Travis Reunion 1897

This is an article about an early Pioneer family of Crittenden County, the Travis family. The information shared at their 1897 reunion, and then later in James Harvey Travis's obituary, provide us with a lot of family history and memories that otherwise would not be known.

 

Crittenden Press, September 30, 1897

One of the oldest, most highly respected and largest families in Crittenden County, is the Travis family. Some weeks ago the idea of a reunion of this family was conceived by one of its younger members and the suggestion was adopted. Friday Sept. 24th was the time selected, and Copperas Spring, six miles east of Marion, was the place selected. 

 

A program was arranged and an invitation was extended to a number of the family to spend the day with them. Accordingly last Friday more than four hundred people gathered at the famous old spring, and rarely has a more enjoyable day been spent in this county.

 

About three hundred of those present were members of the Travis family, and the hearty handshakes, the sparkling eyes, here and there among the older ones bedimmed with tears, was an inspiration to guests and hosts alike.

 

Under the shades of giant oak, which had perhaps sprung from an acorn since the Travis's settled there, the people gathered.

 

First came a song, than a prayer, and then Rev. James F. Price in a feeling and appropriate address stated the object of the meeting. Then there were more songs. 

 

At noon a bountiful dinner was spread, and never was Kentucky hospitality more completely shown, and never did Kentucky's larder more richly endow a table. After two hours of eating and greeting, hours that will long brighten the memory of all present, the gathering was called to order.

 

After a song, Uncle Harvey Travis, the patriarch of the present generation, briefly stated the genealogy of the family. He said: My grandfather, Daniel Travis, came from Ireland to America in 1795. He was a weaver by trade, and while he followed his calling, my father was a farmer and managed the farm.

 

They settled at Copperas Spring in 1805, where we, their descendants, now greet each other at this reunion. They attended church at Dickey Spring, and some are buried in the old cemetery there. 

 

My grandmother's maiden name was Sallie Jarrold. Daniel and Sallie raised eleven children; John T., who went to Illinois; Francis, who moved to Missouri; William, who went to Illinois; Thomas T., who went to Louisiana; Daniel, who went to Missouri; and James, who remained here, and who was my father. The girls were Polly, who married William Young; Sallie, who married William Dulany, Rachel who married a Mr. Hunter and went to Indiana; Betsey, who married John Alexander and moved to Tennessee, and Sibbie, who married Samuel Foster. 

 

James Travis, my father married Rachael Blakely. Their children were John, Daniel, Theressa, Francis, Lindsay, Susan and myself. John, Daniel and Frank are dead. Theressa married David Crider, and after his death she married John Price, father of Bro. Jimmie Price, who is with us today. Susan married William Jordan Brantley, who is one of us today. 

 

My mother, Rachael, was the daughter of John Blakely, who was brought from Ireland as a babe. My great grandfather was a soldier in the Revolutionary Army. My grandfather Blakely was a soldier in the war of 1812.

 

Uncle Harvey Travis is now 81 years old, and was feeling somewhat feeble today. He was married twice, his first wife being Mary Brantley, they had nine children. His second wife was a widow, Mary Ford Crowell, together they had nine children. Of these eighteen children, fourteen are living and are with us today.

 

Miss Mina Wheeler read a paper on the characteristics of Grandma Travis, familiarly known as "Aunt" Rachael. Such a strong pen likeness was the paper of the sainted old woman, that those who knew her in her life time could see her in the touching simple words of the writer.

 

There were appropriate recitations and songs by the little children Silvia Alvatine and Vernie Travis, and Ina and Sylvan Price.

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Uncle James Harvey Travis lived several more years and attended several more Travis family reunions. He died at his home, six miles east of Marion, on Feb. 25, 1908, in his ninety-second year. 

 

He was the oldest Mason in Kentucky, having joined the lodge at Princeton in 1839. At the time of his death he was a member of Zion Hill Lodge at Weston. His burial was held under the auspices of that lodge at the Crowell graveyard.

 

He was born near Copperas Springs schoolhouse, Dec. 5th, 1816, twenty six years before Marion was laid out and never lived further than ten miles from where he was born.

 

James Harvey Travis was held in high esteem by all who knew him. Many of his descendants are still living today. (He was my Great Great Grandfather.)