Early/Earley Family Reunion July 20-21, 2012
Descendants of the Early Families who settled in Knox and
Whitley counties in Kentucky met in Cumberland Falls State Park at the Dupont
Lodge. On Friday evening a welcoming cook-out was held at the picnic shelter over-looking the
Cumberland River and cousins had a great opportunity to visit and get re -
acquainted over hamburgers and hot dogs.
On Saturday morning coffee and doughnuts were provided, and
members had the opportunity to look over the medical books of James Harvey
Early provided by Edna Chandler and Eldon Thomas, as well as review the
genealogic chart that tracks family roots back to Charlemagne. A scrapbook of previous reunion
memorabilia was also of interest to many, including a copy the letter of
invitation to one of the first reunions at the Willliamsburg, KY Holiday Inn in
1995 signed by Joie Earley, as well as of sign in sheets from 1995!
Members present at today’s event included
Rita Sharon Skeen
Jack Jones Early and wife Nancye
Jay Robison and wife Debbie
Edna Early Thomas Chandler
Eldon Thomas
Ronald Earley
Brennan Earley
Dennis Earley
Stephen Early and wife Patti
Zella Davenport
Dennis Earley presided as President.
Jack Early gave the invocation.
Dennis led The Pledge of Allegiance.
Members present introduced themselves and their lineage.
A review of the how these gatherings of Early ‘cousins’ evolved was
recounted. Cleland Early wrote a letter to “Any descendant of James Harvey
Early c/o Postmaster, Williamsburg KY”. Fortuitously, that letter was given to
Edna Early Thomas and an important connection was established. While Cleland
diligently researched the family history in archives and genealogic records,
Edna and her 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 – today at age 91 -
could still recount details about knocking on doors to inquire about old
cemeteries and markers. Dennis recounted that when the first edition of
Cleland’ s book, Early Families of Knox and Whitley Counties, Kentucky
was published, an entire family was left out ! HIS! Despite
the fact that Cleland had interviewed Cye on more than one occasion to provide
many important family connections and Cye’s son Wilbert Earley was a primary
force in organizing and communicating with family members at that time! Cleland explained this was an oversight
when the manuscript was sent to the publisher when an entire section was not
included, and this was quickly corrected by the time the 2nd edition
was published in 1996.
Dennis reported that the last 2 copies of this book edtion
have been sold and the monies will be forwarded to Jennifer Kiser, Treasurer.
Per Jennifer, The Family Reunion balance is currently $1,014.62. Jay Robison
noted that several emails and previous addresses are no longer current and
encouraged all family members to contact him
Dennis then recounted events of the last few reunions
including interesting information gathered during the visit to Bristol, very
close to Abingdon, VA. Though no direct connections with Earlys was discovered
in the Washington County historical society or either of the Cemeteries
visited, several allied family connections that are prominent in Col. Early’s
book are evident all throughout the area, including connections with the ‘over
mountain men” who gathered at the Pemberton Oak before marching to Sycamore
Shoals and the Battle of Kings Mountain. The utility of online genealogic aids
like ancestry.com was discussed, though a specific example of a wrong
assumption regarding our family tree illustrated the importance of
documentation that Col Early insisted on before including in his book.
Jack Early noted that since the boundary lines were
indistinct between Virginia and Tennessee that family connections might be
found in Sullivan County TN. Jack
also made a strong plea to encourage family members to join and participate in
important genealogic societies ( and Early family descendants are eligible for
nearly all of these!) to preserve both the history and legacy of our ancestors.
Methods to continue to add to the Early genealogy line were
discussed. Since each family member who is already included in the book already
has a number assigned according to a method devised for their family line, new
family members not included therein can simply be assigned an additional number
depending on the order of their birth. Collating these changes for another
edition of the book will be a major undertaking in terms of time and resources
that current participants do not have at this time, but will strive for in the
future.
Following lunch, additional discussion was undertaken
regarding reaching out to family members in the mid and west parts of the
country to increase participation in future gatherings. Advantages of gathering
in Kentucky include returning to pay respect to the 3 brothers who pioneered
here in the early 1800’s, but could be held every other time. Alternative
suggested sites for the next reunion included St. Louis, Fayetteville, AK, and
San Antonio. A questionnaire will
be sent to family members both by snail mail and online. Jay Robison agreed to
coordinate this and function as the secretary for the next reunion
Further discussion regarding using social media to connect
with a younger generation to inform and interest them in their Early family
history was undertaken. Brennan Earley was given the task to develop a Facebook
page and graciously accepted.
Plans for a talk by an expert on the Cumberland Gap fell
through, but plans for cemetery tours for those interested were formulated.
Dennis described his discussion with the lady who owns the property around the
old airport (now a golf course), where James Harvey Early’s marker is located.
Members present signed a thank you card for her for allowing family access to
visit and care for this area. Dennis and Ronald Earley then recounted the
unusual, unexpected, and unplanned
mechanism for the incredibly well-cleared grounds of the Farris Cemetery, which
apparently only required one pumper truck for control.
The group then adjourned for a cemetery tour, which included
Ward Cemetery, where Jack Early and Stephen Early’s ancestor James Harvey Early
III is buried. Also included were the Farris, Laughlin, Ryan, James
Harvey/Sammons (at end of the old airport runway) and Joseph Franklin
cemeteries. Great concern was
noted about a large dead tree that was leaning toward the Laughlin markers, and
optimal ways to safely remove the danger, perhaps even using family funds to do
it professionally.
Dennis recounted a story of one of our relatives with a sour
disposition who had come into possession of a number of Early family photos and
documents who unceremoniously buried them! A drive thru of Corinth cemetery
outside of Corbin where a number of Early’s without a known connection to our
family was also of interest. Brennan recounted a funny spring break story
involving northern college students, apples, and another Appalachian tradition.
Interesting names and communities of Red Bird, Tidal Wave, Buffalo, Shiner,
Rockhold, Goldbug, Jack’s Fork, and Watts Creek, among others were encountered.
The group returned to the Dupont Lodge just before sunset
and good byes and best wishes were said to all.
