Week 21, 2026 - An Unexpected Strength - Pauline Prince Sheridan

May 6, 1911, a tiny girl was born at home to Pauline and John Sheridan in the small town of Perrinton, Michigan. Young Evalyn Agnes was the second born following her older brother Michael who had been born in 1908. Her mother became increasing concerned as the little girl wasn't eating and growing as she should.  On June 16th, just 40 days after being born, she passed away. The death was classified imperfect assimilation (#151 in the list of causes of deaths), but in layman's terms, she died from failure to absorb nutrients.

Her mother Mrs. J O Sheridan is listed as the informant on her death certificate, and it was reported on June 24th.

Child number three was Rexford Frances born in Perrinton.

Then on December 9, 1914, young John O Sheridan, Jr was born. He wasn't a really active baby, seemed to have some issues eating, but was growing and doing all things that babies do. Then in 1915, the summer seemed to be hotter than normal, the heavy air would seem to sit and not move. The humidity seemed to hang day after day. Suddenly about September 5, 1915, young John was sickly with vomiting and severe diarrhea. Two days later on September 7th, at only eight months old, he was gone. The official cause of death was cholera infantum. Also known as 'disease of the season' or 'summer diarrhea'. My mom told me it was 'fever and famine'.

His mother Mrs. J O Sheridan is listed as the informant on the death certificate, and it was reported on September 25th.


Following this there were three girls born, Agnes, Alice and Lorraine.

Then on November 15, 1926, another boy was born. He only lived two days and was never named. His cause of death is listed as 'imperfect development' Again, his mother Mrs. J O Sheridan is listed as the informant, and it was filed on November 20th.

On June 9, 1928, child number nine was stillborn. Reported by its mother Mrs. J O Sheridan.

Where my grandfather was or why he wasn't the informant, I don't know, but grandma signed each certificate for the paperwork. How difficult it must have been for her each time she wrote her name, yet through those hardships she discovered an unexpected strength.

Barbie


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