Digging into our family history creates deep connections. Genealogy is about finding our roots. As we research our family tree, we realize how our lives are intertwined with the history of our great nation. My family history includes the Quillin family, the Ewing family, the McNair family, the Jones family, the Bridges family, the King family and the Hulsey family. It is an honor to share their family stories. Search each family name by clicking the labels on the bottom right side.
Thursday, November 30, 2023
Psalm 23 - Put Into Perspective
Saturday, November 25, 2023
Friday, November 24, 2023
Holiday Months Create a Break from Genealogy
CHRISTMAS 1957
Though I am addicted to family research, I am aware that at times we have to take a step back. The holiday months are hectic with all the trimmings that come with the season. My research has been intense with the Vineyard, Campbell lines. It takes up space in my mind and time to dig, compare, have all the screens open... searching for that small tidbit that could be the next steppingstone.
I'm going to focus on Christmas Past and all the joys of the season. I also love the inspirational things that I have saved over the years to give me direction. So... for a while, I will share, old Christmas photos, devotionals, quotes, and just things that have given me my "bottom line" strength, things that reach down to my soul.
I praise and thank God for my mother and daddy who taught me to stand firm, believe in Him and know that I am worthy and loved.
My family research is my escape...I often say that I enjoy my old ancestors more than I do the recent social medias with all the noise and chatter. My ancestors can't hide behind what isn't real. I learn valuable lessons from all of their experiences. This doesn't mean to say, that every now and then I may get sidetracked back to my first love and have to take a peek at genealogy.... but for now, I'll take a break and share some inspirational topics.
Thursday, November 23, 2023
May We Always Be Thankful
And the tradition lives on…. until now, it seems. Today, it feels as if we skip our blessings that are given by God in order to focus on the commercialism of Christmas. It is no longer acceptable to voice our belief in the one almighty God who brought us to this day as a nation. Today Christians are BASHED for our beliefs and made to feel that we are racists and bigots which to me is the farthest thing from my thoughts. It's being thrust on us as we are being faced with the counterculture movement. We
stand by and watch as our inherited culture in the United States is torn down
by those who have no grounding in what our American culture is all about. What is being removed slowly will cause the
demise of our democracy. This nation was founded on God, patriotism, and
family….and within each of those, there is extreme decay. The immigrants that are pouring over our
borders have NO understanding what our culture is, nor do they have any family
members that have sacrificed for our freedoms.
We must stand firm in our belief system of basic American principles.
Wednesday, November 22, 2023
Thanksgiving 1782-1863
The Continental Congress issued several ‘national days of prayer, humiliation, and thanksgiving’... a practice continued by Washington and Adams under the constitution. This proclamation was published in “The Independent Gazetteer” on November 5, 1782.
“… Do hereby recommend it to the inhabitants of these States
in general, to observe and request the several states to interpose their
authority, in appointing and commanding the observation of THURSDAY the
TWENTY-EIGHTH DAY OF NOVEMBER next as a day of SOLEMN THANKSGIVING to GOD for
all His mercies; and they do further recommend to all ranks to testify their
gratitude to God for His goodness by a cheerful obedience to His laws and by
promoting, each in his station, and by his influence, the practice of true and
undefiled religion, which is the great foundation of public prosperity and
national happiness…”
George Washington, now serving as the first President of the
United States, took Congress’s recommendation to call for a National Day of Thanksgiving and prayer in gratitude for the end of the Revolutionary War.
Washington observed the holiday by attending church and then donating money and
food to prisoners and debtors in New York City jails.
President Abraham Lincoln followed up during the Civil War
celebrating National Thanksgiving Day on the final Thursday 26 Nov 1863 which
was written up in a document by his Secretary of State William H. Seward. “…I
do therefore invite my fellow-citizens in every part of the United States, and
also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set
apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving
and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens…”
Tuesday, November 21, 2023
Thanksgiving 1775-1777
November 23, 1775 in the run up to the Revolutionary War, Boston patriots published an anti-British proclamation for a “Day of public Thanksgiving” throughout the Massachusetts Colony. “That such a Band of Union, founded upon the best Principles, unites the American Colonies; That our Rights and Privileges . . . are so far preserved to us, notwithstanding all the attempts of our barbarous Enemies to deprive us of them. And to offer up humble and fervent Prayers to Almighty GOD, for the whole British Empire; especially for the UNITED AMERICAN COLONIES."
To celebrate the victory of American Continental forces over
the British in the Battle of Saratoga, commander-in-chief George Washington
called for Thursday, December 18 to be set aside for “Solemn Thanksgiving and
Praise.” It was the first time that all 13 colonies celebrated a day of
thanksgiving in unison.
Monday, November 20, 2023
A True American Tradition - Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is truly an American tradition. I was listening to a program last night, and it was brought to my attention how little our society today really knows about Thanksgiving and why we have this special day of thanks. It seems that most people feel it is for eating and watching football, which are all part of what we do today. The true reason for the holiday is rooted deep in American history and should not be forgotten by the American people. My people were well rooted in America when this Holdiay became a recognized as a National Day of Celebration.
https://www.history.com/news/thanksgiving-timeline
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thanksgiving_(United_States)
and here is what I found.
There’s no holiday that’s more quintessentially American than Thanksgiving.
In 1541, the Spanish explorer Francisco Vasquez de Coronado
accompanied by 1500 armored men left Mexico City and marched north in search of
gold. They camped in Palo Duro Canyon and their priest Juan de Padilla called
for a feast of prayer and thanksgiving.
In 1598, in a second Texas town a wealthy Spanish dignitary
Juan de Oñate
was granted land among the pueblo Indians as he blazed a path across the
Chihuahau Desert. After 10 days of rest near San Elizario, Texas, Oñate
ordered a feast of thanksgiving. "We built a great bonfire and roasted the
meat and fish, and then all sat down to a repast the like of which we had never
enjoyed before…We were happy that our trials were over; as happy as were the
passengers in the Ark when they saw the dove returning with the olive branch in
his beak, bringing tidings that the deluge had subsided."
In 1607, English colonists at Fort St. George assemble for a
harvest feast and prayer meeting with the Abenaki Indians in Maine.
In 1621: The Plymouth Feast. Archive evidence comes from a letter
from Plymouth colonist Edward Winslow that the colonists wanted to celebrate
their first good crop of corn and barley grown with generous assistance from
the native Wampanoag Indians. So the English colonists sent out four men to
kill “as much fowl” as they could in one day, and invited King Massasoit and 90
of his men “so we might after a more special manner rejoice together.” The king
brought five deer to the three-day party, which 19th-century New Englanders
would later promote as the origin of modern Thanksgiving.
William Bradford, in “Of Plymouth Plantation” documents much
about this harvest that became the first Thanksgiving.
Wednesday, November 15, 2023
The Ant and the Contact Lens
THE ANT AND THE CONTACT LENS
Elisabeth Elliot published the story above in her 1995 book, “Keep A Quiet Heart” (Servant Publications, Ann Arbor Michigan). She says the story is a first-person account given to her from Brenda Foltz of Princeton, Minnesota based on an event that occurred on her first rock-climbing experience.
Well, she got to a ledge where she
could take a breather. As she was
hanging on there, the safety rope snapped against Brenda’s eye and knocked out
her contact lens. Here she was on a rock
ledge, with hundreds of feet below her and hundreds of feet above her. Of course, she looked and looked, hoping it
had landed on the ledge, but it just wasn’t there. Here she was, far from home, her sight now
blurry. She was desperate and began to
get upset, so she prayed to the Lord to help her find it. When she got to the top, a friend examined
her eye and her clothing for the lens, but there was no contact lens to be
found.
She sat down, despondent, with the
rest of the party, waiting for the rest of them to make it up the face of the
cliff. She looked out across range after
range of mountains, thinking of that Bible verse that says, “The eyes of the
Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth.”
She thought, “Lord, You can see all
these mountains. You know every stone
and leaf, and You know exactly where my contact lens is. Please help me.”
Finally, they walked down the trail to
the bottom. At the bottom there was a
new party of climbers just starting up the face of the cliff. One of them shouted out, “Hey, you guys! Anybody lose a contact lens?”
That would be startling enough, but
you know why the climber saw it? An ant
was moving slowly across the face of the rock, carrying it. Brenda told me that her father was a cartoonist. When she told him the incredible story of the
ant, the prayer, and the contact lens, he drew a picture of an ant lugging that
contact lens with the words, “Lord, I don’t know why You want me to carry this
thing. I can’t eat it, and it’s awfully
heavy. But if this is what You want me
to do, I’ll carry it for You.”
It would do us good to occasionally
say, “God, I don’t know why you want me to carry this load. I can see no good in it and it’s awfully
heavy. But, if you want me to carry it,
I will.” God doesn’t call the qualified;
He qualifies the called.
He is our source of existence and our
Savior. He keeps us functioning each and
everyday. Without Him, we are nothing,
but with Him, we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. (Philippians 4:13)
Tuesday, November 14, 2023
Our Birthdays 1961
I am 5 years old.
Receiving a Chatty Cathy doll was a big deal. I played a lot with this doll. I WAS LOVED.
Paula is 11 years old.
Birthday Party - Paula is in the middle. Her best friend, Karen, is turning to look at the camera and I am to the right of Karen. These are mainly neighborhood kids.
Monday, November 13, 2023
Sources for Christopher Vineyard
Sources for Christopher Vineyard
Sunday, November 12, 2023
VINEYARDS - DAR
Jewell Bell Krauss honored both my George and Christopher Vineyard for their service in the American Revolution.
DAR Genealogical Research Databases
Saturday, November 11, 2023
A Royal Colony
Virginia was a Royal Colony
During the Life of
Christopher Vineyard
https://www.hpsd.k12.pa.us/archives/clausen/flags/colonial/images/C05.jpg
Virginia was a royal colony, meaning it was under the direct control of the British Crown. The governor, appointed by the king, held significant power and was responsible for enforcing British laws. The House of Burgesses, an elected assembly, played a role in local governance and legislation. However, ultimate authority rested with the British government.
Despite being a British colony, Virginia had a distinct
culture that blended British traditions with local influences. Religion played
a significant role, with the Anglican Church being the established church of
the colony. Education was limited, with only a few schools available, primarily
for the elite. However, informal education through apprenticeships and
home-based learning was common.
Despite being a British colony, Virginia had a distinct
culture that blended British traditions with local influences. Religion played
a significant role, with the Anglican Church being the established church of
the colony. Education was limited, with only a few schools available, primarily
for the elite. However, informal education through apprenticeships and
home-based learning was common.
Friday, November 10, 2023
One of Christopher's Cash Crops
Hemp in the
American Colonies
Compiled by Nancy
Quillin Long November 2023
CHRISTOPHER VINEYARD 1733-1807
On the 8 Oct 1771, Christopher came before the court in Botetourt County to Prove a certificate for 522 lbs. of hemp, which was ordered to be certified. Documented in the Annals of Southwest Virginia, 1769-1800, p 133 filmstrip #153
https://www.farmcollector.com/farm-life/strategic-fibers/
https://ecosciences.com/blog/hemp-history-united-states/
In 1533, King Henry VIII mandated that for every 60 acres,
each farmer must set aside ¼ acres to grow hemp or face steep fines. The
Reformation had caused fear that the surrounding Catholic countries would
eventually attempt to invade and reconvert Britain, so hemp fiber was used to
manufacture copious amounts of sails and rigging for the King’s Navy.
Hemp arrived in Colonial America with the Puritans in the
form of seed for planting and as fiber in the lines, sails and caulking of the
Mayflower. British sailing vessels were never without a store of hemp seed, and
Britain’s colonies were compelled by law to grow hemp.
A related decree was enacted in 1632 when the Virginia
Assembly commanded that every farmer must produce hemp, and this in turn
prompted similar edicts in Massachusetts and Connecticut. Hemp was incredibly
valuable, as it could be used as a legitimate form of currency. farmers were
allowed to pay taxes with it. While much of the hemp produced in the colonies
was initially exported to Britain, its domestic use grew in importance when
tensions increased, and the seeds of revolution were sown. The Colonies produced
cordage, cloth, canvas, sacks and paper from hemp during the years leading up
to the Revolutionary War. Nearly 55 tons of fiber was needed for the lines and
rigging of the USS Constitution, America’s oldest Navy ship affectionately
called “Old Ironsides”. The Continental Army was able to use it to barter for
other supplies and weapons that were needed in order to defeat the British. In
addition, the soldiers’ uniforms and battle flags were made from hemp fiber.
Ironically, the first drafts of the Declaration of Independence were penned on
hemp paper.
Hemp fiber was so important to the young Republic that
George Washington grew hemp and encouraged all citizens to sow hemp widely.
Thomas Jefferson bred improved hemp varieties and invented a special brake for
crushing the plant’s stems during fiber processing.
Thursday, November 9, 2023
Christopher Vineyard - More Documentation
I found this information from online sources.
Christopher Vineyard was born in 1733. I’m not sure if he
was born in America or Germany or some other place. Evidence points to one of the first two. Some say his father and mother
were John Vinyard and Barbara Evick.
"I was told by a historian in Rockbridge that
Christopher Vineyard's land adjoined Thomas Jefferson's Natural Bridge
property. In fact, I think it was in two counties as he lived in one and the
land was also in the other. This is what I was told. Just thought I would let
you know this little fact.”
1771 – Christopher was in court to prove his crop of hemp.
See my reference page on Hemp in the American Colonies.
On the 8 Oct 1771, Christopher came before the court in
Botetourt County to Prove a certificate for 522 lbs. of hemp, which was ordered
to be certified. Documented in the Annals of Southwest Virginia, 1769-1800, p
133 filmstrip #153
1776 – Christopher was 43 years old and supplied provisions for the Army. He is documented for his service in DAR.
ABERCROMBIE & SLATTEN, VA REV PUB CLAIMS, VOL 3, P 823, ROCKBRIGE CO.,HELPED PROVISION THE ARMY DAR # A118925
1807 – Christopher Vineyard died on November 3, 1807, in
Rockbridge, Virginia, when he was 74 years old. Our legacy lives on through
Christopher’s sons and daughters. My lineage is through his son George Vineyard
(1759-1852)
Wednesday, November 8, 2023
1766 Christopher in Rockbridge County, Virginia
Tuesday, November 7, 2023
History of Christopher Vineyard by Jewell B Krauss
Recorded January Court 1808, Rockbridge County Teste A. Reid cc
Signed Jo Gilmore Jo Paxton
1. Ann Vineyard b. ca 1760 m. John Miller d. before Oct. 1809 (her share of her father’s estate when to her husband.)
2. George Vineyard b. 21 June 1759 in Virginia, m. Mary Campbell
3. Mary Vineyard m. George Kelly
4. Peggy Vineyard m. John Croddy
In his pension papers he stated he did not know where in Virginia, moved to Rockbridge County at age 5, and remained there until after the War of the Revolution. Then he moved to Montgomery County, Virginia and in his later years resided in Scott County, Virginia.
Monday, November 6, 2023
Losing a Great Friend/Neighbor/then COUSIN
May 11, 2020
Nancy
Martin Ewin Brooks Jones loved Mission Work
MEB settled in Vernon for a short time, and Martin Frank (my uncle) told me that MEB (my grandfather's great-grandfather) knew my Papa M...
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When James Ewing, Jr.'s (1758 - 1810) wife Ladovsey Dillard Ewing (1785-1821) died, there were minor children left that became orphans...
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Sources Report: Beverly Johnson Quillin Compiled by Nancy Quillin Long ...
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History Sheet Beverly Johnson Quillin Source: B.M Quillin Date: 1990 Recorded by Nancy Quillin Long B.J. often claimed a background o...