Monday, June 10, 2013
My Uncle....
No one can ever replace my daddy but if there was ever one to come close, it would be Sherwood Richardson. I was blessed to spend a few hours with my sweet uncle this weekend, and what I wouldn't give to live close to him. Such a sweet and loving man and I miss him already!
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
The History of Some of the Bailey Family....cont
.....The Brewer's had sheep and in late February or early March, it would be time for the sheep to start lambing and they would have to be brought in from the mountain top, all along the ridge and up at the Jack Spring. One time they didn't have anyone to leave me with and the weather was real bad; snowing, cold and the wind blowing. They needed to bring some of the sheep down to the barn so the lambs would not freeze when they were born. Frances did not know what to do with me so she pulled a kitchen chair over to the meal chest and gave me a sifter and a pan of meal and told me to sift the meal real well. They were gone for hours and when they got back I was still up in the chair, still sifting away. She said I was pretty responsible even as a young child. I usually got to raise at least one of the lambs. Sometimes the sheep would have twins and would disown one of the lambs. Or sometimes the mother sheep would die. So, I got to help feed the lamb with a bottle and nipple and milk. I loved to have those lambs. I guess I helped raise one every year while I stayed with them and when it came time to cull the sheep and take them to market, I really hated to give them up. But by that time they were all grown up and too big to keep as a pet any longer. So with a promise of another little baby lamb next year I would give into selling the lamb.
One day when it was real cold and snowy, Frances and Gene and some neighbors were going to kill hogs. They had a big fire built out side to heat the water that was in big barrels so they could scald the hair off of the hogs after they were killed. I was sitting near the fire and we heard loud shouting and cursing on the hill behind the barn. We saw this man come stumbling down the hill. He was cursing and stumbling and falling down in the snow. Gene and a neighbor helped him on down to where they had the fire going and fixed him a place near the fire so he could thaw out a little. He was drunk as a skunk. He kept reeling and rocking. I didn't know what was wrong with him for I don't guess I had ever seen a drunk before. Finally I got cold and went into the house and was sitting by the kitchen stove trying to get warm. They brought the drunk into the house and made him a seat by the fire also. He kept staring at me and I guess I would stare right back. He would pitch forward and near fall out of his chair sideways and back and forth. I was afraid he would fall into the stove and he kept staring at me with those bloodshot eyes. It was pretty scary for me I guess for I never forgot it.
Another time in the summer I remember I had a little pet chicken. Well after a while the chicken grew up some and wouldn't stay in the shoe box where I kept him, so I wrapped him up in an old piece of a blanket and but him back in the box. To keep him in the box I put a square basket on the top of him. That kept him in the box alright for when I went back to see about he, he was dead and I cried and cried.
Another time I decided to run away from home. So, I put some toys and stuff in a white Lillie flour sack and was going to Garland and Nell Ross's house. I don't know if I was mad about something or I just decided to go live with them. Frances caught me just as I was rounding the curve and brought me back home. When I poured out my stuff from the sack, everything was covered with white flour. What a mess. These were the good times though, for I remember being happy. We went to church and I learned a lot of songs and learned about Jesus and God. I think this was a big influence in my life.
One day when it was real cold and snowy, Frances and Gene and some neighbors were going to kill hogs. They had a big fire built out side to heat the water that was in big barrels so they could scald the hair off of the hogs after they were killed. I was sitting near the fire and we heard loud shouting and cursing on the hill behind the barn. We saw this man come stumbling down the hill. He was cursing and stumbling and falling down in the snow. Gene and a neighbor helped him on down to where they had the fire going and fixed him a place near the fire so he could thaw out a little. He was drunk as a skunk. He kept reeling and rocking. I didn't know what was wrong with him for I don't guess I had ever seen a drunk before. Finally I got cold and went into the house and was sitting by the kitchen stove trying to get warm. They brought the drunk into the house and made him a seat by the fire also. He kept staring at me and I guess I would stare right back. He would pitch forward and near fall out of his chair sideways and back and forth. I was afraid he would fall into the stove and he kept staring at me with those bloodshot eyes. It was pretty scary for me I guess for I never forgot it.
Another time in the summer I remember I had a little pet chicken. Well after a while the chicken grew up some and wouldn't stay in the shoe box where I kept him, so I wrapped him up in an old piece of a blanket and but him back in the box. To keep him in the box I put a square basket on the top of him. That kept him in the box alright for when I went back to see about he, he was dead and I cried and cried.
Another time I decided to run away from home. So, I put some toys and stuff in a white Lillie flour sack and was going to Garland and Nell Ross's house. I don't know if I was mad about something or I just decided to go live with them. Frances caught me just as I was rounding the curve and brought me back home. When I poured out my stuff from the sack, everything was covered with white flour. What a mess. These were the good times though, for I remember being happy. We went to church and I learned a lot of songs and learned about Jesus and God. I think this was a big influence in my life.
Thursday, March 7, 2013
The History of Some of the Bailey Family....cont
.....Hazel went to live with Preacher Coffee and maybe another preacher. She had to help with the housework. Maybe do most of the cooking and help with the outside work too. She did not have things easy and her mother had just died. It must have been really hard; for I'm sure people didn't want Hazel, except to do the hard work. And she was only eight years old; would be nine years old in June.
She lived with these people for a while. I don't know how long. She came home before Mona was born and stayed about two weeks. Then she went to live with Mrs. Anderson at Oak Hill Academy. She went to school and helped around the house. I think Hazel was happier there, more than anywhere she had stayed. Mrs. Anderson and the family were good to her and liked her.
Clay and Jessie, my two brothers, went to live with Grandma and Granddad Bailey in West VA. They both lived with them until daddy remarried and then Jessie came to live with dad and our new stepmom. Clay went to stay with someone else, but I don't remember who.
Juanita(me) went to live with Frances and Gene Brewer at Flatridge, VA. They had a big farm. Horses, cattle, sheep, chickens, pigs, and especially a big red rooster. He was mean and I was only 2 1/2 years old. He would chase me everytime I went outside. One day he jumped on me when I couldn't get away. His spurs cut me up pretty bad, in my face and above my right eye. Frances came out and had a board with a nail in the end of it. She beat the rooster to death. I think we had stewed rooster for supper that night. I lived with them until the summer of 1936. Dad had remarried to a lady from Rugby, VA and Gene had contracted TB and had to move to a dryer climate. So...they moved to California and continued to live there for about 15 years. But when they moved back to their farm, Gene was better. They lived on their farm where I stayed when I was little for a pretty long time. We 'usta' take the kids to see them a lot when we went home, after we moved to NC. My kids loved them like grandparents and they seemed like such. I guess they were as close as a mom and dad as I ever had, and seemed to always want me.
Frances told me years later that they really wanted to take me to California with them, but Gene was sick and they had the farm to pay for and the country had just went through a depression and no one had any money. So I went back to my dad's and they moved to California. Frances got a job in a packing plant, packing oranges, and Gene seemed to get better.
Gene died on July 26th, 1966 and was buried in the Old Russell graveyard not too far from where Frances and Gene lived on their farm.
Frances said daddy carried me on his back to their house after the funeral. I cried and clung to my dad and wouldn't let go. I didn't want to stay without my dad. The Brewers were real good to me. They did not have any children and they loved me a lot, I am sure. Gene would hold me on his knee and sing to me "Opossum Up a Simmon Tree" and smoke his pipe. And to this day, I love to smell a pipe.
She lived with these people for a while. I don't know how long. She came home before Mona was born and stayed about two weeks. Then she went to live with Mrs. Anderson at Oak Hill Academy. She went to school and helped around the house. I think Hazel was happier there, more than anywhere she had stayed. Mrs. Anderson and the family were good to her and liked her.
Clay and Jessie, my two brothers, went to live with Grandma and Granddad Bailey in West VA. They both lived with them until daddy remarried and then Jessie came to live with dad and our new stepmom. Clay went to stay with someone else, but I don't remember who.
Juanita(me) went to live with Frances and Gene Brewer at Flatridge, VA. They had a big farm. Horses, cattle, sheep, chickens, pigs, and especially a big red rooster. He was mean and I was only 2 1/2 years old. He would chase me everytime I went outside. One day he jumped on me when I couldn't get away. His spurs cut me up pretty bad, in my face and above my right eye. Frances came out and had a board with a nail in the end of it. She beat the rooster to death. I think we had stewed rooster for supper that night. I lived with them until the summer of 1936. Dad had remarried to a lady from Rugby, VA and Gene had contracted TB and had to move to a dryer climate. So...they moved to California and continued to live there for about 15 years. But when they moved back to their farm, Gene was better. They lived on their farm where I stayed when I was little for a pretty long time. We 'usta' take the kids to see them a lot when we went home, after we moved to NC. My kids loved them like grandparents and they seemed like such. I guess they were as close as a mom and dad as I ever had, and seemed to always want me.
Frances told me years later that they really wanted to take me to California with them, but Gene was sick and they had the farm to pay for and the country had just went through a depression and no one had any money. So I went back to my dad's and they moved to California. Frances got a job in a packing plant, packing oranges, and Gene seemed to get better.
Gene died on July 26th, 1966 and was buried in the Old Russell graveyard not too far from where Frances and Gene lived on their farm.
Frances said daddy carried me on his back to their house after the funeral. I cried and clung to my dad and wouldn't let go. I didn't want to stay without my dad. The Brewers were real good to me. They did not have any children and they loved me a lot, I am sure. Gene would hold me on his knee and sing to me "Opossum Up a Simmon Tree" and smoke his pipe. And to this day, I love to smell a pipe.
Saturday, March 2, 2013
The History of Some of the Bailey Family....cont
....About a month after Anna Ruth was born, mother died. She had developed Child Bed Fever. I think Child Bed Fever is like blood poison that sets up when the afterbirth is not shed. They called a doctor and he couldn't do anything to help my mother. She was buried at Honey Grove Cemetery, on 8 May 1932, Mothers Day.
Mother had just had a birthday on 2nd of May so she had just turned 36. She and my dad only had about ten years together and he was a very young man to be left with five children and two step-children...and a baby just a month old. I think Alma, my half sister, had already married Wayne Byrd and was expecting a child in September.
Daddy said they had a doctor when Anna Ruth was born. Then mother got real sick and was running a very high fever and they called the doctor back several times. The infection had got too bad and there wasn't any medicine he could give her to clear up the infection called Puerperal Fever or Child Bed Fever.
Mother had just had a birthday on 2nd of May so she had just turned 36. She and my dad only had about ten years together and he was a very young man to be left with five children and two step-children...and a baby just a month old. I think Alma, my half sister, had already married Wayne Byrd and was expecting a child in September.
Daddy said they had a doctor when Anna Ruth was born. Then mother got real sick and was running a very high fever and they called the doctor back several times. The infection had got too bad and there wasn't any medicine he could give her to clear up the infection called Puerperal Fever or Child Bed Fever.
Sunday, February 24, 2013
The History of Some of the Bailey Family....cont
My Grandfather Henry and my Grandmother Lydia lived in Packsville, W VA. I don't know what his profession was or how he made a living, but Grandma usta clean peoples houses. She dipped snuff and she would work all day for a dollar and a bail of snuff. When she came home Grand dad would pour out the vile stuff. He would pour it in the open fire place.
My brothers, Clay and Jesse lived with them in W VA. After my mother died in May 1932, they stayed with them for about four or five years. Then Jesse stayed with Grandma for two or three more years later.
Grand dad died when Mona was a tiny baby. Mona was born 6 March 1939 and Grand dad died in June 1939. He died with Congestive Heart Failure and Heart Droppsey. They said his legs had so much fluid that they swelled up and burst.
This was the first time I had ever seen him so I don't remember what he looked like except in picuters and I think Uncle Glen looked like him.
We had moved over in the Cove and daddy worked for Wiley Roberts in the saw mill. He was an Off Bearer. He carried away the lumber after it was sawed. I was nine years old and Mona was only about three months old. Aunt Donnie's kids said Mona's little hands looked like Opossum claws and mom got so mad. Mona was so tiny. She only weighed 2 1/4 lbs when she was born.
Grand dad was buried at Honey Grove Cemetery.
I remember Grandma very well for she had visited us a lot. She had blue eyes and sandy, auburn hair. I believe my daddy looked a lot like her and I look a lot like my dad. She died on 20 March 1955. We had moved to Winston Salem, NC in February and Tom was our on a trip and I couldn't drive. So, I did not get to go the the funeral. She was buried at Honey Grove Cemetery.
My brothers and sisters:
Hazel Mae was born 14 June 1923 in Galax, VA
David William Clay was born 10 August 1925 in Galax, VA
Thomas Jesse James was born 2 December 1927 in Galax, VA He was killed in a
car wreck in Saluda, VA on 15 March 1946.
Juanita (me) was born on 11 November 1929 in Mouth of Wilson, VA
Anna Ruth was born 5 April 1932 in Flatridge, VA up on the Bland Place.
My brothers, Clay and Jesse lived with them in W VA. After my mother died in May 1932, they stayed with them for about four or five years. Then Jesse stayed with Grandma for two or three more years later.
Grand dad died when Mona was a tiny baby. Mona was born 6 March 1939 and Grand dad died in June 1939. He died with Congestive Heart Failure and Heart Droppsey. They said his legs had so much fluid that they swelled up and burst.
This was the first time I had ever seen him so I don't remember what he looked like except in picuters and I think Uncle Glen looked like him.
We had moved over in the Cove and daddy worked for Wiley Roberts in the saw mill. He was an Off Bearer. He carried away the lumber after it was sawed. I was nine years old and Mona was only about three months old. Aunt Donnie's kids said Mona's little hands looked like Opossum claws and mom got so mad. Mona was so tiny. She only weighed 2 1/4 lbs when she was born.
Grand dad was buried at Honey Grove Cemetery.
I remember Grandma very well for she had visited us a lot. She had blue eyes and sandy, auburn hair. I believe my daddy looked a lot like her and I look a lot like my dad. She died on 20 March 1955. We had moved to Winston Salem, NC in February and Tom was our on a trip and I couldn't drive. So, I did not get to go the the funeral. She was buried at Honey Grove Cemetery.
My brothers and sisters:
Hazel Mae was born 14 June 1923 in Galax, VA
David William Clay was born 10 August 1925 in Galax, VA
Thomas Jesse James was born 2 December 1927 in Galax, VA He was killed in a
car wreck in Saluda, VA on 15 March 1946.
Juanita (me) was born on 11 November 1929 in Mouth of Wilson, VA
Anna Ruth was born 5 April 1932 in Flatridge, VA up on the Bland Place.
Saturday, February 23, 2013
Friday, February 22, 2013
The History of Some of the Bailey Family....cont
....Uncle Campton married Lena Russell from Flatridge, VA. They lived in Maryland when they first got married. They had three children. Georgia Lee was born first and then they had twin boys, Bo and Joe. I don't know much about this family.
Uncle Campton and Aunt Lena moved back to VA about 20 years ago (late 70's). They moved down on the river to a place called the Red Bridge. I don't think Uncle Campton was very well for he kept hearing voices in his head and told my dad that he couldn't stand it any more and he shot and killed himself with a shotgun on 16 MAY 1982 and is buried at Honey Grove Cemetery at Flatridge, VA
He and dad came to see us one time in NC. Tom went up and got them and I took them home. We got them a bait of oysters and they really enjoyed them. That was the last time dad ever came to see me.
When we went home to see dad, we always went to see him. Usually Aunt Lena would go to another room while we were there. But Uncle Campton was one of my favorite uncles. He was at my step-moms funeral only a little while before his death and he told me, "We are all getting old and when one goes we will go off just like popcorn". About one month later we were back in VA for his funeral. He was the sweetest one.
Aunt Donnie married Lester Hash. They had 14 children. I remember the early ones names but not the last ones. Viola was first born, then Willie, Lidia, Okalee, then I don't know. She was real good to me and Jessie. We usta catch the mail man and ride to where they lived at Fox, below Volney, VA.
We would stay the weekend. I think dad wanted to get us out of the house as he would also send us up to Alma and Waynes about every other weekend. She had lots of children, but she always had room for two little kids nobody wanted. She shared her beds and food and her love. She and her family always was good to us. Later she and her family moved to Sugar Grove, VA. I usta ride my bike to her house. Her daughter Lidia was my best friend for several years when I was about 12, 13 & 14.
Then Aunt Lissie married Roy Kincaid. They lived in Moncole, W VA. She had one son, Edger. And one daughter Dessie, I think. I never knew them too well but Grandmother Bailey lived with her when she died. William Roy Kincaid was born 21 NOV 1909 and died on 25 OCT 1988.
Uncle Glen married Hazel. They lived in Packsville, W VA near where grandmother usta live and next door to my brother Clay. They had three children; Nelton, Deanna and Janet. Uncle Glen died in Packsville in the early 90's. Aunt Hazel's maiden name was Richmond from Packsville.
Rick Bailey married Geneva Parks. They had no children but adopted Geneva's sister and Ruby's son whose name is Larry. As of 6 MAR 1998, they live at Red Bridge near where Uncle Campton lived.
Evelyn married Mitchell. They had five children and lived in Ohio, I think.
Katherine Bailey married Falls. She died in the late 1980's. I think she died before Uncle Glen. But I remember her for she was not too much older than I. Grandmother usta bring she and Evelyn to see us when we lived at Sugar Grove and she usta date some while she was there.
Grandmother, Uncle Glen, Aunt Hazel, Uncle Rick and Geneva, Evelyn and Katherine would come in during the 4th of July when the mines shut down for vacation. They usually stayed two weeks. I remember we would stay up half the night then me and Jesse would be too scared to go down that long dark hall and up the stairs to bed. I would wait and wait until Jesse would get sleepy so we could go up together. We were crowded with all these people to sleep and eat but I loved for them to come. And sorry when they had to go. But I'll bet mom was glad when they left as all the Bailey's were big eaters and I'll bet it took a lot of extra food and extra work when they were there.
They did this every summer while we lived at Sugar Grove, VA. We lived on Wiley Robert's farm and had a big apple orchard, big garden, big potato patch and lots of chickens and pigs and plenty to eat. We canned a lot of stuff in the summer. We had so many green beans. We would pick them and pile them up on the porch. There was always green beans to string and break and mom would can them. To this day, I don't like green beans.
Uncle Campton and Aunt Lena moved back to VA about 20 years ago (late 70's). They moved down on the river to a place called the Red Bridge. I don't think Uncle Campton was very well for he kept hearing voices in his head and told my dad that he couldn't stand it any more and he shot and killed himself with a shotgun on 16 MAY 1982 and is buried at Honey Grove Cemetery at Flatridge, VA
He and dad came to see us one time in NC. Tom went up and got them and I took them home. We got them a bait of oysters and they really enjoyed them. That was the last time dad ever came to see me.
When we went home to see dad, we always went to see him. Usually Aunt Lena would go to another room while we were there. But Uncle Campton was one of my favorite uncles. He was at my step-moms funeral only a little while before his death and he told me, "We are all getting old and when one goes we will go off just like popcorn". About one month later we were back in VA for his funeral. He was the sweetest one.
Aunt Donnie married Lester Hash. They had 14 children. I remember the early ones names but not the last ones. Viola was first born, then Willie, Lidia, Okalee, then I don't know. She was real good to me and Jessie. We usta catch the mail man and ride to where they lived at Fox, below Volney, VA.
We would stay the weekend. I think dad wanted to get us out of the house as he would also send us up to Alma and Waynes about every other weekend. She had lots of children, but she always had room for two little kids nobody wanted. She shared her beds and food and her love. She and her family always was good to us. Later she and her family moved to Sugar Grove, VA. I usta ride my bike to her house. Her daughter Lidia was my best friend for several years when I was about 12, 13 & 14.
Then Aunt Lissie married Roy Kincaid. They lived in Moncole, W VA. She had one son, Edger. And one daughter Dessie, I think. I never knew them too well but Grandmother Bailey lived with her when she died. William Roy Kincaid was born 21 NOV 1909 and died on 25 OCT 1988.
Uncle Glen married Hazel. They lived in Packsville, W VA near where grandmother usta live and next door to my brother Clay. They had three children; Nelton, Deanna and Janet. Uncle Glen died in Packsville in the early 90's. Aunt Hazel's maiden name was Richmond from Packsville.
Rick Bailey married Geneva Parks. They had no children but adopted Geneva's sister and Ruby's son whose name is Larry. As of 6 MAR 1998, they live at Red Bridge near where Uncle Campton lived.
Evelyn married Mitchell. They had five children and lived in Ohio, I think.
Katherine Bailey married Falls. She died in the late 1980's. I think she died before Uncle Glen. But I remember her for she was not too much older than I. Grandmother usta bring she and Evelyn to see us when we lived at Sugar Grove and she usta date some while she was there.
Grandmother, Uncle Glen, Aunt Hazel, Uncle Rick and Geneva, Evelyn and Katherine would come in during the 4th of July when the mines shut down for vacation. They usually stayed two weeks. I remember we would stay up half the night then me and Jesse would be too scared to go down that long dark hall and up the stairs to bed. I would wait and wait until Jesse would get sleepy so we could go up together. We were crowded with all these people to sleep and eat but I loved for them to come. And sorry when they had to go. But I'll bet mom was glad when they left as all the Bailey's were big eaters and I'll bet it took a lot of extra food and extra work when they were there.
They did this every summer while we lived at Sugar Grove, VA. We lived on Wiley Robert's farm and had a big apple orchard, big garden, big potato patch and lots of chickens and pigs and plenty to eat. We canned a lot of stuff in the summer. We had so many green beans. We would pick them and pile them up on the porch. There was always green beans to string and break and mom would can them. To this day, I don't like green beans.
Children born to William Henry and Lydia L. Bailey
Beachum Truly Bailey (my great grandfather), 21 DEC 1903 - 6 July 1983; Died of Congestive Heart Failure at Marion, VA and buried at Honey Grove Cemetery, Flatridge, VA. He was married to Alma Cora Cooper Bailey when he died.
Campton Bailey, 6 JUL 1906 - 6 MAY 1982; Shot himself in the head with a shotgun. He is buried at Honey Grove Cemetery, Flatridge, VA. He and wife Lena lived near Red Bridge, not too far from where Aunt Graydon Testerman lived.
Donnie Bailey, 31 JAN 1908 - early 90's.
Andrew Jackson Bailey, 15 APR 1911 - 25 FEB 1914. He is buried at Honey Grove Cemetery, Flatridge, VA
Lissie Bailey, 30 JUN 1913 - (still living in Moncole, W VA in 1998 when my Aunt Juanita wrote this)
Glen Bailey - 1919 - 1990's
Rick Bailey - Born in 1921. Lived in Marion, VA near Red Bridge.
Evelyn Bailey - Born in 1923. Lived in W VA in FEB 1998.
Katherine Bailey - 1925 - 1990's
Elishia Bailey, 1914. He was born dead and was buried at Honey Grove Cemetery, Flatridge, VA
Campton Bailey, 6 JUL 1906 - 6 MAY 1982; Shot himself in the head with a shotgun. He is buried at Honey Grove Cemetery, Flatridge, VA. He and wife Lena lived near Red Bridge, not too far from where Aunt Graydon Testerman lived.
Donnie Bailey, 31 JAN 1908 - early 90's.
Andrew Jackson Bailey, 15 APR 1911 - 25 FEB 1914. He is buried at Honey Grove Cemetery, Flatridge, VA
Lissie Bailey, 30 JUN 1913 - (still living in Moncole, W VA in 1998 when my Aunt Juanita wrote this)
Glen Bailey - 1919 - 1990's
Rick Bailey - Born in 1921. Lived in Marion, VA near Red Bridge.
Evelyn Bailey - Born in 1923. Lived in W VA in FEB 1998.
Katherine Bailey - 1925 - 1990's
Elishia Bailey, 1914. He was born dead and was buried at Honey Grove Cemetery, Flatridge, VA
Thursday, February 21, 2013
Aunt Juanita
This is my grandmother's sister, my beautiful Aunt Juanita. She is the 'author' of most of my stories that I put on my blog. I don't remember ever meeting her, but I am sure I did when I was little.
I know this may not be a big deal to most, but yesterday I got my storybook out of the trunk of my car where it has been for about a year now. I decided I needed to get back to my blog. It has been so long that I even forgot my login and password and I spent well over an hour trying to log back in. At the same time I had Facebook running in the background and I had received a private message from a family member saying that if looked on her timeline I would see a picture of my Aunt Juanita. And she also asked if I could tell her how to get back to my blog!! I believe that was the first time that I had gotten a message from her and it just so happened she was sending me a message about Aunt Juanita at the very same time I was transcribing her story. That makes me believe all the more that this is what I should be doing.
Aunt Juanita is a wonderful 83 years young. She has just recently sold her house in Winston Salem, NC and is moving into an apartment in Kernersville, NC....this weekend I believe. I WILL see her soon! I want to take my storybook and go see her and let her tell me even more stories!
Grandpa's glasses
I found these in my father's things after he passed away. His mom gave them to him with the note. These were my Great Grandfather's glasses. "Beachum Truly Bailey, 12/21/1903 - 7/6/1983
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
The History of Some of the Bailey Family....cont
Grandmother Bailey's name was:
Lydia L. Parks Bailey. She was born in Elk Creek, VA on July 4th 1886 and died March 20th 1955 in Moncole, W. VA at her daughter's house, Lissie Kincaid. She died with liver cancer, or so Mona told me. She was 68 years old and was buried at Honey Grove Cememtery, Flatridge, VA.
Grandmother had one brother, Riley Parks, who married a lady named Beatrice. They had one child. A girl I think. As an infant she was ill and the doctor came and bled her and she died. I don't know what was wrong. Daddy did not know. I do not know her name or when this happened but Uncle Riley and Aunt Beatrice took in my little sister, Anna Ruth, and Hazel, about a month after our mother died. They kept her until she was about fifteen years old.
Grandmother had three sisters.
Minnie married Perkins.
Linnie married Hawks.
And one sister, named Graden married John Testerman. They lived down on the river at Red Bridge on a farm and they had several children. Virgle, John Jr., Worth, and Maby. Two more sons and two daughters, Mae and Ruby. When they lived down on the river we lived not to far above them and daddy and I 'usta' take the horses down to Aunt Grayden's house and help plow out the corn so we could hoe out the weeds. We did this in the spring and summer for about three or four years and help put up some hay in late spring. They were at our house a lot and we were at their house a lot. Uncle John 'usta' come to our house a lot and he always came right at dinner time. Daddy would have to beg him to sit down with us and eat. He would always say no and he didn't want anything to eat and that he wasn't very hungry. But the minute dad would stop asking him to eat he would come to the table and eat. I was about 13 or 14 years old and I got tired of hearing dad begging him to come and eat. We lived in the Spoor Brooks house. It was a big house. It had four rooms downstairs and two rooms upstairs and a porch across the front and a porch on the back leading to the kitchen and dining room and front hallway.
Well, you had to step up one step to the dining room from the porch. One day after daddy had begged uncle John for a few minutes and he kept refusing, then dad did not say any more and then he decided to come and eat. He started to step up from the porch and stumbled and fell flat on his face in the middle of the floor. I remember I nearly laughed my head off but I helped him up and helped him to the table as mom and daddy had already sat down. He seemed ok and he always ate pretty good. I said if he is too sick to come to the table and eat without we having to beg him, why is he always here at eating time. And, he always eats after he gets to the table. But he died about two weeks after this happened. I really felt bad about laughing so hard after he fell in the floor. I do not know how old he was or what he died of, but it must have been about 1942 or 1943.
I do not know what grandmother's mother and dads name was but I guess they lived at Elk Creek, VA for that was where they lived when grandfather met my grandmother and then went to Kentucky to live.
Lydia L. Parks Bailey. She was born in Elk Creek, VA on July 4th 1886 and died March 20th 1955 in Moncole, W. VA at her daughter's house, Lissie Kincaid. She died with liver cancer, or so Mona told me. She was 68 years old and was buried at Honey Grove Cememtery, Flatridge, VA.
Grandmother had one brother, Riley Parks, who married a lady named Beatrice. They had one child. A girl I think. As an infant she was ill and the doctor came and bled her and she died. I don't know what was wrong. Daddy did not know. I do not know her name or when this happened but Uncle Riley and Aunt Beatrice took in my little sister, Anna Ruth, and Hazel, about a month after our mother died. They kept her until she was about fifteen years old.
Grandmother had three sisters.
Minnie married Perkins.
Linnie married Hawks.
And one sister, named Graden married John Testerman. They lived down on the river at Red Bridge on a farm and they had several children. Virgle, John Jr., Worth, and Maby. Two more sons and two daughters, Mae and Ruby. When they lived down on the river we lived not to far above them and daddy and I 'usta' take the horses down to Aunt Grayden's house and help plow out the corn so we could hoe out the weeds. We did this in the spring and summer for about three or four years and help put up some hay in late spring. They were at our house a lot and we were at their house a lot. Uncle John 'usta' come to our house a lot and he always came right at dinner time. Daddy would have to beg him to sit down with us and eat. He would always say no and he didn't want anything to eat and that he wasn't very hungry. But the minute dad would stop asking him to eat he would come to the table and eat. I was about 13 or 14 years old and I got tired of hearing dad begging him to come and eat. We lived in the Spoor Brooks house. It was a big house. It had four rooms downstairs and two rooms upstairs and a porch across the front and a porch on the back leading to the kitchen and dining room and front hallway.
Well, you had to step up one step to the dining room from the porch. One day after daddy had begged uncle John for a few minutes and he kept refusing, then dad did not say any more and then he decided to come and eat. He started to step up from the porch and stumbled and fell flat on his face in the middle of the floor. I remember I nearly laughed my head off but I helped him up and helped him to the table as mom and daddy had already sat down. He seemed ok and he always ate pretty good. I said if he is too sick to come to the table and eat without we having to beg him, why is he always here at eating time. And, he always eats after he gets to the table. But he died about two weeks after this happened. I really felt bad about laughing so hard after he fell in the floor. I do not know how old he was or what he died of, but it must have been about 1942 or 1943.
I do not know what grandmother's mother and dads name was but I guess they lived at Elk Creek, VA for that was where they lived when grandfather met my grandmother and then went to Kentucky to live.
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
The History of Some of the Bailey Family....cont
....Not too long after he ran away, he was captured by a band of Cherokee indians. They kept him tied up all day and a guard was placed outside the teepee. He was well guarded but at night he was untied and fed some supper. A young indian maiden would bring him his supper sometimes and she taught him some indian words. He was kept a prisoner for a while and finally he enticed the young indian maiden to help him escape. It wasn't long before they learned of his escape and started to track him. But the maiden who was helping him to hide (they were running hand in hand), came to a bunch of logs strung across the creek as a bridge. She wouldn't let my grandfather step a foot onto the bridge, as the indians could track a person like a dog. So they waded into the water and made their way under the bridge and hid submerged in the water for a while and the indians went on down the trail. And that is how grandfather got away. For a long time when I was little I thought grandfather was part indian, but it was just that he had lived with them for a while and learned to speak some of their language and learned some of their ways. But daddy thinks he was probably Scotish-Irish.
My grandfather was once married to a lady and fathered a set of twins. A boy and a girl. But daddy did not know who the lady was or when this happened. The lady took the children and ran away and they lost track of them. My grandfather then met my grandmother who lived near Elk Creek, Va. Her name was Lydia L. Parks and they met in church. My grandfather thought she was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. She had auburn hair and blue eyes and a nice shapely figure. He decided then and there that he would make her his bride. So he wrote a letter to her parents and stated his wishes and with her parent's permission, she wrote him back and said yes. They never really had a date before the wedding. Daddy does not know how old she was but, grandfather was 26 years old and he was ten years older than she, so she must have been about 16 years old. Her birthday was July 4th 1886 and was probably born in Elk Creek or Konnarock, Va. They were married in July 1902 and grandfather took his new bride back to Manchester, Kentucky. That is where their first child was born; my daddy.
My father, whose name is Beachum Truly Bailey was born December 21st, 1903 in Manchester, Kentucky. They had nine children, five boys and four girls. One boy died as an infant. His name was Andrew Jackson and he is buried at Honey Grove Cemetery, where the family is buried in Flat Ridge, Va.
My grandfather was once married to a lady and fathered a set of twins. A boy and a girl. But daddy did not know who the lady was or when this happened. The lady took the children and ran away and they lost track of them. My grandfather then met my grandmother who lived near Elk Creek, Va. Her name was Lydia L. Parks and they met in church. My grandfather thought she was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. She had auburn hair and blue eyes and a nice shapely figure. He decided then and there that he would make her his bride. So he wrote a letter to her parents and stated his wishes and with her parent's permission, she wrote him back and said yes. They never really had a date before the wedding. Daddy does not know how old she was but, grandfather was 26 years old and he was ten years older than she, so she must have been about 16 years old. Her birthday was July 4th 1886 and was probably born in Elk Creek or Konnarock, Va. They were married in July 1902 and grandfather took his new bride back to Manchester, Kentucky. That is where their first child was born; my daddy.
My father, whose name is Beachum Truly Bailey was born December 21st, 1903 in Manchester, Kentucky. They had nine children, five boys and four girls. One boy died as an infant. His name was Andrew Jackson and he is buried at Honey Grove Cemetery, where the family is buried in Flat Ridge, Va.
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
The History of Some of the Bailey Family....cont
The sherrif's name was John L. Lewis. He also had a deputy with him (who's name daddy did not know). John L. Lewis shot and killed my Great Grandfather William Bailey and dragged his body over and proped it up against a tree and cocked his gun and put it in his hands and swore that my Great Grandfather was lying in wait for the sherrif and his deputy to ambush them. But the sherrif had found out about the plot and sneaked up and killed him before he could fire a shot. Nothing was ever proven about what happened until the deputy decided to set the record straight and tell what really happened.
John L. Lewis was having an affair with the deputy's wife, so he made a deal with her to get rid of her husband so they could run away and get married, or so he said. But the deputy was getting suspicious about his wife and John L. Lewis. But John was really afraid the deputy would tell what happened to my Great Grandfather on the mountain that day. So the wife went along with what John wanted her to do as she really thought she was in love with John and that he really loved her.
She was to leave a quilt hanging on the clothes line until near dark and she was to send her husband out to bring it in. She sent him out at about dusk and some one shot and killed the deputy. Everyone thought he was shot by a stray bullet from a hunter's gun so it was never investigated as anything but an accident. Some time later John L. Lewis did run away with the deputy's wife. There was a lot of talk but no one knew for sure what happened. Years later the wife told a strange story after John left her for a younger woman, but again nothing ever came of it.
So my Great Grandfather was shot and killed one month before my Grandfather was born. His name was William Henry Bailey born in 1876. He lived in Kentucky with his mother whose name, we think, was Minnie. He lived with her until he was about six years old. His mother Minnie met and married Mort Noonkester, whose wife had died and left him with nine children. My grandfather was only about six when they married and Mort was so mean to my grandfather and blamed everything that happened on him. He beat him alot just for no reason almost. His mother could not stop him for he was mean to her. So my grandfather ran away when he was about twelve years old, with his mother's blessing as she knew how mean Mort was to him and knowing there was not anything she could do to stop him.
John L. Lewis was having an affair with the deputy's wife, so he made a deal with her to get rid of her husband so they could run away and get married, or so he said. But the deputy was getting suspicious about his wife and John L. Lewis. But John was really afraid the deputy would tell what happened to my Great Grandfather on the mountain that day. So the wife went along with what John wanted her to do as she really thought she was in love with John and that he really loved her.
She was to leave a quilt hanging on the clothes line until near dark and she was to send her husband out to bring it in. She sent him out at about dusk and some one shot and killed the deputy. Everyone thought he was shot by a stray bullet from a hunter's gun so it was never investigated as anything but an accident. Some time later John L. Lewis did run away with the deputy's wife. There was a lot of talk but no one knew for sure what happened. Years later the wife told a strange story after John left her for a younger woman, but again nothing ever came of it.
So my Great Grandfather was shot and killed one month before my Grandfather was born. His name was William Henry Bailey born in 1876. He lived in Kentucky with his mother whose name, we think, was Minnie. He lived with her until he was about six years old. His mother Minnie met and married Mort Noonkester, whose wife had died and left him with nine children. My grandfather was only about six when they married and Mort was so mean to my grandfather and blamed everything that happened on him. He beat him alot just for no reason almost. His mother could not stop him for he was mean to her. So my grandfather ran away when he was about twelve years old, with his mother's blessing as she knew how mean Mort was to him and knowing there was not anything she could do to stop him.
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Saturday, August 6, 2011
The History of Some of the Bailey Family
My name is Juanita Bailey Taylor. I am the second of three daughters born to Beachum Truley Bailey and Martyle. Today is the 2nd day of August 1981, Sunday. I went to see my daddy Beachum. He lives in a little four room house near the Fish Hatchery in Marion, VA.
His name is Beachum Truley Bailey, born December 21, 1903 to Henry and Lydia Bailey. He told me a fascinating story about my Great-Grandfather Bailey. I need to write this down before I forget.
My Great-Grandfather's name was William Bailey. (We think) he was a very mean man with a hair trigger temper and was reported to have killed seven men. Four negros and three white men. For what reason daddy didn't know. Probably they stole something from him and with his temper, he shot them. No one could get anything on him. He always carried his gun with him, wherever he went - even to church (and he went to church regularly). One time he was sitting in church about half way to the front, on the center isle, with his family sitting beside him. He also had his gun propped up beside him when the deputy sherriff came into the church and came down the center isle. Great-grandfather thought he had been caught and they had come to arrest him. But they passed right by him and arrested the preacher and his assistant for horse stealing. They took them away right then. They both were proven guilty and were hung shortly thereafter.
Some time went by and Great-grandfather had to cross Black Mountain (They lived in Kentucky) to take grain to the mill to have it ground into meal and flour. He was coming back up the path on the mountain, carrying the sacks on his back and carrying his gun in his other hand. As he was climbing the mountain, he came across a tree lying across his path. He had to set his gun aside and take the sacks off his back to set them down so he could move the tree from his pathway. Meanwhile, the sherriff had found out about his trip to the mill and had figured out about what time he would be coming back up the mountain so he had set a trap for Great-Grandfather by putting the tree across the path. The sherriff knew he would have to put his gun and the sack down long enough to move the tree from his path. He was right for that is what Great-Grandfather did..........
His name is Beachum Truley Bailey, born December 21, 1903 to Henry and Lydia Bailey. He told me a fascinating story about my Great-Grandfather Bailey. I need to write this down before I forget.
My Great-Grandfather's name was William Bailey. (We think) he was a very mean man with a hair trigger temper and was reported to have killed seven men. Four negros and three white men. For what reason daddy didn't know. Probably they stole something from him and with his temper, he shot them. No one could get anything on him. He always carried his gun with him, wherever he went - even to church (and he went to church regularly). One time he was sitting in church about half way to the front, on the center isle, with his family sitting beside him. He also had his gun propped up beside him when the deputy sherriff came into the church and came down the center isle. Great-grandfather thought he had been caught and they had come to arrest him. But they passed right by him and arrested the preacher and his assistant for horse stealing. They took them away right then. They both were proven guilty and were hung shortly thereafter.
Some time went by and Great-grandfather had to cross Black Mountain (They lived in Kentucky) to take grain to the mill to have it ground into meal and flour. He was coming back up the path on the mountain, carrying the sacks on his back and carrying his gun in his other hand. As he was climbing the mountain, he came across a tree lying across his path. He had to set his gun aside and take the sacks off his back to set them down so he could move the tree from his pathway. Meanwhile, the sherriff had found out about his trip to the mill and had figured out about what time he would be coming back up the mountain so he had set a trap for Great-Grandfather by putting the tree across the path. The sherriff knew he would have to put his gun and the sack down long enough to move the tree from his path. He was right for that is what Great-Grandfather did..........
Thursday, July 21, 2011
In My Grandmother's Words....(cont)
.....So the Little Green Eyed Girl who's world had turned upside down that beautiful May day in 1932, now had a new home with the Anderson Family. She was no longer unloved, uncared for, unwanted and lonely. Mrs. Anderson's family was good to her and treated her like part of the family. She still had to help with the work, but it was so much different. Now she had someone to appreciate her efforts. She got along well with the family and really tried to do a good job in everything she undertook. And Mrs. Anderson was so good to her and she loved Mr. and Mrs. Anderson both. She started to school in the fall of 1938 at Oak Hill School and she really enjoyed school and living with the Anderson's.
Hazel stayed with the Anderson's about two and half year but good thing seldom ever last. One afternoon Mr. Anderson was out chopping up some wood for the stove in the kitchen. Hazel had gone out to the wood pile to get some wood so she could build a fire and start some supper. She found Mr. Anderson laying on the ground gasping for his breath and he was already turning blue. Hazel was so scared she ran back into the house and told Mrs. Anderson that something had happened to Mr. Anderson. Mrs. Anderson went running out and told Hazel to run up the stairs and get the boys and when Hazel and the boys got outside, Mr. Anderson was probably already dead with a heart attack. Hazel said it was nearly as bad as when she lost her mother. She had loved and respected Mr. Anderson and he had treated her like a daughter.
After Mr. Anderson died, things were never the same. Seemed like the life just went out of Mrs. Anderson. After about a year, Mrs. Anderson decided to retire from the Post Office and go to Arlington, VA and live with one of her daughters. She wanted to take Hazel with her and promised her she could finish school there. But Hazel had got into some trouble with a boy from Mouth of Wilson in June and she didn't want Mrs. Anderson to find it out for Mrs. Anderson had been so good to her. She told Mrs. Anderson that she didn't want to go far from home and where her father and brothers and sisters lived. So Mrs. Anderson accepted that and now the Little Green Eyed Girl had grown up and was facing another problem. Again she didn't know where to turn so she sent word to her sister Alma, and asked her if she could come and stay with her for a little while as Mrs. Anderson was selling out and going to Arlington to live with her Daughter. So again Alma and Wayne came to her rescue. (As far as Hazel knew, Mrs. Anderson never knew she was pregnant).
So Hazel went to stay with Alma and she had a son born March 20, 1940. She named him Robert Ray, (Bobby). She lived with Alma until Bobby was a few months old and by then daddy and the family had moved to the Wiley Roberts' farm in Sugar Grove. So Hazel came to Sugar Grove to live with her father in the Spring of 1940. She found a job at Harwood MFG in Marion, VA Juanita watched Bobby during the summer and when school started and Juanita went back to school, mom would tend to Bobby. She met Frank Roberts and she lived with her father's family until she and Frank were married and they moved to Baltimore, MD.
The Little Green Eyed Girl a had finally grown up and now she had a family of her own and someone to take care of her for a while.
That first little boy she had.......was my dad. (There is some discrepancy in his birthdate. His birth certificate says March 20, 1942.
Hazel stayed with the Anderson's about two and half year but good thing seldom ever last. One afternoon Mr. Anderson was out chopping up some wood for the stove in the kitchen. Hazel had gone out to the wood pile to get some wood so she could build a fire and start some supper. She found Mr. Anderson laying on the ground gasping for his breath and he was already turning blue. Hazel was so scared she ran back into the house and told Mrs. Anderson that something had happened to Mr. Anderson. Mrs. Anderson went running out and told Hazel to run up the stairs and get the boys and when Hazel and the boys got outside, Mr. Anderson was probably already dead with a heart attack. Hazel said it was nearly as bad as when she lost her mother. She had loved and respected Mr. Anderson and he had treated her like a daughter.
After Mr. Anderson died, things were never the same. Seemed like the life just went out of Mrs. Anderson. After about a year, Mrs. Anderson decided to retire from the Post Office and go to Arlington, VA and live with one of her daughters. She wanted to take Hazel with her and promised her she could finish school there. But Hazel had got into some trouble with a boy from Mouth of Wilson in June and she didn't want Mrs. Anderson to find it out for Mrs. Anderson had been so good to her. She told Mrs. Anderson that she didn't want to go far from home and where her father and brothers and sisters lived. So Mrs. Anderson accepted that and now the Little Green Eyed Girl had grown up and was facing another problem. Again she didn't know where to turn so she sent word to her sister Alma, and asked her if she could come and stay with her for a little while as Mrs. Anderson was selling out and going to Arlington to live with her Daughter. So again Alma and Wayne came to her rescue. (As far as Hazel knew, Mrs. Anderson never knew she was pregnant).
So Hazel went to stay with Alma and she had a son born March 20, 1940. She named him Robert Ray, (Bobby). She lived with Alma until Bobby was a few months old and by then daddy and the family had moved to the Wiley Roberts' farm in Sugar Grove. So Hazel came to Sugar Grove to live with her father in the Spring of 1940. She found a job at Harwood MFG in Marion, VA Juanita watched Bobby during the summer and when school started and Juanita went back to school, mom would tend to Bobby. She met Frank Roberts and she lived with her father's family until she and Frank were married and they moved to Baltimore, MD.
The Little Green Eyed Girl a had finally grown up and now she had a family of her own and someone to take care of her for a while.
That first little boy she had.......was my dad. (There is some discrepancy in his birthdate. His birth certificate says March 20, 1942.
This is the house that my dad was born in. Still standing in Flat Ridge, VA
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
In My Grandmother's Words....(cont)
......Hazel was crying so hard and blood was running down her face and all over her white blouse. So Hazel sat down on the bed and tried to get herself together. She got up and packed some of her stuff. She heard and saw Mrs. Coffee leave the house some time later. So Hazel started working on the window and finally got it up enough to crawl through. She was scared to death that Mrs. Coffee would come back and catch her before she could get out. But she made it through the window and she ran into some bushes and trees a little way from the house, along side of the road that Wayne would be on. She hid out until she heard the car coming up the road. She ran out to meet them and told her daddy what had happened. Her daddy was so angry that he wanted to go up to the house and confront Mrs. Coffee. But Hazel told him that she had left the house and had not come back yet. Mrs. Coffee did not want to loose her cleaning lady and the one that did most of the work.
By now Hazel was about fourteen and was old enough to do most anything that needed doing. She probably knew that after her dad found out how they had treated her and all the work she had to do, he would not let her go back there. All the beatings and slaps and mean things they had made her endure. Hazel's dad told her to get in the car, he was taking her home and she would never have to come back here to be abused and slapped around and have to work like a slave.
So the Little Green Eyed Girl had grown up some. Now she was fourteen and she went home with her father and step-mother, to Honey Grove. She stayed a few days with them and went home with Alma and Wayne and stayed a few days with them.
Mrs. Anderson, who was Postmaster of the Post Office at Mouth of Wilson and Oak Hill Academy, lived in a huge house near Oak Hill School. She had heard about Hazel leaving the Coffee's and everyone saying how hard she had to work and what a good worker she was. She could cook and clean as good as an adult. So Mrs, Anderson came to see Hazel's dad and asked if she could come live with her. She would see to her education, room and board, and clothes in exchange for her helping them around the house and just doing what she had learned to do at Mrs. Coffee's. Daddy was not too sure about letting Hazel go as she had been through so much. Mrs. Anderson had two teenage boys at home and daddy was worried about his daughter who was only fourteen. But Hazel wanted to go, so she went to live with the Anderson's. About the summer of 1938, Mrs. Anderson promised daddy that the boys would be no problem and that she would look after her and keep her as safe as if she were her own daughter. She also had two daughters who were married and lived away from the area.
By now Hazel was about fourteen and was old enough to do most anything that needed doing. She probably knew that after her dad found out how they had treated her and all the work she had to do, he would not let her go back there. All the beatings and slaps and mean things they had made her endure. Hazel's dad told her to get in the car, he was taking her home and she would never have to come back here to be abused and slapped around and have to work like a slave.
So the Little Green Eyed Girl had grown up some. Now she was fourteen and she went home with her father and step-mother, to Honey Grove. She stayed a few days with them and went home with Alma and Wayne and stayed a few days with them.
Mrs. Anderson, who was Postmaster of the Post Office at Mouth of Wilson and Oak Hill Academy, lived in a huge house near Oak Hill School. She had heard about Hazel leaving the Coffee's and everyone saying how hard she had to work and what a good worker she was. She could cook and clean as good as an adult. So Mrs, Anderson came to see Hazel's dad and asked if she could come live with her. She would see to her education, room and board, and clothes in exchange for her helping them around the house and just doing what she had learned to do at Mrs. Coffee's. Daddy was not too sure about letting Hazel go as she had been through so much. Mrs. Anderson had two teenage boys at home and daddy was worried about his daughter who was only fourteen. But Hazel wanted to go, so she went to live with the Anderson's. About the summer of 1938, Mrs. Anderson promised daddy that the boys would be no problem and that she would look after her and keep her as safe as if she were her own daughter. She also had two daughters who were married and lived away from the area.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
In My Grandmother's Words....(cont)
....Hazel did not know anyone who lived on this road. They were all strangers to her but the lady was so kind. She felt better after a while. The church these people went to had a preacher and his wife and family that needed someone to help around the house and help with the turkey farm, feeding and watering the turkeys. Their name was Preacher Coffee and wife and two daughters. So the lady contacted the preacher and made arrangements to come and get Hazel. She went to live with them. She felt she was really unwanted except for what work she could do. She had to take care of feeding and watering and cleaning the turkey runs. Also the chickens and cows. Besides washing and ironing, scrubbing floors, help with the cooking, carrying water and wood, she did whatever else Preacher Coffee's wife could find for her to do. And never a kind word or a bit of praise. Just slaps, angry words and hard knocks. She had a birthday in June. Now she was ten years old so how much work was a ten year old expected to do for a place to stay and food to eat? She cried herself to sleep many nights. What else could she do. She had no place to go and no one wanted her, except for what she could do.
When school started she was allowed to go to school so she was away from the house and this helped her to adjust, somewhat. The Coffee's had two daughters whom were not to nice to Hazel. They blamed a lot of things on her that they did. She had to wear hand-me-down clothes for the daughters were older than she was. So, she wore their old clothes. When school started, Hazel was a little happier for she could get away from the Coffee's for a few hours. And she liked school even if she had to wear old clothes.
She lived with these people for about three and a half years. Meantime, her daddy remarried to a lady from Rugby who's name was Alma Cooper. In the summer of 1938, Alma and Wayne...who always had a car...took daddy and step-mom to Rugby to see her family early one Saturday morning and stopped by to see Hazel at Mrs Coffee's, as it was on their way. It was so great to see her dad and Alma and Wayne for it had been a long time since she had seen them. So her dad told her to get some things ready and when they came back by that afternoon, they would pick her up and she could go home with them for a visit. She was so excited to be going to see her other sisters and brother. So when she went into the house all excited and told Mrs. Coffee that her dad was going to take her home for a few days for a visit, Mrs. Coffee flew into an angry rage and told her she could not go. Hazel said yes I am going. Mrs. Coffee slapped her and boxed her ears and said you are NOT going. Hazel said yes I am going and Mrs. Coffee said we will just see about that and jerked her up and put her into the back room and locked the door......
When school started she was allowed to go to school so she was away from the house and this helped her to adjust, somewhat. The Coffee's had two daughters whom were not to nice to Hazel. They blamed a lot of things on her that they did. She had to wear hand-me-down clothes for the daughters were older than she was. So, she wore their old clothes. When school started, Hazel was a little happier for she could get away from the Coffee's for a few hours. And she liked school even if she had to wear old clothes.
She lived with these people for about three and a half years. Meantime, her daddy remarried to a lady from Rugby who's name was Alma Cooper. In the summer of 1938, Alma and Wayne...who always had a car...took daddy and step-mom to Rugby to see her family early one Saturday morning and stopped by to see Hazel at Mrs Coffee's, as it was on their way. It was so great to see her dad and Alma and Wayne for it had been a long time since she had seen them. So her dad told her to get some things ready and when they came back by that afternoon, they would pick her up and she could go home with them for a visit. She was so excited to be going to see her other sisters and brother. So when she went into the house all excited and told Mrs. Coffee that her dad was going to take her home for a few days for a visit, Mrs. Coffee flew into an angry rage and told her she could not go. Hazel said yes I am going. Mrs. Coffee slapped her and boxed her ears and said you are NOT going. Hazel said yes I am going and Mrs. Coffee said we will just see about that and jerked her up and put her into the back room and locked the door......
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Back Where I Come From
Well in the town where I was raised,
the clock ticked and the cattle grazed
Time passed with amazing grace,
Back where I come from
You can lie on a river bank,
paint your name on a water tank
Miscount all the beers you drank,
Back where I come from
Back where I come from
Where I'll be when its said and done
I'm proud as anyone
That's where I come from
We learned in Sunday school,
who made the sun shine through
I know who made the moon shine too,
Back where I come from
Blue eyes on a Saturday night,
tan legs in the broad daylight
TV's they were black and white,
Back where I come from
Back where I come from
Where I'll be when its said and done
I'm proud as anyone
That's where I come from
Some say it's a backward place,
narrow minds on a narrow wage
But I make it a point to say,
that's where I come from
the clock ticked and the cattle grazed
Time passed with amazing grace,
Back where I come from
You can lie on a river bank,
paint your name on a water tank
Miscount all the beers you drank,
Back where I come from
Back where I come from
Where I'll be when its said and done
I'm proud as anyone
That's where I come from
We learned in Sunday school,
who made the sun shine through
I know who made the moon shine too,
Back where I come from
Blue eyes on a Saturday night,
tan legs in the broad daylight
TV's they were black and white,
Back where I come from
Back where I come from
Where I'll be when its said and done
I'm proud as anyone
That's where I come from
Some say it's a backward place,
narrow minds on a narrow wage
But I make it a point to say,
that's where I come from
My Trip Home
Ok...so when I went home last weekend, I talked to my childhood friend's father, Mr. Russell. He knows all about my family. He knew my Great-Grantfather Beachum, from where they used to work in Marion, VA. And he knew my Great-Uncle Campton. They were brothers but were like night and day. Great-Grandfather Beachum was very opinionated and Great-Uncle Campton was quite and reserved.
My childhood friend, Elizabeth was my maid of honor in my first wedding. Her grandfather's sister (her father's father's sister) Lena Russell, was married to my Uncle Campton!
Again all this and I never knew!!! It all just amazes me.
My childhood friend, Elizabeth was my maid of honor in my first wedding. Her grandfather's sister (her father's father's sister) Lena Russell, was married to my Uncle Campton!
Again all this and I never knew!!! It all just amazes me.
Monday, July 11, 2011
In My Grandmother's Words.....(cont)
....Hazel wasn't too happy living with the Parks family. There were terrible housekeepers and were really just plain nasty, and clutter everywhere. The cooking was worst of all and they had dozens of cats who were all over the house; on the beds, on the table, on the cabinets, on the baby's bed and everywhere. The little girl was shocked at the filthy place and was not very happy living here. Her own mother had been a very tidy and clean housekeeper. Although she had lots of kids to keep clean and fed, she kept a very clean house and was a really great cook. So hazel really missed her mother and her family. And her mother was a kind and loving christian lady.
One day Anna Ruth was crying a lot and seamed to have a fever and Beatrice couldn't get her to stop crying so she was holding one of the kittens up to the baby's face and letting her little hands in the furry kitten's body. Hazel came into the room and saw this old woman holding this dirty, sore-eyed kitten up in her little sister's face. It made her so angry, she grabbed the kitten out of the old woman's hands and ran out on the porch and threw the kitten as far as she could send it off down the hill. Aunt Beatrice was so angry at Hazel, she jerked her around by her hair and slapped the stuffins out of Hazel. She beat her over the head and bloodied her nose and told Hazel to leave her house this instant and she never wanted to see or hear tell of her ever again.
So Hazel got her few little things together and started to cry and started down the road to where she didn't know. She just knew she didn't want to stay with these nasty, dirty old people any more and do all the hard work she had to do. She was crying so hard and had blood running down her little face. She passes by a neighbor's house just down the road from Uncle Riley's. The neighbor saw her coming up the road and saw she was crying. She came out to the road and ask Hazel what was the matter and Hazel told her what had happened. The lady felt so sorry for the little girl with blood all over her face and crying liker her little heart would break so she told Hazel to come into the house and she would wipe her off and give her a drink and some cookies. She told her she could stay here for a day or two and maybe they could find some place for her to stay.....
One day Anna Ruth was crying a lot and seamed to have a fever and Beatrice couldn't get her to stop crying so she was holding one of the kittens up to the baby's face and letting her little hands in the furry kitten's body. Hazel came into the room and saw this old woman holding this dirty, sore-eyed kitten up in her little sister's face. It made her so angry, she grabbed the kitten out of the old woman's hands and ran out on the porch and threw the kitten as far as she could send it off down the hill. Aunt Beatrice was so angry at Hazel, she jerked her around by her hair and slapped the stuffins out of Hazel. She beat her over the head and bloodied her nose and told Hazel to leave her house this instant and she never wanted to see or hear tell of her ever again.
So Hazel got her few little things together and started to cry and started down the road to where she didn't know. She just knew she didn't want to stay with these nasty, dirty old people any more and do all the hard work she had to do. She was crying so hard and had blood running down her little face. She passes by a neighbor's house just down the road from Uncle Riley's. The neighbor saw her coming up the road and saw she was crying. She came out to the road and ask Hazel what was the matter and Hazel told her what had happened. The lady felt so sorry for the little girl with blood all over her face and crying liker her little heart would break so she told Hazel to come into the house and she would wipe her off and give her a drink and some cookies. She told her she could stay here for a day or two and maybe they could find some place for her to stay.....
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Friday, July 1, 2011
In My Grandmother's Words....(cont)
...sister Alma had agreed to take the tiny baby and keep her until daddy could find someone to take her or maybe find a house keeper so he could keep all the kids together. But Alma was not to well and she heard of a relative who just lost a child and checked with them and they were so happy to take the baby. The man's name was Riley Parks and his wife was Beatrice. This man was Grandmother Bailey's brother. They lived down on Fox Creek. So the family took the baby and the little eight year old green eyed girl went along to help take care of the baby and help around the house with the cooking and cleaning, washing and ironing, milking and taking care of the chickens and other farm animals. The little girl was so homesick and missed her family. Her mother and dad and her brothers and sisters and her home where she had been loved and was happy and felt secure. The kin folks had encouraged the Parks family to take the children, that it might help fill the void of loosing their own girl.
Hazel's brother Clay had gone to stay with Clearence Cornett, who lived not to far from where they lived. Jessie had gone to West Virginia to stay with Grandmother Bailey and Juanita had gone to stay with a family, Gene and Frances Brewer near Flatridge. The family had no children and Juanita was only two and a half, and she stayed with these people until her dad remarried in 1936. They loved and treated her like she was their own child and taught her right from wrong. They were good Christians and taught her many things and how to grow up and be a good person. She loved them as they did her. She was happy and liked living with them, but when daddy remarried, she went home to live with him. Gene Brewer had developed T.B. and needed to move to a drier climate. They hated not to take Juanita with them when they moved to California, but they just couldn't afford to take her along. They had to live with some of Gene's relatives and they knew there was just not enough room.....
Hazel's brother Clay had gone to stay with Clearence Cornett, who lived not to far from where they lived. Jessie had gone to West Virginia to stay with Grandmother Bailey and Juanita had gone to stay with a family, Gene and Frances Brewer near Flatridge. The family had no children and Juanita was only two and a half, and she stayed with these people until her dad remarried in 1936. They loved and treated her like she was their own child and taught her right from wrong. They were good Christians and taught her many things and how to grow up and be a good person. She loved them as they did her. She was happy and liked living with them, but when daddy remarried, she went home to live with him. Gene Brewer had developed T.B. and needed to move to a drier climate. They hated not to take Juanita with them when they moved to California, but they just couldn't afford to take her along. They had to live with some of Gene's relatives and they knew there was just not enough room.....
David Henry Clay Bailey (My grandmother's brother)
David Henry Clay Bailey
David Henry Clay Bailey, 85, of Glen Daniel, formerly of Packsville, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, February 13, 2011, following a long illness.
He was born August 10, 1925, at Flat Ridge, Grayson County, VA; he was the son of the late Beachum T. Bailey and Della M. Bailey of Marion, VA.
Mr. Bailey was a retired coal miner, and a member of the UMWA. He was a World War II Veteran, serving in the U.S. Navy on LCT 607 ship. During the war he participated in the campaigns in North Africa, France, landed on the Omaha Beach in Normandy and also served in England.
He attended the Fairdale Baptist Church at Fairdale, WV.
He loved and enjoyed life, outdoors, gardening, mowing, weed eating, lawnmower repairs, and enjoyed helping others; he loved everybody and was greatly loved by his family and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his mother and dad, and a stepmother, Alma Bailey, his wife Helen Bailey, brothers, Ray Anderson, and Jesse Bailey, sisters, Barbara Duncan, Alma Byrd, Mona Thomas, and a grandson, William David Ramsey.
He will be remembered by his loving daughter, his caretaker, Linda Ramsey and husband Jerry of Beckley, three sons, David Bailey and wife Peggy of Whitesville, Charles Bailey and wife Sissy of Dameron, and Jerry Bailey and wife Margaret of Crab Orchard, and his special friend Hazel Webb of Glen Daniel, WV. Two sisters, Hazel Ramey of Pardeeville, Wisconsin, Juanita Taylor of Winston-Salem, North Carolina; One granddaughter, Kimberly Gill and husband Danny of Crab Orchard. Six grandsons, Jerry Bailey and wife Nicky of Mt. Hope, Jay Ramsey and wife Jeannie of Beckley, Doug Ramsey and Mary Beth of Glade Springs, Tony Bailey and wife Tonya of Charleston, Jonnathan Bailey and wife Colleen of Beckley, and Billy Bailey and wife Heather of Sylvester. Nine great-grandchildren, Brittany and Justin Bailey of Mt. Hope, Samuel and Sydney Gill of Crab Orchard, Bryce Hylton and Nathan Ramsey of Beckley, Brooklyn Bailey of Beckley, Morgan Bailey of Charleston, and Grant Bailey of Sylvester.
Services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, February 16, 2011, at Blue Ridge Funeral Home, Beckley, with Rev. Dean Adams officiating. Burial will follow at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens with military rites.
Grandsons will serve as pallbearers.
Friends may gather with the family Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.blueridgefuneralhome.com.
Arrangements by Blue Ridge Funeral Home, 5251 Robert C. Byrd Drive, Beckley, WV.
David Henry Clay Bailey, 85, of Glen Daniel, formerly of Packsville, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, February 13, 2011, following a long illness.
He was born August 10, 1925, at Flat Ridge, Grayson County, VA; he was the son of the late Beachum T. Bailey and Della M. Bailey of Marion, VA.
Mr. Bailey was a retired coal miner, and a member of the UMWA. He was a World War II Veteran, serving in the U.S. Navy on LCT 607 ship. During the war he participated in the campaigns in North Africa, France, landed on the Omaha Beach in Normandy and also served in England.
He attended the Fairdale Baptist Church at Fairdale, WV.
He loved and enjoyed life, outdoors, gardening, mowing, weed eating, lawnmower repairs, and enjoyed helping others; he loved everybody and was greatly loved by his family and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his mother and dad, and a stepmother, Alma Bailey, his wife Helen Bailey, brothers, Ray Anderson, and Jesse Bailey, sisters, Barbara Duncan, Alma Byrd, Mona Thomas, and a grandson, William David Ramsey.
He will be remembered by his loving daughter, his caretaker, Linda Ramsey and husband Jerry of Beckley, three sons, David Bailey and wife Peggy of Whitesville, Charles Bailey and wife Sissy of Dameron, and Jerry Bailey and wife Margaret of Crab Orchard, and his special friend Hazel Webb of Glen Daniel, WV. Two sisters, Hazel Ramey of Pardeeville, Wisconsin, Juanita Taylor of Winston-Salem, North Carolina; One granddaughter, Kimberly Gill and husband Danny of Crab Orchard. Six grandsons, Jerry Bailey and wife Nicky of Mt. Hope, Jay Ramsey and wife Jeannie of Beckley, Doug Ramsey and Mary Beth of Glade Springs, Tony Bailey and wife Tonya of Charleston, Jonnathan Bailey and wife Colleen of Beckley, and Billy Bailey and wife Heather of Sylvester. Nine great-grandchildren, Brittany and Justin Bailey of Mt. Hope, Samuel and Sydney Gill of Crab Orchard, Bryce Hylton and Nathan Ramsey of Beckley, Brooklyn Bailey of Beckley, Morgan Bailey of Charleston, and Grant Bailey of Sylvester.
Services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, February 16, 2011, at Blue Ridge Funeral Home, Beckley, with Rev. Dean Adams officiating. Burial will follow at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens with military rites.
Grandsons will serve as pallbearers.
Friends may gather with the family Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.blueridgefuneralhome.com.
Arrangements by Blue Ridge Funeral Home, 5251 Robert C. Byrd Drive, Beckley, WV.
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