Wordless Wednesday: Phoebe Gertrude Newby 1895 - 1901

PHOEBE GERTRUDE NEWBY

August 27, 1895 - December 13, 1901

Daughter of Charles Lee and Ida May Trowbridge Newby

My maternal grandaunt who died at the age of 6 years

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Tombstone Tuesday: The Cooks of Reddick Cemetery

REDDICK CEMETERY

Rush County, Indiana

MARTHA (BROWN) COOK 

July 17, 1819 - August 17, 1841

First wife of Giles Cook and my third maternal great grandmother

ELIZABETH ANN COOK
October 1, 1837 - September 24, 1840

Daugher of Giles and Martha (Brown) Cook, died before her 3rd birthday.

GILES COOK

b. circa 1809 - d. February 8, 1879

Janet Wallen, Reddick Cemetery

Giles' tombstone was noted in the early cemetery listing for Reddick Cemetery but the stone has been missing for many years and was certainly nowhere to be found when my mother and I visited this cemetery in 1999. While studying the area and poking around some, we discovered a stone completely sunken into the ground just inches away and almost directly in front of Martha's stone. I was so excited, I just knew this was the missing stone! We commenced to carefully unearthing the stone which took all of an hour and the ruination of a perfectly good pair of jeans. The stone weighed at least 40 to 50 lbs. and we had to lift it straight up. It was hard getting a grip on it but we finally managed. I was glad this was a secluded cemetery and no one was around to see us and think we were vandalizing! 


Once we got the stone lifted out and brushed off we could detect no writing anywhere on it, even after using a gallon of our drinking water to wash it off. How disappointing! Obviously, we had not found the tombstone of the elusive Giles Cook. We lowered the stone back into the crevice it came from and started heading back to the van. As we passed other graves I noticed a large tombstone that was being propped up by a smaller stone and when I looked closer the smaller brick size stone had the initials that appeared to be either "C.C." or "G.C.". I quickly took a photo of it and days later when I got home I looked through the listings for the cemetery. There was no one buried in the Reddick cemetery with the initials "C. C." and upon close inspection of the photo I could see a small indentation coming down from the bottom of the first C. making it a G! The only person buried in the Reddick cemetery with those initials was my maternal third great grandfather,  Giles Cook! 

Hallelujah! Better a foot stone than no stone at all!

Foot stone of Giles Cook, my maternal third great grandfather

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Amanuensis Monday: The Will of James D. S. Martin

JAMES DANIEL SHERMAN MARTIN

June 27, 1864 - February 12, 1946

About Amanuensis Monday: John Newmark, who writes the TransylvanianDutch blog started a Monday Blog Theme called "Amanuensis Monday". John defines "amanuensis" as "a person employed to write what another dictates or to copy what has been written by another."

James Daniel Sherman Martin was the son of James Monroe and Susannah Grabeel Martin and the brother of my paternal great, great grandmother Ursula Ann Martin Davis. He was married to Sarah Elizabeth Testerman, daughter of John T. and Celia Bloomer Testerman. James and Sarah had five children: Susan E., Addie Lewis, Isaac Bradley, James Thomas, and Charles Ross.

Will of J. S. Martin

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:

That I, J. S. Martin of Eubanks, Route #3 Pulaski County Kentucky being sound in mind and memory and of lawful age do hereby make, publish and declare this to be my last will and testament hereby revoking all wills by me heretofore made.

ITEM I.

I decree that all of my just debts and funeral expenses be paid as soon as possible after my death.

ITEM II.

I have already turned over to my grandson Kennith Martin all of my farm tools including wagon, wheat, corn drill, disc, tooth harrows, mowing machine, rake, plows and same are his absolutely and in fee simple and not an advancement of any kind but already given to him as a gift and if for any reason same should be questioned I now bequeath them to him.

ITEM III.

If at my death my wife Lizzie Martin shall still be living I bequeath unto her for her life time or so long as she may remain my widow all the balance of my personal property and my undivided one half interest in the farm on which we now reside containing about 120 acres more or less, she owning the other half. She shall have full and complete control of the same during the remainder of her life or so long as she remains my widow and at the time of her death any personal property yet remaining and my one half interest in the farm I will give, will and bequeath to my grand son Kennith Martin absolutely and in fee simple.

ITEM IV.

I hereby make, nominate and appoint my grand son Kennith Martin to be the Executor of this my last will and testament and request that he be permitted to serve without bond and that no inventory be made of my estate in so far as same may be legally ommited. Given under my hand at Somerset Ky this November 1, 1945.

J. S. Martin

We the undersigned do hereby certify that the foregoing will was signed by J. S. Martin and acknowledged by him before us and we have signed same as witnesses in his presence and in the presence ofeach other and at his insistance and request.

Given under our hands this November 1st 1945.

Gladstone Wesley residing at Somerset Ky

John A. Dyer residing at Eubanks R #3 Ky

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Sentimental Sunday: The Raysville Cemetery Peonies

Janet Runyan Wallen, Peony Bush, Raysville Cemetery, Indiana

I'd never seen a Peony before. Ok...so first of all, I'm from FLORIDA. We have Azaleas...and Oranges of course! Those things we take for granted. So, when Mom and I went to Indiana in May of 1999 for our genealogical excursion, I just had to know about those bushes of fluffy flowers. Mom was surprised and a little startled at my wide eyed wonderment. To her Peonies were quite common and after I was in Indiana for a few days, I understood why. Every yard had Peonies!

My very first glimpse of these lovely flowers was from our trek to the Raysville Cemetery in Raysville, Henry Co., Indiana just southeast of Knightstown where these beauties were adorning the fence near the entry way. (Actually I don't think there WAS an entry way. As I recall, we had to clamber over the fence!) Raysville is a secluded old cemetery and you have to drive up a private drive to get to it and then park your car and walk a little ways back and up a slight incline. It was early morning and there was still a light mist. After getting a picture of my mother beside a large bush of Peonies, Mom held one bunch carefully in her work gloved hand so I could get a good close up photo.

Mom holds a cluster of Peonies for a close up photo

I am thankful I took these two photos, a great memory of a beautiful flower and a wonderful trip with my beautiful mother!

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Saturday Night Genealogy Fun: Birth Order

Randy Seavers new Saturday Night Mission (which I am fulfilling in the wee hours of Sunday Morn):

1)  Pick one of your ancestral lines - any one - patrilineal, matrilineal, zigzag, from a famous ancestor, etc.  Pick a long one if you can.

2)  Tell us which position in the birth order that your ancestor was in each generation.  For example "third child, first son."  Also list how many children were born to these parents.

3)  Share your Birth Order work with us on your own blog post, in a comment to this blog post, in a comment on Facebook, etc.

I have chosen to follow my paternal lineage of Wallen.

1) Lisa J. Wallen (1952...) - third child, first daughter of Robert L. and Janet E. (Runyan) Wallen (2 sons,1 daughter)

2) Robert L. Wallen (1921-2000) - first child, first son of William J. and Iva I. (Townsend) Wallen (2 sons,1 daughter)

3) William J. Wallen (1901-1976) - first child, first son of Oliver M. and Sarah F. (Davis) Wallen (4 sons, 1 daughter)

4) Oliver M. Wallen (1870-1905) - first child, first son of William M. and Susan S. (Sutton) Wallen (3 sons, 6 daughters)

5) William M. Wallen (1852-1922) - second child, second son of Jesse B. and Louisa (Tyree) Wallen (4 sons, 1 daughter)

6) Jesse B. Wallen (1827-1877) - third child, first son of William and Elizabeth (Bloomer) Wallen (6 sons, 4 daughters)

7)William Wallen (1760-1838) - sixth child, second son of William and Hannah (Rice) Wallen (2 sons, 4 daughters)

I remember how my oldest brother Bob marveled over the fact that he was a fourth generation "first child, first son" in the Wallen lineage!

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Wedding Wednesday: The Gold Earring

Lawrence Everett Runyan to Mary Fern Newby

December 16, 1917 - Knightstown, Indiana

Lawrence and Fern Runyan - Wedding Day
My maternal grandparents

I love this picture of my grandparents because it's really the best picture I have of my grandmother when she was young. I also love it because of the pendant she is wearing. 

My mother told me that this pendant was once an earring and that the set of earrings had belonged to her mother's great grandmother, Martha (Brown) Cook. Martha died in 1841 when her children were very young so it is my guess that their father, Giles Cook, saved the earrings and eventually gave one earring to each of his daughters, Phoebe and Eliza Jane, likely as wedding gifts when they got married. He may have had them made into a new piece of jewelry himself. One of them is seen as a brooch in a photo of my great, great grandmother Phoebe Cook Trowbridge. 

Phoebe Cook Trowbridge

Phoebe passed the brooch down to her daughter, Ida May Trowbridge Newby and Ida May then passed it on to her daughter Mary Fern, my grandmother, and by this time the earring was removed from the brooch pin and added to a chain to become a pendant. It was given to my mother when she was a young woman and, as her only daughter, it was promised to me. 

Although I never saw my mother wear it I remember seeing this piece of jewelry often in her jewelry box and I remember handling it many times. Unfortunately, in the late 1970s or early 1980s, my parent's home was robbed and this was one of the items that was stolen! This was devastating to me! I still find myself looking for it anytime I am in a pawn shop or antique jewelry shop. 

 I am so thankful that I have a picture of my grandmother and her grandmother wearing the same piece of jewelry and that I have the story that went with it. 

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Tombstone Tuesday: David B. And Sarah S. Miller Owen

REV. DAVID BRASHEARS OWEN 1836 - 1919

SARAH SAMANTHA (MILLER) OWEN 1839 - 1927

My paternal great, great grandparents

Fairview Cemetery, Sefton Twp., Fayette Co., Illinois

Tombstone photo courtesy of Find A Grave contributor Gary Feezel

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Amanuensis Monday: Obituary Of Samuel S. Darling

SAMUEL S. DARLING 1846 - 1918

About Amanuensis Monday: John Newmark, who writes the TransylvanianDutch blog started a Monday Blog Theme called "Amanuensis Monday". John defines "amanuensis" as "a person employed to write what another dictates or to copy what has been written by another."

Samuel S. Darling was the brother of Mary Elizabeth Darling Runyan, my maternal great grandmother. The obituary/biography below was was written by his family. Samuel is buried in Hedrick Cemetery, near Kennard, Henry Co., Indiana.

Obituary of Samuel S. Darling

Life! I know not what thou are, 

but know that thou and I must part; 

and when or how or where we met, 

I own to me is a secret yet. 

Life! We've been long together, 

through pleasant and through cloudy weather; 

tis hard to part when friends are dear. 

Perhaps 'twill cost a sigh, a tear, 

then steal away; give little warning; 

choose thine own time. 

Say not "Goodnight," 

but in some brighter clime 

bid me, "Good Morning".

Samuel S. was the second child of Samuel and Beulah Darling. He was born in Salem county, New Jersey, October 17, 1846 and passed away at his home near Kennard, May 2, 1918, at the age of 71 years, 6 months and 15 days. When he was about 8 years old his father moved to Indiana and settled in the southern part of Henry county and in that county he spent his remaining years. With the exception of a few years his entire life has been devoted to farming. In the year 1868 on October 29 he was married to Maria Jane Luthultz. To them were born seven children, all of whom are now living with the exception of Charles who died in infancy. the deceased has been in poor health for a number of years and had he not been descended from the old sturdy couragious pioneer stocks he must have succumbed to his weaknesses long ago. In spite of the aches and pain, in spite of the weariness of body and limb he kept on his feet. For two years his faithful wife has been in poor health and it seemed that his single motive in continuing the battle for life was to see that she, with whom he had spent almost 50 years of his life, might be provided with every comfort. And his last act on earth was to exact from his daughter-in-law, Mrs. Claude Darling, a promise that she would care for "Mother." Just as he was faithful in life, was he faithful in death. Sam, as he was generally known, was a splendid neighbor and a good citizen. He was honorable in his business dealings and honest in all things. He was always ready to step over the line and do a little bit more than was his part which is the act of a Christian gentleman. He became converted when about 35 years old and joined the Wesleyan church, but later on moved his membership to the Methodist church and he was a member of this church at the time of his death. He was God fearing and devout in his worship. He was a great student of the Bible and acquired an exceptional amount of knowledge of the Holy Writ by persistant reading. Several times in the last few days he told his family that he was ready to go. That there was not a thing in the way and the road was clear. He leaves behind, his good wife, 6 children, Mrs John Brookshire of Hillister, Cal., Mrs. John Hedrick, Robert, Frank, Quincy and Claude, one brother, Quincy, of Spiceland, two sisters, Mrs. Mary Runyan of New Castle, Mrs. Artmuzy Luthultz, 19 grand children, 6 great grand children and a host of neighbors and friends to mourn their loss. 

Sunset and evening star, 

and one clear call for me 

and may there be no moaning of the bar 

when I put out to sea. 

For tho' from out our bourn of time and place 

the good may bear me far, 

I hope to see my Pilot face to face 

when I have crossed the bar. 

OHC Cards of Thanks - We wish to thank our friends and neighbors for their sympathy and kindness during our sorrow in the loss of our husband and father. - MRS. SAMUEL DARLING AND CHILDREN.

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Wordless Wednesday: Florence Edna

My husband's mother circa 1924 Louisville, Kentucky

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Tombstone Tuesday: Andrew M. And Mary E. L. Owen Townsend

ANDREW MELVIN TOWNSEND 1872 - 1947

MARY ELLEN LUCRETIA OWEN 1871 - 1905

My paternal great grandparents

Fairview Cemetery, St. Elmo Township, Fayette Co., Illinois

My great grandmother Mary Ellen Townsend died when she was about 35 years old, just about two weeks before Thanksgiving in 1905. Nelson, her fifth child was still an infant. He had been born the previous Summer. Great grandfather Andrew, a farmer, was unable to work and care for a baby along with four other young children so he adopted little Nelson out to Mary Ellen's brother Ben. Ben and his wife Sarah had three young girls who were likely tickled pink to help their parents raise a little brother. Andrew remarried sometime before 1910 to a woman named Lena who'd been married twice before and who had three young sons, one from her first marriage and two from the second. The family story is that the new wife did not treat Andrew's children very well and the marriage did not last. Andrew remained single after that and not much is known about his life. He is found boarding with the Porter family in Moultrie Co., Illinois in 1920 and with the Wright family in the same county in 1930. His occupation was Farm Laborer on each census. On his death certificate his residence is listed as Tower Hill in Shelby Co., Illinois and the informant listed was his daughter Gladys Townsend Dial, my grandmother's sister who also lived in Tower Hill. It is believed Andrew was living with Gladys and her husband Ross at the time of his death.

Tombstone photo courtesy of Find A Grave contributor Gary Feezel

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Amanuensis Monday: Obituary of Henry C. Darling

HENRY C. DARLING

1848 - 1911

About Amanuensis Monday: John Newmark, who writes the TransylvanianDutch blog started a Monday Blog Theme called "Amanuensis Monday". John defines "amanuensis" as "a person employed to write what another dictates or to copy what has been written by another."

Henry C. Darling was the brother of Mary Elizabeth Darling Runyan, my maternal great grandmother. This obituary/biography was written by his immediate family. 

 HENRY C. DARLING 

The bud, the blossom, the ripened grain; 

God gives, but, claims them all again.  

Soon after the sun had crossed the meridian, God's messenger entered the home of Henry C. Darling and bore the Spirit of the husband and father to that beautiful beyond.  Silently and peacefully he passed from the vision of the dear ones that had so patiently and tenderly cared for his every want.  The thoughtful husband, the loving father, the indulgent grandfather, the kind brother and good neighbor is gone. He will enter the home no more. His chair must always be vacant, but, that holy influence of a father's love will ever live in a silent way, known only to those hereft, his loving council will be heeded. Although the heart is torn asunder in time it will be seen that God knows best.  

His boundless love through death is shown; 

If we could only understand; 

'Tis wisdom ever guides His hand; 

He knows just when to claim his own. 

He knows that in the after years 

Our blinded eyes will see the light;

We'll learn His way is always right;

We'll see His mercy through our fears.

The subject of this sketch was born near Trenton, New Jersey, September 8, 1849. When a lad of nine years he came with his parents, Samuel and Beulah Darling, to Indiana settling in the Richsquare neighborhood, there affiliating with the Friends church.  He was married to Susan Lockridge September 4th, 1869. To them were given seven children, three sons and four daughters. They with the mother, nine little grandchildren and several brothers and sisters are left to mourn the loss of a dearly loved one.  Henry was an industrious, upright man. A greater part of his life was spent on the farm, only recently having moved to Spiceland. He was an active member of the order of Knights of Pythias. He departed this life February 19th, 1911.  Death was due to cancer. Although suffering intensely he patiently awaited the summons. Although his last request was for his family to sing with him "The Rock Of Ages," when they broke down he finished the song with a clear, strong voice.  A few days before passing away, after a period of unusual suffering, there came upon him a death-like stillness. He lay in that condition for several hours, then suddenly opening his eyes he exclaimed: "I have been away, I have seen heaven!" Thereupon describing his journey through a most beautiful, blue sky, until a clear sparkling stream was reached, in which when cleansed, a hand beckoned him to follow. Birds were sweetly singing, and the most beautiful flowers were blooming everywhere. On they went past white robed Angels till he fell at Jesus' feet. Jesus blessed him, telling him to arise, his sins were forgiven, and to tell his family of the home that was prepared for them.  After this he was anxious to go, pleading with them to do right and follow him.

When the long shadows fall,

  And the evenings grow gray,

And you sit in the home

  At the close of the day,

All the sweet memories

  Of the days that are gone,

The loss, and the heartache,

  They will come, one by one,

Till yearning for Father,

  His kindness and love,

You'll reach your hands gladly

  For help from above.

                          C. C. M.

Cards of Thanks. We desire to thank our neighbors and friends who assisted us during our late bereavement. -- Mrs. Henry Darling and family.

Circle Grove Cemetery, Spiceland, Henry Co., Indiana

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