Wordless Wednesday - John F. Spurlock

Digital image. Copy of original photo held by Denise
Spurlock, [ADDRESS WITHHELD FOR PRIVACY],
Lomita, California, 2011.

John F. Spurlock (circa 1930)

"PaPa"

© 2011 Denise Spurlock

Amanuensis Monday - 1826 Deed - Walter Dun to Abijah Cary

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 the second in a series of transcriptions of deeds representing land purchases in Madison County, Ohio, made by Abijah Cary, one of my maternal 3^rd great-granduncles. The land description in this deed is complex and I did not attempt to plat the parcel.

“Walter Dun  )

Deed To          )

Abijah Cary.  ) 

Recorders Office February. 16^th 1831

This Indenture made this twentieth day of April in the year of Our Lord one Thousand eight hundred and twenty six. Between Walter Dun and Ann Mary his wife of the County of Ross in the state of Ohio. of the One part. And Abijah Cary of the County of Madison in the state of Ohio of the other part. Witnesseth that the said Walter Dun and Ann Mary his wife in consideration of the sum of Ninety Three dollars. twenty eight cents. current money of the United States to them in hand paid by the said Abijah Cary the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, have granted. bargained. Sold and Confirmed to the said Abijah Cary his heirs and assigns forever. all that tract or parcel of land lying and being in the County of Madison in the State of Ohio. on the waters of Darby Creek. bounded as followeth. that is to say. Beginning at three dogwoods. from one root. Corner to Robert Means. Survey. No 5097. Thence with his line North.  ten Poles to A. bur Oak. and small red Elim: Then N85.E. one hundred and twenty poles to A. Stake in a prairie: Then South fifty poles. Crossing a branch at sixteen poles to a stake near two bur Oaks Cornered: Thence S.80West one hundred and twenty one poles to A. Stake in a prairie in Means line: Then with his line North fifty one poles crossing the branch to the beginning containing forty two acres of land be the same more or less. being whole of Survey No. 7389. as it is distinguished on the principal survey on books. which was patented to the said Walter Dun on the 13th day of March 1813 as will more fully appear by the patent itself herewith delivered and the records of the general land office. To have and to hold the said tract of land with its appurtenances unto the said Abijah Cary his heirs and assigns forever. and the said Walter Dun and Ann Mary his wife for themselves. their heirs. executors and Administrators. doth Covenant, promis and agree to and with the said Abijah Cary his heirs and assigns forever. that they the said Walter Dun and Ann Mary his wife and their heirs the aforesaid. tract of land and premises. with the apurtenances to the said Abijah Cary, his heirs and assigns against the said Walter Dun and [blank space with wavy line below] Mary his wife and their heirs and all and Every. other. person or persons. right or rights claim. or claims whatever. Shall and will warrant and forever defend. In Testimony whereof they the said Walter Dun and Ann Mary Dun. have hereunto set their hands and affixed their seals. on the day and [blank space with wavy line below] first-above written. 

Signed. Sealed and delivered in presence of

Thomas Orr.                  Walter Dun           {seal}

Richard Turner.            Ann Mary Dun     {seal}

 The State of Ohio. Ross County to wit.This day the within named Walter Dun. and Ann Mary Dun his wife party. to the above. personally appeared before me the subscriber a Justice of the peace. in and for the said County of Ross. and acknowledged the same to be their act and deed. The said Ann Mary Dun having been by me previously examined seperate and apart from her said husband. and out of his hearing. and the Contents of the said deed having been fully made known to her. she acknowledged the the same to be her free and voluntary act and deed without any compulsion from her said husband.In Testimony whereof. I have hereunto set my hand and seal this twentieth day of April  AD 1826. 

                                 Tho^s Orr. J P {seal}”

Source: Madison County, Ohio, Deed Books 1810-1922, 7: 173,
deed from Walter Dun to Abijah Cary,  16 Feb 1831; FHL microfilm 522,905.

 © 2011 Denise Spurlock

Merry Christmas!

Holiday greetings from my branch 

of the Spurlock family tree!

© 2011 Denise Spurlock

Amanuensis Monday - 1826 Deed - Luther Cary to Abijah Cary

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 week I am beginning a series of several transcriptions of deeds of property to my 3^rd great-granduncle Abijah Cary of Madison County, Ohio. This first deed represents Abijah’s purchase of 71.5 acres of land from his father Luther Cary (one of my maternal 4^th great-grandfathers). The sale took place on 1 November 1826, but was not recorded until 16 February 1831. A rough map of the parcel appears to the right.

 “Luther Cary      )

Deed to               )

Abijah Cary.       ) 

Recorders Office February 16 1831This Indenture, made this first day of November in the year of our Lord Eighteen hundred and twenty-six Between Luther Cary of the first part and Abijah Cary of the second part, both of Madison County and State of Ohio. Witnesseth that the said Luther Cary for and in consideration of the sum of six hundred dollars current money of the United States of America to him the said Luther in hand paid the receipt whereof he hereby acknowledges and forever acquit and descharge the said Abijah Cary his heirs executors and administrators has, granted, sold, bargain, aliened and confirmed and by these presents doth grant. bargain. Sell alein and confirm unto the said Abijah Cary his heirs and assigns forever all that tract or parcel of Land lying and being situate in the County of Madison and State of Ohio. and bounded as follows. Beginning at two hackberries on the bank of Darby Creek, lower corner to Lucas Sullivants survey. No 3240. Thence south 53 W 109 poles to four bur oaks from one root corner to James Johnstons Survey No 7823 Thence S6W.100 poles to a Stake: thence north 68E7 poles to a Small hickory. Thence N88.E22 poles to a stake: thence S70^oE8 poles to a stake: Thence S68E39 1/3 poles to a stake on the bank of the Creek Thence up the creek with its meanders N27W54 poles: Thence N19E48 poles: Thence N15W16 poles: thence N22W17 poles to the beginning containing Seventy one and one half acres. be the same more or less: To have and to hold the above premises with all the privileges and appurtenances thereunto belonging, or in any wise appertaining unto him, the said Abijah Cary, and unto his heirs and assigns forever. And the said Luther Cary, doth Covenant and promis to and with the said Abijah Cary and his heirs and assigns, that he will Warrant and truly defend the premises aforesaid unto the said Abijah Cary and to his heirs and assigns forever gainst the lawful claims of any and all persons whomsoever.In Testimony whereof, the said Luther Cary, has hereunto set his hand and affixt his seal this first day of November 1826.Signed Sealed, and delivered in presence of.

Ira Finch                                                 Luther Cary {seal}

James Guy.                                             Rhoda Cary {seal} 

The State of Ohio. Madison County SS.

Personally appeared before me the subscriber one of the acting Justices of the peace for said County, the within named Luther Cary who acknowledged that he did voluntarily sign. seal. and deliver the within deed of conveyance for the purposes therein expressed. also personally appeared before me the said Rhoda Cary wife of the said Luther Cary and being examined seperate and apart from her said husband, acknowledged the within deed of conveyance to be her voluntary act and deed and that she executed the same without the threat coercion or persuation of her said husband and freely relinquish her right of dower to the premises within mentioned and desire that the same may be addmitted to Record.

Given under My hand. the Third day of November. AD 1826                                                        Nahum King Justice of the Peace”

Source: Madison County, Ohio, Deed Books 1810-1922, 7: 174,
deed from Luther Cary to Abijah Cary, 16 Feb 1831; FHL microfilm 522,905.

  

© 2011 Denise Spurlock

Advent Calendar - December 18 - Christmas Stockings

“The stockings were hung by the chimney” didn’t really apply to our Christmas stockings because we never lived in a house with a fireplace! But we did have stockings, probably hung on a nail or with tape on the wall, like the one in this photo taken at my sister Jane’s home when her children were young:

It was always fun to get up on Christmas morning and see what Santa had left in your stocking. It was filled with little gifts: toys or games, a small book, pen or pencil, playing cards, jacks, candy. Santa always left breakfast in your stocking too: an apple, a banana, an orange stuffed down in the toe, and some unshelled nuts!

I don’t have my childhood Christmas stocking, having lost it in a hasty move as a young adult. I wish I had it: my parents bought it for me in Alaska, during one of those years when Daddy had been working steadily and had money to spend.

Here is a photo of one of my son’s Christmas stockings. This one was “just for show,” that is, Santa didn’t fill it with goodies on Christmas Eve. It was given to him by his Grandma Nettie.

Family tradition is that you only have a Christmas stocking until you are 18 or married. But I continue to fill stockings every year for my son, his wife, and my two grandchildren, even though all of them are beyond the mandated age! Each has a stocking with his or her initial on it that is filled with silly toys, sample-size toiletries, candy, socks, and other odds and ends. (My daughter-in-law Christina was shocked when she got her first stocking—she was concerned we were trying to tell her something by giving her deodorant, a toothbrush and sample-size toothpaste!)

It will be fun when I can add stockings for great-grandchildren to the fray!

© 2011 Denise Spurlock

Sunday's Obituary - Walter L. Magee 1900-1974

Walter Magee was born 23 April 1900 and married Dorothy Belle Spurlock (my paternal aunt) on 31 January 1924 in Harris County, Texas. 

 “MAGEE

Walter Lewis Magee, 74, of 1233 Florida, died June 4, 1974 after a short illness.

A native of Sheldon, he had lived here three years. He was employed by the Houston Belt & Terminal Railway Company for 43 years and was superintendent when he retired in 1962. He was a World War I Army veteran.

Magee was a member of South Bluff Methodist Church and the Riddle Bible Class. He was a former member of Grace Methodist Church in Houston.

Funeral services will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the Heights Funeral Home Chapel in Houston, with the Rev. Mark Lewis, pastor of Grace Methodist Church and Dr. Herman Morgan, officiating. Burial will be in Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery.

Survivors include his wife, Dorothy; one daughter, Mrs. Jack P. West of St. Petersburg, Fla.; two sons, Walter L., Jr. and James H Magee; two sisters, Mrs. D. D. Bartell, Sr. and Mrs. Frank Warrach; one brother, Johnie H. Magee, all of Houston; seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Cage-Mills Downtown Chapel, 1001 Second Street. 884-6635.”

[Source: "Historical Newspapers, Birth, Death & Marriage Announcements, 1851-2003," online database and images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 29 Mar 2010), obituary for Walter L. Magee; citing the Corpus Christi Times 6 Jun 1974.]

© 2011 Denise Spurlock

Cutting Teeth at Age of 90!

Since I have written several blog posts recently about inaccurate dates on the grave markers of some of my Spurlock kin, I thought I would post the following article that also exaggerates the longevity of the Spurlocks. In the article, my paternal great-grandaunts, Sarah "Sallie" Spurlock Duncan and Frances Spurlock Miller also express their views on life, politics and religion. I posted a photo of Aunt Sal and Aunt Frances here.

Although not confirmed, I believe the item appeared in the The Winnfield (LA) News-American in 1926. 

"Cutting Teeth at Age of 90 Novel Experience of Visitor 

"Grow old along with me, The best is yet to be—Youth shows but half:" So it is with Mrs. Sallie J. Duncan, 90 years old, who has cut a part of her third set of teeth, an upper front, after doing without teeth of any kind for thirty years. This tooth of the third set has been in use now about two years.
 This is the information given out by Mrs. Duncan, herself, who with her sister, Mrs. Francis E. Miler, 92 years old, of Jonesboro, are visiting their neice, Mrs. Ed Crawley.
 "About two years ago," Mrs. Duncan stated, "my mouth got a little sore and in a few days I noticed something that looked and felt like a piece of bone coming through my 'gums'. It kept getting larger and pretty soon I found out that I had an upper front tooth."
 A local dentist accompanied the reporter and made a careful examination of Mrs. Duncan's tooth and stated that it was a normal tooth and very unusual. Mrs. Duncan seemed very proud of her tooth and was highly elated over the prospect of getting a "write up" in the paper.
 Mrs. Duncan's and Mrs. Miller's family have an unusual record for longevity, also, their grandfather, John Spurlock, a native of Illinois, was 119 when he died in Alabama where the family had moved from Illinois, they stated. Their father, Ransom Spurlock, was 104 when he died at Arcadia where the family had moved 85 years ago. Their mother, who before her marriage, was Miss Ellender Vickers, only lacked a few months reaching the century mark, and they now live with their "baby" brother, J. F. Spurlock, 78 years old, five miles east of Jonesboro in Jackson parish where he farms. He is also a Presbyterian minister.
 Mrs. Duncan is Presbyterian while Mrs. Miller belongs to the Primitive Baptist Church. Each have outlived their husbands, both of whom served in the civil war.
 "What have you always done for a livlihood," Mrs. Duncan was asked? "We were born farmers and we are still farmers," Mrs. Miller stated. "Why, we can cook, wash, iron, milk, in fact do anything we ever could," said Mrs. Duncan with a twinkle of genuine pride in her eyes. "We raise most of our living—never had to buy a bucket of lard yet, and we are both very fond of meats, vegetables and cornbread—never through very much of 'nick-nacks.' We go to bed early and get up early—never had to use glasses to read."
 "What do you think of the present generation, is it getting better or worse?" they were asked. "Not much better—not much worse. There was a plenty of fighting and 'raising sand' when we were young, and there is still plenty of it," Mrs. Miller stated.
 "What do you think about the presidential election—who are you supporting for president"? the reporter asked. "I think Smith is the right man," Mrs. Miller said. 'I don't know very much about Hoover." Mrs. Duncan stated she didn't believe in women voting and preaching. "Why, I went to hear a woman preach about three years ago—looked just like trying to work a horse on the wrong side of the wagon tongue," she stated.
 They are both exceptionally hardy and active, and were planning a shopping trip uptown Thursday, and kept the News-American reporter "waiting" fully ten minutes before the interview while Mrs. Duncan finished some work in her neice's garden."

 Here's a copy of the clipping:

© 2011 Denise Spurlock

Advent Calendar - December 15 - Holiday Happenings

None of my direct line ancestors were married on Christmas Day, but one of my paternal 2^nd great-grandfathers, James Forshee, was born on Christmas in 1810. And I do have two siblings with December birthdays!

My sister Deanna, born on December 15, and

 My brother Arny, born on Christmas Eve!

Wishing them both the best of birthdays!

 © 2011 Denise Spurlock

Wednesday's Child - Dayton Spurlock

Digital image by Denise Spurlock, 2007.

Dayton Spurlock

Apr. 5, 1898

July 24, 1898

  

Dayton Spurlock was the third child born to John Fedrick Spurlock, my paternal great-grandfather, and his second wife, Annie Lee Conville. He is buried at the Mt. Zion (Driskill) Cumberland Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Bienville Parish, Louisiana.


© 2011 Denise Spurlock

Advent Calendar - December 14 - Fruitcake - Friend or Foe?

Definitely FOE! Fruitcake is one Christmas tradition I can do without. There are reasons that there are so many jokes about Christmas fruitcakes.

I’ve tried to like it. I even made fruitcake one year. It was a lighter cake than most traditional fruitcakes and it was at least edible. But I’ve since decided the thing that goes into fruitcakes that I don’t like is the citron.

Not everyone in my family dislikes fruitcake. My mom liked fruitcake. My oldest sister Jane liked fruitcake so much that on an emergency trip from her home in Oklahoma to Houston to get her passport we had to stop in Corsicana, Texas, so she get could a fruitcake at the Collin Street Bakery!

By Jonathunder (Own work)
[CC-BY-SA-3.0 (www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)
or GFDL (www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html)], via Wikimedia Commons

© 2011 Denise Spurlock

Tombstone Tuesday - Grandma Spurlock 1800-1908

This is the grave marker for Ellender (Vickers) Spurlock, my paternal 2^nd great-grandmother.

Digital image. Copyright Denise Spurlock. 2011.

GRANDMA SPURLOCK

1800-1908

As with the markers for Frances Spurlock Miller and SarahSpurlock Duncan (Ransom and Ellender Spurlock’s oldest daughters), I believe the dates on this gravestone are incorrect.

Ellender is first enumerated by name on the 1850 census; she is recorded as being 29 years of age indicating she was born in either 1819 or 1820. On the 1900 census, the enumerator recorded her birthdate as 1 January 1817. (For some reason the enumerator recorded full birthdates for about half the individuals on the page, the others have just the month and year of birth.)

In my database, I have her date of birth recorded as 30 December 1820; that fact is not sourced (likely something I was told as a newbie genealogist many years ago—the information probably came from a family member). I also have a recorded death date of 11 November 1906, also unsourced. [Note to self: clean up database!]

Ellender and her two oldest daughters are buried in the same cemetery; their gravestones are very similar. It is likely that the markers were made some years after the deaths of all three women. The individual who gave the information to be put on the stones could not have had firsthand knowledge of Ellender’s birthdate and may have been relying on memory for the date of her death resulting in inaccurate information.

© 2011 Denise Spurlock

Sunday's Obituary - Andrew Yawman 1891

This week I am posting the obituary for my 2^nd great-grandfather, Andrew Yawman, who died on Christmas Eve 1891. I was surprised that his obituary was so much shorter than that published for his wife, Catherine (Sitterly) Yawman who died in August 1889; her obituary can be found here.

Source: "Mortuary," Dallas Morning News, 26 Dec 1891, p. 4, col. 3; digital images, GenealogyBank (www.genealogybank.com : accessed 4 Feb 2011). 

  

“Andrew Yawman.

Denison, Tex., Dec. 24.--Andrew Yawman, aged 85, died this evening. Mr. Yawman has grown great-grandchildren living in Denison.”

© 2011 Denise Spurlock

Advent Calendar - December 10 - Christmas Gifts

Finding just the right gift for someone is part of the fun, as well as part of the frustration, of holiday shopping!

Courtesy of The Graphics Fairy.

When I was a child, my brother-in-law Dale worked for a grocery store chain here in Southern California; one of the "perks" of the job was all the premiums that manufacturers gave out. My sister collected these throughout the year and then wrapped them up and gave them to us for Christmas. The only thing I remember getting was a deck of playing cards with the Virginia Slims cigarette logo all over them! I didn't care. It was another gift to open. The precedent of having lots of little gifts to open was set, and we still buy lots of little things to go under the tree. (Wrapping is a nightmare!)

Of course, we still received gifts that were purchased just for Christmas...clothes or a new toy or a book that we especially wanted.

One of the rules for gift-giving is that you don't give someone a "washboard" as a gift. This was Marshall's rule; Marshall was my other brother-in-law.  He defined a washboard as something that was needed like a new toaster or a drill set. (He always bought my sister the most beautiful jewelry!) So there are no practical gifts under our tree!

Books or book money (Barnes & Noble gift cards) are at the top of almost everyone's wish list. Oh, and speaking of wish lists, I do require them....and I need them on Thanksgiving weekend! Never mind that I may buy something totally NOT on the list....I still need your list!

Since everyone in the family collects something, gift selection is sometimes a little easier and can lead to some interesting finds. My mother collected pigs and my sister Jennifer collects gargoyles so when I saw this little cutie I couldn't resist buying him as their gift!

© 2011 Denise Spurlock

Advent Calendar - December 9 - The Nutcracker

Seeing a performance of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker is one of my favorite things to do during the Christmas season. It doesn’t matter to me whether it’s the Bolshoi Ballet or a children’s theater production—I love them all!

About ten years ago I took my granddaughter Krishawna to see the Inland Pacific Ballet's production at the Bridges Auditorium in Claremont, California. It was (I think) her first experience with a live performance of the ballet. I don’t have any pictures of the show itself, but I do have this photo of her just after I gave her the ticket:

Digital image. Copyright Denise Spurlock. 2011.

In 2006 Kris appeared in the San Pedro City Ballet’s production at the Warner Grand Theatre. She wasn't cast as Clara, but I know she enjoyed being part of the show!

When money is tight, I’m happy to watch the Nutcracker on television. A few years ago one of the cable channels ran a marathon of different productions, and we watched as many as we could!

Here’s a short clip from the Inland Pacific Ballet's 2010 performance of this timeless classic:

© 2011 Denise Spurlock

Advent Calendar - December 8 - Cranberry Hootycreeks

Photo by bizzymomma
posted at allrecipes.com

This is the season of the cranberry and I love finding recipes for, and then baking, different kinds of cranberry cookies. This recipe is for “cookies-in-a-jar” that you can give as a gift. When I first found this recipe, I gave it as a present to my niece’s husband for Christmas, along with some Pillsbury dough boy potholders! Enjoy!

Cranberry Hootycreeks

In the jar:

½ c. and 2 tbsp. all-purpose flour

½ c. rolled oats

½ c. all-purpose flour

½ tsp. baking soda

1/3 c. brown sugar

1/3 c. white sugar

½ c. dried cranberries

½ c. white chocolate chips

½ c. chopped pecans

Photo by Sweetpea
posted at allrecipes.com

Additional ingredients needed:

½ c. butter or margarine (softened)

1 egg

1 tsp. vanilla

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a cookie sheet or line with parchment paper. In medium bowl, cream together the butter, egg, and vanilla until fluffy. Add all other ingredients and mix together by hand until well blended. Drop by heaping spoonfuls onto the prepared baking sheets. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes until edges start to brown. Cook on baking sheets or remove to cool on wire racks.

© 2011 Denise Spurlock

Another Tragedy at Pearl Harbor

Today marks a day of remembrance for those who lost their lives in the bombing of Pearl Harbor. But I write of another event that occurred on December 6.

It was 1962. In Honolulu, a sailor aboard the destroyer escort USS Willhoite fell from a ladder and hit an angle iron. As a result of the fall, that young man, just 19 years old, lost a precious sense—his sight. That sailor was my brother, Archie Anthony Neil “Tony” Sherrell.

I was only 6 years old at the time. I do not remember how my family learned the news. And we never talked about it. I never asked my mother about it. When I was in Texas recently and could have talked with my brother Arny about it, I didn’t. It just seems like it would be too painful.

What I do know I learned from this newspaper article:

"Aeromedical Groups Hauls 100,000th," Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, 1 Feb 1963,
p. 10, col. 7; digital images, Ancestry (www.ancestry.com : accessed 27 Mar  2010).

Tony went on to live a full life. He married and raised a family. He earned a degree in social work from Pacific Lutheran University. He worked as a Veterans Affairs counselor for those with visual impairment and lectured for the National Federation of the Blind. He sold talking computers in the early 1980s and later sold antiques. He traveled. I have wonderful memories of the times we spent together.

Tony died on 8 October 2001; his ashes were scattered in the Pacific Ocean near Hawaii, the islands he loved.

My hero, my brother—

Archie Anthony Neil "Tony" Sherrell with his wife Bonnie.
Digital image; original held by Jennifer Spurlock, [ADDRESS WITHHELD
FOR PRIVACY], McKinney, Texas, 2011.

 © 2011 Denise Spurlock

Tombstone Tuesday - Sallie Duncan 1835-1930

Digital image. Copyright Denise Spurlock 2011.

SALLIE DUNCAN

SEPT. 26, 1835

NOV. 6, 1930

Sarah Jane (Spurlock) Duncan, my paternal great-grandaunt, was born likely in 1839 rather than 1835, as stated on this marker. Her parents, Ransom and Ellender (Vickers) Spurlock, were married in 1836. Sallie first appears by name on the 1850 U.S. federal census; the enumerator wrote down that she was aged 10.

She probably was born in Hinds County, Mississippi, where Ransom Spurlock is enumerated on the 1840 federal census. She married William H. Duncan on 9 January 1868 in Claiborne Parish, Louisiana. Sallie and William had no children. He died in 1905, and Sallie lived with her younger brother, John (my great-grandfather), for the remainder of her life. She is buried in the Mt. Zion (Driskill) Cumberland Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Bienville Parish, Louisiana.

© 2011 Denise Spurlock

Advent Calendar - December 6 - I Believe!

Of course, I believe in Santa Claus. Don’t you? Read this letter written by little Virginia O'Hanlon to the editor of the New York Sun and his response. You’ll believe, too!

(This was originally posted in December 2010 as part of a series on family holiday traditions. I have made minor modifications for 2011.)

© 2011 Denise Spurlock

Advent Calendar - December 5 - Outdoor Decorations

My family never had outside decorations for Christmas, except perhaps a wreath or other decoration on the front door.

But the sight of Christmas lights brings out the kid in me! I love going to see the neighborhoods where families go all out with the outdoor decorations. Here's a video of a home in Granada Hills, California, with the light show set to one of my favorite Christmas carols. Enjoy!

© 2011 Denise Spurlock

Amanuensis Monday - Deed - Luther Cary to Uri Beach 1819

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 week I have transcribed the deed in which Luther Cary, one of my maternal 4^th great-grandfathers, sold 24.75 acres of land in Madison County, Ohio, to Uri Beach, for $297.00 (equal to $12 per acre). The document was witnessed by Nahum King, a local official, and Ephraim Cary, Luther’s son and my 3^rd great-grandfather. It is interesting to note that neither Luther nor his wife Cary used a mark—it appears that both actually signed their names.

I attempted to plot the parcel using the DeedMapper software but had some issues with the land description; however, I think the parcel was shaped something like this:

“Recorders Office July 23^d 1819

Luther Cary)

Deed To          )

Uri Beach        )

This Indenture made the second day of June Anno dominino one thousand eight hundred and nineteen betwe[e]n Luther Cary of the first part and Uri Beach of the second part both of Madison County and State of Ohio Witnesseth that the said Luther Cary of the first part for an in consideration of the sum of two hundred and ninety seven dollars to him in hand paid by the said Uri Beach before the signing sealing and delivery of these presents the receipt whare of is hereby acknowledged do grant bargain sell and confirm unto the said Uri Beach his heirs executors administrators and assigns forever twenty four acres and three fourths of an acre of land on the west side of Darby Creek in the County of Madison aforesaid it being a part of a tract entered and originally made in the name of Robert Rays No. 4276. conveyed by warranttee deed by Lucas Sullivant to said Luther Cary which twenty four and three fourth acres of land is bounded as follows Begining at a small white oak and buckeye southwest corner to said Carys survey on the creek. thence N.11.W.38. poles to a stake. thence N.68.E.16 poles thence N.88.E.22. poles. thence south 70.E.22. poles. thence N48.E44 poles thence N.68.E.16. poles. thence thence thirty five 8 1/2 poles. thence S.38.e.31 1/2.poles to a honey locust thence S.68.W.142. to the Begining together with all the improvements and appurtenances right and profits whatsoever to the said premises belong thare unto appertaining and the aversions[?] remainders and profits thare of and all the estate right and title in trust property claim and demand of him the said Luther Cary in and and to the same to have and to hold the land hereby conveyd with an singular the premises and every part and parcel thairof ^{with the} apurtenances as aforesaid and the said Luther Cary for himself his heirs executors and administrators by these presents d[o] hereby promise and agree to and with the said Uri Beach that the premises beforementioned now and ^and forever hereafter shall remain free of and clear from all former and other gifts grants bargains sales dower right and title of dower changes and incumbrances whatever done or suffered to be done by or through him and the said Luther Cary by these presents doth promise and agree that he will forever warrant and defend the right and title of the aforesaid premises and appurtenances as aforesaid to the said Uri Beach his heirs executors and administrators and assigns against the claims of all and every person or persons whatever claiming the same In testimony whareof the said Luther Cary hath hereunto set his hand and seal the day and year above written in presence of us

Nahum King                                       Luther Cary {seal}

Ephraim Cary                                      Rhoda Cary {seal}

The State of Ohio Madison County. SS.

            Personally appeared Luther Cary and Rhoda his wife signors and sealers of the foregoing instrument and each and severly acknowledged the same to be their full act and deed. before me given under my hand this the second day of June. AD. 1819

                                                                        Nahum King  {seal}

                                                                        Justice of the Peace”

 [Source: Madison County, Ohio, Deed Books 1810-1922, 4: 120, Luther Cary to Uri Beach, 23 Jul 1819; FHL microfilm 522,904.]

© 2011 Denise Spurlock

Advent Calendar - December 4 - Christmas Cards

My family didn’t send many Christmas cards—probably only to a few relatives and perhaps friends who lived out of state. Those we received were displayed by taping them to the wall as seen in this photo:

Cards on the wall left of the tree; my mom and I
enjoying the Christmas goodies!

Thanks to my mother keeping things in my baby book, I have two Christmas cards that I received on my first Christmas (not sure they qualify as heirlooms!):

From my Sissie

From Aunt Joyce

In my younger years, I spent Thanksgiving weekend hand-addressing the envelopes to send Christmas cards to family and friends and mailed them out on December 1^st. Every year now I think about sending Christmas cards, perhaps even buy some, and maybe get some mailed. In fact, it’s something I think I might work on this week! 

© 2011 Denise Spurlock

Advent Calendar – December 3 – Christmas Tree Ornaments

My family’s Christmas tree was decorated mostly with inexpensive colored glass balls, lights, and strands of tinsel. My dad cut stars—large and small—from sheet metal and we covered them with glitter and hung them.

The piece-de-resistance was the tree topper—an angel made by my mother from a Barbie doll wrapped in angel hair with foil-covered wings! My mother made these angels for all of us girls. Regrettably I no longer have mine—I hope my sisters do.

Stringing popcorn and cranberries always seemed like a major chore to me although I think we tried it when my son was young!

For several years, I cross-stitched Christmas tree ornaments and gave them to friends and family as gifts. I know that my daughter-in-law hangs her ornaments on their tree every year. These are two of the ornaments:

I also made this star which tops my little tree:

I have begun a tradition of giving my son, his wife and each of my grandchildren an ornament each year based on their special interests. The ornaments have included Homer Simpson and tiny six-packs of beer for my son, cows for my daughter-in-law, dance and monkey ornaments for my granddaughter, and football helmets for my grandson.

At right is one of the more unique ornaments I own—received as a gift from a coworker!

© 2011 Denise Spurlock

Sunday's Obituary - Catherine Yawman 1889

Source: "Obituary," Dallas Morning News,
10 Aug 1899, p. 2, col. 4;
digital images, GenealogyBank
(www.genealogybank.com : accessed 4 Feb 2011). 

“MRS. CATHARINE YAWMAN.

“DENISON, Tex., Aug. 6.—Mrs. Catharine Yawman, aged 82 years, died Saturday evening. Funeral services were held at the Catholic church last evening at 3 o'clock. The remains were interred in Oakwood cemetery. In company with her husband she came to Denison many years ago, and she leaves many relatives in this city. She was the mother of Mrs. L. M. Phillips of Oak Cliff, Dallas.”

My maternal 2nd great-grandmother, Catherine Sitterly Yawman, was born 13 May 1813 in Guilderland, Albany County, New York, and died 3 August 1889 in Denison, Grayson County, Texas. 

© 2011 Denise Spurlock

Advent Calendar - December 2 - Christmas Dinner

Our family’s Christmas dinner menu was the same as at Thanksgiving:

• Roast turkey
• Stuffing
• Jellied cranberry sauce (yep, out of a can)
• Mashed potatoes and gravy
• Sweet potatoes
• Green beans
• Dinner rolls (if someone didn’t forget to put them in the oven!)
• Fruit salad (assembled as a group activity on Christmas Eve)
• Pumpkin pie

Public domain photo from
Wikimedia Commons.
(I only take pictures of pies!)

Nothing out-of-the-ordinary or unusual…and it hasn’t changed much since I was a kid!

We tried having roast beef once for Christmas, and it just didn’t seem right. My son and his wife like to have a ham as well as a turkey, and I bake a lemon meringue pie in addition to pumpkin pies.

One would think that our crazy mixed-up German-English-Cuban-Mexican-Tongan family would have more ethnic dishes on the menu! Maybe I’ll see if I can get some new traditions started.

 © 2011 Denise Spurlock

Advent Calendar - December 1 - Oh Tannenbaum!

What better way to welcome December and the coming of Christmas than to listen to Nat King Cole's rendition of the classic "O Tannenbaum" in German.

Nothing evokes the spirit of this season for me more than the sight of a Christmas tree! I rarely put up my tree before mid-December, but I enjoy seeing all the others that are going up -- from the huge trees marking the lots where one can purchase a tree to those displayed in public spaces.

Christmas trees have come in all shapes and sizes in my family. Sometimes artificial, but mostly real. There is nothing like the fragrance of a real tree. Here are some photos of Christmas trees through the years:
 

My brother Arny, next to
the Christmas tree, circa 1944.

Me, with my Grandma Yawman, December 1957.

Me, Christmas 1980.

A framed tree made of bits of glass and
costume jewelry by my son's great-grandma Nettie.

A plush fabric tree that belonged
to my mother.

Now that I've shared these trees with you, 

I'm ready to start decorating!

© 2011 Denise Spurlock