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Mrs Jack White Sr was an accomplished genealogist and we are fortunate to inherit her considerable work on our family tree.
In August 2018 a group of Whites will be gathering on a small, sparsely populated island in the Hebrides where one of our ancestors, one Colin Shaw, originated. Below are documents from Mary Carr Westbrook White's papers regarding this ancestor.
Letter from Donald Campbell dated 1764
Letter from Donald Campbell dated 1770
Colen Shaw in the Revolutionary War
Jack's mother, Ellen Watson led an interesting and varied life before marrying and raising a family first with Dr. Godwin who died of tuberculosis, and later with AC White. (Jack's father)
Ellen's father Joseph Anderson Watson led the family on many adventures, including two attempts to homestead in Texas.
Ellen's younger sister Willie wrote a longhand narrative of these adventures and many others. The longhand copy was later typed out by her nieces.
Willie Watson taught for many years at the Abermale School (now defunct) in Charlottesville, Virginia. She later moved back to Jackson, married and lived in Tennessee but never had children of her own. Fortunately, her descriptions of her family - some humorously frank - and her life survive.
Here I am in the great state of Texas. Purportedly, I've been living in Galveston but what does that Willie Nelson know anyway. Short overnight in Amarillo which of course I cannot help but refer to as Armadillo.
Impressions of eastern New Mexico were, yes it is beautiful but wow do they need some wildlife underpasses. The carnage along the road was a bit shocking. I even saw a Red Tailed hawk that got nailed. Also a fox, lots of coyotes, and what I can only assume was the remains of a deer in the roadway, which looked like a scene out of Walking Dead.
This is the first time I've ever been in Texas other than for a notable class reunion in Dallas in 1995. So I'm eagerly looking forward to my drive tomorrow from Amarillo to outside Dallas. The mission is to visit the graves of my great-great grandparents Watson about 60 miles from Dallas in the tiny town of Fairlie, TX.
Joseph was a dreamer, educated but not practical and relocated the family to Texas twice.He's buried here with his wife. Here are their headstones. His and hers, kind of nice aren't they? A bit surprising those could be paid for considering their circumstances. There's a story there I'm sure.
I'll also be connecting with more high school chums, this time two teacher's kids Richard and Anne McGowan who I haven't seen since aforementioned class reunion in 1995. Much merriment should ensue.
Miles Traveled: 2150
Crossed into New Mexico on Sunday November 30th. Heading out of Tucson, I went past Cochise Stronghold. With a name like that, I had to know more. Turns out Cochise and his band held the high ground in the mountains outside Tucson and were never defeated. He died peacefully of old age and was secretly buried somewhere in the Stronghold. Osceola of the Southwest!
Used my app RV Parky to find a hotspring resort in Truth or Consequences, NM. Riverbend Hotspring on the Rio Grande is not to be missed. Five natural pools of differing temperatures. I tried all five and can independently verify the hottest one is very hot.
Below is where the spring enters the pool area. This tub is the hottest, about 106 degrees. As seasoned a hot tubber as I am, I only stayed in that one for about 10 minutes. I got in late so didn't start my soak until about 9pm and had the tubs pretty much all to myself. It was just what my sore muscles and aching back needed. We're all a bit road-weary and taking time out to relax is important. This place is amaze-balls. Go there if you get the chance.
Monday December 1st we made the short drive from Truth or Consequences up to Rio Rancho outside Albuquerque to my friend Dave Barbour's house. Always great to spend time with Dave and visit with his family. Being a like-minded fellow his priority was getting in his hot tub. After dinner we had a nice soak with some wine after which the dogs and I were treated to sleeping in an actual bed. Our first night out of the RV in more than 2 weeks. Envy was most pleased at this turn of events. I have a sneaking suspicion she would gladly stay here and let us continue on, picking her up on the return trip.
See you later, Gators. I'm just gonna chill here.
Finally arrived in Tucson for a highly anticipated visit with my Uncle Bob and Aunt Judy for Thanksgiving.
Had a nice two day stopover in Phoenix after our stay in Needles, CA meeting a cousin I'd only recently connected with through Ancestry, Natalie Holte. Her father Frank Godwin was Judge Jack's half brother and she proclaimed the judge to be her favorite uncle. Frank Godwin and Judge Jack went on a trip around Florida together in 1924, Judge Jack liked Clearwater best. We had a lovely time sharing information and stories about the family.
After a short and scenic sunset drive of 120 miles, I'm settled in outside Tucson at Catalina State Park which has a very cool history you can read all about if you follow the link. It is supposed to have some of the best hiking in the area so I'm looking forward to 3 full days of R&R to explore the park and hang out with the family. Also do errands and get some things fixed on the RV. Steak grease down the drain back at Angel's Camp has caused a blockage so tough I might have to call an actual plumber. I've been 5 days without a working bathroom or kitchen sink and that's getting old. Yes, I've tried boiling water. Many, many pots. Even got a guy to snake it for me today but his snake wasn't big enough. (snicker)
On the lookout for tarantulas and javelinas. Haven't had many wildlife sightings yet on the journey so I'd like to see at least one cool critter.
For tonight I've got water, power, and sleepy happy dogs and cats. A glass of wine for me and a big couple of days on the horizon.
Day 6 - I'm exhausted!
If you're into such things I've been to Oakland, OR, Red Bluff, CA, Angels Camp, CA, Tehachapi CA and tomorrow it is on to Needles, CA. I'm finding a groove of boondocking at wineries and then staying a night at an RV park. The drop in gas prices has allowed me to afford the occasional paid stay. The luxuries of electricity and abundant water are becoming apparent to me. At Angels' Camp I ran out of water in my holding tank and had to laboriously pour 10 gallons into the tank using my "McGyver" funnel made out of a red solo cup and rainbow duct tape (now known as the funnel of shame). The many uses of a red solo cup are becoming equally apparent.
Overall the trip is going wonderfully. I'm learning a lot about RVing and towing a car behind an RV. So far nothing disastrous has happened apart from the chrome wheel rim on the RV dually tires disappeared somewhere in NorCal. It is huge, hope it didn't hurt anything flying down the road. Wherever it is, I hope it is a happier wheel rim now.
The stay in Angels Camp, CA was amazing. We enjoyed the beauty of the rolling hill country of Calaveras County, getting our fair share of sunsets and sunrises on the ridge where the Twisted Oak Winery is perched. We also learned the scourge of the area - BURRS! Omg, so many burrs. Tomorrow I'm designating an entire hour just to comb the remaining ones out of Fuzzy's coat.
Now looking forward to a few fun days in Pirate's Cove in Needles, followed by visiting my grandfather's niece, Nancy Ellen Holte in Phoenix and a few days with my Uncle Bob and Aunt Judy for Thanksgiving.
It is entirely possible trying to work remotely and drive 300 miles a day was biting off more than I could chew, but I'm making it happen.
Will add pics to this post on the morrow.
Veteran's Day, or Remembrance Day in the UK, originally marked the end of the First World War.
On this day in 1918, Judge Jack White was in France as a mere Private in the U.S. Marine Corps. He'd landed just 14 days before on October 28th. News of the armistice talks would have been all up and down the battle lines. I can imagine he was nervous and excited and probably felt like he'd miss out on the fighting. He mostly did, which wasn't too terrible a thing in retrospect. In a letter he summed up his feelings on military service:
(on United States Marines stationary)
September 28, 1918
Dearest Sister, (Hilda McLaren pictured right)
I received all the candy you sent me and I got your letter (...)
(...)I am proud of my family and proud to be fighting for you & Uncle Sam.
With all the love in the world from your devoted bro. love to all.
~Pvt. Jack USMC, Co. 331-O, Parris Island, S.C.
This is only a very small piece of that letter, I'll share much more in future posts. But on this day what I take away is that he not only served with pride but instilled that sense of service in his sons, all three of whom also served.
Ninety six years later: a granddaughter Judge Jack never met is about to leave on a trip to dig deeply into his roots, adventures, disappointments, and triumphs. I had originally wanted to leave on this day as I thought it would be a most fitting day to begin my quest. Alas, work intervened and I will be leaving Friday instead.
I wonder what Judge Jack would think about the world today? The wars in the Middle East? Would the gung ho attitude so common in the First World War and reflected in his letters been tempered at all?
Much to do to get the crew and myself launched on schedule Friday. Until then, we'll ponder your 20 year old self, Judge Jack. Fresh out of boot camp and off to make the world safe for democracy. That set jaw. That determined look. Oh yeah, he'd bayonet a German.
In a mere 46 days I'll be packing up my RV and heading out on a great adventure. My goal is to complete the research I've begun on a book about my grandfather, Jack F. White Sr. While I'll probably leave my white linen pants and shoes at home (all that ironing!) I will be taking an open mind and a great love of people along with me. I'll take a journey back in time to many locations of historical importance to our family's history. Many stops will be in Tennessee including Jackson, Memphis, Pinson, Culleoka, Columbia, and Knoxville to name a few. I'll be blogging right here about my adventures so stay tuned!
