When Did the Last Surviving T206 Subject Pass Away?

[alaskapaul3]

Further deviation fun fact: there is still a living member of The Glenn Miller Orchestra 80 years after they broke up named Ray Anthony who is about to turn 103. He later went on to record the Hokey Pokey that we all danced to as kids.

[spec]

Years ago, when I was living in Boston and doing research on the New England League, I had no luck determining Phil Poland's birth or death dates. He was from Maine, but I never found the family in any census there. His mother, Susie, died Oct. 4, 1934, in Lynn, Mass. She was the widow of Levi, who might have been Phil's father. Phil visited Susie in Lynn in May 1928. Perhaps, some of this might help one of you track him down.

[T206Collector]

Originally Posted by spec

Years ago, when I was living in Boston and doing research on the New England League, I had no luck determining Phil Poland's birth or death dates. He was from Maine, but I never found the family in any census there. His mother, Susie, died Oct. 4, 1934, in Lynn, Mass. She was the widow of Levi, who might have been Phil's father. Phil visited Susie in Lynn in May 1928. Perhaps, some of this might help one of you track him down.

I found Susie and Levi. But no indication of a son together. Does seem like perhaps Susie had a son not named Phil from an earlier marriage, and then married Levi Poland, so perhaps there is something there — but nothing saying the boy changed his name to Phil Poland after his mom remarried.

[spec]

Originally Posted by T206Collector

I found Susie and Levi. But no indication of a son together. Does seem like perhaps Susie had a son not named Phil from an earlier marriage, and then married Levi Poland, so perhaps there is something there — but nothing saying the boy changed his name to Phil Poland after his mom remarried.

Thanks, Paul,
So, it's likely Phil Poland was born with a different last name and probably a different first name, too, then used the name Phil Poland during his baseball career. Perhaps a record of Susie's marriage to Levi would give her prior name.

[T206Collector]

Originally Posted by spec

Thanks, Paul,
So, it's likely Phil Poland was born with a different last name and probably a different first name, too, then used the name Phil Poland during his baseball career. Perhaps a record of Susie's marriage to Levi would give her prior name.

Here are three screenshots - if your theory is correct then Phil Poland is really John A Hackett. However, Poland played for Providence in 1905, and that seems somewhat unlikely for a 16-year old, if he was born on April 23, 1889 (as indicated on his WW1 Draft Reg card), though Dick Rudolph was 16 when he started playing for Providence in 1904, so it is possible I suppose. I guess my question is why do we think Phil Poland met with his mother Susie Poland in May 1928? What’s the evidence?

[piecesofthegame]

I find all these obscure facts about obscure players very I interesting. I think someone (not me) needs to write a book about “The 25 Most Obscure Players From T206 and What Happened to Them After Baseball”. Who’s gonna write it?

[pclpads]

More to the point, who's going to read it?

[BillyCoxDodgers3B]

Originally Posted by piecesofthegame

I find all these obscure facts about obscure players very I interesting. I think someone (not me) needs to write a book about “The 25 Most Obscure Players From T206 and What Happened to Them After Baseball”. Who’s gonna write it?

I've spent most of my life compiling a manuscript of what happened to every MLB player from 1876-2000, in addition to keeping track of causes of death. I have info for over 97% of all players from those 125 seasons. I have to agree with the poster right after you who replied, "Who's going to read it?". Obviously, it would have an audience, but is it worth my time to publish? Thus far, I've found it's been more beneficial to me to keep the info and use it for my own gain. Definitely more selfish than altruistic. There are other reasons to keep a lot of this info to myself, though. There's the chance that anyone still living may take (legal) issue with the publication of information that's not found in publicly accessible areas, let alone any little typo or incorrect fact that may have slipped through the cracks. Imagine having to cite sources for every bit of information gleaned for thousands of players? Thankfully, I've kept all of those citations, but what an absolute nightmare it would be to deal with. And for what, next to no money?

[murraydrew115]

Originally Posted by piecesofthegame

I find all these obscure facts about obscure players very I interesting. I think someone (not me) needs to write a book about “The 25 Most Obscure Players From T206 and What Happened to Them After Baseball”. Who’s gonna write it?

Same to me i need someone who can write about T205.

[spec]

Originally Posted by T206Collector

Here are three screenshots - if your theory is correct then Phil Poland is really John A Hackett. However, Poland played for Providence in 1905, and that seems somewhat unlikely for a 16-year old, if he was born on April 23, 1889 (as indicated on his WW1 Draft Reg card), though Dick Rudolph was 16 when he started playing for Providence in 1904, so it is possible I suppose. I guess my question is why do we think Phil Poland met with his mother Susie Poland in May 1928? What’s the evidence?

Paul,
When I was researching the New England League, I read the Lynn papers every day. On May 28, 1928, one of them (likely the Item) reported that Phil Poland, the old ballplayer, was in town visiting his mother, Susie.