"Picking Up Stakes, Moving West"

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Most of our ancestors that were in America in Colonial days and in the early 1800's, especially prior to the War of 1812 Knowing war was more than likely going to happen again after the Revolutionary War gave a lot of thought to moving west to the interior country.  During the Revolution many homes and families were destroyed by soldiers making raids on the property to get what they needed (or wanted).  Soldiers were given land grants for their service to their country.  So, they would gather the family and some friends and head to Ohio, Tennesse, Georgia, Kentucky and Indiana.

In Chillicothe, OH this list of things to bring was on exhibit for their Bicentennial Celebration:

Even though many walked most of the way, their supplies and other items would be carried in a wagon, possibly like the one pictured below.

- Photos taken and supplied by Mark & Janet Krebs

Circa 1906 Child's Casket in Museum

A Child's Casket about 1906

Fort Vallonia, Indiana Museum

On Loan From Vera Hague,

Hague Funeral Home,

Medora, Indiana

The label below states that these coffins were called "Fiddle Box Caskets."  To view the body, the lid was slid to the side!  First I have ever seen or even heard of this type of casket.

 Below is a view with the lid closed.

Above shows the inner lining with the lid opened.  Still in great shape despite the lid and top of casket showing a lot of wear and scratches from this beautiful wooden coffin that is over 100 years old!

- Photos taken and submitted by Janet and Mark Kreps.

"TSGS Members Elected to State SAR Posts"

Indiana Society

Sons of the American Revolution

Elects State Officers

Four members of the Evansville based Ohio Valley Chapter of INSSAR were elected to state offices on 18 April 2009. Two are TSGS members (*). Second from the left is John G. West * - Historian, fifth is J.D. Strouth - District One Director, sixth T. Rex Legler, II - Recording Secretary, seventh dressed in Revolutionary War red, white & blue uniform is Don Counts* - Chaplain.

Memorial Service being conducted for the past year's deceased members across the state. L-R: U.S. Flag Carrier Robert Cunningham, Flower Vase Holder State Genealogist Mark Kreps, with back to camera John G. West, conducting ceremony is State Chaplain Don Counts, Rose Holder State Registrar Robert Howell, SAR Flag Carrier James Arnold. John West is placing a rose in the vase in honor of Earl Sinnett who died this year as a member of the Ohio Valley Chapter. Compatriot Sinnett is the father of TSGS member Cheri Baumberger.


Photo of Memorial Service with the four Musket Carriers to the left (Rex Legler is at the far left). Once all of the deceased members were honored one by one with a rose being placed in the vase, these four Compatriots fired their flint lock musket as a salute to the deceased members.

The State Annual Meeting of the House of Delegates was held in the Indianapolis Propylaeum Club Building (not shown) with the Memorial Service held on the lawn of the Propyleum. During the state meeting, John West, Don Counts and J.D. Strouth each were presented the INSSAR Bronze Service Medals for their contributions to their local chapter. John West was also awarded the INSSAR Silver Service Medal for his work as a District Director.


Photos taken by Janet Kreps and submitted by JGWest