Black Sheep Sunday

I'm The Black Sheep of the Family by John Anderson

Okay, so I'm playing it lazy this Sunday! Enjoy!

Black Sheep Sunday - December 27, 2009

I have taken my Black Sheep Sunday's to a different level than most bloggers use. I realize the term, "Black Sheep", is meant to describe than more "unsavory" of characters. But, to be honest, I have only found a very few of those in my ancestry. [Oh, I am certain there are more than I have found, but I just have not uncovered those persons!] And so, I have been utilizing my Black Sheep Sunday posts to uncover those brick walls I have.

Today, I would like to discuss my Carnefix ancestry. This elusive branch has been added mostly from the greater research of others, as I have found very little on it. Part of the problem is in the variations of the spelling of the name. I have found the more recent spelling of Carnefix to be the rarest of the spellings. But I have also unearthed the following: Carnafix, Carnefax, Carnafax, Carnifix, Carnifex, Carnifax, Carnafex, Cornfix, Cornafax, Cornefax, and I can keep going on here.

My maternal grandmother's mother was Elizabeth Carnefix.

Elizabeth "Eliza" Carnefix

1851 - 1929

The odd shape of the photo above is because it was cut to fit a locket, more than 100 years ago. My grandmother kept the portrait in a tiny frame, with another, that of her father, Stephen Ledford Faudree.

Eliza was born 08 Jul 1851, in the tiny community of Sweet Springs, Monroe County, [W]Va. This tiny little hamlet today is easily missed if you but blink when driving through. There isn't even a post-office. No stores. The houses are set wide apart, having once been a farming community. There are still many farms, mostly cattle or grain. But when Eliza was born here, this area was bustling. At that time, there were at least 6 churches, 4 stores, a post-office, and even a regular mercantile! There was a stage line that ran directly through the community, with a proper stage stop and rest. And there was the world reknown Sweet Springs Resort, as well as two smaller hotels. It wasn't until after World War I that the community began to dwindle, and the economy to crumble.

Eliza was born the eldest of at least 4 children born to George Carnefix and Mary Susan Daugherty. The other children were Nancy [b. 1854]; James [b. 1856], and Charles [b. 1858].

On 17 Dec. 1878, Eliza wed Stephen Ledford Faudree [1857-1929] in a ceremony at her father's home that was officiated by the Rev. Alfred M. Clelland, a Methodist minister of the gospel.

Eliza went on to have 10 children with Stephen: Ida [1880-1953]; Bervie [1881-1909]; Pearl [1883-1959]; Gordon [1885-1958]; Spurge [1888-1962]; Roy [1891-1952]; Faye [1895-1904]; Mary [1897-1975; Mary was my grandmother]; Zenna ane [1900-1971]; and Veda [1903-1993].

I suppose if there were a Black Sheep to this particular part of the Carnefix family, it would be in Eliza's father, George.

George was born about 1831 in Virginia. And he died in the 1860's, we believe, although a death record has yet have been found. It is believed he may have been killed in the Civil War. He married Mary Susan Daugherty [b. 1834 in Monroe Co., VA] on 01 May 1860. [You will note from the above list of four children from the family, that they were all born between 1851-1858, thus having been born illegitimate.] Grandma once told me that her grandparents were married when talk of a Civil War begn to break out. It is unknown why George and Mary did not marry sooner. They resided, according to Census records, in well populated areas, with readily available ministers to perform the ceremony if it should have been desired. Although, in many parts of the county, there were many couples who assumed the roles of husband and wife without benefit of marriage, until a minister became available to "sanctify" the marriage. And a common-law marriage was considered the norm in many areas until the 1940's, and the advent of nearly every household owning a motor vehicle.

The ancestry beyond George is not something I have proven yet. [Sad to say that much of this I have had so little time to research! Seems I am always busy with clients, and have so little time for my own ancestry!] But this is what I have gleaned from the work of Ralph Faudree, my cousin, who passed from this life in 2002:

Beginning with George:

George Carnefix: b. 1831; m. Mary Susan Daughtery; son of William Carnefix and Nancy Holsapple.

William Carnefix: [1770-09 Sep 1856, Campbell Co., VA]. M: Nancy Holsapple; 11 children. Son of William E. Carnefix and Esther Maxey.

William E. Carnefix [1730-Nov 1812]; M: Esther Maxey; son of John Carnefix and Unknown Chesley.

John Carnefix [1711-1752]; M: Unknown Chesley; son of John Carnefix.

John Carnefix - no known data.

The Carnefix branch of my family tree is on my "to do" list for 2010.

Black Sheep Sunday - December 20, 2009

While I could not for the life of me come up with someone to write about today, I did come up with this old newspaper clipping, regarding the death of my Great-Grandfather, William M. Bean [1832-1890].

The family, hush-hush, lore, is that William was actually involved with a married woman. [He was a married man, as well!] And Eggleston was some how involved with the married woman [his wife? his sister? his daughter? I really don't know how]

Here is the clipping of the account as told in the Monroe Watchman:


"" A TERRIBLE TRAGEDY"

Taken From "THE MONROE WATCHMAN", 22 May 1890; Page 3, Col 2

"The most startling tragedy which has taken place in Monroe County for many years occurred at Gap Mills on Thursday afternoon last, May 15th, 1890 when Mr. Henry EGGLESTO, Constable of Sweet Springs District, shot and killed Deputy U.S. Marshall, Wm. M. BEANE. The circumstances leading up to the bloody finals were these:

Lewis BALLARD of this county, who is a U.S. Commissioner, had recently sured BEANE before Justice J. M. REED of Sweet Springs District and had obtained judgement. Execution was issued accordingly, which was placed in EGGLESTON's hands, and an indemnifying bond for BEANE's buggy and horse furnished. Last Thursday afternoon EGGLESTON met BEANE at Keenan P.O. pm the turnpike between Union and Gap Mills, and told him he would have to levy on the buggy and horse, which BEANE was then using. BEANE replied that he was on business for the federal government, and that he would not give them up. EGGLESTON asked him to go onto the Gap Mills and talk the matter over with Justice REED. BEANE drove off in that direction, and EGGLESTON followed on horseback. He overtook BEANE and they rode on together for several miles, talking of this and other matters in a friendly way. BEANE several times took occasion, so EGGLESTON says, to say that he would die before he would give up the buggy and horse. When they reached REED's mill at Gap Mills, they met the Justice and several other men, and some further conversation ensued. EGGLESTON insisting that his duty required him to take the buggy and horse. Finally BEANE started off when EGLLESTON summoned Mr. R.C. APPLING who standing near to assist him, and was about to attempt to take possessio of the horse and vehicle, when BEANE again remarking that he would die before he would give them up - drew his pistol. EGGLESTON was standing close by the side of the buggy and when BEANE presented his weapon in a threatening manner, he drew his own revolver quickly and fired at BEANE. The ball, which was of 32 calibre, struck BEANE just above the ear and penetrated the brain. He fell forwardfrom the buggy into the road, his pistol slipping from his hands and falling beside hi,. He was taken up by bystanders, of whom there were several, his wound bleeding profusely the while, and carried into the house of Mr. N.B. CARPENTER. Dr. D.C.PHARR was summoned, but he soon ascertained that the wound was mortal. The shooting occurred about 4 o'clock. BEANE lingered for two hours in an unconscious state, and died about 6 o'clock. Dr. PHARR called in Dr. B.F. IRONS, to act with him in making examination of the body.

EGGLESTON gave himself up and had a preliminary trial before Judge J.O.MILLER and was taken to jail at this place on Thursday night by Messrs. J.N.LEACH and John L. BLANKENSHIP.

The body of Mr. BEANE was taken to his home near Waiteville on Fridaym and his funeral took place on Saturday. The deceased was about 60 years of age, and had been an aggressive republican ever since the war, and was appointed a deputy-Marshall of the U.S. in the spring of 1889. His conduct while int his office was not such as to render him popular, and he had qualitites which made for him many enemies. At home he is said to habe been hospitable and kind , and to his family affectionate. He was a prominent member of the M.E. Church.

Mr. EGGLESTON is a plain man, and by those who know huim is believed to be thoroughly well meaning. He was elected constable by the Democrats of his district in 1888, and has made a most efficient officer. He is a man about 37 years of age, and has a wife and _____ children. Mr. EGGLESTON says that he acted solely oin self-defese in shooting Mr. BEANE, that he felt his own life was in danger, and that he had to shoot BEANE in order to protect himself.

There is no ground for lugging politics into this case. The suit which led up to the killing was brought and was being pushed by a republican. The justice before whom it was tried is a republican. EGGLESTON had nothing further to do with it than to discharge his official duties in the premises.

A coroner's inquest (which is believed to have been unneccsary), was conducted on Friday, and the jury rendered a verdict that "Wm. M. BEANE came to his death by a shot from a pistol in the hands of Henry EGGLESTON."

Monroe County had been remarkably free from deeds of lawlessness and violence, and this tragedy therefore excites more than usual interest. The affair is of course most unfortunate, and every effort should be made by our people to keep down ill feeling and suppress the tendency to introduce political differences in the consideration and trial of this case.

A special grand jury will be empaneled for the June term of our Circuit Court. Mr. EGGLESTON has retained Messrs. John OSBORNE and John I. ROWAN to defend him."

[Excuse all of the grammatical errors, but this is the way the article was then printed!]

Now, after years of attempting to get a copy of a death report, last year I finally was able to get one, from both the Justice Department, and the State of West Virginia. And they did NOT confirm the story as told above in the Watchman!

Twelve days after his death, the Department of Justice [US Marshall's Division], stepped in to take over the case.

William Bean, it was determined, was actually shot in the BACK of the head, not from the side above the ear [as the article states]. The bullet actually penetrating the back of the skull, and not exiting.

A final judgement was that Eggleston had a personal argument against Bean, and in anger did draw his weapon, and actually shot through the back of the buggy window. Bean's weapon was still holstered when he was carried to the doctor's house, according to the physician's own report.

Eggleston was by trial found guilty of murder, and sentenced to life. His sentence was commutated, and he was released in 15 years, an old and broken man.

However, the "Black Sheep" Sunday tie in?

Uh... hmmm.... it appears the family tale, told quite hush-hush, was indeed true. A married woman was involved. And Bean was having an affair with said married woman. The name and relationship to Eggleston, was not recorded in the trial records. It was ordered to be stricken, to protect the children of her marriage, as well as her "esteemed spouse" [from which I presume we can eliminate Eggleston as being!]

But, this does mean, that dear, old Great-Grandpa, well... let's just say he liked the ladies!!!

Black Sheep Sunday - December 13, 2009

Auguston Philip "Gus" Banet was born to Francis Isidore "Frank" Banet and his wife Adeline Josephine Eve on 03 Aug 1900 in Indiana. Gus was the 4th born of 8 children.

He married Anna Rice [1907-1967] and the couple had 3 children: Harold [1925-1999], Raymond [1927-2000] and Dorothy.

For most of his life Gus was a watchman at a veneer plant. While he registered for the World War I draft, I have never located a military record for him.

Gus wasn't exactly a "black sheep", although some may look at his exit from this world as such. In 1978 Gus was diagnosed with terminal cancer, and took his own life in August of that year. An unexplainable action for most of us, that is why I chose to list Gus here this day on Black Sheep Sunday.

Black Sheep Sunday - November 29, 2009

William McHarvey Bean

1832 - 1890

William Bean, also known as "Irish" and as "Uncle Willie", was born to William Bean and Rachel Wiseman Bean on Dropping Lick in Monroe County, in what is now West Virginia. William met and married Miss Margaret Smith Perkins from Fort Spring in Greenbrier County on April 26, 1852. And, as nature would take its course, a family ensued.

Life was soon interrupted with the threat of a Civil War. And families were being torn apart with the dissension. Literally torn down the middle, the Bean family was no different than many other families of the Civil War. With one exception. William, taking a stand for the Union Army, silently decided to be an undercover agent. William, already enlisted in the Union Army, undercover, enlisted in the Confederate Army.

His status remained undercover, and undetected, except by his purely Confederate father, who threatened to disown him. Two of William's brothers, Joseph Floyd Bean, and James Franklin Bean, were also enlisted in the Union Army, and were attached to an Ohio unit. This did not help their father's frustration at what appeared to be treason to the South.

To the world at large, William was true to the Bonny Blue! Then on July 13, 1864, William was taken as a Prisoner of War near Hagerstown, Maryland and sent to Elmira Prison in Elmira, New York. This was the Union's answer to the worst Confederate prisons! Prisoners who were sent to Elmira were expected to live no more than 6-months. Most wasted away to nothing more than skin stretched taut over bone. But William did not lose weight, and only spent a 6-week time in the present before being transferred, as a Union soldier, to Johnson Island in Ohio, a prison camp restricted to holding Confederate Officer's. This facility seemed more like a camp than a prison, and the inmates were treated with honor and dignity.

Shortly after William arrived in Ohio, his wife and children joined him, having moved by covered wagon pulled by oxen across enemy lines to be reunited.

Johnson Island became known for an infamous Confederate attempt to free the many officers held there with a stunning steamboat escape! However, an unknown soldier, fresh from Elmira Prison, only 2 weeks after the arrival of William at Johnson Island, thwarted the attempt by passing on vital information he had learned at the hands of the Confederate soldiers at Elmira. It is unknown if this information came from William, however, in reading Johnson Island's records, William was the most recent arrival from Elmira at that time, deductions lead one to believe it may have been he who thwarted the Confederate breakout!

Although William had 2 brothers who had also enlisted in the Union Army, he alone was singled out by family and friends in his mostly Confederate community as a "traitor to the Cause". William however, took it in stride.

In December of 1866, following the War and the birth of his son, John on the 15th of that month, and amidst the blowing, cold snows of winter, William and his family moved back to Monroe County, West Virginia. William, now recognized by the Federal Army and government as a Unionist, soon became active in local politics, and was made a U.S. Marshall. He remained so for the remainder of his life.

In 1890, a local constable named Henry Egleston, was sent to retrieve William's horse and buggy as a lien had not been paid on them. Meeting William at Keenan, he agreed to allow William to drive the horse and buggy back to his home first before taking them back to Union, the county seat. However, rounding the bend in Gap Mills, just below the first mill on the creek, Egleston, who was following closely behind William, pulled his pistol and fired through the buggy window in the rear of the buggy, hitting William in the back of the head.

William was carried to Dr. Pharr's home, just across the creek, where he died a short two hours later without ever regaining consciousness.

William was known as a "traitor to the Cause", and could be quite harsh to known Confederate sympathizer's following the War. But it is said that to his family he was loving and caring, and would have given his life in an instant for any one of them.

William McHarvey Bean was my great-grandfather, and I am proud to proclaim him my "Black Sheep" ancestor.

Black Sheep Sunday

I don't really have a "Black Sheep" in the family that I am aware of. A few naughty individuals, perhaps, no one that I can call a black sheep.

The following letter was written to a distant cousin in 1923, while he was away at school. It seems the poor fella had a penchant for spending more than his fair share of his allowance. Squandering it on frivolities and fun. Finally Mama and Papa had had enough, and this is his Mama's letter admonishing him.

"Waiteville, W.Va.
July 6th, 1923

Dearest Dwight,
Rec’d your letter yesterday evening (Thurs.) and was glad to hear from you, but you put it off quite a while to write. Well, I hope you are getting along O.K. spending holidays.
Your papa came back from his trip with Winfred, and he got another bunch of Summons’s [sic] and had to go to the Cove. He took it horse back this morning. He couldn’t get any one to run the car, for every body is so busy – no one to get. It is so hard on him. He had to go to Laurel Branch yesterday – he went there horse back too - & hes [sic] to go back tomorrow, and has to go the same way. He is just about worn out.
Well, when I got your letter asking for $40.00 more, he just simply walked the floor. It just tore him all to pieces. He said if you kept on at that rate, spending money, that you would be a beggar some day walking the streets begging.

Page 2 –
I Can’t tell you all he said, for I never saw him in such a shape. It is surely hard on me.
Well, Dwight, I said nothing to him – just let him alone – but I’m going to tell you, what I think. There is no use of spending money like you do. I’m ashamed for any one to know how much you have spent. It’s just a perfect shame.
We’re poor people, and will have to act accordingly. You spend money like a millionaire’s son. I’m so ashamed of it. Cary Mc. – only spent about $100.00 in Huntington last year, and that is a city – now you need never expect to buy popularity by spending – popularity will all be gone when your money is gone.
How are you going to get through college if you are going to spend at the rate you have been? There is no use of taking these splurdges [sic] on the train, that you have been taking – and perhaps hiring cars & taking drives – it takes money for that kind business and it will end in poverty. The Bible says “We shall reap what we sow”, and I have been observing it from all points of life – it surely holds good religiously, politically, socially and in fact in every line of life – even in business.

Page 3 –
I have gotten to an age that I can see it now. I see it now in so many homes and even in individuals, for I know the seed they have sown.
So now Dwight remember you have lived an awful fast life, to be no older than you are, and it grieves my heart to the very depth knowing that some day this spending will be felt. You can’t see it as I see it. Your eyes are blinded to the situation. You must remember that your papa and I are neither one able to work, and it has been an awful sacrifice to do without you, but we did for your own benefit. For you have to face the tide of life - & we did not want you to be without an education but we don’t want you to be so extravagant for we surely will reap it, and then the “hissers” will stand off and say, when hard times comes, that we wasted our living. I want to mention a case, but

Page 4 –
I know you’ll “hiss & hiss” at it, but I want to see the difference in 15 yrs. from now.
There is Charles Clarkson riding to Ronceverte to the normal there, starting at 6 o’clock every morning. His mother says they have no money to spend on him, for they are not able, he is determined to go through & he is getting along fine and he helps out through the section where he lives surely commends him for his perserverance. Now I would like to see which one you boys have an undependent living when you are 30 yrs. You spend & Charley saves. You say he does not get anything out of life. Perhaps he’ll get more than we think.
Well, I have written enough about this & if you don’t heed from what I have written, you won’t heed, if I write more. Now please take care of your money and don’t take these splurdges [sic] to the Coal fields & other places, you never tld me anything about these things but others have. Now dear! Don’t spend your money foolishly. You surely have spent a lot this week, for you told me when you left, you had $10.00 – My! My! Where does it go to? Now I’m sending you a check on the Farmers Bank you papa did not have it in the Bank of Monroe. Now make this go as far as you can. Surely $25.00, counting the ten dollars in, should be enough to run you. It surely seems to that $15.00 more should run you.

{Note in margin at top of page 5}
Don’t you think $15.00 more will run you? Your board is payed [sic] up to the ed of the term, and I don’t see why you need to spend so much.

Page 5 –
Now I know you’ll not like this letter, but I have written it for your own personal benefit. And I want you to treasure my advice as a “Pearl of great price”, for I know it is worth something to you. I have known so many boys that lived a fast life to the Tide finally went against them. I saw an estimate of how many boys out of every hundred had an independent living and it surprised me – only, from four to six. I think that is awful, and this number, doubtless may have been called “tight wads” as you term it, but I would rather be a Tight Wad than pauper. Your papa said please, please, save your money and don’t taking these splurdges [sic]. I see in the Watchman where Irma Mc. Of Union & Miss Vanstavern were both hurt – now this is the way a fast life ends. Since I read this I have been so uneasy about you, for I know how well you like to run a car,

Page 6 –
& how you like to have a good time with the girls. Now I warn you again not to be spending your money splurdging [sic]. Please, O please, take my advice. I don’t want you to call this a fussy letter. Please listen to a loving mother, the best friend you have ever had on earth, or ever will have in this world. I would spend my life for you, and willing to go in rags for you [sic] benefit. Now listen to my counsel, & take my advice. I have not been feeling so well this week. If I am not better when you come home, I’m going to the springs – I’ll have to do some thing. Now try to make your money go as far as you can. Your papa says he wont [sic] borrow any more money, but he is giving you this. We want you to have a little bit after your school is out in the spring – if all works well & you keep your health. Now please, please be a good boy – I have always had so much confidence in you, and have had to take a many of an abuse for it – nevertheless I couldn’t help but have the utmost confidence in your being an upright – good moral boy. I only wish you were a Christian boy – am going to write you about last named sometime.
I always write too much – but when I’m give you about get such long letters [sic] , as old mother write – I enjoy writing to you so much.
Be good.
Bye, Bye.
Mamma "

The letter was written to Dwight McCormick [1904-1977] by his mother, Josie Anne Williams McCormick [1868-1953]. Dwight's father was Leonidas Wellington McCormick [1867-1944] [also known as "Bud".]

Bud was the son of Joseph Preston McCormick [1842-1915] and Martha Caroline Bean [1836-1893]. Martha was the daughter of my great-great grandparents. Therefore Bud and my grandfather were first cousins. So, Dwight and my father were second cousins, making him my second cousin - once removed [I think!].

We recently had the opportunity to read through a huge collection of old letters found in his family's old home. What a treat it was! And this particular letter caught my eye.

This is a wonderful lesson for young people today, as well as the lesson you would hope young Dwight received from it!

Black Sheep Sunday

Allan wasn't a quiet boy. He was a hell-raiser from the moment he could walk and talk.

He stayed in and out of trouble his entire life! He drank, he smoked, and he played as hard as he lived. At one point he even left his home state just to stay out of prison, knowing full-well that if he stayed he'd be in trouble one more time. And there was the "Three-Strikes" law. He'd be gone for good.

But everyone loved him. Irregardless of the things he did, and his wild ways, there wasn't a soul who didn't love him.

Eventually his wild ways caught up with him. And Allan was diagnosed with "The Big C", cancer.

Allan went home to spend the remainder of his days at his sister's house in Texas. Where he could be near those who loved him most. And best.

Allan was my husband's only full-brother. Their mother had 7 children. John and Allan were born with her first husband, Joe. Gary and JoAnn to her second husband, Ray. And David, Sandy and Richard were to her third husband, Eddie.

The whole family gathered in the summer after Allan was diagnosed. It was a reunion to celebrate life.

At this point, Allan was undergoing chemo therapy. His head was covered by a cowboy hat (as most are in the southern part of Texas). When Allan took off his hat, his baldness was hidden by a tatoo where his hair had once been. Wild boy to the end, a big "F. . . . You" [expletive omitted] was tatooed there.

It was a bittersweet reunion. While Allan was so full of life at the time, and the reunion was upbeat, those of us who lived a great distance away knew that it was also the last time we would ever see him.

In a quiet moment that week, Allan told me he'd found Jesus. He said there were so many things he was sorry about in his life, but he knew where he was headed. It was a comfort.

Several months later the call came one evening that Allan was gone. It was so hard to think of losing him. And so we have chosen to recall the funny, vibrant man that spent that week with us at the family reunion!

A couple of years later, when the family matriarch died, Allan's ashes were retrieved, and buried at her foot. A small stone lists his name and dates. When we visit the cemetery, it still seems so unreal, and we are approaching the 10th anniversary of losing him!

But, Allan was the black sheep. And as such, the perpetual joke stands, whenever someone gets into trouble that they are "pulling an Allan".

And the old Allan quote that will last for many years yet to come within the family stands as: "It's only wrong if you get caught!"

. Allan Ray Henry [1950-2001]