Pine Mountain Settlement School
Series 09: BIOGRAPHY – Staff 
Edith Canterbury Staff, 1916-1918
Edith Rublee Canterbury (1891-1963)

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TAGS: Edith Canterbury, Edith Rublee Canterbury, Olive Dame Campbell, Burton Rogers, Searle Bates, Nanjing China, Marguerite Butler, John C. Campbell Folk School, John C. Campbell, Wellesley (MA) College, Russell Sage Foundation, folk high schools, social work.

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EDITH CANTERBURY Staff
Teacher 1916-1918

Edith Canterbury was one of the earliest staff members to work at Pine MountaIn Settlement School from 1916 until 1918. She was a close friend of Marguerite Butler, a staff member who came to Pine Mountain during the first decade of its work.

Canterbury was a good fit for Pine Mountain based on her previous work with social services for the Central and Southern Appalachian region. Through her social service work she became a friend of John C. Campbell and his wife Olive Dame Campbell. Following Pine Mountain she worked with several social service programs, including the Southern Mountain Workers.

When John C. Campbell died in 1919, Edith continued her friendship with Olive Dame Campbell who asked Edith to help her with the processing of her late husband’s large body of papers.  she process the papers of her late husband.

When Olive Dame Campbell died, Canterbury continued to work on the material, as noted in this 1960 correspondence with Burton Rogers, Director at Pine Mountain.

Just now I am having the privilege of doing an assembling and editing of the “Life and Letters of John C. Campbell” which was begun by his wife before her death. I am in the period of Cecil Sharp’s ballad collection, — such a delight to be “living” in as I am! You recall probably[?], that Mr. Campbell was the Secretary of the Southern Highland Division of the Russell Sage Foundation until his death in 1919.

(See The Life and Work of John C, Campbell by Olive Dame Campbell.)

William Hutchins, President of Berea who was on the Board of the Southern Mountain Workers, chaired a session of the 12th Annual conference of Southern Mountain Workers in Knoxville, Tennessee, in April of 1924. Edith Canterbury presented a paper at that conference.  Her offering, “A Possible Program for the Extension Center, Suggested by the Study of the English Adult Education Movement,” is found below. She is listed in the 1924 program as “Formerly County Secretary A.R.C., Pt. Pleasant, West Virginia.” Which suggests her continuing social service work in the Appalachians.

Edith Canterbury remained in contact with Pine Mountain Settlement School throughout the rest of her years, often sending contributions along with her letters. In a letter to director Burton Rogers, dated June 16, 1961, she wrote:

I hope to see the school again some day before long. I remember it so well and with such affection from my two years there as a teacher, living in the Big Log House with Miss Pettit — 1916-18.

Very little information about Edith Canterbury’s early time at Pine Mountain Settlement School has been found to date in the PMSS Collections. However, the U.S. Census and other resources provide some of the details of her life both before and after her work at the School. 

EDITH CANTERBURY BEFORE AND AFTER PMSS

Edith Rublee Canterbury was born September 13, 1891, in East Weymouth, Massachusetts, to Mary J. (Park) Canterbury and Charles D. Canterbury, a manufacturer.

According to the 1900 U.S. Census, Edith  was living at age 8  with her widowed mother, brothers Nathan Donald (1895-1980) and Malcomb Page Canterbury (1897-1958), grandmother Nettie M. Page and uncle Newman Page. In 1910, at age 18, she was still living with her family. 

The Wellesley College Bulletin Calendar 1913-14, lists her as having received a Bachelor of Arts at Wellesley (MA) College in 1913.

As of 1920, at 28 years of age, Edith was a boarder in a house in Boston and employed as a social worker at the Russell Sage Foundation. In 1923, she applied for a passport to travel to Denmark and Switzerland for a “study of Folk High Schools.” In 1930 and 1940, she was living in Boston with her mother and employed as a social worker in a hospital. Her brother Malcolm, a civil engineer, had joined them as of 1940.

Edith Canterbury died on November 9, 1963, at the age of 72. She was buried at Fairmount Cemetery in her hometown of Weymouth, Massachusetts, alongside her brothers and a sister-in-law.

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GALLERY: Edith Canterbury Correspondence, 1927-1961

TRANSCRIPTION: Edith Canterbury Correspondence, 1927-1961

[canterbury_001.jpg] Carbon copy of typewritten letter.

May 6, 1927

Dear Edith:
Azalea on the fireboard, more glorious than ever you saw, wild cherry and all the rest of it in bloom, and May Day over! Now I wish you could have seen our May Day, just like Mr. [Cecil] Sharp planned, with morris and sword and country dancing. I wish you could know Miss [Dorothy] Bolles and Miss Cunningham and get them to tell you all about it. They are as much at home here as those of us who have always been here. Miss Cunningham’s address is … Commonwealth Avenue, Boston. Perhaps you can look her up sometime.

Thank you so much for Lilliath’s* [Lilliath Robbins Bates] letter. I do want to keep it a good deal longer so that many people can read it. My friends in Lexington whom she once visited are so anxious to have news too. Perhaps you mean for me to keep this copy. If I don’t hear from you I am going to assume that you don’t want it returned. I hope that will be all right with you. I am so proud of the things those two people have done and that they want to stay on the job and refused to leave. I am so glad that they found each other, for they are truly great. I think Searle Bates is one of the most interesting people I know, and you know his father is one of the greatest men who have ever been here. I heard Miss [Evelyn] Wells say she never heard anybody give a better talk than his sermon. Have you seen all the things that Searle wrote his father? He sent them to me and if you would like I would be glad to send them on to you. It gives an account of the situation from another point of view. Are any of Lilliath‘s friends sending money? I realize how useless it would be to send things and that money amounts to so much more. If you are sending money may I send you a check to put in with it, as it is so hard to get money fixed up to send from here.

Faithfully yours,
[Unsigned: Katherine Pettit]

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Miss Edith Canterbury
… West Maple Street
West Roxbury, Massachusetts
KP:H

*”Lilliath” is a reference to Lilliath Bates, the wife of Searle Bates who was caught up in the Nanjing Massacre in China in 1937. Many Pine Mountain Workers had a direct connection to the events in Nanjing through the Yale in China program which included friends who worked in the program as well as at PMSS, particularly Burton Rogers. An earlier participant in the extreme events in China was Llewella Merrow, a doctor who worked at the women’s school at Jinling, China, as well as at Pine Mountain. Bates was the son of the former President of Hiram College.

[canterbury_002.jpg] Handwritten note.

[Header: …PARK STREET, WEST ROXBURY 32, MASSACHUSETTS]

Christmas Greetings from an old member of your staff – 1916-1918.
Edith R. Canterbury
With many precious memories of the Big Log House and Miss Pettit!

[canterbury_003.jpg] Carbon copy of typewritten letter.

January 9, 1946

Miss Edith Canterbury
… Park Street West Roxbury 32,
Massachusetts

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Dear Miss Canterbury:
We are very grateful for your gift of five dollars and your continuing interest in the work of this school.

You have probably experienced such a day as we had this week. The rains descended and Isaac’s Run rose until it covered the fields and bridges by nightfall. Moss and leaves stopped up the outlet to the reservoir so that until boys were abie to drain and clean it, we had no water. By the next morning the water was so much lower that we were able to start filling in the holes washed in the roads. In comparison with many across the mountain who were driven from their homes, we feel lucky to have escaped without damage.

All good wishes for a very happy new year,
Very sincerely yours,
[Unsigned]
H.R.S. Benjamin
HRSB*dan

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[canterbury_004.jpg] Handwritten letter, page 1 of 2.

[Header: …PARK STREET, WEST ROXBURY 32, MASSACHUSETTS]

July 21, 1960

Dear Mr. [Burton] Rogers:
I am sending along this little annual gift with many good wishes to the Pine Mountain Settlement School which is so dear to me from my memories of living and teaching there 1916-18. I lived with Miss Pettit and her household in Big Log House.

Just now I am having the privilege of doing an assembling and editing of the “Life and Letters of John C. Campbell” which was begun by his wife before her death. I am in the period of Cecil Sharp’s ballad collection, — such a delight to be “living” in as I am! You recall probably[?], that Mr. Campbell was the Secretary of the–

[canterbury_004a.jpg] Handwritten letter, page 2 of 2.

–Southern Highland Division of the Russell Sage Foundation until his death in 1919.

Good wishes to you all.
Sincerely yours,
Edith R. Canterbury

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[canterbury_005.jpg] Carbon copy of typewritten letter.

July 27, 1960

Miss Edith R. Canterbury
… Park Street
West Roxbury 32, Massachusetts

Dear Miss Canterbury:
Thank you very much for your gift of $10.00 for the Pine Mountain Settlement School. We are indeed grateful for your kindness and generosity, at a time when such support is especially needed.

We also very much enjoyed your comments about your time here, and of the interesting project you now have with editing the Campbell materials. Gifts from former staff members are always especially welcome, and your continued interest in this area is indeed encouraging to those of us who are working here in the present program.

The past school year was by far the best that we have had under the consolidated program, because of the signs of growth and maturity on the part of our young people, and their responsiveness to new opportunities. We are now in the midst of various special summer programs, along with preparations for the coming school year. That year is coming at an unbelievable rate, with the opening of school. less than a month away, on August 22. We are pleased to have your gift at this time.

With all best wishes, and with full appreciation of your helpfulness, I am,
Sincerely yours,

[Unsigned]
Burton Rogers, Director
mm
Enclosure

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[canterbury_006.jpg] Handwritten letter.

[Header: …PARK STREET, WEST ROXBURY 32, MASSACHUSETTS]

June 16, 1961

Mr. Burton Rogers
Pine Mountain Settlement School
Pine Mountain, Kentucky

Dear Mr. Rogers:
Enclosed is check for $10.00 as contribution to the Pine Mountain Settlement School. I hope to see the school again some day before long. I remember it so well and with such affection from my two years there as a teacher, living in the Big Log House with Miss Pettit — 1916-18.

I hear fine things of it in these days thru your good reports and letters, as this of May 20. My warm good wishes to you and Mrs. [Mary] Rogers.

Sincerely yours,
Edith R. Canterbury

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[canterbury_007.jpg] Carbon copy of typewritten letter.

June 20, 1961

Miss Edith R. Canterbury
… Park Street
West Roxbury 32, Massachusetts

Dear Miss Canterbury:
Thank you very much for the lovely gift of $10.00 for the Pine Mountain Settlement School. It is more encouraging than you perhaps realize, as we are trying to come to a balanced budget for the end of the fiscal year. It is such thoughtfulness and generosity which make Pine Mountain possible, and we are grateful.

The Rogers family is now on vacation, but I do not want to delay thanking you for this help, and telling you that we would be very pleased if it were possible for you to visit us, at any time. As you know, there have been many changes in the area and School since 1918, and I think you would enjoy getting re-acquainted.

We have been very pleased with the activities of the past school year, and with the exceptionally fine spirit in which staff and students cooperated to carry them out. Now the summer program is getting started. The Boy Scouts have cleaned the swimming pool, and will paint it this week. We look forward to an interesting season, at the same time routine preparations are being carried out for next year.

With every good wish to you, and with our great appreciation,
I am,

Sincerely yours,
[Unsigned]
Mildred Mahoney
Secretary
Enclosure

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Title	Edith Canterbury
Alt. Title	Edith R. Canterbury ; Edith Rublee Canterbury
Identifier	EDITH CANTERBURY
Creator	Pine Mountain Settlement School, Pine Mountain, KY
Alt. Creator	Ann Angel Eberhardt ; Helen Hayes Wykle ;
Subject Keyword	Edith Canterbury ; Pine Mountain Settlement School ; Edith R. Canterbury ; Edith Rublee Canterbury ; Olive Dame Campbell ; Burton Rogers ; Searle Bates ; Nanjing, China ; Marguerite Butler ; John C. Campbell Folk School ; John C. Campbell ; Wellesley (MA) College ; Russell Sage Foundation ; folk high schools ; social work ;
Subject LCSH	Canterbury, Edith, — 1891-1963. Pine Mountain Settlement School (Pine Mountain, Ky.) — History. Harlan County (Ky.) — History. Education — Kentucky — Harlan County. Rural schools — Kentucky — History. Schools — Appalachian Region, Southern.
Date	2018-01-08 hw
Publisher	Pine Mountain Settlement School, Pine Mountain, KY
Contributor	n/a
Type	Collections ; text ; image ;
Format	Original and copies of documents and correspondence in file folders in filing cabinet.
Source	Series 09: Biography – Staff/Personnel
Language	English
Relation	Is related to: Pine Mountain Settlement School Collections, Series 09: Biography – Staff/Personnel.
Coverage Temporal	1891 – 1963
Coverage Spatial	Pine Mountain, KY ; Harlan County, KY ; East Weymouth, MA ; Wellesley, MA ; Boston, MA ; Denmark ; Switzerland ; Nanjing, China ;
Rights	Any display, publication, or public use must credit the Pine Mountain Settlement School. Copyright retained by the creators of certain items in the collection, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law.
Donor	n/a
Description	Core documents, correspondence, writings, and administrative papers of Edith Canterbury ; clippings, photographs, books by or about Edith Canterbury ;
Acquisition	n/d
Citation	“[Identification of Item],” Edith Canterbury, Series 09, Pine Mountain Settlement School Institutional Papers. Pine Mountain Settlement School, Pine Mountain, KY.
Processed By	Helen Hayes Wykle ; Ann Angel Eberhardt ;
Last Updated	2018-08-03 aae ; 2020-01-03 hhw ; 2023-06-14 hhw ; 2023-06-22 aae ;
Bibliography	Sources “Canterbury, Edith.” Series 09: Biography – Staff/Personnel. Pine Mountain Settlement School Institutional Papers. Pine Mountain Settlement School, Pine Mountain, KY. Archival resource. “Find A Grave Index, ” database, FamilySearch   (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVKD-2SKX : accessed 07 March 2018), Edith Rublee Canterbury, 1963; http://www.findagrave.com. Internet resource.  “Massachusetts Births, 1841-1915,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FXND-JT6 : accessed 07 March 2018), Edith Rublee Canterbury, 13 Sep 1891, Weymouth, Massachusetts; Massachusetts Archives, Boston. Internet resource. “United States Census, 1900,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M9YZ-QRQ : accessed 07 March 2018),  (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.). Internet resource. “United States Census, 1910,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M2KH-4JR : accessed 07 March 2018), Edith R Canterbury in household of Mary J Canterbury, Weymouth Ward 2, Norfolk, Massachusetts, United States; (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1982).  Internet resource. “United States Census, 1920,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MX1W-C33 : accessed 07 March 2018), Edith R Canterbury in household of Rodolphus C Sargent, Medford Ward 3, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States;(Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1992),. Internet resource. “United States Census, 1930,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9R48-KJR?cc=1810731&wc=QZF9-VJB%3A648804401%2C651194501%2C651493801%2C1589285209 : accessed 07 March 2018). (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2002). Internet resource. “United States Census, 1940,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K4V8-HX7 : accessed 07 March 2018), Edith R Canterbury in household of Mary J Canterbury, Ward 20, Boston, Boston City, Suffolk, Massachusetts, United States; National Archives and Records Administration, 2012. Internet resource. “United States Passport Applications, 1795-1925,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QV5Y-8DKX : accessed 07 March 2018), Edith Rubles [sic] Canterbury, 1923; (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.). Internet resource. The Wellesley College Bulletin Calendar 1913-14. Wellesley College Digital Scholarship and Archive. (repository.wellesley.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1010&context=catalogs : Accessed 08 March 2018). Internet resource.

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