Our Great-grand-aunt, Florence de la Montagne Bunce, was a teacher, a genealogist, and a historian. She was our grandfather’s aunt.
Aunt Flo, or Florrie as we often called her, was our inspiration in generating this web page. This was her contract to teach at School #5 in Paterson beginning February 1, 1884 for $375 – for the remainder of the school year. It was a form letter written in blue ink with her name, the dates, salary, and other particulars filled in with black ink. She was a graduate of Hunter College and had done her “Grand Tour” before she began her teaching career all of which was spent in Paterson.
We remember her fondly. I learned the alphabet from Flo when I was three. She insisted upon certain pronunciations that have never betrayed us. And she spoke French – to us – when we were small.
She remained insistant and strict even as she aged, the perennial school teacher. Every single one of us benefited. Lynn and I probably became teachers because she infected us. (Yes, there is a “teaching virus”. It is airborne and can be transmitted genetically as well. You might have it! There is no cure. Victims are programmed to teach).
It is Aunt Florrie whom we thank for providing the impetus for developing this web page (as well as for our compulsion to teach).
Here’s a picture of Flo probably taken near the time she wrote her book. One of these days I will figure out a way to get her book up here. It was about George Washington on the roads here in NJ.
Our Grandparents
Harry Edward Rowlands and Margaret Treanor Rowlands were our dear grandparents.
Here they are with the twins, Jim and Nat and little Peggy.
My grandparents, H.E. and Margaret Rowlands had 6 children:
The three older: Eleanor (Nence), H.E. Jr. (Bud), and Doris (Dot) were later joined by the twins, James Treanor and Nathaniel Bunce, and finally Margaret (Peggy), the baby of the family.
Some of the past four generations are buried at Valleau Cemetery in Ridgewood, New Jersey.
Aunt Peg and Uncle Ray
Aunt Dot and Uncle Tom
Aunt Florrie
Our grandparents: Margaret and Harry Rowlands
Great-great-grandmother Mary J. Suffern Bunce
Great-great-grandfather Nathaniel Russell Bunce
My parents, Nathaniel and Mary Rowlands
Family plots
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The Rowlands Family 
Rosemary! How did I not know this existed?! I received my 23 and me results and was so surprised to see French lineage having a great percentage than Italian! This is so awesome 🙂
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Mais oui, mademoiselle! You are very French! Don’t you love that teaching contract?
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Here is something your Great Grand Aunt wrote in 1920 – about birds. She was quite an eclectic person – did you pick up an interest in birds from her?: Winter Birds at Ridgewood, N.J. [1920]. This last winter was the severest in the memory of most of us, and, while filled with many hardships, it brought great pleasure to some of us living in the country. At Ridgewood, N. J., we fed many rare birds. Our pleasure was, however, somewhat marred when we realized that their visits pointed to the fact that they must have been great sufferers from the severity of the season, as so many were utter strangers to this section, the largest numbers being the Evening Grosbeaks. They were first observed, 5 in all, on January 23 [1920] at the home of Mrs. Carl M. Vail. The next day 11 arrived, and, after that, more and more each day. On February 15, 29 were at the feeding-table at one time, and more were in the trees. They were reported at seven different homes here, where the winter feeding of birds is carried on systematically. They came, invariably, between 6.30 and 7 am, and ate greedily of the sunflower seeds put out for them. They ate cracked corn, also buckwheat. but preferred the sunflower seeds. Their habit was to remain around the feeding place all the morning, when they would disappear for two or three hours and then return for more seeds. As late as 9 April, 42 were counted in one place. On April 11, two pairs came, and on the 15th the last pair paid a short visit, then departed.
Other winter visitors were Pine Siskins, seen nearly every day during this past season, 11 counted at a time. After a heavy icestorm, 2 White-winged Crossbills were noted and 1 Pine Grosbeak. December 25 and February 22 a Robin appeared. One Sharp-shinned Hawk, many Redpolls, flocks of Fox Sparrows, and also large numbers of Purple Finches were seen. Of course we had our usual winter feathered friends.
(Miss) Florence de la Montagne Bunce, President of Ridgewood Branch of New Jersey Audubon Society.
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Bird-Lore 22(2): 157-158 (March-April 1920)
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Thank you so much for sharing this with us! I am friends with some birders one of whom resides in Ridgewood. She shares her lovely pictures on Facebook. My aunt Marge also was a member of the Ridgewood Branch of the NJ Audubon Society.
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Hello,
My name is Carolyn Suffern. I am descended from John and Mary Suffern’s second daughter Elizabeth who was born in 1792. She retained her maiden name by marrying a distant cousin John S. (probably) Samuel.
BTW, John and Mary’s children were:
Margaret
Andrew
Elizabeth
Cornelia
John (died as an infant)
Maria
James
William
John
Edward
George
Several years ago someone contacted me and sent to me a box of your family documents and photographs, including the originals of some of the photos seen here. I’d like to send these to you.
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I’m not sure if I’m related at all my grandfather lives in California his name is don Rowlands and my father is David dean rowlands now living in Missouri…. I wasn’t raised by any Rowlands so I have no back history to speak of hoping someone can help
Me
To figure out who I am and where I came from…. These pictures do look similar to my features
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I’ve run into other Rowlands on Facebook who look similar.
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