HMC Family Association

FROM MERRILEE JOHNSON

Sylva Leona Hewitt’s 1905 diploma from Willamette University’s Normal School

This is the announcement of the graduation in 1905 of Sylva Hewitt from the Willamette University Normal School.  She is a James Andrew Hewitt descendant and became Sylva Kerr, mother to Margaret Kerr Farris, James Kerr, Marjorie Kerr Bauer, William Henry (Hank) Kerr, Mary Alice Kerr Murray McClain, Kerwin Kerr, Sr., Jean Kerr, and Conrad Kerr.  [Henry Hewitt and Elizabeth Matheny>James Andrew Hewitt and Mary Jane Rose>Sylva Leona (Hewitt) Kerr]

FROM BARBARA KERR

Normal School refers to a teaching degree.  Grandma taught in several districts including one where the one-room schoolhouse had so many students she asked her father, James Andrew Hewitt, to join her as a second teacher. At one point, she bought herself a Model T Ford to drive herself to her schools.

Cousins, please add what you know, including corrections, by sending them to newsletter@hmcfamily.org.

Pitcher given to Sylva Hewitt Kerr by one of her students

This cream pitcher was given to my Grandma, Sylva Hewitt Kerr, by one of her students.  I can imagine that she was as caring and dear as a teacher as she was a grandmother.   

If anyone knew her as a teacher, please share your memories.  Send them to newsletter@hmcfamily.org or post in our Facebook group, HMC Family.

From Merrilee Johnson on HMC Family, our Facebook group

Roy Hewitt [James Andrew Hewitt] spent a lot of time in Oregon and some of us in the next couple of generations saw him at many reunions. Somehow I have in my possession his diploma from Willamette University. The date on it is the 17th of June, I think, 1909. In his obituary it states he was admitted to the bar in 1909. He wore many hats in his lifetime, but he also became the dean of the Willamette University Law School. I used to love listening to his stories.

Roy Hewitt at the 1965 Reunion