Family Day Trip… To Delaware

My wife and I grew up in the Philadelphia area but there are many places in eastern Pennsylvania that we have yet to see. This is largely what motivated us to begin taking day trips last summer. While we have been less active this season, we are still getting out when we can and visiting places that, for one reason or another, we have not explored in previous years. Thankfully, my aunt and uncle helped us check another one of those places off our list yesterday when they treated us to a day at Winterthur.

After falling behind schedule early in the morning trying to get a few urgent items taken care of for the lodge (it is that time of year again) we made our way south and across the state line to meet them in the parking lot of the historic site. We got there a little later than expected but the timing actually worked out well as it allowed us to enjoy a nice lunch in the cafeteria before beginning the tour of the old DuPont estate. Of course, we also discussed some recent genealogy findings during the meal but that is another topic for another post (very exciting new information though).

Half past noon and we boarded the tram car at the visitor’s center to meander through the gardens, forest, and fields. While I wasn’t able to capture much of the 25 minute journey I did manage to get a few reasonable pictures across the vast fields of the gazebo….

…and a farm house in the distance.

It really is an excellent little ride and I am certain that it would be even better during the spring bloom. Maybe next time we will just spend the day walking around the grounds and enjoying the sights and smells.

The ride terminated at the massive mansion which truly is something that you have to stand beside to appreciate the immense scale. Even when looking at the main entrance it is startling to think that this once was a private residence.

Within a few minutes of arrival, we were back in the reception area waiting for the house tour to begin (actually, it is only one floor of the house that you are touring). Before piling our small group into the elevator we passed an interesting hallway that gave a little hint as to what was to follow.

While that small hallway was a hint, it really couldn’t fully provide us an insight as to the elaborate staging that was to follow as was evident in the first room that we entered after getting off the lift…

After a couple more rooms and many details, most of which I cannot recall, we turned the corner and I couldn’t help but notice the silhouette at the far end of the building…

We made our way in that direction and while we didn’t venture out into the sun room with the sculpture, we did find ourselves beside pains of wavy windows…

…and in front of a magnificent staircase.

When you look at the staging and the impact of the sweeping curve it just makes you want to ascent the stairs. As that was not a possibility, I had to at least lean over and take a picture up the center of the spiral…

At this point we were at the far end of the building and while we made a few stops and toured a few rooms on the way back, it was a few of the items in the rooms that caught my attention such as the chandeliers that hung from the ceiling and the varying designs and styles of each one.

However, every once in a while you come across items that make you stop for a moment. The kinds of things that you nearly forget that you have a camera in your hand because you are just caught in the history of the objects before you. That is the kind of feeling you get when you stand in front of George Washington’s china set from Mount Vernon.

While it seemed like it had just begun, the tour was over, we went down the escalator, and we were walking back through the main foyer with a feeling of wanting to see more. Still early in the afternoon, having seen a little bit of the inside, it was time to explore a little of the outside spaces. So we made our way past the soup terrene exhibit and up the stairs where you can get a clear view of the extensive window work currently underway.

From there we strolled down the paths past the open windows…

…the blooming trees….

…and into the open courtyard.

Just above this entertaining space was the heated pool full of fish (I couldn’t catch any with the camera so no picture of the pool this time). Just beyond the far end of the water, you could really appreciate and you could almost see the houseguests slowly making their way down the long staircase from the house to the pool.

 

We took a few minutes to sit and chat when I noticed that the camera card was full so this is where the pictures end. Front this outdoor entertainment area of the main house, we made our way across the entry courtyard (where we first entered the house) and into a smaller but still grand structure which served as the second DuPont residence when his collections overtook the main space in his home. Now the gift shop and café, we were able to enjoy a quiet cup of coffee and continue our conversation throughout the remainder of the afternoon.

By 4:30 we were heading back to the car and on the road again heading toward the state line. I honestly can’t remember the last time that I spent the day with my aunt and uncle beyond the usual family get together or being at my parent’s house. Actually, I had sadly forgotten how much I enjoy spending time with them and talking with them. I’m glad that we made the time to do this and I am happy that my wife and I were able to see Winterthur for the first time with them. I really couldn’t have asked for a better way to spend a Saturday.  

Summer Travel Planning

With spring in full swing I have been giving some thought to where my wife and I should go this summer. We enjoyed getting away last year on the weekends and it would be nice to continue that and really spend some more time together. We both really enjoy the time away from the apartment, getting out, and taking plenty of pictures as well.

We had quite the list last year and managed to check off a lot of places on the list so this year it is a little harder to think of towns and destinations that we haven’t been to. Of course, we are happy to return to some of the places we visited previously but new places will definitely take precedence. We might even venture beyond the Pennsylvania boarder although we are still averse to venturing into the states that begin with New.

So far, there are a few places already on the list but, again, it is much more difficult to come up with places and this would be in addition to any work and lodge travel that I have coming up. Here is my list as it stands today (still have to discuss everything with my wife and get her input):

• Jim Thorpe – This would be our third time visiting the small mountain town and we look forward to seeing a few things that we missed previously including the Butterfly Sanctuary.
• Scranton – I have to be up there in June for a Masonic function which is when I will look for different things to do and places to see.
• Hershey – Smells like chocolate! Haven’t really been there in a while so it might be time to finally get back over there and visit… maybe a trip to the park is in order too.
• Lititz – The small Lancaster County town was on our list last year but was cut when we began slowing down toward the end of the summer.
• Yuengling Brewery (Pottsville) – We tried doing the tour last year but arrived too late. We will be planning ahead this time.
• Bushkill Falls - We passed this up last year as we didn’t want to pay the admission price and we had already walked around Raymondskill Falls. Hopefully we go there on a day when it is not mobbed by those venturing across the river.
• Indian Echo Caverns (Hummelstown) – The spelunking was a big hit last year so it is time to explore another cave. We will be sure to save this trip for the peak of the heat during the summer.
• Winterthur (Delaware) – Another hot day destination. I have always wanted to visit this DuPont estate but something would always come up and prevent it. Maybe this time I can actually check it off my list.  

As I said before, the list isn’t very far along but it’s a start. I’m sure that we will fill this in as the summer approaches. Any suggestions of where to go? Any great deals that you know of floating around out there? What to meet up or serve as our tour guide? Let me know in the comments or by emailing me at timetokeepitsimple@gmail.com.

 

That Is The Way To Go!

Part of my duties as Secretary has been to relay the passing of Brothers and, most recently, the wives and widows of brothers. I have shared this aspect of the job with you previously. However, my sister posted something on her Facebook wall a few days ago that brought a little lightness to the subject. The levity comes in the form of the obituary of Walter George Bruhl Jr. Yes, an obituary but this one is a little bit different in that Walter, knowing the certainty of his eventual end, penned the reflection himself. Some of the highlights:

Walter George Bruhl Jr. of Newark and Dewey Beach is a dead person; he is no more; he is bereft of life; he is deceased; he has rung down the curtain and gone to join the choir invisible; he has expired and gone to meet his maker….

He was surrounded by his loving wife of 57 years, Helene Sellers Bruhl, who will now be able to purchase the mink coat which he had always refused her because he believed only minks should wear mink…

Walt was preceded in death by his tonsils and adenoids in 1935; a spinal disc in 1974; a large piece of his thyroid gland in 1988; and his prostate on March 27, 2000...

There will be no viewing since his wife refuses to honor his request to have him standing in the corner of the room with a glass of Jack Daniels in his hand so he would appear natural to visitors….

Cremation will take place at the family's convenience, and his ashes will be kept in an urn until they get tired of having it around. What's a Grecian Urn? Oh, about 200 drachmas a week…

While many have found humor and inspiration in the words, I find it entertaining because I can hear myself saying the same thing at the end. It is probably something that I could schedule to be posted on this blog if I knew the time were fast approaching. That would put an interesting twist. Maybe I could arrange a call them all and record something on my death bed. That would be a little messed up but damn would it be funny…

“Hi ____, just wanted to let you know that I’m dead. John Cleese will be by soon to pick me up so don’t worry about making arrangements. I will post additional details about my death later today on my blog. It will include all arrangements that have been made. Oh, and if I don’t respond to your comments right away it’s because I’m dead! Anyway, that’s about all for now. Maybe I’ll see you later. Bye.”

That would be the general message to friends and family. Of course, I would have to keep a few people off of that list because this would be the perfect time to record a message to call out dead from work. Hey, I don’t plan on retiring, so this one is a possibility. Then I could end the call by asking for bereavement time to mourn my own passing.

While none of us look forward to that day, it is the eventual sunset (actually it would be more of a night fall) that we know is on the other side of the horizon we just don’t know how far. It is going to happen so why not have a little fun on the way out. Of course, why not have a little fun every day and enjoy the humor that is all around us if you just pay attention. If anything, by his obituary going viral, that is the real legacy that Walter has left behind.

Finding Our Geography

For me and my wife, our next big milestone in our marriage is to find a place to live, some place that we can call home. It is something that we have been searching for over the past several years, really since the day we got married. We have taken a few chances since our vows to achieve this dream but nothing has worked out up to this point. Some places haven’t been satisfying for either of us while others were a split decision. But, in the end, finding home is something that we have to both agree upon.

Over the past several months we have been traveling to various parts of the commonwealth, we have seen numerous small towns and driven down countless streets. While there have been a few that have piqued our interest, there hasn’t been any place that has met all of our expectations for a place where we could see settling down for the long haul. It is not an easy decision to make so we are trying to take our time to find a place.

Our latest debate is whether to stay in our current apartment where the rent is quite reasonable and save for a home or do we incur the expense now to rent in a location where we can feel more at home. We keep going back and forth in this discussion as we are eager to move on from the congestion and confinement of our current surroundings but, at the same time, it would be nice to finally move somewhere when we can have the pride of ownership waiting for us when we unload the truck and open the door. Essentially, do we postpone long term happiness for short term satisfaction and comfort? Either option would be a financial struggle

So, with this back and forth still part of our everyday life, we have been looking for a place that meets both the requirements we have for ‘home’. It has taken a lot of time and a lot of errors but we may have finally found that place. Where? I am not going to divulge that information at this point as nothing is ever final until a move happens. Plus I know of at least a few realtors that read this blog and I am curious as to the theories that will eventually surface as to the locations in the area (the area of consideration has not been mentioned to any of them in the past). However, it is safe to say that it is in-between where my wife and I work and within an easy train ride of Philadelphia.

It should be an interesting time of consideration and weighing our options as our lease is set to expire at the end of May. There may be a lot of changes to start the summer or there could be a continuation of the status quo. I guess you are just going to have to keep reading to find out what happens in the coming months.

Looking Back On A Bipolar Year

2013 was an interesting year. It was a twelve month period of highs and lows that, fortunately, ended at the highest point on the calendar. We had our struggles but pushed through them all and came out stronger than before. And, most importantly, we took whatever time we had to appreciate what we have and looked forward to what could be rather than commiserating about what was the reality at the moment.

The year began in promising fashion as I added a day job with a financial services firm to immediately follow my night shift working the front desk of my apartment building. At the same time, I was slowly increasing my Rotary involvement and was beginning to line things up to join the local Masonic lodge. While all of this was going on, my wife was continuing to work in her chosen field and hating my hours at the same time.

As the first couple of months passed, I was struggling to establish myself in my new profession while trying to stay conscious after working all night and having to commute to Delaware daily. It was a struggle but it also helped me to figure out what my body and mind was capable of and has continued to help me throughout the year. It was also around this time that I began to increase my political involvement by voicing my opinions, showing my support for my party, and attending various events in the area.

By the beginning of April it was time to move on from my day job and really look for an opportunity in my chosen profession of public relations. It was a good thing that I did not give up my night job. By the end of the month, some significant changes had occurred as it was that by the end of the month I was no longer a man, I was a Mason. That seemed to be the turning point that served as the drive that was beginning to waver. It was with this new found self respect, confidence, and motivation that I entered May.

The month of May was one that saw many new endeavors and responsibilities. As you know, this was the month when this blog was created and, so far, has been a daily exercise to keep me writing and motivated. It was a month of fortuitous introductions as it was during this 31 day span when I made initial contact with the woman who would eventually become by boss. At some point I also officially accepted the honor of becoming president elect of my Rotary club come July and also the month when the miles began to add up as my wife and I started our Pennsylvania exploration (this travel was in addition to the New Jersey trip we took to support our friend as she received her doctorate).

The summer months all blended together as the blog posts began to rack up and the formation of the secondary Phillies related blog began. Additionally, I began doing some freelance writing for a Red Sox publication pulling together game recaps. Travel occupied much of our free time during this period as we traveled around much of the eastern part of the commonwealth. Many of the interviews, meetings, and events around this time tend to run together but I vividly remember a few of them as I was finally able to meet my current boss face to face, I was able to meet and talk to Governor Corbett, I was able to watch my niece graduate High School, attending my mom’s much deserved retirement party, and I slowly began taking additional steps in my Masonic journey. Of course, Rotary remained a grounding mainstay during the sweltering months. This was also a month of tremendous change as the level of our religious observance shifted not because of a faltering faith but because the faith and passion burning inside of us needed a way out that better fit us and our life.  

 

September was the month when much of the hard work from earlier in the year began to pay off. There were many great Rotary events and meetings, a professional turning point when I finally sat down for another interview (in a different location at a different company) with my boss, and I began taking on additional duties at lodge by assisting the Secretary which later turned into me accepting the honor and responsibility of stepping into that role at the end of the year. This was also a huge month for my wife as she started at a position in her field that was no longer a job but the beginning of a career. This month of holidays and reflection also served to reassure our previous decisions and confirmed that we were on the right path.

The past three months have been busy. I have been working hard at an amazing company, working with great people, doing the job I love (my only job as I was finally able to resign from the night position). While not as extensive as over the summer, my travel continued as I was able to see Arizona for the first time. During this time I have had to drastically cut back on my Rotary involvement because of the timing (I still graduated from RLI and attended the foundation grant training), my Masonic journey has been one of incredible growth and contained many moments that I will never forget from attending a meeting the Academy of Masonic Knowledge as well as the quarterly and annual communications, to my initiation as Secretary and receiving my 32^nd degree through Scottish Rite.

 

Throughout much of the year this blog has remained a constant and will continue to be a daily log of my life so long as I am able. There are many things for which I am thankful as I look back on the year. There are also many things that didn’t quite come to fruition but that will be achieved in the coming year. Things are looking up for a change as the calendar turns and we all begin the annual routine of figuring out what we can do better with the next twelve months. While not everything was accomplished in 2013, I wouldn’t change a thing. While it had its rough spots, it was an amazing year overall and one that will have a positive impact on the rest of my life.

Six Degrees of Revolution

I mentioned a couple of days ago that one of my goals for the second half of the year was to finally complete my Sons of the American Revolution application. Well, after sifting through the hundreds of documents on my computer, I have made significant progress. So far, I have found seven ancestors who participated in the war effort to support the Continental Army.

However, I can only sufficiently support through documentation one of the lines. This line is that of John Redcross who, according to records, fought both in the 2^nd Virginia Regiment and the Amherst County Militia. This is not particularly uncommon for many of the Native Americans in the area as they were valued contributors to the cause due to their unparalleled knowledge of the mountains. Here is the line that connects me to the Revolution (records used to prove the lines are mentioned after the ancestor):

JOHN REDCROSS

1.      ME – Birth Certificate

2.      FATHER – Marriage License and Birth Certificate

a.       Vietnam War – Military Records

3.      Percy Davis Teaford (1918 – 1985) – Marriage License, Birth Certificate, Census Records, Family Interviews

a.       World War II – Military Records

4.      Nettie Caldwell Love (1897 – 1972) – Death Record, Census Records, Family Interviews, Marriage Records

5.      Laura Belle Redcross / Cross (1862 – 1938) – Census Records, Family Interviews

a.       Last Full Blood Monacan Indian in this line.

6.      Paulus E. Redcross / Redcrop (1828 – 1914) – Census Records, DAR Application of Shelby Jean Wood Penn

7.      John Redcross (1768 – 1861) – Birth Record, Marriage Record, Census Records, DAR Application of Shelby Jean Wood Penn

8.      John Redcross (1740 – 1800) – Virginia Tax List Record of 1793, DAR Application of Shelby Jean Wood Penn

a.       2^nd Virginia Regiment (1779) and Amherst County Militia (1781) – Muster Roll, Records of Virginia Militia Members during 1781.

b.      Monacan Indian Chief – Founding Father of the Modern Monacan Nation. Burial on Bear Mountain in Virginia.  

Not all men were able to fight in the revolution; some did what they could to contribute to the cause monetarily and through the sale of goods. This was an important demonstration of patriotism and support shown by many men who were either physically unable to fight or they simply had to do what they could to support and protect their families from home. Jacob Düffordt was one of those men. Here is the line that is one step away from being fully substantiated:

JACOB DÜFFORDT

1.      ME – Birth Certificate

2.      FATHER – Marriage License and Birth Certificate

a.       Vietnam War – Military Records

3.      Percy Davis Teaford (1918 – 1985) – Marriage License, Birth Certificate, Census Records, Family Interviews

a.       World War II – Military Records

4.      Harry Gilmore Teaford (1895 – 1963) – Marriage License, Birth Certificate, Census Records, Family Interviews

5.      Roy / Rolly Harrison Teaford (1857 – 1914) – Marriage License, Birth Certificate, Census Records

6.      John Wesley Teaford (1837 – 1909) – Marriage License, Birth Certificate, Census Records

a.       Civil War – Pension Records and Muster Roles

7.      Jacob Teaford (1790 – 1877) – Marriage License, Birth Certificate, Census Records

a.       War of 1812 – Pension Papers

8.      Jacob Teaford / Düfford (1768 – 1840) – Census Records, Wills, Deeds, Court Records, Engagement Records

9.      Jacob Düffordt (1734 – 1800) – Deeds, Will, Census Records

a.       Donated 55 pounds of flour to the Continental Army of Virginia (1784) – Receipt from Continental Army

b.      Arrived in Philadelphia on 27 October 1764 on the Hero from a German enclave in the Alsace – Lorraine region of France (considered a German immigrant) – Ship Manifest

 

John Jacob Myers is the first of the Pennsylvania contributors that I came across. From immigration to independence, here was a full life lived. I am further still from providing documented support throughout this line:

JOHN JACOB MYERS

1.      ME – Birth Certificate

2.      FATHER – Marriage License and Birth Certificate

a.       Vietnam War – Military Records

3.      Isabel Ardis Hallman (1920 – 1980) – Birth Record, Death Record, Marriage License, Census Records, Family Interviews.

4.      Sarah Mabel Ardis (1899 – 1982) – Birth Record, Death Record, Marriage Record, Census Records, Family Interviews.

5.      Sarah Hansell Myers (1874 – 1932) – Birth Record, Death Record, Marriage Record, Census Records.

6.      Henry Levi Myers Jr. (1841 – 1941) – Birth Record, Death Record, Census Records.

7.      Henry Levi Myers Sr. (1809 – 1893) – Birth Record, Death Record, Marriage Record, Census Records.

8.      Isaac Myers (1784 – 1867) – Birth Record, Death Record, Marriage Record, Census Records.

9.      John Heinrich Myers (1765 – 1837) – Birth Record, Death Record, Marriage Record, Census Records, Land Grant.

10.  John Jacob Myers (1732 – 1808) – Birth Record, Death Record, Marriage Record, Census Records, Naturalization Papers.

a.       6^th Pennsylvania Battalion out of Lancaster – Muster Rolls, Veterans Burial Card.

b.      Arrived in approximately 1760 from Westphalia, Germany – Naturalization Papers.

Now we come to the only ancestor I could find up to this point that, so aptly put by President Lincoln 87 years later, “gave the last full measure of devotion.” Rufus Cone wasn’t able to fully embrace independence. In fact, he spent his final moments stripped of his freedom and taken from his newly declared country. While the “proof” may not be there yet, the family connection is strong.  

 RUFUS CONE

1.      ME – Birth Certificate

2.      FATHER – Marriage License and Birth Certificate

a.       Vietnam War – Military Records

3.      Isabel Ardis Hallman (1920 – 1980) – Birth Record, Death Record, Marriage License, Census Records, Family Interviews.

4.      Sarah Mabel Ardis (1899 – 1982) – Birth Record, Death Record, Marriage Record, Census Records, Family Interviews.

5.      Sarah Hansell Myers (1874 – 1932) – Birth Record, Death Record, Marriage Record, Census Records.

6.      Lizzie F. Hansell (1848 – 1879) – Death Record, Census Records.

7.      Margaret Cone (1825 – 1899) – Census Records.

8.      Rufus Cone (1784 – 1846) – Census Records, SAR Application of Charles George Leeper

9.      Azel Cone (1763 – 1820) – Birth Record, Census Records, SAR Application of Charles George Leeper

10.  Rufus Cone (1737 – 1776) – Census Records, SAR Application of Charles George Leeper

a.       7^th and 17^th Connecticut Regiments.

b.      Taken prisoner at the Battle of Long Island 27 August 1776.

c.       Died aboard British prisoner ship.

Someone had to be the politician in the family and in mine it was John Fulton. Another immigrant to the colonies, both John and his son served in the Revolution. While the ender was representing the people in a government defying the political odds, his son was in the field fighting for an as of yet unknown Pennsylvania regiment. While there is still much work to be done on this line my current research has resulted in the fascinating lineage listed below.

JOHN FULTON

1.      ME – Birth Certificate

2.      MOTHER – Marriage License, Birth Certificate.

3.      William Reuben McKannan (1914 – 1981) – Marriage License, Birth Certificate, Census Records, Masonic Record, Family Interviews, Draft Registration Card, Family Albums.

4.      Helen Walker Fulton (1892 – 1922) – Marriage Record, Birth Record, Death Record, Census Records.

5.      William Harvey Fulton (1858 – 1930) – Census Records.

6.      James H. Fulton (1829 – 1894) – Census Records, Tombstone, Pension Papers, Draft Cards.

a.       Civil War – Pension Papers, Muster Rolls.

7.      Hugh Fulton (1784 – 1843) – Census Records, Death Record, Marriage Record.

8.      John Fulton Jr. (1755 – 1808) – Census Records, Tombstone, Veterans Records.

a.       Unknown Pennsylvania Regiment

9.      John Fulton Sr. (1713 – 1796) – Census Records, County Documents, SAR Application of Alfred Miller Fulton.

a.       Member of the Pennsylvania General Assembly (1776 – 1779) from Chester County – County Documents, SAR Application of Alfred Miller Fulton.

b.      Arrived in 1762 from Scotland and settled near Oxford, Chester County, Pennsylvania – Census Records, SAR Application of Alfred Miller Fulton.

The last of the connections I have been able to uncover is that of Samuel Dickey Jr. A first generation American, it is has been said that he was among the men who crossed the Delaware River in December 1776 under the command of General George Washington. Currently this is hearsay but it will be an adventure either proving of disproving it.

 SAMUEL DICKEY JR.

1.      ME – Birth Certificate

2.      MOTHER – Marriage License, Birth Certificate.

3.      William Reuben McKannan (1914 – 1981) – Marriage License, Birth Certificate, Census Records, Masonic Record, Family Interviews, Draft Registration Card, Family Albums.

4.      Helen Walker Fulton (1892 – 1922) – Marriage Record, Birth Record, Death Record, Census Records.

5.      William Harvey Fulton (1858 – 1930) – Census Records.

6.      James H. Fulton (1829 – 1894) – Census Records, Tombstone, Pension Papers, Draft Cards.

a.       Civil War – Pension Papers, Muster Rolls.

7.      Hugh Fulton (1784 – 1843) – Census Records, Death Record, Marriage Record.

8.      Jane Dickey (1765 – 1796) – Census Records, Tombstone.

9.      Samuel Dickey Jr. (1730 – 1795) – Census Records, Tombstone, Chester County Historical Marker, Veterans Index.

a.       Served under General Washington during the Crossing of the Delaware River on 25-26 December 1776 – Revolutionary War Rolls, Veterans Index.

10.  Samuel Dickey Sr. (1708 – 1778) – Census Records, County Records.

a.       Arrived in 1730 from Ireland and settled near Oxford, Chester County, Pennsylvania.

Those are my six degrees of Revolution (as of right now). Obviously, I will continue to research each of these ancestors in the hope of building support for these lines. Maybe all will be proven; maybe only one or two more; maybe I will make more connections; maybe I will only be able to prove the current definitive line. Who knows but I am going to keep learning about the history of my family and, therefore, the history of this country.   

Do you have a genealogical connection to the Revolution? Maybe not, maybe your family’s ties to independence came later. Either way we are all a part of this country and we are all united by the rights and freedoms fought for during that time. What is your family’s story?