TAPSCOTT...."THE EMIGRANT"......Part 1

My research of the Tapscotts has been both exhausting, and exhilariating. It is with the help of many other Tapscott family researchers that I finally put our Tapscott family together in one piece. The story of the Tapscotts is about a boy, Henry, who comes to America in 1696. He spreads his seeds, and over generations they all learn trades, they fight in the Revolutionary War, as patriots, and in the The Civil War, for the Confederacy......and Yes...some died in these Wars. It is about three brothers who became Doctors, even though there mother and father never learn to read and write. There is so much to write here, there is so much to say, but there is no way I could ever get it all on this Blog. But suffice to say, I am going to try to to tell this compelling, and powerful story as briefly as I can in two parts.

The name TAPSCOTT was originally Tapp's Cott, meaning "Tapp's land." Tapscott is a Devonshire, England, name and the home of the Tapscotts was in Minehead-on-the-Coast (now called Minehead-on-Sea) in Devonshire. There are tombstones in the churchyard there bearing the name of Tapscott.

I will try to write a little about each of these ancestors in descending order.
Our Tapscott Ancestry
6th Great Grandfather - The Emigrant Boy - Henry Tapscott b 1685 d 1727
5th Great Grandfather - James Tapscott b 1722 d 1770
4th Great Grandfather - Henry Tapscott b 1769 d 1832
3rd Great Grandfather - Samuel Tapscott b1777 d 1858
2nd Great Grandfather - Dr. A. B. (Arlen Byron) "Ira" Tapscott b 1835 d 1882
Great Grandfather - Dr. Charles Vaught Tapscott b1869 d1921
Grandmother - Mary Sue Tapscott b.1905 d 1984

6th Great Grandfather - The Emigrant Boy - Henry Tapscott b 1685 d 1727

Our Tapscott family begins in America from which we descend from a young boy named Henry Tapscott, who arrived on the ship William and Orion in 1696, and bound himself to Alexander Swan until his 21st birthday, and then had to sue for his freedom. The document for his release gives us his birthdate of August 27 1685.
Henry married Ann Edney. Joseph Tapscott gives the following data on their possible marriage date. "I do not have the record of their marraige but Henry was released from indenture in 1706/7 and on the 16 May 1711 in Northumberland Order Book 1710-1713 they had a Richard Niggens (Nickens) indentured to them. So it is reasonable to say they were married BEF 16 MAY 1711 in Great Wicomico Parish, Northumberland Virginia.
The imigrant boy Henry lived on a 266 acre spread touching on Mr Carters Great Mill Pond. He died in April 1727 possessed of the farm and his oldest son Edney inherited the land whose son Henry (called Henry of Caswell) disposed of it in 1782 within days of his fathers death.
Records indicate that Henry was a Carpenter and a Joiner. From Northumbria Collectanea 1645-1720 m-z;1. Richard Niggins, Six years old next August, Elizabeth Niggins of Lancaster County Binds him apprentice to Henry and Ann Tapscott for 15 years and four months to be taught trade of joyner and trade of carpenter.. 16 May 1711 18.21my note; Niggins could be Higgins and do not know what 18.21. is.
Henry and Ann had three sons, Edney b1714 d 1782, Henry b1716 d1781, and James b1722 d 1770. Our family descends from their son James. We also descend from Edney, which you will see later.
Henry b1716, would be my 5th Great Uncle, he married second a woman name Mary Shearman. Her father was Martin Shearman who married Ann Chinn. Ann's mother and father were Rawliegh Chinn and Esther Ball. Esther was Mary's sister. Mary Ball married Lawrence Augustine Washington, their son was our first president, George Washington. These were the first families of our new Federal Government that lived along the Pontomac River in what is now modern day Washington D.C.. These families.........Washingtons, Parks, Dandridge, Chinn, Lee, and Ball all lived there, and intermarried. Powerful Military men, who had lots of land, and money. They then surrounded themselves with powerful statesmen, and the rest is history, we pushed the british out of America.
The picture above is of the Edgehill Plantation, in Lancaster County, VA. This was the home of Captain Henry Tapscott.
Interesting, the name Rawliegh to be rampant throughout generations of Tapscotts.

5th Great Grandfather - James Tapscott b 1722 d 1770

James Tapscott married a woman name Catherine. We don't know her last name, but there is record of her first name being Catherine. It could be assumed that her last name was George. It seems the Tapscotts and George family intermarried.
James Tapscott will was written 5 December 1769; probated 8 January 1770. He named his children listed below. Aside from some items, all of his moveable estate and slaves were to be divided among his five children. Exers: Brothers Henry Tapscott and Benjamin George. Wit: Enoch George, George Tapscott, Benjamin George.

1769 will of James TAPSCOTT Northumberland Co VA Record Book 10 page 456 [transcribed from the original by Lin Van Buren]

In the Name of God Amen I James Tapscott ofthe County of Northumberland and Colony ofVirginia being very sick and weak but of PerfectSence and memory blessed by God, but Calling tomind the Uncertainty of this Life do make this myLast will and Testament in manner following (Viz): --Imprimis I Resign my Soul to God and my Body tothe Earth to be Decently buried at the Discretionof my Executors hereafter Named, and as to myworldly goods I dispose thereof as followeth: ~Item, I give to my son George Tapscott all mywearing Cloaths Silver Shoe-Buckels, and RidingHorse Saddle and Bridle, and My big Gun.-Item, I give to my Son Henry Tapscott my Little Gun.--Item, it is my Desire that all my Debts Should be paidOut of my Moveable Estate, and after they are paidthen to be Equally Divided among my five Children,George Tapscott, Ann Conway Tapscott, CatyTapscott, Betty Tapscott and Henry Tapscott, tothem and thier [sic] Heirs forever.~Item, as to my Negroes that I have not made over tothem in Court it is my Desire they Should be EquallyDivided among my five children above-mentioned, tothem and their Heirs forever.--Lastly I do Nominate and Appoint my Brother HenryTapscott and my Brother Benja. George, Executorsof this my Last Will and Testament hereby Revokingall Other Wills by me heretofore made as Witnessmy hand and Seal this 5. Day of December, 1769.[Signed] James Tapscott {Seal}Signed, Sealed and Acknowledgedby the first mentioned James -Tapscott to be his Last will -In Presence ofEnoch GeorgeGeorge TapscottBenja. George.-

James and Catherine Tapscott had five children, George b1748 d1787, Ann b 1750 d ?, Catherine b1752 d?, Elizabeth b?d?, and Henry b1769 d1832.
Our family descends from their son Henry.

This was the generation that fought the Revolutionary War. This record of George Tapscott:
Crozier's Virginia County Records, Vol. IV.Lancaster Co. p. 56George Tapscott m Elizabeth James 16 Nov 1780George received all his father's wearing clothes, silver shoe buckles, riding horse, saddle, bridle, and "my big gun"Source: "Genealogical Abstracts of RevolutionaryWar Pension Files Vol III N-Z" by Virgil D. White"TAPSCOTT, George, VA Line, R18351 also VA1/2 Pay, on 13 Jul 1812 William & Raleigh Tapscottappl in Buckingham Co VA for letters of adm'r asheirs of dec'd sol George Tapscott, in 1847 inBuckingham Co VA sol's only heirs were WilliamTapscott (adm'r), Nancy W. (Tapscott) who mRobert Evans, Sarah S. (Tapscott) who m IsaacBaber, James, George & Realeigh Tapscott &Elizabeth (Tapscott) who m John N. Blankenship,date of sol's death was not given"A Family Bible belonging to his grandson George5Tapscott (1819-1901) makes this mention ofGeorge3 (James2, Henry1) Tapscott:

4th Great Grandfather - Henry Tapscott b 1769 d 1832

Henry Tapscott married a cousin, Nancy Tapscott. They lived in Rockingham County, NC. This is where it get's interesting. Lets go back to the three sons of "The Emigrant", Henry, and Ann. Nancy, descends from there son Edney, then his son Henry. They are first cousins. This also means that these two men are also my Great Grandfathers. Marrying cousins was not unheard of in those days, in fact many families have married cousins over the years. There are many reasons for that, which I don't want to get into here in this writing. The fact that our family forks back to "The Emigrant", Henry, means that those Grandfathers, and thier siblings, are all Aunts and Uncles, and their children are all first cousins. This is not a bad thing, it just means that we have double Tapscott blood. In the case of my first cousins, Tommy and Kent Tapscott, they are direct male descendents that carry the Male YDNA. I am quite sure that they are probably related to most Tapscotts of America, being a direct male descendent of "The Emigrant", twice over. I would be proud of this fact, the Tapscotts were a wonderful group of family in the early days, and help build America to what it is today.

Henry and Nancy had six children. Samuel b1791 d1858, Henry b1800 d 1858, William, Nancy(was blind), Susanna, and James. I found Nancy in a 1860 census living with another relative in Obion County, TN. Our family descends from thier son Samuel.
It is way to much to go into here, but you will find that the Tapscotts married into a close knit of families, Hill, Castello, George, Windsor, and Swift families among others. The boys married the girls, and the girls married the boys. Nancy Tapscott was the daughter of Henry Tapscott and Winfred Hill.

Now I'm going to update the ancestry Chart of my relation.
Our Tapscott Ancestry
6th Great Grandfather - The Emigrant Boy - Henry Tapscott b 1685 d 1727
5th Great Grandfather - James Tapscott b 1722 d 1770
5th Great Grandfather - Edney Tapscott b 1714 d 1782
4th Great Grandfather - Henry Tapscott b 1769 d 1832
4th Great Grandfather - Henry Tapscott b 1746 d 1817
3rd Great Grandfather - Samuel Tapscott b1777 d 1858
2nd Great Grandfather - Dr. A. B. (Arlen Byron) "Ira" Tapscott b 1835 d 1882
Great Grandfather - Dr. Charles Vaught Tapscott b1869 d1921
Grandmother - Mary Sue Tapscott b.1905 d 1984

I don't know how our Henry, who married Nancy, got to Rockingham County, NC, because the family roots were back in Lancaster County, VA. He was a very successful farmer, and left alot of land that was farmed by Tapscotts for several years, including my 3rd Great Grandfather, Samuel Tapscott. He left the land to his youngest sons, which we will talk about later.

Here is the will of Henry Tapscott of Rockingham County, NC.:

In the name of God Amen, I Henry Tapscott of the County of Caswell and State of North Carolina being in a low State of Health But in perfect mind and memory, But calling to mind the mortality of my Body, and that it is appointed for all once to
die, do make constitute and Ordain this my last will and Testament in mammer and form following - this is to Say and principally command my Soul into the hands of almighty God who gave it and my body I commit to the Earth, to be Buried in a
decent Christian Like manner, at the discretion of my Executors when I shall here after nominate and appoint and as to Such Worldly Good as it hath pleaseth God to Bless me with in this world, I give demise and bequeath the Same in manner and
form following- that is to say, my desire first and Last that all my Just Debts be paid_
I leave my lands, one negro woman named Ednye, my Stock and House hold and kitchin furniture Such as is not named, to any of my Children to be Sold to pay my debts_
Item I give and bequeath to my Son Samuel Tapscott one negro woman by the name of Ester and Feather bed and furniture and horse to him, his heirs or assigns for ever_
Item I give and bequeath to my son William Tapscott one negro boy name of John, one feather bed and furniture to him, his heirs or assigns for ever_
Item I give and bequeath to my Daughter Nancey Tapscott one negro Girl by the name of Mary, one feather bed and furniture one black .......... to her and her heirs or assigns for ever_
Item I give and bequeath to my daughter Susannah Tapscott, one negro woman by the name of Shirley one feather Bed and furniture to her, her heirs or assigns for ever_
Item I give and bequeath to my son James Tapscott, one negro Girl by the name of Lisa one negro boy by the name of D....... one feather bed and furniture to him his heirs or assigns for ever_
Lastly I constitute and ordain my son Henry C. Tapscott my executor of this my last will and Testament Revoking and disavowing all and Every other will by me heretofore made, declaring this my Last Will and Testament. In witness whereof I do
hereunto Set my hand and affix my Seal, this 26th day of May 1832_
Signed and sealed in presents of us
John Tapscott, Senr Henry Tapscott, Senr (seal)
State of North Carolina
Caswell County....................July Court 1832_
The Executiion of the foregoing last will and Testament of Henry Tapscott dec'd was duly proved in open court by the oaths of John Tapscott and Joseph Windsor the Subscribing witnesses thereto and on motion ordained to be Recorded_ At the
same time Henry C. Tapscott, the Executor therein named, Came into open Court and duly qualified to Execute the Same,
And Letters Adminstry were ordered to be issued to him which did issue accordingly_
Test Paul A. Haralson, Clk Joseph Windsor

This ends the era from the Tapscotts arrival in 1696, up to the Civil War period. I will continue this story next week with, TAPSCOTT...."THE EMIGRANT"......Part 2.

Many Thanks go out to those who help put this family together. John fox, Lin Van Buren, Dan Tapscott who was an early researcher and lived not far from the original Tapscott Home. Dan Is now deceased. Many thanks to other Tapscott researchers who have help me finally find this family.

Song of the Week

"The Smithereens", have got alot of publicity lately from their latest album "Meet the Smithereens". You will remember and old song they did years ago called "A Girl Like You". They have done a remake of old Beatle tunes on their new album. I have to admit they are pretty good. I guess what makes it sound better than the old beatle recordings are the instruments, and recording studios we have now are so high tech. Here is one of their cuts from thier new album, "I Saw Her Standing There".

Have a Good Week
Daniel

Things We Will Always Remember

I loved my Grandfather, Guy W. Gentry, and my Grandmother, Sue Tapscott. They were affectionately known to us kids as "Poo and Grandaddy. Tonight, I am posting a letter, authored by my sister Becky, to her two daughters, Erica and Ashley.


Dear Erica & Ashley,

I want to tell you a story about your Great Grandparents, Poo and Grandaddy. Erica, you had a picture on your refrigerator of a couple, you cut it out from the newspaper. It was their wedding picture from 50 years ago and you thought they looked so cute and you wanted to be friends with them. I am enclosing a picture of Poo and Grandaddy which I believe was taken before they were married or soon after. They were so cute and always happy. I want you to know about them.

When Poo was 18 years old she won a scholarship, in piano, to the Conservatory of Music in Chicago. They would put these on in small towns and give scholarships to young people. When Grandaddy found out she had won the scholarship he asked Poo to marry him. He didn’t want to lose her to the big city or anyone else. They married and soon after she was pregnant with my mother, Louise. Poo was 19 years old when Mother was born. She did not carry another child to full term until she had Uncle Rick, some 20 years later. Consequently, my mother and her brother are 20 years apart with no children in between. My dad used to love to tell the story of taking Rick, when he was about 2 years old, into the Drug Store and sitting at the soda fountain. The man behind the counter commented on the cute son he had. Dad said, “This isn’t my son, this is my brother-in-law.”

In fact, the reason that we called her Poo was because she didn’t want to be called Grandma or Granny or anything like that. She was too young for those names. She wanted to be called Momma Sue. Well, Tim knew she wasn’t his Momma, so he dropped that part and Sue came out as Poo. That is how she became Poo to all of us. It was a big deal for her to let your friends call her Poo. It always made her mad that Dad called her Poo. She would say, “I am not your Poo!”

Poo was absolutely the most fun person I ever knew. She laughed and laughed until tears ran down her face on a regular basis. When Mother was pregnant with Tim, her water broke and all Poo could do was laugh. Mother said they went to the doctor’s office and Poo couldn’t even talk, she was laughing so hard. Needless to say, Mother was not real happy about this but she said everyone in the doctor’s office was laughing. Laughing can be so contagious.


It was always fun to go to Poo and Grandaddy’s house. Grandaddy had his office in what had been the garage. He always ate lunch in the house. He would have a ham and cheese sandwich, cottage cheese and peaches and milk. We kids always got to have Coca-Cola at Poo and Grandaddy’s. This was during the time that Coke bottles were very small. At home we would have Coca-Cola but when those 6 bottles were gone, it was gone. Also, we often shared a bottle with someone. When we went to Poo and Grandaddy’s we could drink all the Coca-Cola we wanted and if they ran out, Poo just went to the grocery store, T Norman’s, and got some more. One time when we were visiting Danny went into the bathroom to wash his hands. Poo said, “Don’t use those guest towels over the toilet.” Danny replied, “Poo, don’t you think I know how to act in a fine home?” A fine home is what they had.

One day when I was 5 or so, Poo told me when she was born that her name was Molly Sue, not Mary Sue. She had changed it because she didn’t like the name Molly. I told her I did. I promptly named my favorite doll Molly. I remember her distinctly. She had short, dark hair. I always wanted her to have long hair. Mother told me that if “we” cut my hair it would make it grow faster. Huh?? I cut Molly’s hair and it didn’t grow at all.

When I was probably about 8 years old I remember doing somersaults in Poo’s bedroom with Danny and Debby. Poo told us not to do that in the house. Danny said something about how she was just jealous because she couldn’t do one. She immediately got down on the floor and did a somersault. Then she told us that we had to go outside to do any more. We never could get her to do another one but we laughed and laughed.

When I was about 9 or 10 years old, Grandaddy went out and on his own bought Christmas presents for all of us. He bought me an Around the World doll. She was from Ireland and he told me that was my heritage.

When I was probably 12 or 13 years old, Poo and Grandaddy came to our house in Springfield. I remember Grandaddy hugging me and saying that my face was getting fat. I was horrified! I know now that he was saying that I was getting older and maturing. He just kept apologizing to me and trying to explain what he meant. I feel bad to this day that I made him feel so bad.

When I got older she taught me to shave my toes. That’s right, one day she looked down at my toes and said, “Oh, you have my hairy toes. You have to shave those when you shave your legs.” Can you imagine your Grandmother telling you such a thing? She also told me one night after dinner that we weren’t going to do the dishes. She said your grandfather is in the other room waiting for us and I think these dishes can wait for us instead of him. She gave me permission to not do dishes sometimes after dinner because there were other things or people waiting that were more important. I have always said a silent thank you to Poo for that, whenever dishes needed to wait instead of people.

When we lived in Dallas Poo would come and stay with me during the week. Your Dad was gone and I was home with you two little babies. She loved being there, as she never liked being alone. I would need to go to the grocery store and would ask her if she could watch you kids. She would say, “Of course!” But she didn’t want to stay at the house. I would pack you kids in the car and Poo and we would go to the grocery store. Poo would stay in the car with you two while I went in. Never mind that this was the summer it was over 100 degrees for 100 days in a row. I left the three of you and the air conditioner going and all was well.

Erica, she thought you had the heartiest laugh. She would say listen to that! She thought that Ashley was just beautiful. She would talk about how healthy she was. Ashley would nurse so vigorously that you could hear the “milk running down her back.” I don’t know why it is said that way but Poo said I was a cow just like her. She said we were made for nursing babies.

Erica, when you were about 3 months old, Uncle Tim came to see us in Colorado. I will never forget, he was sitting in the living room holding you and he said, “Becky, forgive me.” I said what, and he said you looked like Grandaddy. I said thank you because I had seen it too. When babies are born they change so much from day to day and you get glimpses of other people. I had seen Grandaddy before in you but never had anyone to confer with about this. I was thankful that Tim affirmed my thoughts. Grandaddy had been gone 7 years by then. He was kind of hunch backed and usually wore a cowboy hat. I wasn’t appalled that Tim could see Grandaddy in you, I was thrilled and we all knew how beautiful you were. When Poo would come to see us in Dallas you were 2 and not changing so much any more. We could no longer see Grandaddy in you, but she would look at you and say, I wish I could see Guy in her like you and Tim did.

She always talked about the day he died. They had gone shopping for a couch and had gone out to lunch afterwards. She told of how Grandaddy teased her for ordering pie. I can’t remember if it was coconut cream or banana cream. Anyway, she said he was the ‘cutest little booger’ she had ever seen. Grandaddy died later that day while resting on the couch while she was cooking dinner. We didn’t really realize how blessed he was to not suffer the way so many others have. It was just so hard to have him and in the blink of an eye he was gone.

One day when my Mother was visiting us in Grand Rapids, we were out shopping. We were having a great time. I said to Mother, “Do you miss your Mother?” She said, “I miss my Daddy.” “Everyday.” We all watched Poo suffer for a long time and knew the blessing it would be when she was gone. There was no preparation for Grandaddy. When Poo died she had been in bed in the nursing home for several years and, as happens in nursing homes, she didn’t have any shoes left. We decided to bury her without shoes, as she wouldn’t have wanted us to buy shoes just to bury her. We laughed thinking how Grandaddy would tease her – arriving in heaven, barefoot, to meet her Maker.

Poo and Grandaddy always had the most fun. They loved to Square Dance. Grandaddy eventually became a caller, but I can remember them all dressed up in their outfits. The picture on the back of this frame is of them Square Dancing. Find something that you and your partner like doing so you can do it together, be it dancing, playing cards, watching movies, or whatever. Find that something and have fun with it.

Uncle Danny wrote this about Poo and Grandaddy. Keep in mind that this happened 27 years after Grandaddy was gone.
“ In 1997, I had just recently moved to Wichita, KS. I was working for Coastal Oil Company at the time as a Vice President of Marketing. It was only by chance that one spring evening I ended up going to the local Convention Center, and introduced to the local Square Dancers. My Colleague had told me that Coastal was a big donor to this organization, and that she had for many years gone to the big "Jamboree's" downtown, but that she would be more than grateful, if I would fill in for her that night, as she already had other important plans. I said I would, and I'm certainly glad I did.
As I approached the Convention Center, at the front doors, were a man and lady sitting at a table with name badges, and a sign that said "check in here". The man was wearing a western shirt, with a western bow tie, slacks and boots, and one of those big belt buckles. The lady wore a very bright pink dress with fluffy sleeves, the dress came to her knees, where she wore a very large petticoat underneath. I remember, only once, when I was a young boy of seeing my Grandmother (Poo), and my Grandfather (Granddaddy), all dressed up for their own Square Dancing Jamboree's.
I introduced myself, and they introduced themselves, then the man went and got another couple, I believe their names were Bob and Sally. Turns out Bob and Sally were head of the local Square Dance Association. They began telling me how much they appreciate Coastal's support throughout the state of Kansas for the Association, and began telling me what they were going to do in tonight’s ceremony and "Jamboree".
I said my Grandfather and Grandmother were Square Dancers, and my Granddaddy was also a caller. The man said, "sure enough", what was your Grandfathers name? I said it was "Guy Gentry". Then Sally said, and "Sue Gentry" was his wife. I said yes, that was my Grandmother. Then Bob and Sally began telling me about Guy and Sue Gentry. He said Guy Gentry pioneered Square Dancing in many places, Kansas being one of them. Guy Gentry started the first Square Dancers Association in Kansas at Dodge City. That was the first one, then it moved on east and west from there, we have over fifty Associations now in the State of Kansas. There is over a thousand Square Dancers that will be here tonight. Then he said, "Guy Gentry is the one who started it all".
That night, will always remain in my mind, after all, I was only there by chance, and then meeting these fine folks who knew my Poo and Granddaddy. Here I was in my suit leading the Square Dancers out on the floor, then I was led on stage like some celebrity. Bob got up on the microphone, and introduced me as Guy Gentry's grandson, and began to tell the story of how Square Dancing started in the State of Kansas.
I told my colleague the next morning I had so much fun, that I volunteered to go the next year, she could make other plans. It turns out I went the next two years, and I had a lot of fun each time I went there. What a wonderful group of people, these Square Dancers, a legacy of my Grandfather. How odd I had this chance meeting. Do you think Granddaddy arranged this meeting?....sometimes I think he did!...God Bless him, and my Grandmother Poo!”

I remember Poo telling me that before Grandaddy died, Uncle Danny had sent him a letter from Vietnam. Pappy died July 3rd and Grandaddy died October 31st, 1970. Danny must have thought he needed to write Grandaddy, after all Pappy left quite quickly. Danny was in Vietnam and unable to come to Pappy’s funeral. Anyway, Poo said that Danny told Grandaddy that he was ‘a great man’. He said something to the effect of ‘he was the kind of man he hoped to be.’ When we were going through Mother’s pictures of all our family, I showed Rick a picture of Danny and Grandaddy. Rick said he always thought Danny was Grandaddy’s favorite. Isn’t life funny? Rick, who was basically an only child and had Poo and Grandaddy all to himself as his Mother and Daddy, should feel that way. I have to admit they had enough love for all of us though. I always thought I was the favorite.

Poo and Grandaddy were so much fun! Grandaddy always called my mother Bill. I don’t know why but that was his pet name for her. He and Poo taught my Mom and Dad how to Square Dance and Grandaddy also taught my dad sales after he got out of the newspaper business. Dad had decided he couldn’t make enough money in the newspaper business and so went into sales and worked for Grandaddy for a period of time. We moved away from Oklahoma City when I was 6, but my Grandparents (on both sides) were very much a part of our lives. They weren’t perfect; Poo had her own demons and was the most racist person I have ever known. Sometimes, it is hard to reconcile her vile comments with the person I loved so. But, she was a product of her time and her upbringing and unfortunately, people didn’t know better. (I hope she isn’t rolling over in her grave for me saying that.) Grandaddy never touched a drop of alcohol in his life. I think when Poo got older she would have a glass of Sherry, on occasion, with the bridge ladies in the afternoon. But, their fun was wholesome and happy and they enriched my life more than these words or any could ever explain. I loved them both tremendously and still miss them today.

Love,
Mom

Song Of The Week

This week's song is dedicated to my Grandmother "Poo", who just loved this song so much, she cried each time she heard it. By the Everly Brothers called "Cathy's Clown".

Don't want your love any more.
Don't want your kisses, that's for sure.
I die each time I hear this sound
Here he comes, that's Cathy's clown.
I've got to stand tall.You know a man can't crawl.
For when he knows you're telling lies
And he hears them passing by,He's not a man at all.
Don't want your love any more.
Don't want your kisses, that's for sure.
I die each time I hear this sound,
Here he comes, that's Cathy's clown.
When you see me shed a tear,
And you know that it's sincere,
Don't you think it's kind of sad
That you're treating me so bad?
Or don't you even care?
Don't want your love any more.
Don't want your kisses , that's for sure.
I die each time I hear this sound
Here he comes, that's Cathy's clown.

Have a Good Week
Daniel

Vicky Lynn Hogan

This is a sad story. Anna Nichole Smith died this week, her real name was Vicky Lynn Hogan, she was 39 years old. As if there has not been enough written this week about her, I am going to give it a shot also. She was raised in a small town, which is a suburb of Houston, TX. She got pregnant with her first child, Daniel, when she was sixteen. She was a waitress at a local restaurant, when she first married young Daniel's father. She later divorced him, and later married Oil Billionaire, J. Howard Marshall, who was 63 years her senior. When Marshall died in 1995, Smith stood to inherit his fortune, which is still tied up in court. It was a few months back that Daniel died while visiting his mother, Anna, after she had just gave birth to her second child. Who is the father of young Dannie Lynn?...........there are now three men who have claimed to be the father, and there is also the idea that she was pregnated with frozen sperm from J. Howard Marshall.

Anna Nichole Smith was a beautiful woman. Yes.......she was a look alike Marilyn Monroe, a blond bombshell. She was Playmate of the year in 1993 for Playboy Magazine. Like Monroe, she will not be remembered for her acting, singing, or success. She will only be remembered for her good looks, and her body.

She is not as stupid as what people think. She marketed herself the way she did, and yes we loved her, we made her what she was. There is an old saying, "Find what your good at, and stick to it", and she did just that. Her name was always in the spotlight, and it still is, even after her death. We are all so curious about the rich and famous. So sad, her last interview, you could tell she was so strung out on drugs. Most likely to sedate the loss of her son Daniel, just a few months ago. Bless her soul....and may she find peace everafter. If you see my Dad "Pete", please offer him your heavenly autograph.

Elton John did a song called "Candle in the Wind", and then was redone again when Princess Di died in a car wreck. I never understood this because the song is about the most famous of all blond bombshell's, Marilyn Monroe. Princess Di was no blond bombshell, was not an actress, and was not from Hollywood.

Anyway here is the last two paragraphs of the song, not for Princess Di, but for Anna Nichole Smith.
Loneliness was tough
The toughest role you ever played
Hollywood created a superstar
And pain was the price you paid
Even when you died
Oh the press still hounded you
All the papers had to say
Was that Marilyn was found in the nude

Goodbye Norma Jean
From the young man in the 22nd row
Who sees you as something as more than sexual
More than just our Marilyn Monroe

Song of the Week
Frankie Laine died this week at the age 93. You will remember him for his song "Rawhide(Original Cut)". While we are on the subject of Old Western, I'm throwing in some Roy Rogers, and the Son's of the Pioneers. My favorite "Tumbling Tumblweed".

Have a Good Week
Daniel

Racism in America

On the subject of racism, I've been overly concerned of the hint of racism throughout this country for some time. First off, I was raised in a home where the word, "nigger" was never said. I never ever had a hint of racism from my Mother or my Father.

Later in my life, when I joined the Marines and went to Vietnam, I served in Boot Camp with several blacks, and we became very close buddies all the way into my Vietnam Tour. Those men were like brothers to me. One saved my life, and another, I saved his life while in Vietnam. It was later in my Marine career, that I met Sgt. Watson. Sgt. Watson served two tours in Vietnam, and yes he was an alcoholic. He taught me many things, helped me through some very troublesome times. He taught me to be whole again, and more importantly what being whole really meant. He was not like a brother, but more like a father.

I can tell you, from being a History buff, that yes, America was founded on Slavery. And yes, it was one of the last countries to abolish Slavery in the world. But, there is still a hint of racism throughout this Country. It has been passed down from generation to generation, and it will not be annihilated until each one of us decides that we are all created equal. This attitude has to be passed down to future generations.

The world we live in now is somewhat difficult for those who see color and race as a challenge to their own race. Things are not the same as they were even a hundred years ago. We have multiple colors and races now in America. If you think that you're white, you own a home, and a new car, and have medium income in America, if you think that gives you the right to be racist toward others whether they are Black, Hispanic, Vietnamese, Chinese, or any other race, you're wrong! If you think for one minute that you're more educated than another person of another color, you're wrong. If you think because people are poor that they are dumber than you, or not as ambitious as you, you are wrong again.

If I was to give you a visual picture of the New Orleans Convention Center after Hurricane Katrina, and there on the steps stood a white male Harvard Graduate, and on the other step was a black lady in a wheel chair who we know has been on Welfare for most of her life. Who stood the best chance of surviving? There is no difference. It doesn't matter how intelligent you are, how much education you have, how much money you have, we are all human beings. It doesn't matter what you're color is, or your race. If you think you're sons or daughters or grandchildren will not marry other races - wake up. If you have the mindset that white people are only going to marry white people, all I can say is what the airline pilot says to his passengers when they're ready to crash, "hold your arms to the back of your head, and lean forward."

Now we have a Black Presidential Candidate. Very bright, and quite favorable, in the election polls. I intend to read his book published in 1995, “ Dreams from My Father”. Is America ready for a Black president?

I only have one complaint. If the Hispanics are going to live with us, they must learn to speak English. This is Kansas, USA, there is a sign on the door that says “In”, and “Out”. They are continually going “Out” the “In” door, while others are trying to come “In”. For many, only the kids, who go to school, can count their parents money.

Song of the Week
This is one of my favorites, from the movie "Fighting Temptations", starring Cuba Gooding Jr., and Beyonce. If you haven’t seen the movie......get it.... it is great acting, a great story, and has great music. My favorite song from the track is “He Still Loves Me”, featuring Beyonce, and Eddie Lavert from the O’Jays.

Have a good Week

Daniel