Shackelford Beach
Serene Shackelford
Saturday, December 31, 2011
e-book
My e-book entitled Lightning, A Horse has been out a couple of weeeks and some friends have told me that they have purchased and enjoyed it. Amazon is selling it for $3.99, but Barnes & Noble are offering it for $3.19. The cover with a Palomino rearing on it is so awesome with its beauty and splendor. The true events about the near death experiences are so thrilling to me decades afterwards.
The unfortunate aspect of the truth is that the story shows Tina being saved as a teenager, but I was not saved until I was a mother of a 7 year old girl and a 3 year old boy. I do wish I had been saved sooner, but the Lord had a reason for saving me when He did. I can actually see how nonbeleivers think. For the most part they are misinformed. Most of the secular schools preach evolution and believe it. In fact most college students are taught evolution repeatedly to the point that we don't question it but consider it real "science."
Teenagers have many challenges including sibling rivalry and this is included in the story. Tina is the protagonist and she has rivalry with her neighbors as well since she is poor and they are not. Money can't bring happiness as Tina's neighbor Kathy proves, but it did bring Kathy a golden gelding. Her love of Lightning was short-lived, but her loss became Tina's gain. When Kathy wanted freedom of her responsibilities, she gave Tina responsibilities & use of Lightning. Tina had adventures and enjoyed a fascinating life with Lightning.
Thursday, December 8, 2011
My e-book will available for in 2-4 days
Nearly everyone loves animals and most girls love horses. My story, Lightning, A Horse, is about my adventures with a horse when I was a teen. The plot is basically true, but the names have changed for protection of the owner who was very harsh and made the gelding angry. Lightning was so angry that he tried to kill me. He was a gorgeous, golden gelding with whom I had many adventures. At least two of the adventures are relived in the book.
The biggest event of my life did not occur until my daughter was 7 and my son was 3 in 1980. I included my Born-Again experience in the book. The purpose for this was to share how to be saved and encouraging others to accept Jesus.
Many adventures with a golden gelding can excite the reluctant reader to ride along with the horse and rider. Most children love animals and want to learn how to handle the beautiful creation. Facts as well as fiction will entertain and enlighten young readers. Ages 10 and up.
My e-book was begun delivery for me on Wed., Dec. 7, and it is officially underway. It will take about 2-4 days to show up at iBooks and Amazon, 1-2 weeks at Barnes & Noble, and about 2-4 weeks at Sony.
It can be downloaded on any computer from Amazon. It only costs $2.99. The story is entitled Lightning, A Horse. The cover is featuring a rearing Palomino horse with the title and then my name at the bottom in little letters, no capitals. It is only 96 pages of text. The process started November 19 and the changes took about a week each time.
I asked for the subtitle to be deleted and then for the horse's mane to be more emphasized and each time it took a week or more. I had a couple of more changes to ask for but wanted the book out before Christmas and it would not have a chance with another change.
The price is low to encourage many to read it, but I will not make any money. The purpose of the book to share Jesus and not to make money.
Monday, November 28, 2011
Slave Owner In New Bern
As part of my research in New Bern I have found out a great deal but want to find out more about slaves, freed men and slave owners in New Bern and some parts of the South. One former slave owner who was once a slave really interests me. His name was John Carruthers Stanly and he was the richest man in Craven County in 1824. He owned 3 plantations, a number of homes and over 160 slaves and how did he do it? He began in 1795 when he was freed by his owners, Lydia Carruthers Stewart and her husband, Alexander Stewart. J. C. had been given to Lydia as a wedding gift. She set him free when he proved that he was so competent. He had been given the freedom to work in the town and save his own money.
Some people believe he was wrong as a former slave to buy slaves. However some of the slaves he bought were his own family, his wife and children and his brother-in-law. John started a career as a barber immediately upon receiving his freedom and became wealthy with his great skill. He began to buy property and was asked by many citizens to help with their wills, businesses and freeing of their slaves. His slaves Brister and Boston were trained to take over the barber shop and then freed by him. He did free others but only when they were capable of sustaining themselves. So the number of actual slaves he owned may be exaggerated as the ones who had been freed may be counted actually as slaves. From encyclopedia.jrank.org, I obtained much of this information and from other various sources.
Evidence seems to suggest he was a Christian. For example his daughter Catherine became an evangelist and his granddaughter from his son John became a missionary. His wife and former owner Lydia Stewart were two of the founders of the First Presbyterian Church in New Bern. John and his family were members and owned a pew in the church and was sighted escorting Mrs. Stewart to church every Sunday after her husband died. Most of the community respected him and his family.
Each person can decide if this freedman was wrong or not. I am trying to write a historical fiction book about him entitled, Slave to Slave Owner. I am in chapter 7 of 12 chapters. To learn more please consider reading it. His home and its dependency are still in New Bern near the First Presbyterian Church.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Black Slaveowners are good or not?
David L. Lightner and Alexander M. Ragan wrote a journal article entitled WERE AFRICAN AMERICAN SLAVEHOLDERS BENEVOLENT OR EXPLOITATIVE? in 2005 for the Journal of Southern History. We can’t really say, but there are some reasons for both sides. Some believe anyone who owned slaves could not be a true Christian and was evil. Since I believe slavery was wrong, I can see their point.
However, I have researched one freedman’s life and this he is a Christian, a benevolent Christian. He was blessed to have Christian owners who helped him by teaching him to read, write, do math & read the Bible. John Carruthers Stanly was freed at the age of 24 and became the richest man in Craven County in 1824. His wife Kitty and his former owner, Lydia Carruthers Stewart were two of 13 founders of the First Presbyterian Church of New Bern. His home is near the church on the corner of New and Hancock. He bought and freed many slaves. The town of New Bern had 10% of all the Blacks as Freedmen. Twenty-five per cent (25%) of the Blacks in Charleston, SC,in 1824 were free also.
I am writing a story entitled "Slave to Slaveowner" for my Nancy C. Sanders Novel in a month. Since it is historical fiction, there is an element of fiction that is a mystery and pure fiction. For more info please check back.
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Morbid Meeting with a Witch
Morbid Meeting a Witch
Deut. 18:9-12
By Jan Parys
I didn't want to be there in that dark, old, musty house in 1973 in Virginia with gorgeous Ellen clutching my arm like a mad woman.
"I need you in my coven. You'll be powerful because you can read the crystal ball. I can't read the ball. I stole it from my ex-husband. We had a power struggle in the Church of Satan and I lost. But I stole the ball when I left," she said like spears piercing me with her green eyes flaring and her wine breath spewing all over me.
"Give me your phone number," she demanded. "I'll make you second in command. You'll be powerful."
I said a quick prayer to God Whom I did not believe in then but hoped existed, and told her a wrong number. She quickly wrote it down and freed my arm. I rubbed it as I rushed to my car and shook myself hoping to get rid of that last morbid scene in my life.
The invitation to attend a paranormal lecture had fascinated me so I accepted another college student's invitation. One of my professors had said she believed that one day books would be obsolete since we'd all communicate by ESP in the future. "Our minds are barely used," she said. Looking around the room I had to agree.
This lecture was rather mundane and the answers to the questions were so vague that the evening seemed to be a waste. The lovely, ebony haired hostess, Ellen, approached and asked, "How would you like a home tour?"
Ellen seemed to enjoy the dark and only turned a lamp on in each room as we entered. She had a stack of boxes in her kitchen and office explaining, "I've only lived here a few months and with my job and kids have little time to unpack."
In her bedroom she lit an incense stick upon entering the black and dark red retreat with a black velvet bedspread and canopy and a pedestal covered with black velvet material.
"Look at this!" she said as she revealed the crystal ball underneath.
I inspected the ball carefully and gazing into it saw a dance scene. The scene was in the woods around a campfire. Startled I asked, "How did you do that?"
"Do what?" Ellen asked.
After I told her, she became completely fixated on me. When I heard "Church of Satan," that phrase caused a churning in my stomach.
After giving her my phony number I said, "I have to get home to my husband and baby. We have work tomorrow in Maryland."
She repeated the number and walked me to the door continuing with "We will be so powerful. We will rule the DC area."
Now that I am saved I know why Ellen scared me and I hate Halloween because it is the witches' official holiday and I now know witches are an abomination to the Lord as He tells us in Deuteronomy18:9-12. v.10 “Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his or her son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, encourages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord, and because of these detestable practices the Lord your God will drive out those nations before you.”
Deut. 18:9-12
By Jan Parys
I didn't want to be there in that dark, old, musty house in 1973 in Virginia with gorgeous Ellen clutching my arm like a mad woman.
"I need you in my coven. You'll be powerful because you can read the crystal ball. I can't read the ball. I stole it from my ex-husband. We had a power struggle in the Church of Satan and I lost. But I stole the ball when I left," she said like spears piercing me with her green eyes flaring and her wine breath spewing all over me.
"Give me your phone number," she demanded. "I'll make you second in command. You'll be powerful."
I said a quick prayer to God Whom I did not believe in then but hoped existed, and told her a wrong number. She quickly wrote it down and freed my arm. I rubbed it as I rushed to my car and shook myself hoping to get rid of that last morbid scene in my life.
The invitation to attend a paranormal lecture had fascinated me so I accepted another college student's invitation. One of my professors had said she believed that one day books would be obsolete since we'd all communicate by ESP in the future. "Our minds are barely used," she said. Looking around the room I had to agree.
This lecture was rather mundane and the answers to the questions were so vague that the evening seemed to be a waste. The lovely, ebony haired hostess, Ellen, approached and asked, "How would you like a home tour?"
Ellen seemed to enjoy the dark and only turned a lamp on in each room as we entered. She had a stack of boxes in her kitchen and office explaining, "I've only lived here a few months and with my job and kids have little time to unpack."
In her bedroom she lit an incense stick upon entering the black and dark red retreat with a black velvet bedspread and canopy and a pedestal covered with black velvet material.
"Look at this!" she said as she revealed the crystal ball underneath.
I inspected the ball carefully and gazing into it saw a dance scene. The scene was in the woods around a campfire. Startled I asked, "How did you do that?"
"Do what?" Ellen asked.
After I told her, she became completely fixated on me. When I heard "Church of Satan," that phrase caused a churning in my stomach.
After giving her my phony number I said, "I have to get home to my husband and baby. We have work tomorrow in Maryland."
She repeated the number and walked me to the door continuing with "We will be so powerful. We will rule the DC area."
Now that I am saved I know why Ellen scared me and I hate Halloween because it is the witches' official holiday and I now know witches are an abomination to the Lord as He tells us in Deuteronomy18:9-12. v.10 “Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his or her son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, encourages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord, and because of these detestable practices the Lord your God will drive out those nations before you.”
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Defend our Faith
Do not be afraid, do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.
II Chron. 20:17
This is a verse I must remember and follow as I am concerned about writing devotions and sharing with homeschoolers about how to defend our faith. I know most of them truly believe but it is a matter of fighting the lies of the liberals and the powers of darkness. Now we need to pray for His help and show the lies as lies. A lie repeated often enough will be believed. One of the biggest lies is evolution.
We can promote the truth that evolution is a theory and that there is no link. The missing link doesn't exist and it will no link between man and ape because it doesn't exist.
None of the so-called missing links like Peking Man and Neanderthal Man.
Neanderthal Man is " the name comes from the Neander Valley near Dusseldorf, Germany. It was here in 1856 that the first skeleton of Neathderthal Man was discovered. Since then there have been many Neanderthal graves found in Europe and the Middle East... During the late nineteenth century, with Darwin's theory shaking the scientific world, these early 'ape-men' were 'proof' that human evolution was a fact" Unlocking the Mysteries Of Creation Vol. 1, pp. 121,122-- Dennis R. Peterson, B.S. M.A.
II Chron. 20:17
This is a verse I must remember and follow as I am concerned about writing devotions and sharing with homeschoolers about how to defend our faith. I know most of them truly believe but it is a matter of fighting the lies of the liberals and the powers of darkness. Now we need to pray for His help and show the lies as lies. A lie repeated often enough will be believed. One of the biggest lies is evolution.
We can promote the truth that evolution is a theory and that there is no link. The missing link doesn't exist and it will no link between man and ape because it doesn't exist.
None of the so-called missing links like Peking Man and Neanderthal Man.
Neanderthal Man is " the name comes from the Neander Valley near Dusseldorf, Germany. It was here in 1856 that the first skeleton of Neathderthal Man was discovered. Since then there have been many Neanderthal graves found in Europe and the Middle East... During the late nineteenth century, with Darwin's theory shaking the scientific world, these early 'ape-men' were 'proof' that human evolution was a fact" Unlocking the Mysteries Of Creation Vol. 1, pp. 121,122-- Dennis R. Peterson, B.S. M.A.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Hurricane Irene
It has been a month since I wrote and Irene is still a challenge here. Pamlico County is really suffering still with people who are homeless and others who have shelter but a mobile home compared to a traditional home on a slab or on a crawl space.
Our neighborhood really pulled together to help one another. Our neighbors on our right had 3 trees go through their roof. On our left our neighbors had one tree fo through their roof but with God's mercy we had no structural damage to our home. Five trees fell near our home but didn't hit it.
Our neighbors got together to help put up tarp and fasten it down and hold it down. Scott across the street had no damage to his house or property, but he helped the neighbors on both sides. He had 10-12 trees taken down in his backyard a month or so before so he had no damage. He often helps our neighbors and me.
On the Sunday after Irene a tree company had offered to take down and out Matt's one tree for $1500. Since he knew it was excessive, he passed on their offer. The next day a Charlotte firm took it down for $350 and our other neighbor's 3 trees for $960 so we asked for their help. They cut down a couple of trees for us and dragged the small ones away that day.
The following day Micah Woodall picked up the brush with a friend. We had to have another treeman from take down two of our trees and an exposed large broken one. The small debris is still waiting but we paid extra to have the large ones taken away. The removal cost $300. So this hurricane has been costly to everyone but the tree services who are cashing in.
Praise God Maria and no other hurricane has hit us though.
Our neighborhood really pulled together to help one another. Our neighbors on our right had 3 trees go through their roof. On our left our neighbors had one tree fo through their roof but with God's mercy we had no structural damage to our home. Five trees fell near our home but didn't hit it.
Our neighbors got together to help put up tarp and fasten it down and hold it down. Scott across the street had no damage to his house or property, but he helped the neighbors on both sides. He had 10-12 trees taken down in his backyard a month or so before so he had no damage. He often helps our neighbors and me.
On the Sunday after Irene a tree company had offered to take down and out Matt's one tree for $1500. Since he knew it was excessive, he passed on their offer. The next day a Charlotte firm took it down for $350 and our other neighbor's 3 trees for $960 so we asked for their help. They cut down a couple of trees for us and dragged the small ones away that day.
The following day Micah Woodall picked up the brush with a friend. We had to have another treeman from take down two of our trees and an exposed large broken one. The small debris is still waiting but we paid extra to have the large ones taken away. The removal cost $300. So this hurricane has been costly to everyone but the tree services who are cashing in.
Praise God Maria and no other hurricane has hit us though.
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Christ Episcopal Church
"For two centuries of service progress and inspiration, Christ Episcopal Church has held an important place, literally and figuratively, in the heart of New Bern, second oldest town in North Carolina.
"Its spire, pointing skyward, higher than anything else in the city, is rimmed with a large crown, symbolic of everlasting life, not only for the Church triumphant but also for those stalwart Christians who try to further the Kingdom of God on earth.
"The Twenty-six rectors, the assistant ministers and many members have exercised a vital influence on the history of the region. To a great extent the history of the local Church is a history of the community.
"These patriots of the Cross have bequeathed a priceless heritage for the Church and Church members of today and tomorrow - a tower of strength during the past, a beacon of light in the present, and a guiding star for the future."
"Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee the Crown of Life."-Revelations 2:10.
The first church on these grounds was completed in 1750. The site of this church has been preserved by the construction of a brick wall over the original foundations and now serves as an open-air chapel. Early morning services are held here in summer, weather permitting. Named pavers in the floor of the chapel mark burial plots for the cremated remains of parishioners.
Cedar Grove Cemetery was opened by Christ Church Parish in 1800 to provide burial plots for yellow fever victims, and some tombstones in the churchyard were moved to these new grounds on Queen Street. Cedar Grove Cemetery was later deeded to the City of New Bern.
The present sanctuary, usually called the third church, was consecrated in 1875 and is entered on the National Register of Historic Places. The building is actually a combination of two buildings. The earlier one, consecrated in 1824, burned in 1871. However the fine Flemish-bond brick walls with their pointed-arch window openings remained and were used in the reconstruction. Aside from greatly embellishing the subdued gothic detailing of the 1824 structure, the buildings are almost identical.
The Gothic Revival bell tower and spire of the present church, which soars 150 feet above the city, has dominated the skyline of the city of New Bern for more than 125 years. The spire, embellished with a golden crown, was a prominent landmark on the charts of mariners in the nineteenth century. The Bell Tower contains a relatively new carillon (1996) that rings out over downtown New Bern twice a day.
Their silver communion service, Bible, and Book of Common Prayer, presented to the parish by King George II in 1752, are displayed in a wall case behind the font.
The 1752 communion service, in regular use today, is composed of a chalice, paten, two large flagons, and a large basin. Each piece bears the Royal Arms of Great Britain, which includes the initials of the King and hallmarks for the maker (MF - Mordecai Fox), the date (the letter R superimposed on a shield), the town mark of London (a crowned leopard's head); and an assay mark guaranteeing the purity of the silver to be 92.5% (a "lion passant gardant").
The Bible, printed in Oxford in 1717, also is inscribed with the Royal Coat of Arms. It is one of a number of Bibles known as The Vinegar Bible. In these bibles, the heading for the 20th chapter of Luke, which should read "Parable of the Vineyard," instead reads "Parable of the Vinegar".
The Prayer Book, again inscribed with the Royal Coat of Arms, was printed in Cambridge in 1752 and is used periodically for historic services held in the church.
The churchyard, shaded by a variety of venerable trees, stretches to either side of the main sanctuary (with the Parish Hall to the right and the education wing to the left). In the eighteenth century it served as a burial ground. In the aftermath of several yellow fever epidemics, the churchyard had filled with graves and was closed by 1799.
"For two centuries of service progress and inspiration, Christ Episcopal Church has held an important place, literally and figuratively, in the heart of New Bern, second oldest town in North Carolina.
"Its spire, pointing skyward, higher than anything else in the city, is rimmed with a large crown, symbolic of everlasting life, not only for the Church triumphant but also for those stalwart Christians who try to further the Kingdom of God on earth.
"The Twenty-six rectors, the assistant ministers and many members have exercised a vital influence on the history of the region. To a great extent the history of the local Church is a history of the community.
"These patriots of the Cross have bequeathed a priceless heritage for the Church and Church members of today and tomorrow - a tower of strength during the past, a beacon of light in the present, and a guiding star for the future."
"Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee the Crown of Life."-Revelations 2:10.
The first church on these grounds was completed in 1750. The site of this church has been preserved by the construction of a brick wall over the original foundations and now serves as an open-air chapel. Early morning services are held here in summer, weather permitting. Named pavers in the floor of the chapel mark burial plots for the cremated remains of parishioners.
Cedar Grove Cemetery was opened by Christ Church Parish in 1800 to provide burial plots for yellow fever victims, and some tombstones in the churchyard were moved to these new grounds on Queen Street. Cedar Grove Cemetery was later deeded to the City of New Bern.
The present sanctuary, usually called the third church, was consecrated in 1875 and is entered on the National Register of Historic Places. The building is actually a combination of two buildings. The earlier one, consecrated in 1824, burned in 1871. However the fine Flemish-bond brick walls with their pointed-arch window openings remained and were used in the reconstruction. Aside from greatly embellishing the subdued gothic detailing of the 1824 structure, the buildings are almost identical.
The Gothic Revival bell tower and spire of the present church, which soars 150 feet above the city, has dominated the skyline of the city of New Bern for more than 125 years. The spire, embellished with a golden crown, was a prominent landmark on the charts of mariners in the nineteenth century. The Bell Tower contains a relatively new carillon (1996) that rings out over downtown New Bern twice a day.
Their silver communion service, Bible, and Book of Common Prayer, presented to the parish by King George II in 1752, are displayed in a wall case behind the font.
The 1752 communion service, in regular use today, is composed of a chalice, paten, two large flagons, and a large basin. Each piece bears the Royal Arms of Great Britain, which includes the initials of the King and hallmarks for the maker (MF - Mordecai Fox), the date (the letter R superimposed on a shield), the town mark of London (a crowned leopard's head); and an assay mark guaranteeing the purity of the silver to be 92.5% (a "lion passant gardant").
The Bible, printed in Oxford in 1717, also is inscribed with the Royal Coat of Arms. It is one of a number of Bibles known as The Vinegar Bible. In these bibles, the heading for the 20th chapter of Luke, which should read "Parable of the Vineyard," instead reads "Parable of the Vinegar".
The Prayer Book, again inscribed with the Royal Coat of Arms, was printed in Cambridge in 1752 and is used periodically for historic services held in the church.
The churchyard, shaded by a variety of venerable trees, stretches to either side of the main sanctuary (with the Parish Hall to the right and the education wing to the left). In the eighteenth century it served as a burial ground. In the aftermath of several yellow fever epidemics, the churchyard had filled with graves and was closed by 1799.
Saturday, August 6, 2011
A Day Apart from Write2Ignite
Please check out:
http://write2igniteblog.blogspot.com/2011/08/day-apart-wow.html
as the Write2Ignite group shares it July 30, 2011, writers' experience with Jean Matthew Hall and Donna Earnhardt, two loving and caring children's writers. Having attended two the write2ignite conferences, I must say these two are great encouragers and helping sisters in the Lord.
http://write2igniteblog.blogspot.com/2011/08/day-apart-wow.html
as the Write2Ignite group shares it July 30, 2011, writers' experience with Jean Matthew Hall and Donna Earnhardt, two loving and caring children's writers. Having attended two the write2ignite conferences, I must say these two are great encouragers and helping sisters in the Lord.
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Thank God He knows everything as I am trying to "write His answer" but am not sure that I have the gift to do so. Before, God saved me spiritually, He saved me physically. He loves us from our creation. I want to share about His mercy to me before His saving grace in 1980.My adventures with a horse who tried to kill me is my goal, but is it His goal? I want to share it but is it His will? Any thoughts from anyone? The name of the story is "Lightning, the Horse." (Using quotes as the Italics won't work here.) Hope to hear from my friends.
Write His Answer
Thank God He knows everything as I am trying to "write His answer" but am not sure that I have the gift to do so. Before, God saved me spiritually, He saved me physically. He loves us from our creation. I want to share about His mercy to me before His saving grace in 1980. My adventures with a horse who tried to save me is my goal but is it His? I want to share it but is it His will? Any thoughts from anyone? The name of the story is "Lightning, the Horse." (Using quotes as the Italics won't work here.) Hope to hear from my friends.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Jan's version of the Kurdistan story
God Makes Lemonade for a Believer in Kurdistan (as told by a missionary there)
(My version)
By Jan Parys
A twenty-year-old man we’ll call “Aram” lives in a small village in northwestern Iraq. One day he went to visit some friends in a city about forty-five minutes away, and toward the end of the day he began to head home. He had very little money with him, 3,000 Iraqi dinar, less than two-and-a-half dollars. However, it was enough to catch a taxi ride if he could find one heading in his direction. The young man began walking to a taxi area and passed by a haggard beggar woman. Though he felt a tug on his heart, he thought, If I give her even 1,000 dinar, I’ll not have enough money to get home. I’ll be stuck here for the night! So he passed her by.
A few feet farther, the Lord said, “Go back and give her your money.” Since he was a passionate follower of the Lord, with no hesitation he returned to give her the 3,000 dinar. He grinned to himself and wondered, Now what am I going to do?
He started toward home. Almost immediately, a taxi pulled over and the driver asked him, “Do you need a ride?”
Aram politely declined and said, “I have no money at all.”
The driver insisted, “Get in. I am headed in your direction anyway. What is your name?”
In the state of Kurdistan culture when someone asks your name, you
generally tell your family heritage and Aram did. He said, “I am Aram from Kani Cheran, son of Ibrahim ”
The driver was stunned. “Your grandfather was my best friend! I’ve been trying for months to get in touch with him! How is he?”
“Sir, I am so sorry to tell you, he passed away last year.”
The driver, a devout Muslim, was deeply grieved and started crying. When they reached the village, Aram invited the gentleman inside, and he spent the next three hours sharing conversation, food and drinking tea. The Christian shared his journey to faith in Jesus and the Muslim listened attentively. The elderly man heard the saving story of the most glorious news and left with a great deal to think about. Wise beyond his years, Aram through his act of obedience to God brought his message to his grandfather’s old friend.
(My version)
By Jan Parys
A twenty-year-old man we’ll call “Aram” lives in a small village in northwestern Iraq. One day he went to visit some friends in a city about forty-five minutes away, and toward the end of the day he began to head home. He had very little money with him, 3,000 Iraqi dinar, less than two-and-a-half dollars. However, it was enough to catch a taxi ride if he could find one heading in his direction. The young man began walking to a taxi area and passed by a haggard beggar woman. Though he felt a tug on his heart, he thought, If I give her even 1,000 dinar, I’ll not have enough money to get home. I’ll be stuck here for the night! So he passed her by.
A few feet farther, the Lord said, “Go back and give her your money.” Since he was a passionate follower of the Lord, with no hesitation he returned to give her the 3,000 dinar. He grinned to himself and wondered, Now what am I going to do?
He started toward home. Almost immediately, a taxi pulled over and the driver asked him, “Do you need a ride?”
Aram politely declined and said, “I have no money at all.”
The driver insisted, “Get in. I am headed in your direction anyway. What is your name?”
In the state of Kurdistan culture when someone asks your name, you
generally tell your family heritage and Aram did. He said, “I am Aram from Kani Cheran, son of Ibrahim ”
The driver was stunned. “Your grandfather was my best friend! I’ve been trying for months to get in touch with him! How is he?”
“Sir, I am so sorry to tell you, he passed away last year.”
The driver, a devout Muslim, was deeply grieved and started crying. When they reached the village, Aram invited the gentleman inside, and he spent the next three hours sharing conversation, food and drinking tea. The Christian shared his journey to faith in Jesus and the Muslim listened attentively. The elderly man heard the saving story of the most glorious news and left with a great deal to think about. Wise beyond his years, Aram through his act of obedience to God brought his message to his grandfather’s old friend.
God Helps Believers in Kurdistan story
A man I work with, a twenty-year old we’ll call Aram, lives in a small village in northwestern Iraq. He is wise beyond his years and a passionate follower of the Lamb. One day he had gone to visit some friends in a city about forty-five minutes away, and toward the end of the day he began to think about making his way home. He had very little money with him, 3,000 Iraqi dinar (less than two-and-a-half dollars), but it was enough to catch a ride in a taxi if he could find one heading already in his direction. He began walking to an area where he could hail a taxi when he suddenly passed by a haggard beggar woman. Though he felt a tug on his heart, he thought, “If I give her even 1,000 dinar, I’ll not have enough money to get home. I’ll be stuck here for the night!” So he passed her by. A few feet farther down the road, the Lord said, “Go back and give her your money.” With no hesitation, he turned back and gave her the 3,000 dinar. He grinned to himself, “Now what am I going to do?”
Almost immediately, a taxi pulled over and the driver asked him if he needed a ride. He politely declined, saying he had no money at all. The driver insisted he get in, saying he was headed in his direction anyway. In this culture, when someone asks your name, you generally don’t just give your name, you say, for example, “I am Jacob, son of Isaac, son of Abraham.” So when the driver asked my friend his name, he said, “I am Aram from _________, son of _______, son of _______.” The driver was stunned. “Your grandfather was my best friend! I’ve been trying for months to get in touch with him! How is he?”
“Sir, I am so sorry to tell you, he passed away last year.” The driver, a devout Muslim, was deeply grieved and started crying. When they reached the village, Aram invited the gentleman inside, and he spent the next three hours sharing conversation, food and drinking tea! Aram had a chance to share with him his journey to faith in the Crucified One, and the taxi driver listened attentively. He left that little village with much to think about that day, having heard the most glorious news any ears could ever hear. All because of one seemingly insignificant act of obedience.
From a missionary there
Almost immediately, a taxi pulled over and the driver asked him if he needed a ride. He politely declined, saying he had no money at all. The driver insisted he get in, saying he was headed in his direction anyway. In this culture, when someone asks your name, you generally don’t just give your name, you say, for example, “I am Jacob, son of Isaac, son of Abraham.” So when the driver asked my friend his name, he said, “I am Aram from _________, son of _______, son of _______.” The driver was stunned. “Your grandfather was my best friend! I’ve been trying for months to get in touch with him! How is he?”
“Sir, I am so sorry to tell you, he passed away last year.” The driver, a devout Muslim, was deeply grieved and started crying. When they reached the village, Aram invited the gentleman inside, and he spent the next three hours sharing conversation, food and drinking tea! Aram had a chance to share with him his journey to faith in the Crucified One, and the taxi driver listened attentively. He left that little village with much to think about that day, having heard the most glorious news any ears could ever hear. All because of one seemingly insignificant act of obedience.
From a missionary there
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Privateer Otway Burns
As a privateer, Burns plundered British shipping without being considered a pirate. Burns plundered British shipping between Nova Scotia and South America. The Snapdragon, of Newbern, N. C., captured a brig with a cargo, mainly dry goods, worth half a million dollars, and got safely into port with her. Burns captured cargo worth more than $2,000,000 on one trip alone. In the 1800’s this is equivalent to more than two billion dollars today. He “created such grief” for the British in both hemispheres that the British put a hefty $50,000 reward for his capture. (They never caught him.)
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Promote your book
Use the internet with a website, a blog and other writers' blogs to make your name known. Increase your social network by joining with other authors. Facebook, twitter and LinkedIn may help but these sources must be carefully used so no predators can attack your image or smear you.
Offer interviews to radio stations and media sources. Ask for book reviews from trusted sources and use the clippings to promote your books.
Offer interviews to radio stations and media sources. Ask for book reviews from trusted sources and use the clippings to promote your books.
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Flora Ann Scearce award winning writer
Flora Ann says: My life has by no means been perfect. I married an Air Force sergeant and for 15 years was an AF wife, moving often and never close to home or family. Of course, he's now retired from the AF as well as the state of NC. Our first son was born in Gulfport, MS and, being a breech delivery, a neck muscle was pulled (torticollis) and he had have physical therapy for that as a baby. The next child, two years later, was born with spina bifida and lived only three days. This was at Barksdale AFB in LA. A year later I had a miscarriage and nearly died of infection. Herman was overseas and I was getting ready to join him. While in Morocco, our son, aged four, had a tonsillectomy and afterwards started to bleed profusely, was rushed back to surgery for a stitch to stop it. Our two younger children were pretty tame pregnancies and deliveries, though our daughter, Rebecca was a breech delivery, making two of our three to back into this world. I don't think they let women go through breech deliveries anymore. They go ahead and do C-sections.
I've written about my mother because I believe most people today don't have a clue to life as she lived it in the mountains of NC. Children today are so privileged they could not imagine walking miles to a one-room schoolhouse, having to entertain oneself with games and songs, having only a homemade doll and homemade toys to play with. My mother went hungry often while her family lived off a patch of land that was not their own, and she lost her mother at age nine. Children today cannot be put to work at age twelve in a tedious workplace for long hours as she was, thanks to child labor laws. Yet my mother learned to be independent at that age when her family moved from the mountains to Gastonia, NC, and put her to work in a cotton mill. As they say, her schooling was truly in the "school of hard knocks." Still she went on to become a writer herself (how else could I have all the material on hand that I incorporated into my books?) She also wrote poetry. Though she never graduated from high school, she liked to say she went through HS four times (with her four children,) and she valued education highly, taking courses at the community college as an adult. She became an expert in flower arranging, never having taken a course in that, but born with a natural eye for beauty and symmetry of flower arrangements. She was president of her garden club, did flower show judging, and conducted workshops. My mother was also a Christian and chaired a mission circle of women.
Those are among reasons I wanted to write about my mother. Long ago I saw that, for a new writer, it's almost impossible to break into the realm of the big publishers. After countless rejections along with publishers who ask you to rewrite and re-submit ad finitum, I found Tate Publishing, a Christian publisher, who read and liked my work. I've stuck with them, though there's much to complain about and I often do. They never fail to address any questions, concerns, that I have, and for that I'm grateful.
I've written about my mother because I believe most people today don't have a clue to life as she lived it in the mountains of NC. Children today are so privileged they could not imagine walking miles to a one-room schoolhouse, having to entertain oneself with games and songs, having only a homemade doll and homemade toys to play with. My mother went hungry often while her family lived off a patch of land that was not their own, and she lost her mother at age nine. Children today cannot be put to work at age twelve in a tedious workplace for long hours as she was, thanks to child labor laws. Yet my mother learned to be independent at that age when her family moved from the mountains to Gastonia, NC, and put her to work in a cotton mill. As they say, her schooling was truly in the "school of hard knocks." Still she went on to become a writer herself (how else could I have all the material on hand that I incorporated into my books?) She also wrote poetry. Though she never graduated from high school, she liked to say she went through HS four times (with her four children,) and she valued education highly, taking courses at the community college as an adult. She became an expert in flower arranging, never having taken a course in that, but born with a natural eye for beauty and symmetry of flower arrangements. She was president of her garden club, did flower show judging, and conducted workshops. My mother was also a Christian and chaired a mission circle of women.
Those are among reasons I wanted to write about my mother. Long ago I saw that, for a new writer, it's almost impossible to break into the realm of the big publishers. After countless rejections along with publishers who ask you to rewrite and re-submit ad finitum, I found Tate Publishing, a Christian publisher, who read and liked my work. I've stuck with them, though there's much to complain about and I often do. They never fail to address any questions, concerns, that I have, and for that I'm grateful.
Monday, May 9, 2011
Mother's Day
Anna Jarvis, daughter of a Methodist minister in Grafton, West Virginia, made Mother's Day a national event.
During the Civil War, Anna Jarvis' mother organized Mothers' Day Work Clubs to care for wounded soldiers, both Union and Confederate.
She raised money for medicine, inspected bottled milk, improved sanitation and hired women to care for families where mothers suffered from tuberculosis.
In her mother's honor, Anna Jarvis persuaded her church to set aside the 2nd Sunday in May, the anniversary of her mother's death, as a day to appreciate all mothers.
Anna Jarvis had such success in West Virginia, she pushed a national campaign for the day and the nation backed her on it with a letter writing campaign. MAY 9, 1914, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed the first National Mothers' Day as a "public expression of...love and reverence for the mothers of our country."
One woman changed our calendars.
Resource: American Minute
During the Civil War, Anna Jarvis' mother organized Mothers' Day Work Clubs to care for wounded soldiers, both Union and Confederate.
She raised money for medicine, inspected bottled milk, improved sanitation and hired women to care for families where mothers suffered from tuberculosis.
In her mother's honor, Anna Jarvis persuaded her church to set aside the 2nd Sunday in May, the anniversary of her mother's death, as a day to appreciate all mothers.
Anna Jarvis had such success in West Virginia, she pushed a national campaign for the day and the nation backed her on it with a letter writing campaign. MAY 9, 1914, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed the first National Mothers' Day as a "public expression of...love and reverence for the mothers of our country."
One woman changed our calendars.
Resource: American Minute
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Teddy Roosevelt
Who are the four presidents on Mt. Rushmore? George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt. Which one was the first famous environmentalist? From 1901 to 1909, he designated 150 National Forests, five National Parks and other conservation projects. Before he thought about and cared for the environment, there were few protections. This Republican, Teddy Roosevelt, is rarely given credit for his work. He was like a teddy bear to his constituents, but he helped the real bears and all wildlife as well as the people.
Who was the youngest president? At the age of 42, he became president, younger than JFK. Which one busted big companies who were trying to control certain industries like the Sugar industry and Oil industry? Teddy was a trustbuster. Who helped millions to earn a living wage with the Square Deal? Who built up the Navy establishing America as a major world power? Who began the Panama Canal? Who won the Nobel Peace Prize for negotiating the end to the Russo-Japanese War? He was the first American in 1906 to win any Nobel Prize too. Who reduced the national debt by over $90,000,000? Who secured the passage of regulation of the railroads? Who promoted the Inspection Act to have meat inspections? Who secured consumer protection with the Pure Food and Drug Act? Theodore Roosevelt. These were done when he was president. He had other accomplishments as New York governor and a private citizen who founded National Collegiate Athletic Association.
Just as Abraham Lincoln advocated freedom for slaves this Republican believed in women's rights. As the leader of the Progressive or Bull Moose Party, he welcomed women into leadership positions as no major party had before. The party advocated women's rights including voting. He said, "Women should have free access to every field of labor which they care to enter, and when their work is as valuable as that of a man it should be paid as highly." in An Autobiography, 1913. And "Alone of human beings the good and wise mother stands on a plane of equal honor with the bravest soldier; for she has gladly gone down to the brink of the chasm of darkness to bring back the children in whose hands rests the future of the years. "
He had many famous quotes like: "Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far." And "Every thinking man, when he thinks, realizes that the teachings of the Bible are so interwoven and entwined with our whole civic and social life that it would be literally—I do not mean figuratively, but literally—impossible for us to figure what that loss would be if these teachings were removed. We would lose all the standards by which we now judge both public and private morals; all the standards towards which we, with more or less resolution, strive to raise ourselves."
Born October 27, 1838, he is often overlooked because of his niece Eleanor Roosevelt who was First Lady during a war. Most of the more promoted presidents were vanguards of our nation like the other three men on Mt. Rushmore.
Who was the youngest president? At the age of 42, he became president, younger than JFK. Which one busted big companies who were trying to control certain industries like the Sugar industry and Oil industry? Teddy was a trustbuster. Who helped millions to earn a living wage with the Square Deal? Who built up the Navy establishing America as a major world power? Who began the Panama Canal? Who won the Nobel Peace Prize for negotiating the end to the Russo-Japanese War? He was the first American in 1906 to win any Nobel Prize too. Who reduced the national debt by over $90,000,000? Who secured the passage of regulation of the railroads? Who promoted the Inspection Act to have meat inspections? Who secured consumer protection with the Pure Food and Drug Act? Theodore Roosevelt. These were done when he was president. He had other accomplishments as New York governor and a private citizen who founded National Collegiate Athletic Association.
Just as Abraham Lincoln advocated freedom for slaves this Republican believed in women's rights. As the leader of the Progressive or Bull Moose Party, he welcomed women into leadership positions as no major party had before. The party advocated women's rights including voting. He said, "Women should have free access to every field of labor which they care to enter, and when their work is as valuable as that of a man it should be paid as highly." in An Autobiography, 1913. And "Alone of human beings the good and wise mother stands on a plane of equal honor with the bravest soldier; for she has gladly gone down to the brink of the chasm of darkness to bring back the children in whose hands rests the future of the years. "
He had many famous quotes like: "Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far." And "Every thinking man, when he thinks, realizes that the teachings of the Bible are so interwoven and entwined with our whole civic and social life that it would be literally—I do not mean figuratively, but literally—impossible for us to figure what that loss would be if these teachings were removed. We would lose all the standards by which we now judge both public and private morals; all the standards towards which we, with more or less resolution, strive to raise ourselves."
Born October 27, 1838, he is often overlooked because of his niece Eleanor Roosevelt who was First Lady during a war. Most of the more promoted presidents were vanguards of our nation like the other three men on Mt. Rushmore.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Book review on Deanna Klingel's book
Book Review by Jan Parys
Avery’s Battlefield
By Deanna K. Klingel
Avery’s Battlefield is the story of a boy, a dog and their search for peace in the first years of the Civil War. This historical fiction book is for young adults but its facts and insights in the novel will be interesting to adults as well. Author Deanna Klingel has “notes” at the end of the book about “What’s True and What Isn’t” that shows her research delved even into the weather. Weather played an important role in the fourteen year old man’s travel from Kanawha Valley to Alexandria by foot. The battles, towns and events are true history and even some of the names such as the photographer, Matthew Brady, are real.
The Kanawha Valley became West Virginia and the Quakers who lived in it were the main characters in the story. The story told by Avery Bennett’s viewpoint makes it almost neutral. Avery and his dog, Gunner, are truly amazing and have knowledge and skill far above the average boy and dog. The book is about the years 1861-1862 and falls on the 150th anniversary of the American Civil War. In September Ms. Klingel second book in the series, Avery’s Crossroad, will be available and may be bought from Amazon just as this book now can be. The adventures in this book are quite astounding and their solutions are very clever. The book is ideal for any young man to learn about history and natural health.
The people and subplots make the story move quickly and are educational at the same time. The educational aspect is slipped in among the story so the reader will learn and not even realize it is like a textbook. So many people don’t have fond memories of school and history so they don’t think they like history. Enjoyable books like Avery’s Battlefield help make history interesting and even exciting. The story is available on Kindle also for $2.99.
Avery’s Battlefield
By Deanna K. Klingel
Avery’s Battlefield is the story of a boy, a dog and their search for peace in the first years of the Civil War. This historical fiction book is for young adults but its facts and insights in the novel will be interesting to adults as well. Author Deanna Klingel has “notes” at the end of the book about “What’s True and What Isn’t” that shows her research delved even into the weather. Weather played an important role in the fourteen year old man’s travel from Kanawha Valley to Alexandria by foot. The battles, towns and events are true history and even some of the names such as the photographer, Matthew Brady, are real.
The Kanawha Valley became West Virginia and the Quakers who lived in it were the main characters in the story. The story told by Avery Bennett’s viewpoint makes it almost neutral. Avery and his dog, Gunner, are truly amazing and have knowledge and skill far above the average boy and dog. The book is about the years 1861-1862 and falls on the 150th anniversary of the American Civil War. In September Ms. Klingel second book in the series, Avery’s Crossroad, will be available and may be bought from Amazon just as this book now can be. The adventures in this book are quite astounding and their solutions are very clever. The book is ideal for any young man to learn about history and natural health.
The people and subplots make the story move quickly and are educational at the same time. The educational aspect is slipped in among the story so the reader will learn and not even realize it is like a textbook. So many people don’t have fond memories of school and history so they don’t think they like history. Enjoyable books like Avery’s Battlefield help make history interesting and even exciting. The story is available on Kindle also for $2.99.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
A Great Conference save the date
Announcing Write2Ignite! 2012 at North Greenville University in Tigerville, SC, March 16-17, 2012. Mark your calendars and spread the word.
Dedicated and helpful teachers and speakers. These Christians practice God's love and inspire attendees. Plan now to go.
Dedicated and helpful teachers and speakers. These Christians practice God's love and inspire attendees. Plan now to go.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Winners Never Quit
Consider these people: Walt Disney was fired by a newspaper editor for lack of ideas. Walt Disney also went bankrupt several times before he built Disneyland.
Thomas Edison’s teachers said he was too stupid to learn anything.
Henry Ford failed and went broke five times before he finally succeeded.
Babe Ruth, considered by sports historians to be the greatest athlete of all time and famous for setting the home run record, also holds the record for strikeouts.
Winston Churchill failed 6th grade. He did not become Prime Minister of England until he was 62, and then only after a lifetime of defeats and setbacks. His greatest contributions came when he was a senior citizen.
Eighteen publishers turned down Richard Bach’s 10,000 word story about a “soaring” seagull, Jonathan Livingston Seagull, before Macmillan finally published it in 1970 . By 1975 it had sold more than 7 million copies in the U.S. alone.
Richard Hooker worked for seven years on his humorous war novel, M*A*S*H, only to have it rejected by 21 publishers before Morrow decided to publish it. It became a runaway bestseller, spawning a blockbusting movie and a highly successful television series.
Thomas Edison’s teachers said he was too stupid to learn anything.
Henry Ford failed and went broke five times before he finally succeeded.
Babe Ruth, considered by sports historians to be the greatest athlete of all time and famous for setting the home run record, also holds the record for strikeouts.
Winston Churchill failed 6th grade. He did not become Prime Minister of England until he was 62, and then only after a lifetime of defeats and setbacks. His greatest contributions came when he was a senior citizen.
Eighteen publishers turned down Richard Bach’s 10,000 word story about a “soaring” seagull, Jonathan Livingston Seagull, before Macmillan finally published it in 1970 . By 1975 it had sold more than 7 million copies in the U.S. alone.
Richard Hooker worked for seven years on his humorous war novel, M*A*S*H, only to have it rejected by 21 publishers before Morrow decided to publish it. It became a runaway bestseller, spawning a blockbusting movie and a highly successful television series.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Otway Burns was an American Hero in War of 1812
As a privateer, Otway Burns plundered British shipping without being considered a pirate. Burns plundered British shipping between Nova Scotia and South America. The Snapdragon, of Newbern, N. C., captured a brig with a cargo, mainly dry goods, worth half a million dollars, and got safely into port with her. Burns captured cargo worth more than $2,000,000 on one trip alone. In the 1800’s this is equivalent to more than two billion dollars today. He “created such grief" for the British in both hemispheres that the British put a hefty $50,000 reward for his capture. (They never caught him.)How did he manage to be so successful?
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Religious Persecution
Christians suffer much more persecution than Muslims. A report last week by "Aid to the Church in Need" showed that 75% of religious persecution is currently being carried out against Christians. The report states: "For millions of Christians around the world, persecution, violent discrimination and suffering are a way of life as they live out their faith."
67 Christians killed in Bagdad Oct. 2010 and New Years, 2011, 21 Coptic Christians killed in Egypt.
67 Christians killed in Bagdad Oct. 2010 and New Years, 2011, 21 Coptic Christians killed in Egypt.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Devotion from christiandevotions.us
God protects us.
Not a Statistic
by Phoebe Leggett
...He will command his angels concerning you to guard you carefully... Luke 4: 10 NIV
Many times I could have been a statistic, but I wasn't. I could have been killed over and over again, but I'm still alive. The number of times God has rescued me from impending disaster, only heaven will reveal.
Before I became a Christian I was unaware of angels in my life. But when I learned to trust in God, he began to reveal that truth to me. Looking back over my life I realize angels have saved me many times from serious accidents.
When I was six-years-old, an elderly friend of the family drove my brother and me to see a group of goats living close to his home. They were feeding on tall grasses growing near the spillway of a reservoir. Needless to say, my brother and I were thrilled with this excursion.
But on our return trip home, the dirt road we were traveling wasn't wide enough for two cars to safely pass, and we were hit head-on by another car.
At that moment, visuals of my short life flashed before me as though watching a fast-paced movie. I thought my young life was over, but it wasn't. With only minor bumps and scratches, we all survived to tell about our accident.
How comforting to know angels are among us, protecting us every minute of every day. God is with us every moment of our lives--watching carefully. And yes, that's a promise from God we can depend on.
Not a Statistic
by Phoebe Leggett
...He will command his angels concerning you to guard you carefully... Luke 4: 10 NIV
Many times I could have been a statistic, but I wasn't. I could have been killed over and over again, but I'm still alive. The number of times God has rescued me from impending disaster, only heaven will reveal.
Before I became a Christian I was unaware of angels in my life. But when I learned to trust in God, he began to reveal that truth to me. Looking back over my life I realize angels have saved me many times from serious accidents.
When I was six-years-old, an elderly friend of the family drove my brother and me to see a group of goats living close to his home. They were feeding on tall grasses growing near the spillway of a reservoir. Needless to say, my brother and I were thrilled with this excursion.
But on our return trip home, the dirt road we were traveling wasn't wide enough for two cars to safely pass, and we were hit head-on by another car.
At that moment, visuals of my short life flashed before me as though watching a fast-paced movie. I thought my young life was over, but it wasn't. With only minor bumps and scratches, we all survived to tell about our accident.
How comforting to know angels are among us, protecting us every minute of every day. God is with us every moment of our lives--watching carefully. And yes, that's a promise from God we can depend on.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Amelia Green
Amelia Green, a Free Woman of New Bern by Jan Parys
Devastated by the Tuscarora War, 1711–1713, New Bern settlers needed help. They were aided by immigrants from England, Switzerland, the German Palatinate, and France. Slaves also arrived from Africa, and African slavery became a source of labor. Many godly people like the Quakers wanted emancipation for everyone so they helped the slaves obtain freedom.
Like most African-Americans Amelia Green wanted freedom from slavery for her family after she bought it for herself. Amelia petitioned the NC legislature successfully to free her family members. Amelia bought her freedom from Robert Schaw, a plantation owner in the Wilmington, NC, area. He was married to Anne Vail of the New Bern Vail family. Amelia’s children were listed as mulatto indicating they had a white father. There was a local Wilmington area planter named Richard Green and Richard is the name of her first son.
In her September, 1796 petition to the Craven County courts, she stated that all but two of her children, two daughters, had been able to acquire their own freedom by “the fruits of their own industry and meritorious behavior.” In 1796 she tried to emancipate her sixteen year-old daughter, Princess Ann Green. Five years later, she petitioned to emancipate her daughter Nancy Handy and talked of her own aging and not expecting to live much longer.
She lived twenty years longer and saw family members become owners of both real estate and human property. Amelia Green was a remarkable woman who lived in New Bern, North Carolina after she was free.
She became a landowner and the in-law of one of the largest African American slaveholders in the American South, John Carruthers Stanly. The house where Green spent the final decades of her life working to reassemble a family that had been separated because of slavery still stands in New Bern. It is located at 310 George Street. Her home, also known as the Green-Hollister House, was purchased in 1800 by John Carruthers Stanly for Amelia, his wife’s grandmother, to save it from the tax collector.
Located at 411 Johnson Street, the John R. Green House stayed in the family until 1842. The Green family owned a family pew in Christ Episcopal Church, the same church as the John Wright Stanly family. John Green earned his living as a tailor. Amelia was a laundry woman. Green’s story is one of struggle and hard work to be free from slavery, first for herself and then her immediate family members. She accomplished much at almost unimaginable levels for a woman, especially a slave woman.
Sources: Bob Arnebeck, A Shameful Heritage, Washington Post Magazine, January 18, 1889; Roger Davis and Wanda Neal- Davis , Chronology: A Historical Review, Major Events in Black History 1492 thru 1953; Patricia M. Samford, Historic Bath State Historic Site, (draft to be submitted to the North Carolina Historical Review, March 2006 and New Bern’s African American Guide to African American History (a map and explanations).
Devastated by the Tuscarora War, 1711–1713, New Bern settlers needed help. They were aided by immigrants from England, Switzerland, the German Palatinate, and France. Slaves also arrived from Africa, and African slavery became a source of labor. Many godly people like the Quakers wanted emancipation for everyone so they helped the slaves obtain freedom.
Like most African-Americans Amelia Green wanted freedom from slavery for her family after she bought it for herself. Amelia petitioned the NC legislature successfully to free her family members. Amelia bought her freedom from Robert Schaw, a plantation owner in the Wilmington, NC, area. He was married to Anne Vail of the New Bern Vail family. Amelia’s children were listed as mulatto indicating they had a white father. There was a local Wilmington area planter named Richard Green and Richard is the name of her first son.
In her September, 1796 petition to the Craven County courts, she stated that all but two of her children, two daughters, had been able to acquire their own freedom by “the fruits of their own industry and meritorious behavior.” In 1796 she tried to emancipate her sixteen year-old daughter, Princess Ann Green. Five years later, she petitioned to emancipate her daughter Nancy Handy and talked of her own aging and not expecting to live much longer.
She lived twenty years longer and saw family members become owners of both real estate and human property. Amelia Green was a remarkable woman who lived in New Bern, North Carolina after she was free.
She became a landowner and the in-law of one of the largest African American slaveholders in the American South, John Carruthers Stanly. The house where Green spent the final decades of her life working to reassemble a family that had been separated because of slavery still stands in New Bern. It is located at 310 George Street. Her home, also known as the Green-Hollister House, was purchased in 1800 by John Carruthers Stanly for Amelia, his wife’s grandmother, to save it from the tax collector.
Located at 411 Johnson Street, the John R. Green House stayed in the family until 1842. The Green family owned a family pew in Christ Episcopal Church, the same church as the John Wright Stanly family. John Green earned his living as a tailor. Amelia was a laundry woman. Green’s story is one of struggle and hard work to be free from slavery, first for herself and then her immediate family members. She accomplished much at almost unimaginable levels for a woman, especially a slave woman.
Sources: Bob Arnebeck, A Shameful Heritage, Washington Post Magazine, January 18, 1889; Roger Davis and Wanda Neal- Davis , Chronology: A Historical Review, Major Events in Black History 1492 thru 1953; Patricia M. Samford, Historic Bath State Historic Site, (draft to be submitted to the North Carolina Historical Review, March 2006 and New Bern’s African American Guide to African American History (a map and explanations).
Friday, March 4, 2011
Easter and Cedar Grove Cemetery
Easter and Cedar Grove Cemetery
What does Cedar Grove Cemetery have to do with Easter? They both are involved with tombs. The difference is one, the Cemetery, has bodies, mainly decayed bodies in the tombs. However, Easter celebrates the empty tomb for Jesus Christ rose from the tomb and His tomb is still empty. Some Christians prefer to call Easter, Resurrection Day.
At a presentation on February 24, 2011, information regarding the symbols was shared with a packed library auditorium. The Cemetery has a symbol for resurrection according to the Earl of Craven Questers and it is a sunrise. Ivy carved on a stone meant everlasting life. An open book meant the departed soul was wise. A sleeping lamb signified children. Roses meant beauty. Anchors were for hope in the 18th and 19th century. The dove meant promise and the harp, harmony. Other symbols appear on stones and plagues.
The Questers are preserving the tombs, mausoleums and other graves. Out of about four thousand graves only approximately one thousand are identified. The others are in need of cleaning and even the tombstones are decaying. To get money for the preservation the Questers are giving tours every Saturday from April to November weather permitting. Volunteers are needed to help clean tombstones and some students from Brinson Elementary worked on cleaning a couple of dozen stones. Tickets for tours may be bought at the cemetery or at the New Bern Historical Society office on Pollock Street. Names and family searches will help those looking for ancestors in New Bern with cleaner stones.
What does Cedar Grove Cemetery have to do with Easter? They both are involved with tombs. The difference is one, the Cemetery, has bodies, mainly decayed bodies in the tombs. However, Easter celebrates the empty tomb for Jesus Christ rose from the tomb and His tomb is still empty. Some Christians prefer to call Easter, Resurrection Day.
At a presentation on February 24, 2011, information regarding the symbols was shared with a packed library auditorium. The Cemetery has a symbol for resurrection according to the Earl of Craven Questers and it is a sunrise. Ivy carved on a stone meant everlasting life. An open book meant the departed soul was wise. A sleeping lamb signified children. Roses meant beauty. Anchors were for hope in the 18th and 19th century. The dove meant promise and the harp, harmony. Other symbols appear on stones and plagues.
The Questers are preserving the tombs, mausoleums and other graves. Out of about four thousand graves only approximately one thousand are identified. The others are in need of cleaning and even the tombstones are decaying. To get money for the preservation the Questers are giving tours every Saturday from April to November weather permitting. Volunteers are needed to help clean tombstones and some students from Brinson Elementary worked on cleaning a couple of dozen stones. Tickets for tours may be bought at the cemetery or at the New Bern Historical Society office on Pollock Street. Names and family searches will help those looking for ancestors in New Bern with cleaner stones.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Nat Turner
Nat Turner changed history. He scared most of the slaveowners.
Before Nat Turner's rebellion, North Carolina was quite lenient with slaves. Then Virginia and South Carolina officials really complained and slaves appeared to be more inclines to want their freedom as opposed to more dependency in the past.
Answers.com says, "Nat Turner was a black preacher who led an 1831 uprising in Southampton County, Virginia in which at least 55 whites were killed by a group of about 50 slaves. Turner was a deeply religious man who claimed to have visions and directives from God. On the night of 21 August 1831 he led four other slaves (Henry, Hark, Nelson and Sam) on a murderous spree near the town of Jerusalem, killing men, women and children in their beds. By the next day his mob had grown to at least 40 or 50, but the local militia confronted and captured most of them. Turner escaped, but was eventually captured in October and tried. He was hanged and skinned 11 November 1831. Before he was executed, he described his actions to Thomas R. Gray, and 'The Confessions of Nat Turner' was later widely published in newspapers. Turner's failed rebellion led to hundreds of blacks being murdered by white vigilante mobs, and spurred a new set of strict codes that limited the activities of slaves."
Before Nat Turner's rebellion, North Carolina was quite lenient with slaves. Then Virginia and South Carolina officials really complained and slaves appeared to be more inclines to want their freedom as opposed to more dependency in the past.
Answers.com says, "Nat Turner was a black preacher who led an 1831 uprising in Southampton County, Virginia in which at least 55 whites were killed by a group of about 50 slaves. Turner was a deeply religious man who claimed to have visions and directives from God. On the night of 21 August 1831 he led four other slaves (Henry, Hark, Nelson and Sam) on a murderous spree near the town of Jerusalem, killing men, women and children in their beds. By the next day his mob had grown to at least 40 or 50, but the local militia confronted and captured most of them. Turner escaped, but was eventually captured in October and tried. He was hanged and skinned 11 November 1831. Before he was executed, he described his actions to Thomas R. Gray, and 'The Confessions of Nat Turner' was later widely published in newspapers. Turner's failed rebellion led to hundreds of blacks being murdered by white vigilante mobs, and spurred a new set of strict codes that limited the activities of slaves."
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Nat Turner's Rebellion
Nat Turner
Before Nat Turner's rebellion, North Carolina was quite lenient with slaves. Then Virginia and South Carolina officials really complained and slaves appeared to be more inclines to want their freedom as opposed to more dependency in the past.
Answers.com says, "Nat Turner was a black preacher who led an 1831 uprising in Southampton County, Virginia in which at least 55 whites were killed by a group of about 50 slaves. Turner was a deeply religious man who claimed to have visions and directives from God. On the night of 21 August 1831 he led four other slaves (Henry, Hark, Nelson and Sam) on a murderous spree near the town of Jerusalem, killing men, women and children in their beds. By the next day his mob had grown to at least 40 or 50, but the local militia confronted and captured most of them. Turner escaped, but was eventually captured in October and tried. He was hanged and skinned November 11, 1831. Before he was executed, he described his actions to Thomas R. Gray, and 'The Confessions of Nat Turner' was later widely published in newspapers. Turner's failed rebellion led to hundreds of blacks being murdered by white vigilante mobs, and spurred a new set of strict codes that limited the activities of slaves."
Labels: North Carolina history slavery Nat Turner Virginia Southhampton County
Before Nat Turner's rebellion, North Carolina was quite lenient with slaves. Then Virginia and South Carolina officials really complained and slaves appeared to be more inclines to want their freedom as opposed to more dependency in the past.
Answers.com says, "Nat Turner was a black preacher who led an 1831 uprising in Southampton County, Virginia in which at least 55 whites were killed by a group of about 50 slaves. Turner was a deeply religious man who claimed to have visions and directives from God. On the night of 21 August 1831 he led four other slaves (Henry, Hark, Nelson and Sam) on a murderous spree near the town of Jerusalem, killing men, women and children in their beds. By the next day his mob had grown to at least 40 or 50, but the local militia confronted and captured most of them. Turner escaped, but was eventually captured in October and tried. He was hanged and skinned November 11, 1831. Before he was executed, he described his actions to Thomas R. Gray, and 'The Confessions of Nat Turner' was later widely published in newspapers. Turner's failed rebellion led to hundreds of blacks being murdered by white vigilante mobs, and spurred a new set of strict codes that limited the activities of slaves."
Labels: North Carolina history slavery Nat Turner Virginia Southhampton County
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Charles Chesnutt
From Dr. Kelley Griffith of Greensboro, NC: "Many works of fiction are by African Americans. One of them, Charles Chesnutt's The Marrow of Tradition, is about the race "riot" of 1898 or so. Do you know this work? Although it's a work of fiction, the events really took place. Chesnutt does an excellent job of representing the various groups of people, black and white, involved. I wouldn't claim that this is a great novel, like Moby Dick, but it's engaging and thoughtful. The conflict marked the beginning of heavy-handed Jim Crow in N.C. A place worth visiting--far from you but fairly close to me--is the Booker T. Washington National Monument. It's a small national park in a beautiful rural setting in southern Virginia (near Smith Mountain Lake, on the way to Roanoke), a working farm where Washington lived until he was 6. He writes about it in Up from Slavery."
Charles Chesnutt
From Dr. Kelley Griffith of Greensboro, NC: "Many works of fiction are by African Americans. One of them, Charles Chesnutt's The Marrow of Tradition, is about the race "riot" of 1898 or so. Do you know this work? Although it's a work of fiction, the events really took place. Chesnutt does an excellent job of representing the various groups of people, black and white, involved. I wouldn't claim that this is a great novel, like Moby Dick, but it's engaging and thoughtful. The conflict marked the beginning of heavy-handed Jim Crow in N.C. A place worth visiting--far from you but fairly close to me--is the Booker T. Washington National Monument. It's a small national park in a beautiful rural setting in southern Virginia (near Smith Mountain Lake, on the way to Roanoke), a working farm where Washington lived until he was 6. He writes about it in Up from Slavery."
Sunday, January 9, 2011
New Bern Clergyman shows what's in a name
Drury Lacy The clerical family man.
Bill Hand wrote: "Drury Lacy is my favorite name in all of New Bern history. It suggests a character of dry wit and sophistication, while in slant-rhyme with 'Drury Lane' oozes a fine irony: Drury Lane being, in that day, the very soul of carnality as London's Broadway; Drury Lacy being the very soul of spirituality as an educated and dedicated man of God." Bill notices "his deep devotion to his family." "Drury was one of those Virginia boys, born in 1802 to a prominent clergyman and professor of the same name in Prince Edward County." (He went to) Union Theological Seminar- Presbyterian (In) Sept., 1833 (he went) to New Bern. (He) brought (his) wife and child; (A) second child James Horace, (was born in)
1835.
Bill Hand wrote: "Drury Lacy is my favorite name in all of New Bern history. It suggests a character of dry wit and sophistication, while in slant-rhyme with 'Drury Lane' oozes a fine irony: Drury Lane being, in that day, the very soul of carnality as London's Broadway; Drury Lacy being the very soul of spirituality as an educated and dedicated man of God." Bill notices "his deep devotion to his family." "Drury was one of those Virginia boys, born in 1802 to a prominent clergyman and professor of the same name in Prince Edward County." (He went to) Union Theological Seminar- Presbyterian (In) Sept., 1833 (he went) to New Bern. (He) brought (his) wife and child; (A) second child James Horace, (was born in)
1835.
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