Letters 9/10/2020
Coping with the Coronavirus
NOTE: Donations to the Conewago cemetery fund should be mailed to: Low Dutch Cemeteries Improvement Fund
c/o Alan Weaner
145 Weaner Road
Gettysburg, PA 17325
email: arwcbw@gmail.com—————————————————————————————————
SENT BY: Carolyn Leonard:
-Hope all my cousins are doing well in this crazy time. I know that Lynn Rogers is using the time to research his SMOCK and RYKER ancestors. Are you making use of all the digital opportunities for searching? I do love Facebook to stay in contact with friends and family, and I’ve been using the time to work on several books I’ve had half written for some time. (The Low Dutch Journey, and Sara Cozine are two that I have not picked up again yet.) I usually go to one or two Writer Conferences every year but in 2020 … COVID happened!
Most of the conferences were cancelled, but one organizer found a way to keep the event going. Special order masks printed with the logo WRITERCON, Lots of antiseptic and hand sanitizer, cooperating with the historic hotel event rules, and frequent reminders of the physical spacing. (No hugging allowed no matter how glad you were to see old friends!) The conference was also available online. I live-streamed the event from home, all except for the elegant banquet in the 14th floor Venetian room of the historic Skirvin Hilton Hotel downtown. We were able to do a little networking. Mostly only three to a table (usually 8). It was so fun getting dressed up and putting on earrings and makeup again after such a long time and it was a delight to see old friends. Oh, I almost forgot to mention I brought home some writing contest awards.
Hopefully, by next September Covid-19 will be a distant memory and we can carry on with our Dutch Cousin gathering with no problem. If the virus is still hanging around, we should be able to find a way to carry on even if we have to invoke the NO HUGGING rule!How are you dealing with the quarantine? How are you keeping joy in your life?——————————————————————
SENT BY: Hi, everyone. I’m Curt BIEHN, descendent of Capt Stagg and lots of others from Fort Harrod. Does anyone know what battles in which Capt Stagg participated? Or is there a painting to show what he looked like? No big deal, but it would be nice to know for the kids.——————————————————————
SENT BY: Karen Prather
This is a difficult time for me. I like to be out and about and seeingfriends. My children are on the westcoast except my youngest granddaughter but she Is spending all her timeworking from home and with herboyfriend. My volunteer jobs havebeen on hold for months. This is goingon much longer than anyone anticipated Very discouraging! All my peerfriends and relatives are too scaredto go out. Many meetings on zoom.Karen is Treasurer, of the Micajah Bullock NCSDAR——————————————————————
SENT BY: Mary Jo Gohmann
I have been writing about my Irish ancestors for over a year now. (Thank God for enlarging the print and dictation.)My mother was born in Armagh, Northern Ireland and immigrated with her parents about a hundred years ago. My how time goes!
It is a mixture of family history set against the political happenings and effects as well as a memoir. I think I am about ready for an editor to help me with this 150 typewritten book with 17 chapters. Writing in isolation had been both good and bad. Few distractions but no one to bounce thoughts with or get feedback.
Last year you did share the name of Prestige Prose with me. I will likely contact them again but wondered if you had any other suggestions.
I will want to publish it and include photos if you have any suggestions on that line. I have no goals of producing another Angela’s Ashes but would like to produce something that cousins and others interested in the time period would enjoy.
If you are up for it I will appreciate any suggestions. I am so sorry for the jaw pain you have been experiencing. It is hard getting anything done when dealing with constant pain! My problem has been dealing with carpel tunnel in both hands for which I had surgery in June. I am also combating Macular Degeneration where my eyes are getting much worse and now monitored to see if I will need shots in my eyes.
Thoughts and prayers for you and Jon!
Hugs,Mary Jo
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SENT BY: Doc&Laurie Vanausdle Shaffer
Saw this on the internet discussion group “Muzzle Loading Forum“. Under Revolutionary War “I had no idea.” — Doc Shaffer”IN READING THE BOOK. “THE FIRST SALUTE”, BY BARBARA W. TUCHMAN I HAVE BECOME AWARE OF HOW MUCH THE DUTCH PLAYED IN SUPPORTING THE COLONIES.
WE BEGAN THE REVOLUTION WITH LITTLE OR NO EQUIPMENT. WE WORKED WITH WHATEVER WAS SMUGGLED IN/
THE DUTCH GOVERNOR DEGRAPH OR DE GRAS OF THE ISLE OF ST. EUSTASIE NOT ONLY DEFIED THE BRITISH BUT ENCOURAGED THE SUPPLYING OF THE COLONISTS WITH LARGE QUANTITIES OF WAR MAKING MATERIL. A TYPICAL SHIP WOULD BE LOAEDED WITH 1.700 BARRELS OF BLACK POWDER (PROBABLY MEANT KEGS) 1.700 STAND OF ARMS INCLUDING MUSKETS EQUIPPED WITH BAYONETS AND CARTRIDGE BOXES. BUT THEY SENT ON AVERAGE OF 6 TO SEVEN SHIPS OUR WAY EACH DAY.
THIS OUTRAGED THE BRITISH WHO FINALLY TOOK OVER THE SMALL DUTCH ISLAND WHEN IT WAS TOO LATE AS BY THAT TIME THE FRENCH HAD JOINED OUR CAUSE.THIS HELP FROM THE DUTCH CAUSED THEM ALL SORTS OF EUROPEAN PROBLEMS. I SUGGEST READING ONLY THE FIRST 3 OR 4 CHAPTERS.VERY INTERESTING AS IN ALL MY READING I HAD NEVER HEARD OF THE DUTCH HELP WE RECEIVED.
DUTCH SCHOULTZ”——————————————————————
SENT BY: Beverly DeMotte Santella
I hope you are well! Is anyone else especially thankful for UPS, Fed-Ex and the USPS these days?
About 40 miles south of Pittsburgh, my town has not been hit hard by Covid-19. My husband and I traveled to the Dominican Republic in early Feb. before Coronavirus warnings became dire. About a week after our return, we became ‘weirdly’ ill yet with totally different yet not so serious symptoms. We did quarantine, not because we thought we had Covid-19, but because Pennsylvanians were under stay-at-home orders by that time. It wasn’t until probably June that we suspected we both had weak cases of the virus since the medical community had learned more about how Covid-19 presents itself. We have yet to be antibody tested. Since masks protect others more than self, we are mask wearers.
In March, I started making 3-layer fabric masks, adult and child sizes, and have donated over 526 to date to various organizations who serve economically/physically/mentally disadvantaged people living in Uniontown, as well as to the local police, a halfway house, friends/neighbors, and a 10 yr old girl’s project benefitting Wounded Warriors, an animal rescue and the Make-a-Wish Foundation.
I’m an avid gardener. I have lovely flower gardens in my own yard. Most of my flowers are perennials, but I “discovered” an annual, Globe Amaranth, last summer at a local greenhouse. I saved the seeds to grow plants to fill in some bare spots with the brilliant red-purple flowers. I dried the flower heads and sprinkled the entire dried flower heads into dirt this spring and hundreds of plants grew. Super easy!
I also work in a community garden at my church with a group of English as 2nd language learners. I’m one of the two ESL teachers sponsoring the group. There are eight raised beds (thanks to Eagle Scouts) and we grow tomatoes, tomatillos(yummy Mexican husk tomatoes that make the best salsa verde), cucumbers, 2 types of melons, carrots, corn, hot and sweet peppers, beans, onions, parsley, basil, lemongrass, and cilantro.
I’ve done a little more genealogy and found more French-Dutch and German-Dutch connections via multiple paternal and maternal family lines.
Lastly, I’ve made original super-figures for my grandsons, castle towers for a stage set, a sign-spinning arrow for a charity event, and miscellaneous paintings and photo work.
Clearly stay-at-home orders feed my soul! Stay well!Beverly DeMotte Santella——————————————————————
SENT BY: Jill Linger
I’m glad you and Jon are safe, healthy and happy. We are doing well here, too. I don’t mind wearing a mask and social distancing; I’m just so happy I can now go out to Walmart, etc.!Hang in there, Carolyn!—————————————————————————–
SENT BY: Russ Gasero (RUSS RETIRED! From Archivist, Reformed Church in America)
Thanks, Carolyn.This is my post-RCA address. Yes, I’m willing to come again to preach if that remains the desire of the cousins. I’m also happy to help with the Conewago project. You can just loop me in on that and I’ll do what I am able to do. I do want to remain connected and had told Tamara that I would be happy to preach again in 2021, God willing.Look forward to more years.
Cheers,
Russ
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SENT BY: Carolyn (herself)
Thought others might be interested in an ongoing conversations with a distant cozine cousin in Texas, trying to find our connection. She sent this question: I have wonder if Thomas H.B. Cozine, who is listed as a printer with his older brother John P. Cozine in the 1860 census, may be the same Thomas Henry Bascom, b Harrodsburg, KY, who married Alice Jane Hodge June 3, 1877. Two family members of ours also have the middle name of Harvey (like Thomas H.B. Cozine’s father – not evidence, just coincidence…)
Here is my answer and as you can see, we are still trying to pin down this Thomas HB Cozine born 1845. Any help from anyone out there is appreciated! The sons of Harvey Cozine (by three different wives):
1. George Armstrong (1831-1900) 8th Indiana Btty of Light Arty, 2nd Vol Regt 20
2. William Harvy (1833->1875) 1st Indiana Heavy Art’y Co I
3. Samuel L. (1835->1885) 1st Indiana Heavy Art’y Co I
4. Peter (1837->1885) Kentucky 19th Inf. Regt
5. John P. (1843-1897) 1st Indiana Heavy Art’y Co I
6. Thomas H. B. (1845->1885) ??
7. Meredith Richard (1848-1922) I Co. 9th Cav Reg. Kentucky
8. James Silas (1854-1866) died age 12, we believe he was a drummer boy
9. David Buckner (1859-1901) age 4 when war ended.
1862???bio of Thomas’ brother John P Cozine says all his brothers were soldiers. I have been able to find military records for all but one of Harvey’s sons — that of Thomas.
1870 census, there is a T. H. Cozine born ca 1842 (age 28) in Columbia, Boone Co, Missouri. Says he was born Missouri. Living in the Columbia Hotel, occ. PRINTER. May be him.
1884: The Harrodsburg Democrat, Harrodsburg, KY Vol 1, No.21 Friday, June 6, 1884
Funeral Saturday, a funeral cortege left the depot, and wended its way to Mt. Pleasant Church about three miles west of town. The infant of Mr and Mrs Thomas Cozine, that had died at Lexington on Friday, was brought on the train to this place, where they were met by their uncles, Col. C P and Capt Andy Whitenack and other friends. The cherub was in Heaven when the kind friends laid the remains in the cold grave of God’s half acre. May the parents, as little children, ever be ready to meet their child in the great hereafter. Mt Pleasant Church is about 3 1/2 miles west of Harrodsburg.
CHASING RABBITS, OTHER POSSIBILITIES1886 (5 Jan) Missouri death records, Thos. Cashion born ca 1831 died in City hospital of TB, age 55 white widowed male in St. Louis, laborer, attended by Dr. DEan, buried at Holy Trinity cemetery, undertaker Hannity & Cullison? Marriage date 1 Sep 1886 Thomas J. Cashion married Mary M. Satterfield in Corse Island, Dunklin co, Missouri.
1890 census veterans; Thomas Cason, Corporal, Co C, 65th MO Inf; date of enlistment 3 Feb 1864, discharge 1867; 3 years.
1900 Census, the only Thomas Cozine found is a black, living in Ward 9, Louisville, Jefferson Co, KYage 30 (est. birth year 1870) born KY race BLACK, head of hh; his occupation: Hospital Janitorwife Betty born 1872 married 3 years no children, born KY, occupation: washerwoman. All parents born KY. (Now where does this family belong?) – Jim Cozine says they are part of the Black Cozines – usually spelled Corzine. I also see in the Louisville City directories the name Thomas H Cozine (black) as a porter… Well I can see in the 1880 census this young Toumie Cozine ( age 10) along with 16 other blacks living on the next farm ( E L Sandusky) near by Keene, just outside Lexington. More questions to answer.——————————————————————
SENT BY: Eric Smith Hello,
My name is Eric Smith. I grew up beside Hendrick’s Bantas cabin in Conewago, pa all my life and now my brother and I clean up the northern low Dutch cemetery once or twice a year. Now that I know the story I would love to see where they finally ended up in st Matthews ky. Can you give me directions to the historical marker or do you have any members out there that could meet us and show us the marker? I am just interested since I grew up less than a mile way from part of the Low Dutch story
Hi Eric, I’m not sure what Historical Marker you are interested in — we sponsored more than one in Kentucky, and are working on getting some markers up at Conewago– the cemetery and the cabin, but that will take some more time and money.You will probably enjoy spending some time on our website www.DutchCousins.org where there are stories about the Dutch people and how they came to Mercer and Henry county Kentucky when it was the frontier and Kentucky was just a county in Virginia before 1800, and they built the Old Mud Meetinghouse at Fort Harrod (now Harrodsburg).Thank you for writing. And thank you for looking after our ancestor’s graves in Pennsylvania! Rev. Cornelius Cozine is my 6th great grandfather and his replacement stone is in the far southeast corner (if I have my directions right.) We would be happy to add you to the free Dutch Letters email so you can learn more about our group, and keep up with our plans to improve the Conewago cemetery.
Blessings,
Carolyn——————————————————————————————————
SENT BY: John and Christy VanNice
John is a descendant of Aucke Janse VanNuys.We visited the Mud Meeting House 30 years ago. Was an adventure to try to find it then. Cornelius VanNuys and Ann Adams are ancestors and several more buried there.Glad to join the cousins Interested to discover more of our history.———————————————
SENT BY: Mr. Lynn Rogers – about SMOCK ancestors2020 Sep 9: I am searching for the actual Abraham Smock Bible in order to obtain images of the handwritten family records. If the actual bible cannot be located, any legible images available will have to do. The objective is to compile a transcription and the images of the Abraham Smock b1790 Bible Family Records into one PDF file and make it easily and widely available. The article by Mrs. Gene Flint, “The Holy Bible Belonging to Abraham Smock”, Where The Trails Cross, Vol. 14 No. 3 (Spring 1984), a quarterly publication of the South Suburban Genealogical and Historical Society (SSGHS), Hazel Crest, Illinois is available.Reverend Abraham Smock (born 8 July 1790 in Shelby CoKY) married first Anna A. McCannon; married second on May 19, 1823, Shelby Co KY to Catherine Gott . He spent most of his life in Sullivan & Marion Counties Indiana. Jacob, Abraham’s father, is a proven RW soldier, DAR A106236, SAR P-293497.My information is that the bible was donated by Lucile Coffey, a descendant of Abraham Smock, to a museum in Indiana.
- The following names have had some connection:
- Mrs. Gene L. (Margaret) Flint
- Mrs. Adena Charlton
- Lucile Coffey
- Some Smock descendants are cc’d to keep them informed and also see if they can give any info.
- Any suggestions you can give are greatly appreciated.Thanks, Lynn
(NOTE: we surely do miss our SMOCK expert, David Smock, of Florida who passed over in 2015.)
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SENT BY: Kim Melton:
This SMOCK Bible could be in Indianapolis state Genealogy museum. Its downtown by the canal near the statehouse I think. This would be good place to start. Because of Covid I would call see what they say. Or call the Jefferson county, Indiana library in Madison, Indiana. This could be another direction. Was where Samuel Smock lived. Jacob is a direct ancestor on my mothers dads side. Many are buried in the Acton cemetery also. Just FYI. My grandpa George Smock and his parents and others buried there. ————————————————————————————————————————
SENT BY: Jeff & Jo Ellen Villines
I’m not volunteering currently due to Covid-19, but I know the Johnson County (Indiana) has Family Bibles in the genealogy collection. It may be that the Bible is in a museum/genealogical center of some type. Good luck.To date, my Smock ancestry goes back to Jacob Smock. Another note: There were many Low Dutch who came to Johnson County and many lived in Greenwood (also Indiana). There were Smocks in Greenwood.———————————————————————————————————————————————)
SENT BY: Harrodsburg Historical Society, newsletter OLDE TOWNE LEDGER (received Sept 9, 2020)
This issue they gave a lot of space to our Dutch Cousins organization and history. They own our Old Mud Meetinghouse and maintain the only LOW DUTCH ARCHIVES in the world. Membership dues are $30 a year and includes the newsletter mailed to you every other month. Phone 859-734-5985, email library@harrodsburghistorical.org. Marian Bauer, editor. 734-8347. Work is moving along on the 20th century Old Mud Schoolhouse, and completion is slated before November 1, 2020 (God willing). Website: https://harrodsburghistorical.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HarrodsburgHistoricalSociety/—————————————————————————————————-Our Dutch Cousins MISSION STATEMENT
We are descendants of the Low Dutch who settled New Amsterdam, moved to New Jersey, migrated to near Gettysburg, and made history when they later populated the frontier. Our Dutch Kentucky Cousins goal is to research, share, and preserve the genealogy and history of our common Low Dutch heritage, including but not limited to, the restoration and preservation of the old Mud Meetinghouse built by our ancestors in the early 1800s near Harrodsburg, KY. We meet every two years to renew our love for each other. Our mission is to honor the memory of these ancestors and enjoy the friendship of cousins, both newly- discovered and long-loved.
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HERE ARE THE PHOTOS FROM THE 2019 Dutch Cousins Gathering in Kentucky!
SENT BY: Pam Ellingson
I did upload Charlie’s photos to the DC google account. The following link should allow access and people can download the file of 429 photos. Thank you Charlie Westerfield, immediate past president!
https://bit.ly/2Pm0DVX
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