Counterfeit Currency

One of the things I find truly engaging while doing family history are the research spin offs into actual history to understand more about my family and the events influenced their lives.  Major events that might merit a sentence or two in  massive college texts may have been a huge challenge to everyday families.  It is even more interesting to compare those events to our day.

This is what happened when I read a line in the Maryland Historical Magazine about my ancestor, David Harry. 

 Saturday Feby 8th 1777… Ordered that Capn Andrew Linck pay David Harry £2…12…6 for his services and nine men under his Command in apprehending Isaac and Christian Shockey—

The article was not about David Harry, my ancestor. It was about Isaac and Christian Shockey. Curiosity got the best of me. Who were the Shockey's? Why would my ancestor be "apprehending" them?

It turns out the Shockey's descendants have done a bit of research. I don't have all the details, but the basic story is they were counterfeiters. The Shockey descendants are trying to organize the facts for their family records. In one record I learned they had been hiding in a cave. One had been a deserter in the Revolutionary War and George Washington had pardoned him and he reformed. Other records say they escaped from jail and another says one or more were executed. The Shockey family will need to put that part of the story together.

Now this is where I explain the "historical lesson" I learned. I never thought much about counterfeiting. Probably because it has never been part of my life. Look at the photo above. Notice that it was issued by Virginia - each colony had its own currency. The design is not complicated which would make it easy to copy. Often currency was only printed on one side which also made it easy to copy. Also notice the warning " Death to Counterfeit".

Great Britain began to counterfeit "Continentals" early in the war. Their hope was to bankrupt the colony's finances. George Washington ran into problems trying to buy from local farmers who were concerned about currency. Who would reimburse the farmer who receives counterfeit currency for his produce or pig or cow. It would be safer to take British coins. Among many concerns good men who wanted the British gone faced a big ethical decision on whether they would feed the British or the colonists soldiers.

The other part of the problem was the value of colonial currency was diluted when counterfeit currency was added into the mix.  

How does this impact my knowledge of David Harry and his times. David was not a bounty hunter out to get paid for catching the bad guys. I already know a lot about David and his activity in the community. He was a wagon maker. He helped start the first fire company in Hagerstown. He fought along with his neighbors in the Revolution. This tells me that he was trusted to lead others in a difficult adventure. Even more important he was willing to go.

Today our nation is still concerned with a counterfeiting and other attacks on our nations financial security. We have redesigned our currency adding many safeguards to combat criminals. As we have become more sophisticated in our technology, others have developed other ways harm us. Identity theft, hacking businesses and government systems and greed are problems that can bring down nations if left unchecked. It takes men and women of integrity and intellect to protect our nation. It is nice to know we have men and women in our ancestry who stepped up when needed.

Mayor of Warm Springs

My grandfather, WG Harry, was the mayor of Warm Springs throughout all but the last term of FDR's presidency.  

Warm Springs was and still is a small town in rural Georgia.  That did not diminish the significant responsibility that he felt for the office.  As you read this letter, I hope you will appreciate the effort and dedication he had to improve "the little city we call home".  The financial numbers cited seem insignificant if you are thinking in current dollars, but they were more significant in dollars of that time. The inconvenience of travel is also hard to compare, but notice  roads were unpaved until after he persuaded the government to pave highways. Also this letter was a response to an ad placed in a local newspaper by the opposing candidate.  My grandfather was not accustomed to bragging about his accomplishments, but he did know how to stand up for himself.

I am not sure how "exciting" this letter is to anyone else. My grandfather was special ... the way grandfathers are supposed to be. He was honest to a fault. Reading the letter gives me a window into a portion of his life that occurred before I was born. I believe the letter was written in 1940 or 1941, but it was not dated.

I have just read the letter of Lieut. McManus, a paid advertisement in the "Warm Springs Mirror", in which he enumerates the great improvements the City of Warm Springs has received at the hands of the incumbent Mayor of Warm Springs and his Council. This is not to take any glory from them, but to refute the charge, and the general report that my Mayorship and the Councils that served with me, did nothing for the little city we call our home. That the citizens of Warm Springs might have their minds refreshed concerning a few things that were done during my administration as Mayor, and particularly those who make the charge that nothing was done, I would call to their attention the following things that were done..

1.      

    The paving of the Columbus Road from Warm Springs to the Muscogee line. Mr W I Pitts of Waverly Hall and I made the fight for this paving almost single handed. We visited the Governor and the State Highway department on two occasions. I made the plea for the road. I wrote President Roosevelt and requested him to help Warm Springs get this paving; his letter clinched the appropriation.

2.      I remind those who charge that nothing was done FOR Warm Springs when I was Mayor that Sam Killian and I negotiated the paving with Lint Miller, Highway Chm. For the sidewalk to the school house on the grounds that it was dangerous for the children to walk the highway. This pavement was done without cost to the city.

3.      I remind the citizens of Warm Springs that I personally negotiated a loan of $650 to clear the right of way for this paving and the same was paid without raising taxes in my administration.

4.       I remind the citizens of Warm Springs that the paving from the depot to the city limits on the Woodbury road was done in my administration. The state refused to do this paving unless the rightaway was cleared. Again I personally negotiated loans with my personal obligation as collateral for $900 to clear Tid McRae’s store and tenant house and Lee Magnums home. This was paid for in my administration.  

5.      I remind the citizens of Warm Springs that I personally made many trips to Atlanta and Columbus to set up the WPA project for the installation of our Municipal water system. My time and my gas was given to the city in this work without charge.

6.      I remind the citizens of Warm Springs that the Warm Springs Community House was planned and constructed on my own initiative. When construction began I had the lot and $75 from the Woman’s Club. Ninety percent of the rock was donated from Mrs Harry’s property above Cold Spr I foraged the creeks for sand; I secured a car of concrete gravings. I helped get these rock out with my own hands.I secured a concret gravel from Columbus gravel as a donation. I personally canvassed Warm Springs for private donations to continue the work. The citizens of Warm Springs subscribed $800 for the community house project. There was a debt of $1600 against the community house when it was completed. Mrs Harry, who was then president of the Woman’s Club and some of the ladies solicited donations in the amount of $500 mostly in Manchester. $1100 was raised from letters Mrs Harry and I wrote to friends asking for help in paying off this debt.  One dear friend of Mrs Harry’s gave $750 to the cause. When It was completed the Woman’s Club had title to the building. When it was paid for they gave it to the City of Warm Springs without cost to the tax payers of Warm Springs. This community house includes a Mayor’s Office, library, auditorium, kitchen, comfort facilities, city jail and basement storage for the city fire department and other equipment. The young people of Warm Springs should remember they would have no community house had it not been for my tireless efforts and planning to get it.

7.       I remind the citizens of Warm Springs that the fire hose and reels were purchased by me when the city did not have funds to pay for same, and on my own personal promise, without note or any obligation from the city, that I would personally be responsible to the Eureka Fire Hose Co for the obligation.

I personally invited the Underwriters Association to inspect the new water system and fire equipment and arranged with the Warm Springs Foundation to provide auxiliary assistance with their fire equipment. The Underwriters gave Warm Springs next to the lowest rate of insurance listed.  The rate of insurance was reduced from $__ per thousand when you paid your insurance you paid $_ per thousand. Figures from Magic City Insurance Co. When you paid your tax in my administration you paid $5 on every thousand.

 I would remind the citizens of Warm Springs that a $900 Chloronator and a $75 Liming Machine were bought, installed and paid for in my administration.

 I would remind the citizens of Warm Springs that out of my planning, my own persuading, the auxiliary overshot water wheel and pump were bought and installed. I personally arranged the loan of $750 for the purchase and installation. I went to Newnan at my own expense and worked out plans and detail for the building. The wheel reduced pumping costs from more than $50/month to the minimum on the electric pump of $10/month. This installation paid for itself in less than two years and has saved the city pumping costs of more than $2000 since its installation. Mrs Harry was to have received $2/month for the easement rights on water power and land where this auxiliary pumping equipment is installed. To date she has not received one penny from the City of Warm Springs on the easement contract for this privilege.

It is charged by the opposition, if reports to me are correct, that I as Mayor of Warm Springs favored with special privilege members of my family in tax assessments. Assessments were always made by committee appointed from the council. I had no part in these assessments. Councilman Reed was on the committee for tax assessment. I have never asked a favor in tax assessment for myself or any member of my family since I have been in Warm Springs.

You the voters of Warm Springs may vote me in or you may vote me out; you may elect me or you may defeat me, but you can not take from my heart and conscience the fact that I tried with the little ability Almighty God gave me to make for you the best public servant I could in the years you entrusted to me the executive responsibilities of our beloved little town of Warm Springs. The thing that hurts is the false accusations, and the utter unappreciation of many for what I tried to do. If you vote me out you will relieve me of a responsibility that I would dread to take up again. If you vote me in I shall try to take up the work again and carry on for a greater and better Warm Springs.

Sincerely yours,
W. G. Harry

David Harry .... wagon maker

 

David Harry lived during the time period when Pennsylvania Germans near the Conestoga River first made Conestoga wagons around 1750 to haul freight. By the 1810s, improved roads to Pittsburgh and Wheeling, Virginia (now West Virginia) stimulated trade between Philadelphia, Baltimore, and settlers near the Ohio River. Wagoners with horse-drawn Conestoga wagons carried supplies and finished goods westward on three- to four-week journeys and returned with flour, whiskey, tobacco, and other products. The Conestoga wagon’s curved shape shifted cargo toward the center and prevented items from sliding on mountain slopes. Railroads replaced Conestoga wagons by the 1850s, but the prairie schooner, a lightweight, flat variant, carried pioneer settlers from Missouri to the West Coast.

 

The variety of wagons in use during this time period was considerable.  Small carts, buggies, and large wagons for families traveling great distances required great attention to detail.  The following document shows that David was a wagon maker.

On the Request of David Harry was the following deed recorded April 6th, 1785 towit.. 

                  This Indenture was made this 24th day of March in this year of our Lord one Thousand seven hundred and eighty five. Between Jonathan Hagar Junior of Washington County in the State of Maryland heir at Law of Jonathan Hagar late of the aforesaid county deceased of the ........part and David Harry of the county and state aforesaid Wagonmaker of this other part{ ....whereas the aforesaid Jonathan Hagar

 

 

Another find in my mother's papers.  The notes are all hers. 

 

Is this home tied to our family?

Several pieces of information in my mother's papers may help me know more about Cyprian Bulloch.

Tradition says after Stephen Bulloch's wife Winnie Robinson died, he brought his two sons, Cyprian and Henry, to live with their grandmother Robinson in Greenville, GA.  Now Meriwether County was founded in 1827; so this would have been Troup County.

These items may point my efforts to dig a little deeper
1) a newpaper article my mother saved
2) a note she added to the side of the article
3) marriage records

These items may indicate that the Robinson family Cyprian & Henry Bulloch came to live with may be the Robertson's family.  The spelling of names was very fluid during this time period. 

So I am sharing the information without final conclusions.

1) The article

"Built by Slave before 1860…

Greenville’s Winsor Hall is feature of Historical Tour

 

One of the highlights of the Meriwether Historical Tour will be Winsor Hall. It will be opened to the public on Dec 12 from 10:00 until 5:00 and Dec 13 from 1:00 until 5:00. This house, one of the first completed private houses in Greenville, faces the old Greenville-Newton highway. Through the years all visitors to Greenville, have no doubt wanted to tour the house. Winsor Hall will be recognized as the tour trademark on tickets, posters and brochures.

This house was purchased in May of this year by Mr and Mrs Paul Rogers of La Grange. Mrs Rogers is an antique dealer and has furnished the house with many exquisite pieces. The Tour Committee is very grateful to her, as well as to the owners of the other six houses, for allowing the house to be opened.

Winsor Hall was built by a slave named Lovejoy before 1850 for J.M.C.Robertson, great-grandfather of Mrs. Idas Robertson, Sr of Manchester. One of Greenville’s most famous tales is how this slave worked out the specifications so exactly that there was scarcely enough lumber left to build a chicken house."

(The newspaper article was clipped without a reference to the date printed or the newspaper that printed it. ) 

Twin Oaks, also known as Winsor Hall, was added to the National Register of Historic Places on August 26, 1980.

 

Mother added the note below. My guess is she either knew or believed this was the Robinson family that Stephen brought Cyprian and his brother to after their mother died.  However, that is uncertain.  This house would have been built by a cousin if they are related. It would not have been a home he grew up in.

2. Her note

" Stephen Bulloch  brought Henry and Cyprian, his two sons, to Greenville from Edgecombe Co, NC after his wife Winnie Robinson died. Cyprian was overseer for Render’s plantation near Greenville before moving to Warm Springs and Manchester."

 I found this photo of The "Render homeplace" in Greenville.  It is also on the National Registry.

 

 *Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license.

 

 

I am not sure exactly when the Render home was built.  Cyprian Sr. would not have lived in this home as an overseer. It probably meant he had a good or better than average education. The lithograph of him shows him to be a well dressed man.

 



The term "overseer" brings too many images to mind to make it a pleasant reference.

Yet it tells me he would have been able to manage a variety of tasks and responsibilities.  His sons, Cyprian Jr, Benjamin, Jesse Hood would have grown up aware of all the variety of endeavors needed to maintain a large property, which would have prepared them to work together establishing their own businesses. Cyprian Jr. was the first man in the county to have all eight of his children obtain a college education.

 

4. Marriage Records

MERIWETHER COUNTY, GA -  MARRIAGES   1828-1844

   *****************

     Copyright.  All rights reserved.

     http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm

     http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm

***********************

This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by:

Doris Robbins        http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00011.html#0002700   

For MORE information see: http://www.usgennet.org/usa/ga/county/meriwether/

        MARRIAGES 1828 – 1844

      BULLOCH, Cypion                 GRAY, Licinda               1 Feb 1833 

      BULLOCH, John                   WILLIAMS, Jane              11 Mar 1832 

      BULLOCK, Henry                  BUSSEY, Cinderilla          26 Oct 1831 

      BULLOCK, John                   ERTZ, Frances               11 Sept1842 

    

      ROBINSON, Edward M.             HALL, Susan                 20 Dec 1832

      ROBINSON, James H. C.           RANDAL, Mary                27 Oct 1842

      ROBINSON, William               MATHIS, Sarah               18 Apr 1839

      ROBINSON, William               NEWSOM, Elizabeth           1 Feb 1840

 

Notice the spelling of all the names above.  Cyprian's name is spelled "Cypion", Lucinda, his wife, has her name spelled Licinda, his brother's surname is spelled with a "k"rather than an "h".

My question...did the Robinson's begin to spell their name as Robertson?

1925 letter regarding family history

 

 

While visiting with my family, I scanned this fascinating letter written to my grandmother Mabel.  The first two pages (top) update current family news.  Most of the subject is regarding illness in the community and extended family.  There must additional page/s because the document is unsigned. The unnamed writer discusses her hens.  The  writer is a daughter of Jesse Hood Bulloch which makes her Mabel's cousin. I believe "Aunt Julia" was my great grandmother & Mabel's mother, Julia C Parkman Bulloch.

 

This letter appears to be a response to a request for information.  This was about the same time that Mabel and Ida Mae were gathering information for a family history.  Mabel hired a genealogist to search courthouse records.

 

While the letter was written in 1925, the information dates back to the early 1800's when Cyprian's father was brought to live with his grandparents The Robinson's.  From this letter we don't know if her source of information was a family bible, tradition, a journal, stories shared from older family members,whatever.  I have been able to document the information from other sources.

 

This letter brings our family history to life. My grandmother, 88 years ago, knew aunts, uncles who lived, shared stories and experiences with family whose lives intersected hers.  The joys and sadness, the wars and depressions, the success and failures, their values impact us in a myriad of subtle ways. Their experiences shaped Mabel, my mother  and through me, my children and grandchildren. 

 

It also confirms very subtle way, conclusions I reached regarding Serena Parkman.  But I will write about that another day.

 

What can I say .... write it down, save information, organize your records.  Find out who you are, where your roots are.   It is fascinating.

Julia Frances Harry Bennett

 

 

Julia Frances Harry Bennett, 91, of Spartanburg, SC, passed into eternal life on Monday, September 16, 2013, at Eden Terrace-Spartanburg. Born January 19, 1922, in New Orleans, LA, she was the daughter of the late Rev. Woodfin Grady and Mabel Bulloch Harry, and widow of James Henry Bennett. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family, also having been predeceased by her sister, Margaret Harry Thompson, and brother, Henry Grady Harry. 

A graduate of Agnes Scott College, Mrs. Bennett was former District Six educator at Woodland Heights Elementary School. She was a faithful member of Covenant Presbyterian Church, a long-time member and pianist of the Fellowship Sunday School Class, former president of Women of the Church, Circle leader, and a delegate to the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church. She was a member of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Surviving are her daughters, Jan Bennett Bates of American Fork, UT, Gaye Bennett Pappas (Ted) of Fernandina Beach, FL, and Barbara Bennett Davis (Charlie) of Spartanburg, SC; eight grandchildren; and ten great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be conducted at 11:00 AM Thursday, September 19, 2013, at Covenant Presbyterian Church, 880 W. O. Ezell Blvd., Spartanburg, SC 29301, by the Rev. Robert Brozina. The family will receive friends following the service. Burial will be private.

Memorials may be made to Covenant Presbyterian Church, 880 W. O. Ezell Blvd., Spartanburg, SC 29301; or Regency Hospice, 880 S. Pleasantburg Drive Suite 1A&F, Greenville, SC 29607.

The family wishes to express their deep appreciation to the staff of Eden Terrace Assisted Living.

Floyd's North Church Street Chapel

            88888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888

My mom slipped away today. She possessed a gentle soul and a giving heart. As a young mother she experienced so much challenge and still managed to keep her girls happy, safe and unaware of her stress.

Her mother was ill for several years, her husband was deployed twice (Once to Okinawa and then to Korea), her mother died, our home was destroyed by a tornado. Yet she made handling everything seem easy. Her great secret was reliance on her great faith. There were few times we missed church ... once on a Christmas we girls didn't get dressed in time. Only being sick with a fever was an acceptable reason. As a girl her mom often practiced the adult and children's Sunday School lessons on Julia and her brother and sister just in case she had to teach them. Mother taught Sunday School, Bible School in the summer, was often President of the Women of the Church. Church was her second family, a place of refuge and peace.

When mother became unable to drive to church, my sweet sisters took turns coming to the assisted living center to dress her and take her to services. Gaye drove from North Augusta to Spartanburg and Barbara drove a half hour one way.

She valued education and had the expectation that we would also. Her daughters and grandchildren have followed her example. She loved her family, daughters, 8 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren with another great grandson to come in December.

I could fill pages with memories, but I will simply add ... Mama you were a lady who set the bar high. You asked a lot of yourself and we love you dearly. Your Heavenly Father knows of your great love. You will be missed and remembered always.

*********************************

Matthew Bates This is my wonderful grandmother, Julia Bennett. She passed away this afternoon peacefully and restfully, with her three daughters close by. I'm on a business trip here in Washington, D.C. for the annual Air Force Association conference at the National Harbor complex. I got a phone call from my mother at about 3:00 and I knew she was calling with the news, but I couldn't bring myself to pick up the phone to talk. I waited until the conference was over for the day and most of the crowd had already slipped away. I found a quiet place by myself and called my mom. As I spoke to my mother I was looking out over the Potomac River at a gorgeous sunset, with the beautiful Masonic temple in Alexandria still being lit by a gently setting sun. In moments it would disappear behind the trees on the Virginia side of the River.

 

The clouds and the sky looked like a postcard that I know my grandmother would appreciate - she always loved history, especially her family history and our ancestors' story going back to the Revolution. She once told me of our ancestor who took part in General Washington's funeral procession/remembrance in Gaithersburg, Md., not far from here. She loved our country and its history, and knew well the sacrifices of those who have served our country. Her father, afterall, was the mayor (and local presbyterian minister) in Warm Springs, GA, where President Roosevelt came down to receive his polio treatments. We have a picture of her father meeting the President in Warm Springs, and I remember her telling us that her dad would greet the President when he got off the train! She loved our country and knew of sacrifice, having watched her husband go off to fight Hitler in Patton's Army, only to return to Korea to fight some more. She was a proud Army wife! As I spoke to my mother a member of the Air Force band was playing a lilting melody on his bagpipes in the stairwell.

 

My mother began to tell me that shortly before she passed, she perked up enough to tell her, "children everywhere, children everywhere. Little boys, little girl." She had a picture of my children posted by here bed, and I'm sure she had pictures of all of her children and great grandchildren close by. She loved them all dearly.

 

The picture above was taken four years ago while she was still living on her own, but the last time we all saw her together about a year ago, she didn't have the strength to move around. Instead, we all sang songs to her from her Presbyterian hymnal, while she laid down and hummed along to a few favorites that she had memorized long, long ago. Age could take away her strength and ability to speak, but it could not take away the Hymns of God in her heart!

 

So, with these precious memories of her spinning through my mind, with this beautiful scene of God's sunset smiling down on me, all I could do was break down and melt in tears, grateful for this wonderful woman and all that she has meant to me, my brothers and sister, my cousins and their children, my children, and her own daughters who were by her side these final few days of her mortal life. She has now been reunited with her husband, Lt. Col. James H. Bennett. I know that he was there to meet her as she passed through the veil, and that she has returned to her God - our God - who she loved with all her heart, might, mind, and strength. I know that He has welcomed her home and into His rest.

 

While my heart is broken a bit today and my eyes are still a bit wet with tears, I know that I will someday see her again. I love you grandmama. Families are forever, and I look forward to seeing you soon. Tell granddaddy I said Hi, and maybe you can pay me a visit one of these days in my dreams!

September 17 at 1:14am · Like · 4

Becky Ann Hunter What a grand eulogy, written for a beautiful lady. I've lost both of my grandmothers, so I can empathize, Matthew. May God's peace wash over you as you reflect upon her life. <3

September 17 at 2:06am via mobile · Like · 1

Michael Tobias Estes Matthew, that was amazing. I'm sorry for your loss, but the history speaks volumes. If you are going to be in D.C. for a few days, you are welcome to stop by. We'd love to see you.

September 17 at 9:01pm · Like

Kaddiz Gonzales Silvestro Thank you for sharing your heartfelt sentiments in this space. Wishing you comfort and beautiful memories as you grieve.

September 17 at 9:28pm · Like · 1

Stephen Silvestro My condolences old friend

Special Gifts

Some people have a wonderful talent for selecting just the right gift for friends and family. They remember a longing glance through a store window or a comment in a conversation. They match the glance, the comment, the interest with a gift some time in the future.  

 

My mother-in-law was a great gift giver.  She enjoyed finding cute clothes and special toys for the kids. As seasons changed there would be a box filled with items.  She had the knack of picking items my kids adored.  She and Granddaddy Bates took the boys on the last steam train trip between Gaffney and Spartanburg. She bought Star Wars swords.

 

One Christmas this was a personal challenge. My shopping was done.  Frances wanted to know what to buy and I just could not think of one more item.  I told her I had just bought a yellow school bus for Andy because he played with one like it at mother's morning out.

 

She misunderstood and rushed out to buy him one.  I had to return mine. 

  

I felt like a spoiled kid.  While Andy would not remember who gave him the toy, I wanted it to be a gift from me!  It would be a favorite toy.   Logic and emotion can be miles apart. I wanted to be grateful for her thoughtfulness and I wanted to be understanding of her desire to give the "special gift".  I was not proud of my feelings, but there I was stuck with trying to be better than I was. I guess I remember this mostly because I struggled with my feelings.

***

 

 

When I was a teen, my parents gave me a cultured pearl necklace for my birthday.  It was my go to jewelry for Sunday dresses and special occasions for years.  It was always returned to the special black velvet box.

 

Babies love to play with mom's earrings and necklaces.  One Sunday in Rock Hill Andy tugged and broke mine.  The pearls went flying.  After church I made sure to gather all the pearls.  I took them home with plans to have them restrung. Young marrieds have many budget needs and restringing pearls didn't seem that important.

 

Several years later planting flowers along the front sidewalk when I found a strand of five or six pearls.  Immediately I knew these were "my" pearls.  I summoned Matt and Andy, who must have been 7 or 8, to ask them how they came to be outside.

 

Matt's quick response.  They were buried treasure.  No idea where the others were buried.

****

 

 

Like most kids I really looked forward to my birthday. My Christmas birthday always seemed less significant than the holiday.  I really looked forward to turning thirteen, a teen.

 

However, I was really upset that day with my dad.  Now 99% of kids understand that parents have to work on their birthday. One thing that makes a Christmas birthday tolerable is family can all be there together.  (Please understand I am recounting how I saw things at thirteen.) However, my dad had to work that day.  He was "Officer of the Day" at Ft Benning. He was stand-in for the Commanding General.  I suppose if Russia had declared war; my dad would have been in charge (until he made a phone call to the commanding general).

 

A car driven by MP's came to pick him up to chauffer him to work.  He wore side arms. This was the only time I recall that happening. He was gone all day!

 

What was my reaction?  I huffed and puffed and acted like he chose to work that day. So you ask,  what does this have to do with gifts?  Well my dad had bought me the necklace above.  It was a Sara Coventry necklace with two teen's dancing with a juke box.  The links were adjustable to go from a necklace to a bracelet. I would look like the guys on American Bandstand when I wore it.

 

Was I appreciative of the effort he had gone to buy it?  Nope.  I wanted to punish him because he had not arranged to be home.  Wow.  I guess I thought that would show him. 

 

In the spring our family went to visit Spartanburg and see my Dad's family.  My aunt Ruby asked me how I liked the necklace? She told me how excited he had been when he ordered it for me. 

 

I felt so ashamed of how I had acted.  Suddenly the necklace seemed much more important.