One Teenager, Two Years

Her name was Belle, she lived in southern Tennessee.  In 1913, at age 18, she married Reuben, age 49.  Reuben had previously been married and had other children.  Belle and Reuben had one baby, Reuben, within 16 months. In 1916, Belle left Reuben, her husband, and Reuben, their two-year old child. Belle was my grandmother.  She went on to be married four more times.  I saw her perhaps three times in my life when I was a child. Belle died in 1967 or 1968. Reuben was her only child.

Grandpa Reuben ran a small grocery store and taught school.  Dad said he would ride behind him on a horse going to school every day.  Grandpa Reuben died in 1933 when my Dad was 18 years old.  Dad said that his half-sister, Mildred, 'raised him.'  Dad also said that, "I stayed in my senior year in high school for two years because there was nuthin' else to do."

Here's the family Grandpa Reuben never knew: Dad married my mother, Adeline, in 1941.  They had 4 children, me and my 3 brothers, Grandpa Reuben's grandchildren.  We have/had a total of 5 spouses.  Together, we have/had a total of 18 children, Grandpa Reuben's great-grandchildren, my children, nieces and nephews.  Grandpa Reuben now has 18 great-great-grandchildren, the grandchildren of myself and my brothers.  (I'm not counting their spouses.)  None of these have married or have children, so far.  Added together, these family members number 47!  Isn't that awesome, 47 people from the marriage of one teenager and a much older man!  We'll have a lot of catching up to do when we get to the great reunion party in Heaven, God willing!

Since I've joined ancestry.com this past March 3rd, and began my search of relatives, I'm finding out so much I never knew, and, indeed, my parents never knew.  So far, I have copies of Grandpa Reuben's marriage certificate and death certificate.  My Grandmother Belle had sisters and brothers.  I feel like a kid in the biggest ice cream shop on earth!  Where will I go next?

There are many blessings in all this, and many lessons we can learn.  1) Families are very, very interesting!  2) Each and every family member is important!  3) Passing on the medical history of the various family members will help the living members. (Grandpa Reuben's death certificate said Cause of Death was "Cardiac Asthma."  My Dad Reuben developed asthma in his later years and died of pneumonia.) 4) Families develop strengths and weaknesses.  We need to champion our family's strengths!

What do you know about your 'people?'

Oh, Lord, today I thank you for the ability to research my elders.  Help me continue through many more generations to discover the various places we have been planted and the various talents we have grown! Thank you for having me as your child!