The following is written by Jennifer Killby, a granddaughter of Cleopatra Harvey. The story is about visits with her Aunt Mary:
Aunt Mary was married to my Uncle Bum (I can't remember his full name). I believe she was 13 when they married. My aunt stated that she remembers Cecil Pack (our grandmother) saying she was angry at Uncle Bum for wanting to marry her at a young age. Aunt Mary spent lots of time at Cecil's home prior to their marriage and I believe that's how he met her. Cecil told him to let her grow up to be a woman, but he didn't and they married. My aunt stated all of Aunt Mary's daughters were post masters also until they retired.
I remember being really afraid of going to Aunt Mary's because my grandfather scared my sister and I to death about copperheads and rattlesnakes and we had to use the outhouse to go to the bathroom at her house. Of course, being the jokester my grandfather always was, he made sure we were good and scared when we had to use the facilities. I also remember the dog she had that would always be under the porch when we arrived. For the life of me, I can't remember its name. Aunt Mary always kept a picture of my grandmother's first marriage sitting out. And it wasn't til years later that we found out who the man was. I know he only lived a week after my grandmother had married him. She always had something cooked, but I remember the pies. She always seemed to have pies. She made my grandfather mince meat, my grandmother and sister a cream pie - usually banana or chocolate. And for some reason she always made me applesauce pie. I didn't like applesauce pie and always complained to my grandmother who made me eat the applesauce pie so not to hurt Aunt Mary's feelings. I forced it down, dreading every bite of it. Now, I miss those pies and have made applesauce pies to remember those days. No one seems to know what I'm talking about when I ask them about an applesauce pie or say they never heard of such a thing. When my grandmother sat and talked with Aunt Mary, my grandfather would walk us down to her friend (or relative - I can't remember) who lived in a one room house just a little bit down the road and we would visit her for a while. She was such a sweet lady. I liked visiting her. Every generation have had their pictures taken in front of the the postal house she has in the front yard. I didn't get to see Aunt Mary in the 90's. I last saw her in the 80's.
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Sunday, December 9, 2012
Notes from Holiday Conversation
This is an extension of my conversation with Vernon about the Holidays (*see the previous post for stories about Christmas time in Streeter!) These topics are not related to Christmas, so I broke them off into a separate post.
Vernon: ...I'd use a ball for playing jacks. That was a game I played a lot and hop scotch at school. Rarely did we play ball at school. Only one teacher let us play softball and that was Audrey Lilly. He bought the bat and ball. He wanted a different kind of atmosphere at school.
We had field day at the end of school. We were to practice for sack races, overhead relays (like volleyball), stick relays.... We won every game at Jumping Branch (where all the schools met for field day). We took home about every 1st Place prize. Audrey Lilly knew all the techniques necessary for us to win.
A little later we talked about the structure of a school house...
They had a recitation bench - the teacher would call forward each grade, "2nd grade for math", etc. To the recitation bench. We had debates. Bum Pack (one of their teachers) loved debating - he also liked spelling bee's. He would often say, "learn your lesson well, before you have to spell."
One time I was asked to spell picnic, but I spelled it "p-i-c-k-n-i-c-k". I was upset that I had misspelled it ... made fun of me and would ask, "are you going on a p-i-c-k-n-i-c-k today?"
...I'm a good speller to this day.
Vernon: ...I'd use a ball for playing jacks. That was a game I played a lot and hop scotch at school. Rarely did we play ball at school. Only one teacher let us play softball and that was Audrey Lilly. He bought the bat and ball. He wanted a different kind of atmosphere at school.
We had field day at the end of school. We were to practice for sack races, overhead relays (like volleyball), stick relays.... We won every game at Jumping Branch (where all the schools met for field day). We took home about every 1st Place prize. Audrey Lilly knew all the techniques necessary for us to win.
A little later we talked about the structure of a school house...
They had a recitation bench - the teacher would call forward each grade, "2nd grade for math", etc. To the recitation bench. We had debates. Bum Pack (one of their teachers) loved debating - he also liked spelling bee's. He would often say, "learn your lesson well, before you have to spell."
One time I was asked to spell picnic, but I spelled it "p-i-c-k-n-i-c-k". I was upset that I had misspelled it ... made fun of me and would ask, "are you going on a p-i-c-k-n-i-c-k today?"
...I'm a good speller to this day.
Christmas in Streeter
Here are some Christmas tales via Vernon.
Me: What was Christmas like? What presents did you receive?
Vernon: 80% of the kids were lucky to have bare, meager things. Sometimes I would receive an apple or an orange, or maybe a little dab of candy, English walnuts, maybe a ball.
In 1938 I received a sled with an iron runner. If I got a pair of boots in the winter I could go out in the snow. I would also get a pair of woolen socks with a red stripe at the top. I had cousins that put hog nails in their boots to keep from slipping - they projected from the bottom - the similitude of cleats put in by cobblers.
My memories are beautiful. I didn't care if I got anything at all. A sponge rubber ball would be nice.
Me: What about decorations? A tree?
Vernon: The decorations were mostly handmade - a handmade chain of different colored paper and we would drape that around the tree. We also popped popcorn and strung it on the tree. We cut our own tree. People kept an eye on a tree they wanted and they would cut it down (unless someone else had an eye on it too). We didn't have electricity-
Me: -Did you use candles on the tree?
Vernon: A tree could become dry. That would be dangerous. We often didn't use candles (on the tree).
We would take a pan - like a bread pan - and put wax in the bottom then place 7-8 candles in, and place on a dresser top.
Me: What about outside decorations?
Vernon: Rarely. Sometimes 2 or 3 trees were cut and put on the porch as decoration. I did see that. Interior decorations on the wall sometimes. If they had enough money they could get decorations from Murphy's.
Me: What about on Christmas day, did people go to church? What activities?
Vernon: The place to go was the Streeter Schoolhouse for a large congregation. It was full of people. It was a special time of year (like Easter) when people could visit.
On Christmas day my dad would set up shooting matches and there were presents for the winner (there was moonshine too).
The shooting day was a tradition for him (shotgun not rifle shooting). They would have a splatter match. A card is passed around and each would circle his name on the target along with everyone else. You tried to hit your name on the card. There was also an individual card for the individual match and you would do the shooting at your own card. There were prizes for the group and individual shooting matches. One large prize: like a ham, or a knife...something of considerable value.
Me: Did anyone have a sled or horse and sleigh?
Vernon: A guy who lived up the creek did - he put paper around the horse's harness - an ornament on the hames - and sometimes sleigh bells. This might have been one of the Adkins, but I was 6 years old...
Me: How did the generation before you celebrate?
Vernon: Mother spoke of Christmas past - almost the same as how we celebrated Christmas - most of it was handmade. Mother made dolls out of socks - probably a tradition from her day. They had trees- decorations.
Me: What was Christmas like? What presents did you receive?
Vernon: 80% of the kids were lucky to have bare, meager things. Sometimes I would receive an apple or an orange, or maybe a little dab of candy, English walnuts, maybe a ball.
In 1938 I received a sled with an iron runner. If I got a pair of boots in the winter I could go out in the snow. I would also get a pair of woolen socks with a red stripe at the top. I had cousins that put hog nails in their boots to keep from slipping - they projected from the bottom - the similitude of cleats put in by cobblers.
My memories are beautiful. I didn't care if I got anything at all. A sponge rubber ball would be nice.
Me: What about decorations? A tree?
Vernon: The decorations were mostly handmade - a handmade chain of different colored paper and we would drape that around the tree. We also popped popcorn and strung it on the tree. We cut our own tree. People kept an eye on a tree they wanted and they would cut it down (unless someone else had an eye on it too). We didn't have electricity-
Me: -Did you use candles on the tree?
Vernon: A tree could become dry. That would be dangerous. We often didn't use candles (on the tree).
We would take a pan - like a bread pan - and put wax in the bottom then place 7-8 candles in, and place on a dresser top.
Me: What about outside decorations?
Vernon: Rarely. Sometimes 2 or 3 trees were cut and put on the porch as decoration. I did see that. Interior decorations on the wall sometimes. If they had enough money they could get decorations from Murphy's.
Me: What about on Christmas day, did people go to church? What activities?
Vernon: The place to go was the Streeter Schoolhouse for a large congregation. It was full of people. It was a special time of year (like Easter) when people could visit.
On Christmas day my dad would set up shooting matches and there were presents for the winner (there was moonshine too).
The shooting day was a tradition for him (shotgun not rifle shooting). They would have a splatter match. A card is passed around and each would circle his name on the target along with everyone else. You tried to hit your name on the card. There was also an individual card for the individual match and you would do the shooting at your own card. There were prizes for the group and individual shooting matches. One large prize: like a ham, or a knife...something of considerable value.
Me: Did anyone have a sled or horse and sleigh?
Vernon: A guy who lived up the creek did - he put paper around the horse's harness - an ornament on the hames - and sometimes sleigh bells. This might have been one of the Adkins, but I was 6 years old...
Me: How did the generation before you celebrate?
Vernon: Mother spoke of Christmas past - almost the same as how we celebrated Christmas - most of it was handmade. Mother made dolls out of socks - probably a tradition from her day. They had trees- decorations.
Saturday, September 22, 2012
Adkins of Streeter (updated)
-- sources: U.S. Census records, WV Archive Online, and VA Library
According to the U.S. Census, between 1880 and 1920 there were roughly 977 to 1,955 Adkins families with the highest concentrations in WV and Kentucky. Compare that to the Lilly family (354-705) and you can see why there are so many Adkins - arguably more than the Lilly troupe.
An Adkins who surfaces in WV is Lewis Adkins (also Moses in Greenbrier Co) - per a Revolution War bounty in the early 1800's. Lewis received land at the mouth of Indian Creek (next to Farley*). Whether he is the progenitor of Adkins in WV today I don't know and hopefully someone can provide the information.
As for those that lived in Streeter...
Basil Green Adkins (born 1895) was a sometime teacher at the Streeter school and so was his father Nelson. According to Vernon, they would swap out to teach. Basil was married to Persie Oakes. They had the following children: Luther C., Claron, Velmer, Clyde, Basil Green Jr.
Nelson Calloway Adkins abt. 1867 - 1944 was married to Emma R. Harvey (the daughter of A.B. Harvey and Mary Ann Ellison. She was born in Flatwoods).
Nelson was the son of Matthew B. Adkins and Ceclia A. Harvey (per their marriage license they were both born in Raleigh County). Matthew B. was the son of Matthew and Elizabeth Adkins. Ceclia Harvey was the daughter of Michael and Nancy T. Harvey.
*I have written about the Farley family in earlier posts.
According to the U.S. Census, between 1880 and 1920 there were roughly 977 to 1,955 Adkins families with the highest concentrations in WV and Kentucky. Compare that to the Lilly family (354-705) and you can see why there are so many Adkins - arguably more than the Lilly troupe.
An Adkins who surfaces in WV is Lewis Adkins (also Moses in Greenbrier Co) - per a Revolution War bounty in the early 1800's. Lewis received land at the mouth of Indian Creek (next to Farley*). Whether he is the progenitor of Adkins in WV today I don't know and hopefully someone can provide the information.
As for those that lived in Streeter...
Basil Green Adkins (born 1895) was a sometime teacher at the Streeter school and so was his father Nelson. According to Vernon, they would swap out to teach. Basil was married to Persie Oakes. They had the following children: Luther C., Claron, Velmer, Clyde, Basil Green Jr.
Nelson Calloway Adkins abt. 1867 - 1944 was married to Emma R. Harvey (the daughter of A.B. Harvey and Mary Ann Ellison. She was born in Flatwoods).
Nelson was the son of Matthew B. Adkins and Ceclia A. Harvey (per their marriage license they were both born in Raleigh County). Matthew B. was the son of Matthew and Elizabeth Adkins. Ceclia Harvey was the daughter of Michael and Nancy T. Harvey.
*I have written about the Farley family in earlier posts.
Sunday, September 16, 2012
Jim Pack
Jim Pack passed away Monday, Sept. 10. He was the son of Pearl and Ruby Pack.
Jim was born at Streeter. There is a full obit in the Register Herald.
http://www.register-herald.com/obituaries/x1023278382/Obituaries-Wednesday-Sept-12-2012
Jim was born at Streeter. There is a full obit in the Register Herald.
http://www.register-herald.com/obituaries/x1023278382/Obituaries-Wednesday-Sept-12-2012
Saturday, August 25, 2012
Just Some Thoughts...
Conversations with several people about hurtful memories prompted me to write this. I just needed to get some thoughts off my chest - shout at the void, so to speak - to clear my mind. Out of respect for readers, and my immediate family, I try to avoid such topics (and I will NOT go into specifics), but the issue comes up from time to time.
So...painful memories. We all have them, right? It certainly is worse when those memories are associated with family. I have older family members who are reluctant to share much if any stories about Streeter. They would probably be surprised to know that I know quite a bit about certain incidents that may or may not have influenced their opinions. Now, let me be clear, I understand that sometimes people are just not interested at all in family history. That is a different matter altogether.
When I was a child (about 8 years old) my grandmother was in her 80s. I was young, but pretty alert for a kid. Nothing escaped my attention, especially family dirt. Those stories got passed down from generation to generation. We all make mistakes. Some of us are just lucky that we kept them a secret. I certainly wouldn't want everyone to know the very stupid decisions I've made. I learned a long time ago to accept myself 100%. If you look for people to affirm your every decision, both past and present, you will be a very unhappy and bitter person.
I did not start this research before knowing a lot of these stories in the first place. I don't worship my ancestors, and I certainly understand they made decisions that for some people are unforgivable. I don't have any easy solutions for this (for the people who are still angry). Speaking from my own experience, I find forgiveness to be the ultimate antidote to some of the small-minded, petty, or outrageous things that people say and do. It certainly makes things more difficult when these people are "family" or related in some way. But, I have found growth from having the courage to love and forgive.
So...painful memories. We all have them, right? It certainly is worse when those memories are associated with family. I have older family members who are reluctant to share much if any stories about Streeter. They would probably be surprised to know that I know quite a bit about certain incidents that may or may not have influenced their opinions. Now, let me be clear, I understand that sometimes people are just not interested at all in family history. That is a different matter altogether.
When I was a child (about 8 years old) my grandmother was in her 80s. I was young, but pretty alert for a kid. Nothing escaped my attention, especially family dirt. Those stories got passed down from generation to generation. We all make mistakes. Some of us are just lucky that we kept them a secret. I certainly wouldn't want everyone to know the very stupid decisions I've made. I learned a long time ago to accept myself 100%. If you look for people to affirm your every decision, both past and present, you will be a very unhappy and bitter person.
I did not start this research before knowing a lot of these stories in the first place. I don't worship my ancestors, and I certainly understand they made decisions that for some people are unforgivable. I don't have any easy solutions for this (for the people who are still angry). Speaking from my own experience, I find forgiveness to be the ultimate antidote to some of the small-minded, petty, or outrageous things that people say and do. It certainly makes things more difficult when these people are "family" or related in some way. But, I have found growth from having the courage to love and forgive.
Friday, August 10, 2012
Letter from Jonathan Calvin Harvey to Isaac N. Harvey (1888)
This is an item that is a part of a collection that Vernon Pack recently sent to me. He deserves many thanks for including these materials. The rest I am uploading soon into the photo and document archive on the blog (look for the tabs on the home page).
The letter, written June 24, 1888, was mailed from Vandalia, WV. Vandalia was the name for Streeter before the name change. Jonathan Calvin Harvey communicates the very hot temperatures, recent severe storm, and resulting crop damage to his father Isaac (coincidentally, there is a photo of both men in the archive via Vernon).
(my notes are in brackets and there are footnotes):
Vandalia Summers Co WVA
June The 24th 1888
In ancer [answer] to your letter dated the 12th of this inst [instance] I will Say That I was glad to hear from you and that you was well as common. I will Say that we have had some of the hotest weather for this time of year I think I ever felt. The mercury was up to 105 degrees and it has been dry weather up to a bout the 20th of this month. Sam Pack* had to grinde by hand**but on the evening of the 20th I went to the mill after a turn of meal and as I came back I had to take of my turn and Saddle and get under the clift and Stay Till near by night. It rained and hailed So and it has rained every day but once Since Same and Some places corn has been beat nearly in the ground with hail. John Basham+ Said that his crop was clear ruined he said that it washed his corn ground all of just leaving the marks of the plow and I guess that Adam's++ crop is hurt too. My corn looks very well I got over it the first time the 15th about ten o'clock on friday morning and I have been working in the backin [a back corner]] for Buck Wheat Since I got it fenste [fenced] and the logs on the part I have clear roled [rolled] but I have been near by past going with my back for over two weeks. The rest off [of] the family is in common health. Dow's^and Jim's^^ famileys is well and the people in general as far as I no [know] is well.
I got a letter from Putman [Putnam] yesterday and you can gess hoo [guess who] it is from he was as well as common and that was a good country crops range... it to waste [waist] high and that tobacco was same as large as a palm lief [leaf] hat on the hill. he did not say what he was doing but that he was in the Bird Settlement [Raleigh County community that no longer exists].
Basham+ has had a time with adline he had to take her with a war[a]nt of trespas and that did not do hardley any good. She is now gone to hinton with her cow and children So I will close for this time hoping those lines will find you well.
From J.C. Harvey To I.N. Harvey
*Samuel Pack, owner and operator of Streeter Mill.
** The water was not high enough for the water wheel to turn.
+ John Wesley Basham, my great grandfather.
++ V. Pack is not sure who he refers to here.
^ Lorenzo Dow Harvey, brother of Joshua Calvin.
^^James Harvey, Joshua Calvin's brother.
The letter, written June 24, 1888, was mailed from Vandalia, WV. Vandalia was the name for Streeter before the name change. Jonathan Calvin Harvey communicates the very hot temperatures, recent severe storm, and resulting crop damage to his father Isaac (coincidentally, there is a photo of both men in the archive via Vernon).
Vandalia Summers Co WVA
June The 24th 1888
In ancer [answer] to your letter dated the 12th of this inst [instance] I will Say That I was glad to hear from you and that you was well as common. I will Say that we have had some of the hotest weather for this time of year I think I ever felt. The mercury was up to 105 degrees and it has been dry weather up to a bout the 20th of this month. Sam Pack* had to grinde by hand**but on the evening of the 20th I went to the mill after a turn of meal and as I came back I had to take of my turn and Saddle and get under the clift and Stay Till near by night. It rained and hailed So and it has rained every day but once Since Same and Some places corn has been beat nearly in the ground with hail. John Basham+ Said that his crop was clear ruined he said that it washed his corn ground all of just leaving the marks of the plow and I guess that Adam's++ crop is hurt too. My corn looks very well I got over it the first time the 15th about ten o'clock on friday morning and I have been working in the backin [a back corner]] for Buck Wheat Since I got it fenste [fenced] and the logs on the part I have clear roled [rolled] but I have been near by past going with my back for over two weeks. The rest off [of] the family is in common health. Dow's^and Jim's^^ famileys is well and the people in general as far as I no [know] is well.
I got a letter from Putman [Putnam] yesterday and you can gess hoo [guess who] it is from he was as well as common and that was a good country crops range... it to waste [waist] high and that tobacco was same as large as a palm lief [leaf] hat on the hill. he did not say what he was doing but that he was in the Bird Settlement [Raleigh County community that no longer exists].
Basham+ has had a time with adline he had to take her with a war[a]nt of trespas and that did not do hardley any good. She is now gone to hinton with her cow and children So I will close for this time hoping those lines will find you well.
From J.C. Harvey To I.N. Harvey
*Samuel Pack, owner and operator of Streeter Mill.
** The water was not high enough for the water wheel to turn.
+ John Wesley Basham, my great grandfather.
++ V. Pack is not sure who he refers to here.
^ Lorenzo Dow Harvey, brother of Joshua Calvin.
^^James Harvey, Joshua Calvin's brother.
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