Celebrating the 153rd birthday of great-grandma Clara Eva Jarvis McNeil

My great-grandmother Clara Eva Jarvis McNeil was born on April 6, 1873 in Wilkes County, NC.

Eva had very long hair, as shown in the photograph below. According to her granddaughter, Carrie Snyder Disher, she had curly red/auburn hair, sky blue eyes, and a few freckles. Another granddaughter, Pam McNeil, said "When she was young she had beautiful long red hair. When she was 16 she decided she wanted to have her picture made, so she dressed up and walked into North Wilkesboro (6-7 Miles) to have her photograph done!" Lots of family members have a copy of that photo, shown here:

Clara Eva Jarvis approx. 1889

Beloved by her eight children and many grandchildren, Eva had a wonderful sense of humor and was an excellent rifle shot. She shot rabbits and squirrels, and warded off chicken thieves. She once shot at corn thieves, and they ran off!

Carrie wrote that Eva “was kind to everybody. She kept a lot of travelers [gypsy-like grifters or itinerant workers] but never let them leave until she asked if they were Christian. She always gave them a formula to get on God’s Highway and go on to Heaven. She never refused anyone a good meal, but seldom got a penny in return.”

Eva's granddaughter Dorothy Snyder Myers shared her memories of Eva. Eva only had two pictures on her wall: Jesus and Franklin Delano Roosevelt. She took them with her whenever she stayed overnight at a relative’s house. She was a staunch Democrat. She hated Abraham Lincoln, probably because his army wounded and imprisoned her father. She called Abe a "dirty old man." Having lived through the Depression, she thought very highly of FDR. 

According to Dorothy, Eva was an avid needlewoman. She knitted, crocheted, sewed, and tatted. She made double-sided shawls for each of her daughters; one side was black and the other was a bright color such as rose. She crocheted enough yarn bookmarks (in the shape of a cross, in different colors) to raise $200 for charity. At 10 cents each, that's 2,000 bookmarks!

Crochet cross bookmark similar to ones Eva made

Sources:

• Birthdate is on her tombstone and is consistent with the 1880 census (she was 7).
• Conversations with Eva's grandchildren, Carrie Snyder Disher, George Paul "Red" Snyder, Dorothy Snyder Myers, and Pam McNeil.

Tom and Nora's Wedding - April 16, 1919

Here is the newspaper article about their wedding, followed by the photo taken on their wedding day.

[Wedding announcement in the Hustler newspaper in North Wilkesboro, April 18, 1919, page 1, column 2]

McNeil-Snider

A beautiful home wedding was solemnized at the home of the bride's father, Mr. G. T. McNeil, April 16th, 1919.  Miss Nora McNeil became the bride of Mr. W. T. Snider, son of Mr. and Mrs. N. G. Snyder of Millers Creek, one of Winston's mechanics just returned from France, of the 81st Division.  The bride is one of Millers Creek's most beautiful and esteemed young ladies.

Among those present were Rev. and Mrs. R. F. Jarvis, of Adley, Mr. and Mrs I. R. Vannoy, of Wilbar, Messrs. J. B. and Jess Snyder, brothers of the groom.  After the ceremony by Rev. R. F. Jarvis they were ushered into the dining room where a most luxurious dinner was served.

The young couple left by auto for Wilkesboro to leave on the two-thirty train for his beautiful new home in Winston-Salem.

Showers of good wishes from their friends of Millers Creek.

One Present

 


Nora sewed her dress by hand.  Her maternal grandfather, Rev. Richard Franklin Jarvis, conducted the service at his home in Wilkes County.  I'm sure his wife, Nora's grandmother, Martha Ann Pardue Jarvis, was there too.  Other people mentioned in the article:

• G.T. McNeil was George Thomas McNeil, Nora's father.  I'm sure his wife, Nora's mother, Clara Eva Hettie Ellen Jarvis McNeil attended too!
• Mr. and Mrs. N.G. Snyder were Nicholas Grindstaff Snyder and his wife, Louise Jane Whittington Snyder..
• Mr. and Mrs. I.R. Vannoy were Isaac Ransom Vannoy and his wife, Ila Margaret McNeil Vannoy, his wife (Nora's oldest sister).
• Mr. J.B. Snyder was John B. Snyder, Tom's brother, who had just been discharged from the Army after serving in France.
• Mr. Jess Snyder was Tom's younger brother (too young to serve in the Army).

Grandma's Photo Album Page 84 - Snyders on the Blue Ridge Parkway and in Massachusetts in Winter

The Tom and Nora Snyder family and friends drove up to the Blue Ridge Parkway about 1950.

(Top left) Betty (living) and Mozelle (living) with one of the Broyhill girls. 

(Bottom left) Left to right:  Mrs. Broyhill holding one of her daughters, Nora Snyder, another Broyhill girl, then Betty and Mozelle. 

(Bottom right) Nora and Tom Snyder.  Nora Bessie McNeil (1900-1992) wears a shawl that I believe her mother knitted.  Clara Eva Hettie Ellen Jarvis McNeil (1873-1959) knit a shawl for each of her six daughters.  The shawls were double-sided, different color on each side.  But Nora still looks cold! 

Tom was Wiley Thomas Snyder (1892-1988).  It must be a Sunday because he is not wearing denim overalls, he is wearing his Sunday best suit.

(Top right) Tom and Nora's oldest son, Jimmy, by his Airstream Trailer in Gloucester, Mass.  James Neil Snyder (1922-1993) joined the Coast Guard in 1939.  While serving, his ship was in the Gloucester area, and he met his future wife, Kay (living).  Jim and Kay lived near Kay's family. 

Memorial Day Tribute to Veterans: Richard Franklin Jarvis

Richard Franklin Jarvis (1845-1943) - He looks very serious!

Description in his compiled military service record:  fair complexion, light brown hair, hazel eyes, 5'9".

His Civil War timeline:

• 15 Mar 1864 Enrolled at age 18 in Co. E, 54th N.C. Infantry
• 16 May 1864 Wounded - gunshot in arm by comrade (accident) at Drewry's Bluff, Virginia
• 14 Aug 1864 While on furlough to recover from gunshot wound, married Martha Ann "Mat" Pardue (1845-1934)
• 25 Mar 1865 Captured at Petersburg, Va. and taken as P.O.W. to Point Lookout, Md.
• 28 Jun 1865 Released from Point Lookout, Md. on taking oath of allegiance to the U.S.

He died on 23 Feb 1943 at age 97.  He was the last Confederate veteran in Wilkes County, N.C.
 

Sources:

1. Compiled service record, R. F. Jarvis; Civil War Soldiers - Confederate - NC, U.S. Civil War; 109; digital images, "Compiled Service Records of Confederate Soldiers Who Served in Organizations from the State of North Carolina," Fold3 (http://www.fold3.com : accessed 19 Oct 2012).
2. Wilkes County, North Carolina, Marriage Bonds 1778-1868, folder Holloway-Kilby, Jarvis-Pardew, 1864; North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh.
3. "AGED MINISTER DIED TUESDAY," (North Wilkesboro) Journal-Patriot, 25 Feb 1943, p. 1, col. 3.

Mother's Day - Five Generations of Women

In honor of all the women in my direct maternal line:

Me

 

Mom, Carrie Mae Snyder (1926-2001).

 My mother's mother, Nora Bessie McNeil (1900-1992) on her wedding day in April 16, 1919.

My grandmother's mother, Clara Eva Hettie Ellen Jarvis (1873-1959) in 1900.

My greatgrandmother's mother, Martha Ann "Matt" Pardue (1845-1934).

That's as far back as I can go with photographs.  I wish I had a photo of my maternal line 3rd greatgrandmother, Prudence Padgett (1827-1888).

Photo of Jarvis sisters Eva Jarvis McNeil and Lodemie Jarvis Gilreath in Wilkes County, NC

Left: Clara Eva Hettie Ellen Jarvis McNeil (1873-1959)  (my great-grandmother)
Right: her sister, Lodemie Lucinda Sara Elizabeth Jarvis Gilreath (1866-1945)

They were the daughters of Richard Franklin Jarvis (1845-1943) and Martha Ann Pardue (1845-1934) of Wilkes County, N.C.  Eva lived in Wilkes, but Lodemie moved to Alexander County, N.C.

Ed Slane has a nice website for the Jarvis family.  His section on Lodemie includes a document she wrote about her ancestors - very interesting - I love family stories!  Ed's web site is http://www.familyorigins.com/users/s/l/a/Ed--Slane/FAMO1-0001/d34.htm#P256

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.

Grandma's Photo Album Page 59 - Double First Cousins

(Top left) Bette (living).  Great smile, and I love her braids!

(Top center) My great-grandmother:  Clara Eva Hettie Ellen Jarvis McNeil (1873-1959), on her birthday.  Apparently, at least four of her six daughters competed to see who could bake the best cake!

(Top right) Eva with a pretty corsage.  She was bedridden the last few years of her life.  I see a photo of her late husband (George Thomas McNeil (1870-1930) on the table, and a picture of Jesus on the wall.  Eva's granddaughter Dorothy told me that Eva stayed with one daughter for a while, then stayed with another.  She carried her pictures with her - Jesus and Franklin Delano Roosevelt.  She was a staunch Democrat.  She hated Abe Lincoln, probably because her father served as a Confederate soldier, and was wounded twice.  She called Lincoln a "dirty old man."

(Lower left) A son of John McLean of Gloucester, Mass.  This would either be John Jr or Neil, I believe.

(Lower right) A bunch of Snyders in front of my grandparents house on Pleasant Home Church Road in Millers Creek, Wilkes County, N.C.  These people are two McNeil sisters who married two Snyder brothers and their children. So the kids are all either siblings or double first cousins.

Front row, left to right:  Carrie Snyder (1926-2001) in the dark jacket and white slacks, Bette (living), Martha (living).

Middle row, left to right:  Mozelle (living), Mattie Lodemia "Demie" McNeil Snyder (1908-1997), Nora Bessie McNeil Snyder (1900-1992), and Clara Louise Snyder (1930-1998).

Back row, left to right: Ralph Lewis Snyder (1932-1996) and Red (living).

Grandma's Photo Album Page 54 - Snyders and a McNeil in Wilkes County

Note: top left photo was missing in 1981.

(Top center) Mozelle (living)

(Top right) Uncle Jimmy.  James Neil Snyder (1922-1993) was called "Neil" by his parents.  He is standing in their front yard in Millers Creek, Wilkes County, N.C.  He left home at age 17 to join the Coast Guard and he only came back for brief visits after that.  After his honorable discharge from the Coast Guard, he worked in New York City on tugboats in the harbor.  He lived in Gloucester, Mass., with his wife Kay.

(Lower left) My mother, Carrie Snyder (1926-2001), in her nursing uniform.  She went to Grace Hospital School of Nursing in Morganton, N.C., about 1944-1946. 

(Lower center) Uncle Jimmy.

(Lower right) The grandmother of all the people on this page:  Clara Eva Hettie Ellen Jarvis McNeil (1873-1959), called Eva.  My mother knew her well, and adored her -- wonderful sense of humor, excellent rifle shot, red auburn curly hair.  Eva knitted and crocheted, and made the shawl she is wearing, which is two-sided, for extra warmth and to have 2 colors.  She made them for all 6 of her daughters as well.

Another granddaughter (Dorothy) knew her well:

• Eva only had 2 photos on her wall:  Jesus and FDR.  
• She was a staunch Democrat.  
• She hated Abe Lincoln (possibly because her father was wounded in the Civil War). She called Abe a "dirty old man".

On her deathbed, she overheard her daughters planning who would stay with her.  Eva said that there was no need for anyone to stay with her all night. "If the Lord comes to get me, we will not need anyone.  If the devil comes, I don't want anyone to know about it."

Grandma's Photo Album Page 44 - Snyder and Jarvis Families in Wilkes County

Four of these photos were taken in the front yard of my grandparent's home in Millers Creek, Wilkes County, NC, about 1955.

(Top left) Left to right:  Mozelle (living), Kay (living), James Neil "Jimmy" Snyder (1922-1993).

(Top center) Mozelle and Jimmy.  The building behind them is the old garage.  My grandfather had cars when he was younger, but he got rid of them before the mid-1950's.  He used the garage to store stuff.

(Top right) My great-grandmother, Clara Eva Hettie Ellen Jarvis McNeil, lying in her casket, either just before or just after her funeral.  I've transcribed her obituary (see below).

(Bottom left) Yours truly as an infant, with my dad.

(Bottom center) Left to right:  My grandmother (Nora Bessie McNeil Snyder, 1900-1992), Kay, Bette (living), Jimmy, Mozelle

(Bottom right) Jimmy

-----------------------
Obituary of Eva McNeil from the (North Wilkesboro) Journal-Patriot, 26 Jan 1959, p. 4, col. 6.  There are several errors in this obituary.  One of her daughters (Lacie Vannoy) is not listed, and Eva's birth year is wrong - it should be 1873 - so she was actually 85 when she died.


Mrs. G. T. McNeil Of Millers Creek Dies On Friday

Mrs. Clara Eva McNeil, 82, of Millers Creek, widow of George Thomas McNeil, died at 9 a.m. Saturday at her home.  She had been ill several years.

She was born April 6, 1876 in Wilkes County.  She was a member of Pleasant Home Baptist Church.

Surviving are two sons, Lawrence McNeil of San Francisco, Calif., and Edward McNeil of Millers Creek; six daughters, Mrs. Tom Snyder, Mrs. Don Snyder and  Mrs. Paul Sebastian of Millers Creek, Mrs. Isaac Vannoy of Winston-Salem, and Mrs. John Snyder of North Wilkesboro.

Funeral services were conducted at 3 p.m. Sunday at Pleasant Home Baptist Church by the Rev. Clate Brown. Burial was in the church cemetery.

Pallbearers were Paul Snyder, Ralph Snyder, Rex Call, Atwell Sharpe, Melvin Sebastian, and Floyd Lankford.

Grandma wrote about her Grandfather - Nora McNeil Snyder on Rev. Richard Franklin Jarvis, Wilkes County, NC

[The following transcription by Barbara Disher McGeachy on 3 June 2011 is for a note in handwriting recognizable as my grandmother=s, Nora Bessie McNeil Snyder. I found this undated, unsigned note in the papers of her daughter (my mother), Carrie Snyder Disher. By comparing the handwriting to known letters signed by Nora, I confirmed that this note was written by Nora.  She lived from 1900 to 1992, so this note could have been written in a wide range of years.  This transcription has some corrections for grammar and spelling. This note is about Nora’s maternal grandparents, Rev. Richard Franklin Jarvis (1845-1943) and his wife, Martha Ann Pardue (1845-1934).]

 

 

 

Mr. & Mrs. R. F. Jarvis Home as I remember it as a child.

 

[There is a drawing of a house plan showing a porch as wide as the house. The center front door opens into a hall, with a room on each side of the hall, labeled “Front room” and “Bed Room.”  At the end of the hall is another porch, the width of the hall, with a well on one side and a kitchen on the other side.]

 

Grandmother’s Spice Cake:  Grandmother made a rich, spicy dough with sugar, butter, and eggs.  I don't remember how much of each but three or four nice layers which were tender, crumbly, and brown.  She put it together with whipped cream with plenty of cinnamon for flavor.  She put beautiful red apple jelly for decoration which was real firm.  It was a real treat to eat Grandmother's cake. 

She was real neat and clean always.  She always mentioned visiting as "going abroad". 

She took a bath and was very careful to bathe her feet and put on neat polished shoes. 

She was a fine Christian woman that always kept reminding us that all people should live pure clean lives and a woman's pure character was a great treasure to be desired above all things. 

 

[Upside down] 

Grandfather would ride or walk a long way to preach at his churches while he could get about.  Mother [Clara Eva Hettie Ellen Jarvis McNeil] used to walk 15 or 16 miles with him to his churches in Caldwell County and visit her brother and family.  He [Rev. R. F. Jarvis] retired several years before he died.  He was unable to walk for 12 or 14 years.  He was near 100 when he passed away. 

Grandmother was born on April 2, 1845.  Grandfather Nov. 17, 1845.  They had 9 children:

Lademie

Willie

Charlie

Eva

Lillie

Jim

Buman

Henry
Mack

Lillie and Charlie died with diphtheria when they were 5 and 9 years old.  Both died the same week.

 

 

 

 

Grandfather was a fine Christian man and also a good minister, always helping others & attended his church regular.  He performed lots of marriages & funerals.  They were respected and loved by all who knew them.  They would sit around in their living room each writing letters to their children when they were in their seventies and eighties.  Grandmother always wore her hair parted in center front & it was real black and wavy.  She fastened it in a ball real pretty.  She and Grandfather had nice heavy hair.  He parted his on the side and combed it back.  It was so heavy & soft & white in his last years.  He always wore a long beard or "whiskers" we called them.  He went into Lee's Army as a very young man.  He was wounded in his right shoulder, was sent home on a 3 month furlough, & was married while at home to Martha Ann Pardew, oldest daughter of Thomas Mickens Pardew & Prudence Paget Pardew. 

He went back in the service and was captured and was held a prisoner of war on an island across Chesapeake Bay. He said you just could discern his home land on a real clear day from the island.  He was there a year after the surrender. 

Grandmother had a hard time while he was gone.  She plowed and worked to make a living.  He had a picture of his painted on a glass.  I have looked at it many times but am not sure how it was made.  He was a fine looking young soldier.  She secreted the picture in her clothes and carried it until he returned.  It was about 4 by 6 inches.  There were so many robbers plundering home, nothing was safe.  Her father raised fine horses, and was in the field plowing, and two men came and unhitched a fine black four year old horse and carried it away with them, and of course, he wasn't allowed to say anything.