Lilian May Briggs

Lillian May Briggs was a geneologist by profession. She compiled the family history for the ancestors and relatives of John Hasbrouck Gosman, from which nearly all of the information in this database pertaining to the ancestry of John Hasbrouck Gosman comes from. She also helped her husband with restoration work in Washington D.C. and William and Mary College (see the notes under John Hasbrouck Gosman Jr. for more details). "Art and Geneology", she said, "are not my two loves and I don't know which I love better." She was a rather small person physically, about 5'3" in height and somewhat on the slender side weighing never more than 120 pounds. She had blue eyes and, in 1960, her hair which had long been cut short was pure white though 'twas chestnut brown and had a natural curl when young. The following story is copied from a May 1, 1973 newspaper clipping: Mrs. Lillian Gosman is one of the sixteen senior citizens engaged in the Home Visitation Program provided by Supportive Services Branch. She has been involved with this program since October 11, 1971, a period of one and a half years. An attractive and vivacious person, Mrs. Gosman attributes her alertness (mental and physical) to involvement. She has a keen interest in genealogy, Delighting in tracing family histories. Mrs. Gosman also is an accomplished artist, having been employed in the field of art restoration in the nation's Capitol Building. In her present capacity, as a home visitor, Mrs. Gosman visits eight persons on a regular basis. Many of these persons are confined to home due to chronic illnesses, and Mrs. Gosman's happy countenance on her visits brightens their days. [Photos are included showing Lillian with Mrs. Clara Herring, one of the women Lillian befriended through this program.] According to Mrs. Gosman, "Visiting the elderly who are at times lonely, confined, and perhaps momentarily confused is most rewarding. I assume that a cherry manner, a sincere smile, and a bit of time expended socially can be mutually gratifying. For me an unexpected strange door of wholesome accomplishment and fulfillment has opened and created a new avenue to further happiness." Information about her death comes from the U.S. Social Security Index, where it is reported that her SS# was 049-01-4521, her birthdate is given (equal to that found in other family records), and her death is reported as Nov 1976 in Ft. Lauderdale, Broward, Florida, zip=33304.