James Benson Dodson (J.B.), my Daddy.

 Today is the 104th Anniversary of your birth.  It seems unreal that if you were here you could actually be that age. It also seems unreal that you have been gone over 33 years. I remember the day you left and the strength you had to withstand the pain. I was not with you that day, miles separated us, but I remember that day as if it were yesterday.

You were my hero, my champion. You fought battles for me, small ones, but battles non the less.If I ask, you found a way to make it happen, even if it was unreasonable, you took care of me    

I wish you were here, you and Mother, so could tell you how much I love you and how much it meant to me to have you in my corner

Happy Birthday Daddy, I love you!

JBS and Lavinia Elizabeth Dodson

 

James Berian Shields Dodson was born in Henry County, Georgia , October 20, 1851 to William H. and Virginia Elizabeth Brown Dodson. He was the

Thirteenth of fourteen children born to William and Elizabeth. 

Lavinia Elizabeth Yancey daughter of Sanford Drury Yancey and Nancy Evoline Griffin born in Campbell, Georgia on April 22, 1854. She was third born of eight children.  

Viney and JBS married  January 4, 1874 in Fulton County, Georgia at the home of Rev. Hamilton Dodson, a cousin.   According to Margaret Elsie Dodson Odum, their granddaughter, they moved into the community of Flat Rock across from William and Elizabeth. Their first child Warren Lawrence was born there October 4, 1874, my grandfather..

In 1889, Viney, JBS and 7 children loaded a wagon and moved to Clay County, Alabama to be near her parents, both were in ill health.

While living in Clay County three more children were born, James Gideon, Bertha Leola  and Orbert Lee. 

  

Nancy Eveline died May 18, 1893. She was buried at Pleasant Grove Church in Clay County, Alabama  After her death, Drury Sanford’s health also failing and in 1899, he ask to return to Georgia to die and be buried. 

The doctor did not think he could survive the trip, but the family put him in a box car on the train and traveled to Lindale, Floyd County,Georgia. On  September 17, 1899, Drury Sanford Yancey died. I have not found where he is buried 

In the 1900 Census, the remaining family living at home were still in Lindale. Family history passed on by Margaret Elsie Dodson, those old enough went to work in the mill there. 

In 1902, a directory for Atlanta has JBS and Lavinia living at 155 Bedford. He is employed along with Stephen and William as weavers. Warren is listed as a carpenter living at 90 Wells St. with Ida his first wife. Another edition, date unknown, Warrren is not listed. JBS and Lavinia are listed at 56 Wyman St with Fronia, John and Stephen all working at Fulton Bag and Cotton Mill. 

According to family history by Margaret Elsie, they lived in several places including Forsyth County, Marietta and in 1916 Lee’s Mill near Indian Creek. In the 1920 Census JBS and Lavinia are listed a farmers in Dekalb County. Family history by Elsie Dodson, they purchased a farm in Panola Shoals on South River They raised chickens for market and sold vegetables, eggs, butter and milk. They lived there until JBS’s sister needed someone to live with her. 

According to family history they moved back to Flat Rock. JBS’s daughter Mary married Willie Vaughn and they moved JBS and Lavina along with his sister Mary to their home in Scottsdale. 1930 Census show them in Dekalb County with Bertha Leola. 

Mary E. Dodson died April 1934, JBS Died July 17, 1936 and Lavinia January 26, 1938. They are buried at Flat Rock. Mary E. Dodson is buried at Elam in Forest Park, Ga.  

 

 https://www.facebook.com/1583321452/posts/10217841464099955/

https://www.facebook.com/100000819432335/posts/3870747582962518/

Sanford Drury Yancey/Nancy Eveline Griffin Yancey

 Sanford Drury Yancey (Yancy) (1822-1899)was born in Virginia according to different family history.. He married Nancy Eveline Griffin the 15th of October 1848 in Dekalb County, Georgia  

In 1849 their first child was born in Clayton County, Georgia. Rissellen Yancey (1849-1914). In 1850 records show them in Panthersville, Dekalb County, Georgia.  This could be changing of county lines. 

In 1852 records show them living in Campbell, Georgia. 

From Wikipedia...

The northwestern half of Campbell (and a bit more of Carroll) became Douglas County in 1870, divided on October 17 at the Chattahoochee River. The remainder of Campbell County was ceded to Fulton County at the end of 1931, along with Milton County, after Campbell County went bankrupt. The legislation creating the merger was enacted on August 9, 1929, with Milton being added to the process in 1931.

1852 Mary Frances Yancey was born

1854 Lavinia Elizabeth,Yancey,  our Great Grandmother

1857 Hezekiah Ransom Yancy was born

1858 Susan Amy Yancey was born

In 1861 Sanford Drury Yancey joined the Confederate States of America Army.  Records indicated he was on the rolls in 1863

In 1861 Sophoronia Margaret Yancy was born

In 1863 Martha C Yancey.was born and died. No dates so we do not know if she was still born or died In infancy 

In 1864 Sanford S.W. Yancey was born and died  No dates.

According to the paper Margaret Elsie Dodson  (our Aunt Elsie, and she is probably to some of you Grandmother),wrote, when Lavinia was about 10, 1863/64, they lived near Mt Gilliead in Ben Hill.  A flank of Sherman’s Army was camped near by.  Sanford SW or Martha C. the baby had died They were afraid to go out in the day to bury the baby, so they waited until dark and slipped out to bury the baby  

She writes that the Union soldiers took all their food and killed all the farm animals. They were then sent behind the lines with the prisoners where hopefully they would have food

Hezekiah Ransom Yancey went out into the woods and fields picking up mini balls to sell to use to buy meal to make bread  They nearly starved. 

In 1863 Grandfather James Berean Shields Dodson’s brother Elijah Dodson was killed by a Union soldier in the cemetery at Flat Rock   He was 19 years old and home on leave  

In 1870 Census shows them living in Fayette County

In 1876 Sophoronia Margaret Yancey died  

In August 4, 1880, we find Sanford Drury Yancey living with Lavina Elizabeth Dadson and her husband James Berean Shields Dodson in Campbell Georgia   Nancy Eveline Griffin Yancey was living with Charles Yancey and Rissellen on the 5th day of June, 1880.  I do not know as yet who Charles Yancey belongs to  He is 23 and listed as family. Rissellen Yancey is 30.  She is not listed as his wife, but as the daughter of Nancy E. Yancey. 

In 1889; JBS and Lavina Dodson moved their family to Clay County, Alabama

Sanford Drury Yancey and Nancy Eveline Griffin Yancey were living there and both were in poor health.

In 1892 in Clay County, Alabama, Sanford.Drury files for a pension as veteran of The Civil War. He filed for and was approved several years  

On May 18, 1893, Nancy Eveline Griffin Yancey died. and is buried at Pleasant Grove Church Cemetery. 

Between 1890 and 1895, three more children were born in Clay County to Lavina and JBS Dodson 

James Gideon Dodson November 6, 1890

Bertha Leola Dodson September 18, 1892

Orbert Lee Dodson June 16, 1895

After Nancy Eveline died, Sanford Drury wanted to return to Georgia to die and be buried  He was in such poor health, the doctor did not think he would survive the trip. The family received permission to travel in a box car, they dosed him with wine and covered him with blankets.  They traveled to Lindale Georgia. Sanford Drury Yancey died 2 weeks later, September 17, 1899.  Where he is buried is unclear.  

From Wikipedia...

Lindale, Georgia
Census-designated place
Location in Floyd County and the state of Georgia
Coordinates: 34°11′37″N 85°10′25″WCoordinates: 34°11′37″N 85°10′25″W
Country	United States
State	Georgia
County	Floyd
Area
• Total	5.5 sq mi (14.3 km2)
• Land	5.4 sq mi (14.0 km2)
• Water	0.1 sq mi (0.3 km2)
Elevation	666 ft (203 m)
Population  (2010)
• Total	4,191
• Density	775/sq mi (299.2/km2)
Time zone	UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code	30147
Area code(s)	706/762
FIPS code	13-46580[1]
GNIS feature ID	0332220[2]

Lindale is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Floyd County, Georgia, United States. It is part of the Rome, Georgia Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 4,191 at the 2010 census.^[3]

History

A post office called Lindale has been in operation since 1883.^[4] The name Lindale might have been selected from a novel a resident had read.^[5]

Throughout the 20th century, the community formed around the Lindale Textile Mill located in the center of the community. Since the early part of the 21st century, the building is abandoned. The Mill was owned by the West Point-Pepperell for the majority of its existence, leading to the Lindale community to be commonly referred to as "Pepperell". The local schools, which are part of the Floyd County School System, are named after the mill and use the West Point-Pepperell (currently WestPoint Home) Griffin as the mascot, under the name "Pepperell Dragons". 

The children of JBS and Lavina, Dodson who were old enough, went to work in the mill.

Christmas Endures

Our table has been full for most of my life. Family always a big part of our celebrations. Food plentiful along with laughter.

As the years have gone by the numbers have grown and then began to dwindle.

The grandchildren  are making their on family moving away to start their own traditions.Our children have made their own lives connected with their children and in-laws.

This year COVID-19 took it’s toll and for safety reasons, we are fewer. 

Christmas will come and we will celebrate with fewer around the table. But what counts is the love that is still felt and the Birth of a Risen Savior

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

The Town and Train

 There is another surface below the glass top.  Andrew built a town complete with two polar bears holding their pans out to collect for St Judes, Mary and Baby Jesus to bless those who give. His story not mine.  

The train, we were not going to put out because it was too big for the tree.  He kept asking and insisting until God opened my eyes to the possibility. Andrew went to work, all happy now. Well almost, it’s whistle blows and I have to limit play time.  

🚂🚂🚂🚂🚂🚂🚂🚂🚂

November 22, 2017

 Day 23..6 am. This was supposed to be 5-7 days. I wonder God's plan and wait for an answer.  There is no light at the end of the tunnel yet.  

His vitals are considered good, even though occasionally his BP drops or his heart races at 120 and his blood sugar over 200.   But, they just give him insulin or whatever Med he needs to control the problem. 

He is improving physically. He still mixes words up or just goes off to his own world.  We almost lost him on November 2 and  I don't know if there is damage from that. I am past believing it's all drug induced. They use terms like hospital psychosis or Sundowners.  I just want my husband back in a healthy state top to bottom.

 November 17, 2017

Our Journey

Day 17  I am sitting here listening to Wade snore. Something 16 days ago , I did not know if I would ever hear that rattling sound again. Sweet music to my ears now. 

He is improving physically. Where he had 4 chest tubes, he now has one.  The most troubling tube and the most important the NG, which he has now pulled out twice creating panic across the board.  

He still wanders off into the fog of his mind and that is worrisome.  Sometime his BP tanks or his oxygen level.  Either gets action or careful watch adjusting meds accordingly. 

He has come a long way and still a long way to go. This is our journey together.

Friends and Confidants

 The older you get,the tighter the circle gets each year

If you can, hang on to the old and welcome the new

      Thank you for being a friend, confidant ,a listening ear

Those we can share our innermost feelings are few.

When I lost Wade, I lost my best friend, my lover, my confidant, and my conspirator.  He is hard to replace, no impossible to replace.  I was left with my thoughts,worries and no one to share them with. That is not only scary, but lonely.  

 There are a couple of friends that I trust, when things go wrong.  Friends that I can talk to, share my feelings.  They encourage me and console me.They are not my companion and I still have only my thoughts. I am still lonely.  

 

Almost Thanksgiving

Here we are in the season of giving thanks.The calendar page has rolled over and we begin planning for that big dinner we have on the fourth Thursday every November. The President has proclaimed that day will be a day of National Thanksgiving and so we are.What are we thankful for, turkey, dressing and all the fixings. Yes, but what else?

We live in a world of fear.  This year we have COVID.  Thousands and thousands  of families touched by this terror. A terror that took lives, closed businesses, took jobs, many confined to their homes. and children locked out of school. 

Our children are not safe from predators. They are snatched almost in front of our eyes and used in the most perverse ways imaginable. Taken by people so evil it is hard to believe they have souls.

We and our children are not safe from mad men who in their confused minds perceive us as enemies and plot to shoot us downs and sadly succeed all of too frequently.

What do we have to be thankful for?
This year even after delays because of COVID and political wrangling, we were able to cast our ballot in a free from tyranny society.

Businesses are slowly reopening, sadly some closed forever, jobs are opening and our schools 

Jesus our Lord and Savior, who hears prayers and answers. 
Freedom to worship.

Freedom to love
Freedom to tell the story of God’s Love for us
Family and friends
We have food on our table, clothes on our back, a roof over our head

And a home that is warm in winter.
We have a lot to be thankful for, more than we know
Say a prayer for those who had their joy taken by evil
Say a prayer for those whose joy has been tempered by illness
Or lost someone from one of the many diseases we need a cure for.
Say a prayer for all those missing someone
Say a prayer for all those who serve to protect us.
God Bless America!
God please save America!

Believe it or Not

Joe Biden is the projected President Elect of The United States of America.  The biggest problem he faces  is the word United.  The country is anything but United. It has not been for years and it did not start with Donald Trump. The two major political parties are the major contributors  

Truthfully, I expected four more years of the turmoil that we as a country have experienced since the kick off of the 2016 Election   I cannot say that I am not glad to see Donald Trump gone from office  I cannot say that I have an over abundance of confidence in Joe Biden.  

We need better choices  We need term limits on Congress.  We need a better voting system with equal guidelines across the country.  We need a lot of reform  We will see   

I wish Joe Biden well, he was the only choice I could live with.  I pray that he and those surrounding him will serve and have the best interest of this country at heart.

Choose well President Elect Biden. 

Aunt Willene

My childhood playmates were my cousins. One set in Atlanta, the other in a small farming community, Rainsville, Alabama, in North East Alabama. I grew up in Atlanta and when we went to Papa’s we were going to the mountain, Sand Mountain.

Mama and Papa Newman lived in a two story typical farm house with a front and back porch, both suited for sitting  The front porch had a double rocker and a single  Depending on the number visiting maybe an  odd chair or two  The back porch ran almost if not the length of the house  This is where you snapped beans, shucked corn or shelled peas  At sometime or another there was a wringer washing machine, a #2 washtub that the kids washed the grime off their body  it was usually brought inside for that or not  At the very end of the back porch was the well, yes there was a bucket, rope, dipper and yes I I did drink from it  

Mama Newman died in 1957 and Papa lived there alone for a while. I’m not sure of the reason, but after that I would go for a week or two in the Summer.  I cannot remember any extended stay before Mama Newman died  We would go before Christmas, maybe Thanksgiving, and draw names for Christmas  I only remember that happening one time, but I was young.  I have pictures of us all gathering in the warmer days, but I was very young and have no memory of them. 

Aunt Willene, Uncle Clarence and the girls, Myra Nell, Barbara Ann “Bob”, Carol, and Marcia, lived in a house that adjoined Papa’s land.  It was a two minute walk on a dirt path/driveway to their house with a large garden in between houses. Aunt Willene always met you with a warm smile and always made you feel welcome, whether she did or not you would never know.  She always seemed glad to see you come and sorry to see you go.

Uncle Clarence eventually bought Papa’s house and they moved in with him   My teen years, I most remember.  Aunt Willene still welcomed us all with open arms even with the extra work it brought.

My best memory of her is standing in the kitchen wiping her hands on her apron and smiling when you came through the door   She loved to tease with the kids  She had a hard life, but gave joy where she could. She was short in statue, but it never stopped, nor even I don’t believe slowed her down  

Alzheimer’s slowly took her away from us. The last time I saw her, she still had that sweet smile  I like to think she knew she was surrounded by love.  

Callie Myrtle Crafton Dodson

I was studying the stats on a grandmother that I never met.  She was born in 1889 in a rural farming community in South Georgia.  

Her father died sometime before April 1910, leaving 5 daughters, all under 20 and a wife. They could read and write, but never attended school. The 1910 Census says they were farm workers and hired out.  They worked in other folks fields  

The story goes that she and my grandfather corresponded and met up in Atlanta. They ate a meal, then got married, October 15, 1910. They were living in Atlanta until at least 1911.  He was a newspaper vendor, meaning he sold them on the street.

The next record I have is a Draft Registration in 1917 and they were back in South Georgia. In the 1920 Census they were living in South Georgia with my uncle, age 16 from his first marriage and two more children  Two more children were born, the last in 1923.  

My grandmother died May 16, 1925. The saddest thing it was noted, that after a hard days work, she collapsed and died 6 hours later. She was 35.   The Death Certificate also said buried by friends. 

Genealogy

 I have delved back into the search for my roots, not my hair, to where and who I came from. It goes from dull boring things I already knew to interesting, to who’s going to believe this.  

I could be my own grandma, not really, but picking were slim in some places and time. For instance, my great grandfather’s daughter married.  She had among others, a son who in turn married my grandmother’s oldest sister    

I am my husband’s 7th cousin on my father’s side.  My daughter in law’s mother’s 7th cousin one removed, whatever that means, and that is on my mother’s side. We actually thought it a good possibility we would be related through my husband’s family, but no go   

One researcher thinks my husband descended from some Native Americans from Jamestown and had unpronounceable names.  I looked at the research and with nothing but European showing up in my and Wade’s DNA, it’s washed out.  

More later, if I find anything else   

11 going on 40

 

Happy

 

The Future?

We are in the midst of a pandemic. A word I had heard, but I had not really considered as a threat to our modern country.  But it’s definition is whole country or whole world.  It appears that we are in the  midst of a pandemic.  COVID-19. First introduced as Corona Virus. Beer sale plummeted and a new name COVID-19. Our world has changed. 

The government First ordered or recommended washing hands, wearing mask and social distancing 6’ apart.  Then they closed all retail stores except those considered essential. Some were understandable, some hard to see. That of course brought massive job loss. Furloughed is the word used, somehow not as harsh as we’re closed, no idea when or if we’ll ever open again. File for your Unemployment.

Month nine, stores have closed forever, some stores on the brink.Schools are iffy at best. Some are e-learning and others face to face. 

Debates on all fronts, is this real, is it as bad as advertised, do mask work? Debate on whether our rights are being trampled on by government demanding we wear a mask in public. Are we a good neighbor or as others suggest being duped?  

I think we are being duped by a lot of things, I’m not sure this is one.  Do we risk our well being and stand up. I think there’s other more pressing things that we need to take a very close look at. 

Character

Do I have what it takes 

Do I have the fortitude 

Start over, pull up stakes

To live alone in solitude?

Do I have what it takes

Do I have the where with all

To own up to all my mistakes

The consequences to haul

Have I really got it together

to say that I’ve had enough

Here through all the weather

Thick or thin times were tough

I’m now ready to call it my goose

I’m now ready to call it my day

I should have turned you loose

You no longer need me to pay.  

🍀

Mama and Papa Newman

 

Grandmother died suddenly when I was 11. I remember the day.  Daddy came to school to get me and my cousins and I knew immediately there was something wrong. This was my first experience with death and sorrow. 

Mama and Papa Newman lived in a rural mountain farming community, Rainsville, Alabama is still pretty much that way today.

Mama and Papa  were farming people in 1957. Grandmother ((Mama Newman) lay in state in a casket in the living room of their home.  Some of the family sat up with her at night. I remember watching her as she lay there and thought I could almost see her move. It was not a scary time, but a sad interesting time.

I looked in the mirror after someone commented I looked like her.  Maybe, but I think I look more like my Dad. I would love to have her hair, it was coal black and she wore it pulled back in a bun. I remember watching her brush it out.  I don’t remember much about her. She was kind and quiet.

I remember going to the barn to watch her milk the cow. The cow switched it’s tail and hit me in the eye. I was so upset when I told what happened, I got my word jumbled which made the story more amusing to the adults.  I truly wish I had more time with her and more memories.  

 Papa Newman was a jolly man. Tall and alway neatly dressed. He loved attention and expected it when his grandchildren came through the door.  

Their life was not easy, Papa was a farmer. Corn and cotton fields and always a garden for fresh vegetables.  10 children to work in the fields, tend the babies and help with the different chores. My Mother was not impressed with the “Good Ole Days”. She did not think them so good.  They would hoe the corn, picked it, shucked it, cut it off the cobb and can it.  They chopped cotton, picked it dragging big cloth sacks, hands bleeding from the bolls unless you had gloves. It then was dumped into a wagon and hauled to the mill to be ginned.  Papa raised hogs and had cows and chicken.  

There was always something to do.  

Papa never owned a car, he had 2 horses and a wagon.   

Mother’s Day

Since 1957, we have traveled to Rainsville on Sand Mountain every Mother’s Day
First to Papa Newman’s where we gathered and caravanned to the cemetery, where Mama Newman had been laid to rest in March. We would then returned to the house for dinner on the ground.  All my Aunts would cook a dish and the food was something to look forward to.
We changed from gathering at the house and gathered at the cemetery, returning to the house.
The house eventually would become Uncle Clarence’s., Papa still lived there with them.
We grew as my cousins began their own families.  Then we lost an Aunt and Papa the same year
After several years, Aunt Louise took over and we began to have dinner at her home in Henagar.
I’ve missed a few but not many.  Most in the last few years.

This year is different. We are all getting older and we have lost some cousins.  Aunt Louise and Uncle Loyd are the last.I sincerely hope we can gather later this year. It seems urgent to me not to miss this one.

This year 2020 we have been hit by a pandemic, COVID-19, which puts most of us at risk. We cannot gather and I fear that 2021 will not be the same.