As a creative writing exercise for class, I had to select one photo from the website foundpolaroids.com and come up with a fictional story about the subjects within the polaroid.

The Devon Family

From left to right, Robert Devon (Father 62), Gregory Devon (Uncle 70), Samuel (Sammy) Devon (Son 34). 

The Devon family is known throughout the Stature, Illinois community as the heart of the town. The first Devon, Jeremiah Devon and his wife, Mary Devon, settled on a farm in this quiet little town in the year 1886. When they came, the Devons brought with them several new types of livestock including domestic ducks. Thanks to these domestic ducks, the Devons would become a popular supplier for the town’s first grocery shop, the Corner Store. The people of Stature absolutely loved the taste of duck egg omelets and soon enough, the Devons would become a core family in the community. 

In 1902, Gregory’s great grandfather, John Devon, would become the town’s first African-American sheriff of Stature at the age of 27 and would continue to serve until his retirement in 1926. 

In 1920 Gregory’s father, Donald Devon would follow in his father’s footsteps, becoming a police officer, but his main passion was in music. Donald loved playing his saxophone and taught both his sons, Robert and Gregory, how to play the saxophone. Later, the entire family would play jazz music in the local bar, the Timeless Trip. 

In 1936, Gregory would receive a full scholarship to the Chicago Musical Institute of Jazz. His brother joined him in Chicago in 1938 where they would perform in various Jazz clubs around the city. They became known as the Devon Duo and lived together in Chicago until 1942 when Robert moved back to Stature to continue the family farm after the passing of his uncle Reggie. 

Now in 1974, Robert and Gregory are playing together again this time accompanied by Robert’s son, Samuel on the clarinet. Make sure to check out their show at the Timeless Trip tonight at 7:30.