Later Farm Workers 1950s to 1972

The driver of Miss Edith's team of horses, Paul Gay, left in March of 1946. Gay hadn’t used his skills as a teamster since Mandy, Miss Edith’s riding horse, died in 1934 and the draft horses died in late 1942.

Paul and Emma Schnierer retired at the end of March 1951; he was the farm manager, and she kept the farm books and operated the dairy.
 
George Taft was hired as the farm manager in April of 1951. He, his wife, Lois, and their 5 children moved into the farmhouse displacing the maid and cook who occupied the two rooms in the front of the farmhouse. They moved into the Buell Cottage across the driveway. They in turn displaced the Abrahamson family who had been renting the cottage since 1942.
 
Four years later Mr. Taft left as farm manager in March of 1955 and was replaced by Bernard Stairs. His family included his wife Norma and their three children: John, William, and Elaine. In time two other children were born: Larry and Brenda. Mr. Stairs remained the farm manager until Miss Edith’s death in 1972. In her will she gave the Stairs and my parents life use of their homes. She also specified that Bernard Stairs had use of the barns, farm equipment, and 17 acres of land. Miss Edith set up a special trust fund that paid for the insurance and utilities for the properties involved. Bernie Stairs became the first supervisor of Topsmead State Forest.
 
Decimo Simoncelli (Decho as everyone called him), handyman and gardener, was an easy-going individual, who got along with everyone.  He was of particular help to Miss Lucy; maintaining the gardens at the main house and helping her with the cutting of flowers for display in the house.  He died in April of 1965 after 40 years of service at Topsmead. This was a great loss to all who worked with him.  
 
Other people who I remember included Kenneth Moore who was hired in March of 1965 as a handyman. He, his wife Bonnie, and his family lived in a house on East Litchfield Road until 1972.
 
Another employee I remember is Walter Lignor, who was hired in April 1966 as a handyman. He and his family lived in the old guest cottage until 1972.  This was the guest house which was originally built at Underhill in 1926 and was moved across East Litchfield Road in 1947 or 1948. This house was later moved again to Marsh Road where it remains today.