Friday, July 12, 2013

Spotlighting Jessica Millward

I know this post is a little different than you are used to seeing here, but I felt strongly about my readers meeting Jessica.

Jessica Millward is an Assistant Professor of History at University of California Irvine. Her fields of interest are African American, African Diaspora, Early America, Gender, Slavery.  You can learn more by reading her faculty profile.

To her credit, Dr. Millward has had several papers published and there is one in particular that I am excited about; Charity Folks, Lost Royalty and the Bishop Family of Maryland and New York  recently published in The Journal of African American History. You can read it here.

One of my favorite and most popular "lost family treasures" was the Bishop/Carey Photo album. Charity Folks was an ancestor of Dr. Elizabeth "Beth" Bishop Davis. We believe that Dr. Davis's brother, Shelton Hale Bishop Jr. was the original owner of that album. Charity Folks was the matriarch of such an influential and productive group of descendants that I feel very privileged to have had a piece of their history in my hands.

What is even more exciting is that the above mentioned article is just a taste of Jessica's upcoming book,  Charity’s Folk: Enslaved Women, Families, and Freedom in pre Civil War Maryland. In her words:
"The book focuses on attempts made by enslaved women in
Maryland to earn their freedom in the decades following the American Revolution.  Women such as the Bishop ancestor, Charity Folks, were crucial to this story. We can learn so much from their experiences as enslaved women were the least likely to experience some of the promises of the American Revolution like liberty and equality."

Well I, for one am looking forward to this book.


 Leslie Ann

Friday, June 28, 2013

Calvary Methodist Episcopal Church 1933 Year Book


I found this fiftieth anniversary year book for Calvary Methodist Episcopal Church located in Bronx, New York.  Don't ask me which antique store I found it in because I forgot. That's what happens when I get caught up in other things.

Front cover

Inside front cover

Inside back cover

Back cover

This little booklet has about seven pages of history about the church and some of it's leaders and a list of members and addresses. There are also memoriams throughout.

  • In Memory of Mr. Thomas S. Walker
  • In Memoriam - Mr.Thomas Jacka - By Marie S. Jacka and Family
  • In Memoriam - Frank H. Hines - Mary Bradner Hines
  • In Memoriam - Alfred Scott - Margaret E. Scott
  • In Loving Memory of - John R. McDonald and Mayetta McDonald - by Harrison McDonald
  • In Loving Memory of Mrs. Nellie Clemes, who was called to her Heavenly Home August 22, 1933 - By her children Vivian, Charles and W. Herbert Clemes
  • In Memoriam - Edward C. Keys - Edwin C. Keys - (by) Mrs. Edward C. Keys and Family
  • In Loving Memory of Lydia J. Hill who Entered Life Eternal October 13, 1918 - By Mr. and Mrs. Robert Hill
  • In Memoriam - Milton S. Surre A Charter Member
  • In Memoriam - Katherine Kimball
  • In Loving Memory of Mrs. Anna M. Watson - Guild Auxiliary
  • In Loving Memory of Mrs. Mary L. Compton A Charter Member - By Her Daughter Mrs. Daisy L. Northrop and Grandson Theodore O. Northrop


If any of these folks are your family, this year book could be yours.



Leslie Ann

Thursday, May 9, 2013

1916 Postcard from Landrum, South Carolina



I found this postcard a while back in one of the antique stores around here. It's addressed to George Peterson, 92nd St & Gelson Ave, Brooklyn N.Y.



Dear George:
Hope your
well. and all
the folks. Hope
your having
a good time
your schoolmate
Bonnie O'Connor.

Unfortunately I haven't been able to find anything out about schoolmates Bonnie and George.  Were they schoolmates of your parents?



Leslie Ann

Thursday, April 11, 2013

Postcard from the Islands, Inverness


I found this postcard in one of Jacksonville's antique stores. The Islands, Inverness  is in Scotland I just found out.

Unfortunately there is no date or postmark so I'm not sure when it was delivered, or if it even was. It's addressed to Mrs. Chas Caine, 67 Westland Ave, Boston, Mass.



A short walk from
the base you may see
for yourself.
yours rec'd other
day will answer
shortly.   C. Edw.

 The mention of a base made me think that the mysterious C. Edw. must have been a military man. I did a little searching and discovered that Inverness was used by the US Navy during WWI as part of the laying of the Northern Barrage. This might put a date on the postcard.

I haven't been able to figure out who Mrs. Chas Caine is either.

If you recognize these names as being in your family, as always drop me a line.



Leslie Ann

Friday, April 5, 2013

Friday's Faces From the Past ~ Three Georgia Ladies


I found this photo a while back while wandering through an antique store in Jacksonville. This picture is obviously a photocopy. You can tell by the way the names are chopped off on the top. I can tell because I am holding the photo and it has clearly not been written on.

Aside from this label that is stuck to the back of the photo, I have had a rough time trying to figure out just who these women are.

The only thing I have been able to discover that ties them together is that they all lived in Jackson, Laurens County, Georgia.


  • Ollie Ree Underwood - Ollie was born abt 1913 in Georgia to Cornelius Edison and Annie Ophelia Underwood. According to the 1940 Lovett, Laurens, Georgia Census she was married to a Henry Frey.
  • Blanche Smith Brantley - Blanche was born  June 25, 1908 and died September 28, 1954 in Georgia.  I haven't been able to find who her parents were, but according to the 1910 Jackson, Lauren County, GA Census she was living with her grandparents Asa J. and M. A. Smith. Blanche was married to Cleo William Brantley. I was able to find a profile for them both on Find A Grave - Blanche and Cleo.
  • Cornelius Smith Dudley - Cornelius was born abt 1903 in Georgia to James and Ella Smith and died 24 Nov 1982 in Johnson County, Georgia. She was married to Gladis Dudley. 
I have just discovered that Miss Cornelius may be the key to their connection. Cornelius and family were living just nine houses away from baby Blanche and her grandparents in the 1910 Jackson, Laurens, Georgia Census. In the 1930 Census the Underwood family is living next door to Cornelius's mother-in-law Mollie Dudley.

So are these ladies just childhood chums, or are they related somehow?  Could Cornelius Smith have been named after Ollie's father? Curious minds want to know.

Sources: 
  1. Ancestry.com, Year: 1910; Census Place: Jackson, Laurens, Georgia; Roll: T624_199; Page: 15B; Enumeration District: 0109; FHL microfilm: 1374212.
  2. Ancestry.com, Year: 1930; Census Place: Adrian, Johnson,Georgia; Roll: 371; Page: 3B; Enumeration District: 16; Image: 1034.0; FHL microfilm: 2340106.
  3. Ancestry.com, Year: 1940; Census Place: Lovett, Laurens,Georgia; Roll: T627_689; Page: 1B; Enumeration District: 87-21.
  4. Ancestry.com, Year: 1920; Census Place: Jackson, Laurens, Georgia; Roll: T625_266; Page: 15A; Enumeration District: 79; Image: 249.
  5. Ancestry.com. Georgia Deaths, 1919-98 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2001. Original data: State of Georgia. Indexes of Vital Records for Georgia: Deaths, 1919-1998. Georgia, USA: Georgia Health Department, Office of Vital Records, 1998.


Leslie Ann

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Private John Leeson, New Jersey Volunteers


I found this torn page from a book in an antique store somewhere in Jacksonville, Florida. I have waited too long and don't remember which one.



This is the page that tells all about the conviction of Private John Leeson from Company H, 3rd Regiment, of the New Jersey Volunteers. He was charged with desertion and cowardice.

Accompanying this page was a certificate:


I'm not sure why this page warrants a certification.  I was able to find this same information in two different books on Google.

  1. General orders ... 1861,1862 & 1863, adapted for the use of the army and navy. Chronologically arranged, with index, by T.M. O'Brien & O. Diefendorf
  2. General orders of the War Department - Vol. 2
If there are descendants who want this original page, just drop me a line.


Leslie Ann

Monday, March 4, 2013

Military Monday ~ Postcard From Pvt Walter Miller

A while back I picked up this postcard from a flea market or an antique store.





It's postmarked Louisville, KY Nov 8, 1942 and addressed to Mr & Mrs E. M. Murdock, Cherry Valley, N. Y., RD Rosebrom

The return address is pvt W A Miller
85th General Hospital
9th Barracks
90 Nichols General Hospital
Louisville Kentucky
U S Army

Dear friends - very glad
to get your letter a few
days ago. Letters from the
friends back home really
do help a lot. I hope
you both are well and
happy.  Reverend (?)
             Walter Miller
 I was able to find a little bit of information on Walter.

Name:Walter A Miller
Birth Year:1902
Race:White, citizen (White)
Nativity State or Country:New York
State of Residence:New York
County or City:Otsego
 
Enlistment Date:29 Aug 1942
Enlistment State:New York
Enlistment City:Utica
Branch:Branch Immaterial - Warrant Officers, USA
Branch Code:Branch Immaterial - Warrant Officers, USA
Grade:Private
Grade Code:Private
Term of Enlistment:Enlistment for the duration of the War or other emergency, plus six months, subject to the discretion of the President or otherwise according to law
Component:Selectees (Enlisted Men)
Source:Civil Life
 
Education:4 years of college
Civil Occupation:Clergymen
Marital Status:Divorced, without dependents
Height:68
Weight:144
Source Information:
National Archives and Records Administration. U.S. World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2005.

According to his obituary posted on Find A Grave, Walter was a Baptist Minister ordained May 16, 1927, in the First Baptist Church in Gloversville, New York. 

He was discharged from service November 21, 1945, after serving in the European Theater for 23 months. He took part in five major campaigns during one of which he was awarded the bronze star. 

It looks like the Reverend didn't have any children so if there are any nieces or nephews out there that would like this postcard, drop me a line.


Leslie Ann

Monday, February 4, 2013

1924 Eighth Grade Commencement Has Found a Home



I am happy to announce another lost family treasure has found a home. The 1924 St. Joseph's School Eighth Grade Commencement is headed to a niece of one of the eighth grade graduates listed above.



Leslie Ann

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Kurdish Bibles Found Home



I finally found a home for the Kurdish Bibles that I posted about back in 2010! I usually wait for some family member to find my post to claim their lost family treasures.  I just don't have the time to hunt everybody down.  But for this one I actively searched for a willing recipient.

Actually, I was spurred on to do so by someone else who wanted the bibles just because they were Kurdish bibles.  I had to say "no" because the whole point of this blog is to get these lost family heirlooms into the hands of one branch of the family or another.

In the original post, if you recall, I mentioned not being able to find an obituary.  Well I finally found it which made it so much easier to locate family members.

Clay Today, Orange Park, Florida, published 19 June 2007

Source: Ancestry.com. Florida, Jacksonville Area Obituary Collection, 1851-2009 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010.
Original data: Florida, Jacksonville Area Obituary Collection, 1850–2009. Jacksonville, Florida: Southern Genealogist’s Exchange Society, Inc.


I was able to find a memorial for Charles' mother, Mary Sophia Voigt Perrill, at Find A Grave, and from there make contact with someone who I feel will cherish them as a family treasure.



Leslie Ann

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Rev. William Franklin Bond

This photo of Rev. Wm. F. Bond was one of the photos that was in the "create your own ancestors" basket.

It's not a normal photograph. It is printed on card stock and looks like it may have been made for a publication of sorts.

From what I have been able to find out about the Reverend he was one of the oldest members of the Lutheran ministry.

He was born William Franklin Bond, son of Edwin and Catharine Anne (Stump) Bond.

His obituary is as follows:
One of the oldest members of the Lutheran ministry, Rev. Dr. William F. Bond of Shamrock, died at his home Sunday evening in his 83rd year. He has been pastor of the Bowers-Longswamp Lutheran parish in Berks county for the past 40 years. Born in Greenwich township, Bucks county, he was the son of the late Edwin and Catherine, nee Stump, Bond. He entered Kutztown State Teachers college in 1880, then went to Muhlenberg college, from where he was graduated in 1888. In 1891 he was graduated from the Mount Airy Lutheran Theological seminary in Philadelphia and on May 26 of the same year was ordained in the Emmanuel church at Pottstown. He served as pastor of St. Paul's church in Orwis from 1891 to 1904. In the later year he was called to the Bowers-Longswamp parish, which he served until his death. In 1941, in recognition of his 50 years in the Lutheran ministry, Muhlenberg college conferred upon him the degree of doctor of divinity. Surviving are six daughters: Mrs. Frank Deisher of Fleetwood; Mrs. Samuel Welch, Coplay; Mrs. Paul Steininger, Monessen; Mrs. Theodore Breisch, Reading; Mrs. Ira Guldin, Kutztown, and Mrs. Paul Musselman, Cranford, N.J.; three sons, John A. Bond, W. Leesport; Paul Bond, Topton, and Ivan Bond, Bally; two sisters, Mrs. Mary Long, Kempton, and Mrs. Agnes Wildermuth, Auburn; 34 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. His wife, the late Katie E., nee Krebs, Bond, died in 1941. Revs. Emil Fischer of Philadelphia, Mark W. Trexler of Laureldale and C. E. Keiser of Lyons will officiate at services at the Longswamp church on Thursday at 2 p.m. Interment will be in the adjoining cemetery.
[The Morning Call, Allentown, PA, Tuesday, June 20, 1944, page 5]

Source:  Longswamp Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania, USA

I have found his Find A Grave memorial and am going to upload the photo there.

If you are a descendant of Rev. Bond and would like to have this photo, please contact me. My email link is on the side bar.



Leslie Ann
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