At the beginning of the year I said I was going to review my ancestry that pointed back to Charlemagne (747 – 814). And I did just that with a great number of side trips throughout the year. I found a number of hypothesized links, but there was only one that went through a proven “gateway” ancestor. I can claim Charlemagne as my 40 times great grandfather.
Through this line, we meet Adelaide of Normandy, daughter of Robert of Normandy and sister of William the Conqueror. William led the Norman Invasion of Britain and took the island nation as his own kingdom.
But, how did William get from Normandy to England? He sailed on the Ship Mora given to him by his wife Matilda of Flanders. He used this ship to covey the Norman forces to England for the Battle of Hastings in 1066. Why do I mention this? Well, in command of the Mora was Airard Fitz-Stephen, my 28th great grandfather! He remained with William for the battle. So, another line crosses in the history of the European Events.
In the early 80s, my mother got caught up in ceramics. She was a dynamo once she got the feel of it. The iconic Christmas Tree was made for her mother-in-law when she mentioned she was getting too old to put up a tree, but wanted to have some “Christmas”. Mom had just completed one for her and my father, so back to the kiln she went. When Grandma passed way, I took possession of the tree. My daughter has the one Mom made for herself. The church nestled in the snow-covered pines is another of Mom’s creations. I got possession of it when we were cleaning out my parents’ house getting it ready to sell.
In case I did not post the Easter display that Mom made:
Three rabbits, a basket, and over a dozen eggs of varying colors and decorations. Mom had a problem painting the eyes and admitted to having her instructor do them.
I am not sure why I started wearing a fedora again — might be a reaction to the doughnut hole bald spot on the back of my head; might be a flashback to my youth:
I am on the right — about age 5.
I digress. The jumping stag pin was found in my mother’s jewelry box as I was cleaning out the house before selling it. I remember it as a child in my mother’s things, but never remember her wearing it. I can only assume it dates back to the 1940s, at the latest. I was surprised to find out it was Sterling Silver — marked on the back. Anyway, I have it and whenever I wear the hat, I think of Mom.
It was June 18, 1914, and my grandmother, Florence Marie Koontz, became the first female in her family to graduate from High School. Grandma was the third of five children of Casmear and Phebe Gardner Koontz, and the youngest girl. She had two sisters older than her and two brothers younger than her. Her two older sisters did not continue their education beyond what was determined to be necessary. Her two brothers went on to Ohio State University – one graduated from the School of Pharmacy (Henry Allen), the other one as a Chemical Engineer (William Peter). But, Grandma persisted and insisted that she get a diploma. Her diploma states:
The Board of Education of Columbus. O. Hereby Certified that Florence Marie Koontz has completed the TECHNICAL AND COMMERCIAL course of study prescribed in the HIGH SCHOOL OF COMMERCE Columbus, Ohio a certified HIGH SCHOOL of the FIRST GRADE, that she has sustained a good character and made such attainments as entitle her to this Diploma.
In Testimony Whereof, the President and Clerk of the Board have hereto attached their signatures and the Corporate Seal of the Board
A number of factors may have led into Grandma being allowed to continue her education. First her two older sisters were married in 1912 and 1913 respectively. Her two younger brothers were 16 and 14 at the time. Grandma’s parents owned a furniture store where Great Grandfather made various pieces of furniture for customers and refurbished pieces of older furniture that he would purchase and resell. They needed a clerk for the store. Grandma worked in the family store as a bookkeeper.
Lewis Cass, Governor In and Over the Territory of Michigan
To all to whom these presents may come, Greeting:
KNOW YE, That reposing special trust and confidence in the patriotism, valor, fidelity and valor of Morris Jenks I DO HEREBY APPOINT him Captain in the Militia of the said Territory. He is therefore, carefully and diligently to discharge the duties of Captain by doing and performing all manner of things thereto belonging. And I do strictly change and require all Officers and Soldiers under his command to be obedient to his orders as Captain. And he is to observe and follow such orders and directions from time to time as he shall receive from the President of the United States of America, the Governor of the Territory, or his superior officer set over him according to law. This COMMISSION to continue in force during the pleasure of the Governor of the said Territory for the time being.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have caused these Letters to be made Patent, and the great Seal of the said Territory to be hereunto affixed.
Given under my and at Detroit, this Second day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and Twenty Nine and of the in Ae penance of the United States of America.
Lewis Cass
The document has been damaged over the years and one of descendants of Morris attempted to preserve it by using Scotch Tape which over the years made the situation worse. I was loaned to document by my mother’s second cousin and made the above copy. The original of the document has been donated to the Southfield Historical Collection at the Southfield Public Library, Southfield, Oakland County, Michigan.
The house Morris Jenks built in 1853 – Berg Road, Southfield, Oakland County, Michigan
The house that Morris Jenks built as photographed in 1905. Morris’ daughter, Esther Jenks Lee is the owner at that time with her husband, Charles Norton Lee. Morris’ grandson, Lewellyn Lee is at the gate.
These two glass dishes were always brought out when the table was set with the good china and silver. Both were used for various relishes — pickles, olives, celery, etc. The thing that was never mentioned was where did these come from and what was so special that they were only brought out with the good stuff? Again, like and earlier post, I discovered that each piece was a wedding present to my parents in 1943. It seems the leaf motif was very big during that era. I found both items on eBay for approximately $10.00 each.
This is the way the photograph arrived from one of my cousins.
Ezra Peter Koontz – enhanced
I uploaded the photo to MyHeritage and used the repair damaged photo option. This is the improved Great Great Grandfather Koontz
Ezra Peter Koontz – colorized
I then took the next step and had the photograph colorized.
My great-great grandfather, Ezra Peter Koontz was born on 15 May 1832 in Navarre, Stark County, Ohio. He then migrated West to Ligonier, Noble County, Indiana where he was a cabinet maker.
Grandfather Koontz, did a bit more than make furniture:
Patent Application 430,963, Refrigerator, Ezra P. Koontz, Ligonier, Ind. Filed Sept. 1, 1898. Serial No. 284,364. Claim: 1 In a refrigerator, an inner compartment containing an ice-tank, and waste-water tank, in combination with a pipe leading from the bottom of the ice-tank to the waste-water tank, a pipe leading from the bottom of the ice-tank to the drinking-water tank, an overflow pipe extending from the drinking to the waste water tank, and an overflow-pipe leading out of the waste-water tank, all substantially as and for the purpose herein set forth. 2 In a refrigerator, a plurality of tanks, one of which is designed to contain ice, and is located immediately above another which is designed to contain drinking-water, milk, or other fluids, in combination with the pipe connecting said tanks, means, substantially as described, for closing said pipe when the under tank contains a fluid other than water, and means, substantially as described, at the opposite site of said ice-tank extending there from to a point outside the refrigerator, serving to carry off the waste water.
Digest of Decisions of the Commissioner of Patents and of United States Courts in the Matter of Patents, Trade-Marks, &c., Official Gazette – April – June, 1890., page 2061.In an earlier photograph used to advertise his Furniture Business:
Provided by my 3rd Cousin, Enhanced by MyHeritage.
This item goes into the “wonder where this came from” column. I know it was at my parents’ home when we were cleaning it out before the Estate Sale. Based on what I could find it dates from the early 20th century — around the 1930s. Since my mother had possession of the vase, it must have come from her parents’ home. But, if it had its original ownership by one of my mother’s grandparents, I have no idea. Both sets of her grandparents might have purchased it. Her parents might have purchased it.
All I can say with certainty is that I now have it and it was in my parents’ home when I obtained it.
My grandfather was a Shriner (32nd degree of Free Masonry). He was also a member of the Consistory (from the 19th to 32nd degree of Free Masonry) and a mason. He was proud of his heritage of being a member and of his father, grandfather, and great grandfather also being members. He was also given to using his membership to an advantage whenever the occasion arose. I remember one time on a family vacation, Grandpa being pulled over for speeding. He rolled down his window and flashed his Consistory Ring in the traffic policeman’s eyes. (Good thing it was a sunny day). He was let off with a warning.
Below is the Michigan Masonic Monitor and Ceremonies book my grandfather received when he completed his 3rd degree (1916) and became a full-fledged Mason. The book was inscribed by his mother’s brother, Llewelyn Lee, who just happened to be the Worshipful Master of the Redford Lodge (this was the family’s Lodge, a lot of members of the Lee family paid dues there).
Michigan Masonic Monitor and Ceremonies — Inscription by Grandpa’s Uncle Willie
My mother, Jmae Dorothy Weaver, graduated from Cooley High School in Detroit as part of the class of January 1941. Mom should have graduated in the following June Class, but had been skipped a semester in grade school to put her ahead of where she started. It must not have been that great of an experience for her since she came out opposed when the same process was being considered for me.
This picture must have been one of my grandmother’s favorites since she kept it on her dresser in her bedroom for as long as I can remember. I found it in the mass of photos that I went thorough while clearing out my parents’ home after the passing of my father. In the bottom of my mother’s jewelry box, I found the class ring and the cameo on a gold chain. I had never seen my mother wearing either.
A Tree Grew in Oakland 