Letters 12/3/2020
THE NEW ADDRESS TO SEND FOR DUTCH LETTERS IS: DutchCousinsofKY@gmail.com
Wonderful news! We have a volunteer! Actually two. Our cousins King and Sharon Cole volunteered to take on this job, and I couldn’t be more pleased. I first met them in 2013 at the Cousins Gathering in Madison Indiana, where we became friends over a TOOTHPICK and some hair spray!
Sharon and I were discussing how the moist air by the river was making our hair uncontrollable. Then King and I got into a deep discussion about a special plastic toothpick we had discovered and King actually had an extra in his billfold! Funny story. Later that day we ran into each other again. They had made a trip to town and brought me two gifts. A travel-size can of hair spray and a package of the special toothpicks. That sealed the friendship!
They have always been willing to do anything to help with the events, and are so much fun to talk to. You are going to want to hug and kiss on them at the 2021 Gathering. They are such a cute couple and have done many interesting things. Ask them about the year they retired, sold their home, and lived on a boat!
I asked for some info to introduce them and they were so modest that all Sharon would say is this:
We live on 11 acres in east Texas, near Tyler. Our daughter and her family also live on the property. I am the genealogist and King is the vegetable gardener and tech-support expert. King and I attended our first Dutch Cousins meeting in 2013 in Madison, Indiana. I am a member of the Mary Tyler Chapter of DAR and King is a member of the Captain William Barron Chapter of SAR. He is also active in the American Legion.KING AND SHARON COLE
So I will add this – Although now living in Texas, they are from Oklahoma City where Sharon graduated from John Marshall high and King went to Putnam City High.
Sharon is a STAGG descendant.
Her g-g-grandmother was Mary Ann Stagg, born at Harrodsburg, KY, in 1819. She married Jacob Francis at Versailles IN in 1838. Mary Ann (Stagg) Francis died in 1853.
Thank you King and Sharon. This is such a load off my to-do list!
With love to all the cousins from Jon and Carolyn Leonard Heavener
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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
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SENT BY: My name is Peggy Kephart Morrow. I see from the recent newsletter, an offer to share information about the Ryker and Smock families. I am a direct Descendant of Gerardus Ryker (both Jr. and Sr.), and would like to see the documents that Mr. Rogers has offered.
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SENT BY: Malcolm and Betty Banta
Hi Carolyn,
Just wanted you to know that I finally got home Wednesday evening at about 5:30. After almost 9 months in the VA hospital in Tampa. They have me to where I can shuffle around with a walker for 150 feet at a time. And it really really feels good to be home. I saw your information about your medical situation, I am so sorry that you’ve been hit with that. Like me I’m sure you will just keep putting 1 foot in front of the other and taking one day at a time best of luck to you and yours. God bless.
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SENT BY: Melona Gallagher (Van Nuys)
My heart reaches out to you in relation to your medical concerns of late and I will hold you in my prayers that this disease will be slow moving in your regards. I imagine many will come forward to take the ease off of you in respect to your Dutch Letters. I will still put my name out there however even though I am a very distant relative up in Canada. I feel like a bit of a fraud when those of you in the States have a more tangible grasp on the history that so closely surrounds you.
I will part by telling you that when I first came across Dutch Letters I was thankful to be invited into the family circle, and for that I say thank you.
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SENT BY: Firth Fabend
Thank you for writing such a brave and heartfelt letter about your situation. You are a model of insightful self-knowledge and fortitude. We have never met, but I always think of you and refer to you as my cousin in Oklahoma.
My thoughts and prayers are with you, dear Cousin.
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SENT BY: Pam Ellingson
Great news!!
I manage the DutchCousinsKY@gmail.com address with the google drive account that stores the photos from the gathering 2019 and some others. It could be used by King & Sharon. Let me know when I should change the addresses for the editor on the website.
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SENT BY: Tamara Fulkerson
I’m so glad they will be doing this!
They are a great couple!
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SENT BY: Mary Jo Gohmann
That is wonderful news! I hope you are feeling stronger and that you had a Happy Thanksgiving.
Mary Jo
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SENT BY: Tina A.N. Gardner
Dutch connection: Cornelious Westerfield
This e-mail was sent from a contact form on Dutch Cousins
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SENT BY: Janice Cozine
Yes!
This is wonderful news.
Sharon and King, thank you for stepping up and taking the time to do this.
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SENT BY: Gary M. Dunn
Please know that all your efforts and tireless work on behalf of the Dutch Cousins has been more than appreciated by many. In fact, it was through you and your newsletter that I became aware I was a Dutch Cousin (thanks also, of course, to James and Leah Brouwer Stagg). In the intervening years, I’ve learned much. As to your recent health issue, yes indeed, we’re all aboard that same train…and we’re all praying for strength, guidance and continuing faith. God bless you and your loved ones.
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SENT BY: Russell Gasero
It is difficult to find the right words to express one’s feelings at your recent message, “The Train.” I have been reflecting on this and being very slow to respond. Certainly, I am so very sorry to hear that you have to go through this and assure you that you are in our prayers for health and, most importantly, to feel the peace and presence of God more than ever.
I found this very moving and a description of life that carried great meaning (and I hope that I may be allowed to use it with proper attribution to you). First, let me say that it is a privilege to be on the train with you. Little did I imagine the impact on my life the Dutch Cousins would have after our first contact. While it has been an every-two-years-in-September kind of thing, nonetheless, it has become an important event. I have enjoyed meeting you and getting to know you a bit each time and have enjoyed the friendly fellowship of all the Dutch Cousins at the gathering. You have always been a chief source and focus of that. Maria has enjoyed the gatherings as well and always enjoyed talking with you and your perspective on events.
So, we pray that we might have several more stops to travel before anyone need step off. I pray that your chemo will go well and not increase pain and discomfort. Thank you for inviting us on this train, it has been a joy and a privilege.
Praying God’s peace on you,
Russ & Maria
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SENT BY: Amalie Preston (from the archives)
Carolyn: A friend gave me a few old issues of “Kentucky Ancestors,” a publication of the Kentucky Historical Society. On the cover of the April, 1978 issue was a photo of the site of the Jefferson County Dutch Station. There was not an article, just the caption under the picture, “Dutch Station 1779-1780. Standing at the site of the Old Station, Middle Fork of Beargrass Creek, Jefferson County, Kentucky. Brown graveyard beyond. This picture was taken March 22, 1922.”
David Smock’s books are safely at the Historical Society, and we plan to build a 2 shelf bookcase to house them atop the Low Dutch archive lateral files.
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SENT BY: Carolyn (Herself). Just received a BIG box with individually wrapped gifts from Cynthia Vann Ausdall (the one who spells it funny as she says). It is a real day brightener! Thank you all for all the great and loving times we have shared. Don’t ever forget. Stay calm and carry on!
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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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