The Gang

Chapter 2.
Teenage years
from 12 to 19.
1872 to 1879

Compositions: The Gang.
Typewritten poem written by one of Minnie's friends. This refers to a group of seven friends in the Belvidere area of Lowell, Massachusetts and was probably written in the period between 1875 and 1877. Seven is sometimes considered the size of a stable social unit or clique. This poem gives some clue about Minnie's appearance and personality as seen through the eyes of others. Some comments on places and names mentioned:

Belvidere: An area of Lowell.

Merrimack: A major street in Lowell. Not in the area considered Belvidere, but west of Belvidere.

Nellie Goodwin: Many Goodwin's found in 1870 and 1880 census of Lowell. No Nellie or Helen found, but a "Nella" born about 1863 was found in the 1880 census.

George Avery: A George W. Avery appears in the 1880 Lowell census of about the right age (born about 1861) -- born in Connecticut. He is not in the 1870 census of Lowell.

Alice Churchill on Varney Street: In the 1880 Census, an Alice Chuchill age 19 is listed. While the address is not given, it is interesting to note that the name of the family living next door is "Varney" -- the same as the street mentioned in the poem.

Minnie Reed: Described as having blue eyes and black hair. She has a rippling laugh that ripples out to become almost a shout. She has a spirt of a dove and is in love. Never complains. Described as kindhearted. I wonder who she was "in love" with at this time, in the mid 1870's as a teenager?

The Gang.

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