July Road Trip

Posted on August 1, 2017 by Devon

My brother Jason and I were able to go on an epic road trip throughout the eastern part of the United States. We first went to Lookout Mtn., Georgia, looking over the battlefield there. Sadly, it rained and we were not able to see the battlefields for Chattanooga or Chickamauga. We then drove up through the Great Smokey Mountains Park Way and looked at the mountains and the trees. This was more for Jason’s benefit since he is a hiker and I don’t really care for nature. We did go to Cades Cove, though, which was a first for me.

We stopped off in Saltville, Virginia before making out way to the Antietam and Gettysburg battlefields. Jason has always had a deep love of Civil War history, which I also share in. Seeing these sites and talking about the events that took place there were great.

From there, we went up to Palmyra, New York to see some early LDS church history sites. Jason had never been up there, but I went on a trip with my parents to Maine and we stopped there when I was about 14 or so. We went to the Hill Cumorah, where Joseph was led by an angel to find the plates. We visited his home, where some of the translation was done. We were also able to visit the Sacred Grove, which essentially was first step on his path in re-establishing Christ’s church. We also visited the Peter Whitmer Farm, where the church was organized in 1830.

We then moved on to the Saratoga battlefield, just north of Albany. I am a long time student of this period in the US, perhaps even more so than the Civil War. We also went to Valley Forge and Philadelphia. A major goal of my trip was to see the brand new Museum of the American Revolution, in Philly. I have to say that I was disappointed. I expected deeper knowledge than what was provided. I have to give it a C- on effort.

From there, we went to Mt. Vernon, where I almost passed out from the heat, and the battlefield at Yorktown. Unfortunately, it was too hot to do more, so we left and drove home. While most of the trip was awesome, someone needs to cure my brother’s obsession with 80’s rock. Way too much. :-o

Facebook friends can see pictures here.

A Time of Loss

Posted on March 28, 2017 by Devon

Yesterday was the 8th anniversary of my mom’s passing. The loss of those below came at me so fast that it was only today I could even write about it.

I found out early in the last month that my good friend, David Beckham, died in Idaho on February 7th. He was in one of the wards in Stockton when I was there as a missionary. He did whatever he could for us, despite the fact that he was on disability from a workplace accident. He drove us around and was the go to guy for anything we needed. After I left my mission, he even defended me from accusations made against me by some in the mission. It may not be common knowledge, but I was sent home a month early because of my temper and losing it with a fellow missionary. Unfortunately, I lost contact with him after this and saw him infrequently post on Facebook. I will definitely miss him. As I posted to his niece, if I ever do get to Heaven, I know this man will be waiting for me.

Another loss is that of Coach Billy Burge to cancer on February 24th. He was a long time teacher in Walker and worked with my mother for what seemed (and probably was) decades. He was my PE coach in junior high and driver’s education instructor in high school. He taught more than half the town of Walker and will be missed by all. Thanks, Coach.

In addition, on March 8^th, my dear and only maternal uncle, George Elvin Milton, was felled by a heart attack. He spent two days in the ICU before he was removed from life support on March 10^th. I have spent most of the 2 & 1/2 weeks in depression over his passing. He was the patriarch and rock of my extended family. My grandfather died when he was 17 and my mother was 3, and he became in many ways the father figure for her and her sisters. He was a dedicated family historian and helped nurture this passion in myself. The only consolation for me is that he is now having a chance to talk to the many ancestors that we spent many an hour discussing. Sir, I love you and miss you, but I know you are in the arms of your parents and the Lord.

The Great Flood of 2016

Posted on August 31, 2016 by Devon

During my trip home, two things rapidly became apparent to me – one personal and the other an observation of my people in the Florida parishes. My personal observation is that I lack stamina in doing any kind of physical work. I helped Jacob, my cousin, move from Myrtle Beach, S.C. to Hattiesburg, MS. He is a graphic design professor and just got a new job at Southern Miss. I was working with Jacob, his brother Mike and my brother Jason. All three of them outperformed me and I definitely felt all 380 lbs. of my weight that day. This became even more apparent in the cleanup after the Great Flood of 2016.

Speaking of the flood, it was an unusual period for me. Everywhere around me, the flood waters quickly rose, swamping people and forcing them out of their homes. Along my street, however, it was placid. I was staying at my brother John’s house, behind my dad’s. I was really proud of my father. My stepmother was a wreck of nerves, after having moving her parents, sister and brother-in-law from their flooded homes and having them staying with with Dad and Darlene. Dad was the voice of reason and calm, which still surprises me to this day. He only began to doubt himself, according to his words, when the water started to lap up against the back wall of the carport.

*First picture is from my brother’s porch and the second is from my dad’s carport.

I spent the time at my brother’s house during the flood. I helped him move his equipment up higher and then watched as the flood water rose up coming from Dumpling Creek. His house was already elevated because it lies in a low lying area on the property. It got to about a foot from his house footings. Marianne (his wife) has noted that every time he tells the story, the water gets a little higher. Other than wading in slightly above the knee water going back and forth to dad’s house and the near constant coverage of local news, that was my only experience with the flooding. The aftermath, as it was for most people, was a little more involved.

On the Monday after the storm, Marianne was able to get to Carter’s Grocery in Walker and she bought cake mix because the bread was sold out. She made about 9-12 cakes and heard that they might be appreciated at North Park rec center off Lockhart and Eden Church Road. My cousin Randy Hooper was cooking and he asked us to stay and help out. John, Marianne, Tyler (their son), and myself worked about 5 hours. John and Randy cooked while Marianne and Tyler washed dishes. They also worked with me in distributing food to the refugees. It seems strange to think about people in your own hometown that way, but truly it was real refuge for most of them. After taking care of some business in Covington the next day, I returned to the shelter. Marianne seemed surprised about this. I worked for about 3.5-4 hours helping distribute food and materials, divided up food to be taken to other shelters and relay points, and generally aided the National Guardsmen in offloading donations. The generosity and sense of community from everyone was a joy to behold in such times. People were looking out for each other. We heard that the Red Cross would take over the shelter the next day, so I decided to go find work elsewhere. They bring their own volunteers and donations in, as everything up to then had been totally ad-hoc by people just pitching in and helping.

The next week and a half were spent helping other people. I helped my friend Nathan move a lot of damaged items to the road. He got over 5′ of water and his neighborhood in Denham was completely trashed. Jason came over one weekend and I went out to help him at his dad’s old house in Hammond. It was already in bad shape. His depression on seeing it in such a state depressed me. I also helped over at my step-mother’s parent’s house on two occasions. I helped move some refrigerators to the street and then helped shovel (with a snow shovel) blown cellulose insulation out of the house. Doing that in 95 degree heat (more indoors) with no fan just about killed me. I regret not helping more, but to be honest I repeatedly hit the bottom of my reserves. I was completely unprepared physically. Perhaps then that is the main regret I have, that I could not have done more.

*This picture is of my old man
working harder than I ever will.

In memory of this event, I have included two videos taken off Facebook to demonstrate its scope in my hometown, Walker, and its neighbor, Denham Springs.

Celebration of 2 Birthdays

Posted on July 20, 2016 by Devon

Sullivan’s Steakhouse just off College Dr. has the best steak that I have ever tasted in the city of Baton Rouge. As one of my brothers stated, “It ruins you for any other steak in the area.” Be warned, however, you pay for the quality as it is “a la carte”. I felt like I got mugged, but was still happy because of the flavor of the steak. 5 out of 5 stars.

I went to Sullivan’s with my brother John and his wife, Marianne. They graciously allow me to stay with them every time I come home to Walker. I guess I should invite my nephew because I actually take his bedroom with I come home, but….nah. Sorry, Tyler. This was the second time I have eaten there for my birthday and since John’s birthday is three days before mine, I invited them to eat with me.

On Poetry and a Brother

Posted on January 25, 2016 by Devon

I have had a lifelong love of poetry. My mother was a great proponent of American literature, which she taught to mostly uninterested middle school students. She bequeathed to me a love of Poe, Frost and others. My fascination with the art has gone much further afield than this, of course.

Because of these tastes, I enjoy writing poetry, generally bad poetry. It gives me opportunity to express myself, even if it will never see the light of day or be read beyond these pages. That is not the point, as it is for me and no one else.

However, my third brother, Douglas, has a courageous heart and a willingness to put it out for the world to examine. This is no doubt aided by the fact that his rhyme and prose is infinitely better than my own. I thought then that I would share two of his below.

Swamp Thang
Luminous sheet of green,
splintering forward as we pass.
A log floats ahead,
then ominous eyes appear.

One plank left on a decayed pier,
old boat anchored to the shed,
covered in clumps of grass,
light fading and setting the scene.

Cypress trees loom larger-than-life,
holding moss like coin purses.
Standing majestic for hundreds of years,
blocking out what’s left of the Sun’s light.

This is no place to be into the night,
paddling faster as land is near.
Everyone knows of the curse,
yet the thought creates strife.

The creature goes by many names,
but locals call him Rougarou.
Morphing into a werewolf,
hunting animals and humans alike.

T-Minus
Anything goes,
to evolve, to reincarnate.

Limiting intake,
and to exhaustion and back.

All to melt in a puddle –
to shed my past sins.

Awaiting discovery,
deflowered in reverse.

To be looked upon,
instead of through.

I have arrived.

Reflection on Veteran’s Day

Posted on November 11, 2015 by Devon

In China today, it is Singles Day, which is kind of like Black Friday. While I think about something to buy, I want to also reflect on Veteran’s Day in the US.

Cold November winds blow
through stone laid row on row.

Trees beginning to white with frost
over the graves of men twice lost.
Once to war’s shrill blades
and again when memory fades.

I wear a poppy blood red
thinking of our home’s poor dead
and send up a thankful cry
for those who in far fields lie.

Last line is a little weak, but still works. Special thanks today to my brother John and my father, who came back. So many did not. A prayer goes out to their families.

Genlighten – Hiring a Genealogist

Posted on November 2, 2015 by Devon

In October, I did something that I wanted to do for a while, but did not have wherewithal before. I hired a genealogist to do some digging for me. I found a website named Genlighten. I was looking for two pensions filed in the National Archives. One was for George W. and Sarah Bohanon, parents of Asa Bohanon (George and Sarah were my third great-grandparents). Asa was with the 20th Maine and died in 1865, after coming down with a sickness. I was also looking for the pension of Fannie Knowles, third wife of Dr. Harford B. Knowles (he and his first wife are also my third great-grandparents).

I paid a Mr. Lee Irwin from the site $50 apiece to find the pensions. He was successful with the first one. The pictures that he sent out were gorgeous in quality. If you have a similar need, please do not hesitate to contact him on the site. Unfortunately, he was unable to find the pension for Fannie Knowles, so he refunded the fee (less a reasonable search fee). I have to say that I was impressed.

I am thinking of trying my luck again with the site. There is a genealogist in Northern Ireland who charges $120 for a four hour search. I am thinking of throwing my McCutcheon’s at him and see if he can find anything about them in Antrim or Tyrone.

**Update 11/14**

Mr. Irwin made a 2nd go of it with some new information and delivered to me the pension of H.B. Knowles with something like 150 pages. It is going to take a while to slog through all of that material. It cost a little extra for a large pension file, $75 this time, but still worth it.

August Vacation Home, Part II

Posted on September 15, 2015 by Devon

This is a continuation of my August Vacation. The first part is in the prior post.

Thursday the 26th, I went to the Edward Livingston History Society meeting for the first time in years. This time, I paid dues for the year for both myself and for Jason. They meeting was a little interesting as the speaker was researching the Jones family [no relation to me]. I met a man there, Jeff Boyd, who is a newly found cousin of mine. He told me that he believed that Stephen Stafford was the father of Wright and Ethelred Stafford. I had always believed that they were brothers. He also mentioned that Stephen may have married a Betsy Peters in Craven Co., N.C in 1794. Later that night, I looked for Peters in that County and found an Elizabeth Peters in the 1790 Census living with one son and five daughters. Also, I found the probate of Ethelred Peters in 1788 that mentions wife Elizabeth and his sons, but not his daughters. Perhaps they were too young? The name, however, clenched it for me.

On August 27th, I went to the Baton Rouge Clerk of Court offices for the first time. I found a couple of interesting things. I found a land sale by Michael Milton (the younger) in 1834, a law suit against Andrew Milton in 1827, and a lawsuit by John Kinchen in 1821. I also saw a couple of land deals by John and Mary Davis Raby Kinchen but I was not able to secure them. After I left the office, I went to eat at Sullivan’s, the great place extolled earlier by John and Marianne. It was as they said, perhaps the best steak to ever pass between my lips. Definitely, it was the best steak in Baton Rouge and well worth the high price they charge.

On the 28th, I had to go out to Slidell to give Jason his camera back. Megan needed it for a wedding. Not really funny, but we both waited for like 40 minutes because we were on different sides of the McDonald’s. Afterwards, I went out to the St. Tammany courthouse to find some material on the Stafford, Bourne, Pendarvis and Hartman families. I found out that Joseph Hartman was definitely related to John Hartman, as I thought. There is a land deal that I was not able to acquire because I was late getting there. Also, I talked for a long time with Ms. Marguerite Scully. She was doing research on the line of Ethelred Stafford for someone in Missouri. I shared some information that I got from Jeff Boyd and some I found myself. She talked about Ethelred being a ship captain on the Pearl River, which flies with Wright working on ships. She also talked about the connections between the Stafford and Peters families in Washington Parish. I saw some of that in the courthouse, where Stephen and Nathaniel Peters were engaged in lawsuits with and against each other. She had not been able to connect them, so my information may aid in that. There was still no proof that Ethelred and Wright were brothers or that Stephen was the father of both. It was a fortuitous meeting, though.

I have to say that the ladies at the St. Tammany Courthouse were some of the most kind and helpful that I have found. I think the ladies in Baldwin Co. Alabama and Mobile are up there as well. I have been to a couple of others in Louisiana and Mississippi, and they could learn from those ladies.

Saturday, I went out to New Orleans to be a tourist for the first time. I went to the Mint, Madame John’s House, the Cabildo, the Presbytere, St. Louis Cathedral and Jackson Square. I also bought a hat like Jacob’s because I liked it so much. For lunch, I ate at the Courtyard of the Two Sisters on Royal Street. They have a lunch buffet that is a little pricey but was delicious. I probably will not go again for a long time as I have never liked New Orleans. I cannot exactly explain why but for some reason the city has always rubbed me the wrong way.

On Sunday, the 30th, I went back to Jason’s in preparation for my trip home. We went to Mobile on Monday to see about finding a copy of Michael Milton’s (the older) Spanish land grant from 1798. He supposedly had an earlier one but neither he nor the Alcade of Mobile could find it, so they reissued one. The lady who rules the archives was not in, so we had to settle on email to her for her help.

I flew back to Beijing on the 2nd of September, on another 31 hour trip.

August Vacation Home, Part I

Posted on September 15, 2015 by Devon

My August turned out much different than originally planned. I intended to take an intensive CELTA (Certificate in English Language Teaching to Speakers of Other Languages) class because I am thinking of leaving China next year and wanted some extra qualifications to increase my hireability. On July 22nd, I had an hour or so interview to get into the class. The interviewer said that I passed and that I would shortly find out if I was accepted to the class. The next morning I received an email from the school stating that I was accepted. Four hours later, I was notified that the class was full. I was understandably frustrated with these events, so in a fit of pique I decided to buy a ticket home for the month of August. The price was a little high at $1900, but it was on short notice.

I left Beijing on a flight to Washington, then to Houston and finally Gulfport. It was a long flight. It was the normal 12-13 hours to the US. Embarrassingly I did not look at my ticket and thought I was going to SEA-TAC, Washington state, not Washington, D.C. It is okay though because I became a little acquainted with the place during my 11 hour lay-over. Sleeping on airport benches, in a word, suck.

I stayed with Jason for a couple of days. We had several good conversations as usual. We spent quite a bit of time trying to get Ethan’s jeep fixed. I was also able to speak to Morgan about her doing temple work. After this, I went back home. It is strange but when I come home it always feels a little like I never left. One big difference was Tyler. That boy grew a lot taller in the last 6 months. He may even top me one day. I spent a couple of days sleeping, still recovering from the jet lag. It was brutal this time around. Marianne was kind enough to volunteer Tyler’s bed to me.

I was there about five or six days. I spent some time with John and Marianne watching Criminal Minds on Netflix. They really enjoy that show as much as I do. I think Dad started watching it first. They mentioned a steak joint that they said was fabulous. I also spent some time with Dad and Darlene. They are crazy about this dice game called Farkle. It is a stupid name for a game, but it was fun hanging out with them.

I went to Doug’s house down in Grey for a couple of days. He was still recovering from his surgery. He had a horrible time with infection and spent about a month and a half to two months fighting it. He looked really good though. We hung out and watched TV together. I wish that there had had been some football on then. Although I like the Saints, he is a much bigger fan. I prefer college and love only my beloved Tigers.

After I left his house, I went to Baldwin Co., Alabama once again to get some land papers there. I also received a lawsuit and an orphan’s court record from the Archivist. They were extremely helpful. When I was done there, I headed back to Jason’s in Gulfport.

From Thursday the 20th to Monday the 24th, we headed out on a road trip to North and South Carolina. Jason and I toured the Biltmore. Jason had never been and he enjoyed it a lot, even though he complained about the $60 entrance fee. It was really high. But the highlight of the trip was that I was able to see two ladies, Ms. Blue and Rhonda. Ms. Blue kept me as a baby while mom worked and our annual trips to Maine were never complete without stopping and seeing her. She looked great and oh did I miss her and Rhonda.

On Saturday, we made our way to Myrtle Beach to see my favorite cousin, Jacob. He is a graphic design professor there. We made a day trip out to Charleston to see the sites on Sunday. That is a beautiful town, a lot like New Orleans without the grime and crime (as Jacob says). We went to the Battery and saw the old buildings and then headed out to Ft. Sumter. It was a great trip. I had not seen him in two years since I helped him move from Oklahoma to South Carolina. All in all, it was a great road trip and something that I needed desperately. I enjoyed seeing people and hanging out with my brother.