1. Newspaper article from Abilene, Texas, Reporter-News, Saturday July 27, 2002.
2. Reunions bind families together...by: Sidney Schuhmann, Reporter-News Staff Writer.
3. BUFFALO GAP - Audria Hamption starts telling family stories about pioneeer times at the McMinn-Lanham family reunion, and relatives sink into chairs around her table. Everyone wants to hear about the 82-year old matriarch's only covered wagon ride, the dead horse her father bought and a woman her mother knew who was missing a patch of hair an Indian snatched off her head.
As with the gathering of McMinns and Lanhams, the purpose of any reunion is the same - to stay connected. "That's the only time we get to see a lot of the people from West Texas and different places," said Hampton's nephew, Teddie Jack Key. "We can see how people change and what their kids are doing. It's nice for everyone to get together once a year".
As they do every year, relatives of the late Alonzo and Betty Lanham McMinn met July 13-14 at the Presbyterian Encampment in Buffalo Gap to share meals, play bingo and look at photos. The family has been gathering for more than 50 years.
Key, the reunion president, admitted that, as a teen, he had little use for family reunions. Now at 66, he wished he had spent more time with older relatives. "The people I should have been listening to are gone", said Kay, who lives in Abilene. "People should write down family stories while their parents and grandparents are alive".
Lucky for Key's family, Hampton remembers the old days well. She is the only one of Alonzo and Betty's nine children still living. She recalled the time her father, a farmer and rancher, bought land in Breckenridge and wanted his family - including his grown sons - to move from Potosi. He loaded his family and lumber for a new house and headed for Stephens County. After he arrived, his sons refused to leave Potosi, so he sold everything and turned back.
"It was the one and only time I was in a covered wagon to go anywhere," said Hamption, who sitll lives in Potosi.
Another time, Mr. McMinn bought a horse from a neighbor, who then invited him in for lunch. He tied the young horse to a tree and went inside. By the time he returned, the horse had somehow hanged itself, Key said. His honest grandfather paid his neighbor for the dead horse anyway. He said it was his horse before lunch, and it was his horse after lunch.
Mr. McMinn and all his children played musical instruments, Hamption said. He played the fiddle at dances until he joined the Potosi Baptist Chruch. "The Baptists" she explained, "didn't much believe in dancing."
1. Information from McCracken County, Kentucky, Census of 1850 Page 181 L273/274.
2. Job must have died between 12 Sep 1855 & 1 Nov 1858 according to consents of marriages.
1. Daniel & Sarah owned the Anglin MI 11 (Maybe a Ranch).
2. Information from Bertha Jones records w/ Mozelle Rogers Info.
1. CAVENER-LAMB
On Sunday evening at eight o'clock in the home of Rev. and Mrs. J. W. Oliver, Mr. Ernest Cavener and Miss Vergie Lamb were united in marriage. Bro. Oliver officiating with a most beautiful ceremony. The wedding march was rendered by Mrs. Liddon Dowden. They were attended by Mr. Tom Cavener and Miss Mayme White. The bride was exquisitely gowned in white silk with lace trimmings. She was a rare picture of loveliness. The groom was dressed in the conventional black. The bride is the beautiful and acomplished daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Lamb, who reside southeast of town. Mr. Cavener, who has resided in this locality for several years, is well known as a young man of excellent qualities and is well worthy of the companionship of the amiable young lady whom he has won. The young people have a host of friends who join the News in good wishes.2. SSN 443-18-3894
1. Ernest & Virgie married on Sunday October 2, 1910 at Elida, New Mexico at 8:00 P.M. in home of Rev. & Mrs. J. W. Oliver...
2. Info from Mozelle Rogers records and obituary.
3. OBITUARY MRS. E. C. CAVENER
Virginia Cecil Lamb was born in Gassville, Arkansas, July 5, 1891, died June 2, 1939 at the home, age 47 years, 10 months, and 27 days. She was married to Earnest C. Cavenar October 2, 1910. To this union was born three children. H. R., Mozell, and Edmond. She is survived by her husband and children, also her parents Mr. & Mrs. W. Lamb of Stratford, a brother, Ray Lamb of Ada, two sisters, Mrs. Jannie Clark of Shawnee and Mrs. Estelle Little of Ada. She has one sister who has preceeded her in death, Mrs. Gladys Dryden.
She was converted at the age of 14 and united with the Missionary Baptist church.
For the past 29 years the family has resided in the Parish Chapel community, where she died.
To the community Mrs. Cavener has been very devout. She was first a very devoted companion and mother. She has always been an ardent contributor to the Christian and social activities of her community. Had a zeal for good works and higher plane of good living. As she resided on the community line between Parish Chapel and Summers Chapel she worked in both communities. Each of these communities will now realize in the fullness of her splendid help she has given these many years. This knowledge they have of her usefulness together with her friendship was evidenced by the great number in attendance and the floral offerings at her funeral.
To the bereaved family we would agree with you that a home broken by death is sadness in the extreme. But let us think the clouds to form the rainbow and think of her testimony, that she was going home to die no more---Rev. Earlin Haskins4. It is obvious from the information in the obituary above that Virgie & Ernest left Elida, Roosevelt County, New Mexico in the latter part of 1910 or sometime in 1911 to move to Parish Chapel, Pontotoc County, Oklahoma where they lived for the last 29 years of her life.
1. SSN 448-64-0979
1. Morgan Ray died @ Valley View Hospital, Ada, Oklahoma.
1. Effie had a sister named "Annie"
1. Jennie (Janie) lived at Shawnee, Oklahoma, at the time of her mother's death 2 Jun 1939.
1. Estelle Little was of Ada, Oklahoma at the time of her mother's death 2 Jun 1939.
2. She attended school @ Pleasant Valley School Dist. 29 some 12-miles from Elida, Roosevelt, New Mexico.
3. Estelle now lives in Texas...(2000) at age 96.
4. IN MEMORY OF MARY ESTELLE LAMB LITTLE
MAY 29, 1904 to NOVEMBER 23, 2005Services was held at 2:00 PM Monday November 28, 2005 at Oil Center Pentecostal, Holiness Church, Oil Center, Oklahoma.
OFFICIATING: Rev. Glen Eaves & Rev. James Hale
INTERMENT: McGere Cemetery, Stratfofd, Oklahoma
Pickard Funerfal Home Stgratford, Oklahoma
PALLBEARERS: All grandsons - Eddie Little, Greg Little, David Lance, Donnie Taylor, John Vogt, Blake Murdock
Honorary grandsons: Jason Vogt, Tice Hale
Estelle lived 101 years, 5 Months and 24 days.
James and Loretta Hale kept Estelle during her last days before being hospitalized after a fall in her own apartment. She died of congestion from pneumonia after lying on the floor all night.
Estelle out lived her own children and siblings. She leaves grandchildren and great grandchildren and a few nieces & nephews. She was loved by all that knew her well!
Thanks to all the known Hiustory shared by Estelle much more is known about the Hayes and Lamb lines in genealogy.
Estelle loved O. U. football, her flower garden and fishing. She was still driving her own car in her 80's and spent the night on the river many times fishing b y herself. Loved being outside in the country. Thanks for all your help Estelle!
Sincerely Richard Jones