Easter is a blessing …..from the past to the present …..

Easter was the most important holiday for our Smith Family. Grandpa Everett was a Methodist Minister. He knew the importance of the holiday and lived it each and every day throughout his life. He knew that Jesus died for our sins on the cross on Good Friday and rose again on Sunday to be with his father in heaven. Everett knew that he too would one day rise again and live in Heaven. And he shared this message of love with everyone he came in contact with. His delivered this message with such confidence and ease, it made it easy for us all to believe. His spirit created a sense of well being when you were around him. It gave you the desire to stay and enjoy his company. His gentle voice surrounded you much like the warm hugs which he offered freely. I felt totally safe and secure when he wrapped his arms around me. He seemed to always know what to say and when to say it.

When I think back about him and all the people whose lives that he touched, I am in awe. All the marriage he performed which created new families and all the baptisms he performed as those families grew. This is a photo of the couples he married in one of his 8 congregations and the children he baptized and the teens which he confirmed.

Everett was very active during the summer with the summer young adult camps north of Port Huron in Lakeport which today is known as the Lake Huron Retreat Center. He touched the lives of all these young people during one camp retreat with his quiet, gentle loving style.

 

 

 

It makes me wonder how often we realize the impact that we have on the people around us each day. How many of those people do we “trespass against” without a second thought? We go through our daily lives “doing our thing” with little thought about the people whom we come in contact with.

 

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved."
 
I would like to remind you that each and every day we are given many chances to impact others as they cross our paths. Jesus made a point of making each of these daily events or occurrences count. He used them to teach the lessons of life. He showed people how to truly love one another and live in harmony. As I think about Grandpa Everett, I realize that he did his human best to try to do the same. May the blessings of this Easter teach us to be gentle in spirit and full of love for each other! And a beautiful new world will evolve!


Much love and blessing to you on this Easter morning!

Jan

Tombstone Tuesday - March 23, 2010

John Densmore was born in Darlington, Ontario on November 8, 1839. He is the son of John and Clarissa (Blake) Densmore.  John  married Sarah Reynolds in Canada on June 18, 1856.  Between 1859 and 1861, John and his family came to the United States and settled in rural St Clair County near, Smith’s Creek, Michigan. John served in the Civil War in the Michigan 11th Infantry, Company K.  He enlisted as a Private on February 25, 1865 at the age of 26 in Jackson,  Michigan.  His ocupation was listed as Farmer on his enlistment papers. He mustered out on Septemeber 16, 1865 in Nashville, Tennessee.

He would after the War work for a time as a ship carpenter.  John died in Smith's Creek, Michigan and was buried in Smith's Cemetery.  Eventually his remains were moved to Woodlawn Cemetery to be buried next to his wife Sarah L. Densmore.

My Irish Roots

My Irish roots belong to the Densmores' and the McGoogans'.  Rather like the Hatfields' and the McCoys' without the fued.  On my Mother’s side the Irish roots come from the Densmore Family.

This photo is of the Charles Denmore Family of Marine City Michigan.

In the front row from left to right are: Mary Catherine, Mary Morgan (Hayner) , Harry Hayner, Charles S. holding Alan Glen, John Reynolds

In the second row, from left to right are: Jay Morgan, Elizabeth L., Charles Ray, Addie Jane , Dorothy S.

Addie Jane was my Grandmother. She was born in 1890. She died of breast cancer before I was born in April of 1955. Her Father , Charles is the son of John and Sarah (Reynolds) Densmore from Ontario, Canada. They had ten children, Elizabeth M (1857), William W.(1859) , George Elmer(1861),Alice V.(1863), Charles S. (1864), Effie M ( 1867)., Norman A. (1869), Delbert D.(1871), Worthy L (1873) , and Harvey R. (1882). John Jr. was born in 1839 in Darlington, Ontario. John’s father was John Denmore Sr. was born in Ireland in 1803. He left who came to Canada during the potato famine in Ireland. He married Clarissa Blake in Darlington, Ontario and they had 5 children, Nancy (1836), John Jr.(1839), William (1842), Mary(1843) and James (1850.

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On my Dad’s side of the Family I have a Great Great grandmother whose maiden name was McGoogan, Amanda McGoogan. Amanda was married to John Henry Crites. I have spoke about both these people several time before in my Blogs. They are a sweet couple that I have grown to cherish. I do not have a family photo of the Emma (Amanda) McGoogan's family which I can share with you but the photos that I have are of Emma (Amanda) after she was married.

John Crites(1845, Dessie Crites(1887), Amanda (1856) (Also known as Emma McGoogan) Crites, standing behind Cora Crites (1875)
 
 

 

This was always a favorite photo of Emma and John because he is looking so thoughtfully at her and not at the camera.  I have some information about this couple which indicate that there was a time when Emma was very sick.  I am suspecting that this is the time period in which this photo was taken.

And the last Photo is of their home in Uniondale, Indiana.

Just a sweet couple standing proudly outside their home. It is interesting that the deed to this house was in Emma's name only.  She purchased it after the death of her parents. I love the hosta blooming next to John.  It looks like a "Big Blue " to me.  Since it is blooming that would make this in late July or August probably.

I am happy to say that these are my known Irish roots!  Happy St Patty's Day and may the luck of the Irish be with you!

Love,

Jan