Abraham Hershey Connected and another two White’s to go

As I continue with other prospective member applications to NSDAR, I also find new ancestors for me.  My latest is the connection to Abraham Hershey.  Now I can say I’m a Hershey with a Hershey connection.  My original application, so many years ago, was with Abraham Long.  His son married Catherine Hershey, whose father fought in the revolutionary war.  A quick connection and another ancestor bar for my pins.

Recently, my cousins from Seattle WA were in for a visit.  We had a great conversation about all of our ancestors, when Mark posed the question  “did any of the White’s fight in the war”?  I thought I knew the answer, but then questioned whether I every checked.  Sure enough, Thomas White, born in Rye Twp., Perry County, PA had been proven by a DAR member.  So to the computer to search for all those direct connections.  Actually, I can do two applications for Thomas because down the line first cousins married.  William White’s daughter married Thomas White’s son, generation 6 – grandchildren of the Patriot Thomas.   A couple of more proofs and off to DAR go these supplementals.

Beatrice Mary White McCord

Well, another report of sad news.  Aunt Bea McCord passed away at the age of 91 years on September 29th, 2013.  She was the last of 3 children of Walter and Effie (Bell) White.  The family will have a memorial service October 19th in Troy, PA and she will be buried in the White family plot in Glenwood Cemetery, Troy.

Many students will remember her as a physical education or science teacher in the Troy Area School District.  She was a lifelong member of the Troy Presbyterian Church and many other organizations in the area.

I can hardly believe that I have known Aunt Bea for so many years.  She read books to me and introduced me to “Horton Hatches an Egg” and Beatrix Potter books.  As a kid I probably thought she wrote those as I thought Grandma White (E.B. White – Effie Bell White) wrote “Charlotte’s Web”.  It wasn’t until I was in my 20’s that I realized E.B. White was a man.

Growing up in Snedekerville with the McCord cousin’s was a very special time that created a bond between our families that very few people of this age are able to have.  We are now spread across the country, but times like these we are back together and can reminisce about our days in Sned.

A Sad Goodbye to a White Cousin

It is that time of year when I try to be in touch with as many of the relatives as possible and hope to hear back from them by way of Christmas cards or calls.  Yesterday I had a call from cousin James Hooker III, Colorado Springs, CO.  It is with sadness that I share that James III’s father, Jim Hooker II died September 30, 2011 from liver cancer.  Jim was diagnosed in July with cancer and was gone by Sept.   I had sent Jim and Ann a Christmas card, their son received it and kindly answered.  We spoke for quite awhile, catching up on the latest news.  Ann is now in a skilled nursing care unit.

Jim Hooker III has promised to visit if he gets out East.  That will be a great time to get all the Whites together again. I have located someone from each of the Alexander Right and Mary Ella (Hess) White children’s families.

Other family news – Cousin Mel Myers (son of Sara White Myers)will be turning 90 as well as Aunt Bea White Mc Cord (daughter of Walter White).  Cousin Bob Spencer (son of Mary White Spencer) has already reached 91 years old.  It is wonderful to see all of these relatives reaching that great age of 90. A Christmas card from a friend who lives in the same development as Ted Locke (son-in-law of Bess White Hosler) says he is now in assisted living and his wife Marge (2nd wife) has an apartment nearby.

As you see, I love those Christmas letters, so keep them coming and I’ll post the news here.