This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: tomktkuhn Surnames: Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.kentucky.counties.lawrence/3146.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: I have fond memories of the entire Wellman family of Big Hurricane, WV. The last time I drove through that area I stopped at my grandparents home to find that Robert Wellman was living there. It was nice to know a friend is taking good care of my first home. Unfortunately my grandfather's store is now used for storage, but it was a mecca of social activities for the people of the area. Saturday's were the busiest as men brought their grain to the nearby mill. Those who played guitars, mandolins and "fiddles" performed bluegrass style while sitting on nail kegs around the pot belly stove at the store waiting for the grain to be ground. Charles and I were about the same age and Annabelle and my younger sister were playmates. I attended school up until the 4th grade at the two room school house next to the Wellman home with all the Wellman children. At recess, marbles were shot on the softened earth beside the Baptist Church adjacent to the schoolhouse. Crawdads were caught under the one lane bridge and in the little creek that traveled past the Wellman barn down to our property and beyond. Mary was a little older and my inspiration. I wanted to grow up just like her. Frank used to tease us and usually made my sister cry. Tommy I think was a littler older than me and I was probably a pest in his eyes. Anyhow, I loved the entire family and will remember them forever (which, by the way) is not long off. Vangie and Clarence were my second parents in those days and I felt welcome there whether I was or not. I ate many meals there and remember the fried slab bacon, mustard and biscuit sandwiches that were always available and stored in the kitchen cupboard. Getting a cool sip of water from the well-used tin dipper attached to the well was a treat, never mind maybe a million people had sipped before me. Germs were unknown in those days. Everything was cured with Watkins products purchased (or bartered) from my grandfather's store and the ever popular castor oil. I can see Clarence today driving up to the store to gas up the old black car that was kept in the garage built into the hill belowt he Wellman house. His car and my grandfather's red pick-up truck was about the only motorized vehicles of the community. Clarence was tall and the steering wheel almost rested between his long legs. Very regal! I hope your memories of our family are half as good as my memories of yours. If you haven't already guessed who I am by now I will sign off as Joanne Foreman Kuhn, oldest granddaughter of Bob and Arabella Buskirk. May God bless all of you, keep you safe and well. Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.