Little Egypt Heritage Articles eduda tsunogisdi © Bill Oliver 22 October 2006 Vol 5 Issue: #34 ISBN: pending Osiyo, Good Evening Ladies and Gentlemen of Little Egypt, “Traditions” I’ve been told that I have a strange sense of humor; I do like the bizarre, the curious, and the strange. I have saved little bits of these from years in a file folder. And, every so often I find that file and settle into reading. Being a “Marine Brat” I was exposed to foreign customs early in life. Service men of World War II also brought home from distant and faraway lands many remarkable accounts of strange peoples, strange beliefs, and strange ways of living. Strange at least to us Americans. Take eating as an example. We Americans use a napkin [the British call this a baby's diaper], when we eat. We unfold it and spread it over our lap, not tuck it under our chin. When the meal is over, we place the unfolded napkin back on the table. If we leave the table during the meal we lay the unfolded napkin in our chair while we are gone. Other cultures tuck the napkin under their chins, and often fold their napkins when placing them back on the table. Food is picked up with a fork. One can use either your left hand or your right one but most Americans use the right hand except when cutting food, when the fork is in the left and the knife in the right. If you hold the fork in the left hand you can keep your knife in the right to push the food onto the fork. If you use the right hand to eat then a small piece of bread may be used to push things with the left hand. It is still considered correct for a man to seat the females at the table before he sits down. If everyone is seated and a lady comes in to join the table, the men should stand up until she is seated. In most countries this is paramount to good manners; today we might consider this odd. Americans chew with their mouth closed. Our mothers kept telling us to not "smack", or make other strange noises while eating. We don't always follow that rule when alone but when eating with others we try to remember. In some other cultures it is custom to chew food with the mouth open. Eccentricity is not foreign in any culture that I’m aware of. In my neighboring town, the next one up river, lives a man we affectionately call “Polar Bear”. Wednesday last, Mr Herb Mericle turned over time to begin his second century of life. Beside “Polar Bear”, Mr Mericle is known as the “Father of the Polar Dip”, an annual event where folks “dip” themselves in the Maumee River on New Year’s Day at 1430 hours [2:30 p.m.]. He claims to have begun this tradition back when I was but a “tad of a lad” in the 1930s to celebrate his marriage which took place on that day and time of the year in 1936. If my facts are correct though he started his cold water dipping more like 1932, so maybe the timing of his dips brings the event into that particular time. His last plunge was the first of January 2002. Many folks warned him that such tempting of hypothermia and/or frostbite was not healthy. However, he has replied that he was the only one of such advisors yet living. This publicize event brought out spectators and “joiners”. His tradition was not always shared – there have been years when he “dipped” alone. I take a particular fancy to British Folk Customs. Oxford University has several colleges. In All Souls’ College, Oxford, “Hunting the Mallard” was a traditional custom, annual celebration, associated with the Feast, or Gaudy, on January 14th., but is now observed only once in every century. It consists of a ceremonial hunt for the tutelary [a guardian] bird of All Souls. In this case, a mallard of great size that, according to legend, was discovered in a drain when the foundations of the college were being laid in 1437. There is always a debate as to whether it was buried there, or very much alive and, being disturbed by the workmen, flew away and was lost. Hence, on Mallard Night, after the feasting had ended, a search used to be made for it by all the Fellows, led by an elected 'Lord Mallard' and six officers appointed by him. These officers carried white staves in their hands, and wore medals struck for the occasion, depicting on one side the Lord Mallard and his attendants, and on the other, the Mallard on a long pole. At midnight, the whole inebriated company would set off in procession, carrying lanterns and torches and raucously singing the Mallard Song, to hunt diligently for their mythical bird in every part of the building, in and out of rooms and closets, along passages, up and down stairs, and out over the leads. The search lasted for several hours, and did not usually end until daybreak. Now I love books and love to read. I was taught [and shown] that books were precious. In fact it was a major offense to destroy any book. My Mother transported our “library” half way around the world and back. It was a Depression Thing, I’m sure. The Honourable [correct British spelling] Maurice Baring was a member of the famous banking family, as well as poet, diplomat, essayist, war correspondent and a noted ‘leafomaniac’. Mr Baring did not collect books, he collected pages from books. If he came upon an interesting passage, he would simply tear out the page and paste it into a notebook. It should be said that at least his habit was confined to his own books and not volumes from the local library. However, once he had extracted what he wanted he simply gave the books away. Every time he moved his “house” he gave away his entire library and started all over. No doubt the recipients were somewhat bemused to find several of the pages missing from each of the volumes. Another ‘leafomaniac’? It is interesting to note that Charles Darwin, the English naturalist, also used to tear out the pages that he wanted from a book, and then just put the bulk of the book in his attic. He did not have a library, as much as a vast set of papers and pages pinned together. For anybody who loves books, the practice seems incomprehensible. Should we think of “sweeps”, it is not usually connected with chimney sweeping. In Rochester, Kent, England, there is a spring bank holiday held on the first weekend in May. A May Day Celebration. This festival owes its roots to age old traditions. Sweeping chimneys was a dirty but necessary trade nearly 300 years ago. The Sweeps Festival is said to be the largest gathering of Morris Dancers in the world. Notably, it is the only true English day where you can join in and listen to the music. The Morris Dancers hold hankies in their hands, or sticks, and have bell-pads tied at their knees, which make a loud and cheerful rhythm as they dance. The custom of men welcoming in the New Year by carrying pans of blazing tar on their heads is still kept alive in Allendale, Northumberland, England on New Year's Eve. The "carriers", dressed in fancy costume, balance on their head the end of a barrel filled with inflammable material. The procession is timed to reach an unlit bonfire shortly before midnight, then each man in turn tosses his flaming "headgear" on to the bonfire, setting it ablaze. On the stroke of twelve, all join hands and dance around the fire, singing Auld Lang Syne. Speaking of barrels of flammable material, there is Guy Fawkes night (5th November), which many of us have heard about. Held at Ottery St. Mary, an internationally renowned place for Tar Barrels, an old custom said to have originated in the 17th century takes place. The annual event involves people racing through the streets of the town, carrying flaming wooden barrels of burning tar on their backs with these words being sung: "Remember, remember, the fifth of November, Gunpowder, treason and plot. We see no reason why Gunpowder treason Should ever be forgot!" In November 1605, the infamous Gunpowder Plot took place in which some Catholics plotted to blow up the English Parliament and King James l, the day set for the king to open Parliament. The men were angry because the king had treated them badly and they didn't care for it. The story is remembered each November when 'Guys' are burned in a celebration known as "Bonfire Night". Remember, “The Night of the Dead” is approaching!!! Soon!!! e-la-Di-e-das-Di ha-wi nv-wa-do-hi-ya nv-wa-to-hi-ya-da. (May you walk in peace and harmony) Wado, Bill -=- 1453 PostScript:

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Kennedy, Ballance Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/2g.2ADE/1099 Message Board Post: Looking for information about the John Kennedy living in Johnson Co. for the 1850 census. Nancy is living with him as are her children from marriage to John Ballance. John Kennedy was born about 1785 in NC.

----- Original Message ----- From: <Bls630s@aol.com> To: <ILJOHNSO-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Wednesday, October 18, 2006 6:27 PM Subject: [ILJOHNSO] O. M. Fraim > This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. > > Surnames: Fraim > Classification: Query > > Message Board URL: > > http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/2g.2ADE/1098 > > Message Board Post: > > Oliver Morton Fraim was my great grandfather, I would appreciate anything anyone has on him. I was through Belknap and saw the house just before it burned and was at the Masonic Cemetery. I have no date of death other than 1947. Thank you for any consideration. Bonnie Fraim/Shaw > Bonnie... I read your e-mail, the only name I knew in Johnson Co., like the name - Fraim... was Fain. I decided to look for the name.... So, in the marriage record book, Johnson Co., IL Marriages 1886 - 1893, puplished by SandS Genealogists. I found a few names, Fraim....on page 63, there is a marriage for my grandparents. G. T. Fraime was a witness. This says, Albert Greer, Johnson Co., Farmer, 1st marriage, age 19, living Johnson Co. marriage the 12 of May, 1889 the wife was, Sophrona Rikard, she was 23 her second marriage, [She was Sophronia Elizabeth Bear, daughter of Alexander Bear and his wife, Harriet Roden] There is an interesting story about what happened at their wedding... if you think you'd like to read it... let me know. In the IL State marriages, Oliver M. Fraim, married Martha West 15 July 1883 in Johnson Co., IL - If you are from this line, the West family was very early in the County and very influential. There were three others in the IL State film, but they married in Wayne Co., IL Hope this is of interest to you.... Louise > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to ILJOHNSO-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message > > > -- > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG Free Edition. > Version: 7.1.408 / Virus Database: 268.13.5/483 - Release Date: 10/18/2006 > >

The Illinois Marriage Index shows the following marriages for William M. Grissom. Are they all the same fellow? I'm interested in the one who married Eliza J. Atnip Spence. GRISSOM, WM - FARLESS, ELIZA J 11/04/1859 00A/0097 JOHNSON GRISSOM, WILLIAM M - SPENCE, ELIZA ATNIP 02/14/1889 000/0104 00002063 MASSAC GRISSOM, WILLIAM M - FARRIS, ETTIE W 04/08/1894 001/0210 00000114 JOHNSON Thanks so much. Happily in Christ, Harlene Soper Brown I'm hoping this goes through ok. I lost all my email addresses.

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Fraim Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/2g.2ADE/1098 Message Board Post: Oliver Morton Fraim was my great grandfather, I would appreciate anything anyone has on him. I was through Belknap and saw the house just before it burned and was at the Masonic Cemetery. I have no date of death other than 1947. Thank you for any consideration. Bonnie Fraim/Shaw

I have noted your new address. I see that Toler is one of your names. You wouldn't by change know who would have a photo of Emily Toler, Trigg, Leverett would you. I'm also looking for her place of burial in or near Harviel, MO. I wait for your reply. Doug ----- Original Message ----- From: <carter77@sunset.net> To: <ILJOHNSO-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Tuesday, October 17, 2006 3:55 PM Subject: [ILJOHNSO] Chg of address > This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. > > Surnames: Carter,Morse,Smith,Toler, Shipman. > Classification: Query > > Message Board URL: > > http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/2g.2ADE/1097 > > Message Board Post: > > My new email address is carter77@softcom.net > > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to ILJOHNSO-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message > >

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Carter,Morse,Smith,Toler, Shipman. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/2g.2ADE/1097 Message Board Post: My new email address is carter77@softcom.net

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/2g.2ADE/1096 Message Board Post: My new email address is carter77@softcom.net

Little Egypt Heritage Articles eduda tsunogisdi © Bill Oliver 15 October 2006 Vol 5 Issue: #33 ISBN: pending Osiyo, Good Evening Ladies and Gentlemen of Little Egypt We Americans are a mixed lot in more ways than one. We are a people who challenged authority when we deemed they were wrong. We are a people who propose that arming teachers and administrators would avoid school shootings tragedies. We are a people so intent on monetary profits that we will outsource our industries cutting off our own work force. And, yet we are a nation so benevolent that we drop all differences during crisis. We are a people that took land away from others, yet have always helped each other build communities. The first pioneers came in groups and worked with each other to raise shelters, clear fields for planting, shared starter livestock and then did the same to newcomers. Sometime in the 1830s, a branch of my family moved from Tennessee to southern Illinois. This wasn’t the first move they made. The older brother was born in Virginia; the younger brother was born in North Carolina. Their children were born in Tennessee [we think]. In southern Illinois there is evidence that the older brother’s “place” was the community “center”, for his house was the first meeting place for the church that these brothers organized. Thus, in my minds eye, I envision this set of families first coming together to build the older brother’s place, and then moved on to the younger brother’s place. It may have been even a tighter community, for there is some evidence that a third brother and other Tennessee neighbors migrated with these two brothers. This community helping spirit fostered needed social events. The coming together to “raise barns” and harvest crops are events that many of us can remember experiencing. The call would be spread in gathering places such as church and town stores that so-and-so would harvest his crops on such-and-such day and all were invited. As a youngster I didn’t know how it all got organized, but it sure seemed to come off without hitches. Some folks brought saw horses, others brought doors to lay across them, everyone brought food – meats, breads, vegetables, potatoes and yams, cakes and pies, milk, coffee and tea. One would think it was Thanksgiving. All came early and the work would begin. By noon the meal was ready and the men would stop their work long enough to eat and tell stories before returning to the task at hand. This entire county was built this way as communities would leap frog from east to west. It embodies the selfless need for a team effort to accomplish a difficult or formidable task for the good of an individual, a family or a community. In barn raising, there was a great deal of preparation. Barns were, well into the 20th century, of timber frame. This preparation was the responsibility of the individual farmer and traditionally done during the colder months when there was more time to spare by the helping neighbors. The lumber harvested was primarily hand hewn timbers coming from the farmers own woods. Until one hit the plains, old growth forests held numerous trees with long narrow tapers and very dense growth rings. This facilitated the conversion from log to beam. Often farmers became so skilled that the surfaces were smooth enough to fool a person into believing it was mill saw’n. However, the fashioning of the frame was often done by a “craftsman” called a carpenter/joiner. Before a frame could be put up, the foundation had to be prepared. Large boulders, called plint stones, with other stones, were laid to form the foundation. These were all laid up dry until the late 1800s, early 1900s. The sills and floor joists were assembled prior to the calling of a “raising crew”. White oak and chestnut woods were used if available. If a community wasn’t brand new, a “calling” probably wasn’t very difficult because there were sufficient numbers of people to do the various jobs necessary. As intimated above, families worked together for a variety of purposes. Years of necessity and tradition enabled people to come together for common causes. It wasn’t all work and no play; these "work fests" also filled a social need. One didn’t usually spend leisurely hours visiting. As mentioned, entire families would descend upon the chosen site. Women came to prepare meals for the raising crew. Young children would frolic about with other young children. Older girls and boys would start filling their roles in this drama of community effort. Of course, weather had to co-operate. The first bent [a transverse framework to carry lateral and vertical loads] was very important. It required the coordination of hands lifting the timbers while other hands stood ready to jab their pike [spiked] poles for the vertical launch. Timbers were usually pegged together and with two bents in place progress was made with a bit more confidence. Depending upon the size of the barn the number of bents could be as many as seven or eight. When the bents were in place, scaffolding was then laid across the top to provide a platform for raising the “plates”. When the frame was complete rafters would be set in place and the task was finished. The goal was to have the frame standing by the end of the day, as devoting more from their own work and chores for two days in a row would be difficult for anyone. If the frame came together without mishap or mistakes and there wasn't a late afternoon thunderstorm, its completion would be cause for social festivities. I often think of the respect our Native Americans had for all of nature and their prayers of preparation of the hunt, asking the intended game to forgive the necessity of killing them. In barn raising there is a tradition of nailing a green bough to the frame by the master carpenter or owner/farmer. This is traced back many centuries signifying homage to the forest from which the frame has come. With the work completed it would be time to eat, the work of the women that afternoon would be consumed with an exuberance equal to the work involved in raising the frame itself. Very often barn dancing into the late evening would climax the day's work. A quote in my local newspaper’s political page set me to thinking about these things this week. “The biggest difference is not between Democrats and Republicans. It’s between all of us and the Amish. May God help us.” [JoAnn Crouch-The Blade Editorial Page, 11 Oct 2006] These words brought to mind that the entire community surrounding the recent tragedy in Pennsylvania mourned – Amish and non-Amish. Here is a community deep in sorrow that resisted the zeal of an “eye for an eye”. Plus, today the wife of the man that caused the tragedy "thanks" the Amish community for their forgiveness. This, among the other differences in our people, is why my country stands tall. e-la-Di-e-das-Di ha-wi nv-wa-do-hi-ya nv-wa-to-hi-ya-da. (May you walk in peace and harmony) Wado, Bill -=- 1133 PostScript:

I have a listing of the Robinson/Robertson Cemt. Whom are you looking for? Linda Holmes White

Who are you looking for? The cemetery has been inventoried. It is listed in the Burnside Township inventory of cemeteries. The book can be found in the Vienna library and purchased there for $30. If you want the name and address of the compilers, Sands Genealogy, let me know. At 06:13 PM 10/14/2006, you wrote: >This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. > >Surnames: Vancleve, Vancleave >Classification: Query > >Message Board URL: > >http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/2g.2ADE/1095 > >Message Board Post: > >Searching for info (location, who to contact about records) for a >Wise-Robinson cemetery in Johnson Co. Also seen it listed as just >Wise cemetery. Don't know if it's the same as the Robertson cemetery >in Johnson Co. > > >------------------------------- >To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to >ILJOHNSO-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without >the quotes in the subject and the body of the message

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Vancleve, Vancleave Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/2g.2ADE/1095 Message Board Post: Searching for info (location, who to contact about records) for a Wise-Robinson cemetery in Johnson Co. Also seen it listed as just Wise cemetery. Don't know if it's the same as the Robertson cemetery in Johnson Co.

Still searching for information on Hetty Clarinda Fox McCready. I have her widow's pension from Pope County and marriage record to John McCready. Would sincerely appreciate any other information, most especially the names of all of her children. Her children's names would link my research. I researched (as best I could on a short trip) the Pope County Courthouse and at the Vienna library. I believe they lived in Belknap at one time. I apologize for repeating this request. I do it often in the hopes someone new has joined the group. Arnell Nightingale Sunnyvale California

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Gibbons, Colemans, ,Hill, Hollands ,Pewitts, Adams, Summers,Singleton,and Medlocks ,Summers, Callahans Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/2g.2ADE/1094 Message Board Post: I know this Richard on your page isnt my gggrand father because he is listd iin Nc 1850 census along with my gggrandma Sally and Sally Hill My ggrandmother she is 20 in that census and she md James E. Gibbons in 1850 iin Surry NC but im trying to figure if this is kinfolk to my Richard .He was born about 1796

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Maze, Martin, Lambert Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/2g.2ADE/1084.1 Message Board Post: I really know nothing except this about the Thornton family--There was a Dr. Thornton who either lived in Goreville, Il or near it. I often heard my mother and grandparents speak of Dr. Thornton. I know he delivered me and probably others of , also. He was very well known and highly respected. I am 77 so that will give you a time frame of when he was practicing in Goreville. By now, noting the date of your post perhaps you have learned much more about your family. Good luck, Gloria Williamson

in the areeeHi, when I read your e-mail that mentioned Parker City, I called my cousin who wrote a booklet about the people and the town. She said there wasn't a Parker City in 1862.... it was Incorporated in 1887.... the land for it was bought from a Snider, by a Ridenhour.... neither of the railroads were there when John Gordon was born.... she said there is a Harper Town that was in Johnson Co....I looked at the 1870 census you mentioned, I think you might be right that he was an orphan... the man he was living with was a Dr..... sorry this wasn't much help to you. Louise Erekson ----- Original Message ----- From: <mrbutters1@earthlink.net> To: <ILJOHNSO-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Thursday, October 12, 2006 5:40 PM Subject: [ILJOHNSO] Gordon in Parker City > This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. > > Surnames: Gordon > Classification: Query > > Message Board URL: > > http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/2g.2ADE/1093 > > Message Board Post: > > Can anyone assist me in locating any information on John Wesley Gordon born 9/30/1862 in Parker City, IL? I have very little information on him except that he moved to McCracken County, KY and married Mary Ellen Price and had four children, the first born in 1885. There is an 1870 census listing for John Gordon of the proximate age who is living with Joseph Thomas and his family in Johnson County, IL. Maybe this is him. Maybe he was orphaned. Any information or direction would be appreciated. > > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to ILJOHNSO-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message > > > -- > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG Free Edition. > Version: 7.1.408 / Virus Database: 268.13.2/472 - Release Date: 10/11/2006 > >

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Gordon Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/2g.2ADE/1093 Message Board Post: Can anyone assist me in locating any information on John Wesley Gordon born 9/30/1862 in Parker City, IL? I have very little information on him except that he moved to McCracken County, KY and married Mary Ellen Price and had four children, the first born in 1885. There is an 1870 census listing for John Gordon of the proximate age who is living with Joseph Thomas and his family in Johnson County, IL. Maybe this is him. Maybe he was orphaned. Any information or direction would be appreciated.

Dear List: I would like to know if there is an Anderson Cemetery in Johnson County? Thanks in advance. Vicki in Alabama

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Black, Roberts, Walker Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/2g.2ADE/1092 Message Board Post: I would like someone to look up a George W Black in the Cedar Grove Cemetery. I think he died in 1937. I would appreciate any information on any Black's you might find, especially Lucretia, John W, Aaron, Richard, July and any others. These people all lived in Johnson from around 1850 until whenever. If there are any descendants still living there, I would love to hear from you. Thanks in advance. Lenora

Dear "cardinalbird" I would love to have the Rebecca Kerley picture. The Kerleys are in my tree through the marriage of my aunt, Beulah Lorene Reynolds to Paul Laverne Kerley. Paul descends from Miles and Elizabeth through their son, John McClelland. Margaret Reynolds Oliver ----- Original Message ----- From: <cardinalbird@usa.com> To: <ILJOHNSO-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Friday, September 29, 2006 11:48 PM Subject: Re: [ILJOHNSO] Miles Orsten Kerley & Elizabeth Ford > This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. > > Surnames: kelley, kerley, ford, hinchee, holt, jennings > Classification: Query > > Message Board URL: > > http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/an/2g.2ADE/202.2 > > Message Board Post: > > I am the g-g-g-grandaughter of Miles and Elizabeth. I am currently > gathering gobbs of new infromation and have a photo of their daughter > Rebecca Tennessee Kerley Kelley for anyone who is interested. > > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > ILJOHNSO-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > quotes in the subject and the body of the message >