JOBE and REBECCA SCOTT's sons

SCOTT BROTHERS --  John_Charles_Zenas_Samuel_James (original)

1930 -- Los Angeles County, California, USA

[Photo Source:   Original photo image sent to me on 23Dec2010 by Charlie Pierce (Ancestry member "charliepierce46") direct descendant and Great-Grandson of Charles Edward Scott.  This is the ONLY photo of the brothers that survived the 'pages of time', and a SPECIAL THANK YOU goes to Cousin Charlie Pierce for sharing this photo!!!    Thank You, Charlie!! ]

Submitted by: Dorothy Hazel Tarr.

Photo Note:  I cropped the original photo, but did not alter it in any other way. This outdoor photo was taken about 1930 in Los Angeles County, CA, of five sons of JOBE W. SCOTT (born 22 Sep 1817 Ontario, Canada - died 8 Dec 1893 Kansas, USA)  and his wife REBECCA SCOTT.

My BEST GUESS of names, L-to-R 1-to-5, oldest-to-youngest sibling are:  

JOHN HENRY SCOTT (male, 1850-1945);

CHARLES EDWARD SCOTT (male, 1853-1932);

ZENAS GEORGE SCOTT (male, 18567-1935);

SAMUEL ENOS SCOTT (male, 1858-1951);

JAMES ALFRED SCOTT (male, 1864-1935).

  

Not pictured is the siblings' oldest brother Hyram/Hiram William Scott (born 1845), who passed away in 1910, and who although not in this photo – is NOT forgotten.]

Just a Note:  James Alfred Scott was my maternal first great grandfather and was the youngest of the ELEVEN children of this union.

Rebecca Scott (maiden name was also Scott) was born 5 Feb 1820 in Ontario, Canada; and she passed away about 1889 in Superior, McPherson, Kansas, USA.

Rebecca Scott had 11 kids in 21 years!!  Her first child was born when she was age 23 in 1843, and her eleventh child was born when she was age 44 in 1864. That's one childbirth about every two years for 21 years, WHEW! Great Gram Rebecca Scott was quite the "LADY" and "MOTHER"!

Below I have posted a cropped version of each of the five brothers and enlarged the photos.

JOHN HENRY SCOTT (male, 1850-1945)

CHARLES EDWARD SCOTT (male, 1853-1932)

ZENAS GEORGE SCOTT (male, 18567-1935)

SAMUEL ENOS SCOTT (male, 1858-1951)

JAMES ALFRED SCOTT (male, 1864-1935)

JUST a Note:       These folks are the reason I am here today writing this BLOG and posting these photos.  They endured hardships that I will never have to face, because they 'paved the way for me and my way of life'.    I THANK THEM with all my Heart! And, I am proud to share the same DNA with these my many Great Grandparents and Uncles.

JAMES ALFRED SCOTT & FAMILY

[Photo courtesy of:  Jeannette Scott (granddaughter of James Alfred Scott and daughter of Laurel Flynn Scott.]

This photo of the JAMES ALFRED SCOTT FAMILY was taken about 1915 in Oklahoma.  (L-to-R) Zara Harold Scott; James Alfred Scott (the father); Clarence Jennings Scott; James William Dunlap Scott; Gladys Iona Scott Dunlap; Mary Alice Dunlap Scott (2nd spouse and mother of JWD Scott); Laurel Flynn Scott; Mary Rebecca Elizabeth Scott Webster; Raymond Cyril Scott.

                                                   ------------------------

James Alfred Scott (born 4 DEC 1864 in Ontario, Canada; died 29 JUL 1935 in Delano, Kern, California)

Submitted by: Dorothy Hazel Tarr

INTRODUCTION

James Alfred Scott is my Maternal First Great-Grandfather.  He was born into a large family and was the eleventh of eleven children born to his parents.  He was married twice and had six children by his first wife, and after her death and his remarriage, he had one more child.  During his lifetime, he moved about and saw some of this land.  He was born in Ontario, Canada, and at age 16 moved with his parents to the USA.  He lived in Kansas and Oklahoma, and then relocated to California where he remained for the rest of his life.  His occupations included farming with his parents, schoolmaster, merchant and shop owner, and then farm owner and manager in his later years.

As I learn more about our Family or learn of details that need changing, I will update this Story from time-to-time.  If you have any comments or thoughts to share, they will be welcomed in the spirit that they are offered.  You can email me at --  FamilyAlbum2010.Dorothy.Tarr@gmail.com .

A SHORT FAMILY HISTORY

James Alfred Scott's parents were Jobe W Scott (born 22 SEP 1817 Ontario, Canada; died at age 70 on 8 DEC 1893 in Kansas probably) and Rebecca Scott (maiden name was Scott) (born 5 FEB 1820 in Ontario, Canada; died 1889 in Kansas probably).

James Alfred Scott lived with his parents in the Delaware, Middlesex, Ontario, Canada, area until about 1880.

Then at age 16, James Alfred relocated with his parents to settle in Superior, McPherson, Kansas, USA, where they purchased land and farmed.  I have copies of some land deeds (courtesy of his granddaughter Jeannette Scott)  showing his parents sold their land in Ontario, Canada; so this relocation of the JOBE W SCOTT Family to McPherson County, Kansas, was meant to be permanent.

James Alfred Scott became a schoolmaster and taught school in McPherson County, Kansas.  While there, he met his first wife, Mary Grace Jennings, who was also a schoolteacher.

On 13 MAY 1891, in McPherson County, Kansas, James Alfred Scott married Mary Grace Jennings Scott (born 13 JUN 1872 Iowa; died at age 36 on 12 MAR 1908 Manchester County, Oklahoma).  They were married by Reverend Clark.  James Alfred Scott was protestant and a member of the Church of Christ.  He was 26 and she was 19.  Their Wedding Portrait is posted below in which Mary Grace Jennings Scott looks so young and lovely in her beautiful wedding dress, and James Alfred is looking so dapper.

[Photo courtesy of:  Jeannette Scott (granddaughter of James Alfred Scott and daughter of Laurel Flynn Scott.]

[WEDDING PORTRAIT of James Alfred Scott and Mary Grace Jennings Scott, 13 MAY 1891 Manchester County, Oklahoma.]

Some Lineage Details for Mary Grace Jennings Scott

Mary Grace Jennings Scott's parents were Nathan Brownfield Jennings (born 17 MAR 1845 in Masontown, Fayette, Pennsylvania; died 3 MAR 1932 in Canton, Kansas) and Elizabeth Jane Findley Jennings (born 11 APR 1847 in Armstrong County, Pennsylvania; died 17 AUG 1913 in Wauhee, Dallas, Iowa). 

Nathan Brownfield Jennings' father was Henry Jennings Junior (born 19 APR 1806 in German, Fayette, Pennsylvania; died 24 JUN 1890 in Dallas Center, Iowa).  Henry Jennings Junior's parents were Henry Jennings Senior (1765 NJ – 1827 PA) and Rhoda Leslie Jennings (1769 PA – 1852 PA).  SPECIAL NOTE:  The Henry Jennings Junior Family owned and operated a FERRY BOAT for a fee to patrons.  (Def: A ferryboat is a floatation type boat that could hold and transport people, animals, and cargo across a body of water when there was no bridge.)  It was located at Jennings Landing, German Township, Fayette County, Pennsylvania near Masontown, Pennsylvania.  All of Henry Jennings Junior's children were born there !!! You can GOOGLE these locations to learn more about the area in historical and in current times.  It is also interesting that the name JENNINGS appears in so many landmarks, parks, historical sites, and even in Today's phone book.  The surname Jennings (alt spelling Jennens) can be traced back to the United Kingdom to 'titled', noble men and women, and even royalty—so many surprises in our Family Lineage and History, so many stories !!!!

Nathan Brownfield Jennings' mother was Catharine Brownfield Jennings (born 19 APR 1816 in Smithfield, Pennsylvania; died 6 AUG 1894 in Dallas Center, Iowa).  Catharine Brownfield Jennings' parents were the Brownfields from Pennsylvania; I'm still researching them.

Elizabeth Jane Findley Jennings' father was Abel Findley Junior (born 16 MAY 1819 Westmoreland, Pennsylvania; died 14 MAR 1889 Iowa City, Wright, Iowa).  Abel's parents were Judge Abel Findley Senior (1771 PA – 1845 IN; a Circuit Court Judge in Pennsylvania) and Rebecca Courtney Findley (1774 PA -1839 IN).

Elizabeth Jane Findley Jennings' mother was Mary Jane Kerr Findley (born 2 JUN 1824 in Mahoning, Armstrong, Pennsylvania; died 18 APR 1900 in Iowa City, Wright, Iowa).  Mary Jane's parents were William H Kerr (1798 PA - 1866 PA) and Abigail Gallaher Kerr (1797 TN -1843 PA).

The six children of James Alfred Scott and Mary Grace Jennings Scott in birth sequence were: Gladys Iona Scott Dunlap (1892 KS – 1968 CA); Raymond Cyril Scott (1894 OK – 1961 CA); Laurel Flynn Scott (1896 OK – 1979 OR) {Jeannette Scott's father and my Maternal Grandfather}; Clarence Jennings Scott (1900 OK – 1943 CA); Zara Harold Scott (1904 OK – 1956 CA); and Mary Rebecca Elizabeth Scott Webster (1908 Ok – 1989 CA).

NOW back to James Alfred Scott and his Family

Sometime between 1891 and 1894, James Alfred Scott and his wife Mary Grace Jennings Scott owned and managed a store in McPherson County, Kansas.  About 1893, when the Cherokee Strip (in Indian Territory Oklahoma) opened up for new settlers, James Alfred Scott hired a man to "run and stake out" a parcel of land for him during the Oklahoma Land Run.  The parcel of land he obtained from the Oklahoma Land Run was located in Stella (Range 9), Woods County, Oklahoma Territory.  After obtaining this piece of land through the "Oklahoma RUN", James Alfred Scott's plan as a new landowner was to begin farming his "new" land.  Therefore, he sold his store in Kansas and left Kansas with his young family and moved onto his "new" land in Oklahoma Territory.  He was about age 30.  

By 1894, James Alfred Scott, his wife Mary Grace, and their young daughter Gladys Iona Scott Dunlap (1892-1968) had moved from McPherson County, Kansas, to Manchester County, Oklahoma, and were settled on their new farm.  James Alfred became a landowner and farmer and Mary Grace became a farmer's wife and kept house and family.  On 14 Jan 1894, Mary Grace gave birth to their second child Raymond Cyril Scott in Manchester County, Oklahoma.  While living and working on their farm, their family continued to grow with the addition of three more children: Laurel Flynn Scott (1896, my maternal grandfather), Clarence Jennings Scott (1900), and Zara Harold Scott (1904).

During 1904 and 1905, James Alfred Scott served as the Rosedale School Officer Treasurer.  The Rosedale School was located in the small town of Rosedale, Manchester, Oklahoma.  (If you use GOOGLE to search on Rosedale, Oklahoma, you can see some info on it and use GOOGLE maps to look at the surrounding area.)  Their children went to school there, as did the children of their neighbors from the other farms within a 5-mile radius or so.  Many of the children of Rosedale School met their future spouses there and became extended family members of the James Alfred Scott Family.  James Alfred and Mary Grace's third child Laurel Flynn Scott went to this school (as did Laurel Flynn's future spouse and my Maternal Gram Mary Elizabeth "Betty" Bennett Scott) until 1908.  SPEICAL NOTE:  A photo of the Rosedale School graduation program 1904-1905 that belonged to Gladys Iona Scott Dunlap (my BELOVED Great Aunt Gladys; daughter of James Alfred Scott and Mary Grace,) is posted here (below).  It lists the names of the children at the school and James Alfred Scott as the School Treasurer.  Also listed is James Jones Bennett (the father of Mary Elizabeth "Betty" Bennett Scott and my Maternal First Great-Grandfather) as Director of Rosedale School.  In 1964, My Great Aunt Gladys Iona Scott Dunlap was going to throw away her Rosedale School graduation program, but I convinced her to give it to me as a "keep sake".  It is one of my MOST TREASURED mementoes and tells our Family Story just with the listing of the family names on the program.

[Photo courtesy of:  Gladys Iona Scott Dunlap -- Rosedale School graduation program 1904-1905, Rosedale, Oklahoma]

Then on 12 Mar 1908, at age 36, Mary Grace Jennings Scott passed away from complications after the birth of her sixth child.  Jeannette Scott adds the following, "My Dad (Laurel Flynn Scott) said he had to quit school in the 8th grade (age 12) to stay home and take care of his new baby sister (Mary Rebecca Elizabeth Scott Webster), because his Mom had died."  I have several photos of my grandfather Laurel Flynn Scott with 'baby sister' Mary Rebecca Elizabeth Scott Webster in so many of them, you can see from the photos that the closeness in their sibling relationship continued into their elder years.

On 30 DEC 1908, in Oklahoma, James Alfred Scott married his second wife Mary Alice Dunlap Scott (born JUL 1897 Parson, Adams, Illinois; died 6 DEC 1957 California).  Her parents were James Lee Dunlap Senior (born OCT 1854 Illinois; died 17 JUN 1924 Payson, Adams, Illinois) and Alice Jane Crewdson Dunlap (born Jul 1865 Illinois; died after 1930 Illinois).

 Some Lineage Details for Mary Alice Dunlap Scott

James Lee Dunlap Senior's parents were Ephraim Dunlap (1815 KY – 1856 Il) and Mary Wright Dunlap McKenzie (1832 VA – 1928 Il).

Alice Jane Crewdson Dunlap's parents were Thadius Crewdson (1833 TN – before 1920 Il) and Cornelia Crewdson (1844 Il – after 1920 Il).

NOW back to James Alfred Scott and his Family

In 1909, a son was born to James Alfred Scott and his second spouse Mary Alice Dunlap Scott; James William Dunlap Scott (born 19 NOV 1909 Manchester County, Oklahoma; died 6 APR 1979 Delano, Kern, California) was given Mary Alice's maiden name for his middle name.  He was called "Dunlap" by family and friends, and went by the name of J.W. Dunlap Scott.  A Family Portrait photo of this new family is posted here (at top of this posting).  Laurel Flynn Scott, my maternal grandfather, looks so much like his father James Alfred Scott in this photo, the resemblance to my way of thinking is remarkable!

James Alfred Scott's brothers kept encouraging him to move out to California claiming that the weather was better and the living better.  His older brothers, probably Zenas George Scott (1856 Ontario, Canada - 1935 Arizona), and Samuel Enos Scott (1856 Ontario, Canada - 1951 California) all went to California at various times between 1910 to 1950.  After 2 or 3 years, some of his older brothers moved back to Oklahoma for a time.

Sometime between 1917 and 1920, James Alfred Scott sold his farm and finally moved his family to California.  All of James Alfred Scott's children settled in California where they lived, married, raised families, and passed away.

However, one of James Alfred Scott's sons, Laurel Flynn Scott and his wife Mary Elizabeth "Betty" Bennett Scott, (both of whom went to the Rosedale School and lived on neighboring farms in Oklahoma), left California in the 1950s and settled in the Central Point, Jackson County, Oregon.  Laurel Flynn Scott and Mary Elizabeth "Betty" Bennett Scott lived and worked on the Higinbotham Family Farm in Central Point, Oregon, for many years.  Their eldest daughter, Margaret Lucille Scott Higinbotham, was married to Glenn Ivan Higinbotham Senior, who was a descendent of some of the Jackson County, Oregon, Pioneer Families.

Per the 1920 US Census, James Alfred Scott, his second wife Mary Alice Dunlap Scott, and their children that were still at home (that is: Zara Harold Scott, Mary Rebecca Elizabeth, and James William Dunlap Scott) resided in Downey, Los Angeles, California.

Per the 1930 US Census, James Alfred Scott, his wife Mary Alice Dunlap Scott, and their son still living at home (James William Dunlap Scott, age 21) resided in Earlimart, Alila, Tulare, California.

On 29 Jul 1935, James Alfred Scott passed away in Delano, Kern, California.  He is buried in Delano.  Jeannette Scott writes in her notes to me that, he passed away after being ill for a long time, saying, "He had been in an auto accident and one of his legs was gangrene at the time of his death.  This leads me and others to think he was also diabetic."

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Closing Thoughts

Here you have a Family history of my Maternal First Great-Grandfather James Alfred Scott and his parents, siblings, spouses, and children.  This story began before James Alfred Scott was born and continues after his passing with his descendants and the many lives and hearts that he "touched".

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After the Storm – Come the Tears

(I wrote this, 10 Aug 2011, thinking of the many losses in our life—Loss of youth, health, money, safety, privilege, prestige, respect, honors, LOVE, spouses, children, and family -- as a special tribute to those in my circle who feel their loss so keenly.)


*** AFTER THE STORM – COME THE TEARS ***

The poetical world is as a lyrical preface to Life's SCRIPT,
where light illuminates the STAGE,
with a jewel-like iridescence,
flickering over the richly embroidered PLAY.

A sadness imbues the atmosphere
with a sense of time and space,
whispering of generations past and lost
and PREVIEWS of generations to come.

The PLAY rages in a tempest at Life's Zenith,
as the Storms of Life forge a Path,
leaving behind loss of Love and Hearth in their wake.

As of a sudden, the Storm passes
and the Tears fall as gentle rain upon the SET.
After the Storm – come the tears.

[dht-2011]

[PHOTO SOURCE: GOOGLE online images]

In God's Hands -- Father's Day

Introduction

There are three kinds of family, those you are born to, those that are born to you, and those you let into your heart.

Family Short Story

“As a well spent day brings happy sleep, so a life well spent brings happy death.”  
[~Leonardo da Vinci]

This quotation message says to me that life is best lived in all its richness and fullness, so that at life's end there are no regrets or "I wish I had's".

My prayer for those who have finished their life's journey, is that they went to their rest in peace and with no regrets or unfinished business.

I have lost so many family members and dear friends over the years (through death and otherwise) and I still feel the grief deeply today. It is a great comfort to me to know that you are all there for me whether in spirit or heart.

I have such wonderful memories of those I loved so dearly and I cherish the moments I had with them. They are always in my heart. I feel a sense of peace knowing that they are at rest on their Celestial Porch.

God knows when to call his children home, unfortunately we are never ready when He is.

I know that the pain of losing someone can be almost too much to manage, but I also know that those who have passed at life's end are at peace now and are no longer suffering.

Perhaps we can all take some time today and let the people living, who are dear to us, know that we Love and Cherish them.

For all those Loved ones, who have passed and are lost to us in body and spirit, let's take a moment to let them know we have never stopped holding them in our hearts and memories; and, Thank them for the legacy of love left us.

I am truly blessed to have had so much support through the difficult times.

May God Bless You and Your Families -- Today and Every day.

Love to my dear FAMILY and dear FRIENDS, both here on Earth and those who sit on their Celestial Porch.


Closing Thoughts

Here you have a Family Short Story, which began before we were born and continues after our passing, with our predecessors and our descendants, and the many lives, and hearts that are "touched" by their passage.

We are the legacy of past generations, and all that we have is due to their passions, laughter, and tears during their passage through this life. They gave us the gift of freedom and sit as angels on our shoulder as we walk through the weeds of yesterday and into the garden of tomorrow. When we stumble and fall, remembering past generations lifts us and strengthens our resolve so we can better weather the storm and see the waiting rainbow.

However, this is not the end, for there are other family members and new generations to come. This is just a short story for those family members that are interested in OUR FAMILY STORY and HISTORY.

I feel very honored to be a part of this FAMILY TREE.

I love being a part of the history of this land.

I love that my family were here before me ... and will be here after me.

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SPECIAL NOTE

I post this, for my Father who is ill and probably will not be living to see another Father's Day. I mailed him a letter today at the assisted living facility where he lives (he is age 91) to tell him I am thinking of him on this Father's Day and that I LOVE him.
It is not always a simple or easy thing to 'let go' of past memories, loves, hurts, loss. AND, for some the past has such a strong hold, that it makes the struggle of daily living very difficult. Many feel the 'pull' of past regrets, transgressions, strife, war, and the 'cut' is so deep that there is never a salve to ease the pain or a 'bridge' to help cross from the past to tomorrow. I think of those who serve in the military and who for some the overwhelming demands of war leave a mark on their 'soul' that can never be erased and a burden that must be borne for their lifetime.

This, then, is my tribute to my Father on this Father's Day!

[PHOTO SOURCE: GOOGLE online images --Begonia flower - "Angel Wing"]

LOVE -- Whispers

(I wrote this as a tribute, 25 Jun 2011, to my BELOVED daughter on her 47th Birthday. LOVE you sweetie !!)


Sometimes the threads of LOVE are a silent gesture, a bold token, a thoughtful gift, a sacrifice, a prayer, or whatever ... Woven together, these LOVE threads become a strong bond that can withstand the rigors of life and the tests of time. The bonds become the fabric of our life with all the texture, flourish, whimsy, faith, and strength that make our life rich and full.

Family Lore has many colors and patterns made from these fabrics and LOVE threads that WHISPER IN THE EAR of generations, reminders of our bonds to the past, the hopes of the present, and the promise of the future.
[~dht-2011]

[PHOTO SOURCE: My Photo, My Camera, My Maternal Gram's Peddle non-electric Singer Sewing Machine, that I learned to sew on -- GREAT MEMORIES !!  NOW, the machine is silent and unused; I miss my Gram every moment of every day!!]

                             [PHOTO SOURCE:  GOOGLE online images - quilting]

A TRIBUTE TO MOTHERS

Before I was a Mom


Before I was a Mom
I slept as late as I wanted and never worried about how late I got into bed. I brushed my hair and my teeth every day.


Before I was a Mom
I cleaned my house each day. I never tripped over toys or forgot words to a lullaby. I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous. I never thought about immunizations.


Before I was a Mom
I had never been puked on - Pooped on - Spit on - Chewed on, or Peed on. I had complete control of my mind and My thoughts. I slept all night.


Before I was a Mom
I never held down a screaming child so that doctors could do tests...or give shots. I never looked into teary eyes and cried. I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin. I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.


Before I was a Mom
I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put it down. I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't stop the hurt. I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much. I never knew that I could love someone so much. I never knew I would love being a Mom.   [AFTER ALL,  I WAS ONLY AGE 17 when I became a MOTHER! ~dht-2011]


Before I was a Mom
I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body. I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby. I didn't know that bond between a mother and her child. I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so important.


Before I was a Mom
I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay. I had never known The warmth, The joy, The love, The heartache, The wonderment or the satisfaction of being a Mom. I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much before I was a Mom.
[~ UNKNOWN]


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And Grandma's too...
While we honor all our mothers
with words of love and praise.
While we tell about their goodness
and their kind and loving ways.
We should also think of Grandma, [be they here with us or only a memory ~dht-2011]
she's a mother too, you see....
For she mothered my dear mother
as my mother mothers me.
[~ Author Unknown]


---------------


Before the child is born
A mother's love begins
Before the child is born
And lasts through time
And difficulties
And differences
And many wounds
And days of joy
And days of sorrow
Winding, wearing
Weeping, sharing
Changing
Until, at the end
What remains
Is that solid core
That began as love
Before the child was born.
[ ~ Ruth Greer]

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A SPECIAL HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY !!

These are so beautiful.  I teared up – USED LOTS OF TISSUES -- while reading them, that's why I selected these particular poems to share! 

They are not my words – BUT they express my sentiments and feelings well !!  They are a wonderful sentiment and tribute to Mothers – both Mothers in our lives now and those Mothers that paved the way.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY – to Mothers everywhere!

[dht-2011]

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                              [PHOTO SOURCE: GOOGLE online images]

FAMILY TREE -- Weeping Willow Tree

[PHOTO SOURCE: My photo, my camera, Weeping Willow Tree, Kilaga Springs, California]:

WEEPING WILLOW TREE on my Family Tree

Introduction:

This is a Short Intro for the digital photo above that I took at Kilaga Springs, Lincoln, CA.  It displays a WEEPING WILLOW TREE at sunrise with the sun just peeking over the horizon and through the boughs of the tree.

 

The Willow tree has been a special tree to me.  I have used it in my TARR FAMILY TREE (FamilyAlbum2010) on ANCESTRY to denote my direct male lineage.  (The female direct lineage is denoted by using the shadow portrait of my BELOVED daughter Rebecca Lynne Shoudy Richey.)

I love being a part of the history of this land – Mother Earth.  I love that my Family were here before me, and will be here after me.  While doing the genealogy research on my Family Tree, I have made some unexpected and exciting discoveries.

 

The Family has uprooted, moved across oceans and continents, and suffered losses and setbacks.  However, throughout it all, they have persevered to find new places to set down roots and grow strong.  The many Branches of the Family have spread across Europe and the Americas.

The many Family Members have been affected by political, economic, religious and health events during their particular passage of life on this land.  Likewise, the Family has left their "stamp" on this land and the people of the land.

The Family for the most part has been in occupations "close" to the land and many owned their own land.  There were a few of the Family that prospered monetarily and could be considered "wealthy".  However, for the most part, the Family have been low to middle income and worked hard for their "daily fare".  There were many Family Members with artistic abilities and talents, especially in writing, drawing, painting, sculpture, song, music, craftsmanship, speaking the word of GOD (the various ministers and such), and home arts (the various sewing, knitting, quilting, cooking skills, and the like).

But, most especially, there was the ability to LOVE and NURTURE and HONOR their Family and Friends and Neighbors.

I feel very honored to be a part of this FAMILY TREE, and the WEEPING WILLOW TREE seems to me to be the PERFECT symbol of our FAMILY.

(You can use GOOGLE search to find more info on the Willow Tree.)

SOME Historical and interesting notes on the Weeping Willow Tree:

In Literature:

Hans Christian Andersen wrote a story called "Under the Willow Tree" (1853) in which children ask questions of a tree they called "willow-father", paired with another entity called "elder-mother".  In J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter books, there is an old tree on the school grounds of "Hogwarts" called the "Whomping Willow".

Biological:

The roots are remarkable for their toughness, size, and tenacity to life, and roots readily grow from aerial parts of the plant.  Almost all willows take root very readily from cuttings or where broken branches lie on the ground.  The willow seeds are furnished with long, silky, white hairs, which allow the fruit to be widely dispersed by the wind.

In Medicine:

The leaves and bark of the willow tree have been mentioned in ancient texts from Assyria, Sumer, and Egypt as a remedy for aches and fever, and the Ancient Greek Hippocrates wrote about its medicinal properties in the 5^th century BC.  Native Americans across the American continent relied on it as a staple of their medical treatments.  This is because it contains salicylic acid, the precursor to aspirin.

In Religion:

In religion, willow is one of the "Four Species" used in a ceremony on the Jewish holiday of Sukkot.  In Buddhism, a willow branch is one of the chief attributes of Kwan Yin, the bodhisattva of compassion.  Willow is also one of the "nine sacred trees" mentioned in Wicca and witchcraft, with several magical uses.  In the Wiccan Rede, it is described as growing by water, guiding the dead to "The Summerland", a commonly used term in Wicca to refer to the afterlife.  Christian churches in northwestern Europe often used willow branches in place of palms in the ceremonies on Palm Sunday.

Cultivation:

Almost all willows take root very readily from cuttings or where broken branches lie on the ground.  There are a few exceptions, including the Goat Willow (Salix caprea)) and Peachleaf Willow (Salix amygdaloides).  One famous example of such growth from cuttings involves the poet Alexander Pope, who begged a twig from a parcel tied with twigs sent from Spain to Lady Suffolk.  This twig was planted and thrived, and legend has it that all of England's weeping willows are descended from this first one.  I, myself, HAVE ALSO HEARD THE STORY of a walking-cane that was pushed into the ground, and a year later was 10 feet tall !!!

Other:

There is also mention of the WILLOW in poetry, art, photography, and manufacturing of products, forestry, and ecology.  Everyone remembers the Weeping Willow mentioned in many poems, songs, and stories because of its grace and beauty.  The Weeping Willow's grace comes from its sweeping, low branches that droop to create its familiar “falling” canopy.  A favorite among tree lovers for its dramatic appearance and rounded, weeping shape.  It is an excellent shade tree that is always in high demand.  This willow is one of the fastest growing shade trees, growing up to 10 ft. a year and reach 35 feet in diameter at maturity.  It thrives in Growing Zones 4-9, and has the ability to absorb standing water.  Plant it near trouble spots where water stands in puddles, and watch them disappear.  Even though Weeping Willows are often found near rivers, lakes and wetlands, they can grow just about anywhere, even demonstrating some tolerance to drought.  The willow is very adaptable to all kinds of soils and growing conditions, these trees can even help prevent soil erosion.

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