Monday Memory- Honoring my great great grandparents Thomas X Smith and Annie Masters Howe

There is a link in my family chain that has left me with an emptiness and a wanting for more understanding.  It is the link that brings both of my great grandmothers Jennie Smith (biological mother of Ruth Mabel, my paternal grandmother) and her sister Marie Smith (adoptive mother of Ruth Mabel- and her aunt) together.. That link is Thomas X. Smith.  One day I found it- the Smith Family organization and David Barkdull.  Both of these connections I made while doing research on the internet on Thomas X. Smith

I put mine and my father's thumbprints between Jennie and Marie's branches.  Jennie died of the flu epidemic in 1918 and left behind my 9 month old grandmother, Jennie Smith, and her 21/2 year old brother, Edwin Cleveland Stoddard.  Jennie's Sister Marie and husband Leo Kimball adopted and raised Ruth and Cleve.  I claim  both the Kimball and The Stoddard line and I am ever so grateful for the strong lineage which is mine.

Questions answered- I found David while doing research on the family search.  He left his email  and I contacted him.  What I found was the mother lode of family history.  David descended from Marie and Jennie's older brother Eugene.  He had in his possession letters from Eugene while he served a mission mentioning Jennie as well as photographs that our family had never before seen.  Finally, we were getting to know our grandmother and gaining insight into her very short life- she was just 26 when she died.

 It was very cool to see the very LONG descendancy chart- unfortunately, not a lot of Marie and Jennie's descendancy is listed.  The Thomas X. Smith and George Smith Family organization is most impressive.  This organization honors these two brothers who joined the church in England and joined the Saints in Utah.  This year the reunion was held in Farmington, Utah where both brothers lived for a short period of time after arriving in SLC. Thomas X. Smith arrived in SLC on Ocotober 16, 1853 with his wife Margaret Guerney Smith.  They were plaiters of Straw. Both brothers were friends of Willard Richards.  Willard Richards was assigned by the prophet to settle Farmington.  While here, Thomas joined a brass band, took part in the Mormon Reformation movement, built a 16x20 foot home with a board roof and a dirt floor, was sealed to Margaret Guerney in the Endowment house in 1855, took part in the Utah War, went to Camp Floyd and then onto Cache County.  At Camp Floyd the brothers parted ways and George W. answered the call to settle Muddy Valley Arizona (present day Moapa, Nevada).

My Aunt Katherine Gennee Weaver Walker- great granddaughter of Annie Masters

 My great great Grandmother Annie Masters Howe worked in the lace factory at age 14.  She walked 3 miles to and from work.  This Lace dress is an example of perhaps some of the work she did there.

 I loved spending the day with my dad and his sister Katherine.  They are both such treasures to me.  They are holding the picture of Thomas X Smith.  Thanks so much to David Barkdull for locating the original in the Logan DUP. I can't wait to visit it in person!

This is why I came and this is who I found- the great grandchildren of Annie and Thomas X Smith- the two on the left descend from David Smith, my aunt and dad descend from Jennie/marie and the cousin on the right descends from Patience (not pictured David Barkdull descendant of Eugene) .

I would love to find more great grandchildren before they pass.  Perhaps, they can provide more answers  to my questions about Jennie?

It was in Farmington in 1878 that the beginnings of Primary began. 

This mural which hangs in the old rock church in Farmington  depicts the first meeting of the primary on Augusut 25, 1878; 215 children ages 6 to 14 attended.

This is an example of the 16x20 home that Thomas X. Smith and his wife Margaret would have lived in while in Farmington.

Thanks so much to my Smith Family (Quinton Harris, Gary Hansen, Keith Poleman, David Barkdull, Francene Medrano, Sara Jordan, Cherri Wallace, Kim Smith and Brent Smith for making the event possible!  I am so proud of this family- May we continue to celebrate our family heritage through courage, faith, obedience, adventure, love, family, humility, holy, service, and inspiration!  #Noemptychairs!

Wednesday WANDER- ful- Covered Bridges of Ashtubula County, Ohio

August 2, 2017- My 43rd birthday

After visiting the sites of Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Kirtland Ohio, Rigby indulged me on my birthday and let me wander- it was absolutely WANDERFUL!  It was nearing dusk but we were determined to find as many pics along the Ashtubula Covered Bridge Trail as possible.  I am so glad we did.  One of my favorite things to do is to wander....

 This was the first covered bridge we visited.  although it has been relocated from its original location, it was still a worth the stop "Grahmn Rd. Covered Bridge.  It originally spanned the west branch of the Ashtabula River in Pierpont Township, Ashtubula County, Ohio.  It opened in 1913 and is best known for the lattice on the trusses. Its length is 97'

I pretty much fell in love with this one... gorgeous and a beautiful setting to match.  It is only one of 16 drivable bridges in Ashtubula County.  It is noted for its town truss design.  Laminated arches were added during its renovation in 1985.  The bridge was built in the 1890's- builder unknown.

 The State Road Covered Bridge built in 1983 while I prefer covered bridges not made in the same century I was born,  I fell in love with this one too.  This covered bridge spans Conneaut Creek in Monroe Township,Ashtabula County, Ohio. Its total length is 157'. Check out the lattice trusses!

 Century Bridge, built in 1868, this bridge is both quaint and rustic and the setting is unmatched- This may be my favorite bridge visited? Can we not let time slow down and return to simpler things when life was ruled by the clickety clack of a horse and buggy and roads were shadowed by trees and connected by covered bridges.  

 I will continue to wander and be delighted by all that is old, historical, and beautiful.  I will pause with the wildflowers and the tiny tots.  I will gather rocks and pine cones, and I will remember

Tombstone Tuesday- Alvin Smith

Rigby and I had planned to spend our 22nd anniversary in Mazatlan relaxing on the beach.  We had found a super deal on an amazing resort, but waited to get our airline tickets until much later.  The closer we came to our anniversary, we felt as if we needed to spend our time together some where else.  We chose the historic sites of the Restoration!  I am so glad we did.

Hard to believe it, but we only stopped at one cemetery on our birthday/anniversary trip.  I had learned about Alvin Smith since I was a little girl and visiting his grave was a "grateful moment" and somewhat surreal.   Alvin was the prophet Joseph Smith's older brother whom Joseph simply adored.  His grave is found at the graveyard a top a hill in Palmyra.  It is both pretty and serene.  

                                  This is what it says

                         This shows how the grave originally looked

                                             A look at the sacred ground.

In the 137th section of the Doctrine and Covenants, Joseph received a vision in which he saw his brother Alvin in the Celestial kingdom.  This section reveals the Doctrine of the dead.

Dance Party or Cry Fest?

Yesterday, I wasn't sure whether to have a dance party or a cry fest as I sent these four out the door. To be honest, I did a bit of both.   The Dog Days of  summer simply never seems long enough!   Not enough sunshine or popsicles or memories made on the back porch while the the crickets chirp. Autumn air is at the doorstep.

  It was Stockton's "last first day of school yesterday."  The kid has come to know adversity in a way few do at his age.  I am so grateful that he continues to persevere.  To think I couldn't let him watch Scooby Doo after lunch as a young kid or he would have bad dreams and end  up snuggled very close to me in my bed. #senioryear

 Madsen- that smile, those eyes- he has melted my heart since he was old enough to use them both.  He has an uncanny ability to sense emotions in others- me included. #sophomoreyear

Super sass and pretty dang sweet Emma has poise and grace uncommon in most her age.  Last night she sent me to bed (bad cold coming on ) and cleaned up after all "the boys."  Our early  summer morning runs with the Cross Country team I will forever treasure (of course I watched her from behind) #7thgrader

Whoa, could you just slow down two minutes and hug your mama? Not enough hours to play in the day for this kid.  Love him to death!  As our baby, he is pretty "babied".  He is not "big on work" of any sort unless ice cream or a yummy drink is involved.  He is intrigued by maps, and the solar system, and "wonders about things." #3rdgrader

                 2017 Summer recap
June-
Weaver family reunion to Bear Lake- cousins by the dozens
Night Games
Utah summer Games Basketball- Emma's team took gold
Madsen played a lot of baseball and basketball
Maleck finished his first season of Little League
All Star season for Madsen and Travis
Stockton in training for football
Girl's Camp
new boat- hurrah!
July
Youth conference in SLC - Mom, Madsen, and Stockton
Solomon's farewell
Emma starts Cross Country- mom puts on her coaching hat
Lots of boating
Stake Encampment- Travis runs the show
USF- Treasure Island- Stockton, mom, and Emma
Madsen- leadership camp at DSU
Emma Babysits A LOT!
Stockton Football
Happy 22 years to mom and dad- trip to New York- Palmyra, Niagra, and Kirtland, Ohio
August
dentist appointments, doctor appointments, hair cuts, school schopping, movies, ice cream
Games on the back deck- Uno, clue,

Where do the days go...  Today the house is quiet.  I can hear the birds chirp and it sounds like a frog has found its home in our back yard.  I like these quiet moments- I know that they will never last long- high schoolers will soon be home for lunch!