Oh say can “Thou” see what has happened to “Thee”?
Why, just
overnight – it has happened – Oh me!
I can’t
understand “Thy” thinning hair –
And it seems
“thy” waistline has drifted somewhere.
Now
yesterday “Thou” was dapper and sporty!
Is this what
happens when “Thy” turns 40?
Gaylia
Kenslow – Stogsdill
Written for
Howard Bishop on his 40th birthday
Copyright
Roy Richard
Oh, Autumn, in gorgeous raiment,
What artist is the blame?
He has
daubled his colors here and there,
In one great glory of color and
prayer,
Till the
woods are all aflame.
There are
browns and deepest crimsons,
Orange and sunny tans,
Scarlet and
dim old yellows,
Done by a Master’s hand,
It is spread
for eyes to feast on,
And it helps to understand.
Katherine
Carey-Place 1878-1934
October 1915
Copyright
Roy Richard
Sweet “16” –
long time gone –
“21” – has
rolled along –
“29” – well,
it’s gone too –
Though we’re
not late models, we’re good as new,
The chassis,
she ain’t what she once was I know –
But at times
she can really get up and go.
A look to
the future – what’s in store?
They say
“40” is better than what’s been before!
So thinking
back on the things we have done –
If “40” is
better, we’re just getting ready to run,
By the looks
of us now, as “40” draws near –
Who knows
what happens in our “80th” year!
Cheer up!
Gaylia
Kenslow – Stogsdill
Written for
Geneva Mosbey on her 40th birthday.
Copyright
Roy Richard
She came to
visit us at last,
Aunt Mary sweet and dear,
How we
planned to make her stay,
A time of joy and cheer.
The sky was
blue with, fleecy clouds,
The bird sang loud and clear,
As if to
tell Aunt Mary,
They were happy she was here.
She came
from out the golden west,
Back to her girlhood home,
Once again
to see the hills,
And o’er the fields to roam,
To meet and
greet the loved ones,
And renew old friendships o’er,
To clasp
their hands in greetings,
As in olden days of yore.
Dear Aunt
Mary,
How we love her,
How we’ll
miss her smile and cheer,
How we wish that we might keep
her,
Always hold
her with us here.
For we need
her wit and laughter,
We need her understanding heart,
If we could
we would not let her,
From our home or life depart.
And the
lessons which she taught us,
Of patience, faith and love,
Shall be a
beacon light to us,
When she shall rest above.
Katherine
Carey-Place 1878-1934
August 12,
1931
Copyright Roy Richard
My oldest granddaughter recently started attending Notre
Dame University of Maryland in Baltimore. Most of our family research has
centered around Missouri and parts south, but just before my sister Sula passed
she found the proof of the missing link in the Richard family. That of Edward
Richards (1678-1755). He came from England and lived in Baltimore for a time.
John Richards
Mary Kidder Edward
Richards
William Head Benjamin
Richards
Ann Bigger Mary
Head
Charles Merryman Sr
Mary Haile Charles
Merryman Jr
Thomas Long Ann
Merryman
Jane Peake Jane
Long
6th
Great-grandparents
Benjamin Richards
BIRTH: 1710, Baltimore County, Maryland, USA
DEATH: unknown, Franklin County, Virginia, USA
BURIAL: Richards Cemetery, Callaway, Franklin County,
Virginia, USA
MARYLAND ROOTS
- Benjamin was the first-born son of Edward Richards [1678] and Mary Head [1690]. His birth was recorded in St. Paul's Parish of Baltimore County MD. Benjamin first lived in the Dorchester County area on the east side of Chesapeake Bay.
- In 1729 Benjamin's father, Edward, sold property he owned in Dorchester County and prepared to move his family. They settled, perhaps late in 1729, and associated with the Gunpowder Meeting of Quakers north of Baltimore [in present-day Cockeysville]. In 1730 Benjamin had a tract named "Spring Garden" surveyed for future purchase according to Maryland Land records. This was probably the year he married Ann.
MARRIAGE
1. Edward [25 June 1731] MD
2. Ruth [27 April 1733] MD
3. Charles [23 Feb 1747] MD
4. unknown daughter
5. unknown daughter
MOVE TO VIRGINIA
TAX ROLLS
RICHARDS CEMETERY
LINEAGE:
Ann Merryman Richards
BIRTH: 1711, Maryland, USA
DEATH: unknown, Franklin County, Virginia, USA
BURIAL: Richards Cemetery, Callaway, Franklin County,
Virginia, USA
Their children were:
1. Edward [1731] MD
2. Ruth [27 April 1733] MD
3. Charles [23 Feb 1747] MD
Ann's father's estate:
NOTE: [Burials in the "Richards" cemetery are
speculative. The cemetery stones are lost to time, and only the location is
known. Please contact me if you have information that would be helpful.]
LINEAGE:
Thank you Harold Richard for your work on this
Copyright Roy Richard
Now you’re
my aunt and you’re full of fun --
When I’ve
run down, you’ve just begun
There are
many tales you’ve told to me --
And they’re
filled away in memory.
When I would
visit you as a child
The stories
you told me were far from mild.
Each night
when we would go out to “wee”—
This is what
you would say to me –
“It’s dark
outside and in the woods –
Is a man who
gets girls and boys who aren’t good.
He carries a
bag upon his back and walks among the farms –
Inside that
bag are the girls and boys, and he’s cut off their legs and arms”.
Many, many
years ago I went home with you –
When dark
came I got lonesome and was feeling blue.
I asked you
to take me home – I promised to walk all the way –
But you said
no, we’d have to pass the cemetery, and the dead would be sitting on their
graves
One day in
California, when my birthday rolled around –
You gave me
a gift, it was socks for Joe, and I threw them on the ground.
My Mom and I
went home one day and found a man in bed –
To our
relief, it was one of your pranks, it was a “dummy” instead.
I always
liked to visit you and go swimming in the creek –
Until the
day I went home from your house with poison ivy on both bottom cheeks.
Even throughout my life, you’ve scared me out of my wits –
I wouldn’t trade these memories for a billion times “two-bits”.
You’re really worth your weight in gold, and that’s a fact
“by-granny” –
For in all this world there is no match for that Aunt of mine called
Fannie.
Gaylia
Kenslow – Stogsdill
Written for Aunt Fannie Morris
who tormented and teased constantly.
Copyright Roy Richard
Nigh forty
years have passed me by, I,
poor
Amanda Hooker.
When I was
young, the boys all said
“Amanda, is some
looker.”
But all the
men have passed me by,
Dear Sisters, can you tell me why?
I’ve read
all the books on wedded bliss, just
how to hold
their hands and kiss,
I’ve learned
to cook and keep a home and
never from my
fireside roam.
By winnin’
smiles and bashful look.
I’ve done my best, a man to hook.
I’ve always
tried to do my duty, bought
creams to make
myself a beauty.
I’ve spent a
mint of hard earned money and
seems to me its
mighty funny.
For after
this long race I’ve ran,
I never yet have hooked a man.
Katherine Carey-Place 1878-1934
Copyright Roy Richard
