52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks #3 – Audrey Romine (Hunt) Strait

Relationship: Great-grandmother

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Audrey Romine (Hunt) Strait lived for many years in Newton, Sussex County, New Jersey.[1] Newton is the county seat and “as the hub of a spoke-wise network of turnpikes and post roads, the village[Newton] grew into a regional center for county banks and newspapers, mail and freight distribution, commerce, education, mechanical trades and social gatherings.”[2] During Audrey’s lifetime, she would have witnessed the myriad of the changes caused by the increase in industrial factories and expansion of railroads both of which ushered Newton into our modern age.

Audrey Romine Hunt, daughter of William Henry and Hannah Jane (Longcor) Hunt, was born on 14 March 1888 in Branchville, Sussex County, New Jersey[3] and died on 07 February 1970 in Newton, Sussex County, New Jersey.[4] She married Ora Simpson Strait on 17 June 1907 in Branchville Junction, Sussex County, New Jersey.[5] Ora was born in January 1879 in New Jersey, son of Ira Wilson and Sarah Matilda (Kimble) Strait,[6] and died on 10 August 1918 in Vernon, Sussex County, New Jersey.[7] The picture to the left is Audrey and her husband Ora taken around the time of their marriage.[8]

Audrey was the youngest of five children born to parents William and Hannah Hunt.  Her siblings consisted of a sister Belle S. who was born 01 August 1869, a brother Charles Lincoln who was born 11 August 1871, a brother Samuel Wilson who was born 29 May 1874, and a second sister Nellie Garfield who was born 12 April 1880.[9]

Even though Audrey was born well after the Civil War ended, the war still influenced areas of her life. Audrey’s father William was a Civil War veteran who served in Co. I of the 70th Regiment of the N.Y. Volunteer infantry and with the 1st N.Y. Engineers regiment from 28 April 1861 to 30 June 1865.[10] In his military records William (his wording and spelling) states, “I contracted reumatism , in the trenches at Yorktown, and the palpitations of Heart in front of Fredericksburg.”[11] These ailments caused him great pain later in life. William was the station agent for the Sussex Railroad at Warbasse Junction in Lafayette, Sussex County, New Jersey and lamented the fact that he was a burden to his family and had to rely on his young son to help run the station.[12]

In 1903, the Hunt family visited Gettysburg as part of Civil War commemorations.  Before leaving for the trip, a group photo was taken by a local newspaper and shows her father William standing alongside others who served during the War of the Rebellion.[13] A family photo (below to the left) shows a well-dressed 15-year-old Audrey standing between her parents.  They are posed in front of the Major John F. Reynold’s sculpture in Gettysburg Park.   [14]

A pair of commemorative King’s Crown style salt and pepper shakers etched with “Gettysburg 1863” was purchased in Gettysburg at that time. They were handed down from Audrey to her daughter-in-law Beatrice who handed them down to her grand-daughter, Jodi Lynn Strait. The cranberry-colored cut glass salt and pepper shakers are shown in the picture above and to the right.

Audrey was 19 years old when she married to Ora Simpson Strait of Lafayette in a ceremony conducted by the Rev. E. E. Lowans at Audrey’s home.[15] Audrey and Ora Strait were the parents of the following children:

1. Bernice Strait, born on 05 December 1908 in Lafayette;[16] died on 28 April 1979 in Newton.[17]  She married Robert William Wood.[18]
2. William Charles Strait, born on 17 July 1910 in Lake Grinnell, Sussex County, New Jersey;[19] died on 29 May 1961 in Newton.[20]  He married Beatrice Irene Repsher on 12 October 1935 in Netcong, Morris County, New Jersey.[21]
3. Carl Hope Strait, born on 20 December 1913 in Branchville Junction;[22] died on 07 August 2001 in Andover Township, Sussex County, New Jersey.[23] He married Sarah E. Decker.[24]

Audrey was a long-time member of the First Baptist Church in Newton and was an organist for this church.[25] She was 21 years old, and quite pregnant with her second child, when “at 8 o’clock on Sunday evening, March 6, 1910, a fire in a defective chimney flue above the furnace spread to the roof and belfry of the Baptist Church” thus burning down the old wooden-frame church.[26] The reconstruction of the First Baptist Church started in June of 1910 and was rededicated in May of 1911.[27] The new church was refurnished and given the modern utilities of the time:

“The interior of the church was trimmed with a rich dark oak, with matching pulpit furniture. The twelve memorial windows from the old church were re-used. The old seats were also utilized and new ones installed to correspond with the general furnishings of the church. The metal ceiling is of Greek design and the walls plastered in white, sea-sand finish. The vestibule is located in the bell tower, over which is a room, reached by an oak staircase, for use of the pastor, furnished by the ladies of the parish. Gas and electric lights were placed throughout the edifice.”[28]

Given that Audrey was an active member of the church, she was most likely involved in the furnishing of the room over the vestibule although probably not well-off enough to contribute financially to the purchase of the appointments. The First Baptist Church is shown at the left in a picture taken 19 November 2012 by Audrey’s grandson, William Strait.

In the short time that Audrey and her husband had together (1907 to 1918), Ora worked as a farmer performing general farm labor.[29] Before that Ora had worked as a school teacher.[30] It is unclear why he did not keep up this profession and moved to farm labor.

Family losses were heavy for Audrey in 1918. After suffering a stroke in 1909,[31] her father William Henry succumbed to his numerous ailments on 23 February 1918.[32] To make matters worse, Audrey’s young son William was suffering from scarlet fever and the house was under quarantine at the time of her father’s funeral.[33] Then just six months later in August she lost her husband Ora,[34] leaving her with three young children aged nine, eight, and four. It is unknown at this time what caused Ora’s death. It is a possible that the devastating influenza epidemic of 1918 claimed his life or perhaps the scarlet fever that his son suffered from had a hand in his passing. Locating Ora’s obituary in the local newspaper might help to answer the question of what caused his death.

Audrey’s mother, Hannah Jane, was living with her at 44 Pine Street in Newton when Hannah passed away on 28 March 1929.[35] Her mother was laid to rest next to her father in the Andover Presbyterian churchyard.[36] Her parents’ headstone is a simple one with their names and just the birth and death years listed.

Audrey made her living as a laundress in order to support her young family[37] after her husband’s death in 1918. By 1930, her sons William and Carl were supporting the family. 19-year-old William was working as a warper (someone who arranges strands of yarn or thread so that they run lengthwise in weaving) at the fabric mill and 16-year -old Carl was working as a laborer at the limestone quarry.[38] Additionally, to save household expenses, Audrey, William, and Carl were sharing the house at 44 Pine Street in Newton with Audrey’s sister Belle and her husband William Knox.[39] In 1940 Audrey was still living at 44 Pine Street with William and Belle Knox and they have taken in three children of the state.[40]

Audrey’s son William was married in 1935 to Beatrice Irene Repsher. According to her daughter-in-law, Beatrice, “Audrey was not thrilled at all with the marriage and wanted to keep William close to her.”[41] In 1940, William and Beatrice, their son William and daughter Mercedes were living at 46 Pine Street[42] which is the house next door to Audrey’s residence. Her daughter Bernice (now married to Robert Wood) was living a few blocks over at 51 Mason Street with her husband and their sons Robert, Donald and Richard.[43] Her son Carl, along with his wife Sarah and three-year-old daughter Patricia, was living at 44 Orchard Street[44] which was just around the corner from Audrey. While her sons eventually moved a little further away, Newton city directories show that she lived at 44 Pine Street from 1923 until her death in 1970.[45] The map below shows how Audrey’s family group was situated in 1940s Newton.[46]

Carl started Strait’s Turkey farm in Andover Township in 1947[47] and soon after severed contact with his family. There was some sort of falling out between Carl and his mother Audrey, his sister Bernice and his brother William. According to Audrey’s grandson William (son of William and nephew of Carl), Carl did not attend his mother’s funeral in 1970 and the family never discussed what caused the rift.[48] Perhaps contacting Carl’s daughters Nancy Jean or Sarah Elizabeth listed in Carl’s 2001 probate file may provide some insight into this matter.

Audrey was not fortunate enough to have all of her children outlive her. On 29 May 1961, her son William passed away.[50] He was quite sick with Lou Gehrig’s disease[51] for a few years before his death. William was interred in St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Cemetery in Newton.[52]

Audrey passed away on 07 February 1970 at the home of her daughter Bernice in Newton.   According to her last will and testament, Audrey left all of her estate to Bernice.[53] Besides Bernice and son Carl, she left behind eight grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren[54] at the time of her death. She was interred in the North Hardyston Cemetery, Hamburg, Sussex County, New Jersey.[55] Along with some stylized crosses, Audrey and Ora’s headstone (picture to the right) shows their names with just their birth and death years listed. Her life was simple and straightforward, filled with people she kept close throughout her 81 years.

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[1] “Mrs. Ora Strait,” newspaper obituary, (07 February 1970); folder: “Wood,” vertical files; Sussex County Historical Society, Newton, New Jersey.
[2] Kevin Wright, Newton NJ: Pearl of the Kittatinny ( http://www.newtonnj.net : accessed 11 November 2012), “A Short History.”
[3] Department of Interior, Bureau of Pension Form 3-389, 02 April 1915, Hannah J. Hunt, widow’s pension certificate no. 852,451; service of William H. Hunt (Pvt., Co. I, 70^th New York Vol. Inf., Civil War): Case Files of Approved Pension Applications…, 1861-1934; Civil War and Later Pension Files; Department of Veterans Affairs, Record Group 15; National Archives, Washington, D.C.
[4] “Mrs. Ora Strait,” obituary, undated newspaper clipping, unidentified newspaper [most likely New Jersey Herald]; Strait family newspaper clippings, privately held by Jodi Lynn Strait, Tucson, AZ, 2015.  Inherited in 2010 by Ms. Strait from her grandmother Beatrice (Repsher) Strait Guirreri of Newton, New Jersey.
[5] “STRAIT-HUNT,” marriage announcement, Sussex Register, 20 June 1907, p. 5, col. 5; Bound newspaper stacks, Sussex County Historical Society, Newton, New Jersey.
[6] 1900 U. S. census, Sussex County, New Jersey, population schedule, Lafayette Township, ED 169, p. 1B (penned), dwelling 23, family 25, Ira W. Strait; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 01 October 2011)
[7] North Hardyston Cemetery (Rt. 94, Hamburg, New Jersey), Ora S. Strait and Audrey R. Hunt marker; photo taken by Jodi Lynn Strait, July 2006.
[8] Audrey and Ora Strait photograph, ca. 1907; digital image ca. 2009, privately held by Jodi Lynn Strait, Tucson, Arizona, 2015.  Copied from photographs in the family collection of Charlotte (Ulrich) Wood who allowed the scanning of the photo.  Originals are still in the possession of Charlotte Wood.
[9] Invalid Form 3-216, 11 October 1886, Hannah J. Hunt, widow’s pension certificate no. 852,451; service of William H. Hunt (Pvt., Co. I, 70th New York Vol. Inf., Civil War): Case Files of Approved Pension Applications…, 1861-1934; Civil War and Later Pension Files; Department of Veterans Affairs, Record Group 15; National Archives, Washington, D.C.
[10] Department of Interior, Bureau of Pension Form 3-389, 02 April 1915, Hannah J. Hunt, widow’s pension certificate no. 852,451; service of William H. Hunt (Pvt., Co. I, 70^th New York Vol. Inf., Civil War): Case Files of Approved Pension Applications…, 1861-1934; Civil War and Later Pension Files; Department of Veterans Affairs, Record Group 15; National Archives, Washington, D.C.
[11] Letter to Pension Commissioner from William H. Hunt, 20 August 1883, Hannah J. Hunt, widow’s pension certificate no. 852,451; service of William H. Hunt (Pvt., Co. I, 70^th New York Vol. Inf., Civil War): Case Files of Approved Pension Applications…, 1861-1934; Civil War and Later Pension Files; Department of Veterans Affairs, Record Group 15; National Archives, Washington, D.C.
[12] Ibid.
[13] William Henry Hunt at Gettysburg photograph, ca. 1903; digital image ca. 2008, privately held by Jodi Lynn Strait, Tucson, Arizona, 2015.  Copied from photographs in the family collection of Beatrice (Repsher) Strait Guirreri who allowed the scanning of the photo.  The location, condition and characteristics of the original are not known.
[14] “Veterans Unite,” article, 1985 newspaper clipping, New Jersey Herald; Strait family newspaper clippings, privately held by Jodi Lynn Strait, Tucson, AZ, 2011.  Inherited in 2010 by Ms. Strait from her grandmother Beatrice (Repsher) Strait Guirreri of Newton, New Jersey.
[15] “STRAIT-HUNT,” marriage announcement, Sussex Register, 20 June 1907, p. 5, col. 5; Bound newspaper stacks, Sussex County Historical Society, Newton, New Jersey.
[16] Social Security Administration, “Social Security Death Index (SSDI),” database, Rootsweb.com (http://ssdi.rootsweb.ancestry.com), entry for Bernice Wood, 1979, SS no. 136-12-4625.
[17] “Bernice Wood,” obituary, undated newspaper clipping, unidentified newspaper [most likely the New Jersey Herald]; Strait family newspaper clipping, privately held by Jodi Lynn Strait, Tucson, AZ, 2015.  Inherited in 2010 by Ms. Strait from her grandmother Beatrice (Repsher) Strait Guirreri of Newton, New Jersey.   Also: Social Security Administration, “Social Security Death Index (SSDI),” Database, Rootsweb.com (http://ssdi.rootsweb.ancestry.com), entry for Bernice Wood, 1979, SS no. 136-12-4625.
[18] “Robert Wood,” obituary, undated newspaper clipping, unidentified newspaper [most likely the New Jersey Herald]; Strait family newspaper clipping, privately held by Jodi Lynn Strait, Tucson, AZ, 2011.  Inherited in 2010 by Ms. Strait from her grandmother Beatrice (Repsher) Strait Guirreri of Newton, New Jersey.
[19] New Jersey, Bureau of Vital Statistics, Birth Registrations, birth certificate (1910), William Charles Strait. Parents are listed as Ora S. Strait and Audrey R. Hunt; Digital copy with Jodi Lynn Strait, 6961 W. West Arrow, Tucson, AZ 85757.
[20] St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Cemetery (Woodside Avenue or Rt. 206, Newton, Sussex County, New Jersey), William and Beatrice Strait marker; photograph taken by Jodi Lynn Strait, July 2006.
[21] Marriage certificate for William Strait and Beatrice Repsher, church issued certificate, family papers collection, 1935; privately held by Jodi Lynn Strait, Tucson, Arizona, 2011.
[22] Social Security Administration, “Social Security Death Index (SSDI),” Database, Rootsweb.com (http://ssdi.rootsweb.ancestry.com), entry for Carl H. Strait, 2001, SS no. 136-16-1618.
[23] “Carl Strait,” obituary, newspaper clipping, 09 August 2001 (penned), unidentified newspaper [most likely New Jersey Herald]; Strait family newspaper clipping, privately held by Jodi Lynn Strait, Tucson, AZ, 2011.  Inherited in 2010 by Ms. Strait from her grandmother Beatrice (Repsher) Strait Guirreri of Newton, New Jersey.
[24] “Sarah Strait,” obituary, newspaper clipping, 02 November 1986 (penned), unidentified newspaper [most likely New Jersey Herald]; Strait family newspaper clippings, privately held by Jodi Lynn Strait, Tucson, AZ, 2011.  Inherited in 2010 by Ms. Strait from her grandmother Beatrice (Repsher) Strait Guirreri of Newton, New Jersey.
[25] “Mrs. Ora Strait,” obituary, undated newspaper clipping, unidentified newspaper [most likely New Jersey Herald]; Strait family newspaper clippings, privately held by Jodi Lynn Strait, Tucson, AZ, 2011.  Inherited in 2010 by Ms. Strait from her grandmother Beatrice (Repsher) Strait Guirreri of Newton, New Jersey.
[26] Kevin Wright, Newton NJ: Pearl of the Kittatinny ( http://www.newtonnj.net : accessed 13 November 2012), “A Short History.”
[27] Ibid.
[28] Ibid.
[29] 1910 U. S. census, Sussex County, New Jersey, population schedule, Sparta, ED 182, p. 1A (penned), dwelling 7, family 9, Ora Strait; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 01 October 2011)
[30] 1900 U. S. census, Sussex County, New Jersey, population schedule, Lafayette Township, ED 169, p. 1B (penned), dwelling 23, family 25, Ira W. Strait; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 01 October 2011)
[31] “Comrade William H. Hunt,” news article, Sussex Register, 21 October 1909, p. 8, col. 2; Bound newspaper stacks; Sussex County Historical Society, Newton, New Jersey.
[32] “William H. Hunt,” obituary, newspaper clipping, 28 February 1993, New Jersey Herald [Newton, NJ]; Strait family newspaper clippings, privately held by Jodi Lynn Strait, Tucson, AZ, 2011.  Inherited in 2010 by Ms. Strait from her grandmother Beatrice (Repsher) Strait Guirreri of Newton, New Jersey.
[33] “Death of William Hunt,” obituary (28 February1918); folder: “Hunt,” vertical files; Sussex County Historical Society, Newton, New Jersey.
[34] North Hardyston Cemetery (Rt. 94, Hamburg, New Jersey), Ora S. Strait and Audrey R. Hunt marker; photo taken by Jodi Lynn Strait, July 2006.
[35] Drop Report – Pensioner Form 3-1081, 24 April 1929, Hannah J. Hunt, widow’s pension certificate no. 852,451; service of William H. Hunt (Pvt., Co. I, 70th New York Vol. Inf., Civil War): Case Files of Approved Pension Applications…, 1861-1934; Civil War and Later Pension Files; Department of Veterans Affairs, Record Group 15; National Archives, Washington, D.C.
[36] Andover Township Presbyterian Churchyard (Lenape Rd. and County Road 517, Andover, New Jersey), William H. Hunt and Hannah J. Longcor marker; photo taken by Jodi Lynn Strait, July 2006.
[37] 1920 U. S. census, Sussex County, New Jersey, population schedule, Newton, ED 135, p. 6A (penned), dwelling 65, family 66, Audrey Strait; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 01 October 2011)
[38] 1930 U. S. census, Sussex County, New Jersey, population schedule, Newton, ED 20, page 6B (penned), dwelling 148, family 153, Audrey Strait; digital image, Ancestry.com (http:www.ancestry.com : accessed 01 October 2011)
[39] 1930 U. S. census, Sussex County, New Jersey, population schedule, Newton, ED 20, page 6B (penned), dwelling 148, family 153, Audrey Strait; digital image, Ancestry.com (http:www.ancestry.com : accessed 01 October 2011)
[40] 1940 U. S. census, Sussex County, New Jersey, population schedule, Newton, ED 19-23, page 263 (stamped), sheet14A, visit 292, William M. Knox household; digital image, Ancestry.com (http:www.ancestry.com : accessed 07 April 2012)
[41] Beatrice (Repsher) Strait Guirreri (Newton, New Jersey 07860), interview by Jodi Lynn Strait, 23 November 2006; interview held by Ms. Strait, Tucson, Arizona, 2011.  Beatrice, Audrey’s daughter-in-law, recounted her marriage day and the reaction of Audrey to the festivities of the day.
[42] 1940 U. S. census, Sussex County, New Jersey, population schedule, Newton, ED 19-22, page 263 (stamped), sheet 14A, visit  291, William C. Strait household; digital image, Ancestry.com (http:www.ancestry.com : accessed 07 April 2012)
[43] 1940 U. S. census, Sussex County, New Jersey, population schedule, Newton, ED 19-22, sheet 6B, visit 139, Robert Wood household; digital image, Ancestry.com (http:www.ancestry.com : accessed 11 November 2012)
[44] 1940 U. S. census, Sussex County, New Jersey, population schedule, Newton, ED 19-22, sheet 13B, visit 280, Carl H. Strait household; digital image, Ancestry.com (http:www.ancestry.com : accessed 07 April 2012
[45] R. L. Polk, compiler, Polk’s Newton (Sussex County, N.J.) City Directory 1929-30 (New York: R.L. Polk & Co., 1929), 76.; R. L. Polk, compiler, Polk’s Newton Directory 1933-34 (New Jersey: R.L. Polk & Co., 1933), 90; R. L. Polk, compiler, Polk’s Newton (Sussex County, N.J.) City Directory 1935-36 (New York: R.L. Polk & Co., 1935), 90; R. L. Polk, compiler, Polk’s Newton (Sussex County, N.J.) City Directory 1938-39 (New York: R.L. Polk & Co., 1938), 95; R. L. Polk, compiler, Polk’s Newton (Sussex County, N.J.) City Directory 1942-43 (Boston: R.L. Polk & Co., 1942), 92; R. L. Polk, compiler, Polk’s Newton (Sussex County, N.J.) City Directory 1954 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: R.L. Polk & Co., 1954), 140; R. L. Polk, compiler, Polk’s Newton (Sussex County, N.J.) City Directory 1955-56 (New York: R.L. Polk & Co., 1955), no page number; R. L. Polk, compiler, Polk’s Newton (Sussex County, N.J.) City Directory 1957 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: R.L. Polk & Co., 1957), 108; R. L. Polk, compiler, Polk’s Newton (Sussex County, N.J.) City Directory 1959 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: R.L. Polk & Co., 1959), 76; R. L. Polk, compiler, Polk’s Newton (Sussex County, N.J.) City Directory 1961 (Boston: R.L. Polk & Co., 1961), 103; R. L. Polk, compiler, Polk’s Newton (Sussex County, N.J.) City Directory 1963 (Boston: R.L. Polk & Co., 1963), 106; R. L. Polk, compiler, Polk’s Newton (Sussex County, N.J.) City Directory 1964 (Boston: R.L. Polk & Co., 1964), 107; R. L. Polk, compiler, Polk’s Newton (Sussex County, N.J.) City Directory 1965 (Boston: R.L. Polk & Co., 1965), 134; R. L. Polk, compiler, Polk’s Newton (Sussex County, N.J.) City Directory 1967 (Boston: R.L. Polk & Co., 1967), 105; R. L. Polk, compiler, Polk’s Newton (Sussex County, N.J.) City Directory 1968 (Boston: R.L. Polk & Co., 1968), 100; R. L. Polk, compiler, Polk’s Newton (Sussex County, N.J.) City Directory 1969 (Boston: R.L. Polk & Co., 1969), 88.
[46] Google Maps, Mercator projection map of Newton, New Jersey, 2012; Scalable size; Cropped from original image; https://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&q=51+Mason+St.+newton+nj&ie=UTF-8 : Accessed 11 November 2012.  Used with permission under the private use rules.
[47] “Carl Strait,” obituary, newspaper clipping, 09 August 2001 (penned), unidentified newspaper [most likely New Jersey Herald]; Strait family newspaper clipping, privately held by Jodi Lynn Strait, Tucson, AZ, 2011.  Inherited in 2010 by Ms. Strait from her grandmother Beatrice (Repsher) Strait Guirreri of Newton, New Jersey.
[48] William C. Strait (Lafayette, New Jersey), phone interview by Jodi Lynn Strait, 11 November 2012; interview held by Ms. Strait, Tucson, Arizona, 2011.  William, the son of William and Beatrice Strait, spoke from personal knowledge about Carl not attending the funeral and lack of reason known for the rift between Carl and his mother.
[49] Sussex County, New Jersey, probate case files, docket no. 43718, Carl H. Strait (2001), application for probate, 15 November 2001; Sussex County Surrogate’s Office, Newton.
[50] William Strait memory card, 1961; privately held by Jodi Lynn Strait, Tucson, AZ, 2011.  William Charles Strait’s laminated memory card was created for Beatrice Strait by the American Laminating Co., Albany, NY.  It has a copy of the newspaper obituary clipping encased. Typewritten “Died Mon., May 29, 1961” at the bottom.
[51] William C. Strait (Lafayette, New Jersey), interview by Jodi Lynn Strait, 15 July 2010; interview held by Ms. Strait, Tucson, Arizona, 2011.  William, the son of William and Beatrice Strait, spoke from personal knowledge about his father’s illness and death.  He was present during his diagnosis of Lou Gehrig’s and witnessed his death in 1961.
[52] St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Cemetery (Woodside Avenue or Rt. 206, Newton, Sussex County, New Jersey), William and Beatrice Strait marker; photograph taken by Jodi Lynn Strait, July 2006.
[53] Sussex County, New Jersey, probate case files, Audrey Strait (1970), Last Will and Testament of Audrey Strait, 30 September 1969; Sussex County Surrogate’s Office, Newton.
[54] “Mrs. Ora Strait,” obituary, undated newspaper clipping, unidentified newspaper [most likely New Jersey Herald]; Strait family newspaper clippings, privately held by Jodi Lynn Strait, Tucson, AZ, 2011.  Inherited in 2010 by Ms. Strait from her grandmother Beatrice (Repsher) Strait Guirreri of Newton, New Jersey.
[55] North Hardyston Cemetery (Rt. 94, Hamburg, New Jersey), Ora S. Strait and Audrey R. Hunt marker; photo taken by Jodi Lynn Strait, July 2006.