Report #10 - 10-22-04 06:36 AM
Wrap Up:
I begin by affirming the value of prayer. Thanks to mom's gentle reminders, we began each day with it, asking for safety, and, on occasion, remembering to ask to be protected from others. I know of 4 instances where there were narrow misses of accidents. We are grateful they were misses. When we arrived in San Angelo Texas, and while waiting for Tim and Laurie to join us at a designated point, to guide us to their house, I noticed serious wear damage to a tire. In San Angelo, we found a sale of the proper tires at less than 1/2 their normal price. I consider this a "safe trip" blessing.
The northern part of our trip across America was blessed with virtually perfect travelling weather, with mild temperatures and magnificent fall colors virtually from Utah to the East coast. Even the long stretches of fields of crops showed varieties of colors, from the browns and tans of post harvest stalks to the fresh greens of new seasonal plantings. By the time we had reached Texas, the northern part of the country was experiencing rainstorms and, in a few places, snow.
The Atlantic seaboard was fresh and clean of air in the aftermath of a record stormy season. In Jamestown, the fallen trees from the Storm ravages were still evident. Two days after we passed through Maryland, the road on which we travelled was closed by a fresh rainstorm. Travelling through Kentucky, we experienced the only rainfall we saw until returning to California, and that rain was relatively mild, in no way interfering with our travel. The last hours of our trip were taken in the rain, which started within moments of our crossing the California border. The rain continued on and off until about 15 minutes before we reached Connie and Darrell's home in Moreno Valley. We were there about an hour, with no rain. We returned to the highway, and drove through rain until about 15 minutes before arriving home to a dry driveway, and a few drops of moisture still dripping from the porch roof.
I will confess to not have taken this trip with expectations of spiritual experiences, but they came apleanty. Shortly before leaving, I realized we would be stopping in many cities where there were temples. We were able to attend endowment sessions in Provo, Salt Lake, Winter Quarters, Nauvoo, Palmyra and Mesa. Janet also went to the Jordan River Temple with her sister Sharon. We did washings and anointings while in Winter Quarters, and were witness couple in Salt Lake. In each, we spent several minutes in the Celestial room, drinking in the peace and marvelling at the unique beauty of each one. At the beautiful reconstruction of the Nauvoo temple, we arrived just as the sun was setting in a spectacular display of color, which reflected off the front of the temple. As Janet spent many minutes gazing in wonder at the beauty of the scene, I was equally touched by the larger than life bronze statue representing the final moments of Joseph and Hiram in Nauvoo. They are mounted on horseback, facing the temple, as the final glow of the sun cast an additional golden hue to every detail of their faces. From the temple, the old city of Nauvoo lines the bank of the Mississippi behind them. Nauvoo, the beautiful.
In Elmira, New York, we sat in the kitchen of the home built by Stephen Tobey, my 4th great-grandfather, who was born before the Revolutionary War began. WeI saw the gravestone of his father, Zaccheus, who fought in that war.
In Sandwich, Massachusetts, We walked along Water Street, and trod on ground where my ancestors strove for generations after 1637.
In Dennis, Massachusetts, we strolled through the gardens of the Tobey Farm, the oldest continuously running farm in America. The farmhouse, which still stands, was built by Thomas Tobey, the son of my 10th Great Grandfather.
In Glen Burnie, Maryland, we attended a Fast and Testimony meeting with George and Carol Woods. The day before, for the first time since 1958, we had greeted each other in a brotherly embrace, and sharel our life experiences. We had each been baptised in the YMCA Swimming Pool in New London, Connecticut on April 28, 1957.
In El Reno, Oklahoma, we shared our testimony with my cousin Maxine, and showed her the Oklahoma City Temple. In the visitor's waiting room of the Temple she read and was touched by the Proclamation on the Family.
On the day following our return home, I went to seen my high school friend and Optometrist, who revealed that he had been seeing the missionaries. I was able to bear testimony to him of the promises of an eternal family, which seemed to have an effect on him.
The spiritual aspect of the journey was a great bonus to what we planned.
The last several days were spent enjoying family. We spent two delightful days with Maxine and Joe, my cousins. I had not seen Joe since 1982, and we had a lot of "catching up" to do. Joe also gave me the best haircut I've had in years!
Then we travelled to Texas, to enjoy the new homes of Tim and Laurie and of Wayne and Phal. We were rather astounded to to find how much home could be had for the money. It reinforced the old "Location, location, location" addage, to the point of riduculousness. We were pleased to see that our Grandchildren were growing beautifully. It was great fun being with them Jeffrey gave mom his latest novel, "Adventures of Five Kittens." It is hilarious.
In terms of accomplishments:
Mom developed a new appreciation for her ancestry, after standing on ground, now sacred to her, where her predecessors trod, froze, suffered, and persevered, and ultimately triumphed in their trek to preserve the truth for succeeding generations.
I came to understand, a little better, the barriers overcome by my early kinfolk in implanting themselves in new frontiers. I came away sobered, but feeling enriched and somehow more whole, in realizing that my father, even with his weaknesses, had passed on to me the genes of a family of remarkable achievement. It continues to be my hope that one of our children will see fit to give to a child yet unborn, the middle name of "Tobey." Such an act would restore continuity to a lineage of great worth.
Oh, yeah. We also visited great bookstores. Two that stand out were Mad Dog and the Pilgrim booksellers in Sweetwater Station Wyoming (Population 12), where we were attracted by a handpainted sign proped against a bucket that announced "eggs & books." We bought a first
American edition of "The Prisoner of Zenda"
The other was in the town of Archer City, Texas. The businesses in Archer City are along a three block strip, and consist of a bank, an art gallery, a service station and five buildings containing books. Four of the buildings are operated by Larry McMurtry, the author of the Lonesome Dove series. In four of the buildings, you enter, and find a sign that says (I am paraphrasing because I do not recall the exact words) "If you need help, you can either: 1) Yell until you are hoarse, 2) Search in vain for a clerk, or 3) go to building 1 where there is a clerk on duty. One of the unmanned buildings contained a large rare book room. I observed several volumes priced in the thousands of dollars range.
I perused one 8' high bookcase containing only the works of P.G. Wodehouse, including at least dozens of first editions. We came back with two boxes of good finds.
There is much more that could have been done, but time ran out.
God willing, I will return to New York, and will make copies of diaries, letters and memoranda from 5 generations of Tobeys, now held in a small family "museum" in Caton, New York.
I still believe there are records extant, perhaps in early maritime records, which will give clues to the identity and relationships of Thomas Tobey, the seaman. I want to find them.
There are many places of historical significance to our families, to which I want to return, photograph, and explore. I want to be assured I know of the relevant written records which will enrich knowledge of our ancestors as individuals.
I want to do as complete an oral history as possible on kinfolk now alive, including all of our children and grandchildren, aunts, uncles and cousins of every degree.
For now, I've got a video to produce!
Enjoy!
Report #9 - 10-09-04 12:08 PM
We spent yesterday on a duckboat, wandering through the streets of boston on "PT 409", shouting "Quack-Quack" at all and sundry about the city. Then the duckboat went into the Charles River for a 30 minute sightseeing tour along the river and through the old lock system.
After lunch, we got on the freeway, and quickly determined that Boston is like all big cities, where one spends as much time in traffic as one does sightseeing. For that reason, we determined to forgo Maine and we headed for Washington, D.C. We did not get very far, traffic limited us to about 70 miles by 7:00 pm, and we stopped somewhere in Connecticut for the night.
This is written from the public library in Glen Burnie, Maryland (bless Andrew Carnegie and Benjamin Franklin for their foresight). We will stay here tonight, attend church with my friend George Wood tomorrow, and head for Williamsburg tomorrow.
Except for big city traffic, the trip has been remarkably pleasant.
Love,
Dad & Mom
Report #8 - 10-07-04 5:01 PM
I have good news and bad news, depending on how you look at things.
In Sandwich, we met with Mrs. Dorothy Gill, the library historical records specialist, and a very distant cousin. In the course of our long conversation, we mentioned we were wished to see a house known as the Tobey House, built in 1690 by a brother to one of my ancestors. She got a broad smile on her face. After first directing us to the location, she announced the 7 bedroom 5 fireplace fully restored home on 1 1/2 acres with its own pond, is for sale. We did not buy it.
Mrs. Gill was the bearer of further bad tidings, in that she showed us conclusively how two documents on which I placed heavy reliance in seeking the father of my earliest known ancestor were incorrectly reported by prior historians. I felt like I was reading points and authorities citing bad law.
We did see the area where the American family began, and learned a great deal about their early history. We visited a farm granted to one of our ancestors in gratitude for his service during the "King Phillip's War" against the local indians. It is the oldest continuously operated farm in the United States. It is now operated on behalf of absentee owners by two attractive young Hungarian ladies.
Tomorrow we head for Boston and, probably, Maine. Then on toward Williamsburg.
Love,
Dad & Mom
Report #7 - 10-06-04 8:00 PM
Yesterday was a great day! We met the wife of a recently deceased third cousin, who provided substantial recent family history. We photographed gravestones of five and possibly six generations of Tobeys, extending back to Zaccheus Tobey, who was a revolutionary war veteran. We found and examined the content of the Tobey Museum, and the Tobeytown area of Caton, New York. Tobeytown was a road about 1 1/2 miles long. At one point in the late 1800's every home was occupied by a Tobey. We saw and photographed the family graveyard, the home built by revolutionary war doctor Stephen Tobey, the home built by his son Rev; Christopher Tobey. I now know a great deal more about them and their lives.
One disappointment was the Tobey Museum; not because of it's content, but because the volume of its written content, coupled with our time constraints, prevented me from beginning to photograph all the material. I Shall Return.
In the late afternoon, we travelled to Palmyra New York just in time to attend an endowment session.
Today we drove straight through to Sandwich Mass, from where this is written. It is a beautiful little town, organized (by six men, including your ancestor George Knott) in 1637.
After we find housing for the night we will begin the serious task of finding Thomas Tobey the seaman.
Love,
Dad & Mom
Report #6 - 10-05-04 11:00 AM
Yesterday we saw the most beautiful autumn scenery imaginable. We also learned more about my grandparents. We visited their final burial place, which they share with Hal Roach and Mark Twain. We visited the home they occupied at their death, which has been completely restored. Photos will be provided if and when we can get the laptop to do what it was intended to do.
We visited Tobeytown, located on an unpaved road in a gorgeous remote valley outside of the Village of Caton. Today we visit the Tobey Museum, and a distant cousin.
The weather is turning chill, but beautiful, and will enhance the turning of the leaves on the abundant foliage.
Later today we travel to Sandwich, MA. We expect to arrive late there.
Love,
Dad & Mom
Report #5 - 10-04-04 12:00 PM
Internet problems are driving me crazy. We bought a new laptop, but it doesn't want to get connected. I'm sending abbreviated reports to Jim, who is supposed to be updating the website.
We are now in Elmira New York. I saw the house where my father was born, and the gravestones of my grandparents. This afternoon, we will travel a short distance to Caton, NY., where there is an old schoolhouse, a road, a private cemetery and several houses that are still in the family.
You might be interested to know that we also saw memorial plaques to the rescuers of pioneers who were stranded in a snowstorm. The name LeMon was on the plaques.
Love,
Dad & Mom
Report #4 - 10-01-04 9:00 PM
[From Jimmy] Laurie emailed, and Dad called from a hotel near Notre Dame university; his system is connecting to the hotel's network, but the hotel isn't talking to the Internet at large.
He says they're doing well, the car is running like a charm, and they're having fun. They spent time going to the temples in Winter Quarters and Nauvoo, went through Kirtland, and are now spending far too much for their room because the Fighting Irish have a home game. Next stop: Elmira, NY, the Tobey family stomping grounds.
Love,
Dad & Mom
Report #3 - 9-25-04 12:55 PM
Back to the Genealogy Library, while mom learns more about the Book of Mormon.
Substantial controversy has arisen as to whether Hiram Ransom was a Justice of the Peace. While the Census Records of 1880 Reflect a proper time and age for H.B. Ransom of Elmira New York, suggestions have been made that H.B. Ransom and Hiram Ransom are not the same person. While the staff of Wrightclan Net continues to investigate, we stand by the original assertion that James L. Wright is not the first member of the family to wear black at work. Other sources have noted that records show Hiram Ransom was living in Groveland New York at the same time H.B. Ransom was living in Elmira.
(translation: I messed up. Hiram was a good old fashioned dirt farmer. H.B. (no relation that I can trace) was the brain dead justice of the peace.)
This morning we got a phone call from Wayne and Laurie, who were together at Lauries.
After singing the birthday song badly, Wayne announced that his car is several inches shorter, thanks to the aggressive driving of a Texas Phone Company truck. Thankfully no one was injured, and Wayne is already negotiating for lifetime free DSL Service as part of any settlement.
We leave tomorrow for somewhere along the Mormon trail. We'll send smoke signals.
Tell Jon the computer now has an optical mouse.
Love,
Dad & Mom
Report #2 - 9-24-2004 2:35 PM
Yesterday spent at Genealogy Library in Salt Lake. Found out great grandfather Hiram Ransom was a Justice of the Peace, before he developed brain fever at age 60. Let this be a caution to my kids, you may be pushing me around explaining what I am trying to say! So far, mom has gone to Provo, Jordan River and SLC Temples. I went to Provo, and this morning to SLC, where mom and I were witness couple. I told her my birthday gift was the privilege of sitting in the Celestial Room of the SLC Temple. I don't think I have ever seen a more beautiful room.
Then we went to the LDS museum on Temple Square, and found a wonderful new artist, more about whom you will learn later.
I'm writing this from the Genealogy Library, where I have pretty well exhausted this resource, and still hitting blank walls on about five lines.
All is well.
Tonight we attend the Book of Mormon History dinner and watch selections from the Ballet Folklorico...
Love,
Dad & Mom
Report #1 - 9-21-04 3:21 PM
After failing to recover on Saturday from the after effects of an absolutely wonderful Friday night party (I only wish Wilmhurst could have been there), and the very enjoyable en suite assemblage of Sunday night at Wright Manor, we hit the road.
I knew it was going to be a great vacation when we got on the 605 Freeway at 8:00 A.M., took about 30 seconds getting across lanes and into the HOV lane, and did 75 plus all the way from Cerritos to Las Vegas, with no interruptions.
Since the traffic angel was apparantly resting firmly on our shoulder, we pushed on to Provo, arriving before 6:00 (mountain time). Once there, we made a slight miscalculation, we signed up for a night in LaQuinta Inn, across from BYU Stadium. We had stayed there once before, back in the 70's. It has not been upgraded since. In fact, I think the bed was the same one we slept on then. The difference was: then we were young and agile.
Now such things as truck grade bedsprings, horseblanket filled pillows and wooden bedframes that squeek when you exhale, become bothersome. We were also displeased to find the bathtub had been partially reenameled, but they ran out of money before finishing a couple of spots. Oh, yeah, they advertised in-room internet connections. I think their advertising director graduated from the 60 minutes fact checking school.
They did have a computer center, but the computer there was also lacking an internet connection.
Today, we were up with the freshmen, revelling in 36 degree weather (It turned cold Sunday night), and heading for campus - mom to the bookstore and me to the family history section of the library.
I learned that in 1790, the politicians in New York tried to Annex Vermont, and sent agents to lay claim to the land. It was Ethan Allen's Green Mountain boys who drove the Yankers back to where they belonged. This tidbit came in the process of trying to find the ancestry of your GGG Grandfather Hiram Ransom, a Vermonter.
After finding a few good clues, mom and I had lunch at the on-campus Art Museum, and visited a world-class exhibit of Egyptian, Greek and Minoan artifacts, on loan from the Boston Museum of Fine Arts.
Now we are taking the afternoon "off" in a new and better hotel Fairfield inn in Orem. I'm about to spend a bit of time between the indoor pool and the whirlpool, before heading off for dinner.
Jim, could you get for me mark's direct e-mail address, and connies, if she has one. I plan to communicate directly with some of you from time to time.
Love,
Dad & Mom