Jemima Wigfall

ACTIVE-MOVED

Posts
122
Last visited
August 31, 2022
Player
Javia

About Jemima Wigfall

A Tough Girl

Custom Fields

Playby
Jenny Tomasin
Goes By
Jemima
Birth Date
12/25/1856
Height
5' 6 1/2"
Hair Color
Black
Eye Color
Brown

Role

Supporting Character
Playby

Jenny Tomasin
Full Name

Jemima Andrea Wigfall
Aliases / Nicknames

None
Goes By

Jemima
Profession

Boarding House scullion, maid for hire.
Position

Low
Birth Date

12/25/1856
Status

Single
Height

5' 6 1/2"
Hair Color

Black
Eye Color

Brown
Physical Description

Unprepossessing.
Character Traits

Jemima is a strong, hard worker and is desperate to meet a boy and find love, but she has a secret that makes her very shy around young men. She is jealous of most other girls who seem so attractive and graceful compared to herself. She hates her brother.
Employment

Jemima helps her mother out with chores at her boarding house and makes a few extra dollars for the household by 'doing' for F. Falmer Browne in his upmarket townhouse.
Expertise

Cleaning, washing, mending, potato peeling, carrying, moving things, lifting, going to the stores for produce, making beds, dusting. Once caught a large toad at school and was thereafter reckoned 'a good toad-catcher'.
Residence(s)

Mrs Wigfall's Boarding House.
Kith & Kin

Father George Wigfall, Western Union Office Manager.

Mother Mary Wigfall, Boarding House Mistress.

Older Brother (by 5 minutes) Hector Mark Wigfall, Western Union Telegraph Operator
Timeline

Born: Jemima Andrea Wigfall, Christmas Day 1856, Kalispell, Montana

School: 1861-1870, Bottom of the Class 3 years running 1863 thru 1865

Work for Boarding house: 1866-Present

Work for Falmer Brown, 1875-Present

And that's the story of her life.
Character Notes

Friends with Arabella Mudd.

Topics I Participated In

Medium

Started by Weedy · August 24, 2022

Mature Content: No
With: Josh, Jemima,
Location: F. Falmer Browne's House
When: Sept / 01 / 1876
Time of Day: Morning

Ever since Uncle Josh had arrived, and he had met his 'cousin' and heard about the boy's mother, Weedy had been toying with the idea of going to Miss Jemima for help. After all, she knew how to communicate with people in Heaven, so maybe she could help Josh talk to his Ma, or at least maybe let them know for sure that God wasn't mad at Uncle Isiah for being mad at God, or if He was, what they could do to make things better.

And, there was the perfect excuse, since there was the pan from supper last night to take back.

"Hey, Josh, c'mon, let's take this here pan back to Miss Jemima. Her house is just out the back yard." Well, it wasn't 'her' house, it was Professor Brown's, but close enough, and it was a simple enough task to slip through the fence.

@MD; @Javia
Gotta Carry On

Started by Adelaide Chappel · July 18, 2022

Mature Content: No
With: Addy, Isiah, Weddy, Josh, Open
Location: Millegan Stage Co. Barn/Chappel Residence
When: Aug 31 / 1876
Time of Day: Midday

Addy was grateful that her brother was here to drive the wagon back home...while she could have done it, she was exhausted, both physically and mentally. She'd helped take care of the injured until they got to the fort, but once they were on the rode back to town, she'd relaxed with Caroline in the back of the wagon, where both ladies endured Weddy and Josh's earnest ministrations.

Still, Addy had pretty quickly fallen asleep, and only woke up when they stopped in town to drop off Miss Mundee at her home. After giving the young woman a firm hug, she climbed onto the seat next to her brother, leaning against him with a sigh.

"Good ta be home," she muttered, although there was a lot to do before she could relax. "Least ways I got me a horse outta it," she added, indicating the Indian paint tied to the back of the wagon. "Gonna hafta take a team out an' get th' coach."

Sighing, she rested her head on her brother's shoulder. "Gotta get me some boots an' a good meal first, though. It was good ta see ya there."

@MD
Not to Worry

Started by Weedy · March 22, 2022

Mature Content: No
With: Weedy, F. Falmer Browne
Location: Add specific location information here.
When: Aug 30, 1876
Time of Day: Afternoon

While it wasn't particularly unusual that Addy didn't come back from a run, it still didn't happen often, and although he wasn't really worried -- yet -- Weedy was feeling a bit unsettled. The stage was supposed to be back yesterday evening, and still there was no sign of her when he got home from school.

Still not to worry on, any number of things could have delayed her, most of them annoying more than anything, but as much as he tried to convince himself that it was all right, Weedy was starting to get a little antsy, and he finally decided to go talk to Professor Browne...not about Addy, necessarily, no, he probably had some arithmetic he could use some help with, and maybe he could mooch a good meal...and not have to stay alone in the big house, or retreat to the barn, where he might feel more comfortable...

Math book tucked under his arm and Buster trotting beside him, the boy clamored over the back fence, then up to Professor Browne's door, knocking firmly, then taking a step back and waiting.
I'll Never Slip Around Again

Started by Jemima Wigfall · February 1, 2022

Mature Content: Shameful behavior may be referred to.
With: Miriam Kaufmann, Arabella Mudd.
Location: Mr Pettigrew's Dress Emporium
When: Month August 1876, 2 days after a Simple Tryst of Fate
Time of Day: Late Morning

While Miriam was busily sewing in back of the store, Jemima stood out front, behind the counter. Others might have busied themselves whilst waiting for the first customers of the day; tidying out drawers full of needles and thread bobbins, or polishing the brass on the cash box, or sorting out the ribbons by colour or... or rearranging the hat and glove displays, or even just whistling a tune, fer cryin' out loud. But no: Jemima just stood there, staring off into space, occasionally sniffing, but basically in a lazy docile dream. And why not? The girl worked about a hundred different jobs around town, if this was her form of relaxation, standing about like a wooden Indian, then why begrudge her?

She had to look up, however, when the door to the street creaked open and the little bell above it tinkled a salute to the newcomer. "Oh. It's you." she said flatly to Arabella, by way of greeting. She looked funny, somehow. What was it? Jemima tipped her head. Same old bonnet, shawl and basket. Same old patched smock and worn-out boots. She wasn't particularly happy looking, or angry or sad or... maybe that was it! If the saloon's floor scrubber wasn't laughing her head of about something, she was usually crying her eyes out over nothing. If she wasn't ranting and raving about some imagined insult, she was solicitously commiserating about someone else's misfortune.

But not today. Today she just looked blank; like a zombi; a thing all empty of emotion. She looked like Jemima herself had two seconds ago. It made the Wigfall girl shudder. Something must have happened.

"I'm glad it's you. Here, I gotta get these things for Mrs McMahon." she said in an emotionless voice pushing over a note as she did so. 'Mrs McMahon'?! Arabella never called the big black cook at the saloon anything other than 'Mammy Cookie'. This wasn't right. This wasn't right at all.

Jemima took the list of items and sort of walked backwards through the dividing curtain that separated front of store to back of store. Miriam was on the rackety sounding sewing machine and had clearly not heard a customer come in.

"You'd better get behind the counter while I go in the stock room" she said to the slight Jewish girl "We got a queer lookin' customer out front." and with that she went to root out the stuff on the list.

When Arabella eventually beheld Miriam coming through the curtain, her greeting was frosty, to say the least.

"Hello, Miriam." Miriam? What happened to Dolly-pops... or even just Dolly?! And then the seven little words that all boyfriends, girlfriends, wives, husbands and lovers dread to hear popped out from between her lips.

"Have you got something to tell me?"

@Wayfarer
Tell Me a Tale

Started by Adelaide Chappel · October 6, 2021

Mature Content: No
With: Addy, F. Falmer Browne Bear, et al
Location: Residence of F. Falmer B. B.
When: June 1876
Time of Day: Afternoon

The letter had been sitting on her table for a few days, and while Addy knew it was for her, and from Jay, she hadn't read it, mostly because she couldn't read but a few words, and she had been pondering over who to read it. Not, Weedy, of course, he was just a kid, and if there was something in it bad (she couldn't imagine what that might be, she loved Jay and he loved her), she didn't want him finding out that way.

Work had kept her busy, although it had given her plenty of time to ponder on who she could ask to read it for her, and after miles of hemmin' an' hawin', and thinkin' on this one an' that, she settled on her neighbor, F. Falmer, so now she was standing on his porch, the letter stashed in the pocket of the blue wool skirt she was wearing, and after knocking, she took off her hat and scooped some stray hairs behind her ear as she waited.

@Javia
A New Broom Sweeps Clean or The Littered House on the Prairie

Started by Jemima Wigfall · July 10, 2021

Rating: PG-14 Content: N/A Mature Content: No, but unpleasant scenes of domestic cleaning activities.
Author: Jemima Wigfall.
With: Clara Lutz; Miriam Kaufmann; Arabella Mudd.
Location: Shack on the Miggins Homestead.
When: Later June 1876 (after Clara and Jacob's wedding)
Time of Day: Around 11am.

How did she do it? How DID she do it?

As she pulled Bridget Monahan's little pony and trap up to the doorway of the Shack that Granny Miggins had pointed out to them, a good mile away from the main house and half hidden by bushes and trees, Jemima twisted around and looked at Miriam and Arabella lolling around in the rear of the small vehicle with their legs dangling over the back ("We've gotta sit in the back while you drive the pony cause Miriam gets sick otherwise"). All the cleaning equipment and the nice food they'd brought with them, and Jemima's gun, were piled up on the front seat next to her.

How did she do it?

One) Arabella had persuaded her own employers and Mr. Pettigrew that it was URGENT that they, all three, be given the day off so they could go and help out a young newly married girl who was 'on the point of nervous collapse' trying to turn a wreck of a shack into a family home.

Two) Arabella had persuaded that big soppy scardy-cat Miriam to leave the safe confines of Kalispell and risk the 'Injun Infested' journey to the Miggins place to help. "Don't worry, 'Mima'll protect us, and if there's too many Injuns to kill, she said she'll save the last three bullets for us so as we can blow our brains out: and don't worry you won't be brave enough, cause I don't mind blowin' yours out for ya, 'fore I do mine!"

Three) Arabella had persuaded Miriam's parents, whom, after one visit she now familiarly referred to as Papa and Mama, to allow her to go ('Such a pretty, clever girl our Miriam has now for a friend yet! And this crack-shot Jemima? Such a wonder!")

Four) Arabella had convinced Bridget to lend them her pony and trap despite wanting desperately to go along on the jaunt herself. "But Bridget, there ain't no room fer you, and 'sides, you bein' a cripple, you wouldn't be any help at all!" she had explained sensitively.

Five) Somehow Arabella had persuaded HER to waste a day helping out the woman who had stolen her man... sorta.

She was woken from her reverie by the sound of the mouthy Southerner banging on the shack's front door (only door actually) somewhat gingerly: it looked like it might splinter if she knocked too hard. "Clara? Clara? ... CLARA!!!"

She made up vocally for the quietness of the knocks.

@Wayfarer
After a Long Day

Started by Lucinda Dietrich · June 21, 2021

Mature Content: No, at least not on Lucinda's part! I can't speak for Hector, though.
With: Lucinda and the Wigfalls; possibly Aoife?
Location: The Wigfall Boarding House
When: June 19, 1876
Time of Day: Evening, after dusk

Lucinda profusely thanked the gentleman who had lugged her trunk over to the Wigfall's boarding house and gave him a flattering smile in lieu of coins, since she was short on those at the moment. She knocked on the boarding house door and was thankful she couldn't see what her hands looked like. They were probably red and prune-like from washing dishes for Emeline that evening. It had been a while since she had worked for so long at one thing, and she was tired but felt like she had done something worthwhile.

She rubbed one thumb over the rest of her fingers and was pleasantly surprised to feel that her fingers were not as shriveled as she had thought. That was fortunate, since she would probably need to do some hand-shaking soon. She hoped that the Wigfalls had a room available for her. What if they didn't? The only thing to do would be to go back to the Lickskillet and see if Emeline would let her spend the night there until she could find something else.

She certainly didn't want to spend the night anywhere else. Emeline's talk of guns and bank robberies had made her more wary, and she didn't want to be alone for much longer after dark. But at least she was on the steps of a reputable boarding house right now.
The Reception

Started by Clara Redmond Lutz · May 28, 2021

Rating: PG-14 Content: N/A Mature Content: No
With: Same cast as the wedding one.
Location: Redmond Farm
When: Same day as the wedding (June 1876)
Time of Day: Late afternoon

Well, she was a married woman, Clara let that sink in yet again even as she changed out of that lovely blue dress she had been married in, Emeline's gift to her, something she would always treasure too. But ever the practical one, she now changed into a more appropriate work dress because it was on her to feed the arriving guests as they pulled up to the Redmond property in buggies or riding horses. She was going to have to feed a good dozen folks and was a bit apprehensive at the responsibility too. Not that she didn't know how to cook, she had been doing that regularly since her mother died. No, she worried if she would have enough for all the guests.

In the oven was a ham, her father had bought it just the day before, he called it a 'large ham', it was a HUGE one but that was a good thing what with this many mouths to feed. Last night she had baked two full baskets of corn bread dodgers to provide the bread. While she did not dare ask Emeline for such (what with all the woman did for her) she hoped her employer might just bring a baked loaf or two of bread. Emeline was already providing the wedding cake and Clara was excited to see what she had done with it, Emeline was such a good baker.

As side dishes she had made a large batch of beans with molasses and flavored with some bacon tossed it too then some cooked carrots with honey, opened a jar of pickles, also a plate of pickled eggs she had gotten from the general store. Dessert would have to be the wedding cake, god, she hoped it was large enough to allow everyone a slice at least. She would make it a point to tell Jacob to cut the slices thin if necessary.

Last night she had brought out all the plates and dishware the family owned and washed them, ditto with the silverware. Another issue she could not fix was the fact their dining table in the farm was a small square thing, big enough of course for her father, Wyatt, and her but not going to seat this many guests. Her father came to the rescue by setting up two saw horses and placing a wide plank between them. Even using some barrels they just did not have enough chairs to seat everybody though. Some would have to stand or eat in shifts. Too late Clara realized it would have been smarter to have the dinner at the Lick Skillet! Live and learn.

Now suitably garbed (more for a work day than a party) the young brunette proceeded to the kitchen to do the last minute tasks which awaited her culinary event.

***

Wyatt had convinced his father to let him pound a few stakes into the ground and hopefully he could entice some of the guests to play some horseshoes. At least they could have a little fun at this boring affair.

***
Aurelian was not much of a drinker, well he had been as a young man but gave it up for assuming the reponsiblity of being a proper family man. But there had to be some sort of alcoholic beverage to do up toasts for the bridge and groom, to drink to their future so right after the wedding he had duly marched over to the saloon to try for a purchase of a bottle of some sort of wine. The bartender mentioned they had champagne in the back, the cost proved prohibitive though so Aurelian had to decline. That's when the man realized this was the wedding Arabella Mudd was attending, she had been given the day and evening off for it. As a goodwill gesture, he simply handed over a bottle of the champagne and said it was a wedding gift for the young couple. Aurelian gratefully accepted.

There would be coffee and tea provided too for the dinner, with fresh cream if anyone so desired.

Chased out of the kitchen by a harried Clara, Aurelian now stood outside to greet the attendees as they arrived. He had even resolved to tolerate Granny Miggins and hope for the very best.
First Day of Hopefully Many on the Job

Started by Miriam Kaufmann · May 24, 2021

Mature Content: No
With: Miriam, Mr. Pettigrew
Location:
Pettigrew & Packham (Deceased) Drapers, Millinery, Haberdashery, Specialist Corsetry Emporium and Ladies Outfitter.

When: June 1876
Time of Day: Morning just prior to opening time on the Hours sign

Miriam Kaufmann paused at the door of the shop with the practically exhausting title -
Pettigrew & Packham (Deceased) Drapers, Millinery, Haberdashery, Specialist Corsetry Emporium and Ladies Outfitter - she dearly hoped she would not be expected to memorize that! She could easily imagine her stumbling thru it whilst talking to customers. Although, just maybe she would not even have to talk to customers. She would soon find out. Clearing her throat and adjusting her hat hopefully just perfectly, she then knocked on the door. She almost made the attempt to try the handle and open it but decided against such boldness. Her employer might think that impertinent.

After her father had returned home yesterday with the news he had secured her a job in this establishment, after the whole family were overjoyed with that outcome, the girl had asked him what he was his assessment of the man who she was going to work for. Her father would have none of it.

"Daughter, it does not matter what I think of him or not, you will be in his employ and expected to do as you are told. This is work not a social occasion. Just be polite and respond to his every order without delay. You must make a good impression on him, you see."

Miriam did understand, what with her father new in town and setting up his own business, they were in need of whatever money they could get for living expenses as the purchase of the new storefront and living quarters and all that went with it was ruinously expensive. Miriam, being the oldest of the children, Benjamin was counting on her to start contributing for real now to the family welfare. She was no longer a child, she was a young woman. She, on the other hand, was determined not to disappoint her father and all the family.

Her thoughts were interrupted then as the door opened and a most imposing large man stood there. Miriam acknowledged him with a hasty nod then spoke.

"Goodday sir. I am Miriam Kaufmann, daughter of Abraham Kaufmann. Here to start work, to work for you," she announced trying not to sound nervous, her English was quite good but did have a German accent for those in the know.
With This Ring

Started by Hector Wigfall · May 18, 2021

Mature Content: No.
Author: Hector Wigfall.
With: Clara Redmond & Family, Jacob Lutz & Family and friends.
Location: The Church.
When: Early June 1876.
Time of Day: Five Past One in the Afternoon.

Hector Lupin Wigfall considered it all again for a moment. Some mere fifteen hours ago – fifteen – he had been sitting quite happily in the front parlour, reading The Telegrapher journal (good article on the Baudot code) and now he was standing here in church, of all the God damn places, in his best suit, acting as Best Man to a kid he’d hated at school and hadn’t actually seen much of since. The only time Lutz had entered his orbit was all those times he’d come round to see his horrible sister … whatever that was all about.

He shuddered.

No sign of the Bride’s party yet. Late! God damn rude he called it. Groom’s side of the church were here but looked like a pretty ropy lot, item: his own sister, looking a sight and still putting the finishing touches to Lutz. She’d been up all night taking in one of their father’s suits and when the husband-to-be had come round to the Wigfall place to get into it this morning, his gruesome twin had given the beanpole a shave and a haircut! Hector wouldn’t let that crazy fruitcake anywhere near HIS windpipe with a cut-throat razor.

Then there was the Groom himself, the lanky drip, probably looking the best he ever would in his life, thanks to Jemima’s ministrations. Granny Miggins, the dried up old Mummy, rubbing her finger like she been sticking it somewhere it shouldn’t oughta been stuck … and got it stuck. Then Lutz’s big sister, Leonora. She was actually a nice bit of real estate, but given to fainting fits, apparently. Mind you, having an attractive and unconscious female in his company might not be such a bad thing.

Then there was that ginger piece, Bridget something. Not bad but only one leg – ugh!

He pulled out his hunter and flipped the lid. ‘Bride’s prerogative’ and all that but what the Hell?! Father Thomas didn’t look concerned. Hector drifted over to him.

“So, Father, how long are we going to give it until we call it a day and head for the saloon?” he asked with an unsuitable air of levity.

@boshmi