The Final Follow-up for the FlowerFest, 2018

We went on our FlowerFest on Christmas Day, 2018. We had an extra poinsettia that was destined for the folks at the Black Swamp Baptist at Robertville, but ran out of time and energy after trekking through two cemeteries in Savannah.

Here we are, then, a month late with poinsettia delivery, and I’m just now posting a month after that. Things happen. Plans change.

Off to Robertville.

And quick as a wink the flower is placed.

But there are other people to visit. We’ve been reading about Sarah Mosse, the sister of Leslie’s ancestor Martha Mosse who married Alexander James Lawton. Sarah married Robert G. Norton. You might have heard how 3 Mosse sisters married 3 Lawton brothers. Sarah might have been one of the younger of the 7 Mosse sisters, and the Lawtons has run out of brothers. At any rate…

We can’t find a location where Sarah and Robert Norton are buried. Some of their children are buried at Robert Cemetery, and we’ll head over there later.

We do find this Robert G. Norton.

IN

Memory of

ROBERT G. NORTON Jr.

Born 3rd April 1815 & died

in the triumphs of

the Christian Faith,

18th May 1840.

Aged 25 yrs. 1 mo. 15 days.

He had been for 7 yrs. & was

an exemplary member

of the Baptist Church

at Robertville S. C.

He’s buried next to Aunt Graham, who was Elizabeth Norton Graham, the sister to the mother of the Mosse girls.

We don’t know yet how he fits into this family.

We walk around the graveyard a bit. I have one of those selfie sticks for attaching to the iPhone, and I find that I can zoom in closer to the ground to photograph the stones at eye level, so to say. A little bit of straightening and editing, and it’s all good.

ELIZA NORTON SWEAT

BLOUNT

1849 – 1926

WILIAM A.

SON OF

J. R. & E. N.  BLOUNT

NOV. 25, 1859

JUNE 9, 1870

Dr. J. RALPH BLOUNT

NOV. 26, 1838

JAN. 12, 1908

IN

Memory of

CORDELIA

daughter of

B. & S. T. Jaudon

IN

Memory of

LEWIS SHUCK

Son of

B. & S. T. Jaudon

IN

Memory of

LAURA JOSEPHINE

daughter of

B. & S. T. Jaudon

IN

Memory of

ELEANOR SARAH KEMPTON

Who died Aug. 11th 1855

In the 84th year of her age.

“Her children arise up and

call her blessed.”

I try holding the selfie stick like a hobo, imagining that the photo will look cute, but all I see is that bald spot on the back of my head.

A couple more then we head to Robert Cemetery.

JULIANA ROBERT

infant daughter

of

W. H. & G. W. ROBERT

who died

January

1846

aged 9 weeks.

So fades the lovely blooming flower

Frail smiling solace of an hour

So soon our transient comforts fly

And pleasures only bloom to die.

In

Memory of

Mrs. ESTHER H. HUGHES

Who died

25th Sept. 1837

Aged 65 years 6 mos. 7 ds.

For many years she lived

A useful member of the

Baptist Church,

And died in strong hope

Of a blessed immortality,

“Blessed are the dead who

Die in the Lord, they rest

From their labors and

Their works do follow

Them.”

At Robert Cemetery now.

In

Memory of

Two infant daughters

Of Robert G &

Sarah Norton.

Both stillborn

One April 6, 1817.

The other Oct. 19,

1819.

IN

Memory of

ISABELLA

Daughter of

Robert G. &

Sarah Norton.

Who died

Oct. 15, 1824

Ae. 3 years 7 mo.

These are some children of Sarah Mosse and Robert Godfrey Norton.

Leslie did a little research, and he’s itching to go back to Bonaventure in Savannah. His Uncle Edward had corresponded with a Mrs. Norton years ago, and he wants to check out that Norton connection.

See you in Savannah soon!

My Philosophy on Feeding Ferals

Y’all know that I have a feral cat colony.

And y’all most probably know that I had the stray cats fixed that came around my workplace.

I always have cat food in my car. This is a given. Have cat food, will travel.

*****

Last Monday morning at 7:14, I got a text from a coworker. There was a leak in the roof. It’s bad.

Y’all, there was no leak in the roof. It had not been raining. However, the building was flooded…

Because the hot water heater in the attic had exploded.

This WaterFest had possibly been going on for most of the weekend. The ceiling had fallen in.

I am not a manager. I am an underling. I have reached an age where people think I know stuff, so they default to me. My plan for this emergency was to stay home and let the big dogs sort it out. The biggest dog didn’t comprehend that the ceiling in the reception area had collapsed and the the building was flooded. She told my coworker to put a trashcan under the leak until they could get a plumber out there. I was reclining in my bed, marveling at the immediate response of management which is to keep the doors open at all cost.

Another section of ceiling fell in.

See the trashcan in the doorway? It has not slowed the waterfall.

By this time, it was ascertained that there would be no business for the day. The patients had started arriving and people were standing in the lobby watching the flood. One of my coworkers was videoing the premises, saying, “We can’t work like this,” which was a stone cold understatement.

The office is closed for cleanup, repairs, and reconstruction, which could take 6 more weeks.

In the meantime, we have the use of another doctor’s office. He is a specialist that drives down twice a week from Charleston, so we can use his office on the other days.

I eventually got out of bed and went to work at the main office.

-*****

We’ve been at work at the other office for a few days, and I saw a cat out the window,and I pulled out my car keys to head out to the car to put out some cat food. A coworker stopped me and asked me if that was a good idea.

Her philosophy? If you feed a hungry cat, it will get used to you feeding it, then someday you will not be there, and it will be hungry. Is it fair to the cat that you have made it used to being fed? Like you are not going to be at this office forever, and now the cat is dependent?

I completely understand that country attitude about not feeding stray animals because they will continue to hang around. I understand about having limited resources.

I answered her in the best way I knew how.

Isn’t it best to do the little bit of good where I am when I can?

That was a good answer, and she bought it. It’s a truthful answer. It’s bigger than that. Feral cats are opportunists. The cat was already living in the area and probably had a regular circuit that he traveled in search of resources. To think that he is dependent on me is a people-centric philosophy. He is dependent upon himself to use his wits to carve out a life.

I put out food for the cat near some bushes where I could watch from the window. He came and ate his fill, then was gone.

About 30 minutes later, another cat came and also ate his fill, then slipped away into the bushes.

These boys are about to get themselves trapped.

A Sugar-y Reveal

Sugar has decided that he doesn’t want to be known as Sugar on the blog. He wants to be known by his real name.

He is, by his own admission, a neurotic recluse. He doesn’t even read the blog, which doesn’t hurt my feelings at all. I try to write it as if he does, though, because he might stumble across it someday when he’s Google-ing his way around the universe.

Here’s a clue: Sugar and I were both named for our maternal grandmothers. Some of you might remember that his grandmother was named Mary.

Mary “Leslie”…

The Renewal: the Jones-Lawton Mausoleum

Back in 2016, we discovered a surprise at the FlowerFest.

Part of the marble veneer was on the ground.

You can read about it HERE.

Sugar’s CousinEmily spearheaded a restoration project that took months. Not months because of inaction, but because it takes momths to research and do it the right way the first time.

When we did the 2017 FlowerFest, we saw the restoration project in action.

We went back a few months later to see the finished project. It was clean and bright.

Part of our 2018 FlowerFest was to go back to Jones-Lawton in Laurel-Grove North.

It’s been an interesting process to see how the mausoleum is being restored. Some of the other mausoleums need repair work, but there apparently is neither family nor money to accomplish this.

Many thanks to Emily for making this a reality!

William Rawles of Wareham, Dorset, England, June 12, 1762

This Indenture, made the Twelfth Day of June in the Second Year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord George the Third by the Grace of God, of Great Britain, France and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, and so forth; and in the Year of our Lord One thousand seven hundred and Sixty Two Witnesseth, That Ruben Small and Robert Dugdale Church-Wardens of the Parish of The Holy Trinity in the Bourough of Wareham in the County of Dorset And Jonadab Chisman and Clement Wollocd Overseers of the Poor of the said Parish, by and with the Consent of his Majesty’s Justices of the Peace for the said Borough, whose Names are Hereunto subscribed, have put and placed, and by these Presents do put and place William Rawles aged about Eleven Years, a poor Child of the said Parish, Apprentice to Mary Scoyer Widow and John Scoyor Yeoman both of the Parish of Corfe Castle in the County afores, with them to dwell and serve from the Day of the Date of the Presents, until the said Apprentice shall accomplish his full Age of One and Twenty Years according to the Statute in that Case made and provided. During all which Term the said Apprentice his said Mistress & Master faithfully shall serve in all lawful Business, according to his Power, Wit, and Ability; and honestly, orderly and obediently, in all Things demean and behave himself toward his said Mistress & Master and all theirs during the said Term. And the said Mary Swyer & John Swyer for themselves, their Executors and Administrators do Covenant and Grant to and with the Said Church-Wardens and Overseers, and every of them, their and every of the Executors and Administrators, and their and every of their successors, for the Time being, by these Presents, That the said Mary Swyer & John Swyer, the said Apprentice in the Art of a Servant in Husbandry shall and will teach and instruct or Cause to be taught and instructed. And shall and will, during all the Term aforsaid, find, provide and allow, unto the said Apprentice, meet, competent, and sufficient Meat, Drink and Apparel, Lodging, Washing, and all other Things necessary and fir for an Apprentice. And also shall and will so provide for the said Apprentice, that he be not any way a Charge to the said Parish, of the Holy Trinity, or Parishioners of the same; but of and from all Charge shall and will save the said Parish and Parishioners harmless and indemnified during the said Term. And at the end of the said Term, shall and will make, provide, allow and deliver unto the said Apprentice double Apparel of all sorts, good and new (that is to say) a good new Suit for the Holy-Days, and another for the Working Days. In witness whereof, the Parties abovesaid to these present Indentures interchangeable have put their Hands and Seals the Day and Year above-written.

Seal’d and deliver’d in the Presence of

Robert Galton

Wm. Filliter

We whose Names are subscribed, Justices of the Peace for the Borough of Wareham aforesaid, (and one of us of the Quorum) do consent  to the putting forth of the abovesaid William Rawles Apprentice, according to the Intent and Meaning of the above Indenture.

H. Lawrence

John Forence

The mark of

Mary Swyer

John Swyer

Thomas Roles, November 5, 1814, Dorset England Poor Law Settlement and Removal Records

From the Dorset online records website regarding parish registers and records: “In order to qualify for poor relief, people had to prove they were established residents of the parish – typically either because they had been born there or because they had served an apprenticeship in the parish. These documents represent a brief biography of an individual, and can therefore be invaluable for family history.”

Dorset, to wit.} The Examination of Thomas Roles now confined in the House of Correction for the said County taken on oath this fifth Day of November 1814, before us his Majesty’s Justices of the Peace for the said County –

Who on his oath saith that he was born in the Parish of Cerne Abbas in the County of Dorset as he hath heard and believes to be true And that when he was about the age of twelve years he agreed with the Rev. Thomas Williams of Sydling Saint Nicholas that he would sere him as a Servant of all work but no Time was mentioned and that he was to be found in Victuals, Clothes, and Lodging by his Master and that he served Mr. Williams for some time but he cannot recollect whether he served him for a Year or a less period, And that on leaving the Service of Mr. Williams he went about and learnt the Trade of a Mason but never was an apprentice and that he has ever since worked at this Trade as a Mason and never did any act to gain a Settlement other than as before set forth and that about seven Years ago he married his present wife Ann late Ann Old  at Melcombe Regis by whom he hath one

Child named Henry aged Five Years and further saith not.

Thomas Roles.

Sworn before us

James Frampton

J. H. Browne

So here we have a little family unit of Thomas, Ann, and Henry Roles. Why is Thomas in the House of Correction? Why are they taking his statement? Where are Ann and Henry while Thomas is incarcerated? What happened to Thomas’s parents and/or family?

Whether Thomas had committed a terrible crime or not, tonight I will think good thoughts of him and his family.

William Roles of the Parish of Cerne Abbas, County of Dorset, 3/24/1835

This record takes place after my Rawls people were already in the United States, but it is so rich in information that it must be shared.

Parish of Downton

in the County of Wilts

As to the removal of William Roles, a Pauper.

his wife and two Children.

To the Overseers of the Poor of the Parish of Cerne Abbas in the County of Dorset.

Take Notice, That the above-named William Roles lately residing at and in this Parish* has together with his wife and two children become chargeable to the said Parish of Downton and that an Order of Justices has been obtained for their removal to your Parish of Cerne Abbas as their last place of legal settlement (a copy of which order, and also a copy of the examination on which the same was made, are herewith sent). And Take Notice, That unless you appeal against the said order, and, within twenty-one days from the date hereof, duly serve notice of such Appeal, the said pauper will be removed to your said Parish of Cerne Abbas in pursuance of the said order.

Dated this twenty fourth day of March One Thousand Eight Hundred  and Thirty five.

Thomas Maton

William Street

J Samuel Payne

Overseers (a) of the Poor of the said Parish of Downton

Wilts to wit. } To the Overseers of the Poor of the Parish of Downton in the County of Wilts and to the Overseers of the Poor of the Parish of Cerne Abbas in the County of Dorset and to each and every of them.

Whereas Complaint hath been made unto Us, whose Names are hereunto set, and Seals affixed, being Two of His Majesty’s Justices of the Peace acting in and for the said County of Wilts (one whereof being of the Quorum) by the Overseers (a) of the Poor of the said Parish of Downton

That William Roles, Edith his wife and their two children namely James aged about fourteen years and Anne aged about eleven years —

have come to inhabit in the said Parish of Downton not having gained a legal Settlement there, nor having produced any Certificate acknowledging them  to be settled elsewhere, and now actually become chargeable to the same  Parish *; WE, the said Justices, upon Examination of the Premises, upon Oath  and other circumstances, do adjudge the same to be true, and do also adjudge the place of the legal Settlement of the said William Roles, Edith his wife and their said two Children to be in the said Parish of Cerne Abbas in the said County of Dorset.

These, are therefore, in His Majesty’s Name, to require you, the said Overseers of the Poor of the said Parish of Downton or some or one of you, or some proper person or persons to be employed by you, to remove and convey the said William Roles, Edith his wife and their said two Children from and out of your said Parish of Downton to the said Parish of Cerne Abbas and then deliver, together with this our Order, or a duplicate of true copy thereof, unto the Overseers of the Poor there, or one of them, who are hereby required to receive and provide for them to Law.

Given under our Hands and Seals, the twenty fourth day of March in the Year of our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and Thirty five.

M. Jacob

C Grove

(a) Or “Guardians.”

* Township, &c.

Wilts to wit.} To the Overseers of the Poor of the Parish of Downton in the County of Wilts and to the Overseers of the Poor of the Parish of Cerne Abbas in the County of Dorset and to each and every of them.

Whereas Complaint hath been made unto Us, whose Names are hereunto set, and Seals affixed, being Two of His Majesty’s Justices of the Peace acting in and for the said County of Wilts (one whereof being of the Quorum) by the Overseers (a) of the Poor of the said Parish of Downton

That William Roles, Edith his wife and their two children namely James aged about fourteen years and Anne aged about eleven years have come to inhabit in the said Parish of Downton not having gained a legal Settlement there, nor having produced any Certificate acknowledging them to be settled elsewhere, and now actually become chargeable to the same Parish*; WE, the said Justices, upon Examination of the Premises, upon Oath and other circumstances, do adjudge the same to be true, and do also adjudge the place of the legal Settlement of the said William Roles, Edith his wife and their said two Children to be in the said Parish of Cerne Abbas in the said County of Dorset.

These are, therefore, in His Majesty’s Name, to require you, the said Overseers of he Poor of the said Parish of Downton or some or one of you, or some proper person or persons to be employed by you, to remove and convey the said William Roles, his wife and their said two Children from and out of your said Parish of Downton to the said Parish of Cerne Abbas and then deliver, together with this our Order, or a duplicate or true copy thereof, unto the Overseers of the Poor there, or one of them, who are hereby required to receive and provide for them according to Law.

Given under our Hands and Seals, the twenty fourth day of March in the Year of  our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and Thirty five.

M. Jacob

C Grove

(a) Or “Guardians”

*Township, &c.

County of Wilts to wit.} The Examination of William Roles at present residing in the Parish of Downton in the said County of Wilts Breeches Maker touching touching the Place of his legal Settlement, taken on Oath before Us, Two of His Majesty’s Justices of the Peace, acting in and for the said County, this twenty fourth day of March in the Year of our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and Thirty five.

Who, upon his Oath saith, That he is about 56 years of age and was born in the parish of Cerne Abbas in the County of Dorset as he hath heard and believed and that he and his wife and two children are become chargeable to the parish of Downton, in the County of Wilts, and have been relieved by the Overseers thereof. That Examt has heard his Father say that Examts father was born there and also belongs to that Parish – that Examt lived with his Father at Cerne Abbas until he was about 26 years of age, that his father taught him the trade of a breeches maker but Examinant was not apprenticed to him, that he then left Cerne Abbas and went to Salisbury where he worked as a Journeyman for about 16 years (except about two ears when he worked at Yeovil as a Journeyman about three years – that he then took a House of Mr. Tinney in Rollestone Street Salisbury at the (??) of L10.10 a year – that he lived there 15 weeks – only out paid L2.19.6 rent for that time – that he then went to Downton where he has been living ever since – that before he left Cerne Abbas he married Edith Green his present Wife by whom he has 6 children namely Mary aged about 33 who is married, William aged about 31, Jane aged about 26 who is also married an Richard aged about 22 years – that his said two sons are not living with him – that he has now living with him James aged about 4 years and Anne aged about 11 years neither have gained any settlement And this Examinant further saith that he was never apprenticed, never served any parish office, never lived with any person as a yearly Servant, that he never rented a House or Land of L10 a year r upwards except as before stated, and also except a House at Yeovil in which he lived a quarter of a year for which he paid L3 rent.

William Roles

Sworn as aforesaid before us

J. H. Jacob

C. Grove

County of Wilts to wit} The Examination of Richard Roles now residing in the parish of Downton in the said County Wilts Glover touching the Settlement of William Roles his Brother taken upon Oath before us two of his Majesty’s Justices of the Peace for the County of Wilts aforesaid this twenty fourth day of March 1835.

Who upon his Oath saith that he is about 67 years of age and was born in the parish of Piddletrentide in the County of Dorset as he hath heard and believes, and that he is the Son of Richard and Jane Roles formerly of the Parish of Cerne Abbas in the County of Dorset as he hath heard and believes, that his Father has been dead some years, but in his lifetime he informed this Examinant that his Father (Examinant’s Grandfather) was apprenticed in the said Parish of Cerne Abbas and aforesaid set up his Business of a Glover in that parish – that Examinant’s Father has also told him that he lived with Examinant’s Grandfather and worked for him until his death, that Examinant recollects the death of his Grandfather, and he also recollects that his father and his Uncle then took to his Grandfather’s Business jointly, that Examinant remembers the birth of his Brother William in the said Parish of Cerne Abbas, that Examinant is about eleven years older than his said Brother.

Richd Roles.

Sworn as aforesaid before us

J. H. Jacob

C. Grove

So there’s further information needed here as to why it was needed to be known about an apprenticeship and why you could be removed from an area.

Sigh. More questions than answers.

Here’s a LINK to Dorset records and more information regarding resettlement of the poor and bastardy bonds.

The Last Will of William Rawles of Longham in the Parish of Hampreston in the County of Dorset

Let’s cross the ocean.

If I can’t trace my Rawls line back to England, can I trace a Rawls line from England to the colonies and the United States of America? Let’s start with any Rawls.

To all whom it may concern

The last will and desire of William Rawles of Longham in the Parish of Hampreston in the County of Dorset The twenteth third Day of March 1789 as follows….

His desire was that his father Thomas Rawles should have the Tenement that he Liv’d in till his Daughter Ruth Rawles should attain to the Age of Twenty One Years (she being now about the Age of 2 Years old) Then to be the property of the said Ruth Rawles his daughter own during all the time, term, and Intrest, therein to Come Also his further desire was that the other Tenement should be for his wife Susanah Rawles should she come back to Longham and behave well otherwise his Desires now that One Guinea per Year should be preserved out of the Rent of the said other Tenement as aforesaid for the Use of the said Child till she came of Age And then to be possessed of all and singularly his Tenements he was then posessed of as Wittness our Hands the 28th Day of March 1789.

The X mark of Thomas Rawles

The X mark of Betty Adams

The X mark of Betty Sellar

Sworn and subscribed the 28th day of March 1789 before Roe King

On this 14th April 1789 This nuncupative Will of William Rawles deced was proved by the Oath of Thomas Rawles the lawful Father of the deceased and Principal Legatee above named to whom Administration of all and singular the goods chattols and credits of the said deceased (??) granted he being first duly Sworn faithfully to administor the same according to Law

Geo Marsh Snr

Rg

I foresee that I will be chattering on the blog about Rawles/Rawls/Rolls people. I found a Rolls person whose occupation was listed as a baker.

So perfect. Now I would like some freshly baked items.

Change the way you think about Facebook — Playing the Field

Every few months I pack up everything and throw it in the car. I move to a city where I don’t know anyone. My intentions are always consistent, I am moving to help elect Democrats. While each move has been tough, I have learned a few ways to make my new start easier. I use […]

via Change the way you think about Facebook — Playing the Field

The Best Educated Family in the Community: the TVA Removal of the Robert E. Miller Family

When I was in middle school, our girls’ gym class was taught by Miss Goldie Miller. She was a tough little taskmaster who also taught our health classes. She seemed to be too old to be teaching physical education or fizz ed, as we called it. She was possibly 60, which is younger than I am now, and too young to retire. She was older than my mother, and I certainly couldn’t imagine my mother doing jumping jacks.

However, she was agile and could do every exercise she demanded of us. Back in the day, girls were instructed to do a modified push-up position with the knees resting on the floor. Because we were girls, and our girl organs might be damaged if we did a fully extended push-up, or something like that.

Goldie could do it all. Push-ups, sit-ups, jumping jacks, pull ups, basketball, running, teaching folk dances, etc. Goldie was your girl. She had an underbite which sometimes affected her speech. “Girlsch, line up and count off”. She also wore a blonde bobbed wig which miraculously stayed on during physical exertion. Her eyesight was also pretty accurate because she spotted me chewing gum in her class once, and I had to stay after school and scrape dried gum from the underside of desks. I had no idea she could see me when I blew a tiny bubble about 20 feet away from her, and she saw me and called me out. “Rawlsch, do you have gum?” I think I sucked it back in and swallowed it. I think I even told her that no, I didn’t have gum. Yes, I lied to Goldie. I was showing out and trying to be popular, and apparently I thought that gum-chewing and standing up to a teacher were the gateway to this path. (Hint: it is not. You just look stupid.) But I had teenage angsty issues, and I was working through some stuff.

Goldie had a brother named Dixie who taught agricultural science at the high school. He had the same remarkable underbite.

I haven’t thought of them in decades, at least not until I discovered that they came from the most educated family in their community. The images are from ancestry.com.

TVA 978 (RPM-1-40)

FAMILY CASE RECORD

L-50

Date: 6-26-40

Worker: Ketchen

County: Loudon

Code In: OWF+2

Tenure: Owner

Name: MILLER

Address: Martel, R.1

Trading Center: Lenoir City

Community: Burdett

Years lived in present community: 4

At present site: 4

Total number in household: 10

Adults: 8

Children: 2

(The next section is a table consisting of Name; Age; Relationship; Employment, Relief Status or School; School Grade; TVA exam)

Robert E., 56, Head, Owner, LMU 2 yrs., No

Naomi (Cook), 54, wife, (left blank), 1 yr. hi., (left blank)

Goldie, 30, Daughter, Teacher Burdett School, 3 yr. UT, (left blank)

Maud, 24, Daughter, At home, 1 yr UT, (left blank)

Winnie, 22, Daughter, Grad., Barea, Ky., (left blank), (left blank)

Dixie M., 20, Son, U. of T., 2nd Yr., (left blank)

Edna, 19, Daughter, At Barea, 1 yr., (left blank)

Wilma, 17, Daughter, Grad. Lenoir City ’40, (left blank), (left blank)

Naomi, 11, Daughter, Student Burdett, 8th, (left blank)

Glen Allen, 10, Son, Student Burdett, 6th, (left blank)

Church Preference: Baptist

EXPERIENCE RECORD:

1936-1940 Owner General Farming, Martel, R. 1

life-1936 Owner General Farming, Maryville, R. 4

LAND

Plow 50 Acres, Pasture 60 Acres, Meadow 60 Acres, Total Acres 650

WORK STOCK

Horses 3, Oxen 0, Mules 2

LIVE STOCK

Heifers 20, Cows 12, Bull Steers 1, Hogs 16

FARM TOOLS, ETC.

4 plows, 2 turning, Corn planter, wagon, disc harrow,2 disc cultivators, 2 mowers, rake (Old), Binder, (old) Corn planter, wagon, disc harrow, 3-1 horse cultivators

Number & kind of buildings – Residence: 6 ceiled, weatherboard, 1 and 1/2 story, 2 barns, shop, garage, shed, smokehouse.

 

 

Cash Income:

Tobacco $60.00, Soil Conservation checks $39.00, Livestock $308.00, Poultry and poultry products $50.00, Truck crops $172.00

TOTAL RECEIPTS 1939 $629.00

Name and Address of Relatives

1. Lester Cook, Crossville, Brother-in-law
2. Mrs. John Whited, Andersville, Sister
3. Mrs. P. A. Palmer, Maynerdville, Sister

Directions for Reaching Home:

Go north out of Lenoir City on Broadway to junction. Take right fork and go 1.5 miles to gravel road cross railroad tracks. Continue on this road about 2.0 miles to road to left past Beals Chapel and go about 0.9 mile to a story and half house on left on road sitting in well kept lawn and about 50 feet off the highway.

Remarks:

Man apparently has plenty of resources. Owns big farm. Big talker. Fine family. Attitude excellent. Will have plenty farm after reservoir is filled. May not move. No plans at present. Good income. Has three tenant farmers. Educated family. Good health. Should buy least possible amount of this farm.

LOCATION, 6-26-40, Ketchen, me

Go north out of Lenoir City on Broadway to the junction. Take the right fork and go 1.5 miles to gravel road across the railroad tracks. Continue on this road about 2.0 miles to read to left past Beals Chapel and go about 0.9 mile to a story and half house on left of road. It sits in a well kept lawn about 50 feet off the highway.

COMMUNITY

Burdett Community is predominantly agricultural. It is triangular in shape, two of the three sides being the river. It consists of broad expanses of fertile bottom land, less fertile upland, and rolling hills not in cultivation. There are but two Negro families in the community, and one-third of the families own their homes.

Although Mr. Miller has been in the community for four years, he takes quite an important part in community activities. In fact, he could be called one of the community leaders.

FARM

Mr. Miller owns 650 acres of land upon which there are three share croppers. Much of this land is river bottom land although that will e below the 811′ contour. For the greater part, however, the land is mostly timber. It is quite likely that Mr. Miller will not find it necessary to relocate. This, however, he is not opposed to having been in the Norris area and his relocation from that project was most satisfactory.

EQUIPMENT

Mr. Miller has sufficient equipment for a large farm of this size. Much of it, however, is old.

HOME

Mr. Miller lives in a story and one-half weatherboard house which is in excellent condition inside and out. The lawn is well kept. Mr. Miller has every appearance of being a well-to-do, capable farmer.

FAMILY

Taken as a whole, this entire family is probably the best educated in the community. Mr. Miller spent two years at L. M. U., two daughters are now attending U. T., a third is a graduate of Barea and one son is at the University of Tennessee, and one daughter is at Barea. One daughter is a graduate of Lenoir City high school, and two other children are still in elementary school. They are exceedingly cordial and cooperative and interested in the program.

INCOME AND EMPLOYMENT

Mr. Miller reported an income from his farm of $629 while one daughter is a school teacher at Burdett school earning $744 for 1939.

RELOCATION RESOURCES

Financially, Mr. Miller will need no assistance if he should find it necessary to relocate. However, it is suggested that the Extension Service cooperate with Mr. Miller in every way possible. It is very unlikely, however, that Mr. Miller will move from his present site.

Good night, Miss Miller. I think I’ll go do a jumping jack or two in your memory, and even spit out my gum instead of swallowing it this time.