Dolly Freeman, Tea Cup Reader During the Depression, 1930s, photo

Date: 1930s

As a child, it was a bit unnerving to have a Mother whom I would classify as a psychic. It was very hard to tell her a little white lie! As a small child in England, she was always being scolded for seeing pictures in the fireplace. Years later, her gift was able to feed her family. In 1933/34, the middle of the Depression, our Father had a work related accident that hospitalized him for some time. There was no welfare available then, but she would have been too proud to ask for help anyway.

A family friend, Harold Merrick, who had a Pharmacy in the Birks Building with a lunchroom in the back, asked her to consider putting her talent to work reading teacups. She received three cents for each reading. She became very popular and soon had many businessmen in the area coming to her seeking numbers. They invariably used these to play the horses and Dolly was offered many gifts. Our Father was not amused and I presume these were turned down. She never did attend the races in her lifetime!

Mr. Merrick eventually retired and closed his business and a young couple who had been involved in the tearoom eventually purchased a business across the Avenue at 103rd street. He named it the "Log Cabin" and Dolly carried on pleasing customers by telling them their futures and pasts. She may have been paid five cents a cup by then! The business eventually changed hands and was renamed "The Silk Hat" and is still there today, however, I don't think you can have a reading at such a bargain price!

Dolly also dressed as a Gypsy every so often to read teacups, palms or the crystal ball at her church to help raise funds. Later, as her eyesight failed and she had to be in a nursing home, she managed to read palms just by touching the other person's hand. This was also to raise money at their yearly tea.

She was a feisty five foot nothing little lady with a very active mind until her passing at 93 years of age. She never read my cup or my sisters, but then we knew our future was in pretty safe hands with her to keep us in line!