The Appleyard Branches in our Williamson Family Tree.

From the Fortress of Solitude
Pleasant Grove

Hello Williamsons,
Today we study the Appleyard branch of our family history. The Coat of Arms is illustrated above. We begin with the Relationship Chart.

Relationship Chart

Bartholomew Appleyard (1335 - 1412)

is your 17th great grandfather

William Appleyard (1360 - 1419)

Son of Bartholomew

Sir Nicholas Appleyard (1394 - 1454)

Son of William

John Appleyard (1440 - 1498)

Son of Sir Nicholas

Nicholas Appleyard (1482 - 1511)

Son of John

Roger Appleyard (1502 - 1528)

Son of Nicholas

Frances Appleyard (1530 - 1600)

Daughter of Roger

Anthony FLOWERDEW (1565 - 1610)

Son of Frances

Lady Temperance Flowerdew (1576 - 1628)

Daughter of Anthony

Elizabeth Yeardley (1614 - 1666)

Daughter of Lady Temperance

Mary Croshaw (1632 - 1687)

Daughter of Elizabeth

John White (1661 - 1743)

Son of Mary

John White (1697 - 1782)

Son of John

Susanna White (1754 - 1840)

Daughter of John

Mathew Williamson (1810 - )

Son of Susanna

George Matthew Williamson (1834 - 1928)

Son of Mathew

William Jonathan Williamson (1858 - 1934)

Son of George Matthew
to
Ima Della, Vinnie, Inez, Lillie Ethel, Josie Elvery, Emmett, Walter, Charles, Maurice
to
Us

In 1066, the Normans invaded from France and were victorious at the Battle of Hastings. In 1070, Duke William took an army of 40,000 north and wasted the northern counties, forcing many rebellious Norman nobles and Saxons to flee over the border into Scotland. Meanwhile, the Saxons who remained in the south were not treated well under hostile Norman rule, and they also moved northward to the midlands (Lanchashire and Yorkshire), away from the Norman oppression.

Nevertheless, this notable English family name, Appleyard, emerged as an influential name and gained prosperity in and around the county of Yorkshire. The Appleyard family traces their ancestral roots back to Anglo-Saxon origin before the year 1100. Sir Elias Appleyard, knighted under the reign of King Edward I (Longshanks), recorded his estates in Wakefield in 1275, and Sir Nicholas Appleyard recorded his estates in the same year, in Norfolk. Elias and Nicholas were brothers, holding large estates and Manors of a vast area of land. Both were the son of Sir Richard Appleyard and the grandsons of Sir William Appleyard, of Dunham, in Norfolk. Sir William Appleyard served the court of the then King Stephen (1135-1154, nephew of Henry I).

The surname Appleyard flourished during the turbulent middle ages, contributing greatly to the cultural development of England. During the 12th and 13th century, the Appleyard family served England well, in both high and powerful positions. Sir Bartholomew Appleyard, a citizen of Norwich, Lord of several Manors and patron of several Advowsons, was Baliff of the City of Norwich in 1355, 1366 and 1372, and Burgess in Parliament in 1376 and 1412. A benefactor to Saint Andrew's church, in Norwich, where he was eventually buried in a Chantry therein, founded in 1388 for the souls of himself and his son Sir William Appleyard, and their ancestors and successors.

St. Andrews Church, Norwich

Sir William Appleyard was thought of as a man of principal figure and fortune. He was, like his father Sir Bartholomew Appleyard, the Lord and patron of several Manors and Advowsons, respectively. He was eleven times Burgess in Parliment, three times Baliff of Norwich (1386, 1395, 1401), and six times Mayor (1403, 1404, 1405, 1411, 1412 and 1418); he being the first Mayor of Norwich (1403). In 1402, he was Escheator (tax collector) of Norfolk during the reign of Henry IV.

William married Margaret, daughter of Sir Robert Clere (Esquire)of Ormesby and had three children: Nicholas, Elizabeth (married Sir Robert White of Shotesham) and Katherine (who married Sir John Ward, Esquire). He lived in the Manor built by his father Bartholomew (about 1370) on the south of the church, now known as the Bridwell Museum and was renowned for its exquisite flint-work. He also held the Manor of Intwood and was also the Lord of the Manor of Braconash. He died in 1419, his will being proved at Norwich on October 14, 1419.

Sir Nicholas Appleyard, son of Sir William Appleyard, inherited all of his father's estates and resided in Dunston, briefly. He married Margaret Thornbury of London, daughter of Sir Philip Thornbury of Bygrave, in 1419 (age 25) and upon her father's death (1457), the two moved into his estate, the Manor of Rainthorpe, in Norfolk. Sir Nicholas sold the Manor of Intwood to Thomas Witherby, the rich Alderman of Norwich. He became patron of Bygrave Rectory after Sir Phillip's death in 1461.

Sir John Appleyard, eldest son of Sir Nicholas Appleyard (above) settled into Braken Hall, with his new bride Margaret Braken in 1466. He was Lord of the Manors of Bygrave, Carleton, Hethill, Newton and Rainsthorpe. He died in August of 1498 and bequeathed his body to be buried in Grey Friars Church, Norwich.

The Battle of Flodden Field

Sir Nicholas Appleyard, first son of Sir John Appleyard inherited all of his father's "lands and rights", but was called to service by King Henry VIII to face the Scottish King, James IV and his forces in battle. Henry VIII, in 1513 had led a victorious campaign against the French; in retaliation the Scots declared war on England. Henry's forces repelled the Scots at the Battle of Flodden Field where the King of Scotland, James IV was killed. One of the many slain knights was Sir Nicholas Appleyard. The following is a report made to King Henry VIII and is as follows:

"Knightes made at the battaill on Bramston Moore, otherwise called Flodden Field, which field was faughten the IX day of September, in the yere of our Lord God 1513, being fifte yere of the reign of king Henry the eight betweene the king of Scottes and his people to the number of 60,000 on the one partie, and the erle of Surrey, thresurer and marshall of England and lieutenant generall in the North Partes, and certain nobles and subjectes of the kinge of England to the number of 30,000 on the other partie. At what time the Scottish king and divers of his noblemen were slayne."

Temperance Flowerdew, A 9th Great Grandmother (Williamson Line). Survivor of Jamestown's Starving Time.

From the Fortress of Solitude
Pleasant Grove

Hello Williamsons!
A wet and cold Spring day at the Fortress. You'll notice there has been an increase in posts this week thanks to Alpine School District's Spring Vacation. The Space Education Center is closed.
Yesterday I introduced you to George Yeardley and Temperance Flowerdew, 9th Great Grandparents. The post centered around Gov. Yeardley. Today's post highlights the life of his wife Temperance. She was a strong and faithful woman.

Relationship Chart

Governor George Yeardley (1588 - 1627) and Temperance Flowerdew

your 9th great grandparents

to
Elizabeth Yeardley (1614 - 1666)

Daughter of Governor George

to
Mary Croshaw (1632 - 1687)

Daughter of Elizabeth

to
John White (1661 - 1743)

Son of Mary

to
John White (1697 - 1782)

Son of John

to
Susanna White (1754 - 1840)

Daughter of John

to
Mathew Williamson (1810 - )

Son of Susanna

to
George Matthew Williamson (1834 - 1928)

Son of Mathew

to
William Jonathan Williamson (1858 - 1934)

Son of George Matthew

to
to their children
Ima Della, Vinnie, Inez, Lillie Ethel, Josie Elvery, Emmett, Walter, Charles, Maurice
to
Us

Temperance Flowerdew was the daughter of Anthony Flowerdew of Hethersett County, Norfolk, England and Martha Stanley of Scottow, Norfolk, England. In 1609, she traveled to the New World aboard the Falcon in a convoy of ships destined for Jamestown. Her birth year is uncertain and she may have been anywhere her mid to late teens at the time of her journey, and may have traveled with her parents.
Nearly two months into the trip, the fleet encountered a horrific storm, that many called a hurricane. The flagship, the Sea Venture, with the new leaders for Jamestown was separated and lost from the rest of the convoy of ships. Among those leaders was a young lieutenant, named George Yeardley. While the Sea Venture was grounded on the island of Bermuda, the Falcon with Temperance Flowerdew onboard, limped into Jamestown a few weeks later.
Fearing all were lost on the Sea Venture, the new colonists faced so much death from sickness, disease, hunger, and Indian attacks that over eighty percent of the new settlers did not survive. However, Temperance Flowerdew survived the dreadful Starving Time. She was there to welcome the hardy souls, feared lost at sea, when they finally arrived ten months later in two small ships made from the wreckage of the Sea Venture. George Yeardly was among them. Temperance Flowerdew, however, was soon to return to England.
Three years later in 1613, Temperance married George Yeardley and over the course of the next few years had three children, a daughter Elizabeth (1614-15), and two sons, Argoll (1618) and Francis (1623).
In 1616, Deputy Governor George Yeardly secured a peace with the Chickahominy Indians that enabled the colonists to trade for food and live in peace for two years. His term ended in 1617.
Traveling to England, George Yeardley was knighted in 1618, and given a commission as Governor of Virginia.
In 1619, Governor Yeardley initiated the first legislative assembly by ordering representatives from all parts of the colony to convene at the Jamestown church on July 3), 1619 to determine the laws that would govern them. This later became known as the House of Burgesses.
Governor Yeardley named his patent grant of 1,000 acres of land in honor of his wife: Flowerdew Hundred. Sir Yeardly commissioned the building of America’s first windmill on the plantation in 1621. Notably fifteen of the first twenty Africans brought to the Jamestown colony resided at the plantation. Whether they were there in slavery or indentured servitude, it is not clear. Indentured servitude was common in the early days of the colony. The colony had no institutionalized slavery enacted into law until 1662 when the need for labor in the tobacco-dependent economy intensified.
Temperance survived another harrowing event that occurred in the early morning hours of March 22, 1622, when a carefully orchestrated attack by the Powhatan Indians wiped out twenty-five percent of the colonists. Records note that Flowerdew Hundred lost six of the thirty or so people who lived and worked there.
In 1627, Temperance’s husband died and she remarried his successor, Governor Francis West on March 31, 1628. Unfortunately Temperance died just nine months later in December 1628.

Sir George Yeardley. Governor of Colonial Virginia. (Williamson Line)

From the Fortress of Solitude
Pleasant Grove

Hello Williamsons,
Today we meet our 9th Great Grandparents, Governor George Yeardley and his wife Temperance Flowerdew (you've got to love that name!).

We begin with the Relationship Chart:

Relationship Chart

Governor George Yeardley (1588 - 1627) and Temperance Flowerdew

your 9th great grandparents

to
Elizabeth Yeardley (1614 - 1666)

Daughter of Governor George

to
Mary Croshaw (1632 - 1687)

Daughter of Elizabeth

to
John White (1661 - 1743)

Son of Mary

to
John White (1697 - 1782)

Son of John

to
Susanna White (1754 - 1840)

Daughter of John

to
Mathew Williamson (1810 - )

Son of Susanna

to
George Matthew Williamson (1834 - 1928)

Son of Mathew

to
William Jonathan Williamson (1858 - 1934)

Son of George Matthew

to
to their children
Ima Della, Vinnie, Inez, Lillie Ethel, Josie Elvery, Emmett, Walter, Charles, Maurice
to
Us

t

Creating a reputation as a leader and dedicated proponent of the successful colonization in Virginia, George Yeardley served the fledgling colony as Deputy Governor (1618-1621, 1625) and also as Governor (1626-1627), and presided over the convening of the first representative legislative assembly in North America 30 July 1619. The veteran of more than one voyage across the Atlantic, his first arrival in Jamestown was aboard the "Sea Venture." The storm-plagued journey was the basis of Shakespeare's "The Tempest," and while they left England in 1609, they were shipwrecked off Bermuda, and did not reach Jamestown until 1610.

By the time of Yeardley's arrival in Jamestown, his future wife had already beaten him to it. Temperance Flowerdew arrived in Jamestown aboard the "Falcon" in 1609, and is one of the few to survive the difficult "Starving Time" the following winter. Her family name survives in Flowerdew Hundred, one of the original "hundreds" along the James River, and the site of the first windmill on what would become American soil. Today Flowerdew Hundred is open to the public, and has a museum which contains a medallion belonging to Sir George Yeardley.

His connection to the Eastern Shore of Virginia began at least as early as 1620. That year, land there was given to Sir George Yeardley through Thomas Savage from Debedeavon, "The Laughing King." Capt. John Smith wrote that Sir George Yeardley with his company went to Accomack to his new plantation and stayed there for 6 weeks in the summer of 1620. At the time of his death, he owned 3700 acres on the Eastern Shore alone.

Yeardley was designated Deputy Governor in 1616 when Sir Thomas Dale, appointed Governor, returned to England. He returned to England late in 1617 and stayed there until he was appointed to replace Samuel Argoll as Governor and Captain-General of Virginia 18 November 1618. He was knighted 22 Nov 1618 at Newmarket, and he and wife Temperance sailed aboard the "George" 10 January 1619, arriving 19 April 1619 in Jamestown. Declining a second term, he remained in Virginia as a member of Council and served as Deputy Governor in 1625 when Wyatt returned to England. However, Yeardley was commissioned as Governor once again 4 March 1616/7. He died 13 Nov 1627 and was buried at Jamestown. Visitors today to Jamestown Island can see what is acknowledged to be his tomb in the chancel area of the Memorial Church.

His will mentioned his house in James City, his lands and houses within the island of James City and his thousand acres of land at Stanley in Warwicke River, and he owned 3700 acres on the Eastern Shore. By the time his will was written, he had already sold Flowerdew Hundred to Capt. Abraham Piersey.

Raleigh Crowshaw, Jamestown Settler, Skilled Indian Fighter. Our 9th Great Grandfather (Williamson Line)

Wes Studi as Powatans war chief and brother, Opechancanough in New World

From the Fortress of Solitude
Pleasant Grove

Hello Williamsons,
I'm hoping you are all having a wonderful Easter. I hope you had the chance to read the post I made on Friday concerning the new discovery I made firmly connecting our Williamson line to the Cuthbert Williamson family of Virginia, which originated from Kent, England. Breaching that research wall was one of the goals I've had for the past three years.

Now that our roots are established, I can continue down those Williamson family lines and introduce you to more people in the branches of our family tree. This Easter Sunday I'd like to introduce you to our 9th Great Grandfather (my generation) Raleigh Crowshaw. I begin with our Relationship Chart:

Relationship Chart

Raleigh Crowshaw (1570 - 1628)

is your 9th great grandfather

Joseph Croshaw (1610 - 1667)

Son of Raleigh

Mary Croshaw (1632 - 1687)

Daughter of Joseph

John White (1661 - 1743)

Son of Mary

John White (1697 - 1782)

Son of John

Susanna White (1754 - 1840)

Daughter of John

Mathew Williamson (1810 - )

Son of Susanna

George Matthew Williamson (1834 - 1928)

Son of Mathew

William Jonathan Williamson (1858 - 1934)

Son of George Matthew

Charles Williamson (1909 - 1966)

Son of William Jonathan

Charles Williamson (1936 - )

Son of Charles

Captain Raleigh Croshaw arrived in Jamestown with the Second Supply in September 1608. It is thought that he may be related to the Crashaw family of Crashaw, Lancashire. He was a member of the Virginia Company of London in 1609 and was still listed as an adventurer in the Company in both 1618 and 1620.

He was mentioned as being a member of the group with Captain John Smith in January 1609 who, while attempting to trade for corn with the Indians at Opechancanough's village, was almost overcome by surprise. This attack was thwarted in part by Croshaw's quick reaction. Croshaw then made a night trip back to Jamestown which helped to avoid further treachery.
He appears to have been a skilled Indian fighter.

At the time of the massacre of March 1622 he was on a trading cruise on the Potomac. According to Captain John Smith's General History, Croshaw challenged the chief Opechancanough or any of his warriors to fight him naked, an offer that was not accepted. When Captain John Smith published his General History in 1624, one of the verses in Volume III of the book had been written by Croshaw -- and in his writing, John Smith implies a high opinion of Croshaw's knowledge of Indians and their way of making war.

About 1623 a patent was issued to...

"Captain Rawleigh Crawshaw, Gent., of Kiccoughtan, An Ancient Planter who hath remained in this country 15 years complete and performed many worthy services to the Colony,"

for 500 acres by Old Point Comfort. This was based on his transporting himself, his servant and his wife in addition to adventuring 25 pounds sterling in the Company. By the following year he was a burgess for Elizabeth City. In March of 1624 he was issued a commission to trade with the Indians for corn. On this voyage he purchased a "great canoe" for 10,000 blue beads.

Captain Croshaw was last referred to on 22 November 1624, and then on 27 December 1624 Captain Francis West was instructed to take an inventory of his estate. The name of his wife does not appear, and as neither the census of 1624 nor the muster of 1625 mentions them it seems probable that the wife and children returned to England.

Captain Croshaw appears to have had three sons, Joseph, Noah(possible name), and Richard. While Joseph may have been educated in England, both Joseph and Richard are mentioned many times in the records. Joseph appears to have led a more public life, having been a member of the House of Burgesses from York as well as having served as a justice and as sheriff for York County.

Simply,
Victor

A Trip to Colorado, Early 1980's. (DelGrossos, Mattsons, and Burrows)

Joseph Mattson with cousin Ashly DelGrosso at the DelGrosso

Home in Frisco, Colorado. Early 1980s

From the Fortress of Solitude
Pleasant Grove

Happy Easter!
Many members of our family are gathering in San Diego for Easter Vacation. Luella left Charles home alone to fend for himself. She and Jilane are on the road as I type, most likely just outside of Las Vegas. They should be making good time, barring an unplanned stop at a roadside casino so Luella can test the looseness of the local slots. Did you know that the casinos in Wendover Nevada know Luella as "Loose Luella"? Luella and Charles go to Wendover weekly to engage the one arm bandits in mortal combat. Luella says her nickname comes from her ability to loosen up the slots. I guess its true, because she always seems to return from Wendover with a profit in hand. The family tried to twist my arm go with them to San Diego. Sadly, I refused, reminding them that someone had to stay at home and work so others could luxuriate and play. Dad and I play the role of martyr well, don't you think?

I'm guessing nothing of importance will be accomplished by those in attendance at this mini family reunion. However, there will be plenty of family gossip spiced with hours of shopping, visits to beaches and long poolside reminisces. Shucks, and here I am stuck at the Fortress on a bright warm Easter Sunday with nothing much to do but share a few minutes with you and enjoy a ice cold Diet Mt. Dew on the deck. Shouldn't I feel depressed?

Today in our digital family gathering we step into our Way Back Machine and venture back in time 30 years or so to Frisco, Colorado. Kim lived in Frisco with husband JD and kids. Janice lived next door in Dillon, Colorado with husband Steve and kids. I was visiting my two sisters from Utah. Joe and Jake Mattson came along for the ride. I didn't take many pictures. Photography was expensive in the days before computers and digital cameras. You had to buy film, insert it into the camera, take your pictures, removed the film and deposit it at your local drug store for developing. Each roll of film was an easy $10 out of pocket by the time you got the photos back. I'm talking 1980 money, not the inflated stuff we use today.

Left to right, Cabbage Patch Baby of Unknown Origins, Jazmine Burrows (daughter of Janice Williamson and Steve Burrows) and Autumn (daughter of Kim Williamson and John DelGrosso)

Sierra Burrows, Daughter of Janice and Steve. For the longest time we wondered if that
bald spot on the side of her head would grow in. It did - to her mother's great relief.
After that, Sierra was allowed to spent more time indoors.
The reason for the scowl is unknown. It could be because of the shirt she's wearing.
Sierra was not one for girly things. Frills were an absolute No No.

Kim and JD had a trampoline in the backyard - a favorite for the local kids.
Kim is standing the background (black hair). To her right is Jacob Mattson tormenting
Brandon DelGrosso, Kim's second born. Brandon was generally mild mannered until
you pushed him too far, then watch out. People knew to run when Brandon erupted.

The boys tried to out trick each other on the tramp.
Jake is getting ready to stick this landing.

Brandon was second. His attempt failed, leading to an ugly
face plant on the tramp. This is why he was known as BellyFlop Brandon at the local
swimming pool. (I'm teasing. I don't want Brandon's family to
experience an emotional eruption because of me)

Brandon's second attempt. I'm not sure, but I think this was put Brandon in the nearby wood pile.

Joe Mattson's turn on the tramp while Brandon sulks and nurses his wounds.
Joe stuck this. Joe always stuck his flips. Well, I tell a lie. There was that front flip that
failed. It wasn't Joe's fault. Brandon had had enough and moved the tramp while Joe was in mid air.

Another picture of Joe in mid air with Brandon to the side. Notice Brandon is watching me closely.

I kept an eye on him from that point on to ensure Joe's safety.

The three cousins, Left to right: Jake, Brandon and Joseph.

Kim driving us to Denver. We were taking Janice to Denver to visit her therapist.

Janice on the way to Denver. Janice had three small daughters at the time. The stress and
toil of raising three young daughters is bad enough. Now imagine those three
young daughters were Nicole, Jazmine and Sierra. Janice suffered from early onset madness coupled with uncontrollable facial distortions and twitches. I'm happy to say the therapy worked.
Janice is normal today (if one uses the loosest definition of the word normal).

Have a Happy Easter!

Simply,
Victor

Our Williamson Family's Origins Solved! Charles Williamson Proven Wrong. Our Williamson Ancestors didn't Arrive in Virginia by Crashed Flying Saucer

From the Fortress of Solitude
Pleasant Grove

Hello Williamsons.
For three years I've searched high and low for the holy grail of our family's history - the parentage of Mathew Williamson, father our Great Great Grandfather George Mathew Williamson, Grandfather to our Great Grandfather William Jonathan Williamson. Many of you regular reader's have traveled beside me along this path and remember my frustrations at trying to divine facts from nearly silent sources. It's like coercing water from a rock. Everything I've posted to date has been circumstantial - until today.

I believe I've found the missing link. I believe I have the evidence necessary to state without doubt the parentage of our GGG Grandfather Mathew Williamson.
Mathew Williamson was married to Selina Dandridge Jeffries. Their only child was George Mathew Williamson. The Relationship Chart below shows the ancestral line to us:

The Family of George Mathew Williamson and Margaret Ann Willis. Our
GG Grandfather William is first on the left of the back row.

William Jonathan Williamson and Effie Helen Victor's family in Sundance Montana.

My theory on the parents of Matthew Williamson is outlined in this extensive post. You may want to reread it to trace the path of logic I've used to date.

When all was said and done, my theory linking us to Cutbirth Williamson was just that - a theory based on all available evidence - a theory that couldn't be proved.

The Breakthrough

This afternoon I found the last wills and testaments of Susanna White Williamson and Cutbirth Williamson, recorded in the Charlotte County Virginia Courthouse.

I draw your attention to a quote from Susanna's White Williamson's Will.

".... to my Grand Son George M. Williamson the sum of one hundred and fifty dollars..."

And there it is, the tie linking our GG Grandfather George Mathew Williamson to his grandparents Susanna White Williamson and Cutbirth Williamson. I wondered why Susanna White Williamson left $150.00 to our GG Grandfather George M. Williamson (that gift in today's money would be roughly $4000.00). Then I remembered my theory from the "extensive post" mentioned in the paragraph above. I believe Mathew Williamson died when George was a young boy. I believe George and his mother Selina had very little. Susanna knew of their circumstances and left the money to help her grandson find his way to adulthood.

Below you'll see a small section of our family tree taken from my Ancestry.com account. You'll see our Williamson line extending back into the 1600's.




On the same Virginia web site I found the last wills and testaments of other Great Grandparents along the Williamson line (below). Please use the family tree above to see your relation.


I'm hoping you find this information helpful in understanding the rich history of our Williamson name.

I believe I deserve a long rest........

Simply,
Victor

Kim and Janice Visit Utah in the early 1980's

From the Fortress of Solitude
Pleasant Grove

Hello All,
Yesterday the temperatures climbed up into the upper 70's. I'm sure the weatherman will label it the warmest day of the year so far. A cold front pushed across the mountains this morning bringing the temperatures down 30 degrees. There is talk of snow in the mountains and rain in the valley. It is a treat to sit on the Fortress' decks and watch the storm clouds rise up over the far mountains and then descend to blanket the valley below.

I took Luella grocery shopping. She enjoys it when I introduce her to something new and unusual. She says she is in a culinary rut because she rarely cooks. She doesn't cook for Charles anymore because he eats one meal a day at suppertime. His suppers consist of a regimented menu of microwavable TV dinners from which deviations are considered sinful. Disturbing the routine would lead to a disturbance of the Force. A disturbance in the Force would lead to an explosion of flavor - which in turn could lead to a heart attack, a stroke or death - that final and most dreaded outcome. Charles read somewhere that you could extend your life by decades if you dramatically reduce your caloric input. The study was based on rats. Dad plans on living forever, so if the diet works on rats it should work on humans - according to his reasoning.

"I plan on pissing on all of your graves," he says while smiling and watching for your reaction. Its a joke from his arsenal of off color humor that gets a lot of play time the older he gets.

Several months ago I got Luella addicted to fountain Diet Mt. Dew with one squirt of cherry flavoring. She hasn't been the same since. She still looks like a woman in her mid 70's, but her attitude toward life has improved dramatically. She smiles like she did decades ago when she still had her real teeth.


A few weeks ago I followed up on the Diet Mt. Dew and introduced Luella to Southwest Spicy Mustard, found only at WalMart. She is now officially addicted to Southwest Mustard. It has become her transitional vehicle to a higher plane of existence. She uses it on her lunch meat, toast, veggies, and possibly even her granola. Today I took it one step further and introduced her to Claussen's Hot and Spicy Pickles, found only in the refrigerated section of your favorite higher end market. I'll be curious to see her reaction to the definate kick these pickles deliver after the first couple bites.


I confess I also have a new addition. Two months ago I stumbled across Fiber One with 80 calories per half cup while scouring Winco's cereal aisle for something more tasty and rich in fiber than my previous breakfast cereal tasting of ground twigs and lawn clippings. My delicious daily bowl of Fiber One is one of the few early morning pleasures left to me. It motivates me to get out of bed - well that and the thought of a paycheck at the end of the month. Honestly - I would prefer Capt. Crunch but my doctors say I'm not getting enough fiber in my diet and insist I do something or suffer the consequences. I didn't like the consequences they spelled out so a High Fiber diet it is.

I'm not sure when to introduce Luella to Fiber One with 80 calories. I need to consider the consequences.

Kim, Janice and the Kids Visit Utah in the Early 1980's
(Hows that for a title?)

Jilane, Kevin and I lived at Cove's Point in Orem in the early 1980's. I was fresh out of BYU and teaching 6th Grade at the time. Jilane worked as a waitress at some truck stop in Springville and Kevin worked for Quaker Oats in their warehouse in Salt Lake.

One year Kim and Janice left their husbands at home in Colorado and drove to Utah to pay us a visit. The following few pictures come from their visit.



The two pictures above are of Autumn DelGrosso, third daughter to JD and Kim Delgrosso. Kim is the eldest daughter of Charles and Luella Williamson. This picture was taken in the our condo's kitchen.

Cove Point was a retirement community in north Orem. The condos were built in the early 70's, something all too apparent on first viewing. We rented the condo from Mr. and Mrs. Shreeve, who were out of the state serving a two year LDS mission.

We are back in the kitchen looking at Nikki and Jazmine Burrows, the eldest two daughters of Steven and Janice Burrows. Janice was the second born daughter of Charles and Luella Williamson. Jazmine is in red, Nikki in blue.


This is Sierra Burrows with the bright blue eyes. Sierra is working her way through a tray of Cheerios. She has always been easy to please.

You should download and save this picture. Finding a picture of Sierra as a child in a dress is nearly impossible - and finding a picture of her wearing pink is........ well the odds up until know were astronomical.


This is one worn out mother. Her name is Janice Williamson Burrows. Beside her is her niece Amber Delgrosso. The picture was taken in the condo's lime green kitchen. Food never tasted quite right when eaten in those surroundings.

Janice looks tired, and who wouldn't be. She was the mother of three very young daughters at the time. There was also the additional weight she carried on her head with that unusual amount of hair and the product it took to keep it 'naturally' curly. I never mentioned it at the time. I was a kinder brother back then. She lives 800 miles away now. I'm safe.


Sorrow is the only emotion I have for the animal that gave its life for whatever it is that is sitting on top of Kim's head. You may doubt my theory and insist it is her hair. I'm not so sure.
It seems so tightly wound and black.

Kim Williamson Delgrosso is holding her youngest daughter Autumn. Janice holds Sierra. They are preparing to leave Utah and return to their homes at the polar ice cap of Frisco, Colorado.

Look closely to the far left of the picture. Remind you of someone? Yes, it's Kevin Bodily, husband of Jilane Williamson Bodily. What do we read from his demeanour - slumped over, head in hands? Could it be he was more than ready for his two sister in laws and their offspring to leave? Ah, the picture speaks volumes.



The dashing, debonair and ever so handsome Forrest Delgrosso is on the left, then comes Jazmine, Nikki and Amber.


The girls are showing off their treasure trove of activities designed to keep them busy, quiet and out of their mother's hair during the long drive back to Colorado. Mind you, getting into their mother's hair would be quite the feat in and of itself.
Left to right, Nikki, Jazmine and Ashley.


This is Brandon Cinderfella DelGrosso (Kim's second born son). While everyone else luxuriates with treats, picture books and coloring, Brandon is left to clean the house, take out the luggage, roof it, secure it and organize the expedition home. I felt sorry for my nephew and would have helped had it not be the camera and my responsibility of documenting their departure. My excuse didn't go over too well as seen on Brandon's face.

"Atta boy Brandon, you keep it up. One day your Princess will come!"

Today Brandon is thoroughly taken care of hand and foot by his lovely wife Monica and several industrious sons.



Brandon securing the luggage to the SUV's roof. What couldn't this small 12 year old do?

"Brandon, is this car ready to go!" shouted his mother.
"Yes, Ma'am. Anything else I can do for you Ma'am?" Brandon replied quickly from the rooftop, knowing any delay would result in a dressing down by the sharp edge of Kim's tongue.
"Take the girls in for a potty break, and make it snappy. Ashley looks like she's already gone. Find out! Clean it up if she has."
"Yes Ma'am."

Again, I would have jumped in to help, but felt it more important to snap this awesome picture of Brandon at work.


With the relatives gone, Jilane Williamson Bodily had some time to tend to her new baby boy Chaz. Yes, he was crying - that wasn't anything unusual. Chaz started crying the day he was born and stopped on his sixth birthday. I thought there was something wrong with the kid. Jilane was immune. Kevin kept putting in for overtime at work.

Yes, Chaz was still crying

He howled the loudest before every diaper change. He was at his happiest when Jilane left him naked all day long. That hasn't changed after all these years. (A word of advice, never ever never pop in on Chaz unannounced. A nasty shock awaits if you disregard my advice).

I discovered something early in Chaz's infancy. The only way to gain a moment's peace from the wailing was to give Chaz an absolute and unadulterated shock. Scaring the snot out of the kid made him hyperventilate - and that stopped the crying long enough to get through a short phone call.


Have a Nice Sunday and thanks for reading.

Simply,
Victor

The Mystery of our GGG Grandmother Selina Dandridge Jeffries (Williamson Line)

From the Fortress of Solitude
Pleasant Grove

Hello Williamsons,
One of our family's genealogical mysteries is the parentage of our Great Great Great Grandmother, Selina Dandridge Jeffries. Selina married our GGG Grandfather Matthew Williamson. Their son was George Matthew Williamson, our GG Grandfather.

Today I'll update that search. The well is still dry, even after months of searching. There are a few signs of water which I shall share with you today. This new information gives me a new direction to search.

OK, to the business at hand:

It is my assumption that Matthew Williamson was the brother to Susanna Price Williamson (1786 - 1860). Susanna Williamson married Achilles Jeffries (thus making Achilles, Matthew's brother in law). I'm claiming that Susanna and Matthew's parents were Cuthbert Williamson and Susanna White

We know that Susanna Williamson married Achilles Jeffries. Could it also be possible that Matthew Williamson married Achilles' sister? - Was that sister our Selina Dandridge Jeffries? If that is the case, then where does the name Dandridge enter the picture?

Achilles' parents were John Jeffries Sr. and Ann Swepson. Ann was Richard Swepson's sister. Richard Swepson Sr. had considerable business dealing with John Jeffries Sr.

Richard Swepson's wife was Jane / Jean Dandridge or Eldridge. Richard Swepson was born between 1710-30. in Virginia. He died 1787 in Mecklenburg City Virginia. Jean or Jane died before 1779.

It is my current assumption that our GGG Grandmother Selina Dandridge Jeffries ties into this Jeffries family. It is the only known family in Viriginia at that time which ties the names Williamson to Dandridge and Jeffries.

Of course I'll keep you informed of developments.

Simply,
Victor

The Last Sunday in March, A Birthday and More from the Wayback Machine

Here you go Jilane, a picture from your lovey dovey days with Kevin. AH, the innocence of youth. Little did they know what they were about to unleash upon the world. Happy Birthday!

From the Fortress of Solitude
Pleasant Grove

Hello All,

This week we celebrate Jilane Williamson Bodily's birthday. Jilane refuses to give her age, preferring we guess instead, using all available visual clues. I've given the matter much thought and hope she doesn't ask my opinion at today's Sunday dinner.

It would be unwise to judge her age by her clothes, considering much of her wardrobe comes from what she finds at Utah's many weekend garage sales (mind you, she did look pretty good in the bell bottom low cut jeans and platform shoes she was wearing when I bumped into her at Walmart last Wednesday).

Jilane preparing to go to her daughter's Parent Teacher Conferences with a little something she found in someone's driveway (I don't think they were having a garage sale. However, they did raise chickens).

Judging her age by her physical appearance would also be a mistake. Remember, she is the mother of Chaz Bodily and Chaz has a tendency to prematurely age anyone who spends a significant amount of time with him.

Kevin, Saved from the Hoes and Wenches of his younger days by the ever innocent and always darling Jilane.

Jilane is also is married to Kevin, and God bless her for that. "I saved him from all those other Hoes and Wenches he was dating at the time and could have married." Jilane says with pride about her greatest single act of charity for this period of mortality.

Luckily Jilane has her new daughter in law to comfort and sustain her.

This is the last Sunday in March and its over 70 degrees here at the Fortress! Our warm spell will be short lived. Tomorrow a cold front plans on disrupting our fun with snow and rain. So until then, we bask in the warmth and enjoy the spring breezes.

Charles was out tending the Fortress' lawn Friday afternoon when my phone rang. It was Luella.
"Your father wants you to go outside and compare your lawn with the neighbor's," she said. "I don't know why, just go out. It will make him happy."

At the time, I was reclining in my favorite chair watching a TV program suffering with purpose. The show centered around a theory held by several UFO enthusiasts that the Big Foot and Yeti were really aliens blessed with the ability of transcending dimensions of space time. I may have been watching Aliens and Big Foot to get me in the mood for that evening's Overnight Camp at the Space Education Center. Regardless, I jumped up and went out onto the deck to see the demonstration. It gave me an excuse to turn off the television.

Take a look for yourself.

Our neighbors directly to the north.
To be perfectly fair, the neighbors lawn on the far north is just as green as Dad's.
I worry about that. Charles has been known to take an occasional midnight stroll through the neighborhood with his Red Ryder Wagon, bag of lawn kill and spreader.

The Fortress' back lawn. A testament to Charles Williamson's tender loving care. It got its first cutting Friday afternoon. It responds well to his touch, not to mention the amount of money he charges me to bring in Turf Care Plus. What does it matter that you can never use your lawn during the summer because of all the toxic chemicals used to give it that beautiful green color?
At least its the envy of the neighborhood (although one day I fear they'll discover the true cause of their children's summer coughs and sore throats).

Finally, our neighbors to the south.
"A barren wasteland." Is that what I heard you just say?

Let me state here and now that it would be thoroughly unchristianlike and unneighbourly to describe it that way. I cannot be faulted, because you are the one who thought it.....
right?

In their defense, they have a home full of children and are the new owners of a dog. Their children play on the lawn, making it a useful piece of real estate and not the museum masterpiece Charles toils over all summer long.

And now, a few pictures from yesteryear using the magic of Peabody and Sherman's Wayback Machine,

I believe Jilane and I were visiting Kim, JD, Janice and Steve in Colorado sometime in the early 1980s. It was near the end of their school year and time for Field Day. I took my camera to record for all time's sake Forest and Brandon's athletic prowess.

Don't be mistaken, that is Brandon DelGrosso in the lead. (I fail to mention this isn't the front of the pack. At least he didn't come in last!) Of course, Brandon's recollection of the day's events differ somewhat from my own. You, kind readers, are left to decide for yourselves.

Another suberp action shot, thank you very much. Not bad using a camera that still used tin plates to capture the image. Brandon is in the lead! I'm wondering if this may be the race reserved for the school's special students?

Run Forest Run!

(from the movie Forest Gump for those of you unfamiliar with Hollywood's greatest achievements in the cinematic arts). That is our very own Forest DelGrosso far ahead of the pack. Forest's rear end was all the other race participants ever saw of our mighty Forest during a race.

While the boys sweated it out on the track, their two sisters found themselves the target of my camera. This is the eldest Amber with Ashley, the youngest at the time.

Ashley with her favorite blanket.

We spent some time with Janice, Steve and Nikki on that same Colorado trip.
This is Nikki on the DelGrosso's backyard tramp.

Nikki with her favorite Aunt Jilane

Another dial turn on the Wayback Machine takes us to the Williamson home at 2214 38th Street, Rapid City South Dakota. Again we have landed in the early 1980's.


Here we are in the Black Hills having a picnic. Left to right, Lisa, Amber, Brandon, Ashley, Annette and Forest.

During that same trip I met Luke Mattson, my newest cousin. He is the eldest son of Uncle Marvin and Aunt Cindy.

Every visit must come to an end. We are standing on the Williamson's driveway saying goodbye to Kim and the kids as they pack up for Colorado. Left to right - Kim, Brandon, Jilane holding Ashley, Amber, Annette and Luella.