Hazel Avenue By AHS Text Media Images Roberts family at Snell Street near Hazel Ave. : Perry Roberts, grandfather, to the left looking at his grandchildren and their spouses: Perry and Rosemary Roberts, Doris Roberts Bridges and Dudley Bridges, William Harris Senior and Edyth Roberts Harris. Perry Roberts home was on Hazel Avenue. ~ Source: Ancestral Bridges ~ Creator: AHS Untitled ~ Laura Bias as a child: Laura Bias served in WWII with the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion was a unique U.S. Army unit and it had the distinction of being the only all-African American, all-female unit sent overseas during World War II. The women kept mail flowing to nearly seven million soldiers in the European Theater of Operations (ETO).Arthur Roberts: Arthur Roberts, Perry Roberts son and Gil Roberts brother. He lived at 21 Hazel Avenue with his wife Edna Cornwell Roberts and raised his family here. Charles A. Finnemore at a G.A.R. Gathering in Amherst Town Center in the 1900s. : Charles A FinnemoreCharles A Finnemore listed as living on Hazel Avenue in 1905 : From the Amherst Directory 1905Charles Finnemore recorded as living on Baker Street in 1895: From the Amherst Directory - 1895 Metadata Cite this PageAHS, “Hazel Avenue ,” Amherst Historic, accessed May 22, 2022, https://amhersthistoric.org/items/show/35. Related ToursJuneteenth Heritage Walk SubjectsThe Westside Historic District is located west of downtown Amherst by a half-mile on Northampton Road. Its 40 acres include Hazel Avenue, Baker Street and Snell Street west of the former Boston and Maine Railroad (now a rail trail). Northampton Road from University Drive to Blue Hills Road forms the northern boundary. It was designated a district due to the efforts of Dudley Bridges, Sr. who was married to Doris Roberts, who grew up on Snell Street. The incredible stories and experiences of the people who lived in these neighborhoods and homes are an important part of Amherst's history. # 14 Hazel Avenue - Harold and Tee Ward lived on the second floor of this house, while Aunt Mary Bias lived on the first floor. Harold was employed at Amherst College and was one of the founders of Hope Congregational Church on Gaylord Street. ( Hope Church is a stop on the tour). Harold was affectionately called or known as "Pop Ward". His funeral was the largest recorded in Amherst in its time. He helped many people in the community, regardless of color. #21 Hazel - It was built in 1891 by Perry Roberts, father of Gilbert Roberts, a world-famous jazz musician, who was born in this house. Charles Roberts and Gil Roberts deeded the house to Arthur Roberts and Veridienne Roberts in the late 50s. Veridienne and Shirley Hebb, her daughter, owned this house into the 90s and the Hebb family still own it today. #29 Hazel - Bessie and Alexander Taylor built the house in 1891. Bessie was a registered nurse and her husband owned a paint store in Merchant's Row. His store burned in a massive fire that destroyed several buildings in Amherst Center. #39 Hazel - Ernest E. and Mabel P. Bias House "Julia Ann Newport for $100 paid, grant to Ernest E. Bias and Mabel P. Bias, husband and wife, jointly and to the survivor, both of said Amherst, a certain tract of land with buildings thereon, situated on the westerly side of Hazel Avenue, Amherst, Massachusetts, bounded and described with links on land now or formerly of F.I. Burghardt to an elm tree, being the same realty described in deed of Frederick D. Newport to Julia A. Newport, dated May 16th 1921." Ernest and Mabel Bias had four children, Eugenia, Ernest Jr., Laura, and Louis. Ernest worked as a caretaker for several professors and their families at Amherst College. Mabel worked as a laundress and house keeper for several professors and their families at Amherst College. Mabel recalled taking in laundry for other families in Amherst with one of the most notable being Dr. Charles Drew or “Charlie” as she referred to him. She recalled him being in an accident and being unable to receive a life saving blood transfusion. Dr. Drew had pioneered this process and because of his race was denied what could have saved his life. Two of Ernest and Mabel’s children served in the US Army in World War II, Ernest Jr. and Laura. Ernest served in the Philippines. Laura served in the infamous 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion. The unit was comprised of all female African Americans and was commanded by a female African American officer. The unit deployed to Europe where it was tasked to clear a two to three year back log of mail destined for American service members. The unit was not recognized for their exemplary service until H. R. 1012 - ‘Six Triple Eight’ Congressional Gold Medal Act 2021 was awarded to the unit for their actions during WWII. Laura passed away in 1992 and Ernest Jr. passed away in 1989. Ernest, Mabel and Ernest Jr. are interred at North Cemetery in Amherst. Both Ernest Jr. and Laura received Honorable Discharges from the Army. Charles A. Finnemore and Sarah Burgett moved to Hazel Avenue. He is recorded as living there in the early 1900s, prior to this and before and after his service in the 54th Regiment in the Civil War, he is recorded as living on Baker Street. Charles A. Finnemore (b. 1837) of Amherst, Massachusetts enlisted in the Union Army as a Private on March 10, 1863. He was twenty-seven years old, 5’ 6” tall, and married. He was wounded on February 20, 1864, in Olustee, Florida, when he was shot in his right leg. Although serious enough to merit an eventual ‘invalid’ listing on his pension application, Finnemore’s injury did not prevent him from finishing his three years of service with the Regiment. He mustered out with the rest of his regiment on August 20, 1865, and returned to his wife in Amherst. Aside from his service outside the State, Finnemore lived in Amherst his entire life. He was born there to Augustus C. and Eunice Finnemore about 1837. He and Sarah L. Burgett married on August 28, 1862. She was 21 at the time of the marriage. Charles, a laborer, was 26. They were married seven months before enlisting, Charles and Sarah were not property owners before the War. Prior to his nuptials, Charles had lived in a house with twelve other boarders (Baker Street). After Finnemore’s return, the couple occupied a house valued at $1000. In 1900, after thirty-seven years of marriage, the federal census listed Charles and Sarah as living with a boarder of their own, a widower named John Thompson. Because Sarah is never listed as holding any occupation outside of “keeping of the house,” it appears Charles bought and maintained this property with his own accrued wages some of them earned with the 54th Massachusetts Regiment. Published on Mar 10, 2022. Last updated on Apr 21, 2022.
