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Virginia T Reid I'm looking for information about my Grandfather, William Rosen of New York City, New York.
The real story begins during the early 1920's, in New York City. My Granny, a beautiful strawberry blonde sits on the right hand side of an older man. He is a successful lawyer, a gambler and her husband, Maurice McDonald. They are sitting at a table with Fanny Brice, Judge Crater and Diamond Jim drinking a concoction of Guinness Stout and Champagne. The topic of discussion is their next trip to Bermuda to play golf with other "trophy wives" They would leave in the morning and be gone for several weeks. Their time away would be spent playing golf in the tournament, playing cards and dancing under the star lit sky.
Granny's life was made up of socializing with the "beautiful people" going to the theater, dancing, dining and frequent visits to " Speak Easies" Although her parents were middle class she had been brought up in the home of her lace curtain Irish grandmother and two maiden aunts on champagne and French prunes; she was accustomed to the aristocrat life style.
On one of the many excursions Virginia met a handsome young man. He was from a wealthy family in New Jersey, they owned RCA.. He spoke of raising dogs, Airedales and playing the violin. Bill shared the pain of being misunderstood by his family with her. It was with her loving and understanding heart, that Virginia fell in Love with Bill.. In this short time she became completely charmed by him, they fell in love. It was with the idea of Love that Virginia decided to give up her grandiose life with Maurice.
Although Virginia never spoke of the pain in her marriage to Maurice, I found a letter he had written professing his one regret in life was that he had hurt her so deeply. I would imagine it was then she began questioning her marriage and opened her heart to Love another.
For the first few years of the marriage with Bill life was glorious. The two of them lived well with maids and all of the luxuries life has to offer. Life for Virginia changed drastically when she discovers Bill's past. Virginia was not only heart broken, but pregnant.
Suddenly, betrayed by yet another man Virginia finds herself alone, without a husband. The year is 1931, and she is pregnant. She had a decision to make, a big decision. It was a decision of Love and courage. Virginia carried this product of Love for nine months and the most beautiful baby was born to pass along her family name. Not only was it difficult to carry this child for nine months, but he was born as a breach birth. The umbilical cord was wrapped around his neck. I can't imagine how Virginia felt. She was alone, in 1931 after being deceived by two men.
She was forced into poverty . She was at the mercy of Bill and his wealthy family. For a time they helped to support she and her child. He was given clothes fit for "Little Roy Font La Roy", while playing on the streets of "Hell's Kitchen" At the age of five her son was out shining shoes while Virginia was struggling to find a better life to give him. Knowing her as I did, I feel certain she used every ability that she has within to make a better life for she and her son.
Virginia worked day and night. With each step she took their lives grew a little easier. Virginia always had trials and tribulations to contend with. Her son was kidnapped at the age of six. I believe it was at that time her faith in God grew stronger. Her family was of Irish decent, she had been raised as a Catholic. The way I understand the story it was through God's Love and the help of her neighbor that her son was returned. Her neighbor was a practicing Christian Scientist. It was from this experience my Grandmother began looking at her own spiritual beliefs differently.
The two of them would share a six pack of Coke each week, until of course Pepsi hit the market and was less expensive. At the age of eleven her son witnessed a shooting in the streets of Hell's Kitchen. My grandmother was a tough woman, she was demanding to say the very least. Knowing Granny she shared some goofy story with my father, told him to brush himself off and get back to business. This isn't an easy way for a child to be raised.
It must have been a terrible struggle working all-day and coming home late at night. Granny spent her days working and thinking about my father and how he was managing alone. I can hear her call, " George, dear, Mother is home!" She was such a queen, always in control! I never saw my Granny lose her temper, she let you know her disappointment in a very subtle manner, she was always a lady. I have often wondered the stories she had for my dad when he misbehave or had gotten into trouble.
My Granny did survive and became a very successful woman. She not only left a financial inheritance, more importantly she ingrained her sense of family Love and value into my father.
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