John Bones lost his wife, Maria, to tuberculosis. In a letter to his mother dated 4 June 1833, he writes, "I thought when in health that I appreciated her...but I now find that much as I love her I was never fully aware...of the treasure I possess in her, until the prospect of her removal, … Continue reading Something to Change My Plans
Letters were a lifeline for the Bones family and their associates to their families in Ireland in the 19th century. They communicated the latest family news, neighborhood changes, business dealings, and political perspectives. But their letters also had limits. Some letter writers were limited by a scarcity of paper or ink, keeping letter writers to … Continue reading A Thousand Letters
I've been exploring the archives of the Augusta Chronicle lately looking for things related to my ancestors and their families in that place. In this election season, I'm inspired by the activity of my 6th great-uncle, John Bones, who participated in local organizations, committees, and ran for city counsel throughout much of his life. He … Continue reading Many Voters
On a wooded section of road, an iron gate stands at the entrance of a driveway that climbs to the right, up a small hill. Peeking out behind trees and bushes stands Chequer Hall, a house built during the Plantation of Ulster during the 17th century and the home of my 7th great-grandfather, John Adams, … Continue reading Chequer Hall
As I research my ancestors and their families, I find myself sometimes wondering, if I knew the person in life, "what would I think of them? Would we like one another?" I like to think that for the most part we would, especially when I can pull together a pretty good picture of someone from … Continue reading Good Man, Kind Friend, and True Christian
Heart Genealogy 