Wetzel Ancestry - A Tree of Life
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Freeland Raymond, Amanda ThisWeek 20180126JMB
20180127 RVA-
From: Jeannette Buck [mailto:skyscribbler@zitomedia.net]
Sent: Friday, January 26, 2018 3:46 PM
To: Starla Carleton Cairns
Subject: This Week
I complain a lot. Especially in the bitter cold weather we have been having. And, while I complain, I am sitting in my warm home; gazing out of the window watching traffic zip by on a paved highway. My computer sits on the desk as does my phone. The TV blinks on at the click of a button.
Across the kitchen the coffee maker sputters and spits and lets me know that my morning cup is ready. The thermostat sends the furnace in to action and my breakfast cooks in the microwave.
My goodness! I have a tough life, don’t I?
While looking for something else the other day, I stumbled across a column I wrote at some time or other. When I saved the clipping, I failed to record a date. In any case, I discussed, as I so often do, the story of Daniel and Amanda Raymond, the earliest settlers of this place where I live. As I read it over, I wondered, again, just what it was that prodded those hardy people on-- away from their comfort zone, not once, but twice into an entirely unknown part of the world.
At first, it may have been a simple sense of adventure for those Raymond brothers, William and Daniel. And, of course, there was the promise of open lands waiting for the claiming. They first left their homes in Massachusetts and settled in Tioga County, NY; put down roots and began their families around 1817. However, twenty years or so later, they got the urge to move on once more. Daniel made the exploration trip to Potter County in 1835 along with his brother and four other men. Once they had staked their claims, they went back to round up their families and bring them to their new home. I doubt the women had a great deal of choice in the matter, unless, of course, they wished to raise their families alone. And that was not really a viable option.
The following is from my previous column; with a few embellishments.
I wish I knew more about the woman who was willing to follow Daniel Raymond not once, but twice into unsettled country. The first time they were young, newly-married and unburdened. It probably seemed like a wonderful adventure. The second time, however, they had a large family and were approaching middle age. And she had just given birth to her ninth child. The hardships of leaving loved ones behind; knowing full well that they would never see them again, boggles my mind. To say nothing of the isolation that they surely knew awaited them.
I have a picture of Amanda Raymond, taken in her old age. She gazes from the frame with very little expression. Also, there is a small swatch of cloth; which was, according to family story, woven by her. I have no knowledge of weaving. However, is of a beautiful and delicate design; possibly intended as a sampler. A woman who could have created such a piece must have loved beauty and took pride in fine work.
Amanda Raymond died in her 81st year and the home she had helped her husband create out of the wilderness was a landmark for new settlers. Her husband outlived her by several years, dying just a few weeks short of his 100th birthday.
As a child, I was fascinated by the stories told by my Great-grandmother, who was the granddaughter of Daniel and Amanda. In time, I came to realize that she wasn’t simply telling us adventure tales. Her grandparents truly did bring their family through the ancient forest with wagons pulled by oxen. They did hear panthers and wolves howling from the hillsides at night. The women bore their children alone and when necessary, they buried their dead alone.
Out of all of this, they created homes, towns, built schools and churches and raised respected families.
Wow!
And, here I sit. Warm and comfortable; waiting for my coffee to brew while I browse the Internet. I expect that if Amanda Raymond could see my house today she would be as mind-boggled as I would be if I walked in to hers.
I am sure of a few things. My house is warmer. The lights are brighter. My supper is waiting in the fridge and I don’t have to chop wood before I cook it.
I admire that lady and all of those other brave first comers. I am proud to say that I descend from her. Because of Amanda and Daniel and their family, I am at home in this place where I live. But, my life is infinitely easier and much more comfortable than theirs was.
I’ll stop complaining, now.
-Photo-
Amanda Freeland Raymond
| Date | 1/27/2018 3:42:13 PM |
| File name | Freeland Raymond, Amanda ThisWeek 20180126JMB.jpg |
| File Size | 39.52k |
| Dimensions | 398 x 525 |
| Linked to | This Week, by J.M.Buck; Family: / |
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