Hi Roland, A Happy New Year to you. Carolyn Woolsey Wilkerson honey@texasol.com http://www.texasol.com/honey ----- Original Message ----- From: Roland Carson <rolcarson@home.com> To: <WOOLSEY-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Saturday, January 08, 2000 10:01 AM Subject: LIST > Just testing mail list to see if I am receiving it. I haven't received any postings in over a month. Wishing everyone a Happy New Year. > > Roland Carson > rolcarson@home.com > >

Just testing mail list to see if I am receiving it. I haven't received any postings in over a month. Wishing everyone a Happy New Year. Roland Carson rolcarson@home.com

Wilford, Thanks so much for this posting. It is very interesting. Thank you for all of your hard work. Do you remember when we were discussing the photo website? Who is it that was so well informed about that. I have a Woolsey photo I would like to share. But I do not know what was ever decided about that. Carolyn Gibbons -----Original Message----- From: Wilford W. Whitaker <wwwhit@integrityonline3.com> To: WOOLSEY-L@rootsweb.com <WOOLSEY-L@rootsweb.com> Date: Saturday, July 31, 1999 12:06 PM Subject: Woolseys and Religions >To Marilyn Stern and interested Woolsey researchers: > >It's interesting that you should ask at this time "What religions were the >early Woolseys?" because I have been studying this problem in some detail. > >In England George Wolsey and Frances Roberts had their children baptized in >the state Church, the Church of England. In Holland, the only records we >have found were in the Dutch Reformed Church but that may only mean that it >was the most convenient. We have found other records, but they have been >in the civil records. > >In Nieu Amsterdam George Wolsey (the immigrant) and his wife Rebecca >Cornell had children baptized both in the Dutch Reformed Church of New York >and also in the Church of England, both churches meeting in the same >building, but different pastors. It is easy to see why George would have >his children baptized at the Dutch Church, because many of his business >associates were Dutch, and that was one way he could keep up his Dutch >ties. In Jamaica, the family went to the Church of England (Episcopal) >Church, where the Rev. Poyer preached Rebecca's funeral sermon and probably >where George and Rebecca are buried. > >On the frontier it was often who the itinerant preacher was and not >necessarily the religion. Woolseys have been baptized in each of the major >religions, Church of England, Presbyterian, Methodists, Baptists, and a few >are mentioned in the Monthly Meetings of the Quakers. > >In Ulster County (Marlborough and surrounding areas) the Woolseys were: > 1. Presbyterians (sometimes taking the place of the state church) > 2. Methodists > 3. Baptists > >When Presbyterianism was the only church in town, it was strongly supported >by some of the Woolseys. These same Woolseys then gave considerable >support to the Methodists as they became established. In the Marlborough >area, one would say the Woolseys were strongly Methodist and several >Woolseys became preachers in the Methodist faith. > >Our ancestor Rev. Thomas Woolsey was a Baptist Preacher from this area who >moved to Virginia, before 1771. I am still looking for early Baptists in >this area. > >To be specific: The Reformed Dutch Church was well established up and down >the Hudson River Valley and many people had their religious duties >performed there because it was the closest or only church for miles. > >I have found Woolseys in many Dutch Records, but like your Jemima, only one >or two children are usually found at one church and other children baptized >else where. Their frequent moving may account for that. > >It was not unusual for adults to be baptised, both within the Dutch Church >and in other churches. There are several examples within the Woolsey >family, as your Jemima is one. Whether it was a second baptism is >difficult to say, without better records. The Baptists were pretty adamant >about having people baptised in their faith, but I'm not sure the other >religions were quite so strict. > >It is possible Philips was a member of the Dutch Reformed Church and Jemima >joined because of him, but one would think she would have been baptized >about the time of marriage if that was so. Or she may have just felt the >need.?? > >So what religion were they? > >8 Aug 1763 - Subscriptions of the Presbyterian Church, Marlborough (as >listed by Cyprian Meech Woolsey in his HISTORY OF MARLBOROUGH, p. 353) >included most of the leading men in that area, including: >1. Thomas Woolsey, 2 pounds (probably our Rev Thomas Woolsey of South >Fork, Washington County, Virginia (s/o Richard Woolsey and Sarah Fowler) >2. John Woolsey, 2 pounds md Chlorene Peck (s/o Richard Woolsey and Sarah >Fowler) >3. Benjamin Woolsey, 3 pounds (s/o Richard Woolsey and Sarah Fowler) >4. Richard Woolsey, 3 pounds (this could be Richard Woolsey, Sr. and Sarah >Fowler) or Richard Woolsey, Jr., who md Ann Fuller and are the parents of >your Jemima. > >IBID: p. 355. 30 Dec 1765. This day was chosen a committee for >Marlborough Society of Presbyterians & a Moderator. Thomas Knowlton, >Moderator; Capt. Richard Woolsey, Lieut. Lewis Du Bois, Eliphalet Platt & >Daniel Thurston, comm. >Again it is difficult to say whether this is Richard, Sr. or Richard, Jr. > >Richard Woolsey, Jr. moved to Columbia County, New York, shortly after this >(before 1769) and Richard Sr. continues to show up almost till his death. > >So from these last two records, we could safely say that these Woolseys >were Presbyterians (at least until the Baptists showed up in 1782 and the >Methodists in 1786. > >Hope this helps a little. > >Sincerely, > >Wilford W. Whitaker > > >

Thelma Wisecarver sent this to the TNGREENE list and I thought all you wonderful girls out there might enjoy it. For all of us of the 'boomer' age. When I was very little All the Grandmas that I knew Were wearing the same kind Of ugly grandma shoes.. You know the kind I mean.. Clunky heeled, black, lace-up kind, They just looked so very awful That it weighed upon my mind, For I knew, when I grew old . I'd have to wear those shoes, I'd think of that, from time to time It seemed like such bad news. I never was a rebel, I wore saddle shoes to school, And next came ballerinas Then the sandals, pretty cool. And then came spikes with pointed toes Then platforms, very tall, As each new fashion came along I wore them, one and all. But always, in the distance, Looming in my future, there, Was that awful pair of ugly shoes, The kind that Grandmas wear, I eventually got married And then I became a Mom Our kids grew up and left, And when their children came along, I knew I was a Grandma And the time was drawing near When those clunky, black, old lace up shoes Was what I'd have to wear. How would I do my gardening Or take my morning hike? I couldn't even think about How I would ride my bike! But fashions kept evolving And one day I realized That the shape of things to come Was changing, right before my eyes. And now, when I go shopping What I see, fills me with glee For, in my jeans and Reeboks I'm as comfy as can be. And I look at all these little girls And there, upon their feet Are clunky, black, old Grandma shoes, And I really think that's neat.

Dear Wilford and List. Thank you for posting this. I wondered if my ancestors were actively engaged in this struggle. I recently read a book entitled "Hearts Afire" by Blaine Yorgason. I may have the title incorrect. I can't find the book right now, it is undoubtedly under a pile of genealogy and good intentions. At any rate, it tells this story, with some fiction and some fact. I was so impressed with what they went through to blaze a new trail. I am so proud of them. Joseph Smith Woolsey is my ggrandfather. If I remember what I read correctly, he isn't mentioned by name in the book. A Thomas Woolsey is mentioned in the book. But my memory is occasionally vague. Carolyn Gibbons -----Original Message----- From: Wilford W. Whitaker <wwwhit@integrityonline3.com> To: WOOLSEY-L@rootsweb.com <WOOLSEY-L@rootsweb.com> Date: Wednesday, November 24, 1999 8:58 PM Subject: Woolsey & Hole-in-the-Rock >To all interested Woolsey researchers: > >When you see the words "Hole-in-the-Rock", what comes into your mind? > >Do names like Butch Cassidy, Etta Place, The Sundance Kid, Robert Redford, >and other desperadoes, come into mind? > >Do you picture western badmen holing up in out-of-the way places in the >badlands of Utah? Where bank robbers, train robbers and other desperate >men could hide out, with the assistance of a few of their neighbors, from >the law? And you wouldn't be far wrong. > >However, there is another 'Hole-in-the-Rock' which stands as a monument to >the pioneers' courage and strength, and endurance. > >Even before the Mormons were settled in the Great Salt Lake Valley, Brigham >Young was sending out scouting parties in every direction from Salt Lake, >exploring the country and determining all the habitable areas, and as fast >as he could, he sent families and groups of individuals to colonize these >outlying areas. > >>From Fort Limhi in Idaho to San Bernardino in California, to San Juan in >Utah and across the Colorado river into Colorado and Arizona and even down >into Mexico, colonies were sent to raise permanent dams and school houses >and churches and homes. They took with them their knowledge of irrigation >and began to make the "desert blossom as the rose". > >And some of the Woolseys were on the cutting edge of this migration out >from Salt Lake. > >In 1879, Joseph Smith Woolsey (s/o James Hopkins Woolsey and Lavina >Patterson; s/o Joseph Woolsey and Abigail Schaeffer; s/o Richard Woolsey >and Nancy Plumstead) was among the group of 70 families (250 men, women and >children); with 83 wagons, 1000 head of stock, sent by the Mormon Church, >under Silas S. Smith and Platte D. Lyman, to colonize the San Juan, Utah, >area. > >They travelled unmapped areas, moving at the head of deep, slick-rock >canyons as they tried to find a way down the steep canyons to the Colorado >River. They spent the winter from Nov 1879 to 6 Apr 1880 in heroic effort >pushing a road through the canyon-lands from Escalante, Utah, to Cottonwood >Wash on the San Juan river where they founded Bluff City (now known as >Bluff, Utah). San Juan area is the "Four Corners area, where Utah, >Arizona, New Mexico & Colorado join together. > >At last they found a cleft in the perpendicular canyon walls, where it was >determined that it may be possible to build a road down the steep, narrow >canyon. This group of pioners found this place and built a wagon road at >"Hole-in-the-Rock" in Glen Canyon on the Colorado River. > >Part of the group began working backwards, improving the trail on which >they had just come, others were sent back for supplies and dynamite. >Others were dispatched to far canyon areas where trees grew and others >dispatched to carry soil and brush to the head of the canyon. > >Others began the perilous task of leveling the steep, narrow, precarious >canyon floor so that a team and wagon could descend from the head of the >canyon. > >There were places where the floor dropped away precipituously and holes had >to be blasted in the canyon walls in order to place logs which then acted >as the base of the road, and brush and soil was placed on top of the logs >which hung precariously over empty space for some distance. > >At several places, channels were cut into the canyon walls so that the >inside wagon wheels would fit and keep the wagon on track. Some places >were so steep that one could only walk upright with some difficulty. And >mothers carrying their small children were expected to walk down this trail. > >At Last, they deemed it ready to travel, and the first team, of carefully >picked animals, not skittish, but known horses, to make the first descent. >They tied a large log behind the wagon to slow its downward flight, and >attached ropes which were held by several men to keep the wagon from >overtaking the team of horses. The wagon wheels would be blocked to keep >them from turning. > >At last the intrepid driver nosed his team into the cleft of the canyon and >urged his team forward. It was so steep that the team disappeared from his >sight as they started down the steep incline. And the race was on. Even >with all the restraints, the wagon threatened to overtake the team, and >they had to be encouraged to keep moving faster, which would propel the >wagon even faster, and team and wagon and driver and heavy log, and >sweating men clinging to ropes, trying to keep away from the outside edge, >which dropped straight down for over 1,000 feet, were soon dashing madly >down hill. Horses where neighing, men shouting, babes and women left back >at the head were crying, each fearing the worst, and praying for the safety >of all. > >At last, a cry came up from the valley floor. They had all descended in >safety and thus began the descent for which they had all worked so hard, >that winter of 1879 and 1880. > >Of course, that wasn't the end of their troubles. They had to cross the >turbulent Colorado and make their way up the steep canyon walls on the >other side, which was as difficult, it not more so, than Hole-in-the-Rock. > >And Joseph Smith Woolsey was part of this great endeavor. He was married >at this time and had five children, but it is not known by this writer if >he took his wife and family with him on this first trip. > >By 1880 Joseph Smith Woolsey and family was living in Escalante, Utah, and >were an upstanding pioneer family. > >Sincerely, > >Wilford W. Whitaker > >

To all interested Woolsey family members: The Reverend William Bonaparte Woolsey lived south of the Nolachucky River in Greene County, Tennessee. He married Alice Bird and had a large family. His grandson, a missionary to India, Rev. Paul Woolsey, wrote of the Woolseys in his book GOD - A HUNDRED YEARS and A FREE WILL BAPTIST FAMILY, a copy of which was graciously sent to me by Rachel Brewer, of Florida, for which I am most grateful. I particularly enjoyed the following story from the book: p. 27 ff. "Southern Hospitality" was not a mere phrase or just a custom, but a Christian privilege in this home. Although the home was situated away from the thoroughfares, agents, now and then a traveler, sometimes a sight seer and visitors of various types and occupations made their way to the valley through which Little Lick Creek (known locally as "Mud Crick") ran and on which the Woolsey home was located. At least one home would be open to them. On one occasion just before dusk, three home missionaries of the Mormon or Latter Day Saints' Church appeared and made inquiries about lodging for the night. Father Woolsey bade them welcome but made the condition that they should refrain from any discussion of their beliefs before his family. They agreed and accordingly soon were sitting down to an old fashioned supper that Mother Woolsey could so well prepare. It was early winter and had been "threatening" rain all day. While they were sitting around the large open fireplace enjoying its warmth, the rain came with a rush. It was true that the Mormons had agreed to be silent about their beliefs but they had been sent out for that very purpose and surely no one, particularly one who had proven such a genial host, could expel them on such an impossible night. Therefore they soon began their "mission work" on the whole family. Father Woolsey sat quietly listening for a few minutes, then arose, opened the door and bade them be gone. At first there seemed to be some inclination to question his decision; however they were soon set right and were on their way over the muddy roads on a dark, rainy, cold winter night. End of story: Though one can sympathize with the tired, cold, and hungry missionaries, I'm afraid I am with the Reverend on this occasion. The missionaries had agreed not to preach and they should have kept their word. Their word should not have been overturned by their zeal. I wonder, as that story has been told by the family, down through the years, how the Woolsey family members were affected by the actions of those Mormon missionaries. I also wonder how they would have been affected by the telling of the story if the missionaries had kept their word. Sometimes it doesn't take much to affect an individual or an entire family, for generations. It would have been much nicer to read, that after dinner, the good Reverend shoved back his chair, and then noting that the missionaries had kept their part of the bargain, said something like, "Boys, tell us about that Mormon Church of yours. Do you really have ten wives each? Now you can tell us something about yourselves." The above story reminded me of a story my father used to tell about his "Mormon mission" in Montana. In those days (1917), they went "without purse or scrip", meaning they paid their own way and hoped that people in the neighborhood would give them food and shelter for their daily needs. He and his companion were trudging down a snowy, wind-blown country road, asking for an evening meal and shelter for the night, at each house they came to. But were rebuffed, sometimes politely, sometimes not, everywhere they went. It was growing dark and getting much colder. After being turned down again, my father resolved that they had to have shelter at the very next place they came to, so he said to his companion, "Let me ask at the next house, we've got to get in out of this cold!" His companion agreed. After walking about a mile, they saw the warm comforting lights of a house, which they approached with quickening steps. They turned off the road, and walked down a little lane, across the yard, up the steps, onto the porch and my father knocked on the door. A big, dour-looking man, with a scowl on his rugged face, pulled the door open, and demanded, "Whadda you want?" My father, a big burly man himself, stepped right up to that gentleman, looked him straight in the eye, and said, "We are two ringy-tailed, horned Mormon polygamists from Utah and we need a place to stay this winter night!" The homeowner's eyes opened in surprise, his features softened and he grabbed my father's hand and shook it, pulling him into the house at the same time. "Wal, I'll be danged," he said. "I've wanted to talk to you boys for some time about that church. Come in. Come in. You're welcome here." Of course, my father and his companion were not polygamists. It had been outlawed some years before, and they were only 19 years old. The "horned" reference was to the current rumors that "Mormons" had tails and horns which they kept concealed. But that bold approach worked for them that night. Holiday wishes to each and everyone. Sincerely, Wilford W. Whitaker

11/25/99 A message was posted on the rootsweb for the Woolsey's and it said that John Ballard sent the following: The IL marriage index on line has BALLARD, CHARLES m WOOLSEY, ELIZABETH (MRS) WHITE. In looking over some of my information I found this reference: In the 1870 census for Shannon Co., MO in Deleware Township (This is my ancestor, wife of John (Jehu) ) Elizabeth Woolsey age 46 born KY William age 21 b. IL Ann age 16 b. IL Mary age 14 b. IA Martha age 7 b. MO Sterling age 6 b. AK John Ballard age 13 b. unknown Virginia Harler age 25 b. VA I don't know who John and Virginia are but when I seen the info about Charles Ballard submitted by John Ballard it made me curious as to who the John Ballard was that submitted the material. Charles

To Carolyn Wilkerson and interested Woolsey researchers: John Ballard sent the following: >Hi Wilford and Carolyn >> >>The IL marriage index online at >>http://www2.sos.state.il.us/cgi-bin/marriage has >>BALLARD, CHARLES m WOOLSEY, ELIZABETH (MRS) WHITE 02/01/1880 >> >>John >> To which Wilford replied: >>John >> >Wilford has the above IL marriage index online, but has been able to >identify only about 1/2 of them. It is a good index, but not >comprehensive, and people seem to be adding to it. > >Again, have a happy Thanksgiving. We have so much to be thankful for. > >Wilford Whitaker > > To which Carolyn asked: >Please tell me what the following means: > >> Wilford has the above IL marriage index online, but has been able to >> identify only about 1/2 of them. It is a good index, but not >> comprehensive, and people seem to be adding to it. > >Wilford has it on line?? Do you have a website Wilford? > >People seem to be adding to it -? Meaning what - that it is not copied from >original marriage record books but just a list that started and people have >added their Illinois marriages to it? > >Carolyn Woolsey Wilkerson >honey@texasol.com > To which Wilford is now responding: I do not have the Illinois Marriage Index on Line nor do I have a website. The Marriage Index seems to be an on-going project as it seems to have been added to from time to time. I have copied all the Woolsey marriages from the marriage index and have been able to identify only about 1/2 of the individuals concerned. Sincerely, Wilford W. Whitaker

Please tell me what the following means: > Wilford has the above IL marriage index online, but has been able to > identify only about 1/2 of them. It is a good index, but not > comprehensive, and people seem to be adding to it. Wilford has it on line?? Do you have a website Wilford? People seem to be adding to it -? Meaning what - that it is not copied from original marriage record books but just a list that started and people have added their Illinois marriages to it? Carolyn Woolsey Wilkerson honey@texasol.com http://www.texasol.com/honey ----- Original Message ----- From: Wilford W. Whitaker <wwwhit@integrityonline3.com> To: <WOOLSEY-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Thursday, November 25, 1999 10:43 AM Subject: Woolsey-Ballard in Illinois marriages > To all interested Woolsey researchers: > > Happy Holidays from the Whitakers. > > John Ballard sent the following: > > >X-Sender: a101170@anugpo.anu.edu.au > >Date: Thu, 25 Nov 1999 16:07:59 +1100 > >To: wwwhit@integrityonline3.com, honey@texasol.com > >From: John Ballard <john.ballard@anu.edu.au> > >Subject: Ballard m Woolsey > >X-RCPT-TO: <wwwhit@integrityonline3.com> > > > >Hi Wilford and Carolyn > > > >The IL marriage index online at > >http://www2.sos.state.il.us/cgi-bin/marriage has > >BALLARD, CHARLES m WOOLSEY, ELIZABETH (MRS) WHITE 02/01/1880 > > > >John > > > Wilford has the above IL marriage index online, but has been able to > identify only about 1/2 of them. It is a good index, but not > comprehensive, and people seem to be adding to it. > > Again, have a happy Thanksgiving. We have so much to be thankful for. > > Wilford Whitaker > >

To all interested Woolsey researchers: Happy Holidays from the Whitakers. John Ballard sent the following: >X-Sender: a101170@anugpo.anu.edu.au >Date: Thu, 25 Nov 1999 16:07:59 +1100 >To: wwwhit@integrityonline3.com, honey@texasol.com >From: John Ballard <john.ballard@anu.edu.au> >Subject: Ballard m Woolsey >X-RCPT-TO: <wwwhit@integrityonline3.com> > >Hi Wilford and Carolyn > >The IL marriage index online at >http://www2.sos.state.il.us/cgi-bin/marriage has >BALLARD, CHARLES m WOOLSEY, ELIZABETH (MRS) WHITE 02/01/1880 > >John > Wilford has the above IL marriage index online, but has been able to identify only about 1/2 of them. It is a good index, but not comprehensive, and people seem to be adding to it. Again, have a happy Thanksgiving. We have so much to be thankful for. Wilford Whitaker

Wilford, A wonderful story! Happy Thanksgiving to you and all on the Woolsey List. Roland Carson rolcarson@home.com

Seeking information on ancestors/decendents of Nancy Marietta Woolsey b. 8/2/1856, d. 9/5/1938, and her older sister Agnes. Girls were born in Kentucky, orphaned before grown, and sent to live with realtives. Nancy is believed to have married John Adams Snead b. abt 1833-35, d. abt 1894 from Richmond Co North Carolina. Agnes married (unknown) and had a daughter who later married a Wilson. Any information very much appreciated! Thanks. Gail

Thank you Wilford for the great story!!! Carolyn Woolsey Wilkerson honey@texasol.com http://www.texasol.com/honey ----- Original Message ----- From: Wilford W. Whitaker <wwwhit@integrityonline3.com> To: <WOOLSEY-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Wednesday, November 24, 1999 9:49 PM Subject: Woolsey & Hole-in-the-Rock > To all interested Woolsey researchers: > > When you see the words "Hole-in-the-Rock", what comes into your mind? > > Do names like Butch Cassidy, Etta Place, The Sundance Kid, Robert Redford, > and other desperadoes, come into mind? > > Do you picture western badmen holing up in out-of-the way places in the > badlands of Utah? Where bank robbers, train robbers and other desperate > men could hide out, with the assistance of a few of their neighbors, from > the law? And you wouldn't be far wrong. > > However, there is another 'Hole-in-the-Rock' which stands as a monument to > the pioneers' courage and strength, and endurance. > > Even before the Mormons were settled in the Great Salt Lake Valley, Brigham > Young was sending out scouting parties in every direction from Salt Lake, > exploring the country and determining all the habitable areas, and as fast > as he could, he sent families and groups of individuals to colonize these > outlying areas. > > >From Fort Limhi in Idaho to San Bernardino in California, to San Juan in > Utah and across the Colorado river into Colorado and Arizona and even down > into Mexico, colonies were sent to raise permanent dams and school houses > and churches and homes. They took with them their knowledge of irrigation > and began to make the "desert blossom as the rose". > > And some of the Woolseys were on the cutting edge of this migration out > from Salt Lake. > > In 1879, Joseph Smith Woolsey (s/o James Hopkins Woolsey and Lavina > Patterson; s/o Joseph Woolsey and Abigail Schaeffer; s/o Richard Woolsey > and Nancy Plumstead) was among the group of 70 families (250 men, women and > children); with 83 wagons, 1000 head of stock, sent by the Mormon Church, > under Silas S. Smith and Platte D. Lyman, to colonize the San Juan, Utah, > area. > > They travelled unmapped areas, moving at the head of deep, slick-rock > canyons as they tried to find a way down the steep canyons to the Colorado > River. They spent the winter from Nov 1879 to 6 Apr 1880 in heroic effort > pushing a road through the canyon-lands from Escalante, Utah, to Cottonwood > Wash on the San Juan river where they founded Bluff City (now known as > Bluff, Utah). San Juan area is the "Four Corners area, where Utah, > Arizona, New Mexico & Colorado join together. > > At last they found a cleft in the perpendicular canyon walls, where it was > determined that it may be possible to build a road down the steep, narrow > canyon. This group of pioners found this place and built a wagon road at > "Hole-in-the-Rock" in Glen Canyon on the Colorado River. > > Part of the group began working backwards, improving the trail on which > they had just come, others were sent back for supplies and dynamite. > Others were dispatched to far canyon areas where trees grew and others > dispatched to carry soil and brush to the head of the canyon. > > Others began the perilous task of leveling the steep, narrow, precarious > canyon floor so that a team and wagon could descend from the head of the > canyon. > > There were places where the floor dropped away precipituously and holes had > to be blasted in the canyon walls in order to place logs which then acted > as the base of the road, and brush and soil was placed on top of the logs > which hung precariously over empty space for some distance. > > At several places, channels were cut into the canyon walls so that the > inside wagon wheels would fit and keep the wagon on track. Some places > were so steep that one could only walk upright with some difficulty. And > mothers carrying their small children were expected to walk down this trail. > > At Last, they deemed it ready to travel, and the first team, of carefully > picked animals, not skittish, but known horses, to make the first descent. > They tied a large log behind the wagon to slow its downward flight, and > attached ropes which were held by several men to keep the wagon from > overtaking the team of horses. The wagon wheels would be blocked to keep > them from turning. > > At last the intrepid driver nosed his team into the cleft of the canyon and > urged his team forward. It was so steep that the team disappeared from his > sight as they started down the steep incline. And the race was on. Even > with all the restraints, the wagon threatened to overtake the team, and > they had to be encouraged to keep moving faster, which would propel the > wagon even faster, and team and wagon and driver and heavy log, and > sweating men clinging to ropes, trying to keep away from the outside edge, > which dropped straight down for over 1,000 feet, were soon dashing madly > down hill. Horses where neighing, men shouting, babes and women left back > at the head were crying, each fearing the worst, and praying for the safety > of all. > > At last, a cry came up from the valley floor. They had all descended in > safety and thus began the descent for which they had all worked so hard, > that winter of 1879 and 1880. > > Of course, that wasn't the end of their troubles. They had to cross the > turbulent Colorado and make their way up the steep canyon walls on the > other side, which was as difficult, it not more so, than Hole-in-the-Rock. > > And Joseph Smith Woolsey was part of this great endeavor. He was married > at this time and had five children, but it is not known by this writer if > he took his wife and family with him on this first trip. > > By 1880 Joseph Smith Woolsey and family was living in Escalante, Utah, and > were an upstanding pioneer family. > > Sincerely, > > Wilford W. Whitaker > >

Hi Wilford, > By 1880 Joseph Smith Woolsey and family was living in Escalante, Utah, and > were an upstanding pioneer family. Thank you for this most interesting piece of history! Happy Thanksgiving to you & yours. Happy Thanksgiving to all of the list members and their families. Chuck Taylor Austin, TX E-mail: AusChuck@aol.com List Manager: WOOLSEY-L@rootsweb.com http://hometown.aol.com/AusChuck/index.html http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Valley/5689 http://www.familytreemaker.com/users/t/a/y/Charles--L-Taylor

To interested Woolsey researchers: Carolyn Wilkerson asked: >From: "Carolyn Wilkerson" <honey@texasol.com> >To: "Wilford Whitaker" <wwwhit@integrityonline3.com> >Subject: A question >Date: Wed, 24 Nov 1999 16:39:52 -0600 >X-MSMail-Priority: Normal >X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook Express 5.00.2014.211 >X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V5.00.2014.211 >X-RCPT-TO: <wwwhit@integrityonline3.com> > >Hi Wilford, > >Happy Thanksgiving. Hope that you have a very nice day. > >I had found the following quite some time ago: >Marriages -- White Co., IL From 1816 to 1840 >GOODMAN, Joseph - WOOLSEY, Elizabeth 07 Dec 1840 > and wondered if by chance this was the same Elizabeth that you have married >to - >Nehemiah Cardinal Woolsey > > 1 Nehemiah Cardinal Woolsey b: September 10, 1817 in Greene County, >Tennessee d: January 04, 1903 in Breckenridge, Missouri >. +Elizabeth Goodnow/Goodman b: Abt 1819 m: 1842 in Caldwell County, >Missouri d: Aft. 1842 in Caldwell County, Missouri. > >Now, that may seem far fetched but it is possible that she married Joseph - >he died and she went to Missouri with family. Just wondering. > >Carolyn Woolsey Wilkerson >honey@texasol.com >http://www.texasol.com/honey > Hi, Carolyn, I'll have to study this one. I have her md as Mrs. Elizabeth Goodman to Charles Ballard 1 Feb 1880 White Co., IL., but only speculative. I haven't researched much in White Co., IL, but will do that. Do you have a reason to think she may have gone to Missouri? Thanks for your good questions. Best of Holidays to everyone. Wilford W. Whitaker

To all interested Woolsey researchers: When you see the words "Hole-in-the-Rock", what comes into your mind? Do names like Butch Cassidy, Etta Place, The Sundance Kid, Robert Redford, and other desperadoes, come into mind? Do you picture western badmen holing up in out-of-the way places in the badlands of Utah? Where bank robbers, train robbers and other desperate men could hide out, with the assistance of a few of their neighbors, from the law? And you wouldn't be far wrong. However, there is another 'Hole-in-the-Rock' which stands as a monument to the pioneers' courage and strength, and endurance. Even before the Mormons were settled in the Great Salt Lake Valley, Brigham Young was sending out scouting parties in every direction from Salt Lake, exploring the country and determining all the habitable areas, and as fast as he could, he sent families and groups of individuals to colonize these outlying areas. >From Fort Limhi in Idaho to San Bernardino in California, to San Juan in Utah and across the Colorado river into Colorado and Arizona and even down into Mexico, colonies were sent to raise permanent dams and school houses and churches and homes. They took with them their knowledge of irrigation and began to make the "desert blossom as the rose". And some of the Woolseys were on the cutting edge of this migration out from Salt Lake. In 1879, Joseph Smith Woolsey (s/o James Hopkins Woolsey and Lavina Patterson; s/o Joseph Woolsey and Abigail Schaeffer; s/o Richard Woolsey and Nancy Plumstead) was among the group of 70 families (250 men, women and children); with 83 wagons, 1000 head of stock, sent by the Mormon Church, under Silas S. Smith and Platte D. Lyman, to colonize the San Juan, Utah, area. They travelled unmapped areas, moving at the head of deep, slick-rock canyons as they tried to find a way down the steep canyons to the Colorado River. They spent the winter from Nov 1879 to 6 Apr 1880 in heroic effort pushing a road through the canyon-lands from Escalante, Utah, to Cottonwood Wash on the San Juan river where they founded Bluff City (now known as Bluff, Utah). San Juan area is the "Four Corners area, where Utah, Arizona, New Mexico & Colorado join together. At last they found a cleft in the perpendicular canyon walls, where it was determined that it may be possible to build a road down the steep, narrow canyon. This group of pioners found this place and built a wagon road at "Hole-in-the-Rock" in Glen Canyon on the Colorado River. Part of the group began working backwards, improving the trail on which they had just come, others were sent back for supplies and dynamite. Others were dispatched to far canyon areas where trees grew and others dispatched to carry soil and brush to the head of the canyon. Others began the perilous task of leveling the steep, narrow, precarious canyon floor so that a team and wagon could descend from the head of the canyon. There were places where the floor dropped away precipituously and holes had to be blasted in the canyon walls in order to place logs which then acted as the base of the road, and brush and soil was placed on top of the logs which hung precariously over empty space for some distance. At several places, channels were cut into the canyon walls so that the inside wagon wheels would fit and keep the wagon on track. Some places were so steep that one could only walk upright with some difficulty. And mothers carrying their small children were expected to walk down this trail. At Last, they deemed it ready to travel, and the first team, of carefully picked animals, not skittish, but known horses, to make the first descent. They tied a large log behind the wagon to slow its downward flight, and attached ropes which were held by several men to keep the wagon from overtaking the team of horses. The wagon wheels would be blocked to keep them from turning. At last the intrepid driver nosed his team into the cleft of the canyon and urged his team forward. It was so steep that the team disappeared from his sight as they started down the steep incline. And the race was on. Even with all the restraints, the wagon threatened to overtake the team, and they had to be encouraged to keep moving faster, which would propel the wagon even faster, and team and wagon and driver and heavy log, and sweating men clinging to ropes, trying to keep away from the outside edge, which dropped straight down for over 1,000 feet, were soon dashing madly down hill. Horses where neighing, men shouting, babes and women left back at the head were crying, each fearing the worst, and praying for the safety of all. At last, a cry came up from the valley floor. They had all descended in safety and thus began the descent for which they had all worked so hard, that winter of 1879 and 1880. Of course, that wasn't the end of their troubles. They had to cross the turbulent Colorado and make their way up the steep canyon walls on the other side, which was as difficult, it not more so, than Hole-in-the-Rock. And Joseph Smith Woolsey was part of this great endeavor. He was married at this time and had five children, but it is not known by this writer if he took his wife and family with him on this first trip. By 1880 Joseph Smith Woolsey and family was living in Escalante, Utah, and were an upstanding pioneer family. Sincerely, Wilford W. Whitaker

--part1_0.79476f00.256e3c69_boundary Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit THANKS SO VERY MUCH FOR THE GREAT STORY WILFORD...I TOO TAKE PRIDE IN OUR WOOLSEY HERITAGE....I GIVE THANKS FOR THEIR UNDYING FAITH, COURAGE, STRENGTH AND WILLINGNESS TO GO FORTH AND CONQUER THE UNKNOWN....THESE WOOLSEYS ARE TRULY GREAT AND INSPIRING PEOPLE....THANKS FOR ALL YOU HARD WORK AND LABOR TO HELP US KNOW JUST WHO THEY WERE AND THEN IN TURN KNOW WHO WE ARE....RACHEL, COUSIN IN THE SOUTH.... --part1_0.79476f00.256e3c69_boundary Content-Type: message/rfc822 Content-Disposition: inline Return-Path: <WOOLSEY-L-request@rootsweb.com> Received: from rly-yd03.mx.aol.com (rly-yd03.mail.aol.com [172.18.150.3]) by air-yd02.mail.aol.com (vx) with ESMTP; Wed, 24 Nov 1999 22:58:19 1900 Received: from bl-11.rootsweb.com (bl-11.rootsweb.com [204.212.38.27]) by rly-yd03.mx.aol.com (v65.4) with ESMTP; Wed, 24 Nov 1999 22:57:37 -0500 Received: (from slist@localhost) by bl-11.rootsweb.com (8.9.3/8.9.3) id TAA04267; Wed, 24 Nov 1999 19:54:22 -0800 (PST) Resent-Date: Wed, 24 Nov 1999 19:54:22 -0800 (PST) Message-Id: <3.0.3.32.19991124204942.00838100@mail.integrityonline3.com> X-Sender: wwwhit@mail.integrityonline3.com X-Mailer: QUALCOMM Windows Eudora Light Version 3.0.3 (32) Date: Wed, 24 Nov 1999 20:49:42 -0700 Old-To: Woolsey-L@rootsweb.com From: "Wilford W. Whitaker" <wwwhit@integrityonline3.com> Subject: Woolsey & Hole-in-the-Rock Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Resent-Message-ID: <Mv0brB.A.RCB.tLLP4@bl-11.rootsweb.com> To: WOOLSEY-L@rootsweb.com Resent-From: WOOLSEY-L@rootsweb.com X-Mailing-List: <WOOLSEY-L@rootsweb.com> archive/latest/635 X-Loop: WOOLSEY-L@rootsweb.com Precedence: list Resent-Sender: WOOLSEY-L-request@rootsweb.com Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit To all interested Woolsey researchers: When you see the words "Hole-in-the-Rock", what comes into your mind? Do names like Butch Cassidy, Etta Place, The Sundance Kid, Robert Redford, and other desperadoes, come into mind? Do you picture western badmen holing up in out-of-the way places in the badlands of Utah? Where bank robbers, train robbers and other desperate men could hide out, with the assistance of a few of their neighbors, from the law? And you wouldn't be far wrong. However, there is another 'Hole-in-the-Rock' which stands as a monument to the pioneers' courage and strength, and endurance. Even before the Mormons were settled in the Great Salt Lake Valley, Brigham Young was sending out scouting parties in every direction from Salt Lake, exploring the country and determining all the habitable areas, and as fast as he could, he sent families and groups of individuals to colonize these outlying areas. >From Fort Limhi in Idaho to San Bernardino in California, to San Juan in Utah and across the Colorado river into Colorado and Arizona and even down into Mexico, colonies were sent to raise permanent dams and school houses and churches and homes. They took with them their knowledge of irrigation and began to make the "desert blossom as the rose". And some of the Woolseys were on the cutting edge of this migration out from Salt Lake. In 1879, Joseph Smith Woolsey (s/o James Hopkins Woolsey and Lavina Patterson; s/o Joseph Woolsey and Abigail Schaeffer; s/o Richard Woolsey and Nancy Plumstead) was among the group of 70 families (250 men, women and children); with 83 wagons, 1000 head of stock, sent by the Mormon Church, under Silas S. Smith and Platte D. Lyman, to colonize the San Juan, Utah, area. They travelled unmapped areas, moving at the head of deep, slick-rock canyons as they tried to find a way down the steep canyons to the Colorado River. They spent the winter from Nov 1879 to 6 Apr 1880 in heroic effort pushing a road through the canyon-lands from Escalante, Utah, to Cottonwood Wash on the San Juan river where they founded Bluff City (now known as Bluff, Utah). San Juan area is the "Four Corners area, where Utah, Arizona, New Mexico & Colorado join together. At last they found a cleft in the perpendicular canyon walls, where it was determined that it may be possible to build a road down the steep, narrow canyon. This group of pioners found this place and built a wagon road at "Hole-in-the-Rock" in Glen Canyon on the Colorado River. Part of the group began working backwards, improving the trail on which they had just come, others were sent back for supplies and dynamite. Others were dispatched to far canyon areas where trees grew and others dispatched to carry soil and brush to the head of the canyon. Others began the perilous task of leveling the steep, narrow, precarious canyon floor so that a team and wagon could descend from the head of the canyon. There were places where the floor dropped away precipituously and holes had to be blasted in the canyon walls in order to place logs which then acted as the base of the road, and brush and soil was placed on top of the logs which hung precariously over empty space for some distance. At several places, channels were cut into the canyon walls so that the inside wagon wheels would fit and keep the wagon on track. Some places were so steep that one could only walk upright with some difficulty. And mothers carrying their small children were expected to walk down this trail. At Last, they deemed it ready to travel, and the first team, of carefully picked animals, not skittish, but known horses, to make the first descent. They tied a large log behind the wagon to slow its downward flight, and attached ropes which were held by several men to keep the wagon from overtaking the team of horses. The wagon wheels would be blocked to keep them from turning. At last the intrepid driver nosed his team into the cleft of the canyon and urged his team forward. It was so steep that the team disappeared from his sight as they started down the steep incline. And the race was on. Even with all the restraints, the wagon threatened to overtake the team, and they had to be encouraged to keep moving faster, which would propel the wagon even faster, and team and wagon and driver and heavy log, and sweating men clinging to ropes, trying to keep away from the outside edge, which dropped straight down for over 1,000 feet, were soon dashing madly down hill. Horses where neighing, men shouting, babes and women left back at the head were crying, each fearing the worst, and praying for the safety of all. At last, a cry came up from the valley floor. They had all descended in safety and thus began the descent for which they had all worked so hard, that winter of 1879 and 1880. Of course, that wasn't the end of their troubles. They had to cross the turbulent Colorado and make their way up the steep canyon walls on the other side, which was as difficult, it not more so, than Hole-in-the-Rock. And Joseph Smith Woolsey was part of this great endeavor. He was married at this time and had five children, but it is not known by this writer if he took his wife and family with him on this first trip. By 1880 Joseph Smith Woolsey and family was living in Escalante, Utah, and were an upstanding pioneer family. Sincerely, Wilford W. Whitaker --part1_0.79476f00.256e3c69_boundary--

Hi Folks, I've been quite lately due to a computer crash. Today while looking for one of my Sloan ancestors I ran across a Woolsey tid-bit. A cousin sent me a document called "Petition of the Inhabitants of the Western Country" to the Honourable, The General Assembly of North Carolinia now sitting. The signer's are asking for statehood, I'm not sure if it is "the" document or one of probably several that led to the settlers to establish the State of Franklin in 1785. Anyway, one of the signers was JOHN WOOLSEY, probably John the III or IVth of Greene Co. The petition was published in "The Overmountain Men" - by Pat Alderman, The Overmountain Press, Johnson City, Tennessee (no date). Covers the Battle of King's Mountain, Cumberland Decade, State of Franklin and the Southwest Territory Later, Frank Mitchell -- Apartado 11521, Zona 6 Panama, Republic of Panama Phone 011-507-261-9757 home: fmitchel@panama.phoenix.net Visit "The Sloan Connection" at http://www.panama.phoenix.net/~fmitchel/welcome.html

I am writing this slow because I know that you can't read fast. We don't live where we did when you left home. Your dad read in the paper that most accidents happen within 20 miles from your home so we moved. I won't be able to send you the address, as the last family that lived here took the house numbers when they left so that they wouldn't have to change their address. This place is real nice. It even has a washing machine. I'm not sure it works too well though. Last week I put a load in, pulled the chain and haven't seen them since. The weather isn't too bad here, it only rained twice last week. The first time it rained for three days and the second time for four days. The coat you wanted me to send you, your Uncle Steve said it would be a little too heavy to send in the mail with the buttons on, so we cut them off and put them in the pockets. We got another bill from the funeral home. They said if we didn't make the last payment on Grandma's grave, up she comes. John locked his keys in the car yesterday. We were worried because it took him two hours to get me and Shelby out. Your sister had a baby this morning but I haven't found out what it is yet, so I don't know if you're an aunt or an uncle. If the baby is a girl your sister is going to name it after me. She's going to call it Mom. Uncle Pete fell in a whiskey vat last week. Some men tried to pull him but he fought them off and drowned. We had him cremated and he burned for three days. Three of your friends went off a bridge in a pickup truck. Ralph was driving. He rolled down the window and swam to safety. Your other two friends were in the back. We think they drowned because they couldn't get the tailgate down. There isn't much more news at this time. Nothing much has happened. Love Mom PS I was going to send you some money, but the envelope was already sealed. (I don't know who wrote this but it was a good laugh for the day which I wanted to share.) Carolyn Woolsey Wilkerson honey@texasol.com http://www.texasol.com/honey Carolyn Woolsey Wilkerson honey@texasol.com http://www.texasol.com/honey

Hi Donna, Welcome aboard. We're pretty liberal on this mailing list, so if you have something on your mind, please post it. In fact, won't you please post a bit of your WOOLSEY lineage so we know where you fit in. Most, if not all of us on the list, descend from one of George 'Joris' children. And we have a WOOLSEY "expert" on the list, Wilford W. Whitaker, who is doing first hand research, full time, at THE library in Salt Lake City. Chuck Taylor Austin, TX E-mail: AusChuck@aol.com List Manager: WOOLSEY-L@rootsweb.com http://hometown.aol.com/AusChuck/index.html http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Valley/5689 http://www.familytreemaker.com/users/t/a/y/Charles--L-Taylor