The Roane County Historical Society met Thursday, 27 March 2014 for the first meeting of the new year. Meeting called to order by Rick Greathouse, President, prayer was offered and the pledge to the American flag was recited. There were nine members and one visitor present.

Susan Tucker, Recording Secretary, read the minutes from the December 2013 meeting which were approved as read. Carol Board-Westfall, Treasurer, reported a balance of $15, 059.76.

Linda Liss, Membership Secretary, reported the current membership at 198. As Corresponding Secretary, Liss reported that she had responded to three inquires since last meeting.
1. From Merrilee Matheny who is writing book & seeking Roane Co. information on the last public hanging in West Virginia of John F. Morgan. Wants name of 1897 Roane County sheriff who helped capture Morgan and return him to Jackson County
2. From Mary Ann Mullady seeking information on Breazeale family
3. From Dan Addison seeking information on burial place of his Harper/Hunt ancestors in the Walton area of Roane County
A fourth inquiry was received by Carol Board-Westfall in society mail from Peggy Stewart of Ohio regarding her Roane County May & Wilmoth ancestors. Linda Liss will respond to the inquiry. Also, an inquiry was received from an Emily Stehr who is writing a book about place names. She is looking for information on Looneyville and Nancy's Run in Roane County in particular.

We are happy to announce that society member, Susan Tucker, has been selected as one of thirty-five West Virginia citizens named as “2014 History Hero” at the West Virginia History Day ceremony 13 February 2014 sponsored by the West Virginia Division of Culture and History. She was nominated by the R.C.H.S. She spearheaded the preservation of the society’s printed materials and participated in the digitization of the society’s historic newspaper collection from microfilm to CD’s. She has been an active member of the society since 2005. Susan is the fifth R. C. H. S. member to receive this prestigious honor.

IT'S NOT TOO EARLY TO START MAKING PLANS TO ATTEND THE 2014 FAIR!

Mark your calendars for the 20th Annual Genealogical Fair sponsored by the Roane County Historical Society, Inc. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2014 [9 a.m.-3 p.m.] held at the Heritage Park Community Building, 110 Church St., Spencer, WV. Vendors from all over the area will have books, genealogies, histories, etc for sale. Breakfast items and hotdogs will be served. The RCHS will have all their cemetery books, birth records and other publications available, plus all our new CD's

To reserve table space or further info, you may contact
Melissa at melissaswisher@suddenlink.net, or Johanna at joeandjo30@wirefire.com, or Carol at legallady@hughes.net

RCHS TO MEET ON THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 2014. The first meeting for 2014 of the Roane County Historical Society will be held at the Roane County Library, Parking Plaza, in Spencer on Thursday, March 27th at 7 p.m. Since we do not meet in Jan/Feb, we now have a lot of items to discuss....Members are urged to attend and guests are welcome. Hope to see you on the 27th.

The Roane County Historical Society is offering an Essay Scholarship in the amount of $1,000 to a Senior full-time student at Roane County High School. This is the 4th year for the scholarship. The scholarship information, along with others, was presented at a recent Senior assembly. Applicants, see your Guidance Counselor for application & guidelines.

ESSAY SCHOLARSHIP GUIDELINES: 1. Complete the Application 2. Compose a 4-5 page typewritten double-spaced essay. Source references must be included. 3. Body of essay must be genealogical in nature & should not include copied trees from online search sites, however those sites may be helpful in establishing family migration patterns, country of origin, etc. (Interviews of parents, grandparents, or other relatives may be necessary in telling family story) 4. Completion of supplied 4 generation pedigree chart is recommended, 5. Applicant must be a full-time Senior student at Roane County High School with plans to pursue a higher education at a college, university or technical school. 6. Completed Application & essay must be returned to school Guidance Counselor by 11 April 2014.

It is important that the student take the initiative to contact his/her Guidance Counselor for information about this and other available scholarships.

PDF Attached

Specific questions regarding the Essay Scholarship may be directed to Linda Cottrell Liss, Essay Scholarship Chairperson at WVRoots@aol.com.

The Roane County Historical Society met on Thursday, December 19, 2013 at 7 p.m. at the Roane County Library in Spencer for its last meeting for 2013. Rick Greathouse, President called the meeting to order, led an opening prayer and Melissa Swisher led the pledge to the American flag.

The minutes from the November 2013 meeting were read and approved as read.

Carol Board-Westfall, Treasurer, reported a balance of $16,064.09

Linda Liss, Membership Secretary, reported a loss of nine members due to non-payment of annual dues, leaving a current membership at 197. All had been contacted about their delinquent dues.
As Corresponding Secretary, Linda reported follow-up on inquiries:
1. Jana M. Hyatt: Request for an obituary of Mrs. Nancy A. Patrick Davenport [1858-1890] The Davenport’s were found to be from the Russell and Washington Co., VA area, not West Virginia. Linda replied to Ms. Hyatt of her findings. Carol Board-Westfall also did research on this family and found nothing pertinent to the inquiry. Carol returned the $10 donation to Ms. Hyatt.
2. Jim Ranson, Member: Looking for information on his Lynch ancestors of the Walton area of Roane Co., history of Walton High School and information on the place named Grotto Dell in Harper District of Roane Co. Linda has email corresponded with Mr. Ranson and sent photos & articles addressing his inquiry.
3. Market Street Chapel, former Spencer Presbyterian Church: Update letter from “Friends of the Market Street Chapel”, Julie Evans-Boggs, President. Looking for sponsors and/or donations toward the repair cost & installation for the stained glass windows. Discussion tabled until March 2014 meeting.

Rick reported on an inquiry he received from a Mrs. Charlene Sypien of Kanawha County about an old paved street found under their property’s driveway in the present Clendenin area of Kanawha Co. The farm is located on Littlepage Drive off State Rte 119. The Hively family were former owners. Linda will follow-up on this inquiry.

The Winter Issue-Volume 21: 2 of The Journal newsletter will be published in January. Linda reported that the 2013-14 Membership Directory & Surname List is ready to go to the printer and will be mailed with The Journal.

Old Business:
A new Dell Computer has been purchased for the RCHS ‘s genealogy library. A LCD monitor has been donated to the society’s library. Rick will install computer and needed components.

The R.C.H.S. has nominated society member, Mrs. Susan Wyatt Tucker for 2014 “History Hero” Approved nominees will be honored at History Day at the Legislature on Thursday, February 13, 2014.

Susan Tucker reported by email communication on her findings regarding the possibility our society joining the West Virginia Non-profit Association. Member fee: $90. The association meeting was attended by member Theresa Parker and felt that the society may benefit from the association’s expertise in grant writing, etc. Motion was made and properly seconded to table discussion until the March 2014 meeting.

Essay Scholarship: Linda reported that necessary application and guidelines have been delivered to the Guidance Counselor at Roane County High School. Essays must be returned to Counselor by Friday, April 11, 2014 and scholarship selection will be made by Friday, May 9, 2014. The $1,000 scholarship will be announced and later presented at the school’s 2014 Awards Ceremony.

The Executive Committee will meet in January or February to draw up final decision and recommendation regarding the society’s taking over care & maintenance of the Spencer Rr. Depot Museum located at Heritage Park.

The next meeting of the R.C.H.S. will be on Thursday, March 27, 2014 at the Roane County Library.

The meeting adjourned with a time of fellowship and refreshment. Those present were: Rick Greathouse, Carol Board-Westfall, Melissa Swisher, Reva Paxton, Paul Hughes, Carl Paxton, Peggy Starcher and Linda Liss.