Early/Earley Family Reunion June 12-14, 2014

Crockett Hotel, San Antonio, Texas

 Descendants of the Early Families who settled in Knox and Whitley counties in Kentucky met at the Crockett Hotel in San Antonio, Texas.  On Thursday evening an informal gathering  was held in Ernie’s the Crockett bar, where cousins had an opportunity to visit. Grady Early from San Marcos Texas attended this event but could not stay for the remainder of the meeting.

On Friday morning members had the opportunity to look over the Family scrapbooks of previous reunions, as well as review historical information about Black’s fort, Samuel Laughlin’s Diary, and new genealogic information regarding Allied Families and Early family members.  Important historical information researched by Steven Early regarding an indentured servant , named James Early and his possible connection to the Early Clan was available for review. Members present at Friday and Saturday’s event included 

Michael Barnett Early

Amy Early McMahan

Christopher Early

Robert Early

Sherry Early

Barney Early

Charlotte Tate Pitts

Eva Mae Early Tate

Evelyn Carole Boyd

Amy Fulton

Gary Early and wife Judy

Charlotte Pitts

Tom Early

Jeff Early

Jennifer Early Kiser and husband Gene

Jacob Kiser

Joshua Kiser

Ethellea Jane Early Robison

Jay Robison and wife Debbie

Colin Robison

Mackenzie Robison

Gwenyth Robison

Melissa Early Rasco

Gary Early presided as President and initiated the meeting and introduced Jay Robison, who served as secretary and Program Coordinator.

• Jacob Kiser gave the invocation. This was followed by The Pledge of Allegiance. 
• Members present introduced themselves and their lineage.
• A review of the how these gatherings of  Early ‘cousins’ evolved was recounted by Tom Early. Cleland Early wrote a letter to “Any descendant of James Harvey Early c/o Postmaster, Williamsburg KY”, which was forwarded to Edna Early Thomas. They collaborated for many years ; Cleland researched archives and genealogic records, Edna and her then husband Jim, spent hours searching the surrounding farms and hilltops for cemeteries with connections to Early family ancestors and contributed a wealth of genealogic information to Cleland as well. Edna – now 93 - and her sons Larry and Eldon could not be present due to health issues, but her contributions were acknowledged and best wishes of those present expressed.  Tom Early recounted stories about his memories and participation in the discovery of Joseph Early’s cemetery as well as that of James Harvey Early

• Jay Robison shared photographs of the cemeteries and shared previous family concerns about preservation of William Early’s headstone and a large dead tree threatening the Laughlin Cemetery, before reviewing the Early and Allied Families Contributions to Colonial and Revolutionary Military History. Consequently, nearly all Early family members are eligible for membership in prestigious genealogic societies, including the DAR and SAR, confirmed by Tom Early and Jane Robison.

Following a break, Jennifer Kiser led a discussion regarding online Genealogic Resources, including Ancestry.com, governmental  and census records, as well as other resources.

Following lunch on their own, several family members caravanned to Fort Sam National Cemetery where several family members and their relatives and other persons important to the history of this family are buried. Readings from the Early book were given where appropriate, though some family members were chastised for inappropriate auto access to the Jacob Norvill Early site along a maintenance vehicle path! After a stop at Local coffee shop / bicycle shop, adjournment allowed pursuit of individual social activities that evening. Several family members convened in the conference room informally Friday evening.

Saturday morning allowed time for visiting exhibits and personal exchanges with family members.

• A highlight was a panel of senior family members Tom Early, Ethellea Jane Early Robison, Barney Early, and Eva Mae Tate, who took turns sharing their reminiscences and answering questions from younger family members.
• An overview of DNA analysis, and how it might relate to our own family history was provided by Jay Robison. When the group had awakened and recovered, he then shared the findings of DNA analysis that Steve Early forwarded from his own personal participation in FamilyTree DNA kit and the extensive report. The ‘y‘ chromosome pattern appears to prominently point to northern Ireland origin as far back as 500 AD, perhaps even to the Irish King, Niall of the Nine Hostages! The limitations, concerns, and questions regarding this ancillary technique were noted.

Jennifer Early Kiser then shared the results of her own and Tom Early’s DNA analysis as well provided via Ancestry.com, also noting the important contribution of the maternal mitochondrial DNA to the family heritage. She has had a number of “hits” that she is pursuing in order to link them within a standard genealogic family tree. She noted that, despite the large amount of circumstantial evidence linking William, Joseph, and Robert Early, a professional genealogist questioned evidence that the three  Early brothers were related since the father and mother were unknown, but now by DNA evidence we can show that William and Joseph definitely were brothers. We need a member of Robert’s line to undergo DNA testing to confirm his link as well.

The efforts of Steve Early and the information he collated for this meeting were again gratefully acknowledged. He has discovered important information and evidence that not only an indentured servant by the name of James Early who was sold to Joseph Pemberton, Jr on September 20, 1771, but additional evidence suggests that James Early boarded a ship as a barber surgeon in Cork, Ireland making for America. After being sold to Joseph Pemberton, his servitude was reassigned to another ship captain, Isaac Ale (All?) Subsequently, in the Virginia Gazette, August 12 , 1773 this was found: 

  “JAMES EARLY, a Barber, who is a middle sized young Man” is described as a run away from the Ship Chance!!

The time line and circumstances would seem to fit this James Early as being a very likely suspect for the father of William, Joseph, and Robert Early. More details, genealogic research in Ireland, and additional DNA testing of family members may help to resolve the mystery further. As yet we do not know if this Joseph Pemberton has any direct relationship to the Pembertons in the Early family line.

The next meeting of the family will be in or near Williamsburg KY in the summer of 2016.  Jennifer Kiser’s term as Treasurer is completed. Uncertainty - and time - limited discussion about leadership and organization of future gatherings. Furthermore the broadest input from additional family members should be solicited. Jay Robison will research previous meeting minutes and distribute a questionnaire via email and online to save postage costs, soliciting ideas for leadership and future planning purposes.

Saturday evening a social outing with most family members in attendance and a few additional family members  and guests was held with a river barge tour of the San Antonio River, with adult beverages available. It was a delightful evening with Elizabeth Taylor as our tour guide of points of interest, history, and architectural structures along the San Antonio Riverwalk. 

Consensus was this was a worthwhile and enjoyable gathering.