Cherokee Christmas

Cherokee Supreme Court Museum - Image source: http://nativenewsonline.net/

I found this informative article posted at the Cherokee Phoenix yesterday which tells of an exhibit honoring the Christian work of the Moravian missionaries among the Cherokee people:

Cherokee Christmas exhibit opens Dec. 8

BY STAFF REPORTS

12/06/2017 12:00 PM
TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – Experience the first Cherokee Christmas through a holiday exhibit at the Cherokee National Supreme Court Museum.

Cherokee Christmas shares the story of how Moravian missionaries brought holiday celebrations to the Cherokee people in 1805. The exhibit features information about how traditions began and displays decorations similar to what was used at the Vann’s Georgia home during the first Cherokee Christmas.

The Cherokee National Supreme Court Museum is at 122 E. Keetoowah St. It is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

Originally built in 1844, it is Oklahoma’s oldest public building. The 1,950-square-foot museum features exhibits in three historic aspects: the Cherokee national judicial system, the Cherokee Advocate and Cherokee Phoenix newspapers and the Cherokee language, with historical items, including photos, stories, objects and furniture.

For information call 1-877-779-6977 or visit www.VisitCherokeeNation.com.

URL: http://www.cherokeephoenix.org/Article/index/11807

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I plan to research the missionary work of the Moravians among Native Americans and will post those findings at this blog.

Dear Father in Heaven,

Thank You for the work of the Moravian missionaries and other followers of Christ among the native people of North America and throughout the world. I pray You will honor their efforts to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ and bring many more people to Yourself.

I ask in the name of Your Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ for the mighty outpouring of Your Spirit upon all peoples, tribes and tongues to continue.

In Lord Jesus Name, I pray. Amen

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Somers Scottish Connections

In the mid 1970's my dad traveled to Scotland while serving in the Air National Guard. When he returned home, I remember him telling me that while he was there, he visited Edinburgh Castle and found a book that contained the names of those who had served in the Scottish military hundreds of years ago... And much to his surprise, there were many named "Somers" listed in the book. Dad also tells the story of a bed and breakfast owner who spelled the Somers name correctly when he first checked in. He was surprised because most folks want to add an extra "m" or spell it like the season. He complimented her for getting the spelling correct, to which she replied "Is there any other way to spell it?" These two events prompted him to do some family research while in Scotland and when he returned home, he was convinced the Somers family had roots there. Yesterday while researching the Somers family from Caswell, County, NC, I came across information ...

A Scots Cherokee? Possibly...

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Cherokee Confederate Veterans Reunion taken in New Orleans in 1903

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Excellent Resource for those with Scottish Roots: 'Jardine's Book of Martyrs'

A Rare List of Covenanter Baptisms #History #Scotland #genealogy By Dr. Mark Jardine - Posted March 30, 2016 Image from Jardine's Book of Martyrs Excerpt: A remarkable document survives from the field preachings of the late 1670s. It is a list of baptisms conducted ‘in Fields and other places’ in Torphichen parish, Linlithgowshire, between 1675 and 1679. One of the things that makes individual Covenanters of the 1680s and their children hard to trace is their withdrawal from the established church that produced records of births and marriages. Among those who had children baptised were two individuals of particular significance, Edward Marshall , who was hanged in 1685, and George Hill , one of the leaders of the United Societies. A third name, Patrick Walker in Slamannan parish is probably Patrick Walker ‘in Drumcria’, aka. Drumclair. He may be the Patrick Walker who wrote the lives of Cameron, Cargill etc. Walker did know people in Torphichen parish and ...

Five Generations of Godly Womanhood

Image is from the Clay County Courier, Corning, Arkansas, March 28, 1968 * The article states that a strong family resemblance is noted, and the strong family resemblance continues today in 2015 (90+ yrs. since this photo was taken) for the descendants of these lovely women. ** This article states the mother of Nancy (Jones) Wright as Nancy Jones, but the Somers Family Bible, as recorded by Lillian Mae (Weaver) Somers, states Mary Ann Jones as the mother of Nancy Wright. I have found that Lillian's records in the Family Bible are accurate in other matters and believe the name used in this article for the 85 year old Mrs. Jones may be a misprint.

Notes on Grandmother Lillian Mae's Heritage

Grandmother Lillian Mae Weaver/Somers Grandmother Lillian Mae Weaver/Somers told me as a child our ancestry was "Black Welsh" and "Blackfoot Indian." I remember asking her what is a "Black Welsh"? And Grandma replied that it simply meant we had dark hair and dark eyes. Here are my notes regarding Grandma's family surnames and their origin: Weaver - English origin. (Father's surname) Wright (Mother's surname) - English or Scottish origin. Casteal or Casteel (paternal Grandmother) - Dutch or Spanish origin. Jones (maternal Grandmother) - Welsh origin. Burdett (paternal Great Grandmother) - French or English origin. The Jones name certainly points to our Welsh ancestry, but what does "Black Welsh" mean? Wikipedia has a stub article which says: Black Welsh people are inhabitants of Wales who have an African or a Caribbean background. Wales is home to one of the United Kingdom's oldest Afro communities, an...

Annie Somers Gilchrist: A Christian, Prolific Author and Patriotic Lady of the South

Annie Somers Gilchrist is the daughter of James Somers , a younger brother to John Somers Jr. the eldest son of Capt. John Somers and Catherine Arden of Caswell County, North Carolina and who is the patriarch of our branch of the Somers family. Annie was born March 30, 1841 in Dresden, Tennessee and went to be with the Lord on February 2, 1912 at the age of 70 years. She married John A. Gilchrist in 1859. (Source: Annie Somers Gilchrist (1841-1912) - Find a Grave Memorial ) Annie had a unique perspective on the War Between the States and wrote about her experiences in the novel Katherine Somerville Or The Southland Before and After the Civil War. While using fictional names, the novel tells us what life was like for her and her family during this turbulant period in our nation's history. Annie begins by recounting her idyllic childhood and what it was like to grow-up on a Southern plantation, referred to as "The Oaks." She also gives ...

The Circuit Riding Preacher

Editor's Note : I'm so happy to share this bit of America's Christian history with you! Great Grandfather Henry Francis Somers was a "Circuit Rider" for the Baptist Church in the Southern Missouri/Tennessee/Arkansas region and areas beyond! What a wonderful legacy he has left for his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Know therefore that the Lord thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;... Deuteronomy 7:9 (KJV)

This Day In Presbyterian History: The Trail of Tears

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Taking a seat for what is right and good

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Our Somers Family Heritage

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