Individual Notes
Note for: Matilda M. Neff, 3 NOV 1839 - 31 MAR 1921
Index
Event: Estero, Lee, Florida
Type: Census/1900
Date: 27 JUN 1900
Event: Estero, Lee, Florida
Type: Census/1910
Date: 23 APR 1910
Event: Estero, Lee, Florida
Type: Census/1920
Date: 2 JAN 1920
Burial: Date: 31 MAR 1921
Place: Estero, Lee, Florida
Individual Note: THE KORESHAN UNITY MEMBERSHIP LIST by Claude J. Rahn: Matilda M. Neff; Born: 3 Nov 1839, Cass Co, Michigan; Died: 31 Mar 1921.
FOLKS WE KNEW WHILE IN THE K.U. by Marie McCready: Marian Neff; "A quiet little woman whom I always liked. She worked in the bakery and seldom said anything unless addressed first."
U.S. Federal Census/Estero/Lee County/Florida--1900; Koreshan Community; Enumeration date: 27 Jun 1900; Enumerator: A. A. Gardner; Precinct 6; Microfilm number: 1240172; SD: 2; ED: 77; Sheet number: 16; Page number: 26: Transcribed by Joyce Nelle Ratliff: Matilda Niff; Relation to head of family: partner; Color: white; Born: Nov 1839; Age 60; Widow; Mother of 3 children; Number of children living: 3; Place of birth: Michigan; Place of birth of mother and father: Unknown; Occupation: assistant; Can read and write: yes; Can speak English: yes.
U.S. Federal Census/Estero/Lee County/Florida--1910; Koreshan Unity; Microfilm roll number: Fl 1910-H; 163 T624; Enumeration date: 23 Apr 1910; Enumerator: Walter S. Turner, Jr.; ED: 80; Transcribed by Joyce Nelle Ratliff, January 1995: Matilda M. Neff; Sex: Female; Race: white; Age 70; Marital status: Widow; Mother of how many children: 4; Number of these children living: 2; Place of birth: Michigan; Place of birth of mother and father: U.S.; Language spoken: English; Occupation: Housekeeper; No. of months not employed: 0; Can read and write: yes; Attending school: yes.
U.S. Federal Census/Estero/Lee County/Florida--1920; Enumeration date: Jan 2, 1920; Enumerator: Henry D. Silverfriend; ED: 109; SD: 1; Fourth Precinct; Microfilm roll number: 1820221; Transcribed by Joyce Nelle Ratliff, Dec 1994: Marion Neff; Relation to head of family: Boarder; Age 80; Widow; Place of birth: Michigan; Place of birth of mother and father: Ohio; Occupation: None; Place of residence: Dining Hall & ladies dormitory.
Burial: Horseshoe Bend on the River--Koreshan Unity Cemetery--lot 7; Inscription: Marion M. Neff--March 31- 1921.
Individual Notes
Note for: Emiline Teed, 8 JAN 1857 - 12 JAN 1950
Index
Nickname: Emma
Occupation: Matron/Homeopathic doctor/schoolteacher
Event: Type: Arrived in Florida
Date: 1894
Event: Estero, Lee, Florida
Type: Census/1900
Date: 27 JUN 1900
Event: Type: Elected
Date: 1909
Place: Board of directors, K.U.
Event: Estero, Lee, Florida
Type: Census/1910
Date: 23 APR 1910
Event: Estero, Lee, Florida
Type: Census/1920
Date: 2 JAN 1920
Event: Warranty Deed/ Lee Cty. Court House; Estero, FL
Type: Court Record
Date: 25 APR 1924
Event: Incompetent; Guardianship of Emma Norton
Type: Court Record
Date: 27 OCT 1949
Burial: Date: JAN 1950
Place: Estero, Lee, Florida
Individual Note: THE KORESHAN UNITY MEMBERSHIP LIST by Claude J. Rahn: Emma Norton (nee Teed); Born: 8 Jan 1857, New Hartford, New York. She died 12 Jan 1950 in Estero, where she arrived in the fall of 1894. She was one of the members of the early Moravian colony."
FOLKS WE KNEW WHILE IN THE K.U. by Marie McCready: Emma Norton--"Was Doctor's sister and the matron at Estero. She always made me think of a sparrow, the way she would dart in to give her instructions and out again before anybody could say anything, but she was good hearted."
THE FOUNDER AND HIS FAMILY (Family portrait): VIII. Emma Teed, Jan. 8, 1857; m. Albert E. Norton; machinist; res. Norwich, N. Y. and had Mabel, d. y.
1860 U.S. Federal Census; State: New York; County: Oneida; Town: New Hartford; P.O.: Washington Mills; Call No.: Series M653, Roll: 826; Page: 292; Enumeration date: 16 Jul 1860; Enumerator: Normal Merrill; Page: 100; Transcribed by Joyce Nelle Ratliff, 16 Mar 2004; Line: 40; Name: Emiline Teed; Age: 3; Sex: female; Color: none Listed; Occupation: None listed; Birthplace: New York.
1870 U. S. Federal Census; State: New York; County: Delaware; Deposit town of Tompkins; Series M593; Roll: 924; Page: 515. Name: Emma Teed; Age: 13; Sex: female; Color: white; Place of birth: New York.
1900 U.S. Federal Census/Estero/Lee County/Florida; Koreshan Community; Enumeration date: 27 Jun 1900; Enumerator: A. A. Gardner; Precinct 6; Microfilm number: 1240172; SD: 2; ED: 77; Sheet number: 16; Page number: 26; Transcribed by Joyce Nelle Ratliff: Emma Norton; Relation to head of family: head; Color: white; Sex: female; Birth: Jan 1857; Age 43; Single; Place of birth: New York; Place of birth of mother and father: New York; Occupation: Directress; Can read and write: yes; Can speak English: yes; Home owned or rented: Owned; Home owned free or mortgages: Free; Farm or house: Farm.
1910 U.S. Federal Census/Estero/Lee County/Florida; Koreshan Unity; Enumeration date: 23 Apr 1910; Microfilm number: Fl 1910-H, T624; ED: 80; Enumerator: Walter S. Turner, Jr.; Transcribed by Joyce Nelle Ratliff, January 1995: Emma Norton; Relation to head of family: head; Age 53; Widow; Mother of 1 child; Number of children living: 0; Place of birth: New York; Place of birth of father: New York; Place of birth of mother: Connecticut; Language spoken; English; Occupation: Directress; Nature of trade: Unity; Employer or worker: worker; No. of months not employed: 0; Can read and write: yes; Home owned or rented: owned; Owned free or mortgaged: Mortgaged; Farm or house: Farm.
1920 U.S. Federal Census/Estero/Lee County/Florida; Enumeration date: Jan 2, 1920; Enumerator: Henry D. Silverfriend; ED: 109; SD: 1; Fourth Precinct; Microfilm roll number: 1820221; Transcribed by Joyce Nelle Ratliff; December 1994: Emma V. Norton; Relation to head of family: Matron; Place of residence: Directors Meeting Place; Matron; Age 62; Widow; Place of birth: New York; Place of birth of mother and father: New York; Occupation: Matron/Koreshan Home.
1930 U.S. Federal Census; Estero, Lee County, Florida; Election Precinct 12; Koreshan Unity Home; Enumeration date: May 5, 1930; ED: 36-17; SD: 6; Page: 199; Transcribed by Joyce Nelle Ratliff; January 2003: Emma V. Norton; Radio set: none listed; Sex: female; Color: white; Age at last birthday: 73; Marital condition: widow; Age at first marriage: 17; Attended school since Sep 1, 1929: no; Whether able to read and write: yes; Place of birth: New York; Place of birth of father: New York; Place of birth of mother: Connecticut;; Able to speak English: yes; Occupation: Housekeeper; Industry: General work; Whether actually at work yesterday (or the last regular working day): yes.
Burial: Koreshan Unity Cemetery--lot 45; Inscription: Emma Norton/-Jan 1950
COURT RECORD/Lee County Court House--WARRANTY DEED: Emma Norton; 25 Apr 1924; No. 26759; Deed Book 70, Page 209, Entry Number 1.
MEMORIES, MEMORIES--DAYS OF LONG AGO chronicle by Marie McCready with participation by Lovelle McCready: Sister Emma (no last name given, probably Emma Teed), matron and homeopathic doctor--page 69.
Guardianship of Emma Norton, incompetent, to Hedwig Michel/ 27 Oct 1949.
Death of Emma Norton--12 January 1950.
Notes of Evelyn Horn: Emma Norton
Sister of Cyrus R. Teed, founder of The Koreshan Unity. Emma joined The Koreshan Unity in 1886 in Moravia, New York. On September 2, 1888, she moved to a communal home in Chicago. She came with the group of 24 to Estero from Chicago on January 31, 1894. Coming to the wilds of Florida, these pioneers camped in tents, cooked on an open fire and weathered the storms and rainy season.
The only house on this newly acquired property was the one-room with loft Damkohler house where the women slept. The men lived in tents until the log house was built in 1894. The Founders' Home where Emma Norton lived with her brother Dr. Teed, other sisters, and Victoria Gratia was built in 1896.
Sister Emma cared for the sick and lent a hand wherever she was able to serve. She mixed herbal medicines and doctored the shut-ins. She also worked with the school. From "The Flaming Sword" October 1938--"Sister Emma is as busy as a bee, sewing, making bed-sheets, pillow cases, bakery and kitchen aprons, towels, and mending, besides making dresses for herself. She is a master-hand at making cordials to help suffering Brothers and Sisters. She visits the sick and shut-ins and gives counsel who seek it. Emma also grows ornamental plants and herbs. Quite a record for one who has passed the four-score mark."
May 6, 1947: Sister Emma took her first airplane ride at age 91. With Sister Jennie Campbell celebrating her 90th birthday, they flew over the city of Fort Myers and Fort Myers Beach. They thoroughly enjoyed the experience
Emma died January 12, 1950, and was entered in the Koreshan Unity cemetery. She was a very small person, about 4 foot 8 inches tall and weighed about 95 pounds. She had the clearest blue eyes, fair skin, and light brown hair, greying around age 60. She dressed very dainty. She mostly wore white or tiny prints and was a beautiful seamstress. During the winter season, she wore grey and black and always a black cape and high buttoned shoes. Emma served on the Board of Directors in 1909. She also was one of the first teachers in the Koreshan School at Estero.