George Howard - An Update

I recently posted on my great x 4 grandfather George Howard (Harward) of Wake and Moore Counties, NC. (See that post here.) Since that time, I have been back to the NC Archives to gather more information on George and his family.


On this trip I focused on the tax records of Moore County, NC form 1852-1858. These are some of the few records that survived the Moore County courthouse fire of 1889. George is listed each year as owning land in Moore County tax district #4. In 1852 and 1853 George is listed as paying taxes on 446 acres of land. From 1854-1858, he paid taxes on 207 acres of land. During this time period, both his sons James C and Caswell begin to appear in the tax records living close. Likely, the brothers received land from their father.


One of the more exciting pieces of information I learned was approximately where George and his sons lived in Moore County. Given that the land records for the county were destroyed, this was the earlist record of my ancestors' location within the county I have found. On the tax records was listed a location for each person. In the case of George and his sons, this location was listed as Fall Creek. By 1854, Caswell Howard is listed with two locations: Fall Creek and Daniel [Daniley's] Creek. I found the location of these two creeks on a Moore County map for 1747-1847. Both creeks are off the northwest branch of the Cape Fear River in the northeast corner of Moore County just over the county line from Wake County. (This area would later become Lee County in 1907.) While George moved his family out of Wake County, he did not move that far from his Howard/Harward relatives of Wake and Chatham counties.

Merry Christmas!

MERRY CHRISTMAS from our house to yours!

The Pocket Tree - A Review

The Pocket Tree is a nifty little product I tried out recently. It is a 9 generation family tree chart that I filled out and carry with me in my purse. On the chart are spaces for my ancestors' names, and pertinent dates. Another nice feature of the Pocket Tree are the interview tips and questions to use when interviewing a family member about the family history. All folded up it only measures about 6 3/4" by 4". The perfect size to fit in my purse or research bag. When unfolded it measures approximately 27" x 8". You can learn more about the Pocket Tree here.

When my Pocket Tree arrived in the mail I began to fill it out. One of my first thoughts was how convenient to be able to see my family tree at a glance. When I research at the state archives or local libraries, I do not take my computer. I print the needed parts of my tree or family group sheets and take those with me. Needless to say, I find myself shuffling between too much paper. Yes, the computer would be easier, but I tend to move around when I research. I might be in the original records areas to start and move on to the microfilm room and back again. The Pocket Tree has lets me carry my family tree easily as I move through my research day.

I am very excited to take my Pocket Tree with me next month when I get to meet new cousins on a family line I have been researching. The Pocket Tree will let me show our ancestral line. I am hopeful it will also spark conversations on other less researched family lines. Over the holidays, I plan on keeping my Pocket Tree in my purse as I travel among family gatherings. I anticipate many opportunities to share our heritage.

Advent Calendar - Christmas Cookies

Cookie dough + Lots of Flour + Lots of Red and Green Sprinkles = Delicious Christmas Cookies for Santa!

Advent Calendar - Santa Claus

Santa Claus....where do I begin? My earliest memory of Santa is one of fear. When I was little we would go to the annual holiday Christmas party put on by the company for which my dad worked. It was held at the local armory. I remember getting dressed up in my red dress and white tights. Christmas parties are fun, right? Something you look forward to? I was looking forward to the stocking filled with candy I would get. What I was not looking forward to was having to sit in the sleigh next to Santa Claus to get it. I was very afraid of that stranger who dressed funny, but to get the stocking with candy I did it. I climbed in the sleigh, got my picture taken, took the stocking and made a hasty retreat.

I am still not to crazy about the man (i.e. stranger) in red.

Advent Calendar - Christmas Cards

I thought I would share some of the Christmas cards my ancestors sent. All three postcards were sent to my great grandmother Esther Lee Richardson. The card above was sent to her from her cousin Atwood Gosney. The postmark is not readable, however, it would does date prior to Christmas 1915.


The second card was sent to Esther by J. H. The sender may have been her husband-to-be Bossy Talbott. Bossy was born Johnnie Hodias Talbott. No one in the family is quite sure when he decided to change his name to Boss Henry.

This last postcard was sent to Esther in 1914and is simply signed "Your friend".

Advent Calendar - Holiday Food

I daresay there are few other families who celebrate Christmas morning with this delicacy. After the presents are opened, we sit down to chocolate waffles with ice cream and chocolate syrup! We've even been known to add chocolate chips if we have any. You can imagine the sugar rush (and the "crash" that comes later!). Regardless, it is a delicious way to start the day.



I do not know how this tradition got started. We are generally a healthy eating family. Somewhere someone found a recipe that "looked good". We tried it once, and a tradition was born. It is quirky I know, but it's ours. Perhaps that's the most important thing.

Getting To Know George

George Howard (Harward)

1791-1871

When researching genealogy, one ancestor in particular will sometimes catch your attention and you just must find out all you can about that person. You must tell his or her story. That happened to me with George Howard (Harward), my great x 4 grandfather.

What is it about George that caught my attention? I'm not really sure. It could be the fact that I actually found quite a bit of information on him at the NC State Archives as well as other local NC sources. It could be that I can literally walk where he walked. I really think my interest was picqued when I could not account for 9 years of his life (1832-1841). I may be the only person who wonders what George did during these nine years, but I do. Come, follow George's story with me.

George Howard (Harward) was born 15 Oct 1791 to James and Rosannah (Barbee) Harward. [Note: The surname switches back and forth in the records between Howard and Harward. The same record might have the name spelled both ways within its content.] The Howard/Harward family lived in Wake County, NC in the Panther Creek area. George lived in his father's household until his marriage in 1817. On 17 Jan 1817, George married Elizabeth Sugg(s) in Wake County, NC. Their marriage bond in on file in the NC State Archives.

George and his young family do not show up in the 1820 federal census. Based on information from the family Bible, George and Elizabeth had three children by this time: Christian (b. 1817), James A (b. 1818) and Allen Mays (b. 1820). From this I concluded he had moved elsewhere or he was not considered to be a head of household where he was living. I tend to think George was still living in the area of his father and was perhaps considered part of his father's household. This is a point that still needs further research on my part.

During the 1820's and early 1830's the Howard family continued to grow. In all, George and Elizabeth had ten children. In addition to the three sons above were also: James Calvin (b. 1822), Sarah Ann (b. 1823), Utilda (b. 1825), Susannah (b. 1827), Caswell Suggs (b. 1828), Elizabeth (b. 1830), and Julia (b. 1833). Unfortunately Christian, James A, and Sarah Ann did not live to adulthood. Both Allen Mays and James Calvin were lost in the Civil War leaving young families behind. His son Caswell died a couple of months before him in Aug 1871. In all George out lived six of his ten children and his wife Elizabeth. I am sure he drew upon his strong faith to sustain him through his many losses.

I "lost" George in the federal census records for 1820 and 1840. I turned to the tax records for Wake County, NC. The reading of these records can be tedious, but tax records can provide a wealth of information. In 1824 and 1825, George is living in the same tax district as his father and paying tax only on himself. He was paying no land tax. In 1826 George has moved to another tax district in and moves yet again in 1827. Throughout, George and his family continue to live in Wake County. 1831 is the last tax record in Wake County recorded for George Howard. He does not appear in the Wake County tax records for 1832 or later. An important piece of information was found in these tax records. George was not a land owner in Wake County. He never paid any tax on land in Wake County. This is consistent with my finding no land records for George in Wake County.

George's timeline skips ahead to 1841 where I found him in Moore County, NC (now Lee County). In 1889, the Moore County courthouse burned destroying most of the county records. Some county records do exist though finding you ancestor in them can be hit or miss. Church records became a source of further information on George. In 1841, George is listed on the enrollment of Muddy Springs Baptist Church in Moore County, NC. (This church is today known as Juniper Springs Baptist Church.) The History of Juniper Springs Baptist Church by Malinda Bradley and Eugenia Thompson using church records show George and his wife Elizabeth were active members of this church. George served as an early clerk of the church and their son Caswell served as one of its first deacons and later a minister. According to family oral history, George and Elizabeth are buried at Juniper Springs Baptist Church though their grave markers are no longer present.

In 1850 George is listed in the federal census record with Elizabeth and their five youngest children. He is listed as a farmer and owning land valuing $282. In 1852 Moore County tax records, George was listed as paying taxes on 446 acres of land.

George wrote his will 20 Oct 1869 and it was entered into court for probate 5 Nov 1871. George's will did survive the Moore County Courthouse fire. In it he mentions his wife Margaret. Margaret is George's second wife. Elizabeth Howard died Mar 1854. George names his executor as George Cole. George Cole was a friend and church member who knew George Howard back in Wake County. George's son Caswell and his grandson Sugg (Allen Sugg Howard) are both mentioned as receiving part of his estate. His other living children are mentioned, but not named, as having received their provisions during George's lifetime.

So, where was George between 1832 and 1841? What prompted him to leave Wake County and move to Moore County? Was it the ability to acquire land? Did he stop somewhere in between first? All are questions I look to answer. Will the answers change my ancestry? No, but the answers will help me tell George's story.

Tombstone Tuesday Stella Holyfield White

Stella Holyfield White

Jan 20, 1895

Jan 19, 1977

Stella H White was my great-grandmother. She is buried at Salem Fork Baptist Church outside of Dobson, NC.

I remember Grandma White well, but the memories are from a child's perspective. (She passed away when I was 11. Oops! I think I just told my age.) I remember as being old, very old. When my family visited her when she was at my grandparents house, I would share a bedroom with her. I always hoped to fall asleep fast, because she snored. If Grandma White fell asleep first, I would be awake for a long time.....

I was always fascinated watching Grandma White fix her hair in the mornings. She had long hair that she would brush smooth. They she would braid it and wrap the braid around her head. She secured it with funny looking hair pins. What I could never figure out was how she did it without ever looking in a mirror! To this day, I cannot fix my hair without looking in the mirror.

It's funny what a child remembers.

There are many others in my family who knew Grandma White much better than I. I treasure their stories about her. I look forward to learning and sharing more.

On This Date....

November 19, 1850:

The Raleigh Register went from being a weekly publication to North Carolina's first daily publication. It apparently was not very successful as it lasted only two months.

(Source: Lew Powell, On This Day in North Carolina (Winston-Salem, North Carolina: John H Blair Publisher, 1996), 216

"Uncovering" an Ancestor

While searching the Salem Fork Baptist Church cemetery for my ancestors, there was one grave marker that could not be found. The grave of Poppa White, otherwise known as James Abe White. Poppa White was my great-grandfather, wife of Stella Holyfield White and father of Cecile White Howard. I knew he was buried in this cemetery, but I just could not find him. After searching where I thought he should be and where I thought he shouldn't be, I went and stood at my great-grandmother's grave (Stella H White) and just looked. No Poppa. I stepped to my left and again just looked. Still nothing, but shouldn't Poppa be next to his wife? I began to think the his marker must be missing. My husband began to poke around and then we found it. The grass had completely grown over the marker, hiding it from view completely. We pulled the grass off of the marker and cleaned it with water and an old towel we had in the car. James Abe White's presence in the cemetery is once again visible. I shudder to think his presence there could have been lost completely.

Off To Dobson

So, off to Dobson we went.......

My maternal grandmother was Cecile Clara White Howard. She grew up in Dobson, Surry County, NC and attended Salem Fork Baptist Church. A short drive from Mount Airy, and I arrived at Salem Fork Baptist Church. I knew at least three generations of my White family ancestors were buried in the church cemetery. I had also been told that there were many Whites buried in this cemetery, but not all "were our Whites". (I expect they may be "ours" along collateral lines.) On that beautiful fall day, I accounted for all my known ancestors in the cemetery and a few more.

Salem Fork Baptist Church was founded on 14 Sep 1907. Among the charter members were "T. J. Whit" [Thomas J White] and "Jona Whit" [Joanna White], my great-great grandparents. Thomas (1851-1922) and Joanna (1852-1910) White are both buried in the church cemetery.

Salem Fork Baptist Church

Salem Fork Baptist Church Cemetery

Grave Marker of Joanna and T J White

Mount Airy, NC

Any guesses as to where I was last weekend?

If you guessed Mount Airy, NC or even Mayberry, you would be correct. Mount Airy, NC is the real life NC town on which Mayberry in the Andy Griffith Show is based. It is located in the foothills of the NC mountains. I must say that that area of North Carolina is absolutely beautiful this time of year.

As you can imagine, Mayberry paraphernalia related to the TV show is prevalent in Mt. Airy. Having grown up in NC and watched the Andy Griffith Show, that part of the town didn't really draw me as I thought it would. I was more intrigued by the architecture of the downtown area and the older houses along the main street. Of course, the little country churches with their old cemeteries were a fascination to me.

This trip was not about genealogy, at least not at first. It was a trip to just "get away" and relax. We planned and did a lot of geocaching. In the process we discovered several beautiful parks and areas off the beaten path in and around Mount Airy.

And then my husband asked, "Don't you have family from Dobson?" Off to Dobson we went......

On This Date....

I found a nifty little book on my recent trip to the library. No, this was not a genealogy related trip, but a fiction seeking sort of trip. If I read too much history and/or genealogy material before I go to bed at night, I wake up at two in the morning trying to solve a genealogical puzzle. Sometimes I just have to read something that does not pertain to genealogy. Does this happen to anyone else? Anyway.....back to the book (which actually is a history book!).

The book is entitled On This Day in North Carolina by Lew Powell. It has lots of interesting tidbits about NC history separated out by the date they occurred. I thought it might be fun way to share some of my state's history.

November 1, 1935:

Did you know that on this date motor vehicle drivers were required to be licensed?

(Source: Lew Powell, On This Day in North Carolina (Winston-Salem, North Carlina: John F Blair Publisher, 1996), 205

Wordless Wednesday Lester Howard

Lester Howard (1915-2004) in the hospital in the 1930's after coming down with pneumonia while at CCC camp.

I've Decided.....

After much thought, I have decided to pursue becoming a certified genealogist. I am excited and nervous at the same time. The process is long and the requirements are stringent, but I am looking forward to the challenging learning experiences the process will provide.

So stay tuned, I'll keep you updated as I go through the process.

Another Photo Identified

Clara (Holt) and Will Haley

Halifax County, VA

(1867-1959) (1861-1948)

Thank you to the Haley cousins who identified this photo!

(Yes, I did the genealogy "happy dance"!)

Haley - Green Deed

I have been spending much of my research time in recent months on my Haley family line. Winnie Haley Carr was my great-great grandmother. As a review, my line is Winifred Haley-William H Haley (aka George William Haley)-Stephen "Case" Haley-Jesse Haley. I have been very fortunate to have my grandmother and her cousins provide me with information and stories about the Haleys.

I found the deed below while actually looking for something else. It is a deed selling land from the estate of Jesse Haley to James W Green. I found several valuable leads in this document.

Haley-Green Deed

4 Oct 1870

This Deed made and entered into this 4th day of October in the year 1870 between Catherine M Haley Executrix of Jesse R Haley dec’d and Stephen C Haley and Anne his wife of the one part and James W Green of the other part. Whereas heretofore considered on the 4th day of October 1870 the said Catherine M Haley Executrix as aforesaid by virtue of the last will testament of her testator which was duly proved and admitted to probate in the County Court of Halifax exposes to sale the land belonging to the estate of the said Jessee R Haley dec’d containing by estimation seventy nine and three fourth acres (be the same more or less) herein after more particularly described and the said Stephen C Haley being the highest bidder therefor became the purchaser thereof at the price of three dollars and twenty cents per acre and he having sold the same to the said James W Green has requested the said Catherine M Haley, Executrix as aforesaid to make title to the said James W Green which is signified by the said Stephen C Haley’s being a party hereto. Now therefore the said Catherine M Haley for and in consideration of the premises aforesaid for the further consideration of the sum of one dollar to her in hand paid by the said James W Green and the said Stephen C Haley and Ann his wife for and in consideration of the sum of two hundred and fifty five dollars and twenty cents to them in hand paid by the said James W Green do release to him all their claims upon the land aforesaid embracing the following tracts or parcels to wit: Sixty three and three fourth acres on which said Jessee R Hailey lived at the time of his death adjoining the lands of Nancy Treble and others and also the said Jessee R Haley’s undivided interest in the landed estate of the late Fleming Owen dec’d devised to the said Jessee R Hailey and others by the will bearing date the 13th day of August 1846 and duly administered to probate in the County Court of Halifax the 28th day of Sept of the same year supposed to contain sixteen acres (be the same more or less) adjoining the tract above mentioned and the sd. Stephen C Haley and Ann his wife covenant with the said James W Green that they will warrant generally the property hereby conveyed.

Witness the following signatures and seals
Witness Catherine M “X” Haley Seal

Wm A Sydnor
S. C. Haley Seal
Mary A Haley Seal

From previous research I know that Catherine Haley and Stephen C Haley are children of Jesse Haley. Jesse had two other children as well. His son Robert Alexander Haley was killed in the Civil War. I am unsure of what became of his oldest daughter Christiana. Jesse's wife Temperance (Owen) is not mentioned in this document leading me to think she was not living.

From this document, I can obviously determine that Jesse Haley died prior to 4 Oct 1870. Learning that Jesse had a will and that it went through the probate process was enough to cause me to do the genealogy "happy dance". (Yes, the microfilm is on order!) I find it interesting that Jesse's daughter Catherine is the executrix of his estate and not his son. Does anyone know if this was a common practice?

Jesse Haley's neighbor Nancy Treble is actually Nancy Tribble. The Tribble family was present in Halifax County during this time. In fact, Stephen C Haley's wife Ann was (Mary) Ann Tribble . Knowing who Jesse's neighbor was will help in determining the location of his land.

This deed also tells me Jesse Haley inherited land in Halifax County, VA from the estate of Fleming Owen in 1846. (I actually have a transcript of this document in my files.) Fleming Owen (1782-1846) was the uncle of Jesse's wife Temperance Owen.

I learned a lot of information and gained new leads in my accidental find. I hope this helps other Halifax County researchers who my be seeking any of these family lines. I'll keep you updated on further Haley developments.

Wordless Wednesday Another Unknown

Here is another unknown photo from among my collection. This young man's photo came to me with other photos that were Esther Lee Richardson Talbott's. Perhaps he is a Richardson or Elliott cousin from the Pittslyvania County area of Virginia. I hope another researcher of cousin recognizes him. (Oops! I guess I wasn't so "wordless" again!)

Amanuensis Monday Reuben Richardson

This week's letter is a real gem in the correspondance collection of my great grandmother Esther Lee Richardson. It is a letter to Esther from her brother Reuben Richardson. It was written in May 1915 when Reuben (1897-1918) was about 18 years old and working in Ashville, NC. I do not know a lot about Reuben. He died in WWI, 3 years after this letter was written. His handwriting is not quite as easy to read as his sister's, but I have endeavored to transcribe his words as he wrote them.

Reuben Richardson

(1897-1918)

Ashville, NC

May 1915

Dear Sister,

I received your letter all _____ and real glad to hear from you'll, but sorry to hear that Uncle Mitt [?] is so bad off, but I hope that he is much better now. I got a letter from Atwood also today and he said that he had been sick also, but was feeling much better when he wrote. You asked me about my boarding place. I have got one of the swellest places in town with a lady name Scott her husband is here, and also and three daughters. All young too about 16, 18, and twenty I guess I can't tell and also two other young ladies and one man and two married ladies and myself that is the bunch I like just fine so far. The Dr is not going keep me in I don't guess. I have been helping Sumpter on his elevator enough to make all my expenses except board I don't work regular. I have made $3.60 since I cam and I guess I will make a right smart more I get $1.20 a day when I help and don't go to work until 8 o'clock and stop at 4.30 and 30 min for dinner. I feel a little bit better tonight than usual I feel just that I want to do something real _______ and if I was at home I guess I would. I was supprised to hear of Mr Hupp's wedding, but am glad. Tell Uncle Mitt I can sertainly sympathize with him and hope that he will soon be well, and feel better after this. Say write me what are you'll doing and all about crop affairs you know that I am anxious to know what is going on Give my love to Mamma and all of the little one and tell Katie (Howdy).

By By

Your loving Brother

Reuben


Reuben mentions several names in the his letter and all are related to him. Atwood is Atwood Gosney (b 1888), son of Thomas Gosney and Amanda Sarah "Sallie" Richardson and first cousin to Reuben and Esther Lee. Sumpter is Sumpter Adams (b 1891), son of Thomas Adams and Julia Richardson and another first cousin. Katie is Reuben and Esther's younger sister. This is the first time I have heard of an Uncle Mitt. I'm not sure who he referring to here.

Haley Photo Needs Identification (Please!)

Thank you so much to the cousin who identified the young boy and the man with my great x 2 grandmother Clara Holt Haley in my Wordless Wednesday published here in May. Putting names to faces really makes my day.

Here's another photo I need help in identifying the cousins. Based on other photos I have, I believe it was taken Jan 1957 which would have been Clara's 90th birthday. I'd love to hear from anyone who can put names to the faces as well as any background story to the photo.

Amanuensis Monday Letter to Esther

I really like this blogging theme. As I look for letters to transcribe, my ancestors' own words tell their stories. Many of the letters and postcards that I share came to me all at once. While I read many of them during the early days of my research, I am now better able to put the people and places mentioned in context.

Today I am sharing another letter to Esther Richardson Talbott. She received it from her friend Nannie Lee Farson in December of 1916. Esther and Bossy Talbott had been married a little over a year and were living in Jeffress, VA.

Ringgold, VA
Dec. 12. 1916

My dear Esther:

This very night I am going to write to you. Guess you wondered what has become of me. I am still living. Hope you are well.

It has been the busiest Fall I ever saw. I believe the worse is over now.

Are you ready for Xmas? It is not very long off is it. There will be lot of marrying I recon around and about but "poor me" will be left out. I haven't even a beau don't I have bad luck or good luck one. I certainly would be glad to see you, also your husband. You all come up Xmas. Be glad to have you I would be the gladess to come to see you but it cost right smart I guess. You spoke of taking so many trips this summer, wish I could been with you. But dear me, we had so much company it didn't give us much chance to go looks like people we never have seen came. Didn't any of them stay long most of them were automobile folks I believe most every body nearly has a Ford we have not.

Mrs Yeaman, Bryan and Ora spent one night this summer with us, came on buggy. I never was so suprise. They asked lots about you it was a little while after I got your last letter. Ora wanted to read it but I never did get it for her. The next week after that Edna and Myrtle came on the train. They spent on night. We promised them we was coming to see them soon but haven't yet.

I went over to Chatham this Fall and stayed several days. Lucie went and stayed about 10 days.

Lucie and her beau will soon get off I think.

George got so many girls I don't know which he likes the best.

Listen- Big Nannie Wilson was aiming to marry today. It was announced in the paper to Mr Mose Abbott. I don't believe I will give up, yet any way.

Esther you ought to see us now, we have some good lights. Have two Aladdin mantle lamps. They give white lights. You know Mamma and Papa and the others are great readers.

Mamma has sold 14 1/2 doz of the eggs in the last two weeks 40 cents a doz. I think that did right well for her. George carried them to Danville for her. Carried 7 doz today. Papa made a good crop of corn.

They are most through selling tobacco, the last curring ready to carry off. We have ahd pretty weather all the fall to do such work.

How is Mrs. Richardson and the children getting on. Looks like we never will see any of you all any more. Tell Katie she must send us a card and let us hear from them all.

Mamma says tell you she would be glad to see you and your mother and the others also.

Janie's family have moved up to Mr. Will Lewis. Miss Fannie and Mable Lewis come down realy often.

Say, it will be a Xmas tree at Church Xmas Day at 12 o'clock. We have preaching over there now on the third Sat and Sun. It don't look right not to be on the second Sun.

T Ryland Sandford from Chatham is our preacher. He also preachers at Kentuck Sec and Fourth Sundays. So we hear him at both places.

Mrs John McCormick was buried on the 4th of this month. Mr Will Blankership's family have moved in the neighborhood up where Andrew B lived.

Say, every body thinks Howard Roberts will marry. He is going with a Grass widow and Bryant going with her daughter ha, ha. They live where Will B moved from. I am giving all the news. But think I will have to stop for to night.

You be sure to answer soon and five me all the news from down there. Excuse bad writing, answer real soon. For I would love to heard from you. With much love, I remain as ever

A true friend
Nannie Lee F.

Eshter, I do lots of chrocheting. Lucie says she certainly do want to see you. Write soon

This is a great letter from an historian's point of view. Nannie mentions many events, people and places in her letter. If any readers are researching in the Ringgold area of Pittsylvania County, VA, you may find clues to your ancestry here as well. Some of the people Nannie mentions I know the identity, but others I do not. For those I know, I'll list them below:

*Esther's husband was Boss Henry (Bossy) Talbott. (He was born Johnnie Hodias Talbott.)
*The Yeaman family mentioned were neighbors of Nannie Lee Farson's family.
*Mrs Yeaman is Eliza Ann Richardson, sister of Daniel T. Richardson and aunt to Esther.
*Bryan and Ora are two of Eliza Richardson Yeaman's children and cousins to Esther.
*Edna and Mrytle are two more children of Eliza Yeaman's and cousins to Esther.
*Lucie and George likely were Nannie's siblings.
*Mrs. Richardson was Esther's mother Harriet Elliott Richardson.
*Katie was Esther's younger sister.

The other names mentioned were neighbors living in the Ringgold area. Unfortunately, I have no further information on them.

Enjoy!

Wordless Wednesday Rueben Richardson

Rueben James Richardson

Son of Daniel and Hattie Richardson

1897-1918

Nannie Lee Farson - Maybe?

This is the photo mentioned in yesterday's post. Hattie (Harriet) Elliott Richardson is standing in back. Esther Richardson is sitting on the left. Based on other photos I have, I believe that is Nannie Lee Farson on the right. There is no date on the photo, however, Nannie is wearing a wedding band on her left hand. The two women look to be participating in one of their favorite pastimes: letter writing!

Amanuensis Monday

I am participating in a new blogging theme sponsored by Geneabloggers.com. An amanuensis is a person who writes what another person dictates or copies what someone else has written. I will use the Amanuensis Monday theme to transcribe documents and letters from my family history collection. I hope you will join me on Mondays as I share more about my ancestors through their own words.

What follows is a letter dated 31 Oct 1913 sent to Miss Esther Richardson of News Ferry, VA. The envelope is postmarked from Ringgold, VA where Esther lived prior to moving to News Ferry, VA.

Oct 31, 1913
Friday Morning

Esther, I thought Lucie was going to write some, but she is very busy sewing now for Mrs. Wall's little girl.

You spoke of doing so much enbording, you must like it better than I do, for I worked my under skirt this fall. I don't want any more work on hand in a long time, so you know that finished my suit of underware. I have a brown silk waist to make. I don't know how to make it.

Howard M was down here last night. You must write and tell me about your beans. Lucie says tell you she certainly do want to see you. So come soon.

N. L. F.

I believe that N. L. F. was Esther's friend Nannie Lee Farson of Ringgold. Interestingly, I received a photo recently with three women in it: Esther Richardson, Hattie Richardson [Esther's mother], and a third woman I believe was Nannie Lee Farson.

The Howard and Lucie that are mentioned in the letter are mentioned in other letters of Esther's that I have. I am unsure if they are cousins or just good friends. Esther had plenty of both! I have a plethora of letters and photos of Esther's that I continue to sort (and re-sort) as I untangle the Pittsylvania and Halifax County family lines.

Readers, if there are any of you who research in the Pittsylvania County, VA area, I would love to hear from you.

Her First Airplane

On my recent visit with my paternal grandmother, she told me the story of seeing her first airplane. Her grandfather Haley (William H Haley) grew tobacco as so many Virginian farmers did. Grandmom and her cousins would earn money by de-worming the tobacco in the fields. I have never worked in a tobacco field, but I cannot imagine that de-worming tobacco is easy work! On this occasion Grandmom earned 50 cents. She used her earnings to pay for the gas in the car to travel to Green's Folly to see her first airplane. Every time she tells this story, she still shakes her head in amazement at what she saw that day.

Note: Green's Folly is a historic house/estate located in Halifax County, VA. Over the years it has been an estate, a courthouse, and a racetrack. Currently it is a golf course.

You Did Not Cuss Around My Grandma Carr

My great-grandmother Winnie Haley Carr was a devote Episcopalian. According to my grandmother, one did not cuss or say anything that might resemble a cuss word around her. So, her husband Baker Carr was often heard to say "Ding-it-all-to-grass!" in place of "darn" (or something else!).

This brought all kinds of laughter and giggles around the room and especially to the younger generations when my grandmother shared this.

Grandpa Carr

Winnie and Baker Carr with Baby Lawrence

Silas Baker Carr was my great-grandfather. He was born 17 Oct 1878 to Robert T Carr and Elizabeth Canada of Halifax County, VA. He died when I was three years old 24 Jun 1968 in South Boston, VA. As I have studied individuals in my family history over the last several years, I formed impressions about what that person was like. Grandpa Carr was no different. In visiting with my grandmother, his youngest daughter, I learned a few more things about him.

Grandpa Carr went by his middle name Baker. He was engaged to another woman before he married Grandma Carr. I'm not clear on whether he broke his engagement before or after he met Winnie Haley. I do know that Baker and Winnie married across the border in NC on 26 Sep 1909. (That was news to my grandmother.) I can't help but wonder if they eloped! I have gotten the vague impression that Winnie was not fond of her in-laws. I don't think she called Elizabeth "Betsy" Carr, her mother-in-law, "old Miss Betts" as a term of endearment. There's a story there I would really like to learn one day.

Over the years I have asked different family members what Baker was like. The answer was almost always the same. He was very quiet and didn't talk much. He sat and read his newspaper. In fact that's the main memory of his grandchildren. Even his photos show what appears to be a stoic man. Others remember that he was a very smart man. He was especially gifted with numbers. He did various jobs including being a postman and running a sawmill. He was frequently gone during the week while working and returning home on the weekends.

He also danced! Now that memory from my grandmother did not fit in with everything else I'd been hearing. His wife's family (the Haleys) were very musical and loved to get together on the weekends to sing, play instruments and dance. In the evening, the adults would put the children to bed and continue with the music and dancing. According to my grandmother Baker was quite a good dancer.

The other memory that relatives mention is that Baker was short. He was only about 5'4". Mmmm.....that might explain the lack of height in my family!

An Update on the Occupations of My Ancestors

I posted on the labor of my ancestors on Labor Day. Since that post I have received some great e-mails from readers who shared the occupations of their ancestors. Included in the list were laborer, miller, merchant, iron worker, overseer, sheriff, ferry operator, and tanners. Thanks for sharing, everyone!

Photo Identified

I had a wonderful visit with my paternal grandmother this weekend. She told me more family stories and helped identify the above photo. The woman in front is Harriet Elliott Richardson (1871-1932) of Pittsylvania County, VA. She was the wife of Daniel Thomas Richardson (1858-1912) and mother of Esther Lee Richardson (1896-1923).

The identity of the woman behind Harriett remains uncertain. There is a strong family resemblance and I wonder if she is Harriett's only sister Cynthia Elliott. I have not researched the Elliott family extensively, but some day soon, I need to look closer at this family.

The Labor of My Ancestors

With Labor Day upon us, I began thinking about the type of work my ancestors did. I thought it might be fun to make a list of the occupations they did. So I started with my paternal side of the family:

*Farmer

Okay, this might be a very short list! My grandfather Crafton Talbott was the first of the family to leave the family farm. He was very gifted mechanically and worked in maunfacturing eventually retiring from JP Stevens.

I moved onto my maternal side of the family.

*Farmer (I'm seeing a trend here.)
*Maker of turpentine
*Sawmill owner - I think they made lumber from the pine trees they cut down to make turpentine.
*Shoemaker
*Construction worker
*Minister
*Postmaster

Okay, cousins....let me know what other occupations our ancestors did.

One Last Look at the Cluster Springs Yearbook

I confess as I was looking through the Cluster Springs High School yearbook of 1951, I was mostly looking at the people and names. Then I came across the ads in the back of the book. I realized what a treasure trove of information these pages held all by themselves. The ads gave me a glimpse into the business community of this little community of Halifax County, VA. I even found an O L Talbot who owned a general merchandise store. I'm not sure who O L Talbot was, but I'm sure he's related somehow. So, I encourage you to look at more than just the photos in yearbooks. You never know what you might find.

Cluster Springs High School Candids

I really loved these candid photos of the Cluster Springs High School students of 1951.

The Highest Scoring Team

1951 Boys' Basketball Team

The highest scoring Cluster Springs team in the history of the school swept to an easy victory over all the foes in both regular season and tournament play. The team compiled a 18-1 record against county foes and made one of the strongest bids against Meadows of Dan who went on to capture the State title. The team was composed of four seniors and a junior and the first five played most of the time.

The Reflector 1951

FOREWORD

The students of Cluster Springs High School are proud of the achievements of their basketball teams, the "Bluebirds". The Seniors are taking you now into the nest of the "Bluebirds", Cluster Springs High School. They hope this edition of the REFLECTOR will hold many pleasant and happy memories of the year 1950-'51 for all of you.

The bluebird deserves to be popular, for it is useful as well as beautiful. Like the bluebird which builds its nest in farmyards, loves the green fields and dales of the countryside, and seeks the companionship of man, the students of Cluster Springs are country folks who love country things and get as much enjoyment from them as the bluebird, which is the symbol of happiness.

The above is the foreword written in the Cluster Springs High School 1951 yearbook The Reflector.

1951 Cluster Springs Yearbook

One source I have not used much is a relative's yearbook. Last spring I came into possession of this yearbook from Cluster Springs High School in Cluster Springs, VA. (Cluster Springs is located in the southern part of Halifax County, VA where my Talbott ancestors lived.) I was actually able to drive by the school's old location, however a fire station now sits on the property. The empty lot next to the school that served as the playground/ball field is still there and looks to be waiting for the next game of kick ball.

Over the next several posts, I will be sharing pages from the yearbook. I was surprised by how many surnames I recognized as I read through the pages. I really should not have been. Cluster Springs was (and still is) a small community. I found faces to go with names and names to go with faces. Best of all, the yearbook stirs the memories of my relatives. More stories are remembered and told to the younger generations. And isn't that what it's all about?

What I've Been Up To Recently.....

What have I been up to lately? Making football t-shirts and memories with the youngest generation.

My Great Grandparents

Winifred Davis Haley and Silas Baker Carr

Baker Carr

1878-1968

Winnie Haley Carr

1891-1970

Wordless Wednesday - Raiff's Department Store

Raiff's Department Store

South Boston, VA

Postcard form San Antonio, Texas

"A Driveway in Brackenridge Park. San Antonio, Tex."

This postcard is another from my great-grandmother's collection. It is postmarked 8 May 1911 in San Antonio, TX and addressed to her while she was living in Ringgold, VA. It reads:

Hello,

Received card this a.m. are getting on fine. Give all my love. I am sending D. T. [Esther's father Daniel Thomas Richardson] a paper. had a very nice Easter. write soon. By Be_j__ Elliott

I have not researched the Elliott family extensively, however I believe to be from Benjamin Elliott, a cousin to Esther. (Please note that I have not confirmed that completely.) Esther' mother Harriet was an Elliott before her marriage.

Wonder what Benjamin was doing in Texas?

Buffalo Lithia Springs, VA

Buffalo Lithia Springs, VA today is known as Buffalo Springs or Buffalo Junction and located in Mecklenburg County, VA just east of the Halifax County line. This postcard depicts one of the natural springs in the area. The postcard is addressed to Miss Esther Lee Richardson, living in Kentuck,Pittsylvania County, VA . The postmark is difficult to read but is 190_. The sender of the card was her friend "Edna". Interestingly, after her marriage to Boss Henry Talbott, Esther lived in this area of Mecklenburg County.

I do wonder if a child got hold of a pencil and used the postcard to scribble. Some things do not change over the years!

Danville, VA Postcard

This is a postcard of the Danville, VA Post Office. It is addressed to my great-grandmother Esther Lee Richardson of Ringgold, VA and postmarked 2 May 1911 from Danville. The message portion of the postcard is stained, but it is signed by Sara Henderson. Was Sara perhaps a cousin? A friend? I'll have to look into this.

Look Out for Those Transcribed Numbers!

I happily settled in at the microfilm reader at our local genealogy library this weekend. I just knew I would find more information on my elusive great x 4 grandfather Jesse Haley in the deed records for Halifax County, VA. I knew the book and page number to find the deed I needed. I zipped along the microfilm to the correct page. Oh dear, the handwriting was more difficult to read than usual. Looking closer I discovered why. The deed was written in Spanish! In ordering the film from the FHL library I and the librarian had transcribed two numbers resulting in my receiving deed records from Mexico. It was disappointing not find more on Jesse Haley this weekend, but the episode was rather comical (and another lesson was learned!).

Happy hunting!

Another Unexpected Short Break

Oh, dear! It seems I have taken another unplanned short break from blogging. That can only mean two things:

1. I have been spending quality time with the microfilm reader. I have had some small successes there.

2. I am needing to live in 2010 instead of 1910 or 1810 or .......

Watch for more posts later this week!

Activity For a Hot Summer Day

I have six rolls of microfilm to review and it is 100 degrees (literally) outside and humid as only the south can be. Mmmmm......wonder what I'll be doing today.

Wordless Wednesday

Katie Richardson holding nephew

1901-1993

Pittsylvania County, VA

More Hats

These are two more of my grandmother's hats found when cleaning out her house. I've had fun looking back at the old styles when women still wore hats. I wonder if the women who wore this type of hat were glad they went out of style or wish they would come back into fashion.

A Howard (Or is it Harward?) Update

I had recently taken a little time off from researching my Howard/Harward line. It was not an intentional break, but rather one born of simply not knowing where to look next. Fortunately the break was not for long. As usual, those Howard/Harward ancestors again are trying to point the way.

Over the 4th of July weekend Footnote.com opened up their Revolutionary War records up for free viewing. Like many I am sure, I took advantage of this opportunity. I already had a copy of the pension application for my ancestor James Harward. However, Footnote seemed to have additional pages from his pension file. I downloaded the pages and begin to read again James' file. That's when a found it. I am sure I have read it before. Others have I know. But this time it stood out. James' stated in his testimony that he was born in 1761 in King and Queen County, VA and moved to NC when he was about 6 or 7 years old. He also stated that he lived in the same neighborhood for about 70 years. [That neighborhood was on Panther Creek near the Wake/Chatham County lines.]

I put this new information together with what I know from the family Bible and a land record of William Howard (father of James) buying land in Orange County, NC (now Wake County) in 1767. I am now a few years further back in time and beginning research in the "burned" King and Queen County, VA. I look forward to the challenges that await.

Wordless Wednesday

Another unidentified individual from Halifax/Pittsylvania County, VA. He is probably a Richardson or Elliott relation.

Tombstone Tuesday Field Stone Markers

These are two field stone markers located in the Pleasant Grove Christian Church cemetery in Halifax County, VA. They are located close to the graves of Sarah Elizabeth Talbott and her son-in-law C R Elliott. According to the cemetery directory, it is not known who graves these stones mark. I found these particularly interesting. They were the first field stone markers I had actually come across.

A Little Haley Update

For all those Haley cousins out there, I thought I would update my research status on this family. Using census records (both population and agricultural) and a transcription of his father-in-law's (Brackett Owen's) will I have traced my Haley line back to Jesse R Haley of Halifax County, VA in 1826. Jesse Haley married Temperance Owen in Halifax County, VA in 1826. I believe they may have been living with family in the 1830 and 1840 censuses as Jesse does not show up as the Head of Household in either of these census records.

I found Jesse and Temperance Haley listed in the deed index records for Halifax County, VA. I am waiting for the microfilm order to arrive from the FHL. I also am waiting for the tax records for Halifax County to arrive through ILL from the Library of VA. I am hopeful these records will shed light on Jesse Haley and our line.

One of the things I have wondered about is Jesse's name. Records frequently use a middle initial: Jesse R Haley. I have noticed in this Haley family line that often the middle name is the name by which a person was called, but the given name was used in the records. For example, his son Stephen C went by Case ("Kas"), his son Alexander R went by Robert, and his grandson George William went by William/Will. I've wondered if I am having trouble finding Jesse because he used a middle name at times. What could that R have stood for: Robert, Richard.........?

I will update more on the Haleys once I receive the land and tax records.

Wordless Wednesday Fur Hat

Grandmom's Hat

Tombstone Tuesday Geneva Talbott Steube

Geneva T. Steube

Sept. 18, 1872

Aug. 5, 1956

Geneva Talbott was the youngest daughter of John B and Sarah (Owen) Talbott of Halifax Co, VA. Geneva was the second wife of George Ernest Steube. She is buried in Oak Ridge Cemetery in South Boston, VA.

Happy Fourth of July!

I hope this post finds everyone enjoying a lovely 4th of July. I celebrated by visiting the 4th of July activities at the Joel Lane house in Wake County, NC. Tours of the house with knowledgeable docents and activities outside for the children made for a fun time. While I have ancestors who were living in Wake County during the same time period as the Lane family, I have no ancestral connections to the Lane family. However, because I research Wake County genealogy, I thoroughly enjoyed learning about life in the county during the late 1700's.

The Joel Lane Museum House dates back to about 1770. The original house now sits about a block from its original location. Land provided by Joel Lane became the new capital city of NC when the capital was moved from New Bern, NC. It is for this reason that Joel Lane is often referred to as "the father of Raleigh". You can find more on Joel Lane at the museum's website.

Wordless Wednesday Esther Talbott and Friend

This is a photo of my great-grandmother Esther Lee [Richardson] Talbott (on the right). I am not sure who the woman on the left is. Based on other photos of she appears in, her first name may be Nannie. These women are both from the Halifax, Va area. As usual, I just could not be "wordless".

Tombstone Tuesday Ammon Talbott

Ammon B Talbott

June 20, 1917 - June 19, 1994

Adell Oakley Talbott

Sept 18, 1915 - June 5, 2000

Ammon Talbott was the son of John Robert "Bob" Talbott and his wife Lottie Osborne. Ammon and his wife are buried in the Harmony Methodist Church near Alton, Halifax, VA.

This Made Me Smile

I found this quote in the sidebar over at Ancestors Connect. It made me smile!

Genealogy is like potato salad - When you share it with others, it's a picnic.

As my family will tell you, I do love to share my genealogy!

Wordless Wednesday Harmony Methodist Church

Harmony Methodist Church (THEN)

Alton, Halifax, VA

Harmony Methodist Church (TODAY)