Illuminated Glass

 

Photo by Patrick Jones. Beverly Hills, 6 Feb 2023.

Rockefeller Center

 

Photo by A. Jones. NYC, 18 Nov 2023.

A Pacific Ocean Sunset

 

SMPL Collection. Santa Monica.

The calendar has quickly shifted to December, and we're entering the season of Christmas lights and cold weather on the East Coast. My thoughts naturally turn to California, as I do have a few excursions West this winter.

There are some family stories and discoveries to post on the blog this month, and I'll have another year in photos recap by the end of the month.

Returning to the Brown Family

 

1850 US Census, Warrick County, Indiana.

Earlier in the month, I posted an obituary for Daniel W. Brown, presumed father of Cora Belle Metcalf Halter. I'll now follow the family back another generation. Daniel was a son of Frances Asbury Brown and Minerva Ellison. The image above shows the family in the 1850 US Census in Boonville, Warrick County, Indiana, where Frances (listed as F. A. Brown) was managing a hotel known as Brown House. He later became a lawyer (or was already an attorney while owning the inn) and Justice of the Peace for Warrick County.

Frances and Minerva were married on 23 June 1830 in Warrick County, Indiana. They had the following children:

- Samuel H. Brown, 1832-1916

- James H. Brown, 1834-1875

- Daniel W. Brown, 1837-1925

- Lorinda M. Brown, 1842-1867

- Octavia Isabel Brown, 1848-1922

The 1860 US Census entry interestingly separates the family from those boarding at the hotel.

1860 US Census, Warrick County, Indiana.

By at least 1865, Frances was no longer managing the hotel, and was working full time as Justice of the Peace.

Minerva passed away sometime before 1876, and Frances remarried to Semira Cuttler on 19 August 1876.

Boonville Enquirer, 26 Aug 1876.

Frances died on 21 December 1885, while still serving as Justice of the Peace for the county.

Turkey Trot 2023

 

Photo by Patrick Jones. Alexandria, 23 Nov 2023.

Yesterday I ran in the Alexandria Turkey Trot, an annual tradition in our neighborhood, completing the 5 mile run in the morning before the feast and visiting with family. About 6600 runners participated, making it one of the largest ever. I think this was also my first time running the Turkey Trot since COVID, as I sat out last year and 2021.

I unlike previous runs, I did not run for time, and just ran to finish.