Workday Wednesday - Bahooka Restaurant

This is the restaurant Daddy (Jasper J. "Jack" Spurlock) built!

Bahooka Restaurant
Rosemead, California
on Facebook

OK...he didn't actually build the whole restaurant...he fabricated the ductwork for their air conditioning system. He took us there for dinner when the restaurant opened in the late 60s. I've only been there a couple times since, but it's still in operation.

Within a few years after the Bahooka Restaurant was built, Daddy was disabled and no longer able to work on a regular basis.

© 2011 Denise Spurlock

Tombstone Tuesday - James J. and Ollie S. Spurlock

Digital photograph taken by Denise Spurlock,
[ADDRESS WITHHELD FOR PERSONAL USE], 2007.

SPURLOCK

James J.
Apr. 15, 1853
Jan. 20, 1889

Ollie S. Baker
Dec. 31, 1860
Dec. 29, 1945

Hurricane Cemetery
Claiborne Parish, Louisiana

 



James Joshua Spurlock, my paternal great-granduncle, was the 9th child of Ransom and Ellender (Vickers) Spurlock. He married Ollie Samantha Carolina Martha Baker on 12 September 1879. The couple had four children before James' death in 1889: Ransom Bartholomew, Ora Bell, George W., and Flora L.


© 2011 Denise Spurlock

Amanuensis Monday - Will of Sarah Clayton 1800

On his TransylvanianDutch blog, John Newmark defines an amanuensis as “a person employed to write out what another dictates or to copy what has been written by another.” For more information about this daily blogging prompt, see John’s post Amanuensis – Why?.

I have amassed quite a collection of scans of handwritten documents related to my ancestors—primarily marriage records, deeds, and wills. As I have been transcribing these documents, it occurred to me that most of these documents were not actually written by my ancestors, but rather dictated to someone else, and then transcribed by a clerk into official records.


Last week I posted the 1786 will of George Clayton, one of my 5th great-grandfathers. This week I am posting the 1800 will of his wife, Sarah Clayton.

In the name of god amen
I Sarah Clayton of Iredell County in the
state of North Carolina being in a bad state
of health but thanks be to God am in sound
Minde and memory do make this my last will and
Testament and first I resign my soul unto God
Who gave it me and my Body I recommend to the
Dust thare to be Buried in a Christien and desent
Manner at the discretion of my Exrs
And as touching my worldly Estate I give and
Bequeath as follows viz
I leave and bequeath unto my son George Clayton
one armd Chare I leave to my son Lambert Clayton
one pare stilyards I leave to my Daughter Henrietta
Davidson one spice morter I leave to my Daughter
Hannah Hull one coffey pot I leave to my Daughter
Ann Cook one puter Dish I leave to my daughter
Margret Neill one set silver tea spoons
I leave to my Grandson Lamberth Oliphant one
bed [?] homespun tick with the furniture
belonging to it I leave to my Grand Daughters
Ann and Betsey Neill all my Gees
I leave to my grand Daughter Sarah Scott Neill
one feather Bed and furniture Likewise five pounds
in cash I leave to my Grand Daughter
Sarah Clayton half dozen Delf plates
The Remainder of my estate I leave to
My Daughter Margret Neill after
paying all my just Debts and funeral
Charges.
And I Likewise constitute my sonnenlaw
Alexander Davidson and Wm Hall Exrs,
of this my Last will and Testament
hereby [stricken word] publishing this and no
other to be my last will and testament
In witness whareof the said Sarah Clayton
Hath hereunto set her hand and seal this 30th
Day of October 1800
                        Sarah ^her Clayton
                                ^mark
 
Witness present
James Orten
Anguish Mel[?] jurat

[Source: Iredell County, North Carolina, Will Book 1, page 80, will 50, Sarah Clayton 1800, FHL microfilm 1571950, Original wills Beaver, Moses - Kilpatrick, Andrew; Family History Library, Salt Lake City.]

© 2011 Denise Spurlock

On This Day: August 28

1935: Jasper Jackson Spurlock and Mattie Lee McBride, my father and his first wife, were married probably in Houston, Harris County, Texas. Mattie Lee died in 1952, and my dad married my mother soon after. He remained close to the McBride family, and we visited them whenever we went to Texas. Here is a picture of Daddy, Mattie Lee, and their daughter (my sister) Jane, probably taken about 1940 in Houston:

Source: Spurlock, Mamie Olive (Martindale), Scrapbook, ca 1950-1970; privately held by Cheryl Beaver [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,] Lone Grove, Oklahoma. 2010. Photocopy in possession of Denise Spurlock.

© 2011 Denise Spurlock

Friend of Friends Friday - Will of Margaret Cooke 1802

Last week I posted the transcription and images of the 1791 will of Thomas Cooke of Iredell County, North Carolina. This week I am posting the transcription and images of the will of his wife, Margaret, written in 1802.

In the Name of God Amen I Margret Cooke
of Iredell County State of North Carolina_ being
of sound and perfect mind and Memory (Blessed be God
for all his mercies both special and common).
Do this 6th day of October in the Year of our Lord 1802
make and publish this my last Will and Testament
in the manerer following 1st I commit my soul
to God who made and I trust who has redeemed the
same, and then I will that my Body be interred
in a decent and becoming manner at the discretion
of the persons appointed to execute this my last Will
and Testament and I also declare that it is my
will that all my Just and lawful debts be honor-
ably and honestly discharged out of my Estate
And as for the remaining part of that property
wherewith God in his providence has endowed me
I dispose of in the following manner, and do by
this my last will order it to be so disposed of_
I bequeath unto my Daughter Jean McConnel my
Nigroe Woman Cate_
2d and to my Daughter Elizabeth Nelson one [?]
3rd and to my Daughter Mary Huey my Bed and side saddle
and my wearing Cloathes to be equally divided between
these my three Daughters_ _ _
And with respect to the residue of my property it is my
will that an equal division of the same be made among
my children, Hugh McKnight, James Cooke, Alexander
Cooke, Thomas Cooke, Joseph Cooke, John McConnel_
Henry Huey, Joshua Nelson, each to have an equal dividend
of the same _ _ _
And I hereby make and ordain my worthy friends
Hugh McKnight ^Senr  and Henry Huey Executors of this my
last Will and Testament, In witness whereof I the
said Margaret Cooke ^Senr  have to this my last will and Testa-
ment set my hand and seal the day and year above-
mentioned _ _ _       Margaret ^her  Cooke
                                           ^mark

Test.

Wm. McKnight [?]
James McKnight

[Source: Iredell County, North Carolina, Will Book 1, page 86, will 56, Margaret Cooke 1802, FHL microfilm 1571950, Original wills Beaver, Moses - Kilpatrick, Andrew; Family History Library, Salt Lake City.]


© 2011 Denise Spurlock

Treasure Chest Thursday - Post 3 - My First Family Tree

Digital image created 2011.
Source: Baby book, Denise Spurlock, privately held by
Denise Spurlock [ADDRESS WITHHELD FOR PRIVACY].

When Mama was pregnant with me, her friends from work gave her a baby shower. One of the gifts she received was a baby book. She was dutiful in filling out all the information in it until I was about 5 years old. I imagine one of the first things she did was fill in her side of the family tree and ask Daddy to complete his side.

This simple family tree completed in my parents' handwriting is a priceless treasure.

© 2011 Denise Spurlock

Wednesday's Child - Clarence Leonard Yawman - 1912

Clarence Leonard Yawman (6 Feb 1912-11 Jul 1912)
[Source: findagrave.com, digital images (www.findagrave.com : accessed 23 Aug 2011),
Clarence Leonard Yawman, Memorial #34314994, created by Mary Parmele, 1 March 2009.]

Tears welled up in my eyes last night when I found this memorial for Clarence Leonard Yawman. Clarence was the sixth of eight children, and the first of two sons, born to my maternal grandparents, William Lee and Myrtle Arminta (Snider) Yawman.

Rest in peace, baby Clarence, an uncle I never knew.

© 2011 Denise Spurlock

Workday Wednesday - North to Alaska

Sometime in 1957 or early 1958, my family moved from California to Fairbanks, Alaska; I think perhaps my father had been there before, maybe as early as 1953.

My sister's birth certificate states that my father, Jasper Jackson "Jack" Spurlock, was employed by Greer Sheet Metal in Fairbanks. I tried a Google search and came up with a hit for Greer Tank and Welding in business since the early '50s. I emailed their Fairbanks location inquiring whether it was the same company, and if so, whether they would have any employment records for my dad. I wasn't sure I would get a reply, but I did; unfortunately, it was not the same company.

I recall hearing that Daddy had been to both Nome and Point Barrow, Alaska, and also that he worked on the Distant Early Warning (DEW) line. The DEW line was a series of radar stations in the Arctic regions of Alaska, Canada, and Greenland built during the Cold War to provide advance warning of enemy air or missile attacks over the North Pole. President Eisenhower authorized U.S. participation in construction in 1954; it was completed and deemed operational in July 1957. This map shows the location of the radar stations:

Map from Wikimedia Commons.
Drawn by federal employee, and in the public domain.

I also found several YouTube videos about the DEW line. Here is a short one, just over two minutes, which was uploaded by the National Archives:

Work on the DEW line would have accounted for Daddy being in Point Barrow, but I'm not sure how he came to be in Nome. He did tell us he had looked across the Bering Strait on a clear day and was able to see Russia. It's not likely that experience was a comfortable one, given the state of U.S.-Russia relations at that time!



© 2011 Denise Spurlock

Tombstone Tuesday - W. A. Yauman (Yawman)

W. A Youman
3rd Minn. Inf.
Digital photograph taken by Denise Spurlock 2007.

This is the gravestone of William A. Yawman, my great-granduncle, born 1831, died 31 January 1895. He is buried in Oakwood Cemetery, Denison, Grayson County, Texas.

He was a wagoner in the 3rd Minnesota Infantry from 1861 to 1864.



© 2011 Denise Spurlock

On This Day: August 22

1850: John Fedrick Spurlock, my paternal great-grandfather, son of Ransom and Ellender (Vickers) Spurlock, was born probably in Bienville Parish, Louisiana. He died 18 March 1945, in Jonesboro, Jackson Parish, Louisiana. Here is a copy of his death certificate:

In my Sunday’s Obituary and Tombstone Tuesday posts for John F. Spurlock, I mentioned possible inaccuracies in his recorded birthdate. So, why do I think that August 22, 1850, is likely his birthdate? My research for John Spurlock in other records presents information that conflicts with the birthdate recorded on his death certificate:

• John is not listed with the family on the 1850 federal census for Bienville Parish. The official census date was 1 June 1850.¹
• The 1860 census for Bienville Parish is lost; the family of Ransom Spurlock is not found enumerated anywhere in Louisiana.
• John has not been found in the 1870 federal census in either Bienville or Claiborne parish.²
• In 1880, John, age 29, appears on the census in Claiborne Parish. The census date was 1 June 1880.³
• In 1900, he is enumerated at age 49. For the 1900 census, enumerators asked the month and year of birth for each individual; the entry for John is August 1850. The census date was June 1.⁴
• In 1910, John is reported as being 55—having aged only 6 years in a decade! The census date was April 15.⁵
• By 1920, he had made up those missing years and is reported as being 69 years old. The census date was January 1.⁶
• In 1930,  he was listed as being 80 years of age as of the census date of April 1.⁷
• His death certificate cites his date of birth as August 22, 1846 or 1847.⁸  
• His grave marker shows his date of birth as August 22, 1846.⁹

Enumerators were instructed to list members of each household who were living on the official census date and to include their age at their last birthday. The recorded age gives us a clue as to the year in which the individual was born. Census records leave a lot to be desired because we do not know who provided the information on any given family. It could have been an adult or a child in the household, a neighbor, or even the enumerator himself!

In three of the five census records available, John’s age reflects a birth year of 1849-1850. In the 1900 census, his month and year of birth is recorded as August 1850. The official date for the 1850 census was June 1st; his not being listed is consistent with the information that he was born in August 1850.

Now, let us turn to the “official” record: the death certificate. John’s son, A.H., who was the informant, did not have first-hand knowledge of John’s birth. He wasn’t there when it happened. The year is overwritten giving us a clue that he wasn’t sure about the information. A.H. was probably the informant for the obituary and the tombstone as well, carrying over the questionable information from one to the other. It is likely that he was sure that Papa’s birthday was celebrated on August 22nd!

There are other records that could be used to try to determine an accurate birth day and year. A family bible in which the birth was recorded at the time it took place would be a wonderful find! Other records, such as tax records or deeds, are also helpful in determining when an individual reached a particular age; however, the few records that I have found for John do not help answer this question. 

So, for now, I believe John F. Spurlock was born on August 22, 1850.  

Happy 161^st birthday, Papa!

John F. Spurlock circa 1930
Digital image; original photograph held by
Dayton Carson [ADDRESS WITHHELD FOR PRIVATE USE]. 1999.

Sources:

¹1850 U.S. census, population schedule, Western District, Bienville, Louisiana, p. 287B, dwelling 553, family 553, household of Ramsun Spurlock; digital images, Ancestry (www.ancestry.com : accessed 13 Feb 2010); citing National Archives and Records Administration microfilm M432, roll 230.
²1870 U.S. census, Bienville Parish, Louisiana, population schedule; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 15 May 2010); citing NARA microfilm publication M593, roll 507. A line-by-line search was conducted for John F. Spurlock with negative results.
1870 U.S. census, Claiborne Parish, Louisiana, population schedule; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 18 May 2010); citing NARA microfilm publication M593; roll 510. A line-by-line search was conducted for John F. Spurlock with negative results.
³1880 U.S. census, Claiborne, Louisiana, population schedule, 6th Ward, enumeration district (ED) 14, p. 30B (penned), dwelling 266, family 301, J. F. Spurlock; digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 13 Feb 2010); citing National Archives and Records Administration microfilm publication T9, roll 451.
⁴1900 U.S. census, Bienville Parish, Louisiana, population schedule, Ward 1, Enumeration District (ED) 2, p. 10-B (penned), dwelling 180, family 180, John F. Spurlock; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 13 Feb 2010); citing NARA microfilm publication T623, roll 558.
⁵1910 U.S. census, Bienville, Louisiana, population schedule, Police Jury Ward 1, enumeration district (ED) 2, p. 9A (penned), dwelling 147, family 147, John F. Spurlock; digital images, Ancestry (www.ancestry.com : accessed 13 Feb 2010); citing NARA microfilm publication T624, roll 509.
⁶1920 U.S. census, Bienville, Louisiana, population schedule, Ward 3, enumeration district (ED) 7, p. 21B (penned), dwelling 393, family 404, John F. Spurlock; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 13 Feb 2010); citing NARA microfilm publication T625, roll 606.
⁷1930 U.S. census, Jackson, Louisiana, population schedule, Police Jury Ward 2, enumeration district (ED) 25-4, p. 4A (penned), dwelling 56, family 59, John F. Surlock; digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 13 Feb 2010); citing NARA microfilm publication T626, roll 795.
⁸Louisiana State Department of Health, death certificate 519 68 (1945), John Fred Spurlock; Louisiana State Archives, Baton Rouge.
⁹Antioch Cemetery (Jackson Parish, Louisiana; located at the Antioch Cumberland Presbyterian Church on Antioch Road, Quitman), Rev. J. F. Spurlock grave marker; photographed by Denise Spurlock, December 1999.

© 2011 Denise Spurlock

Amanuensis Monday - Will of George Clayton 1786

On his TransylvanianDutch blog, John Newmark defines an amanuensis as “a person employed to write out what another dictates or to copy what has been written by another.” For more information about this daily blogging prompt, see John’s post Amanuensis – Why?.

I have amassed quite a collection of scans of handwritten documents related to my ancestors—primarily marriage records, deeds, and wills. As I have been transcribing these documents, it occurred to me that most of these documents were not actually written by my ancestors, but rather dictated to someone else, and then transcribed by a clerk into official records.


This is a transcription of the 1786 will of George Clayton of Rowan County, North Carolina, one of my maternal 5th great-grandfathers, with scanned images following:


In the name of God Amen, I George
Clayton of Rowan County State of North Carolina
being in a sick and low condition but thanks be to
God being in perfect mind and memory do
make this my last Will and Testament, and first
of all I Recommend my body to the Dust there to be
buried in a Christian manner at the discreton of
my Executors and my soul I Recommend to God
who gave it me nothing doubting but they shall
united again by the mighty power of God, And as
touching such worldly substance as it has pleased
God to bless me with in this world I leave and bequeath
as follows viz___Item I leave and bequeath to my
beloved wife Sarah all my moveable property
except what I may hereafter bequeath during
her Widowhood, also her living of one third of my land
during her life or Widowhood__Item I leave and bequeath
to my son George All my land on the north side of the Creek
(viz) Lamboths[?] creek Item I leave and bequeath to my
beloved Son Lambert all my land on the south side of
said Creek the Creek to be the line between them___
Item I leave to my beloved daughter Rachel five shillings.
Item I leave to my beloved daughter Hannah five shillings
Item I leave to my beloved daughter Henrietta five shillings
Item I leave and bequeath to my beloved daughter
Ann five shillings Item I leave to my beloved daugh-
-ter Margaret five shillings And Lastly I consti-
-tute and appoint my beloved Wife Sarah Clayton
and my beloved son in law Alexander Davison
to be the Executors of this my last will and
Testament, Signed & Sealed in presence of us
                                                 mark
Ja Kerr                            George X Clayton
Lambert Clayton                         his

[Source: Rowan County, North Carolina, Wills, C: 95-96, George Clayton; Family History Library microfilm 19,736.]

© 2011 Denise Spurlock

On This Day: August 21

1669: William Phillips, one of my maternal 7^th great-grandfather, son of James and Mary (maiden name unknown) Phillips, was born at Taunton, Massachusetts. He died 12 June 1705 and is buried at Fox Cemetery, Berkley, Bristol County, Massachusetts.

Digital photograph by Chris and Susanne Eliasen,
added to FindAGrave memorial on 8 October 2010

Sources:

1. Edgar H. Reed Esq., "Marriages, Births and Deaths of Taunton, Mass.," The New England Historical and Genealogical Register, October 1862, 325; online database and images, New Eengland Historic and Genealogical Society, American Ancestors (www.american ancestors.org : accessed 19 Aug 2011).
2. findagrave.com, digital images (www.findagrave.com : accessed 19 Aug 2011), William Phillips, Memorial #20994544, created by Nareen, et al, 17 Aug 2007.

© 2011 Denise Spurlock

Friend of Friends Friday - Will of Thomas Cook 1791

This week I have transcribed the 1791 will of Thomas Cook of Iredell County, North Carolina. I believe this is the father of the Thomas Cook whose will was presented in an earlier post found here.

In the name of God Amen.

                        Novr the 9th 1791
I. Thomas Cook in the County of Ardill and State of North Carol-
ina, yeo man, being wake in Body, but of perfect mind & memory, tha-
nks be to God for it, caling to mind, the mortality of my body, that
it is appointed for all men once to die, do make and order this
my last will and testament that is to say, principly, and first of
all, I give and recommend, my soul into the hands of God that give it
and for my Body I recommend to the Earth, to be buired in a Christian
like menor, at the Discretion of my Ex^rs.  nothing doubting, but at the
general reserection I shall receive the same again by the mighty
power of God, _ _ _ _ _ And as touching such worldly State
as it hath pleased God to bliss me with in this Life, I Give, Devise, and
Dispose of in the following mennor and form.
Imprimise._ It is my will, and I do order it, that all my Just debts and fun
eral charges be payed, and sattesfied.
Itim. I do Leave and bequeath to my oldest son James Cook five Shillings
and to my four Daughters viz Margrit McNight, Jean M^cConnel,
Mary Huey, and Elisabeth Neelson, each of them five shillings
it is my will and I do order it, that my son Alex^r. Cook have my crosscute
saw. It is my will and I ^do order it, that my son William Cook, keep and hold
the Negor Boy that he have received from me, called Peet, and all other
things he has received from me beside. I do further order that my said son
William Cook, have a fifth part of the household furneture, or the value
thereof, [several words crossed out], and also the fifth part of the hog's and sheep
and Likewise two cows and calves.
It is my will and I order it that my son Thomas Cook get ten pounds or
the value thereof.
Itim. It is my will and I do order it, that my well beloved wife, Margrit Cook,
get a negor wench called Keat, and a negor boy called Bob. and the half
of all moveables, exclusive of what is left to my son William thereof,
and also to have the fifth part of what grain is raised on the plantation
and her choice or [?] of any rooms in the house for her use during
her Life, or widowhood, and to be at her desposal at her Death.
itim. It is my will and I order it, that my youngest son Joseph Cook, do have
and Enjoy the plantation I now Live upon, and to have a Negor man
called Jack, and another Negor Boy called Ceasor, and the other half of
the remaining movables, and household furneture.
And I do nominate constitute and appoint my two sons viz William
and Joseph Cook, sole Ex^rs of this my Last will and testament, in
witness heare of I have set my hand and seal the Day and year above
written, signed sealed published and Decleared by the said
Thomas Cook as his Last Will and Testment, in the presence
of us. the Subscribers.
                                                Tho^s. Cooke (seal)
 
Thos. Bocitey Jurat
Alexander Hughes
Wm. Terrence Jur.

Source: Iredell County, North Carolina, Wills, 1, 85, Thomas Cook, 1791,

FHL microfilm 1571950, Original wills Beaver, Moses - Kilpatrick, Andrew;

Family History Library, Salt Lake City.

© 2011 Denise Spurlock

On This Day: August 18

1572: Thomas Gray, my maternal 10th greatgrandfather, son of Richard and Susan (maiden name unknown) Gray, was baptized in Harwich, Essex County, England. He died in Harwich and was buried 7 May 1607. [Source: William S. Appleton A.M., "Gray and Coytmore," The New England Historical and Genealogical Register, July 1880, 253; digital images, New England Historic Genealogical Society, American Ancestors (americanancestors.org : accessed 11 Aug 2011).]

© 2011 Denise Spurlock

Workday Wednesday - Daddy at Work

Two more photos of my father, Jasper J. "Jack" Spurlock, at work! I think both were taken about the same time; the first photo is dated June 1950. At that time, my dad was listed in the El Monte, California, city directory as a sheet metal worker at L. F. Bowen Co.

Jasper J. "Jack" Spurlock - 2nd from right
Digital image. Original photograph held by
Denise Spurlock [ADDRESS WITHHELD FOR PRIVACY].
2011.

Jasper J. "Jack" Spurlock on left
Digital image. Original photograph held by
Karen Danielsen [ADDRESS WITHHELD FOR PRIVACY].
2011.

© 2011 Denise Spurlock

Tombstone Tuesday - Jasper J. Spurlock (1876-1940)

Jasper J. Spurlock 1876-1940
Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Glendale, California
Digital photograph by Denise Spurlock
2011

© 2011 Denise Spurlock

On This Day: August 15

1715: Benjamin Leonard and Hannah Phillips, my maternal 6th great-grandparents, were married at Bridgewater, Plymouth, Massachusetts. [Source: New England Historic Genealogical Society, Vital Records of Bridgewater, Massachusetts to the Year 1850; Online database, American Ancestors (www.americanancestors.org : downloaded 11 Aug 2011), 240.]
 
Benjamin and Hannah had six children: Jemima, Lydia, Hannah, Benjamin, William, Caleb (my ancestor).
 

1870: William Lee Yawman, my maternal grandfather, son of Michael and Nancy (Burton) Yawman, was born in Missouri. His death certificate says he was born in Townman County; however, there has never been a county by that name in the state. He died on 21 January 1948, following a 15-day stay at the county hospital in Los Angeles, California, and is buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Glendale, Los Angeles County, California. [Source: Los Angeles County, California, death certificate no. 1659 (1948), William Lee Yawman; County of Los Angeles, Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk, Norwalk.]

William L. Yawman 1870-1948
Digital photograph taken by Denise Spurlock,
[ADDRESS WITHHELD FOR PRIVATE USE], 2011.

© 2011 Denise Spurlock

Sunday's Obituary - Jasper J. Spurlock (1876-1940)

Source: Los Angeles Times, April 19, 1940, p. 21.

Horological Group
Executive Dies

Jasper J. Spurlock, vice-
president of the California Horo-
logical Association, died yester-
day at his home, 301 S. Witmer
St., after a short illness. Funer-
al services will be conducted to-
morrow at 12:30 p.m. at the Wee
Kirk o' the Heather, Forest
Lawn Memorial Park. Burial
there will follow. He leaves his
widow.

This short obituary for my paternal grandfather provided little genealogical information, not even the name of his widow. But it did give the information that he was vice-president of the California Horological Association. I knew that he had been a member of the organization but didn't know that he had served in a leadership capacity. It also confirms his home address as listed on his death certificate.


© 2011 Denise Spurlock

Sports Center Saturday - Friday Night Lights

In celebration of the kickoff of the NFL season, I am posting an article from The San Saba Daily News which proclaimed C. W. "Charlie" Spurlock (my first cousin, twice removed) as the father of high school football in Richland Springs, San Saba County, Texas:

Source: The San Saba News, 23 October 1930, p. 1, col. 5; digital images, NewspaperARCHIVE.com (www.access.newspaperarchive.com : accessed 11 August 2011.

This is a wonderful example of how research in historical newspapers can add to our knowledge of our ancestors' lives!

Go Chargers!

Courtesy of ClipArtGallery.com

© 2011 Denise Spurlock

Friend of Friends Friday - Charlotte Cook, Widow of Thomas Cook - 1825

I have previously posted images and transcriptions of Thomas Cook's 1819 will, the inventory of his estate, and an accounting presented to the court in Wilkes County, North Carolina. Several Negros were identified by name in those documents. In this post, I am presenting the image and transcription of the deed documenting the sale of several Negros and other property by Thomas Cook's widow, Charlotte (Anderson) Cook, to Robert Martin.

Charlotte Cook To Robert Martin Deed Etc[?]

State of North Carolina }

Wilkes County_           }

In consideration of the
two hundred and two Dollars
in hand paid by Robert Martin, (the receipt whereof
hereby acknowledged) I do by these presents Grant,
sell, and convey unto the said Robert Martin, all
right, Title and Interest in and to the following
to wit: Negroes, Charles, Hulda, Kisiah, Bry [unreadable]
lis and Richmond, one Sorrel Horse, one bay Mare, [unreadable]
feather Beds, Bedsteads and their furniture, three [unreadable]
Calves all the houshold and Kitchen furniture, Hogs, [unreadable]
tion and farming, and the lands and Plantation Tho
mas Cook died Possessed of, To have and to hold said
Lands and other property above Mentioned to him,
said Robert Martin his heirs Executors, Administr[unreadable]
and assigns during the term they were devised
by my late husband Thomas Cook's Will. Witness
hand & seal this 31^st. day of May 1825

Witness                                                  her

            Ja^s. Hayes                     Charlotte X Cook
                                                             mark
            Eli. Tilley Ju^t.

(Wrote on the back)

North Carolina }          August Term 18[unreadable]
Wilkes County  }

The within Deed [unreadable]

duly proven in open Court by the
oath of Eli Tilley Recorded and
[?} to be registered.
                        Test
                           R. Martin

Registered 4^th[?] August 1825

[Source: Wilkes County, North Carolina, Deeds, L: 140, Charlotte Cook to Robert Martin, August 1825; Family History Library microfilm 20136.]

© 2011 Denise Spurlock

Treasure Chest Thursday - Post 2 - Sissie, Gram and Daddy

From left to right:
Gloria Jane Spurlock, Mamie Olive (Martindale) Spurlock,
Jasper Jackson "Jack" Spurlock.

I think this photo was taken in December 1952 at my grandmother's home in Houston, Texas. My sister and father would have been there for the funeral of Mattie Lee (McBride) Spurlock, my dad's first wife and my sister's mother.

© 2011 Denise Spurlock

Workday Wednesday - Houston Compress Company

Sometimes it seems like all my ancestors were farmers, but the records tell me differently. Some of the occupations I've found: shoemaker, milliner, wheelwright, mine worker, preacher, and sawmill owner. I will be using the "Workday Wednesday" theme for sharing photos, stories, and records related to my ancestors' work lives. If you like, join me in posting on your own blog, or as a comment here, how your ancestors spent "Workday Wednesday!"

Last week I posted a copy of the SS-5 (Application for Social Security Number) filed by my father, Jasper Jackson "Jack" Spurlock on which he indicated he was employed by the Houston Compress Company.

This week I discovered that the Baker Library at Harvard Business School holds a circa 1920 photograph album from the Houston Compress Company in its collection. From the description, I learned that the company received cotton into its warehouse at Houston and compressed the bales prior to shipment. [Source: Harvard Business School, Baker Library Historical Collections, Photograph Albums (http://www.library.hbs.edu/hc/pc/photo-albums.html : accessed 7 August 2011).]

From the railroad cars in the background, I believe this photograph of my dad (third from right) and his coworkers may have been taken at the Houston Compress Company:

Digital image. Original photograph circa 1936 in the possession of
Denise Spurlock, [ADDRESS WITHHELD], Lomita, CA. 2011.

© 2011 Denise Spurlock

On This Day: August 9

1838: Howell Brewer Martindale and Mary Elizabeth Eaton, my paternal 2nd great-grandparents, were married at Bismarck, St. Francois, Missouri. I present here a copy of their marriage record:

Source: "Missouri Marriage Records, 1805-2002," database and online images,
 Ancestry.com　(www.ancestry.com : accessed 7 Aug 2011),
entry for Martindale and Eaton, 8 August 1838; citing Marriage Book A: 162.

Nine children were born to this union: William, Lucinda, Ambrose (my great-grandfather), Permelia, Sarah, Howell, Missouri, James, Randolph.

© 2011 Denise Spurlock

Tombstone Tuesday - Rev. John F. Spurlock

Rev. John F. Spurlock
Aug. 22, 1846 - Mar. 18, 1945
Antioch Cumberland Presybterian Cemetery
Quitman, Jackson Parish, Louisiana

As mentioned in my post of John Spurlock's obituary, my research presents conflicting evidence regarding his date of birth. He likely was not as old as is reflected on his tombstone and in his obituary.

© 2011 Denise Spurlock

Amanuensis Monday - Accounting of the Estate of Thomas Cook 1820

On his TransylvanianDutch blog, John Newmark defines an amanuensis as “a person employed to write out what another dictates or to copy what has been written by another.” For more information about this daily blogging prompt, see John’s post Amanuensis – Why?.

I have amassed quite a collection of scans of handwritten documents related to my ancestors—primarily marriage records, deeds, and wills. As I have been transcribing these documents, it occurred to me that most of these documents were not actually written by my ancestors, but rather dictated to someone else, and then transcribed by a clerk into official records.



My two previous posts regarding the estate of Thomas Cook include his will and the inventory. Today I am posting an image and transcript of the accounting of the property sold, or available to be sold, to cover debts which was presented to the court in the May term 1820.

[Source: Wilkes County, North Carolina, Wills, 3: 223, Thomas Cook, deceased; FHL microfilm 393,950.]

© 2011 Denise Spurlock

Sunday's Obituary - Rev. John Spurlock

Funeral Services

Held March 20 For
Rev. John Spurlock
__________

Funeral services for Rev. John

Fed Spurlock, age 98 years, 5
months, resident of Jonesboro,
were held March 20th, at Antioch
church.
  Rev. Spurlock, a native of Geor-
gia, was reared and educated in
Bienville parish. He was ordain-
ed as a minister of the Gospel in
1885 and was very active in this
work until forced to retire be-
cause of failing health. Rev. Spur-
lock was of the Cumberland
Presbyterian faith.
  Surviving are six sons, Bill
Spurlock of Paxton, Texas; John
Spurlock of Paxton, Texas; A. H.
and H. R. Spurlock of Jonesboro;
G. H. Spurlock Houston, Tex.,
and C. D. Spurlock of Hodge; eight
daughters, Mrs. E. H. Crawley, of
Arcadia; Mrs. G. V. Conville, of
Arcadia; Mrs. J. L. Thrasher, of
Lufkin, Texas; Mrs. Velma Vance
of Campti, La.; Mrs. Terrell Don-
aldson, and Mrs. Easter Lamb, of
Orange, Texas; Mrs. Reita Thomp-
son, of Crossett, Ark., and Mrs.
Jewel Carson, of Jonesboro. In
addition to his children, Rev.
Spurlock is survived by fifty-
four grand children, forty-five
great grand children, and five
great, great grandchildren.
  Funeral services were conducted
by Rev. Joe Pace, Rev. J. W.
Buckner, Rev. G. L. Scott, and
Rev. Wise. Interment was in the
Antioch cemetery under direction
of Southern Funeral Home.
  Pall bearers were: Sol Thomp-
son, Terrell Donaldson, Linden
Thrasher, Otto Lamb, Dayton
Carson and Travis Pardue.


I don't know who wrote this obituary for John F. Spurlock, my paternal great-grandfather, who died on 18 March 1945. My research shows that statements in the obituary regarding his age and place of birth are in conflict with many other records.

[Source: "Funeral Services Held March 20 for Rev. John Spurlock", undated, unknown newspaper; privately held by Denise Spurlock, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,] Lomita, CA. Bettye Lou (Conville) Gleason, granddaughter of John Fedrick Spurlock, gave  me this newspaper clipping in Dec 2000; Mrs. Gleason is now deceased.]

© 2011 Denise Spurlock

On This Day: August 6

1641: Thomas Holman, one of my maternal 7^th great-grandfathers, son of John Holman and Anna Bishop, was born on this date in Dorchester, Suffolk, Massachusetts. He was a cordwainer (a shoemaker) and served as a soldier in King Philip’s War. He died 4 August 1704 at Milton, Norfolk County, Massachusetts, and is buried at Milton Cemetery.

Photo by Scrib & Barb Kelly; findagrave.com, digital images, (www.findagrave.com : accessed 27 Jul 2011),
 Find A Grave Memorial# 21151415, Thomas Holman,
created by Nareen, et al, 25 August 2007.

Source: Alfred Lyman Holman, "John Holman of Dorchester, Mass., and His Descendants," The New England Historical and Genealogical Register, July 1918, 196; digital images, New England Historic Genealogical Society, American Ancestors (www.americanancestors.org : accessed 23 Dec 2010).

© 2011 Denise Spurlock

Treasure Chest Thursday - Post 1 - Dear Sis

My grandfather J. J. Spurlock died many years before I was born; because he was estranged from his children, my father did not speak of him. In December 2000, I had the pleasure of visiting Spurlock family members in Louisiana. At that time, Bettye Lou (Conville) Gleason, my first cousin once removed, gave me the following letter written by my grandfather to her mother, Sarah Elizabeth "Sis" (Spurlock) Conville.

Letter from J. J. Spurlock to Sarah Elizabeth Spurlock Conville

Envelope postmarked 25 Oct 1929

The letter, written in pencil on paper now yellowed with age, reads:

                   10/25/29 

Dear Sis 

          I received your letter o.k. and

was certainly glad to hear from

you. sorry to hear of all the deaths

but time is slipping by and old age

will get us all. 

          In regard stone for Ma's grave

I want to do my part but will not

be able to put up the money until

after xmas. I have some big bills

to pay between now and xmas and

just now I dont know where the

money is coming from. but you

can count on me for $40.⁰⁰ in

January. 

          Love to all,

                   your brother

                             Jack 

Hope to be able to visit
you all some day.

Writing on the eve of the Great Depression, my grandfather speaks of having bills to pay. I wonder how he fared during the 1930s. I don't think my great-grandmother's stone was ever replaced; the grave stone where she is buried in Hurricane Cemetery, Claiborne Parish, Louisiana, appears to have been made at a time closer to her death in 1893. I am saddened that there is no evidence that he had the chance to visit his siblings in Louisiana  and Texas before his death in 1940.

This is a rare treasure that connects me to one of my ancestors I never knew. I am lucky to have it.

© 2011 Denise Spurlock