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Even with the work on Sonia’s autobiography all done, I am continually learning more about Sonia. Just when I thought I knew her, something re-emerges in my searches—a piece of letter, a single statement—that I’m prompted to reanalyze my perception of her. In June 2023, I wrote a piece about Sonia’s childhood friend, Laya Machat-Smyth, and while at the time of writing that post, I believed I had divulged all there was to tell in that matter. However, as I have delved further in Sonia’s essays and letters, I began to see old materials in a new light.

To be more specific, it was the second postscript of a letter which brought an all new emphasis on her friendship with Laya:

Transcription:

P.P.S          Dr. Machat (the dentist) and his sister (now Mrs. Smyth) live in Santa Barbara. Before I beame [sic] real sick, each—at different times—came to get me and have me stay at their homes sometimes weekends; but Sadie Machat as we used to call her, now Mrs. Smyth, sometimes kept me on a visit for a week.

Her husband is an Entomologist. For many years I lost track of them, but when I came to Irene’s First wedding, in ’47 I went to visit Dr + Mrs. Machat and learned that the Smyths were in Calif. that he was at the Los Angeles Museum.

Before that they were in Peru where he had a yearly contract for nine years, trying to destroy some sort of bug that ravished and destroyed many fruits and vegetables. They were given a well-furnished house and a maid. Mrs. S, having nothing do, sang for the “Lima Opera Co.” For six years after they left Peru, he worked in the Los Angeles Museum. They lived in Hermosa Beach for a few years, then built themselves a lovely home on top of a hill in Sta. Barbara, a very interesting residence. They came to see me at Magdas and took me to dinner. Dr. Machat sent me a small radio; also “Only in America” by Harry Golden, and recently he subscribed to a periodical, “Carolina Israelite” by Harry Golden, for me. On my birthday, they took me to dinner.

S.

The letter itself and the first postscript of the letter is missing. It isn’t even clear to whom Sonia was writing to, but we can only speculate given by the correspondents whose letters contained the most autobiographical writings. Leonore Goldberg is certainly the highest possibility, with her father and mother, Sidney and Florence Moseson, coming in second, and Mrs. Christine D. Hathaway coming in third. These individuals were plainly interested in Sonia’s life, and they wished to learn more about it. The majority of her autobiographical writings were presented to Leonore and to her parents. However, what had not been shared with them, Sonia revealed to the Special Collections librarian, Christine D. Hathaway. It is unclear if Brown University, or at the very least Christine, had promised to publish some sort of biography on Sonia. What’s clear is that Christine requested autobiographical information from Sonia, and collecting it for whatever reason:

My following remeniscences [sic] will shock and surprise you, but, I do not think any of this belongs in the Biography…

Sonia to Christine, October 8, 1968, p. 2, Autobiographical Writings, Box 9, Folder 1, John Hay Library.

The following I do not remember whether I had unfolded to you, or not. You may use it, if you think it good enough.

Sonia to Christine, October 8, 1968, p. 4, Autobiographical Writings, Box 9, Folder 1, John Hay Library.

As per your request, I am sending you my half-brother, Sidney’s biography.

Sonia to Christine, Mar 7, 1968, p.1, Box 1, Folder 1, From S.H. Davis 1944-1970, John Hay Library.

Christine and Sonia began corresponding in 1968 after Sonia had sent several literature materials of Nathaniel’s to the John Hay Library. Much of the rare tidbits of Sonia’s life were disclosed in these letters over the year. All of the Florence Carol Greene excerpts in the autobiography were extracted from Sonia’s letter to Christine on October 8, 1968.

No letter to Leonore, Sidney and Florence Moseson mentions Florence or their troubled relationship, and one could argue that perhaps Sonia didn’t think it was necessary to rehash a family matter because they already understood the conflict firsthand. Yet, to Christine, Sonia elaborated on Florence’s moments of adolescent innocence and moments of young adult rebellion. Once the autobiography is published and released, only then can the reader really know the amount of autobiography that was drawn out from their letters together.

And thus, to any one of these individuals, Sonia felt the need to explain her reuniting with Laya through her brother Dr. Julian (Jules) Machat in 1947. It’s no secret that Sonia had her moments of great extravagances. It was in her nature to be go all out, so to speak, in any occasion that involved guests and friends.

In addition to being an extremely personable woman, she was a rare cook, and displayed magnificent hospitality to club members. On at least one picnic she had brought an entire stuffed and roasted turkey to be cut up among the members and guests. Such generosity made some of our conservative members a little uneasy, but the dinners she gave to the club in her home were the really dazzling events.

Rheinhart Kleiner, “Discourse on H. P. Lovecraft” in Lovecraft Remembered, ed. Peter Cannon, p. 161.

As she got older, Sonia enjoyed hosting concerts to celebrate or to raise funds for organizations that were dear to her. In another fragmented letter, which is undated, Sonia revealed that Jules had attended one of her concerts with his nephew.

Transcription:

I used to invite Dr. Machat; he came once with his nephew, and when he saw the singers and dancers, he asked: Where do you get such talent. [sic] I told him she is my friend, she has her musicians—who pay her when they receive jobs, etc etc

It’s unclear if this nephew was Laya’s son. No record has emerged to confirm if Laya ever had children, and Sonia neither revealed as much, nor elaborated on the identity of his nephew. While the date of this particular concert is unknown, in 1954, Sonia had hosted a concert in her home, after recovering from an illness. Laya and her husband, Eugene, attended it. Sonia introduced many of her friends, but when it came to introducing her childhood friend, the bond between these women was undeniable. Both Laya and Jules had attended Sonia’s concerts, and while we only get Jules’ surprised reaction to the talent, it’s certain that Laya was equally amazed, being the fact, she was an opera singer. 

The beauty of scholarship (if you can call it beauty) is that information is always updating.

Certain facts I might’ve thought and stated as true a year ago are now likely outdated or even incorrect because of perspective and new materials which have emerged over time. Much of this is the case with this subject. In my previous post, I had stated that Laya had two older siblings. That was incorrect, and the fact is Laya was the oldest, and Jules was the youngest. The source I originally used was the 1910 census, in which “Sadie” (which we now know was Laya’s nickname) was given the estimate birth year of 1887, which in 1910 would have made her twenty-three years old.

Laya’s actual birth date was May 18, 1890, therefore making her twenty years old in 1910. Shortly after her birth, her parents emigrated to America, specifically to Brooklyn, N.Y. Fortunately, the census does have the correct year of when they settled in Brooklyn. Another questionable thing about this census is her occupation. She was a teacher at a public school, which isn’t anything out of the ordinary, but it does make me wonder if she was doing this job while she prepared on the side to become an opera singer? For in 1911 through 1915, Laya had claimed to have lived in Italy. (FamilySearch)

In some ways, this census is conflicting in regard to Laya, and even in regard to Jules. The census states he, too, was an immigrant. However, another census reveals he was born in N.Y., which would technically be correct unless Laya and Jules were twins.

While this new evidence may not seem much, it’s ultimately another puzzle piece to the friendship of Sonia and Laya. Even if it’s a tiny piece—every little bit helps to ultimately complete the picture. Sometimes even just correcting a piece that was wrongly placed is progress. Revisiting this friendship is always a wonderful thing, for I’m able to see that even when paths vastly diverge and each person follows their own dreams and goals, a true friendship will always meet again and be able to pick up the pieces as though time had never came in between.

It’s reaffirming of how much Sonia felt at home with the Machat family. Whether it was Jules or Laya, Sonia bonded well with these siblings. The Machat family was a foundation for Sonia at a time when her mother wanted to keep her, but her stepfather forced her out. It is evident in the way that Sonia spoke of the Machat family that their love and home had been a safe space in which Sonia would always count on in times of trouble.