Yesterday (March 22, 2023), marked the 401st anniversary of the death of my 11th great-grandfather, America's first entrepreneur, John Rolfe. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tlej6LLpU6Q&t=1s This video produced by Native American History covers events since the founding of Jamestown in 1607 in the English Colony of Virginia and Powhatan Confederacy territory until the Jamestown massacre of 1622. It shows … Continue reading 11th great-grandfather John Rolfe died 401 years ago.
Places
Lawrence T. “Larl” Boling – 1838-1910: The Wounded Soldier
The records I am reviewing today are those of my second great-grandfather, Lawrence T. “Larl” Boling/Bowling, born on May 26, 1838, in Chancellorsville, Virginia (about ten miles west of Fredericksburg). In my two previous posts, “Wild Times in "The Wilderness" of Spotsylvania - December 18, 2020, and "The Battle of Wilderness Farm - May 5-7, … Continue reading Lawrence T. “Larl” Boling – 1838-1910: The Wounded Soldier
We Start And End With Family, No Matter What Changes
After 75 years of family festivities, we missed our family's Christmas Day celebration. COVID had not even kept us apart. However, one share of pie before the big day sickened us, our family’s Matriarch and Patriarch, so we wouldn't risk possibly infecting others with our presence. In the past decades, however, the world has seen … Continue reading We Start And End With Family, No Matter What Changes
My Children’s Books Page Launches Here
It might have crossed your mind that I had stopped blogging. Not at all. Through my blog's stories that provide mirrors to the future, I have been reflecting on the past and looking forward. With the end of 2022 closing in on us, I also have been searching for data about bloggers and blog readers. … Continue reading My Children’s Books Page Launches Here
Writer And Adventurer -I’m Still Going Strong!
I have authored three children's books since my last post here, and two of them have been released. My first book "If Only I Was Special" is about a little dog named Hashbrown, who has forgotten he is unique. His wish-filled quest for specialness is vividly illustrated in colorful images. My second book, "Hi I'm … Continue reading Writer And Adventurer -I’m Still Going Strong!
Uncommonly Close
This picture is not of our boys and their uncles, but it reminds me of some of their adventures and escapades. They were, in fact, uncommonly close like a band of brothers. They explored abandoned areas, on dares from neighbors, they walked on gutters across our roof, made their own backyard fires, and built forts … Continue reading Uncommonly Close
Early Cocky (AKA Cocke) Emigrates To Virginia
In seventeenth Century Henrico County, Virginia’s most powerful families were the Randolphs, Cockes, Eppses, and Byrds. Research shows them all among my ancestors. In fact, Lieutenant Colonel Richard Cocke (13 Dec.1597- 4 Oct 1665), was my paternal 10th great-grandfather. He was a graduate of Caius (sounds like “keys”) College, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, England. … Continue reading Early Cocky (AKA Cocke) Emigrates To Virginia
America’s First Murderer
I gathered the following information from Plymouth's Governor William Bradford's Bradford's History of Plymouth Plantation, 1606-1646, The Human Tradition in the Atlantic World, 1500–1850, and https://history.howstuffworks.com. America's first murderer, his victim, and his execution are revealed in these histories: My 12th paternal great-grandfather, John Billington, was a Mayflower pilgrim. As one of the 41 signers … Continue reading America’s First Murderer
“Othering”
The following post was written by my eldest grandson, Joe, whose 35th birthday we celebrate tomorrow. Joe is an upstanding family man and all-around good guy. Besides being well-read, he is well educated, thinks deeply, and enjoys in depth discussions and debates. The following is an example of Joe's perceptive thinking and deductions on the … Continue reading “Othering”
My Cousins Declare America’s Independence
Many Americans take for granted our annual July 4th Independence Day. While working in my genealogical databases, I came across the name of John A. Hancock, a familiar name from America's history. I decided to compare our family's John Hancock (my second cousin, seven times removed), to the list of 56 signers of the Declaration of … Continue reading My Cousins Declare America’s Independence
Celebrating Our Family’s Men on This Father’s Day
Our daughter reminded me that my nearly 500 posts over these past 10 years have failed to describe our family's men's occupations. Our men first migrated from Europe to America, many of them among the first voyagers to Virginia or on the Mayflower that landed in Plymouth, Massachusetts. They were well-educated and used their intellectual … Continue reading Celebrating Our Family’s Men on This Father’s Day
Play Fair
In the early 1970’s the women’s rights movement was recognized as the “second wave” of feminism. Every aspect of women's lives, including work, family, and sexuality were included in this movement. However, not everyone was on board with this equal rights for women’s evolution. In fact, some of the fathers and coaches on our Catholic … Continue reading Play Fair
A Caring and Adventurous Heart
Nineteen months after the birth of our first son, Bobby, we welcomed Jeff into the world. Bobby was a happy, contented, and quiet baby. Jeff, by contrast, had a temperament that proved his personality was larger than life. He weighed 7 pounds, 12 ounces, and measured 21 inches long when he was born in 1968. … Continue reading A Caring and Adventurous Heart
Forgotten Mulberry Island
On the north shore of the James River, 20 miles west of the Chesapeake Bay, the marshy plains of Mulberry Island rise above the gentle tide. Actually a peninsula bound by the James and Warwick Rivers. Mulberry Island is a picturesque fixture of Virginia’s Tidewater region whose natural beauty is enriched by thousands of years … Continue reading Forgotten Mulberry Island
From My Family Tree–
Founding Father Fables & Folklore I received three gifts from the Ages of Enlightenment (1700-1800) and Reform(1830-1850). My family tree revealed that I am descended from three distinguished founding fathers -- our first, third, and 12th presidents: George Washington (1732-1799) My 6th paternal great-granduncle was Virginia's Robert Bolling IV. His wife, Sally Washington, was the … Continue reading From My Family Tree–
80 Days
It was Friday, November 26, 2021,My waiting game of 11 days had just begun,I'd like to say those waiting days passed quickly But that was not the way.As the Doc entered the room,He looked at me, then at my charts.He said, "Frank, it's urgent thatWe tend to your erratically beating heart." I seemed to have … Continue reading 80 Days
Tuesday, March 22, 2022:
Marking the Death of John Rolfe - America's First Entrepreneur John Rolfe and Pocahontas Tuesday, March 22nd, 2022, is the 400th anniversary of John Rolfe's death. In his honor, my friend, Christine Dean, a retired College Lecturer, and fellow Pocahontas research enthusiast is planting a new mulberry tree at the Heacham Manor Hotel. Rolfe is … Continue reading Tuesday, March 22, 2022:
Commemorating the 111th Women’s History Month– March 2022
Remembering My Ancestors: Pocahontas and Edith White Bolling Wilson... Strong Women and Role Models for Young Girls How many young girls can claim they descend from Pocahontas? I knew little about my ancestors or my relationships with them when I was a girl. But I'm very glad that I made time throughout my adult years … Continue reading Commemorating the 111th Women’s History Month– March 2022
What Is Life Without Change?
When I was growing up families made Sundays their day of worshipping together and the gathering afterward which culminated in that wonderful Sunday meal prepared for us by grandma, mom, and aunts. Our families helped found the local churches and their children were born and raised in the same churches where other family members had … Continue reading What Is Life Without Change?
Boyhood Adventures
The picture shown here is not that of our boys and their uncles, but it reminds me of some of their adventures and escapades. You see, our two sons, Bobby and Jeff were born in 1966 and 1968. My brother, Frank, the eldest uncle was born in 1958 and my younger brother Johnny was born … Continue reading Boyhood Adventures
Our Unbounded Heritage: 12th Century & Beyond 