Mary Matilda Hildebrand

   Another name for Mary was Tillie.

  General Notes:

Mary lived in downtown Jacobus beside the Bruce V. Smith grocery store (now Smith Village). She always had a vegetable garden, apple trees, and a rose garden. She had jar after jar of canned goods lined up in the cold cellar. There was a kerosene stove in the basement to do all this canning.
The whole family gathered for Christmas dinner at her house. The house had long rooms and the table would be set up the whole length. We had to eat in the kitchen until we were twelve years old. What a great day when you were able to eat with the adults.
Mary had a beautiful strong alto voice and sang in the church choir. When I was twelve years old, she took me and sat me beside her and taught me how to sing alto. She taught me to appreciate the power of singing.
She gave me a cake plate from her cupboard as a wedding gift. It turns out that it was the pattern "Mayfair." I now have about 40 pieces. She made me feel very special to let me have one of her dishes.
Every Sunday evening, we would visit Grandma and Grandpa Shearer's house. Most of the family would get together to help. Grandma Shearer always made fastnachts on Shrove Tuesday and each family got their own bag of doughnuts. My sister and I would fight to go pick them up because there was an extra one for that person.

------- Cindy Wildasin

Mary married Solomon Peter Shearer. (Solomon Peter Shearer was born on 12 Feb 1885, died on 27 Mar 1965 and was buried in Salem Lutheran Church, Jacobus PA.)