Augusta Luther (1892-1956), Her Marriages and Death

Augusta "Gussie" Kittson signed in 1926 to receive her inheritance from her uncle, Herman Lutter (1860-1924).

Release signed by Gussie Kittson in 1926.
Estate of Herman Lutter, died 1924, Monmouth County, New Jersey.

While reviewing these recently acquired documents, I realized that I did not know what had become of Gussie.

Gussie began life with no name. She was born April 29, 1892 in Newark, Essex County, New Jersey to Otto Luther and Martha Klindt.

Birth certificate of baby girl Lutter.
Born April 29, 1892 in Newark, New Jersey.

In 1912, Gussie married James John Kittson. His parents were Robert Kittson and Mary J Payne.

Marriage certificate of James J Kittson and Augusta Luther.
Married February 17, 1912 in Harrison, New Jersey.

They had one child, James Mike Kittson, in 1919. (More on him in a future article.)

Birth certificate of James Mike Kitzens [Kittson].
Born August 11, 1919 in Harrison, New Jersey.

James Senior died in 1934. According to his death certificate, he was cremated at Rosehill Cemetery in Linden, New Jersey. I do not know what became of his ashes.

Death certificate of James J Kittson.
Died November 29, 1934 in Harrison, New Jersey.

In the 1940 census, Gussie was a widow in Harrison, Hudson County, New Jersey with her son, James Kittson. I had nothing beyond this on her.

1940 United States Federal Census
Gussie Kittson, head; age 49; widowed; born in New Jersey.
James M Kittson, son; age 20; single; born in New Jersey.
Patrick Kennedy, lodger; age 56; single; born in New Jersey.

While reviewing Lutter and Luther marriages, I found a possible remarriage for Augusta in 1947 to Donald MacDonald. (This index is available at Ancestry.)

Bride Index. State of New Jersey. 1947.
Augusta Luther married Donald MacDonald.

I copied this marriage record at the State Archives in Trenton. Augusta had indeed married again. On January 18, 1947, Augusta Luther married Donald MacDonald in Harrison, Hudson County. He was born August 27, 1877 in Glasgow, Scotland, to Archibald MacDonald and Annie Struthers.

Marriage certificate of Donald MacDonald and Augusta Luther.
Married January 18, 1947 in Harrison, New Jersey.

Still I could not find a date of death for Augusta under the name Lutter, Luther, Kittson, or MacDonald. I found a possible entry in the marriage index again. Anna A Lutther married John J Scanlon in 1952. 1948 is the most recent available year of marriage records at the Archives, so I cannot see this record yet.

Bride Index. New Jersey. 1952.
Anna A Lutther married John J Scanlon.

City Directories for Harrison are online at Ancestry. The wife of John J Scanlon also went by "Augusta."

City Directory. Harrison, New Jersey. 1952.
Scanlon John J (Augusta) h rear 109 S Fourth H

The New Jersey Death Index contained a possible entry for Augusta Lutter: Anna Augusta Scanlon in 1956. This record I could copy at the Archives. This is the correct person. I don't know why she switched to using "Anna" as a first name. She died August 26, 1956 in Harrison. She was buried at Arlington Memorial Park in Kearny, Hudson County, New Jersey.

Death certificate of Anna Augusta Scanlon.
Died August 26, 1956 in Harrison, New Jersey.

How did Augusta's marriage to Donald MacDonald end? The New Jersey Death Index has gaps and restarts in 1949. I searched the certificates at the Archives for 1947 and 1948- no good matches for Donald MacDonald. The 1950 census is appearing in Ancestry's index as I type this. I found Donald and Augusta in Harrison.

1950 United States Federal Census
Harrison, Hudson County, New Jersey
Donald McDonald, head; age 72; born in Scotland.
Anna McDonald, wife; age 57; born in New Jersey; works as waitress in cafe.

I returned to the Death Index and looked at 1950, 1951, and 1952. I found a possible match: Donald McDonald, not MacDonald, in 1951. I will view this record during my next trip to the Archives.

New Jersey Death Index, 1951
Donald McDonald died in June 1951.

Next: more information on Augusta's son, James Kittson.