The Brittingham Children

Thomas and Mary Brittingham had three children: Margaret in 1892, Harold Hixon in 1894, and Thomas Evans, Jr. in 1899. They spent the bulk of their childhoods on the cusp of the UW-Madison campus, where they engaged in typical childhood activities: sledding, riding bikes, playing with teddy bears and the family pets.

Other elements of their upbringing were certainly less common, however. They traveled widely and attended private schools. Their privilege also extended to them the services of hired help. The children had their own personal "athletic instructor," and grew up with servants.¹² While their children were growing up, the Brittinghams retained two live-in servants; possibly they employed others as well, servants who did not reside with the family. ¹³

To read more about one of the Brittingham children, click on their name to the right.