James was two months shy of his 21st birthday and Ida had reached her 18th birthday less than a month before the ceremony. They were Lewes residents from the time of their marriage until their deaths.

At some point they bought a three bedroom, one bath house at 311 Mulberry Street in Lewes. After James died in 1942, Ida was able to rent the right side of the house, which was separated by a stairway, as an apartment.

They had their first child, Mildred Hester Prettyman, on April 18, 1904 when Ida was 20 and James was 23. Their first son Milman Edward Prettyman was born in 1905 and their second son James Pride Prettyman, Jr., in 1913.

"Both grandparents were quiet people living a 'Methodist" life -- no drinking, galavanting, etc. There were strong family feelings and they enjoyed their home and neighbors."

"Yes, each evening they (and all of us) gathered on those four green high back chairs on the front porch and watched the people walk by -- particularly the young unattached men like Horz (?) Clifford on his way uptown to hear the latest local news. These people stopped at each porch sharing their news -- on the way to their early destinations and their homes. It was fun and what front porches were meant to be (same thing happened in Seaford and Rehoboth)."

"This gathering took place after supper, for our big meal of the day occured at noon. On special occasions Grandmother made a Lord Baltimore Cake -- very good. We always had applesauce available. too."

James' sister Fannie and her husband Walter Donovan lived next door at 309 Mulberry with their children Walter, Jr., Hester and Ronnie.

The house at 311 Mulberry was purchased by Walter, Jr., after Ida's death and he lived in it for more than 30 years until he was moved to a nursing home.

The house sat empty until it was sold to Barry and Stephanie Boright of Arlington, Va., in November, 2004. The Borights completed extensive renovations and the house was featured in a Feb. 15, 2004 story in the "Cape Gazette."

The story of Prettyman homes including 311 Mulberry Street will be featured on a later page.