Top 40 :: Humbled and Honored

Congratulations to each and every blog nominated for the Family Tree Magazine list of 40 Best Genealogy Blogs. This blogger was extremely humbled and honored just to be nominated this past autumn (thank you, to you-know-who-you-are) . . . and never thought for a minute that benotforgot would be in the top 40! Thanks and {hugs} to each and every individual who took the time to vote, and helped benotforgot make its way into this illustrious company of geneabloggers.

As of just a few days ago, it has now been six (6) years since the word combination benotforgot popped into my head, and I immediately purchased the domain name, benotforgot.com . . . and it's almost two years since I made my very first post on this blog. Just about this time last year, in celebration of one year of blogging on this blog, I set up a 2nd blog . . . benotforgot-calendar.blogspot.com . . . where I post a daily listing of that day's events from the limbs and branches and leaves of my family tree (plus a few other trees in the surrounding forest). In January of this year, my 3rd blog went live . . . benotforgot-journal.blogspot.com . . . where I am making a daily entry from a 150-year-old civil-war-era journal that frequently mentions several of my ancestors. And the absolute highlight of all of this?

Making The List of  

• P.S. I tried to keep this Top 40 collage generic enough in case any of the honorees want to use it for something . . . you're welcome to it . . . enjoy . . . and congratulations! V.
• P.P.S. And thanks to Family Tree Magazine and Diane Haddad and Maureen Taylor for organizing the nominating and voting for this list, and for compiling the information and the write-ups about each Top 40 blog. There are soooo many wonderful genealogy blogs out there, so I know that was an awful lot of work! 
• P.P.P.S. Regarding benotforgot, they wrote that . . . "Vickie Everhart profiles relatives and relates her research in this beautifully designed blog. Memorial images accent each posting on a family member and each begins 'On this date in our family history …' We especially like the archive links organized by century, so you can read posts about family events during the specified time frame."
  

PFF :: LTC Claudie Muston

MUSTON, Lt. Col. Claudie (Retired) of Georgetown. Age 63. Died 20th February 1981 (Friday). Services held (Sunday) in the Davis Funeral Home in Georgetown. Burial in Oakhill Cemetery in Lampasas. He was born 2nd June 1917 and retired from the U.S. Air Force. Survivors: Wife, Mrs. Ima Muston of Georgetown; foster son, James S. Choung of Houston; two daughters, Mrs. I.J. Wilkerson of Georgetown, Mrs. Gwenn Allen of Richardson; five brothers, F.O. Muston, L.D., I.G., F.A. and Ammon Muston, all of Rockdale; seven grandchildren.

 

The above collage was created by selecting a background image, plus the image of the back of the postcard, plus the image of the front of the postcard, and then using the collage feature in Picasa to create a single new image. The text was also added in Picasa.
 


The above postcard collage was originally posted for the 26th of June 2009 edition of Postcard Friendship Friday which was hosted weekly by Marie Reed.

The Februaries of our Elizabeth

This is the Captured Moments column from the February 2010 issue of Shades the Magazine . . .

 

This Elizabeth Marilla Henry nee Smith (1912-1932) is the maternal grandma of the Keeper of this family history blog . . . the text from the article is copied below . . .



CAPTURED MOMENTS
a few of elizabeth's februaries

What might have been
by Vickie Everhart

The Garden in Winter
I feel as if I had opened a book
and found roses of yesterday
sweet and fragrant between it's leaves.
~ L.M. Montgomery (1874-1942) ~

The Februaries of her life, there were not to be many of them. She arrived on this earth in the autumn of a Leap Year -- October of 1912. And she left this world less than 20 years later, near the beginning of yet another year in which February had 29 days.

The daughter who never knew her was blessed to inherit a photo collection documenting some of the days and events in Elizabeth's short life. At this time, it is believed that most of these treasured snapshots were captured by Elizabeth's older brother, Tom Smith (1904-1959).

Read along with me as we take a peak at what might have been a few of Elizabeth's Februaries. Most of these speculations are based on faded photos adhered to the black pages of an old photo album.

1913 HER 1ST VALENTINE'S DAY

In February of 1913, four-month-old Elizabeth is napping peacefully in her pram while her self-employed parents, Eva and T.W.A. Smith, busily prepare for the annual Valentine's Day rush.

Baby Elizabeth had been an unexpected surpise, arriving eight years following the birth of her only sibling,Tom, and 39-year-old Eva sometimes finds herself staring in awe at the little dark-haired sleeping angel.

Eva is known throughout York County, Maine for her "artistic and handsome floral designs," and T.W.A. "has an unexcelled reputation for the excellence of his work" as "an experienced and practical horticulturist and landscape gardener."

1920 DEATH OF HER FATHER

It is a cold winter's day in Maine, and Elizabeth is seven years old when her ailing 53-year-old father takes his own life in February of 1920. The lengthy write-up in the local Biddeford newspaper reveals a surprising number of details about events leading up to his death. His funeral is held at the family home on the day following Valentine's Day, with burial at Laurel Hill Cemetery in Saco, Maine.

1927 CHILDHOOD FRIENDS

By February of 1927, 14-year-old Elizabeth is friends with Diantha, an "older" girl from the neighborhood who lost her mother in 1923. In later years, Diantha would recall about a young Elizabeth that, "She wore curls when we started to chum together. Her mother had to curl each one over her finger. I guess she had two layers of big fat thick bouncy curls."

Meanwhile, though their paths have not yet crossed, Elizabeth's future husband -- a 3rd-generation Texan -- has been a member of the U.S. Navy for less than a month, and is currently at the U.S. Naval Training Station at Hampton Roads, Virginia. One of his shipmates is Win Hooper from Maine who, unbeknownst to anyone involved, will be marrying Diantha in June of 1931.

1928 MEETING THEIR FUTURE HUSBANDS

Based on letters written by Diantha, it does appear that the Valentine's Day of 1928 came around very shortly before the young women met their future spouses. Diantha wrote that they first encountered Robert and Win when the shipmates were on spring leave in Maine visiting Win's sister. Robert's service record supports this timeline, as it indicates that he had a 12-day-leave beginning April 30, 1928.  

1929 ELIZABETH & ROBERT MARRY

Proof of Elizabeth's residence as of Valentine's Day in 1929 has not yet been located, but it is suspected that she was already living in Lynn, Massachusetts, while Robert was still assigned to the USS Sturtevant. His service record shows he has a 14-day leave beginning July 6, and on the 8th day of July 1929, 16-year-old Elizabeth marries 24-year-old Robert Henry in Lynn. Their marriage license indicates they have a residence in Lynn, which is shared with Elizabeth's single brother, Tom, as well as their widowed mother, Eva.

1930 A NEW BABY BOY

By Valentine's Day 1930, Elizabeth has been married seven months, and is pregnant with her first child, a son, who will be born in May of this year. Robert is still in the Navy, but is given a five-day-leave shortly following the birth of his son, and then another 13-day-leave in August.

1931 THEIR ONLY VALENTINE'S DAY TOGETHER
.
In February of 1931, 18-year-old Elizabeth enjoys the 1st and only Valentine's Day that she will share with her new baby boy and his Father. She makes note of this date on a page in Little Robert's baby book (a gift from Diantha).

Robert has been "home" (in Massachusetts) since the middle of January 1931, having been given an Honorable Discharge from the Navy after four years of service to his country. This was the 1st time the new little family had all actually lived together under one roof. Sadly, they will have only one short year of familial togetherness before the dark cloud of death settles over their home.

Winter, a lingering season,
is a time to gather golden moments,
embark upon a sentimental journey,
and enjoy every idle hour.
~ John Boswell ~

1932 A NEW BABY GIRL

Elizabeth's new baby girl is two weeks old when Valentine's Day 1932 arrives, and in a perfect world, Elizabeth would be there holding her baby close, and kissing her rosy cheeks, and joyfully writing in the new baby book. But this happy scenario was not to be -- Elizabeth died 11 days prior to what would have been her 19th Valentine's Day. Her funeral is held in Lynn, with burial near her father at Laurel Hill Cemetery in Saco, Maine.

And for the season
it was winter . . .
~ William Bradford ~
Plymouth Plantation, 1640

And no one sees
A restless stranger through the morning stray
Across the sodden lawn, whose eyes
Are tired of weeping, in whose breast
A savage sun consumes its hidden day.
~ David Gascoyne (1916-2001) ~
Winter Garden

And in my mind
clematis climbs
and morning glories
do entwine.
Woodland phlox
and scarlet pinks
replace the frost
if I just blink.
My inner eye
sees past the snow
and in my mind
my garden grows.
~ Cheryl Magic-Lady ~
Winter Garden

Thomas Warren Alonzo Smith (1866-1920) and Eva May Brackett (1874-1936) are my great-grandparents. Their only daughter, Elizabeth Marilla Smith (1912-1932), married Robert E. Henry (1905-1976), and their baby girl is my Mom.

1920 :: T.W.A. Smith Hopelessly Ill Ends Life

On this date in our family history . . . the 12th day of February . . . in the year 1920 . . .

Thomas Warren Alonzo Smith, Sr. ends his own life at his home, 43 Prospect Street, in Biddeford Maine . . . this T.W.A. Smith is a great-grandpa of the Keeper of this family history blog . . .

Biddeford Daily Journal
Friday Evening, February 13, 1920
Page Eight.

T.W.A. SMITH HOPELESSLY ILL ENDS LIFE


Connected Tube to Gas Range
at Home on Prospect Street -
Was Dead When Found by Wife


Thomas Warren A. Smith, the landscape gardener and retired florist, during a short absence of his wife, asphyxiated himself with gas at his home, 43 Prospect street, Thursday afternoon, between 4 and 5 o'clock.


His lifeless body was found by his wife, sitting in a large easy chair, with gas escaping from a rubber tube, which was connected with the gas range in the kitchen and held close to his mouth. The end of the rubber tubing had been tied by Mr. Smith on his breast with the end about half an inch from his mouth. The end attached to the gas range had also been tied on, as Mr. Smith, who had made two other attempts to end his life, it is claimed, evidently wanted to make sure he would succeed this time.


Mrs. Smith left her husband in the home about 4 o'clock to come downtown and make purchases of food and articles for the family. When she returned she found all the doors leading to the house locked and her suspicions became aroused at once.


Hurrying to the home of ex-Councilman Daniel B. Finnell across the street, Mrs. Smith secured the loan of a shovel in order that she might remove some snow which prevented her getting a ladder which was under the barn. With the aid of the ladder Mrs. Smith was able to get into the house through a chamber room window on the second floor. When she went downstairs the odor of gas was very noticeable. Quickly opening her breath [sic], as the odor of gas was something terrible.


Quickly opening windows and shutting off the gas cock, Mrs. Smith went to her husband, who sat in a large easy chair in front of the range and one look satisfied her that he had been successful in taking his life.


Mrs. Finnell arrived at the house and she was followed by Carl Hall, also a neighbor, and Dr. J.F. Trull was called by telephone. The physician on his arrival found that Mr. Smith was beyond all aid. Medical Examiner Charles F. Trayneg was notified and after learning the facts of the case, concluded it was a case of suicide.

Mr. Smith had carefully planned taking his life, according to the way he arranged everything. He removed a shelf from the range and used papers to keep the rubber tubing from touching the stove. The end of the tubing was tied to the gas cock of the gas stove, while the other end was securely held with string on his breast so that the end would come close to his mouth and nose.


Incurable illness is given as the cause for the rash act. Mr. Smith suffered an attack of influenza 14 months ago and double pneumonia set in and his life was saved only by a hard battle, in which his kind and devoted wife took a prominent part. Heart trouble developed and his condition was such that it was plain to his many friends that he would not be able to do much more work. Only recently in talking with a friend he said he could walk but little and had to ride if he wanted to go any distance.


T.W.A. Smith was well known in the two cities and the news of his death was received with profound sorrow. He had made other unsuccessful attempts to end his life, by inhaling illuminating gas, while a revolver was taken from him only a few days ago.


Everybody has a good word for Mr. Smith. Friends knew that he was suffering physically and that everything was being done for him in the line of medical aid, but his condition could not be helped. 


He was prominent in Masonic and Odd Fellows circles and was a member of the First Baptist church. Mr. Smith was born in Lewiston 15th September 1866, and was the son of the late Atwood and J. Morilla Baker Smith. He received a public school education, and was employed in the Pepperell mills before entering the florist business.


He was located on Prospect street, next to his home, for many years. As a landscape gardener he was in great demand, especially at the Pool, and his work was always highly spoken of. He was affiliated with many organizations, among them Laconia lodge, I.O.O.F.; York Encampment, J. H. Dearborn canton, Mavoshen lodge, K. of P.; Dunlap Lodge of Masons, Squando Tribe, Improved Order of Red Men, and Simon S. Andrews camp, Sons of Veterans.


Mr. Smith is survived by his widow, one son, Thomas W. A. Smith, Jr., and one daughter, Miss Elizabeth M. Smith. The funeral will take place Sunday afternoon with services at 2 o'clock at the late home, 43 Prospect street. Relatives and friends are invited without further notice.

2010 :: Snowmageddon, Texas style

Click to enlarge.

Memory Monday :: 35 Years Ago

On this date in our family history . . . the 8th day of February . . . in the year 1975 . . . in a ceremony held at the First Christian Church in Rockdale, Milam County, Texas . . . the Keeper of this family history blog became the bride of Bennie Lee Everhart . . .


One of the songs performed during the ceremony was Sunrise, Sunset, from the movie, Fiddler on the Roof . . . there were not many dry eyes in the church by the time the wedding singer finished this one . . .

Is this the little girl I carried?
Is this the little boy at play?
I don't remember growing older
When did they?
When did she get to be a beauty?
When did he grow to be so tall?
Wasn't it yesterday
When they were small?

Sunrise, sunset
Sunrise, sunset
Swiftly flow the days
Seedlings turn overnight to sunflowers
Blossoming even as we gaze

Sunrise, sunset
Sunrise, sunset
Swiftly fly the years
One season following another
Laden with happiness and tears

What words of wisdom can I give them?
How can I help to ease their way?
Now they must learn from one another
Day by day

They look so natural together
Just like two newlyweds should be
Is there a canopy in store for me?

Sunrise, sunset
Sunrise, sunset
Swiftly fly the years
One season following another
Laden with happiness and tears

The center photo in the collage was taken shortly after the wedding, when the newlyweds were attending a live performance of Fiddler on the Roof at the Country Dinner Playhouse in Austin, Travis County, Texas . . . the tickets were a gift from the law office where this newlywed was employed at the time . . .




So here's wishing a Happy 35th Anniversary to my Hubbie . . .
looking forward to the next 35 with you . . .
hugs & kisses . . .




P.S. There are many sources for free Valentine images. This collage was created from my files of free images that have been collected over the years, from a lot of different sources and collections.


P.P.S. . . . Update . . . here it is five years later . . . February 8th, 2015 . . . and in another two months it will be five years since I lost my Bennie . . . I am sitting here now watching "Fiddler on the Roof" . . . first time I saw it was with Mom . . . in Denver . . . in 1972 . . . I knew then that I would want "Sunrise, Sunset" sung at my wedding . . . sunrise, sunset . . . swiftly fly the years . . . one season following another . . . laden with happiness and tears . . . 

Sentimental Sunday :: Reunion

Left to right, these gentleman of the 1950s are --

• Jim Aaron Robbins (1927-2010)
• Forrest Lee Pounders (1927-1996)
• Weldon Lee Henry (1927-1998)
• Robert E. Henry (1930-1997)

Jim is a family friend . . . Fuzzy is my Dad . . . Weldon is a 1st cousin once removed (but always referred to as Uncle Weldon) . . . and Robert is Uncle Bob (Mom's brother) . . . Jim died this week, on the 3rd of February . . . as this photo from the 1950s demonstrates, he is a part of our childhood memories . . . but I did not realize until just this week that Jim is actually a 1st cousin once removed to some of my Dad's 1st cousins (i.e., the Quinneys) . . . his funeral is being held today, the 7th day of February, in Rockdale . . . Jim will be buried beside his 1st wife, Bettie Jane Robbins nee Bartlett (1933-1964), the mother of his only child . . . RIP, Jim . . . give Dad and Uncle Weldon and Uncle Bob a hug for me when you see them . . . see y'all next time . . .

Wordless Wednesday :: Elizabeth Marilla

February Calendar of Rememberings

This shall be written for the generation to come . . . Psalm 102:18 . . .

When it came time for Saturday Night Genealogy Fun with Randy on January 30th, I am happy to say that I was delightfully busy making memories with family members at a birthday event held south of Houston -- so I am LATE for SNGF! But since this one is right up my alley, I just could not resist putting something together.

Since we are already into February, I went ahead and did my calendar for this month. I created the basic calendar using Family Tree Maker 16.

Maybe I need to spend some more quality time with FTM 2010, but I do not yet see a way to personalize calendars as Family Tree Maker has always allowed us to do -- they seem to have taken away the customization features that I like to play with.


Once I had the calendar the way I wanted it in FTM16, it was exported as a PDF. The PDF was opened for viewing, and the image was captured using the PRT SCR button. The image was then cropped to the desired size using Picasa.

Using a free scrapbook page found on the internet, a multiple exposure collage was created using Picasa. This multiple exposure was then used as part of a picture pile collage, along with a free background image and a free clipart image.

I actually wound up doing two calendars -- one for birthdays, and one for anniversaries -- because I could not get all of the information on one calendar page. The one you see here is now the desktop on my laptop computer. The one I did for February anniversaries is scaled for the monitor for my desktop computer, and is displayed there.

Please do not hesitate to ask questions if I don't make sense! 

Making Memories

In our immediate family, the month of January is full of significant dates, including the birthdays of my Mom as well as one of her great-grandsons. 

Those two particular events were celebrated in 2010 during a family gathering held the last weekend of January.


This collage (click to enlarge) incorporates some of the images I captured during that 2010 get-together (with most photos intentionally made small to protect the privacy of the living). That's my beautiful Mom and the birthday-boy in the center of this collection of memories. 


The quote I used in the collage . . . I won't forget you -- ever! . . . is adapted from the final chapter in The House at Pooh Corner . . . which tells the story of Christopher Robin as he leaves behind his childhood . . . and his best friends . . .

"Pooh, when I'm - you know - when I'm not doing Nothing, will you come up here sometimes?"
"Just Me?"
"Yes, Pooh."
"Will you be here too?"
"Yes, Pooh, I will be really. I promise I will be, Pooh."
"That's good," said Pooh.
"Pooh, promise you won't forget about me, ever. Not even when I'm a hundred."
"How old shall I be then?"
"Ninety-Nine."
Pooh nodded."I promise," he said.

Happy 1st Birthday, Hunter

Luv ya bunches, from grand-aunt Vickie

1863 :: Birth of Major Sharp

On this date in our extended family history . . . the 25th day of January . . . in the year 1863 . . . James Hall Sharp is born in Houston County, Texas. The details of his birth were recorded by James Madison Hall (1819-1866) in one of a series of almost daily writings kept by him during the time period of the war between the states. The new parents -- Sam H. Sharp and his wife, Mary A. Sharp familiarly called Nellie -- are 2nd great-grandparents of the Keeper of this geneablog. Mahala aka Mother is the mother of Sam as well as of Hall's wife, Margaret aka the little woman, and is, therefore, my 3rd great-grandma.

Sunday, January 25, 1863. Today at 8 o'clock a.m. Sam H. Sharp's wife Mary A. Sharp familiarly called Nellie, was delivered of a male child, which weighed 7¾ lbs. which said child was by his parents named James Hall Sharp in honor of the writer of this journal, and at said delivery there was present Margaret A. Hall, Mahala L. Hall, Mrs. L. A. Bird, Sam H. Sharp & myself assisted by two negro women both by the name of Louisa. Nellie sustained herself very well under the circumstances and had rather an easy time than otherwise. The child aforesaid by way of nick name we dubbed & created "Major" ... in order to distinguish him from the little woman's child James, alias Jim. Mrs. Bird returned home on the evening, Mother however remained. Weather changeable and warm, with occasional showers of rain, rendering it very disagreeable.

January 2010 marked the sesquicentennial of the date in 1860 when J.M. Hall began the daily writing in his journal. In a project that is scheduled to be completed in 2016, and will cover the entire period of the sesquicentennial of the war between the states, Hall's writings are being posted on a daily basis at . . . benotforgot-journal.blogspot.com . . .

1885 :: Death of Milton Antony M.D.

On this date in our extended family history . . . the 25th day of January . . . in the year 1885 . . . Dr. Milton Antony dies in Rockdale, Milam County, Texas.


Dr. Antony is my 1st cousin five times removed . . . and he is also the husband of the older sister of my 2nd great-grandma, Josephine Wingfield Henry nee Davis (1842-1899) . . . he is buried in the Old City Cemetery, which is just out of sight at the bottom edge of this postcard.


Dr. Milton Antony, Jr. was a Confederate Surgeon in Brazoria County, Texas during the years of the war between the states . . . then relocated to Milam County, Texas where he was the third Postmaster in Rockdale, serving 06 June 1876 to 26 April 1877 . . . which was one month after the entire wooden portion of Rockdale burned . . . he was a practicing physician in both Cameron and Rockdale . . . a Henry family reunion write-up in a 1931 edition of The Rockdale Reporter states that . . .

On Oct. 3, 1876, the Henrys [my 2nd great-grandparents] arrived in Rockdale to visit a sister and family of the Mrs. Henry's, it being Dr. and Mrs. M. F. Anthony, who at that time had the post office and drug store combined on the corner where the Wolf Hotel now stands.

That is the Wolf Hotel on the right corner of the Rockdale postcard. The Wolf sat on the northeast corner of the intersection of Main and Milam. According to a history of Rockdale published in 1936, a two-story stone and brick bank building was erected in 1875, which later became the Wolf Hotel, and then, ca. 1935, the American Legion Hall. An 1885 map of Rockdale does show a bank at that location, and on the corner across the street is a post office in the Mundine House.


A year before Josephine arrived in Rockdale to visit her sister, Margaret, the following item appeared in the 12 November 1875 issue of the Galveston Weekly News . . .

There are street fights occurring (in Rockdale) almost every day and the officers of the law seem to enjoy it, taking their fines, never giving offenders the least word of warning or lecture. Nothing better could be expected when they license women of ill fame for ten dollars a month and receive half of the fines and their compensation. The most disgusting of it is, when they choose, these officers step beyond their authority and utterly disregard the law at pleasure. Every day or two some very interesting scenes occur in the pettifoggeries of Rockdale.

And just a year before that 1875 report, the same paper, in the 09 November 1874 issue, described the brand new city of Rockdale as being . . .

delightfully located in a thriving section of the county. . . . there are two or three banks, fifty or sixty merchants, and plenty of saloons, and has generally all the appearances of a railroad town. . . . While all is new and in some degree crude, there are some fine stone and brick buildings. . . . Where a population of eighteen hundred now thrive, was ten months ago the home of the deer, and the pleasure ground of the black bear.

For more information about Dr. Antony and his family, see . . .

• Dr. Milton Antony, Jr.
• Dr. Milton Antony, Sr., his father
• Judge Edwin Le Roy Antony, his son
• Antony Roots & Branches, his ancestors & assorted kith 'n kin

P.S. The handwritten paper in the background of the collage is a document from 1864, signed by Milton Antony, M.D. and three other doctors -- requesting the Confederate army to excuse the only druggist in Brazoria County, Texas from being conscripted into the army . . .

An Ode to My Family History

 
The following poem was composed as an introduction to an imaginary book about the entire community of kith 'n kin that is buried in a certain little country cemetery in Central Texas ... many are connected to a particular group who were known as "Us Mississippians" during the latter part of the 19th century ... written as if talking to the descendants of my nieces & nephews, et al ...




May I share with you a little story
of a quiet resting place
tis a small country graveyard
home to those who have finished life's race.      

Tis a lovely place in the springtime
bluebonnets & wild phlox abound
here & there a pink evening primrose
a lovely pallet amidst nature's sounds.

Allow me to introduce a few folks
who begat the who who begat you
for one of these days there will be a time
when I won't be here to walk with you.

Let's start here at the grave of my Father
a gentle humble man was he
he loved making little kids giggle
always enjoying the sound of their glee.

And over here, these are his parents
they were married for 31 years
Pa Jake died early, but Granny lived on
she outlived their two sons & her peers.

Jake's parents are next in this row of graves
of loved ones of which you're a mix
they left Belgreen, Alabama for Texas
in the year eighteen hundred and ninety-six.

And over yonder is Pa Jake's Grandma
she's buried a few rows away
the homemade marker just says Grandma Cain
with no mention of a birth or death day.

Now let's stroll a little bit farther
past the graves of our kith 'n kin
to the other end of the graveyard
where older markers are known to stand.

(Did you happen to bring your camera
you know there's always an image to save
like that tree standing there in the corner
like a guardian over each silent grave.





I have captured it during each season
in winter, spring, summer & fall
there just seems to be something about that old tree
that has spent years watching over us all.)


Now that grave belongs to my Dad's Grandma
the mother of seven was she
not a son did she have, all girls in the house
and a widow when the baby was wee.

Near to her are her own loving parents
the father who served with John Hood
& the young bride from Mississippi
who beside many a grave has stood.

Dear One . . .

These graves hold the dust of your history
for many years they have been gone
they lived & they died before you were born
these generations have all traveled on.

And when I have slipped the bonds of this earth
with this family is where I will be
& this ground is where my dust will rest
only rememberings will be left of me.

So when you come here to reminisce
& these old acquaintances to renew
may the memories never dim, let them be not forgot
'cause they begat the who who begat you.





~ The ancestors spoken of here ~

My Father
Forrest Lee Pounders (1927-1996)

His Parents
Jacob Edmund Forrest Pounders (1902-1957)
Ima Lois Pounders nee Muston (1906-1999)

Pa Jake's parents
James Madison Pounders (1867-1942)
Mary Susan Pounders nee [Cain] (1873-1950)

Grandma Cain
Sushannah Cain [?] nee Holland (1841-1930)

My Father's Maternal Grandma
Emma Patience Muston nee Nettles (1882-1964)

Her Parents
Joseph Helidorah Nettles (1832-1890)
Mary Annie "Mollie" Nettles nee West (1852-1939)


... plus a large number of assorted kith 'n kin,
many being the very people who were mentioned
in the family stories told by these ancestors ...Hugh Wilson Cemetery

This poem was composed for -- and has been submitted for consideration to -- the 89th edition of Jasia's Carnival of Genealogy.

Special thanks to footnoteMaven for the delightful COG poster.

1843 Sterne visits our Kinfolk

From September 28, 1840, to November 18, 1851, Nicholas Adolphus Sterne kept a diary of his daily activities, which is a valuable source of information on the period of the republic. The names of some of our kith 'n kin are scattered through these pages. Below you will find what Sterne wrote about on this date in 1843. Mrs. Elisha Roberts is my 3rd great-grandma, Martha "Patsy" Roberts nee Gill (ca. 1781 - 18 Dec 1845) and Mrs. Sublett is one of her daughters, and my 3rd great-grand-aunt, Esther Jane Sublett nee Roberts (1808-1891).

Tuesday the 17th January [1843] weather still moderate-- Concluded not to go any further East, Sabine very high-- Mr Hoya went on with C. H. Gibson to Natchitochez [Louisiana]-- and myself returned to San Augustin [Texas], Stopped on the Road to see my old friend and acquaintance MRS ELISHA ROBERTS also MR AND MRS SUBLETT, arrived at San Augustin at 11 A. M. Dined with Deyoung. heard Miss Morange perform on the Piano-- herself and her Brother performed a Duet composed by Braham it was a treat indeed, such a one as I do not expect again in Texas-- left San Augustin at 2 oclock P. M, and stopped all night at Walter Murrays

Shades of the Departed

It's time to celebrate . . . 'cause the 3rd edition of Shades of the Departed, and the 1st of the New Year, is on the stands! Included in this issue are wonderful contributions by . . .

• Donna Pointkouski
• Sheri Fenley
• George Geder
• Rebecca Fenning
• Denise Barrett Olson
• Penelope Dreadful (aka Denise Levenick)
• Caroline Pointer
  and, of course, our leader and mentor
  
• footnoteMaven

My contribution is an article which focuses on a journey back in time with James Madison Hall (1819-1866) and his kith 'n kin. And speaking of . . .

One hundred fifty years ago today . . . on this very date . . . the 16th day of January . . . in the year 1860 . . . James Madison Hall sat down, picked up his pen, and composed a few sentences about the events of his day. J.M. Hall would continue this practice on a daily basis until his death in September of 1866. Sooooo . . .


Beginning today, the sesquicentennial of the date when Hall began his Journal, I began posting . . . and will hopefully be able to continue to do so on a daily basis . . . the date-appropriate entries from the referenced Journal. These Journal excerpts are being given their very own blog . . . benotforgot-journal.blogspot.com . . . which will automatically fead to my Twitter account (just in case you would like to follow me there). As time allows, I will add notes of interest about the people and places he mentions, as well as tidbits of information about world events of the same time period. But in the meantime . . .


Make sure you hop on over to Shades of the Departed to check out what fM put together to celebrate the beginning of a New Year.



P.S. FYI . . . I like to download each new issue of Shades as a PDF file and save a copy of it on both of my computers. That is easier for me (especially with my dial-up connection) for when I want to check back on something I remember reading. I have also saved copies on a flash-drive, which I will be taking to my Mom tomorrow, so she'll have her very own copies.

FYI . . . if you are unable to view Shades of the Departed while using Firefox (as is the case for the Keeper of this family history blog), please try viewing this page in Chrome . . .

1864 :: Grandpa Sam arrested by Confederates in Texas

On this date in our family history . . . the 15th day of January . . . in the year 1864 . . . Samuel Houston Sharp is imprisoned on suspicion of being liable for conscription . . . this Sam is a 2nd great-grandpa of the Keeper of this family history blog . . . and this part of our Sam's life was recorded as follows in the daily journal of James Madison Hall. . . .

15 Jan 1864 ... In the evening while Sam & I were running the mills a file of soldiers rode up and arrested us, and forthwith shut up my mills and marched us off to Crockett like common felons. when we reached Crockett we were imprisoned in the Court house and a guard mounted over us. We were not allowed any fire or food, neither were we permitted to converse with any person. So we were kept, without any charge against us but upon mere suspicion that we were liable for conscription.

So much for our boasted rights as Southren gentlemen and for the causes which led us to sever our connection with the old government. Had I been thus treated by the Yankees I could have borne it all without complaint for I could not have expected any thing else, but coming from those who ought to be our guardians instead of our oppressors comes exceedingly hard, and not well calculated to make good and true soldiers to the Confederacy. I predict that it is but the beginning of the reign of Military despotican? and will brake down our once happy land of freedom.

I was again discharged late in the night but how long before I am again arrested God only knows. Sam however was kept in close confinement all night. Weather clear & cold. J.M. Hall

Tombstone Tuesday :: Snow at Laurel Hill Cemetery

This is a snowy view of the Smith burial plot and the area surrounding it in the Laurel Hill Cemetery in Saco, Maine . . . the snow photos were taken in March of 1998 . . . click on the photo to enlarge it . . .

New Year's Day 1861-1866

1861 NEW YEAR'S DAY 1866
as recorded by
James Madison Hall
(1819-1866)
Tuesday January 1st 1861. Today I am still in Galveston, and adjusted my matters of dispute with Nelson Clements. I left Galveston at 3.P.M. on the steamer Ruthven bound for Liberty in company with James Wrigley and had a very pleasant passage. expenses while at Galveston $20. weather clear & cold. [Galveston, Texas]




Wednesday January 1st 1862. To day I am busy in the Warehouse. I assisted however in placing five of the cannon, balls and carriages on the steamer Ruthven to be taken to Galveston. weather changeable & cool. [Liberty County, Texas]





Thursday January 1st 1863. Today Sam Sharp [i.e., Samuel Houston Sharp -- my 2nd great-grandpa] went to Crockett for the purpose of hiring a negro boy, but returned home without doing so. Mother [i.e., Mahala Lee Sharp Hall nee Roberts -- my 3rd great-grandma] sent Louisa up to assist the little woman [i.e., Margaret A. Hall Stewart nee Sharp -- Sam's sister, & Hall's wife] in preparing and putting up her sausages. as I have now got the entire control and possession of my mill I contemplate jotting down her earnings and out lay for the current year. it is agreed however between Sam Sharp & I that he shall act as the miller, I attending only during his absence. Nellie [i.e., Mary Alexandrien Sharp nee Lemaire -- my 2nd great-grandma] is still sick but improving. I ground ten bushels of corn. weather cloudy & rather warm on my pork, with a shower of rain at night. [Houston County, Texas]

• Texas. Confederates attack Union forces in Galveston
• Washington. President Lincoln signs the Emancipation Proclamation, stating that "all persons held as slaves within said designated States, and parts of States, are, and henceforward shall be free." See -- Juneteenth.

Friday January 1st 1864. This being the first day of the current year, I commence my notes of the events that take place immediately around me, and in which I have any interest. The boys are at work chopping and hauling wood, which is very essential during the present cold spell. Sam [Sharp] & I ground 17 bushels of corn and 10 bushels of wheat. Weather clear and bitter cold. I think some what colder than yesterday. I thought I would freeze at night although I kept a fire in my room the whole time. [Houston County, Texas]

In many ways, the events that made news in Galveston in 1864 were not that different from the events that make news today: weather, scandals involving those in authority, and a series of bizarre deaths and crimes. With military attention focused on campaigns and battles in other places, the civilian and military inhabitants of the city concentrated on making the most of their lives in the confines of an occupied city. It was not an easy task. The year started out with one of the coldest winters on record. The western part of Galveston Bay was covered with ice to a depth of as much as an inch-and-a-half in thickness. Snow fell and accumulated on the ground to a depth of one inch, an almost unheard of event in Galveston. The cold weather continued throughout the winter months, with one storm from the North following another. The weather caused much suffering for soldiers and civilians who were without sufficient firewood to keep warm or cook their meals. This problem became so acute that orders were issued allowing vacant houses and unused wharves to be torn apart and used as fuel. . . . from Battle on the Bay by Cotham . . .

Sunday January 1st 1865. Today I commence my notes of daily events that may happen immediately around me during the current year just began. Though they are of no interest to any one safe my own family. Nevertheless I cheerfully enter upon my task. We all left home and rode down to Mother's [Mahala] where we spent an agreeable day, returning home in the evening. A sick soldier stopped with us for the night. Weather clear and rather warm for the season of the year. [Houston County, Texas]





Monday January 1st 1866. Today I commence my notes of events that may daily happen immediately around me during the current year. This notes are not intended to be of any service to any one except myself as a book of reference and to my family as a faithful exposition of my daily transacting. I formed & entered into a copartnership with James Wrigley to carry on in the town of Liberty a general Commission and Warehouse business. The Steamer Kate & sloop Luna left for Galveston. The little woman had a fine new year's dinner, which reflected great credit upon her art as a house keeper. I entered into a contract with negro man Albert to work for the year at 15$ per month with board, he furnishing a negro woman to cook. I also employed my old servant Hicks for the year at 10$ per month. Weather cloudy & cold with incessant rain throughout the entire day. [Liberty County, Texas]

• New Year's Eve 1860-1865
• Christmas Day 1860-1865
• Christmas Eve 1860-1865

New Year's Eve 1860-1865

1860 NEW YEAR'S EVE 1865
as recorded by
James Madison Hall
(1819-1866)
Monday Dec. 31st 1860. Still in Galveston [Texas], and in consequence of the cold which still continues, was unable to transact but little business. I took a few oysters however and at night visited the Theatre, and after which I went to my old friend Archy Ruthven's where I partook of a fine supper, and saw a regular scotch gather, with many fine songs. The meeting was conooked? to drink the old year out & the new one in, but in consequence of my temperence pledge I felt out of place and retired early. Thus I close my chronicles of daily events for the year 1860, now past and gone, and God only knows whether I will be permitted to live to keep one for the incoming year. weather very cold but clear. [Liberty County, Texas]





Tuesday December 31st 1861. To day I am busy in the store acting as salesman. The [rail] cars arrived from Beaumont [Texas] bring 7 more of the long looked for cannon, three of the seven being Columbiads and weighing as follows: 13,224. - 13,226. & 13,228. lbs. weather clear and pleasant. 

Thus I close the records of daily events for the year 1861, and whether God will permit me to live, to keep the records of another year, is more than poor mortal man can know, but trusting in his mercy I shall enter upon the trials of another year, with hopes of future success & prosperity through his goodness & favor. [Liberty County, Texas]

From Google Books -- Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion. Series I, Volume 17. Gulf Blockading Squadron from 16 December 1861 to 21 February 1862.

Texas. December 31, 1861.— Steamer Mary Hill returned from San Jacinto at 11 a. m., with 115 cords of firewood for the Government. She was ordered by Colonel Nichols to proceed to Virginia Point and there to discharge the wood. At 11:30 steamer Stell arrived with Captain [Charles M. ?] Mason's company on board from Pelican Spit. Returned to the spit at 3 p. m. Steamer Carr left at daylight, having received orders to tow the dredge boat from Velasco to Virginia Point. The two first guns of fourteen destined for Galveston arrived to-day from Liberty on the steamer Ruthven. The guns left New Orleans in September and have been on the way from New Orleans to Galveston three months. . . .

Wednesday December 31st 1862. Today Sam [i.e., Samuel Houston Sharp -- my 2nd great-grandpa] & I cut up and salted down the pork that we killed yesterday. I paid Cheste & Ann 3.50 for their service in helping to kill & salt down the pork. Dr. Murchison & Mother [i.e., Mahala Lee Sharp Hall nee Roberts -- my 3rd great-grandma] came to see Nellie [i.e., Sam's wife, Mary Alexandrien Sharp nee Lemaire -- my 2nd great-grandma] who is still very sick, but they did not remain long. Mr. Pennington's time as Miller having expired he surrendered the mill keys to me and left for his home. weather clear and cool. 

Thus I close my jottings of daily events for the year 1862 now past & gone, and whether God will permit me to live to keep the events around me of the incoming year is more than I can know, but trusting in his mercy I shall enter upon the duty which is pleasing to me and may be profitable to my family and myself hereafter. [Houston County, Texas]





Thursday December 31st 1863. This morning the ground was covered over two inches deep with snow. Father [i.e., J.J. Hall], Mother [Mahala] and Mr. Thomas Sharp [?] all left, the two former for home, and the latter for the wheat region [?]. Sam [Sharp] & I ground 6 bushels of corn & 10 bushels of wheat. In the evening the boys commenced work after their Christmas holliday. Weather clear and bitter cold. the mill pond being frozen entirely over one inch thick, and it continued to freeze all day even in the sunshine. At night it froze all the little woman's [i.e., Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] eggs in my room although I kept a large fire in it throughout the entire night. It is decidedly the coldest spell of weather that I have ever experienced in the State of Texas after a residence of 28 years. 

Thus closes my notes for the month of December and also for the year 1863 just passed and gone and now numbered with the things that were. whether the Almighty will spare me to chronicle the daily events of the incoming year is more than I know but trusting in Him I shall enter upon the pleasing task, which is useful as a reference and may be profitable to those who have an interest in me. [Houston County, Texas]





Saturday December 31st 1864. To day I paid Dr. Murchison 310 lbs. of flour for 62 lbs. of wool purchased from him last fall. Hick ground 20 bushels of corn and 5 bushels of wheat. Weather clear & cold with a frost & freeze at night. 

Thus I close my jottings for the month of December and for the year 1864 which has just passed & gone and now numbered with the things that were. Whether the Almighty will spare me to chronicle the daily events of the incoming year is more than poor mortal man can foresee or know but trusting in his goodness I shall enter upon the pleasing task which is meaningful as a book of reference and may hereafter be profitable to those who have an interest in my affairs after I shall have shuffled off this mortal soil and been reaped to the bosom of my ancestors. [Houston County, Texas]





Sunday December 31st 1865. To day I am engaged in making out bills of lading for the Steamer Kate & Sloop Luna, both of said boats are still here. Mrs. Beale [i.e., Nellie's mother, Elizabeth A. Lemaire Beale nee Waring -- my 3rd-great-grandma] came over and spent the day. Jimmy had another chill and fever. Frank is still improving. Weather cloudy with occasional showers of rain. 

Thus I close my notes for the month of December and for the year 1865 which has just passed and gone and now numbered with the things that were. Whether the almighty will spare me to record the daily events of things passing around me for the incoming year is more than mortal man can know but trusting his goodness and mercy I shall enter upon the pleasing task which to me is useful as a book of reference and may hereafter be profitable to those who have an interest in my affairs. [Liberty County, Texas]

• New Year's Day 1861-1866
• Christmas Day 1860-1865
• Christmas Eve 1860-1865