from the Old Farmer’s Almanac

Curious Cures for a Headache—

“Squeeze the flesh between the thumb and first finger of the other hand for 30 seconds. Repeat two or three times.”

from The Old Farmer’s Almanac

“A year of snow, crops will grow”

A several-inch layer of snow contains more air than ice. Trapped between the interlocking snowflakes, the air serves to insulate the plants beneath it. When the snow melts, the water helps to keep the ground moist.

Old farmer’s almanac

“If there is thunder in winter, it will snow 7 days later”

We will soon see???

Hash Genealogy and Research

I would like to help all those interested in their family heritage research. I have been at this for 25+ years and can offer some good advice. I am trying to continue my Hash family research and ask all to help me in this endeavor. I always work free and never charge for my personal services. I always ask for you to return the favor if I help you find a missing link. This is how genealogy works.

Contact me at larryhash@triad.rr.com or on Facebook and Twitter if you need my help or can add to my Hash family research.

Have a good new year.

Hashes of Grayson County, VA [1720’s-2010]

My immediate family October 2, 2010

This group photo was taken on an excursion to the  lands at the foot of Buck Mountain on Brible Creek where William Hash , Sr. first settled in the mid 1760’s. Much of these lands are currently in the hands of his descendents.

You are invited to my website on the Hashes of Grayson County, VA  genealogy.

I would like for all Hash relatives to join me in this genealogy project.

THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO COST  INVOLVED ON YOUR PART!!!

I have over 25,000 Hash related names in my data base and love to share with all those interested. I have a pretty good catalogue of most Hash males born prior to 1900 including many complete families. However, I am missing some.

I also collect copies of old Hash photos and welcome any with proper identification. Do not send me originals and be sure to NOT write on the old photos!! You can copy the original and write all over the copy.

If you want to find you Hash link with the past, let me know. I ask in return that you share your families with me for others to be able to find their links. I try to protect all living people by not publically publishing dates and sensitive info. If you want that info, it has to be in private [e-mail or snail mail]!!

I descend from the first Hashes arriving in Fincastle County, VA around the 1760’s. That is presently Grayson County, VA. The first surveys for these families were dated 1774 but the pioneers had lived there a least a decade before the land was released for surveys in 1773 [following the Indian wars].

I know my forefathers back  7 or 8 generations and know where all of my previous 7 Hash grandfathers are buried. I have traced and identified several 6th cousins and well as hundreds of 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th cousins. I have proved these connection with DNA.

Larry (me) -Kyle-Andrew-Benjamin-Abram-William, Jr.-William, Sr.–maybe “old” John —–all direct Hashes descending from Fincastle Co., VA.

I cannot go back further than the 1720’s nor can I tell you the country of origin. I know of no one who can prove  [even slightly] the history prior to the 1720’s.

I welcome all Hash related responses and hope I can work out more of the missing links.

Let me know  at  larryhash@triad.rr.com .

Thanks,

Hashes in Grayson–UPDATED

My Hash family

 

—–UPDATE———

 In the few weeks since my family ventured into Grayson Co, VA as a group, several interesting conversations have occurred. Of the 28 members attending, most have reflected that they would remember the trip for a long time.

Surprisingly, the younger ones were the most intrigued about the country and its environment. They kept asking questions and  were very curious about the simplest things. In their short life spans, they had mostly been city kids and were not used to cow patties, running water in a stream with fish , ducks floating in the still waters of Fox Creek, the tremendous views of the surrounding mountains, and the clear, fresh, warm and sunny day without traffic and sirens.

My nephews and nieces were awed at the history of the place. They could not believe that William Hash, Sr. had settled the 430 acres around 1765. We all wondered how Wm. came to pick this area and build his settler’s cabin here. Where did be put his new home? Was he married here? [Most of his kids were born here. His first girl could have been a baby when Wm and Eleanor moved here — their youngest son was born on Fox Creek after the family moved again before 1785.] How could such a young family survive in the absolute wilderness? What kept this family on this remote acreage?

Why did William and Eleanor decide to trade their first lands for lands on Fox Creek? We know that their first daughter, Margaret, married Joseph Fields and that they took over the 430 acres after her parents moved to Fox creek– but why ???

The 430 acre tract at the foot of Buck Mountain is not hilly land– it is a very farmable tract of land with plenty of running water. It is located about 4 miles north of New River [where “old” John Hash was settled at the same time] and had all of the  freedom the settlers wanted. The land he purchased on Fox Creek was rough and steep. Fox Creek has a much larger volume of water but also brought floods to the area. There is limited farm land adjacent to the creek [good soils along the banks] but the mountain terrain of Hendrick Mountain is pretty rough. For what ever reason, after living at Buck Mountain for some 20 years, William and Eleanor moved the family to Fox Creek– some 2 miles due west.  The location is at the intersection of Fox Ridge Road and Fox Creek Road.

Wm. and Eleanor bought more lands at Fox Creek around their initial 83 acre tract and by the time of their death after 1821, they had a pretty good-sized holding. They were considered well off. They transferred lands to children in 1821 and were never heard from after that in court records. Their youngest son, Joseph R. Hash, was born at Fox Creek and lived there 80 years until his death in 1865. He and his wife, Margaret Halsey, are  buried on one of the high ridges on Hendrick Mountain at Fox Creek. Their 14 kids were born on this land. Some Hash descendents still own parts of this land.

We know that Wm. and Eleanor chose to be buried with  family in the Silas Ward Cemetery located on the lands of “old” John Hash indicating that the families were close. Both “old” John and Elizabeth Stodgill Hash must be buried there but there is absolutely no record of that.

Andrew Rice owned the cemetery for decades before dying in 2000. He was the cemetery historian and had painted a field rock purple and told me that was the grave of Wm. Hash.  He said it was the most probable marker. Today, flecks of paint are still visible on the stone. He kept the cemetery maintained and well fenced. Since then, the fence has disappeared but the cemetery is being maintained by family. Many families visit this cemetery every year. You look down on New River–  it is a good location to rest in.

All of my family returned home with slightly different memories of old families. Some told me they were born in the wrong generation– that they would have loved to have lived back then [maybe for a couple of days???]. The kids asked their parents who the little girl was — they were much younger the last time they met. Family events such as this bring old and young together. The most fragile one there [Maude Hodge Hawkins] wrote an article for the Southwest Times paper about our trip.

The point—-get together for some reason or event–you cannot know the memories you may create in the minds of the young and old!!!!

 —————————————————————————————————————–

“Let’s go to God’s country” — my grandfather, Barnett Parks    

28 members of my immediate Hash family–Mom & all her kids, grandkids, g grandkids–spent Saturday, Oct 2, 2010,  in Grayson County, VA on the waters of Fox Creek and Bridle Creek just above New River. The weather was perfect  – sunny, warm and clear. Although we were too early for the fall colors, the country was simple beautiful.  My sister and her husband came in from Connecticut to be with all.     

Mary Lou Richardson allowed us to trample her lands– the original owner was William Hash, Sr/Eleanor Osborne [1774]. We rerun 250 years of history for the young and old.  [Mary Lou is my 5th cousin once removed]     

Everyone we met was related to us. Billy Kyle Hash was working his fields on Red Hawk Dr, James R. Hash allowed us to picnic at the Grubbs Chapel Church pavilion, and others allowed us the use of church bathrooms. We counted the fish and ducks on Fox Creek at the bridge where Fox Ridge meets Fox Creek roads. Of course, our resident prankster produced a large rubber snake to excite his sisters [it was not me].   

A few came home with a slight sunburn. I took a nap when I got home– I suspect many of the others did too.    

 “We went to God’s country”  –Larry Hash    [photo by Mary Alice Hash Whisenant]

Share with your kids

I hope you can text at the speed of light! The  kids can !! Nothing wrong with that. When is the last time you wrote a letter to a friend and put a stamp on it? We seldom talk face to face anymore.

My favorite memories consist of trips to the country in the car with my parents and grandparents. Granddaddy would say “let’s go to God’s country” [around his home in Grayson Co., VA]. You “old” folks remember those trips.

Give your children and grandchildren some exposure to those events. Turn off the phones for a brief time [you probably will be able to survive] and enjoy each other in person. Tell them how things were; you know– the animals you had, the barn smells, the fog over the lake in the morning, that fish that was 3′ long, how your granddaddy would talk, how good your grandmother’s cooking was, how sad everyone was when they died, etc.

Genealogy is collected family history. Family values are taught and shared to the mind. Your PC stores genealogy–your brain stores those faint smells of the air after a rain, that beautiful rose in the front yard, how that aunt used to smell, that terrible cough syrup you had to take with a pinched nose.

Writing down history is a very good practice–sharing memories with family is priceless. But remember, your time is limited. Take your family to the mountains for the  fall colors which are fast turning. Share yourself with the younger generation– they might text that to their friends later!!

A big part of genealogy research consists of unwritten memories passed down over generations – memories shared from the sick-bed to children when times were quite and anxious.

I am taking at least 30 of my immediate family members to Grayson Co., VA this weekend to share family history, fall leaves, and most of all – each other. Nothing fancy, a paper sack lunch and cold bottle of pop, and a coat– it is supposed to be in the mid 60’s for a high.

Don’t forget to turn the phones back on!

“old” John Hash

This is a copy of the original John Hash will –dated in ye year of our Lord 1784 and witnessed by Enoch Osborn(e) [his son-in-law]. It is currently stored in the Montgomery Co. courthouse in Christiansburg, VA.

“old” John Hash is the first documented Hash in the United States. He was born around 1720 [probably Baltimore, MD]and died April 13, 1784 at home on Bridle Creek at New River. He probably is buried on his land in a cemetery later named the Silas Ward cemetery. His wife should be buried beside him– she was alive at the time of his death [see will]. This wife may have been Elizabeth Stodgil from Orange Co., VA.

The parents of John Hash are questionable to say the least. We have partial records of a few young Hash men in the colonies prior to 1700 but nothing to indicate they married and fathered any children. The only conclusion is that the parents of “old” John Hash were here prior to 1700. Most of the colonists of that era were congregated around the north-east coast — Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland and Virginia.

There is some indication that John’s mother  [or grandmother] was a Horton. The Horton name shows up repeatedly as middle names for early Hash males. The custom was to name the first male after the father; the second could carry the maternal name as a middle name. Records are not available for this proof!

 John was a farmer and raised horses and cattle for his own use. There is no record of any slaves owned by John. He served in the Rev. War and is listed repeatedly in the militia headed by his son-in-law, Enoch Osborn(e).

There is a lot of info floating around on http://www.newrivernotes.com/nrv.htm. This is a very good site sponsored by Jeffrey Weaver.

See if you can decipher the will and if you have trouble, give me a shout.

“ol John” Hash

One of the first fathers in the Hash line in the US is John. He is referred to as “ol John” in later years because of the many John Hash descendents. The first we know of this man is that, as a young man, he shows up on various tax records in and around Gunpowder One Hundred in Maryland.  By the time we see him again in records, the Indian War has drawn to an end and a survey for John Hash was made in 1774 for 250 acres of land in Fincastle Co., VA [now Grayson Co., VA].

Old family relates that three Hash brothers came to southwest Virginia–John, William, and James– around 1763. Later research places John at Bridle Creek on New River. William Hash was at Buck Mountain on Bridle Creek [some 5 miles north of John] . James Hash [Hust] was placed at Peach Bottom near Independence, VA. The question of the relationship between  John and William is unresolved. James Hash disappeared in a few years from all records leaving one daughter.

John and his first wife had at least 7 known children. The Anderson clan relates that John Hash first married Rececca Anderson. She died about the time John left Maryland for southwest Virginia.

John and his second wife had one known son. The Sturgill researchers  record that she was Elizabeth Stodgil and that they were married in northern Virginia as John traveled south. She was still alive when John wrote his will in 1784. No other record has been found  for her.

John and other members of his family show up repeatedly on tax and military records until the death of “old” John was recorded in a psalm book. He died April 13, 1784 at his home at Bridle Creek. He was around 65 years old. He left a will which is the corner-stone for much of the research that is seen today. I personally had this will repaired and copied before replacing it back in the Montgomery Co., VA courthouse in Christiansburg.

1) He was married twice but only mentions them as first and second wife.

2) He mentions his living children

3) He describes his land holdings at Bridle Creek.

4) He lists his earthly possessions.

No record of his burial exists but there is an old Silas Ward cemetery on his lands. The Wards intermarried with the Hashes and later owned the same lands as “old” John Hash. We know that William Hash, Sr. is buried in this cemetery and odds are that “old” John Hash and his second wife are in this cemetery.

99% of all Hashes in the US are descended from these two men [regardless of John & Wm’s relationship]. No real clue has been given as to the origin of the Hash clan prior to the very early 1700’s . Anyone can guess the country of origin and be as close as the next one. DNA is working towards this end but, as yet, not enough DNA has been gathered and processed to determine “old” John Hashes land of origin and parents.

 

Genealogy–a step back in time -part 3

Silas Ward Cemetery

This Silas Ward Cemetery is an original Hash cemetery located on  New River at the mouth of Bridle Creek in Grayson County. “Old” John Hash is probably buried here; we know for sure, William Hash, Sr. is buried here. “Old” John died on this land in 1784 after settling here around 1765. His home was on the next ridge east of this cemetery.

 

Part 3–cemeteries

 As you work toward finding more info about your missing links, you need to consider the information chiseled in stone in a cemetery. You know where  near relatives are buried and may know where the not-so-near are also buried. At least, you may know the region of the country where they died and were buried.

Cemeteries play an important part of our history! They hold the final resting place for our relatives and friends. They represent a brief view of family relationships. Some are neat and well-kept– others have been totally neglected or completely lost. Markers range from nothing left but a sunken place in the ground, to a field stone, to an inscribed field stone, to a granite, machine-inscribed, headstone with decorations . Some have ceramic photos of the person, others have a violin carved with the name. Modern markers include bronze markers, military markers, or a simple funeral home marker.

An important feature you notice is the name. More than likely, this is the name the person was known by and might be a nickname. The full name is seldom inscribed. When husband and wife are buried together,  the wife sometimes has the maiden name recorded as an initial instead of a middle name. Old markers may have inscriptions that are fading but even here you can gather information. Dates are either the full dates or only the year and usually include the birth and death. Some old markers include the death date only but give the age by years, months, and days. Births can be determined by counting back. In addition, some markers include father, sister, brother, sister in the inscription. This may be in the form of a foot marker. Foot markers indicate the location of that person and may have their initials only.

Older cemeteries were often located on the old home place, away from the home, and always on a knoll or high ground. These cemeteries may contain several members of the same family including in-laws. Often , while visiting one particular grave , you need to take notice of surrounding graves. Some small cemeteries contain only close family members. As cemeteries grew, these small family plots were closed and newer church and commercial cemeteries were established.

Now that you see that info, take a good photo of that marker along with a photo of the gate. You will look back at that photo many times to check facts.

Be aware that the information on the stone was given by a close relative and is usually correct. However, names, dates and inscriptions are sometimes not correct. The carver makes a mistake or the relative recorded the info wrong for the carver. Rarely is the inscription corrected on the stone. A good way to check on old markers is to ask for a family bible where these facts have been recorded by a parent or close family member [which have been corrected if wrong]. There are a lot of these bibles floating around!

Area and state libraries, local historical groups, internet sites, forum groups, court houses, and various other places may have the cemetery or name you are searching for. The easiest way to start searching is to simply “google” the name of the person or of the cemetery. Let it be know what you are looking for. Many others may already have the info for which you are searching.

One of the big pluses I have found —

I find an old cemetery, ask family to help clean it up, and give a quick history lesson about the cemetery. Sometimes, I get a quick history lesson from locals who remember burying loved ones in that cemetery. If you talk and ask about the cemetery, someone will step forward– they always do! Your family will not forget the occasion where they helped clean their g g  grandparents’ graves. After all, we trust that someone will care for our burial ground.

Be sure to share the information you accumulate about the grave and cemetery.

I record graves and photos on   http://www.findagrave.com/ .  This is a free public site where all can view and add to the information placed with that cemetery and grave.

I include the headstone photo in the data base  for that person [I use family Tree].

My website also contains much recorded information   http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/h/a/s/Larry-A-Hash/  .

This is just one step of many that lends much information about the family or person you are researching.