Episode 2: Paternal Grandparents

EVENTS AND FACTS-1900-1939…Setting the Scene 

• Among the largest group of immigrants arriving in New York City in 1900, forty percent were employed in the garment industry and others were machine, metal, and industry workers. 
  
• It was considered proper and important to take English lessons and assimilate into American life. 
  
• New bridges and subways connected Manhattan to Brooklyn. 
  
• The first minimum wage act was enacted by President Roosevelt in 1938, for 25 cents an hour, to be raised to 40 cents, in 7 more years. 
  
• In 1929, rent was $28.00 a month, a loaf of bread was 10 cents, eggs were 45 cents a dozen, average wages were $1780 a year, and THE GREAT DEPRESSION OCCURRED. 
  
• In the 30's Music Era, Jazz, Blues, and Gospel were immensely popular. Radio was becoming accessible to most Americans and was the main source of entertainment. 
  
• The Empire State Building was built during this time. 
  
• The Star-Spangled Banner became the National Anthem. ​
  

AND SO, DURING THIS TIME, ROSE AND BENJAMIN K. WERE MARRIED !! 
It was unclear exactly how many children Benjamin and Rose parented. One story is 12 or 13, but we only knew of the ten who made it to adulthood, and the 11th, who died as a small child, named  Katie. Two boys and two girls comprised the first four children born. The fifth child was a boy named Nathan, the middle child in a family of ten. 
It was clear that this large family required a lot of provisions and fortunately, Grandpa Benjamin flourished in his trade. He won the bid to be the Tailor for the Office of the Army and made all of their dress outfits. The family eventually moved from the lower east side of Manhattan to 662 Putnam Avenue in Brooklyn, New York. 
Grandma Rose was a tiny woman and did not work outside the home. She was known for her wonderful cooking skills and ability to manage her brood. 
Unfortunately, Grandpa Benjamin died at age 54. He suffered from internal bleeding caused by a Gallbladder attack. A malady that in today's world, would not have been fatal. 
Rose settled into a life without Benjamin, always surrounded by her children. She loved card games such as poker, gin, and pinochle. She was a strong Matriarchal figure for the entire family. 
There was never any question about taking care of "Mom." Every Friday night, all 7 sons would gather at her home, without their wives. Everyone chipped in money each week for her support. It was certainly a positive for having so many children, but a negative for the daughters-in-law's budgets for their own households. The 10 children would produce 18 grandchildren for this now-Americanized family. 
We are told that the reason Grandma had so many children, was that she was HARD OF HEARING. 
Every night when Benjamin and Rose would go to bed, Benjamin would say to Rose, "Do you want to go to sleep or “WHAT?” 
Rose would answer him, "WHAT?" 
Therein lay the problem and the result was the wonderful, large family they produced. 
To be Continued: Chapter 3 - The Matriarchal Side of Carol-Rose Marshall