Christine Williams Toddler Portrait

My mother, Christine Williams. Photo taken approx. 1955, in Ashland, Kentucky. My mother and I recently came across a box of pictures and old 8mm film reels. This picture was in the box, along with many others, that I’ll be posting on here in the near future. I’m sending the 8mm film reels to Just8mm.com for conversion to DVD. Upon receipt, I’ll be posting the old home movies on YouTube.

Brian Davis – Christine Davis (Williams)

Lt. Col. Ewing Stuart Watson, the father of my aunt, Fran Davis (Watson), was born in Bowie, Texas, on 5/21/1918.  Stuart served during World War II as a B17 pilot in the 533rd Bombardment Squadron, 381st Bomb Group.  He flew 47 B17 missions over Europe and received the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters, and the European-African-Middle Eastern (EAME) Campaign Medal with 6 Bronze Service Stars.  Stuart passed away 1/13/2008 and is buried in Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery.

Ewing Stuart Watson and Crew Picture

Many thanks to Fran and Paul Watson for providing many pictures, documents, and information on their father’s service for my family tree World War II project. Please check back periodically for updates on the project. If you have anything you’d like to contribute, please send me an email.

Brian Davis – James Michael Davis [brother of Kenneth Allan Davis (son-in-law of  Ewing Stuart Watson)]

My family and I took a recent road trip to Tyler, Texas. On the way, I took pictures of Pleasant Hill Cemetery, located southwest of Bullard, Texas on FM 2137.

Richard Ruel Tarrant, my 3rd great grand uncle, was born 8/13/1859 in Cherokee County, Texas.  Richard was 51 years-old at the time of his death. His gravesite, along with those of his wife, Melissa Gabrielle Tarrant (Cole), and several members of her family are located at Pleasant Hill Cemetery.

Brian Davis – James Michael Davis – James Nead Davis – Margie Leaine Davis (Kirkpatrick) – Woodie Tarrant Kirkpatrick – Mary Louise Oliphant/Kirkpatrick (Tarrant/sister of Richard Ruel Tarrant)

This obituary is of my 3rd great grandfather, George Milligan, and was featured in the 7/30/1907 edition of the Lancaster Daily Eagle:

DEATH OF OLR SOLDIER

Mr. George Milligan, aged about 60 years, a veteran of the Civil war, died today at his home in Oakland, after only a few days’ illness. He leaves a wife and five children to mourn. He was also a brother-in-law of Mrs. William Rogers of Lancaster. Mrs. Rogers will go to Oakland Wednesday morning.

The following appeared in the 8/1/1907 edition of the Lancaster Daily Eagle:

The following persons were called to attend the funeral of Mr. George Milligan, which was conducted this forenoon at 10 o’clock: Mr. and Mrs. W.E. Rodgers, Mr. and Mrs. Ed Cave, Mrs. Ned Wait, Mrs. Andrew Saum.

Many thanks to Charlotte Dittmar for her assistance in locating and mailing the final Lancaster, Ohio obituary. She has been an enormous help with my research.

Brian Davis – Christine Davis (Williams) – Ralph Scott Williams Jr. – Nellie Ruth Williams (Waits) – Mellie Waits (Milligan) – George Milligan

Houston National Cemetery Hemicycle

Although no direct family relations are buried there, my family and I visited the Houston National Cemetery in Houston, Texas yesterday. The cemetery is beautiful and very well maintained. It was a nice, sunny day, although a bit windy and chilly. We hope to visit again this summer when the grass is greener and the flowers are in bloom. Click here for the entire picture set from our visit.

My wife’s co-worker, Bruce Alan Johnson, recently passed away, and is buried there. His obituary appeared in the Houston Chronicle 12/21/2009:

Bruce Alan Johnson Headstone

BRUCE A. JOHNSON, 62, of Houston, passed away on Friday, Dec. 18, 2009. He was born on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 27, 1947, in Galesburg, IL to Floy and Herman Johnson. After years of service to the US Military and Texas Children’s Hospital, he leaves behind four sisters and two brothers, Leslie Fletcher of Houston, TX, Kathy (Donald) Bell of Aledo, IL, Randi (Bruce) Richardson of El Cajon, CA, and Sue (Rob) Carey of Katy, TX, Steve (Kristy) Johnson of Galesburg, IL, and Craig Johnson of Pittsburg, PA, along with several nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by both his mother and father.Visitation will be at Earthman Bellaire Funeral Home from 6-8 p.m., 6700 Ferris St., Tues., Dec. 22, 2009. The funeral will be held Wed., Dec. 23rd, 2009 11 a.m., at Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church, 4930 West Belfort, Houston, Texas 77035. Donations may be made to the Texas Children’s Auxillary and Voluntary Services and Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church, both of Houston, Texas. On-line condolences may be made at MEM.com

There are also three Congressional Medal of Honor recipients and a renowned veteran/Congressman buried in the cemetery:

From the Houston National Cemetery website:

First Lieutenant Raymond L. Knight, (World War II), U.S. Army Air Corps. Northern Po Valley, Italy, on April 25, 1945. His remains were relocated to Houston National Cemetery on April 25, 1992.

Staff Sergeant Macario Garcia, (World War II), U.S. Army, Company B, 22nd Infantry, 4th Infantry Division. Grosshau, Germany, Nov. 27, 1944.

Captain James H. Fields, (World War II), U.S. Army, 10th Armored Infantry, 4th Armored Division. Near Rechicourt, France, Sept. 27, 1944.

Albert Thomas Headstone

From the Houston National Cemetery website:

The most renowned veteran buried in the cemetery is the late Honorable Albert Thomas, United States Congressman from Texas. Congressman Thomas served as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Army during World War I, and served almost 30 years in the U.S. House of Representatives. He was instrumental in getting this cemetery established by Congress. “Congressman Albert,” as his many friends knew him, died in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 15, 1966, and was buried in the mall area of the Houston National Cemetery, on Feb. 18, 1966.

It’s time for some recent family history… Using Apple iMovie ’09, I put together a video of my children’s first visit to Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. We took the trip in May 2009. I hope you enjoy it!

Brian Davis