52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks: #7 Florence I. Giddens, My Grandmother's Sister

Babe Lutz, my grandmother—Edith Giddens, Florence Giddens Samer, and Dorothy James

#7 Florence I. Giddens 

This week, the 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks suggested prompt is “Favorite Photo,” and the photo at the top is one of mine. It shows my grandmother with her friend Babe Lutz, her sister Florence, and her niece Dorothy James.  I didn't know much about Florence. Grandma had only a few photos of her sister, and I shared them in Friday’s Photo: Florence I. Giddens in 2017. That post included photos of Florence with her husband and adopted daughter, Billie, as well as this telegram my grandmother received informing her of Florence’s death.

This post takes a closer look at Florence Giddens Samer’s 1934 death certificate, the telegram above, and what they reveal. In the family, the story was always that she died of strep throat. But when I looked closely at the certificate, I realized that wasn’t what it said. The listed cause of death was agranulocytic angina—a term unfamiliar to me at first. I wondered if it might refer to a heart condition, but it actually means something very different.

Agranulocytic Angina 

In the 1920s and 1930s, agranulocytic angina described a devastating condition caused by agranulocytosis—a sudden loss of white blood cells needed to fight infection. Without them, the immune system could no longer protect the body.

The illness often began with a sore throat or mouth infection. In the years before antibiotics, such infections could spread rapidly and become fatal within days. The term angina comes from an older usage referring to choking or constriction and describes the severe throat involvement doctors frequently observed.

By the early 1930s, physicians had begun to recognize that agranulocytosis was frequently caused by reactions to common medications—especially widely used headache, flu, and fever remedies. Many of these products were sold over the counter and advertised heavily in newspapers. These were early, lab-made pain relievers—widely used and effective, but later discovered to have serious risks.

Florence 

Florence - about 1927

Florence, the daughter of Charles Allen Giddens and Mary Lucy Glynn, was born on 21 February 1896.  She was the wife of Arthur P. Samer and the mother of their adopted daughter, Billie.  When she died, she was survived by two brothers, Charles and Warren Giddens, and two sisters, Edith Giddens Davis and Elizabeth Giddens James. Her mother died in 1926, and her father was living in St. Louis, Missouri. 

Florence died on 13 May 1934, in Easton Hospital in Easton, Pennsylvania, just across the Delaware River from her home in Phillipsburg, New Jersey, after an illness which, according to the telegram, lasted only four days. 

If you would like to learn more about the families I research, follow my Facebook page, where I share each post along with other genealogical finds.

Diana

© 2026

Blake, Francis G., Milton C. Winternitz, Arthur J. Geiger, John C. Leonard, and Lincoln Opper. “Yale Case Studies: Agranulocytic Angina.” Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine 7, no. 5 (May 1935): 465–471, PDF, PubMed Central (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2601374/pdf/yjbm00555-0081.pdf : accessed 11 February 2026).

DB Quinn, “#1 Diana's Bryan-Quinn Family,” public Ancestry Member Tree (login required), Ancestry.com (Provo, Utah: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.); URL withheld for privacy; accessed 15 February 2026.

Family papers of Edith Giddens Davis, including a telegram reporting the death of Florence Giddens Samer and a photograph of Florence; in possession of E. M. Bryan (Virginia), privately held.

Pennsylvania Department of Health, death certificate no. 52376 (1934), Florence Giddens Samer, died 13 May 1934, Wilson, Northampton County; citing Charles A. Giddens and Lucy M. (Glenn) Giddens as parents; digital image, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/5164/records/4924201?tid=45260559&pid=6887144818&ssrc=pt : accessed 15 February 2026).

Pepper, O. H. “LEUKOPENIA-A REVIEW: WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO AGRANULOCYTIC ANGINA: PART II.” California and Western Medicine 35, no. 3 (September 1931): 173–177, PubMed Central (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1657991/ : accessed 15 February 2026).

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks: #6 John Thomson, Father of Esther

While researching for my last post about Esther Thompson—wife of William Reed and daughter of John Thomson and Mary Cooke—I ran into an unusually large paper trail for Esther’s father and my probable 8th great-grandfather—John Thomson / Tompson / Thompson, born 1616. In addition to two published family histories, I found many web pages, periodical articles, and other write-ups about him. I also came across references to several items once associated with John that are now held in museums. Links to these items are at the end of the post.

John’s name appears in records and later writing as Tomson/Tompson/Thomson, and eventually Thompson. He was born in North Wales in 1616. His father reportedly died soon after his birth, and his mother remarried. Tradition says John arrived in Plymouth in early May 1622, at about age six, on a voyage connected to Thomas Weston—but the exact ship is unclear. The published accounts I’ve seen don’t name his parents or stepfather, which leaves a question:  was “Thomson” his birth surname, or did it come from his stepfather?

The above photo was posted on Find a Grave by Chip5610 and used with the written permission of Chip5610 (#46997557) at Find a Grave. The monument is located along Route 105, at Orchard Circle in Halifax, Plymouth County, Massachusetts.

John first lived in Barnstable County, later moved inland, and eventually became an early settler in the town of Middleborough in Plymouth County. He married Mary Cooke on 26 December 1645. Mary was the daughter of Francis Cooke, a Mayflower passenger. John and Mary had eleven known children. John is described as a farmer and carpenter, and some accounts credit him with helping build the first framed meeting house in Plymouth in 1637 and with building houses on his various properties, as well as for others. He also served the community in local offices, including selectman, constable, surveyor,  juror, and deputy. He served in local militias and was promoted to Lieutenant during King Phillip's War.

John died in 1696, and his will and estate papers offer more than a glimpse of the world he lived in. He died at Middleborough on 16 June 1696 (some sources give 26 June). These documents appear together in Plymouth County Probate Records, vol. 1, pp. 241–245. John wrote his will on 23 April 1696, describing himself as “very weak in body” but of sound understanding, and identifying himself as “John Tomson senr of ye Township of Middlebury.”

In his will, John provided for his widow, Mary, during her widowhood, granting her a home, household goods, stock, land, and provisions for her continued support. He appointed four sons—John, Jacob, Thomas, and Peter—as executors, and arranged for the major landholdings to pass through them, while directing additional cash legacies to his daughters.

The inventory, taken 1 July 1696, lists a well-equipped household and farm—cash, books, arms/ammunition, bedding, linens, pewter, tools, provisions, and more—along with extensive land rights and credits. 

John was buried in the first burying ground in Middleborough—Nemasket Hill Cemetery. The above photo was posted on Find a Grave by Chip5610 and used with the written permission of Chip5610 (#46997557) at FindaGrave.

See the links below for much more information—and for the sources I used to learn about John Thomson. 

Pilgrim Hall Museum is home to a ceramic bowl and at least one weapon from the Thomson family.

ARMS AND ARMOR OF THE PILGRIMS 1620-1692 - Includes photos of a sword, a fowling piece, and a pistol once belonging to John Thomson. 

A Genealogy of John Thompson by Ignatius Thomson - 1841

LIEUTENANT JOHN TOMSON'S WILL AND INVENTORY AND THE AGREEMENT OF HIS HEIRS.  The Mayflower descendant: a quarterly magazine of Pilgrim genealogy and history by Massachusetts Society of Mayflower Descendants  -  1899

A genealogy of the descendants of John Thomson of Plymouth, Mass. Also sketches of families of Allen, Cooke and Hutchinson

By Thompson, Charles Hutchinson - 1890 

Memoirs of the Leonard, Thompson, and Haskell families by Caroline Leonard Goodenough - 1928

Middleborough Historical Museum - JOHN TOMSON--MIDDLEBOROUGH’S GREAT PIONEER

 Mark E. Miner, "Lt. John Tomson," Miner Descent, 2010

“John Tomson (abt. 1616–1696),” WikiTree: The Free Family Tree 

 If you would like to learn more about the families I research, follow my Facebook page , where I share each post along with other genealogical finds.

Diana

© 2026

Friday's Photo: The Rainbow Division

The “Rainbow Division” was the nickname of the 42nd Infantry Division, created in 1917 from National Guard units drawn from 26 states plus the District of Columbia. Douglas MacArthur played a key role in the division’s early organization and is credited with coining the “Rainbow Division” name, saying it stretched across the United States “like a rainbow.” He served as the division’s first chief of staff and later commanded a brigade.

The division took on the “Rainbow Division” name in 1917 while organizing at Camp Mills in Garden City on Long Island, New York (near Clinton Rd and Commercial Ave). By spring 1918, the Rainbow Division was on the front lines. It fought in several major American operations, including Champagne–Marne, Aisne–Marne, St. Mihiel, and Meuse–Argonne. The Rainbow Division spent more time in combat than any other American division in World War I and suffered casualties exceeding 50 percent. The 42nd Infantry Division still exists today as an active unit in the U.S. Army.

Charles William Giddens 1892-1972
Photograph circa 1914

My grandmother’s brother, Charles William Giddens, served as a sergeant in
Company A of the 149th Machine Gun Battalion. He arrived in France in November 1917 and returned home in April 1919. During his time overseas, he was wounded three times—one of them severely.

Uncle Charlie was very proud of his service. He made plaques to commemorate his World War I service and his Navy service in World War II. He also made plaques honoring others’ service—my family has one he made for my father, and I know there were more. My mother said Uncle Charlie made the plaques, and his wife, Louise, painted them.

Last month, my family donated two plaques made by Uncle Charlie to the MacArthur Memorial in Norfolk, Virginia. The plaque pictured above was donated, along with the plaque shown in my post “Friday’s Photo: Charles William Giddens.” I think he would be proud to know these pieces of his story are being preserved for the future.

The MacArthur Memorial is a museum and research center dedicated to
General Douglas MacArthur and the men and women who served with him
in World War I, World War II, and the Korean War.

If you would like to learn more about the families I research, follow my Facebook page, where I share each post along with other genealogical finds.

Diana

© 2026

Diana Quinn, photograph of the Douglas MacArthur statue in front of the MacArthur Memorial, Norfolk, Virginia, 11 August 2023; digital photograph; privately held by Diana Quinn, Virginia Beach, Virginia, 2026.

Janet Richardson (New York), digital image of photograph of Charles William Giddens, ca. 1914; privately held by Janet Richardson; digital copy provided to Diana Quinn (Virginia Beach, Virginia), 2026.

MacArthur Memorial, “From the Collection: The 42nd ‘Rainbow’ Division was established in August 1917 …,” Facebook post, 11 August 2025 (https://www.facebook.com/macarthurmemorial/posts/from-the-collection-the-42nd-rainbow-division-was-established-in-august-1917-a-y/1471443374416870/ : accessed 3 February 2026).

“Pennsylvania, U.S., World War I Veterans Service and Compensation Files, 1917–1919, 1934–1948,” database with images, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com : accessed 4 February 2026), entry for Charles W. Giddens (Army serial no. 112716), service/compensation card, p. 9, image 41744_182029006040_0891-00767 (front), (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/60884/images/41744_182029006040_0891-00767?ssrc=pt&usePUB=true&pId=1825992 : accessed 4 February 2026); citing “World War I Veterans Service and Compensation File, 1934–1948,” RG 19, Series 19.91, Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, Harrisburg.

Richard Bryan, digital photographs of plaques made by Charles William Giddens (including Rainbow Division plaque and related items), MacArthur Memorial, Norfolk, Virginia, 17 January 2026, Chesapeake, Virginia; privately held by Richard Bryan, 2026. 

Wikipedia contributors, “42nd Infantry Division (United States),” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia, last edited 17 November 2025, (https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=42nd_Infantry_Division_(United_States)&oldid=1322664933 : accessed 3 February 2026).

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks: #5 Esther Thomson, Mother of John

Esther Thomson was born on 28 July 1652. Her given name is usually written as Esther, though I sometimes see it recorded as Hester. Her surname also appears in several spellings—Thompson, Thomson, Tompson, and Tomson. I’ve seen her father’s name most often as Thomson, so I will refer to her as Esther Thomson in all following posts.

Esther was the daughter of John Thomson and Mary Cooke. Mary is well known as the daughter of Francis Cooke, a Mayflower passenger. There is also a surprising amount written about John. He came to Massachusetts from Wales at about age six with his mother and stepfather. He was a farmer and a carpenter who built many houses. He was described as a kind friend and served as a command lieutenant for a small garrison formed to fight Indians.

Mary and John had eleven known children. Esther was the fourth child and the second daughter. Esther married William Read/Reed. I do not have documentation for the marriage itself, but The Reed Genealogy and other genealogies give a date of about 1675. Esther is named in her father’s will, and William Read appears under a list of heirs (apparently signing for Esther). She is also named in William Read's will.  Some older genealogies identify Esther’s husband as Jonathan Reed, but the information in both wills clearly places Esther with William Read/Reed. 

Both William and Esther were said to have died between the writing of William’s will dated 26 Oct 1705 and probate in the fall of 1706. More about Esther and William can be found at my post, 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks: #4 William Reed, Father of John.

If you would like to learn more about the families I research, follow my Facebook page , where I share each post along with other genealogical finds.

Diana

© 2026

Charles Hutchinson Thompson, A Genealogy of the Descendants of John Thomson of Plymouth, Mass.: Also Sketches of Families of Allen, Cooke and Hutchinson (Lansing: D.D. Thorp, printer, 1890), digital images, Internet Archive (https://archive.org/details/genealogyofdesce00thom/page/n9/mode/2up?q=carpenter

 : accessed 2 February 2026).

John Ludovicus Reed, The Reed Genealogy: Descendants of William Reade of Weymouth, Massachusetts, from 1635 to 1902. Baltimore, Maryland: n.p., 1902, pages 5-14.

Massachusetts, Suffolk County Probate Court, Probate and Family Court Department File Papers, Box 18 (Cases 2961–3150), 1 January 1636–31 December 1894; digital images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSXD-83GV-Q?view=explore : accessed 26 January 2026), image 164 of 1320; Image Group Number 102992159; citing Massachusetts Department of Archives, Boston.

Massachusetts Society of Mayflower Descendants, The Mayflower Descendant: A Quarterly Magazine of Pilgrim Genealogy and History, vol. 4 (Boston: Massachusetts Society of Mayflower Descendants, 1899), 67 (transcription of John Thompson’s will and estate papers); digital images, Internet Archive (https://archive.org/details/mayflowerdescendv4mass/page/n67/mode/2up : accessed 2 February 2026).