Happy Thanksgiving!

Been very happily busy these last few weeks... having fun doing genealogy related things.  Just today before enjoying a Thanksgiving feast (so glad when Becky does not have to work on this day at the nursing home!), I judged 3 great essays as one of the judges for the Capt. Jacob Warrick DAR Chapter for Good Citizenship Award.  Then right after dinner, I was surprised by a Skype video call from my 2 nephews who are working in Germany.  The call was for my great niece to read me her winning essay concerning what she would ask our Founding Father's if she got a chance... she won $500 and moves up to the next level.  The contest is sponsored by the VFW.  For an 11 year old, I was impressed with her reading of the essay almost as much as the content.  The essay was superb... after judging essays by older 4-H kids for over 25 years, I was really impressed with hers!  Actually, I was also impressed to be able to talk & see the two families all the way in Germany.  They called about 1:30PM Evansville time, it was 8:30 PM their time!  Congratulations Lydia West!!!

I hope all of the genealogists, historians, family and friends are having a great Thanksgiving day and a wonderful weekend!

John G. West, TSGS Vice-President

Local DAR News in the Courier

 

 

News about

The Captain

Henry Vanderburgh

 NSDAR Chapter

(Evansville, Indiana)

 

[Click on photo for larger image to read caption]

 

[from The Evansville Courier & Press 09/02/2012, Page D07]

- Submitted by Don Counts

Indiana Bones Shares Cemetery Stories

Indiana Bones Presents

"Cemetery Stories"

at the Kuhlenschmidt/Hartig Family Reunion

Indiana Bones had just cautioned everyone that he was not Indiana Jones eventhough he lookes almost exactly like Harrison Ford... the 40+ crowd seemed to think that statement was funny!  Bones read about 5-6 short cemetery tales that were modified versions of some of the TSGS Cruiser Blogs.  Indiana Bones has become quite popular on the speakers circuit lately.  TSGS will have him as the monthly meeting program for September and the Daughters of the American Revolution have requested him to speak in April 2013.  Who would have known that a "cemetery geek" could become so sought after!

- Photo taken by Warren Deutsch.

Marker, Plaque, Monument Monday

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Revolutionary War

Memorial

Kentucky Veterans Cemetery West

Hopkinsville, Kentucky

[Click on photos to get larger images]

Front side of the SAR marker listing 71 men of

Christian Co., KY who participated

in the establishment of our country

during the Revolutionary War.  

On the Fourth of July, I attended the unveiling and dedication ceremony of the 9-foot tall granite monolith memorial to the Revolutionary War Patriots and Soldiers who lived in Christian Co., KY. I am directly descended from Thomas West of North Carolina that is etched on this marker along with 70 other men being honored. Several of these other men are related to me, but are not of direct lineage.

Back side of this large marker. 

There were several hundred people present including many of my cousins (along with their families) from my father's side of the family: Tommy Henderson, Eddie Deason, Barbara Oatts Smith, Joan McCarty, Chad Word... there were more that I met for the first time. This was such a thrill to know that my ancestor will be remembered for his involvement in establishing our independent nation!

 Cousin Eddie Deason pointing to our

common ancestor Thomas West.

 Dressed in a dark suit is Bob Fears, President of the John Manire SAR Chapter and Master of Ceremonies.  He is holding a proclamation from the Kentucky Governor.  To his left (right side of photo) is Major General McConville that gave the Keynote Address, William Turner (County Historian, publisher), and 3 members of the Manire SAR Chapter.  Next to Pres. Fears on the left side of photo is my cousin Chad Word, behind him is cousin Eddie Deason, next is KY State Representative Tilley, then finally me, John G. West, representing the Ohio Valley SAR Chapter of the Indiana Society - and my ancestor Thomas West.

 Cousin Tommy Henderson (left), who organized and directed the entire ceremony and was rushing around the whole morning, taking a moment to pose with Indiana Bones (right side of photo)!

Next to the Colonel John Green Chapter NSDAR wreath is my cousin Barbara Oatts Smith along with several other members of her DAR chapter. 

- Compiled by JGWest.

- Photos taken by Eddie Deason, Indiana Bones, and others.

From the First Mate's Photo Album

Sons of the American Revolution

Revolutionary War Memorial

Unveiling and Dedication

04 July 2012

Kentucky Verteran's Cemetery West

Hopkinsville, Kentucky

[click on photo for a larger image]

The above photo was the very first picture taken when we arrived for this ceremony that featured 71 men listed on the large monument that is covered with the red, white and blue cloth.  Thomas West, Jr. was one of these men.  Due to the heat, the outer edges came out "foggy" with the center clear providing for a very nice effect.  The wreath was placed here from the Colonel John Green Chapter of NSDAR.  Behind it to the right is the NSSAR flag.

- Photo taken by Indiana Bones.

"Flags Over America" Program in Hopkinsville, KY

I present a program to entertain and educate others about our country's heritage through flags... the presentation is called "Flags Over America!"  I have given this program at a TSGS meeting several years ago.  Below I am posing for a photo in front of part of the flags dressed in my Revolutionary War State Militia uniform.  I give the program as part of the Ohio Valley Chapter Sons of the American Revolution Speakers Bureau.  This time I had been invited to return for an encore performance for the DAR/SAR Annual Dinner Meeting in Hopkinsville, KY at the beautiful Oakland Manor.

 Becky West generally assists me in holding flags for everyone to see.  She dresses in typical Colonial women's attire.  My volunteer photographer, Chad Word, caught Becky relaxing before the meeting began.

 Becky & I just beginning the program in above photo.  Below we are nearing the end of the program showing one of my favorite militia flags known as the Guilford Courthouse Flag.  I had 25-3X5 foot flags on poles for display and to talk about.  This is a modified shorter version of "Flags Over America!"

 In the above photo you can see most of the flags on display.  My 4th. cousin Tommy Henderson is seated in lower far right corner in red knit shirt.  Below Tommy is giving an SAR report during the business meeting.

Becky & I had a great time.  I always put in plugs for the Tri-State Genealogical Society, as well as, Willard Library.  Special thanks to my set-up & take-down team of Tommy Henderson, Eddie Deason, Becky West and Chad Word.

- Photos taken by Chad Word.

"Published Family Records"

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I have a wonderful 4th. cousin from Hopkinsville, Kentucky (Christian County).  Tommy Henderson descends from our common ancestor, Thomas West, Jr. who came to Christian Co. about 1806-09 to the area not far from where Dad was born in the Ovil Community.  Thomas West came from Chatham County, North Carolina.  My cousin Tommy, as an active member of his local SAR chapter, invited me back for another presentation of my "Flags Over America" program to be given to the DAR/SAR Annual Joint Meeting Dinner.  I gave this program before to this same group about 3-4 years ago.  Tommy said with all of the newer members and those who saw it before wanted me to return!  The truth of the matter might be that they could not get anyone else, but I will go with what they told me about liking to see all of my flags and learning more about them.


At any rate, Becky & I had a great time at the meeting... it is great to visit with a lot of my father's family although many are somewhat distant cousins.  Quite a few of those present qualified for Daughters or Sons of the American Revolution through Thomas West, Jr. with most - I had no idea how we were related.  Others present shared a common ancestor in other lines: Rager, Martin, Williams, Buckner, Woodis, etc.  Tommy Henderson and I share about 4 common ancestors and their spouses.


The dinner (my wages for the program) was absolutely great!  Most was even diabetic healthy foods!!!  And what was not, was really good!!!  Everyone in attendance was very friendly and nice to us.  I think my presentation was very well received and each learned something new, including me!  Setting-up and taking down all of my flags takes some time & work, but the task was much easier with help from Tommy, Eddie Deason and Chad Word... which I deeply appreciate.  But the highlight of the whole evening was the gift Tommy gave me for giving my program... his book on the 8,201 descendants of Thomas West, Jr. that he had compiled from his extensive records.  This 958 page hard-bound book must have cost over $50 to publish, but it is not about the money... it is about this wonderful collection of cousins and direct ancestors that are listed in this book, all 8,194 of them (I am one of the listed, along with my 3 siblings and 3 sons - I have 2 more descendants, my grandkids that are not listed).


I can not think of a better gift for a genealogist than the book that Tommy gave me.  And from this book I am able to easily sort out how so many at the dinner were related to me.  Thanks, Tommy!


- Written by JGWest

Marker/Plaque/Monument Monday - RW Soldiers

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"In Honor of the Soldiers & Patriots of the American Revolution 1775-1783" - Buried in Vanderburgh County
This marker is placed on the grounds of the Winfield K. Denton Federal Building & the U.S. Post Office. Placed by the Mary Anthony McGary Chapter - Vanderburgh Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Commemorating 200 years of freedom for the United States of America - July 4th. 1976

- Photos taken & submitted by Donald R. Counts

From the FIRST MATE's PHOTO ALBUM...

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A colorful sign at the Mesker Park Zoo in Evansville promoting the zoo's "Adopt an Animal" program. My Ohio Valley Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution have been adopting an American Bald Eagle for the last five years. One of the local DAR chapters followed our lead and are adopting an eagle, as well. The "adoption" program offers several levels of donating to the zoo to help raise money for the zoo. The donors/adoptees recieve a certificate and get a paw-shaped sign with their name that is placed on a larger board and promently displayed at the zoo.
- Photo taken by JGWest

"Tri-State Connection to TV Show!"

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There is a connection to the Tim McGraw episode of the NBC TV show "Who Do You Think You Are?" in the Tri-State area. Tim discovered that when George Washington was 16 years old he kept a journal and mentioned that he stayed with Tim's ancestor Jost Hite. Twenty years later George Washington met with Captain John Posey and the Hite family was brought up. Posey lived on land adjacent to George Washington's Mt. Vernon home. This John Posey was the father of General Thomas Posey of which Posey County, Indiana is named. The General served as the Aide-De-Camp to General George Washington during the Revolutionary War. General Posey died of Typhus fever on March 19, 1818 in Shawneetown, Illinois, aged 67, and was buried in the Westwood Cemetery. When the General died he was serving as the Governor of the Indiana Territory.

General Posey's grave marker in Westwood Cemetery in Shawneetown, Illinois.
SAR Color Guard from the General Thomas Posey Chapter of Posey County, Indiana. L-R: Robert Hall, Ruth Hall, Wil Teague, Becky West, John G. West (I am carry the 13-Star Betsy Ross Flag while Hall & Teague are carrying muskets to guard the flag)

I am a member of the General Thomas Posey Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution that meets in Mt. Vernon, Indiana in Posey County. We were invited to participate in a SAR/DAR grave re-dedication ceremony for General Posey in Shawneetown, since our chapter was named for him. Several of us dressed in our Revolutionary War uniforms to provide a Colonial Color Guard for the ceremony.

-Written by JGWest

Marker/Plaque/Monument Monday

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Red Banks Trace...

This first marker was posted in this blog 11 May 2009. Evansville's plaque marks the beginning of the Indian trail which goes north to Vincennes. The second two markers are in Vincennes. All three were erected and dedicated on 20 Aug 1966.


The above erected by the Vanderburgh Chapter of the Indiana Society DAR.

The above was erected by the Indiana Society of DAR. I wonder if there is another historical marker at Anthony's Ferry in Henderson, KY?

This last one was erected by the Francis Vigo Chapter DAR.

- Photos taken & submitted by JGWest

From the FIRST MATE's PHOTO ALBUM...

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Local DAR & SAR
very active in the Evansville, Indiana area...

These two photos taken at the 2009 West Side Nut Club Fall Festival Parade of the Captain Henry Vanderburgh Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Photos submitted by Vannetta McDowell.

SAR & DAR participate in the West Side Fall Festival Parade

These two photos at the 2009 Fall Festival Parade are of the Ohio Valley SAR Chapter of the Indiana Society of the Sons of the American Revolution. Photos taken by Cheri Baumberger & submitted by Don Counts.

Tombstone Thursday - Schnee

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Nanct W. Schnee (1827-1900) ... buried in Maple Hill Cemetery, New Harmony, Indiana. This tombstone and the footstones are interesting. Note the eye looking out. (Click on photos to get a better, larger image.)

Below is the full tombstone.
Another view with a marker in foreground with a DAR emblem. There is an extraordinary large number of DAR members depicted on markers in Maple Hill Cemetery, as well as, a large number of soldiers from nearly every US war.

Nancy Schnee's footstone or grave marker -- looks as if it had an area to plant flowers.

This is the same type marker for David Schnee.

-Photos taken & submitted by JGWest (10 Apr 2006)

[Tombstone Thursday is dedicated in memory of Donald G. West 1952-2000]

From the FIRST MATE's PHOTO ALBUM...

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Photo taken at the 2006 Evansville Central High School for their JROTC Awards Banquet by Ruth Hall. This was the photo that Ruth was taking when Chris Myers caught her in his photo giving the impression that Ruth was addressing everyone at the Banquet... see the September 18 TSGS blog "A Photo is Worth a Thousand Words." (http://tsgsblog.blogspot.com/2009/09/photo-is-better-than-thousand-words.html)

In this photo seated at table is (L-R) Bob Hall (Ruth's husband), John G. West, Becky West, and Peggy Gilkey's elbow is to the far right (in white blouse & blue vest). [Click on photo to get a larger image.] We were there to present the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution's JROTC Medal, Ribbon & Certificate to an Outstanding Cadet. Representatives of the US Military Branches, DAR, etc. along with SAR present awards to deserving cadets for various achievements. We do the same thing for Evansville Harrison High School.

- Photo taken by Ruth Hall

"A Photo is Worth a Thousand Words!"

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They say (you know who "they" are)... "That a photo is worth a thousand words!" or is it?

Here is a photo of Ruth Hall (with the purple Colonial dress and her back is to the camera) giving a speech before a large crowd at Central High School. The event was the Junior ROTC Awards night and our Ohio Valley SAR Chapter was to present an award to a deserving cadet... DAR does the same along with each of the branches of the military and other groups. In this "standing room" only crowd, you can see the interest everyone has in Ruth's speech.


This photo is a fooler... Ruth is not giving a speech - she is taking a photo of some of us that came to present the award after the meal. Those standing were in line to get food! So, a photo may be worth a thousand words, that is, if you know what the photo represents. If we put a caption to this picture as: "Ruth Hall addresses large crowd at CHS JROTC Awards Banquet" - you would think that she actually did address this big group back in 2006!

- Photo taken by Chris Myers

Marker/Plaque/Monument Monday

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John Sprinkle landed at this site in 1803 and in 1818 established Sprinklesburg on the Ohio River.

In 1837 the name of the town was changed to Newburgh, Indiana

[Click on image to enlarge & read content]

This plaque was erected in 1976 by the Sprinklesburg Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution.

- Photo taken & submitted by JGWest

Marker/Plaque/Monument Monday

Evansville's President General

of the National Society

Daughters of the American Revolution

Mary Parke McFerson Foster

1895-1896

Oak Hill Cemetery, Evansville, Indiana

This plaque was placed on the tombstone of John Watson Foster and his wife Mary who was an early leader of the DAR, serving as President General... the highest office in DAR.

-Photo taken & submitted by JGWest

Marker/Plaque/Monument Monday

DAR Marker to Recognize

The Red Banks Trace

For Mother's Day, Becky & I went to Mesker Park Zoo in Evansville, Indiana and found this marker erected by the Vanderburgh chapter Indiana Daughters of the American Revolution in 1966. It is located near the new zoo entrance on Mesker Park Drive. It is to commemorate to Indian trail known as Red Bank trace.

- Photo taken & submitted by JGWest

Marker/Plaque/Monument Monday

Posey County, Indiana

DAR Memorial Marker

(Click on photo for larger image)

Honoring the 15 soldiers of the American Revolution buried in Posey County. This was erected by the General Thomas Posey NSDAR Chapter in 1977 as a gift of the Chapter Regent. It is on the West lawn of the County Courthouse in Mt. Vernon, Indiana.

- Photo taken and submitted by JGWest

"My Revolutionary War Ancestor"

Don Counts submitted this about his Revolutionary War ancestor.

Reference: Volume 1 "A Roster of Revolutionary Ancestors of the Indiana Daughters of the American Revolution in Commemoration of the United States of America Bicentennial" July 4, 1976 Mrs. Thomas Martin Egan, State Regent 1973-1976 Vice President General, NSDAR 1976-1979.

CAMPBELL, WILLIAM b abt. 1759, near Charlotte, N. Carolina, d 27 April 1842, Warrick County IN, m 14 March 1785, Elizabeth Bogan, b abt 1766, d aft 29 Nov. 1842, Warrick County IN. SERVICE: Private; Enlisted 1775 York Co., Carolina under Capt. Peter Clinton, Capt. How, Col. Neal, Polk, Bratton and Roberts, Gen. Williamson. Served in all 18 months. CHILDREN: James, b 14 Dec. 1786; Jennet, 27 Jan. 1788, m William Webb; Thomas, b 14 Jan. 1790, m Polly Biship; Rachel, b 16 Feb 1792; Lettice, b 11 Feb. 1796, m William Hargrave; Cynthia, b 13 Feb. 1798, Polly Ann, b 25 May 1801; Elizabeth, b 20 May 1803; Samuel, b 4 May 1806. DESCENDANT: BARCLAY, Ethel (Mrs. Gus) No. 498714

[Don is a member of the Ohio Valley Chapter of the Indiana Society of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) - Immediate Past Prsident and currently serving as the state society SAR Chaplain. He is also a past President of TSGS. - JGWest]