THE PENCE [BENTZ] FAMILY

THE PENCE [BENTZ] FAMILY

Generation One

HANS BENTZ [B: 27 September 1631 in Germany – D: 21 August 1726 in Germany] married Helene Margarethe Kern [B: 1644 in Baden-Wuerttemburg, Germany – D: 14 January 1688 in Germany]

Generation Two

JOHANNES BENTZ [B: 1675 in Bayern, Germany – D: 4 June 1746 in Germany] married Susannah _____ [B: 1677 in Germany – D: 10 April 1748 in Germany]

Generation Three

JOHANN GEORGE BENTZ [PENCE] [B: 16 May 1697 Bayern, Germany – D: 15 September 1749 in Frederick County, Virginia] married 29 August 1719 in Bayern, Germany to Anna Barbara Bullinger [B: 27 April 1698 in Bayern, Germany – D: ?]. They arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on the 15 September 1749 aboard the vessel, Phoenix.

 

Gravestone of John Heinrich Pence [Bentz]

Generation Four

JOHN HEINRICH BENTZ [PENCE] was the son of Johann Georg Bentz [Pence] and his wife, Anna Barbara Bullinger. John Heinrich Pence [B: 1740 in Iggleheim, Pfalz, Bayern, Germany – D: 1826 at Mad River, Champaign County, Ohio] married Mary Magdaline Blimly.   Based upon the births of their children, Johann Heinrich Bentz [Pence] and Mary Magdaline Blimly were married in 1765 in Frederick County, Virginia.  Mary Magdaline Blimly [B: 1746 in Frederick Co., Virginia – D: 20 September 1829 at Champaign County, Ohio.] This couple removed in 1805 to Mad River, Champaign County, Ohio. 

Known children of John Heinrich and Mary Magdaline Blimly Bentz [Pence] are as follows:

1.     George Pence [B: 16 August 1766 in Frederick County, Virginia – D: 1810 Shenandoah County, Virginia]

2.     Jacob Pence [B: 15 September 1767 in Frederick County, Virginia – D: 12 June 1828 Champaign County, Ohio]

3.     Henry Pence [B: 4 September 1768 in Frederick County, Virginia – D: 11 August 1844 Champaign County, Ohio]

4.     Abraham Pence [B: 7 September 1769 in Frederick County, Virginia – D. 1838 Mad River, Champaign County, Ohio]

5.     Magadeline Pence [B: 31 January 1771 in Frederick County, Virginia – D: 1820 Champaign County, Ohio]

6.     Susannah Pence [B: 4 July 1773 in Dunmore County, Virginia – D: 21 May 1853 Champaign County, Ohio]

7.     John Pence [B: 15 January 1774 in Dunmore County, Virginia – D: 20 September 1841 Henderson County, Illinois]

8.     Barbara Pence [B: 2 November 1775 in Dunmore County, Virginia – D: 1820 Champaign County, Ohio]

9.     David Pence [B: 4 February 1777 in Dunmore County, Virginia – D: 1852 Fairfield County, Ohio]

10.  Joseph Pence [B: 26 September 1778 in Shenandoah County, Virginia -D: 6 July 1855 Champaign County, Ohio]

11.  Samuel Pence [B: 4 February 1780 in Shenandoah County, Virginia – D: February 1815 in Champaign County, Ohio]

12.  Anna Pence [B: 10 October 1781 in Shenandoah County, Virginia – D: 5 March 1847 Montgomery County, Illinois]

13.  Isaac Pence [B:23 July 1784 in Shenandoah County, Virginia - D: 7 April 1854 Washington County, Iowa]

14.  Elizabeth Pence [23 June 1784 in Shenandoah County, Virginia – D: 14 April 1854 Champaign County, Ohio]

15.  Benjamin Pence [25 April 1787 in Shenandoah County, Virginia – D: 8 February 1875 Bartholomew County, Indiana]

16.  Mary Pence [B: 9 June 1789 in Shenandoah County, Virginia – D: 28 March 1869 McDonough County, Illinois]

17.  Reuben Pence [B: 28 June 1791 in Shenandoah County, Virginia – D: 1 October 1840 Monroe, Miami County, Ohio]

Generation Five

GEORGE PENCE was the eldest son of Johann Heinrich Bentz [Pence] and his wife Mary Magdaline Blimly.  George Pence [B: 16 August 1766 in Frederick County, Virginia – D: 1810 Shenandoah County, Virginia] married Maria Mary Mauck [B: 1770 – D: 1795], the daughter of Daniel and Barbara Harnsberger Mauck. Barbara Harnsberger Mauck was the daughter of John Stephen Harnsberger [B: 1714 in Evangelisch, Thurgan, Switzerland – D: 19 March 1776 in Augusta County, Virginia] and his wife, Agnes Hofmann [B:25 November 1722 in Germantown, Virginia – D: 9 February 1749 Germantown, Virginia].  John Stephen Harnsberger was the son of John Harnsberger [D: 20 May 1760 Culpeper County, Virginia]

Generation Six

            PETER JONAS PENCE [Pense, Bentz, Benz, Bens], was the son of George and Maria

            Mary Mauck Pence.

Born:  ca. 1795 -1797 [1840 Census shows that he was older than forty and less than fifty 

years of age], most probably in Pennsylvania.

Died: ca.1848, most probably in Page County, Virginia. 

Married: 8 February 1823 in Shenandoah County, Virginia

Sophia Aleshire [Alshite], the daughter of Henry P. Aleshire [Alshite] [B: 1754 – D:1845] and his wife, Mary Elizabeth Hahn [Haynes, Haines, Hehn, Hohn] [marriage record]. Mary Elizabeth Hahn was the daughter of George and Maria Catherine ____ Hahn.

Born: October 1800 in Virginia. [1850-1880 Page County, Virginia Federal Census Records cite her age as being forty-five, fifty-five, sixty-four and seventy-six years.]

Died: 30 January 1885 at Stoney Run in Page County, Virginia at the age of eighty-four years and three months [death record - the published record states "Honey Run," but at the time, she lived at Stoney Run].  A newspaper obituary states that she died on the 29^th of January in 1885 at Alma, Page County, Virginia being eighty-four years of age. The 1885 Atlas shows Sophia Pence as living just east of Alma on the south side of Stoney Run in Shenandoah Ironworks District of Page County, Virginia.

In 1878, Sophia sought a pension [No. WO – 19009] based upon her husband's service either in a “Pennsylvania or Maryland Militia” unit during the War of 1812.  In her deposition, she states that her husband came "here [Page County] after the war from Pennsylvania." However, the children who survived until the 1880 Page County, Virginia Federal Census cite their father's birthplace as Virginia. Most probably the reason for this discrepancy is the fact that the Pence family had settled originally in the area which was claimed by Virginia but also by the Colonies of Maryland and Pennsylvania which also believed that the area was within their boundaries. Officially this issue, state boundaries, was not settled until after the American Revolution.

Sophia stated in her petition application that Peter Pence died on the 31^st of January in 1854; however, he was not cited as part of their family in the 1850 Federal Census. Sophia's petition was denied because she could not provide any specifics about “her” Peter Pence's service.  

With the aid of modern technology, it is easy to determine that the Pence family came into the Colony of Pennsylvania prior to the French and Indian War from an area that is now in Germany.  This is the reason for many difficulties which seemed to plague Sophia’s life in regard to her knowledge of her husband’s family and the government. 

It was customary for families of Germanic origins to name the first son after the child’s paternal grandfather and the second son after the maternal grandfather. This was also true for daughters, the eldest was given the name of the paternal grandmother and the second was named for the maternal grandmother.  This custom resulted in many children being named the exact same name.  

Gravestone in Ohio for Peter Pence

 By the time of the War of 1812, there were men named Peter Pence serving from Ohio, Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania because some of the sons and grandsons of the original emigrant family had moved “west” to claim land grants which had been awarded to their family for military service in the French and Indian War as well as those awarded for service during the American Revolution.  An example of this is Peter Jonas Pence who married Maria Elizabeth Harshman in Rockingham County, Virginia in 1817. This Peter Jonas Pence was also born in Rockingham County, Virginia on the 11^th of October 1797 and died on the 27^th of August 1864 in Preble Co., Ohio where they were buried.  Their known children were: Delilah Pence, Rosabel E.Pence, Andrew J.Pence, and Peter Milton Pence.

Without the aid of today’s technology [phones, copy machines, computers, photographs and easy methods of travel], it was extremely difficult to determine who served from a regiment in any geographic area.  Personally, I have nineteen proven ancestors who served in the War of 1812 just on mother’s Shenandoah Valley side of my family.  Many of these exact same men served in regiments which saw duty on the coastal regions as well as in the Ohio Country.  Also, many of these exact same men served in the American Revolution and then later, alongside their own sons during the War of 1812. 

If we add all of this together and then, throw in the horrible diseases which wiped out many members of the same family, fires which burned down homes, the scarcity of paper upon which to write down family events as they occurred, all make it easier to understand that government agents of the period had a difficult time in deciding which claim to allow or to deny for lack of proof.  This is why many original family bible records were torn or cut out of Bibles and submitted with the applications, thus became part of many of these men’s pension records.

1885 Atlas Page County, Virginia

The 1885 Page County, Virginia Atlas shows Sophia Pence as living just east of Alma on the south side of Stoney Run in the Shenandoah Ironworks District of Page County, Virginia. Marriage Records and Page County, Virginia Federal Census Records identify the following known children of Peter and Sophia (Aleshire) Pence:

Generation Seven

1. HENRY PENCE was born in 1825 in Virginia and appears to have died in the War Between the States, but no record has yet been found to document this fact.  He married Susan R. Croft on the 3^rd of May 1852 in Page County, Virginia. Susan R. Croft was born in January 1832 in Virginia, the daughter of Jacob Croft. Susan A. Pence was living alone in Page County in 1900. She most probably was the "Mrs. Pence" who was living across from Sophia Aleshire Pence near Stoney Run in Marksville District as is shown on the 1885 Atlas.

2. MARY (POLLY) PENCE was born in 1827 in Virginia.  She married Abraham Aleshire [Aleshite] on the 21^st of May 1844 in Page County, Virginia.   Abraham Aleshire [Aleshite] was born in Virginia in 1827, the son of Jacob Aleshire[Aleshite].  They are cited on the Page County Federal Census in 1850. 

A.J. Rinehart Gravestone

3. ELIZABETH PENCE was born the 26^th of November 1827 in Virginia.  She died on the 5^th of February 1891 and is buried in the Rinehart [Rhinehart] Family Cemetery at Battle Creek, Page County, Virginia. Elizabeth married Andrew Jackson Rinehart [Rhinehart] on the 8^th of November 1849 in Page County, Virginia.   Andrew Jackson Rinehart [Rhinehart] was the son of Adam and Mary Price Rinehart [Rhinehart].  Andrew Jackson  Rinehart [Rhinehart] was born on the 6^th of November 1828 in Shenandoah County, Virginia, and died on the 6^th of November 1862.   He is also buried in the Rinehart [Rhinehart] Family Cemetery at Battle Creek, Page County, Virginia.  He is not cited on the 1850 Page County, Virginia Federal Census, but is shown on the Page County, Virginia Federal Census in 1860.

4. HARRISON PENCE was born in 1829 in Virginia and died of disease [diarrhea] on the 12^th of August 1864 while serving in the Confederate Army as a “Prisoner of War” at Elmira Prison in Chemung County, New York.  He is buried in Woodlawn Cemetery, Gravesite 44, at Elmira.  Harrison Pence enlisted on the 16^th of April 1862 at Rude's Hill, Virginia.  As a private, he was mustered into F Co., 2^nd Virginia Infantry.  He was captured and taken as a “Prisoner of War” on the 12^th of May 1864 at Spotsylvania Court House, Spotsylvania County, Virginia.  He was confined in Elmire Prison on the 2^nd of August 1864.

5. WILLIAM PENCE was born in 1830 in Shenandoah County, Virginia and died on the 27^th of February 1863 at Richmond, Virginia.  He married Rebecca Short on the 14^th of February 1856 in Page County, Virginia.  Rebecca Short was born in Virginia in1824.  After William’s death she married William Fleming on the 2^nd of Aug 1866 in Page County, Virginia. During the War Between the States, William Pence was among several soldiers in his unit who were charged with desertion.  It was decided that one of these men must be executed as an example.  The victim was to be determined by drawing straws. William drew the short straw and on the 28^th of February 1863 he was shot by a firing squad at Camp Winder near Richmond, Virginia. William Pence enlisted on the 4^th of April 1862 as a private.  He gave his residence as Leakesville, Page County, Virginia. He was mustered into H Co., 33^rd Virginia Infantry known as "the Page Grays."  He was listed as "Deserted" on the 20^th of April 1862 at Elk Run “Elkton,” Virginia, only two weeks after his enlistment.  He was reported as "Returned" on the 21^st of December 1862, place not stated.

6. ABRAHAM PENSE was born on the 27^th of November 1832 in Page County, Virginia. The 1900 Federal Census of Keya Paha County, Nebraska cites his birth year as 1834.  He was a twin to CATHARINE PENCE [No.7 below].  Abraham Pence died on the 24^th of November 1912 in Keya Paha County, Nebraska.  He is buried in the Springview Cemetery, Keya Paha County, Nebraska. Abraham Pence married Sarah Eliza Humphrey on the 15^th of August 1862 in Cedar County, Iowa.  Sarah Eliza Humphrey was born the daughter of the Rev. Aaron Humphrey and Betsey Starr on the 25^th of February 1846 at Tipton, Cedar County, Iowa.  She died on the 1^st of February 1923 in Keya Paha County, Nebraska and is buried in Springview Cemetery, Keya Paha County, Nebraska.  Abraham Pence removed to Cedar County, Iowa in 1857.  He enlisted in the Union Army on the 15^th of August 1862 as a private. On the 29^th of August he was mustered into Co. B of the 24th Iowa Volunteer Infantry.  He was transferred out of this company on the 20^th of November 1863 and into the Veteran Reserve Corps from which he was discharged on the 29^th of June 1865 at Davenport, Scott County, Iowa.  In 1880, they were in Story County, Iowa and 1884 they removed to Keya Paha County, Nebraska.  The story is that as his name was spelled Pense on his army record, he chose to maintain that same spelling for his family.

7. CATHARINE PENCE was born on the 27^th of November 1832 in Page County, Virginia.  She was a twin to Abraham Pense [No. 6 above]. Catharine Pence married John Nauman [Newman] on the 22^nd of August 1867 in Page County, Virginia.  John Nauman was born in 1815 in Page County, Virginia, the son of David and Catherine Nauman. In the 1860 Page County, Virginia Federal Census, Catharine Pence is living in John Nauman’s household at Alma under the name, Catherine Pence with the child, Charles Pence.  John Nauman was apparently a widower with some eight children. In the 1870 Page County Federal Census, the child Charles is shown as Charles Nauman, age ten years.  In the 1870 Page County, Virginia Federal Census there are several older Nauman children and one named Mary J. Nauman, age four years and also an unnamed Nauman child, one month old. In the Page County, Virginia 1880 Federal Census, the household consists of John Nawman, age sixty-four, Catherine, age forty-seven, Charles P.  age twenty-one, Mary S., age fourteen, and Ada Lee Nawman, age ten years.

8. ISAAC NEWTON PENCE was born in 1836 in Page County, Virginia.  He died on the 30^th of July 1864 in Petersburg, Virginia.  During the War Between the States he was killed at a battle at Ream's Station.  He is buried "in a fence row at Alma" in Page County, Virginia.  Isaac Newton Pence married Harriet F. Short, the daughter of Richard and Mary Short, on the 17^th of June 1858 at her father's home in Page County, Virginia.  Harriet F. Short was born in 1840 in Page County.  She lived in Marksville and died in 1923 and is buried in Seventh Day Adventist Church Cemetery, Stanley, Page County, Virginia.

9. JOHN WESLEY PENCE who was known as Wesley Pence was born in May 1838 in Virginia.  He married Harriet A. Stephens about 1871, most probably in Iowa. Harriet A. Stephens was born in September 1848 in Pennsylvania.  Wesley Pence was cited as living alone in the 1860 Page County, Virginia Federal Census at Grove Hill, Page County, Virginia.  Reportedly he served in the Confederate States Army [possibly he was one of the two John Pence’s who served in the 33rd Virginia Infantry]. Following the War Between the States, Wesley Pence removed to Iowa, and from there to Nebraska, following his older brother, Abraham.  In the 1870 Cedar County, Iowa Federal Census he was cited as living with his brother, Abraham Pence [age 34, born Virginia] and his family in Center Twp. This census cited Wesley Pence [age 38, born Virginia].  Wesley and Harriet A. Stephens were in Grant Twp, Lyon County, Iowa, in the1880 Federal Census and in Boyd County, Nebraska, as cited in the 1900 Federal Census.   This son of Peter and Sophia Aleshire Pence was cited as Wesley Pence in the 1850, 1860 and 1870 Federal Census while in the 1880 Federal Census he was called John and then in 1900 and 1920 he was cited as John W. Pence.

10. MARY ANN PENCE was born in 1840 in Page County, Virginia.  She married Albert Doffelmoyer [Dofflemyer, Dofflemier], the son of Jacob and Nancy Dofflemoyer on the 8^th of December 1867 in Page County, Virginia. This daughter of Peter and Sophia Aleshire Pence is cited as being age eleven in the 1850 Page County, Virginia Federal Census, as age eighteen years in the 1860 Page County, Virginia Federal Census, as twenty-five in the Page County, Virginia Federal Census, and as age twenty-three years on her marriage record dated the 8^th of December 1867 in Page County, Virginia.  Albert Doffelmoyer was born in 1844 in Page County, Virginia.  Mary Ann Pence was living in Page County with her mother in the 1850 Page County, Virginia Federal Census.  In the 1860 Page County, Virginia Federal Census she was cited as living in the home of Harrison C. and Minerva J. Dovel at Leaksville, Page County, Virginia. Albert and Mary Ann Pence Doffelmoyer lived in Shenandoah, Page County as he is cited as being a teamster in the 1870 Page County, Virginia Federal Census.  Mary Ann Pence Doffelmoyer was apparently dead by the 4^th of November 1873, when Albert Doffelmoyer married Adeline Douglas as his second wife. As the 1880 Page County, Virginia Federal Census names only children of Albert and Adeline Douglas Doffelmoyer, it most probable that Mary Ann Pence Doffelmoyer died during childbirth as she apparently left no living children.

11. CHRISTINA PENCE was born in 1842 in Virginia.  She married Joseph S. Nauman [Newman] on the 25^th of April 1867 in Page County, Virginia. The 1870 Page County, Virginia Federal Census of Page County cites Joseph S. Nauman, age twenty-five, wife Mary A., age eighteen, and William Pence, age eleven living in their household. This William Pence is most probably the oldest child of Isaac Newton Pence who had been killed a few years earlier during the War Between the States.

12. SUSANNAH PENCE was born in 1846 in Virginia.  She married Henry T. Pettit, the son of Elijah and Mary C. Pettit on the 21^st of December 1874 in Page County, Virginia.  Henry T. Pettit was born in 1854.

13. HENRIETTA PENCE was born in 1847 in Virginia. She was the mother of one son even though she remained unmarried.  

14. AMBROSE MARTIN [A. M. or MARTIN A.] PENCE was born on the 18^th of September 1848 in Virginia.  He died on the 5^th of July 1925 at the age of seventy-four years, nine months and seventeen days.  He is supposedly buried in Nauman [Newman] Family Cemetery, Stanley, Page County, Virgina, although there is a gravestone for him in Leake's Chapel Cemetery at Stanley with the preceding date of death and age.  This gravestone also states, "erected by a daughter."  Ambrose Martin Pence married Virenda Love Nauman about 1882 in Maryland. Virenda Love Nauman was born on the 5^th of January 1852 and died on the 8^th of March 1902.  She is buried in the Nauman Cemetery in Page County, Virginia.

A Journal - Elkton - McGaheysville, Virginia Area

Miss Lottie Davis

Part 9
1930 continued
Page Forty-five  
July 1930
15 Jul 1930 - Uncle D. Higgs died 79 years old.
18 Jul 1930 - Arthur Lawson killed 38 years old.
22 Jul 1930 - Mrs Baugher died Mrs Dave Monger mother.
 9 Jul 1930 - Started get gas & oil from M&C Company.
17 Jul 1930 - Mr. Roy Kyger operated on Thurs.
28 Jul 1930 - Annie Downey operated on Mon.
24 Jul 1930 - Mr. Richard Bruce died 80 years at hospital.
     Jul 1930 - Harold & Grace [Davis] get new rug $40.00.
26 Jul 1930 - Everette Fogle married.

August 1930
   Aug 1930 - Gale  Leap married.
 7 Aug 1930 - Clara Shipp operated on Thurs.
 7 Aug 1930 - Mrs. Tom Davis operated on Thurs.
 8 Aug 1930 - Hillman Leverson shot self Fri.
10 Aug 1930 - Mr. John Tompkins kill self  Sun Hotel.
13 Aug 1930 - Mr.& Mrs. Leap visit.
12 Aug 1930 - Miss Irene Brock married Williams.

Page Forty-six
August 1930
     Aug 1930 - Everett Fogle goes to housekeeping.
     Aug 1930 - Miss Eua [Eula?] Fisher operated on Fri.
     Aug 1930 - Went to Aunt Alice on Sat.
     Aug 1930 - Went to Washington D.C. on Sun.
     Aug 1930 - Mrs. Clara Frey Stanley new baby.
 28 Aug 1930 - County convention met a M E Church.
 30 Aug 1930 - Aunt Sis came up.
 30 Aug 1930 - Lillian Thacher married.

September 1930
  1 Sep 1930 - Washington on Labor Day.  Mon.
  2 Sep 1930 - Went to Hanger Factory for liner $300.00.
  2 Sep 1930 -  Went to Monument Capital L.L.-M Tue
  3 Sep 1930 - Came home on Wed.
  4 Sep 1930 - Mr. Showalter killed Sub Station.
  5 Sep 1930 - Spent day with Lelia [Davis Monger] on Fri.
 12 Sep 1930 - Uncle Henry Davis died 58 yrs 1  mo. 21 days.
 11-15 Sep 1930 UB [United Brethren] Conference met in Stanton [Staunton].
22 Sep 1930 - Mrs. George Herring killed Mon 69 years.

Page Forty-seven
September 1930
24 Sep 1930 - Mrs. Brill had Silver Tea made $47.25.
17 Sep 1930 - Mrs. Elsie Kite sale.
27 Sep 1930 - Mrs. Glenn died.
25 Sep 1930 - Mrs. Jenkins died on Thurs.
28 Sep 1930 - Uncle John Davis killed on Sun. 64 years 11 mos 2 days.
27 Sep 1930 - Joe S. operated on.
    Sep 1930 - Started work on S[unday] S[chool] rooms at U[nited] B[rethern]Church.

October 1930
  2 Oct 1930 - Mr. Jack Cash died 65 years old.
  4 Oct 1930 - Mrs. Sarah Workman died 87 years 2 mos 21 days.
  7 Oct 1930 - Mr. T. S. Eaton went to hospital.
  7 Oct 1930 - Miss Ruth Lane married.
  9 Oct 1930 - Harold, Grace [Davis] & Bill goes to Alabama.
  7 Oct 1930 - Mrs. Sam Baugher operated on Sat.
21 Oct 1930 - Mrs. Susan Conder dies 86 years old Tues.
22 Oct 1930 - Mrs. Ruth  Keezle new baby.
    Oct 1930 - Shafer starts truck again.
    Oct 1930 - Miss Coffman & Mr. Crist  7 1/2 years in Pen.

Page Forty-eight
October 1930
28 Oct 1930 - Mrs. .J.C. Bear had tonsil removed.
     Oct 1930 - McGuire furnace put in house.

November 1930
 5 Nov 1930 - Mrs. Helen Martin new baby Helen Rue.
 7 Nov 1930 - Hensley Chicken supper $32.20 made.
 8 Nov 1930 - Albert Shifflett child died 44 years.
11 Nov 1930 - Mr. Jehu Long died 66 years old Fri.
15 Nov 1930 - Mr. J. E. Wesner[?] died 74 years Sat.
17 Nov 1930 - Max Frazier killed 37 years funeral home.
18 Nov 1930 - Mrs. Fultz & Bailey married Tues.
19 Nov 1930 - Started work on back porch Wed.
22 Nov 1930 - Eugene Shifflett mother died.
24 Nov 1930 - Daddy got new car $390.00 & $75.00 one for old.
27 Nov 1930 - Thanksgiving went to Mrs. Homer Thomas.
28 Nov 1930 - Virginia Hill died at Hospital 26 years old buried at Cook Store, Va.

To be continued...

A Journal - Elkton - McGaheysville, Virginia Area

Lottie M. Davis

Part 8
1930 continued
Page Forty-one  
February 1930
    Feb 1930 - Edna Shifflett married.
  1 Feb 1930 - Smith boy funeral 16 years old Sat.
 3 Feb 1930 - Miss Marie Deal [Diehl?] & Bud Flory married Mon.
 7 Feb 1930 - Vernie came home from Hospital Fri.
10 Feb 1930 - Vernie died 22 years 10 months 1 day Mon.
 7 Feb 1930 - Ora Hammer came home Fri.
22 Feb 1930 - Mr. Plum barn burned.
22 Feb 1930 - Dr. Kite house burned where Shifflett lived.
24 Feb 1930 - Moved Bill furniture to Georgie.
    Feb 1930 - Mrs. Pritchell operated on.
26 Feb 1930 - Mrs. Townsane] [Townsend] operated on.

Page Forty-two
March 1930
25 Mar 1930 - Mrs. Purtun new baby.
     Mar 1930 - Mr. T.T. Miller died 70 years old on Sat.
  6 Mar 1930 - Betty Russell Austin died Thurs 11 mo. 26 days.
  6 Mar 1930 - Mrs. Sediell Dicion [Dixion?] operated on -
  9 Mar 1930 - Mrs. C.C. Townsand [Townsend?] came home on Sun -
  8 Mar 1930 - Wm. H.Talf died 73 years old on Sat.
10 Mar 1930 - Miss Margie Pence operated on Mon -
 8 Mar 1930 -  Lelia [Davis Monger] new radio on Sat.
 8 Mar 1930 - Too [two?] girls hurt from Teacher State College Harrisonburg Miss Jones & Miss Moss on  Sat.
25 Mar 1930 - Mr. Henry Maiden died.
21 Mar 1930 - Taken mersiment for limb.

April 1930
  3 Apr 1930 - Mrs. Fred Hammer died 24 years 6 mo. 24 days.
 12 Apr 1930 - Aunt Lizzie Davis died 56 years 1 mo. 12 days Saturday.
 13 Apr 1930 - Mrs. Gordon Lough new baby.
 24 Apr 1930 - Here H.B. Gordon-
     Apr 1930 - Georgie S. moved to Baugher house.
 24 Apr 1930 - Apple B. F [Butter Festival?]. at W[Washington?]
 21 Apr 1930 - Flowers & Box for mother's grave.

Page Forty-three
     Apr 1930 - Lelia [Davis Monger] get glasses.
May 1930
 3 May 1930 - Austin Downey barn burned.
 4 May 1930 - Mrs. P. B. Monger [Benjamin Price Monger] died 82 years 1 mo 11 days Sun.
 1 May 1930 - Daddy got car from Lawrence.
12 May 1930 - A limb came on Monday.
17 May 1930 - Earl & Clark [Monger] get new car.
19 May 1930 - Went to Washington about limb Mon.
20 May 1930 - Went to Hanger Factory Tuesday.
21 May 1930 - Went to Smith. [Smithsonian?] Wed.
22 May 1930 - Went to Capitol & White House Thurs.
18 May 1930 - Mrs. Sam Monger hurt.
26 May 1930 - Got limb from factory Mon.
24 May 1930 - Mr. McGuire died 80 years C.W. McG[uire] father.
25 May 1930 - Ora Hammer went about limb.
30 May 1930 - Jersey [cow] fresh on Fri.
29 May 1930 - Mr. Ed Cave died.

June 1930
4 June 1930 - Rev. E. A. Stanton died 65 years 1 mo. 13 days Wed.
4 June 1930 - Mrs. Sam Monger's father dies.

Page Forty-four
June 1930
 6 Jun 1930 - Mrs.M. V. Leap goes to Mrs. Richards Fri.
 6 Jun 1930 - Dr. R.T. Shacklett died sudden 47 years old Fri.
10 Jun 1930 - Robert Nizer married colored.
 7 Jun 1930 - Miss Goldie Shipp & Everett Miller married Sat.
 8 Jun 1930 - Hanger man came to see me.
11 Jun 1930 - Ora Hammer got limb.
15 Jun 1930 - Went to Charlottesville with Lawrence.
     Jun 1930 - Lindy new baby.
21 Jun 1930 - Mr. T. S. Denton died at Harrisonburg.
26 Jun 1930 - Mrs. W.D. Baugher died.
21 Jun 1930 - Mrs. Mollie Miller place sold to Deal [Diehl?] $3,700.00.

 July 1930 
 1 Jul 1930 - Painted dinning room.
 7 Jul 1930 - Mrs. Alice Monger Nash new baby 10 # [pounds?].
 2 Jul 1930 - Jim Bailly[Bailey] mother died.
 7 Jul 1930 - Harold & Grace moved on on.
 1 Jul 1930 - William T. Davis 35 years on Mon.
 8 Jul 1930 - Miss Mae Saum died 17 years on Wed.
To be continued.

A Journal - Elkton - McGaheysville, Virginia Area

Miss Lottie M. Davis

Today, we continue our visit to the Elkton - McGaheysville area in Rockingham County, Virginia as seen through the eyes of Miss Lottie M. Davis as she recorded the events of 1928 in her "Journal".  It is important for us to remember that there was still no uniform spelling of words at this time.  Most people spelled words, including names, as they sounded to them in their own language.

Part Five
Page Twenty-one
1928 -January
15 Jan 1928 - Mrs. Iris Secrist New boy Richard.
19 Jan 1928 - Uncle Dave Davis died.
19 Jan 1928 - Mrs. Buck Kite died.
19 Jan 1928 - Mrs. Bob Cash new baby.
30 Jan 1928 - Lura new baby.
28 Jan 1928 - New electric washing machine.
21 Jan 1928 - Centrill Dean sent on road.
__ Jan 1928 - Earl new phone put in.
20 Jan 1928 - Lucile operated.

Page Twenty-two
1928 - February
23 Feb 1928 - New oil stove from Mable $20.00.
1 Feb 1928 - Lloyd Merica new baby.
__ Feb 1928 - Clyde Koontz left home.
4 Feb 1928 - Jim Tuckin killed.
__ Feb 1928 - Fix River bridge at Elkton.
10 Feb 1928  - Busy Bees Supper made $ 96.54.
10 Feb 1928 - Uncle Henry Harmen died colored.
21 Feb 1928 - Miss Mary Burck [Burk or Burke?] died.
19 Feb 1928 - Mrs. Jim McGahey new boy Billie.
17 Feb 1928 - Rev. G. W. Glegg died Lacey Spring.
1 Feb 1928 - Mrs. Lloyd Merica new baby. [This is the second entry for this event.]
__ Feb 1928 - Mrs. Charles Zetty operated on.
24 Feb 1928 - Ladies Aid Supper.
26 Feb 1928 - Mrs. T. Downs hurt.
6 Feb 1928 - Iris Wyant new baby.
6 Feb 1928 - Mrs. Harold Workman new baby.
15 Feb 1928 - Rolston & Mae King were married.
__ Feb 1928 - Miss Scruggs married.
29 Feb 1928 - Mr. J. S. Eaton moved.
__ Feb 1928 - Adia Moaten operated on.

Page Twenty-three
1928 - March
6 Mar 1928 - Mrs. I.L. Flory operated on.
__ Mar 1928 - Harold Victrola. [Victrola is an early form of a record player.]
8 Mar 1928 - Mr. Ed Hawkins died age 71 years.
__ Mar 1928 - Mrs. Russell Hensley new baby.
__ Mar 1928 - Blake Shifflett shot.
__ Mar 1928 - Herman Longley operated on.
20 Mar 1928 - Mrs. Leap came home.
3 Mar 1928 - Pauline Smith married.
1928 - April
7 Apr 1928 - Show of cards from L.A.S.
9 Apr 1928 - Mrs. John Shuler operated on.
14 Apr 1928 - Mrs. Sam Breeden.
13 Apr 1928 - Mr. H. Longley child dies.
16 Apr 1928 - Mrs. Rose Morris died.
17 Apr 1928 - Mable Electric Washing Machine,
19 Apr 1928 - Sarah Morris operated on.

Page Twenty-four
20 Apr 1928 - Houk Breeden shot.
24 Apr 1928 - Lura Frazier moved in new home.
21 Apr 1928 - Helen Monger married.
__ Apr 1928 - Water System completed.
27 & 28 Apr 1928 - snow fell.
__ Apr 1928 - New preacher at Presbyterian.
1928 - May
__ May 1928 - New walk on back.
5 May 1928 - New crutches.
9 May 1928 - Mable had teeth taken out.
__ May1928 - Mrs. Joe Shigar [Sughrue?] new baby.
23 May 1928 - Mammie Morris died.
24 May 1928 - Mildred Monger operated.
30 May 1928 - Miss Sedrick of Shenandoah killed.
30 May 1928 - New road open Spotswood Trail.
31 May 1928 - Harry Comer killed.

Page Twenty-five
1928 - June
2 Jun 1928 - Busy Bees Lawn Party made $ 73.00.
2 Jun 1928 - Mr. Parrish Funeral.
4 Jun 1928 - F. Shifflett child died.
3 Jun 1928 - Mrs. Nancy Dicison [Dixon or Dickerson?] new baby.
9 Jun 1928 - Mable gets new teeth.
9 Jun 1928 - Mrs Sallie Miller died age 89 years.
__ Jun 1928 - Elizabeth Thomas graduates.
19 Jun 1928 - Willie moved.
18 Jun 1928 - Mrs. Lizzie Thacher [Thacker?] died age 49 years.
24 Jun 1928 - Mrs. Selena Shipp died age 79 years.
25 Jun 1928 - Childrens Day at U.B.C. [United Brethren Church].
27 Jun 1928 - Mr. Jones died 75 years.
30 Jun 1928 - Irene Long married.
30 Jun 1928 - Ladies Aid Lawn Party.

Page Twenty-six
1928 - July
31 Jul 1928 - Mr. Andrew Hensley died age 36 years.
1 Jul 1928 - Mrs. Foltz went back to Mrs. Leap.
2 Jul 1928 - New swing came.
3 Jul 1928 - Mrs. Claude Baugher new baby.
6 Jul 1928 - Virginia Talifarro married.
9 Jul 1928 - Lewis Lambert killed by lighting.
11 Jul 1928 - Lester Baugher child died.
8 Jul 1928 - Mrs. Fred Baugher visits Elkton.
__ Jul 1928 - Mable had papering done.
20 Jul 1928 -Mr. Andrew Hensley hurt.
19 Jul 1928 - Mr. Henry Good died.
21 Jul 1928 - Jess Hammer killed self - 22 years.
23 Jul 1928 - Miss Kate Liggett died 83 years.
20 Jul 1928 - Tal Hammer hurt on train.
23 Jul 1928 - Miss Clara Lambert married.
__ Jul 1928 - Mrs. Petty operated on.
__ Jul 1928 - Mrs. W. E. Deal [Diehl?] in Hospital.
25 Jul 1928 - Mrs. Mary Offenbacker died.
__ Jul 1928 - Carl Whitfield new baby.

Page Twenty-seven
1928 - August
3 Aug 1928 - Mrs. Susie Steward died sudden - 80 years.
2 Aug 1928 - Lighting struck church.
8 Aug 1928 - Mr. Sam Shifflett died 88 years.
7 Aug 1928 - Fultz child died age 4 years.
10 Aug 1928 - Mr. Frank Fultz died 80 years.
11 Aug 1928 - Mr. W. T. Miller died 65 years.
16 Aug 1928 - Graney painted bathroom.
18 Aug 1928 - Alice Hammer hit by ball.
31 Aug 1928 - Mr. Conder died age 95 years 10 months.
29 Aug 1928 - Annie Wright died colored.
29 Aug 1928 - Mr. Stawter Smith died.
18 Aug 1928 - Irene Monger married.
1928 - September
1 Sep 1928 - Clara Frey married at Kyser W.Va.
11 Sep 1928 - Dr. Fisher killed Miss Bechone  in office.
11 Sep 1928 - Child found in box.
12 Sep to 16 Sep 1928 - Conference met in Roanoke. [Church conference?]
17 Sep 1928 - School started.

Page Twenty-eight
11 Sep 1928 - Leonard Secirst [Secrist?] moves to Washington, D.C.
16 Sep 1928 - Mrs. Ruby Collman [Coleman?] Doffermyer [Dofflemyer?] died.
__ Sep 1928  - Mrs. Fannie Eaton buy new home.
19 Sep 1928 - Mrs. Gordon Baugher died age 82 years.
15 Sep 1928 - Daddy & Graney & Harold went to Roanoke.
__ Sep 1928 - Mrs. Ralph Dutrow new baby girl.
26 Sep 1928 - Mrs. Mollie Miller died 68 years..
24 Sep 1928 - Miss Ethel Gooden killed in Phila[delphia] 40 years.
29 Sep 1928 - Mrs. Alice Gilmon new baby boy.
1928 - October
1 Oct 1928 - Menfee feed store open.
3 Oct 1928 - Tomie Arementrout [Armentrout?] died 16 years 10 days.
2 Oct 1928 - Mrs. Elmore [Elmer?] Monger new baby.
3 Oct 1928 - Richard went to Loths Stove Co. work.
__ Oct 1928 - Lawrence Lam open new Store building.
__ Oct 1928 - Dr. Kite starts his new drug store.
10 Oct 1928 - Reu Compon left Elkton Va.
20 Oct 1928 - Dr. Shacklett left Elkton Va.
To be continued...

The Skillet

In today's world, we tend to live in a society where almost everything is disposable.  And, we've all heard the saying that "one man's trash is another man's treasure" which is just another way of saying, "beauty is in the eye of the beholder."

We've all asked our-selves the question, "Exactly what is the difference between an antique and an heirloom?"  The answer is that an antique is anything over one hundred years of age while an heirloom can be anything that is passed down through a family from one generation to another.  For instance, in our family we have two thorn-less heirloom roses, one came from my husband's side of the family and the other through my own Shifflett ancestors.  Many people have treasured dishes, plants and handmade needlework pieces that are heirlooms.  An heirloom can be an antique and in the reverse, an antique can be an heirloom, but not all antiques are heirlooms and not all heirlooms are antiques.

 It is my hope that by sharing one of my favorite things with you, it will cause you to remember many such things in your own family.  If it does, please share them with the younger members of your own family.

The item is a large black cast iron skillet which measures twelve inches round without the handle and stands three inches deep.  This skillet is special to me because it belonged to my maternal grandmother,  Ruth Elizabeth Dofflemyer Lilly who reared me after the deaths of my own parents.

Ruth Elizabeth Dofflemyer Lilly
3 Nov 1899 - 23 Jan 1968

 The skillet had been given to Ruth by her paternal grandmother, Pamley Ann Rinehart Dofflemyer who had as the story goes, obtained it as a young bride from her parents, Andrew Jackson Rinehart and his wife, Elizabeth Pence Rinehart.

Pamley Ann Rinehart Dofflemyer
8 Feb 1850 - 28 Oct 1918

Pamley Ann Rineheart was one of the five daughters of Andrew Jackson Rinehart and his wife Elizabeth Pence, the daughter of Peter Pence and his wife, Sophia "Suffie" Aleshite.  Pamela's paternal grandparents were Adam Rinehart and his wife, Mary Price. Mary Price Rinehart, born 1787 [age 73] the daughter of John Price, was living with her son and daughter-in-law in the 1860 Page Co., VA Federal Census .

Children of Andrew Jackson and Elizabeth Pence Rinehart:
1. Pamley Ann Rinehart married John Wesley Dofflemyer, son of John and Nancy Dovel Dofflemyer.
2. Mary Catherine Rinehart married Andrew Jackson Campbell, son of Jonas and Elizabeth Taylor Campbell.
3. Charlotte Jane Rinehart married Philip Alger, son of Lemuel D. and Mary Ann Getts Alger.
4. Susan S. Rinehart married Albert Calvin Turner, son of Andrew Jackson and Rebecca Nauman Turner.
5. Ambrose G. Rinehart married Nancy Elizabeth Shomo, daughter of Elone William Henry and Elizabeth Frances Louderback Shomo.
6. Francis Marion Franklin Rinehart married Rebecca Susan Painter, daughter of Peter and Jinetta Painter.
7. Martha E. Rinehart married Hubert Lee Huffman, son of Mark and Barbara Catherine Brubaker Huffman.

Pamley's Skillet

 The women in this branch of my family have always been noted as great cooks and this particular skillet has always been a carefully guarded treasure.  I have many fond memories of my own grandmother frying a freshly killed chicken in this pan while she shared story after story about her own life with her grandmother who had given her this prized skillet when she married my grandfather, Claude Aldine Lilly the son of Hugh Brock and Amanda Roberta Propst Lilly.  And hopefully, my own daughters have equally fond memories of me making my special pineapple upside down cake in this very same skillet.

Any cast iron utensil  is a treasure that should be respected.  It will last for many generations if given good care.  In fact, the more it is used, the better it works. For this type of pan to cook its best, it is imperative to care for it properly which means that it should never be washed with soap or detergent and never, ever put into a dishwasher.  It should be washed with only hot water after each use, and this does means that it should be done while the pan is still hot.

If, for any reason, the skillet needs scouring it is best to use something such as Morton's Kosher Salt to accomplish the task.  Scrub  the salt around the sides and bottom of the pan with a stiff brush or even rub it on with a paper towel. If something is still stuck, loosen the residue by putting the pan back on the stove and boil water in the pan until it loosens. Dry the pan immediately and then heat it for two or three minutes to open the pores of the iron.  Then apply a thin coating of lard or a really good vegetable oil.  For pans with lids, it is important to add a wad of paper to keep the pan dry.  The lid should be kept ajar as you do not want it to ever rust.

To properly season a cast iron utensils one must rub the iron deposits  with steel wool to remove all rust. Rub hot fat or oil all over the clean utensil [outside as well as inside]. Wipe away all excess fat/oil.  Bake the utensil upside down on a rack in an oven.  Be sure to put a sheet of foil on the shelf beneath the pan or an old cookie sheet.  Repeat oiling and baking until the utensil is well seasoned. An egg fried in a well seasoned skillet will not stick.