Things to do in July

Please check out the Family Reunion Meetup site. Patti was suggesting some things to do and I added a bunch of other free but fun things to do in the area. There is also a photo album with some of the sites.

There will be a rare -1.8 low tide. The Tide Pools in Moss Beach are fantastic when the water gets that low. People come from a hundred miles away when such low tides are forecast. You can walk a long way out in the ocean on the rocky ledges of the tide pools and see lots of anemone and sea cucumber as well as starfish, clams etc. And even an occasional octopus or squid.

Several people have RSVP'd but many others have not. Please comment either way and enjoy the sights in advance.

Larry

Little Sister

Happy Birthday little sis.

Miss you.

Happy Birthday!

Almost missed it due to a very busy day! But hope you had a very happy birthday Trischel!

4th Anniversary

Today is our 4th anniversary. Here is a picture from that day . . .

Another GreatGreat Grandma Birthday

Margurite Feemster, born 16 April 1810 (or 1816)in South Carolina. She married James Harvey Robinson in 1835. She died in 1902 in Noble Ozark Missouri which is the same place her grandson Ross Solon McGee was born in 1882. Ross's mother was her ninth and last child, Emily Lucretia Robinson, born in Mississippi in 1855.

Some records show a nickname of Tirzah Feemster. (on a sheet submitted by Olive Bott from Brigham City)

Here is an interesting excerpt from Ross McGee's journal: (They had moved to Oklahoma in about 1893.)

... Soon after, in the early part of September, 1898, Mother and Dad had planned a trip to Ozark County, Missouri to visit with Mother's people. We had been away a long time. It didn't take us long to get everything ready. With a team and spring wagon, we started on what we though at that time was a long trip – 250 mi. All of us went except the three older boys, Ulys, Elwood and Henry. They had to stay and take care of things at home.

After we started out this day, it began to rain, and as we got up the country further, it rained more and more. Finally we came to the river known as Big Cabin. It was really big and overflowing. This was close to the town of Vinita, Indian Territory, and there were no indications of the river going down, anyway not very soon. So we went back home.

[At home, they found that Mormon Missionaries were visiting with the older boys. They hosted them for two days and then started their trip back to Missouri,]
…
Now back to our trip to Missouri. We arrived back at the place of our birth, Noble Ozark County, Missouri; back to see Grandma, uncles, and aunts. They were glad to see us. We had so many good things to eat and had good times with our cousins and kin. We had written the boys at home of our safe arrival. In the first letter we received from them, they told us two more Mormon Elders had been there. Father and Mother had told the folks about the Mormons and Dad took the Book of Mormon and a few other little books back there with him. But all they would say was, "Beware of wolves dressed in sheep's clothing." Finally our visit was over and our journey back home was a good success. We were gone four weeks.

[Ross's Dad, Solon Huff McGee, joined the Church in November 1898 and Ross was baptized the following year on the 24th of July 1899.]

GreatGrandfather

William Joseph Despain
Born 9 April 1843 in Illinois

From his daughter Louretta Maynes (1956)
The first I remember very clearly of my father was when I was very small. I had measles and Father took care of me, so the other children wouldn't get them. We were sleeping by the front window and I kept asking him questions. He answered them until he was worn out. Then, impatiently, but kindly he said, "Oh, Louretta can't you go to sleep I am tired." It seemed that whenever I was sick Father was the one who took care of me at night. He was a good nurse and always patient and gentle....He held the Priesthood and was always called on to minister to the sick both night and day.

From his son Alvin (1957)
William Joseph Despain, son of Solomon Joseph Despain and Ruth Amelia Newell was born 9 April 1843 in Calhoon County, Illinois, being the oldest child in the family of eleven children (He had a twin brother, Solomon, who was born first but he died on the same day of his birth).

When Joseph was 8 years old, in 1851, he moved with his parents to Memphis, Tennessee and Marion, Arkansas, where they remained until 1861, at which time they emigrated to Utah, crossing the plains by ox train in the David H. Cannon company.

While in the South young Joseph was busy helping his father. He has told stories to his children of his exploits up and down the Mississippi River and of his plaYing and working in the timber.

***
My comments. Calhoun County is about 120 miles south of Nauvoo, perhaps 40 miles north of St, Louis, along the Mississippi river. They were not Mormon while the Church was in Nauvoo. The family joined the Church in 1851. William Joseph was baptised in 1853 after they moved to Tennessee. I think I've seen a picture of him, but I'm still looking for a copy.

Daniel Stuart McGee

Hey sorry that it took me so long to introduce the newest member to our family. Daniel was born on March 29 at 9:05 am and was 4 pounds and 11 ounces, he was also 18 inches long. We are truly enjoying having him and can't wait for all of you to meet him.
He is a very small bundle of joy, and is growing with every passing day. He is starting to smile and to hold his head up for just a few seconds.

Adam is really enjoying his little dude, and is just waiting for the day they can play the PS.3 together, he is already trying to show him how.
Daniel will be two weeks old on Saturday, it seems like it was just yesterday that we were still waiting for him to come. Oh well anyways we just wanted to let all of you know that we are doing really well and enjoying being parents to the cutest little boy.
Although we were not expecting him to come early, we feel very blessed that he was sent to us, he is truly a very special spirit and we love having him.
We love all of you and will continue to keep you updated on how he is doing and growing let us know if you want any pictures and we will see what we can do.









Yay... we got to go home!!!








Benjamin really enjoyed getting to hold him and just kept saying "Baby" and pointing




















Adam's Birthday he was really pooped by the time it came around.




Well will talk more later.
Love Adam, Betsy & Daniel

Happy #13

Sam,
We wanted to wish you a happy birthday on your birthday instead of on the day before so have a happy birthday and welcome to being a teenager. Remember not to piss off dad by being a know-it-all like we were. Love KC, Jenn and Kleigh

Welcome to the Teen Years Sam!!

Tomorrow is Sam's birthday . . . number #13.
You can't tell but he's whistling in the picture . . .

This is kinda old--from when they came to visit for Thanksgiving in 2006.
Happy Birthday Sam!!!

Happy Birthday Adam

Happy Birthday to Adam. He is 23 years old today. Here ia a picture of Adam showing off his birthday gift.