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

 

Miss Grace Robertson; Society Gossip

I spent hours reading the Society Historical Newspapers > Beckley Post-Herald (Beckley, West Virginia) > 1930. It was so interesting what Miss Grace Robertson found to be news in 1930. Her Office Phone No. was 680 and her Residence Phone No. 961. First off, I found it very interesting that she posted her home number in the newspaper. I guess this was to insure she got the scoop; first hand. Her cleaver use of first and middle initals; was to protect their identity.

 

I love how Miss Grace made even the most common event seem like the place to be, if you were on top of your game. Her article from June 27, 1930 her Zinger of a headline was, “KINGS DAUGHTERS MEET”. This was to draw you in to get you to read more… then comes the tag line… “The Kings Daughters Hold Interesting Meeting Tuesday Afternoon at Home of Mrs. J. W. Maxwell”. Now here comes the article: An interesting meeting of the Kings Daughters Circle was held Tuesday afternoon at the home of Mr. And Mrs. J. W. Maxwell in Berkley avenue, with Mrs. Maxell assisted as hostess by Mrs. Ed Cook, Mrs. Jacob Anthony, Mrs. Harold Meadows, Miss Margaret Conway, Mrs. Earl Hall and Mrs. J. W. Givens.

 

Devotionals were in charge of Mrs. Anthony. Mrs. J. Hugh Miller presided over the business session at which time various reports were heard. Mrs. L. H. Davis chairman of the Benevolent committee gave an interesting report. Action was taken in the case of several needy families which had been previously reported to the Order. A special contribution was ordered for the mother, who has been selling matches on the street during the past week for the purpose of raising funds for the relief of sick ones in her home.

 

Present at the meeting were Mrs. J. Hugh Miller, Mrs. H. E. Melton, Mrs. E. W. Baber, Mrs. E. W. Blaker, Mrs. T. G. Honaker, Mrs. C. M. Ward, Mrs. Lee Earl Barrett and son, Miss Bess Woods, Mrs. L.A. Mauck, Mrs. E. F. Cooper, Mrs. E. C. Wilkinson, Mrs. H. M. Blankenship, Mrs. W. B. Harvey, Mrs. J. A. Brubeck, Mrs. J. Q. Hutchinson, Mrs. H. A. Smith, Mrs. Paul Smith, Mrs. George A. Grissinger, Mrs. J. T. Robertson, Mrs. L. H. Davis, Mrs. A. C. Sutphin, Mrs. L. B. Legg, and guest Mrs. Hansen.

 

Now, you know these women only went to make sure their names was in the paper and they used a family member to insure they got there. LOL

 

Her next article on a birthday party was even more captivating, the header reads: “CELEBRATES BIRTHDAY”, then the tag line reads: “Mary Alice Tieche Celebrates Birthday Anniversary With Swimming Party and Marshmallow Toast” After a very lengthy speech about nothing and all the names of those in attendance.  I guess, if you weren’t there you weren’t in the know-so-to-speak.

 

Grace then posted a” Personal Mention” section: now here is where her little tidbits get really good (tongue-in-cheek). Oh yeah, I can only imagine what her readers thought after they read things like:

• C. W. Creel of Reno, Nevada was the recent guest of Mr. And Mrs. Paul P. Payne, has returned to his home. ~ Wow that was keeping me up nights.
• Nancy Love Gregory, of Oak Hill, is the guest of Cora Ann Miller this week, at the home of her parents Mr. And Mrs. J. High Miller, of Beckley avenue. ~ Do you think they all raced over to the Miller house to see if she was really there?
• J. H. Van Atta left recently for his home in Middleton, Ohio. ~ Dang, I thought he’d never leave.
• Misses Ethel and Eva Keyser have returned from a motor trip to Canada. ~ Gadabouts.
• H. U. Sloan has returned from Wheeling where he spent a few days with Mrs. Sloan and their small daughters, who are guests of his mother. ~ Momma’s boy drug the whole family out.
• Miss Marian Wright is visiting friends in Charleston this week. ~ Thanks for the warning.
• Mrs. F. W. Rucker, Mrs. Addison Rucker, and two children left recently for a visit to family and friends at Lynchburg, Virginia. ~ It’s about time they left; maybe they will just stay there.
• T. H. Wickham is a visitor to New York City this week. ~ You know those New Yorker’s will corrupt him, for sure.
• Miss Eva Pownall, of Cincinnati, O., is expected to arrive this week to visit her parents, Rev. and Mrs.  H. H. Pownall, during the summer months. ~ “Now you have to ask, “Why?” Don’t you.
• Mr. and Mrs. S. M. Bledsoe, and daughters, Margaret and Phebie expect to spend the day in Charleston. ~ Where else would they be? I bet they just said they were going to Charleston but their really not. I bet they are sneaking out and not really telling us where they are really going. You’ll see. You’ll see. It will all come out later. Mark my words.

 

With dozens more plugs just like these people must have spent hours around their breakfast or coffee tables enjoying the “Dish on locals. She had one on Princewick, W. VA (no stone unturned) about a Reed and an Adkins; Mrs. Tom Reed was visiting her sister, Mrs. Mac Adkins, of Jumping Branch. I loved this one. Moreover, I’d love to know how this town got its name, “Jumping Branch” in West Virginia. I may have to Google that later. Too much left to read, I don’t want all of Grace Robertson’s had work (snooping) to go to waste. I know, it’s a tough job but somebody’s got to do it.

 

I would love to get something like this in Germantown we never know what is going too happen until weeks or even months later. People come and go here and we never even knew they came. Our Press never reports a birth or death until it’s completely unacceptable to mail a card. No one will call and let you know for fear it is considered gossip. And God forbid we gossip about someone. I say, Miss Gracie wherever you are, thank you for your very graphic depiction of everyday life in Beckley, West Virginia in 1939. A small quite town, like my own where everybody knows everybody and is still cares about Birthday Anniversaries, swimming parties and kids coming into town to visit with family and friends.

 

Good night, Gracie.