On This Day: June 25

1768: William Campbell, one of my maternal 4th great-grandfathers, was born in New Jersey; his parents are unknown. He died in April 1843 in Pike County, Kentucky. [Source: Debbie Linton (lintonfam@msn.com), Linton & Ellis Families, World Connect Project.]

© 2011 Denise Spurlock

On This Day: June 24

1834: My maternal 2nd great-grandparents, Andrew and Catherine Sitterly Yawman were married in Schenectady, Albany County, New York. [Source: findagrave.com, digital images (www.findagrave.com : accessed 2 May 2011), Catherine Yawman, Memorial #21373958, created by Gary Yawman, 5 Sep 2007.]

Andrew and Catherine had eight children: William, Mary Elizabeth, Catherine, Apalonia, Michael H. (from whom I descend), Deborah, George, and Rebecca.

© 2011 Denise Spurlock

Civil War Letters of John R. and Frances Spurlock Miller

When Frances Spurlock Miller filed her application for a Confederate widow’s pension in 1924, the letters below were submitted to corroborate the information given in her statement. I have chosen to present the letters as written, rather than transcribe them. I know they are difficult to read because of the copy quality as well as the illegibility of the handwriting and poor spelling.

In this first letter written by Frances to John on May 16, 1862, she expresses her concern for his comfort. She asks whether he needs clothes, food or cooking pots. She talks about his crops and their daughter, Fannie:

Frances Spurlock Miller to John R. Miller, May 16, 1862, page 1

Frances Spurlock Miller to John R. Miller, May 16, 1862, page 2

In his letter to Frances letter dated May 24, 1862, John tells her how very sick he has been and that he has heard that the Confederate government is taking firearms belonging to private citizens for use by the troops:

John R. Miller to Frances Spurlock Miller, May 24, 1862

John wrote the third letter to Frances on June 8, 1862. He tells her that he is feeling better but is still weak and hopes to be granted furlough to go home for a few days.

John R. Miller to Frances Spurlock Miller, June 8, 1862

Less than a month following the last letter, on July 1, 1862, John Miller died of pneumonia at home. At least he and Frances were able to see each other before his death.

© 2011 Denise Spurlock

Reflecting on Genealogy: Scientific vs. Traditional Genealogy

Reflecting on Genealogy: Scientific vs. Traditional Genealogy: "Randy Seaver’s Saturday Night Genealogy Fun challenge from last Saturday has created quite a stir among some regarding the validity of trad..."

© 2011 Denise Spurlock, Ancestral Trees Research

On This Day: June 22

1645: Abigail Rigby, one of my maternal 7^th great-grandmothers, daughter of John and Isabel Rigby, was born in Dorchester, Suffolk County, Massachusetts. She died on 1 March 1702/03 in Milton, Norfolk County, Massachusetts. [Source: Alfred Lyman Holman, "Descendants of John Holman," The New England Historical and Genealogical Register, July 1918, 196; digital images, New England Historic and Genealogical Society, American Ancestors (www.americanancestors. org : accessed 19 Jun 2011).  This is a photograph of her gravestone in Milton Cemetery posted by Scrib and Barb Kelly on the Find A Grave website:

© 2011 Denise Spurlock

Reflecting on Genealogy: Sharing the Wealth - Genealogy Goodie Giveaway

Reflecting on Genealogy: Sharing the Wealth - Genealogy Goodie Giveaway: "Members of the Geneabloggers were given a Welcome Bag containing way cool stuff provided by vendors and others (thank you, thank you!). Havi..."

© 2011 Denise Spurlock, Ancestral Trees Research

Remembering Daddy

Jasper Jackson "Jack" Spurlock
12 March 1912 - 15 February 1978

When Daddy’s birthday came back in March, I couldn’t find the words to write about him. I’m not sure that I can do much better now that it’s Father’s Day, but I’m going to try. I didn’t have the chance, as an adult, to really get to know him—he died when I was just 24—so most of my memories are those of a child.

His daily routine included getting up at the crack of dawn, reading the Times, doing the crossword puzzle, going to work, maybe listening to a baseball game on the radio, and going to bed before dark!

He was a sheet metal worker in the heating and air conditioning industry. He built a sheet metal swimming pool for us when we lived in Alaska! It was probably more a wading pool!

I think he really enjoyed listening to music. Of course, the radio station he listened to played “oldies”—music from the 30s and 40s! He encouraged us to learn to play musical instruments. I took lessons to play the accordian and the clarinet. The only school event I remember him attending was a band concert when I was in 9th grade.

Daddy never told us directly when he was proud of something we had done. But he did tell Mama, and she would pass the word along. She told me once he was proud that I could sew my own clothes.

Daddy left the child-rearing and discipline to Mama. But that didn’t stop me from fearing what would happen if he discovered my transgressions! He spanked me once, but I don’t remember it; I was 4 and trying to rid myself of a pesky little sister by toppling the television over on her.

When I was a teenager, he gave me two gifts that I still have and cherish: a pair of dressmaking shears (in a small size that are comfortable for me to use) and a metronome (so I can keep the proper tempo).

My most cherished memory is of him being at the hospital the night my son was born and waiting to see me as I was taken from the delivery room. He patted me on the cheek and told me something to the effect that I had “done good.” I wish he had lived longer so my son and my grandchildren could have known him.

Daddy, I love and miss you!

© 2011 Denise Spurlock