Mrs. Booth (1916-2004), the owner of the Booth Guest House in Manteo, N.C., discusses her childhood memories, family life and history on the Outer Banks of North Carolina and in Norfolk, Virginia. She also talks about her father, Alpheus W. Drinkwater, the telegrapher who relayed the news of the successful first airplane flights of the Wright Brothers at Kitty Hawk, N.C., in 1903.
Mrs. Booth was born in Manteo, North Carolina, on February 2, 1916, and she died there on May 29, 2004. Her full name is Marguerite Lyle Drinkwater Booth. She owned and operated the Booth Guest House in Manteo, North Carolina. Mrs. Booth also lived in Norfolk, Virginia, for thirty years while her husband John L. Booth was serving in the U.S. Navy.
In the interview, Mrs. Booth describes her father, Alpheus W. Drinkwater, who was a telegrapher and was passionate about the Wright Brothers. She mentions that he published an article on the Wright Brothers in the Reader's Digest, and was the oldest member of the Civil Air Patrol in the U.S. Mrs. Booth also talks about the Booth Guest House business, which she inherited from her mother; her sister who was an army nurse and went over to North Africa and Italy during the World War II; and her family. She refers to Etheridge and Drinkwater family history, friends and social events in Manteo, North Carolina, and the people who watched the Wright Brothers' first flight in 1903.
Mrs. Booth also talks about her husband and their married life in Norfolk, Virginia. She relates that her husband John L. Booth joined the U.S. Navy around 1938 and worked up to Lieutenant Commander by the time he retired. He also served as the president of the Farm Bureau for 14 years in North Carolina. They moved back to Manteo after Mr. Booth's retirement. Mrs. Booth also commented on her personal political views, religious life and the fact that their marriage blended a Methodist and a Catholic.
Gift of Mrs. John L. (Marguerite) Booth
Encoded by Najia Zeng, August 30, 2010
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1912-2001