Before you read this entry, you should go back and read my blog of December 15, 2009 for the background information. I wrote about Mrs. Weaver's Diary, a book I found about four years ago at a used book store. I named the book because it had no name and was a personal diary written by an unknown person. I have read the diary many times, but could never figure out who wrote the diary. Just since my entry on December 15, I have learned who Mrs. Weaver really was. I had been looking past some obvious information in the diary.
Mrs. Weaver, whom I named Cassie, was taking care of Ellen Teackle Schley in Baltimore, Maryland in 1916. Mrs. Schley was the mother of Mrs. Arunah S. Abel (Ann Teackle Schley Abel). The Abel family was very wealthy and the founders of the Baltimore Sun newspapers. Cassie wrote about how unhappy she was, how hard she worked, how so tired she felt all the time and that both Mrs. Abel or Mrs. Schley seemed to ignore her complaints. Cassie wrote that she had a son, Cyrus. It was her comments about Cyrus that lead me to finally identify the author of the diary. After December 15, I went back to re-read the diary again. Guess I also must have put on my thinking cap.
On January 3, 1916, on her day off work, Cassie writes about making a birthday cake for Cyrus.
So, now with a new perspective on the diary, I assume that January 3 is the date of Cyrus Weaver's birth. I began searching on ancestry.com and familysearch.com for Cyrus Weaver born January 3 in early 1900. And I found one. A California Death Index showed a Cyrus Heller Weaver born January 3, 1901 in Maryland and who died in 1952 in California. I went back to the page where Cassie describes making the birthday cake and read her next comment. "I was too tired to take out the 15 year old fruit cake that Roman made". Fifteen years before the date of her diary entry, would have been 1901. So, Roman (who ever that was), made the cake in 1901.
The next steps were pretty easy. The census records show Cyrus Weaver living in Baltimore in 1900 and 1910 with his parents Roman and Sallie Weaver. On the 1900 census, Cyrus H. Weaver is shown to have been born in 1900 and was 4 months old. The 1900 census was completed on June 7, 1900. On the 1910 census, Cyrus is recorded as 10 years old . I have found that it isn't unusual for see a slight various in birthdates in census and death records. The California Death Index for Cyrus showed that his mother's maiden name was Heller. I searched a bit more and learned that Sallie Weaver was Sallie Heller Weaver, born in West Virginia in 1868 to Cyrus Heller and Mary Eliza (Sallie) Matthews Heller.
I am speculating that Roman Weaver, Sallie's husband probably died around 1914. This is based on a comment Sallie made in the diary that she had not had a Sunday off in two and a half years.
No longer Cassie to me, but now Sallie Heller Weaver, made her last diary entry on November 7, 1916 after being brought home from the hospital by her physician, Dr. Gross. It seems likely that Sallie never recovered and may have died shortly after that date. I have an obituary for Ellen Teackle Schley showing that she died in 1917 in the home of her daughter, rather than in her home where Sallie Weaver had been taking care of her. Ellen Schley's obituary was just three months after Sallie Weaver's last diary entry. I have not located a burial location for Sallie Heller Weaver or Roman Weaver, but I did find that Cyrus Heller Weaver is buried at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Logansport, Cass County, Indiana.
Well, I read the diary again and it became much more meaningful knowing who had written it.
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
December 15, 2009-The Teackle Connection
I have just finished reviewing another of my old favorite books. I acquired this book four years ago and have read it many times. It is a personal, handwritten diary and I do not know who wrote it. It was written in 1916 in Baltimore, Maryland. The book is small and red with the front cover reading, "Physician's Daily Memorandum for 1916". It has medication ads and brief descriptions of treatments printed at the top of every page. It is the kind of book that a pharmaceutical company may have given to physicians. When I bought the book at a used book store, I noticed a note inserted in the book that read, "Cyrus Weaver's mother". Since then, I have called the book, Mrs. Weaver's Diary. Throughout the book, the author would end her sentences with the letter "c" with a circle around it. I assumed her name started with a C and so I named her Cassie Weaver.
Cassie Weaver was employed by a very wealthy Baltimore family, the Arunah S. Abel family. The Abel family was the founder of the Baltimore Sun newspaper. It is clear in the diary that Cassie's primary responsibility was to provide care for Ellen Teackle Schley, the mother of Mrs. Abel ( Ann Teackle Schley Abel). Cassie rarely refers to them by their full names, but instead refers to them as Mrs. S and Mrs. A. The only way I was able to determine who the family was is that on a few occasions, she referred to Mrs. Abel or the Abel family and once called Mrs. S, Mrs. Schley.
Every day that Cassie made an entry, she stated what the weather was that day. Almost every day she described how unhappy she was, how hard she was working, how ill she was feeling. She also commented on how Mrs. S was feeling. The themes running through the diary were Cassie's desire to leave this home, how she felt she was not being treated well, and that she went long periods without being paid. Everyday she asked the Lord to help her and wrote, "show me the way". On two different days when she questioned why she was treated so badly she said, "I am not bound out". And once when questioning her treatment she said, "I am not a slave".
She would get days off every now and then and would go visit Cyrus, her son and other members of her family. Cyrus would bring her clothes and one day she mentioned making Cyrus a birthday cake. She would also go to church when she got a day off. In one entry on a Sunday, April 16, 1916, she noted that it was the first Sunday she had been off in two and a half years.
She described one really happy experience. It was when she accompanied Mrs. S and the Abel family to Blue Ridge Summit, PA and stayed at the Buena Vista Hotel for several weeks. I have learned that the Blue Ridge Summit area was a popular vacation retreat for wealthy families in the region. In fact, it is only about 25 miles from where I live. I did a bit research and found some very old photos of the Buena Vista Hotel and the surrounding area that included Pen-Mar Park. Pen-Mar was an amusement park and it is still there. The Buena Vista Hotel is no longer at Blue Ridge Summit and all that remains from the old structures is an old stone chapel. Cassie describes watching the dancing and the women in their beautiful gowns. She seemed also to enjoy sitting on the huge porch, eating ice cream and talking with the "other ladies".
As the year progressed, Cassie mentions that Dr. Gross came to see her and gave her medication several times. She had terrible back pain. She also went to Dr. Gross' office on several occasions. Finally, in October 1916, she was hospitalized. She gives the names of her nurses, states how ill she is and that she wishes she could get well. In one entry, she said that Mrs. Abel came to visit her and brought her flowers. It seems that Cassie may never have fully recovered. In her entry of November 7, 1916 she writes, " Dr. Gross brought me home. John and Earl carried me upstairs. Thank God I am home". That is the last entry in the diary.
It was pretty clear in the diary that Cassie was taking care of Mrs. Schley in the Schley home. In 1916, her daughter Ann Teackle Schley Abel lived in a huge mansion on Saratoga Street in Baltimore with her children. Her husband, Arunah S. Abel, died in 1914 and she was left to raise seven children. And Cassie would mention when Mrs. A came to visit. The Baltimore City Directory of 1911, shows Mrs. Schley living on North Ave. That's not real far from Saratoga Street, but it is not a street lined with mansions.
Let me tell you about Mrs. Schley. Ellen Teackle Schley was born in 1848 in Maryland. She was the daughter of St. George Williamson Teackle and Catherine Hays. She had a sister Ann Upshur Teackle and a brother Dr. St. George W. Teackle. Her father was a lawyer and the family was quite wealthy. Ellen married William Cadwalader Schley in December 1868. William Schley was also a lawyer. The Schley family is well known in Maryland as being some of the first to settle the area. The town of Frederick, MD was founded by the Schley's. Ellen Teackle Schley died February 27, 1917. That was just three months after Cassie's last diary entry. Her obituary states that she died at the home of her daughter (Mrs. Abel), "where she was spending the winter".
The importance of the diary is the story Cassie is telling. It is one that is absolutely opposite from the lifestyle lead by the Arunah Abel family and also opposite from the lifestyle in which Ellen Teackle Schley was raised. Cassie never described being harmed physically, but she clearly was ignored and expected to continue her work caring for Ellen Schley regardless of payment or appreciation. In re-reading the diary, I always think I am going to find clues about Cassie's identity, but I haven't. I also have found no records of her son, Cyrus Weaver.
Some clues to who Cassie was may lie in the names she mentions of her friends and family. If you read this and know any of these people, let me know and then maybe I can learn who Cassie was. These are the people she mentions: Emma Barrington, Dorothy Huffington, Mabel Linwood, Grace Whittaker, Bessie Whittaker, Mrs. Volk, Mamie Duvall, Fred Duvall and Ella Jackson.
Cassie Weaver was employed by a very wealthy Baltimore family, the Arunah S. Abel family. The Abel family was the founder of the Baltimore Sun newspaper. It is clear in the diary that Cassie's primary responsibility was to provide care for Ellen Teackle Schley, the mother of Mrs. Abel ( Ann Teackle Schley Abel). Cassie rarely refers to them by their full names, but instead refers to them as Mrs. S and Mrs. A. The only way I was able to determine who the family was is that on a few occasions, she referred to Mrs. Abel or the Abel family and once called Mrs. S, Mrs. Schley.
Every day that Cassie made an entry, she stated what the weather was that day. Almost every day she described how unhappy she was, how hard she was working, how ill she was feeling. She also commented on how Mrs. S was feeling. The themes running through the diary were Cassie's desire to leave this home, how she felt she was not being treated well, and that she went long periods without being paid. Everyday she asked the Lord to help her and wrote, "show me the way". On two different days when she questioned why she was treated so badly she said, "I am not bound out". And once when questioning her treatment she said, "I am not a slave".
She would get days off every now and then and would go visit Cyrus, her son and other members of her family. Cyrus would bring her clothes and one day she mentioned making Cyrus a birthday cake. She would also go to church when she got a day off. In one entry on a Sunday, April 16, 1916, she noted that it was the first Sunday she had been off in two and a half years.
She described one really happy experience. It was when she accompanied Mrs. S and the Abel family to Blue Ridge Summit, PA and stayed at the Buena Vista Hotel for several weeks. I have learned that the Blue Ridge Summit area was a popular vacation retreat for wealthy families in the region. In fact, it is only about 25 miles from where I live. I did a bit research and found some very old photos of the Buena Vista Hotel and the surrounding area that included Pen-Mar Park. Pen-Mar was an amusement park and it is still there. The Buena Vista Hotel is no longer at Blue Ridge Summit and all that remains from the old structures is an old stone chapel. Cassie describes watching the dancing and the women in their beautiful gowns. She seemed also to enjoy sitting on the huge porch, eating ice cream and talking with the "other ladies".
As the year progressed, Cassie mentions that Dr. Gross came to see her and gave her medication several times. She had terrible back pain. She also went to Dr. Gross' office on several occasions. Finally, in October 1916, she was hospitalized. She gives the names of her nurses, states how ill she is and that she wishes she could get well. In one entry, she said that Mrs. Abel came to visit her and brought her flowers. It seems that Cassie may never have fully recovered. In her entry of November 7, 1916 she writes, " Dr. Gross brought me home. John and Earl carried me upstairs. Thank God I am home". That is the last entry in the diary.
It was pretty clear in the diary that Cassie was taking care of Mrs. Schley in the Schley home. In 1916, her daughter Ann Teackle Schley Abel lived in a huge mansion on Saratoga Street in Baltimore with her children. Her husband, Arunah S. Abel, died in 1914 and she was left to raise seven children. And Cassie would mention when Mrs. A came to visit. The Baltimore City Directory of 1911, shows Mrs. Schley living on North Ave. That's not real far from Saratoga Street, but it is not a street lined with mansions.
Let me tell you about Mrs. Schley. Ellen Teackle Schley was born in 1848 in Maryland. She was the daughter of St. George Williamson Teackle and Catherine Hays. She had a sister Ann Upshur Teackle and a brother Dr. St. George W. Teackle. Her father was a lawyer and the family was quite wealthy. Ellen married William Cadwalader Schley in December 1868. William Schley was also a lawyer. The Schley family is well known in Maryland as being some of the first to settle the area. The town of Frederick, MD was founded by the Schley's. Ellen Teackle Schley died February 27, 1917. That was just three months after Cassie's last diary entry. Her obituary states that she died at the home of her daughter (Mrs. Abel), "where she was spending the winter".
The importance of the diary is the story Cassie is telling. It is one that is absolutely opposite from the lifestyle lead by the Arunah Abel family and also opposite from the lifestyle in which Ellen Teackle Schley was raised. Cassie never described being harmed physically, but she clearly was ignored and expected to continue her work caring for Ellen Schley regardless of payment or appreciation. In re-reading the diary, I always think I am going to find clues about Cassie's identity, but I haven't. I also have found no records of her son, Cyrus Weaver.
Some clues to who Cassie was may lie in the names she mentions of her friends and family. If you read this and know any of these people, let me know and then maybe I can learn who Cassie was. These are the people she mentions: Emma Barrington, Dorothy Huffington, Mabel Linwood, Grace Whittaker, Bessie Whittaker, Mrs. Volk, Mamie Duvall, Fred Duvall and Ella Jackson.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
December 8, 2009-The Book of Good Manners
Every December I go through many of the old books I have collected. I have just finished reviewing The Book of Good Manners: A Guide to Polite Usage for All Social Functions, by Frederick H. Martens. It was published in 1923 by Social Culture Publications in New York. This book is very detailed about the proper manners for every occasion that includes christenings, travel, meals, dating, weddings, speech, conversations and funerals. Although written as a serious guide to proper manners, most of it is amusing these 86 years later. I would like to share part of the speech and conversation manners. This is a list of words and phrases not to be used in well-bred conversation.
Incorrect/ Correct:
Catch on/ To understand
Chin music/ Talk
Crow over/ Exult over
Dippy/Mentally unsound
Fork over/ Hand over
Josh/ Banter or chaff
Lit on/ Came across
Peach/ Charming young woman
Skin/ To get the better of by trickery
Tony/ Stylish
These are slang which will not pass" muster":
Big bug/ Person of prominence
Bird/ When a man is so called admiringly
Beaut/ Vulgar contraction for a beautiful woman
Chew the rag/ Wrangle or talk
Cough up/ Pay up
Cookoo/Intoxicated
Geezer/ Disrespectful phrase applied to elderly persons
Glad rags/ Best clothes
Gum the works/ Spoil anything through blunder
Hunky-dory/ Safe, all right
Let her rip/ Go ahead
Lick/ To beat
Mug/ The human face
Nifty; nobby/ Stylish, showy
Peel/ Disrobe
Pie eyed/ Intoxicated
Search me/ I don't know
Screw loose/ Mentally not quite responsible
Soppy/ Full of feeling
Yappy/ Foolish
I must admit I may have used a few of the phrases that don't pass "muster", such as hunky-dory, let her rip, screw loose and geezer. I remember once driving down the street with my mother and grandson. My mother saw a man standing very close to the street and said, "Look at that old bird". It was funny because my grandson began asking to see the bird.
I wish I had a book of modern day phrases especially some that come from text messages. Since I don't do much text messaging, I only know a few, like: y u sad, me 2, c u later, u ok, thx. There is definitely a huge generational gap between The Book of Good Manners and todays messages. I like the difference. In fact, I think it's really "nifty".
Incorrect/ Correct:
Catch on/ To understand
Chin music/ Talk
Crow over/ Exult over
Dippy/Mentally unsound
Fork over/ Hand over
Josh/ Banter or chaff
Lit on/ Came across
Peach/ Charming young woman
Skin/ To get the better of by trickery
Tony/ Stylish
These are slang which will not pass" muster":
Big bug/ Person of prominence
Bird/ When a man is so called admiringly
Beaut/ Vulgar contraction for a beautiful woman
Chew the rag/ Wrangle or talk
Cough up/ Pay up
Cookoo/Intoxicated
Geezer/ Disrespectful phrase applied to elderly persons
Glad rags/ Best clothes
Gum the works/ Spoil anything through blunder
Hunky-dory/ Safe, all right
Let her rip/ Go ahead
Lick/ To beat
Mug/ The human face
Nifty; nobby/ Stylish, showy
Peel/ Disrobe
Pie eyed/ Intoxicated
Search me/ I don't know
Screw loose/ Mentally not quite responsible
Soppy/ Full of feeling
Yappy/ Foolish
I must admit I may have used a few of the phrases that don't pass "muster", such as hunky-dory, let her rip, screw loose and geezer. I remember once driving down the street with my mother and grandson. My mother saw a man standing very close to the street and said, "Look at that old bird". It was funny because my grandson began asking to see the bird.
I wish I had a book of modern day phrases especially some that come from text messages. Since I don't do much text messaging, I only know a few, like: y u sad, me 2, c u later, u ok, thx. There is definitely a huge generational gap between The Book of Good Manners and todays messages. I like the difference. In fact, I think it's really "nifty".
Sunday, November 15, 2009
November 15, 2009, Early Picture
As yesterday was my birthday, this photo seems appropriate. My brother David sent it to me. It is me and my father on Dec. 5, 1945, just after I was born on Nov. 14, 1945. I was only three weeks old. Amazing photo. Thanks to David for sending it.Saturday, November 14, 2009
November 14, 2009-My Collections
Now that I have had another birthday, I think I should tell you about all my "collections", as they are vast. First of all, I collect books. Mostly old but also some new books. I have books in every room of the house. Children's books are in Madi's room, rare collectible books are in the family room, medical books are in the book room. I have so many books that some are in boxes in the garage. I actually have an inventory, so I know what books I have.
I also collect sea shells. At one time, I wanted to be a marine biologist, but lived no where near the ocean. So everytime I visited the ocean, I gathered shells. The best shelling I have ever done was on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. We lived there for a while and I gathered some great shells there. I have shells throughout the house and I have a shell display table with the most prized shells. I also have shells in my garden.
I collect dolls. Mostly "Story Book Dolls" from my childhood. But I also have some newer dolls and one special handmade doll whose name is Nodie Wall. I named her after Don's 3rd cousin, Nodie Wall in Fannin, Texas.
I collect greeting cards. For a number of years, I have kept every card for every occasion that I have received. I now have four big boxes of cards.
I also collect quilts. I have several quilts made by my grandmother, Mary Harris. I have some quilts made by the mother of my step mother, Lou Bonner. And I have some handmade quilts I have bought.
I collect old documents and souvenier booklets from centennial celebrations. I have lots of those.
I also collect clocks. I have a wonderful collection I inherited from my step-mother. And then I have added my own clocks to the collection.
I collect Native American pottery and baskets. Don and I have purchased a number of wonderful items that have added to our collection. Some pottery and some baskets, all displayed in the family room.
All in all, my collections over run my house. But, I love them and take pride in them.
I also collect sea shells. At one time, I wanted to be a marine biologist, but lived no where near the ocean. So everytime I visited the ocean, I gathered shells. The best shelling I have ever done was on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. We lived there for a while and I gathered some great shells there. I have shells throughout the house and I have a shell display table with the most prized shells. I also have shells in my garden.
I collect dolls. Mostly "Story Book Dolls" from my childhood. But I also have some newer dolls and one special handmade doll whose name is Nodie Wall. I named her after Don's 3rd cousin, Nodie Wall in Fannin, Texas.
I collect greeting cards. For a number of years, I have kept every card for every occasion that I have received. I now have four big boxes of cards.
I also collect quilts. I have several quilts made by my grandmother, Mary Harris. I have some quilts made by the mother of my step mother, Lou Bonner. And I have some handmade quilts I have bought.
I collect old documents and souvenier booklets from centennial celebrations. I have lots of those.
I also collect clocks. I have a wonderful collection I inherited from my step-mother. And then I have added my own clocks to the collection.
I collect Native American pottery and baskets. Don and I have purchased a number of wonderful items that have added to our collection. Some pottery and some baskets, all displayed in the family room.
All in all, my collections over run my house. But, I love them and take pride in them.
November 14, 2009-Today Is My Birthday
Well, another year has come and gone. Today is my birthday and I am very glad. As always, I can't remember how old I am. My given name is Sharon Kay Bonner. I got lots of greetings today. Don and Rusty gave me two great birthday cards. Kristin and all the Smedley/Spadaro kids called and sang Happy Birthday with an added Cha-Cha-Cha. My Aunt Poppy and Uncle Joe called with wishes. My Mom who is 85 called this morning. I received cards from Brad, Alison and a great one from Henry. Chris and Kim sent me Facebook wishes and Keaton wished me Happy Birthday on a video. My insurance man sent a greeting. Nina and Harold sent me a birthday card. My sister Charisse sent me a birthday wish. It was all fun. I wonder if they know how old I really am? Well, just so you'll know I was once a young person, you can see this picture of me.
P.S.-November 15-There are at least two people who know how old I really am. One is my friend Shirley and the other my brother David. Today they both sent me an audio of the Beatles song, "When I'm 64".
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
November 10, 2009- Health Care and The Mannings
I know you will be convinced that I have gone off the deep end when you read this. I just love genealogy research because I never know where it will take me. For a number of years now the hospitals at the OU Health Sciences Center have been owned by HCA, the Hospital Corporation of America. Dr. Thomas Frist, Sr was one of the founders of HCA. He is the father of US Senator from Tennessee, Dr.Bill Frist. Now here goes our connection.
Jane Stewart Manning, our great, great, great grandmother had a sister named Polly Stewart. Polly married Mr. Wells and one of their children was Dr. William Boyden Wells (Nephew of Jane Stewart). One of Dr. Wells children was Mary Wells (Grand Niece of Jane Stewart). Mary married Mr. Landress and they had a daughter named Anna Marie Landress (2nd Grand Niece of Jane Stewart). Anna Marie married Dr. William Robert Cates (2nd grand nephew in law of Jane Stewart). Dr. Cates had a sister named Dorothy Cates and Dorothy Cates married Dr. Thomas Frist, Sr. Dr. William Robert Cates and Dr. Thomas Frist were in medical practice together for a while.
That does somehow make us related to Dr. Thomas First Sr. and his son, Senator Bill Frist, doesn't it? So, we should have a lot more political clout than we have plus access to the best health care available. Don't you agree? Thought you would find this amusing. Just wait and see who I find next that is one of our distant relatives.
Jane Stewart Manning, our great, great, great grandmother had a sister named Polly Stewart. Polly married Mr. Wells and one of their children was Dr. William Boyden Wells (Nephew of Jane Stewart). One of Dr. Wells children was Mary Wells (Grand Niece of Jane Stewart). Mary married Mr. Landress and they had a daughter named Anna Marie Landress (2nd Grand Niece of Jane Stewart). Anna Marie married Dr. William Robert Cates (2nd grand nephew in law of Jane Stewart). Dr. Cates had a sister named Dorothy Cates and Dorothy Cates married Dr. Thomas Frist, Sr. Dr. William Robert Cates and Dr. Thomas Frist were in medical practice together for a while.
That does somehow make us related to Dr. Thomas First Sr. and his son, Senator Bill Frist, doesn't it? So, we should have a lot more political clout than we have plus access to the best health care available. Don't you agree? Thought you would find this amusing. Just wait and see who I find next that is one of our distant relatives.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
November 1, 2009- Jane Stewart Manning's Nephews
While researching the Stewart Family, I noticed that several of the children of John Stewart and Sarah Mullinax named their children after Presidents of the United States. Jane's brother Jonathan Stewart named one of his sons, Andrew Jackson Stewart. Andrew was born in 1832 and died in 1911. Jonathan had a brother also named Andrew. It's possible that he might also have been Andrew Jackson Stewart. Jane's sister, Elizabeth Stewart married David Skates. Elizabeth and David Skates named one of their children, Andrew Jackson Skates.
Andrew Jackson Skates was born in 1832 in South Carolina and died September 20, 1863 at the Battle of Chicamauga in Tennessee.
Jonathan Stewart named another of his sons, James K. Polk Stewart. James was born November 18, 1844 in South Carolina and died August 16, 1864 in a battle near Petersburg, Virginia. Jane Stewart Manning and Thomas Manning also named a son, James K. Polk Manning. James was born June 16, 1844, just five months before his cousin James K. Polk Stewart. James, the son of Jane and Thomas, died at age 10 on April 19, 1854 from the bite of a water moccasin. Jane Stewart Manning and Thomas Manning named my Great great grandfather, Thomas Jefferson Manning. Thomas Jefferson was born September 24, 1832 and died February 10, 1891. Thomas Jefferson Manning named one of his children, Thomas Jefferson Manning, Jr.
Polly Stewart Wells and John Wells named one of their sons Benjamin Franklin Wells. Benjamin was born in 1841 in Georgia. I don't know the date of his death. I found his name listed on a monument in Walker county Georgia, "Wall of Honor". It lists Walker county residents who were Veterans of the Civil War.
Andrew Jackson Stewart, the son of Jonathan Stewart, named one of his sons Ulysses Grant Stewart. Ulysses was born in 1870 and died in 1942. Apparently Andrew Jackson Stewart and his wife named another son Ulysses Grant Stewart. This son died very young and was born before their second Ulysses.
It was not unusual in the 1800's to see children named after Presidents of the United States, but I found it interesting to see eight in the immediate Stewart family.
Andrew Jackson Skates was born in 1832 in South Carolina and died September 20, 1863 at the Battle of Chicamauga in Tennessee.
Jonathan Stewart named another of his sons, James K. Polk Stewart. James was born November 18, 1844 in South Carolina and died August 16, 1864 in a battle near Petersburg, Virginia. Jane Stewart Manning and Thomas Manning also named a son, James K. Polk Manning. James was born June 16, 1844, just five months before his cousin James K. Polk Stewart. James, the son of Jane and Thomas, died at age 10 on April 19, 1854 from the bite of a water moccasin. Jane Stewart Manning and Thomas Manning named my Great great grandfather, Thomas Jefferson Manning. Thomas Jefferson was born September 24, 1832 and died February 10, 1891. Thomas Jefferson Manning named one of his children, Thomas Jefferson Manning, Jr.
Polly Stewart Wells and John Wells named one of their sons Benjamin Franklin Wells. Benjamin was born in 1841 in Georgia. I don't know the date of his death. I found his name listed on a monument in Walker county Georgia, "Wall of Honor". It lists Walker county residents who were Veterans of the Civil War.
Andrew Jackson Stewart, the son of Jonathan Stewart, named one of his sons Ulysses Grant Stewart. Ulysses was born in 1870 and died in 1942. Apparently Andrew Jackson Stewart and his wife named another son Ulysses Grant Stewart. This son died very young and was born before their second Ulysses.
It was not unusual in the 1800's to see children named after Presidents of the United States, but I found it interesting to see eight in the immediate Stewart family.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
October 29, 2009- Polly Stewart, Sister of Jane Stewart Manning
Jane Stewart Manning and her sister Polly Stewart probably had many things in common. Two things are they both had sons that became physicians and they both moved to Walker county, Georgia.
Mary "Polly" Stewart was four years younger than her sister Jane Stewart. Polly Stewart was born in York, South Carolina on January 14, 1811 to John Stewart and Sarah Mullinax. Polly married John Wells in 1837 in Habersham, Georgia. Their first two children were born in Habersham county. In 1839 or 1840, Polly and John Wells moved to Walker county, Georgia where her sister Jane Stewart Manning and her family were living. They are first seen on the 1850 census living in East Armuchee, Walker, Georgia. Polly and John Wells had the following children:
William Boyden Wells-born in 1838 in Habersham, Georgia and died in 1892 in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He married Mary Pope.
Mary J. Wells- born in 1839 in Habersham, Georgia. She married Mr. Pope.
Benjamin Franklin Wells-born in 1841 in Georgia.
Artamecy Caroline Wells- born December 31, 1843 in Georgia and died January 14, 1919. She married William Huff Carter Freeman.
Cynthia Ann Wells- born in 1845 in Georgia and died November 24, 1924 in Whitfield, Georgia. She is buried at the Mill Creek Cemetery in Whitfield. She married John Robert Love. He is also buried at Mill Creek Cemetery.
Martha Darsilla Wells-born September 1847 and died April 1912. She married William Allison Love.
John Wells, Jr.-born August 22, 1849 in Walker County, Georgia and died July 10, 1926 in Springtown, Benton county, Arkansas. He married Alpha Edwina Frances Tate.
Jerome Wells- born November 18, 1851 in Whitfield county, Georgia. He married Telitha C. Love.
Polly's son, William Boyden Wells was a physician, just as his cousin Thomas Jefferson Manning (my great great grandfather). William apprenticed under Dr. Adam Clement, a Walker county pioneer doctor. Since learning that Dr. Clement apprenticed students, I think it is possible that Thomas Jefferson Manning may have studied with him. You may recall my earlier post about the University of Nashville Medical department, the medical school Thomas Jefferson Manning attended, required students to have studied for three years with a physician before they were accepted into the medical program.
Dr. William Wells served in the Civil War as a physician and surgeon. After the war, Dr. William Boyden Wells went to medical school at the Atlanta Medical College and graduated with a medical degree. He lived in Red Clay, Whitfield county as seen on the 1870 and 1880 census. A notation made on a Rootsweb site by a unknown person stated that Dr. Wells was a Medical Instructor. On the 1880 census, a young man named Robert J. Jamerson was living with he and his family and noted to be a medical student. It is likely that Dr. Wells was mentoring Robert Jamerson, just as he was mentored by Dr. Adam Clement. Between 1880 and 1885 Dr. Wells moved to Chattanooga, Tennessee. His granddaughter, Anna Marie Landress states in her "Reminiscences" book that she grew up in the house that Dr. Wells built in 1885. William Wells died in 1892 leaving his wife Mary with a young daughter, also named Mary.
Polly's other children migrated to Arkansas and Texas, except for Cynthia. Cynthia Ann Wells married John Robert Love and stayed in the Whitfield, Georgia area where her parents, Polly and John Wells were living in 1870. John Wells died January 3, 1879 and Polly Stewart Wells died December 8 1885. Both John and Polly are buried at the Mill Creek Cemetery in Whitfield county, Georgia.
P. S. Since writing this post, I have learned more about the young man, Robert J. Jamerson, that I mentioned as being mentored by Dr. William B. Wells in 1880. Robert J. Jamerson attended the University of Georgia and graduated in 1881 with a degree in medicine. I found this information in a book entitled, Historical Sketch of the University of Georgia by A. L. Hull, published in 1884.
Mary "Polly" Stewart was four years younger than her sister Jane Stewart. Polly Stewart was born in York, South Carolina on January 14, 1811 to John Stewart and Sarah Mullinax. Polly married John Wells in 1837 in Habersham, Georgia. Their first two children were born in Habersham county. In 1839 or 1840, Polly and John Wells moved to Walker county, Georgia where her sister Jane Stewart Manning and her family were living. They are first seen on the 1850 census living in East Armuchee, Walker, Georgia. Polly and John Wells had the following children:
William Boyden Wells-born in 1838 in Habersham, Georgia and died in 1892 in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He married Mary Pope.
Mary J. Wells- born in 1839 in Habersham, Georgia. She married Mr. Pope.
Benjamin Franklin Wells-born in 1841 in Georgia.
Artamecy Caroline Wells- born December 31, 1843 in Georgia and died January 14, 1919. She married William Huff Carter Freeman.
Cynthia Ann Wells- born in 1845 in Georgia and died November 24, 1924 in Whitfield, Georgia. She is buried at the Mill Creek Cemetery in Whitfield. She married John Robert Love. He is also buried at Mill Creek Cemetery.
Martha Darsilla Wells-born September 1847 and died April 1912. She married William Allison Love.
John Wells, Jr.-born August 22, 1849 in Walker County, Georgia and died July 10, 1926 in Springtown, Benton county, Arkansas. He married Alpha Edwina Frances Tate.
Jerome Wells- born November 18, 1851 in Whitfield county, Georgia. He married Telitha C. Love.
Polly's son, William Boyden Wells was a physician, just as his cousin Thomas Jefferson Manning (my great great grandfather). William apprenticed under Dr. Adam Clement, a Walker county pioneer doctor. Since learning that Dr. Clement apprenticed students, I think it is possible that Thomas Jefferson Manning may have studied with him. You may recall my earlier post about the University of Nashville Medical department, the medical school Thomas Jefferson Manning attended, required students to have studied for three years with a physician before they were accepted into the medical program.
Dr. William Wells served in the Civil War as a physician and surgeon. After the war, Dr. William Boyden Wells went to medical school at the Atlanta Medical College and graduated with a medical degree. He lived in Red Clay, Whitfield county as seen on the 1870 and 1880 census. A notation made on a Rootsweb site by a unknown person stated that Dr. Wells was a Medical Instructor. On the 1880 census, a young man named Robert J. Jamerson was living with he and his family and noted to be a medical student. It is likely that Dr. Wells was mentoring Robert Jamerson, just as he was mentored by Dr. Adam Clement. Between 1880 and 1885 Dr. Wells moved to Chattanooga, Tennessee. His granddaughter, Anna Marie Landress states in her "Reminiscences" book that she grew up in the house that Dr. Wells built in 1885. William Wells died in 1892 leaving his wife Mary with a young daughter, also named Mary.
Polly's other children migrated to Arkansas and Texas, except for Cynthia. Cynthia Ann Wells married John Robert Love and stayed in the Whitfield, Georgia area where her parents, Polly and John Wells were living in 1870. John Wells died January 3, 1879 and Polly Stewart Wells died December 8 1885. Both John and Polly are buried at the Mill Creek Cemetery in Whitfield county, Georgia.
P. S. Since writing this post, I have learned more about the young man, Robert J. Jamerson, that I mentioned as being mentored by Dr. William B. Wells in 1880. Robert J. Jamerson attended the University of Georgia and graduated in 1881 with a degree in medicine. I found this information in a book entitled, Historical Sketch of the University of Georgia by A. L. Hull, published in 1884.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
October 28, 2009- Jane Stewart Manning
I have been researching the Stewart family and have gathered quite a bit of information.
Today, I will start with Jane Stewart.
Today, I will start with Jane Stewart.
Jane Stewart Manning
1807-1885
My Great Great Great Grandmother was Jane Stewart Manning. Jane Stewart was born November 2, 1807 in York, South Carolina. Her parents were John Stewart and Sarah Mullinax. Jane married Thomas Manning in about 1829 in York, South Carolina. Thomas and Jane moved from South Carolina to Walker county, Georgia where they raised their family which included my Great Great Grandfather, Dr. Thomas Jefferson Manning. Jane died on April 11, 1885 at age 78. The following is an obituary taken from the Walker County Messenger in 1885.
Mrs. Jane Manning, wife of Thomas Manning, Esquire, of West Armuchee, died at her home on the morning of the 11th of April 1885. She was the daughter of John and Sarah Stewart of York District, South Carolina. She was one of the old settlers of the valley. She had lived to the age of 78 years and had been a consistent member of the Baptist Church near a half century and died in the faith. One by one they are taken away until there are very few who came from South Carolina in the early days of this valley. She leaves a grief striken husband, two children and several grandchildren and numerous friends to mourn her loss, but this should not be the case, for as we believe she died in the hope of the glory of God. We ought to rejoice that she has been taken from a state of paralysis to an eternal rest with her Savior and the bereaved relatives be consoled with the thought that they will live so that when their dissolution comes, they too will be given eternal rest in the home of the good.
Jane is buried at the Young Cemetery in Walker county along side her husband Thomas and her son John.
Jane had eleven brothers and sisters.
Nancy Stewart, married Robert Evans.
Johnathan N. Stewart, born June 20, 1798, married Sarah M. Mauney.
Elizabeth Stewart, born 1802, married David Skates.
George Stewart was born between 1802-1810.
Abner Stewart was born about 1803.
John Stewart, Jr. was born about 1803 and married Catherine Whisonant.
Andrew Stewart was born about 1805 and married Matilda Jane Countryman.
Mary Stewart was born about 1805.
Polly Stewart, born January 14, 1811 and married John Wells.
Isom B. Stewart was born about 1813 and married Elizabeth Bird.
David Stewart was born about 1816.
(The information about Jane's brothers and sisters comes from the Stewart Archives of December 2003. The submitter stated he obtained the information from the Joe Hart files located in the York County Historic Center, York, South Carolina.)
I have learned quite a bit about Jane's brothers and sisters which I will tell you in another entry.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Oct. 5, 2009-University of Nashville Medical Faculty 1855
I spent a little time yesterday looking for some additional information about the faculty members of the Medical Department of the University of Nashville in 1855 when Dr. Thomas Jefferson Manning graduated. I learned that in 1855, 294 students were matriculated and 93 graduated. I was very impressed with the information I found about the Professors. The information demonstrates the quality of education the students received in 1855. I am including just a little of what I learned about the men who taught Great Great Grandfather Thomas Jefferson Manning.
C. K. Winston, MD- Taught Materia Medica and Medical Jurisprudence.
Robert M. Porter, MD-Taught General and Special Anatomy.
Paul F. Eve, MD- Taught Principles and Practice of Surgery
Paul Fitzsimons Eve was the President of the American Medical Association in 1857. He lectured widely about surgical techniques. He spoke at several AMA meetings about the history of surgical procedures and wrote many articles in medical journals about his experiences in surgery and medicine. Below is a photo of Dr. Eve.
John M. Watson, MD-Taught Obstetrics and Diseases of Women and Children. He also lectured at numerous meetings and various Schools of Medicine. Dr. Watson was born in 1798 and died in 1866.
John M. Watson, MD-Taught Obstetrics and Diseases of Women and Children. He also lectured at numerous meetings and various Schools of Medicine. Dr. Watson was born in 1798 and died in 1866.A. H. Buchanan, MD-Taught Surgical and Pathological Anatomy and Physiology. He was the Vice President of the AMA in 1847 and 1848.
W. K. Bowling, MD- Taught the Institutes and Practice of Medicine. He wrote many articles. One was entitled "Cholera as it Appeared in Nashville in 1849, 1850, 1854 and 1860". I could not access a journal to read this article. Apparently, during those years there was a huge outbreak of cholera in Nashville. Dr. Bowling was Dean of the Medical Department in 1860. He also founded the journal, Nashville Journal of Medicine and Surgery. He was a Vice President of the AMA in 1856-1857 and again in 1867. At this link, you can see an ad for the Nashville Journal of Medicine and Surgery.
C. K. Winston, MD- Taught Materia Medica and Medical Jurisprudence.
Charles Kimbrough Winston (1811-1882) was the first president of the University of Nashville.
Robert M. Porter, MD-Taught General and Special Anatomy.
Robert Massengal Porter (1818-1856) had a Law Degree, a Doctor of Divinity degree and a Medical Degree. He died at a very young age, 38. His eulogy describes that he died from a blood poisoning that he was believed to have gotten after completing a demonstration in human dissection. He was overcome by stench and perhaps became infected from the excrement he encountered during the dissection. There is a lengthy eulogy for him given by John Berrien Lindsley, MD and it can be read on google books.
John Berrien Lindsley, MD- Taught Chemistry and Pharmacy. For a period of time he was Chancellor of the University and another time period he was the Dean of the Medical Department. He held degrees in Medicine, Theology and Philosophy. In his eulogy for Dr. Robert Porter in 1856, Dr. Lindsley stated that the University of Nashville Medical Department was 1 of 3 leading schools in the United States.
William T. Briggs, MD- He was the Demonstrator of Anatomy. He served as the President of the Americal Surgical Association in 1884. With Dr. Bowling, he edited the Nashville Journal of Medicine and Surgery.
I am sure if I spent more time, I could find much more about these esteemed Professors. I can however get some idea of Dr. Mannings training by learning about his mentors.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Oct. 4, 2009- More About Dr. Thomas Jefferson Manning and the University of Nashville
I have gathered some interesting information about the University of Nashville Medical Department in 1855 which is the year Dr. Thomas Jefferson Manning is said to have graduated.
First, on October 30, 1855, an Introductory Address was delivered before the Class of the Medical Department by John M. Watson, M.D. who was Professor of Obstetrics and Diseases of Women and Children. Dr. Manning may have completed his training by the October 1855 date, but I found that Dr. Watson was part of the faculty beginning in 1850. This would mean that Dr. Watson was one of the professors who may have taught Dr. Manning.
I came across advertisements placed in a variety of medical journals by the University of Nashville. They are recruitment ads and they are very similar in content from 1853-1855. I found the ads in journals such as Proceedings of the Australian Association of Neurologists, Vol 7-9, 1855, Boston Medical and Surgical Journal ,Vol. 48, 1853, and in the Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, Vol. 49, 1854. The following is a transcription of the 1854 publication of the Boston Medical and Surgical Journal. You will see that it reflects the courses and professors that Dr. Manning would have had. It also reflects the fees that he would have paid.
UNIVERSITY OF NASHVILLE, MEDICAL DEPARTMENT- The third Annual Course of Lectures in this Department will commence on Tuesday, the first of November next and continue till the first of the ensuing March.
Paul F. Eve MD- Principles and Practice of Surgery
John M. Watson MD-Obstetrics and Diseases of Women and Children
A. H. Buchanan MD- Surgical and Pathological Anatomy and Physiology
W. K. Bowling MD- Institutes and Practice of Medicine
C. K. Winston MD- Materia Medica and Medical Jurisprudence
Robert M. Porter MD- General and Special Anatomy
J. Berrien Lindsley MD- Chemistry and Pharmacy
William T. Briggs MD- Demonstrator of Anatomy
The anatomical rooms will be opened for students on the first Monday in October.
A full Preliminary Course of lectures will be given by the Professors, commencing on the first Monday in October.
The Students will have free access to the State Hospital.
Fee of each Professor, $15. Matriculation ticket, $5. Dissecting ticket, $10. Graduation fee, $25.
Good board can be obtained in the city at from $2.50 to $3 per week. Further information can be obtained by addressing
J. B. Lindsley, MD Dean
Nashville, Tennessee June 1853
I will continue to gather some more information about the University of Nashville Medical Department. Putting these pieces together helps get a better picture of what Great, Great Grandfather, Thomas Jefferson Manning might have experienced.
First, on October 30, 1855, an Introductory Address was delivered before the Class of the Medical Department by John M. Watson, M.D. who was Professor of Obstetrics and Diseases of Women and Children. Dr. Manning may have completed his training by the October 1855 date, but I found that Dr. Watson was part of the faculty beginning in 1850. This would mean that Dr. Watson was one of the professors who may have taught Dr. Manning.
I came across advertisements placed in a variety of medical journals by the University of Nashville. They are recruitment ads and they are very similar in content from 1853-1855. I found the ads in journals such as Proceedings of the Australian Association of Neurologists, Vol 7-9, 1855, Boston Medical and Surgical Journal ,Vol. 48, 1853, and in the Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, Vol. 49, 1854. The following is a transcription of the 1854 publication of the Boston Medical and Surgical Journal. You will see that it reflects the courses and professors that Dr. Manning would have had. It also reflects the fees that he would have paid.
UNIVERSITY OF NASHVILLE, MEDICAL DEPARTMENT- The third Annual Course of Lectures in this Department will commence on Tuesday, the first of November next and continue till the first of the ensuing March.
Paul F. Eve MD- Principles and Practice of Surgery
John M. Watson MD-Obstetrics and Diseases of Women and Children
A. H. Buchanan MD- Surgical and Pathological Anatomy and Physiology
W. K. Bowling MD- Institutes and Practice of Medicine
C. K. Winston MD- Materia Medica and Medical Jurisprudence
Robert M. Porter MD- General and Special Anatomy
J. Berrien Lindsley MD- Chemistry and Pharmacy
William T. Briggs MD- Demonstrator of Anatomy
The anatomical rooms will be opened for students on the first Monday in October.
A full Preliminary Course of lectures will be given by the Professors, commencing on the first Monday in October.
The Students will have free access to the State Hospital.
Fee of each Professor, $15. Matriculation ticket, $5. Dissecting ticket, $10. Graduation fee, $25.
Good board can be obtained in the city at from $2.50 to $3 per week. Further information can be obtained by addressing
J. B. Lindsley, MD Dean
Nashville, Tennessee June 1853
I will continue to gather some more information about the University of Nashville Medical Department. Putting these pieces together helps get a better picture of what Great, Great Grandfather, Thomas Jefferson Manning might have experienced.
Friday, October 2, 2009
Oct. 2, 2009- Dr. Thomas Jefferson Manning
I have revisisted the "Many Thomas Mannings" several times. I am still having a hard time settling on some issues about my great great grandfather, Dr. Thomas Jefferson Manning. Dr. Manning was born 24 Sept. 1832 in South Carolina to Thomas Manning and Jane Stewart.
One of the first things I would love to find is a really good photograph of him. The only image I have seen appears to be a photograph of a portrait. It's not very life-like and doesn't reveal much of anything about him. We have several studio photos of my great great grandmother, Matilda LeFlore Manning. Even better than a single image of him would be a studio portrait of he and his family. I will definitely keep looking for that.
I am very proud to say that Great Grandfather was a physician. I know that for sure by reviewing the Civil War Pension application completed by Matilda Manning in 1922. I have copies of letters written to various Civil War veterans who might have known Dr. Manning and have their response that they knew him. On the application it states that he served as a physician under Gen. Douglas Cooper. Knowing that he served as a physician in the Civil War, I am certain he was a very competent doctor. The part of his medical background that I can't quite pin down is when and where he completed his education. Being in the medical field myself, I am very interested in clarifying this point.
It has been reported that he attended the University of Nashville and graduated in 1855, but I have not found a source to verify that date or his attendance. I have learned some interesting things about medical education of that era. By visiting the Museum of Civil War Medicine in Frederick, Maryland, I learned that the training in the 1850's was of a short duration. Students paid to attend lectures in which they gained specific medical knowledge. It was not at all like the current rigorous training that today's physicians adhere to. A very interesting source, specifically related to the University of Nashville Medical Department is entitled Peabody College: From a frontier academy to frontiers of teaching and learning which is authored by Paul Keith Conkin, published in 2002 by Vanderbilt University.
In this book, Mr. Conkin describes the medical education at the University of Nashville Medical Department beginnning in 1850 by stating that it was never enforced that students admitted to the Medical Department had to have completed High School. Students had to be literate, be 21 years of age by the time they graduated, must have studied with a physician for 3 years prior. Mr. Conkin stated that the age and the prior experience was many times relaxed. He goes on to say, "Any young man could pay $105.00 in fees for a 4 month series of lectures and limited lab and clinical experience. If they repeated the lectures a second time and passed an oral exam they received an MD". The University of Nashville Medical Department was at its height in enrollment about the time it has been said that Dr. Manning might have graduated.
I was very pleased when I came across some publications by the Middle Tennessee Genealogical Society that listed the graduates of the Medical Department of the University of Nashville. The lists of graduates appeared in Vol. 12, # 1,2,3,4 in 1998 and 1999. They can be purchased from the Society. Before you purchase them, you can check a surname index for each issue. I checked each issue which lists the graduates of the Medical Department and found only one Manning and his name was Jack. I really thought I had come upon something. I know that indexes may not be complete, so I am going to order the issues to see for myself. I sure hope I see Thomas Jefferson Manning in one of the issues. If I don't, I'm not sure where to check next. If anyone has any suggestions, please let me know.
One of the first things I would love to find is a really good photograph of him. The only image I have seen appears to be a photograph of a portrait. It's not very life-like and doesn't reveal much of anything about him. We have several studio photos of my great great grandmother, Matilda LeFlore Manning. Even better than a single image of him would be a studio portrait of he and his family. I will definitely keep looking for that.
I am very proud to say that Great Grandfather was a physician. I know that for sure by reviewing the Civil War Pension application completed by Matilda Manning in 1922. I have copies of letters written to various Civil War veterans who might have known Dr. Manning and have their response that they knew him. On the application it states that he served as a physician under Gen. Douglas Cooper. Knowing that he served as a physician in the Civil War, I am certain he was a very competent doctor. The part of his medical background that I can't quite pin down is when and where he completed his education. Being in the medical field myself, I am very interested in clarifying this point.
It has been reported that he attended the University of Nashville and graduated in 1855, but I have not found a source to verify that date or his attendance. I have learned some interesting things about medical education of that era. By visiting the Museum of Civil War Medicine in Frederick, Maryland, I learned that the training in the 1850's was of a short duration. Students paid to attend lectures in which they gained specific medical knowledge. It was not at all like the current rigorous training that today's physicians adhere to. A very interesting source, specifically related to the University of Nashville Medical Department is entitled Peabody College: From a frontier academy to frontiers of teaching and learning which is authored by Paul Keith Conkin, published in 2002 by Vanderbilt University.
In this book, Mr. Conkin describes the medical education at the University of Nashville Medical Department beginnning in 1850 by stating that it was never enforced that students admitted to the Medical Department had to have completed High School. Students had to be literate, be 21 years of age by the time they graduated, must have studied with a physician for 3 years prior. Mr. Conkin stated that the age and the prior experience was many times relaxed. He goes on to say, "Any young man could pay $105.00 in fees for a 4 month series of lectures and limited lab and clinical experience. If they repeated the lectures a second time and passed an oral exam they received an MD". The University of Nashville Medical Department was at its height in enrollment about the time it has been said that Dr. Manning might have graduated.
I was very pleased when I came across some publications by the Middle Tennessee Genealogical Society that listed the graduates of the Medical Department of the University of Nashville. The lists of graduates appeared in Vol. 12, # 1,2,3,4 in 1998 and 1999. They can be purchased from the Society. Before you purchase them, you can check a surname index for each issue. I checked each issue which lists the graduates of the Medical Department and found only one Manning and his name was Jack. I really thought I had come upon something. I know that indexes may not be complete, so I am going to order the issues to see for myself. I sure hope I see Thomas Jefferson Manning in one of the issues. If I don't, I'm not sure where to check next. If anyone has any suggestions, please let me know.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Sept. 28, 2009- An Even Younger Henry Bonner
On August 26, 2009, I posted a great picture of some of my family that included my father, Henry Forbis Bonner. He looked to be about 13 and I commented that in this photo he was the youngest of any photos that I have. Well, thanks to my Uncle Buddy, I now have some older photos of him. They are really nice. Here are a few. You will notice he is the youngest in each of these photos. All were taken in Caddo, Oklahoma around 1929.
In this photo there is Buddy, Ross (father), Henry and Alvene Bonner.
Standing by the car is Alvene, Henry and Buddy Bonner. Their mother, Eula Manning Bonner is inside the car.
Here are some other cute photos with Henry, Buddy, Alvene Bonner and their father, Ross Bonner.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
August 26, 2009-One of My Favorite Pictures
This great picture is one of my very favorite family photos. This is a picture of some of the members of the Ross and Eula Bonner family. Left to right: Eula Manning Bonner, Ross Bonner, Alvene Bonner, Henry Forbis Bonner, Poppy Bonner and the Bonner family dog.
I'm not sure of the year, but I'm guessing about 1937. Henry Forbis Bonner is my father and this photo shows him at the youngest age of any of the family photos.
Very Nice!
August 26, 2009-Eula Manning Graduation
My grandmother, Eula Manning Bonner, graduated from Caddo High School, in Bryan County, Oklahoma in 1914. I obtained information from Mary Maurer who has the website, "Caddo My Home Town", about who was in her graduating class. Mary said the students included:
Eula Manning
Myrtle Malone
Bonnie Jeanes
Buenos Phillops
Edith Moore
Beulah Pinson
Estelle Peters
Kimbrough Overstreet
Dudley Maytubby
I thought that the picture above was a graduation picture, but it's all girls and more than the nine listed who were in her class. It's a wonderful picture. Eula is on the far right, in the top row.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
June 20, 2009-Edna Bridwell Bonner
Edna Louivesy Bridwell Bonner was my great grandmother. I don't have much knowledge of her life and background. She was born in Claiborne Parish, Louisiana in 1870 and was one of 15 children. Her parents were Wesley Bridwell , born 1820 in South Carolina, and Elizabeth Satterwhite, born 1829 in Georgia. Her father, Wesley was one of 8 children of John Bridwell and Rachel Cox. After Rachel died, John remarried and had eight more children. So, Wesley was one of 16 children of John Bridwell.
Edna married my great grandfather Thomas H. Bonner in 1888 in Claiborne Parish, Louisiana when Edna was 18 and Thomas was 43. Thomas was born in British America in 1845. I'm not exactly sure where that is, maybe Canada or a British Carribean island. Thomas was 25 years older than Edna. That makes me wonder if he may have been married before. Their children were Addie, Edward, Ross (my grandfather), Robert, Thomas and Maude. Addie , Edward and Thomas were born in Louisiana and Ross, Robert and Maude were born in Hattiesburg, MS. My existing family genealogy showed that young Addie died at age one in Louisiana, but I recently found a headstone for Addie Bonner, "daughter of T.H. and E.L. Bonner". She was buried at Windham Cemetery in Laurel, MS. Laurel is not very far from Hattiesburg, only about 30 miles. I'm still trying to put those pieces together.
Great grandfather Thomas Bonner died around 1902 either in Mississippi or Louisiana. He was said to have been a Railroad Detective. On the 1900 census, Thomas and Edna and five of their children except Addie are listed on the Perry County, MS census. Thomas is noted to be a carpenter and both of his parents to be from Ireland. Edna is noted to have given birth to 8 children with 5 living. That means that besides the five listed on the 1900 census, plus Addie who died in 1899, she must have given birth to two other children. At the Windham Cemetery in Laurel, Mississippi where Addie is buried, another child, Sada Auma Bonner is buried. Her marker also reads, "daughter of T.H. and E. L. Bonner. She was born in 1893.
In 1910 Edna and her five children are in Choctaw county, OK. I have wondered why they moved from Mississippi to Oklahoma and not back to Edna's home in Louisiana after Thomas died. Although, Choctaw county, OK is only about 180 miles from Homer, Clairborne County, LA. I still don't know why they went on to Oklahoma, but there are some commonalities that I have found.
The area around Laurel and Hattiesburg, MS was known for its lumbering and lumber mills. On the 1900 Perry MS census, many neighbors of the Bonners worked in lumber mills. The area they moved to in Choctaw county was also known for its lumber mills. The Choctaw Lumber Company, founded by the Dierk's brothers was a thriving business when Edna and her children moved there. Perhaps someone they knew in Mississippi, who was in lumbering, moved to Oklahoma.
I identified a Bonner family in Choctaw county at the time Edna moved there, Dr. Robert Bonner, but it does not appear that he was related to great grandfather Thomas Bonner. While in Choctaw county, Maude Bonner died at age 12 at Ft. Towson, Oklahoma and she is buried there. Coincidentally, Dr. Robert Bonner and his family are also buried at the Ft. Towson Cemetery. There was a smallpox outbreak in 1912 when she died. Maybe that's what caused her death. While in Choctaw county, Robert, Edward and Ross worked for the Choctaw Lumber Company. That information was noted on the WW I draft cards for Robert and Edward and on the census for Ross. Even on his WW II draft card, Edward while living in Arkansas was working for a lumber company. That just makes me think, they had an early influence from lumbering.
While I haven't found that any of Edna's siblings moved to Oklahoma, I did find that a few of her cousins did move there. Her cousin Adolphus Bridwell lived in Pottowatomie county in 1900 and in Kiowa county in 1910. Her cousin, Sarah Elizabeth Bridwell Quillian lived in Cotton county in 1900 and before. Her children were born in Indian Territory in the late 1890's. I guess that doesn't provide enough family support to explain why Edna moved her children from Mississippi to Oklahoma after Thomas Bonner died.
Grandfather Ross Bonner married Grandmother Eula Manning. Eula died in 1940, leaving my Aunt who was only 7 years old. Edna moved to Oklahoma City in 1940 and lived with Ross to help take care of Poppy for one year. Then she moved back to the Ft. Towson area until she required a nursing home. She moved back to Oklahoma City where she passed away in a nursing home in 1950.
My Aunt Poppy recalls visiting Edna at her home. She said Edna was very poor. She kept chickens and she let them come into her house. They even laid eggs in pans and bowls in the house. She would call the chickens in the house by saying, "Come on babies". She also said Edna would sew the small cotton snuff or tobacco bags into pillow cases or sheets. Must have taken a whole bunch of snuff bags to make a sheet. Edna must have been industrious.
Edna is buried at Memorial Park in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
I have posted some pictures on flickr related to Edna and you can see them there.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/29098057@N07/sets/72157620075851228/
Edna married my great grandfather Thomas H. Bonner in 1888 in Claiborne Parish, Louisiana when Edna was 18 and Thomas was 43. Thomas was born in British America in 1845. I'm not exactly sure where that is, maybe Canada or a British Carribean island. Thomas was 25 years older than Edna. That makes me wonder if he may have been married before. Their children were Addie, Edward, Ross (my grandfather), Robert, Thomas and Maude. Addie , Edward and Thomas were born in Louisiana and Ross, Robert and Maude were born in Hattiesburg, MS. My existing family genealogy showed that young Addie died at age one in Louisiana, but I recently found a headstone for Addie Bonner, "daughter of T.H. and E.L. Bonner". She was buried at Windham Cemetery in Laurel, MS. Laurel is not very far from Hattiesburg, only about 30 miles. I'm still trying to put those pieces together.
Great grandfather Thomas Bonner died around 1902 either in Mississippi or Louisiana. He was said to have been a Railroad Detective. On the 1900 census, Thomas and Edna and five of their children except Addie are listed on the Perry County, MS census. Thomas is noted to be a carpenter and both of his parents to be from Ireland. Edna is noted to have given birth to 8 children with 5 living. That means that besides the five listed on the 1900 census, plus Addie who died in 1899, she must have given birth to two other children. At the Windham Cemetery in Laurel, Mississippi where Addie is buried, another child, Sada Auma Bonner is buried. Her marker also reads, "daughter of T.H. and E. L. Bonner. She was born in 1893.
In 1910 Edna and her five children are in Choctaw county, OK. I have wondered why they moved from Mississippi to Oklahoma and not back to Edna's home in Louisiana after Thomas died. Although, Choctaw county, OK is only about 180 miles from Homer, Clairborne County, LA. I still don't know why they went on to Oklahoma, but there are some commonalities that I have found.
The area around Laurel and Hattiesburg, MS was known for its lumbering and lumber mills. On the 1900 Perry MS census, many neighbors of the Bonners worked in lumber mills. The area they moved to in Choctaw county was also known for its lumber mills. The Choctaw Lumber Company, founded by the Dierk's brothers was a thriving business when Edna and her children moved there. Perhaps someone they knew in Mississippi, who was in lumbering, moved to Oklahoma.
I identified a Bonner family in Choctaw county at the time Edna moved there, Dr. Robert Bonner, but it does not appear that he was related to great grandfather Thomas Bonner. While in Choctaw county, Maude Bonner died at age 12 at Ft. Towson, Oklahoma and she is buried there. Coincidentally, Dr. Robert Bonner and his family are also buried at the Ft. Towson Cemetery. There was a smallpox outbreak in 1912 when she died. Maybe that's what caused her death. While in Choctaw county, Robert, Edward and Ross worked for the Choctaw Lumber Company. That information was noted on the WW I draft cards for Robert and Edward and on the census for Ross. Even on his WW II draft card, Edward while living in Arkansas was working for a lumber company. That just makes me think, they had an early influence from lumbering.
While I haven't found that any of Edna's siblings moved to Oklahoma, I did find that a few of her cousins did move there. Her cousin Adolphus Bridwell lived in Pottowatomie county in 1900 and in Kiowa county in 1910. Her cousin, Sarah Elizabeth Bridwell Quillian lived in Cotton county in 1900 and before. Her children were born in Indian Territory in the late 1890's. I guess that doesn't provide enough family support to explain why Edna moved her children from Mississippi to Oklahoma after Thomas Bonner died.
Grandfather Ross Bonner married Grandmother Eula Manning. Eula died in 1940, leaving my Aunt who was only 7 years old. Edna moved to Oklahoma City in 1940 and lived with Ross to help take care of Poppy for one year. Then she moved back to the Ft. Towson area until she required a nursing home. She moved back to Oklahoma City where she passed away in a nursing home in 1950.
My Aunt Poppy recalls visiting Edna at her home. She said Edna was very poor. She kept chickens and she let them come into her house. They even laid eggs in pans and bowls in the house. She would call the chickens in the house by saying, "Come on babies". She also said Edna would sew the small cotton snuff or tobacco bags into pillow cases or sheets. Must have taken a whole bunch of snuff bags to make a sheet. Edna must have been industrious.
Edna is buried at Memorial Park in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
I have posted some pictures on flickr related to Edna and you can see them there.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/29098057@N07/sets/72157620075851228/
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
May 12, 2009-My Grandmother's Facebook
There is a lot in the news about social networking on sites such as Facebook, Twitter and MySpace. They have rules for participation and even censor information that is submitted by some of its members. I am a member of Facebook, though not an active participant. I go there and learn a whole lot of information about my children and grandchildren. It's fun to "sneak around" and read what everyone is doing. I have recently realized that my Grandmother and her Grandmother also had their own social networking sources.
Their communication and social information came in several ways. Of course, they wrote letters to each other. I recently read a letter written in the 1920's from my Aunt Vera to her sister, my Grandmother in which Vera talked about her children and Grandmother's children. Aunt Vera was offering to send clothing that her children had outgrown. She gave the ages of all the children, their size, their favorite things and activities they were doing in school. It was a clear picture of her family which took her a while to write and even longer before it was received by my Grandmother. I could go on Facebook right now and see pictures of my grandchildren and probably learn what they had for breakfast.
Another way of sending information was through picture post cards. The photograph of the family member was printed on the post card and a card was mailed to all the relatives. The most significant way my ancestors gained their information about family, friends and neighbors was in the newspaper. The newspapers, many published weekly, reported national news, but was absolutely full of "social networking" information.
I got my first look into this "social network" when I purchased a book entitled, Caddo Newspapers, Vol. I, published by the Bryan County Genealogy Library in Calera, Oklahoma. The social information in the Caddo Oklahoma Star in 1875 and 1876 was listed under the headings called "Local Items" and "Star Lights". Later in 1900, The Caddo Herald had headings like "Bennington Notes", "Caney Cullings", "Durants Dots" and "Bokchito Notes". Here is some of the invaluable information I obtained.
"There will be a party at A.A. Conine's next Thursday.
Dr. I.W. Folsom, of Atoka, called to see us this morning.
A few days ago, while a sister of Timothy Dwight was at church, her house and its entire contents were consumed by fire.
Rev. Allen Wright will preach here next Sabbath at 11 o'clock.
The fur trade is brisk; numerous pony loads of polecat, and other skins arrive daily.
Henry Childs, of Pauls Valley, was in town last week.
T. Fisher has opened a new meat market. "
I learned from these snipets that I can go to a party next Thursday, go to church to hear Rev. Wright, buy meat at the new market, get some polecat fur and send condolenences to the Dwight's about their house having burned.
Here is more information of a social nature taken from the Marietta Monitor, October 1, 1896. In this newspaper, they classified the information simply under "Personal". Just look what you could learn.
"James Fish left Friday to visit his old home in Kentucky.
Randolph Ross went to Roff on Sunday.
Judge Love went to Tishomingo on Sunday.
Dr. Schwartz will be at the Marietta Hotel, one day only-October 5.
W. A. Culwell of Burneyville, shipped a carload of hogs from here on Tuesday. "
I learned that Mr. Fish, Mr. Ross and Judge Love probably did not make it to the Marietta Hotel to see Dr. Schwartz on October 5 since they were out of town. And for Mr. Culwell to have a carload of hogs to ship, he must have raised a whole lot of hogs.
In the Ardmore, OK newspapers their social networking categories included: "About Ardmore", "Inter-Territorial", "Davis Driblets" and "Items of Interest". I could go on and on giving you information from these old newspapers because they are so interesting. I will instead give you some links so you can do some reading for yourself. You can "sneak around" these links looking for information, just as I "sneak around" Facebook. I think you will learn that Facebook has nothing on the power of the printed word. You will also probably notice that it took the newspapers very few words and no pictures to convey a clear message.
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~okbits/marietta.html
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~okbits/admorestate.html
Happy Reading!!!!!!!
Their communication and social information came in several ways. Of course, they wrote letters to each other. I recently read a letter written in the 1920's from my Aunt Vera to her sister, my Grandmother in which Vera talked about her children and Grandmother's children. Aunt Vera was offering to send clothing that her children had outgrown. She gave the ages of all the children, their size, their favorite things and activities they were doing in school. It was a clear picture of her family which took her a while to write and even longer before it was received by my Grandmother. I could go on Facebook right now and see pictures of my grandchildren and probably learn what they had for breakfast.
Another way of sending information was through picture post cards. The photograph of the family member was printed on the post card and a card was mailed to all the relatives. The most significant way my ancestors gained their information about family, friends and neighbors was in the newspaper. The newspapers, many published weekly, reported national news, but was absolutely full of "social networking" information.
I got my first look into this "social network" when I purchased a book entitled, Caddo Newspapers, Vol. I, published by the Bryan County Genealogy Library in Calera, Oklahoma. The social information in the Caddo Oklahoma Star in 1875 and 1876 was listed under the headings called "Local Items" and "Star Lights". Later in 1900, The Caddo Herald had headings like "Bennington Notes", "Caney Cullings", "Durants Dots" and "Bokchito Notes". Here is some of the invaluable information I obtained.
"There will be a party at A.A. Conine's next Thursday.
Dr. I.W. Folsom, of Atoka, called to see us this morning.
A few days ago, while a sister of Timothy Dwight was at church, her house and its entire contents were consumed by fire.
Rev. Allen Wright will preach here next Sabbath at 11 o'clock.
The fur trade is brisk; numerous pony loads of polecat, and other skins arrive daily.
Henry Childs, of Pauls Valley, was in town last week.
T. Fisher has opened a new meat market. "
I learned from these snipets that I can go to a party next Thursday, go to church to hear Rev. Wright, buy meat at the new market, get some polecat fur and send condolenences to the Dwight's about their house having burned.
Here is more information of a social nature taken from the Marietta Monitor, October 1, 1896. In this newspaper, they classified the information simply under "Personal". Just look what you could learn.
"James Fish left Friday to visit his old home in Kentucky.
Randolph Ross went to Roff on Sunday.
Judge Love went to Tishomingo on Sunday.
Dr. Schwartz will be at the Marietta Hotel, one day only-October 5.
W. A. Culwell of Burneyville, shipped a carload of hogs from here on Tuesday. "
I learned that Mr. Fish, Mr. Ross and Judge Love probably did not make it to the Marietta Hotel to see Dr. Schwartz on October 5 since they were out of town. And for Mr. Culwell to have a carload of hogs to ship, he must have raised a whole lot of hogs.
In the Ardmore, OK newspapers their social networking categories included: "About Ardmore", "Inter-Territorial", "Davis Driblets" and "Items of Interest". I could go on and on giving you information from these old newspapers because they are so interesting. I will instead give you some links so you can do some reading for yourself. You can "sneak around" these links looking for information, just as I "sneak around" Facebook. I think you will learn that Facebook has nothing on the power of the printed word. You will also probably notice that it took the newspapers very few words and no pictures to convey a clear message.
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~okbits/marietta.html
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~okbits/admorestate.html
Happy Reading!!!!!!!
Sunday, May 10, 2009
May 10, 2009-Today is Mother's Day
Today, I have received lots of Mother's Day wishes. It's a beautiful sunny day making Mother's Day even better. When I began researching genealogy and my family's history, I wanted to learn more about the women in the family. Traditionally, its much easier to learn about the men in the family. Learning about the women has been a great challenge. In honor of the Mothers in my family, I would like to give you their names. Some I know and love and others I haven't known, but have an understanding of their contribution to their family.
Naomi Harris Bonner-my Mother
Mary Alexander Harris- Maternal grandmother
Louella Palmer Bonner-my Step Mother
Doris Monroe Brown- Mother in Law
Eula Inez Bonner- Paternal grandmother
Mattie Hurst Alexander-Maternal great grandmother
Laura Griffith Manning- Paternal great grandmother
Minnie Todd Harris-Maternal great grandmother
Edna Bridwell Bonner-Paternal great grandmother
Matilda Leflore Manning-Paternal great, great grandmother
Amanda Mallow Griffith-Paternal great, great grandmother
Nancy McNeese Todd-Maternal great, great, grandmother
Analiza Alexander-Maternal great, great, grandmother
Margaret Guest Hurst-Maternal great, great grandmother
Grandmother Harris-Paternal great, great grandmother
Grandmother Bridwell-Paternal great, great grandmother
Grandmother Bonner-Maternal great, great grandmother
I could go on because I have learned about many of my grandmothers from other generations.
I think I will stop here so I can acknowledge all the Mothers and Grandmothers in my family for their contributions to their own family and the sacrifices they made.
Naomi Harris Bonner-my Mother
Mary Alexander Harris- Maternal grandmother
Louella Palmer Bonner-my Step Mother
Doris Monroe Brown- Mother in Law
Eula Inez Bonner- Paternal grandmother
Mattie Hurst Alexander-Maternal great grandmother
Laura Griffith Manning- Paternal great grandmother
Minnie Todd Harris-Maternal great grandmother
Edna Bridwell Bonner-Paternal great grandmother
Matilda Leflore Manning-Paternal great, great grandmother
Amanda Mallow Griffith-Paternal great, great grandmother
Nancy McNeese Todd-Maternal great, great, grandmother
Analiza Alexander-Maternal great, great, grandmother
Margaret Guest Hurst-Maternal great, great grandmother
Grandmother Harris-Paternal great, great grandmother
Grandmother Bridwell-Paternal great, great grandmother
Grandmother Bonner-Maternal great, great grandmother
I could go on because I have learned about many of my grandmothers from other generations.
I think I will stop here so I can acknowledge all the Mothers and Grandmothers in my family for their contributions to their own family and the sacrifices they made.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
May 3, 2009-I Have Met An Angel
I haven't written on this blog in over two months. I have spent part of March and all of April visiting family and taking care of family. However, on May 1, I met an angel and would like to tell you about her as I return to the blog.
I was in Oklahoma when I met the angel. I had been there for about two weeks trying to help my Mother recover from a serious illness brought about by taking the wrong medication. Mother is 85, very independent and set in her ways. Because she was sick, I tried to take charge of everything for her. Well, she wanted none of that and clearly refused to do some of the things I knew would help her recover. She didn't want to eat the food I bought, she didn't want to get out of bed when I told her it was time, she didn't want to have the physical therapist come and help her rebuild her strength. It was frustrating because all I really wanted to do was help her.
On the afternoon before I was to come back home, I stopped by the grocery store for a few things. Not being familiar with the store, I wandered up and down the aisles looking for the things on my list. On every aisle I passed a very attractive, well dressed woman about 80 years old. She wore red shoes, red skirt, red sweater, red hat and red jewelry. She walked slowly and didn't have much in her shopping cart. When I went to check out, she was in front of me in the line. As I stood there, she turned to me and asked if I knew where she had put her grocery cart. I pointed to the cart next to the cashier. She said, "Thank you, I thought I had lost it". It was however her next words that gave me the message.
The angel, dressed completely in red, said to me, "I have two sons and they are here trying to take control of my life. They think because I'm old that I can't do anything for myself or make any decisions for myself. I have told them to stop and just leave me alone. You know, I once did that to my mother and she told me that I would know how she felt when my children did that to me". You can imagine how I felt when I heard her words.
I said to her, "Well, I'm here visiting my Mother and trying to control her life". She smiled at me and said, "Honey, don't do that. You wouldn't want someone to do that to you". I told her my Mother refused my suggestions and would say, "I'll do that when I'm ready". She thought that was a pretty good response and said would "have to remember that one". We chatted on for a few minutes and then she left with her groceries.
When I got to my car, I looked for her. She was getting into the drivers side of her car after thanking the boy who carried out her groceries. Her car was almost exactly like my Mother's car. I watched her drive away. I sat in my car for a few minutes thinking about what had just happened. I wondered why I met this angel today and who sent her. I wish I had met her earlier and had received the message before my last day in town. However, I am very glad I met her and I know it was not a coincidence.
I was in Oklahoma when I met the angel. I had been there for about two weeks trying to help my Mother recover from a serious illness brought about by taking the wrong medication. Mother is 85, very independent and set in her ways. Because she was sick, I tried to take charge of everything for her. Well, she wanted none of that and clearly refused to do some of the things I knew would help her recover. She didn't want to eat the food I bought, she didn't want to get out of bed when I told her it was time, she didn't want to have the physical therapist come and help her rebuild her strength. It was frustrating because all I really wanted to do was help her.
On the afternoon before I was to come back home, I stopped by the grocery store for a few things. Not being familiar with the store, I wandered up and down the aisles looking for the things on my list. On every aisle I passed a very attractive, well dressed woman about 80 years old. She wore red shoes, red skirt, red sweater, red hat and red jewelry. She walked slowly and didn't have much in her shopping cart. When I went to check out, she was in front of me in the line. As I stood there, she turned to me and asked if I knew where she had put her grocery cart. I pointed to the cart next to the cashier. She said, "Thank you, I thought I had lost it". It was however her next words that gave me the message.
The angel, dressed completely in red, said to me, "I have two sons and they are here trying to take control of my life. They think because I'm old that I can't do anything for myself or make any decisions for myself. I have told them to stop and just leave me alone. You know, I once did that to my mother and she told me that I would know how she felt when my children did that to me". You can imagine how I felt when I heard her words.
I said to her, "Well, I'm here visiting my Mother and trying to control her life". She smiled at me and said, "Honey, don't do that. You wouldn't want someone to do that to you". I told her my Mother refused my suggestions and would say, "I'll do that when I'm ready". She thought that was a pretty good response and said would "have to remember that one". We chatted on for a few minutes and then she left with her groceries.
When I got to my car, I looked for her. She was getting into the drivers side of her car after thanking the boy who carried out her groceries. Her car was almost exactly like my Mother's car. I watched her drive away. I sat in my car for a few minutes thinking about what had just happened. I wondered why I met this angel today and who sent her. I wish I had met her earlier and had received the message before my last day in town. However, I am very glad I met her and I know it was not a coincidence.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
March 1, 2009-Keziah Manning and William Gregory
On August 31, 2008 I wrote about the family of Marjamin Manning and Elizabeth Champion. I knew a little about some of their children. Thanks to a descendent of Marjamin and Elizabeth who made a comment on my blog, I am adding some information about their daughter Keziah (Kessiah). The person commenting provided some information and then I spent a little time looking for more. About her name, I have spelled it differently each time I have written it. I saw it on one of the census as Keziah, so that's how I will use it.
Keziah Manning was born in 1845 in Georgia. She married William Porter Gregory and they had nine children.
Charles Gregory
William S. Gregory
Ella E. Gregory
James A. Gregory
Lula Gregory
Martha E. Gregory
Noah D. Gregory
Thad P. Gregory
Joseph Henry Gregory
On the 1880 census in Dawson county GA, Keziah and William are listed with their children Charlie, Ella, William, James and Lula.
On the 1900 census, also in Dawson county, Keziah and William Gregory are listed with children Ella, Lula, Martha, William, Noah, Thad and Joseph Henry. They are household # 31 and their son Charles Gregory and his family are household #30. On this same census James A. Gregory and his family are household #5. By the time of this 1900 census, Keziah's parents Marjamin and Elizabeth had died. Elizabeth died in 1895 and Marjamin died in 1882.
In 1900 the family of Charles included his wife Roxie and children Robbie M., Lula B. and William A. Also in 1900, the family of brother James A. included Florrence E. and Annie L. Gregory. James was 22, Florrence was 23 and Annie was age 2. Some family trees on ancestry. com show that Annie Gregory's mother was Effie Fletcher. So, perhaps her full name was Florrence Effie Fletcher. James Andrew Gregory who according to the comment on this blog was also known as Andrew James Gregory.
Andrew James Gregory migrated to Oklahoma around 1903. His first wife had died and he remarried to Laura Tharp on October 1, 1910 in Garvin County, Oklahoma. Their marriage date was after the 1910 census was taken. Prior to his marriage to Laura, on the 1910 census in Garvin county, Andrew James Gregory is listed with his children Annie L. age 12, Pearl age 5 and George R. Gregory age 2. Andrew James Gregory and Laura Tharp had six children: Bertha, Walter, Elmer, Myrtle, Clyde and Roy. I found a wonderful picture of them on the Davenport Family Tree on ancestry.com.
William and Keziah Gregory also migrated to Oklahoma, maybe at the same time and their son Andrew James. William P. Gregory died July 29, 1909 in Pauls Valley, Oklahoma. On the 1910 census in Pauls Valley, Oklahoma the children, Noah, Thad and Joseph Henry are living with their mother who was listed as Mrs. Gregory.
On the Garvin county record of marriages T.P. (Thad P.) Gregory age 26, married Sarah Burford age 18 on October 4, 1914.
I found the 1917 draft registrations for Thad P. Gregory and his brother Joseph Henry Gregory. Thad was living in Rosedale, Wyandotte, Kansas and he noted that people dependent upon him were his wife and his mother. So, it appears that Keziah left Pauls Valley, OK and moved with Thad to Kansas. Thad indicated that he was a cement worker and worked for J.E. Clark, a Kansas City company. Wyandotte county Kansas is right on the boarder of Missouri. Rosedale, where he lived, is now a part of Kansas City. On the draft card of Joseph Henry Gregory he stated he lived in Kansas City, MO and that he was a cement finisher, also with the J.E. Clark company in Kansas City.
I will have to spend a lot more time on the Gregory family and put some more pieces together before it will be very clear. But, I have made some progress. I was glad to learn that in addition to my own Manning ancestors, other Manning cousins also migrated to Oklahoma-"Where the wind comes sweeping down the plains".
Keziah Manning was born in 1845 in Georgia. She married William Porter Gregory and they had nine children.
Charles Gregory
William S. Gregory
Ella E. Gregory
James A. Gregory
Lula Gregory
Martha E. Gregory
Noah D. Gregory
Thad P. Gregory
Joseph Henry Gregory
On the 1880 census in Dawson county GA, Keziah and William are listed with their children Charlie, Ella, William, James and Lula.
On the 1900 census, also in Dawson county, Keziah and William Gregory are listed with children Ella, Lula, Martha, William, Noah, Thad and Joseph Henry. They are household # 31 and their son Charles Gregory and his family are household #30. On this same census James A. Gregory and his family are household #5. By the time of this 1900 census, Keziah's parents Marjamin and Elizabeth had died. Elizabeth died in 1895 and Marjamin died in 1882.
In 1900 the family of Charles included his wife Roxie and children Robbie M., Lula B. and William A. Also in 1900, the family of brother James A. included Florrence E. and Annie L. Gregory. James was 22, Florrence was 23 and Annie was age 2. Some family trees on ancestry. com show that Annie Gregory's mother was Effie Fletcher. So, perhaps her full name was Florrence Effie Fletcher. James Andrew Gregory who according to the comment on this blog was also known as Andrew James Gregory.
Andrew James Gregory migrated to Oklahoma around 1903. His first wife had died and he remarried to Laura Tharp on October 1, 1910 in Garvin County, Oklahoma. Their marriage date was after the 1910 census was taken. Prior to his marriage to Laura, on the 1910 census in Garvin county, Andrew James Gregory is listed with his children Annie L. age 12, Pearl age 5 and George R. Gregory age 2. Andrew James Gregory and Laura Tharp had six children: Bertha, Walter, Elmer, Myrtle, Clyde and Roy. I found a wonderful picture of them on the Davenport Family Tree on ancestry.com.
William and Keziah Gregory also migrated to Oklahoma, maybe at the same time and their son Andrew James. William P. Gregory died July 29, 1909 in Pauls Valley, Oklahoma. On the 1910 census in Pauls Valley, Oklahoma the children, Noah, Thad and Joseph Henry are living with their mother who was listed as Mrs. Gregory.
On the Garvin county record of marriages T.P. (Thad P.) Gregory age 26, married Sarah Burford age 18 on October 4, 1914.
I found the 1917 draft registrations for Thad P. Gregory and his brother Joseph Henry Gregory. Thad was living in Rosedale, Wyandotte, Kansas and he noted that people dependent upon him were his wife and his mother. So, it appears that Keziah left Pauls Valley, OK and moved with Thad to Kansas. Thad indicated that he was a cement worker and worked for J.E. Clark, a Kansas City company. Wyandotte county Kansas is right on the boarder of Missouri. Rosedale, where he lived, is now a part of Kansas City. On the draft card of Joseph Henry Gregory he stated he lived in Kansas City, MO and that he was a cement finisher, also with the J.E. Clark company in Kansas City.
I will have to spend a lot more time on the Gregory family and put some more pieces together before it will be very clear. But, I have made some progress. I was glad to learn that in addition to my own Manning ancestors, other Manning cousins also migrated to Oklahoma-"Where the wind comes sweeping down the plains".
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Jan. 21, 2009-Henry Forbis Bonner
With the birthday of my father, Henry Forbis Bonner, coming up in the next few days, I would like to tell you a bit about him. His parents were Ross Bonner and Eula Manning. He was born in 1925 in Caddo, Oklahoma. He graduated from High School at Capitol Hill High School in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He married my mother, Naomi Frances Harris. He enlisted in the Navy in 1943 and went to the Pacific. His ship, the USS Gambier Bay was sunk and he survived with a severe leg injury. He and my mother subsequently divorced and he married Luella Palmer. He and Lou had two children, David and Charisse. This bit of a blog is not about us, but about him. I will show you some pictures on Flickr where you can see him at various ages. And then I will add more later. Henry died in 1991. He greatly influenced my life.
http://flickr.com/photos/29098057@N07/
http://flickr.com/photos/29098057@N07/
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