The follow was written 13 February 2008 and originally appeared at The Apple Doesn't Fall Far From the Tree.
Feb 13, 2008
We had another two hour weather delay this morning. I had the news on so I'd know if we closed but I really wasn't paying attention. I puttered around on my computer, working on a blog post and ignored my news feeds.
I started my elementary route right on time but fell a minute behind because several kids were at sitters or not ready because of the delay.
After picking up my first 13 kids I turned onto Main St. Just as student number 14 was boarding, the fire department's rescue truck pulled across and blocked off the next intersection - right at the corner where the funeral home is. Had I paid attention to the news I would have been prepared but since I hadn't, I pulled up to about 50 feet from the intersection, parked in the middle of my lane and called in my situation to alert other drivers that the road was closed. My initial thought was that it must be a funeral for a local fire fighter.
My view was blocked by the truck but very quickly men from the VFW appeared holding American flags and flanked the side street. A procession of cars started around the corner between them. I was briefly distracted by traffic behind me and the kids getting out of their seatbelts to see what was going on - a big no-no on my bus. I was just about to order them back into their seats when members of the 10th Mountain Division started to line up on the porch of the funeral home. Waves of sadness washed over me as I realized what we were about to witness.
A line of Oswego County Sheriff's cars came around the truck on the other side and parked on the side of the road, even with and facing my bus. The officers got out and formed a line, which was quickly joined by NYS Troopers and local Officers who had parked somewhere out of my view. A line of men in blue was now standing at attention in the roadway right in front of the bus and facing the funeral home.
The kids were standing up and asking questions and I was doing my best to answer them. Some were impatient that we were being held up in this way. I told them that somebody important had died and pointed out the three honor guards that we could see from our vantage point. I told them that these men were here to honor a soldier and that we should also show our respect by waiting patiently. A couple were upset at the idea of anyone being dead and I tied to comfort them and not tear up myself. We talked about respect, honor, dignity and war. As we watched, several local residents came out from their homes to stand on the other three corners in the bitter weather.
Suddenly the officers in front of us started saluting and a few moments later we could see the casket being carried onto the porch by more soldiers. This was the first time most of the kids had ever seen a casket. I looked up in my mirror and my problem student, the one that is always in trouble for saying inappropriate things, picking on younger kids or for being just plain disruptive, this student was standing next to their seat and saluting. Despite the lump in my throat I suggested that anybody that wanted to show their respect for this fallen soldier should stand with their hands over their hearts just like the people standing on the corners were doing. The one student continued to salute and the rest of us placed our hands over our hearts and remained that way until the last of the mourners had been escorted into the funeral home.
If we hadn't had a delay we would not have been there. If I had listened to the news I might have rerouted and we would not have been there. If I had not been running one minute late we would not have been there. I believe that we were meant to be there, with our hands over our hearts.
I now know that we witnessed the very sad homecoming of Army Sgt. Timothy Van Orman. Sgt. Van Orman served in Afghanistan from August 2003 to May 2004 and in Iraq from August 2005 to July 2006. In September he was deployed for the third time. Last week Sgt. Van Orman became a casualty of war, dying at the age of 24. He leaves behind a wife, infant daughter, his parents and three siblings. More on his homecoming can be found here and his obituary here. A memorial for Sgt. Van Orman has been created at Find-A-Grave.
Four of my friends have sons in the armed forces. I have never met Mike, who was wounded in Irag, but his mother is thankful that he is doing well and stationed in the US. Another friend's son is in the Air Force and will probably be deployed again. The other two young men are both in the Army and besides being the sons of friends they are two of "my" kids. Bob has finished basic and is continuing his training and will be deployed soon. Jim is still in basic training. I spent a lot of time today thinking about these four young men.
May 31, 2010. These four young men are all well today. Mike and I have met and he is at Fort Drum. The other three young men continue to serve. Meanwhile the sons and grandsons of other friends have entered the service and I pray that they all return home to their families safely.
Monday, May 31, 2010
Monday, May 24, 2010
Capt Daniel Carlisle - Pest of Society
Amanuensis: A person employed to write what another dictates or to copy what has been written by another.
Amanuensis Monday, hosted by John Newmark at Transylvanian Dutch.
I found this very interesting letter at Google Books: Town papers. Documents relating to towns in New Hampshire, Volume 13. Capt. Daniel Carlisle was my 4th great-grandfather. He was cashiered from the Army so I found it interesting that he retained the title, Captain. He ran a public house in Westmoreland, New Hampshire so he likely had a good forum for his views. The question was did Westmoreland belong to New Hampshire or Vermont and did New Hampshire have the right to collect taxes.
[662]
[11-87] [Statement concerning matters in Town, 1781.]
Westmorland 13 Febr 1781--
Sir--
Before this reaches you, you will undoubtedly hear of the
disorder in this part of the State, -- I find that people pretend to
be actuated by several motives,--some say that the Court of
New Hampshire are so Arbetary that they ought to brake from
them, some say that New Hampshire had rather confine the
State to the Mason Liine, then have any of the Grants west of
WESTMORELAND 663
the River; but some more bold Enemies to the State and
States, such as Capt Daniel Carlile of Westmorland who on
the seventh of this Instant before several witnesses,-- Did de-
clare, that for his part, he was for the Convention, not because
he saw what they was after, but the more disorder the better in
order to bring about a Revolution : for says he We must either
be subject of France or Britton and for his part, he chose Great
Britton and if the people would rise and drive the French
from the Continent, he would rise and drive the French
from the Continent, he would go in parson, or contribute one
hundred hard Dollars towards the same ; for says he, the peo-
ple must throw of the authority, and then they could make a
peace, for a peace with Great Britton was what he wanted and
said, I am not, afraid to declare my sentiments before your best
Authority, for said he your Authority is weak and if three
Towns will Combine together, the Authority dare not medle
with them, nor send for any Tax and as for myself says he I will
pay no more Taxes to New Hampshire, for a Revolt, from
Authority is what I want, and susch like conversation, this Capt
Carlile and some other disaffected persons have been very active
by one means or other to lead the people to Act as inconsistant
with and I think as much against their interest and the com-
mon good, as they could have acted; this is not the only Town
for I am well informed that the disaffected persons are all en-
gaged in this new Plan, for seperating from New Hampshire,
as they please to term it; but I believe it is more as Capt Car-
lile desires it to be, to bring on all the disorder possible. He
and some others are grone to be very bold and I wish for heav-
ens sake that Authority might take place and all our domestick
Enemies maight either be subjected to Authority or driven from
us for they are the Pest of Society, and I think they are on the
gaining hand in this part of the State--Sir I thought it my
Duty, to inform your honor of this that you might be ac-
quainted of what persons we have amongst us--
I am Sir
Your Honors most
Obed and Hble Servt
Joseph Burt
The Honble Mesheck Weare
Title Town papers. Documents relating to towns in New Hampshire, Volume 13
Volumes 11-13 of Provincial and state papers, New Hampshire
Town Papers. Documents Relating to Towns in New Hampshire, Isaac Weare Hammond
Authors Isaac Weare Hammond, New Hampshire (Colony) Probate Court
Publisher P. B. Cogswell, state printer, 1884
Original from the University of California
Digitized Aug 7, 2007
Accessed May 20, 2010 at Google Books: http://books.google.com/books?id=OFgSAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=bibliogroup:%22Provincial+and+state+papers%22&lr=&ei=CcX1S_7EJaWIyATj6KiHBw&cd=17#v=onepage&q&f=false
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Clarinda Etoly Robinson - 1857-1909
Through letters I have learned much about her and the Robinson family and have added them to an online tree to share that information. I have connected with a member of the Robinson family who shared a photograph of Toley and just recently found a record of her death. When I wrote What Happened to Etoley Robinson I cleared up some relationships but made at least one incorrect assumption. Rather than a standard index page I have created this time line for Toley. Included are links to letters, the online tree and Find-a-Grave. Hopefully I now have all of the Robinson family relations correct.
Toley - Thank you for being a friend!
1857. Clarinda Etoley Robinson was born to Parker and Clarinda Robinson on October 24th, most likely in Elkhart County, Indiana.
1860. Census. Concord, Elkhart, Indiana. With her parents, six siblings and her paternal grandmother.
1865. The Robinson family moved to Buchanan, Berrien, Michigan.
1870. Census. Buchanan, Berrien, Michigan. With her parents and three siblings. Next door was her sister, Elizabeth Robinson Voorhees.
1880. Census. Buchanan, Berrien, Michigan. With her parents. Next door was her sister, Elizabeth Robinson Voorhees. Her friend, Anna Camfield Carlisle lived in the home behind hers.
1887. Buchanan, Berrien, Michigan.
- Toley is mentioned in a letter, Anna Camfield Carlisle, 3 Feb 1887. She had stayed with her friend, Anna, while Anna's husband was out of town.
1898. Her father, Parker Robinson, died January 29th and was buried in Oak Ridge Cemetery, Buchanan, Berrien, Michigan. Her mother, Clarinda, also died that year, on November 16th and was also buried in Oak Ridge Cemetery.
- Sympathy for Toley and her mother was expressed in a letter by Sarah Ann Camfield, 17 Feb 1898.
1899. Toley moved from Buchanan, Michigan to South Bend, Indiana.
- On February 19th Toley was taking care of Anna Carlisle's children and wrote the first of the letters that Anna would save.
- In a letter dated Feb 24, 1899, Daniel Carlisle stated that Toley intended to leave for South Bend, St Joseph, Indiana the following day.
- Also on Feb. 24, Tamerson Carlisle mentioned Toley's planned trip to South Bend and also that they had seen Toley's brother, Abner Robinson.
- A third letter on Feb 24 by Ashley Carlisle also mentions Toley and Abner.
- On Feb 26 Daniel Carlisle confirmed that Toley had left for South Bend.
- Anna Carlisle wrote to Toley on Feb 27. Since Toley had already left for south Bend I assume that Toley never received it and that is why it was with Anna's papers.
- On March 18 Toley was still in South Bend, Indiana when she wrote to Tamerson Carlisle. She mentioned writing to Mrs. Gosline and that her violin had arrived. She mentions her brother, Abner and many other people.
- In a second letter written March 18, Toley mentions her sister, Lib (Elizabeth) and other friends.
- April 27, 1899, Rose G Camfield says she hasn't seen Toley in South Bend, IN and asks if Toley has returned to Buchanan, MI.
- May 7, Toley had moved to E. Washington St and described her new rooms. Lib and Amelia were mentioned.
- Aug 7, 1899, Rose G Camfield mentions that Toley had been to visit her in South Bend, IN a few days earlier and that she seemed well and happy.
- Aug 28, 1899, Mabel Camfield Marsh said that she saw Toley every day and that she didn't think Toley would visit Buchanan, MI that summer.
- Sept 10, 1899, Toley wrote from South Bend, IN about her frustrations with her job. She is concerned about some deeds and said, "I wish you would ask Abb [Abner] if he got those deeds all right."The remainder of the letter talks about a show she saw.
- The year finished out with a letter from South Bend, IN by Toley, Dec 31st, in which she talks about friends and Christmas. As far sa family she said, "I suppose Lizzie has gone to Mays Bell does not seeme to envy May in the least. I have not seen Amelia since she came back". Amelia Gosline was her niece. Lizzie was most likely Toley's siter-in-law, Elizabeth Grady Wilbur Robinson and May was Lizzie's daughter. Belle was most likely Mabel Camfield but I have no idea why she would be envious of May. [Thanks to Chris for figuring out these relationships.]
1900. Census. South Bend, St Joseph, Indiana. Renting rooms in the home of George Northam that she shared with her niece, Amelia Gosline (daughter of her sister, Sarah Robinson Gosline). She was working as a dressmaker.
- Jan 1, Toley wrote from South Bend, Indiana. She mentioned Christmas and several friends.
- Jan 3, Toley wrote from South Bend, Indiana. A short letter, she mentions her nephew, Clint Voorhees. I believe that the letters written Dec 31, Jan 1 and Jan 3 were all mailed together.
- Mar 18, Toley wrote from South Bend, Indiana. Mentioned are family named McComb that I can not place and her nephew, Clint Voorhees and sister, Celia. She also provides the birth dates of her parents and recounts her family's trip from Indiana o Michigan.
- Mar 19, Toley wrote about a show she had seen. I believe this letter was sent with the one written the day before.
- Apr 23, Toley mentioned, Lib Voorhees, Amelia and Ralph Gosline, Lizzie Robinson and May Seavey as well as a family named McComb.
- Aug 14, Toley wrote from the hospital in South Bend, Indiana. She had had a serious gynecological problem and relates her problem and recovery in a long letter. Her apartment is described briefly and her niece, Amelia Gosline, is mentioned.
- Aug 21, Toley was now home in South Bend, Indiana. She mentions her sister, Elizabeth Robinson Voorhees and some friends.
- By 1900 her brother, Woosley, had moved to Grant County, Oklahoma.
- In a letter Jan 7, 1901, Sarah Ann Camfield asks after Toley.
- July 15, Toley wrote to Anna but did not say where she was but the indication is South Bend, Indiana. Mentions Peter, Sarah and Amelia Gosline and Lib Voorhees.
- 20 Sept 1901, Toley. "Sarah, Peater and Cora was here to see us" Sarah and Peter Gosline but who was Cora? Also Walter and Vera Voorhees.
1902. Letters written from South Bend, Indiana
- Jan 5, Toley said she was well and working as a seamstress. She mentioned her niece, Amelia Gosline and nephew, Clint Voorhees.
- March 30, Toley wrote about Easter, work and bills. She mentioned her brother, Abner Robinson.
- Nov 27, Toley wrote of the weather, work and Thanksgiving. Also that she had started taking a class.
1903. South Bend, Indiana.
- Aug 2, Toley had finished her studies and had started a new career as a nurse. She mentions some friends, her sister Lib and bother Abb. Also mentioned is May. She indicates that the Robinson house in Buchanan, Michigan is empty.
1905. Not known.
- Sept 20, Tamerson Carlisle mentioned Toley's nephew, Leland Robinson.
- Sept 27, Anna Carlisle also mentions Leland.
1906. Not known.
- May 18, Sarah Ann Camfield asks if the Robinson house is still empty.
1908. Medford, Grant, Oklahoma.
- Dec 23, Toley wrote from Meford, OK. She told of Christmas and making hair puffs. Mentioned her brother, Woolsey, sister, Sarah and niece, Amelia.
1909. Medford, Grant, Oklahoma.
- Jan 10, Toley said, "I do not think you will have me when the five years are up. you know I did not promise to come back unless I prospered." She again wrote a bout Christmas and mentioned gifts from her sister, Sarah, and niece, Amelia, as well as other friends.
- Mar 26, Toley wrote about having to move and making hair pieces. She mentions her brother, Woolsey and Mae and said that her nephew, Melvin and family started back to their claim.
1909. Death. 26 June, Grant County, Oklahoma. Burial Springdale Cemetery.
- In Jan 1909 Toley wrote of Sarah Ann Camfield, who was then 91, "Am sorry your mother does not become any stronger but it is not surprising. if we should live to be as old as she is we may consider ourselves lucky is we should be strong." Sadly, Toley died just a few months later at the age of 51.
- Chris found Toley's burial information in: The silent cities of Grant County, Oklahoma by Deone K. Pearcy, N. Dale Talkington. 1993.
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