Happy Independence Day!

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America, you beautiful, wonderful country, you don’t look a day over your 238 years.

Here’s to many more.

Enjoy the day, everyone!

 

The lessor of the 3 evils…

As you know, I try to avoid the three evils on my blog as much as possible.
I mean, nothing gets a rise out of a person quicker than a heated debate religion, politics or sex. No pun intended; just stating a fact.

Although, my husband says that my youngest son Steven and I can’t be in the same room together for more than two minutes without starting a heated discussion (argument) about one of them, its usually always politics. With him being a scorching liberal and me (in his words) a crazed conservative.

He shocked me this year by being furious with me for refusing to vote for Ron Paul, because of his advanced years. I do respect the man, and would love to see him as someone’s advisor, but not trying to see how long he can live, holding the highest off ice in the land, without some kind of dementia from setting in. Maybe that’s just me?

Most teens want him elected since he’s for legalizing drugs. Now, I just want to have Steven drug tested. But seriously, Steven can recite more of his life, probably than he can. I chose Mitt Romney from the start, for my own reasons, and my feelings toward him haven’t changed. That being said…

Basically, we cancel each other out. This isn’t about me or my family, any political agenda, nor do I even want to start that conservation.  It’s just something to ponder.

How politically informed do you try to be? This isn’t a question about anyone’s politics, just about how much you keep up with political events (e.g., the Iowa Republican caucus). Is it something that interests you, or not so much? Are there certain websites you frequent to get information about issues/candidates?

Even the woodpecker owes his success to the fact that he uses his head and keeps pecking away until he finishes the job he starts. ~ Coleman Cox

 

Its the… Winter Solstice… Everywhere!

If you live in the northern hemisphere, you can notice the late dawns and early sunsets, and the low arc of the sun across the sky each day. You might notice how low the sun appears in the sky at local noon. And be sure to look at your noontime shadow. Around the time of the December solstice, it’s your longest noontime shadow of the year.

Its December 22nd… the shortest day of the year.

Today, as we scurry around to prepare for Christmas day, it may seem like there is not enough time to accomplish all of the things we want and need to do. Winter Solstice is the beginning of winter and the return of the sun and I’m still sitting here, talking about the weather (oh, well). Ohio’s weather is very unpredictable. We Ohioans jokingly say that we can sometimes see all four seasons in the same day. It may or may not be an exact science, but it does give us more to talk about.

I wonder what my Mom and dad were doing 70 years ago on this date? I also, wonder what they did to commemorate the day? They would have been small children, excited about Christmas and who knows what else. With snowball fights or perhaps maybe building sandcastles or even making mud-pies? Sitting around the fireplace, reading stories? I’m trying to start a new tradition on this day, to decorate my greenhouse. Just enjoying the sun. How do you commemorate the shortest day of the year? How do you welcome the sun?

Happy Solstice!

Christmas is for children. But it is for grownups too. Even if it is a headache, a chore, and nightmare, it is a period of necessary defrosting of chill and hide-bound hearts. ~ Lenora Mattingly Weber

 

Saturday Vivre

I’m writing my post today, because once again, I was challenged on my finds. We all know that I love a great debate and have been doing it for years. Here’s a direct quote from me from 2009…

I don’t need to phone a friend, poll the audience or use my 50/50 to have a great debate. I simply pose a question and wait for a response; PROS & CONS. I give my view point of view and you give yours, hence the word: DEBATE! I do give credit… where credit is due.

and another almost snippy comment by me under the same post…

I can go back and delete that line in my comment (as I did) and in my notes as I should have done prior to my posting the comment but since you have referenced it here, it won’t go away that easy. Unless I play GOD and delete it from your comment well. As the admin I have to power to do that here. Is this what you would prefer?

I do feel that if you’re the Professor: a person who professes to be an expert teaching the class, Shawnee Chief Cornstalk 101 then where is your Curriculum, reference material and/or notes? What are you bringing to the table here? You’re quick to dismiss everything, everyone else has said but offered no proof… nothing here on this matter; facts, ideas or references… only opinions, as far as I can see. With this being the case: why are you right and the rest of us wrong?

I did delete “my guess” part of that comment. And yours as well, should you decide for me to do so… that much of it will go away… but I think for YOU to be RIGHT… you need to provide some proof on your theories.

FEEL THE POWER… BRING IT… We’re all ears…

I’m not saying that you can’t get my dander up in a heated debate, because me you can. But, I did follow it with…

PS: Your critique of my deleted comment: You know I never called you an armchair genealogist in that comment. That was a cheap shot.
I deleted it because it did sound belittling, and my intent was not to discredit anyone’s findings. A lot of people have come before and hopefully even more after, and there is a lot of data scattered about, it would be in our best interest to get it together. That was the complete basis of that comment. Hopefully, you saved it so you can paste it back here. I deleted it without saving it first.

Some days, I tend to just let it roll like water off a ducks back, but today, I find myself having this same old lame argument. I did post on Facebook that Don Greene posted on my blog and if any of the cousins had any questions for him, that he would be glad to discuss it with them.

This set off a frenzy of  negative IM’s and I’m sorry for doing so, but this is the only contact that I have ever had with Don Greene;  now or in the past. I do not own any of his books, nor did I get any of my comments from it. Unless, it was thrown at me, as it has been many times in the past.  It is bandied about my blog, like a star gleaming in the night. I’m not saying that he hasn’t done his homework or that he even asked to be referenced on this post or any other, I’m just rebutting the accusation that I have somehow, at some point, reprinted all of his findings.

I have looked at his book at Amazon, since it was referenced many times, but I didn’t feel the need to buy it. I was only interested to see what others found or where he had obtained his documents.  As I’m sure many of you have as well.

I would like to personally apologize to him, for having no part in this at all up to this point, only to have himself  dragged into many discussions in the past. But that was not from me either, but from others, for which he was not a party to. And for that I am truly sorry. No one should ever be put into that situation, without their due consent.

He has since joined the comment query on this blog, so I guess, he – himself is open to the experience.  The FAMILY may or may not want to talk to him about HIS research or MINE or GAREN’s or TOM’s or MAGGIE’s or RONNIE’s, but I would stick to asking each of them, what their findings are. I know, I did, with the exception of Don Greene. Not that I didn’t think he had done his home work, but because he was only interested in the Shawnee aspects, as I was only interested in the FAMILY history.  I did ask him the two questions that I had on my mind, see under comments, about Elijah Adkins/ Atkins daughter Nancy, since we have no record of her, I was hoping to see what became of her, but he chose not to answer, so the FAMILY may never know.

My blog is for the FAMILY to share ideas, our research and history. We’re all related and its for posterity.  To help our children, and hopefully, their children’s children, know where they came from. Many others have done it, and I don’t know why we can’t. Yes, I do speculate a lot on this blog, but all researchers do. If we don’t get an idea, we won’t have something to look for. Should my findings be inaccurate, then I try and remedy it, but I do look at it from all angles and sides. Everyone has a view point, and I do say in most of my posts that it was a rumor or just an idea. I run it up the flagpole and see of it flies.

I was going to call Connie Heard, a local Chief, today from Fort Ancient, but I better put that on hold. I’d hate to drag someone else into this squabble. Although, she is supposed to be the nicest person you could ever talk to, and will help you with anything, comes with the highest recommendation, I better table that for now. It’s a shame, because I was really looking forward to talking with her. Oh well, hopefully, she and I can meet at some point, she seems like someone I’d really like. Until then…

I will continue to work daily on my FAMILY research and play Farmville; my only vice. I work hard at what I do, and if you actually knew me, you’d know how much work that I do, you wouldn’t be so quick to make crass or demeaning comments to me or anyone else working to the same end. Respect the work and the findings, that’s all I ask.  I didn’t ask for a trophy and I have said it a million times, I’m not writing a book here, not making a dime from my WORK, I only want to preserve my FAMILY history. I have given credit where credit is due. My Uncle Denny Adkins has spent a great number of years, Jack Reed and my mom’s cousin Frank Goode, among others. I have thanked them countless times for their work and dedication, for which, I am forever in their debt.

This blog is about ME, my FAMILY, my HISTORY and my LINEAGE… it’s a sounding block for my ideas. A record of my work. I share almost every part of my life with my family and ask for nothing in return, but a little respect can go a long way. I would venture to say that at this point, I have only two secrets in my life, and will take to my grave with me, everything else I have disclosed.

I will continue to look through thousands of records and brainstorm with other FAMILY members, but will not stand to be accused of something for which I have never done, and now seems very unlikely that I will ever will do.  Thanks for your concern.

Now, I will go and put in a full day of being a wife, a mother and a Grandmother. I love my life!

Thanks as always,
Sheila Jean Adkins Metcalf

One of the illusions of life is that the present hour is not the critical, decisive hour. Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year. No man has learned anything rightly, until he knows that every day is Doomsday. ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

PS: I know I quote a lot of people on my blog, funny it looks to me like I have given them their due. See the “QUOTATION MARKS!”

 

Military Career of David Adkins (Atkinson)

I found three articles and I’ll copy and paste them in the original post.

NOTE: I’m not giving any credibility to them, nor am I claiming them to be fact, take them at face value. You can follow up at will.

Yes, I could make some badly needed corrections, but that’s not my place, I’ll highlight a few that you can correct yourself. Thanks, SJM

David s/o Mary Adkins b ca 1854 in the Snow Creek District of Lunenberg (Franklin) Co Va. David lived in this area until his mid thirties. During the mid 1700’s new counties were being formed every 5 to 10 years in order to keep up with the populations Westward movement and for this reason records of David and his family, during this period, are n five different counties. The first official record that has been located is one from Henry Co. where in 1777 David, along with his brother Mark, swore allegiance to America. In October of that year David began the first of two eighteen month enlistments in the Revolutionary War. His first enlistment as served in the company or Capt. George Waller under the Regimental command of Col. George Washington. The preceeding fact is verified by David’s Official mlitary record. The record is on file at the D A R Headquarters. Because the Adkins name was spelled so many ways in the early records several requests to the D A R (each time spelling the name differently) eventually hit the right spelling – Atkinson. Shortly after David’s enlistment Col. Washington was made the commander of all American forces. David’s company was in battles in Southern Virginia, North Carolina, and Northern South Carolina. At the end of this enlistment he was discharged at Camden Town South Carolina. Reenlisting three days later for another eighteen months he was assigned to the company of Capt. David Laird. This company was primarily assigned to the North Carolina area. David was dischared in late 1780 at Guilford Courthouse, North Carolina. After his active duty was over he continued to serve in the Malitia of Henry Co. He appears on th Malitia list of Thomas Smith and on the list of Owen Ruble in 1781. ~ sandijerry

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“My records show David Adkins born 1754, died 1831, married Judith on 27 May 1784. In in the marriage record Judith has no last name listed. His brother Mark was captured and hanged by the British for being a spy. David’s parents are Parker Vincent Adkins b1725 d1794 and Mary Fry(e) b1735 d1756 in childbirth with second child. David was born the same year Parker and Mary Fry were marrrid. Parker was among a few frontiersmen who were sent into Ohio into Shawnee territory to make peace by order of the king of England. Parker made good friends with Chief Cornstalk and married his daughter Bluesky in 1768. After the battle at Point Pleasant in Oct 1774, (which was against the indian to include Cornstalk and the Shawnee) Parker took Bluesky back to Virginia. Fearing reprisal against her from other settlers, he sold a lot of his land and operated a mill he owned, which I believe was on the Sandy River in Virginia. He made her a Christian and changed her name to Mary. This is why most Adkins’s have trouble with the “Mary” who was married to Parker.” ~ Kenton Adkins

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“My records show David Adkins born 1754, died 1831, married Judith on 27 May 1784. In in the marriage record Judith has no last name listed. His brother Mark was captured and hanged by the British for being a spy. David’s parents are Parker Vincent Adkins b1725 d1794 and Mary Fry(e) b1735 d1756 in childbirth with second child. David was born the same year Parker and Mary Fry were marrrid. Parker was among a few frontiersmen who were sent into Ohio into Shawnee territory to make peace by order of the king of England. Parker made good friends with Chief Cornstalk and married his daughter Bluesky in 1768. After the battle at Point Pleasant in Oct 1774, (which was against the indian to include Cornstalk and the Shawnee) Parker took Bluesky back to Virginia. Fearing reprisal against her from other settlers, he sold a lot of his land and operated a mill he owned, which I believe was on the Sandy River in Virginia. He made her a Christian and changed her name to Mary. This is why most Adkins’s have trouble with the “Mary” who was married to Parker.” ~ Kenton Adkins

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Contradiction itself, far from always being a criterion of error, is sometimes a sign of truth. ~ Simone Weil

 

Surname Adkins History

The surname of ATKINS was a baptismal name ‘the son of Anthony’, an ancient and still popular personal name. Early records of the name mention Adekin filius Turst, 1191 County Norfolk. John Adekyn, 1296 Cumberland. Willelmus Adkynson of Yorkshire, was listed in the Yorkshire Poll Tax of the year 1379. Later instances of the name include a certain William Deevy and Elizabeth Adkins who were married at St. Dionis Backchurch, London in the year 1680. Elizabeth, daughter of John Adkinson was baptised at St. James’s, Clerkenwell, London in 1709. George Handaye married Mary Adkinsson at St. Michael, Cornhill, London in the year 1718. A notable member of the name was James Richard Atkin, Lord of Aberdovey (1867-1944) was the English judge, born in Brisbane, Australia. He was educated at Christ College, Brecon and Magdalen College, Oxford, he established himself slowly by specializing in commercial cases. As a judge (1913) he was firm but patient, and highly regarded, and in the Court of Appeal, and the House of Lords, he was recognized as distinguished, delivering notable opinions in many leading cases. He also made important contributions to legal education. When the coast of England was invaded by William The Conqueror in the year 1066, the Normans brought with them a store of French personal names, which soon, more or less, entirely replaced the traditional more varied Old English personal names, at least among the upper and middle classes. A century of so later, given names of the principal saints of the Christian church began to be used. It is from these two types of given name that the majority of the English patronymic surnames are derived and used to this day. The associated arms are recorded in Sir Bernard Burkes General Armory. Ulster King of Arms in 1884. Registered at Staffordshire and London to Henry Atkins of London M.D. In the Middle Ages the Herald (old French herault) was an officer whose duty it was to proclaim war or peace, carry challenges to battle and messages between sovereigns; nowadays war or peace is still proclaimed by the heralds, but their chief duty as court functionaries is to superintend state ceremonies, such as coronations, installations, and to grant arms. Edward III (1327-1377) appointed two heraldic kings-at-arms for south and north, England in 1340. The English College of Heralds was incorporated by Richard III in 1483-84.

‎In this life we will encounter hurts and trails that we will not be able to change; we are just going to have to allow them to change us. ~ Ron Lee Davis