PLAN NOW! MARK YOUR CALENDER! OUR 20TH REUNION
YEA! Let your EXCITES run rampant! Plan NOW! Prepare NOW!
A special committee of the young and the eager are laying plans now for new and different activities to be enjoyed by one and all during our big, week long GALA, commencing Father’s Day, Sunday, 15 June 1997, celebrating our 20th Reunion.
Come early! Stay long! Come and depart as you can and must. Participate as you desire. But COME! Meet new cousins. Renew acquaintances, friendships, and Family ties. Up-date your genealogy. Enjoy the festivities: from horseshoes to volleyball; from fishing to canoeing the Spring River; plus the new surprises! Also, there will be a professional photographer on the grounds Father’s Day for individual, Family, and group pictures. Plus: we expect to be on the 5:00 PM TV News that day. Remember too: no “Work Day” this reunion!!
So come! Expect a frolicking, rollicking good time. This Reunion is for YOU!
A WORD FROM YOUR EDITOR:
GREETINGS: After a five month travel odyssey lured ever onward by challenging and intriguing experiences, as was Odysseus on his homeward trek from the protracted siege of Troy, this N/L arrives late in the year, but just in time to share your holidays with you.
Some work was accomplished however, as you’ll read about further along.
Besides all the good news, happening, and expectations in this N/L, inevitably there seems to be some downsides. It is imperative I mention some of them. Downers can be fixed. All of us together will fix them.
For now: A very special holiday season to each of you and a rich and rewarding 1997! God’s blessings are bountiful. He loves us all and will pour forth his goodness if we will only let Him.
WE’RE INCORPORATED:
Our official name: THE FARRAR FAMILY REUNION, INC. We are now incorporated as a Non-Profit entity in the State of Arkansas. There needs to be five officers: President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Historian. The office of Vice President will be filled at our next annual business meeting by nomination and a vote.
We are authorized income from donations, sales, projects, etc. Our account, The Farrar Family Reunion Fund, now in an interest bearing bank account, is allowed to build, with the stipulation any and all expenditures be only for Reunion benefits and activities. Please be aware: no officer nor any other participant is compensated monetarily in any fashion. Any and all expenditures are discussed and approved by majority vote during our annual business meeting. In addition, we have also obtained insurance, thanks to Ron Farrar’s diligent digging until he found a way to get this accomplished.
The legal fee for incorporation ($300) with no annual State fee required, and the annual insurance premium ($372), was approved and has been paid with Reunion funds.
TREASURER’S REPORT
It has been agreed henceforth a regular account ledger will be used and will be available during our Reunions for the perusal of anyone interested. For those wishing to make an anonymous donation, that term may be used for the entry.
The Treasurer voices his report giving total annual income, major individual expenses, total annual expenses, and account balance at each annual business meeting.
VALHALLA CEMETERY:
Valhalla Cemetery, 3200 Old St. Louis Rd., Belleville, IL 62223, is where our Mother, of the Original 10, Viola Lillian (Schwend) Farrar, is interred. During my visit there this summer it was determined their records show the Family, the Original 10, own two lots, Lot #278 and Lot #279, each lot containing six side by side spaces for a total of 12 spaces. Only space #5 in Lot #279 is occupied.
It is my understanding it was proposed and decided during our last business meeting to donate these spaces to the next generation. However, with facts in hand, I feel we will have to re-think that decision. Things become a little murky here and a bit complicated. For the Cemetery’s records all the Original 10 would have to sign the transfer forms and someone would have to pay the $78.00 transfer fee per space ($858). Then, as each space was sold, each of the Grandchildren would have to sign. This could be a monumental and, perhaps, an impossible task. This is where the KISS formula should be in effect.
The Cemetery values each space at $700; with a recommendation they be placed on the market at $600 each plus the $78 transfer fee. It is suggested, to keep things simple, as the Cemetery records now show, the Original 10 retain possession of these spaces and offer them first to any Family member desiring a space, then to the general public, for the recommended price. In this manner, when all spaces are sold, this would generate a total of $6,600 for our Family Fund account and build a kitty for future projects for which we have many options.
Jill (Farrar) Vogel, of Belleville, is our direct contact with the Cemetery and is working closely with them. The Cemetery will make these spaces available to any interested party and Jill can run some local advertising. Any Family member interested in a space, now is the time to make your purchase.
FARRAR FAMILY CEMETERY:
The latest word from our cousin Geneva Farrar, Supervisor of Maintenance for our old Farrar graveyard near Cave Springs, AR, has all Fall work accomplished and the graveyard ‘put to bed’ for the winter. This old graveyard on new land originally homesteaded by our Great Grandfather, John (Jack) Howard Farrar and his two sons, Albert and Junius, who migrated there from Middle Tennessee, now owned by others, was in immaculate condition when I visited there this summer. Geneva states that her helper, Vance, happy with his raise, is again working closely with her to keep it that way. Geneva has received her requested funds for her proposed gate to be placed on the back side of the property that will result in shortening her travel time and distance to and from the Cemetery by about half. Spring cleaning and care will commence again when the snow melts.
SOME REUNION SITE DOWNERS TO BE FIXED:
OUR FLAG: It has been stated by some that we show disrespect for our National Emblem. This is true. We have to fix this. Flag protocol requires that a light be focused on the Flag when flow after dark. This we cannot do. Also, that the Flag be lowered and safely stored during inclement weather. I’m sure we all desire to show the proper respect and to follow protocol concerning our Flag. Also, remember, the Flag that flies over our campground has flown over our Nation’s Capital. The fix: To have a daily Flag raising and lowering ceremony. Some volunteers for this privilege is in order. Also, anyone available to lower and store our Flag when weather threatens.
SMOKING: It’s not the smoking, it’s the butts... flippantly flipped. The fix: Use the ashtrays and butt-cans provided. Then empty the ashtrays in the garbage or fire-pits before the wind wafts them about. Someone, usually a nonsmoker, eventually must pick them up. We prefer it be you. And you know who YOU are. Enough said on this subject by a smoker.
WORKDAY: With each reunion, except our upcoming 20th, a day was designated and proclaimed “Workday”. The rule was, and still is: If you can walk you can work. All participated; all ages and all genders. In this manner, over the years, we built the outstanding facility we now all enjoy. The Original 10 set a superb example for their offspring. Now, they too, have a pretty good work ethic. But some serious complaints are being voiced. It must be stated here some slackening of full participation has been observed. It seems some are working only half a day, then following their own agenda. Some work projects are sloppily accomplished. Some of the young are underprivileged not being allowed to participate and learn the ways and wiles of this Reunion. If we are to share and share alike, which is the only way we can continue to be successful, these downers are no-nos.
Lets face it, our Brother, and your Uncle Bob is not as frisky as he once was when he could work all day and dance all night. He has done a tremendous amount of work during the other 51 weeks of the year throughout all these years to insure the progress of our project. Knowing what must be done and how to do it he is being run ragged trying to work and supervise the work in progress. This should not be with so many standing idle. Another thing, Bob has always taken great pride in everything constructed on our campground. He was dismayed, to say the least, for some of the work done at the last reunion.
The Fix: To follow the old agenda: Everyone participates. If you can walk, you can work. This includes all ages. Also, take pride in your every effort.
THE FOOD LINE: Numerous ones have voiced their displeasure of the younger generation’s wild stampede to the head of the food line at the sound of the bell. The fix: #1: Parents. It has also been suggested we discontinue the Pavlovian bell. One of the better suggestions is the young who volunteer and participate in such things as the Flag ceremony, help with the clean-up and dishes, carry out garage, etc., be rewarded with head-of-the-line privileges at chow time. This should quell the tidal surge as the privileged, knowing their immanence, casually take their privileged place in line.
If anything in the foregoing offends anyone you have my sincere apologies. I’m fully aware I am not the most tactful person around. We love you. We want you. We need you. We also need your full participation.
To sum it up, an individual of the second generation expressed his enthusiasm for our Reunion and his willingness to participate, to work, to volunteer for special tasks, to donate time, effort, and money to our cause. But only if he sees the younger generation continuing the enthusiasm of the old. He specifically stressed the very young not being compelled to participate in Workday, nor aftermeal clean-up. All of which, he avers, would be good training for future responsibilities. Without which, he fears, down the road our Reunion will implode. God forbid. But think about it.
FARRAR’S ISLAND:
Farrar’s Island, so named on the official National Geodetic charts of the James River, is located in what was, before the Dutch Gap Cut was put in to straighten the flow of the river, the first curl to the south of the old James just southeast of Richmond, VA.
Our immigrant grandfather, William Farrar of Jamestown, with funds from his inheritance upon the death of his father, John Ferrar of London, sponsored 40 families to come to the New World. For this, as was the custom in Jamestown, he was awarded 50 acres of land per family; a total of 2,000 acres. The Island contained about 800 of these acres. This property remained in the Family for four generations.
Before this property came into the Family, Sir Thomas Dale, Deputy Governor of Jamestown, under orders from London, in 1612, established the second city, Henricus, 50 miles upriver from Jamestown. Erected on the high ground near the neck of the curl, Henricus had three streets, well built houses, shops, a church, and was palisaded with gun mounts all around as a protection from marauding Indians. Much history occurred here and in this local. However, most of this area was lost as a result of the massacre by the Indians in 1622. Later, this area was acquired by William.
Much activity is occurring on this neck of the Island today. Some few years ago the Henricus Historical Foundation was established specifically to research the historical significance of this site, to execute archeological digs, and to establish a park. Henricus Park is now in place with many planned and programmed activities throughout the year; visited by many tourists; conducted tours by school classes, etc. Much more is in the planning.
Besides the mile and a quarter nature trail to the park, a new, paved roadway is in place. The Visitor’s Center is under construction. This will be accomplished in five phases to include a state of the art auditorium, a conference room, archival, and office spaces. A replica of the City is also planned. During my travels this year I was very fortunate to be able to visit with Mrs. Pauline A. Mitchell, Vice Chairman of the Henricus Historical Foundation. A vivacious woman and prime mover of this entire project. It was an excellent, enjoyable, rewarding, and informative visit.
One topic discussed was all the new activity now taking place and the prominence of the name “Henricus” at this site. She indicated fear the “Farrar” name may become lost. The general public is unaware of this name now. Mrs. Mitchell suggested we purchase a standard State informational, all weather sign and the Foundation will give us a prominent location within the Park for its erection. Think about it.
Another topic broached by Mrs. Mitchell was that, should we desire, space could be made available to us in the new Visitor’s Center for our records and historical information. Magnanimous! I have often dreamed of an archival and research center. It is amazing how opportunities abound and doors open to fulfill our every need. Think about it! Especially you younger people who will have the responsibility of carrying on-going projects ever forward.
In their latest N/L they gave our Farrar Family Tree prominent space. As a result we have received six orders to date.
YES! We have many options. Our opportunities are unlimited. God smiles upon us all.
If you have not visited Farrar’s Island, I urge you to do so. Plan it. Program it. Make it your destination for your next vacation. You’ll be richly rewarded. You’ll OH!, and you’ll AH! You’ll have butterflies in your stomach! Your voice may crack! You may even shed a tear... treading where you forefathers trod.
But first, this winter, read Ms. Alvahn Holmes’ book: The Farrar’s Island Family and its English Ancestry.
QUERY:
Seeking information concerning:
Bowden Farrar, Capt., 1827-1897 & Leila Smith, 1836-1901.
Simon Bowden Farrar, 1866-1933 & Nettie Johnston, 1866-1932.
Please contact: Virginia Tschanz, 876 S. Moore St.,
Lakewood, CO 80226-3936. Ph: 303-980-0548
Seeking information concerning:
George W. Farrar, bn Sep 20, 1825, married Dilla (Stiles) Stull on Nov 18, 1852.
Please contact Jerry Sander, P.O. box 538, Idaho Springs, CO 80452-0538
A POSER:
WHO WAS QUANAH? When and how did he fit into history? Why should we be interested? What is his genealogy? What two separate activities are now taking place by his mother’s people and by his people?
This is a challenge open to all interested in their roots, Family lore and legend. Do a little research and compose a 500 - 1000 word essay and submit it to your editor. Awards, from private funds, will be given for 1st, 2nd, $ 3rd place winners. 1st: $50.00 plus publication under you by-line in our next N?L. 2nd: $25.00. 3rd: $10.00.
Give it a whirl. It’ll be informative and exciting. Hints: Try your library. An old issue of National Geographic will also help. Barnes and Noble too. Also, Ike and Mary Farrar of Flat Creek, TN.
UPDATING OUR FAMILY TREE:
It has been quite some time since the Family Tree was published. A lot of hard work and research was necessary to prepare the original tree. A number of family members contributed their time and effort to document our Family history. Everyone that see the tree is impressed.
We are in the process of compiling the information on the tree into a computer record. That information can then be printed in a Family Tree format. Once computerized, the information can be updated and corrected quite easily.
Many changes have occurred since the original tree was published. We would like everyone to provide their current information so they can be included in the new tree. This information should be sent to Randall Farrar (Historian) at the address listed on the front of this newsletter. Everyone is encouraged to participate.
Also, Bill Farrar (Secretary) is working on a Family Tree format using photographs. He would like to have current photos of family members who would like to be included on a photo Family Tree.