The Mystery of Edna Solved

Edna Fay Ross with family
visiting W. F. Emerson at his home on Depot Road.
left to right:  William F. Emerson, Edna Fay Ross, Paesiello Emerson
May 28, 1911
(click to enlarge)
Digital Commonwealth/ Longmeadow Historical Society

Every so often in the early 1900's Edna Catherine Fay traveled from Brooklyn, New York (where she lived) to Longmeadow, MA.  She visited members of her family- the Emerson family.  Edna was the niece of Paesiello, William F., Annie and Henry Emerson.  She visited them and stayed with them when in town.  In 1904 Edna married Dr. Walter Ross, a physician, who lived and practiced medicine in Brooklyn, New York.  Edna's Longmeadow family- Henry, Annie, William F. Emerson and his wife along with William's daughter traveled to New York to attend the ceremony.

Springfield Daily Republican
Oct. 3, 1904

Edna's husband Dr. Walter H. Ross had graduated from high school in Springfield, MA in 1889 and then also graduated from Amherst College in Amherst, MA.

In the May 28, 1911 photo above, Edna (age 36 years) is visiting her relatives and staying with her uncle William F. Emerson (age 62 years)- the gentleman standing on the left.  After closely examining other photos of her uncle Paesiello, Paesiello (age 79 years) is the gentleman standing on the right.   This colorized photo shows us more details of all three people in addition to the Emerson fields in the background.  Click on the photo to view the details of their clothing.  Both men were holding cigars.    

Below is a partial Emerson Family Tree to give a better understanding of how Edna was related to other members of the Emerson family.  Below the family tree are also written details. There is more to the story, but this short review makes the details more clear.

Emerson Family Tree
(click to enlarge)

Edna's father Marcellus was Paesiello Emerson's brother.  Marcellus was 11 years younger than Paesiello.  Their father was William Goddard Emerson.  When Marcellus was 2 months old their mother, Susan, died.  It was in the year 1843.  Marcellus was then raised by the Fay family who also lived in Southborough, MA.  His name was Marcellus E. Fay.  Years passed and Marcellus married Emma P. Foster in Brooklyn, New York in 1871.  Their daughter Edna Catherine Fay was born in New Jersey in 1875.  Marcellus died three years later in 1878.

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William Goddard Emerson- the birth father of Paesiello and Marcellus remarried in 1847.  He and his new wife Lovina had three children.   William G. and Lovina Emerson along with their children William F., Annie and Henry eventually moved to Springfield, MA.  In 1872 the family moved to Longmeadow.  Their home is now known as the Cooley- Emerson house at 476 Longmeadow Street.    

The mystery of the identity of Edna has been solved.

Sources:  Springfield Republican- Dec. 15, 1888; Jul 12, 1919; Jan. 29, 1943, Springfield Daily Republican- Oct. 3, 1904, Jun. 26, 1905, The Evening Union- May 29, 1911, 1911 Longmeadow Street Directory and Judy Moran's Emerson Family Tree. 

~Written by Judy Moran