Welcome once more to Edmonds Gallery the home of Joan Dance Paintings where on today we have for your viewing pleasure the Summation of Richard’s Journey from east of Lexington, Kentucky to West of Paducah Kentucky, at the end of the Civil War. This “New Beginning”, was the foundation of our family’s many names, all branching from the one name, Grubbs.
Richard Gordon Grubbs 1832-1910 makes a comment on the use of the “Name”, and it seems that the Family Foundation begins with that Name. Jesus is the Name that gives us the name of Grubbs as the primary family name and the rest follows.
On the front of an envelop on the right hand side there is written “Words attributed to Richard Grubbs”. Inside of the envelop these words are written.
Grubbs Family
“After the Civil War, 1867, I paid my Family’s debts for freedom, and we hitched up the Wagon Train and headed for Paducah, Kentucky. There was ten of us in our Covered Wagon, me, my wife, and eight children. Our nineth child, a son, John Daniel, was born West of Paducah, Kentucky.
We left behind two baby girls on the way. They died from the fever and they remain sleeping in some unknown grave, in some unknown town, nameless. But I guess it does not matter, for my other children will remain nameless for another one hundred years, some longer, those who don’t want to know this new “land of the free name,” given to us by our owner. They will remain nameless, homeless people, wandering in the wagon train of doubt and despair, leaving their homeless children along the way. If I could reach them I would cry out, look to the hills, reach towards the heavens, there is a God, I know there is !”
First year after the War years, after discharge at Brownsville Texas, I traveled overland to Clark County Kentucky, after gathering my family and paying freedom’s price we traveled to Green County Ohio, (Zenia), for three years, then to Anderson County Kansas, for Four Years, then to Perry County Illinois, (Petit Cote) for Four years, the remainder of time was lived in McCracken County Kentucky.
Joan’s Written Portion
“Theodore told me, The first two years of farming were rough. The first year they planted sweet corn, green beans, lima beans, and cucumbers, and everything burnt up, burnt to a crisp! “( Drought year1880-81) After that they planted a crop that flourished.”
“Cousin Tommy told me that Royal Grubbs told him ” I’m going to make a whole lot of money.” He was the family doctor, and built a clinic. He delivered my mother, Georgia Hanna Grubbs, Dec 12, 1919.
Dr. Royal Grubbs resided on North 14th across from the cemetery. Then, It was said that Doctor Royal Grubbs always kneeled to pray before treating a patient, and that his patients always recovered.”
Richard’s Account
We left Lexington for Zenia Ohio, and from Zenia we went to Washington County, Kansas, Homesteading. We sold the Kansas land and cabin and removed to Illinois, Perry County, Petit Cote, where we farmed, and while there we heard of land in Kentucky for sale on the Ohio River three miles west of Paducah. Purchasing this land we moved back to Kentucky and built a two-story log cabin on what is now called Grubbs Lane, in Cecil, McCracken County.
Grubbs Family Origin
The family play will depict the formation and development of the Grubbs family from Richard until present day. The time before Richard is shrouded in mystery. The only glimpse of anything before Richard is Richard’s father Thos, with Richard’s mother remaining unnamed.
Young Child Days
1832-1844
It was during this time in the life of Richard, that is was said that Richard had a melodious singing voice. With that voice Richard contracted to learn his alphabet and how to use that alphabet. Richard learned to read and write by singing for the children of the master and in that way learned all that they learned.
Horse Boy Days
1844-1864
The occupation that Richard learned was to take care of the Transportation of the family. Richard was termed a “Horse Boy”, and his job was to take care of the horses and to make sure that they were ready to provide transportation.
Married Days
1854-1910
In the course of transporting the family around the countryside Richard came in contact with Mary Anne at her home in Winchester, in Clark County, which was the next County over from Mount Sterling, in Montgomery County, where he lived.
Once Mary Anne saw Richard she just had to have him as her husband. It was said that she devised a plan to achieve just that. It was said that Mary Anne got sick and would not get well until she was given Richard to be her husband.
The marriage was at the big house with a second marriage later in the woods where they Jumped the broom.
Mary Anne said that she had her very own play and that they had plenty to drink and plenty to eat.
The couple then became a family and dwelt together at Mary Ann’s homeplace.
War Days
1864-1867
Richard was inducted into the civil war as a First Sargeant.
After War Days
1867-1910
After the war and reconstruction Richard was released and did return for his wife and children.
Freedom Family Days
1867-Present
Having purchased his family’s freedom, Richard hitched up the wagon train and departed for Zenia Ohio. The Homestead Act of 1860 provided the way for the family to build a life for them all.
Wagon Train Days
1867-1871
On westward ho to Kansas and then from there back to Illinois and then back to Kentucky.
Homesteading Days
Kansas and Illinois Homesteading.
Moving East Days
From Kansas to Illinois
Return to Kentucky Days
From Illinois to Kentucky
Family Operations Days
Cairo Road Days
Farming and Mining Days
Separation of the Family Days
Modern Family Days to Present.
