Planning Christmas dinner with your ancestors

Maybe it's the school teacher in me that refuses to go away even after years away from the profession, but I constantly find myself thinking of creative ways to make learning fun.

Dr. Southard and Mrs. Bouffard, two of my education professors at North Georgia, would be proud that their "brainwashing" tactics not only worked, but stuck.

This idea came to me last year, but I tossed it aside as being a bit frivolous, until I casually mentioned it to some fellow researchers who said, "What a great idea!" Even my mother, who usually just rolls her eyes when I start talking about genealogy, told me yesterday, "That sounds like fun."

I was always more than just a name-and-date-gatherer when I started this alternately aggravating and satisfying hobby, and often found myself daydreaming about what life was like for my ancestors. And, with Christmas just around the corner, I wondered what Christmas dinner would be like with my GGGgrandparents, Nathan and Elizabeth Pepper(s) Fowler, back in Gwinnett County. Who would be there? How old would they be? What children would be there? What would they receive as gifts? What food would be on the table?

So, armed with more than just a mild curiosity, I set out to find answers to my questions. You may find this fun too. And it certainly helps put your ancestors into a more personal perspective. They have to come alive if they are to celebrate Christmas with you.

First, pick a year. This will depend on how much research you have done. Even beginners have gotten back to the late 1800s. You can pick a year close to the census year if you like, since this would give you a more accurate accounting of the people who would be present. I chose 1852.

And, yes, the dreaded Santa Claus may play a part in the children's Christmas since Clement Moore wrote his famous "A Visit From St. Nicholas" in 1822 and it was published for the first time in 1823. (You can find this info on the Internet.)

You have probably come in contact with several distant cousins who are also descendants of your ancestor and they can contribute too. Have them figure out the particulars on their ancestor and add it to your own. Put your stories together and you have a really fun project.

Ten of us who are descendants of Nathan have found each other through the Internet, and, by sharing information, we have pretty accurate files on Nathan and Elizabeth's children. In 1850, they had 10 known children, all living in the vicinity of Snellville/Grayson, Ga., where they made their residence. Elizabeth's parents, John and Hester Whaley Pepper(s) lived nearby in Walton County, so they might figure into the picture, although they were both in their 80s. John made his will in 1851, so he might have been ill. Perhaps everyone might have piled into the wagon and paid them a visit.

As for Nathan's parents, we still have no idea who they were, so we can eliminate one family and just work with the ones we know for sure.

Nathan and Elizabeth were born about 1800 and 1802 respectively, so they would both be 50-ish. Just two years before this get-together, Nathan had been one of the founders of Chestnut Grove Baptist Church so I think it's safe to assume this was a religious family who would celebrate Christmas mostly as a religious event (as it should be).

With 10 children, we can probably assume Nathan and Elizabeth had a home adequate to house all of them, so it was probably fairly large and inviting to a great number of guests. He was a farmer, so there was probably a more-than-adequate store of "canned" vegetables, fruits, jellies and jams, which Elizabeth had "put up" during the growing months and after the fall harvest. Now. Who would be there?

Nathan's oldest daughter, Hester, age 28 in 1852, has not been found early on, but she is buried in the Johnson Cemetery in Snellville, so I think we can assume she lived in the area. She and her husband would probably come. Some say she was married first to a Gresham, but she died a Johnson in the late 1800s, so children are not known for sure.

Nathan's oldest son, John, age 26, lived just a few houses away, with his wife, Sarah Ann Norris, and their three children, Nancy Elizabeth (Lizzie), who would be 4, William Jethro (my great-grandfather) who would be 3, and George Wilson, a new baby, who would be just 10 months old for this, his first Christmas. Did they live close enough to walk to Nathan's home? Would Sarah Ann have brought a covered dish to share at the family table? More things to think about.

Nathan's son Reuben, age 24, lived next door, so he and his wife, Frances Ann (Fanny) Johnson, would be definite attendees, along with Fanny Ann's mother, Sarah (Sally) Johnson who lived with them. They also had a young son, Nathan, who would be about 2.

Still living at home in 1852 were Nathan's other children, Sarah, who would be about 23; Kelly, who would be about 21 (didn't marry until 1853. His intended, Sarah Perry, may or may not have been there); Zephania(h), who would be about 19 (Zeph will marry Sarah Ann Norris Fowler's sister, Lucy Ann Norris sometime the next year. Would she be there? My guess is yes.); Matilda who would be about 15; Elizabeth, who would be about 14; Marion who would also be about 14 (were they twins?); and Martha Ann who would be about 13.

Okay, we now have 13 adults (counting Sarah, Kelly, Zeph and his intended as adults), four teenagers, and four young children. The party is starting to get lively (and the dining table very large).

What would they eat? Well, wild turkeys were plentiful in Georgia. Did the men go hunting and bag a bird? Or did they just go out to the smoke house and bring in a ham? Green beans and yams were probably on the menu, as were fruit pies and possibly homemade candy.

This family was never rich, so gifts would probably be modest and practical. Knives, rifles, clothing for the men, and hand-carved wooden toys and rag dolls for the children were probably included. As for the women, I haven't a clue. I'm still figuring it out myself.

As I write, this, my mind is spinning with questions and possible answers. I want to add more details and really "see" the family sitting down to dinner. What did these folks look like? "Startling" blue eyes are said to be a Fowler family trait. How many sitting at the table had them? Were they dark or fair? Tall or short? Mischievous or sweet and shy?

I think you have the idea. Write and let me know what you came up with for your family party. Maybe you can give me some ideas too (and correct my history if necessary). I look forward to hearing from you.

Looking for your Georgia ancestors? Got a genealogy tip? Got a local family history to share? Write to The Citizen, Drawer 1719, Fayetteville, GA 30214; e-mail jkilgore@thecitizennews.com or jodiek444@aol.com. Until next week, happy hunting!

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