H. Hulda Elizabeth Lael, my great-grandmother
North Carolina
Hulda Elizabeth Lael married Sidney Lail. Their children spelled the last name Lael. Hulda and Sidney were of German ancestry. Hulda's mother, Polly Longcrier Lael, spoke German and read from a German Bible. I think they were what is known as Pennsylvania Dutch, but they settled in North Carolina in the early 1800s. Hulda has a very stern look. A different photo of her that hung in my grandmother's guest room used to spook me when I was a child. It seemed that her eyes followed me around the room. It also seemed that she knew when I had done something that I shouldn't have. My cousin Patricia has that portrait.
