Keeping In Touch With My Ancestors (2nd Place Winner At Colorado State Society Conference 2013)

 

Being a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother means I have no shortage of living people to love and cherish.  Being a genealogist, I have an endless supply of ancestors to love and cherish.  Because the thrill of genealogy is the fun of getting acquainted with my ancestors, my favorite motto now is “Keeping In Touch With My Ancestors”.

Of course, the challenge in this is finding them in the first place.  Once the names, dates, and places are found I begin to try to find clues about their lives, personalities and activities.  To do this means a study of the time they lived and what was typical in their world.  This also means I have to uphold the genealogists golden rule, do not judge.  Until I learn about my ancestors in the world they lived in, with all of their human frailties, they are just names, dates, and places on a pedigree chart. 

It was a revelation when I learned that an ancestress became disillusioned with marriage and began a life as a single working mother in 1880.  This is a time that we generally associate with, “a woman’s place is in the home”, and that was the end of the story.  How brave, Sarah Huffman Reaver, was to leave, with the youngest of her four children, and support herself and her child in the big wide world.  I smile as I imagine the talk of Columbus, Ohio when that happened.  And Sarah became someone I am proud to know and belong to.  I can relate to her as a real person.

Finding my Revolutionary patriots has afforded me the chance to learn about life in the 18^th Century. I can feel the sadness and fear that, Esther Sanford, felt upon learning that her husband drowned in the Hudson River at West Point. She had a new born son and eight older children to support.  I can feel the heartache felt by, Abigail Parmenter, when her patriot husband was sentenced to hang for his involvement in Shays Rebellion.  Each of my patriot ancestors tells me a different story as I begin to know them.

I marvel at how thin the thread of life is.  This was a profound thought when I discovered my existence is due in part to a baby boy born four days before his mother died.   Charles B. Sanford survived, matured and produced the only progeny of his father, and it is something I consider a miracle.  So many people are alive because that baby boy survived a difficult situation that could have easily had a sad outcome.  His father had no one to help raise Charles, so he had to pay people to take care of him.  My ancestors were strong in handling what life dealt them.  Charles B. Sanford is not just a name on a pedigree chart.  He is someone I know and cherish.

It seems only human nature to remember and report the sad times and the struggles of my ancestors.  However, I have learned about happy times as well.  When I plotted the close proximity of the family farms of two of my ancestors, I could almost see in my mind the corner of the two adjoining properties where they may have rendezvoused, courted, and fell in love.  Jeremiah Thompson was thirteen years older than, Rebecca  Sankey, and I imagine that to her he was quite the man of the world.  And he was indeed, having fought in the War of 1812 and moved from Kentucky to Missouri and finally to Indiana where they met. Theirs was a love story that lasted the rest of their lives and produced eight children. The world is different now, society is different now, but human nature is constant. 

Gone but not forgotten is a popular saying found on tombstones, but, I believe that as long as someone is not forgotten, they are not gone.  Gone is a term I try not use in regard to my ancestors.  The best way I can insure that is to write about them and share their lives with my descendants, and other people that descend from them.  

To learn what their world was like and the struggles they encountered and overcame is an adventure.  It is more fun than reading the latest fiction novel, mystery novel, watching the most popular television program, or movie.  It satisfies my curiosity, which is the main ingredient in my recipe for keeping in touch with my ancestors.  

          As long as I remain curious, I am still interested in my world, as well as, the world of my ancestors.  It is the best mental therapy for me.  It is the best antidote for boredom.  It is the best anti-aging product on the market.

          I think I will change my motto to, falling in love with my ancestors.  It better fits the way I feel about my connection to them.  I wish for you the same joy that I find in knowing my ancestors.  If not for them, we would not  be.

"You Can't Beat It? Famous Last Words - I Just Beat It!!

On April 20, 2013 I wrote about the thrill of a long last find of the maiden name for the mother of Dennis Meech.  I was happy as could be, and felt that this alone might be my "find of the year".  So in an effort to find more to add to my book, Catherine's Children, I continued investigating details about the children in her life,  I am now working on her husband's children from his first wife.  After all, they ARE part of her family, even if they are not her biological children.

Because FamilySearch.org has published the Ohio Marriages database, I was in that wonderful treasure chest of records looking for the marriages of the lastest targets  of my research.   I was happily "humming" my way through the marriages when a new thought came charging into my mind.  What if the unknown Mr. Meech married a Catherine Huffman in Ohio?

I entered the last name Meach, with a spouse Huffman.  The second result I saw on my screen was "John Meach married Katherine Huffman on 16 May 1827 in Fairfield County, Ohio".  I can not describe the surprise and joy, but I can describe the little voice saying, "You did it, good job".  I know these ancestors so well I know when all is right with them.

This is almost exactly one year before Dennis Meech (their son) is born on 9 May 1828.  I immediately went to the 1830 New York Census and searched for a John Meach/Meech.  Sure enough -- he was there in Genesee County with a male under age 5; himself age 25-30; and two females age 20-30, one of whom is Katherine Huffman Meach.  Of course, I have searched the New York Census looking for a family that has a male under age 5 because Dennis is 2 in 1830.  But without a county, or a first name,  and not really knowing they are even in New York it was an impossible task.  But give me a name and I am off an running.  Genesee County is next door to Monroe County, New York where William Wallace Meech says he was born in 1834.

An interesting note is that Fairfield County,Ohio is next door to Franklin County. Also, on the death certificate of Henry Huffman, Jr  it says that his mother's maiden name is Katherine Huffman.  This is the only one of her children that says "K"atherine.  I suspect that Henry knew this from a family Bible because written records were so scarce in those days.  Remember, this is the death cetificate I disregarded as inaccurate infomation?  Oh my, does genealogy make a person humble.

So many more questions are open now.  Was Dennis born in Ohio or New York?  Censuses say sometimes Ohio and sometimes New York.  Was John Meach from New York originally and took his new bride home?  Was John Meach from Ohio originally and went to New York for work opportunites?  Who are his parents?  Who are Katherine Huffman's parents?  Is she related to her second husband, Henry Huffman?  Why were none of her young children sent to relatives in Fairfield County, Ohio after her death?  They were sent to Washington County, Pennsylvania the ancestral home of their father instead.

 

Those answers will all be revealed when they are ready, and in the meantime I just keep plugging along, enjoying every minute of the journey to find my ancestors.  Oh, also I love the fact that Fairfield County, Ohio is home to one of my heroes, William Tecumsah Sherman.  Patj

The Thrill Of Finding A Maiden Name -- You Can't Beat It

Catharine Huffman Huffman.  Who would have guessed that the mother of Dennis Meech married 2nd Henry Huffman, and her maiden name was also Huffman.  I have been "dancing" around this lady for about six months -- always with that quiet voice whispering in my ear, "You are close, keep trying."  Admittedly, I was about to put this family back into the manila folder that has been their home for years.  I would get it out, work awhile with no success, and put them away again.  But something kept me interested longer this time.

It all started when I discovered Ohio Probate and Guardian records had been recently published on FamilySearch.org.  I started looking at Franklin County records and soon found the guardian records for Henry Huffman's younger children.  These children are the children of Catherine Huffman Huffman as well.  Granted, they are not my ancestors, as I am descended from Dennis Meech, Catherine's first child with an unknown Mr. Meech.  But a combination of curiosity, and the thought that one of these people may solve more of the puzzle for their mother's identity kept me searching. 

I decided to write about, Catherine's Children, after I found so much good information about them.  Of course, as I started this project, I kept going back and looking for more information about them.  Mainly, because I had fallen in love with this family, but also to fill in the details in my book.

On Saturday, April 13, 2013, I experienced a thunder bolt of a breakthrough.  The grandson of the youngest child of Catherine Huffman Huffman joined The National Society Sons of the American Revolution in April 1939.  Ancestry.com has recently published these application on their website.  In searching for this man's grandmother, Sarah Huffman Reaver, in Ancestry.com, that application popped up.  At first I thought it was interesting because she is listed on it, but that was about all.  It said his great grandmother was Catherine Huffman and I wrote it off as another instance of her married name being all that was known.  Then I looked closer.

On the back page of this man's SAR application it referenced his MOTHER's DAR National #!  Wait a minute there --- I am a DAR Registrar and I have extra special access to DAR membership records. In just a few minutes I had located Nellie Reaver Kasten's application as it has been indexed at DAR. It said her grandmother was Catherine Huffman MEECH. 

It was a dream come true.  DAR knew about my ancestress and her first married name.  A record copy of this application is available for $10 and believe me, I had ordered that application in about two minutes.  I gave them my credit card # and received the original application in a few minutes via email as a .pdf file.  Imagine my excitement when I read the DAR genealogist's note that wrote in the name MEECH for Henry Huffman's 2nd wife.  I knew that, but I didn't think anyone else in the world knew that.  The other exciting thing was that Nellie Reaver Kasten's documentation packet was available for order.  I filled out the form and a check and ran it to the Post Office immediately. This is one record you can't order by email.  What a fantastic day this was --- and no one in the world cares but me.  I finally called a friend and gave her the whole long story, another genealogist is the only one that would understand and half way share the excitement. I am anxiously awaiting the documentation packet from NSDAR, but nothing can beat the thrill I had on April 13.

The death certificate for Catherine's son Henry Huffman, Jr did state that his mother's name was  Katherine Huffman and she was born in Ohio -- but I wrote that off as another case of the informant telling the woman's married name rather than her maiden name.  The informant was Henry's widow Jane, and that makes it more acceptable, as the spouse usually knows more than the children and grandchildren as informants.  But I still ignored it.  Come to find out, it was exactly right.  Catherine and her second husband, Henry Huffman, may well have been cousins -- or not related at all. Of course, that is the next puzzle -- who are her parents?  That is for tomorrow.

For today, I am so happy to have finally solved this bit of the puzzle.  Females are the biggest challenge in genealogy and it is one I love to solve.  Welcome Catherine Huffman -- I am so glad to finally know you. 

The line in this story is:
1. Catherine Huffman married 2nd to Henry Huffman  (she married 1st Mr. Meech)
2. Their daughter, Sarah Huffman married to WilliamReaver
3. Their daughter, Nellie Reaver married to Charles Kasten (she joined DAR in 1928)
4. Their son Karl Frederick Kasten (he joined SAR in 1939)

Patj

A Nice Book Note In Kentucky Ancestors Magazine "The Kentucky Ancestors of Patricia Craig Johnson"

     The most important text to me is this:

The Kentucky Ancestors of Patricia Craig Johnson is an excellent example of how a family-genealogy researcher can take all the pieces of information found through extensive research and bring them together into well-organized, concise, and interesting family-history articles to share with family members and others.

      Spring 2013 Volume 48, No. 3 of Kentucky Ancestors

Obituaries For Mary Eliza Thomas Colyer 1854-1939 and Sarah Thomas Bozarth 1854-1930

 

                       

 

        Great Falls Tribune  Saturday, September 16, 1939  Great Falls, Montana

 

                                                  Funeral Rites For Mrs. Mary Colyer

                        Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. today at O'Conner Chapel for

                        Mrs. Mary E. Colyer, 86, widow of George B. Colyer, who died at the

home of her daughter, Mrs. Ione Farlee, of 706 Eight Avenue South. 

                        The Rev. Paul Dierberger will officiate. 

              

                                                         Burial in Highland Cemetery 

                        Born August 22, 1853 in Prairie City, Iowa, Mrs. Colyer had made

her home in Great Falls for six years.  Survivors are three sons,

Charles G. of Sheridan, Wyoming, Walter of Seattle and Edward

                        of St. Joseph, Missouri; three daughters; Mrs. G. M. Hapeman of         

Clinton, Washington, and Mrs. Farlee and Mrs. E. L. Creek, both

of Great Falls, 18 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.

 

                        Note from Pat Johnson:

                        The birth date and place are incorrect in the above obituary. She was born

                        22 August 1854 (per the Colyer Family Bible) and I believe she was born

in Adams County, Illinois where her parents married. Eliza was the daughter
of David H. and Elizabeth Lillard Thomas.


 

       MRS. SARAH BOZARTH DIES, A RESIDENT HERE 63 YEARS

            After an illness of four weeks during which pneumonia developed, Mrs. Sarah

            Bozarth died Monday evening at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Elmer Logan,

            in this city at the age of about 79 years. Mrs. Bozarth had been a resident of this
            community since she was sixteen years of age and was beloved by many friends

            for her worthy Christian character and her useful life. 

            She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Thomas and was born near Ursa,

           Ill.  Her parents died when she was quite small and she was raised by her uncle,

           Frank  Lillard, of near Ursa.   She was married September 16, 1875, to Erastus

           Bozarth of this vicinity who died May 23, 1907.  Of their three children one

          died in infancy, one son, Leslie, died in 1906 and a daughter, Mrs. Lora Logan,

          of this city survives. 

          Two of her grandchildren, Gray Bozarth of Peoria, Ill., and Jessie Reed of

          Kansas City, she had reared as her own, after the death of their parents while

          both children were young.

   

          Besides her daughter, her five grandchildren and a twin sister, Mrs. Eliza

          Colyer of Seattle, Wash., she leaves three step-children, Mrs. E.F. Westhoff

          of this city, Mrs. Nettie Ervin of Kingfisher, Okla., and Thomas Bozarth of

          Ursa, Ill., to whom she had been as a mother.

    

          The funeral service was held at the home Wednesday afternoon, conducted by

          Rev. W.K. Moore.  Mrs. W.R. Waterston and Mrs. George Richter sang. 

          Burial was in the Marks Cemetery.

 

            From The La Grange Indicator@ La Grange, Missouri, Thursday, May 1, 1930

 

                        Note from Pat Johnson:

                        Sarah Ann was the daughter of David H. and Elizabeth Lillard Thomas.

In Hindsight - Wabash Pct. Coles County, Illinois - 1850

In my latest quest for finding why Dennis Meech moved from Franklin County, Ohio to Coles County, Illinois this listing of the people in Wabash Pct. Coles County in 1850 is quite telling.  Supposing that a young man wouldn't just hit the road and suddenly stop over in Coles County long enough to get married and then move on to Kansas, I figured there must be a reason beyond accidental happenings.  I admit I have thought about this previously, but could not find a name that meant anything in the history of Dennis Meech.  Not until I found some new things about his history in Franklin County, Ohio did I stumble on a lead.

I need to start by saying I am eternally grateful that he DID go to Coles County and marry Margaret Pryor -- or I wouldn't be here today.  They are my second great grandparents on my father's side.

The above list shows names that have a connection to Margaret Pryor and MAYBE a connection to Dennis Meech as well.  About 3/4 of the way down the left hand column is John PRYOR, Margaret's father.  Two farms above him is Robert Veach.  This meant nothing before I found out that a "close friend" and possibly a relative of Dennis Meech in Ohio was Willis Stevens and his wife was Lavina Veach.  Why do I know Dennis and Willis Stevens were close friends?  Because Willis Stevens gave permission for Dennis to marry his first wife Sarah Jane Milloway in 1848 in Franklin County, Ohio!  Dennis was under age 21 and Willis signed as his guardian giving Dennis permission to marry.   Actually I have known of this for a couple of years, but because of my recent renewed attempts to find more about Dennis' mother Catherine, I have concentrated once again on this impossible family. Sarah Jane and their baby boy died shortly after 1850 and that may have inspired Dennis to leave a sad neighborhood. 

One of my geneaological theories is that if the ancestors are not co-operating, stop, and move on, and come back another day.  This was finally that famous "another day".  That is why I renewed my interest in them.   This was that "later".

Will this latest find help me find the maiden name of Dennis' mother?  Probably not, but it does help answer the original question of why Dennis came to Coles County.  I imagine he heard from Willis Stevens that there were jobs on the farms in Coles County where many Veach families farmed.  The close vicinity of Robert Veach and John Pryor leads me to believe this may be where Dennis worked and met Margaret Pryor. 

Dennis had nothing to hold him in Franklin County Ohio after his mother died about 1855 and he lost his young wife, Sarah Jane Milloway, and baby son.  His mother Catherine, had married second to Henry Huffman and had five children by him. Catherine died shortly after the youngest, Sarah Ann was born in 1853.  I am still looking for the death place and date for Sarah Ann Huffman Reaver, as she is my last hope of finding Catherine's maiden name.  Catherine joins the many other ancestresses that I am looking for.  They are a special challenge.

If you are wondering why such a detail as why Dennis went to Illinois is important to me --- I can only say genealogists want to find every detail of their ancestors lives that is possible.  It brings them to life. 

Years ago I copied the 1855 Paradise Twp, Coles County Illinois State Census because I have so many ancestors and their families there.  I checked it today and yes, Robert Veach is farming there in 1855 about the time Dennis arrived in Coles County.  I am almost positive Dennis Meech worked for Robert Veach and met Margaret Pryor that way.  I guess it doesn't take much to make a genealogist have a good day!!

What A Fun Month February 2013 Was -- Or Was It?

 

 

At the start of February 2013 I thought, "Hmmm I wonder if I can do it?  Why do I commit to so many things so close together?"  The answer to that one is, "I don't know."  Just to test the waters, I guess, and see how much I can handle.  Maybe it is self inflicted stress.  Maybe it is self inflicted pressure.  Maybe it is self inflicted insanity.  Maybe it is a self inflicted aversion to saying "no."  At any rate I made it, and I need to write about it to remind myself to NOT DO THIS AGAIN.

 

The first Monday of each month is Civil War Roundtable.  I love this group and we have a variety of programs, mostly done by the people that meet together to learn about this event that changed America forever.  I was originally scheduled for the January meeting but a group called "American Tapestry" wanted to do Civil War music and January was the only month they could come, so I moved over to February.  It is a good thing because I had my annual "Worst Cold Of The Century" in January, so it worked out better for me.  On Monday, February 4, I did my program about two of my Civil War ancestors that wrote about their experiences.  This was the story of William Oliver Sanford and Eugene Casey.  It was a fun program to present and I tried to not just talk genealogy, because there is not anything much more boring than hearing about other people's genealogy.  The group seemed to enjoy the  program.  I tried my new Power Point feature of a You Tube inserted that was not dependent on Internet connection -- and it DID work beautifully.  This was my first attempt at it.  It was a "Tribute to Abraham Lincoln" and included the haunting melody of Ashokan Farewell. Needless to say, I breathed a big sigh of relief when everything worked great.

 

Three days later, on Thursday February 7, I presented a program to the CSU Women's Association.  They wanted something on genealogy  so I did a program entitled "Falling In Love With Your Ancestors".  It was a fun program and my red heart theme went well with their Valentine's theme.  This program tested my innovative set up skills as they had nothing there to help get set up.  It was held in the meeting room of a Presbyterian Church on West Elizabeth Street.  We had to use things found in the kitchen to set up the projector and my netbook. In the end my $600 projector was perched on stacks of Bibles three high --- and a very precarious set up it was.  I was very nervous that someone would bump it and it would all come tumbling down.  My Power Point feature of a You Tube inserted without Internet connection did NOT work, but the set up was not good, so I blamed it on this.  The program was well received and the room was filled with about 60 women.

 

One week later, on Thursday February 14, I was the speaker at the Estes Park Genealogical Society for their regular meeting.  The big challenge for this meeting was the weather.  Why would I agree to speak in February in Estes Park? I have  no idea except I have a problem saying "no" especially when I am invited to speak about genealogy.  I had rented a car because I didn't trust my pick up to get up there and back without having a problem.  Then it snowed all morning as well.  Cathy E rode up the Big Thompson Canyon with me and we actually had a nice ride as it was pretty dry most of the way.  We were anxious to get started home at 5pm when the meeting was over, and it was a good thing we did as it was worse as we came down the canyon.  Loveland was a complete white out as we headed east to Windsor where Cathy lives.  I was really relieved to get back to Fort Collins.  The program was "Two Genealogical Gems -- PERSI and Directories".  My Power Point feature of a You Tube inserted without Internet connection DID work beautifully.  It was "Fall In Love With Your Ancestors".   The group seemed to enjoy the program, and the You Tube, so it was a fun afternoon.

 

One week after that, on Thursday February 21, I gave the first program at my own Larimer County Genealogical Society in their new meeting room at the Old Town Library in Fort Collins.   This was a very cold, snowy, slick, icy night and I was surprised that the room was filled.  I am not sure how many were there but well over 50 in attendance.  The room was nice and everything worked great.  For some reason I didn't want to share my new Power Point feature of a You Tube inserted without Internet connection, so this group never saw it.  It seemed we were pressed for time to be out of there at a certain time so I didn't want to take the time to do the You Tube.  The program was "Two Genealogical Gems -- PERSI and Directories".  It was well received and a lot of good questions were asked.

 

Thus ends my marathon month of February 2013.  Will I ever do it again?  No.  Am glad I did it this year?  Yes.  If nothing else it proves to me that I CAN do it.   Am I done for the rest of the year?  Hmmm ---- I think you can guess the answer to that one.  Patj

I Did It--- I Did It --- My First Solo Harley Ride 1984

Yesterday I drove to Loveland to have lunch with a friend. Because she lives east of Loveland I took one of my favorite back roads to get there and my thoughts ran back to when this was a sparsely populated area in the 1980's.  As I neared the corner where I turn to go further east, off Boyd Lake Road, my thoughts jumped back in time, to this very spot in 1984.

It was early in the evening one day in May 1984.  I had bought my beautiful 1979 Harley Super Glide, I had passed my Motorcycle Rider's Course (on a small Suzuki, a far cry from an 80 cci Harley), I had many lessons when John and I rode out, in the evenings after work, to the Cloverleaf Dog Track parking lot to practice.  When John came home from work that afternoon, he announced that this was the day I would do my first solo ride on my Harley.  I was a little apprehensive, but nodded in agreement that it was time to fledge my wings and go solo.  John drove my bike and I rode behind to the corner of Boyd Lake Road and E Co 24 E.  At that time the Cloverleaf Dog Track was the only sign of civilization in that area.  There was the Loveland-Fort Collins airport to the South but nothing else in sight.  It is MUCH different today.  The Dog Track is gone and buildings and businesses have sprung up in the whole area.

But on that evening we were the only people around, and there was next to NO traffic.  Perfect for a novice Harley rider.  John came to a stop, put the kick stand down. He said, "I want you to get on, go to the end of this road, turn right to the dog track, turn in the parking lot, make a u-turn come back out and come back to this spot, put the kick stand down and get off your bike."  He was very precise in his instructions, maybe because I looked more than a little frightened.  Practicing with him near was not so scary, but to go 2 miles by myself, and no moral support, was very emotional.  The power of a Harley is very intimidating and a person needs their mental wits to be sharp to command that power.  Like a good student I did exactly like I was told.

I put the bike in gear and started this momentous trip.  It was easy sailing, because as I said there was almost no traffic that evening.  As I went further my confidence began to grow and I relaxed.  By the time I turned into the dog track parking lot, I was feeling very sure of myself.  But I remembered another lesson I had heard from John, "Never get too sure of yourself on a Harley. Always respect that power."  So I sort of calmed that feeling of pride down a notch or two.

Finally, I was exiting the dog track parking lot and was heading into the home stretch.  I was starting to feel pretty good by then, and then I could see John standing at the corner where I had let him off.  He walked to the middle of the road, a scowl on his face, very serious, and pointed to the ground as if to say, "Stop here and put the kick stand down like I told you to."  I did exactly that and climbed off my bike.  Then he broke out in a big smile, gave me a big hug, and congratulated me.  He said he didn't want a perfect landing ruined by an excited stop and forgetting to put the kick stand down.  It was a good lesson in the discipline that is needed to command a powerful bike like a Harley.  Attention to details and good concentration are necessary to survive being a Harley Rider.

Nothing compares to the feeling that evening of, "I did it -- I did it!"  This was the beginning of a long adventure for both of us.  We shared this passion for ten years and what escapades we did have.

Later he told me that standing on that corner that evening seemed to last for hours.  He didn't know if I had gone down and couldn't get the bike back up, (my bike weighed 750 pounds) or ran into something, or something ran into me, or what was going on because he was so far away.  He said when he saw me, in my bright red sweatshirt, come putzing along the road on that Harley he breathed a big sigh of relief.  And here I thought I was the only nervous one.

I guess when you love someone, it can be nerve wracking.  But I am grateful he was willing to pay that price for me to accomplish what I wanted to do.  Also, that when someone is worried they may sound gruff, but that may be in part, the face of love.  Can you tell?  I miss my best friend, gruffness and all.

The picture above was the start of our first real Harley tour, in September 1984, after I had become used to my bike.   Patj

  

Happy Ninety-Fifth Birthday Mom – 2013

   

It has been ten years since my mother passed away on March 3, 2003. On January 29, 2013 she would have been age ninety-five, incredibly nearly a century old.  I miss her as much now as ever. It is not that I would wish her to be here and sick or not able to remember me, but I miss her just the same.

This picture shows mom at age seventeen, a teenage mother with her newborn daughter (me).  Many rough things were ahead for these two, but on this happy day no one could predict what those things would be.  The tie that remains in force forever was already tied, and nothing can easily break it.  It is a blessing God has given to us, and I am so thankful for it.

I often wonder what that invisible tie is.  It is real and yet unknown.  It means I can never go home again.  Wherever my mother was, felt like home to me.  As an old woman myself, when I went to visit and stay a few days with my mother, I was a child again. That safe, comfortable, familiar feeling, that all was well.  Or if not so well at the moment, it would be soon.  You can’t design a thing like that, and you can’t buy a thing like that, it happens from a deep love of a mother for her child. 

I was so fortunate to have a gracious mother.  She worked hard at making people feel comfortable and she did it so easily they weren’t even aware of it.  They just felt it and remembered it.

Yes, ten years ago was the last time I saw my mother.  I went to Gering, Nebraska to be with her on her eighty-fifth birthday.  We had a good time just doing simple things that both like to do.  We did nothing exciting, dramatic or expensive, just a nice time.  We enjoyed going to lunch and visiting.  We enjoyed going shopping with no deadline to get home.

My last glimpse of my mom was as I was leaving their driveway, and I looked back at the corner of the house where she always stood to wave goodbye.  Yes, there she was as usual, not turning to go back in until I was out of sight.  It was that last mortal tie for us.  That long and deep thread that began oh so many years ago as a teenage mother held her newborn daughter. Happy birthday mom and thank you.  

RILYA, Patty

January 2013 Kentucky Ancestors - Article #3

I was pleasantly surprised to learn my third article was accepted at Kentucky Ancestors in December.  I sent it to editor, Don Rightmyer, just to see what he thought of it and "bingo" it was selected for Volume 48, No. 2 Winter 2013 issue.  It is about Daniel B. and Sarah Johnson/Johnston of Pulaski County, Kentucky.  They are two of my mysterious and almost anonymous ancestors --- but I have learned so much about their children (all nine of them) that grew to adulthood.  In trying to find this couple's parents, and Sarah's maiden name, I traced all of their children in case a descendant of theirs may know something.  None knew anymore than I did but I learned a great deal about all of the children in this family.  My hope is that someone in Kentucky -- or someone who reads this magazine may know something new.  I am keeping my fingers crossed for a stroke of good luck.  This was the last story I wrote for my Kentucky book for 2012.  I'll keep you posted if I have a breakthrough on Daniel B. and Sarah Johnson.  For now I am getting geared up for my next "road trip" in 2013.  I don't expect anything better than my Kentucky trip of 2011, but who knows what may unfold.  As always, stay tuned, Patj

Abraham Lincoln And His Team of Rivals

If you think you know everything about Abraham Lincoln, everything about the Civil War, everything about the Emancipation Proclamation, think again.  This book reveals so much about the behind the scenes events and happenings of our 16th President.  Abraham Lincoln is my biggest hero so I am naturally prejudiced when it come to him.  After reading this book I am even more of a fan of his.  He was definitely one of those rare indivduals that was born with a unique brain and personality.  We are all unique, of course, but sometimes there is a person above all others, and Abraham Lincoln was that. The beginning of the book described the early political life of Lincoln -- and his political rivals.  For a short time I felt it was sort of dull and unintersting, but as I continued, I started seeing the overall picture and it became fascinating as I learned of the various personalities and egos of these men.  Lincoln was so incredibly wise, and knew human nature so well, that it seems like a well orchestrated symphony as he managed and soothed and controlled the many personalities of his Cabinet.

If I had to pick one thing I liked about this book, it would be the way I learned more about a humble, competant, brilliant and good man.  Of course, it doesn't take much for me to love Abraham Lincoln, but this book gave me insight I had not known of before.

The biggest compliment I can give is, "As the book neared the end, I read slower and slower because I didn't want it to end.  I am a naturally slow reader, but I was almost at a standstill at the end."

If you have a chance to read Team of Rivals I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.  I especially want to recommend the last few paragraphs of the book and the story of Leo Tolstoy's experience.  It is very telling of the world view of Abraham Lincoln.
Patj

 

 

 

 

Older Girls Need Role Models Too

Having lived over seven decades, it would seem I have met all of the role models possible.  However, I am delighted to report that   this is not the case.  Life tends to send us teachers forever, and that is what I want to share.

 

I am the Registrar for Friday’s Council Tree Chapter, NSDAR and this is what I enjoy doing.  I talk about DAR and meet ladies that want to join – and then assist them in that sometimes overwhelming task.  In my opinion, it is the best job in DAR, as I meet ladies of all ages and personalities.  In July 2009 I called a prospective member of DAR.   This in itself was nothing unusual, but the lady I talked to was very unusual.  She was age ninety-two, and had always wanted to be a member of DAR.  She had no known relatives that had ever been DAR members. She knew Jacob Dubois was her patriot and a little bit about him.  I could see this may be a challenge for more than one reason, and her age was definitely one of them.   Time would be of the essence in this case.

 I quickly worked to prepare her application and with the documents she had at her house, what I found at eMembership, and on the Internet, we were prepared to mail her application in early August. Now the waiting began.

 In the meantime, I learned to know a wonderful lady that had triumphed over many challenges in her life.  She became my #1 role model.  I felt sad as she shared the tragedy of her first husband’s death when she was left with a three month old baby. She was an example of how to turn sickness into health by eating the right diet.  She was a strong partner to her second husband of sixty two years when his health took a serious decline.  Her own health had some challenges as well, but she knew how to overcome them and live a good life.

Visiting her home was literally like visiting a museum.  She enjoyed her furniture that she had accumulated during the many years of her life.  There were several beautiful, old, large grandfather clocks and their sounds were all different but together they created a beautiful chorus and soothing sound. The walls were hung with the pictures that showed a family changing and growing thru the decades.  She proudly displayed the pictures of her grandsons all dressed in their Eagle Scout uniforms.  Her husband’s military medals and commendations had a very prominent wall of their own.  He was definitely an American hero and a WWII hero.  The lesson I learned when I visited her home was that she was planning on enjoying her “things” as long as possible.  There was no downsizing in her plans for the future. 

I will never forget the day I called her to tell her that her DAR application had been verified.  She was excited and I felt she was happy she had carried through in this desire to be a DAR member.  By now I knew her well enough to know this was not unusual.  She said she probably couldn’t get to many meetings, but her thoughts would be there anyway.  For this lady it was simply, “Mission Accomplished”.   

She was the type of person that welcomed even unexpected guests.  That trait seems to have declined in our culture as we expect to invite guests to call at our own convenience.  She also always had a guest book at the front door. Everyone that entered was asked to sign.  What a wonderful record of her friends and acquaintances.  She had a mail station and was an active email user.  As we were going through her documents for DAR she nonchalantly loaded the paper tray in her printer/copier so I could make necessary copies.  She seemed to have embraced new technology with ease. 

I knew this special lady for one year. I was privileged to observe a mentally strong lady that controlled her own destiny until the very end of life.  During this unforgettable year we shared several life altering events.  Both of our husbands passed away.  She had to leave her home for a month as she needed specialized care at a rehab facility. I called on her during all of these things and we didn’t think it unusual at all that we hadn’t known each other for very long.   And of course, at the end she was very ill and I went to visit her quite often.  And then one day I received a call that she was not expected to live much longer.  I left immediately to go see her one last time.   

This lady was a walking example of how to grow old graciously.  Age didn’t seem to be the object of her attention at all.  That sort of behavior is very contagious and I caught a little bit of it from her.

I do not believe friendship is measured in time.  Sometimes we meet someone that is specifically sent into our lives at the right time for us and it is as if you have known them forever.  This was the case for me.  As I bid her goodbye on the last day of her life, I was certainly sad, but more than that, I was grateful to have met this very special friend. 

Role models?  We never outgrow the need for them and we can always strive to be a good one for someone else.  I will never forget my favorite and latest role model.

Patj's Note: This was the 1st Place Winner in the Colorado State NSDAR Women's Issues Essay Contest in 2012.

2012 WAS A Very Good Year Until December 14

 

I cry today for the children, the parents, the school, the teachers, the World.  Of course, a gun was the deadly instrument that did the actual killing, but I believe there is much more to blame.  Yes, the deranged animal that was missing that human component called empathy did the planning and carried out the plan.  But the de-sensitizing that has happened to so many in our society is the biggest culprit.  Video games that make killing seem the fun thing to do.  The TV shows that are so centered on vilolence.  The movies that tell terrible tales of people hunting each other and killing each other.  The Internet, such a great tool and yet so powerful in helping warp already dysfunctional people.

 

What a terrible way to end this year.  There are not words to express my sorrow.  Sataan is alive, and oh so well.  Patj 



Cozy Nights With The Alden's Catalog -1950's 1960's

Stacks of catalogs earmarked for further review. Oh what fun to sit in the kitchen, after the kids went to bed, and pour over the Alden's catalog.  I usually started in October, when the catalogs first arrived.  It was wonderful to see what my $10 per month charge account could buy.  The children came first, and then all of the other relatives.  For $10 per month I could buy up to $300 worth of merchandise.  The interest wasn't so great and I could have it paid off by the next Christmas -- if I paid a little extra each month.
                                                 

 

The baby doll on the cover of this catalog is what was available -- until Barbie came along about 1958. Alden's is where I bought my oldest daughter her first Barbie. It was revolutionary to see a doll that looked like an adult. 

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                                          What? I was able to buy a little girl's winter coat for under $12?  It seemed like an everyday thing then, but looking back now, 1/2 a century later, it is unbelieveable.  Of course, $100 a week pay was a top notch job in those days. A brand new car sold for under $2000?  That was the price then, and those same cars now (if you are lucky enough to own one) go for in the 10's of thousands of dollars.

 

So you may ask, "Why bring up these old memories and times?" 

 

Because we are blessed with that wonderful gift called memory for just this very purpose.  To share history and not relegate the past to a hidden corner.  To be joyful about the life we have lived and the things we have experienced.

 

Of course, there was the struggle to make sure the payment could be made every month.  There was the hope that an errant child would not come wandering into the kitchen and catch me shopping. There was the suspense of when the postman would come with the order from Alden's (hopefully before the kids got home from school).  There was the wondering of where would be a safe place to hide the presents until Christmas Eve, etc etc etc.  It isn't that much different than today, right?

 

I wish for each and everyone of you the luxury and blessing to be able to do the same with your memories. To relive those evenings of deciding what to buy for Christmas and remember the time and place of that experience is fun for me.  Patj

 

 

Benjamin Clifton Delaware Orphan's Court Case 1798

Delaware Archives Orphan’s Court, RG 4840.035 Obediah Smith (dec's) 1798

Petition for Appointment of a Guardian to Benjm Juda Charles and John Clifton                                            

The Court appt the petitioner Guardian and approves of Judges move Surety Bond’s to be taken in 100 Dollars in Nov 24^th 1798

Bond Taken

__________________________________  _____________________________

To the Honorable the Judges of the Orphans Court now sitting in and for the County of Sussex, The petition of Benjamin Clifton of the County afsd (aforesaid)  Humbly Sheweth , that Obediah Smith – late of the County of Sussex afsd decd did not in his lifetime dispose of the guardianship of him  did by his last Will and Testament will and leave to Benjamin, Juda, Charles and John Clifton (minor children of your Petitioner) five pounds each ----------------       the age of fourteen years. That same minor has about ------acres of land & other property worth by computation about ----------Dollars   your  Petitioner therefore prays  your Honors to appoint him Guardian to said minor, and your Petitioner as in Duty bouns will ever Pray Ye                                                         Benjamin Clifton                      

Nov 24^th 1798

7 Dec 2012 notes by Pat Johnson:

The part not crossed out is pretty straightforward and makes sense.  But, why did the writer write the crossed out section? We can’t be sure who physically wrote this document.  It could be Benjamin or it could be the clerk of the Orphan’s Court or it could be someone Benjamin enlisted to write it for him.  Is there another case of a minor child of OBEDIAH SMITH?  I have only found the two little daughters, Sarah and Elizabrth, ever mentioned as his children with his widow Eustacy.   A further stretch is that possibly  Obediah Smith Clifton is a child of Obediah Sr. and taken by Benjamin and Margaret to raise as their child. Although, Obediah Smith Clifton was born in the middle of the Clifton’s other children so he fits in their family nicely.  I wonder if there is other Orphan’s Court proceedings relating to Obediah Sr?  Seems the two little daughters should have had a guardianship document as well.  Interesting that the word is minor NOT minors in the last sentence.

Strange also, is that this Guardianship case was dated AFTER Obediah Smith’s estate was settled in 1797.

2012 Was A Very Good Year

With the closing of another year I like to reflect on what has been accomplished or attempted and what will never be attempted again.  2012 has now rolled in to my reflective world and is about to become history.  As I look back I wonder how I did all that I did manage to accomplish. Mostly the schedule of speaking engagements for genealogy programs and teaching classes and workshops. 

I began 2012 by sending my list of genealogy programs to as many genealogical societies as there are in a 50 mile radius.  Surprisingly, all asked me to speak except Broomfield.  There was one surprise when I was contacted by Pikes Peak Society to speak in June in Colorado Springs. I had not sent them a list, but they had heard about "The DAR Genealogical System Is For Everyone".  That meeting was on the same day as my scheduled program at Longmont, but was in the evening and because Longmont meets in the afternoon --- I said "yes".  As it came closer, I asked myself several times, "Why did you do that?"  It turned out to be a marathaon of driving and "nap withdrawal" but it was fun and I really did enjoy the day.  Needless to say, I was very glad to arrive back in Fort Collins at midnight.

The rest of my presentations were "normal", like no more than one per day and that is my set standard now.  I pretty much averaged one program per month for 2012.  I am slowing that down for 2013. No extra advertisement and if some ask from last year's list that will be great, otherwise, it will be considerably less in 2013.  The driving is the most tiresome part of it.

I had my usual Inservice lessons at the Family History Center each quarter and that is always a fun thing.  A few extra programs, such as The Civil War Roundtable and a Nurses Reunion held in Loveland in September.  I filled in at the Cheyenne, Wyoming "Family History Days" when a speaker cancelled on them.  Can you tell?  I love to talk about genealogy.

This year, instead of a big road trip, I had the chance to go to Salt Lake City with my friend, Martha. A week in SLC is a dream for a genealogist.  The Family History Library is such a great resource for finding records.  I had a chance to see Chad, Zoe and Oliver one evening when they took me and Martha out for pizza. 

I completed my book about my Kentucky Ancestors this year.  That will be my gift to my descendants in December.  It turned out quite well and I am sure they will enjoy it, if not now, at some time in the future.  What I wouldn't give to have had any of my ancestors give me something like that!

Now my plan is to do the same thing for my ancestors in Illinois and Ohio --- the target for my Road Trip of 2013.  I like to have an adventure on the horizon and that is it for 2013.  I like to drive and see America and see where my ancestors lived.  I can find records on the Internet, in Libraries, in Google, in Ancestry.com, but to find the real nitty gritty things I need to go there and look for myself in the little local places.  Besides that, it is a treat to visit these places.

As co-ordinator for the Larimer County Genealogical Society indexing project, I was delighted, relieved, amazed, and happy when we finished the 1885 Colorado State Census on October 23, 2012. The project began in December 2010 with a training session and went through various hills and valleys until the end.  Our mascot was Waldo the Census Taker and where he was spotted as he traversed the highways and byways of 1885 Colorado recording all sorts of people.  We had a fantastic team of people that were determined to finish this project.  In the end our Society indexed 40% of the whole with the other 14 Societies doing the rest.  We arbitrated 60% of the project, so Larimer County folks can rest assured that they did a great job.

The year was topped off by seeing my descendants (that is family to normal people) at Thanksgiving. It was fun to see them all together in one place.  I am sorry Laurel and Logan couldn't be there.  Poor girls, they had to stay in Hawaii (G).

So in closing, I have to say I am one of the most blessed people I know.  2013 will have it's own challenges and projects and activities, but 2012 was a very good year for me.  It will be hard to top it. Closing for 2012 and I will see you in 2013 ----- Patj

Thompson Family Entries Found in Bethel Baptist Church Minutes 1806-1867 Jackson Township, Cape Girardeau County, Missouri

Thompson Family Entries Found in Bethel Baptist Church Minutes 1806-1867 Jackson Township, Cape Girardeau County, Missouri found on FHL Microfilm Number 1698287

Transcribed November 2012, by Patricia A Johnson, fifth great-granddaughter of Closs Thompson, Jr. and Rebecca Wilson.

When the records indicate a member was received "by letter," it means that the person joining Bethel Baptist Church had previously professed faith in Christ and had been baptized (immersed) by another Baptist church of like faith, and the church from which the member came, sent a letter indicating that. Those dismissed by the Bethel church were given a letter indicating the same.

A person could also be received “by experience” of a former baptism by immersion in a church of like faith, and a personal testimony of faith.

                                                                       ************************

January 12, 1811 Closs, Rebecca, Wilson & Mary Thompson and J. Reynolds, received by letter.

February 8, 2012 Received Benjamin Thompson by experience.

February 9, 1812 Mary Thompson received by experience.

July 14, 1812 Received by letter Jean Thompson.

September 13, 1812 Jeremiah Thompson received by experience.

September 10, 1814 Wilson and Mary Thompson dismissed by letter.

January 7, 1815 Closs, Rebecca, Jeremiah Thompson dismissed by letter.

August 13, 1831 Received Samuel Thompson by experience.

September 8, 1832 Received Benjamin Thompson by experience.

January 9, 1836 Members to visit Sister Thompson and inquire why she has not attended church meetings for so long.

February 13, 1836 Brethern Jno Sheppard and Wik____ who were chosen to visit Sister Thompson, they have seen her and her reasons are that she has not been able to attend for the want of a suitable opportunity and she does not know that her chance will ever be any better, but expresses a desire to be with the church.  With these reasons the church was satisfied.

January 13, 1838 Brother Samuel Thompson made a deacon.

May 9, 1840 Died July 13, 1839 Jane G. Thompson.

February 11, 1854 Departed this life Benjamin Thompson aged 80 years. Left a wife, son and grandson at the farm and other children scattered about. [He would be born about 1772 and is likely a brother to my ancestor, Closs Thompson, Jr. (Patj)]

August 1862 Mary Thompson wife of Benjamin Thompson departed this life 1862.

                                                                             *************************

After several years of living in Campbell County, Kentucky, Closs Thompson, Jr. and his family moved to a new frontier called, The Missouri Territory.  The Bethel Baptist Church of Jackson, Cape Girardeau County, Missouri Territory, was formed in 1806.  In the minutes of that church are several entries that record the Closs Thompson family and their activity as members. We find the following entries that document their arrival and their departure from Missouri Territory.  “On 12 January 1811, the Bethel Baptist Church received by letter, Closs Thompson, Rebecca Thompson, Wilson Thompson, Mary Thompson and John Reynolds.”   “On September 13, 1812 Jeremiah Thompson received by experience.” And later, “On 7 January 1815, Closs Thompson, wife and son, Jeremiah dismissed by letter.”

This is where Jeremiah Thompson enlisted in, Captain Andrew Ramsey's Mounted Rangers, in the War of 1812. He was mustered for one year service from May 1, 1813 to May 1, 1814. He only had to serve for 120 days and was paid from January 1, 1814 to April 30, 1814.  

Bethel Baptist Church is the oldest Baptist church west of the Mississippi.