Sunday, May 3, 2009

Granny Shep's Father

The man in the center of the photo with the long white beard and the hat is granny's father - Henry David Hess. Henry was born on
15 March 1836 in Russell Co.,VA. He died 27 July 1912 in Russell
Co.,VA in what is known as the River Mountain Area. He was the
son of John (Johann) Hess and Lucinda "Lucy" Ray. Henry and
his brothers joined the Confederate Army and served in the defense of the Saltworks at Saltville, Va during the Civil War.

The others in the photo are granny's sister (Carrie Hess) and her
brothers Elbert (standing) and Amos (sitting in front).

Monday, April 27, 2009

Granny Shep's Parents

In #5-A the older man in the center back with the beard is/was Henry
David Hess//born 15 March 1835 in Russell Co.,VA//died 27 July 1912
in Russell Co.,VA (River Mountain Section).

In #5-B to the right on this page is Julia Ann West Hess//born 23 March
1847 in Pike Co.,KY//died 11 March 1929 at Tip Top,Tazewell Co.,VA at the
home of her son William Millard Hess. Her death certificate states that she
died suddenly while sitting in her rocking chair. Her grandson (Harold Hess)
related to me that she would sit in her rocking chair in front of the fireplace
and smoke a long clay pipe.

Julia Ann was the daughter of Joshua West & Elizabeth Smith.

A Correction to Blog # 3

I failed to point out in the previous blog (# 3) that Carl & Dorothy Cuddy (ages 19 & 18) had
married and were living in the household. Mathmatically this makes 7 children, 1 daughter-in-
law & 1 mother-in-law - in addition to Poppy & Mommy.

Who was Where in 1930

Juuuust in case you aren't quite sure where your 'piece' fits into the
whole puzzle, I have inserted the Poppy & Mommy Duff (Arch & Leona) family as it was at the time of the 1930 census taker's visit.
Mary Ruth has already married Fowler P. Eastridge and is living
next door at #298/299. Eight children are still in the household
(Hugh is probably already "on the way.") Granny Sheppard is now
a widow and appears in the household as well. Little Eugene had been dead for about 8 years. Garnet was listed in the household with Uncle Bob & Aunt Amanda
Tuggle. If you still can't quite get your identity nailed down, let me hear from you.

Happy Trails.....

Saturday, April 25, 2009

Dear Mary


#2. This Post will focus on our greatgrandmother Mary Emmaline Hess Shepard aka "Little
Mommy." Mary was born 23 January 1873 in Russell County,VA. She was the 2nd child
born to Henry David Hess and Julia Ann West Hess. On 20 February 1889, Mary married
George Aught Shepard. George and Mary lived on Kent's Ridge (up Little River) in Russell
County,VA. Their only child Leona Alice Shepard was born here on 19 February 1890 and on 20
January 1909, at the age of 19, she married Archie Graham Duff. They had twelve children - 10
boys and 2 girls. Until next time.......

Friday, April 24, 2009

Getting Started

26 April 2009

This is an introductary comment upon commencing my FAMILY BLOG. It is hoped that you will check my site as It is my intention to post monthly. This may be increased to a bi-monthly posting
if all goes well. At any rate, check back a wee bit later when I have had time to gather together some family info.