Milas Odell Shields — a farmer

The 52 Ancestors theme this week is “on the farm.”

Many of my ancestors were farmers. I used to say “my ancestors are boring, they’re just farmers” but now I realize that farmers are just as important as lawyers and doctors. If someone doesn’t grow the food, what does everyone eat? Farmers work hard, 365 days a year. This blog post is about one of the farmers in my Shields family line.

In 2001, my sister Jennifer and I worked with family members to create a Shields family tree. We asked family members to share their memories and one cousin in particular was a huge help—Tommy Denzil Shields—our first cousin, 2x removed. Tommy lived in California and didn’t have email so since Jennifer lived in Georgia and I lived in Virginia, we corresponded with him via telephone and letter writing. Tommy felt it was important to tell the stories so put his pen to paper and started writing. Some of his memories are included in this blog post.

Milas Odell Shields, son of Samuel Cas Shields and Martha Ann Ogle, was born on January 1, 1894 in Sevierville, Sevier County, Tennessee—a New Year’s baby. He was the 2nd child of 10—James Stewart Shields, Milas Odell Shields, William Elmer Shields, Walter C. Brown Shields, Sallie Addice Shields, Albert Conley Shields, Blaine Arthur Shields, Melona Jane Shields, Pearl Lewcrilly Shields, and Maude Maree Shields. Milas was my great grand uncle. He was also known as Miles.

Front: Melona Jane Shields in father Samuel Cas Shields' lap, Albert Conley Shields,
Pearl Lewcrilly Shields in mother Martha Ogle Shields' lap, Blaine Arthur Shields,
Sallie Addice Shields. Back: Milas Odell Shields, William Elmer Shields, Walter C. Brown Shields.
Oldest son James Stewart Shields is not in the photo.

On June 8, 1900, Milas and his family lived in the 13th Civil District of Sevier County. He was enumerated as Milous in the 1900 census record. Milas’ parents had been married for eight years and had four children. His father was a farmer, so he was born into farming.

1900 Census Soundex Card for the Samuel Cas Shields family

On May 3, 1910, Milas and his family still lived in the 13th Civil District of Sevier County. At age 16, Milas was a farm laborer, apparently working on other farms as he was enumerated as “working out.” Although attending school, Milas could read but not write.

Sometime between 1910 and 1913, the Shields family moved to Georgia. His father Cas took a train from Knoxville, Knox County, Tennessee to Dalton, Whitfield County, Georgia in search of a place to move his family and farm. It was felt that farm land in north Georgia was better and cheaper than the mountain land around Sevierville. There was also an Ogle family member (Cam Ogle) living in Dalton so it made sense to go there. Cas bought land between Prater’s Mill and Deep Springs and then went back to Sevierville to get his family. They made their way to Dalton using two two-horse wagons, each pulled by two mules with two cows, four dogs, two coops of chickens, and all of their furniture which consisted of a kitchen stove, a table and 10 chairs, and four bed steads. The children walked and rode in the wagons. It took them 8 to 10 days to make the trip, traveling approximately 120 miles. Cas later referred to the trip as being fun—they camped by creeks and in farmer’s fields. It was more like a picnic to everyone. Cas picked a farm on top of a hill with a long drive, settled in, and started farming his land. About 1916, Milas married Effie Cross, daughter of William E. Cross and Sarah Hayes. I assume the wedding took place in Whitfield County but haven’t found proof of that yet. Milas registered for the World War I draft in Whitfield County on June 5, 1917. The registrar, Eligia F. Jarrett, noted that Milas was short and stout and had black hair and eyes. Tommy remembered Milas as being a big man.

On January 12, 1920, Milas and Effie lived at Varnell and Beaverdale Roads in the Lower Tenth District of Whitfield County, Georgia. He was a farmer on a general farm. The 1920 census record notes that Milas was unable to read or write.

1920 Census Soundex Card for Milas and Effie Shields

The tragic death of Milas’ 16-year-old sister Maude occurred on February 10, 1930. I have yet to find a death certificate, but it’s believed she died in childbirth. Maude was buried at Grove Level Community Cemetery in Dalton. On April 23, 1930, Milas and Effie lived off Cedar Valley Road in Militia District 631 of Whitfield County. His home was classified as a farm and Milas was enumerated as a farmer on a general farm. The census enumerator noted that Milas was 21 and Effie 23 when they married and that he was not a veteran. Milas and Effie’s next-door neighbor was my Granddaddy, Sam Holland, his first wife Opal, son W. L., and mother Janie. Milas’ niece was Daisy Shields, the daughter of his older brother Stewart and my Granny. Sam’s wife Opal died at the age of 26 on April 26, 1931 in Whitfield County. Two months after Opal’s death, Sam married Daisy. It’s possible that my Granddaddy met my Granny through Milas.

1930 Whitfield County, Georgia census where Milas and wife Effie
lived next door to my Granddaddy Sam Holland

On April 3, 1940, Milas and Effie lived at Prater’s Mill and Grove Level Road in the Lower Tenth District of Whitfield County, Georgia. Milas was farming his land. The 1910 census record noted that Milas was attending school but in this record when asked the question about the highest grade completed, he stated “none.” His parents lived five houses away. Effie’s widowed sister Josie Blackwell and niece Gussie Blackwell lived in the home with Milas and Effie. The census enumerator was noted that Milas worked a 60-hour week prior to the census being taken. The following year, Milas’ sister, Pearl Shields Hester, moved into their parents’ home near Deep Springs in Whitfield County with her five small children. Pearl was sick with tuberculosis and no longer able to work. Her husband Oscar Hester “drank up her paycheck” and was not supporting his family. Cas and Martha Shields did what they could but couldn’t afford to feed their daughter and her family so brother Elmer brought food daily to help out. At the age of 32, Pearl died at her parents’ home on July 26, 1941. After her death, “Oscar abandoned the children.” There was no money to pay for Pearl’s funeral. Her brothers Elmer, Milas, Stewart, sister Addice, and husband Oscar pledged to pay the $500 expenses to Kenemer Brothers Funeral Home although “Elmer ended up paying most of it, as the others never had the money.” Pearl was buried at Grove Level Community Cemetery in Dalton with her sister Maude. Four of Pearl’s children ended up being sent to Georgia Baptist Orphans Home in Hapeville, Fulton County, Georgia. The oldest was deemed too old to go and moved around with other family members.

Milas Shields, Elmer Shields, and Gussie Blackwell

The 1950s was a sad decade for Milas. He lost his brother Walter and father Cas in 1955. Walter died in Varnell, Whitfield County on April 6, 1955. He was buried at Red Hill Cemetery in Cleveland, Bradley County, Tennessee. His father Cas died at home on Route 4 in Dalton on September 26, 1955. At the time of his death, Cas lived on 17 acres next door to Milas. Cas was buried at Grove Level Community Cemetery in Dalton. Milas’ wife Effie died in Dalton of pulmonary edema due to a viral infection and malnutrition on July 29, 1958. She was buried at Good Hope Baptist Church Cemetery in Dalton.

Milas’ mother Martha died in Dalton at the age of 91 on July 10, 1961. She was buried beside Cas at Grove Level Community Cemetery in Dalton. His brother Stewart died in Tunnel Hill, Catoosa County, Georgia on September 7, 1962. Stewart, also a farmer, was found dead in the field by his house. He was buried at Nellie Head Baptist Church Cemetery in Tunnel Hill.

Milas’ brother Conley died in Dalton on September 20, 1975. Conley was buried at Varnell Baptist Church Cemetery in Whitfield County. And finally, Milas died of heart failure on December 17, 1978 at the Quintin Memorial Health Care Center in Dalton, Whitfield County, Georgia after a one week stay. He was buried beside Effie at Good Hope Baptist Church Cemetery in Dalton.

Tommy Shields wrote that Milas was a big man and a hard worker who farmed most of his life. Tommy believed Milas’ farm was approximately 100 acres that once belonged to his brother Elmer. When Elmer moved back to Tennessee, Milas took over the payments. This farm had two houses and a big barn. Milas took odd jobs to get through the bad seasons, mostly in carpentry but sometimes helping other farmers. Milas always plowed his farm by mules—he always kept beautiful mules and one or two cattle. There were two wells on the farm—one was outside the kitchen and was where they drew water for the house. The other was a cattle well down in the pasture. Effie could draw water faster than any of them on the farm.

Effie’s sight was bad, and she eventually went totally blind. Tommy said Effie could go anywhere she wanted around the farm, but didn’t venture off the farm, except to go to the doctor, etc. He remembered going with Effie to gather eggs and do chores around the farm and she went at a fast pace. Effie’s sister Josie Cross Blackwell and her daughter Gussie lived in the second house on the farm. When Effie died, Josie and Gussie moved in with Milas and rented out their house for added income. Tommy said when Josie died, Milas and Gussie married, although I don’t find a record of a marriage. There is a U.S. Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936–2007 that lists Gussie Mae Blackwell who’s mother was Josie Cross. It doesn’t show that her last name was ever Shields. Perhaps they lived as man and wife but never married, I just don’t know. I’ll note that “Mrs.” Gussie Blackwell was the informant on Milas’ death certificate. She was listed as his foster daughter, not his wife. She was listed the same way in his obituary. Whatever the case, Milas’ brother Blaine was heartbroken because he had always had a crush on Gussie.

Milas and others in the home used Bruton Snuff. The smell in the house was pungent, particularly in the winter. As they spit in the stove or fireplace, the steam was powerful. Milas always had a house full of cats which were sick a lot the year he died. It was believed after his heart problem, Milas became sick with the same illness the cats had and died. Milas did not drive. When he had to go anywhere, he hired a neighbor or relative to take him.

Milas was a pillar for the rest of the family. He never moved, living on his farm after he married for the rest of his life. When his brothers and sisters had problems, they always knew Milas would listen. Tommy heard that after Milas died, Gussie started drinking with a neighbor friend. She sold the farm for $3,500, moved away, and was never heard from again.

References

• Certificate of Death 041859, Milas Odell Shields, Georgia Department of Human Resources, December 28, 1978.
• Georgia Deaths, 1919–98.
• Obituary of Milas Odell Shields, newspaper and date unknown.
• Obituary of Mrs. Pearl Hester, “Dalton Citizen,” July 31, 1941.
• Personal memories of Tommy Denzil Shields, 2001.
• U.S. Census, Civil District 13, Sevier, Tennessee, 1900, 1910.
• U.S. Census, Lower Tenth, Whitfield, Georgia, 1920.
• U.S. Census, Lower Tenth, Whitfield, Georgia, 1940.
• U.S. Census, Militia District 631, Whitfield, Georgia, 1930.
• U.S. City Directory, Dalton, Georgia, 1953, 1955, 1957.
• U.S. Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936–2007.
• WWI Draft Registration Card, June 5, 1917.

Mary Athya’s 1940s autograph book

Mary Margaret Athya

The 52 Ancestors theme this week is “unusual source.”

One of the items we found in my mother-in-law Mary Athya Murphy’s belongings after she died was an autograph book. Now one wouldn’t necessarily think of an autograph book as a genealogy source, but I did in fact learn a few things about Mary in this unusual source.

The first thing I learned has to do with the spelling of Mary’s first name. From what I can tell, in early 1944 Mary’s family moved from Armstrong or Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania to Warren, Trumbull County, Ohio. Prior to the move, all school and church papers recorded the spelling of her first name as “Mary.” After the move to Warren, Mary was enrolled in Warren G. Harding High School and it appears they (or someone) added an “e” to her name which was then spelled “Marye.” Her name was spelled “Marye” all through high school, including in yearbooks, her graduation card, and diploma when she graduated in 1949. I thought maybe it was a typo that just kept going, but Mary herself spelled her name “Marye” when she wrote her name in the front of the autograph book on June 21, 1944. I found this interesting because in the 27 years I knew her, she always spelled her name “Mary” with no “e.” But for some reason in the 1940s, the “e” was added, and she carried that through her high school years. By the time she married my father-in-law Earl Murphy in January 1951, she was back to spelling her name “Mary.”

Mary's autograph book

Warren G. Harding High School graduation card

The second thing I learned was where her family lived in Warren. In addition to her name, Mary wrote her address in the front of the autograph book—1019 Prier Place NE, Warren, Ohio. I knew she lived in Warren but didn’t know where.

Mary wrote her name and address in the front of the
autograph book

And since Mary wrote the date in the front of her autograph book, the third thing I learned was when Mary and her family lived in the house on Prier Place—June 1944. She was born in 1929 so would have been 15 years old at the time.

That’s really all the genealogical information provided from this source. Nothing earth-shattering, but when you’re putting a timeline of someone’s life together, every piece of information helps. You never know when that piece might be a missing link!

The rest is just interesting and fun to read. Thanks to a stack of senior photos and her Harding yearbook, I’m able to put a face to some of the inscriptions. The first entry was by Helen Astrosky (with photo added from the yearbook) on December 7, 1944.

Dec. 7, 1944 / Dear Mary / When you get married and live upstairs /
Don't come down to borrow my chairs. / Your classmate, Helen Astrosky

Mary must have liked someone named Johnny in 1948 – two people referenced him.

May 3, 1945 / Dear Marye / The only little sayings are stale so I'll just
wish you the best of luck and joy forever. / A "pal" always, /
Kathy Totinos / P.S. remember me through Johnny.

May 1948 / Dear Mary, / Now I lay me down to sleep / With my ford parked out
in the street. / If it should start before I wake. / I pray the Lord put on the brake! /
The one and only (a hem) Mary / Look at Johnny and think of me Ha-Ha.

I wonder if this is the famous Johnny?

5/3/48 / Dear Marye: / Upon this page I write my name / And when you think
of me, don't have a pain. / You fried "always" Johnnie

Friend Anne Larson signed her name with “Your summer school friend.” Does that mean Mary
attended summer school in 1944?

June 21, 1944 / Dear Mary, When you get married and have twins, /
Don't come to my house to borrow safety pins. / Your summer school
friend, Anne Larson

Louise Kensy was a teacher who taught typing and shorthand.

May 2, 1948 / To Marye, / Edward Bok once wisely said, / "Make you the world
a bit more beautiful and better because you have been
in it." May your life bring you fulfillment of this goal. / Louise Kensy

Dear Mary, / As long as the vine grows around the stump, /
You will always be my darling sugar lump. / Alice
"Cupcake" (48)

May 3rd, 1948 / Dear Mary, / I wish you luck, / I wish you joy. / I wish your first
a baby boy. / And when his hair begins to curl, I wish you then a back girl. /
And when her hair is straight a pins, / I wish you then a set of twins. /
Always, Betty Antonelli

May 3, 1948 / Best wishes always from me to you. / Your clothing
classmate / Betty Del Oecchin

June 21, 1944 / Warren, Ohio / Dear Mary, / Hearts are such funny t hings, /
I guess you know that to, / But with heaven & earth inside of mine. /
I still have room for you. / Your pal, Delores Vanpel /
P.S. Don't make love in the corn patch because the corn has ears.

Warren / 6/12/44 / Dear Marye, / Can't write / Too dumb /
Inspiration won't come. / No pencil / Strange pen / Best of luck / Amen /
Doris McGrath

April 2, 1948 / Dear Mary, / They strolled side by side / Down the moonlite
country lane / Soon they reached the gate / He lifted up the latch / She did not
speak a word / For indeed she knew not how / For he was just a
farmer's boy / And she a jersey cow / Always, /
Authey (Ginger) Griffith

Dear Mary / What a Life / Without a Wife / And me with 10 kids. /
Your loving friend, / Mark Adams

Orange grow in Calif. / Apples grow there too / but it take a place like
Warren / to grow a peach like you. / from Roger Angonelli /
Dec. 13, 1944

5/3/48 / Dear Marye, / I wish I were a bunny, / All white and full of fluff. /
I'd jump upon your dresser / And be your powder puff. / Love as
Always / Janie Strommer / P.S. I bet all the fools in town will
turn this page upside down / Janie

And finally one with a secret message.

July 15, 1950 / Dear Mary / UR 2 sweet / 2 / 4 get / The best
of luck always / Mary Louise

Joshua Holland

Joshua Holland
(photo from C. R. Balentine)

The 52 Ancestors theme this week is “closest to your birthday.”

For no particular reason, I decided to write about Joshua Holland, a collateral ancestor whose birthday is the day after mine, although in different centuries. I visited his grave in South Carolina about 13 years ago. At the time, I didn’t know who he was and wondered if we had a connection. As it turns out, we did.

Joshua Holland, son of Moses Holland and Grace King, was born on August 14, 1818, in Anderson, Anderson County, South Carolina. Joshua had many siblings. His father was first married to Mary E. Barton and they had six children—Chesley D. Holland, Frances E. Holland, Thomas Holland, John Holland, James Holland, and Ellender Holland. Mary died in 1812 when their youngest child Ellender was 14. Moses took a second bride about 1813 when he married Grace King. Moses and Grace had six children as well—Moses King Holland, Aaron Berry Holland, Caleb B. Holland, Joshua Holland, Eleb M. Holland, and Tabitha Holland. Joshua’s father Moses was 59 years old when Joshua was born.

Joshua is my half 4th great grand uncle, with our nearest common relative being his father, Reverend Moses Holland. Rev. Holland was founder of the Saluda Baptist Association and many churches in Anderson County, including Big Creek Baptist Church in Williamston where he was pastor for 41 years. Rev. Holland, a Revolutionary War patriot, served as a drummer with the Charlotte Militia in Virginia and was present at the surrender of Cornwallis in 1781.

Joshua was just 11 years old when his father died on September 8, 1829 at the age of 70 in Williamston, Anderson County, South Carolina.

At the age of 18, Joshua served as a private in Picken’s Company, Goodwyn’s South Carolina Mounted Militia in the Second Seminole War (AKA Florida War). According to Wikipedia, this war is regarded as “the longest and most costly of the Indian conflicts of the United States.” Fifty years later, the Intelligencer of Anderson published an article stating that the “Company was mustered into service on the 10th of February, A.D., 1836.” The article further stated that “… This Company saw arduous service in the campaign which followed its enlistment …”. At the time the article was published (February 11, 1886), Joshua was one of nine men out of 75 who survived.

Joshua Holland
(photo from C. R. Balentine)

Joshua married Rebecca Ann Trussell, daughter of Rhodam Amos Trussell and Elizabeth McFee, in Anderson County on August 25, 1840. I’ll note that I haven’t confirmed the marriage date so please don’t take that information as gospel. Joshua and Rebecca had three children together—William M. Holland, Mary Frances Elizabeth Holland, and a daughter they named Willie Holland. Their oldest child, William, was born in Anderson in 1841. About 1846, Joshua joined Neals Creek Baptist Church in Anderson. He would worship there the rest of his life.

Joshua’s mother died in Anderson in September 1850. In November 1850, Joshua and his family were living in Laurens, Laurens County, South Carolina. He was a farmer with real estate valued at $3,600. I don’t know what took him to Laurens, a community just over 40 miles from Anderson. His son William was 14 years old. The slave schedule for 1850 shows that Joshua had seven slaves—three adult females (ages 25, 50, and 18), two adult males (ages 30 and 20), one 12-year-old male, and a 4-year-old female. Joshua’s daughter Mary was born about 1853.

On June 1, 1860, Joshua had 50 acres of improved land and 650 acres of unimproved land all with an estimated value of $7,000. He reported the value of his farming implements and machinery at $40. He had 1 horse, 1 mule, 2 milk cows, 3 cows, 2 sheep, and 5 pigs valued at $260. His farm produced 20 bushels of wheat, 300 bushels of Indian corn, 30 bushels of oats, 6 bales of ginned cotton, 10 bushels of Irish potatoes, 40 bushels of sweet potatoes, 2 gallons of wine, 1 ton of hay, 100 pounds of butter, 8 pounds of beeswax, and 100 pounds of honey. The census enumerator recorded the Holland family on June 7, 1860 listing Joshua, his wife Rebecca, son William, and daughter Mary living in Anderson County. Joshua had a personal estate valued at $300.

Joshua’s son William was “among the first to volunteer in the service of his country” when the Civil War began in 1861 according to William’s tombstone at Neals Creek Baptist Church Cemetery. The stone further notes that he “fought through the Battle of Manassas after which he was taken with typhoid fever and died, near Fairfax Courthouse Virginia.” The battle took place in Manassas, Prince William County, Virginia on July 21, 1861. William died on October 1, 1861, at the age of 20. On either March 10 or March 19, 1863 (some of the muster rolls say the 10th and some the 19th), Joshua enlisted as a private in Company G of the South Carolina 1st Light Artillery Regiment at Walhalla Oconee County, South Carolina for a period of three years. He remained on the muster rolls through at least December 1864. Joshua must have been able to go home at some point as his third child, daughter Willie, was born in 1864.

On March 24, 1866, Joshua made an agreement with a woman named Harriet Vandiver to take her son John to work on his plantation. The agreement stated “... That the said John agrees to nurse, make fires, or anything me or my agent may tell him to do.” Joshua agreed to give John board and clothing. John would not be able to leave the premises without permission from Joshua or his agent. The agreement was good for one year beginning January 1, 1866 and ending January 1, 1867. If Joshua didn’t hold up his end of the agreement, John could hold a lien on the entire crop raised on the planation that year until he was paid his full due. If John didn’t hold up his end of the agreement, Joshua could hold a lien on John’s portion of the crop.

On July 5, 1870, Joshua, Rebecca, and daughters Mary and Willie lived in the Broadway Township of Anderson County. As a farmer, he had real estate valued at $900 and a personal estate valued at $365. Rebecca and Mary were both keeping house. In early August 1874, Joshua was among the citizens of Broadway who met at Neals Creek Church to organize a tax union. During the meeting, they adopted a constitution, elected officers, and set the committees with Joshua being named to the Executive Committee. They agreed to meet by way of a picnic at the church on his birthday, August 14.

On June 29, 1880, Joshua, Rebecca, and Willie lived in the Broadway Township of Anderson County, South Carolina. Joshua was a farmer; Rebecca stayed home keeping house. Joshua was known as a “weather prophet” in 1887. On March 24, 1887, The Intelligencer reported the following:

The predictions made by Eureka’s weather prophet, Mr. Joshua Holland, so far this year, have all proved true. Of course, we do not know anything about the basis of his predictions, but we were informed some days ago by a very intelligent gentleman of the city of Anderson that Mr. H. was a close observer of certain signs and days, and especially “Badger’s Day,” which had something to do with the winter and spring.

Tombstone at Neals Creek Baptist
Church Cemetery, Anderson, South Carolina

In mid-April 1896, Joshua came down with a case bronchitis. The Intelligencer reported that he was “very sick at the present … afflicted with bronchitis, and is attended by Dr. J. C. Harris.” After a month’s illness, Joshua died on March 10, 1896. He was buried at Neals Creek Baptist Church Cemetery in Anderson. The Intelligencer reported his death on March 18, 1896:

Death of Mr. Joshua Holland. It becomes our duty this week to chronicle the death of a good citizen of Anderson County. We refer to the death of Mr. Joshua Holland, which occurred at his home in Broadway Township on the morning of the 10th inst. Mr. Holland was seventy eight years of age last August. He was born and raised in Anderson County excepting a few years he lived in Laurens County. Fifty eight years ago he was marred to Miss Rebecca Trussell who, together with two daughters, survive him. Mr. and Mrs. Holland had eaten Christmas dinner together even since they have been married except two. Mr. Holland went to the Florida war when only eighteen years of age. He also served in the war of succession, fighting for the Confederate cause. He had been a member of Neal’s Creek Baptist Church for fifty years preceding his death, and a deacon of the same for twenty-five years. He was a good and upright citizen, a kind neighbor, a devoted and a faithful Christian. He was loved by all who knew him. Mr. Holland had been sick about one month, and his death was not unexpected by those around him. His remains were interred in the Neal’s Creek churchyard the day following his death. The funeral services were conducted by Rev. M. McGee who preached from the 14th chapter of John, 2nd and 3rd verses. Mr. Holland said on his death bed that he was ready to die, which should be a great consolation to his loved ones. He has passed over the river, and is now resting beneath the shade of the beautiful trees. The family have many sympathizers in their bereavement. -- E. F. 

References

• “Broadaway Tax Union,” The Intelligencer, Anderson, South Carolina, August 6, 1874.
• Historical Register of Virginians in the Revolution.
• “Moses Holland, Manley McClure to Join Anderson HOF in October,” Anderson Observer, August 16, 2014; http://andersonobserver.com/news/2014/8/16/moses-holland-manley-mcclure-to-join-anderson-hof-in-october.html.
• U.S. Federal Census, Slave Schedules, Laurens, South Carolina, 1850.
• U.S. Federal Census, Laurens, Laurens County, South Carolina, 1850.
• U.S. Federal Census, Regiment 4, Anderson, South Carolina, 1860.
• U.S. Federal Census, Non-Population Schedule, Agriculture, Regiment 4, Anderson, South Carolina, 1860.
• U.S. Federal Census, Broadway, Anderson, South Carolina, 1870, 1880.
• “Fifty Years Ago,” The Intelligencer, Anderson, South Carolina, February 11, 1886.
• “South Carolina, Freedmen’s Bureau Field Office Records, 1865-1872,” images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L9ZG-YVZ8?cc=2127881&wc=MFHK-C68%3A1017930901%2C1017964401 : 21 May 2014), Anderson courthouse (acting subassistant commissioner–Anderson district) > Roll 46, Labor contracts, series A, no A-H35, 1866 > image 739 of 743; citing NARA microfilm publication M1910 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
• “Eureka Items,” The Intelligencer, Anderson, South Carolina, March 24, 1887.
• "United States Index to Indian Wars Pension Files, 1892-1926," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KDRY-NQG : 13 March 2018), Joshua Holland, 1896; citing Pension, South Carolina, NARA microfilm publication T318 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 821,615.
• “Eureka Items,” The Intelligencer, Anderson, South Carolina, March 11, 1896.
• “Death of Mr. Joshua Holland,” The Intelligencer, March 18, 1896.
• Company G, 1st South Carolina Artillery muster rolls.
• Will of Moses Holland.

I think it will work out real well, the job that is ...

Earl Murphy, ca. 1988 (this photo was
used in the company newsletter)

The 52 Ancestors theme this week is “work,” so I thought I would share the story of my father-in-law Earl Murphy’s move from West Virginia to Virginia and a little of what the family went through during the transition.

In 1963, my husband Charlie and his family lived in the coal mining town of Monongah, Marion County, West Virginia. His Dad, Earl, worked for Monongah Municipal Water Works there in town. He had previously worked at the Mountaineer Coal Company in Fairmont, Marion County, West Virginia. Sometime before August, Earl left the water works company and headed to Rockville, Montgomery County, Maryland where his brother lived. The rest of the family (my mother-in-law Mary and their three children—Colleen, Charles, and infant Patrick) stayed behind in West Virginia with the plan that once Earl got settled and saved enough money, they would follow him there. By August, Earl got a job with the Washington Gas Light Company at their new Ravensworth Station in Springfield, Fairfax County, Virginia. He moved out of his brother’s home into a rented room in Springfield to be closer to work. According to the publication Entering the Big Leagues: Chapter II, 1960–1969 by the gas company, Washington Gas Light had opened a new “underground liquid propane storage cavern in the Ravensworth area of Fairfax County, Virginia” in 1962. Charlie remembers Earl telling him stories about how the cavern was built, although I’ll note that Earl wasn’t working at Washington Gas Light during construction of the cavern, so this is being told third hand—and that’s all I’ll say about that. Earl told Charlie they started out with a three-foot hole which they dug by hand. Once the cavern was big enough, they dismantled bulldozers, or some type of digging vehicles, placed them in the cavern, and then put them back together. When the job was completed, they left the vehicles in the cavern.

Earl on the right, working at the Washington Gas Light Company

Earl missed his family and wrote the following letter to Mary on August 4. In the letter, he discusses finances and told Mary it was up to her to take care of selling the house and other belongings to raise money to move everyone to Virginia:

Hi Everybody, Thought it was about time I wrote you all a letter. To lazy I guess. How are you all? The last time I came up here it wasn’t to bad being away for the first couple of weeks, but this time I am lost. I miss you all very much and wish you were here with me. I just don’t know what to do with myself from the time I come home from work until I go to bed. 

Well I found a room here just outside of Springfield. It is 9 miles from where I work. It will take about 20 minutes to get there so it is much better than driving 38 miles from Rockville and back. The room is not what I would like, but will do for a while. 

This job I think I will like real well. I worked Thursday and Friday with the weekend off. This week I work day, next week afternoon, and the next week midnight. Being low man will give me shift work for awhile. This new storage field is out in the woods and is still under const. The first test run will be sometime in Nov. I think it will work out real well, the job that is. We can talk about this some other time. 

Mary, with the $360 a month I will be getting for the next 3 months is going to hurt us very much. I don’t know just what we can do but I do know I want you and the kids here with me as soon as possible. School starts the first of Sept and I would like you all here by then or no later than the 15th of Sept. I don’t know how we can work this but we have to do something. I am going to need at least $140 to $150 to rent a house and get until turned on. Once we get moved up here, maybe you could go to work for a while until we can get going again. We will live in one of these places, Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax, Annandale, or Springfield, and it will have to be wherever the rent is best.  

I want you to get rid of the house if you can. If you could get $500 to $800 and have someone to take over payments or give it back to Jane or if you can get enough to pay the bank where we got the siding. That will almost have to be paid. Next see if you can sell the little car $85 or $100. Parts to fix it will be $8 to $10. Sell all 4 of my guns. All the houses here have stoves and refrig. So, if you can they can be sold. The $5000 ins policy I have had for the pasts 10 years or so, cash it in for what it is worth. I have a $10,000 policy on me here at work. Now see all the loan co. we owe money to and see if we can miss one or two payments, that will help very much. I just have to get you and the kids here with me this time, because I don’t plan on living in W. Va. Any longer. There is work here for anybody that is not afraid of work and if that is what I have to do to have a roof over our head and feed us than that is what is going to be done. Honey please get busy doing these things I asked as soon as possible. I would like to come home, but it would cost about $75 which I don’t have. My first pay will be about the 23rd and that will be for a one week period and then I will get paid every Friday from then on. I don’t like the thought of coming home to see you all, because the way I feel right now, it would be damn hard to leave again. Tell Colleen and Charles I miss them very much, but for them to be good until I come home. How is Pat? Has he grown any? Well honey, I have run out for tonight, so will write you later. Let me know what you do. Do as much as you can as soon as possible. Don’t look for me for at least 3 weeks. Love to all of you and write soon.

My address here is Route 5, Box 392, Alexandria, Va. 

Love, Earl 

Honey, I forgot, but if you could sell the tent that will also help. Love

Earl wrote a second letter to Mary on August 7:

Dear Mary and all, Have not heard from you, but there may be a letter at Glenn’s. Have not been up since last Sunday. I was going to write last night, but I worked 16 hours, from 7:30 to 11:00 last night. My schedule for next week is 11:00 to 7:00 then I go on 7:00 to 3:00 PM. I don’t think I will mind working shifts. They are only for a week at a time. 

How are all of you by now? Fine I hope. I still miss you all. Since your [sic] not here to fix me a birthday cake tomorrow, you can fix it for me when I can get home. Will that be alright? I really don’t have much to tell you, so this won’t be much of a letter. I don’t know when I will get home to see you and the kids. I hope it can be real soon.  

Honey, have you did [sic] anything yet about the car, house, ins. Policy etc.? You are going to have to do all of it by yourself since I’m not there to help you. I can’t do anything about a house until I have some money to do it with. I do want you here as soon as we can do it. I would like to get Charles and Colleen started to school up here, so they wouldn’t have to start later in the year and then be behind. I think these schools may be better than what we have there. I’m sorry I don’t have any money to send you, but one of these days I will. Do you have any to get good with? 

Colleen, why don’t you set down and write me a nice long letter and tell me what you and Charlie and Patrick are doing. OK. You be real good until I can get home to see you.

Charles, are you keeping out of trouble? Has mommy had to spank you lately and you behave, because your suppose to be the man of the house since I am gone. Give your mother a big hug and kiss for me. 

Well honey I can’t think of anything more to say at this time so will c lose for now. Write real soon and let me know how things are coming along. Almost forgot about Patrick. Has he been OK. 

Love to all, Earl

We have one more letter written by Earl on August 12. In several paragraphs of this letter, he writes about drama with some people, supposedly friends, back in West Virginia. At one point, he tells Mary she has nothing to be ashamed of or to hide. Because he mentions name, I’ll leave those paragraphs out since I don’t know what was going on.

Hi Honey, I was up to see Glenn Sat and got your letter along with Colleen’s and Charles. It was real nice to hear from you. Have not received any down here yet.
I’m sorry you can’t start the doodle bug, but maybe it is for the best until I get some rod bearings in it. 

… … … 

I got Colleen’s and Charles letters. It was nice to hear from then to. Do you know I got up on my birthday, came to work and didn’t know I had one until the 9th. Forgot all about it. I have been looking at the ad’s on houses and apts., but not much I can do at present. Hope we can soon. I started on the 11:00 to 7:00 shift tonight. It is now 6:00 AM so wanted to mail this on my way to my room. The people I am staying with went on vac this week so I have the house all to myself. Honey, I miss you all very much. If I can I will try to be home this weekend. I hope. The job is going just fine. I like the work and I even feel better. I am down to 156 pounds. Do a lot of walking. 

Have you talked to Jane yet? You had better write me more often and let me know what you are doing. School isn’t far off.. 

Hi Son, I’m glad you have a tank truck and airplane. I miss you to very much. I’ll be home to see you before to long. You take care of everything for me and be good. Write me another letter. A long one. Dad 

Hi Colleen, Yes Pat’s birthday is mine. Does he look better with a haircut? You will have to get your mother to cut Charles’ hair also. Were the cakes you made out of the biscuits good? What all are you throwing away? I still love you to. Be good. I will see you soon and write me. Love Dad 

Well Honey, I think I will stop for now. The man will be in to relieve me in about 15 min. This place is away out in the woods and is very lonely here at night. I miss you and love you very much. Write soon. All my love, Earl

Earl's letters from 1963

Earl and Mary were finally able to move the family to Pimmit Hills, Fairfax County, Virginia about March or April 1964. Pimmit Hills is about 13 miles from Springfield and I’m sure traffic was much better then than it is today.

Washington Gas Light flag

Things worked out for Earl at Washington Gas Light where he spent the remainder of his career. The shift work continued until he retired. His hours rotated between day shift with two off days, afternoon shift with two off days, then midnight shift followed by a week off. Earl liked shift work because it allowed him to take the family on camping trips and to visit family without having to use vacation. He had perfect attendance from 1981 – 1986 and was recognized for six consecutive years of no avoidable accidents resulting in personal injury in December 1986.

Earl hated the union, paying his dues because he had to, but wanting no parts of it. When the union went on strike, he went to the beach and told them to call him when it was over. I’ll note that Earl’s father-in-law George Athya had been a union organizer in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania which caused friction when he was dating Mary.

In August 1988, Earl reached a milestone at the gas company and was welcomed into the Quarter Century Club after celebrating 25 years of service. Earl retired as a controlman in 1990 at the age of 61 after 27 years of service. At the time of his retirement, Earl received $1,773.94 per month until he reached the age of 62. At 62, the payment was reduced to $1,037.94 per month. That would eventually be reduced to $949.05 per month. Earl and Mary were very conservative with their finances so were able to live comfortably, enjoying 23 years of retirement before he passed away in 2013.

Earl on the right

References

1. “Entering the Big Leagues: Chapter II, 1960–1969,” Washington Gas Light; https://www.washingtongas.com/-/media/d2067877df1e446991e9bece0a1749da.pdf.
2. Fiftieth Annual Dinner program, Quarter Century Club of The Washington Gas Light Company, Fairfax, Virginia, April 21, 1990.
3. Personal papers of Earl Murphy.