Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Going to Church in 1845 - Part 1

Several mentions of Benjamin Upton and his family
Benjamin Upton settled in Pennsylvania after serving in Ohio in the War of 1812.
                                    Benjamin Upton                                       
B: 1793
MD, USA
D: 3 Mar 1877
Garland, Warren, PA, USA
Eleanor McCray
B: 27 Mar 1798
Pennsylvania, USA
D: 27 Mar 1857
Pennsylvania, USA
Marriage 12 Sep 1823

Children
Nancy Upton 11 Aug 1824 Pennsylvania, USA
Samuel Upton 20 Nov 1825 - 4 Sep 1847
Robert Upton 11 Mar 1827, Cherry Creek, Chautauqua, NY  - 7 Feb 1877
Eve Ann Upton 21 Aug 1829, Pennsylvania, USA - 25 Apr 1856
Eliza Jane Upton 3 Mar 1831, Garland, Warren, PA - 10 Oct 1898, Kane, PA
James Upton 20 Sep 1834, Garland, Warren, PA , USA - 11 May 1905, Garland, Warren, PA , USA
John McCray Upton 1 Mar 1837, Pennsylvania, USA - 21 Nov 1900, Pennsylvania

Going to Church in 1845
Old Time Tales of Warren County

A Sabbath morning in the Brokenstraw Valley in June of the year 1845. Young meadow larks are trying their wings in the stumpy pasture lands along the creek, bobolinks balance and swing in the blackberry bushes at the edge of Benjamin Upton's rye field. Catbirds, goldfinches, field sparrows, orioles and the silvery voiced larks make all the soft summer air melodious. Between its grassy banks the gentle waters of the Brokenstraw move placidly, mirroring the dense, overhanging willows and the blue sky with its puffs of white cloud. It is a lovely land of sunshine and birdsong, bees clambering in the pink and blue morning glories which grow wild everywhere in the fields and the balmiest of June breezes bringing from the northwest the sweet breath of great forests.


In the very midst 'of the valley, surrounded by green fields, and not far from the bank of the creek stands the little church wherein worships the first religious organization formed in Warren County. It has already been a number of years since the congregation first gathered at the home of James White and organized the Broken-straw Presbyterian Church. During the interim the congregation has met regularly for worship at the homes of its members, in barns, on the bank of the creek.



The little church stands in the corner of the small cemetery with its few white stones, evergreens and blue-blossoming myrtle creeping in the corners. Two doors give entrance to the church, the one on the right for the women, the other for the men. It is half past nine o'clock, preaching is at ten-thirty, the doors are already open, waiting the congregation.

SOURCE:Ancestry.com. Old time tales of Warren County [database on-line]. Provo, UT: The Generations Network, Inc., 2005.
Original data: Bristow, Arch.. Old time tales of Warren County. Meadville, Pa.: Press of Tribune Pub. Co., 1932.

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Great Backyard Bird Count

Lexa and I stumbled across a mention of the The Great Backyard Bird Count while exploring the blogosphere last week.  It was a four day event in conjunction with Cornell and Audubon.  We decided to give it a go and submitted bird lists for Saturday, Sunday, and Monday! 

Saturday Number of Species: 13
All Reported: no

Checklist:
California Quail - 16
Red-tailed Hawk - 1

Mourning Dove - 15
Anna's Hummingbird - 1
Hairy Woodpecker - 1
Steller's Jay - 3
Black-capped Chickadee - 3
American Robin - 6
European Starling - 2
Spotted Towhee - 2

Dark-eyed Junco - 8
House Finch - 8
House Sparrow - 6

Sunday Number of Species: 17
All Reported: no

Checklist:

California Quail - 12
Red-tailed Hawk - 2
Mourning Dove - 36

Anna's Hummingbird - 1

Downy Woodpecker - 2
Hairy Woodpecker - 1
Northern Flicker (Red-shafted) - 1

Pileated Woodpecker - 1
Steller's Jay - 8
Western Scrub-Jay - 2
Black-capped Chickadee - 8
American Robin - 1
European Starling - 1
Spotted Towhee - 3
Dark-eyed Junco - 12
House Finch - 5
House Sparrow - 5


Monday Number of Species: 14
All Reported: no

Checklist:
California Quail - 16
Turkey Vulture - 1
Mourning Dove - 18
Anna's Hummingbird - 1
Hairy Woodpecker - 1

Northern Flicker (Red-shafted) - 3
Steller's Jay - 5
Western Scrub-Jay - 1

Black-capped Chickadee - 3
European Starling - 6
Spotted Towhee - 3
Dark-eyed Junco - 20
House Finch - 5
House Sparrow - 10

Lex and I had a good time working on it and Will helped us out on Monday - it's a good multi-generation family project!

Monday, February 21, 2011

Camp Cleawox 1956 - Part 5

The final missive in the series.

Letter - Page 1

"July 8

Dear Connie,
I am in bed mow and its 12:00.  I got your letter yesterday but haven't got around to writing untill(sic) now.
Since today is Sunday we are going to have our meals half an hour earlyer(sic) so lunch is 1:00 today. 

Letter - Page 2

"I am very lucky to get this cabin and these 4 counselers.(sic)
How is Tiny and his wounds from your letters he must be getting better.  Tell him "Arf Art Slurp Slup" (be seeing you all very soon (over)"
Letter - Page 3

Love & kisses
Sandie


P.S. Tell the family Hello!"

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Girl Scouts - 1962

The Girl Scout / Camp experience continued for several years. 

Sandie - 1962

Connie - 1962

Friday, February 18, 2011

Camp Cleawox - Part 4

The 4th letter in the series...

Letter - Page 1

"July 6

Dear Mom and Family,

It sunshined today! (how unusual for Cleawox). 
Today we started the day late, the counselers(sic) got up 15 min. late.
Lunch and dinner are the cooks night out so were(sic) going to have a cook-out.
By the way Shirleys grandma is the head cook cookie." 


Letter - Page 2

"Mom I have a dollar five left from the two dollars you gave me.  I bought a bunch of stamps a pad of pappers(sic) two batteries and some Jergens lotion.

Mom were(sic) going on a 8 mile hike.  I'll tell you about it later.
Goodby & Lots of love to everyone including Tiny.
XXXXOOOO Sandy"

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Camp Cleawox - Part 3

A letter from Sandie to her younger sister...


Letter - Page 1

"July 5

Dear Connie,

I decided to write you first when I got yours & Mommies letter.
Now to answer some of you(sic) questions.
I am fine and the weather is rainy.  I have made something for Mom, Dad, you, Barb, & Chuck.  Its a - - - " 

Letter - Page 2

"surprise. (ha ha)
We had planned to go to the Sand Dunes to day but it rained. (boo-hoo.)
But we did have breakfast in the rain, hers(sic) what we had - cold ceral(sic) cocoa & an orange.
Write me another letter and tell me how tiny is, by the way tell tiny "Smack, slurp, slurp... (over)"  

Letter - Page 3

"arf, arf, growl." that means I hope you sore place gets better.

All my love
Sandie

P.S. XXOO
P.S.S. I was very glad to here(sic) from you." 

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Valentines - 1956

Cards sent to Billy and Net Waning from their Grand-daughters 

Card - Front

Card - Inside


Card - Front

Card - Inside 

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Valentines - 1956

Further Valentines...

This one to Jim and Margaret Waning from Elsie Upton

Card - Front

Card - Inside

And this one from the Hall children to their Aunt and Uncle.

Card - Front

Card - Inside

Monday, February 14, 2011

Valentines - 1956

Cards the Waning daughters sent to their father

.


A card from Connie


Saturday, February 12, 2011

Happy Day

James Waning and Barbara - Summer 1940

Barbara - 1941

Barbara at Upton's - 1942

Barbara - 1943

Barbara - 1944