Thursday Treasures out of the past

There are many treasures in my home. Dishes from the reaches of time, sitting undisturbed in my china closet. Family photos and much much more.

There is one that came to me truly as a treasure. A prize finding its way back home so to speak.

Its journey begins on November 29, 1918 in the open fields of France. A pilot practicing communication with the ground. Sadly that day was his last. I have received different detail as to what happened, but basically it was a misjudgement with the throttle.

Now to November 29, 2009 it is funny how things work out. Ninety one years after the accident. I receive an email from a gentleman saying he had seen the memorial page that I had dedicated to the young man. His letter was short and sweet.  My Grandmother has your Great Uncles dog tags. Being a careful internet user. I wrote back and asked this young man the 20 question, after I did some research. I really couldn’t under stand why they would have his dog tags. I was understanding that one was to remain with the body and one was to go his commander to indentify his body and to be sent on.  The young man answered my questions to satisfaction and I then contacted his grandmother. The tags and been locked in her fathers lock box these past ninety some years. They had been looking for its home.

Alex. K. Ogilvie 2nd Lt. Dog Tag

Kaye, as he was called by his family, was to have been married when he returned home. This of course never happened. So being his grand niece I felt this was a good home as any and they were sent to me. I have been given many more treasures concerning Kaye, but to me this is the one that should have never happened. Call it serendipity, I call it Gods hand working his wonders in the rhelm of men.

Happy Hunting! May your treasures be many!

note: Bi plane in Wordless Wednesday 08/17/2011 is believed to be his or what is left of his aircraft.

 

Tombstone Tuesday/ Cutter

Samuel and Christina Stucker Cutter Headstone

My Third Great Grandparents

Samuel J. Cutter son of Ezekiel and Martha Charlton Cutter
b. 24 Jan 1833 in Ohio d. 21 May 1902
m. 13 Nov 1860 Holmes Co., Ohio
Christina  Stucker daughter of Abraham and Elizabeth More Stucker
b. 15 Nov 1835 Holmes Co., Ohio
d.13 January 1904 Holmes Co., Ohio

Happy Hunting!

Bowdoin Family

James Bowdoin II & Elizabeth Bowdoin

James Bowdoin II & his sister Elizabeth. A portrait by Joseph Blackburn.
Circa 1760 Oil on Canvas, 36 7/8 X 58 inches, Bequest of Mrs. Sarah Bowdoing Dearborn.
You may view this at the Bowdoin College Museum of Art in Brunswick, Maine.

Descendant, bjsgen@aol.com writes: “These are early descendants of
my Huguenot ancestors who left New Rochelle, France. The original
immigrant was Pierre BOWDOIN who arrived in Salem, Massachusetts
in 1686. He went to Casco Bay, Maine where he had a land grant. The
indians were unfriendly, so the family moved to Boston where we find
him in 1690.
His wife’s name was Elizabeth FIXE and they had four known children who
came with them, James, John, Mary & Elizabeth.”

Huguenot Web Sites:
Cyndislist Huguenot

Bowdoin College
Bowden Surname Mailing List
(Topic: the BOWDEN surname and variations
e.g., Baudon, Baudouin, Boden, Boudoin, Bowdoin, Bowdin, Bowdon, Bowdown)
Bowdoin Message Board
If you have questions about this family please write to: bjsgen© March 2004

Those Places Thursday/The Church at the Top of the Hill

Note: This has been posted before, but I can’t recall if I made it public or just shared it with Creative Gene. Here is my offering for Those Places Thursday/October 20, 2011.

Enjoy.

Tucked neatly on the shoulder of Gildersleeve Mountain is a beautiful white church with a back drop of lush green. If you walk to the end of the drive and take a peek down the road you just might see a huge body of water. Sure sounds like it is located in New England. Trust me when I say this spot is as beautiful as any in New England.

You ask, “then where is this lovely spot if not in New England?” This house can be found in an extension of New England, CT to be exact, it lies in the Western Reserve. You’ll find this house of God sharing the hill with another very important house of worship, that was built in 1836. Still have you guessing?

Our family home of worship is Old South Church in Kirtland, Ohio.  The second church is The Kirtland Temple, built by Joseph Smith Jr. and his followers. It is located a few miles down the road from Old South. There are many stories that abound about the Temple, Joseph and his followers. Many of which you can find on the internet or at your local library.

My story begins at the Old South Church. This is where my parents attended Sunday School, where my grandparents worshiped. Mom and Dad were married here, I was christened here and even though we moved away to Arizona then back to Michigan. I have spent many Easter and other Sundays sitting in a pew or in the a class room of Old South.

Old South Church Kirtland Ohio

As a child I remember  this congregation having a rich musical back ground. Wonderful organists (okay I admit Nana played organ at one time and that I might be a bit bias here) and vocalists with wonderful voices. Inspiring and encouraging. I can’t recall the sermons, but I do recall two of the pastors, Rev. Messner and Rev. Snider

I said my final goodbye’s to four grand parents and an uncle from this sanctuary. They are all buried up the road at the South Kirtland Cemetery.

As of this writing I don’t know if I will ever step foot in this chapel again, but in my memories I visit it often.

The next place of worship that I recall while growing up can be found in Wayne Michigan on the corner of Wayne Road and Michigan Ave (US 12). Nestled in a typical old mid-western city, The First Congregational Church of Wayne. When we first attend this church in the late 60’s the church house was very similar to the one in Kirtland, the bell tower and steeple were a bit different it didn’t come to a point, but was a square steeple that came to four points. In 1970 the sanctuary  was lost in a fire. The new building is beautiful, but it does not compare to the grace and majesty of the old sanctuary. Most of the religious training as a young person, that I recall, was gained here and of course from my parents.

I was member of the young choir for a season. I still remember the the organist/choir director Orpha Hutty. One of our classes did a film, in our “back yard” at the church about the Pilgrims which is something I have just recalled. Wonder whatever happened to that!

There is just one more house of worship that has been called home and to me it is my home church. Romulus Free Will Baptist Church is where I have been a member for twenty-eight years. My children grew up here. It is where I have been a teacher, treasurer, singer.

Several family marriages have occurred here. Our oldest son was married at home, by the pastor of the church at that time. Our Oldest daughter, Brother and Sister law were married at the church.

This church family is truly a family. We love and tend to  each others needs as best as we as humans can. God has seen us through many trials and walks with our congregation daily. This story has not ended, but will continue to grow as I and my fellow brothers and sisters continue to worship the Lord here as he adds on a takes away. Our lives will forever be touched by the places in which we have spent time with our Lord.