DUNROVEN PASSES

A Missionary Life:
Rev. J. Wesley Day
China, Malaysia, Indonesia

Scrapbook: Dunroven Passes

Reflections on Dunroven, by Vivia

We all have memories of the house in Allenwood our grandfather named, "Dunroven." Granddad bought it in 1915 as a summer home. Their boys lived in this house each summer until they were grown. They enjoyed the country, river, and nearby golf course. Our grandparents lived there upon their retirement until they passed away. Dad and Mom, who had bought the home in 1959, in turn, retired there in 1974. Mom died in the living room in 1975 and Dad lived there until 1996 when he moved to Ocean Grove where he would receive the care he needed. He had just survived an operation to remove a small cancerous growth in his lung and he realized, after almost 40 years of thinking of Dunroven as his home, that the time had come to move. It was a difficult move but one he has not regretted.

Jim and I lived at Dunroven for 6 years before building our own home. Both of our girls were born during our time there. Many years later Brenda and DJ lived there before buying their first home. All the generations of the Day family have visited through the years as various family members lived there. In particular we remember with great fondness the yearly visits by Uncle Roby and Aunt Joy who parked their trailer in the yard. They stayed in the camper when they visited and felt they had come "to the country." We had wonderful visits and Brenda and Carolyn declared them to be their favorite uncle and aunt. They were both sad when Uncle Roby and Aunt Joy were not up to attending their weddings. After they had both passed away cousin Roby showed us Aunt Joy's brag book and there among her own grandchildren were pictures of Brenda and Carolyn.

Jack and I have kept up the home since ownership was transferred to us in 1979 (Dad retained life right). We have had a new roof put on, replaced the front porch, filled in the old well, had a new well dug, replaced all pipes, and added filters to make the water usable. Last year we paid to have the two septic tanks filled in and paid for sewer pipes installed by the township. The minimal rent we have received has not covered these added expenses. The rent barely covers the taxes, minor repairs, and insurance. I no longer live nearby to monitor its needs and care.

We have come to the conclusion that the time has come to sell the Allenwood home. We're so glad the house in Allenwood was in our family for close to a century. It gave us all a chance to visit and gather together. We have a sense of family many do not because of the contact this home and its occupants afforded us.

Vivia Day Tatum, Febrary 1, 2005

Good bye to Dunroven, June 11, 2005

Roby Day Seeks to remember where the outhouse was.

Roby Day Seeks to open the out house door.

Roby Day Seeks another way to open the out house door.

Roby Day Feigns agony in the face of defeat..

<--- Dunroven in Retirement