THESE ARE A FEW OF MY FAVORITE - HEIRLOOMS

I have been very blessed to be the keeper of the family history.  Not only did I inherit my dad’s interest in the family tree, but as I asked relatives for their memories they in turn shared with me some family treasures.  Although they may not have any real monetary value, they are valuable by the mere fact of who owned them. 

Take for instance, a simple wooden box my mother kept.  She bought it in Brownwood, Texas, where she followed my dad there when he was in basic training for the Army.  I recall seeing it in her dresser and I would pick it up and shake it and hear the coins rattling inside.  When I acquired it after she had died it was empty, and I was glad she finally spent the coins she had saved for so long.

 

She also gave me a goblet that was given to my dad by his mother who said it had had belonged to her father, Clayborn Samson VANHOOSER (1859-1899).   

 

I have many, many Bibles.  My mom's and dad’s Bibles were carried to church every Sunday for many years.  Mom’s name is engraved on the front of hers.  I like looking at my Dad’s distinctive handwriting – printing actually – and noting the scriptures he recorded on the flyleaves.  I have several other Bibles as well.  Years ago, my dad’s cousin Margaret Elaine ROSS HILL (1914-2008) gave me their grandmother’s Bible.  Her name was Margaret Caroline DENBY LAREW (1860-1932).  I was so excited to see if she wrote dates of births, marriages, deaths, etc. inside, but alas, the Bible had been given to her later in her life, so it did not contain family records.  It still holds great value as belonging to my great-grandmother.  My cousin Sue JONES HALL (1940-2020) gave me the Bible of our grandfather, James Winfred LAREW (1888-1981).  It is in very bad shape, with no cover, and sections of it separated.  But I keep it nonetheless. 

Other book?  Yes!  Sue also gave me our grandfather’s dictionary, copyrighted 1891.  It is helpful in looking up words I find in old documents or books that are no longer used in our daily language. 

 

Most of the books I have are from my CHURCHWELL line – they were the packrats!  Some titles are quite familiar, “The House of the Seven Gables,” “Treasure Island,” while others are not.  I regret that I have yet to read them all . . . maybe someday.  The glasses in the photo belonged to my Grandpa William Thornton CHURCHWELL (1890-1954).

 

I also have textile heirlooms.  I have framed some pieces and they are hanging between two pieces of glass so they show up more clearly on the blue wall. 

I have two baby gowns.  I recall seeing a photo of my dad as an infant wearing a gown.  Although these gowns are from my mom’s side of the family, the photo shows that baby boys and girls were both dressed in long gowns during infancy. 

 

I told the story of my grandmother Iva Louise Henrietta WALLIS CHURCHWELL (1891-1980) going home to Missouri for the funeral of her mother, Lucretia Virginia SMITH WALLIS (1870-1937) and bringing back her mother’s sugar and creamer bowls for my mom.  I have the set on display up on a shelf in my kitchen. 

 

One of the quirkiest things I have is a set of lid inserts for minced pie.  Why in the world would I keep them?  Because, each insert has a segment of a story.  Buy more minced meat, get the next segment of the story – quite a sales gimmick!  One side has an illustration the other side has the text.  They are well drawn and very colorful.  I had them on display before we remodeled our first floor, but now I think I will display them in my office. 

 

And lastly, I have two old flour sacks from Grandma CHURCHWELL.  I took one of them and embroidered over the design and framed it on an oval embroidery hoop and it is hanging in my kitchen. 

 

Last but certainly not least, I have the wedding dress of my grandmother, Iva WALLIS CHURCHWELL, on a wicker dress form, along with their wedding photo in the old-fashioned oval frame with curved glass.  My Aunt Jean set aside their marriage certificate which I placed on an antique mirror and have hanging in my office.  My cousin Debi WILLIAMSON WHITE (1954-2018) had the necklace that Grandma wore on her wedding day.  It's good to know one of Debi's girls will undoubtedly cherish it! 

I love these treasures from the past.  One of my favorite shows is American Pickers.  Mike and Frank travel around the country buying “rusty gold” for their resale shops, two in Iowa and a third in Nashville.  I’ve told Craig it would be easy for me to fall into the trap of keeping whatever I come across at antique stores, but fortunately for both of us, I am more into the family heirloom than just an antique piece.  So, I rarely go into an antique store, but I plan on displaying more of my heirlooms when I redecorate my office.  I’ll post photos of the room when it is complete. 

Now, two questions for you:  

1.  What is your favorite heirloom?  Perhaps it's a candy dish, or a quilt, or a letter, or a military uniform, or something else passed down to you from a relative.  Think of this as a family version of Show and Tell! 

2. What do you want to pass down to your kids or grandkids?  What do you want them to know about you - your career, your faith, your favorite hobby?  

I can't wait to hear your answers!  

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