The annual Memorial Service & Family Reunion for the descendants of John Calvin "J.C." Swindall & Jane Vanover will be held July 18 & 19, 1998 at the Little Zion Old Regular Baptist Church in Dickenson Co., VA. J.C. Swindall initiated the annual Memorial Service following the death of his daughter, Mertie, and to the best of our knowledge services have been held annually since about 1919. Traditional Old Regular Baptist Church services will be held on Saturday, July 18 and Memorial Services will be held on Sunday, July 19 at the Church beginning around 9:00 A.M. and will last a couple of hours. Following services on Sunday, a potluck "dinner on the ground" family reunion will be held in Osborn's Gap on land that has been owned by Swindall descendants for over 100 years. For those interested, guided trips to the various Swindall cemeteries in Osborn's Gap will be offered. Everyone is invited to bring their favorite covered dish and join us in celebrating the lives of our Swindall ancestors. If you need more information or directions, please e-mail Martha Short at mailto:[email protected] or Richman Short at mailto:[email protected] More on John Calvin "J.C." Swindall J.C. Swindall (b. 25 Oct 1853; d. 12 Mar 1939) was the son of John Wesley and Mary "Polly" (Phipps) Swindall. On 26 Sep 1872 in Wise Co., VA, he married Martha Jane Vanover, daughter of Eli and Ollie (Mullins) Vanover. Following his ordination to the ministry on 19 Jul 1884, J.C. became a leader, pastor, and moderator of the Little Zion Old Regular Baptist Church which he organized in 1886. J.C. also served as moderator of the Union Association of Old Regular Baptists for over 40 years. J.C. & Jane (Vanover) Swindall had the following children: 1) Melvin Cicero "Crickett" Swindall (9-30-1873; 8-29-1962) mar. 1. Elizabeth Hagan 2. Matilda Fleming 2) Columbus Rosco "Burrhead" Swindall (4-27-1875; 1-16-1965) mar. Elvina Killen 3) Palmyra Melissa Swindall (8-3-1877; 6-26-1965) mar. Emmett Fleming 4) Milburn Eddie Swindall (3-13-1880; 6-13-1952) mar. Ardelia "Delia" Austin 5) Ida Swindall (3-31-1883; bet 1900-1904) mar. Wilson F. Bolling 6) Carrie Swindall (3-9-1885; 1-9-1970) mar. John Henry Short (my great-grandparents) 7) Cora Swindall (3-8-1887; 2-27-1973) mar. Peter Countiss 8) Dora M. Swindall (7-19-1889; 3-3-1970) mar. 1. Robert Fleming 2. Edward Euin Stallard 9) Flora Virgie Swindall (1-15-1892; 12-18-1993) mar. 1. Benjamin Vanover 2. Wade H. Sanders 10) Bessie Swindall (5-26-1894; 8-20-1969) mar. 1. Alvin Killen 2. Hibbert Bryant 3. S.M. McPeak 4. Charlie Adams 11) Mertie Swindall (3-20-1896; 10/16/1918) mar. Benjamin Harrison "Fishhook" Mullins 12) Thomas Calvin Swindall (5-12-1899; 7-25-1991) mar. Julia Mae Davis Hope to see you there!