Dabney History

 Since my brother Jim and Deb will be going to Versailles and my sister Jane may go again someday, I thought I'd write up the information on our relative who lived at Versailles.  Madame de Maintenon  or Francois d'Aubigne pictured above in Versailles is not an ancestor but the half-sister of an ancestor.  Our grandmother was Vivian Maupin Long; her father was Henry Wesley Maupin; his father was John Dabney Maupin----so the name was still a family name into the 1800's.

But the story begins with Agrippe d'Aubigne who is believed to be our ancestor: "d'Aubigne" is how the name "Dabney" originally looked. For more about him click here.  If you need to more about the Huguenots, click here.  If you google his name, you will find a lot about him, the italicized section below is from the book The Story of Gabriel and Marie Maupin.


On this August 23, 1572, Henry of Navarre (Henry IV) having left his wife's quarters was walking with his Huguenot friend Agrippe d'Aubigne near Notre Dame when the rioting started and they heard the shouts "Death to all Huguenots".  Knowing he would be recognized and killed, he reacted instantly.  They hurried into the cathedral and Henry stripped off his cape of gold cloth, his rings, and other signs of wealth.  Clad only in the doublet, breeches, and boots he looked like a student.  He grabbed a prayer book from a young prieds and with his disquise he escaped. . .

I have included this story . . . .for the name of Henry's friend Agrippe d'Aubigne. It is well known that two of Gabriel Maupin's grandsons married women with the name Dabney (d'Aubigne) .  . . . .Agrippa d'Aubigne had a son Constant who had a son Theodore.  It is from this Theodore that the Cornelius Dabney whose daughters married Maupins is descended.  Constant had a second wife.  From that marriage were three children, one of them being Francoise d'Aubigne, who was to renounce her Huguenot upbringing and become Madame de Maintenon and later the last wife of King Louis XIV after the death of Queen Theresa.  It is said that Madame de Maintenon was influential in urging King Louis to revoke the Edict of Nantes in 1685.  We heard much about her on the Hugenot Tour, especially at Versailles, where two large prortraits of her hang.

To continue with our Dabney genealogy:  John Dabney Maupin (1814-1899) was the son of Carr Maupin (1776-1845) who was the son of John Maupin (1725-1806) and Frances Dabney (1712-1763).  Frances was the daughter Cornelius Dabney (1670-1764) who was the son of Cornelius Dabney (1640-1701).  Other famous Dabney descendants include Zachary Taylor (US president), Nancy Astor (first female in the House of Commons), Lyndon B. Johnson (US president), Marlon Brando (movie star) and Pretty Boy Floyd (notorious criminal).

Edited:  Cornelius Dabney was likely from England and settled in America before the Huguenots so the relationship to Madame de Maintenon is in doubt.

DeSoto High School Photo

Several years ago while at a Long Reunion in DeSoto (Click here for more about it), David Long pictured at the end of Row 5, brought this photo which I photographed.  I posted it on a genealogy page and someone wanted me to identify the people. . . .so here they are!

Row 1:  M Aylesworth, Hazel Bailey, T. Baldwin, Bill Bayer, Maria Bays, Don Becker, Hardin Bell, E. Berry
Row 2: Eddie Bittick, Bogg. . . ., Elvin Bowen, H. Burgess, Herb Cole, Ester Cook, Wanda Cox, B Crockett, John Dawes
Row 3: J Doebbert, B. Duffner, Ken Elders, Ron Evans, Clara Freer, Clara Goff, Don Holdin, M. Hardin, E Hastings
Row 4: D Hellwig, Don Hoard, Ken Hulkey, Geo Hughes, Rob Hulsey, E. Huskey, Lois Juenger, M. Keller, Lila Kelley
Row 5:  N Klaus, K Koch, M Koch, D Landayt, Jack Lasley, Edith Lasley, Jack Lewis, Clyde Long, David Long
Row 6:  E Lebbers, Jos Lufebors, Paul Lyon, Wm Martin, Alf McKee, R. McKinney, Mae Moore, Oscar Mudd, F Nixon
Row 7 ????, M Politte, F Powers, E Reynolds, J.H. Reynolds, M Rohlfing, A Schleff Jr, H. Scott, Betty Sheets
Row 8 ????, M Spiller, Steinm. . . ., R Sullivan, A Vanden, Al Vaughn, Lloyd Wiley, C Wilson, Ros Wilson

And, I am guessing that "F Nixon" in row 6 is related to our esteemed governor Jay Nixon.

Raising Canes

 While at a family gathering, I noticed that my Aunt Mary and Uncle Ron both had old canes.

 Mary's cane, which is hand-carved was from her grandfather Thomas Henry Long.

 Her husband Bill said she left it in a shopping cart recently, and he had to go back to Walmart to retrieve it---I totally understand.

Her grandfather is seated on the left.  He died in 1940's so the cane is at least 70 years old.

Not to be outdone by his sister, Ron said his cane was from their father Roy Long.

I wish had photos of Roy and Thomas with their canes. . .I will keep looking.  But, this is grandpa about at the age when he would have used that cane.

I do have a photo of my other grandfather, Wes Wicker, with a cane on the far left of the photo.  He was injured as a young man in a horse riding accident and walked with a cane on and off for the rest of his life.

Mother used her father's cane, and we inherited it from her.

That cane meant a lot to her, too, but she put an address label on it so she'd be sure to get it back. . .maybe Aunt Mary should do that, too.

Fry Photos

 While at the Fry Family Reunion, Suzy had some photos in an album.  The photo above is "the homeplace Enon, WV".

 George Henry Clay Alderson, pictured above was my husband's Great Grandfather.  The photos below are some of his children and one grandchild.

 This is Lena (Evalina) Alderson Hummel (b. 1875) for whom my mother-in-law, Lena Eloise Fry is named and my daughter Rebecca Leigh Morgan is also named for her.  Rebecca has one of Lena's rings which was left to Eloise in Lena's will.

 Ida Alderson Masters, pictured above died at 34 years old along with a baby.  She is mentioned in this letter.

 Alice Alderson Fry was my husband's grandmother, George Henry Clay Alderson's daughter. 

 Another daughter is Zela Irene Alderson who was married to Arch Wesley Grant.  We have some ice skates we inherited from her.

 This is Otis Hambra Alderson (b. 1874) whom I just discovered applied to belong to the Sons of the American Revolution.

Finally, this is Alfreda Fry Morris, my husband's aunt.  I just thought this was a very sweet photo of her.  I wish that I had photographed more of this album. . maybe next time.

Family Bible of Valentine Fry

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NOTES FROM THE FAMILY BIBLE OF VALENTINE FRY certified to be a true copy of the original document 9-27-1994 County of Wythe, State of VA.  Mary N. Cassell Notary Public. (Was commissioned Mary N. Brown (or Bison) Commission expired 7-31-95.

"This holy Bible is the property of Valentine Fry of Wythe County, Commonwealth of Virginia. United States of North America. Western Continent, thereof.  This Bible got 14 years before this date this Sat. the 22nd Dec. y 1839.  ?? A hint, and a dash, to the knave; and a rub to the careless. B. Knaves; I pray, do not, let any be mean enough to steal this holy book, or any other, or any thing else: for fear of Sin, Shame, and disgrace. Therefore, let the knave who know's himself, not truly honest. to take the hint, and the dash. for  a caution hereafter.  how, careless, do not keep this holy book, or any other loan to you; for fear of Shame, and censure, and no reliance hereafter, to be given to thee.  Moreover, If this book, or any other thing else should be stolen, or left gone by a loan, or otherwise, no matter how, if the honest hearted should find the same, or anything else, no matter how, he knows his duty is to make it known's, which show's the honest heart; with love to work divinely.  And in returning the same to the owner, let it be he, or she, they let the world be known's that they have found the same that the owner of the same may pay your demands, if it be within the bountys of reason; And is no charge, or demands the more; I should you augment with love, and gratitude for your kind honesty.    ____for your negligence.  This is the end of the hint, and the dash to the knave, and the rub to the careless. Therefore, let both look up, and see the  owner's name in full view, before your eyes. that you may make your escape from the above statements, as a prescription of your well wishes in a good cause.   Search the Scriptures for proof of the Same, in this 39th vse. of the 5th chap. St. John.  F.B. The time of life is the time to serve the Lord and therein, to commence the same devotion, is the vigour of thy youth, and there to continue untill death for your preservation, beyond the grave.    Proof in Ditts.?

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BIRTHS From the records of my father Holy Bible  Wherein a record of 7 sons and ___Daughter and 3 died of the  ____children

As? I? Valentine, was born on Friday, 17th March A.D. 1786. and wife Mary Kath. was born on Sunday the 19th. March, A.D. 1786.  Child. Jacob was born on Sunday the 6th. April A.D. 1804

Andrew was born on Friday 13th May A.D. 1808.  Hiram was born on Thurs. 8th March A.D. 1810. Absalom was born on Sat. 16th March A.D. 1811.  Matilda was born on Sunday the  8th Oct. A.D. 1812.  Isaac was born on Sat.  19th Sept, 1814. 7) Nehemiah was born on Thurs 7th Nov. A.D. 1816. 8) Mary was born on Sunday 27th. Sept. A.D.1818. 9) Elizabeth was born on Sat. 22nd, April A.D. 1820. 10)Susana was born on Thurs. 14th of Feb. A.D. 1822. 11) Deliah was born on Sunday 28th Dec. A.D. 1823. 12) Abram was born on Sunday the 21st Jan. A.D. 1827.  13) Jane was born on Sunday 4th of Jan. A.D. 1829.  14)Margaret was born on Thurs. the 28th July A.D. 1831. 

MARRIAGES (County of Wythe) 12) Abraham married Leida? Estwood on Sat. the 1st March A.D. 1845.  13) Jane married Joseph Porter a neighbour, on Tues. 6th April A.D. 1847 Both of the County of Wythe, VA. 14) Jane, late Jane Porter married D___  ___ippi, a widower, on Thur. 28th Dec. A.D. 1848. (Both of Wythe County S. Virginia.)

DEATHS  On Monday the 2nd Sept A.D. 1833, then my husband Val Fry who was the father of 13 children. departed this life. in his perfect senses in hope of being devout.   Sunday the 12th Oct. A.D. 1845, then my Daughter Margaret Fry departed this life. in her 15th year, and in perfect senses, and supposes to be dearest? who was buried on Tues. the 14th Oct A.D. 1845 at 11 o.clock. both days beautiful.  Tues. the  20th April 1847 then Joseph Porter son in law, departed this life in his perfect senses. who married Jane.    Sunday 27th June 1847. ____the funeral of the above Margaret was preached by the Rev. W.B. Wint--- in his 47 year (Supposes)

BIRTHS  John Mitchel Fry a grandchild was born on Thurs. the 2nd March A.D. 1837.  Andrew Jackson Rosinbum? was born on Thurs. the 16th May A.D. 1839

Thanks to Suzy Fry who transcribed this information which she got from Rosa Bosch.  This was all written by Mary Yonce Fry in 1830's.  Double-click on the documents to enlarge them.