Why were you invited to this newsletter?   Everybody comes from somebody! This is what all of us have in common.    In the early stages of the website some very interesting family history was included. It took us back to the early 1780's with Charles and Sarah Marshall, the parents of Mathew Marshall Ford who was Enslaved. It went on to tell us how Jane Ford a free woman married a slave and so Mathew took on her Surname. Jane and Mathew had 17 children. And finally, it explained our Early beginnings in what is known as Culpeper, Virginia. 

   You may not have been a history buff, but Culpeper was the sight of the most military battles in the Civil war.  Why is this important to Our family?  Jane and Mathew (a former slave) ran a commissary for the Union Army in the midst of the war.  Less than a mile away from the homestead was a military jail. 

  You have to ask yourself: What kind of People were Our Family!  Some of our new readers may still ask: Why  is Jane and Mathew important to us. Well Jane and Mathew fathered Richard Ford who married Sarah and had Mary T who in turn married Dock Stroud.  Well, hold on, Dock  and Mary had 5 daughters who eventually moved to Mount Vernon, N.Y and married into the Haden, Tucker, Michael,  Ford and Wyatt Family.  Need I say more?

159th Edition

Peace love and Survival,

   I'm often asked "Do you think we can get a Family Reunion organized"?  My first instinct is to say of course, but we have to start small.  I had a cousin from Atlanta suggest we could rent an Air BNB, which would provide rooms, play areas and cut the cost on renting a hall and needing to secure  a hotel.  The Air BNB she showed me had all the amenities that would make a weekend affair not only doable but amazing as well.  In fact as a family,  more than one BNB would minimize the cost since it would be a shared expense.  I offer this for thought and in the next newsletter I will share the name of this cousin and some examples of the places she suggested.  

       But before moving further there's a need for all of us to heal our hurts so we can actually celebrate the concept of a Family Reunion.  Too many of us are carrying baggage that serves no other purpose other than to bring us down and separate us.  I'm asking each of us to look beyond being right, beyond yesterdays hurt and place a greater value on what we need as a Family to survive.  Yes, I know you are doing fine all by yourself; but we need to be doing Better Together.

      I ask you, Is yesterdays misunderstanding, disappointment, anger or betrayal worth the demise of what could be the saving Grace for our family unit.  I find myself sharing with many of you that if you had a chance to know us you would find that you would like Us!   The disappointment on how things came about, or the turn of events that left a bitter taste in your mouth is valid and valued but it is  not as important as the role you can now play in this family.  

     Many father's can't look back and change who and how they were.  Many mother's can't change the decisions they made and many children can't change the scenic route they took in life.  Well allow me to remind you, who you were, how you got here and some of the dumb stuff you did doesn't define who you are today.  Because that person you were, doesn't live here anymore!

     I know first hand that many of you would answer my call or one of our other family members call if they were in need.  I know many of you have rallied when the call went out.  Other's have not tested the water and so I ask you be cautious; but be  apart of one of the greatest legacies today.  Be bigger, wiser, more caring and more aware of the bigger picture.  We are One by the Divine Design of the Creator.

    The adversary is busy,  mankind is trying to take us back to a time of dissention. Don't let it happen, don't give into being right all the time, don't give into standing ten toes down.  We need Our collective body to do what's right for All of us.  Think about it, and make amends where you can and let's move forward because forward is the only direction we are going in.  

God if I'm not where you want me to be, God please forgive me and help me on my journey.

Much love to you Family, let's heal from within and prepare ourselves to heal our Family.    See you at the upcoming Family Reunion.!

 

This newsletter serves to put an exclamation mark on the lives our Ancestors hoped we would have.  The messages in this newsletter is to offer hope, encouragement  and acknowledgement.   If you wish to view our family tree on Ancestry. com please reach out to me for an invite. So I hope you will reach out to one another and share victories, desires and needs.  We can only trust you will find this newsletter worthy of your time and take a moment to read and share your news with us.  Please send any thoughts, messages or history to fullergail@hotmail.com or give me a call at 646 8515247; I'll answer.

Good News:

Family, meet Lawrence Tucker  Custom Designer of furniture, clothing and pillows. Lawrence who goes by Larry, Pop or Paparazzi, is the son of the late Lawrence Tucker and Joyce Bagby. He is the Grandson of the late Richard and Majourie Wood Tucker. 

I'm from Money Earnin Mount Vernon, 12th Ave and 3rd St to be exact  and I design custom designer pillow and furniture and clothes.. Follow my business page https://www.facebook.com/share/g/15hoqjUYjP/?mibextid=wwXIfr 

  

   Just a reminder Cousin Brenda Booker Smith is sponsoring an old fashion Kick ball game at Brush Park, in Mount Vernon, NY.  If you are in the area stop by and support or plan now to have a team

                                       

It’s going down, the first annual old school kickball game we’re throwing it way back when knees didn’t crack and fun was everything !!!! Pull up bring your crew and let’s create some good ole memories, healing energy and community fun.

Welcome back to our world travelers Patriarch Michael "Mikal" Royster and his wife Vernay Justice Royster. The couple have just returned from their 18 day European journey. They started in London England and ended in Paris France.

Happy Milestone Birthday to our Matriarch Victoria E Grant Kershaw on July 24th. If you're in Mount Vernon, N Y the celebration is still going on, so show our Matriarch some love. Vicki, may your New Season bring you joy and happiness!

Forever in our hearts Happy Heaven Bound Birthday Greetings to Our Grandmother Jane Evelyn Stroud Haden. 130 years young, born July 31, 1898 in Culpeper, Virginia. Aunt Jannie as she was called was the first Stroud daughter to leave home and move to Mount Vernon, NY. She was the mother of 8 children but only 6 survived to adulthood. She is pictured here with her husband Lloyd L Haden Sr. at the wedding of their son John Melvin's wedding to Anna Belle Fields in July 1948.

                                    

 Prayer Warriors:

As always please keep our Elders in your prayers that they remain healthy and available. We can't say it enough, please pray for the stability of this family. Call on all that you believe in to keep was aligned in a manner that heightens our survival.

I'm requesting a special prayer for my Grandson, Jay W Fuller. Jay is embarking on a new career as a Pharmacist tech and has had to relocate to North Carolina and take on a secondary job to survive. Let your prayers encourage him to keep pushing and not give into the many temptations that will not serve him well.

Let's remember everyone who is facing challenges due to the pending weather conditions.

Please remember in prayer all those who are going through a storm right now.  Give them the strength to hold on. Ask for healing

 Wider Horizon Book Club

We encourage you to join us on the last Saturday of each month to discuss our book choice or be a part of ongoing circle of friends. 

Our next Discussion will be August 30Th, Good Dirt: a Novel by Charmaine Wilkerson.,

To join our monthly Book club visit us at: https://bookclubs.com/clubs/27950/join/6352f4/

ID: 827 9641 9692 with the same Password: HORIZONS.

• Virtual Meeting Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82796419692

Stop in and see what this group is all about. Bring your glass. We believe you will be pleasantly surprised and drawn into joining us again. All ages are welcome to join us.