Georgia: Oglethorpe County: REUNION OF THE ENGLAND FAMILY AUGUST 12, 1909 ==================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store this file permanently for free access. This file was contributed by: Kenneth England kengland@earthlink.net ==================================================================== REUNION OF THE ENGLAND FAMILY AUGUST 12, 1909 BY: MRS. LEILA ENGLAND On the 12th of August, 1909 the children, grandchildren and great- grandchildren of William Garnett England met at the old home place, in Oglethorpe County, to celebrate his one hundredth anniversary. William Garnett England was born March 23, 1809, and died April 11, 1887. He married Miss Mary Sims. Theirs was an exemplary life. Their home was blessed with ten children, eight of them living, two having gone to the home prepared for the faithful. Three sons are preaching the unsearchable riches of Christ, and all his children are striving to live up to the teachings of God's Holy Word and serve him faithfully till he calls them to a blessed reunion in heaven, where there will be no more sad partings but joy forever. These loved ones began to gather Thursday morning at an early hour, and on each face was plainly written joy and thankfulness for the blessed privilege of again visiting the old home of father and mother and dear old grandparents. It was indeed a day of pleasantness and nothing to mar its pleasures but the thought of separation. It was good to be present. On every side happy groups were gathered, laughing, talking and singing happy songs. About 11:30 o'clock everybody was invited to dinner. A more bountiful table I never saw -- hash, barbecue, chicken, pickles, pies cakes, custards, etc., everything to satisfy the inner man. After dinner awhile we gathered in the old family sitting room to sing songs of the gospel. The brothers and sisters sang a few of the favorite hymns of father and mother, and spoke of the training of early life and of impressions made in youth. The old room seemed to be the place of secret prayer in former days. One brother related an incident of his father's ever faithful prayers to God for his children. On one occasion, after the third son had heeded the blessed call, he visited the dear old parents. As he passed up the hall from the dining-room he heard that dear old father down on his knees praying earnestly to God for his children and especially the three sons who were to go in and out among the people as teachers and leaders and to so fill them with His spirit as to be faithful servants of His for doing good for fallen humanity here upon earth and to point them to Christ, who was ever ready to forgive them for all sins. This son was overcome and sat down to listen to this earnest appeal to God in his behalf. The good father, having finished his daily duty, came out on the porch, found the son and knew that he had heard his prayers, told him that they never knew it but that was the hour he had chosen to commune with God and ask for a special providence to be with his three sons, James E., Benj. O. and Sherman R. England, in performing His work entrusted to them here upon earth, and also the sunset hour was the time when mother stroll off to some secret place to thank God for His goodness to her and ask that He continue these blessings and that she ever remain faithful to the end to her duty to God and man. Each seemed to cherish the consecrated lives and examples of the dear old parents who have only gone before and are now beckoning us to come. There are 141 descendants of Wm. Garnett England and quite a majority live near the old home. Twenty two are dead. The old home is now in the possession of J. R. England, and he was made glad on that day to welcome brothers and sisters back to their childhood home. There were 80 of the family gathered on this occasion to meet and converse of happy days past and to make this one of the most pleasant days of our lives. These were present by families: Mrs. L. E. Fleeman, Winterville, GA. one child and seven grandchildren. Two children and six grandchildren of J. T. England, deceased. Mr. and Mrs. W. M. England, Crawford, GA., six children and twelve grand-children. Mrs. R. C. Mathews, Lumberton, Miss., one grand-son. Rev. J. E. England, wife and son, McDonough, GA. Mr. and Mrs. J. R. England, Crawford, GA. ten children, four grand- children. Mrs. S.V. Williams, Maysville, GA., two children. Rev. R. B. O. England, Thomaston, GA. Rev. S. R. England, Toccoa, GA. There were several friends of early life with us to lend their presence to the joyous occasion, and that prayer of Uncle Jim England was one to make us all attain to higher and nobler purposes in life. Between sobs we sang "Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow," and each return to his respective home thanking God for this day and resolving by His help to make better men and women in the future than in the past. This day passes into history but may the good things that were said and done be remembered and do good in the Lord's own good time is the prayer of the writer. May we have many more such days. Mrs. Leila England * Copy courtesy of Barbara England Culbertson *