(Not so) Wordless Wednesday: December 1969

These photographs were in an album owned by my father, and they show members of the extended family in December 1969.  Someone must have had a G.I. Joe Christmas that year, and everyone seems to be getting into the act.

The photo above is of my cousin, Jim Coats, giving the 'victory' sign.  I believe that all of these photographs were taken at Grandma LeMaster's house in Portland, Indiana.  

My cousin, Donna Coats, Jim's sister, was into the act, although not as involved as the others.  This chair must have been the popular spot for photos that year.

 

Cousin Rick Steigerwalt looks decked out and ready for for war, with a smile on his face.  I wonder what is in the package beside him?

Rick's brother, Mark Steigerwalt, is ready to launch a grenade onto the unsuspecting Christmas revelers.

 

Not sure if uncle Vic LeMaster is surrendering or on a suicide mission, but Sgt. York he isn't.

Looking back 40 years at these photographs, I find it interesting the toys that must have been popular, at least in my family, at the time.  This was during the height of the Vietnam War, and I wonder today how many kids will have military items under their tree this year. 

 

Family Milestones: December 8th

My paternal 6th-great grandparents, Thomas William DAVIS and Tacy CRANDALL, were married on this date in 1737 in Westerly, Rhode Island.  Thomas was the son of John and Elizabeth (MAXSON) DAVIS.  Tacy was the daughter of John and Mary (________) CRANDALL.  Thomas was born May 15, 1719 in Westerly, Rhode Island.  Tacy was born circa 1720 in Westerly.  After their marriage, they moved their family to Monongalia County, Virginia.  Thomas died July 15, 1791 at White Day Creek, Monongalia County, Virginia.  Tacy died June 1, 1795 at White Day Creek, Monongalia County, Virginia.  

My paternal 2nd-great granduncle, William F. METZNER, married on this date in 1867 to Mary Ann HALEY in Jay County, Indiana.  William was the son of John and Catherine (YOUNG) METZNER, and the younger brother of my John Adam METZNER.  Mary was the daughter of Sebastian and Lydia (RADER) HALEY.  William was born January 6, 1844 in Licking County, Ohio.  Mary was born in 1846.  They raised a family of 8 children in Bearcreek Township, Jay County, Indiana.  William died in 1929 and Mary in 1926. They are buried in the Gravel Hill Cemetery, Jay County, Indiana.

My maternal 5th-great granduncle, John RAINS, was born on this date in 1787.  John was the son of Anthony and Nancy (GRAHAM) RAINS, and the older brother of my Elizabeth RAINS.  Nothing further is known at this time.

My maternal 2nd-great grandaunt, Mary Jane KING, was born on this date in 1849 in Orestes, Madison County, Indiana.  Mary was the daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth (KING) SHAW, and the older sister of my Ellen KING.  Mary married Leroy YOUNG, son of William and Jane (________) YOUNG, on February 8, 1871.  Leroy was born November 14, 1843 in Indiana.  Leroy died March 26, 1893 in Orestes, Madison County, Indiana, and Mary remarried to Robert HICKS.  Mary died April 4, 1935 in Orestes, Madison County, Indiana.  They are buried in the Odd Fellows Cemetery, Alexandria, Madison County, Indiana.

My paternal 5th-great grandaunt, Rebecca HAINES, was born on this date in 1776 in Burlington County, New Jersey.  Rebecca was the daughter of Robert and Rachel (VENICOMB) HAINES, and the younger sister of my Hannah HAINES.  Rebecca died March 15, 1816 in Burlington County, New Jersey.  Nothing further is known at this time.

Tombstone Tuesday: Joseph W. and Rebecca Ann (Heaton) Wright

My maternal 3rd-great grandparents, Joseph W. and Rebecca Ann (HEATON) WRIGHT, are buried in the I.O.O.F. cemetery in Alexandria, Madison County, Indiana.

Joseph was born April 1838 in Brown County, Ohio, the son of John and Anna (WARDLOW) WRIGHT.

Rebecca was born 1841 in Brown County, Ohio, the daughter of James R. and Elizabeth (JACOBS) HEATON.

Joseph and Rebecca were married November 1, 1857 in Schuyler County, Missouri. There was a mass migration of several related families out of Brown County, Ohio to Schuyler County, Missouri in the late 1850s. Joseph and Rebecca soon returned to Brown County, as they were enumerated in the 1860 census there.

Joseph and his family moved to Monroe Township, Madison County, Indiana in the mid-1860s where they were engaged in farming.

Rebecca died on March 25, 1890 in Monroe Township, Madison County, Indiana. After her death, Joseph remarried to Dorothy PALMER on April 11, 1891 in Madison County, Indiana. Joseph died on September 16, 1919 in Monroe Township, Madison County, Indiana.

Children of Joseph and Rebecca Ann (HEATON) WRIGHT are:

• Mary A. WRIGHT (1858-1910); married William Frank KIRK; 3 children
• John William WRIGHT (1860-1945); married Ellen KING; 4 children
• Elizabeth WRIGHT (1863-1882); married William Alpha JONES; 1 child
• Anna L. WRIGHT (1864-1914); married Albert Morris VINSON; 1 child
• James WRIGHT (1868-1936); married Clara B. HICKS; 4 children
• Charles Riggs WRIGHT (1870-1967); married Bertha C. LEONARD; 4 children
• Daisy L. WRIGHT (1873-aft1930); married Thomas A. FOX: 4 children
• Edward E. WRIGHT (1875-1960); married Martha Jane STARR; 3 children
• Jesse WRIGHT (1878-1919); married Hazel O'BRYANT