Samuel F Early, Nora, and Pearl by Grady Early

Sam Early was well loved by all his siblings and had an interesting life. See how Grady Early reconstructed and added to the account that Cleland Early gave us in his 2nd edition, just by clicking on the shared link below. any baseball fans should especially check on the indirect connection Sam had with Dizzy and Daffy Dean! Enjoy the read!

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Uh6AGlSj3HbS1mfZHH-YCU0MWs-GhnvF/view?usp=sharing

Overwhelm? It is to laugh! -- Stream of consciousness genealogy by Grady Early

It's drizzlin', which discourages me from me usual task of cuttin' and burnin'

brush, so I thought I'd subject y'all to a little "stream of consciousness"

genealogy [regarding the time period for the photos taken on the farm] .  Overwhelm?  It is to laugh! 

Bless Ethellea's heart for sloggin' through the photos and id-ing the folks. 

The 1 Jan 1915 Eufala, OK, "Indian Journal" reported that Mr. and Mrs. J.E. Early

spent Christmas with Armour Willis and family.

I suppose that Armour was connected to Clara Alice.  He is listed on the

Cherokee Rolls as 1/16 Cherokee.  Clara Alice is listed as 1/64.

In 1900, Armour A. Willis, born Jun 1891, was with his parents Walter W. and

Alice S.  Censuses are so interesting.

That 1900 census is dated 10 Aug 1900.  Armour's [then] youngest sibling, a

boy, had not been named.  But b. Apr 1900, age 1/12.  Census day was 1 Jun 1900,

so "unnamed boy" must've been b. late Apr to only be 1/12 by 1 Jun.

Same census.  Clara is listed as 31/32 white.  Her father Ferdinand is listed

as "W", her mother Isabel as "In", 15/16 white.  So is Clara 1/64 or 1/32?

Ain't it curious that 1/32 Indian gets ya listed as "In" rather than 31/32

gettin' ya in the "W" category?

In 1910, Armour was a hired hand on the William F. Reed farm in Beck township,

McIntosh Co., OK.

In 1920, he, wife Ruth, and son Andrew P. were in Porum, Muskogee Co., OK.  Farmer.

In 1930, Armour, Ruth, and 6 kids were in Wekiwah township, Tulsa Co., OK.

That's Armour Albert Willis findagrave.com/memorial/104806198/armour-albert-willis

If you chase that link, you will find that Armour had a daughter Wilma Jean Willis.

Wilma appears to have married a feller named -- curious coincidence -- Roberts.

Of whom there is absolutely no mention in her obituary.

In the 1940 census, there is a J.R. Roberts b. ~1902 AR.  He and wife Beatrice

are in Porum township, Muskogee Co., OK.  Sons Coy and Allen are 12 and 11,

born in AR.  Wilma Jean was 15.

On 23 Jun 1945, Wilma Jean Willis 20 m. William Robert Trotter 21 in Tulsa Co., OK.

The name Trotter does not appear in her obituary.

Well, more than enough about Wilma Jean in spite of her connection to the

Roberts family.

I suppose that in 1915 the Jake/Alice marriage was still tolerable.  Did Alice

move to Wigwam with Jake?  Apparently not.  Cleland says Jake and Alice divorced

in 1917 and then Jake moved to Wigwam in Spring 1918, so we may need to push

the date of the pic to at least 1918.

Note:  Cleland says she was Clara Alice Farmer and refers to her as Clara.  The

1900 census says Clara A.  The marriage certificate only says Alice.  The death cert

only says Alice.

At the first move to Wigwam, Jake had no kids, so who is the "3rd feller" in the Wigwam photos?

Cleland says that Jake became a "tenant farmer" on land that Cleland later identifies

as the "Robinson farm."  "Tenant farmer" is a step up from "hired hand".

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tenant_farmer

1918 Spring  Jake moved to Robinson farm

1918 Aug  6  Jake 1st writes to Myrtle

1918 Dec 26  Jake/Myrtle marry in Deming, NM

"soon after" Jake/Myrtle return to the Robinson farm

             It was winter time.  Farm chores had dwindled.  Jake made a

             flying trip from Wigwam to Deming, ~600 miles, married, took

             his bride back to Wigwam in time for Spring 1919 farm chores.

             Flyin'?  Well, railroad, I presume.

1919 Oct 13  Cleland born on the Robinson farm

1921 Jun 23  Norvill born in Wigwam.

1925 Aug 13  Bona Jeame born in Colorado Springs

1925 Sep 19  Kenneth [Myrtle's 2nd son by Benjamin Roberts] died

1926 Apr  7  Bona died in Colorado Springs

             Jake sold his farm equipment and went in search of a new home

1926 Oct     Jake/Myrtle family moved to Stinnett

1927 Dec 20  Ethellea born in Stinnett

So, at least, we can put the pic 1918-1925.  Who took the pic?  Maybe Myrtle.

The size of the Robinson farm is not specified, but one man, with horse/mule

power, pretty well maxes out at 40 acres.  Natheless, at times -- harvest --

help is needed.  The 3rd feller may be a temporary hired hand.  Perhaps a Robinson,

of which there were 100+ in El Paso Co. in 1910-1930.  In 1911, the population of

Wigwam was only 30, but it had a post office.  R.G. Robinson was the postmaster.

I suppose the 3rd feller could be another of Jake's brothers, but I doubt it.

Certainly not Harve.  He wasn't cut out for farm work.  Besides, from 1914 to 1920,

he was with 2nd wife Annie Holland in Grant Co., AR.

Cleland says that Norvill lived on "three separate farms" before the move to Stinnett.

So there was not just "the" Robinson farm.  Perhaps the Robinsons had other farms.

Perhaps there were other landowners.

It turns out that I met, or at least saw, Jake in 1964 at my grandmother Pricie's

funeral.

Oh, Jake, Jake, Jake, ya had plenty of room to put more than "J.H.".  Sigh.

There are a lot of J.H.s; Cleland lists 16.

The only Early 1st cousins that Tracy and I had were sons of J.B.

No J.H.'s there.  So J.H. must be x removed.

I suppose that various of Ran's family attended the funeral; they

were next door in Fisher County.  Whether they were at the funeral or

not, Jake certainly would have visited with some of them since he was

in the neighborhood.  Ran had a grandson James Henry Early b. 1921;

I doubt he could've had a grandson in college by 1964, and Cleland

lists no James Henry grandsons.

Perhaps, in Jake's correspondence, there'll be a letter from Tracy

clearin' up that little mystery.

All of which brings me to that audio tape of Ethellea's interview with Jake.

Mebbe so you could get that converted to an audio file so we can all listen?

A Bona fide Connection by Grady Early

Largest Mayor in the Smallest Town in Texas by Grady Early

the good 'ol days by Grady Early

Hi, All
Some folks think that Facebook is an excellent and convenient medium for broadcast sharing of news.  Much easier than individual emails or [gasp] snail mails.  Quite an innovation. Well, there ain't nothin' much new under the sun. Back in the day, newspapers served much the same purpose:

The Cisco Roundup was published in Cisco, Eastland County, Texas
 -  Friday, March 15, 1906.  Willis Early is building a $1200 residence on South Avenue D.
-  Friday, December 21, 1906.  Born, to Mr. and Mrs. W. W. Early, Tuesday morning, Dec. 18, a fine 8 1/2 pound boy.  [that'd be Worley]
 
The Carbon News was published in Carbon, Eastland County, Texas

-  Thursday, July 16, 1908.  Mr. Free and family visited at Willis Early's yesterday.
-  Thursday, October 1, 1908.  Willis Early is hauling seed from Romney to Cisco.

The Snyder Signal was published in Snyder, Scurry County, Texas

-  Friday, November 7, 1919.  J. M. Denson and wife to W. W. Early lots 3 and 4 in block No. 9, T. N. Nunn addition.  Consideration $2500.
-  Friday, November 28, 1919.  Mr. Jim Kelly of Snyder and Miss Pearl Early of Camp Springs were married at 3 o'clock Thursday at the home of the bride's parents by Rev. W. H. Sims.
-  Friday, May 14, 1920.  FOR SALE--Two good fresh milk cows with heifer calves.  Also good yearling mule.--W. W. Early, Snyder, Texas.
-  Friday, June 18, 1920.  Miss Olive Early, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. W. Early, left Sunday for Abilene to enter Draughon's Business College where she will take a thorough commercial course.
-  Friday, August 13, 1920.  W. W. Early returned Thursday from an extended visit to Emporia, Kansas, Kansas City and Van Buren, Ark., returning by way of Dallas to attend the state republican convention.
He sends the Signal to his father at Van Buren, Ark.
-  Friday, November 12, 1920.  Born to Mr. and Mrs. W. W. Early Nov. 4th, 8lb girl. [That'd be Vera.]
- Friday, February 25, 1921.  Mr. W. W. Early tried it without the Signal for a while but says he couldn't do without it.  He has our thanks on renewal.
-  Friday, May 20, 1921.  W. W. Early and children went to Abilene last week on a visit.  They
were accompanied home by Mr. Early's daughter and husband, Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Knowles, to spend a week or ten days visiting.
-  Friday, December 9, 1921.  [Summary:  The Meadows family lost everything when their house
 burned on May 2.  Donations were solicited to help out. Donations ranged from $25 to 25cents.  W. W. Early donated $1.]

The Hutchinson County Herald was published in Stinnett, Hutchinson County, Texas.

-  Friday, May 10, 1935.  W. W. Early of Hermleigh was a visitor in the home of his brother J. E. Early and family Friday night.

cheers grady

A Bit of Early History by Grady Early

I've been goin' digital.  Which, in this case, means goin' through paper files and

separatin' years of detritus into groups:  can, scan-and-can, keep.

I found a 1937 newspaper clippin' which was sort of intriguin'.

  

I contacted the Museum at Texas Tech -- resulting in a fascinatin' exchange:

Although Dr. Clark took the fossil to Tech, nothin' much happened until 1949 when  Dr. Wann Langston, Jr., examined it with an eye to taxonomic classification.  At the time, no other examples of this particular kind of creature had ever been found.  Dr.Langston assigned it to genus Paleorhinus, and he coined the species name scurriensis because of the Scurry County connection.

Fast forward.  In 2013, Dr. Michelle Stocker took another look and determined that Dr.Langston's genus assignment didn't really fit.  She assigned it to genus Wannia which was named in honor of Dr. Wann Langston.

I have copies of both Dr. Langston's and Dr. Stocker's papers.  I'm pretty sure you don't want to read them, but I'll email 'em to ya if ya do.

I don't know that an exact date has been established, but it's somewhere around 220 million years old.

So there it stands.  A rock became Paleorhinus scurriensis which became Wannia scurriensis.

And this specimen is still the only one of its kind that has ever been found.

But that's not the whole story.

One contradiction showed up.  The newspaper article reports the find as bein' on that W.W. Early farm that we referred to as the Camp Springs place [even though it was actually 2-3 miles east of Camp Springs, almost to the eastern boundary of Scurry County].  But Dr.Langston's article puts the discovery on the H.G. Bryan farm.  Hmmmm.

Now, let's set the scene:

It's late February or early March 1937.  Time to get the fields ready to plant cotton. Eight-year-old Hugh Bryan is wanderin' around in a plowed field and spots a rock.  And it's sufficiently unusual to merit further attention even though parts of the fossil are absent, and some of the rest is embedded in a sandstone matrix.  And it's not all that big -- mebbe about 21 1/2" [550 mm] in the longest dimension.

Looks like a rock to me, but o.k., o.k., here's a little more provocative view:

What happened next?  Why was young Hugh on W.W.'s farm?  Put yourself in his shoes [well, he was prolly barefoot], and think about what you would do.

Ok, W.W. was NOT farming in 1937.  In fact, he died in September 1937, just a few months after the fossil was found.  I don't much expect that [W.W.’s sons] Worley or J.B. were farming.  Worley was busy with the newly-opened (1 January 1937) E&H Cafe.  And J.B. was, I suspect, busy as a mechanic.  The girls certainly weren't farming.  Shoot, Pricie insisted that her girls

never even learn to milk cows so that they'd never have to.  So W.W. had, no doubt, arranged for someone else to do the farming; H.G. Bryan, perhaps?, who mebbe so had an 8-year-old son

named Hugh?.  Perhaps H.G. was plowin', and young Hugh was there to help, maybe to tote rocks over to the nearest fence row.

"Daddy, look what I found!"

So, H.G. totes the rock into town [Hermleigh] to give to W.W.; after all, it's W.W.'s farm,  so it's W.W.'s rock.  Now, in a very small town like Hermleigh, W.W. knew everybody, the names of their kids, and probably the names of most of their horses and mules.  He had been president of the Hermleigh school board.  In 1937, he and Pricie lived right across the street from the Hermleigh school (in a house that, in 1997, was still standing, in very good shape,

and occupied).  And in March, school was in session.

W.W. or Pricie or even Vera (at 16, I expect she was still at home although she later spenta little time at Tech) might then have contacted one of the school teachers; a science teacher, perhaps, or at least one with connections to, or maybe a degree from, Texas Tech.

Now what?  It's 1937.  Can't snap a picture with an iPhone and email it to someone at Tech and ask if they wanta come look.  Choices are somewhat limited.  It's hard to imagine that W.W. would've wanted to pay for a telephone call or a telegram (Hermleigh was on the railroad, so telegrams were possible; in fact, that's how Worley notified Vera in

California of Ila's death in 1947).  Or, perhaps a letter was sent to the science department at Tech, although I've heard no mention of such a letter in the file associated with Wannia scurriensis.

Aside:  FDR didn't sign the Rural Electrification Act until 1936.  But a picture inside W.W.'s store in Hermleigh in the early 1930s shows light bulbs hanging from the ceiling.  Perhaps Hermleigh had its own generating plant.  Also, the Communications Act, which created the FCC and preceded the REA by two years, aimed to expand telephone service which had already been

growing in Texas and nationwide.  It's certainly plausible that long distance communication COULD occur without smoke signals.

And communication DID occur.  Dr. Clark DID travel to Scurry County. And he DID take the fossil back to Tech.  And the rest is history.

So, that's my story, and I'm stickin' to it whether it's true or not.  Perhaps you

recall the John Ford classic "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance" starring John Wayne, Jimmy Stewart, Lee Marvin, Vera Miles, Andy Devine, Woody Strode, Strother Martin, andlots of others whose names you'll recognize.  If you've not seen it, it's time to put it on your "must see" list.  Anyway, the tagline was, "When the legend becomes fact, print the legend."

It's dangerous to go through old files; I am often distracted.

 -  Grady Early

Early/Earley Family Reunion June 16-17, 2017

Descendants of the Early Families who settled in Knox and Whitley counties in Kentucky met at the Dupont Lodge in Cumberland Falls State Park, Kentucky.  On Friday evening an informal cookout was held at Shelter  #1 with an overlook of the Cumberland River, where cousins had an opportunity to reconnect. Sharon Skeen, Barbara Earley (Mills), and Zella Davenport attended this event but could not stay for the remainder of the meeting. Numerous fireflies were in evidence toward the end of the evening.

On Saturday morning members had the opportunity to look over the Family scrapbooks and memorabilia of previous reunions, as well as review historical information about Black’s fort, Samuel Laughlin’s Diary, and new genealogic information acquired by Steven Early and others regarding Allied Families and Early family members.  A book about Guadalcanal by Carl K. Hixon, was especially of interest as it included a photograph of 1^st Lt. Cleland Early of the 2^nd Marine Raider Battalion! Other important historical information researched by recently deceased Steven Early regarding an indentured servant, named James Early and his possible connection to the Early Clan was also made available for review and of great interest.

Other members present at either Friday’s or Saturday’s event in The Moonbow Room at the DuPont Lodge included

Eldon Thomas

Larry Thomas

Tracy Varner (Thomas)

Jeremy Varner

Brenton Thomas

William Lewis Walters

Joan Walters (Bailey)

Randy Millard

Mary Jo Millard (Tobin)

Jay Robison

Debbie Robison (Drane)

Dennis Earley

Martin “Patrick” Earley

Michael Earley

Emily and Briggs Earley

Ron Earley

Judith Ann Earley ( Hines)

Robert L Partin, Jr.

Jack Jones Early

Several members were attending for the first time, and excited to find a connection they were not certain of prior to this gathering!

Jay Robison presided since Jeff Early was unable to attend the meeting as current President, and served as Program Coordinator.

• Jack Jones Early gave the invocation. This was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. 
• Members present introduced themselves and their lineage.  A moment of silence acknowledged the passing of several family member participants since our last reunion. The minutes of the last meeting and accounting of finances was distributed for comment, and those present asked to provide contact and family information.
• A review of the how modern gatherings of Early ‘cousins’ evolved was recounted by Dennis Earley: 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. Larry and Eldon Thomas, sons of Edna, recalled accompanying her on these sojourns and explorations,  and knocking on people’ doors to make inquiries. In this way, Edna contributed a wealth of genealogic information to Cleland as well.
• Dennis Earley also recounted some of the challenges in maintaining the cemeteries, as he and Ron Earley spent several hours clearing brush and undergrowth in preparation for this reunion. A powerpoint slide presentation of the gravesites and marking stones accompanied the narrative. It was noted the date of death on Joseph Early’s government stone was initially in error, but has been addended.
• The large dead tree threatening the Laughlin Cemetery was a useful landmark in finding the Laughlin cemetery, as the neighboring family cemetery is no longer being maintained, and essentially inaccessible currently. Plans for clearing underbrush may have to wait until cooler weather.
• A review of Early and Allied Families Contributions to Colonial and Revolutionary Military History was then presented since many family members were not as familiar with this legacy.  Consequently, nearly all Early family members descended from James Early, the purported father of Joseph, William, and Robert, are eligible for membership in prestigious genealogic societies, including the DAR and SAR, confirmed by Dr. Jack Jones Early.
• Following a break, a presentation of the information regarding James Early from early colonial records as discovered by Steven Early provided information for discussion. The evidence suggests that James Early boarded a ship with Captain Garrigues as a barber surgeon in Cork, Ireland making for America. After being sold to Joseph Pemberton, Jr, his servitude was reassigned to another ship captain, Isaac Ale (All?) Subsequently, in the Virginia Gazette, August 12, 1773 a notice was found:

  “JAMES EARLY, a Barber, who is a middle sized young Man” is described as a run away from the Ship Chance.  If this young man made his way to the Virginia frontier, supposition might explain why there is a paucity of land records and information recorded if he tried to maintain a low profile.

• Dr. Jack Jones Early then recalled the establishment of The First Families of Kentucky, which has grown into a prestigious genealogic society. Members of this family who are interested may contact 

Sharon . K. Withers

2792 Ashbrooke Dr

Lexington Kentucky 40513

859-223 7656

 He then discussed other prestigious genealogic societies such as the Huguenot Society with contact information: 

Robin Towns

1261 Engelbrook Drive

Athens GA 30606-5733

706-5487291

robintowns@aol.com

• The Family has a little over $ 800 in the bank prior to incurring the expenses associated with this meeting, and the “hat was passed” with a number of generous donations made.
• Discussion about the location of the next meeting of the family - which by recent consensus is to alternate around the country with Kentucky’s Williamsburg area. Since many Early family pioneers migrated to Arkansas, Missouri, and Iowa, a Midwest location was suggested in either northwest Arkansas or southwestern Missouri - such as Branson - which might encourage folks from the Midwest to attend to make a family vacation out of the trip. We are especially interested in involving many more of Joseph and Robert’s descendants. Preliminary investigations will be made and input from family members not present will be solicited.  Much discussion was entertained about a necessary update to Colonel Early’s Book digitally online with open contributions under editorial supervision and approval. However, the value of a hardcopy document was also acknowledged.  
  Tracy Varner who has the skills, training and interest in this area, and Jay Robison will communicate further in this regard.
• Lastly, leadership and organization of future gatherings needs broadest and active input from additional family members if we are to be successful in continuing and passing our heritage to other generations.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   

Following lunch in the Dining area at Dupont Lodge, some members had to return home because of other obligations, but several family members caravanned with Dennis and Ron Earley as  guides to the Farris cemetery, the Joseph Early Cemetery, the old airport site of James Harvey Early’s gravesite, and the Ryan Cemetery where several family members and their relatives and other persons important to the history of this family are buried. Readings from Colonel Early’s book were given where appropriate.

At the conclusion, all said good bye’s that evening ,  grateful for the opportunity to gather again.