My Favorite Photo(s)

 2023 01 06  Week 2  My Favorite Photo

So this week, I think I will talk about favorite photos that show 3 generations with similarities.  My dad, Donald Mohney, myself, and my son.  

Here's the three photos: 

Donald Edward Mohney  about 1938-9

Donna Evalyn Mohney  about 1963-4

Shaun Michael Mohney ca 1984-5

Do you see that curl right in the middle of our foreheads?  All of us had this beautiful curly hair (dad's was red, mine was very light blonde, and Shaun's a light brown.  And as soon as we had a hair cut?  The curls were gone!   Dad stayed a red head (more strawberry than deep red), mine was a light brown, and Shaun's got very dark brown. (When he let it grow- he usually had it shaved bald!)

Who would you like to Meet?

 

2023 01 06  52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks   Week 1  

Who would you like to Meet?

 

One of my most distant ancestors is James MacWithey, who is reported to have been in the "War of Restoration."  This war was fought because the Highland Scots who were in favor of restoring the throne to King Charles' heir, his son, Charles II, whom they felt to be the rightful king of England and Scotland. King Charles had been murdered in 1649 by English Puritans. The English forces of Cromwell did not want this.  The Scots, fighting with the Clan Donald forces under Montrose and General David Leslie,  suffered two terrible defeats at the hands of Cromwell’s forces. The first was at the Battle of Dunbar which took place on September 3, 1650 outside the Scottish town of that name.           

"Although the English forces numbered about 11,000 and the Scottish forces numbered over twice than many, the English won a surprising victory. Three thousand Scots were killed in the battle and many were captured. They were forced to march, wounded, weak, and hungry, down into England where they were thrown into prison and eventually dispersed to Ireland, Barbados, Virginia and Massachusetts and sold as indentured servants. A group of approximately 150 of the Dunbar prisoners were loaded on the ship Unity two months later, on November 11, 1650, and sent to Massachusetts, arriving there in early 1651. A list of the prisoners on the Unity has not survived." (Margaret Quivey DeMarco)

The second major crushing defeat for the Scots occurred deep within English territory at the city of Worcester a year after the Battle of Dunbar, on September 3, 1651. Many Scots were killed and prisoners were captured.  It was the "Battle of Worcester." 

Most MacWithey researchers believe one of the two following hypothesis: 

First:  He may be the "Rory Machy" who was brought to Boston as a Scottish prisoner, captured by Cromwell in the Battle of Worcester. The ship was the "John and Sarah"  of London, John Greene, Master, sailed from Gravesend on December 8, 1651, and arrived in Boston on May 13, 1652. The name James MacRory does not appear on the John and Sarah list, but there was a Rory Machy on the list as well as an Alester Mackrore. 

This John McRory served eight years as an indentured servant, as ordered by Parliament on October 20, 1651, possibly at the Saugus Iron Works (Robert Rich, Master).  The MacRory's were (according to various modern sources) supposedly a sept of Clan MacDonald of the Isles, located in Inverness and the Outer Hebrides. Also possibly of the Clan MacCuithean.  

Adding some weight to this hypothesis is that some of the names mentioned in the earliest Dedham "court" records are also names of Scots that are on the ships manifest of the "John and Sarah."   The names of John MacIntosh and Daniel Makiah, James MacNab, Neil Makiah, William MacCain, James Grant, along with that of "Jeam Macarory" ( p. James MacWithey?) appear in those records.  In fact, James' son, John m. Johanna MacIntosh. 

A second hypothesis is that our James MacWithey is this man: 

James M’Rorie/Mackerory/Mackerwithey/M'Withee arrived in New England as a Scottish prisoner of war on a ship named Unity. The Unity sailed in November 1650 from Gravesend, England and arrived at Charlestown, Massachusetts early in 1651. It held a cargo of around 150 Scots deported as prisoners of war after the Battle of Dunbar. (MacWithey on Wikitree)  A James M'Rorie (M'Withee) was #71 on George S. Stewart's Captured at Dunbar List.  (Battle of Dunbar:  The second major crushing defeat for the Scots occurred deep within English territory at the city of Worcester a year after the Battle of Dunbar, on September 3, 1651. Many Scots were killed and prisoners were captured. Some of the men in this shipment were sent to the Saugus Iron Works, some were consigned to Thomas Kemble, a lumber merchant in New Hampshire, and others were indentured in and around the Boston area and outlying towns.)

More than likely, our James served his indenture in Boston or in one of the surrounding towns.    The Reverend John Cotten, a minister in Boston, referred to these men in a letter to the Lord General Cromwell on August 28, 1651, "The Scots, whom God delivered unto your hands at Dunbar, and whereof sundry were sent hither, we have been desirous (as we could) to make their yoke easy. Such as were sick of the scurvy or other diseases have not wanted physick and surgery. They have not been sold for slaves to perpetual servitude, but for 6 or 7 or 8 years, as we do our own. We treat these prisoners as we do our servants. They are indentured for a term of six to eight years, furnished a house (four to a house), and some land. They work three days per week for their benefactor and the rest for themselves. When they have repaid the cost of their passage, they are free."  We can only hope that this is the type of treatment which James received.  I also hope that James was in fact a single man, as the thought of a famly left in Scotland, and the inability of James to be able to connect with them again is heartbreaking. 

So why, if James arrived in 1751 or 1752, don't we see his name in early records?  

Well, he would not have attended church or been allowed to marry or hold land until the end of his indenture. In the book, A New England Town - The First 100 Years, Kenneth A. Lockridge mentions a group of Scots who came to Dedham, "Thus a group of 6-8 Scotsmen settled in the 1660's without subscribing to the covenant. They were not warned out; They paid taxes, worked and even married in the community just as any townsmen, but they were, by implication, second class citizens." (P.81)  Perhaps they were considered second class because of having been indentured servants. 

And why is he so often referred to as James McRory McWithee?  The dual surnames of James  caused considerable problems in the research. A researcher wrote to the Scottish Genealogical Society and the Scots Ancestry Research Society in regard to the surnames, but was referred to the Scottish Tartan Society.  Dr. Micheil MacDonald's (an expert in Gaelic and clan histories) immediate reply stated that James had used both his Patronymic surname and his Clan surname. This was common practice among the Highlanders in Scotland.   

His Patronymic name in Gaelic was MacRuaidhri which is approximately MacRory in English, and his Clan surname was MacCuithien or MacCuidhean, which is equivalent to MacQuithy or MacWithy in English. The MacCuitheans lived near Storr on the Island of Skye. “Ruariadh Duadh Maccuithean was story teller to Lord MacDonald” about 1500, for which he had free lands for his services. “Campbell obtained one of his West Highland tales from Donald MacCuidhean.” In Kilmuir Parish,  MacQueen’s Township, there is a place called Baile Mhic Cuithein.

James MacRory appeared on the Dedham, Norfolk County, Massachusetts tax list dated February 11,  1661

He also appears in Dedham, Massachusetts records on March 11, 1662/3: "At a meeting of selectmen of Dedham on March 11 1662/3 "James makurwitha moue for a parcell of Land beyond John Makintoches to the Value of 2 acres and 1/2 due to Rich Everit for purchase Land intendinge to build a hovse vpon it."

That same year, James was charged 2 shillings by the town as he was one of several inhabitants of Dedham who were "deffective in there highway work."  (Exact Date not given)

The next record of James is in 1662 when he married Mary Everitt: Joshua Fisher, "Clerke of ye Writts".   "James Makarory & Mary Eueritt was married 9 month, 62." Dedham Vital Records."   In 1662, the 9th month was November. (The RECORD OF BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS, AND INTENTIONS OF MARRIAGE, IN THE TOWN OF DEDHAM.  VOLUMES 1 & 2, 1635-1845, p. 8.  "James Makarory & Mary Euritt was married 9 month, 62.)

That he married Mary Everitt is again shown in the land records of Dedham.  She was born on September 28, 1638, and was 24 years old at the time of her marriage.  Her father, RIchard Everett, was one of the founders of Dedham.  Her mother was Mary Winch. 

At a meeting of selectmen of Dedham on March 11 1662/3 "James makurwitha moue for a parcell of Land beyond John Makintoches to the Value of 2 acres and 1/2 due to Rich Everit for purchase Land intendinge to build a hovse vpon it "(ibid 4:61) 

Mary MacRory was received into the Dedham church on the first day of the eighth month, 1665. Their infant daughter, Mary was baptized 15 days later. (Apparently James MacRory was not a member of the church for he was referred to as "Mackrory" --not "Brother Mackrory" in the records. Church members were referred to as "Brother" and "Sister." The same pattern can be seen in other families. The English wives became church members and had their children baptized, while the Scottish husbands usually did not -- at least in the beginning. It must be remembered that the Scots were either Presbyterians or Catholics.) 

At another meeting on 26 dec. 1665 "James Mackrorey coming and desireing the grant of 5 acres of vpland vpon the gift of his Father in lawe Richard Euered (Everett). being a right of land by him purchased of Danll Mackiah. who purchased the same of Thomas Jordan.. this his request is granted and Lieft: Fisher Robt Fuller and John Farington are deputed and empowered to laye it Out to the said James somewhere neere his house according to thier best discretion. 

His wife, Mary (Everett) Mackerwithey died on 13 June 1670, most like from complications o childbirth, as their daughter Margaret was born 10 days before and only survived another seven days after her mother’s death.

James Mackerwithey then married Patience Cubby on February 20,1670/1.  (There is an uncertainty regarding this marriage. There is not a death record for Patience Mackerwithey, nor any marriage record for a third marriage with Experience______, but all subsequent birth records listed Experience Mackerwithey as the mother. It is believed by many researches that James only married twice- first to Mary Everitt and second to Patience or Experience Cubby. 

At another meeting on 26 dec. 1665 "James Mackrorey coming and desireing the grant of 5 acres of vpland vpon the gift of his Father in lawe Richard Euered (Everett). being a right of land by him purchased of Danll Mackiah. who purchased the same of Thomas Jordan.. this his request is granted and Lieft: Fisher Robt Fuller and John Farington are deputed and empowered to laye it Out to the said James some where neere his house according to thier best discretion (ibid 4:107-108). 

At a town meeting held on 1 Jan 1678/9, John Bacon Sr. and Thomas Metcalf were chosen a committee "to vew a porsel of land for John Pigge and for Jams Macarory: and to make returne to the propriators: of this town the 10th day of march next; and on 10 mar 1678/9 the town "Granted to Jams Macarory to the quantity of 2 or 3 Acres of lande to be set out by John Bacon and Ser Tho Metcolf neere ajoyning to his lot (ibid 5:76, 80)

In 1680, his father-in-law, Richard Everett, divided his life estate and left seven acres to James Mackerwithey, with the remainder being left to Mary’s children. (Dedham wills)

After 1700, James doesn't appear in the records but his son James, Jr. does.  This indicates that James Sr. died between 1700 and 1709.  

I would love to sit down and talk with him about his home in Scotland, his family, etc.  I would also ask about his military service there and about the travel over to America.  He would be able to tell me about his family and children, about their life here in America.  So much history he could tell me!  I especially would like to find out anything about Patience and if James left a family back in Scotland when he was captured. 

Donna E. Mohney

January 6, 2023 

2022 Week 39 Road Trip Westward Ho! in an Old Plymouth

Sometimes it is nice to let other people tell the story.  And this is one of them.  (Sometime, I will tell the story of my road trip with my aunt Ladeen.  But this time, I'll let her tell about a trip with her  Grandmother Martha Alice Benton Godley and her Aunt Velma Leavelle Wallace!

Westward Ho!   (1950)

Ladeen, Nettie Ida, and Lavonne

Evelyn and Velma, Buddy, Aubrey, Alton and Travis

Grandmother Leavelle, Lavonne, and I were going back to California by bus, after spending the summer in Pennsylvania.  Aunt Velma got to calculation what three bus tickets would cost. With our bus money and some of hers, she bought a '38 Pontiac in 1950. (Ladeen's note: Wasn't she spunky?!)  

1939 Plymouth 2 Door

I was 15 and Lavonne 13. I grew up on a tractor and knew how to shift and drive. Daddy would let me take the tractor to the store when I was so small, I'd have to jump off the seat to engage the clutch and the brakes. I had also driven my boyfriend's hot rod quite a bit, but I had no license. Aunt Velma was the only legal driver, but off we went across the country. We kept going until we got to relative's homes. (No motels)

We ate out of a picnic basket except at relative's houses. I have a tendency to go to sleep every time I'm in a moving vehicle. I guess I come by it rightly. Aunt Velma fought sleepiness a lot. I talked her into letting me drive. As soon as I got behind the wheel, she'd wake up. Sometimes she spread a quilt on the grass on the side of the road to take a nap and that was very boring to us. Perhaps that's when I nagged her into letting me drive. Lavonne and I wrote down every "Burma Shave" advertisement and collected a leaf from every state. I wish I'd kept them!

When we got to relatives' homes, they gave their spare beds to the adults, and we kids slept on the floor. We made pallets with quilts-no egg crate foam or air mattresses. I woke up sore and stiff one morning-at least I must have complained that I was, and someone said, "Ladeen's a woman now if it bothers her to sleep on the floor." That made it almost worth the pain.

Aunt Velma insisted I not go over 50 MPH and I didn't. She insisted we stop for gasoline every hundred miles. I'm sure by then someone had to go to the bathroom anyway. She even let me drive at night, she told me to wake her up and let her drive through the towns. She'd be sleeping so good, I'd sneak right on through the towns. It seemed a shame to wake her up.

We visited Alabama kin folks, East Texas kin folks, and I think Uncle Aubrey and Aunt Grace lived in Oklahoma then and we may have visited them too. I wish I had kept a diary. The main thing I remember about visiting in Mt. Aire, N.M. at Uncle Alton and Aunt Francis' home, is she made enchiladas, with a fried egg right on top, I loved them.

Aubrey

Aubrey

Aubrey and Grace

Alton

Francis

The only trouble we had with the old car is, we had to get the radiator flushed out once out in the desert. And another day we had a flat. First you hope someone will stop, then you're afraid they might. Sure enough, two drunk sailors came by. Thank the Lord Aunt Velma already had the tire nearly fixed. We got in and took off. (My, wasn't she self-sufficient.) She kept the tire iron out and put it beside her between the driver's seat and the door. After some slick maneuvering on her part, we finally lost the sailors who had followed us!  I'm not sure how long the trip took, but we all enjoyed it.

After a nice visit in California, Aunt Velma sold the car to Uncle Buddy to pay her way back to Pennsylvania. Maurice hot-rodded the car and blew the engine out a short time later.

If any of you remember any details, I don't remember, if there are things that I've forgotten or aren't accurate, please write or email me. 

Mainly I want to keep the memory of my auntie and Grandmother alive. 

(Written by Maryon Ladeen Lindbeck Ring)

So who are these people?  

Grandmother Leavelle is Nettie Ida Godley Leavelle.  Lavonne is Marlita Lavonne Lindbeck Taylor, Ladeen's sister.  Aunt Velma is Mary Velma Leavelle Wallace.   Uncle Aubrey is John Aubrey Leavelle, son of Nettie Ida and Grace is his wife, Grace Beavers Leavelle. Uncle Alton is Wilbur Alton Leavelle, another of Nettie Ida's sons, and Francis Martin is his wife. Uncle Buddy is another son, Elvin  Rufus Leavelle and. Maurice is Travis' son. (Uncle Buddy was my grandmother, Evalyn's twin.)

Evalyn and Elvin (Buddy)

And what is the world were Burma Shave Signs?  Burma-Shave was an American brand of brushless shaving cream, famous for its advertising gimmick of posting humorous rhyming poems on small sequential highway roadside signs. One of them was: Cheer up, face – the war is over! Burma-Shave. Small signs would be posted along the edge of highways, spaced for sequential reading by passing motorists. 

Other examples were: 

Every shaver / Now can snore / Six more minutes / Than before / By using / Burma-Shave; 

Does your husband / Misbehave / Grunt and grumble / Rant and rave / Shoot the brute some / Burma-Shave; 

Past / Schoolhouses / Take it slow / Let the little / Shavers grow / Burma-Shave; 

Slap /The Jay/ With /Iron / Scrap/ Burma-Shave; 

The last signs were in 1963 but the method of using consecutive signs to entice people continues. 

The road trip sounds like fun but a little scary.  We sure couldn't get away with that type of trip now!

Donna Evalyn Mohney

December 8, 2022

2020 Week 27: Solo: How about a "solo" name? Singleton

 Solo:

Let's see- I don't have a Singletary but I do have a Singleton.  My aunt Margaret Ethel Mohney (1/21/1933-9/6/1967) was the youngest daughter of my paternal grandparents, Valentine Edward and Margaret Annetta Book Mohney.  I have no memories of her as she died when I was only 8, but her family has been very important in my life and that of my family.  Aunt Margaret was, like my dad, born in Lowellville, Mahoning County, Ohio.  She grew up, attended school, appears to have loved animals, and I'm sure, helped care for the house and yard. 

Donald, Dorothy, Margaret

Rusty, Maggie

Willis, Margaret, Dorothy

Gladys, Margaret and Donald

Gladys, Grace, Dorothy, and
Margaret

Rusty, Willis and Margaret

The 1940 Census enumerates her family as living on Struthers-Lowellville Road in Poland, Mahoning County, Ohio: (Her brother, James is already married but living with the family at the time.

1940 United States Federal Census

Name: Margaret Mohney    Age: 7   Estimated birth year: abt 1933

Gender: Female    Race: White        Birthplace: Ohio

Marital Status: Single                    Relation to Head of House: Daughter

Home in 1940: Poland, Mahoning, Ohio

Street: Struthers Lowellville Road   Sheet Number: 14B

Attended School or College: Yes

Highest Grade Completed: Elementary school, 1st grade

Household Members: Name Age

Valentine E Mohney 49

Margaret A Mohney 44

Warren S Mohney 22

Gladys M Mohney 29

Wayne V Mohney 18

Eugene M Mohney 16

Grace M Mohney 15

Dorothy A Mohney 12

Willis R Mohney 10

Margaret Mohney 7

Donald Mohney 2

James B Mohney 21

Anna V Mohney 25

The 1950 Census enumeration shows the family has become much smaller with most of the children married or moved from home.  They are back in Pennsylvania living at RD #1, Enon Valley. 

1950 United States Federal Census

Enon Valley  RD1

Residence Date: 1950

Home in 1950: Little Beaver, Lawrence, Pennsylvania, USA

Household Members Age Relationship

Valentine Mohney   59 Head   Worked 48 hours as a Conductor on the Railroad

Margaret Mohney 54 Wife

Margaret E Mohney   17 Daughter   born PA

Donald Mohney   12 Son born Ohio

She graduated from Wampum High School, Wampum, Pennsylvania.   

Graduation Photo

She lived for three years in Youngstown, working at the Stambaugh Thompson Co.'s North Side store and living with a sister, probably Grace.  (She was working there when her father died as Stambaugh's sent flowers to his funeral.

Van and Margaret, with her nephews, Butch and Denny

She met and married Van Buren Singleton on 24 March 1956.  He was born 4 Mar 1930 in Gem, Braxton, West Virginia, son of Raymond and Edith (Wine) Singleton. 

Miss Mohney Plans May Rite

Engagement

Engagement Photo

   Miss Margaret E. Mohney, daughter of Mrs. Margaret A.   Mohney 119 1/2 Madison Avenue and the late V. E. Mohney   will be married to Van Buren Singleton, son of Mrs. Edith   Singleton, Gem, W. Va. and the late Raymond Singleton, at   a  family wedding at Evergreen Presbyterian Church on   May   27 a t 2:30 pm. An open reception will follow in the   church parlor.  Miss Mohney is with Stambaugh-Thompson Co. Her fiance is with General Motors, Inc. Fisher Body     Division in   Lansing, Michigan.

Van and Margaret Wedding

In 1959, they were living at 317 North Fairview Avenue Lansing, Ingham County, Michigan.  They moved to Michigan as Uncle Van was working in the Fisher Body Division of General Motors, Inc. 

They had 3 children, Diana Lynne, Mary Ellen and Darryl Rae.  

Diana, Van, Margaret, Mary Ellen and Daryl

They moved to 936 Reo Road, Lansing.    Aunt Margaret was a member of the Emanual Baptist Church. She became pregnant again in 1967 but it resulted in a tubal pregnancy.  She died on 6 September 1967 from complications of the tubal pregnancy and surgery.  

Lansing State Journal   Thursday Sept. 7, 1967    Margaret Singleton

Mrs. Margaret E. Singleton, 34, of 936 Reo Road, died in a local hospital Wednesday. 

A resident of Lansing for 11 years, she was a member of Emanuel Baptist Church. Surviving are her husband, Van B; a son, Daryl R, two daughters, Mary Ellen and Diana L. all at home; her mother, Margaret Mohney of New Galilee, PA.; six brothers, Warren S. Mohney, Youngstown, Ohio; James B. Mohney of Battle Creek, Wayne V. Mohney of Canfield, Ohio; Eugene M. Mohney of Waitsburg, Washington; Willis R. Mohney of Spokane, Washington, Donald E. Mohney of North Lima, Ohio; three sisters, Mrs. Gladys M. Sutherland and Mrs. Grace M Chaberd, both of Youngstown, Ohio; and Mrs. Dorothy A Cook, of New Galilee, PA. 

Services will be held in the Estes-Leadley Colonial Chapel at 8 p.m. Thursday with further services in the King Funeral Home, Youngstown.

Newspaper Unknown:   Singleton, Mrs. Margaret E.   938 Reo Road, age 34, died at a local hospital, Sept. 6, 1967. She had been a resident of Lansing for 11 years, coming here from Youngstown, Ohio, a member of Immanuel Baptist Church and graduated from Wampum High School, Wampum, Ohio. Surviving are her husband Van B., one son Daryl R., 2 daughters, Mary Ellen and Diana L., all at home; mother, Mrs. Margaret A. Mohney of New Galilee, PA 6 brothers, Warren S. Mohney, Youngstown, Ohio; James B. Mohney, Battle Creek; Wayne V. Mohney, Canfield, Ohio; Eugene M. Mohney of Waitsburg, Wash.; Willis R. Mohney, Spokane, Wash.; Donald E. Mohney, North Lima, Ohio; 3 sisters, Mrs. Gladys M. Sutherland and Mrs. Grace M. Chaberd both of Youngstown, Ohio, and Mrs. Dorothy A. Cook of New Galilee, PA.  Religious services will be conducted by Rev. Harry L. Wainscott of Immanuel Baptist Church at the Estes Leadley Colonial Church at 8 p. m. Thursday evening, further funeral services will be at the Kings Funeral Home, Youngstown, Ohio.

Youngstown Vindicator, Youngstown, Mahoning County, Ohio     Thursday, September 7, 1967

Mrs. Van Singleton

Mrs. Margaret Singleton, 34, of 936 Reo Road, Lansing, Mich., a former Youngstown resident, died at 2 p.m. Wednesday in Lansing Hospital of complications following surgery.

Mrs. Singleton was born Jan. 21, 1933, in Lowellville, a daughter of V.E. and Margaret A. Book Mohney.  She graduated from high school in Wampum, Pa., and lived for three years in Youngstown, working at the Stambaugh Thompson Co.'s North Side store and living with a sister. She moved to Lansing, Pa. in 1956 following her marriage to Van Singleton.

Besides her husband, she leaves three children, Diana, Mary Ellen, and Daryl, all at home; her mother, of New Galilee, Pa; three sisters, Mrs. Gladys Southerland and Mrs. Grace Chaberd, both of Youngstown, and Dorothy Cook of New Galilee; and six brothers, Warren and Wayne Mohney both of Youngstown, Donald of North Lima, James of Battle Creek, Mich., Willis of Spokane, Wash., and Eugene of Waitsburg, Wash.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at the King Funeral Home, where friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday. Burial will be in New Wilmington, Pa

Funeral Booklet

Aunt Margaret was buried next to her parents in Fair Oaks Cemetery, New Wilmington, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania. 

Many times when a family member dies, the rest of the family loses track of the "in-law."  We were so very lucky that Uncle Van made sure his kids stayed involved with their mom's side of the family.  He moved back to Ohio, transferring to the General Motors' Lordstown plant, where he worked until it closed and he retired. 

From 1987, Uncle Van and his children have lived in Diamond, Milton Township, Mahoning County, Ohio.

On 30 Oct 1970 Uncle Van married Sandra Rummel in Mahoning County, Ohio. They divorced 23 July 1975. 

On 16 Jul 1977, Uncle Van and Frances E Snyder are married in Portage County, Ohio.   This marriage added two more kids- Frances' daughters, Rose and Jackie, from a first marriage.  Uncle Van and Aunt Francis have been more a part of the Mohney family's lives than some of our "blood" relatives.  I have memories of them at nearly every important event in our lives:  Graduations, birthdays, cookouts, weddings, baby showers, and many more.  I still have the baby outfit that Frances crochet for my son, Shaun. And every year, the Christmas card from them is the first to arrive.  

Van and Francis Singleton with Lynda Mohney

I don't remember when but Uncle Van and Aunt Frances bought a cabin across from my dad's hunting cabin.  He had gone hunting with dad, and we had all gone up to camp together.  It was nice having them just across the driveway when we went up.  (Last year, at 90 years of age, he was crawling under that cabin as he and my dad (age 84) were replacing or repairing something- furnace?)  

Donna Evalyn Mohney

December 7, 2022

2022 Week 18 (May 3-9): Social: Ladeen Goes to Camp Meeting

 This story was sent to me by my Aunt Ladeen several years ago.

Grandmother Leavelle is Nettie Ida Godley Leavelle, my greatgrandmother. Ladeen is my mother's sister, Maryon Ladeen Lindbeck Maxwell Ezell Ring Ring. They (and many of that side of the family) were Seventh Day Adventists. Part of the social and religious facets of the SDA religion was “Camp Meeting.”

Maryon Ladeen Lindbeck

The camp meeting is a form of Protestant Christian religious service that originated in England and Scotland as an evangelical event in association with the communion season. Camp meetings offered community, often singing and other music, sometimes dancing, and diversion from work.  The Soquel SDA Campground was founded in 1879. It is now part of Yosemite National Park

Well-shaded by pine and fir trees, Soquel Campground provides primitive campsites that can accommodate small trailers and tents. The campground consists of two loops on the banks of Willow Creek with sites located along Willow Creek. Soquel Campground is located in the Highway 41 Corridor of the Bass Lake Ranger District. This area is known for the Nelder Grove of giant sequoias. And is in Madera County, California, within the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

Giant Sequoia at Nelder Grove

Aunt Ladeen mentions being a “child bride.” She was married to Eugene Maxwell

Eugene Maxwell, Donald and Lynda (Lindbeck) Mohney,Ladeen (Lindbeck) Maxwell
At Don and Lynda's Wedding on June 19, 1958

"Camping Out With Grandmother"

Grandmother Leavelle announced she wanted me to take her to Camp Meeting. I had only been camping once before in my whole 17 years of life! It sounded like an adventure. I picked her up in a souped up hot rod. (I was a child bride. My husband of 8 months got drafted and was stationed in Germany.) We wrangled Grandmother's foot locker into the car. Somewhere between Fresno, CA, and the Soquel SDA Campground, we bought the groceries we would need for the week. (It actually included 2 weekends - 9 days.)

Grandmother must have been at least 67 or 68. How she slept in a tent on an army surplus folding cot, I can't imagine! My back didn't like it and I was only 17!

She was like an Army Sargent! We were up, had breakfast and off to the 1st preaching service by 6:30 AM. I soon learned the early speakers were the "cream of the crop"

Nettie Ida Godley 

Photos of Nettie Ida Godley Leavelle

GM urged me to join the mass choir. That was truly a thrilling experience. I could imagine it was almost like being in heaven and singing with the angels! It really impressed me to look out over the vast sea of faces and see how many people there were, just in that area, of like faith. (Plus, there were kids and young people meeting in other big tents. The adults were in a huge auditorium.

Grandmother bought me a book at the book sale. The title is "Lift Him Up." I still have it. I've never forgotten that Camp Meeting and the theme of the book. While by my mistakes in life, I haven't always "lifted him up," I know he forgives. He has kept calling me back to him. I am so thankful for that! I learned to love Camp Meeting. They always have classes on health, money management, marriage counseling and parenting, etc . I never miss a chance to attend Camp Meeting - if at all possible. And I am my own army Sarjent. Yes~I set my alarm and go to the early service.

Written by Ladeen Lindbeck Ring

Aunt Ladeen passed away in June of  2022, and is dearly missed. Born on 27 March 1935 in Arlington, Riverside County, California.

Donna Evalyn Mohney  

December 8, 2022