Mess of Spring Greens....

Spring time Greens, is a mixture of plants that grow wild in the fields or along the woodlands.  A handful of wild violet leaves, 10-12 dandelions, 3-4 poke-plant leaves, toss in a smidgen of lambs-quarter, two or three tender shoots from a blackberry vine and a few plantain leaves.    Wash them in cold water to remove any dirt, slice or lightly chop the leave mixture but keeping them somewhat intact.   Place in a boil pan of water, until the leaves are tender.  The plantain takes a while.  Add some chopped onion leaves, not to much.  Season with a couple teaspoons or a tablespoon of salt (salt to taste, anyway), and some bacon that had been fried or some sausage.  

Enjoy, with mash-potatoes and gravy and a couple of biscuits and some fried Chicken or fried steak. 

Unknow aspects of Talcott, West Virginia and the Big Bend Tunnel

It seems that history and even the Church is 'quiet' upon aspects of the Railroad and the building of the Big Bend Tunnel at Talcott, West Virginia.    One can 'google' the "Legend of John Henry: The steel driving man verse machine" to read about the legend.  

Within the legend, it took 3 years to complete the tunnel and hundreds of workers died during the construction of the tunnel.  

Yet, where are they buried?   Most of the graveyards around the area are small.   There are three churches in the town, one of the being in the above photo.   It is peaceful and quiet, very tranquil, and even seems a bit inviting towards a visitor or visiting soul.   

Where are the church records of preachers and pastor during this time and even subsequent years until the 1890's? 
Where are the graveyard records of people buried in the various plots during the thirty years between 1870 and 1900?

There are two 'Unknown or Unnamed" Cemeteries in Summers County, according a USGenWeb researchers.

Miller does indicate there were two doctors in the town prior to 1911 and a 'undertaker' in his book "Summers County, West Virginia, then and into the present 1850 to 1910".  This is available as a PDF document and key-word search able.    A contemporary anthropologist having studied at Virginia Tech indicates specific burial patterns based upon proximity to a church and local within Appalachia.  

Yet, even with the known aspects, many things remain unknown in searching for "The Ghost of Mary".   As alluded too in prior writings;  Mary Daniel was born 1846 and died January 1st, 1888.   She married a John Henry Wykle, on the 15th of May 1871, in Raleigh County, West Virginia.   They resided in Talcott, West Virginia, during the 1880's, having several children.  One of whom was a daughter, Nora Clinton Wykle, in 1885.   Grandmother Nora, was only 3 1/2 when her mother passed away.    

As it is a mystery to Nora's grandchildren, it is even a mystery to our kin-folk the Daniel relatives.   We have agreed that she is buried somewhere in Summers County, West Virginia, thus far concluding.     

The River Mists of January 1, 1888, Talcott, West Virginia

I recon what occurred and I can only deduce a possible event...John H. Wykle was 10 years old when the Civil War broke out, so he was just a young boy. His brother, Allen Caperton Weikle, was older and joined the Confederate States of America, as a soldier and came back to Monroe after the war was over. So, since work was hard to find on the farms in Monroe and the opening up of the coal fields in Fayette and Raleigh Counties he either walk or road horseback to Hinton and then from there to Prince and worked in the Royal Coal Mines. While there, he met and became friends with the Daniel family.
Who knows, he may have even been a boarder in a boarding house that was owned by the William and Chloe Daniel. He fell in love with Mary Daniel and being that the only Justice of the peace or marriage official was in Beckley, the entire family had a wedding event with John H. Wykle and Mary Daniel getting married in 1871, on the 15th of May. He probably saved as much money as he could and then purchased some land in Monroe County, near his Father's and Mothers. So over the years, him and Mary, occasionally visited the Daniel family in around Royal and Prince. Mary's brother, a William C Daniel, he was connected to his wife's people from Greenbrier and Fayette, so he remained in the New River Gorge area.

John and Mary, they had several children up until her death in 1888.  Her death certificate record indicates being recorded in Talcott, West Virginia on January 1, 1888, listing her parents William and Chloe Daniel and her husband John H. Wykle.   Nora, she was 4 years old when her mother died. John, he tried as best as possible to take care of the children and even enlisted the help of family members or neighbors around him. Then, in 1891 or 1893, he remarried Ms Sarah Payne. Grandma, she would have been old enough to remember her.   John and Sarah, they had a daughter. 
When Nora became a teenager, around 15 or 16, she was staying with family because everyone was poor farmers and it was difficult for family to feed a large family. So, she was in Summers County. James Ward and Nora, they had gone to school together and "were sweet-hearts"; but they didn't get together, it was 1900 or 1901.
Nora, she met Mr. Carter and had the first 6 children. James Garfield Ward, he met Florence Anderson and they married, in 1905 and divorced without any children. Then about 18 years later, around 1919. Mr. Carter had died and Nora had a 6 children some who were almost adults. Now, if Mary had been buried over in the towns of either Royal, Prince, or Talcott, West Virginia, then the possibility of the following might have occurred.
Nora is traveling over the mountains and down along the river to put flowers on her Mothers grave or to visit with her Daniel family relatives and kin folk. While in Summers county, she runs into James Andrew Garfield Ward, her sweet-heart from years ago. James Andrew Garfield Ward, he too had worked in some of the mines in the New River Gorge, and was more of a farmer than a miner. Florence, his first wife, they had divorced. So, in 1920, there abouts, Nora and Gar got married and moved up into the mountains at Hix, West Virginia and started their family.
Then during the onset of the Depression and in the Depression they lost their farm in Summers County. So, heartbroken, Nora returned home to help her father John manage the farm and needing a place to live and raise the children. Nora and Gar then moved to Monroe County along with their children; Arnold, Arzula, Elverta and the earlier children she had with Mr. Carter.   Uncle Eldridge, being born in Monroe county.

No one seems to know where Mary rests: Talcott Cemetery, Royal Cemetery, Prince Cemetery, Daniel Cemetery, the Nehemiah Daniel Cemetery, the Tabor Cemetery. Yet, her descendants spirits have traveled over hill and dale, across bridges and around curves. We've searched in hollers and up on ridges.

A Daniel cousin says  "Try the Miller Cemetery out on Dry Branch near Naoma, in Raleigh County".... For a hundred and twenty three years her spirit travels peacefully Raleigh County, Fayette County, Summers County, and Monroe County along the roads, over the rivers, through the woods.    It is a mystery where Great Grandma Mary Daniel Wykle is buried.   Her parents are buried in Raleigh County, her brother is buried in Fayette County and her husband John H. Wykle is buried in Monroe County.  And the written death certificate says Summers County.   There were only two official "undertakers" in Summers County during those years from 1880 to 1908.   It was wintertime and the ground was frozen...

Talcott, West Virginia, had a post office, doctors, schools, churches, a hotel, and a saloon.  It had a population just over 1,200 people in the late 1800's.   It is a mystery....lost along the rivers mists of time, January 1, 1888.  

Talcott, West Virginia. More to the town than just "The Legend of John Henry"

Talcott, West Virginia

The ferry at Talcott was established for Griffith Meadows on the third Monday in August, 1871, and the rates of ferriage were fixed as follows:

Two horses and wagon $ .25

One way for every additional horse 05

Horse and rider 10

Foot passengers 05

This ferry is still in existence, never having been discontinued. This ferry was established at what was known then as Rollinsburg, now Talcott, Rollinsburg being the name of the post office at that place up to the time of the building of the Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad through this county in 1872.   From page 134.

Justice of the peace was E. C. Flint was appointed justice of the peace for Talcott District

on May 13, 1881.  From page 168

The post office at Talcott was first known as Rollinsburg, named after Charles K. Rollyson, who owned all the lands around and has left as his descendant and our present citizen, C. S. Rollyson, commonly known as "Shan," residing on a part of the old homestead on Big Bend Mountain. Rollinsburg was on the opposite side of the Greenbrier River from Talcott.  From Page 356, History of Summers County, West Virginia.

Church:

The first church in all the region of the Talcott country was a log church which stood within 200 yards of where the residence of Ben R. Boyd now stands, on top of the Little Bend Tunnel. It was a Union Church, worshiped in by all denominations ; built of logs, covered with boards, and was burned prior to the Civil War and never rebuilt, but a new church—Pisgah—a Methodist house of worship, was built on top of the Big Bend Tunnel, where the present Pisgah Church now stands. All the original churches were log buildings and of the most primitive character, covered with clapboards, built from the trees of the forest by the people of the community, who joined in aiding for miles around.

On Saturday, May 28, 1887, Rev. C. D. Kincaid was elected pastor, and served until December, 1892. This is known as the Rollinsburg Baptist Church, having been founded when that was the name of the post office at that place and before the construction of the Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad, and before the founding of the present thriving village of Talcott. This congregation now occupies a comfortable frame church building. This church was organized on August 29, 1868, by Rev. Martin Bibb, assisted by Rev. Rufus Pack and Rev. Henry C. Tinsley, three of the pioneer Baptist ministers of this section.  Page 306 and 307, History of Summers County.

Merchant and store owner:

Patrick, the other child, died in 1884, aged twenty-three. Joseph, the oldest son of John and Florence Nowlan, married Miss Mary Keeney, of Kanawha County, in 1865, and now lives on

a farm near Pence Springs on Greenbrier River, once owned by his uncle, Samuel Graham. He has been a prominent farmer in the county. His son, John C, has been a justice: another son is an

attorney and telegraph operator ; Elmer, now living at Alderson ; Rebecca, Florence, who married Rev. C. T. Kintner; Stars, J., is a merchant, and Wm. C, lately died at Talcott, having married a Miss Huston, a daughter of the veteran station agent. E. P. Huston. He was a practicing physician. Page 369, History of Summers County.

TALCOTT TOLL BRIDGE.

This is a steel bridge spanning the Greenbrier River at Talcott Station, and is owned by the Talcott Toll Bridge Company, a West Virginia corporation, of which Nathaniel Bacon, a direct descendant of the Virginia patriot of that name, celebrated m prose and poetry as well as in history as the hero of "Bacon's Rebellion," and the hero in the famous novel, "Hansford," is president, and J. A. Fox, of Hinton, general manager and the largest individual stockholder.

The bridge was contracted for and the construction begun in 1904, and completed in 1905. The piers are concrete and the superstructure iron, and it is the first and only steel bridge across Greenbrier River in the county. It is 400 feet long, and occupies the site of the old Rollynsburg Ferry, later Talcott Ferry, of which Thomas C. Maddy, the old Confederate soldier, was for

many years the owner and ferryman. The bridge company purchased the old ferry and employed Mr. Maddy as bridge-keeper.  Page 736, History of Summers County.

CORONERS. Summers County has never had but two coroners—L. M. Dunn and G. A. Fredeking—who were appointed by the county court.  From page 755.

At Talcott the first doctors to locate were Drs. J.W. Ford and J. W. de Vebber. These gentlemen practiced under the firm name of Ford & de  Vebber for a number of years. After the dissolution

of the firm. Dr. Ford continued, and still resides in that town and practices throughout that vicinity.  Page 780.

The first doctor to locate at Talcott was Dr. Thos. Bray, the English surgeon, about 1871.

There was an itinerant doctor, who for many years did a rambling practice in the lower end of the county. He was a "Thompsonian" or "herb doctor," and something of a genius in his way.

Page 782.

Miller, James H. 1908 History of Summers County from the earliest settlement to the present time.

The future of Mt. Trashmore in Virginia Beach... Year 2550

In the middle of the 20th Century, humans had started developing trash dumps and redesigning them to become attractive gardens for many of the individuals living and dwelling in the larger metropolitian areas.  One such trash dump turned garden was Mt. Trashmore in Virginia Beach, alongside Interstate 64.

Daily commuters traveled between Virginia Beach and the City of Norfolk Virginia or across the Hampton Roads areas going all the way to Williamsburg, Virginia.   It was reknown for the fine beach community, schools and Universities in the area, along with the economy that was tied into the Global Community of the 21st Century.   The Hampton Roads area served the community and Commonwealth of Virginia well for the next 150 years.  

World-renowned Mount Trashmore Park is 165 acres, 60 feet high, over 800 feet long, and was created by compacting layers of solid waste and clean soil. Recognized for its environmental feat, the park features the Water Wise demonstration garden that boasts xeriscaping where you can learn how to create a beautiful garden with minimal water requirements.
 
Early in the 21st Century, it was noted that the waters around the Cheseapeake Bay were rising.  Many individuals in the Norfolk, Virginia area began to have their homes repaired and "lifted" or "jacked up" along the inlets of the James River.   This kept many independent contractors and home concrete service industries busy over the first five decades of the 21st Century.   As the population grew, new developments stretched farther inland along the I-95 route between Richmond, Virginia and Washington D.C.   Even once remote Louisa County, Virginia with its rolling hill sides and farms of the early 21st century was later turned into subdivisions after subdivision as the population increased from 307,000,000 million individuals in 2011 to 415,000,000 million indivduals by 2075.  

The use of cars, well, gas powered cars became unreasonable by 2050.  Many individuals had converted over to alternative engines or using mass transit.   High Speed Rail lines linked all the major cities, and even to this day remains the greatest legacy of President Obama's Administration of 2008 to 2016.   While the interstate system of President Johnson's Administration was the means of mass transit for several decades prior, and even many of the interstate system remain.   In 2075, there was a merger between the State Highway Departments and the Railroads.   One can travel from New New York to California in 7 hours on the ultra-speed rail lines, that travel at over 250 miles per hour.    By 2100, most individuals lived in the larger cities, with over 120 million individuals still living on farms and in open farming land in the Midwest region.  

The LA basin, moved further inland and now stretched by 2199 across the mountains into Las Vegas and southward into Phoenix.   Many of the coastal cities by 2299 had experience a rise of over 12 feet of the oceans.   

What once was the beautiful parkland and playground of Mt. Trashmore in Virginia Beach had now became an isolated island with reeds growing around it and reminiscent of the Florida Everglades.   Water fowl, sea-gulls, use the island as a rookery and alligators had colonized the island having arrived from Chesapeake further to the south of the island.  There were other 'islands' that had been former trash dumps.  Yet one has to take a boat ride from Williamsburg Virginia down the old interstate-64 route towards where Fort Eustis once was located, or south towards where Suffolk Islands are today in 2550.   The coast regions of Virginia were once in the temperate region designated as a "6" according to old historical plant growing charts.   Today, it and regions further south are within the sub-tropics and the oceans rose to over 35 by the year 2489

http://cosmiclog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/03/21/6314175-everglades-islands-are-trash-heaps#comments

The "End Times" Blizzard of 2011

Chicago has some interesting weather, even if one doesn't like the weather up here all they have to do is wait 5 minutes cause it surely will change.   Last week, everyone was getting prepared as the weather forecast was calling for "Blizzard Conditions".  Off to the store, cause during a blizzard a hearty recipe of "Chili" will get one through.  Several cans of beans; red kidney both light and dark, a can of black beans, a can of white beans, ground hamburger, and sausage.   Even a bottle of Seagrams and Svedka Vodka are "staples" of cold weather because they are excellent to cook with, especially a little Vodka mixed in the "Chili".   A mean pasta sauce or some bourbon ribs is always a tasty treat, and the "Chili" too.

As the events unfolded and the snow continued to fall, the social networking aspects of modern life have came in as a lifesaver.   Its always great to communicate with family and friends across the country, and new friends as well.   I have to give credit where credit is due with the "End Times" as that comes from the Chicago Astronomer Astro Joe---over the last week everyone has been shoveling driveways and paths along the sidewalks.   The coverage image from NASA doesn't quite make things on the ground real, but this was a huge storm, reaching 2100 miles in length from parts of New Mexico all the way into Maine. 



Springtime cannot come soon enough.    Until then, enjoying cooking. 

1738 Passenger List of the ship "Winter Galley" from Rhine to Philiadelphia

Passenger List of the Winter Galley From the Rhine to America Philadelphia

[List 52 A] A List of all the mens names and ages from sixteen years and upwards Passengers on bd. ye Winter Gally, Edward Paynter, Commander.  [Qualified September 5, 1738]

Jacob Stall, 30 Nichell Elie, 27 Stofell Heller, 50 Simon Heller, 17 Johanis Peter Miller, 49 Johanis Rore, 22 Henrich Weyshart, 30 Frans Ludwig Parrott, 39 Abraham Kirper, 38 Andres Beyer, 57 Martin Beyer, 18 Hannis Light, 56 Johan Sauvage, 40 Lorance Henn, 56 Albreght Eberard, 20 Godlief Eberard, 18 Hans Adam Schreyner, 52 Michell Schreyner, 28 Henrich Eshbay, 32 John Wintell Losschet, 30 John Michell Remer, 23 Jacob Deeahuse, 18 Wintell Draut, 49 Johanis Barntz, 42 Ludwick Meyer, 20 Martin Meyer, 18 Henrich Backer, 20 Samuell Mooke, 20 Michael Knap, 20 Matehys Ulrick, 28 Fredrick Kraft, 52 Henrick Landgraaf, 20 Melchior Stall, 21 Henrick Fehle, 27 Jan Adam Stupe, 21 Johanis Jager, 36 John Henrick Klinger, 50 Hans Michell Rushell, 26 Jurg Joghim, 27 Simon Deck, 35 Philip Beyer, 20 Jacob Han, 21 Peter Burchart, 38 Martin Shriner, 20 Paul Kurgner, 40 Johan Danl. Freyligh, 39 Michel Brush, 19 Augusteen Brush, 14 Jacob Debell, 26 Cristofell Armbrost, 28 Philip Harlash, 22 Jno. Christofl. Wagner, 40 Andreas Hook, 35 Willm Best, 26 Casper Berger, 30 Daniell Buterfas, 19 Jacob Kraft, 38 Jan Adam Shefer, 24 Jurig Ernst Linthell, 27 Fredrick Haas, 24 Willelm Zacharias Andich, 18 Conrad Dust, 38 Conrad Zimmerman, 22 Stoffell Urick, 25 Andres Saim, 20 Jurig Sibert, 25 Hans Jurig Smith, 21 Wilm Kelsendorf, 17 Johanis Lingeredler, 20 Ludwick Fillinger, 27 Jurg Philip Follinger, 20 Willm Meyer, 16 Philip Wagener, 20 Johan Wagener, 16 Peter Wagener, 16 Sebasting Sedelmeyer, 50 Adam Mager, 30 Adam Nesh, 60 Johan Philip Seebolt, 26 Rudolph Shler, 31 Hans Michell Hoglander, 32 Johan Miller, 32 Conrade Smith, 44 Philip Bayer, 29 Philip Waber, 20 Wilhelm Jans, 24 Jan Peter Hoffman, 27 Jurg Hoffman, 37 Henrich Tiech, 29 Jacob Bing, 50 Andres Bing, 24 Markes Miller, 38 Jacob Bartelme, 40 Nicholas Walter, 41 Fredrick Haas, 21 Frans Seele, 17 Hans Jurg Gerth, 43 Hans Jacob Doodwiler, 28 Melchior Weis, 20 Hans Adam Kinder, 24 Adam Wall, 21 Andres Fredrick, 21 Jurig Lockmiller, 24 Nicholas Repel, 23 Andres Stoop, 34 Jacob Miller, 22 Johan Philip Weiker, 20 Jacob Wenigh, 19 Jacob Ronk, 22 Hans Philip Kochler, 21 Jurig Faas, 23 Philip Faas, 20 Valentine Stucker, 19 Balthasar Sardorious, 27 Christian Janigh, 42 Valentine Lemerd, 50 Lorance Balien, 24 Jan Daniel Droonberg, 21 Jacob Zadler, 20 Jacob Back, 20 Fredrick Farion, 36 Stephen Lang, 35 Adam Hofman, 23 Jan Garlegillon, 45 Chaley Garlegillon, 19 Isack Viall, 29 Georg Ide, 30 Johanis Begthold, 22 Jan Jacob Beyer, 22 Mathias Gentslen, 20 Henrick Bullinger, 28 Fredrick Thronberg, 29 Conrad Estlinger, 21 Henrick Storff, 20 Hans Michell Matthys, 22 Jurg Michl. Hittel, 23 Johanis Kranister, 30 Johanis Ebert, 19 Paul Brack, 21

Sworn to September 5th 1738 Edward Paynter. Account of Number of Palatines in the Ship Winter Galley. Those [that] took their qualification........... 139 Number of women & children.......................113   In all         252 Passengers.

[List 52 B] Palatines imported in the Ship the Winter Galley, Edward Paynter, Comr., from Rotterdam, but last from Deal. Qualified 5th September, 1738

Johan Jacob Stahl Nickiel (+) Elie Christop Heller Simon Heller Johann Peter Müller  Johannes Roth Henrich (H) Weishart Frantz Lutwig Beroth Abraham Körper Andras Beir Martin Beier Johann Philipp Bayer Joanes (H) Light John (IS) Sauvage Lorentz Heim                         Albrecht Eberhart                    Gotlieb Eberhart                     Hans Adam Schreiner                  Johann Michael Schreiner             Johann Henrich Eschbach              Johan Wendel Laschett                Johann Michael Römer                 Johann Friedrich Hase                Andereas Bin                         Markes (lll) Miller                  Jacob Barthelme                      Nicholas (N) Waller                  Friederich Has                       Frantz Seell                         Hansier Girt, dumb                   Henrich Becker                       Samuel Moch                          John Michael (X) Knabe               Mathaus Ullrich                      Fridrich Kraft                      Henrich (X) Landeraf                 Melcher (O) Stall                    Hendrich (H) Feelt                   Adam (+) Stoop                       Johannes (O) Yecher                  Henrich (X) Klengler                 John Michel (J) Rusher               Jerich (X) Yougham                   Simon (+) Deck                       Philip (X) Beyer, Junr.              Jacob Heen                           Peter (B) Bucher                     Johann Martin Schreiner              Paul (+) Kenned                      Johann Daniel Froelich               Johan Michel Preisch                 Haugh (X) Spreis                     Jacob (O) Tebolt                     Christop Armbruster                  Philip (H) Halass                    Johann Christoff Wagner              Andreas Hook                         William (ll) Best                    Casper (O) Bercher                   Daniel Butterfass                    Johann Jacob Kraftt                  Johann Adam Schäffer                 Geo. Erd (O) Shindel                 Johann Jacob (O) Huss               Conrad (X) Etslingher                Henry (+) Sturf                      Johan Mattes                         Georg Michael Hyttel                 Johannes Cranester Wenell Trauth Johannes Berntz Lodowick (X) Meyer Johann Maritin Meyer Johan Wilhellem Mayer Johann Filip Wagner Johannes Wagner Pheider Wagner Sebastan (X) Zettlemir H. Adam Mayer Adam Nicht [?] Johann Philipp Sebolltt Herudoph (X) Slair Hans Michael (H) Slotsunder John (X) Miller Conrad (XX) Smith Philip (X) Baier Phillip Weber Wilhelm Jans Johann Petter Hoffman Jerg Hoffman Henrich (X) Teich Jacob Bin Wilhelm Zacharias Andich Conrad (O) Durst Conrat Zimmerman Christoph (X) Urich Andreas Seum Georg Seiberth Hans Jacob (+) Hantwell Johonn Melcher Weiss Hans Adam Hinder Adam Wall, sick Andres (X) Frederick Geo. Marti (X) Lochiller Julius Rübell Georg Andreas Stupp Johan Jacob Müller Johann Philibus Wicker Jacob Venig Jacob Runck Hans Philip Köhler Johann Görg Faas Johann Philib Faas Johann Vallentin Stöcker Joh. Balthasar Sartorius Lars Palin Christian Reinard Johan Vallentin Lennert Daniel (D) Drumberg Jacob (S) Saddler Jan Jacob Beyer Jacob Beck Friderich Fahrion Stephan Lang Adam Hoffman Charles (O) Gillion Claude Charle Isaac Vial Johann Georg Hayde Johannes Bechtolt Matthias Gensli Hendrich (H) Bullinger Friedrich Ambrosius Tranberg William (X) Getsindorf Johannes Lingenfelder Lutwig Fillinger Johannes Ewert Georg Philipp Dollinger Paul Prack Hans Gerg Schmidt  (List A): The Captain's List (List B): The signers of the Oath of Allegiance to England (List C): The signers of the Oath of Abjuration