Thomas K. Marquis "THE FOLLOWING IS A POEM I DISCOVER WHILE GOING THROUGH MY LATE AUNT MARY LOUISE MARQUIS PERSONNAL EFFECTS FOLLOWING HER DEATH IN MARCH OF 1993. THE MARQUIS CLAN Down in old Virginia, that's where I'd like to be roaming thru the hills and valleys to see what I could see, histories have been written of Virginia, you can read them in the books; That's why I'd like to tramp around and see how the country looks. To the wilds of old Virginia came the settlers long ago; stout-hearted men and women as all the records show. Came Major Marquis Calmers, the sturdy Hugenot, the Marquises, Colvilles, Vances, with others cast their lot; came the Smiths, the Whites, the Jones', plain homely names 'tis true, Logens, Hoges, Hites and Griffiths-there was a Morgan too. These hardy pioneers who feared not toil and labor, they built their houses, tilled the soil and welcomed each new neighbor. They built their church, worshiped God and kept their powder dry; For oft was heard the Indian whoop, the stealthy panther's cry. They had not the dainty food the common people now afford, but game corn bread, and hominy was smoking on the board. Thes Virginia pioneers, the best in them they gave; some have head-stones with their names, some rest in unmarked graves. We honor the memory of these fearless pioneers they left a priceless heritage to gladden coming years. On the banks of the Opequean, more than two hundred years ago, was the firs Marquis location; there the clan began to grow. There was a "Marquis Road" and it was soon well worn; there was also a "Marquis Mill" where the families ground their corn. William and his good wife Margaret, came from far across the sea to find a new home in this land of liberty. We have scant record of their lives, their joys, their hopes, their fears; we know not when they passed away; all is lost in the mist of years. But this we do know, they had at least two children; Thomas was the son; daughter Mary wed "Master" Wilson ere she was twenty-one. Her span of life was all too short and there is no review; A rough-hewn stone marks her grave, she died with babe at twenty-two. Thomas married Mary Colville; no doubt a busy wife was she, to them was born four sons and of daughters there were three. thomas in his field one day was busy husking corn; it might have been the afternoon, perhaps the early morn; he may have paused to rest himself beneath the fateful tree, when suddenly there came an awful tragedy. Grim death unseen above his head, lurked in a weakened limb; as if at a signal by the hand of fate, the branch crashed down on him. The widow and the children in this their time of need "ere helped by "Master" Wilson, who was a friend indeed. In the short space of three years, came another hour of gloom; the seven children sore bereft, saw their mother to the tomb. Again came "Master" Wilson with comfort and with cheer; he took the orphan children, kept them together for a year. Wilson was man of substance, so all the records state; a school teacher and a Christain too, he helped also to educate. I wish we knew more about his life, this pious faithful man. An orphan's son was named for him; he stood high among the clan. Of the lives of the seven orphans, few records now remain; they thrived, they grew, each found a mate, each left an honored name. William was the oldest on and soon he caught a maiden's glance; and soon the parson tied the knot, bound to Elizabeth Vance. Nature must have smiled on them, for of children ther were ten. When William's first wife died he sought another mate, and found a widow, Mrs. Edward Hoge, so family records state two children came to them but only on survived. James was the second one in wedded life to take a chance; it seems he sought the same family, for he married Mary Vance. They must have led a frugal life, but certainly did thrive; they had six girls to feed and clothe, besides their brothers five. A Revolutionary soldier, John, he was the next in line, he married Sarah Griffith, and their offspring numbered nine. This John was a very fleet of foot, as swift as any deer; his strong limbs saved his scalp-lock more than once when Indians were near. Thomas was the fourth son, a soldier to was he; he married Miss Jean Park when he was twenty- three. They were blessed with eight children, five daughters and three sons; naught thought they of parents' cares, they welcomed little ones. Thomas became a famous preacher; his praise was often sung, his voice as clear as any bell, they called him "silver-tongue." In the Bellefontaine cemetery a plain broad slab we find. A fitting epitaph would be "He lived to bles mankind." Now just couont up the cousins, they number thirty-nine; three times a "baker's" dozen, some record: I opine. The sisters of these orphan boys in due time changed their names; Each got a mate, had children too, became respected Dames. Sarah chose John Vance for her consort, and my records of close; 'tis written they had a family, how no who knows. Anne married William Park; their years together were but few; she was left a widow with two children, Indians killed Park in 1782. Anne was married later to a man whose name was Isaac Cowen; to them were born five children and nothing more is known. Elizabeth became the wife of Daniel McCauley, if my records are correct, and yea they had nine children, what ese could one expect. Now add sixteen more cousins and we have just forty-five; small wonder there were inter-marriages in this great cousin hive. >From Virginia northward soon the clan began to stray; many went to Pennsylvania, some Ohio way. Cross Creek, Pensylvania, a station on the road, became in time a village and many there abode. Joseph Vance there built a fort, about 1772. Another Vance, some years before, built one in Virginia too. In Cross Creek village graveyard rest many of the clan today; I pray all may know each other when life's mists have cleared away. The descendants of the seven orphans have spread from sea to sea; they are indeed the branches of a nost prolific tree. The Marquis Clan is scatter wide, they're found in every state; and one, the author of these lines will now affix his name and date. Waldo Puss Marquis 421 South Alta Vista Street Monrovia, California July 12, 1934 First duplicated by: L.E. Marquis 120 E. CourtBellefontaine, Ohio Now duplicated by: Thomas K. Marquis P.O.Box 991 Newburgh,Indiana,47629" >From the Hills of West Virginia to Lake Erie's Shore. --------------------------------- Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail Plus - Powerful. Affordable. Sign up now