Sunday, May 31, 2009

On This Day in 1898

111 Years Ago Today
May 31, 1898

Captain Greenlee D. Letcher, my 2nd cousin, 4x removed, married Katherine Seymour Paul in Rockbridge County, VA. Captain Letcher was one of eleven children born to Governor John Letcher and Mary Susan Holt.


  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. Greenlee Davidson Letcher
  9. Fannie Wilson Letcher
  10. Elizabeth Stuart Letcher
  11. Mary Susan Letcher

The Captain and Katherine S. (Paul) Letcher had three children.

  1. Greenlee D. Letcher
  2. John Letcher
  3. General John Seymour Letcher (father of author Katie Letcher Lyle)*

Greenlee Davidson Letcher
July 19, 1867 - August 12, 1954
Interred - Stonewall Jackson Cemetery - Lexington, VA



*FROM KATIE LETCHER'S BOOK - MY DEAREST ANGEL

When her father died, author Katie Letcher Lyle uncovered in his garage three cartons of papers documenting four generations of her family. The boxes included an astonishing array of materials, including "letters, postcards, papers, documents, check registers, Confederate bills, files, receipts, old photographs, notebooks, envelopes of stamps, deeds, bills, depositions, certificates, proclamations, diplomas, and market lists." Among them were the letters of her grandparents-Greenlee D. Letcher, the youngest child of John Letcher, Virginia's Civil War governor, and his wife, Katherine (Katie) Seymour Paul. In My Dearest Angel, Lyle deftly tells the story of their life together.

Greenlee and Katie Letcher could not have been more different. He served as a state legislator, worked as a lawyer in Lexington, and traveled widely, all the while scribbling and sending letters. She was the daughter of a Republican circuit judge and state senator from Harrisonburg and shied away from public life, preferring instead the familiarity of home and family. Their marriage was tinged with melancholy: Two of their three children died, and Katie, who found fulfillment largely in her role as a mother, struggled throughout her life with ill health and depression. Greenlee's letters addressed her as "Sweet Angel, My Own, My Love, My Life," but she often chafed at the role of adored wife, spending long periods of time with her parents, on rest cures, or in hospitals, away from her husband and his family. Their letters provide an unusually intimate portrait of a marriage, beginning in 1898, when they wed at her parents' home, and ending in 1947, when Katie died from a stroke.

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Happy Anniversary

14 Years Ago Today
May 27, 1995

OK, I couldn't help but snatch a couple of shots from FB.
This one is sooo cute!

and who is the other woman?
You know the way to a man's heart is
through his stomach.
What better way to woo him than with Paula Deen.

Has it really been 14 years since we road the train
ALL THE WAY to Delaware?
(18 hours worth of train riding)
Wow, time flies!



------------------------------
106 Years Ago Today
May 27, 1903

My 4th cousin, Ora Neel married Thomas Edward Nash. They had four children.

  1. Claude Witten Nash
  2. Nancy Ernestine Nash
  3. Anna May Nash
  4. Thomas Edward Nash, Jr.

Ora was one of six children born in Clear Fork, Tazewell County, VA, to Matthias Fox Neel and Harriet Letcher Daugherty.

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

Ora was one of six children born to

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

On This Day in 1824

185 Years Ago Today
May 26, 1824

John Henry Gregory, my 2nd great granduncle, was one of fifteen children born to John Keatts and Elizabeth Holland (Corder) Gregory. He married Elizabeth Brooks in November of 1846 in Madison County, TN. They had five children. See previous posts for siblings.

  1. Elizabeth Tennessee Gregory
  2. Lewis R. Gregory
  3. P.A. Gregory
  4. Mary A. Gregory
  5. John B. Gregory

Monday, May 25, 2009

Memorial Day

In Flanders Fields John McCrae, 1915

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

















Gail Evans wrote:
It is good to remember. Throughout the Old Testament, God instructs people to remember. Remember scriptures and teach them to your children. Remember people and things they did. Remember God and what he says and does. God placed importance on remembering.

May 24th

183 Years Ago
May 24, 1826 - April 13, 1897

Mary Jane (Daugherty) Gregory, my 2nd great grandmother was the oldest of four children born to John L. and Nancy (Ward) Daugherty in Tazewell County, VA.

  1. Mary Jane Daugherty (Footstone MJG - Daniel Gregory Cemetery)
  2. Isaac W. Daugherty (Jeffersonville Cemetery - Tazewell, VA)
  3. George C. Daugherty
  4. David Allen Daugherty (Marrs Graveyard - Falls Mills, VA)

Below is a scrapbook newpaper clipping regarding her death. I do not have an obituary.

Mary Jane was the granddaughter of David and Eleanor (Clancy) Ward, well-known pioneers who helped establish Tazewell County. Per Lee Pyle, a Ward descendant:

David Ward, the progenitor of the Ward family in Tazewell County, was the son of William Ward who came from Ireland about 1730. In the year 1769, David Ward located in Tazewell County, Va., in the "Cove" on the farm where his great-grandson, George Ward, lived. David Ward became a conspicuous figure among the frontiersman, because of his intelligence and courage. He was known as one of the best Indian fighters on the Clinch, and was a member of Captain Russell's company that participated in the battle at Point Pleasant. When the Revolution began he was member of the militia company of which William Bowen was Captain; and went to King's Mountain with Rees Bowen, where he fought with Campbell's rifleman from the Holston and Clinch valleys. After Russell County was formed, David Ward was made a justice of the peace for that county. When the county of Tazewell was erected he became, by operation of statute law, a justice of the peace of this county; and he was the first presiding justice of the county court. His son, John, was made the first county clerk of Tazwell. David Ward was chosen, along with Thomas Witten, Jr., to represent the county in the House of Delegates at the Sessions of 1801-01, and 1802-03; and represented the county again at the 1809-10 and 1810-11.

Thanks to Browne Hollowell, I have the following conjecture.
It is interesting to note the 1850 Census for Tazewell Co., Va., Western District, p. 179, 24 Sept:
Chas. H. Greever age 44 male Farmer Real Est. 4,000 b. Va
Eliza 28 female
Alexr 12 male
Blair 10 male
Chas 2 male
Mary Daugherty 20 female

Next door is:
33 Jno D Peery 62 male Farmer Real Est. 5,000 b. Va
34 Mary 20 female "
35 David P. 10/12 male "
Mary is Mary Clay Gregory, the younger sister of Daniel Parham Gregory.

I would say this is how Daniel and Mary Jane Daugherty met.


Mary Jane married Daniel Parham Gregory July 22, 1851.

And I would bet that living in Chas. H. Greever's house as probably a servant or helper to Eliza Greever, that Mary Jane named her next daughter after a woman who had been kind and a friend to her. Were they related? I don't know. Eliza Greever's maiden name was Harrison. In March of 1859, Daniel & Mary Jane Gregory's last child was born, a boy named Lewis H. Daniel's next brother was named Lewis Corder Gregory, I don't know who the H. was for.
Charles and Eliza are buried at the Greever Cemetery at Five Oaks in east Tazewell.
Eliza J., wife of Chas H. Greever, died Nov. 9, 1881, age 62 y & 7 D. I think that would make her born Nov. 2, 1819. So actually she was 31 (Lacking one month) in 1850. So a 31 year old married woman with three children, could have welcomed young 20yr old Mary Daugherty, and been a friend and mentor. As you know, it was very common in 18th and 19th centuries, for a young girl to leave her family and go live with another family, not necessarily as a servant but more as a mother's helper.


Mary Jane (Daugherty)and Daniel Gregory had five children before Daniel died at only 39 years old from Scrofula (tuberculosis of the lymphatic glands).

  1. John K.L. Gregory
  2. Elizabeth Holland Gregory
  3. Nancy "Nannie" Ward Gregory
  4. Elizabeth Greever Gregory
  5. Lewis H. Gregory

209 Years Ago
May 24,1800 - June 7, 1886

My 3rd great grandmother, Elizabeth Holland (Corder) Gregory, shared the birth day with her daughter-in-law, Mary Jane (Daugherty) Gregory. Elizabeth is also buried at the Daniel Gregory Cemetery located on Rt 61,Clear Fork, opposite Chestnut Grove Christian Church at Shawvers Mill, (According to SOME OLD CEMETERIES by Betty Hollowell) If anyone visits the cemetery, please take photos of all stones, especially looking for MJG footstone, and also a picture of Chestunt Grove Christian Church which continues there today. send to sherrykelly@comcast.net


Yet another interesting note:

Deed Book, no 12, p. 483 Daniel P. Gregary and Mary J. Gregary, his wife, to Christopher Shawver, Daniel Gregory and Adam Britts, Trustees. "For the purpose of having a meeting house built on the land conveyed, free for the use of all denominations professing the Christian religion when not occupied by the Christian Church." The lot is situate on Clear Fork and contains about one and a half acres. This church is now known as Chestnut Grove Church and is still used by the Christian Church of the neighborhood. (ANNALS of Tazewell County, Virginia by John Newton Harman, Sr.1922 )

Saturday, May 23, 2009

On This Day in 1922

87 Years Ago Today
May 23, 1922 - May 10, 1995

My 1st cousin, 1x removed, Louise Davidson, was one of ten children born to Charles Lewis Davidson.

w/Lydia Hess

  1. Ada Davidson
  2. Lydia Davidson

w/Ella Louise Bealiles

  1. Charles Davidson
  2. Roberta Virginia "Bertie" Davidson
  3. Louise Davidson
  4. George Davidson
  5. Frances Davidson
  6. Carolyn Davidson
  7. John Davidson
  8. Roy Davidson

Sue, when you find some time, please send me the names of spouses and children with dates for Louise and siblings. Thanks and tell your Grandma Bertie that I said hello. sherrykelly@comcast.net

------------------------------------
152 Years Ago Today
May 23, 1857-February 23, 1870

William B. Tabor, my great granduncle, only lived to be twelve years old. He was one of eight children born to James Harrison and Nancy Moore (Runyan)Tabor.

  1. Emily Tabor
  2. Sarah Jane Tabor (my great grandmother)
  3. Samuel G. Tabor
  4. George C. Tabor
  5. William B. Tabor
  6. Joseph Wade Tabor
  7. James Robert Tabor
  8. Meldora Tabor


I believe that this tombstone from Harry Cemetery, Falls Mills, VA belongs to Wm.

Friday, May 22, 2009

On This Day in 1852

157 Years Ago Today
May 22, 1852

Twins from the GREGORY line. John K. L. and Elizabeth Holland were born to Daniel Parham and Mary Jane (Daugherty) Gregory. John only lived until the next day, but Elizabeth, my great grandaunt, lived 68 years, and married William Hamilton Carbaugh. They had ten children:
  1. Eliza Carbaugh (twin) 1889
  2. Laura Carbaugh (twin) 1889
  3. Daughter Carbaugh (twin) 1890-1890
  4. Daughter Carbaugh (twin) 1890-1890
  5. D.G. Carbaugh
  6. J.H. Carbaugh
  7. J.W. or G.W. Carbaugh
  8. L.H. Carbaugh
  9. Lydia Carbaugh
  10. Daughter Carbaugh

If anyone knows more on this family, please share at sherrykelly@comcast.net
Below is Elizabeth's obituary from the scrapbook. I believe she is buried in Concord Cemetery, Clear Fork. Find A Grave Memorial# 16881282 www.findagrave.com



Thursday, May 21, 2009

On This Day in 1859

150 Years Ago Today
May 21, 1859 - August 16, 1862

Mary Elizabeth Peery was one of seven children born to John Drew and Mary Clay (Gregory) Peery in Tazewell County, VA. She and her siblings were my 3rd cousins, 3x removed.

  1. David Preston Peery
  2. Charles Henry Peery
  3. George Peery
  4. Ella Martelia Peery (WPC)
  5. Mary Elizabeth Peery (WPC)
  6. Louisa Alice Peery
  7. Mary E. Molly Peery (WPC)

Ella, Mary Elizabeth and Mary Molly, along with parents John Drew and Mary Clay Peery are buried at the Whitley-Peery Cemetery on Riverside Drive, N. Tazewell, VA.

If anyone has or is willing to take photos of their monuments, please let me know
sherrykelly@comcast.net
or publish them at www.findagrave.com


Wednesday, May 20, 2009

On This Day in 1944

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.

Monday, May 18, 2009

Old Wives Tale or Science?


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".

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

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.

Sunday, May 10, 2009

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.

Friday, May 8, 2009

Day 7

Tazewell County Historical Society is a great resource for genealogical information and a great spot for reuniting with an old (I mean that ever so gingerly) high school classmate. I can say “old” since we are about the same age. I must say that time has been kind to Anthony and he looks fabulous. Besides that, he was most helpful in supplying information on my pioneer ancestor, David Ward. My 4th great grandfather settled the land known as THE COVE or Ward’s Cove. Mom and I took the day trip past Tazewell, down the Liberty Road, past Maiden Springs to the Cove. The area is absolutely beautiful, some of the most beautiful that I have ever seen, even on a rainy day.
Thanks for browsing the site and thanks for commenting. This is exactly what I want from the blog. Family history should be shared and I am glad to do that. Many have helped me along the way and I am grateful. Please contact me at sherrykelly@comcast.net

Day 6

Yearbooks from the 40’s – what a find! Brother Buck is always going to estate sales and auctions. At one auction, he purchased some local high school yearbooks. Before putting them away, he took a spin through the annuals to see if he recognized anyone from back in the day. And yes-sur-ee, he surely did!
A 1940 Beaver revealed Uncle Robert on the football team. Wow, who knew he went to Beaver when his brothers opted for the cross town rival.

The Class of 1942 at GHS uncovered many wonderful faces. Walter Buckland and Garland Thompson (freshmen). Nancy, Loraine and Hazel Wimmer (children of Robert (Uncle Bob) and Sallie Davidson Wimmer). Football heros Richard McHaffa and Charles Buckland graced the pages in the most hilarious uniforms. What a funny find!