To the children and grandchildren of my 2X
great-grandfather James Franklin Jollett, the Jollett Reunion was the most
important event of the year. Not even the announcement that the war was over
could divert attention away from preparations for the family gathering. The ever-anticipated
annual event was held at the home of James Franklin and his second wife Eliza Jane near Harriston in Augusta
County, Virginia, just outside the town limits.
Photos from the reunions suggest there were several
traditions: a photo of James Franklin with his eight adult children, one with
him and his children along with their spouses, a 4-generation photo, and
finally a photo of everyone who attended that day.
Tradition 1 - James Franklin and Children
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| Believed to be the first Reunion 1916 Standing: Burton Lewis, Victoria Breeden, Sally Clift, Mary Frances Davis, Leanna Knight, Laura Sullivan, Emma Coleman Seated: Eliza Jane, James Franklin, Ulysses |
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| 1921 or 1923 Reunion Standing: Ulysses Jollett, Laura Sullivan, Leanna Knight, Mary Frances Davis, Sally Clift, Vic Breeden Seated: Emma Coleman, James Franklin Jollett and wife Eliza Jane |
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| Probably 1929 - James Franklin's last reunion Seated: James Franklin and Eliza Jane Standing: Emma, Laura, Mary Frances, Sally, Vic, Ulysses |
Tradition 2 - James Franklin, Children, and Spouses
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| Reunion 1919 Standing: Decatur and Vic Breeden, Jack and Emma Coleman, Sally Clift, Laura Sullivan, James Franklin Jollett, Mary Frances Davis, Eliza Jane Jollett, Walter Davis Seated: Will Sullivan, Ulysses and Sadie Jollett |
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| Reunion 1921 or 1923
Standing: Laura Sullivan, Sadie and Ulysses Jollett, Leanna Knight,
Mary Frances and Walter Davis, Sally Clift, Vic and Decatur
Breeden, James Ira Sullivan (adopted)
Seated: Will Sullivan, Jack and Emma Coleman, James Franklin
and Eliza Jane Jollett
|
Tradition 3 - Four Generations
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| Reunion 1921 or 1923 Standing: Minnie Coleman Maiden Seated: Emma Coleman, James Franklin Jollett, Virginia Maiden |
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| Reunion 1925 Standing: My grandfather Orvin Davis Seated: Mary Frances Davis holding Orvin Jr, James Franklin Jollett |
Tradition 4 - The Whole Fam Damily
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| 1921 or 1923 Reunion - this is the photo in the blog header |
This is the Family Portrait that hangs in my “gene cave,”
the photo that inspired my mother to start her search for the Jollett family,
which in turn inspired me to take up the cause as well.
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| The Jolletts Standing: Mary Frances Davis, Sally Clift, Vic Breeden, Leanna Knight Seated: Emma Coleman, Ulysses Jollett, Laura Sullivan |
Amy Johnson Crow continues to challenge genealogy
bloggers and non-bloggers alike to think about our ancestors and share a story
or photo about them. The challenge is “52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks.”
Wendy
© 2019, Wendy Mathias. All rights reserved.
