Who Are We?

Several years ago, I sent a sample of my DNA to 23andme and had some surprises in my ethnicity estimates. (For the uninitiated, one must remember that these are ESTIMATES in an ever-evolving science). I was not surprised that I was classified as 99.7% European, (just look at me), but I was surprised that such a large percentage was designated as "British and Irish."

Over the past couple of years, I have spent a lot of time researching our paternal colonial ancestors. I had no idea that so many of my ancestors arrived here from England in the 1600s! Some of our English surnames include: Almy, Bickerdyke, Chambers, Darby, Havens, Wainwright and West. Many settled in Monmouth County, New Jersey where they intermarried. This concentrated that English DNA. Many started out as Quakers but soon included Baptists, Methodists and Presbyterians.

Vincent Wainwright, our 4th great-grandfather, fought in the Revolutionary War. A cousin of Vincent was killed in a battle at Toms River, New Jersey. So our very diverse Jones family of Germans, Irish, Welsh and Scots has roots that extend back to the 1600s in America. It is these colonial ancestors that I hope to share over the next few months.

The Doctor Says It Is Inoperable ... Now What?

Bill, Kathy and Nathan
January 2016

I love my husband. On January 1, 2016 we celebrated our 29th wedding anniversary. (Actually, we didn't celebrate because we were afraid to schedule anything as we were on "babywatch" for Nathan Jozsef. Nathan waited until January 17th to make his entrance).

So with our family complete, my thoughts turned to what we could do to celebrate. There are a couple of "issues" that need to be considered. Bill tells me he is not interested in doing anything that requires much walking. I was surprised because we went to D.C. less than two years ago, and he walked everywhere. He told me it was different now. We went to New Jersey last spring, and he let me know that it was difficult.

He gets three or four colds a year, and when he does, they are life-threatening. His doctor suspected pneumonia with his last cold, but the X-rays showed his lungs were very congested, but no pneumonia. Bill will be 80 years-old on May 6th, and he has let me know repeatedly that his personal goal is to "make it" until then.

As his spouse, I don't know how to plan. Almost two years ago, his cardiologist ordered up several tests. We were then called in and told, among other things, that he had three blocked arteries. They advised us that they would not recommend surgery as they thought that any surgical intervention would leave Bill in worse shape than he currently was. Bill continued to ride his bike on the bike trail and meet with friends over coffee and/or lunch. He tinkered with his multiple hobbies. Things were as good as could be expected.

Three weeks ago, Bill was experiencing extreme back pain. We went to the Emergency Room at U.C. and spent the entire night there. It was a snowy night and the hospital was understaffed. After a few tests, Bill was diagnosed with polymyalgia rheumatica, a condition he's had before that is usually treated with prednisone and anti-inflammatories. It ended up being a misdiagnosis as the ER doc had misread the SED rate -- that's another story. They gave him an injection of dilaudid which took the edge off, and home we went.

Three days later, we were in the ER at Christ Hospital. We've always known that Bill has an extremely bad back, but due to his cardiac history, he had been told to wait until he couldn't stand it. Now is that time. They ordered an MRI for the next day and we were able to get an appointment with one of the Joint and Spine Center doctors for the following afternoon. The MRI showed that his back was in far worse shape than we thought and that he needed surgery. Now for the conundrum. BILL CAN'T HAVE SURGERY! When we met with the doctor, she told us that she didn't think she would be able to find a surgeon willing to take the risk.

Three days later we were back at Christ again because of Bill's fears that his "back problem" had now extended down his left leg and throughout his groin area. This is not an unexpected symptom, and the doctor ordered an ultrasound, blood and urine test. They ended up giving him an injection of a heavy-duty anti-inflammatory, with the hope that it would "get him through" to his follow-up appointment scheduled for next Monday.

So here is my question: What do either of us do in light of what looks like "the end of the road?" How many second opinions do we want to get? Do we dare plan a trip? How can we get a doctor to level with us? Do we want a doctor to level with us? What does Bill want vs. what I might want? I think we will just have to play out our hand because, unfortunately, the answer doesn't seem to be on google.Thoughts?.

Bill and I have both tried to follow the philosophy of Theodore Roosevelt who once said, "Do what you can with what you have where you are."  

I pray for God's guidance.

Kath

Welcome Nathan Jozsef Varga!

Nathan Jozsef Varga
1-17-2016

We are proud to announce the birth of Nathan Jozsef Varga on January 17, 2016. He is the 3rd son or Imre Roland Varga and Elizabeth Hellmann Varga. He has several proud grandparents. Weighing in at close to 8 1/2 pounds, everyone is proud to welcome him to the family -- especially older brothers Ian and Andrew.

Newborn, Nathan, gave his parents plenty to worry about as his mother almost had him at 33 weeks. Through weeks of premature contractions, he managed to hang on until his mother was 39 weeks and 2 days pregnant -- full term! He arrived at 2:38 AM. Neighbor Dan Smith saved the night by coming over to the Varga household with his "Forty" until Grandma Kathy could arrive from Cincinnati.

Now 3 1/2 weeks old, Nathan is the pride of all of the Varga/Hellmann/Reed families. So far, he seems to be a very content baby. He is growing rapidly, already weighing ten pounds. He likes being held and enjoys feeding times with Mom. His brothers are completely enamored, and Dad is happy to have a third son to whom he can teach the finer points of soccer. Needless to say, Grandma Kathy couldn't be happier. Welcome, Nathan.

My Brother, Tom's, Christmas Message 2015

To read, click to enlarge.

Click to Enlarge

How Are We Related?

My brother, Tom, asked me to remind him how we are related to Thomas Probert. My brother, Dan, asked me what was it about Thomas that made me want to write about him? In addition, he wanted to know how I decide which ancestor to write about. Good questions -- especially for extended family who may be reading this blog -- and I appreciate all of you.

To answer Tom's question, Thomas Probert is our paternal gg-grandfather. Here is a chart that shows this relationship. If you recall, Thomas was married twice. We are descended through Mary Elizabeth Diamond who died, as did her baby, shortly after the birth of her first son. The cause of death is listed as "consumption," or what we now know as tuberculosis.

After being found not guilty in the killing of Jacob Spears, Thomas married a second time to "Kate" Richardson. The new family moved to Mt. Sterling and started a new life. This past month, I focused on Thomas' and Kate's life in Mt. Sterling, Montgomery Co., Kentucky. Our cousin, Barbara Kaiser Pharo, is a direct descendant of Kate. This second chart would apply to her.

To answer Dan's question, I am always trying to discover information about our ancestors. Some are easier to research than others. For example, Thomas left quite a paper trail as the result of working in a government position. He was also featured in numerous newspaper articles as a result of the killing of Jacob Spears. Ancestors who served in the military are also great subjects because they, or their widows, often filed for a pension. You can order copies of their pensions from the National Archives. These records often provide great documentation as the widow, for instance, had to prove their marriage and the births of all of their children. These can be a gold mine.

So I go where the evidence leads me. Although I have written about our Wainright ancestors in the past, I submitted an application to become a Daughter of the American Revolution, I really had to tighten up some of the information I had to make the case that Vincent Wainwright, Minute Man from New Jersey, was a direct ancestor. My application was approved. The Wainright/Wainwright line is going to be the focus of my next writings because I found so additional information on their lives in Cincinnati along the Ohio River.

I appreciate all of you who read these posts. You, my readers, really do keep me motivated to continue. Thanks for following along.

Kathy
February 2015

One More Sign of the Times

In researching the life and times of Thomas Probert and family, I often uncovered little surprises in the dusty boxes stored at the Kentucky Archives. They gave me valuable clues about the conditions within the town of Mt. Sterling in the 1870s. Here is one of my favorite discoveries.

Cynthia Jones and Jane Martin were indicted in December 1875 for "keeping a bawdy house." The indictment lists the specific charges:

The said Cynthia Jones and Jane Martin did . . . unlawfully keep a bawdy house by permitting divers persons, both men and women, to assemble in and about their house for the purpose of cohabiting together and having sexual intercourse and did knowingly permit said persons to have carnal sexual intercourse with each other in and about their house, they, the said Cynthia Jones and Jane Martin being at the time occupiers and controllers of the said house and in possession of the same.

But then for the really fun stuff. It seems as if the witnesses and accusers were all men. Hmmm...

Witnesses: Wm. Yocom, Thos. Howard, Joseph Anderson, Labe Wood, Will Lee, Peter Hall, Will Wood, Taylor Hal, John Thomas, Bob Jameson and John Garnett. It sounds like they were beneficiaries of the services provided, so I can't help but wonder what their motivation would be for wanting to witness against these women.

With this story I end, for now, my trip back in time to Mt. Sterling, Montgomery County, Kentucky -- a town I've grown to love.

Thomas Cannot Be Put in a Box

Credit: freedigitalphotos.com

I could have told you a lot more. I could have told you about how Thomas purchased four mules that he got from Mrs. Smith, that he uses in his team, plus two cows and two mares; or about the time Thomas was a witness in the defense of James Harvie who had been assaulted as he left a "lager beer house." Perhaps I could have discussed the taxes Thomas had to pay on his possessions, including property and a gold watch.

But I am afraid I would bore you with the details. I am in the possession of a LOT more documentation about Thomas and his very public life. Suffice it to say that our ancestor was multi-dimensional. He cannot be "put in a box" and easily defined.

Perhaps this is why I am so fascinated with Thomas. He is a product of his upbringing, his times and the cultural influences of living in Kentucky during the Civil War. He was an entrepreneur and did whatever he could to support his family. He was a member of the Odd Fellows and a political force who served as a jailer during very difficult times. He lived in a time when half of the population of his town was enslaved and later freed. His town was overrun alternately by Union and Confederate troops. And most significantly, only four of his nine children survived to adulthood -- all girls.

The story of Thomas has not yet been completed -- but I hope you, like me, have a better understanding of this man I am proud to call my ancestor.

Submitted by Kathleen Jones Hellmann Reed
GG-granddaughter
February, 2015

Thomas Probert - Gone But Not Forgotten

Seven years after Thomas' death, this story appeared in the Mt. Sterling Sentinel:

I love that Thomas and Judge Elliott thought to put a bottle of whiskey in a wall of the new court house as it was being rebuilt in 1870.

Of course, I had to find out a little more about the whisky produced by Howard Barnes & Co. The Mt. Sterling Sentinel published this article in their April 22, 1869 edition.

Sounds like they picked a good brand.

What Happened to Kate? (The Final Chapter)

I wish that I could tell you that Kate had the opportunity to enjoy her retirement, kick her feet up, and enjoy a glass of wine. (Oh, wait -- that's me!) Instead she continued to experience loss. From  the 1900 Census, we know that Maggie Story, one of her step-grandchildren, was 26-years old, single, and also living with her.  Maggie died in Kate's home at the age of 28 after a lengthy illness. Pictured is Maggie Story's obituary. Apparently, she suffered from a "protracted illness." I don't even want to count up the number of children and grandchildren Kate lost in her life.

But Kate's death was on the horizon. Her obituary provides us with a LOT of information.

Transcription: Probert -- Kate Probert, relic of Thomas Probert, deceased, departed this life on Sunday night the 10^th instant, at 11 0’clock, aged 65 years. Funeral service was conducted at her home on Sycamore Street on Tuesday afternoon at 2 o’clock by her pastor. J. R. Hobbs of the Baptist church, and her remains were buried in Machpelah cemetery. Mrs. Probert had been a member of the Baptist church for many years and of the Mt. Sterling Baptist church since its organization in 1870, and as a Christian and church working woman, she was consistent in living and faithful in the discharge of religious duties. As a neighbor, friend, mother, step-mother and grand-mother, she was absolutely free from prejudice and favoritism and her endeavor was to be kind and just to all. She had been sick for more than eight years and such Christian fortitude in pain and sorrow has never been surpassed. The home will be lonely without  her, but the evidence she left of trustfulness and the Christian life will be sufficient to impress the living that she is in that home provided for her through Christ and where she abides others may attain through repentance towards God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Mrs. Probert leaves two daughters, Mrs. C.C. Coleman of Cincinnati, and Mrs. Maud Casey, of this city, and three grandchildren, Katie Mae and Ida Gorman and Georgia Casey. Mrs. Probert’s husband was an Odd Fellow and she gave evidence of their watchfulness and care for a brothers’ widow.

Mt. Sterling Advocate
March 23, 1905
Obituary for Catherine Richardson Probert

We know from the obituary that Kate had been ill for eight years previous to her death and that the illness must have resulted in quite a bit of pain. She was long-time member of the Baptist church and a charter member of the Mt. Sterling Baptist church. She is described as a "church working woman" who obviously was engaged in her church.

Kate was the mother of six biological children. Only two lived to be adults. Her two daughters were widowed young, and she took on the care of multiple grandchildren and one step-grandchild. Thomas was lucky to find such a life partner. And may I add that she is the gg-grandmother of my cousin, Barbara Kaiser Pharo. What a legacy Kate left.

Photo Credit: First Baptist Church
1871-1915
West Main Street
Courtesy of Lee Hoffman

What Happened to Kate? - Part 3

I do not know how Kate was able to support herself and her children after Thomas' death -- at least initially. Three years after she purchased her home on North Maysville, she is listed in the 1880 Census as "keeping house." Unfortunately, we do not have the benefit of an 1890 Census, so we have to rely on other documents.

In 1893 after living in the Maysville home for 16 years, Kate sold her home in 1893.What's interesting about this sale is that the owners include Kate, but also her adult daughters Mary Lou and Maude, and Maude's husband James Casey.

The sale included the following:

It is understood between Mrs. Kate Probert, Mrs Mary Lou Gorman and Mrs. Maud Casey and her husband James Casey that the said three thousand dollars is to be paid to T. F. Rogers to be invested by him under the direction of Mrs. Kate Probert in real estate, bank stock, bonds, or building . . ." It is designated that these assets, including interest, is for her use during her natural life, then to be divided equally among her two daughters.

By the 1900 Census, Kate and her extended family were living on Sycamore Street. In addition to Kate, her household included:

• Mary Lou Gorman, daughter, age 34, widowed, mother of four children with two living. She is listed as a "trained nurse."
• Katie Gorman, granddaughter, age 18, at school
• Ida Gorman, granddaughter, age 11, at school
• Maud Casey, daughter, age 28, widowed, mother of two children with one living, dressmaker.
• Maud Casey, granddaughter, age 3
• Maggie Story, granddaughter, age 26, seamstress

It is surprising that both daughters are widowed at ages 34 and 26 respectively. The other surprise is that Maggie Story is the daughter of Addie, Kate's stepdaughter. And as we shall see in the next post, Kate is ill.