Huberdeau, was the first to be employed as a voyageur for Paul and Pierre Leduc in 1743. He was sent to the Illinois country, where he eventually made Kaskaskia his home base. Other brothers followed: Pierre Amable first settled in Kaskaskia, later in Ste. Genevieve, where he lived beside his brother Simon. Charles Toussaint set down roots at Fort St. Jean Baptiste (Natchitoches). He may have initially been in the military there. Joseph Marie Simon is mentioned in Kaskaskia, Ste. Genevieve, the area of Natchitoches, Pointe Coupee Parish, and New Orleans Parish. Eventually, he made Ste. Genevieve his home, while continuing the same trade routes. Both Simon and his brother Jean Baptiste became noted merchants up and down the Mississippi River and enjoyed long stays in New Orleans.

 

TIMELINE OF JOSEPH MARIE SIMON HUBERDEAU

1744 Joseph Marie Simon Huberdeau dit LaFrance, was born in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, son of Jean Baptiste Huberdeau and Charlotte Roulleau, and great grandson of Louis and Therese Dauphin Huberdeau of Paris, France. 

Kaskaskia Long Lots

1759 16-year-old Simon in Kaskaskia, Illinois Country, along with brothers Jean Baptiste and Pierre Amable. They were listed in Montreal as voyageurs.

1760s Simon began establishing himself as a merchant in Upper and Lower Louisiana, with frequent trips to the Natchitoches area, where his brother Toussaint had settled.

1761 Brother Pierre Amable Huberdeau dit LaFrance married Marie Jeanne Barbier at Fort St. Jean Baptiste (Natchitoches) on 6^th of April. Marie Jeanne’s parents were Etienne Barbier dit Marechal and Louise Marguerite D’Herbanne of the same place.

1762 Simon married Marie Louise Pelagie Gautier dit Lafleur at Pointe Coupee Parish, Louisiana. The Diocese of Baton Rouge Catholic Church records the marriage of Simon Huberdeau and Pelagie Gautier on 24 August 1762. Pelagie was the daughter of Rene Gautier dit Lafleur of Normandy, France, who came to Louisiana as a soldier and an interpreter for Fort St. Jean Baptiste (Natchitoches). He arrived in 1719 on the “La Marie.” Pelagie’s mother was Jeanne Marie Laurent, born in New Orleans, the daughter of Pierre Francois Laurent and Marie Elisabeth Walenne. After Rene died, Pelagie’s widowed mother Jeanne had married Charles Toussaint Huberdeau dit LaFrance, Simon’s brother. 

Simon took his new bride back to Ste. Genevieve in Upper Louisiana.

1764 First child born in Ste. Genevieve, Jeanne Pelagie Huberdeau, on 1 June. Baptised 9 June 1764 at the Parish of St. Joachim. Her godparents were Toussaint Huberdeau, brother of Simon, and Jeanne Laurent, mother of Palegie and wife of Toussaint, who were noted as living at Fort Chartres (Illinois) at the time. 

1765 Simon bought and sold real estate in Pointe Coupee, Louisiana. 3 arpents of land bought from Bertrand Guicanduc and sold 3 1/2 arpents to LeDoux.

1766 Birth of daughter Marie Huberdeau, 5 July, Ste. Genevieve.

1766 Joined the Ste. Genevieve militia under Captain Francois Valle and Commandant Philippe de Rochebave.

1768 Brother Pierre Amable Huberdeau dit LaFrance “died in the woods” on 4^th of May, close to Ste. Genevieve.

1769 Birth of daughter Pelagie Huberdeau 1 January in Ste. Genevieve. Baptised 4 January 1769. She died 7 September 1769, also in Ste. Genevieve. 

1769 Simon made a contract with Gerard Langlois for the construction of a dwelling on the Grand Champ, which specified, among other things, glazed windows.

1770 Simon and Jean Baptiste Huberdeau petitioned Captain Valle of the militia on May 13 for an inventory to be taken of Pierre Amable Huberdeau’s estate and the items be sold. Pierre’s wife was diposing of the property for herself and taking her daughter’s inheritance. She also had made plans to move back to Natchitoches with her holdings. The request was granted. Simon became the surrogate trustee of Pierre’s daughter. The inventory amounted to 5585 livres, and an auction was held. The estate was closed in June of that year. 

1770 Birth of son Simon Huberdeau on 24 July in Ste. Genevieve. 

1771 Much litigation by Simon in this year. Examples: Simon Huberdeau vs. Beauview, vs. LaChance, vs. Lafont, vs. Gerard Langlois, vs. John Marie Pepin. 

1772 Contract of 1769 for the construction of a dwelling on the Grand Champ was cancelled by mutual consent.

1772 Sale of a house and land to Pierre Baron.

1772 Bill of Sale for land. 

1778 Land Deed to Andre Deguire.

1778 Land Deed to Henri Peyroux.

1773 Wife Pelagie died on 18^th February in Ste. Genevieve and was buried there.

1773 British Commander at Fort Gage (Kaskaskia) complained of Huberdeau, a merchant from Ste. Genevieve, intruding on British trade on the east side of the Mississippi River and cutting prices in trade with the Indians. Pedro Piernas, Lt. Governor of Upper Louisiana, exonerated Simon.

1775 Simon married Genevieve Panquerne on 30^th April in New Orleans, Louisiana. She was born in the same city 13 September 1756. Genevieve was the daughter of Abraham (Baumgartner) Panquerne (1710-1764) and Marie Angelique “Ann” Barbier (1725 Natchez, MS-1803). Marie Angelique Barbier was the daughter of Jean Pierre (1691 Auvergne, France) and Anne Marie Duering Barbier (1699 France-1754). Jean Pierre arrived in Louisiana in 1720. I have found research that indicates Jean Pierre Barbier to be one of the founders of New Orleans. More research needed. Jean Pierre may have been killed in the Massacre of Fort Rosalie in 1729.

Abraham was a soldier in the Karrar Regiment of the Swiss Guards. The first of several groups arrived in Louisiana in 1727. They stood guard within the forts, performed other military duties, and contributed to the construction force. Some helped build New Orleans. It is unknown exactly when Abraham arrived, but he married Ann 4 May 1745 at Saint Charles Borromeo Church, Louisiana Territory. Ann was born in Natchez, Mississippi. Abraham and Ann lived in New Orleans, where Abraham was stationed, at the time their children were born. 

(Note: The name Paquerne was given Abraham by the French. When researching Abraham’s lineage, though, Baumgartner should be used. For Ann’s lineage, Panquerne is mostly used. Some documents for Genevieve list her as Poncheron.) 

1777 Daughter Genevieve born October 26 in Ste. Genevieve. She died 10 November 1777. 

1779 Roster of “du Poste de Ste. Genevieve” dated 29 November 1779, has the name of corporal Simon Huberdeau, a native of Canada and a merchant.

1779 Simon sold his house and land in Ste. Genevieve to Nicholas Thibault.

1780 Records document volumes of shipments of various food stuffs from Ste. Genevieve to St. Louis during the early 1780s. Francois Valle, Louis Bolduc, Jean Datchurut, Simon Hubardeau, Louis Lalumandiere, and Rene Rapicault were the merchants, habitants, and voyageurs most heavily engaged in this trade. (Ekburg) Simon’s primary business was as a grain commission merchant.

1780 Daughter Euphrosine born in Ste. Genevieve 3 July.

1781 Brother Jean Baptiste Huberdeau dit LaFrance died on 24^th of June in Vincennes but was living in and buried in Ste. Genevieve.

1782 Son Jean Baptiste Huberdeau born in Ste. Genevieve on 7 November.

1785 Daughter Jeanne Pelagie married Jean Trope Ricard on 13^th of August in Ste. Genevieve. Ricard was a native of St. Tropez, France. They owned property between Main and Second Street.

1786 Simon jailed a few days for making an obscene gesture during the passing of the Host at Mass, ordered by Commandant Antonio de Oro, a devout Spanish Catholic.

1787 Simon’s brother Francois Louis travelled from Canada to Ste. Genevieve to obtain his share of their brother’s (Jean Baptiste Huberdeau) estate. He petitioned Henri Peyroux on the matter 4 December 1787. He was in Ste. Genevieve and godfather to his grandniece Eugenie Ricard on 30 March 1800. Simon had retained the money for Francoise earlier but Francois had given authority to Augustin Dubuc to receive the payment which Dubuc had done but failed to send the money to Francois. At one point Francois sued Simon for the money but Simon was not held accountable. In May 1789, Francois traveled to Cahokia and filed a suit against the estate of Augustin Dubuc. Francois spent time in Ste. Genevieve until he died there in 1804.

1789 Possibly the year Simon had the stone house built on the corner of present day 4^th and Jefferson Streets in Ste. Genevieve. Block 20 (old map). 

1789 Filed a lawsuit against Jean Baptiste Bequet over a violent argument on the “Grand Chemin.”

1790 Block 20, early plat of Ste. Genevieve, confirmed Simon Huberdeau as owner. Early 1800s plat lists son Jean Baptiste Huberdeau as the owner of the same 2 x 2 arpens of land. 

1794 Simon, along with Bolduc and Pratte, was given the trade with the Mahas, an Indian Tribe, considered worth 20 thousand livres of a total of 175 thousand livres. 

1795 Daughter Marie married Guillaume Antoine Francois Girouard in Ste. Genevieve. Girouard was originally from Normandy, France. He owned an inn and a tavern in Ste. Genevieve, which was the first public inn in the town. In 1800, Girouard petitioned and received permission to establish a billiard parlour. He was considered a shrewd businessman and became quite wealthy. He died in 1805.

 1799 Will of Joseph Marie Simon Huberdeau drawn up and witnessed on the 5^th of December, signed Simon Huberdeaux. Cover of document date is 1798. At least one historian states that this probably was an update from his will of 1789. In the 1799 will, Simon leaves his home and all buildings and property to his wife, Genevieve, for her lifetime. Upon her death, their son Jean Baptiste inherited the house and property. 

1800 Reaffirmation of Simon’s 1799 Will.

1803 Simon died 17 March in Ste. Genevieve and buried the same day. Cause unknown. He was 60 years old, as recorded in the St. Joachim Catholic Church (Ste. Genevieve) records. 

1804 Brother Francois Louis Huberdeau died prior to 31 May 1804 in Ste. Genevieve. His son Louis married Marie Benard dit Michon on that day in Ste. Genevieve, according to church records that also stated Francois was no longer living. 

1811 On February 11, Simon’s widow Genevieve married Jean Baptiste St. Gemme-Beauvais, formerly of Kaskaskia. He was the son of “the richest man in the Illinois Country,” Jean Baptiste St. Gemme-Beauvais and Marie Louise Lacroix.

 

SOURCES:

Ancestry.com 

Burial Records, Catholic Church in Kaskaskia

Colonial Ste. Genevieve by Carl J. Ekberg, PHD

Contract between Simon Huberdeau and Gerard Langlois for Building House, 29 November 1769; Cancellation of Contract 4 June 1772.

Diocese fo Baton Rouge Catholic Church Records 1770-1803

The District of Ste. Genevieve 1725-1980 by Lucille Basler

Estate #124, Meziere (Pierre Amable) Huberdeau, 13 March 1770, Ste. Genevieve Papers, Missouri Historical Society, St. Louis, Mo. 

*Fairplay, Ste. Genevieve News, 21 March 1969 

First Families of Louisiana by Glenn R. Conrad 

Geneanet.org

The Huberdeau Saga by John Huberdeau, 1989 Canada

Simon Huberdeau from FamilySearch.org, Conrad Pelikan

The Spanish Regime in Missouri: A Collection of Papers and Documents Relative to Upper Louisiana 

Ste. Genevieve, The Story of Missouri’s Oldest Settlement by Francis J. Yealy, The Bicentinneal History Committee, Ste. Genevieve, Mo 1935

St. Joachim Church Records, Ste. Genevieve 1759-1993

Marriage Contract, Simon Huberdeau and Pelagie Gautier, 20 August 1762, Louisiana Historical Quarterly, January 1941

Quebec Genealogy Dictionary of Canadian Families, 1608-1890, The Tangay Collection

WikiTree.com

Will of Simon Huberdeau, 5 December 1799, 1800

St. Joachim Church Records, Ste. Genevieve 1759-1993

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The Dining Room Will Sparkle

 I couldn't be happier that fine lead crystal is coming back into vogue. . .While my mother loved silver (and all the polishing that goes with it). . .it's the "sparkle of diamonds" crystal for me. . .

I have just begun unwrapping some of the heritage pieces I own. . .Little by little and each time I return to the farm, I bring back with me those things that warm my heart. . .This last time, not only did I bring back treasures from my aunts, mom, and grandmothers. . .I had managed to get my favorite 19th century Queen Anne chairs from Scotland in the van, too. . .With the English tea table of the same era, they are the perfect size for the dining room. . .not so large that a person feels cramped. . .

I will be utilizing lead crystal pieces over the entire house. . .It's not just for the dining room and kitchen. . .There will be pieces in the living room, bedrooms, and maybe even the bath. . .

I had another reason to get the chairs, table, and crystal in some kind of order. . .I needed to see the overall picture in my head. . .because. . .it's time to order the chandelier!!!!

I had plans to put my Mom's chandelier up. . .It was actually my Grandmother's before her. . .The crystals on it were from Austria and perfectly beautiful. . .But I have looked and looked for a year with no success in finding it. . .I decided Mom didn't want her chandelier hung in the dining room (grin). . .No. . .if it's found, maybe the living room. . .because. . .as I thought back to it, her vintage beauty would be a little small. . .I ditched the idea and began to look around. . .

There are so many gorgeous ones now, I have spent weeks looking. . .thinking. . .planning. . .and I still can't tell you which one I will choose. . .I need to order soon, though. . .The one that is the front runner today has to be custom made. . .I'd like it here by Christmas. . .

And so it goes. . .decisions. . .decisions. . .but having fun with it. . .Can you guess which style I'll choose? . .Maybe one of these three? . . Or not. . .Only a little more time will tell. . .

A Friend From The Past: Bill Barker As Thomas Jefferson

 

Why should Ste. Genevieve be interested in Thomas Jefferson? Well, if you'll remember your history, it was Thomas Jefferson who purchased all of Louisiana from the French in 1803 and Colonial France became a vast part of the United States. . .I can't say that I knew much more about Jefferson than that and the fact that he had a hand in the Declaration of Independence. . .not until I started visiting and later working at Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia. . .It was there that Thomas Jefferson came alive for me.

If you have never seen Bill Barker interpreting this historic figure, you have missed a treat. . .Not only does he favor the Founding Father in looks, but Bill IS Thomas Jefferson. 

John first met Bill at Colonial Williamsburg many years before when he was attempting to become an interpreter himself at CW. . .Bill encouraged him to try out for the honor of interpreting Patrick Henry and gave him quite a few pointers. . .It was John's first attempt, and one he did quite well. . .He came in second out of many others who auditioned. . .Through the years, Bill was always encouraging John to do more and more. . .Because of that encouragement, John went on to become an interpreter at the Greenhow Store, a colonial auctioneer, nightly storyteller, reenactor for the British occupation, all for the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. . .Watching Bill always in the first person of Thomas Jefferson, John took up some of the same habits. . .He, too, enjoyed first person roles that added so much more entertainment for the crowd. . .It wasn't beyond him to throw the "loo water" out the window of the Greenhow (actually weak tea), while chastising a carriage driver to move his horses away from the window. . .They were causing flies to swarm inside the Greenhow. . .Or the day a five year old asked John how old he was, to which John quickly replied over his glasses, "250 years, son." The child was speechless. 

John was often seen in CW's PBS electronic classroom programs, one of which was entitled "Ready Money." He also appeared in the BBC film "Soldiers At Arms" and other BBC projects. He had the opportunity to appear in several movies, parts of which were filmed locally in the Williamsburg area. . ."Cold Mountain", "Gods and Generals", "The New World". . .Each time that John took these leaps in his career, Bill was forever encouraging him on. . .It is not often that a talented, well-known actor will take the time to help others in their pursuit of a career. . .Bill did. . .and John to this day is forever grateful. . .for the encouragement, the fine example he set, and the friendship so willingly given. . .

John and I left Colonial Williamsburg in 2005. . .but each time we returned for a visit, we made it a point to catch up with "Mr. Jefferson". . .For 26 years, Jefferson was the most popular of all the Founding Fathers interpreted at CW. . .Along with devouring everything written about the man, Bill's constant research made the historic character of Thomas Jefferson do nothing less than come to life.

But. . .as with all of us. . .we age. . . grow older. . .When Bill retired from his role at Colonial Williamsburg, after introducing and assisting a younger version of himself to take on the character of Thomas Jefferson, we all were very sad to hear the news. . .Those were huge shoes to fill, for there surely could never be a greater interpretation of the 3rd United States President. . .Was Bill's Thomas Jefferson over?

Bill Barker as Thomas Jefferson-From: Monticello.org

Then in 2019, news arrived from Jefferson's Monticello home in Virginia. . ."Veteran historical actor-interpreter, Bill Barker is widely recognized as the nation's foremost interpreter of Thomas Jefferson. Now, after portraying Thomas Jefferson at Colonial Williamsburg for the last 26 years, Barker will join the Thomas Jefferson Foundation at Monticello starting on June 14.

Portraying Thomas Jefferson-in all his genius and complexity-is a daunting challenge, yet Bill Barker has succeeded where some of Hollywood's finest have failed," said Monticello President Leslie Greene Bowman. "Bill's knowledge, experience, and passion for his subject are unparalleled. We are proud that he will bring Thomas Jefferson home to enliven and deepen the experience of our visitors with Jefferson's immense contributions to the new nation. . ."

So Bill is still wowing the crowds. . .teaching history to the many. . .and enjoying his so-called retirement. . .as well as being a continuing inspiration to us both. . .

WELL DONE, BILL. . .I mean, PRESIDENT JEFFERSON. . .

Visit: MONTICELLO.ORG

A Town of 20th Century Kit Homes. . .or Not?

 

This is a question I have had ever since discovering Ste. Genevieve and its town of older homes. . .Of course there are historic ones of which many have been documented. . .but what about the 20th century homes? 

I have noted so many that could be a kit home from the 1900s-about 1940s. . .Sears, Montgomery Wards, Aladdin Homes, and many others offered complete kits. . .all materials and blueprints. . .by just ordering them from a catalog. . .I just recently learned that my grandparent's first home was the Sears Starlight bungalow. . .

Most of the kit homes came from Illinois, which is right across the river from Ste. Genevieve. . .It would stand to reason that many were railroaded here. . .

Now I have even more reason to find the information. . .I write for Country Rustic magazine and my spring article will be about those early kit homes. . .

If you know of one or several, would you go to my FACEBOOK page and comment below the house photo there? Not in a message. . .just make a comment. . .

It would certainly help me a lot. . .and keep me from making any mistakes. . .

Let me THANK YOU ahead of time. . .and know it will be greatly appreciated!!!!

FACEBOOK

Moving Right Along With Renovations

 

"Where have you been this summer? Haven't seen you around!" . . .Well. . . .I've been busy. . .John's been busy. . .and Maison Hubardeau is looking good. . .Thanks to several master craftsman. . .

We searched and search for someone to paint the rusty old roof. . .Most never showed up. . .A few that did told us to just put a new roof on. . .There was no need for that. . .and I was not tearing off the thick tin that could date back further than the 1900s. . .The rust was surface but didn't need to go any further. . .so I have to hand it to John, he didn't give up until he found an excellent choice. . .Claude Wells from Perryville is a third generation roof specialist. . .He brought a crew of five (or more). . .Let me tell you, John and I were both impressed. . .These guys knew what they were doing. . .They power washed and used a scrubber on the roof. . .In just a few days they had cleaned and painted the roof, soffits, trim and windows. . .and, ladies, they cleaned up after themselves!!!!

For a few days, traffic slowed and heads turned. . .

With the roof and upper part of the house freshly painted, the rest looked a little dingy. . .Lucky for us, one of our neighbors was having work done on his house at the same time. . .So across the street John went and spoke to the painter. . .We had watched his work for about a week and again, we were impressed. . .

The back porch, doors, and front door facade were scraped, prepped, and painted. 

The little bench in front was also scraped and sprayed a rust primer red. (Sorry no photo of it after the primer. And, for you passing by wondering if I'm leaving it rust color, no I will be painting it white--one day.)

I'm pretty particular about how things are done but Joaquin was even more than I. . .I was amazed when he took the knobs off the doors instead of painting in a circle around them. . .He even came back after the entire job was finished to touch up places HE wasn't happy with. . .Very professional. . .

I love the new gray wall we chose for accent. . .It is the same shade of the stone of the house. . .Before, the wall was white. . .everything was white. . .but now the white railings really stand out. . . and yes, ladies, he cleaned up after himself, too. . .(grin)

In the meantime. . .John took the broken shutters back to our farm and refurbished them. . .He can do anything with wood. . .just amazes me. . .

All they need is a little paint. . .

The basement doors were in horrible shape. . .John put temporary replacements on while he built the permanent ones, which will have hand-forged handles and hasp by the Farrier's Wife. . .All is completed except putting the doors on. . .One day soon. . .

One of the roofers mentioned to John that his uncle happened to be a stone mason, specializing in historic homes. . .Jason Bida from Perryville is his real name but I dubbed him Jason the Mason. . .His work was meticulous and accurate down to the sand that he traveled to the Meramec River to obtain. .-.He could look at three different mortar mixes on the house--the original and all the patches-and knew where the sands came from. 

First he cleaned out the old mortar. . .

Then did his magic. . .mixing his own formula to match the old. . .

Sometime in the 1900s, part of the stone wall cap was replaced with concrete pads. . .Where those joints met, there was a very noticeable hump. . .I wasn't sure it could be leveled out. . .but look at this. . .

And if you haven't noticed, the two box eyesores and wire are now gone. . .only the meter remains. . .still an eyesore but nothing we can do about that. . .at least for now. . .Such a small change has made a big difference on the 4th Street side. . .

While waiting for workers to finish, John and I tackled the backyard flower beds. . .dead trees. . .dead bushes. . .tons of poison oak. . .volunteer trees. . .Well. . .we hauled off about 8 loads in one day. . .Still have the Jefferson Street side to finish. . .Might be a fall project as hot as it is. . .

We also power sprayed the pavers. . .The settee and chair was bought on the Hundred Mile Yard Sale Memorial Day weekend. . .

Everyone has loved working on this house. . .They all took pride in their work and in setting it back to it's original as closely as possible. . .I have restored many older homes over the years but by far, these have been the best crews I have ever had. . .I have been totally amazed. . .Thanks to every one of them. . .

Indoors, the first phase of painting is done. . .Then John and I laid a new oak floor in the foyer and dining room. . .We really had no choice. . .There was three layers of plywood and linoleum. . .There was damage to the dining room floor. . .and the hall had been added onto three times in the past. . .and some water damage around the doors. . .

Now it is ready to sand and paint. . .(the tan spots are putty). . .Yes. . .Paint!!! . . .I could tell you how we will paint it. . .but I'll make you wait for a while. . .I love surprises. . .

So that's it for now. . .Next up. . .the kitchen floor. . .a brick one. . .Can't wait to see that myself. . .Followed by painting the upstairs guest room. . .I get anxious to see it all done, but I know it takes time. . .and patience. . .and. . .we have to rest every now and then! LOL

UNTIL NEXT TIME. . .