Archive | March 2009

Something awesome!

Mar31

I know, this is a genealogy page and not the place to forward an email. But since I have had no relative’s celebrations to post in recent days, I thought this an appropriate time to share something awesome about God. If you are interested read on…and certainly take the time to watch the you-tube video. I can’t tell you how cool this is, you must read and hear it for yourself. I hope you like it.

A doctor wrote:

A couple of days ago I was running on my treadmill, watching a DVD sermon by Louie Giglio…and I was BLOWN AWAY!

He (Louie) was talking about how inconceivably BIG our God is…how He spoke the universe into being…how He breathes stars out of His mouth that are huge raging balls of fire…etc. etc. Then He went on to speak of how this star-breathing, universe creating God ALSO knitted our human bodies together with amazing detail and wonder. At this point I am LOVING it (fascinating from a medical standpoint, you know.) ….and I was remembering how I was constantly amazed during medical school as I learned more and more about God’s handiwork. I remember so many times thinking….’How can ANYONE deny that a Creator did all of this???’
Louie went on to talk about how we can trust that the God who created all this, also has the power to hold it all together when things seem to be falling apart…how our loving Creator is also our sustainer.
And then I lost my breath.
And it wasn’t because I was running my treadmill, either!!!
It was because he started talking about laminin.

I knew about laminin. Here is how wikipedia describes them :’Laminins are a family of proteins that are an integral part of the structural scaffolding of basement membranes in almost every animal tissue.’ You see….laminins are what hold us together….LITERALLY. They are cell adhesion molecules. They are what holds one cell of our bodies to the next cell.. Without them, we would literally fall apart. And I knew all this already.

But what I didn’t know is what laminin LOOKED LIKE… now I do.

Here is what the structure of laminin looks like…AND THIS IS NOT a ‘Christian portrayal’ of it…if you look up laminin in any scientific/medical piece of literature, this is what you will see…

Now tell me that our God is not the coolest!!! Amazing.

The glue that holds us together…ALL of us….is in the shape of the cross. Immediately Colossians 1:15-17 comes to mind.

“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created; things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things HOLD TOGETHER.” ~Colossians 1:15-17.

Thousands of years before the world knew anything about laminin, Paul penned those words. And now we see that from a very LITERAL standpoint, we are held together….one cell to another….by the cross.
You would never in a quadrillion years convince me that is anything other than the mark of a Creator who knew EXACTLY what laminin ‘glue’ would look like long before Adam even breathed his first breath!!

“Faith is not knowing what the future holds,
but knowing who holds the future.”
I wanted you to know and to understand that
YOU are being held together by the cross of Jesus Christ!
His love!
His forgiveness and
His marvelous power!

Check it out

P.S. Our daughter has actually heard Louie Giglio at Student Life Camp a few years back. He is a real guy.

On This Day in 1854

Mar31

155 Years Ago Today
March 31, 1854
Nancy “Nannie” Ward Gregory

My great grandaunt was one six children born to Daniel Parham and Mary Jane (Daugherty) Gregory. Nannie was named for her grandmother Nancy Ward, daughter of the pioneer David Ward.

Taken from Pendleton’s History of Tazewell County and Southwest Virginia, Copyright 1920, page 528, this picture shows some of the implements the pioneer women used for manufacturing fabrics to make clothing for their families. The woman standing by the loom is Miss Nannie Gregory, one of the very few expert weavers now left in the county. She is wearing the poke bonnet her grandmother wore many years ago. The loom, which was her grandmother’s is a hundred years old, as are also the spinning wheels and reel seen in the picture.

From Pendleton’s History of Tazwell, p. 411. “Abstracts of Tazewell County Will Book # 1, page 221,” records David Ward’s will, made May 12, 1821 and Proven June 1827. Wife , Eleanor, one-third of the plantation where I now live containing by estimation 400 acres, At the death of wife the 400 acres to go to equally to Isaac Ward, Hiram Ward and Addison Ward. To son, Rees Ward 100 acres. Balance of personal estate to be divided among my four daughters, Jane Ward, Nancy Ward, Phebe Ward and Matilda Ward. David Ward, John Ward, Robert Ward, Wm. Ward and Joseph Ward signed a petition to form Tazewell Co. VA in 1793. Again in 1795 a petition to form Tazewell Co. VA., signed by William Ward, James Davis, George Davis, Wm. Davis, John Davis Jr., Zachariah Davis, Abram Davis, John Davis, John Davis Sr., Wm. Ward, David Ward, John Ward and Joseph Ward. Then in 1796 a petition of Wythe Co., to form a new County, Tazewell Co., David Ward, John Ward, Joseph Ward, Saul Ward, Wm. Ward, John Davis, A. Davis, Wm. Davis and Zachariah Davis.


Originally from Scotland, the Wards went to Ireland under England’s plantation act after lands and titles were confiscated. Thus becoming the Scotch-Irish of the new world. It all started with James Ward born 1672 in Inishowen Peninsula, County Donegal, Ireland and died 1759 in Greenville, Augusta County, VA. He married Sarah Rodgers before 1700 in Ireland. Their immigration was c 1730, from Ireland to Philadelphia, PA, Augusta Co., VA. Three sons, James Ward Jr.; William Ward; and John Ward all born in Ireland and came with their parents to the new world. We descend from William Ward.
Source: Jeannie Frazier [mailto:jeannie.frazier@worldnet.att.net]

The Scotch-Irish began to arrive in America in 1640 and continued to come in small numbers. By 1700 adverse economical conditions and political and religious conflict arose. The English landlords demanded higher rentals and Parliament regulations restricted the cattle and sheep raising industry. In 1704, Parliament excluded Presbyterians from holding civil and military offices, and taxed them to support the Anglican Church in which they refused to worship. All this caused thousands of them with their Scotch heritage, their Presbyterian faith, and their experience in colonization of Northern Ireland, to leave for the American Colonies. When the English landlords in Ireland in 1717, upon the expiration of leases, raised the rentals a steady stream of the Scotch-Irish began to pour into America, with 10,000 arriving in Pennsylvania within a year. It was with these Scotch-Irish at this time that our Ward forebears came to this country.

James and Sarah Ward with their five children emigrated from Ireland to the American Colonies, landing at Philadelphia PA in about 1730, according to family tradition. The Wards remained in Philadelphia until the Governor of Virginia encouraged the opening of southwest Virginia to settlement. The Governor offered inducement to attract new people as a buffer between established settlements and the Indians.

The streams of emigration that poured over the mountains were people whose wealth consisted of strong arms and stout hearts. They had been followers of Cromwell during the English Civil War. Many of the Scotch-Irish Presbyterians from PA and Maryland made their way through the Shenandoah Valley to Augusta County, populated primarily by those belonging to the Episcopal (Anglican) Church of England. Religious conflicts arose between the two groups, but by 1800 most animosity had subsided.

In 1758 James made a petition to the local government for support because he was almost blind and unable to provide for himself, according to the “Chronicles of The Scotch-Irish Settlement of VA” Volume 2, page 232.

————————————–
130 Years Ago Today
March 31, 1879


My 2nd cousin, 2x removed, Marvin N. Walker, was born to Rev. John Randolph and Mary Jane (Brown) Walker. His grandmother, Nancy Reeves (Gregory) Brown was sister to Daniel P. Gregory, father of Nannie, shown above.


Happy Birthday Stuart

Mar30

Time passes so quickly. Can it really have been 34 years already since we sat at the kitchen table on Mountain View playing back alley and trying to distract Wanda from labor. Precious little Stuart was wasting no time making an anxiously awaited entrance then, and now has a beautiful family of his own. Send pictures please:)

Wanda said…
As I recall you had me eating tomatoes and saltine crackers. You have such a good memory.

Sherry said…
I still love tomatoes and saltine crackers. It’s the small things that make life so enjoyable.

Governor John Letcher

Mar29
March 29, 1813 – January 22, 1884

My first cousin, 5x removed. In other words

John Letcher 1759-1793 ( my 5th g-grandfather * the Gov. Letcher’s grandfather)

Hannah Letcher 1771-1849 ……. (sister & brother) Wm Houston Letcher
John L. Dougherty 1799-1868 … (1st cousins) Governor John Letcher
Mary Jane Daugherty 1826-1897
Eliza Greever Gregory 1857-1922
Mary Jane Davidson 1886-1960
Larkin Watson Buckland, Jr. 1915-1993

John Letcher was born in the town of Lexington in Rockbridge County, Virginia. He attended private rural schools and Randolph-Macon College in Ashland, Virginia. In 1833, he was graduated from Washington Academy in Lexington. He studied law was admitted to the Virginia State Bar and opened a practice in Lexington in 1839.

Letcher was editor of the (Shenandoah) Valley Star newspaper from 1840 to 1850. He was active in the presidential campaigns of 1840, 1844, and 1848, serving as Democratic elector in 1848. Although never a true abolitionist, he signed the Ruffner Pamphlet of 1847, which proposed the abolition of slavery in that part of Virginia west of the Blue Ridge Mountains; however, he soon repudiated this antislavery stand. He was a delegate to the State Constitutional Convention in 1850.

He was elected as a Democratic candidate and served as a Representative in the United States Congress from 1851-1859. In Congress, he was known as “Honest John” because of his opposition to government extravagance.

John Letcher was elected as Governor of Virginia in 1859, defeating Whig candidate William L. Goggin, and served from 1860-1864. Letcher was prominent in the organization of the peace convention that met in Washington, D.C., February 8, 1861, in an effort to devise means to prevent the impending American Civil War. He discouraged secession, but was active in sustaining the ordinance passed by Virginia on April 17, 1861. In 1864, his home in Lexington was burned by Union troops during General David Hunter’s raid.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Letcher

http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=L000256

On This Day in 1861

Mar28

148 Years Ago Today
March 28, 1861

Harriet Letcher Daugherty, my 1st cousin, 3x removed born in Jeffersonville, VA, was born to David Allen and Nancy “Nannie” Lain (Moore) Daugherty. She married Matthias Fox Neel about 1878 and they had six children:

  1. Arlington Hicks Neel
  2. Anna Lane Neel
  3. Ora Lee Neel
  4. Margaret Barnes Neel
  5. Clara B. Neel
  6. David Elgin Neel

On This Day in 1984

Mar28

25 Years Ago Today
Happy Anniversary Becky
March 28, 1984
Rebecca Kaye “Becky” Sutherland married Roger Chafin. Becky knows just about all anyone needs to know about the Sutherland and Kiser families of Russell County, VA. My 6th cousin, 2x removed, is one of three children born to Overton Harris and Bedy Kate (Kiser) Sutherland.

  1. Warren Lester Sutherland
  2. Larry Donnell Sutherland
  3. Rebecca Kaye Sutherland

————————–
109 Years Ago Today
March 28, 1900 – August 23, 1984
Lockie Brooks, my 1st cousin, 2x removed, was one of eleven children born to Benjamin and Haley Victoria (Thacker)Brooks. See previous posts this month for her siblings. Lockie married Norton Hall and had three children that I know of:

  1. May Hall
  2. Billy Hall
  3. Cecil Hall

If anyone has more information on Lockie, please let me know. sherrykelly@comcast.net

Margaret Alois Buckland

Mar27
1920-2009

It is with great sadness that I make this post today. Having visited with dear sweet Aunt Margaret this past August, I had no inkling, and no one but God knew, that today we would be experiencing such loss. For all my years, I remember her with respect and admiration; as a wonderful, caring wife who served and loved her husband.

Bearing a very proper but not stuffy look, Aunt Margaret had every white hair in place, and modest makeup just so; always wore a fine dress; always smiled and hugged me; always asked about my family.

One fall afternoon a few years back, I arrived at the old homeplace for an unannounced visit. There I found Aunt Margaret, her sister Justine and Uncle Robert standing outside making apple butter in a large copper kettle over an open flame. Yes, she had on a dress and looked just as pretty as if she was going to church on Easter morning. Her hospitality so genuine and warm; I left there that day with a jar of homemade apple butter to savor the memory of a cherished lady.

I’m very fond of all my family, but as we gather during these times of grief, I am especially thankful for those who have been a significant part of my life. I will miss her dearly. Nevertheless, let’s not grieve for her because of the hope we have in Christ (Thessalonians). Let’s celebrate her life and the joy she now knows in the presence of her Savior Jesus Christ, the one true Almighty God.

The Twenty-Third Psalm

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in geen pastures:
He leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the
paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of
the shadow of death, I will fear no evil:
for thou art with me; Thy rod and
thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence
of mine enemies: thou anointest my head
with oil; my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life: and I will
dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Margaret Alois Buckland, 88, of 14685 Mudfork Road, Falls Mills, VA, died Wednesday, March 25, 2009 at her home. She was born in Yards, Va. and was a daughter of the late Grover C. Wallace and Ora Caldwell Wallace.She was a member of the Memorial Church of Christ in Princeton, and in addition to her parents, was preceded in death by brothers, Cecil Wallace, Bernard Wallace, Garnett Wallace, Garland Wallace, Billy Wallace, and an infant brother; and by a sister, Betty Matter. Mrs. Buckland is survived by her husband of 69 years, Robert Cecil Buckland; son, Robert Cecil Buckland, Jr. and wife Linda, Moneta, Va.; daughter, Janice Wellman and husband James, Falls Mills, Va.; grandchildren, Jimmy Wellman, Morristown, Tenn., Jena Wellman, Johnson City, Tenn., David Buckland, Stanfield, N.C., and Michelle Hartman and Kermit Johnson, Moneta, Va.; great-grandchildren, Brittany Wellman, Isaac Wellman, Chara Ringle, Nicholas Ringle and Andrew Bader; and one great-great-grandson. She is also survived by one sister, Justine Thompson. Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 28, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. at the Dudley Memorial Chapel in Bluefield, Va. with Frank Watkins, Dr. Rick Bradley, and Rick Mathena officiating. Burial will follow in the Grandview Memory Gardens. Nephews will serve as pallbearers. The Buckland family will receive friends today from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Clinton Looney Missionary to Mexico c/o Mary Cook, P.O. Box 250, Vansant, VA 24656 or to Christian Acres, 1351 Evangelism Road, Bluefield, WV 24701. Dudley Memorial Mortuary of Bluefield, VA is serving the Buckland family.

Uncle Robert & Aunt Margaret 50th Wedding Anniversary
They were married September 1, 1939 in Bland County, VA.

On This Day in 1885

Mar25

124 Years Ago Today
March 25, 1885 – August 2, 1934

Conley Trigg Jessee (on right) was one of nine children (my 3rd cousins, 3x removed) born to John Henry Jessee and Louvisa Powers.

  1. Catherine Florence Powers Jessee
  2. Conley Trigg Jessee
  3. William Ellis Jessee
  4. Sarah Margaret “Mag” Jessee
  5. Laura Della Jessee
  6. John Stanford Jessee
  7. Mary Alice Jessee
  8. Kent Jessee
  9. Taulbee Balford Jessee

Trigg married Margaret Augusta Gussie and they had 10 children:

  1. Robert Trigg Jessee
  2. Glenna Ruth Jessee
  3. Ralph Stanford jessee
  4. James Pyle Jessee
  5. Anna Marie Jessee
  6. Joseph Harold Jessee
  7. Lawrence Carroll Jessee
  8. Dorothy Cawood Jessee
  9. Margaret Louise Jessee
  10. Lowell Lee Jessee

———————————–
187 Years Ago Today
March 25, 1822 – June 3, 1909
William Sutherland, my 4th cousin, 4x removed, was one of eight children born to Daniel Sutherland and Phoebe Fuller.See February posts for siblings.

William married Sylvia Counts in 1843 and they had fourteen children:

  1. William Floyd Sutherland
  2. Jasper Sutherland
  3. Newton Sutherland
  4. Elijah “Lige” Thurman Sutherland
  5. Joshua P. Sutherland
  6. Phoebe Sutherland
  7. Martha Taylor Sutherland
  8. Daniel Boone R. Sutherland
  9. Mary Polly Deel Sutherland
  10. Margaret Sutherland
  11. ? Sutherland
  12. George Washington Sutherland
  13. ? Sutherland
  14. Leander Sutherland

On This Day in 1898

Mar18

111 Years Ago Today

March 18, 1898 – November 24, 1972

Henry Gracen Brooks, my 1st cousin 2x removed, was one of eleven children born to Benjamin and Haley Victoria (Thacker) Brooks. Henry married Myrtle Rose Minnick.

  1. Clarence Brooks
  2. Rosie Brooks
  3. William G. Brooks
  4. Henry Gracen Brooks
  5. Lockie Brooks
  6. Joe Brooks
  7. Avery Brooks
  8. Ira Ernest Brooks
  9. Elsie Brooks
  10. Violet Brooks
  11. Beulah Brooks

Pictured below are the parents, Benjamin and Haley Victoria Brooks.

On This Day in 1850

Mar18

159 Years Ago Today
March 18, 1850 – December 5, 1859
Andrew Holt Letcher, my 2nd cousin, 4x removed, was one of eleven children born to Governor John Letcher and Mary Susan Holt. Andrew was buried at Jackson Memorial Cemetery in Lexington, VA.

  1. William Holt Letcher
  2. Samuel Houston Letcher
  3. Andrew Holt Letcher
  4. John Davidson Letcher
  5. Margaret Kinney Letcher
  6. Mary Davidson Letcher
  7. Virginia Lee Letcher
  8. Captain Greenlee Davidson Letcher
  9. Fannie Wilson Letcher
  10. Elizabeth Stuart Letcher
  11. Mary Susan Letcher

————————————-
97 Years Ago Today
March 18, 1912
Erastus Granger Davidson, my 3rd cousin, 1x removed was one of at least three children born to William Erastus and Bertie Lee (Ward) Davidson. He was also a 1st cousin, 2x removed to my great grandfather Erastus Granger Davidson.

William and Bertie’s three children were:

  1. James Thomas Davidson
  2. Erastus Granger Davidson
  3. William Glenn Davidson

If you know of other siblings, please let me know.