John Harris Pickens Davis and Family

John Harris Pickens Davis was the son of William Kinchen Davis and Eloniza Jane Pickens. He was born on 11 February 1851.

Source: [Jane Pickens Davis that is on a page from a book.], photograph, Date Unknown; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth420/: accessed June 21, 2025), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Fort Bend Museum.

Miss Eloniza Jane Pickens Davis was the daughter of John Harris Pickens (afarmer and stock raiser) and Eleanor Elizabeth Cooper

🏠1860 - 10-year-old John lived with his father (1) W. K. Davis (age 38), mother - mentioned in the census as Eveline Pickens (age 21), siblings - Elvira (age 8 ), Kinchen (age 5). Other persons recorded at their household in Fort bend, TX were Miss S J. Grun (age 22, born in Texas) and Daniel Davis, stockraiser (age 22, born in Missouri).

Source: [J.H.P. Davis at the age of 16.], photograph, 1867; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1498/: accessed June 22, 2025), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Fort Bend Museum.

🏠 In 1870, 18 year-old John lived with his parents and siblings (2) - Eleonora (age 16), Kinchen William (age 14), and Archetta (age12) - in Richmond, Precinct No. 4, Fort Bend, Texas. Johns occupation recorded by a census clerk was "attends stocks" (raised by his father William).

Five years later, on ⚭ 10 February 1875, young John Harris married Miss Susan Elizabeth Ryon (3). She was born on 10 December 1855, to Col. William M. Ryon and Mary Moore Jones.

John and Susan had three children: 

Daisy Belle (born on 22 November 1875/died on 15 June 1878),
Mary Elizabeth - called Mamie (born on 13 September 1877),

Source: [Photograph of Mamie Davis as a child], photograph, [1881..1882]; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth8171/: accessed June 21, 2025), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting George Ranch Historical Park.

 
Thomas Walter (born on 7 September 1879).

 

 

Source: [Tom Davis as a baby], photograph, Date Unknown; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth2290/: accessed June 21, 2025), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Fort Bend Museum.

2 June 1880 - another census in the town of Richmond, Enumeration District #4, Precinct #1 (4).
John H. P. Davis (age 29) ran a stock farm. His wife S. E. (24) was keeping home and looking after their children Mary (age 2) and Walter (9 months old). Two servants lived in the household: Maria Sparks (age 19) and Frank Roper (age 20).

Two prior photos combined together - Source: [Mamie Davis George and T.W. "Bud" Davis], photograph, 1882; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth7087/: accessed June 22, 2025), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting George Ranch Historical Park.

Source: [Photograph of Mamie Davis George as a young girl], photograph, Date Unknown; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth8544/: accessed June 22, 2025), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting George Ranch Historical Park.

♦ 30 October 1884 - Susan Elizabeth died. Tom was 14, and Mamie was 16 then.

Source: [Thomas Walter "Bud" Davis wearing a striped shirt and a hat], photograph, Date Unknown; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth8201/: accessed June 22, 2025), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting George Ranch Historical Park.

 Source: [Mamie E. Davis as a young girl], photograph, [1891..1895]; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth8177/: accessed June 22, 2025), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting George Ranch Historical Park.

On ⚭ 27 November 1888, John Harris Pickens remarried.

Source: [Photograph of J.H.P. Davis. Davis is wearing a tweed jacket], photograph, 1879; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth8267/: accessed June 22, 2025), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting George Ranch Historical Park.

The marriage took place in Simpson, Kentucky (5, 6). 

John's second wife was Belzora (Belle) Ryon, daughter of James Ryon and Elizabeth Miller, born on 28 October 1850, in Kentucky.

Source: [Belle Ryon Davis.], photograph, Date Unknown; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1497/: accessed June 22, 2025), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Fort Bend Museum.

 

 

Source: [Belle Ryon (Davis) resting her arms on a fireplace mantel], photograph, [1870..1880]; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth8227/: accessed June 22, 2025), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting George Ranch Historical Park.

7 October 1896 -19-year-old  ⚭ Mary Elizabeth (Mamie) married Mr. Albert Payton George (7), born in Texas, on 7 October 1873, to Albert Lamar George and Ella Graves.

Source: Morris. [Miss Mamie Davis as a young girl.], photograph, Date Unknown; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth431/: accessed June 22, 2025), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Fort Bend Museum.

🏡 1900 - John (a banker) and Bell lived in Justice precinct #1, Richmond, TX. They employed three servants - Aaron Sherald (age 22), John Spencer (age 18), and George Spencer (age 20), who also lived in their household (8).

Source: [Photograph of Mr. And Mrs. J.H.P. Davis], photograph, 1910; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth8236/: accessed June 22, 2025), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting George Ranch Historical Park.

 

Source: [J.H.P. Davis House in Richmond, Texas. Davis standing in front yard.], photograph, Date Unknown; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth702/: accessed June 22, 2025), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Fort Bend Museum.

Source: [J.H.P. Davis bank building], photograph, 1910; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth754/: accessed June 22, 2025), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Fort Bend Museum.

12 September 1918 - WW1 time - Tom was drafted (9).

🏠 1920 - Thomas was recorded together with John H P and Bell (age 64) during another census. Ms. Lolla Scott (age 40) was the family house keeper and Mr. Paris Price (age 20) was employed as servant (10).

♦ 31 May 1922- Tom died at the age of 41.

Source: [Thomas Walter (Bud) Davis wearing a felt hat], photograph, [1915..1922]; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth8193/: accessed June 22, 2025), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting George Ranch Historical Park.

♦ 22 May 1927 - John Harris Pickens Davis left this world. In his life, besides running a stock farm, he also owned a bank.

Source: [J.H.P. Davis with gray hair and a gray mustache], photograph, Date Unknown; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth8239/: accessed June 22, 2025), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting George Ranch Historical Park.

Mr. Davis very muck resembled his father William 

Mrs. Bell Ryon Davis passed about three years later, on ♦ 4 February 1930 (11).

 Source: [Photograph of Mr. And Mrs. J.H.P. Davis], photograph, [1912..1927]; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth8234/: accessed June 22, 2025), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting George Ranch Historical Park.

Sources:
1. "United States, Census, 1860", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MXFB-WPJ : Mon Jul 08 23:08:39 UTC 2024), Entry for Wm R Davis and J H P Davis, 1860.
"United States, Census, 1870", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MXGY-BJF : Mon Jan 13 17:08:03 UTC 2025), Entry for William K Davis and Jane Davis, 1870.
3. "Texas, County Marriage Index, 1837-1977", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XLDR-85C : Mon Jan 20 05:25:31 UTC 2025), Entry for J H P Davis and S E Ryon, 10 Feb 1875.
4. "United States, Census, 1880", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MFNC-W72 : Sat Jan 11 08:50:03 UTC 2025), Entry for J.H.P. Davis and S.E. Davis, 1880.
5,6. "Kentucky, County Marriages, 1786-1965", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QKJ9-1XH2 : Sat Feb 24 06:39:56 UTC 2024), Entry for J H P Davis and Belle Ryon, 27 Nov 1888.
7. "Texas, County Marriage Index, 1837-1977", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XL88-93F : Sat Mar 09 10:54:14 UTC 2024), Entry for Albert P George and Mary E Davis, 07 Oct 1896.
8. "United States, Census, 1900", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M3G7-R5G : Tue Apr 29 21:15:30 UTC 2025), Entry for John Davis and Bell Davis, 1900.
9. "United States, World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KZXH-G2G : Tue Apr 29 08:20:38 UTC 2025), Entry for Thomas Walter Davis, from 1917 to 1918.
10. "United States, Census, 1920", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MC9C-4WF : Mon Jan 13 06:50:54 UTC 2025), Entry for John H P Davis and Bell Davis, 1920.
11. "Texas, Deaths, 1890-1977", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K33Y-NHL : Mon Jun 09 23:51:40 UTC 2025), Entry for Belle Ryon Doris and F W Hubbard, 4 February 1930.

About Our Motto

Do you ever happen to feel small and/or unimportant? 

Think of this: There are no ordinary people in this world. 

Even if your name is not a famous one and it is only known to your neighbors (or not even known to them), and you are far from being wealthy - you are special and your being here is important. Everybody has their given purpose in life, even when we do not exactly picture what it is. Where you are at this point of your life is not accidental. We all are where we are needed, even though we may not realize why exactly. 

Some years ago, at a social occasion, a man asked me, "What do you do?". 

I did not mention my professional experience, hobbies, or various projects I was engaged in at that time. I just said, "I am a housewife". That I was, beside other things. It turned into a social observation - the man said nothing else to me. He quickly moved to another, more interesting/more meaningful object to talk to.

 

From my experience: I have noticed many people tend to associate/surround themselves with the "great and famous" only. Even if that fame is very much local, or a "great poet" has never published anything and is great in their mind at most (another example from real life). Such people are not attracted to so-called "nobodies". It is alright, though. Whatever resonates with others, does not have to resonate with you.

Once, while sitting in a waiting room, I noticed an elderly lady (possibly in her 80s or 90s). She was sitting opposite me, a bit to the left. The lady's daughter was accompanying her. I did not know who those women were. 

The elderly mother did not speak. Suddenly, to my amazement, I could feel her soul glowing around her. It was like an aura (11 or 12 inches wide) all around her body. The aura was outside of her, but at the same time, it was coming from her insight. No, I did not see it, I just sensed it. The lady's soul felt extremely beautiful as it radiated with pure love. It did quite move me. I tried not to stare, but I could only precept her soul while I was looking at the very person. When the time came I was to leave the waiting room, I could not help telling the women they were beautiful. 

Every person is a story and every life is full of stories.

We all may feel meaningless and helpless at times, but we are not. No one is a separate being. Our influence on the outside world, the way we affect others, the range of the ripple caused by our actions and words is bigger and more complex than we can comprehend.

All in all, every one is special - whether we realize it or not.

PS
Our thoughts and words are important. They carry energy most of us do not pay attention to. Our thoughts and words usually just come and go as we are more focused on the everyday life matters, situations we encounter. 

Have you ever thought that it might be the opposite - that our thoughts and words create those circumstances?

Since all we do, say, and share, both good and bad, comes back to us in one way or another, I am selfish enough not to wish anybody anything bad.

Let us live our lives the best we can, be kind to others, and spread good. For our own sake.

Synchronicities at The Museum

It has happened to us quite a few times - while watching a movie or when in a museum - the time on the clock in a certain place was the same as on our watches/ or our clock.

 

These pictures were taken at Fort McKavett in May, this year. In one of the barracks - an officer's family house - the clocks in the rooms showed the same time as our watches - when we were visiting each of the rooms.

The same was at the Pioneers' Museum not long ago, when we entered the rooms of a pioneer immigrant's house.

 My watch usually shows "more or less" time as I do not care much about setting it very precisely.

 

Some call it energy alignment, some may say it is an example of synchronicity. Others would say "weird or what?".

 

About Dreams

Do you happen to have vivid and/or weird dreams?

It is said that if you remember such a dream even after decades, it means it really happened.

Two examples of such vivid dreams here.

1. I had that dream in the 1990s. In the dream, it was 2021. There was a library at the top of a very tall building. I flew there and got to the music section. I thought I would check what they had on Led Zeppelin. I looked through the files - there was plenty of music data and information related to some strange ethnic bands whom I had never heard of, but nothing about Led Zeppelin. I couldn't believe it. I was astonished - no band names or singers I recognized.

Why did I think about Led Zeppelin in that dream? I do not know.

2. That dream came about 10 years later. I could see bright, white light all around me, and I was part of that light at the same time. I could feel total calmness, peace, joy, and happiness. It felt so very good, and I wanted it to last forever. 

I thought to myself, "I don't want to wake up".

At the very moment, I heard a voice said, "You have to".

And I did wake up at once. It was very disappointing. At least I felt like that - I was disappointed the dream ended.

In my dreams I happen to go through walls, fly to the outer space, create things and make them appear with the power of my mind. Once, I went back to the year 1917 and people there asked me who would win WW1. Then, still in the same dream, I moved to 1956 and was asked again what would the future bring. In both cases I answered "it is not for me to tell".

Another time, while watching a movie on TV,  I was able to put my hands through the television screen and take from the film set whatever I liked there. It was so cool. I wish I could do it all in real.

On the other hand, the dreams I like best are the ones when I am able to heal people and animals, or bring a dry and dead plant back to life, make it green again. It all - just with the touch of my hands.

W for Wojtek

 

In "My Polish Alphabet", the letter "W" is for Wojtek [voyteck].

• Who was Wojtek?

He was a soldier who served in the Polish Army during WW2.

 

• Why was Wojtek special/ different from other Polish soldiers?

He was a black bear who was part of the band of soldiers - he enjoyed companionship, smoking, drinking beer, but he also carried ammunition at Monte Cassino. For his achievements, Wojtek was commissioned to the rank of corporal. The bear was honorably discharged at the end of the war and lived in a zoo in Scotland afterwards.

More about Wojtek here:

BBC documentary

shorter version

Song tribute to Wojtek

---

---

"My Polish Alphabet" is about things, places, and people that come to my mind when I think about Poland.

Phillip R Goodbread & Family

Phillip R Goodbread was the son of John Goodbread and Mary Ledbetter. The latter is our direct ancestor, 5 X great-grandmother. Mary's first husband was John Bradley (our direct line) who died on 24 June 1778 in North Carolina. 36-year-old Mary was left with 4 sons below 10 years of age (Johnson, James, Isaac, and Edward), 1 girl, Polly, age 13, 3 sons age about 15/16 (George Walton, John, and Thomas) and another son, John Jr..

⚭ On 23 April 1779, Mary Ledbetter Bradley married Mr. John Goodbread (1) in Rutherford Township, Rutherford, North Carolina. The second spouse was about 11 years junior to Mary. He was born in about 1753 in Orange, NC, to Mr. Philippus Gutbrodt and his wife Mary Catherine Braun.

John and Mary's children were born:
Sarah - in abt 1780
Catherine Wharton - 1780
John Jr. - 1781
Thomas - 1782
🏠 The family lived in Rutheford, NC (2,3).

Phillip R Goodbread, born in about 1786,  was the youngest child of John and Mary's.

On ⚭ 19 December 1812 (4, 4.1), Phillip married Nancy Webb, his second wife, in Burke, NC.  

 

marriage license

 

Phillip R. had a son by the name of Joseph, who was born in about 1809 by Phillip's first wife (whose name is unknown). Later, Phillip and Nancy's children came to this world:

• Thomas - 1813
• Minerva Eliza - born in abt. 1815
• John - born in abt. 1818,
• Nancy Mathilda - 1820
• Sarah - 1821.

Nancy Webb Goodbread, Phillip's wife, died in 1823.

 

Phillip and children had moved to Alabama by 30 March 1830. On that day, Phillip's daughter Mary Louisa was born in Marengo, Alabama. Her mother was Mary (Polly) Hanson.

⚭ 4 July 1830, Phillip married Polly (5). I do not know why the lady's surname mentioned in the marriage record is given as Goodbread. An error, or perhaps, she had been married to another Goodbread man before? 

⚭ 26 January 1831 - Minerva Elisabeth, age about 16,  married Mr. Daniel Bird in Marengo, Alabama (6). Daniel was the son of Mr. Abraham Bird and Ms.  Sarah Gaines. He was about 6 years older than Miverva, and was born on 23 January 1809 in Telfair, Laurens County, Georgia.

marriage bond - Daniel Bird

marriage record - Minerva and Daniel

⚭ 27-year-old Thomas married Malinda Brewer on 27 May 1833 (7). Malinda was born in Marengo, Alabama, in abt 1810, to Matthew H Brerwer and Mary Hammond.

👉 Phillip, Polly and their child came to Texas in 1834. According to the records, at first, they most likely settled in Gonzales County.

His elder children came to Texas in later years.

⚭ Nancy Mathilda was married in abt 1840 to Creed Taylor (born 10 April 1820 in Giles Town, Shelby, Tennessee), the son of Josiah Taylor and  Hephzibeth Luker.

⚭ Sarah was married in abt 1838, in NC to Martin C West, born in 1814, in Walton, Georgia.

Joseph, the eldest son of Phillip's, married Susan Johanna E Todd (born in abt 1822 in Georgia). She was the daughter of William Henry Todd, Sr. and Martha "Patsey" Holder. Joseph met his tragic end in abt. 1840 in Shelby County, TX when he was shot to death in broad daylight. At the moment of his death, Joseph was unarmed. I will come back to it in another post as his death ignited a lethal conflict due to which other family members suffered as well.

👉 1840 - Phillip R Goodbread was listed among the land owners who did not pay taxes  to the Republic of Texas for the land in Gonzales County (8).

👉 Minerva Elizabeth had came with her family to Wilson County, TX by 25 Dec 1842. On that day, she gave birth to her son George Washington Bird.

👉 1845 - a piece of land granted to Phillip in Montgomery County.
👉 18 Nov 1845 the land patent of the land piece in Montgomery, originally granted to Phillip, was in the General Land Office "ready for delivery". It was announced in the Texas national Register from November until December (**) Did Phillip Goodbread collect the grant? I am not sure about what had occured as there are no records regarding his stay/taxes collected in Montgomery county. On the other hand, (among others) Phillip Goodbread was mentioned in the tax records in Grimes county.

👉 1846 - Phillip rendered 4428 acres in Grimes County. The land was worth $2, 214 (9).

👉 1847 - He still had 4428 acres of land in Grimes County, Texas (10).

👉 - Phillip Goodbread paid taxes in Addison, Dallas, TX, for 2 horses and 140 head of cattle. (11)

👉 1848 - Grimes County, TX  - Phillip had 4428 acres worth $2214 (12).

In the same year, John Goodbread, Phillip's son died. I do not know any details regarding John's departure.

More tax records in which Phillip Goodbread was listed:

👉 1849 - taxes calculated in Bexar, Bexar, TX - no land or property was mentioned (13).
👉 1849 - Gonzales, Gonzales - taxes for 1476 acres of land worth $370 (14),

👉 1849 - Bexar, Bexar County - Phillip paid $1 for poll tax (15).

👉 1849 - Phillip Goodbread paid taxes for 4428 acres in Grimes County, TX (16). At that time the land he had was only worth $1107.

🏡 4 September 1850 - Phillip (age 65), Polly (age 57),  Eliza (age 18), and Phillip West (age 9) lived in Walker County, Texas (17).

⚭ 27 July 1851 Louisa married Mr. John Douglas Gillespie in Bexar, Bexar County, TX (18). John was born in 1822, in Alabama, to George Gillespie and Mary Elizabeth McAdams.

👉 1852 - Phillip paid taxes for 5 horses and 100 head of cattle, 1 wagon and 50 hogs, in Bexar County, TX. John Gillespie, his son-in-law - in the same county - had 7 horses and 40 head of cattle (19).

👉 1853 - Phillip Goobread owned 4428 acres (value = $2200) Grimes County
Phillip Goodbread Jr (?) had 1476 acres (value = $740) in Gonzales County (20).
 

Later tax records regarding Phillip Goodbread:

👉 1855 - He had 1478 acres in Bexar (the land value was $2000) (21),

In 1856, Phillip Goodbread paid taxes for 1476 acres (worth $1500) in Guadalupe County, TX. He also had 18 horses, 610 head of cattle, 1 wagon, 125 hogs (22, 23).
1857 - the tax record mentioned 1428 acres in Grimes County owned by Phillip. The land estaimated value was $300 (24).
👉 1858 - 4498 acres of land, worth $3000, in Grimes County  (25),
👉 1858 - 400 acres of land (on Cibolo Stream) worth $600, originally granted to Morris May (26). In that year, Phillip' tax expenses also covered 400 acres in Bexar County. The land was originally granted to Morris May. He also ownedd 10 horses, 100 head of cattle (27).

 

 

⚭ 5 July 1859, Louisa remarried - her second spouse was Oliver Lightfoot (28).

🏡 12 July 1860 - Phillip (age 73) lived with the family of Oliver (age 32) and Mary S Lightfoot (age 27), and Cebillie (age 9) Gillespie in Wilson, Bexar, TX (29).


Thomas Goodbread had come to Texas by 1860. he settled in Guadalupe County (30)

👉 1861 - Phillip still had 4428 acres (worth $4428) in Grimes (31)

♦ 15 June 1867 - Nancy Matilda Goodbread Taylor, Phillip's daughter, passed at the age of 47 in Wilson, TX. She had came to Texas with her family in  about 1839.

♦ 22 Sept 1867 - another child of Phillip's - Minerva Elizabeth Goodbread Bird died in Montgomery/Wilson County, TX (32).


♦ Phillip R Goodbread passed in 1870, in Wilson, Bexar, TX.

**

Texas National Register. (Washington, Tex.), Vol. 1, No. 47, Ed. 1, Saturday, November 29, 1845, newspaper, November 29, 1845; Washington, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth80141/: accessed April 23, 2025), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting The Dolph Briscoe Center for American History.

Texas National Register. (Washington, Tex.), Vol. 1, No. 49, Ed. 1, Wednesday, December 17, 1845, newspaper, December 17, 1845; Washington, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth80143/: accessed April 23, 2025), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting The Dolph Briscoe Center for American History.

Other Sources:

1."North Carolina, County Marriages, 1762-2011 ", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q21B-XX6Q : Sat Mar 09 10:30:02 UTC 2024), Entry for John Goodbread and Mary Bradly, 23 Apr 1779.
2. "United States, Census, 1820", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XHGS-HQX : Sat Jul 20 03:23:44 UTC 2024), Entry for Mary Goodbread, 1820.
3. "United States, Census, 1810", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XHL9-N3M : Fri Oct 04 20:09:31 UTC 2024), Entry for Mary Goodbread, 1810.
4. "North Carolina, County Marriages, 1762-2011 ", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q215-VYR8 : Thu Mar 07 03:33:24 UTC 2024), Entry for Phillip Goodbread and Nanny Weib, 19 Dec 1812.
4.1 "North Carolina, Marriages, 1759-1979", , FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q29D-1H14 : 14 February 2020), Phillip Goodbread, 1812.
5. "Alabama, Marriages, 1816-1957", , FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FQ69-2XL : 13 February 2020), Polly Goodbread in entry for Philip Goodbread, 1830
6. "Alabama County Marriages, 1711-1992", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QKZS-LMPQ : Tue Mar 05 04:46:03 UTC 2024), Entry for Daniel Bird and Minerva Goodbread, 26 Jan 1831.
7. "Alabama, Marriages, 1816-1957", , FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FQ69-LZB : 13 February 2020), Thomas Goodbread, 1833.
8.  Texas Centinel. (Austin, Tex.), Vol. 2, No. 28, Ed. 1, Thursday, June 17, 1841, newspaper, June 17, 1841; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth80053/: accessed April 4, 2025), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting The Dolph Briscoe Center for American History.
9. "Texas, County Tax Rolls, 1837-1910", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q2QG-ZP7H : Wed Mar 06 09:36:34 UTC 2024), Entry for Philip Goodbread, 1846.
10. "Texas, County Tax Rolls, 1837-1910", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q2QG-ZL1B : Sun Mar 10 16:56:58 UTC 2024), Entry for Philip Goodbread, 1847.
11. "Texas, County Tax Rolls, 1837-1910", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QJ8P-VHY5 : Sun Mar 10 17:16:58 UTC 2024), Entry for Phillip R Goodbread, 1847.
12. "Texas, County Tax Rolls, 1837-1910", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q2QG-ZPN1 : Sun Mar 10 09:09:53 UTC 2024), Entry for Phillip Goodbread, 1848.
13. "Texas, County Tax Rolls, 1837-1910", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VBMK-5JD : Sun Mar 10 22:31:23 UTC 2024), Entry for Philip R Goodbread, 1849.
14. "Texas, County Tax Rolls, 1837-1910", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QJ85-BXQ9 : Sun Mar 10 12:58:48 UTC 2024), Entry for Phillip Goodbread, 1849.
15. "Texas, County Tax Rolls, 1837-1910", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VBMK-5JD : Sun Mar 10 22:31:23 UTC 2024), Entry for Philip R Goodbread, 1849.
16. "Texas, County Tax Rolls, 1837-1910", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q2QG-ZT7Z : Sun Mar 10 02:45:50 UTC 2024), Entry for Phillip Goodbread, 1849.
17. "United States, Census, 1850", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MXLP-4H3 : Sun Jan 12 19:44:56 UTC 2025), Entry for Phillip Goodbread and Polly Goodbread, 1850.
18. "Texas, County Marriage Index, 1837-1977", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XL83-LY6 : Sat Mar 09 21:04:59 UTC 2024), Entry for John Gillespie and Louisa Goodbread, 22 Jul 1851.
19. "Texas, County Tax Rolls, 1837-1910", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VBMK-B7H : Sun Mar 10 12:15:11 UTC 2024), Entry for Philip Goodbread, 1852.
20. "Texas, County Tax Rolls, 1837-1910", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VBM2-92Q : Wed Jan 15 21:53:27 UTC 2025), Entry for Phillip Goodbread, 1853.
21. "Texas, County Tax Rolls, 1837-1910", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VBM2-CGQ : Sun Mar 10 04:04:05 UTC 2024), Entry for Philip ? Goodbread, 1855.
22. "Texas, County Tax Rolls, 1837-1910", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q2QG-D1N3 : Sun Mar 10 16:01:16 UTC 2024), Entry for P R Goodbread, 185
23. "Texas, County Tax Rolls, 1837-1910", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q2QG-DB32 : Sat Mar 09 19:59:21 UTC 2024), Entry for P R Goodbread, 1856.
24. "Texas, County Tax Rolls, 1837-1910", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VBM2-VJ1 : Mon Jan 20 06:05:17 UTC 2025), Entry for Phillip Goodbread, 1857.
25. "Texas, County Tax Rolls, 1837-1910", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VBM2-ZG6 : Mon Jul 08 16:01:17 UTC 2024), Entry for Phillip Goodbread, 1858.
26. "Texas, County Tax Rolls, 1837-1910", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VBM2-CXY : Thu Mar 07 12:21:02 UTC 2024), Entry for Philip Goodbread, 1858.
27. "Texas, County Tax Rolls, 1837-1910", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VBM2-CXY : Thu Mar 07 12:21:02 UTC 2024), Entry for Philip Goodbread, 1858.
28. "Texas, Marriages, 1837-1973", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F6BH-1M6 : 22 January 2020), Mary Louise Gillespie in entry for Oliver Lightfoot, 1859.
29. "United States, Census, 1860", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MXF1-WTC : Mon Jul 08 22:29:17 UTC 2024), Entry for Olivar Lightfoot and Mary S Lightfoot, 1860."United States, Census, 1850", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MXLP-4H3 : Sun Jan 12 19:44:56 UTC 2025), Entry for Phillip Goodbread and Polly Goodbread, 1850.
30. "United States, Census, 1860", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MXFL-7W2 : Mon Jul 08 22:51:30 UTC 2024), Entry for Tho Goodbread and Melinda Goodbread, 1860.
31. "Texas, County Tax Rolls, 1837-1910", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q2QG-8H2M : Fri Mar 08 13:39:31 UTC 2024), Entry for Philip Goodbread, 1861.
32. "Find a Grave Index", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVKN-SJG7 : Thu Apr 03 08:16:42 UTC 2025), Entry for Minerva Elizabeth Goodbread Bird, 1867.

Photos: August 2020

About What Other People Say

When I was about 20, I lived at my parents' home. One day, while walking home, my mom met a lady neighbor who lived downstairs from us. They talked for a while and mom mentioned me. The neighbor replied agitated, "It's not true, your daughter lives in ... (she gave the name of another city) and is studying there!"
Mom came back home and said, "You live in....".
I did not understand what she meant, so mom told me what had just happened. We both laughed. It was astonishing - the neighbors knew better what I was doing and where I lived. Better than my mom and myself.

A few years later, I laughed again when I learned that, according to gossipers, a boy who attended the school I was working at, was a son of mine. The reasoning on which the rumor was based tmade me laugh. Somehow, the blabbermouths believed that the boy's surname and my surname where the same. It was pure nonsense as the two names did not even look similar. The student's name was Lauterbach. My surname started and ended with different letters + a lot of other letters in the middle. What was the same only - both surnames were not of Polish origin. That was enough for some people to create such a silly conclusion that I was his mother. How senseless can people go? 

At the same school, there was also a co-teacher, a nice guy. He was a rather usual person - a respectable educator and member of the local community, a husband, and a father. Nothing special to talk about. However, the man had a hobby. On warm days, he enjoyed doing it in the broad daylight, sitting on his balcony, where everybody could see him. What did he do? It was nothing illegal or offensive, but different enough to make people talk about him. Well, the man liked crocheting. He lived in the school area so many could notice him on the balcony - crocheting.

"Weird" was the least what you could hear in people's comments. Did he mind them? No, he did not, just continued practicing his hobby.

It is a totally different matter, when a rumor, a story made up by gossip-mongers, is disturbing and unnerving, and not funny at all. How do you deal with that? How do you deal with talebearers who spread lies and whisper behind your back?

Talking to them seems pointless so I never did that. Sending them negative thoughts binds you to their negative energy and drags you down, which lowers your frequency at the same time. To avoid that, when such gossipers come to my mind, I bless them in my thoughts. It helps dissolve the gloomy feelings and frees the mind.

In conclusion to that, what other people say or do does not define me, just the opposite. It defines them.

 PS

Why some people spread untrue stories about others is another matter. Perhaps it makes the gossipers feel better about themselves? Seems quite pitiful to me.