Seventy Years in the Coal Mines

Cross Mountain Miners: Joseph & Richard MCQUEEN

2012-02-13T15:57:00.000-08:00

Based on information from MCQUEEN descendants, I have revised the information for Joseph L. "Joe" (#46) and Richard (#47) MCQUEEN who were killed in the Cross Mountain mine explosion. Links to the revised information for Joseph and Richard are included below.

Link to Joseph and Richard MCQUEEN

Fraterville Miners: Leon C. MILLER (#79) and Jacob SHARP (#124)

2012-01-16T11:11:00.000-08:00

Mr. Lynn Voyles, a relative of Fraterville miner, Jacob SHARP (#124) contacted me with some additional information and a correction to the information for Fraterville miners, Leon C. MILLER (#79) and Jacob SHARP (#124). Links to the revised information are provided below.

Leon C. MILLER

Jacob SHARP

Thank you, Lynn. I am most grateful for you kind contribution.

Ellis Kincaid (Sharp) CARDEN, 1925-2012

2012-01-13T08:18:00.000-08:00

CARDEN, MRS. ELLIS - age 86 of LaFollette, passed away peacefully at her home in Davis Chapel on Thursday morning, January 12, 2012. She was a faithful member of the LaFollette United Methodist Church for over 40 years and the Waco Baptist Church in Waco, Kentucky, for 30 years. Ellis was also a member of the Senior Choir at Waco Baptist for many years. Ellis was born at her home in LaFollette on February 13, 1925, where she lived until she was married to her husband, Mr. Bob Carden, on June 14, 1946. She was a graduate of LaFollette High School and worked as a teaching assistant for many years in the Campbell County School System. Her parents were John Henry Sharp and Bessie Snavely Sharp. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by husband, Bob Carden; brother, John Condra Sharp; and sister, June Ellison. Throughout her long battle with Alzheimer's disease, she kept her sweet spirit and good manners. She always enjoyed sewing and crafts of all types. She was an accomplished seamstress and made personalized quilts for almost every member of her family. For years she made a quilt for every new baby in her church. She loved homemaking, cooking, and had a passion for growing and arranging flowers. She was a faithful wife and loving mother to her daughters and their families. Ellis is survived by her daughters, Dinah Martin and her husband, Jim, of Waco, Kentucky; Nancy Blevins and her husband, Darril, of Knoxville, Tennessee; and Laura Broyles and her husband Jerry, of LaFollette. She is also survived by seven grandchildren: John Martin, James Martin, Joe Martin, Russell Hammac, Jill McHaffie, Rae Russell, and Carden Russell. Her great-grandchildren are: Chase Martin, Connor Martin, Grant Martin, Ella Martin, Molly Martin, Laura Martin, Claire Martin, Ryann McHaffie, Maddi Bolton, Bo McHaffie, Lily Martin, Jack Bradley Martin, and Mary Ellis McHaffie. Funeral services will be Saturday at the LaFollette United Methodist Church at 12:00 p.m., January 14, 2012, with Dr. Kenneth Faught officiating. Interment to follow at Woodlawn Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. before funeral services. Pallbearers will be her grandsons. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The LaFollette United Methodist Church, 808 East Central Avenue, LaFollette, TN 37766 and Body Recall, P.O. Box 412, Berea, KY 40403. Online condolences for Mrs. Carden may be made at www.waltersfuneralhome.net. Walters Funeral Home of LaFollette is honored to be serving the family of Mrs. Ellis Carden.
Published in Knoxville News Sentinel on January 13, 2012

RESULTS OF 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF CROSS MOUNTAIN MINE DISASTER 9 DECEMBER 2011

2011-12-31T07:34:00.000-08:00

Photographs and narrative of the 100th anniversary of the Cross Mountain mine disaster have been published by the Coal Creek Watershed Foundation at the following link:

http://www.coalcreekaml.com/CrossMtn100thResults.htm

I have also added this link to "Cross Mountain Links" on my website at:

http://www.seventyyearsinthecoalmines.org/crossmtnlinks.html

ABCs of SPAM

2011-12-22T10:56:00.000-08:00

ABCs OF SPAM FROM E-MAIL SENDERS AND SUBJECT LINES

Whenever the following words appear in the subject line of an e-mail, the e-mail is quite likely to be spam. The e-mail should be deleted without opening the body of the e-mail, clicking on any links, or replying to the sender unless you are sure that it is legitimate.

A – Attention, award, authority, alert, ASAP, account (verification), accountant, ATM, agent
B – Barrister, beloved, bless, benefactor, business (proposal)
C - Christ, contact, compliments, Craigs List, claim(s), confidential, cheque, compensation
D – Dear, dearest, diplomat
E – eBay, employment
F – Federal Bureau of Investigation, from (name or "the desk of"), financial, fund(s)
G – Good (Good Day, Good News), God, Get (back to me), greetings
H – Hello, help
I – Immediately, inheritance, investment
J - Job
K –
L – Lucky, lottery, loan
M – Mystery (shopper/shopping), (misspelling of words in subject line),
N – Nigerian, notice, notification, (No subject)
O – Opportunity, offer
P – Please, partner(s), payment, proposal
Q –
R – Read, representative, Rolex
S –
T – Trust, transaction
U – Urgent, unclaimed
V – Viagra, very (important)
W – Winner, waiting (for your response)
X –
Y –
Z –

Can anyone think of any frequent spam subject-line words that begin with K, O, S, X, Y, or Z?

Thanks to Barry and Carol

2011-12-10T13:57:00.000-08:00

Kudos to Barry Thacker and Carol Moore for their excellent work in designing and implementing the events related to the 100th anniversary of the Cross Mountain mine explosion. Photographs and a narrative of the events have now been posted at:

http://www.coalcreekaml.com/CrossMtn100thResults.htm

Centennial of the Cross Mountain Mine Disaster

2011-12-04T08:54:00.000-08:00

The Knoxville News-Sentinel published an article by Bob Fowler in the December 4, 2011 edition entitled, "Centennial of Briceville's Cross Mountain Mine Disaster Remembered". The anniversary will be Friday, 9 December 2011.

Obituary of Arthur Charles James, Sr.

2011-11-07T08:21:00.000-08:00

On my web page, "My Father's Family", I have corrected the link to the obituary of Arthur Charles JAMES, Sr. The link is on the 2nd page of the photographs of the descendants of Rebecca HARRIS and David P. JAMES. I apologize for not correcting this link sooner.

http://www.seventyyearsinthecoalmines.org/carrie2.html

Pearl Francis Seymour

2011-10-30T12:51:00.000-07:00

Pearl Francis Seymour
June 23, 1927 - October 28, 2011
Chapel Hill
Pearl Francis Seymour, 84, of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, passed away on October 28th, 2011. She was born to Sallie Bailey and Paul Francis in LaFollette, Tennessee, on June 23th, 1927. Preceding her in death were her parents and her brothers, Paul Bailey Francis and William Clark Francis. She received her education beginning in Columbia, Missouri, at Christian Junior College, followed by a BA in music from the University of Michigan in 1949, and an MA in music from Mills College in Oakland, California in 1952. An accomplished pianist and organist, she started her career teaching in the Music Department of Mars Hill College, and was also the organist of the Mars Hill Baptist Church. Following her marriage to the Reverend Robert Edward Seymour, Jr., the couple moved to Chapel Hill in 1959, where she served as the organist for the Olin T. Binkley Memorial Baptist Church for 30 years. She also taught local piano students in her home.
She was an active member of the community, serving as an early President of the Chapel Hill Service League, and a member of the Chapel Hill Music Teachers' Association. She was recently honored with her husband in the naming of the new Chapel Hill Senior Center as the Robert and Pearl Seymour Center. Pearl enjoyed playing tennis, though her primary athletic passion was as a fan of Carolina basketball. She will be greatly missed by everyone whose life she touched, and her gift of music will be perpetuated by all for whom she played and taught. She is survived by her husband of 55 years, Robert Edward Seymour, Jr.; a son, Robert Edward Seymour III and wife Kelly of Raleigh; a daughter, Frances Jane Seymour and husband Michael Kopetski of Bogor, Indonesia; a sister, Anne Margaret Knott of New York City; and a brother, Phillip Meyrick Francis of Naples, Florida. Pearl especially delighted in her four grandchildren: Leigh Francis Seymour, Robert Edward Seymour IV, Macy Elizabeth Seymour, and Emme Grace Seymour. The family extends special gratitude to the staff of the Carol Woods Health Center for their loving care and support during her illness. In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes contributions to the Ministry of Music or the Endowment Fund of the Olin T. Binkley Memorial Baptist Church (1712 Willow Drive, Chapel Hill, NC, 27514). Funeral arrangements are being made by Walkers Funeral Home in Chapel Hill. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 5th, 2011 at 3:00 pm at the Olin T. Binkley Memorial Baptist Church in Chapel Hill.
Published in The News & Observer on October 30, 2011

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY

2011-10-15T07:04:00.000-07:00

Today is the 5th anniversary for the "Seventy Years in the Coal Mines" website.

John Lycurgus Offutt, II

2011-08-07T08:41:00.000-07:00

OFFUTT, JOHN LYCURGUS, II - age 96 of Knoxville, passed away on Thursday, August 4, 2011 at Continuum Courtyard following an extended illness. Mr. Offutt was born on February 28, 1915 in Offutt, Tennessee. He was the son of the late John Oscar Offutt and Sarah Irene Hatmaker Offutt and was also preceded in death by his wife, Hansel Minton Offutt in 2010 and a brother, Frank Delma Offutt. Though unable to attend church on a regular basis during his last years, Mr. Offutt was of the Methodist faith. He is survived by his devoted daughter, Cynthia Diane Offutt of Knoxville; a cousin, Herman (Buddy) Irwin of Atlanta; two second-cousins, Andrew Offutt Irwin and Sally Irwin McFolling both of Atlanta. A graveside service will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. Sunday at Sinking Springs United Methodist Church in Clinton with Reverend Don Thomas officiating. The family will receive friends on Sunday from 12:00 noon until 1:30 p.m. at the mortuary prior to the graveside service. Online condolences may be extended at www.rosemortuary.com. Arrangements by Rose Mortuary Broadway Chapel.
Published in Knoxville News Sentinel on August 6, 2011.

John Lycurgus Offutt, II, was named for his grandfather, Col. John Lycurgus Offutt. Col. Offutt was born 1 Aug 1826 in MD and died 12 Aug 1885 in TN. He married Adalide A. Kindler, born 25 Mar 1848 in MD. According to John L., his grandfather was a contractor who came to TN in the 1800s. He built part of the Southern Railroad between Clinton and Jellico. He bought a farm where the Southern Railway leaves the Clinch River going to Jellico.

John L. Offutt was the best friend of my father, Paul Bailey Francis, Sr., in high school in LaFollette, TN. He and his wife, Cora Hansel (Minton) Offutt, accompanied my parents when they eloped to Sevierville, TN, 25 February 1940, and my parents accompanied them to Sevierville to be married by the same minister on 19 June 1940. They were lifelong friends. Rest in peace.

A photograph of John L. and Hansel is on my website at:

http://www.seventyyearsinthecoalmines.org/kidsfriends2.html

New pages of photographs

2011-07-16T16:08:00.000-07:00

I have added 2 new web pages entitled, "Frank Carden Agee Family Photographs". Some of the individuals are either unidentified or tentatively identified. Any help with the names of the people in the photographs would be greatly appreciated. The link to the first page is:

http://www.seventyyearsinthecoalmines.org/cardenbrown4.html

There is a link on page one to go to page two.

Fraterville Miner, W. Earnest WALLACE

2011-06-30T18:06:00.000-07:00

Ed Wallace, a great grandson of Fraterville miner, W. Earnest WALLACE, contacted me recently. He provided me with some information that I did not know. W. Earnest WALLACE had a son, William Earnest WALLACE, born December, 1902. In the 1910 census for Anderson County, TN, William Earnest WALLACE, age 7, was a nephew in the household of Andy J. and Martha A. WALLACE. Andy J. WALLACE was also a coal miner. I think that they are the Andy J. WALLACE and Alice BAILEY who were married 7 August 1899 in Anderson County, TN. William Earnest WALLACE married Maude HOLMES in 1921, and they had 7 children including Gerald WALLACE, who married Louise. Ed WALLACE is the 4th child of Gerald and Louise WALLACE.

Thank you, Ed, for writing me and providing the new information.

Revision of Cross Mountain Miners' Pages

2011-05-16T08:15:00.000-07:00

I have added new information to many of the miners who were killed or rescued in the Cross Mountain mine explosion.

Revision of Fraterville Miners' Pages

2011-05-06T10:41:00.000-07:00

Today, I completed a second round of adding more information for some of the miners and correcting a few typographical and other errors. There will probably be no significant revision in the near future unless new and/or better information is found for one or more of the miners. This coming May 19th will be the 109th anniversary of the Fraterville mine explosion.

Pontygyllan Ffengig

2011-05-04T06:01:00.000-07:00

My 3rd great grandmother, Margaret (Watkins) FRANCIS died 23 August 1848 in Pontygyllan Ffengig in the old Parish of Eglwysilan (now Whitchurch), Glamorgan, Wales. From the image of her death certificate, I transcribed the place name incorrectly. Based on an exchange of messages on the GLAMORGAN Rootsweb list in the past several days, I now know the correct spelling.

Pontygyllan Ffengig is translated from Welsh to English as Walnut Tree Bridge. It was a bridge/viaduct over the Taff River near Taff's Well.

Here are two references to the area.

http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/wal/GLA/Whitchurch/slaters.1880.html

http://webapps.rhondda-cynon-taff.gov.uk/heritagetrail/taff/taffs_well/taffs_well.htm

Revision of Fraterville Miners' Pages

2011-04-24T10:48:00.000-07:00

I have finished my revision of the Fraterville miners' pages. I have corrected some errors. I have added information about marriages, spouse's parents, children; re-marriages of the widows, and the children from the re-marriages. There are still a few miners for whom I have found no information. I welcome corrections and additions to the information that I have published. If anyone has any additional information they would like to share, please write me at the contact address on my home page.

Black Lung Program

2011-04-21T17:01:00.000-07:00

Recently, I was contacted by Arlene Cole, Outreach Coordinator/Benefits Counselor of the Black Lung Department of Community Health of East Tennessee, Inc. She has created a Facebook page, "Tennessee Black Lung Program". If you are interested in this outreach program, please "like" the page. Anyone in the area who needs help with Black Lung claims should contact her.

Robert L. "Bob" Carden

2011-04-20T07:40:00.001-07:00

CARDEN MR. ROBERT L "BOB" - age 84, of LaFollette, passed away Tuesday, April 19, 2011, at Mercy Medical Center in Knoxville. He was a member of LaFollette United Methodist Church for over 36 years and Waco Baptist Church in Kentucky for 30 years. Bob was a Sunday school teacher and choir member at both churches. He was a member of the Civil War Round Table and a WWII Veteran serving in the U. S. Coast Guard. For over 30 years he was an educator in the Campbell County School System. He was also an attorney and a former owner of White Way Dry Cleaners in LaFollette. He was a graduate of LaFollette High School and Lincoln Memorial University. He received his law degree from the University of Tennessee and his Masters Degree from Union College. His parents were Joe Monroe Carden, Sr. and Elizabeth Summitt Carden. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by brothers, Sam Carden and Joe Monroe Carden, Jr. Bob is survived by his wife, Mrs. Ellis Sharp Carden of LaFollette; his daughters, Dinah Martin and her husband, Jim of Waco, KY, Nancy Blevins and her husband, Darril of Knoxville, TN, and Laura Broyles and her husband, Jerry of LaFollette. He is also survived by 7 grandchildren, John Martin, James Martin, Joe Martin, Russell Hammac, Jill McHaffie, Rae Russell, and Carden Russell; along with 13 great grandchildren. He is survived by sister, Janice C. Morse Williams and husband, Mac of Newport News, VA; as well as five nieces and four nephews. Funeral services will be Friday, April 22, 2011, at LaFollette United Methodist Church with Dr. Kenneth Faught and Rev. Fred Livinggood officiating. Interment to follow at Woodlawn Cemetery with full military honors conducted by the Campbell County Honor Guard. The family will receive friends from 12 to 1 P.M. before funeral services. Pallbearers will be grandsons. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to LaFollette United Methodist Church, 808 East Central Ave., LaFollette, TN 37766, or the Waco Baptist Church, P. O. Box 560, Waco, KY 40385. Online condolence may be made at www.waltersfuneralhome.net. Walters Funeral Home of LaFollette is honored to be serving the Carden family.
Published in Knoxville News Sentinel on April 20, 2011

"Summary of the Greatest Losses........."

2011-04-11T11:54:00.000-07:00

The page, "Summary of the Greatest Losses of the Immediate Families of the Miners Killed in the Fraterville and Cross Mountain Mine Explosions" has been revised to include 8 more Fraterville families along with some changes to the information previously listed.

Fraterville Miner Pages

2011-04-07T05:25:00.000-07:00

Over the next few weeks (or perhaps months), I shall be revising the pages of information about the miners killed in the Fraterville explosion. I shall be adding information that I did not include initially as well as new information that I have found subsequently. I encourage anyone who has additional information about any of the miners to write me at the following address: write_me (at) seventyyearsinthecoalmines.org.

Bailey Francis

NEW PAGES ABOUT THE FRATERVILLE & CROSS MTN MINE DISASTERS

2011-04-04T12:04:00.000-07:00

Two new links are now available on my home page under the "Coal Mining" heading. The first page is a summary document listing the families that suffered the greatest losses in each of the disasters. The second page is a a 3-generational outline of the descendants of Aaron and Elizabeth (Hill) SLOVER who were either killed or were otherwise impacted by the Fraterville and Cross Mountain mine disasters.

Cross Mountain Memorial Pages

2011-03-21T16:16:00.000-07:00

I have added memorial pages for the miners involved in the Cross Mountain mine explosion of 9 December 1911 under the heading, "Coal Mining", on my home page at: http://www.seventyyearsinthecoalmines.org/

I welcome additions and corrections to the information.

Joe Monroe CARDEN, Jr.

2011-03-07T13:23:00.000-08:00

Joe Monroe Carden, Jr., 87, a lifelong resident of LaFollette, passed away in Johnson City at the home of his daughter Feb. 7. He was born October 24, 1923 in Knoxville to Joe Monroe Carden and Elizabeth Summitt Carden. He was a Veteran of World War ll, serving in the European theater.He attended Center College in Danville, Ky and University of Tennessee, Knoxville.He was a Chrysler dealer in LaFollette in the early 1950s. Joe was a former postmaster, Director of the LaFollette Housing Authority, Urban Renewal Director, and former City Councilman for LaFollette.He was a lifelong member of First Baptist Church, having served as a deacon, treasurer and moderator for more than 30 years. Joe was involved in starting the first couples' class at First Baptist Church.He was an avid golfer and had many wonderful friends. He loved children and helping those who were less fortunate. He leaves a legacy of honor, integrity, and love for his family and friends. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by brother, Sam Carden. Joe is survived by wife, Wanda Heatherly Carden of LaFollette; daughter, Karen Carden Green and husband, Richard (Dick) Green of Johnson City; grandsons, Joseph C. Green, wife Julie, their children Lucy, Katie and Heidi of Nashville, and David M. Green, wife Ashley and their daughter Claire of Brentwood; brother, Robert (Bob) Carden and wife, Ellis of Richmond, Ky and sister, Janice C. Morse Williams and husband, Mac of Newport News, Va as well as six nieces and one nephew. A memorial service will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Feb. 10 at the First Baptist Church with Dr. Bob Brown officiating. A receiving of friends will immediately follow the service.Interment will be held Feb. 10 at 1:30 p.m. in the Woodlawn Cemetery for family and close friends. Pallbearers and honorary pallbearers will be Dick Green, Jody Green, David Green, Ben Rogers, Bill Wilson, Joe Mosier, and Deacons of First Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Baptist Church of LaFollette, 255 West Central Avenue, LaFollette, Tennessee 37766 Walters Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

Mary Buford (Francis) ROSE

2010-12-16T16:28:00.000-08:00

Mary Buford (Francis) ROSE, daughter of Louis FRANCIS, Sr., and Lena Duke HAWKINS, of Knoxville, TN, has died. She was the last living family member who was in the large family photograph taken at the 50th wedding anniversary of Philip and Annie (Meyrick) FRANCIS 9 January 1925 in Knoxville, TN.

http://www.seventyyearsinthecoalmines.org/photos02.html

The obituary (with corrections) follows:

ROSE, MARY BUFORD - age 92 of Knoxville passed away Monday, December 13, 2010. She was a Member of First Baptist Church of Knoxville. Preceded in death by her parents, Louis and Lena Francis, and her husband of 37 years, Howard Rose. Survived by son, Rusty (Linda) Rose of Knoxville; daughter, Barbara Jean (Larry) Lumetto of Knoxville; and grandchildren, Kayla Rose and Rachel Rose of Knoxville. Graveside services will be conducted Friday, December 17, 2010 at 1:00 PM at Lynnhurst Cemetery with Reverend David Ward officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family request contributions be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Gentry-Griffey Funeral Chapel in charge of arrangements. You may sign our online guestbook at www.gentrygriffeyfuneralchapel.com.
Published in Knoxville News Sentinel on December 16, 2010

Fraterville Program Links Repaired

2010-12-15T08:57:00.000-08:00

The links from the first page of the Fraterville program to the other three pages of the program have been repaired.

Bakersmith Family

2010-06-14T17:20:00.000-07:00

Thanks to a recent e-mail from Alice Louise BAKERSMITH, I was able to extend the information about her immediate family. Alice is the daughter of William Edward BAKERSMITH, Jr., and Mary Louise KARNES and the granddaughter of William Edward BAKERSMITH, Sr., and Mary Elizabeth JAMES. (See descendants of Elizabeth HARRIS and William R. JAMES.) I will be adding her information soon to:
http://www.seventyyearsinthecoalmines.org/syitcmappendixe2.htm and appendix E of "Seventy Years in the Coal Mines: The Annotated Edition".

New Arrivals

2010-06-12T20:15:00.000-07:00

Gareth Scott Francis & Holden Scott Francis were born today, 12 June 2010, in Cumming, Forsyth County, GA, to Gregory Scott and Mary Rebecca (Wiseman) Francis. Mary is the daughter of Edward Houston and Linda Marie (Hime) Wiseman. They are the newest great great great grandchildren of Philip Francis, author of "Seventy Years in the Coal Mines".

Changes To Fraterville Memorial Page

2010-05-28T11:04:00.000-07:00

The links to Philip Francis' account of the Fraterville rescue effort, the Fraterville original program, and the 100th anniversary program, have been moved from the Fraterville Memorial Page to the Links page.

Thanks to Linda Slover Lindsay

2010-05-22T13:19:00.000-07:00

Today, I received a very nice note from Linda Slover Lindsay about the Fraterville Memorial Page. She brought an error to my attention which I corrected. She also provided some additional information about her relatives who were killed in the Fraterville and Cross Mountain mine explosions.

Thank you so much, Linda.

I have begun work on a Cross Mountain mine explosion Memorial Page which I hope to have completed later this year. Next year will be the 100th anniversary of that event.

Introducing the Fraterville Memorial Page

2010-05-06T08:49:00.000-07:00

I have launched my Fraterville Memorial Page and associated links today in advance of the 108th anniversary of the Fraterville Mine explosion that occurred on 19 May 1902 near Briceville, Anderson County, TN.

The link is now active on my home page.

I welcome comments, additions, and corrections.

New Home Page

2010-04-29T15:36:00.000-07:00

Starting this afternoon, my website has a new home page. I have reorganized the content of the website into themes. These include coal mining, family history and genealogy, miscellaneous other topics, and previous and current blogs. I have placed a temporary introductory paragraph on the home page to explain some of the changes. This paragraph will remain on the home page for a few months and then will be removed. I hope that these changes will highlight the varied content on the site. The link to the Fraterville page will be activated on or before the anniversary date of May 19th.

LOOKING FOR DESCENDANTS OF ELIZABETH HARRIS AND THOMAS THOMAS

2010-02-25T23:09:00.000-08:00

On my home page at: http://www.seventyyearsinthecoalmines.org, there are four descendant lineages that are also included as appendices B, C, D, and E in “Seventy Years in the Coal Mines – the Annotated Edition”. The four lineages are connected by two Welsh immigrant sisters, Rebecca and Elizabeth HARRIS.

We think that Elizabeth HARRIS accompanied her sister and brother-in-law, Rebecca and Philip FRANCIS, to the USA from Glamorgan, Wales ca. 1851. Rebecca and Elizabeth were two of the children of James HARRY and Elizabeth OWEN, who were married 4 March 1819 in Pendoylan, Glamorgan, Wales. We think that Elizabeth HARRIS met and married Thomas THOMAS, also from Wales, in PA. By the 1860 census, both sisters were widowed, and Rebecca had re-married. Elizabeth re-married 2-3 years later. Both sisters had children by each of their husbands. This resulted in two blended families. Both families endured severe hardships.

I am a descendant of Philip FRANCIS and Rebecca HARRIS. I have been able to contact and share family information with a descendant of Rebecca HARRIS and David P. JAMES and a descendant of Elizabeth HARRIS and William JAMES. I have been unable to contact a descendant of Elizabeth HARRIS and Thomas THOMAS. I was able to create their family tree with census and other information. However, it is very sketchy and incomplete. The URL for the lineage is shown below.

http://www.seventyyearsinthecoalmines.org/syitcmappendixd.htm

One of my many reasons for creating the website was the hope that one or more descendants of Elizabeth HARRIS and Thomas THOMAS might visit the website and contact me. They had three sons: James, Thomas, and Daniel R. THOMAS.

James THOMAS married Sarah A. TAYLOR and raised a large family. James died 12 March 1921 in Coal Township, Northumberland County, PA. Their children were: George W., William, Arthur, Ralph, unknown female, Ruth, and Harold THOMAS.

I was not able to trace Thomas THOMAS after the 1870 census.

Daniel R. THOMAS married Elizabeth SAGER and raised a family in Luzerne County, PA. Daniel died 19 November 1920 in Nanticoke, Luzerne County, PA. They had five children: Arthur S., Archibald, Elizabeth, Sterling R., and Daniel S. THOMAS.

I remain hopeful.

THOMAS MEYRICK, 1857-1888

2010-02-17T09:46:00.000-08:00

My Great Grand Uncle, Thomas MEYRICK, has been quite a mystery to me. I knew from the MEYRICK family Bible entry that Annie (Meyrick) FRANCIS' brother, Thomas MEYRICK, had died at age 31 years on 14 Sep 1888. I had considered the possibility that he had been killed in a coal mine accident. I have recently found information about his death which is summarized below. To my knowledge, he died unmarried and without children. This information was kindly provided by the research librarian at the Pottsville Public Library, Pottsville, PA.

1888 Rpt of Fatal Accidents in the 2d Anthracite District, comprising parts of Luzerne, plus Old Forge and Lackawanna townships (Lackawanna Co), and Bernice township (Sullivan Co). (from the Reports of the Inspectors of Mines of the Anthracite Coal Regions of Pennsylvania for the Year Ending 31 December, 1888)

9/14 THOMAS MEYRICK, miner, 33, Keystone slope, Plains twp

Thomas Meyrick -- Instantly killed by a fall of rock in face of chamber. (p. 82, Dept. of Internal Affairs, Anthracite Mine Report, 1888)

Information about my MEYRICK family can be found in the web pages beginning at:

http://www.seventyyearsinthecoalmines.org/meyrick1.html

My search for information about Thomas' father and my 2nd great grandfather, Richard MEYRICK, is summarized in the document, "Who Was Richard MEYRICK?" at:

http://www.seventyyearsinthecoalmines.org/whowasrichardmeyrick.htm

Links to photographs repaired

2010-01-27T17:34:00.000-08:00

A friend informed me that many of the photographs on various pages of my website at: http://www.seventyyearsinthecoalmines.org were not opening. I discovered that the links had disappeared. I have repaired the links to the photographs and hope that they are all working now.