I've used FREE Artificial Intelligence tools to create biographies, poems and songs about my ancestors lives and family history in the recent past. Today, I want to share a poem and a song about one of my paternal 2nd great-grandmothers, Sophia (Newton) Hildreth (1834-1923) based on information from my genealogy research.
Sophia Newton was born 14 September 1834 in Springfield, Vermont. She was the daughter of Lambert Brigham and Sophia Buck. Her father died in May 1834, and her mother married Thomas J. Newton soon after and they moved to Springfield, Vermont. So Sophia used her step-father's name all of her life. She had a brother named Thomas J. Newton born in 1936 to Thomas Newton and Sophia (Buck) (Brigham) Newton. She had two older borthers who watched out for her. Sophia Newton married Edward Hildreth (1831-1899) on 25 December 1852 in Northborough, Mass. They had two children, Hattie Louisa Hildreth (1857-1920) and Clarence Edward Hildreth (1874-1878). They resided in Northborough until the late 1860s, when they moved to Leominster, Mass. They lived at 149 Lancaster Street in Leominster, and resided there the rest of their lives. Their daughter Hattie married in 1874 to Frank W. Seaver (1851-1922), and they had three sons, Frederick, Harry and Howard. The Frank Seaver family resided with Edward and Sophia for the rest of Sophia's life. Sophia was a housekeeper - preparing and cooking meals, cleaning the house, washing laundry, gardening, shopping, sewing, animal care, preserving food, dealing with neighbors and suppliers, and taking care of and teaching the children and grandchildren. She attended church, had a circle of friends, and took part in community activities. A photo of her in old age shows a short, spry, smiling woman with white hair and a long dark dress sitting in a chair surrounded by her family in about 1910. Son Clarence died in 1878 of accidental poisoning, husband Edward died in 1899, daughter Hattie died in 1920, and son-in-law Frank Seaver died in 1922. Grandson Howard Seaver died in 1898. Great-grandson Stanley Seaver died in 1910. Sophia had 6 great-grandchildren living when she died. Sophia (Newton) Hildreth died 29 August 1923 in Leominster, Mass. at age 88 of old age. She is buried with her husband Edward and son Clarence in Evergreen Cemetery in Leominster, Mass.
3) Here are the AI created song and lyrics for "Sophia's Story" (with song lyrics created on Claude Sonnet 3.5 used as custom lyrics on Suno.com), using an storytelling ballad style in an upbeat tempo:SOPHIA'S STORY
In Springfield's hills, where the green valleys lay,
Sophia was born on a September day.
A daughter of sorrow, her father long gone,
Yet strength in her spirit would always live on.Her mother remarried; her name she then bore—
Sophia Newton, a name she'd adore.
With two older brothers to guide her through youth,
She grew with their care and their love as her truth.At Christmas in Northborough, a union was made,
With Edward Hildreth, her hand she did trade.
Two children they welcomed, a joy to behold,
Though life’s joys and its sorrows would both take their toll.Sweet Hattie, their daughter, brought laughter and cheer,
But young Clarence’s loss drew a heartbreak severe.
Through trials, Sophia endured with resolve,
Her faith and her family helping her solve.To Leominster's streets, their journey did lead,
At 149 Lancaster, they planted their seed.
A house full of love, a haven so bright,
With grandchildren's laughter from morning till night.A homemaker's touch, her life’s gentle art,
Her hands crafted comfort, her love warmed each heart.
From gardens she gathered, from kitchens she toiled,
Through seasons of labor, her purpose unspoiled.She worshipped, she mingled, with friends she would share,
Her wisdom, her kindness, her diligent care.
In photos she’s smiling, her face lined with time,
A life richly lived, both tender and prime.She weathered the loss of dear ones held tight,
Yet carried their memories like stars in the night.
Her husband, her daughter, a grandson, a great-grandson too,
Each loss brought her closer to life’s final view.On August’s waning, in her eighty-ninth year,
Sophia Newton, a name held with pride,
Sophia departed, her legacy clear.
She rests now with Edward and Clarence nearby,
In Leominster's earth ‘neath New England's sky.
A life of devotion, her love as her guide.
Her story lives on in those who remain,
Her courage, her grace, forever ingrained.
SOPHIA'S STORY
Verse 1:
Born in Springfield's autumn chill
Father gone, but love instilled
Two brothers watching from above
As Newton's name became her own
In Vermont's hills she found her home
Till love would call her far to roam
Verse 2:
Christmas bride in '52
Edward's heart forever true
Lancaster Street became their ground
Where children's laughter filled the air
Though loss would come, she'd persevere
Her strength a beacon, year by year
Chorus:
Sophia's legacy lives on
Through winter night and summer dawn
A mother's heart, a gentle soul
Keeping family warm and whole
Time may pass, but stories stay
Of the life she built each day
Verse 3:
Garden growing, bread to bake
Little moments she would make
Into memories gold and bright
Grandchildren at her aproned knee
Teaching them what life could be
Building bonds eternally
Bridge:
Through Victorian days to modern time
She watched the world redefine
But simple truths she always knew:
Love and work would see us through
In her photo, still we see
That smile of quiet dignity
Verse 4:
Eight decades long her story ran
From Vermont girl to matriarch grand
Six great-grandchildren blessed to know
The warmth of her enduring grace
Though she rests in Evergreen
Her spirit lives in those she leaves
Final Chorus:
Sophia's legacy lives on
Through winter night and summer dawn
A mother's heart, a gentle soul
Keeping family warm and whole
Time may pass, but stories stay
Of the love she gave each day
Outro:
In Leominster's sacred ground
With Edward now at peace she's found
in each heart that knows her name
Sophia’s light still burns the same
The AI tools do this so much better than I could, and weaves the poem and song along a story theme that is true and heartfelt. Each tool provides a different poem and song from the same prompt --I love fishing in all of the AI streams!! Frankly, doing the poems and song are the most genealogy fun I have every week!
4) These stories, told in verse and song, are part of my genealogy and family research. My hope is that they will be passed down to my grandchildren and their descendants to highlight the importance of sharing stories, memories, admiration, and love of our ancestors. I will add them to my Google Drive and to my YouTube channel and my FOREVER account.
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