Category: White Family

White family of Perry County Pennsylvania genealogy information.

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White Family Loses Three Cousins

May 23, 2021 cousin James William Roberts, 92, of Marysville, passed away at Claremont Nursing & Rehab Center, Carlisle, PA. Jim will be remembered by some as the caretaker, along with Harold Branyan, of the Gailey-White Cemetery in Cove, PA. He made sure there was a bridge across the creek so visitors could access the cemetery. He and Harold mowed the access path and maintained the cemetery for many years.

James William Roberts

Jim always had an interesting story or photo to share. I spent many hours in the cemetery, cleaning out poison ivy and filling groundhog holes with him. He turned the books over to me some years ago, but I could never keep it looking as good has Jim.

On July 22, 2021, another cousin, Sara Myers Johnson, 96, of Mechanicsburg, PA passed away. My best memory of Cousin Sara was the first Christmas I lived in Hershey, I had to work Christmas Day. Sara invited me to come for lunch with her family. My first Christmas that wasn’t in Snedekerville nor with Mom, Dad, Barb and Carol. Sara saved my holiday and I was able to get home later in the week.

Sara also introduced me to my California cousins. Mark Myers was coming for a visit from California. I knew we had Myers cousins, but had never met them. I am so glad I had that opportunity. Later, when I traveled for work, I visited Mark in New Orleans when he was working at the Audubon Zoo. He gave me a personal tour, that was truly unforgettable.

Sara Myers Johnson

The photo below is Mel Myers, Scott and Herb Johnson, Mark and Robb Myers at one of the family reunions.

Mel Myers, Scott & Herb Johnson, Mark & Robb Myers

On the 15th of January this year, Sara’s brother, Melvin also died. He was in Beechwood, NJ at the time and I have no further information about his death. I visited Mel and Dottie in Princeton NJ on a couple of occasions. He gave me the photo that I take to the White Reunions, of the children of Alexander and Mary Ella (Hess) White. It is such a treasure.

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Court of Honor for Eagle Scouts

This past weekend I had the pleasure of attending Boy Scout Troop #64, Duncannon, PA, court of honor for four Eagle Scouts. The Court of Honor is a ceremony to award Eagle Scout to those who have completed an Eagle Scout project. Our Cove (Gailey-White, Allen’s Cove) cemetery was Jonathan Garula’s project. He built two new bridges over the streams leading to the cemetery, cleaned tombstones and righted some that had fallen.

Garula Eagle Scout
Jonathan Garula and Parents

Jonathan did a wonderful job that has already been tested by the storms that run through this valley. The bridge across the largest stream has been pushed off it’s block during previous storms, but stood the test with recent deluges. It is now safe to walk back the lane to the cemetery where many Whites, Bells, Roberts, and Branyons are buried. The oldest person buried here is Alexander Gailey, Revolutionary War patriot who was born in 1740 and died in 1842.

A big thank you goes out to Jonathan and his helpers for caring for our cemetery.

Alexander Oberholtzer, Andrew Burget, Scout Master Tom, Jonathan Garula, Dylon Mills

The other young men who were awarded Eagle Scout were: Andrew Burget, Dylon Mills and Alexander Oberholtzer. Congratulations to all of the honorees.

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Blanas/ Attenoukon Nuptials in June

It is with pleasure that I share some good news. On June 25th 2021 Kate Blanas married Houegnon (Q) Attenoukon in a private ceremony. Kate is the daughter of Jim and Ruth (McCord) Blanas. The happy couple live in Baltimore, MD. Kate is a teacher and Q works in the Baltimore Ravens organization.

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Erin Spencer and Asha deVos National Geographic Special

According to the National Geographic website, cousin Erin Spencer will be featured on February 24, 2021 at 4:00 pm on YouTube. Below is copied of the information from the Nat Geo site. For more information about this program go to www.nationalgeographic.org to sign up. If you are a teacher, this is a great place to find educational programs to be used in your classroom.

“Asha de Vos is a Sri Lankan marine biologist, ocean educator, and blue whale expert. She founded the nonprofit Oceanswell to educate the next generation of ocean heroes and in 2019, Asha was named one of 12 Women Changemakers by the Parliament of Sri Lanka.

Erin Spencer is a marine ecologist and science communicator focusing on fisheries conservation and management. Her recent work has focused on the mislabeling of seafood in the United States and innovative responses to invasive species management.

Asha and Erin are together onboard the OceanXplorer with scientists and technologists from around the world. They’re currently offshore in the Bahamas, which is their first stop on a mission to explore the most unreachable parts of the ocean! Join them to hear behind-the-scenes stories from the frontlines of ocean exploration.” 

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Isaac Long Barn Remembered

Cousin Bill McCord ran across a photo that belonged to Great Grandma Effie Long Bell and passed it along to me. The back of the photo reads “Isaac Long Barn of Landisville (it is really in Landis Valley), Lancaster Co., Penna. From this farm David Long came to Pfoutz’s Valley in 1812. My earliest known ancestor, Effie Long Bell.”

It is a wonderful picture of the Isaac Long Barn that is famous because it was at this farm that the first American born denomination was organized in 1766 -The Church of United Brethren in Christ Church. The farm is six miles northeast of Lancaster city.

Much has been written about this farm. The blue State Historical markers placed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission dedicated the marker June 16, 1960. The text says”The United Brethren in Christ, and the Evangelical United Brethren Church trace their origin to the joint efforts of Rev. Philip W. Otterbein of the German Reformed Church and Martin Boehm, a Mennonite preacher, at a revival held here about 1767. The barn stands a mile and a half to the north off PA 272 (Oregon Pike) at Landis Valley Museum. ” (Ref. Beyer, George R., Guide to the State Historical Markers of Pennsylvania, Harrisburg: Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, 1991)

Although Effie Long Bell may not have known ancestors before David Long/Lang, William Gabriel Long in his book History of the Long Family of Pennsylvania with the help of the Long Family Organization, was able to take the Long/Lang family back a few more generations. David was the son of Abraham Lang and Maria, born in 1743 Manheim Township, Lancaster County, married Catherine Hershey. Aha, I’m descended from the Hersheys as well as being married to one. Abraham Long fought in the revolutionary war as did Catherine’s father, Abraham. Both of these ancestors have been proven, by me, for Daughters of the American Revolution. Just let me know if you want to join the Daughters or Sons of the American Revolution. I have all the paper work.

Abraham Long’s father was John and mother, Anna Long. The Long/Langs had lived in Lancaster County, PA until David moved to Perry County, PA. John was the son of emigrant, Christian Lang, who was said to be from the Palatinate Germany. I have not gone back any further, but it is on my list of research.

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Martha B. White Passes at 90 years young

It is with sadness that I share that my Mom, Martha B. White passed away on Friday, September 11, 2020 at Masonic Village, Elizabethtown, PA. She moved to Elizabethtown 5 years ago, so I have had the privilege to share her last few years. She has been such a trooper, always ready for a shopping trip, a visit with cousins or just coming to my house for Sunday pizza and Americas Funniest Home Videos.

Her last major trip was to Hudson OH to celebrate nephew, Bill and Kathy McCord’s 50th anniversary. What a great time we had.

Mom was still very sharp to the end and always ready for a good argument about politics. She was a journaler and kept them for the majority of her life. I have them now and will enjoy reading them for years to come to see her view on current events and her trips.

We will miss her so much, but hope she is now at peace with Dad and Barb.

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Eagle Scout Project at Gailey-White Cemetery

Prospective Eagle Scout, Jonathan Garula has chosen cleaning and restoring the Gailey-White cemetery as part of his project. He and his volunteers have replaced both bridges, removed a large tree, filled groundhog holes, righted and cleaned the stones.

Jonathan did this project this August and is now at college in Boston. We always need our mother’s help and his set up a “Go-Fund-Me” page that raised enough for the project and a donation to the scout troop. Thanks, Mom!

A big thank you to Jonathan and his volunteers for a job well done. Also, thank you to Henry Holman and his son for continuing to mow the walkway to the cemetery. They have kept the cemetery open for many years. Now is a good time to visit our ancestor’s graves.

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Revolutionary War Patriots Approved by NSDAR

I have been working on additional Patriots for the Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) from my White and Brown family lines and have added three, with one more in the cue to be approved.

The first is George Eckert, born in 1743, possibly Earl Township, Lancaster County, PA. He paid the Pennsylvania Supply Tax in 1781, making him eligible as a patriot for NSDAR. He had not been proven before, so is a New Ancestor, if you want to check this out on line, go to DAR.org. I am related through Moses and and Rebecca (Eckert) Hess. I haven’t found his wife’s last name, but her first name is Catherine.

Next is a duo, father and son, John and Frederick Harter. John, the father, lived in Greenwood Township, Cumberland County, PA and also paid the Pennsylvania Supply tax in 1779, 1781. Frederick, the son, was from Greenwood Township and fought under Capt. David Boal, Col. Purdy in the 7th Battalion. He was also in the Cumberland Co. Militia, in 1780.

Frederick’s wife was Margaretha, possibly Wendt, but that will take further research to prove to DAR standards.

If you are looking for a project during our coronavirus stay-at-home order, this is a fun project, looking for Patriots of all the wars. I’m proud of my Patriots and want to make sure they are not forgotten, so I’m trying to prove as many as possible. Samuel Milligan/Milliken is in the cue and I hope to have Abraham Jacobs submitted soon. These are all on my father’s side. I still have many more on the White side and mom’s Brown side. So many ancestors, so much research. Happy Hunting!

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Mary Spencer Betts Has Passed Away

It is with great sadness that I pass along the news of Mary Spencer Betts (daughter of Howard and Mary White Spencer) has left us to join Bill and Kerry. She had been fighting cancer for about a year and wasn’t expected to be with us until Thanksgiving 2019, but was able to survive an additional two months. May she rest in peace. Service details are not available at this time.

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George Eckert and Samuel Milliken/Milligan

On the hunt for more Revolutionary War ancestors after my visit to Yorktown, VA.  I have now submitted two more on the White side of the family.  They are George Eckert and Samuel Milliken/Milligan.  Now the wait is on for the year it will take before they are reviewed by NSDAR.  In the meantime,  I’m trying to find a woman in my ancestry that may have assisted in the Rev. War.  Always a feather in your cap if you have one of the ladies proven.

Yorktown is a wonderful place to visit.  They have an American Revolution of Yorktown Museum that is worth the trip.  They have an encampment that is very interesting.  This includes a kitchen, medical facility, supply hut and very knowledgeable staff.

Inside of the museum there are many artifacts and movies.  Both are helpful in following the war.  This is a State of Virginia museum.  Kudos to Virginia for such a wonderful asset.  The museum is designed with many areas that flow one into another and they seem to go on forever.  It is truly an amazing place to visit.

Yorktown Victory Monument

The battlefield at Yorktown is also very interesting.  Suggestion – don’t try to drive your motorhome around the battlefield.  We found a couple of areas we couldn’t access because of the bulk of this RV even though it is small by comparison to most.  We saw the redoubts taken by the Patriots, the digs that the soldiers did in the middle of the night to surprise the British, the National Cemetery,  the Yorktown Victory Monument, and lots of wildlife.

The Moore House is especially nice.  It is fully restored and historically is the home where the terms of agreement of surrender were worked out.  It is not the house where the British signed the agreement.  Still worth the visit if you like old homes.