I'm going to ask you for some help in planning for next year's reunion.
But first, it might help to bring you more up-to-date, by sending you
minutes of last year's reunion.
Apologies to those who have already received them, and for whom it's "old
news"
* * *
51st CAMPBELL REUNION, NELSON, PA
The Fifty-First Campbell Reunion was held at Cowanesque Lake Park, Nelson,
PA, Saturday, June 23, 2001 for descendants of Joseph Campbell and Mary
Harper of Scotland and friends.
The sites for the old Campbell Reunions were on the "flats" along the
Cowanesque River and are now under Cowanesque Lake. This year's location,
on the shore of the lake is about as close as we could get to the original
sites from before Nelson's relocation for flood control.
The reunions were previously held annually from 1893 thru 1942, when WW2
travel restrictions brought them to an end. Thanks to the Internet many of
the living descendants have "discovered" each other. Last year, 26 of us
held a planning meeting at Tioga Lake Park, reinstituted the Campbell
Reunion Association, and made plans for this reunion. Officers elected in
2000 were: President Bill Thompson of Allentown, PA; Vice-President Rieta
Baker Boyden of Mainsburg, PA; and Treasurer Bob Kelley of S. Glens Falls,
NY.
Also helping with this year's arrangements were Judy Thompson of Atlanta,
GA, Music Chairperson; and Diane Owlett Pitts of Andover, NY, Sec. of the
101st Owlett Reunion.
Rain and cold scared away many who said they were coming, but 25 brave
souls attended this year's reunion:
Marylyn Dewey Adams of Ocala, FL (Sally Campbell & Sam Hazlett line);
Sue and Eldon Bonniger of Gaines, PA (friends);
Rieta Baker Boyden of Mainsburg, PA (Joseph Campbell & Ann Clinch line);
Joe and Martha Buck of Elmira, NY (Joseph Campbell & Ann Clinch line);
Betty Elliot Campbell of Elkland, PA (James Campbell & Mary Blackwell line);
Bill and Sue Campbell of Columbia, MD (Joseph Campbell & Ann Clinch line);
John Coupe' of Corning, NY (Irish Campbells);
Alice Doan of Nelson, PA (Sally Campbell & Sam Hazlett line);
Karl Holzer of FL (Joseph Campbell & Ann Clinch and James Campbell & Mary
Blackwell lines);
Bonnie Lugg Kyofshi of Nelson, PA (Charles Lugg & Mary Ann Chandler line);
Robert "Tony" Lugg of Nelson, PA (Charles Lugg & Mary Ann Chandler line);
Elva "Peg" Owlett Maines of Tioga, PA (Joseph Campbell & Ann Clinch line);
Diane Owlett Pitts of Andover, NY (Joseph Campbell & Ann Clinch line);
Gene Sprague of Tarrytown, NY (friend & Owlett);
Jane Campbell Stewart of Osceola, PA (James Campbell & Mary Blackwell line);
Bill Thompson of Allentown, PA (Joseph Campbell & Ann Clinch line);
Henry and Ellen Thompson of Churchton, MD (Joseph Campbell & Ann Clinch
line);
Judy Thompson and Charles Shapiro of Avondale Estates, GA (Joseph Campbell &
Ann Clinch line);
Tom and Jane Zurflieh of St. Petersburg, FL (Joseph Campbell & Ann Clinch
and James Campbell & Mary Blackwell lines).
Those attending had a good time, but some wished they had warmer clothes and
something hot to drink.
Continuity with the last reunion, the one in 1942, was provided by the of
presence of Betty Campbell and her daughter, Jane Stewart; and by the
presence of Tony Lugg and his sister, Bonnie Kyofshi. Betty's late husband,
James Campbell of Elkland, was president of the 1942 reunion. It was held
in Nelson at the home of Tony and Bonnie's parents, Robert P. and Ila Hess
Lugg.
The attached program was patterned on programs from several of the early
Campbell Cousin Reunions recently received from Thelma Ellison Huyett of
Holly Hills, FL. Because rain kept away some who were expected, the actual
proceedings varied slightly from the printed program.
From 10:30 to 12:30, people arrived gradually, got registered, and got
acquainted. A very tasty spread was put out thanks to the covered dishes
brought by the attendees and cold cuts, rolls, and cold drinks provided by
Rieta Boyden and Diane Pitts. Out of respect for the diversity of religious
beliefs of the current members and guests, our President asked for a moment
of silence, so that those who wished to say grace, could do so in their own
way. The food was as good as it looked and enjoyed by all.
After dinner, the same toasts given at the 1894 reunion were made by various
attendees.
The proceeding opened with welcoming remarks by the President, which
included reading some regrets and well wishes sent by those unable to come.
Then cousin Marylyn Dewey Adams on the keyboard, accompanied on the trumpet
by a friend of many of us, Gene Sprague, warmed us up with several musical
selections -- starting with wishful thinking -- On a Clear Day.
Following the tradition of including "Reminiscences" on the programs, an
unpublished, 1907, reminiscence of Phebe Campbell Hoyt was be read.
According to the data sent by Thelma Ellison Huyett, Phebe Campbell Hoyt
"instigated" the first reunion. Coincidentally, Phebe Hoyt was the
great-grandmother of our current President, who instigated resuming the
reunions. We hoped Barbara Walker Davis would be able to attend and read
her great-great-grandmother's Reminiscence, but in her absence it was read
by another great-great granddaughter, Judy Thompson.
Continuing at the invisible lectern, Judy led a sing-along. She distributed
copies of words to many songs, and the audience selected tunes they wanted
to sing. Soon Marylyn and Gene joined in providing accompaniment.
A major event at this year's reunion was the release of a republished
edition of the Campbell Cousins Correspondence, Vol. 1, originally published
in 1923. The new edition has been scanned by Tom Zurflieh of St.
Petersburg, FL, and includes supplementary notes about the writers of these
letters and the people mentioned in the letters. Tom gave a report about
how we came to tackle the project and the trials and tribulations
encountered. Tom brought 20 copies, most of which were sold at the reunion.
We will have to print some more to satisfy the mail orders that have been
received. The cost of printing and binding came to $18.75 each. Tom said
there was also a delivery charge of $1,600 per copy based on his hotel, gas
and meal expenses for a round trip from St. Pete plus the new van he bought
for the trip. However, he agreed to waive the delivery charge as a limited
time offer for those who bought them that day.
A special collection was taken to cover the cost of donating copies to local
genealogy centers. Thanks to the generosity of those present, 3 copies
will be presented - one to the Tioga County Historical Society and the
others to interested local libraries, such as those in Knoxville or Elmira.
Closer examination revealed some errors that crept into the republished
Volume 1. Corrected replacement pages will be sent to all those who
purchased the Volume. And corrections will be made for the library copies
before delivering them (Rieta volunteered to be the "delivery boy" --
thanks).
Additional Correspondence volumes were published through 1926. Annotated
editions of the other volumes of Campbell Cousins Correspondence will be
republished later. All will be placed on a web site, along with related
photos and other family memorabilia.
Recognitions. We had expected the only living writer of any of these
letters, Ivy Deats Sayre, of Elkland, PA, but she was not able to attend.
Recognition was given to Betty Campbell as an attendee of the last reunion.
Also to those present who are mentioned in the CCC Volumes: Joe Buck, Henry
Thompson, and Elva Owlett Maines. Karl, at 4, was our youngest attendee.
And Karl and his Zurflieh grandparents came the farthest.
Thanks was given to John Coupe' for bringing his marvelous scrapbooks for us
to see. They were the best done I have ever seen.
Bonnie shared some memories of cousin Philip Pratt Young as a teacher,
Hemingway authority, and colleague. Gene added stories about playing jazz
with pianist Phil in some combos.
Business Meeting.
A Treasurer's report from Bob Kelley was read. There is a balance of
$15.75, before reimbursing any of the expenses for this year.
The following officers were elected for the next year and took office:
President - Bill Thompson;
Vice President - Rieta Boyden; and
Secretary-Treasurer - Judy Thompson.
The subject of the date for the next reunion came up. Many folks sent their
regrets because this year's date conflicted with several graduations, class
reunions, and weddings. The president asked permission of those in
attendance for him to appoint a committee to make a recommendation and
indicated that it would have genealogical and geographical representation of
the current clan.
In ten generations, the family has become widely dispersed. In addition to
the states already mentioned, cousins now live in Arizona, California,
Alaska, Hawaii, Maine, Canada, and even New Zealand. Many now live in
Western NYS (Bath, Hornell, Rochester, Buffalo), but many are still in the
Cowanesque valley of Tioga Co., PA.
Generous contributions were made to a collection to cover the costs of the
reunion: pavilion rental, a sound system, meat and cheese, and mailing
costs, roughly $200. You might be interested in contrasting this will the
expenses of the 1901 reunion: Envelopes - 25 cents; Stamps - 90 cents; Paper
plates - 80 cents; and the big cost - Orchestra - $6.
An invitation was extended to come to the 101st Owlett Reunion the next day,
in the same location.
The planned recitation of Mabel Shipman's Campbell Reunion Song turned into
singing it, thanks to Bonnie knowing the tune. It was a traditional end to
the formal part of some of the reunions (sometimes the beginning).
Thanks to all those who braved the weather to make the event a success, and
especially to Rieta, Judy, and Diane for extra help. And of course to
Marylyn and Gene for their music. We met many pleasant, interesting, and
energetic folks. Unfortunately we forgot to take a group picture, altho
many pictures were taken. If we pool our results, we may have pictures of
everyone.
After adjournment, people stayed for a while chatting and cleaning up, but
because of the weather, people didn't linger as long as expected.
And to all the people who have kindly expressed their gratitude for the many
hours I have spent on the Internet and phone searching for cousins, it has
been a pleasure finding each one, and many have helped by kindly sharing
their family knowledge.
Bill Thompson
* * * * *
Contact Info:
Bill Thompson - (610)433-4818 E-mail - bill.thompson(a)wtassoc.com
Rieta Boyden - (570)549-2233 E-mail - rpboyden(a)npacc.net
Judy Thompson - (404)296-2020 E-mail -
ThompsonShapiro(a)compuserve.com