Our First Thanksgiving in Plymouth (1575-1653)

Pilgrims and Indians celebrated the first Thanksgiving in Plymouth, Massachusetts in the early 1600s. Puritans fled England and Holland during the American Civil War, and Abraham Lincoln created the holiday in 1863 to practice their religion freely. The colonists wanted to celebrate their first good harvest of corn and barley harvested with generous assistance from …

Observing Women’s History Month and Honoring One of America’s First Women Immigrants

    Background Just 30 years ago in 1987, the United States Congress declared March as National Women’s History Month in perpetuity.  This action came eights years after Molly Murphy MacGregor, a member of The National Women's History Project, was invited to participate in The Women’s History Institute at Sarah Lawrence College, which was chaired by …

Remembering Our Mount Calvary School (MCS) and Community

June 10, 2016 Thanks to Rob Maloof and his visit to Mount Calvary School this week, we have some new photos from inside and out.  Hope you enjoy them and we will see you tomorrow, June 12,  2016 at the special 10:30 Mass to Honor the Students and Mount School for its long and honorable …

Missionary on Horseback–Key Builder of a Nation

In the past, many of my blog posts have focused on my ancient British relatives and their descendents from the Boling/Bolling/Bowling, Chambers, and Taylor branches on my paternal side, to the Lathrop/Lowthropp and Ford families on my maternal side. Geographically,  all of these families resided primarily on the east coast in the earliest colonies--from North Carolina …

“A Tale of Two Bostons “

When corresponding with those from "across the pond," or elsewhere in the world, I sometimes find it necessary to do side research within our topic of discussion. Quite often, I experience an "Aha moment" of enlightenment. Today was such the case. Here's a part of the message that I didn't quite grasp: "Last summer 2013 Boston …

ISO my Family’s Sociological “Big Bang!”

According to my most recent research into the Bolling-Chambers-Taylor families, I am descended from an ancient line of folks who were known to be bald, short, fat, stammerers, and some even barbarians! At my eldest grandson's wedding in Chicago last weekend,  my third eldest grandson approached me for genealogical help. For his college sociology class, his assignment …

The Tudors and Taylors: My British Connection

The Tudors Two years ago, we watched on Netflix, almost incessantly, 38 streamed episodes of Showtime TV's monumental, award-winning series The Tudors.  The Tudors originally aired from April 1, 2007, to June 10, 2010. It starred the 35-year-old Golden Globe award-winning Irish actor, Jonathan Rhys-Meyers,  (2nd from left in the photo), and this year's 30-year-old, British born actor, Man …

Daily Prompt: The Normal

The Normal--a Coincidence--a Good Thing, A Bad Thing, Neither? It's more than coincidence when the daily prompt request, "The Normal," falls on the heels of the end to a 7-week teaching series at my church on "The Real Normal."  So, feeling compelled to respond from a higher authority, and with the help of my church …

Life is Precious and Sometimes Wild–Let’s Just Do It!

Some of us struggle in life and are too proud to ask for guidance or help. Some lives are in destructive ruts and we are blind to them. We all have a loved one, neighbor, or friend who we might like to help, but we are frozen in fear of being so bold to intrude …

Five Generations Together, If Only For A Day!

Easter 2013  Easter always has meant church first and giving thanks to Jesus for his sacrifices for us, then spending the day with our earthly family of loved ones, breaking bread together, hunting for Easter eggs, and giving everyone—young to old--a chocolate Easter bunny on their way home. This year, we are especially fortunate because …

The Diary of Mehetabel Chandler Coit

My Family Connection Lydia Lathrop, my first maternal cousin 8x removed (1718-1794) in 1740 married Joseph Coit, Esquire. Joseph Coit was one of John and Mehetabel Chandler Coit's (1673-1758) six children. Detailed Family Connection of Mehetabel CHANDLER COIT (1673 - 1758)(mother-in-law of aunt of husband of wife of 3rd great grand uncle) Joseph COIT Esq (1698 - 1787) -  son …

Hey You–Are You in the Game?

Yesterday I was driving west on MD State Route 4 following the night before's dusting of snow and harsh gusts of wind along the way to my parents home for the day. Next I knew, I had a tire blow out and lost control of my car. My car then hit into the side of …

Plymouth, Pilgrims, Puritans, The Great Migration, Wampanoags, and The First Thanksgiving

Most of us envision Pilgrims and Indians peacefully sitting down to a feast in Plymouth, Massachusetts around this time of year in the early 1600s as the "first" thanksgiving.  However, the first official Thanksgiving holiday was  created  by Abraham Lincoln in 1863 during the American Civil War.  And actually, the new settlers were Puritans and only became …

Our First Thanksgiving in Plymouth

Most of us envision Pilgrims and Indians peacefully sitting down to a feast in Plymouth, Massachusetts around this time of year in the early 1600s as the "first" thanksgiving.  However, the first official Thanksgiving holiday was  created  by Abraham Lincoln in 1863 during the American Civil War.  And actually, the new settlers were Puritans and …