124 Years Ago Today
May 21, 1885
My grand aunt, Ida E. (Davis) Blankenship, was one of twelve children born to Doctor Caleb and Nancy C. “Nannie” (Jessee) Davis in Russell County, VA. She married Patton Blankenship and they had five children.

1. Samuel A. Davis
2. Jefferson Bonaparte Davis
3. Charles Henry “Keen Eye” Davis
4. Mary A. Davis
5. Sarah Ellen Davis
6. Manerva Josephine “Josie” Davis
7. Polly M. Davis
8. David P. Davis
9. Vance P. Davis
10. Asa C. Davis (my grandfather)
11. Ida E. Davis
12. Nannie K. Davis

————-

1. Ruby Blankenship
2. Roxie Blankenship
3. Etta Mae Blankenship
4. Gilmer Blankenship
5. Claude Blankenship

134 Years Ago Today
May 20, 1875

Daniel Boone Sutherland, my 5th cousin, 3x removed, married Margaret Counts. Daniel was one of 14 children born to James and Nancy Ann (Counts) Sutherland.

1. Pheobe Sutherland
2. Noah Baldwin Sutherland
3. Ezekiel Sutherland
4. Margaret Sutherland
5. Daniel Boone Sutherland
6. Elizabeth Sutherland
7. John “Jack” Counts Sutherland
8. Orpha Sutherland
9. James H. Sutherland
10. Rebecca Sutherland
11. William Beauregard Sutherland
12. Richard “Dick” Sutherland
13. Nancy Maryland Sutherland
14. James E. “Little Jim” Sutherland

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199 Years Ago Today
May 20, 1810

My 2nd great grand aunt, Margaret Elizabeth Kiser was one of 12 children born to Joseph, Jr. and Mary (Childers) Kiser of Russell County, VA .

1. Warren Kiser
2. Margaret Elizabeth Kiser
3. James E. “Bell Clapper” Kiser
4. Dicie Kiser
5. Ephriam Mayfield Kiser
6. Mary “Polly” Kiser
7. Simeon Kiser, Sr.
8. Joseph Kiser
9. Noah S. Kiser
10. Abraham Kiser
11. Mahala Kiser (my 2nd great grandmother)
12. Matilda Kiser

Margaret Elizabeth married John L. Hamond, Jr. and they had 12 children.

1. Mary “Polly” Hamond
2. Mahala Hamond
3. Martha Mattie Hamond
4. John L. Hamond III
5. Andrew Hamond
6. Cynthia Hamond
7. Joseph T. Hamond
8. Samuel G. Hamond
9. David Hamond
10. Nancy A. Hamond
11. Robert P. Hamond
12. Margaret Elizabeth “Peggy” Hamond

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84 Years Ago Today
May 20, 1925

Joseph Campbell Garrett was one of thirteen children born to Gilmer and Etta Cordelia (Brooks) Garrett.

1. Marvin Kermit Garrett
2. Ewal Erman Garrett
3. Madeline Garrett
4. Hartford Garrett, St.
5. Bess Garrett
6. Gilmer Garrett, Jr.
7. Joseph Campbell Garrett (8th cousin ??)
8. Clarence Garrett
9. Harry Garrett
10. Matilda Ann Garrett
11. Thomas Gifford “Pete” Garrett
12. Lowell Garrett
13. Kathaline Garrett

65 Years Ago Today
May 20, 1944

Hubert Buckland, my 2nd cousin, 1x removed, married Ellen Caudill in Tazewell County, VA. Hubert was one of eight children born to Charles Edward, Sr. and Elizabeth Burnett (Hudgins) Buckland.

1. Louise Annie “John” Buckland
2. William Clyde Buckland
3. Joseph Kelser Buckland
4. Una Blanche Buckland
5. Maude Clara Buckland
6. Clyde Curtis “Curt” Buckland
7. Charles Edward Buckland, Jr.
8. Hubert Buckland

Ellen Caudill ( w/o Hubert)
She is buried at the Baltimore National Cemetery in Maryland.

On the recent visit to Virginia during early May, Buck brought Mom some young tomato plants which she was anxious to put in the ground right away. However she hesitated because during a phone conversation with her childhood friend, Mom learned from Viola that she should not plant anything until after May 18th.

Now I grew up in the mountains and I know that the much anticipated spring is often late showing up in Bluefield. We always abided by the Farmers Almanac which declared planting could proceed only after May 10th. (I think that is about the same time they can wear white shoes. you know?) Apparently, according to Viola, it thundered on a certain day in February, so therefore, it would frost on May 18th. Snickering to myself, I thought this old timer must put too much faith in the old wives tales and folklore.

TODAY, May 18th, my mother called to say, IT FROSTED.

Susan Perdue Buckland said…
It did frost on the 18th and the 19th. Covered my flowers and Ellis’s tomatoe plants the night before. Sometimes you have to listen to these “Ole timers”.

On the recent visit to Virginia during early May, Buck brought Mom some young tomato plants which she was anxious to put in the ground right away. However she hesitated because during a phone conversation with her childhood friend, Mom learned from Viola that she should not plant anything until after May 18th.

Now I grew up in the mountains and I know that the much anticipated spring is often late showing up in Bluefield. We always abided by the Farmers Almanac which declared planting could proceed only after May 10th. (I think that is about the same time they can wear white shoes. you know?) Apparently, according to Viola, it thundered on a certain day in February, so therefore, it would frost on May 18th. Snickering to myself, I thought this old timer must put too much faith in the old wives tales and folklore.

TODAY, May 18th, my mother called to say, IT FROSTED.

132 Years Ago Today
May 18, 1877

My 6th cousin, 2x removed, Walter Selfe was one of eleven children born to Wilson Vermillion and Elizabeth (Kiser) Selfe.

1. Hettie Selfe
2. Greely Selfe
3. Ida Selfe
4. Francis Wayland Selfe
5. Walter Selfe
6. Nevada “Vada” Selfe
7. Dora Selfe
8. Mattie Selfe
9. Roy Selfe
10. Carter Selfe
11. Arthur Selfe

———————–
87 Years Ago Today
May 18, 1922

Zolene Nell (Campbell)Lee was one of nine 1st cousins, 1x removed, born to John Harrison and Sarah Ellen (Davis)Campbell.

1. Flora Lola Campbell
2. Ethlyn C. “Ed” Campbell
3. Barclay Campbell
4. John Walter Campbell
5. Mary Gertrude Campbell
6. Baird Kermit Campbell
7. Virginia Madge Campbell
8. Charles Dudley Campbell
9. Zolene Nell Campbell

Day 12

Once the rain stopped and the clouds parted slightly, the trip to St. Paul was very nice. Cousin Bertie, whom I have never met, was a most wonderful host. She is very kind and you can tell right away that she loves family. I loved her smile when she spoke of my dad’s visits to her house when he was working on the railroad. He and Uncle Robert stopped by to see her often when they were working runs to Norton. She remembers visiting at Aunt Mary Jane’s (my Grandmother Buckland)when she was small. She has slowed a bit since her fall around Thanksgiving, but she was eager to identify some pictures that I brought from home and to share glimpes of other family pictures she had. Notice her in the picture below and then her father with the white beard and pipe. Isn’t that a great shot! Charles Lewis Davidson was a brother to Mary Jane (Davidson) Buckland. Climbing the mountain (maybe the Clinch?) up out of St. Paul to Lebanon, we stopped briefly to visit Mom’s Aunt Kathleen and her daughter Kathy. This was a real treat. AT 90, I think Kathleen could probably run circles around me with her enormous energy. She most willingly shared stories of her family (and my Grandmother’s family Altha Davis Brooks) while Kathy drove us to Spring City. She showed us where her father, my great grandfather William Brooks, was buried, along with her mother Orpha Catherine (Jessee) Brooks. Unfortunately, there is no fence or markers, but the grassy location is exactly where Grandpa Brooks had requested, right on the nole above where his last white home still stands. She also tried to show us her birthplace up Long Hollow and Lost Valley Roads, but the weather and rough roads prohibited that. Maybe next visit, we can walk to the old Brooks homeplace.My middle-aged forgetfulness came into play once again when I totally forgot to take a picture with both Bertie, her daughter Barbara and son Bud and again with Aunt Kathleen and her daughter Kathy. Forgive me, we’ll have to put that on our list for next time as well.

Day 13

I visited the Mercer County library searching Bluefield Daily Telegraph issues on microfilm (fisch). You folks who have never tried this, don’t know how good we have it with the age of computers. I looked and looked but may need a few more clues before I return to that tedious task.This afternoon I hope to drop in on Bob Dishman, Audra Dishman’s son, in search of a picture of her. She was also my grandmother’s half sister, my great aunt, and Aunt Kathleen’s sister. She is buried very near her last home in Grandview Memory Gardens. Maybe I’ll get a photo to record her burial, as well.If time permits, I’ll venture to Clearfork and Tazewell, in search of a couple more old family cemeteries. Then tomorrow, I’ll head home. This has been a wonderful time with my mother and brothers, but THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME. I’m home sick and ready for some Florida sunshine.

Day 12

Once the rain stopped and the clouds parted slightly, the trip to St. Paul was very nice. Cousin Bertie, whom I have never met, was a most wonderful host. She is very kind and you can tell right away that she loves family. I loved her smile when she spoke of my dad’s visits to her house when he was working on the railroad. He and Uncle Robert stopped by to see her often when they were working runs to Norton. She remembers visiting at Aunt Mary Jane’s (my Grandmother Buckland)when she was small. She has slowed a bit since her fall around Thanksgiving, but she was eager to identify some pictures that I brought from home and to share glimpes of other family pictures she had. Notice her in the picture below and then her father with the white beard and pipe. Isn’t that a great shot! Charles Lewis Davidson was a brother to Mary Jane (Davidson) Buckland. Climbing the mountain (maybe the Clinch?) up out of St. Paul to Lebanon, we stopped briefly to visit Mom’s Aunt Kathleen and her daughter Kathy. This was a real treat. AT 90, I think Kathleen could probably run circles around me with her enormous energy. She most willingly shared stories of her family (and my Grandmother’s family Altha Davis Brooks) while Kathy drove us to Spring City. She showed us where her father, my great grandfather William Brooks, was buried, along with her mother Orpha Catherine (Jessee) Brooks. Unfortunately, there is no fence or markers, but the grassy location is exactly where Grandpa Brooks had requested, right on the nole above where his last white home still stands. She also tried to show us her birthplace up Long Hollow and Lost Valley Roads, but the weather and rough roads prohibited that. Maybe next visit, we can walk to the old Brooks homeplace.My middle-aged forgetfulness came into play once again when I totally forgot to take a picture with both Bertie, her daughter Barbara and son Bud and again with Aunt Kathleen and her daughter Kathy. Forgive me, we’ll have to put that on our list for next time as well.

Day 13

I visited the Mercer County library searching Bluefield Daily Telegraph issues on microfilm (fisch). You folks who have never tried this, don’t know how good we have it with the age of computers. I looked and looked but may need a few more clues before I return to that tedious task.This afternoon I hope to drop in on Bob Dishman, Audra Dishman’s son, in search of a picture of her. She was also my grandmother’s half sister, my great aunt, and Aunt Kathleen’s sister. She is buried very near her last home in Grandview Memory Gardens. Maybe I’ll get a photo to record her burial, as well.If time permits, I’ll venture to Clearfork and Tazewell, in search of a couple more old family cemeteries. Then tomorrow, I’ll head home. This has been a wonderful time with my mother and brothers, but THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME. I’m home sick and ready for some Florida sunshine.

Day 8
Picked up two great books. One is a historical account of Tazewell County with sooooo much information about our pioneer 4th great grandfather David Ward. The details of the many heroic battles with Indians and the responsible manner in which he, along with others, were willing to take steps essential to forming a county government within one day’s horse ride from home. With bravery and brains, both men and women did whatever was required to forge ahead; courageous settlers made their way.
A second book on the genealogy of the Harman’s will make clear some of the doubts I had in adding more ancestors in that line. I was introduced to the granddaughter of Henry Harman and took a likin’ to her right away. What a jewel! She and I share a love for plundering and preserving the many neglected family cemeteries and spending time there. She reminded me not to wear good clothes to the cemeteries and explained her attire includes a cemetery hat and even a cemetery purse. One can be assured that I’ll take these bits of advice to heart. After all, these sacred places where our ancestors rest are loaded with vital records. Thank you Mrs. Bettie Byrd!

Day 9
The phone rang opening up another connection to my Dad’s first cousin. I didn’t even have her in my data base, but quickly enough, we found ourselves bound together by the family ties. Her father and my grandmother were siblings. There must be a wealth of information between us. We will be corresponding and sharing photos for a long time to come. Cousin Carolyn was a delight to talk with and I look forward to meeting her on a future journey.

Day 10
Compton Cemetery – Falls Mills
Although I had specific directions in hand, there is no way I could have ever found this cemetery. I already had pictures of a few stones supplied by the generous Judy Llamas, there is nothing like a hands on experience in the middle of the woods. Brother Buck had been guided to the location on a previous trip with his wife Susie, so he took me directly to the somewhat fenced graveyard. We photographically recorded all interments as best we could, and with machete in hand, whacked down weeds covering the engravings. We even plucked a wild fern from the woods in hopes of it surviving my less than green thumb.

Dudley Cemetery – Falls Mills
No relatives in my lines are deposited in this lovely spot, but those there are blessed with a most gorgeous location. Blowing breezes, swaying trees and the calm waters of the Falls Mills Dam offer serenity beyond compare. The Dudley family is part of my sister-in-law’s line, so we also photographically recorded the monuments. Some as old as the Civil War.
We also stopped for a quick chat with Uncle Robert. He is always glad to entertain family with his railroad stories. He reminds me of my dad in that way, and that puts a smile on my face. Buck and I came upon Uncle Robert as he sped across the road in his wheel chair. Who knew he could do wheelies and race around at speeds of up to 10 MPH. He looks good and appeared to be feeling well.

In a short but painful stop by Grandview Memory Gardens, I captured Aunt Margaret’s grave stone. It is surreal. I didn’t expect to be there so soon. I really miss visiting with her.

Day 11
Happy Mother’s Day
Honored with breakfast yesterday morning, Mom, Susie and I enjoyed our time together. What a great idea to celebrate on Saturday instead of fighting the crowds on Sunday. That leaves Sunday for church, crockpot comfort food and naps. What more could a Mother hope for.
I had calls this morning from the girls and loved hearing their sweet voices. Mom and I headed for church where she has worshipped for many years. The actual church may be the oldest in the county and was built on land donated by the Wallace family a little more than 100 years ago.

Tomorrow morning, we are off to St. Paul to visit a first cousin of my dad’s, Roberta “Bertie”. I look forward to hearing her memories and the beginning of another family relationship. In the afternoon, we’ll stop back in Lebanon to visit with another cousin and her mother, my great aunt Kathleen.

Pray for good weather; Wading through these muddy hollers may give us a bit of a problem.Just kidding, the heavy rain is appreciated and just in time to start planting victory gardens. These hillsides are bright green with the rich soil plowed over, awaiting the seed.

Day 8

Picked up two great books. One is a historical account of Tazewell County with sooooo much information about our pioneer 4th great grandfather David Ward. The details of the many heroic battles with Indians and the responsible manner in which he, along with others, were willing to take steps essential to forming a county government within one day’s horse ride from home. With bravery and brains, both men and women did whatever was required to forge ahead; courageous settlers made their way.A second book on the genealogy of the Harman’s will make clear some of the doubts I had in adding more ancestors in that line. I was introduced to the granddaughter of Henry Harman and took a likin’ to her right away. What a jewel! She and I share a love for plundering and preserving the many neglected family cemeteries and spending time there. She reminded me not to wear good clothes to the cemeteries and explained her attire includes a cemetery hat and even a cemetery purse. One can be assured that I’ll take these bits of advice to heart. After all, these sacred places where our ancestors rest are loaded with vital records. Thank you Mrs. Bettie Byrd!

Day 9

The phone rang opening up another connection to my Dad’s first cousin. I didn’t even ha
ve her in my data base, but quickly enough, we found ourselves bound together by the family ties. Her father and my grandmother were siblings. There must be a wealth of information between us. We will be corresponding and sharing photos for a long time to come. Cousin Carolyn was a delight to talk with and I look forward to meeting her on a future journey.

Day 10

Compton Cemetery – Falls Mills
Although I had specific directions in hand, there is no way I could have ever found this cemetery. I already had pictures of a few stones supplied by the generous Judy Llamas, there is nothing like a hands on experience in the middle of the woods. Brother Buck had been guided to the location on a previous trip with his wife Susie, so he took me directly to the somewhat fenced graveyard. We photographically recorded all interments as best we could, and with machete in hand, whacked down weeds covering the engravings. We even plucked a wild fern from the woods in hopes of it surviving my less than green thumb.

Dudley Cemetery – Falls Mills

No relatives in my lines are deposited in this lovely spot, but those there are blessed with a most gorgeous location. Blowing breezes, swaying trees and the calm waters of the Falls Mills Dam offer serenity beyond compare. The Dudley family is part of my sister-in-law’s line, so we also photographically recorded the monuments. Some as old as the Civil War.We also stopped for a quick chat with Uncle Robert. He is always glad to entertain family with his railroad stories. He reminds me of my dad in that way, and that puts a smile on my face. Buck and I came upon Uncle Robert as he sped across the road in his wheel chair. Who knew he could do wheelies and race around at speeds of up to 10 MPH. He looks good and appeared to be feeling well.In a short but painful stop by Grandview Memory Gardens, I captured Aunt Margaret’s grave stone. It is surreal. I didn’t expect to be there so soon. I really miss visiting with her.

Day 11

Happy Mother’s Day

Buck honored us with breakfast yesterday morning; Mom, Susie and I enjoyed our time with him and appreciated his thoughtfulness. What a great idea to celebrate on Saturday instead of fighting the crowds on Sunday. That leaves Sunday for church, crockpot comfort food and naps. What more could a Mother hope for.I had calls this morning from the girls and loved hearing their sweet voices. Mom and I headed for church where she has worshipped for many years. The actual church may be the oldest in the county and was built on land donated by the Wallace family a little more than 100 years ago.Tomorrow morning, we are off to St. Paul to visit a first cousin of my dad’s, Roberta “Bertie”. I look forward to hearing her memories and the beginning of another family relationship. In the afternoon, we’ll stop back in Lebanon to visit with another cousin and her mother, my great aunt Kathleen.Pray for good weather; Wading through these muddy hollers may give us a bit of a problem.Just kidding, the heavy rain is appreciated and just in time to start planting victory gardens. These hillsides are bright green with the rich soil plowed over, awaiting the seed.