Tuesday, December 29, 2015

Standing where Levi stood

My mother's great-grandfather's name was Levi Wheeler Cline, who lived most of his life in Elliott Co., Kentucky.  Though my mother was only two years old when he died, she can still recount the stories her father told of growing up with Levi and his wife, Alcie [Ailsey, Alice], who had died four years earlier.
There are three men named Levi Wheeler Cline in the area of Elliott Co., Kentucky.  Whether this is our Levi or not is not yet determined.

Several years ago, my sisters and I, along with our Aunt Betty, decided to visit the cemetery where Levi and Alcie are buried, and to see if there were any tombstones we had missed.  We had been to the same cemetery years earlier, but parts of it were overgrown.

I discovered the tombstone of my mother's grandmother, who died just eight years after her young husband, Richard Stephens, leaving four young boys.  Her parents, Levi and Alcie would end up raising those boys, plus another one she had when she remarried.

This picture of Richard Stephens and Ida Mae Cline was taken through the glass, and still hangs in my aunt and uncle's home.


Levi's stone is there, but I couldn't find Alcie's anywhere.  Notice the Masonic symbol on his gravestone.

So, on this trip I took with my sisters and my aunt, I decided it might be good to see if his house was still remaining.  We were certainly close to the property, and my aunt believed if we went in a certain direction we may just happen upon it.

It involved driving across a field

And, across that field came two men in a pick-up truck, complete with deer hooves on the back window and shotguns.

"Whatchall doing down here?"

My sisters froze.  My aunt stayed quiet.

In my best Kentucky twang, I told them were were looking for my Mama's family, and asked what their Mama's name was.

After a bit more talking, they took us over a hill to a run-down house that they declared was indeed Levi Wheeler Cline's house that he had built with his own hands.

I was standing on property that belonged to my great-grandfather that he had built with his own hands.  Try to look past the condition of it now, and look at what type of home it would have been then.


I am just fascinated at the work it took to saw those logs and chink them against winter's chill.

One of the "good ol' boys" asked if I would like to go inside.  Sure!!  Then, he went back to the pick-up truck, reached under the seat, grabbed a pistol, and said, "Come on!"

Okay, now wait a minute.  If you're getting your pistol, I'm getting mine.  He said to me not to worry, that it was just for copperheads.  That's fine.  Here's my camera.

He came back out with a brick that was from his hand-built fireplace!!!

I feel very strongly about being able to stand where our ancestors stood, looking at the same hills and skies that they did.  The trees were probably not the same ones, but everything else was, including the cemetery.

Become proficient in land records, so you can do the same!

14 comments:

  1. That is an absolutely incredible experience and a great story!

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    1. Thank you, Anna!

      There really is a connection when you stand on the land your ancestors stood. But, we have to watch for the "good ol' boys", too!

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    1. Thank you, dear Susan!

      I feel like I need to go back and see if that house is still standing. But, I'll take Mr. Kerry. He's big and tall, and could be quite intimidating to a "good ol' boy".

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  3. Such a neat story! I was on vacation in Tennessee last week and visited the same county where some of my ancestors used to live. Even just knowing I was in the same county (at the opposite end) gave me chills. I couldn't imagine being in the actual house where they lived!

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    1. Karissa, I know exactly how you felt.

      Sometimes when we are traveling through Virginia, I look around at the counties where my people came from, and I wonder why in the world they ever left. It is so beautiful!

      I feel that connection when I am in those counties, for we are looking at what they saw, seeing their neighborhoods, roads they may have traveled, etc.

      I would love to back and see if this house is still standing.

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  4. What a thrill to be able to actually find the house and to see the workmanship. The copperhead thing would have freaked me out, but thankfully your "tour guide" was aware and prepared.

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    1. Oh, Michelle! It was a thrill, indeed!

      When I saw those hewn timbers and the gaps that would have had to have been filled and chinked, I could almost imagine myself right there with the family.

      But, the copperhead thing was almost more than I could bear. Y'all just go right on in there with my camera, and I'll be here "if" you come out alive.

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  5. I grew up in the house that my great great grandfather Clark Taber/Tabor built in Adamsville RI. This year I also visited St. Mary's Church in Stockport UK where another great great grandfather William Watters and his wife Mary Hanson were married and his son, my great grandfather Joseph Watters was baptized.

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    1. Oh, my goodness! What a treasure to grow up in a house that felt the workmanship of his hands!!

      There's quite a feeling that overtakes you when you stand where they have stood, isn't there?

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  6. I believe you and I are related. Levi Wheeler Cline was my Great-Great-Great Grandfather on my father's side. I found your site doing a Google search for Levi.

    I'd love to hear more or see more if you have any other information.

    Tim

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    1. Oh, I hope we are related! Do you know which of his children you come through?

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    2. His son Henry Jackson Cline is the side of the family I am from. How about you?

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    3. I come through Henry Jackson Cline's side of the family. I'd love to hear more about your experiences and knowledge.

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