For many Christmas a special time year to spread happiness and joy. Yet, for some the Christmas cheer is not. Usually, but not always, a tragic event has happened, and a family member passed away during the holidays.

This happened to Long Valley residents. Albert and Mary Ross. On December 23, 1881, they lost six year old daughter, Rosie Arrowsmith Ross. Her death announcement included the following statement: “Rosie the bright flower of the flock is gone. She died of the dread disease typhoid pneumonia. She was buried near her home on Christmas day, in a shady nook of oak trees overlooking the valley, where a mother’s hand will care for it. Many kind friends assisted and attended the funeral.”

It should be noted that Ross Ranch would later became known Constantia.

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