Purnell and Mary Houston of Monongalia County, (West) Virginia

     Purnell Houston was born on February 1, 1755 in Somerset County, Maryland to Robert H. Houston and Mary Purnell. Mary died one year after Purnell's birth leaving her two children, Mary and Purnell, in her husband's care. Robert Houston moved from Maryland to Sussex County, Delaware where he met Priscilla Laws and married her in 1757. Purnell was raised in Sussex County, Delaware along with his sister and 13 step brothers and sisters.

January 1, 1791 Marriage

     

1775 Marriage

     Purnell married Mary Tumlinson (Tomlinson). A record of this marriage was found in a book of Delaware marriages in 1791; however, there is a DAR source that lists Mary's name as Mary Carey and the marriage solemnized in 1775.  The maiden name of Purnell's wife has been a question for many.  Was he married to two different women named Mary?  The year of his first child's birth has been listed as 1777.

Service in the American Revolution

     Purnell traveled to Philadelphia to be an apprentice to Master Young, a saddle maker. About the first of February, 1776 Purnell finished his apprenticeship and returned home to Sussex County, Delaware.

     In March, 1776 at the age of 21, he volunteered for service as a private in the Revolutionary War under Captain John Hazzard. He spent two months in a troop of about 30 soldiers that guarded the Capes of Delaware watching for British ships that were in the waters near the Capes.

     Purnell was discharged from this service and in November, 1776 he volunteered in Philadelphia in a company of Pennsylvania militia commanded by Captain Chambers which was attached to General Cadwallader's brigade. These troops were raised to guard against the enemy who was over running New Jersey. 

     In the later part of November or early December, Purnell's troop was encamped near Trenton, New Jersey on the opposite side of the River. The enemy was in possession of Trenton and on Christmas Eve, Purnell fought in the famous Battle of Trenton in which the American soldiers crossed over to Trenton and defeated 900 Hessian soldiers. The General in charge of this attack was George Washington. 

     Following this battle, Purnell marched to a place called Blackbird which was located in New Jersey. In early January, 1777 the troops marched back to Trenton where they held a bridge against the British soldiers. Purnell left at night with his troops, under the leadership of General George Washington, for Princeton and attacked the British. 

     From Princeton his troop marched to Somerset Courthouse, to Pluckemin and finally to Morristown which was the winter quarters for the American soldiers. About the last of March, 1777, Purnell's troop marched back to Philadelphia where he was discharged.

     In April, 1777 an agent of Colonel Bland of the Virginia Cavalry contacted Master Young to attend to the saddles and bridles of the cavalry's horses. Master Young asked Purnell to serve with him for two months in the service of the army from Virginia. 

     After this term, Purnell joined Master Young as a hand on a ship that was going to Boston from Philadelphia by way of Egg Harbor. On the return to Philadelphia, around Rhode Island, the ship was captured by The Unicorn, a hostile vessel. Purnell was held prisoner for eight or nine weeks. 

     After his release, he went to New London and once again joined the Revolution in service on a brig called the Privateer. Purnell never sailed, he became sick with prison ship fever and was left in New London until the ship returned from duty. In September, 1778 he sailed back to Philadelphia, ending his time of service in the American Revolution.

     Purnell returned home to Sussex County, Delaware and began to build a life with his wife, Mary. Purnell has a land assessment listing in 1785 and 1787 in Cedar Creek Hundred, Sussex County, Delaware. (Miller and Sweet) 

     On the 1790 Reconstructed Census of Delaware, Purnell is enumerated in Mispillion Hundred in Kent County. I have been told that Purnell was willed land by his grandfather John Houston, but to date I have not located the legal documentation. (Miller)

     

     One of the clues in determining her possible maiden name is the will of Cary Tumlinson of Kent County, Delaware dated November 18, 1790.  He bequeath one half part of his estate to Mary Houston to be paid annually in the sum of pounds until her amount of the estate is reached.  If she should die before the amount is reached, then the annual amount is to be divided among her living children until then reach the age of twenty-one.

     "and whereas it is the wish of Purnel Houston and the said Mary Houston his wife--that the said Mary Houston should relinquish her claim of twenty pounds per year and that the said bequest should be received in one sum and laid out in lands in the counties of Monongalia or Harrison Commonwealth of Virginia for the benefit of said Mary Houston and that such lands when purchases shall be made the surity to William Candy who was left executor of the will afordsaid.  Provided he should be willing to pay the aforesaid bequest in one sum.  Therefore we Purnel Houston and Mary Houston wife of said Purnel, do by these present constitute and appoint Benjamin Reeder of Morgan Town in the county of Monongalia in the Commonwealth of Virginia our true and lawful attorney"

  Benjamin Reeder was to facilitate the above portion of the will for Mary and Purnell.  The above was signed by both Mary and Purnell on October 3, 1796.

  Mary and Purnell's daughter, Sarah Houston Hill, named a son Alexander Carey Hill, perhaps for her maternal uncle Cary Tumlinson?

Monongalia County and District Court Records
Volume 1
1776-1799

     Although I  have seen that the Houston family removed to Monongalia County, (West) Virginia as early as 1790, the first record is dated 1797.  

     In Monongalia County, Purnell was one of the local saddle makers. He and Mary also operated a dry goods store and in 1801 he obtained a license to "keep an ordinary (tavern) at the house formerly occupied by Thomas Pindell, deceased, at the forks of the road." 

     The Houston family has many listings in the early 1800 Monongalia district and county court records. Purnell must not have been a very successful financial manager as he was in debt to a good many people. He owed a number of men saddles for which he had received payment and a doctor for small pox shots given to his family. 

     There are entries of debt to Mary (Polly) for goods bought in the store. Polly was not a quiet, retiring woman. A peace bond was taken out against her for threats that she had made to a man who owed her money!

1801 Monongalia County, Virginia
Personal Property Taxes
Joseph Trickett, Commissioner
One male over 18 years old

1802 Monongalia County Virginia
Personal Property Taxes
John Evans, Clerk
April 27, 1802
1 male over 18

1805 Monongalia County Virginia
Personal Property Taxes
Rawley Martin's District
1 male over 18
1 horse, colt, mule

1810 Virginia Census
Monongalia County
August 6, 1810

Purnel Houston

Free White Males under age 10--2--Unknown children, perhaps grandchildren  

Free White Males age 10-15--1  Purnell Houston (son)

Free White Males over age 45--1  Purnell Houston

Free White Females under age 10--1  Elizabeth Houston

Free White Females age 10-15--2--Sarah Houston and Rhoda Houston

Free White Females age 26-45--1  Mary Houston

1813 List of Tithables, Monongalia County, (West) Virginia

Purnell Houston--2 males over the age of 18 and 3 horses

1820 Virginia Census
Eastern Division, Monongalia County
August 20, 1820

Purnell Houston

Free White Males age 16 thru 25--2  Unknown

Free White Males age 26-44--1  Purnell Houston (son)

Free White Males age 45 and over--1  Purnell Houston

Free White Females age 16-25--1  Elizabeth Houston

Free White Females age 45 and over--1  Mary Houston

Number of Persons Engaged in Agriculture--3

     Mary died at age seventy in Monongalia County on January 31, 1830.  She was buried in the Old Hill Cemetery.  Robert and Rebecca Caldwell Hill were friends of the Houston's and my paternal great great great great grandparents.  The Hill Cemetery  was dismantled in 1928 and the bodies of the Houston's and Hill's were moved to Mount Union Cemetery, Monongalia County, West Virginia. 

1830 Virginia Census
Eastern District Monongalia County

Pernel Houston

Free White Males age 5 thru 9--1

Free White Males age 30 thru 39--2--Purnell Houston (son)

Free White Males age 70 thru 79--Purnell Houston

Free White Females age 10 thru 14--1

     After Mary's death, Purnell went to live with one of his daughters, Sarah Houston Hill and her family. Purnell had no income or resources of his own and was 75 years of age. 

     In 1832, he applied for a pension due him from his service in the Revolutionary War. His pension was approved and he received $93.25 in two years. 

     In 1834, an attorney for the United States, Washington G. Singleton, traveled to Monongalia County to interview Purnell regarding his service in the revolution. Singleton determined that Purnell had not served a sufficient amount of time to receive a pension. Singleton not only canceled the pension, but threatened to prosecute Purnell to obtain the $93.25 that he had received from the government. 

     Purnell was 80 years old, infirmed and afflicted with palsy at the time of the threat. Joseph D. Hill, Purnell's son-in-law, was persuaded to become his security. Joseph signed the note which was due in 1836 to diffuse what had become an intolerable situation for his father-in-law. Unfortunately for Joseph, assisting his father-in-law, would be a "thorn in his side" for the next 16 years, almost until his own death.  

     Before payment of the note became due, Purnell Houston died on March 9, 1835 in Monongalia County, (West) Virginia at the age of 80. He is buried beside his wife Mary at Mount Union Cemetery in Monongalia County, West Virginia.

Children of Purnell and Mary Houston:

1. Susanna Houston born 1777 in Sussex County, Delaware married 1800 in Monongalia County, (West) Virginia William Hollefield.

2. James Houston born 1780 in Sussex County, Delaware died 1858 in Monroe County, Indiana married Jane Eckles December 1, 1807.

3. Robert Houston born July 6, 1781 in Sussex County, Delaware died January 24, 1873 in Monongalia County, West Virginia married Rose Ann Baer.

4. William Houston born 1782 in Sussex County, Delaware died June 8, 1861 married Ellis Abigail Baker.

5. Sophia Houston born about 1793 in Sussex County, Delaware died after 1822 married William Issac Dean.

6. Sarah Houston born 1791 in Kent County, Delaware died 1878 in Monongalia County, West Virginia married Joseph Davidson Hill. My paternal great great great grandparents

7. Rhoda Houston born 1793in Kent County, Delaware died July 22 1870 in Tyler county, West Virginia married William J. Hill.

8. Purnell Houston born 1794 in Kent County, Delaware died June 4, 1881 in Monongalia County, West Virginia married Sarah McVicker.

9. Elizabeth Houston born December 23, 1802 in Monongalia County, (West) Virginia died January 30, 1859 in Maidsville, Virginia married John Sanders II.

Sources

Miller, Peggy,  Research shared with me.

Sweet, R.R., Genealogies of West Virginian Families From the West Virginia Historical Quarterly 1901-1905, "The Houstons of Monongalia", Clearfield Publishing, pages 99-102.

I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU. All comments are welcome; however, if they are inappropriate, they will not be published.    PLEASE post your e-mail in the comment section if you would like to network about a particular surname or topic. I will capture it for my use only and not include it when I publish your comment.

© 2025, copyright Linda Hughes Hiser



Text of Purnell Houston's Statement of American Revolution Participation

TEXT OF PURNELL HOUSTON'S STATEMENT REGARDING HIS PARTICIPATION IN THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR

      On this 22d day of October in the year 1832 personally appeared in open court before the County court of Monongalia, now sitting Purnell Houston a resident of said county, aged seventy eight years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth in his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 1832.

      That he served two months within the months of April, May and June 1776 in the militia of the state of Delaware--that  either Congress or the state-authority he knows not which authorized   companies of volunteers to be raised to guard the Delaware Bay--that he volunteered in one of those companies commanded by Capt. John Hazzard--that as soon as the 10 gallies (galleys) were brought in the Bay we were discharged at Hazzard's fathers about fifteen miles from the capes after having served two months as above stated--that this discharge he believes was lost in his house destroyed by fire in 1811.

      That about the first of November, 1776 he volunteered in Philadelphia in a company of Pennsylvania militia commanded by Cap Chambers (who was a stone-cutter living in Arch or Race street in Philadelphia) and attached to Gen. Cadwalladers brigade--that these troops were raised against the enemy who was over running New Jersey--that in the latter part of November or just of December, we marched and encamped near Trenton, on the opposite side of the river, the enemy being in possession of Trenton--that on Christmas eve we crossed over to Trenton, where our troops took 900 Hessians--that next day we marched eight or ten miles further into Jersey and encamped at the place he believes called Blackbird, where we remained until the first week in January, 1777, when we marched back to Trenton where we had a severe commanding, the enemy on one side of a creek and we on the other--the enemy tried to get possession of a bridge, which we kept until dark--during the night we marched to Princeton leaving a number of our men at Trenton keeping up our fires to deceive the enemy.  We reached Princeton about daylight, where we attacked the enemy, that had remained at Princeton and defeated them--from Princeton we marched the same night to Somerset courthouse, next day to Pluckamin, next day to Morristown into winter quarters--that about the last of March, Chambers' company marched back to Philadelphia where he was discharged in Market Street, which discharge he believes was lost as above stated.

      That in April 1777 he went out in Col. Blands regiment of Virginia light horses to serve for two months--that he immediately went back to Morristown where he was employed in repairing the saddles of the troopers--that at the end of two months he was discharged by Bland with a pass written on the back of it, which he supposes was lost as above stated.

      That in July 1777 he went across to Egg harbour from Philadelphia and went on board of a brig going round to Boston--that near Cape cod we were taken by a British vessel taken to Rhode Island and put on board of a prison ship where he was kept eight or nine weeks, when he was exchanged--from the prison ship he went to New London and entered on board of a Brig in the United States service (sometime he thinks in October 1777) for a cruise of six months, that before the vessel sailed which was about the last of November, he took the prison ship fever, and was left at New London, where he remained until the vessel returned in the spring of 1778--that in September 1778 he returned to Philadelphia--

     That he knows of no person by whom he could prove his service--that he was born at Sussex County in the state of Delaware on the first of February  AD, 1755, That after the Revolutionary War, he resided in Sussex and Kent counties in said state, until he removed to the county of Monongalia aforesaid forty five years ago that the record of his age in his fathers bible in the possession of his sister Carlile in the said Sussex county that Rev. Joseph A. Shackelford, Capt John Evans, Col Dudley Evans, Col Ralph Berkshire, Col Richard Walter and all the respectable persons who have been long resident of his neighborhood are personally acquainted with him and any one of them can testify as to his character for veracity and their belief of his services as a soldier of the Revolution.

      That he hereby relinquishes every claim to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is notion of the pension roll of the agency of any state.

 Sworn and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid

 Signed by Purnell Houston

I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU. All comments are welcome; however, if they are inappropriate, they will not be published.    PLEASE post your e-mail in the comment section if you would like to network about a particular surname or topic. I will capture it for my use only and not include it when I publish your comment.

© 2025, copyright Linda Hughes Hiser



John Ferguson and Bathsheba Griffith Ferguson of Morgantown, (West) Virginia

Craigdarroch, Monaive, Dumfries, Scotland

John Ferguson, a lineal Descendant of Alexander Ferguson, Laird of Craigdarroch, Scotland

     John Ferguson, my paternal great great great great great great grandfather was born circa 1730 in Prince Georges County, Maryland. Over the years I have corresponded with numerous Ferguson researchers and the consensus is that John's father was Duncan Ferguson (Dunkin).  He was a Jacobite rebel, who was transported to Annapolis, Maryland on the ship Goodspeed on October 18, 1716 and purchased for a seven year term by Captain John Findell.  The Jacobite prisoners on the ship were taken in the Rebellion at Preston in Lancashire, England in 1715. 

     John's mother was Catherine.  On Ancestry various researchers give her maiden name as Cameron and her full name as Catherine Clark Cameron.   There is a court record of a deed dated June 27, 1774 that a widow, Catherine Ferguson of Prince Georges County, Maryland sold to Catherine Lanham wife of William Lanham and granddaughter of said Catherine Ferguson one negro girl named Lucy who was 2 years old. Catherine Ferguson Lanham was the oldest daughter of John Ferguson, so one can conclude that Catherine Ferguson, widow, is John's mother. 

     There is an additional Maryland record that gives William Lanham as “a well beloved friend” of Catherine Ferguson of Frederick County, Maryland power of attorney to collect debts. 

   

      Of note in Bernard L. Butcher's book, "Genealogical and Personal History of the Upper Monongahela Valley," is a story that the Ferguson's are direct descendants of Alexander Ferguson, laird of Craigdarrock, Scotland and Annie Laurie of the Maxwellton House who is celebrated in the Scottish song, "Maxwellton Braes are Bonnie" or more commonly known as "Annie Laurie."

     In 1755 John Ferguson married Bathsheba (Basheba, Bersheba) Griffith and began to raise a family in Prince Georges County, Maryland. Bathsheba was born circa 1734 and was also from Prince Georges County. Her parents were Samuel and Anne Skinner Griffith. Both the Griffith and Skinnner families trace back to the mid 1600's in Maryland.

     John was a farmer with considerable property and slaves. The Ferguson's raised seven known children that were listed in John’s will. There is a possibility of another son, William. He is not named in John’s will, but there are Monongalia County records of him. He is listed as “living out of state.”

     A family member who joined the DAR indicates that John Ferguson served as a private with the 7th Maryland Militia. He joined as a private on December 6, 1776 and was discharged in February 1778.  He would have been around 50 years old at the time of the war. This is the record the application was based on. (Maryland Archives)  There is no other information regarding John's service in the Maryland militia since John and Bathsheba both died before the 1832 Act of Congress granting Revolutionary War veterans pensions. 

1776 Maryland Census Records
Prince Georges Parish

John Fergusson age 51

White Male under age 16--possibly John Ferguson

Bershiba Fergusson age 37

White Female age 20--Rebecca Ferguson ?

White Female age 16--Ann Skinner Ferguson

White Female age 14--Susanna Ferguson

White Female age 11--Vilando Ferguson

Male Slave age 37

Male Slave age 24

Estimated children as ages are also estimated.

     John and Bathsheba's oldest daughter and her husband, William and Catherine Ferguson Lanham, are enumerated below their listing.  They are my paternal great great great great great grandparents.  

     In 1777 there was a law in Maryland for all free males age eighteen and older were required to sign an Oath of Fidelity against the British King.  There is a signed Prince Georges County, Maryland Oath of Fidelity and Support signed by John Ferguson. (Brumbaugh, 259)

1871 and 1872

1786 Decker's Creek Land Purchase

     The Ferguson's decided to move west in the mid 1780's and by 1786, "John Forgoson" had purchased 400 acres on Decker's Creek in Monongalia County, Virginia. This area is located in present day Morgantown, West Virginia. In addition to the this piece of property, John also owned 200 acres “east of his land”, 440 acres on Three Fork Creek, 100 acres south of Decker’s Creek extending from Decker’s Creek to Aarons Creek, and a tavern on Lot 11 in Morgans Town owned jointly with his son in law, Farquier McRa.

     Four of John and Bathsheba's married daughters and their families also relocated in Morgantown. These were the families of William and Catherine Ferguson Lanham, William and Rebecca Ferguson Wilson, Joseph and Ann Skinner Ferguson Wilson and Farquier and Susannah Ferguson McRa. Only one daughter, Vialindo Ferguson Beall (Bell) stayed in Maryland.

     The Ferguson's farm was considered a plantation and according to the 1787 tax return for Monongalia County, John had 6 black slaves working for him. He also owned 5 horses and 7 cows.

     I have seen no other records of the Ferguson family until John's death in 1796. In a will dated December 4, 1793, John left all his worldly goods to his wife and children. This included a plantation on Decker's Creek and three slaves. It is presumed that he his buried in Morgantown. The exact location of his grave is unknown and with time the stone has probably been destroyed.

     Bathsheba continued to live on the plantation with her daughter Peggy and son John. In 1798 a male slave belonging to Bathsheba was involved in a court case which lead to the first hanging in Monongalia County. A slave girl was found guilty of burning her master's barn along with a male slave named Will, who was owned by Bathsheba Ferguson. The girl was hanged and Will, who was accused as an accessory to the crime, was burnt on the hand and received thirty lashes.

     Bathsheba died at about the age of 66 during 1799 or early 1800. Monongalia County court records show many entries concerning the will and dissolution of the Ferguson estate. It should be noted that Bathsheba signed her own name to her will in 1799 which was certainly not common for women in the late 1700's. William Lanham and Farquier McRa, two of Bathsheba's son-in-law's, were the executors. The first court document was recorded in 1802 and claims continued to be filed for and against the estate until after 1807.

The Children of John Ferguson and Bathsheba Griffith Ferguson:

1. Catherine Ferguson born in 1756 in Maryland died after 1830 in Monongalia County, (West) Virginia married William Lanham.  (my paternal great great great great great grandparents)
2. Rebecca Ferguson born in 1759 in Maryland died 1823 in Monongalia County, (West) Virginia married William Wilson.
3. Anne Skinner Ferguson born in 1760 in Maryland died in Monongalia County, (West) Virginia married Joseph Wilson.
4. Susannah Fergsuon born on December 19, 1762 in Maryland married Farquier McRa.
5. Vialindo (Lydia) Fergsuon born on August 10, 1766 in Maryland married Zepaniah Beall. Vialindo is listed as a widow in Montgomery County, Maryland in 1806 and she and her nephew, Alexander Ferguson Lanham disposed of sixty acres of land on Deckers Creek in Monongalia County which was a portion of Margaret Ferguson’s inheritance from her father.
6. Margaret (Peggy) Ferguson born in 1779 in Prince Georges County, Maryland died before 1799 in Monongalia County, (West) Virginia.
7. John Ferguson born in 1777 or 1781 in Prince Georges County and married Elizabeth (possibly maiden name Hamilton)before 1897. By his father’s will, John received the upper portion of the Deckers Creek property where he was already living. He also purchased lot #105 in Morgans Town and in 1797, 400 acres on Indian Creek. Before 1804 he and Elizabeth moved to Ohio County, Maryland where he died in 1829. 

Sources:

Brumbaugh, Gaius Marcus.  Maryland Records:  Colonial, Revolutionary, County, and Church. Volume II, Genealogical Publishing Company, Baltimore, Maryland, 1975, page 259.

Butcher, Bernard L.  Genealogical and Personal History of the Upper Monongahela Valley, Volume I, Genealogical Publishing Company, Baltimore, Maryland, 1978, page 957.

Maryland Archives.  Records of Maryland Troops in Continental Service, Volume 18, page207.

I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU. All comments are welcome; however, if they are inappropriate, they will not be published.    PLEASE post your e-mail in the comment section if you would like to network about a particular surname or topic. I will capture it for my use only and not include it when I publish your comment.

© 2025, copyright Linda Hughes Hiser



Charles Edward Stark--Three New Finds

     Every so often I search my Newspaper.com subscription on Ancestry and even though I have previously typed in a family name and found articles, much to my surprise, something new is revealed.  Such happened the other day.

     Charles Edward Stark, my maternal grandfather, had two genealogy prize winning articles.  I never knew him as he died before I was born.  I do not remember my maternal grandmother, Martha Marie Frederick Stark (aka Teek), ever telling me tidbits of his life.  My mother had very fond memories of her father; however, naturally nothing of his life before her memories.  

     I love newspaper articles.  If you are lucky enough to find them, they give a little slice of the personal life.  

     My grandfather utilized several different methods of signing his name--Charles Edward Stark, Charles E. Stark, Charles Stark, C. Stark and the most often C.E. Stark.  This is one reason why I continue to find new articles.  

The Pittsburgh Post
July 19, 1903
page 8

     This was a surprise to me.  Grandfather Stark, a member of a town baseball team, The Avalons.  A person who played or enjoyed sports was a very new piece of his personality to me.  Mom said he was very refined, enjoyed listening to opera records on his victrola and reading Shakespeare.  No mention of sports.       

The Pittsburgh Weekly Gazette
September 6, 1903
page 15

Close up of team member in the uniform

     Finding this article took some work.  C. Stark is pictured with The Avalons baseball team in a suit because he was the manager.  While searching newspapers.com, it appears that my grandfather filled in as manager for the 1903 season.  

The Pittsburgh Press
December 3, 1905
page 29

     I had the picture of Grandfather Stark with the instrument, which I incorrectly labeled a trumpet. 😁  On the 1910 Pennsylvania census, the Stark family was enumerated as living at 530 Marie Avenue, Avalon, Pennsylvania.  

Pittsburgh Sun Telegraph
Saturday, May 29, 1929
page 13

     

     My mother told me of her Dad's involvement with the church.  They were members of the Bellevue Methodist Episcopal Church commonly referred to as the Greenstone Church.  My grandfather was an accountant and he kept the books for the church. 

     This book, The Silent Shepherd, written by Dr. John Benjamin Magee, minister of the church, signed a copy for my grandfather calling him "Old Reliable".  

     I know I have mentioned this before on Flipside.....pulling the trigger on subscribing to Newspaper.com on Ancestry continues to be money well spent.

 

I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU. All comments are welcome; however, if they are inappropriate, they will not be published.    PLEASE post your e-mail in the comment section if you would like to network about a particular surname or topic. I will capture it for my use only and not include it when I publish your comment.

© 2025, copyright Linda Hughes Hiser



Giving Thanks for the Old Time Hughes Thanksgiving

     I crossed age 78 this year and am the oldest in my greater US Hughes Family.  My brother Ken's death this year also places me in the position of being the only one in the US Hughes Family who lived through our grandparents (Grams and Pop Pop) time in the 1950's at an age to have vivid memories.  A collection of those memories are about Thanksgiving and, although many I have verbally told, it is high time to "put pen to paper" and get them out on Flipside.

     My memories go back to elementary school days.  Paternal grand parents, George Henry Hughes (Pop Pop) and Sarah (Sara) Margaret VanGilder Hughes (Grams) lived in a duplex in the Borough of Bellevue, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.  168 Lincoln Avenue held  Hughes Family Thanksgiving meals from 1950 to 1956.  

     There are precious few photographs from the gatherings and the three years that are covered are 1953, 1955 and 1956. 

     From about 1957 until Pop Pop retired in 1962, The Thanksgiving celebration was held at their second apartment, also in the Borough of Bellevue.  During these years I have "iron glad" memories as I was in late elementary school, then junior high and finally sophomore year in high school.  

Pop Pop, Grams, Great Grandma Hughes, 
my maternal grandmother, Aunt Faith, Cousin Kae
and me peeking from the side of the photo

      I just located this photograph.  Taken by Dad, Thanksgiving 1953 at the Lincoln Avenue apartment.  Dad was back from Korea that summer.  Mom and Ken are not pictured.  

    

Front Row:  Me and Ken
Second Row:  Dad, Pop Pop, Aunt Barb, Mom
Back Row:  Grams, Aunt Faith, Uncle Ed, Great Grandma Hughes, Jeff, Uncle John

     

     This was the one entire family Thanksgiving celebration.  Thank you Dad for capturing us in this freeze fame of our life. 💖 My youngest brother, Jeff, was born in May and Aunt Faith and Uncle Ed were married in May.  Aunt Barb and Uncle John were expecting their first child, Fran.  

Actually 1956

Actually 1956

1956

     There were a few more 1956 Thanksgiving photographs.  Uncle John and Aunt Barb were not present; however, my maternal grandmother is in the pictures.  I am sure she was also at the 1955 Thanksgiving, just not in the one photograph.  I reevaluated these sets of photos and realized I mistakenly labeled them all 1955, not noticing that folks were wearing different clothes.  Rooky mistake. 😁 

Memories

     Lincoln Avenue apartment had a HUGE kitchen.  The women would be in the kitchen having coffee and chatting while Grams was working on the meal.  The men and Great Grandma Hughes were in the living room having drinks and laughing.  After the table was cleared, the women would be back in the kitchen doing the dishes allowing Grams to sit.

     As a kid I found it funny that Wild Turkey was one of the bottles that was poured in the living room.....on Thanksgiving.

     A joke Uncle John played on his wife, Barb, was sneaking into the kitchen and shooting her in the leg with a spray bottle of anesthetizing liquid.  Maybe some new medical product Dad brought for either Grams or Pop Pop's use.

     I can remember the plates that were always used.  White plates with green ivy leaves around the edge.  Some were chipped.  Coffee or tea in cups and saucers were on the table and served with the meal.  No wine.

     The North Bryant apartment was smaller--a two bedroom.  Everyone gathered in the living room or sat at the table before the meal was served.

     The kitchen was small.  Grams was in there readying the feast.  Pop Pop was the potato masher.  The women relieved Grams of kitchen duty after the dinner, clearing the table and washing the dishes.

     Pop Pop always called the sweet potatoes....yams and as a joke the green beans....bems.  

     Grams' food was always so wonderful.  Nothing fancy.  Just delicious.  

     Her baked items...wowee!  There were always two pies.  Pumpkin and mincemeat.  Although Grams was a teetotaler, she still put a little somethin-somethin in the mincemeat.  One year Pop Pop added another healthy pour.  Best pie ever.  LOL

      I have covered this in other blogs about Grams; however, I want to add it again here.  Grams learned her cooking and baking skills from her mother, Jessie Pool VanGilder.  Jessie ran boarding houses after her husbands death and Grams and her sisters grew up assisting their mother with household and kitchen chores.  When her girls were grown, Jessie was a stewardess (the cook) on river boats.

     Jessie was skilled at baking, breads and sweets.  My Dad told me of coming home from school and knew when his Grandmother VanGilder was in town from the aroma of the baking bread wafting toward him as he entered the house.  I do not have a memory of Grams baking bread.

     My Mom told me when remembering Grams....whenever Grams wanted something sweet, she would find a recipe in a magazine and bake it to have with her tea.  

The usual Thanksgiving Meal

• Turkey
• Stuffing
• Mashed potatoes
• Gravy with giblets (I don't have them in my gravy...lol)
• Green Beans (bems)
• Candied Yams
• Rolls and Butter
• Homemade Cranberry Sauce
• Coffee, tea and milk for the grandchildren
• Pumpkin Pie
• Mincemeat Pie

 

Grams and Pop Pop dressed for
Faith and Ed's wedding

     Nothing to do with Thanksgiving; however, a favorite photo of mine from the 1950's....clear and in color.  They both look terrific!!!  Grams was a seamstress.  The plan was for her to make Aunt Faith's dress and probably her own.  Unfortunately she broke her arm and was unable to do any of the sewing.  She is wearing long white gloves to cover the cast on her arm.  

I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU. All comments are welcome; however, if they are inappropriate, they will not be published.    PLEASE post your e-mail in the comment section if you would like to network about a particular surname or topic. I will capture it for my use only and not include it when I publish your comment.

© 2025, copyright Linda Hughes Hiser