Thursday, September 18, 2014

Grandma's Photo Album Page 62 - Snyder Sisters in Wilkes County, NC and a house in Winston-Salem


(Top right) My mother, Carrie (1926-2001) in her Japanese kimono with fan.  I believe she got this in Washington, D.C. when she worked at Children's Hospital as a nurse.

(Bottom left) Mozelle and Bette (both living).

(Bottom center) Mozelle.

(Bottom right)  My grandparents' home in Winston-Salem, NC. On October 2, 1916, my grandfather Wiley Thomas "Tom" Snyder (1892-1988) bought a house at 721 Devonshire Street in the Broadbay section of the city, with a mortgage, for $1,415.[1]  He was single.  He worked two jobs to afford this house. Weekdays, he worked at R.J. Reynolds' Tobacco Company.  Saturdays, he worked as a payment collector for a furniture company.

While serving in the U.S. Army in World War I, Tom wrote his fiancĂ©e Nora Bessie McNeil (1900-1992) (my grandmother) that he had “a grand house, with a fine location, city water, and electric lights.” [2]  

They were married April 16, 1919, and lived in this house for several years.

This house is still standing!  They renumbered the street so now it's 833 E. Devonshire St.  You can see it here:  http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/833-E-Devonshire-St-Winston-Salem-NC-27107/5752357_zpid/
 


[1] Forsyth, North Carolina, deeds, 1849-1927, 148: 143, H. A. Pfohl et al to W. T. Snider, 2 Oct 1916; microfilm C.038.40067.
[2] Wiley Thomas Snyder. Letter to Nora McNeil. 30 May 1918. From Camp Sevier, SC.  Privately held by Barbara McGeachy, Raleigh, North Carolina, 2011.

Sunday, September 14, 2014

Grandma's Photo Album Page 61 - Wilkes County Family


(Top left) My mother's first cousin, Cat Steelman (1928-2005).  She was born Mildred Catherine Vannoy in Wilkes County to William Raynor Vannoy (1898-1947) and my grandmother's sister Lacy Florence McNeil Vannoy (1902-1990).

Cat went to Appalachian State (back then, it was a teacher's college; now it's a university), then got a Master's degree in education from UNC-Chapel Hill.  She was my biology teacher at R.J. Reynolds' High School in Winston-Salem.  She was an excellent teacher.

(Top right)  I believe this is a 1950's birthday party for my great-grandmother, Clara Eva Hettie Ellen Jarvis McNeil (1873-1959). She is seated in the wheelchair at left.  Her birthday was April 6. 

I think the 2 little boys next to her are two of her great-grandsons, blond Larry Call (living) and the dark haired boy is Joe Church Jr. (1951-2003).

Larry's mother, Bette (living), is at the far right, standing behind her mother, Ila Margaret McNeil Vannoy (1898-1983).   So that's 4 generations - Eva, Ila, Bette, Larry.

My grandparents are at the back right; they both are wearing glasses that look frosted over due to the glare.  I don't see any of their children.

(Bottom left) Despite the Groucho Marx disguise, I'm pretty sure this is my uncle, Ralph Lewis Snyder (1932-1996).   Ralph had a great sense of humor.  He was known as a "cut-up".

(Bottom right) My grandparents:  Wiley Thomas Snyder (1892-1988) and Nora Bessie McNeil Snyder (1900-1992) in the front yard of their farm house on Pleasant Home Church Road in Millers Creek, Wilkes County, N.C.


Friday, September 5, 2014

Grandma's Photo Album Page 60 - Wilkes County Relatives


Well, I guess Grandma and I got tired that day in 1981 when I took notes as she told me who was in every picture.  So I don't have any more notes from her.  I'm on my own now to identify who is in these photos!

Top row, left to right:
1) My grandmother's mother, Clara Eve Hettie Ellen Jarvis McNeil (1873-1959).  This is probably a photo for her church directory.
2) These four children are in the front yard of my grandparents' home in Millers Creek, Wilkes County, NC, but I don't know who they are.  The girl in front is possibly my mother, Carrie Mae Snyder (1926-2001). The boy at the far left may be her older brother, James Neil Snyder (1922-1993). 
3) The lady standing in the back is my grandmother, Nora Bessie McNeil (1900-1992).  I think she is holding one of her children.  The little girl in front is the same as in the other picture (my mother?).  I don't know th lady who is kneeling.  She may be Myrtle Louisa Vannoy Whittington (1881-1958), my grandfather's first cousin (see Page 39).
4) This is my grandfather in World World I, training for trench warfare.  He was Wiley Thomas Snyder (1892-1988).

Bottom row - I don't know any of these people!  I sure wish I had a time machine so I could go back to 1981 and have another chat with my grandmother.  She knew everyone in every photo!

Guessing:  The woman in the left and center photos may be the same person.  She may be Sallie Scott Snyder (1900-1970), with her husband, my grandfather's brother, Russell Jess Snyder (1896-1984).  His hair is rather distinctive.  But I'm not sure it's them.