A victim who was run down in the street is currently clinging to life.
By Conor Berry, Berkshire Eagle Staff
Saturday June 12, 2010
PITTSFIELD -- While a man clung to life in a hospital intensive care unit Friday night, the defendant accused of deliberately mowing him down with a 5,000-pound sport utility vehicle was free on $10,000 bail.
Jerry Davis, 28, of the Bronx, N.Y., posted cash bail around 6:30 p.m. Friday and was released from the Berkshire County Jail & House of Correction, according to law enforcement officials, who expressed disappointment that a defendant facing attempted murder charges was back on the streets so quickly.
Meanwhile, Larry Beamon, 31, of Daniels Avenue, remained in critical condition at Berkshire Medical Center Friday night, according to police. Beamon was rushed to the hospital Thursday after being run over by an SUV driven by Davis, police said.
The incident occurred around 5:30 p.m. at Wilson Park, a city-run housing park off Wahconah Street.
Authorities said Beamon suffered serious, life-threatening injuries, including a torn aorta and damage to his vital organs.
"He is currently in critical condition and the hospital reports that he may very well expire from his injuries," according to a police report.
Police officers who quickly apprehended Davis expressed frustration that he was free on bail 24 hours after he was charged with two counts of attempted murder and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, an SUV.
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Sunday, May 16, 2010
My brother the Monster
City man charged with armed burglary
By Tony Dobrowolski
Updated: 05/15/2010 10:28:50 PM EDT
Saturday May 15, 2010
Berkshire Eagle Staff
PITTSFIELD -- A 24-year-old Pittsfield man was charged with armed burglary Friday night after he allegedly tried to break into a Columbus Avenue apartment while wielding a knife, police said.
James E. Ledbetter, of Robbins Avenue, has also been charged with breaking and entering a building in the nighttime with the intent to commit a felony, and two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon.
He is being held in the Pittsfield Police Department lockup in lieu of $25,000 bail, pending arraignment in Central Berkshire District Court on Monday.
According to Sgt. Michael Maddalena, Ledbetter was arrested after officers responded to a report of a disturbance at a Columbus Avenue apartment building. Tony Beeson told police that he encountered Ledbetter when he went downstairs to open the door to his apartment building after hearing a loud kicking noise.
Ledbetter said he had come to see a woman who resided in Beeson’s apartment. When Beeson said the woman no longer lived there, Ledbetter forced his way into the building, Maddalena said. Beeson ran back to his apartment, and attempted to keep Ledbetter from entering, Maddalena said. But Ledbetter began to kick and shove the door, creating enough damage that at one point he was able to stick the knife through the door to get at him.
Assisted by three other men who had gone to the building with him, Ledbetter attempted to leave the scene, but
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was apprehended by officers who were already in the area.
A second man, Adam C. McEneany, 25, of Pittsfield, was charged with disturbing the peace in connection with the same incident. He is also scheduled to be arraigned on Monday in District Court.
By Tony Dobrowolski
Updated: 05/15/2010 10:28:50 PM EDT
Saturday May 15, 2010
Berkshire Eagle Staff
PITTSFIELD -- A 24-year-old Pittsfield man was charged with armed burglary Friday night after he allegedly tried to break into a Columbus Avenue apartment while wielding a knife, police said.
James E. Ledbetter, of Robbins Avenue, has also been charged with breaking and entering a building in the nighttime with the intent to commit a felony, and two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon.
He is being held in the Pittsfield Police Department lockup in lieu of $25,000 bail, pending arraignment in Central Berkshire District Court on Monday.
According to Sgt. Michael Maddalena, Ledbetter was arrested after officers responded to a report of a disturbance at a Columbus Avenue apartment building. Tony Beeson told police that he encountered Ledbetter when he went downstairs to open the door to his apartment building after hearing a loud kicking noise.
Ledbetter said he had come to see a woman who resided in Beeson’s apartment. When Beeson said the woman no longer lived there, Ledbetter forced his way into the building, Maddalena said. Beeson ran back to his apartment, and attempted to keep Ledbetter from entering, Maddalena said. But Ledbetter began to kick and shove the door, creating enough damage that at one point he was able to stick the knife through the door to get at him.
Assisted by three other men who had gone to the building with him, Ledbetter attempted to leave the scene, but
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was apprehended by officers who were already in the area.
A second man, Adam C. McEneany, 25, of Pittsfield, was charged with disturbing the peace in connection with the same incident. He is also scheduled to be arraigned on Monday in District Court.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
MY NOTE TO HEATHER
I did not know you were working at KFC. There nothing wrong working in the fast food industory. I started there my self. You are a hard worker as well as your sister. You get that from your mother. Who is no stranger to hard work and many jobs. I did not Know James was working at KFC with you? Thank you for sharing that info. I will pass it on to Jenn, and Stacie. So they can get thier child support.
A Note from Heather
Heather Hamilton said...
ok first off let me just say im not writing this to cause any problems. But there is nothing wrong with working at KFC i've been working there for 7 months n its a good job n so wat if its fast food its a job right?!!?!? n i really do not understand why yu insist on puttin his business out there its really quite disrespectful granted i kno yu dont feel he deserves respect but theres alot of us who dont think you yourself deserve that!
Heather Hamilton
March 30, 2010 10:17 PM
ok first off let me just say im not writing this to cause any problems. But there is nothing wrong with working at KFC i've been working there for 7 months n its a good job n so wat if its fast food its a job right?!!?!? n i really do not understand why yu insist on puttin his business out there its really quite disrespectful granted i kno yu dont feel he deserves respect but theres alot of us who dont think you yourself deserve that!
Heather Hamilton
March 30, 2010 10:17 PM
Monday, April 5, 2010
The ones he hurts the Most
James has money to spend on beer and other things illeagal. But yet dose not pay his child support. Aaron is sick with pink eye and a cold. She has no health insurance because of her father. And wont beable to get health covrage again throught the state for up to 4 and a half months. It makes me so sad for this little girl holding her two cranys all sick and tired. While last night her father was holding a bottle of beer and having a good time!Saturday, March 27, 2010
Dead Beat Got a Job!
Scum bag got a job! Now lets see how long it takes him to start paying his child support to both his kids momma's.
Well I am off to lunch at my favorite place KFC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well I am off to lunch at my favorite place KFC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Stacy Sumner said.
- I found a letter I wrote to my daughter back before she was even born and when I read it all I did was get mad- Back then he actually had me feeling so bad for him and actually managed to convince me that he was a good dad and that Jenn was the one stopping him. As i read this letter I couldnt believe how in almost 2 years he managed to finally show me his true self- all he wants is pity for himself - The other day he bitched an moaned about how he had to go some job oput of town to only make $20 or $30 just so he can eat because if hes lucky he getts to eat 3 meals a week-an when i said whose fault is that u quit ur job- he has the nerve to turn around and say how he supports himself an i just plain out said how do u support urself when u sleep on ur friends couch- and here me and Jenn are exspected to support ourselves along with his children on our own- I want pity from no one- not even for Bri- because when she gets older she will know the real true about her biological father but in the end she will still have a real father that will raise her to show her exactly what a father is and how they are suppose to love their children. So I know she will always recieve the love she deserves from her family and friends- I just want all to know that I dont want anyone feeling bad like aww Jimmy doesn't take care of his children because honestly we are all better off without him- and be honest you all know thats the true- I am not saying some part of me doesn't still love him- but thats only the part where I have to thank him for the great daughter he gave me then choose to abandon- but other then that i have no pity on him he chose his life now he can live with it- an if you are all wondering y i am going into court to fight him for child support its not because i need the money- its because i have already started putting money away for when bri gets older in her own acct that she can either buy a car or go to college or do whatever she wants with and i just want jimmy to start at least supporting her in that- so if anyone thinks that im doing it to get back at him- that's not the truth- i am doing it so bri will be ble to get what she wants and deserves when she is ready to make her own choices- Oh yes and on May 2 its a Sunday I plan on having Bris 2nd Birthday Party- it will be a puppy dog theme where we will paint the kids faces and have them dress up like dogs- and play fun little games like Water bowl relay races with real dog bowls Tug of War Puppy challenge obstacle course Pin the tail on the puppy Play "Dog, Dog, Cat" instead of Duck, Duck Goose.Feed the Dog Bean Bag Toss so if anyone is interested in coming just let me know okay- oh and there will also be a bounce house like last yr too!! k
- March 22, 2010 5:36 PM
A Family Member
- Jenn, I am so sorry he keeps hurting you and your daughter. Sad to say I am related to James. I don't dare give my name. I do not want other members of my family harassing me like they do to you, Joe, and Stacy. I want you and all to know that people in are family do read this blog. That many of us now know the truth! And we also know who the instigators are. And Stacy, you are a strong girl. Keep your head high! Don't take any crap from any one.
Monday, March 22, 2010
He cost his kid her health care!
My brother is such a low life scum bag. He quite his job so he would not have to continue his child support payments for Aaron. And to keep from making child support payments for his other daughter. Once the courts established them for her. He left Stacie with lots of bills that he ran up. He is court order to provide heath insurance for Aaron. He has never submitted documents to Jenn or heath cards for Aaron. Aaron has been getting heath care through the state health insurance plan till recently. Jenn received a letter in regards to Arron benefits through state are now canceled. The reason being was because Scum bag had picked up insurance through his job. But since he quite his job. That means no coverage at all for Aaron!
Way to go you fucking dead beat dad!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Way to go you fucking dead beat dad!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Friday, March 19, 2010
Dead Beat Dad
UP-DATE: MY BROTHER THE DEAD BEAT DAD THAT HE IS. QUITE HIS JOB A FEW WEEKS AGO. I HELD OFF POSTING THIS UP DATE TO SEE IF HE WOULD ACTIVLY LOOK FOR A NEW JOB AND MAN-UP! FOOLISH ME FOR THINKING THAT. I WONDER HOW HE'S GOING TO PAY HIS CHILD SUPPORT FOR HIS TWO DAUGHTERS? ESPECIALY WHEN HES SEEN DRIVING AROUND TOWN EVERY DAY WITH SILLY WILLY?
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Like to say happy birthday to all three of my cousins. Who have birthdays in March.
So Happy Birthday Anita , Heather, and Shelly! Hope all is well in the year to come for all three of you. Joe H
So Happy Birthday Anita , Heather, and Shelly! Hope all is well in the year to come for all three of you. Joe H
Monday, February 22, 2010
To day would have been my mothers 55th birthday!
Today would have been my mothers 55th birthday. I ask my self what would my mother want for her birthday this year? Even thoe she is gone from this earth, what could I and others give her for her birthday?
I have given alot of sacrifice on my part on many levels. I have worked on building better communications with my family. I have delivered truth and facts to counter the lies spun by other's.
I have done as my mother asked as best that I can. I have given gifts and financial help to many friends and family members. This includes members of my aunt's own family as well. I have been asked not to disclose thier names or the amount of moneys I have given them! I have provided for my mothers, dead beat sons three kids as well.
I ask my aunt to return the items, that were on the list she gave my brother. This list instructed him on what to steal from moms home. So please for moms birthday give back her stuff to me or Eileen. And a appology would be nice as well. But if you only returned the stuff, we could deal with you not saying sorry. We understand how hard it would be for you to acknowledge your being wrong. Especially for all of what you have done.
I have given alot of sacrifice on my part on many levels. I have worked on building better communications with my family. I have delivered truth and facts to counter the lies spun by other's.
I have done as my mother asked as best that I can. I have given gifts and financial help to many friends and family members. This includes members of my aunt's own family as well. I have been asked not to disclose thier names or the amount of moneys I have given them! I have provided for my mothers, dead beat sons three kids as well.
I ask my aunt to return the items, that were on the list she gave my brother. This list instructed him on what to steal from moms home. So please for moms birthday give back her stuff to me or Eileen. And a appology would be nice as well. But if you only returned the stuff, we could deal with you not saying sorry. We understand how hard it would be for you to acknowledge your being wrong. Especially for all of what you have done.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Feed back
The list your mother wrote instrucking my brother on what to steal. Was a list of thing that included stuff that once belonged to are grandparents. I did not see this list but Staice did. She told me this along with other members of are family. Your mother knew that I was instructed by my mother to handle her estate when the time came. Not your mother or my brothers. And if I was not around then Eileen was to handle it. A legal will was never put in place due to moms untimely death. Fact: I and mom had made plans to put a Will in place come June 12th 2008. But she died before that happend. Any thing I have wrote about on my blog is true and legal. I have made no proffit from what I published on here as well. All that I have put is public record or has many people that can back it up! I have not promoted violente and hate on others. Unlike your mother and sister, who have. The only gain I have gotten from publishing this blog is this. More family members and friends know the truth. Many are sick of your mothers bull shit. Some are sadden your mother continues to lie and Hate!
I have no dirt on my hands. But there is public records on your sisters dirt. I am not a high school drop out either. Can you say the same? Theres public records on your step father as well. There's a ton of dirt on my brother as well. I work and pay my tax's and follow all the laws. I know lots more about more people in are family then you do. But this is not the time or place to discuss all that.
So here is my advice to you all. Mary focuse on your health and your own family. Heather stop being a mouth piece for the family. You are a smart girl. Get a GED and go to collage. Anita focus on your own family. Keep better tabs on your man. Stop allowing him to use your car. Your only enableing him to go see his other two girls. And yes they are having relation again.
Heather said...
Ok my mother did not put me up to this thank you I'm grown i make my own decisions my mother doesn't read your blog unless i bring something up to her and as to her writing a list she would have had to have been in the house in order to make this so called list how else would she have known what to saposivly tell jimmy to steal for her so that right there shows that, that whole situation is a lie. Yes it was me Heather who wrote this thank you and i misspelled my last name because i was typing so fast because i was angry not that i need to justify myself. For the record my mom never sent my sister out, my sister is a grown woman weather or not she did or did not say those things i don't know but i do know my mother didn't send her out so before you start pointing fingers make sure your stories are correct and also before you start pointing out everyone else's so called crimes and faults make sure your own hands are clean....
Heather Hamilton
February 16, 2010 11:28 PM
I have no dirt on my hands. But there is public records on your sisters dirt. I am not a high school drop out either. Can you say the same? Theres public records on your step father as well. There's a ton of dirt on my brother as well. I work and pay my tax's and follow all the laws. I know lots more about more people in are family then you do. But this is not the time or place to discuss all that.
So here is my advice to you all. Mary focuse on your health and your own family. Heather stop being a mouth piece for the family. You are a smart girl. Get a GED and go to collage. Anita focus on your own family. Keep better tabs on your man. Stop allowing him to use your car. Your only enableing him to go see his other two girls. And yes they are having relation again.
Heather said...
Ok my mother did not put me up to this thank you I'm grown i make my own decisions my mother doesn't read your blog unless i bring something up to her and as to her writing a list she would have had to have been in the house in order to make this so called list how else would she have known what to saposivly tell jimmy to steal for her so that right there shows that, that whole situation is a lie. Yes it was me Heather who wrote this thank you and i misspelled my last name because i was typing so fast because i was angry not that i need to justify myself. For the record my mom never sent my sister out, my sister is a grown woman weather or not she did or did not say those things i don't know but i do know my mother didn't send her out so before you start pointing fingers make sure your stories are correct and also before you start pointing out everyone else's so called crimes and faults make sure your own hands are clean....
Heather Hamilton
February 16, 2010 11:28 PM
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Message from Heather Via her mother!
Below is a message left on my blog by my cousin. I am sure she was put up to this by her mother. Just as her mother, sent her oldest daugter around telling people she was going to fight Staice. I left her message intact as it was posted. It may be hard to read. For it is wrighten in a street dialect and not proper english. As you read it you will see lot's of faults statement, or incorrect staments to blind side people. No one ever stated her mother steped in my mothers house and stole anything. The blog I posted was about a list that her mother wrote instructing my brother on what to steal and bring back to her. Staice was witness to this crime. And has spoken to several true family members about this list. She has also given her deepest apolliges inregards to this crime. As far as Stacie dening people to see her kid. Well I have not been denied niether has Jenn or other true members of my family. Your mother deside to close the door on Staice. Not Stacie! Your mother sent your sister out telling people she going to hurt Stacie. Staice is not going to invite people into her home when they threaten harm to her and her unborn child. As for her not letting my brother see his kid? When here's a list of resons why. She dont want a drunk, or someone that is high around her kid. He dose not pay any child support for thier kid. Hes par-taking in illeagal activites.
Heather did you know that `he blew off seeing his kid at are sisters house on Christmess day? Did you know he ignored his daughter at Wal-Mart resently. His kid was calling daddy daddy and waving at him. He turn and walk away from her. Also he failed to show up in court for his other kid on Jan 13th 2010. I was there with are true family to witness that. Your mother and step father were not there. Considering your step father and mother told me and another family member by phone they were coaching and encourtageing him on the court issues. So its not that any one keeps him from his kids. It's he dont care and don't want them. His son Anthony Jame, is another example of him abanding his responcabillitys as a father and as a man.
P.S Sad Heather that you can not spell your last name correctly? That is if Heather really wrote this???
Heather said...
ok you ppl really need to keep my mothers names out your mouths because im not playin no more take this as a threat if yu want i dont care but if my mother or my sisters name or my brother james name or anyone else in my family's names are mentioned on this sight agian wether it be using nic names or thier real names, i save n print out everything on here and if im not mistaking joe yu mention slander in one of your preivious blogs but lately thats all your blogs seem to be and not for nothing but im taking criminal justcie classes soon i know what i can canot take you to court from and the storys you post on here you constantly say you have proof if im not correct well so far i have not seen any proof behind any of your blogs for the record my mother never stole anything from mom(roro) she never even set foot in that house except for the night of my 13th bdaii party there and the night mom(roro) passed away n that was jus to inform everyone at the house that she had passed awaii maybe you for got but i was there. just a thought but maybe if ppl stopped making up bullshyt storys they wud have to "watch their back" so much n worry bout sum1 coming after them i havnt posted anything on here in a while out of respect for wantin to keep things civil cuz regalrdless brionna still is my lil cousin and it would be nice to see her sumtimes but im done hearing this stuff im not playin around no more so if you wanna get mad or watever go right ahead i dont care anymore jus kno that if any of thouse names are mentioned again you will be recieving a summons
thank you
heather hamiton
p.s im not posting this Anonymous because im not afraid to show who i am
Heather did you know that `he blew off seeing his kid at are sisters house on Christmess day? Did you know he ignored his daughter at Wal-Mart resently. His kid was calling daddy daddy and waving at him. He turn and walk away from her. Also he failed to show up in court for his other kid on Jan 13th 2010. I was there with are true family to witness that. Your mother and step father were not there. Considering your step father and mother told me and another family member by phone they were coaching and encourtageing him on the court issues. So its not that any one keeps him from his kids. It's he dont care and don't want them. His son Anthony Jame, is another example of him abanding his responcabillitys as a father and as a man.
P.S Sad Heather that you can not spell your last name correctly? That is if Heather really wrote this???
Heather said...
ok you ppl really need to keep my mothers names out your mouths because im not playin no more take this as a threat if yu want i dont care but if my mother or my sisters name or my brother james name or anyone else in my family's names are mentioned on this sight agian wether it be using nic names or thier real names, i save n print out everything on here and if im not mistaking joe yu mention slander in one of your preivious blogs but lately thats all your blogs seem to be and not for nothing but im taking criminal justcie classes soon i know what i can canot take you to court from and the storys you post on here you constantly say you have proof if im not correct well so far i have not seen any proof behind any of your blogs for the record my mother never stole anything from mom(roro) she never even set foot in that house except for the night of my 13th bdaii party there and the night mom(roro) passed away n that was jus to inform everyone at the house that she had passed awaii maybe you for got but i was there. just a thought but maybe if ppl stopped making up bullshyt storys they wud have to "watch their back" so much n worry bout sum1 coming after them i havnt posted anything on here in a while out of respect for wantin to keep things civil cuz regalrdless brionna still is my lil cousin and it would be nice to see her sumtimes but im done hearing this stuff im not playin around no more so if you wanna get mad or watever go right ahead i dont care anymore jus kno that if any of thouse names are mentioned again you will be recieving a summons
thank you
heather hamiton
p.s im not posting this Anonymous because im not afraid to show who i am
Monday, February 15, 2010
ANONYMOUS SAID...
Anonymous said...
Its sad that Mary, would send other family members out to harm others. But then again this is not the first time she done this. She had James robb his mothers house as she was in hospital dieing. And she also called Social servics on Jenn. When will you stop this Mary come on. Your sister will be dead now 2 years come May. Joe has done nothing to you but point out the truth. Hes the only one of Rose's kids that took care of her bills including the funeral. He's has rebuilt relationships with family and friends. That you try to destroy.
February 14, 2010 9:26 AM
Its sad that Mary, would send other family members out to harm others. But then again this is not the first time she done this. She had James robb his mothers house as she was in hospital dieing. And she also called Social servics on Jenn. When will you stop this Mary come on. Your sister will be dead now 2 years come May. Joe has done nothing to you but point out the truth. Hes the only one of Rose's kids that took care of her bills including the funeral. He's has rebuilt relationships with family and friends. That you try to destroy.
February 14, 2010 9:26 AM
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Assault/Battery
I was told today by phone that Staice, has been threaten with violents. This is sad that my Aunt and her oldest daughter, would target and threaten to beat up a pregnant woman. This all because Staice may go after my dead beat brother for child support. It amazes me that before she left my brother for many good reasons. My Aunt and her oldest Daughter treated Staice like a sister, like a best friend. Now the want to hurt her and her unborn child. This is purely evil!!!
So below I thought I post, that if such attack takes place on Staice. It most likely be consider a Assault/Battery. I ask my sick Aunt to rethink about the evil she wants to do on Staice. I ask my cousin not to listion to any one telling her to commit such a crime. It will only put you in jail. And then what happends to your two little boys??? THINK ABOUT IT!
In most states, an assault/battery is committed when one person 1) tries to or does physically strike another, or 2) acts in a threatening manner to put another in fear of immediate harm. Many states declare that a more serious or "aggravated" assault/battery occurs when one 1) tries to or does cause severe injury to another, or 2) causes injury through use of a deadly weapon. Historically, laws treated the threat of physical injury as "assault", and the completed act of physical contact or offensive touching as "battery," but many states no longer differentiate between the two.
For information on personal injury ("tort") cases involving assault and battery, visit the Assault and Battery section of FindLaw's Accident & Injury Center.
So below I thought I post, that if such attack takes place on Staice. It most likely be consider a Assault/Battery. I ask my sick Aunt to rethink about the evil she wants to do on Staice. I ask my cousin not to listion to any one telling her to commit such a crime. It will only put you in jail. And then what happends to your two little boys??? THINK ABOUT IT!
In most states, an assault/battery is committed when one person 1) tries to or does physically strike another, or 2) acts in a threatening manner to put another in fear of immediate harm. Many states declare that a more serious or "aggravated" assault/battery occurs when one 1) tries to or does cause severe injury to another, or 2) causes injury through use of a deadly weapon. Historically, laws treated the threat of physical injury as "assault", and the completed act of physical contact or offensive touching as "battery," but many states no longer differentiate between the two.
For information on personal injury ("tort") cases involving assault and battery, visit the Assault and Battery section of FindLaw's Accident & Injury Center.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Valentine's Day
Saint Valentine's Day (commonly shortened to Valentine's Day)[1][2][3] is an annual holiday held on February 14 celebrating love and affection between intimate companions.[1][3] The holiday is named after one or more early Christian martyrs named Valentine and was established by Pope Gelasius I in 496 AD. It is traditionally a day on which lovers express their love for each other by presenting flowers, offering confectionery, and sending greeting cards (known as "valentines"). The holiday first became associated with romantic love in the circle of Geoffrey Chaucer in the High Middle Ages, when the tradition of courtly love flourished.
Modern Valentine's Day symbols include the heart-shaped outline, doves, and the figure of the winged Cupid. Since the 19th century, handwritten valentines have largely given way to mass-produced greeting cards.[4]
Contents [hide]
1 Older tradition
2 Saint Valentine
3 Attested traditions
3.1 Lupercalia
3.2 Chaucer's love birds
3.3 Medieval period and the English Renaissance
3.4 Modern times
4 Antique and vintage Valentines, 1850–1950
4.1 Valentines of the mid-19th and early 20th centuries
4.2 Postcards, "pop-ups", and mechanical Valentines, circa 1900-1930
4.3 Black Americana and children's Valentines
5 Similar days honoring love
5.1 In the West
5.1.1 Europe
5.1.2 Mexico, Central and South America
5.2 Asia
5.2.1 Japan
5.2.2 Similar Asian traditions
5.3 Middle East
6 Conflict with religious fundamentalists
6.1 India
6.2 The Middle East
6.2.1 Saudi Arabia
6.2.2 Pakistan
7 See also
8 References
Older tradition
The sending of Valentines was a fashion in nineteenth-century Great Britain, and, in 1847, Esther Howland developed a successful business in her Worcester, Massachusetts home with hand-made Valentine cards based on British models. The popularity of Valentine cards in 19th century America, where many Valentine cards are now general greeting cards rather than declarations of love, was a harbinger of the future commercialization of holidays in the United States.[5] It's considered one of the Hallmark holidays.
The U.S. Greeting Card Association estimates that approximately one billion valentines are sent each year worldwide, making the day the second largest card-sending holiday of the year, behind Christmas. The association estimates that, in the US, men spend on average twice as much money as women.[6]
Saint Valentine
For more details on this topic, see Saint Valentine.
Numerous early Christian martyrs were named Valentine.[7] The Valentines honored on February 14 are Valentine of Rome (Valentinus presb. m. Romae) and Valentine of Terni (Valentinus ep. Interamnensis m. Romae).[8] Valentine of Rome[9] was a priest in Rome who was martyred about AD 269 and was buried on the Via Flaminia. His relics are at the Church of Saint Praxed in Rome,[10] and at Whitefriar Street Carmelite Church in Dublin, Ireland.
Valentine of Terni[11] became bishop of Interamna (modern Terni) about AD 197 and is said to have been martyred during the persecution under Emperor Aurelian. He is also buried on the Via Flaminia, but in a different location than Valentine of Rome. His relics are at the Basilica of Saint Valentine in Terni (Basilica di San Valentino).[12]
The Catholic Encyclopedia also speaks of a third saint named Valentine who was mentioned in early martyrologies under date of February 14. He was martyred in Africa with a number of companions, but nothing more is known about him.[13]
No romantic elements are present in the original early medieval biographies of either of these martyrs. By the time a Saint Valentine became linked to romance in the fourteenth century, distinctions between Valentine of Rome and Valentine of Terni were utterly lost.[14]
In the 1969 revision of the Roman Catholic Calendar of Saints, the feastday of Saint Valentine on February 14 was removed from the General Roman Calendar and relegated to particular (local or even national) calendars for the following reason: "Though the memorial of Saint Valentine is ancient, it is left to particular calendars, since, apart from his name, nothing is known of Saint Valentine except that he was buried on the Via Flaminia on February 14."[15] The feast day is still celebrated in Balzan (Malta) where relics of the saint are claimed to be found, and also throughout the world by Traditionalist Catholics who follow the older, pre-Vatican II calendar.
The Early Medieval acta of either Saint Valentine were expounded briefly in Legenda Aurea.[16] According to that version, St Valentine was persecuted as a Christian and interrogated by Roman Emperor Claudius II in person. Claudius was impressed by Valentine and had a discussion with him, attempting to get him to convert to Roman paganism in order to save his life. Valentine refused and tried to convert Claudius to Christianity instead. Because of this, he was executed. Before his execution, he is reported to have performed a miracle by healing the blind daughter of his jailer.
Legenda Aurea still providing no connections whatsoever with sentimental love, appropriate lore has been embroidered in modern times to portray Valentine as a priest who refused an unattested law attributed to Roman Emperor Claudius II, allegedly ordering that young men remain single. The Emperor supposedly did this to grow his army, believing that married men did not make for good soldiers. The priest Valentine, however, secretly performed marriage ceremonies for young men. When Claudius found out about this, he had Valentine arrested and thrown in jail. In an embellishment to The Golden Legend provided by American Greetings, Inc. to History.com and widely repeated, on the evening before Valentine was to be executed, he wrote the first "valentine" himself, addressed to a young girl variously identified as his beloved,[17] as the jailer's daughter whom he had befriended and healed,[18] or both. It was a note that read "From your Valentine."[17]
Attested traditions
Lupercalia
Main article: Lupercalia
Though popular modern sources link unspecified Greco-Roman February holidays alleged to be devoted to fertility and love to St Valentine's Day, Professor Jack Oruch of the University of Kansas argued[19] that prior to Chaucer, no links between the Saints named Valentinus and romantic love existed. Earlier links as described above were focused on sacrifice rather than romantic love. In the ancient Athenian calendar the period between mid-January and mid-February was the month of Gamelion, dedicated to the sacred marriage of Zeus and Hera.
In Ancient Rome, Lupercalia, observed February 13 through 15, was an archaic rite connected to fertility. Lupercalia was a festival local to the city of Rome. The more general Festival of Juno Februa, meaning "Juno the purifier "or "the chaste Juno," was celebrated on February 13-14. Pope Gelasius I (492-496) abolished Lupercalia.
It is a common opinion that the Christian church may have decided to celebrate Valentine's feast day in the middle of February in an effort to Christianize celebrations of the pagan Lupercalia, and that a commemorative feast was established in 496 by Pope Gelasius I, of those "... whose names are justly reverenced among men, but whose acts are known only to God," among whom was Valentine, was set for the useful day. Alternatively, William M. Green argues that the Catholic Church could not abolish the deeply rooted Lupercalia festival, so the church set aside a day to honor the Virgin Mary.[20]
Modern Valentine's Day symbols include the heart-shaped outline, doves, and the figure of the winged Cupid. Since the 19th century, handwritten valentines have largely given way to mass-produced greeting cards.[4]
Contents [hide]
1 Older tradition
2 Saint Valentine
3 Attested traditions
3.1 Lupercalia
3.2 Chaucer's love birds
3.3 Medieval period and the English Renaissance
3.4 Modern times
4 Antique and vintage Valentines, 1850–1950
4.1 Valentines of the mid-19th and early 20th centuries
4.2 Postcards, "pop-ups", and mechanical Valentines, circa 1900-1930
4.3 Black Americana and children's Valentines
5 Similar days honoring love
5.1 In the West
5.1.1 Europe
5.1.2 Mexico, Central and South America
5.2 Asia
5.2.1 Japan
5.2.2 Similar Asian traditions
5.3 Middle East
6 Conflict with religious fundamentalists
6.1 India
6.2 The Middle East
6.2.1 Saudi Arabia
6.2.2 Pakistan
7 See also
8 References
Older tradition
The sending of Valentines was a fashion in nineteenth-century Great Britain, and, in 1847, Esther Howland developed a successful business in her Worcester, Massachusetts home with hand-made Valentine cards based on British models. The popularity of Valentine cards in 19th century America, where many Valentine cards are now general greeting cards rather than declarations of love, was a harbinger of the future commercialization of holidays in the United States.[5] It's considered one of the Hallmark holidays.
The U.S. Greeting Card Association estimates that approximately one billion valentines are sent each year worldwide, making the day the second largest card-sending holiday of the year, behind Christmas. The association estimates that, in the US, men spend on average twice as much money as women.[6]
Saint Valentine
For more details on this topic, see Saint Valentine.
Numerous early Christian martyrs were named Valentine.[7] The Valentines honored on February 14 are Valentine of Rome (Valentinus presb. m. Romae) and Valentine of Terni (Valentinus ep. Interamnensis m. Romae).[8] Valentine of Rome[9] was a priest in Rome who was martyred about AD 269 and was buried on the Via Flaminia. His relics are at the Church of Saint Praxed in Rome,[10] and at Whitefriar Street Carmelite Church in Dublin, Ireland.
Valentine of Terni[11] became bishop of Interamna (modern Terni) about AD 197 and is said to have been martyred during the persecution under Emperor Aurelian. He is also buried on the Via Flaminia, but in a different location than Valentine of Rome. His relics are at the Basilica of Saint Valentine in Terni (Basilica di San Valentino).[12]
The Catholic Encyclopedia also speaks of a third saint named Valentine who was mentioned in early martyrologies under date of February 14. He was martyred in Africa with a number of companions, but nothing more is known about him.[13]
No romantic elements are present in the original early medieval biographies of either of these martyrs. By the time a Saint Valentine became linked to romance in the fourteenth century, distinctions between Valentine of Rome and Valentine of Terni were utterly lost.[14]
In the 1969 revision of the Roman Catholic Calendar of Saints, the feastday of Saint Valentine on February 14 was removed from the General Roman Calendar and relegated to particular (local or even national) calendars for the following reason: "Though the memorial of Saint Valentine is ancient, it is left to particular calendars, since, apart from his name, nothing is known of Saint Valentine except that he was buried on the Via Flaminia on February 14."[15] The feast day is still celebrated in Balzan (Malta) where relics of the saint are claimed to be found, and also throughout the world by Traditionalist Catholics who follow the older, pre-Vatican II calendar.
The Early Medieval acta of either Saint Valentine were expounded briefly in Legenda Aurea.[16] According to that version, St Valentine was persecuted as a Christian and interrogated by Roman Emperor Claudius II in person. Claudius was impressed by Valentine and had a discussion with him, attempting to get him to convert to Roman paganism in order to save his life. Valentine refused and tried to convert Claudius to Christianity instead. Because of this, he was executed. Before his execution, he is reported to have performed a miracle by healing the blind daughter of his jailer.
Legenda Aurea still providing no connections whatsoever with sentimental love, appropriate lore has been embroidered in modern times to portray Valentine as a priest who refused an unattested law attributed to Roman Emperor Claudius II, allegedly ordering that young men remain single. The Emperor supposedly did this to grow his army, believing that married men did not make for good soldiers. The priest Valentine, however, secretly performed marriage ceremonies for young men. When Claudius found out about this, he had Valentine arrested and thrown in jail. In an embellishment to The Golden Legend provided by American Greetings, Inc. to History.com and widely repeated, on the evening before Valentine was to be executed, he wrote the first "valentine" himself, addressed to a young girl variously identified as his beloved,[17] as the jailer's daughter whom he had befriended and healed,[18] or both. It was a note that read "From your Valentine."[17]
Attested traditions
Lupercalia
Main article: Lupercalia
Though popular modern sources link unspecified Greco-Roman February holidays alleged to be devoted to fertility and love to St Valentine's Day, Professor Jack Oruch of the University of Kansas argued[19] that prior to Chaucer, no links between the Saints named Valentinus and romantic love existed. Earlier links as described above were focused on sacrifice rather than romantic love. In the ancient Athenian calendar the period between mid-January and mid-February was the month of Gamelion, dedicated to the sacred marriage of Zeus and Hera.
In Ancient Rome, Lupercalia, observed February 13 through 15, was an archaic rite connected to fertility. Lupercalia was a festival local to the city of Rome. The more general Festival of Juno Februa, meaning "Juno the purifier "or "the chaste Juno," was celebrated on February 13-14. Pope Gelasius I (492-496) abolished Lupercalia.
It is a common opinion that the Christian church may have decided to celebrate Valentine's feast day in the middle of February in an effort to Christianize celebrations of the pagan Lupercalia, and that a commemorative feast was established in 496 by Pope Gelasius I, of those "... whose names are justly reverenced among men, but whose acts are known only to God," among whom was Valentine, was set for the useful day. Alternatively, William M. Green argues that the Catholic Church could not abolish the deeply rooted Lupercalia festival, so the church set aside a day to honor the Virgin Mary.[20]
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