Hi Joan, What surnames are you searching? I also have VA and NC ancestors. Mary

I was born in WV and was called a hillbilly. Even when I went to KY which was only 30 miles away, people laughed at the way I talked. Anyway, northerners would alway say people from WV had one leg shorter than the other from walking on the side of the hills. When I moved to Akron, OH from KY I went to work in a hospital as a Surgical Secretary. There was a really hi falutin Dr who thought he was better than anyone and he always made fun of the way I talked. One day I gave him a message that he was to call his office right now. He said, "Rat now, rat now, didn't they teach you how to talk where you came from". I replied that I might not talk the way he thought I should, but one thing I was taught that apparently he wasn't, that it was not polite to put down other people. Needless to say I was not one of his favorite people after that. Mary

Mary, I really don't think your closet was a press. I could be mistaken, but at our house it was just a closet without a door. I believe a Press is an actual piece of furniture like a shiffrobe. You've heard that expression, haven't you? Pat -----Original Message----- From: Mbdiggin@aol.com <Mbdiggin@aol.com> To: KENTUCKY-LEGENDS-L@folklore.rootsweb.com <KENTUCKY-LEGENDS-L@folklore.rootsweb.com> Date: Sunday, September 12, 1999 1:43 AM Subject: Re: [KENTUCKY-LEGENDS AND FOLKLORE] >We had a closet, but with no doors, just a curtain hanging from a rod to >cover the opening and we called that a press. >Mary > >

Once upon a time there was a farmer who was hoeing in his garden. He began digging up potatoes and took them to the house. One of the potatoes looked kinda strange, but he threw it in the basket with the others. Later that night he heard a strange sound coming from the garden. At first he couldn't tell what it was, but then it drew closer and closer. He heard low moaning sounds of a person saying, "I want my big toe. I want my big toe." Well, the farmer began getting scared. The voice was getting closer. Now it was at the front door. "I want my biggg Toe". Next it was on the stairs. "I waant myy biggg toe". He heard the voice again, it was on the first step---"I waaant myyyy bigggg toe. I waaant myyy biggg toe." It was on the 2nd step, then the third step. Then it was at the bedroom door. The old man covered his head so he couldn't see. All at once the voice was right over his bed, and "GOTCHA!" That's the best I can remember the story. It may not be exact, but it's close. Anyway, it was good enough for my kids when I gave them a Halloween party yrs ago. My son scooted closer and closer to me until he was almost in my lap. After I finished that story sitting in our basement in the dark, he said, "Don't tell anymore stories, Mom." Pat -----Original Message----- From: Mbdiggin@aol.com <Mbdiggin@aol.com> To: KENTUCKY-LEGENDS-L@folklore.rootsweb.com <KENTUCKY-LEGENDS-L@folklore.rootsweb.com> Date: Sunday, September 12, 1999 1:31 AM Subject: Re: [KENTUCKY-LEGENDS AND FOLKLORE] bio >I remember Grandma used to tell me a ghost story about a Big Black Toe. I >can't remember how it goes, but part of it was "I'm on the 1st step, I'm on >the second step, etc and she would take him all the way to "I'm in your >bedroom" Then she would be quiet for a minute and then say, "Gotcha". We >would jump like we were shot. Does anyone remember all of this story? >Mary > >

We had a closet, but with no doors, just a curtain hanging from a rod to cover the opening and we called that a press. Mary

My Grandma used to sometimes make drop biscuits in a skillet and they were delicious. I liked them with butter and applebutter. We made our own apple butter in a hugh black kettle outside with a fire built under it. It smelled so good when it was cooking. Mary

I remember Grandma used to tell me a ghost story about a Big Black Toe. I can't remember how it goes, but part of it was "I'm on the 1st step, I'm on the second step, etc and she would take him all the way to "I'm in your bedroom" Then she would be quiet for a minute and then say, "Gotcha". We would jump like we were shot. Does anyone remember all of this story? Mary

Hi Liv, I have also studied Numerology and Astrology, also Indian Astrology since I also have Indian heritage. I have studied Feng Shui which is a Chinese study of placement of furniture, and the flow from outside to inside the home. I am fascinated by all the many things the Universe offers and have read on many other fascinating subjects. I take what applies, use a little common sense, always keep God first and go from there. You were right on with Ramona, though, she is a wonderful, caring, person and I feel very fortunate to have found her as a distant cousin and very dear friend. Mary

A Warm Welcome To: The Mitchell Family Bob T. Harshman Kathy Skeets Michael Haley Thank you Penny for your Bio. Sandy are you going to tell us a good haint tale before we turn in? If not Sandy---who has a good old fashioned haint tale? Ramona

I love your alls mail. It means so much to me each day. You have so many great ideas. I live in Kentucky after being away all these years, and still I don't know many of the things which you are talking about. Yet so many of them bring back such wonderful memories. Would you believe I fixed cabbage, potatoes, and ham all boiled up together today with fried cornbread on the side. Now you know I did not need any of that. But it sure was good. You all make me proud to be a kENTUCIAN and my roots mean more than they ever did. There are so many that have no idea what Kentucky's past is all about or how grand its people really have been. My family came to Kentucky from VA and NC generations ago. They were proud strong people that had worked hard all of their lives and actually made Kentucky what it is today as well as us. Joann

Hi Joann think this is a wonferful idea. I'm Shirley A. Graham presently living in sunny Fl. I have one daughter, age 38, we live together. Was borned In Barridge, Ky. Spent most of my younger years in Leatherwood, Ky. This was in the coal mining communities. Such wonderful memories. Was married to a military man for 30 years, was divorced in 1991. Surnames: CLARK, HUGHES - Greenwood Ky. CAUSEY, FARLEY, PACE, HUBBARD,KILBORN - Leslie Co. Ky. Thanks everyone do enjoy this list. Shirl. Joann Holland wrote: > How would it be for each of us to give a brief autobiogerfy (excuse > spelling, please) about ourselves giving info like: Name, mar. or single, > children - how many and ages, where we live, if we have lived in KY and > where, our links with kY, maybe our special interests or causes or whatever > is important to us. This would give us a chance to get to know one another > a little better and if it were sent back in one attachment, we could > download > it for future reference. We could also add our surnames and counties to > this list. > > What do you think? Joann

Bobbie, My dad used to sing a song: "The biscuits in the army, they say are mighty fine. One rolled off the table, and killed a pal of mine" THAT'S a good description of MY biscuits! LOL!!! Becky in AZ In a message dated 9/11/99 2:40:44 PM US Mountain Standard Time, blallen@ccdi.net writes: << I still don't see how they can pinch off a piece of dough & wham! A couple of fast rolls & it is smooth as a baby's bottom! I have to work at getting the horns off mine! LOL >>

Hi Everyone, I love reading the bios. Finally had a few spare moments and decided to send my own. My name is Penny Fraley Richardson. I was born May 21, 1951 in Marion, Ohio to Charles Leonard Fraley and Violet Juanita Seckel Walker. I was named Penny by my father. He said that way he would never be broke! My father was also in World War II. He was on the USS Blessman. During an air attack off Iwo Jima, 18 February 1945, the USS Blessman was hit by a 500-pound bomb which exploded in the mess hall knocking out all power and starting fires; she suffered 40 killed and 23 wounded. My dad relieved his buddy early to his buddy could go eat. His buddy died in the bombing. My dad didn’t talk much about it. I have lived in Marion all my life. I am currently single. I was married to Richard Scott Oney and had three children. Charles William Oney age 28. Married with two children. Lynnea age 9 and Charles Jr age 3. Christopher Scott Oney is 27. Divorced with a son Ryan age 11, Ashley age 3 and Peyton age 19 months. Angela Marie Oney Little is 25. She is married with a son Brent age 7, Amber Rae age 4 and Dalton age 2. Richard and I divorced in 1976. He was killed in a freak bicycle accident in 1995. I remarried in 1983 to Leonard Richardson. He died in 1995 from a heart attack. I have worked for the Ohio Bureau of Employment Services for 21 years. This last year has been my best. I was named “Account Executive of the Year”, for the State of Ohio. Then three months later I received a “Distinguished Service” Award from the National Employers’ Counsel at a conference in Washington DC. I was named “Volunteer of the Year” for Madison Correctional Institutional Institution, for my monthly presentations on how to obtain work, once released from prison. I just last month received an award at the Ohio State Fair from Ohio ’s Governor Taft, for designing a new form for use by the employment offices statewide. All this keeps me very busy. My spare time is entirely devoted to genealogy and the Internet. I started doing genealogy in 1995 after buying my first computer. I am now working on becoming a certified genealogist. My father was born in Morehead, Kentucky and I have been researching his family for four years, tracing them back to Rowan NC in 1750. I have taken many trips to NC and Virginia doing research. I currently have over 14, 900 ancestors in by database. My mother’s ancestors go back to the Mayflower and I find researching New England ancestry a real treat. They kept a lot of documentation. I am in the process of writing a couple of books. One is one the Fraley family and I am in the process of establishing the Fraley Memorial Library. Hope this gives you some insight on who I am. Going to a Fultz/Fraley reunion September 24-26 at Carter Caves, Kentucky. Can hardly wait. Love this list...........Sorry this is so long. Penny

I have always heard it called a press. And the one I remember so well is not like the closets we have today, but a hole in the wall , big enough to hold about 3 or 4 items, and the one I saw had no doors. I think they hung some type of curtain over it. Glad someone else knows what a press is. Everytime I slip back into my "hillbilly" ways, I call a closet a press, and everyone looks at me like what am I talking about. Maybe it is a Kentucky expression. Or should I say Hillbilly. And where did the term Hillbilly come from????????? Does anyone know?????????

Well, I still haven't got to read all my email! I keep having to get off. Gonna have to leave again, so I'll read all the rest later tonight! Have fun, all! Hope there is lots more stories awaiting when I get back!!!! Bobbie

Thank you all so much for keeping Kentucky Legends rollin'. No Leaders---just great people! WELCOME JIM WELCOME TAMMY I'm makin' Chili and runnin' up the hill---a bump really---but today it is a HILL. I'm tending the Grandsons. Talk to you later---and we were stupid enough to sell our old clothes press to an antique shop. The things we do when we are in a bind---the bad times passed but will never have a beautiful old clothes press again. Oh well---Life is GREAT everyday we are given. I'm off the struggle back the HILL. Ramona

Now you all have gone & done it again! Making my mouth water for homemade hot biscuits!!!! BTW, my Grandma was TOPS in that art also, and my Mom carried on the tradition! Too bad mine aren't as good. Well, they are pretty good, but can't equal Mom's & Grandma's! LOL I still don't see how they can pinch off a piece of dough & wham! A couple of fast rolls & it is smooth as a baby's bottom! I have to work at getting the horns off mine! LOL Bobbie

I never had heard it called a press until I read Loretta Lynn's book. You reckon it was a KY name??? Bobbie ----- Original Message ----- From: barbara <barm@bellsouth.net> I have always called the closet a press and people thought I was nuts.

Barbara, Not boring at all! Loved it!!! Bobbie ----- Original Message ----- From: barbara <barm@bellsouth.net> > Another tale from the hills of Kentucky

After reading about the beautiful farms that have remained in the same families for centuries, I feel somewhat envious. And then, reading the talents, skills, and various interests of everyone, I again feel a twinge of jealousy. However, if all were combined, I believe the only thing I didn't see was "astronaut", and I could care less about that one anyway. Pat's Biography: I was born and raised in Corbin, Whitley County, KY, the 10th of 13 children. One brother was killed in B-17 crash in WW2. I married out of high school, moved to Louisville, KY, where I had one daughter and one son. Moved again to Lexington, KY, where I had a D-I-V-O-R-C-E, Went to work as a secretary, working various places which included Univ. of KY Medical Center, KET TV, and last, at the Council of State Governments located about 1/4 mile from the famous KY Horse Park. The Horse Park was in the process of construction when I left Lexington after graduating my two children from high school and entering my son in UK. I moved back to Corbin for 3 yrs, had a craft shop one year and then it burned. I worked for an attorney two years. Then I located in Clinton, TN, where I now live. I worked for the state of TN for 17 years. Retired in 1998, and have loved every minute of being lazy and just playing at working. I have two granddaughters, Jessica, and Mollie Elizabeth (named for my mother). Jessica just entered Transylvania College in Lexington. She was an honor student, receiving various awards, one from the President. Pretty, and Smart---naturally!! Mollie excels at volleyball. Hopes to earn a scholarship with it. My son lives in Evansville, IN, has two boys, 12/14. They play ball. And I do mean "play ball", all the time. They are natural born ball players, basketball and baseball. When they were born, they hit the floor, running. When age 9, Trevor made a 'hole in one' in a golf game. Riley, at age 11, received award for the best of his age group in golf tournament. Trevor's basketball team has won the Jr. Pro National championship for the last two years. (by coincidence, the first Jr. Pro Instruction Manual has my son's picture on the front.) He also won a 4' trophy in Waynesville, IN, for championship, 3 on 3, whatever that is! Yes, this is my chance to brag. All four kids are among those we rarely read about in the newspapers--"extra-good kids". (I have been very fortunate.) My interests are Family History, Sewing, Crafts, Decorating, Travel (when I can afford it), and storytelling. I live alone and only cook when I get desperate for homecooked food. A hot meal to me is 'toasting the bread'. I collect recipes, don't necessarily use them, but love to read them. I have been featured in a few magazines--Ta!Ta!....It's old stuff now, but I'm still chewing on the memories of it all. In a decorating contest, I won a 10-day cruise from NY to England on the Queen Elizabeth 2 in 1994. That was what one calls the dream of a lifetime. My house was featured in Country Accents Magazine (5 pages), Nov.-Dec. 1994, then later in Country Decorator, Winter 1996. My 15 minutes of fame! Right now--house looks like doomsday warmed over. Now that I'm down off my pedestal, it's just day-to-day boredom. Except that I gave myself a retirement gift last year---a computer. Now, you know what I do with my time................. My family lines are basically: Estep/Rowlett/Nevils/Carmack/Yeary/Campbell/Brooks. All hailing from NC, SW VA, and SE TN. There are a few names in the family tree that may ring a bell with some of you. Don't know how far down the line you go before you quit calling them 'cousins' though! 1st--- "George Washington Carmack" known for his discovery of Gold in the Klondike. Books have been written about him. 2nd--- "Edward Ward Carmack"--his statue stands in front of the state capitol building in Nashville, TN. He was shot down on the streets of Nashville. 3rd---"Frank B. Rowlett", 2nd cousin,--he broke the Japanese code in WW2. He has appeared on NOVA in a series called 'The Codebreakers'. Books have been written, and his own book published in 1998. You can find him on a website. He's a man to whom we should all be grateful. His invention and contributions led to the ending of WW2, giving us our freedom. He received the nation's highest award. 4th---a town called "Rowlett, TX" named after Daniel Rowlett of KY. Another is Rowlett Station, KY, where battle was fought during the Civil War. If you saw the PBS special on "The Melungeons", it was produced by Darrell Rowlett of TX, formerly TN. He also produces "Treasures in the Attic". Oh, I mustn't forget, "Sergeant Alvin C. York, a Carmack descendant, the most highly decorated soldier in WW 1. You probably know him as Gary Cooper in the movie of "Sergeant York." Maybe you've seen his biography on A&E!! Well, the celebrityism kinda ran out on down the line. My gr'grandpa disappeared during Civil War, supposedly deserted the confederacy. Then there was Grandpa, who some say slept around! Need I explain that? Of course, there was my dad, who was just a hardworking man. But when someone mentions DuPont Lodge at Cumberland Falls State Park, I can again blow my horn by saying, "my daddy built that!" In fact, some of you, or your kids may have gone to school in a bldg constructed by my dad. The old courthouses where you'll be doing your genealogical research may have been built by my dad. If he were here today, he'd be 103. My mother died last year at 101-1/2 in Corbin, KY. She was my greatest source for compiling my family history book. There are presently 7 living siblings. Yes, I know! I am very longwinded............. Pat -----Original Message----- From: Solstice <SolsticeCHPT@hosts.talkcity.com> To: KENTUCKY-LEGENDS-L@folklore.rootsweb.com <KENTUCKY-LEGENDS-L@folklore.rootsweb.com> Date: Thursday, September 09, 1999 11:34 PM Subject: [KENTUCKY-LEGENDS AND FOLKLORE] MY BIO---DAD IN WW2---MY SURNAMES >What a wonderful idea for sharing our biographies together and to remember >WW 2. >I was born Aug. 6th, 1948 in St. Joseph's Hospital Lorain, Ohio the eldest >daughter of Madge Naomi "Peggy" Smith Bayes and Francis Edward Bayes. >I have 3 sisters and 1 brother: >Ruby Jo Bayes Neufarth---husband Lester Arthur----children: >Daniel Arthur md to Angel Watkins >Erick md and divorced from Chrissie Bates (they love each other--but can't >stand to live together) parents of Katie Elizabeth Anne age 4 >Erin Faith---age 16 yrs >Micah Abraham---age 12 yrs. >Robyn Janelle Bayes---age 46 yrs---single---Billing Clerk at Pike Community >Hospital and a Blessing to our family and our Mother >Mark Edward Bayes---wife Robin Gina Brown---children: >Jennifer Nicole---md. to Mark Burdock---parents of Alexa Nicole age 8 months >Tami Lea Bayes---age 37 yrs---md 1st Michael Vincent Balestra--2nd >Rick Hunt---children: >Brendan Daniel Balestra---age 22 yrs. >Michael Vincent Balestra--age 20 yrs. >Nathan Lee Balestra-------age 19 yrs. >Tami and Rick have adopted Scott Fitzpatrick Hunt---age 7 yrs. >My children are Renee' Marie---age 31 yrs. 1st husband Mark Hammond >2nd husband Brian Keith Walters---children: >Kyle Ray Hammond---age 12 yrs---bd Sept. 24th, 1986 >Austin Wyatt Walters--age 2 yrs----bd March 2nd, 1997 >Mark Francis Misita---age 28 yrs----md to Peggy Ann Lee---no children >as of yet but a kitten named Seal brightens their home. >I am retired from Bristol Village Retirement Center in Waverly, Ohio where >I was employed as an Administrative Assistant---I retired in 1990 due to >the rupture of 3 discs in my back. >My husband is Steven Bruce Woods---Steve has been a guard at CCI here >in Chillicothe, Ohio for 20 years. >My father served in WW 2 for 5 years overseas as a Staff Sargent. >He saw action in 5 theaters of War including the invasion of Normandy. >Dad was 5 miles back from the coast of Normandy--he was an air plane >mechanic that helped to keep our planes going "with paper-clips--spit--and >Prayer." >Dad passed in May of 1995---we miss him everyday. >He was a retired school teacher teaching at Waverly High School---Western >High School---the prison school here at CCI---and 3 wonderful years at >Sandy Hook High School---Elliott County, KY. >Mom is Mom---grower of beautiful flowers---lover of animals---writer of >songs. >Both of my parents were Sunday School Teachers and sang in the Church >Choir. >My Ancestors: My Maternal Grandmother was Ruth Fraley Smith-d/o Robert E. >Lee Fraley and Verlina Sturgill Fraley. >Grandpa's Robert's Lineage: >Parents: Daniel and Millie Evans Fraley >Grandparents: Jesse Fraley, JR. and Barbara Trout Fraley >Great Grandparents: Jesse Fraley, SR. and Mary English Fraley >Great Great Grandparents: Frederick and Chloe ? Fraley >Gramma Verlina's parents were: >Issac Lewis and Rutha Sturgill Sturgill >Grandparents: Alvin and Nancy Jane Fraley Sturgill >Great Grandparents: Lewis and Sarah Hanks Sturgill >Great Great Grandparents: James Sturgill and Ann Calloway Sturgill >Grandpa Dewey Smith's Lineage: Father Isaac Smith Mother Alice Osborne >As you can see I have much research to do on Grandpa's family. >My Dad's father was General Gerald Bayes: >His parents were: Samuel and Kentucky Parsons Bayes >Grandpa Samuel's parents were: Joshua and Mary Cooper Bayes >Grandma Kentucky's parents were: Gabriel and Molly Cleveneger Parsons >More Research! >Dad's Mother was Hazel Marie Kidder Bayes---her parents were: >Father David Francis Kidder >Grandpa David's Parents: William Nicholas and Louisa Rebecca Mitchell Kidder >Grandparents: Jacob Luther and Sarah Sheridan Kidder >More Research!! >Grandma Hazel's Mother was: >Dora Hamilton >Dora's Parents were: >Ahab Francis and Elizabeth Jane Washburn Hamilton >Grandparents: George and Mary Kidder Hamilton >AND MORE RESEARCH!!!! >Notice how my Ancestors intermarried---I have figured out I am my own >3rd cousin---on both sides! >I can't wait to read everyone else's Bio---thank you Joann for this great >idea. >Sincerely, >Ramona > > > > > >