Skeletons in the Closet - Installment II

Here's a story I heard from my Aunt Mary Alice....

Lillie Evelyn, the daughter of my great-uncle Seaborn Grief Lynch, committed suicide on January 28, 1932, at the age of 29 over a love-gone-wrong. I don't know all the particulars of this suicide, but Mary Alice told me that it was because Lillie loved a young man that didn't return her love. After she died, Uncle Seab wouldn't let anyone go into her room.

I'll try to get more particulars about this story if I can.

Skeletons in the Closet - Installment I

I've been thinking today, about the fact that my grandfather (Dixon Fleetwood Lynch) shot and killed my grandmother's (Evis Pearson) father (William D. Pearson). I had heard this story before, from dad and Aunt Mary Alice, but never really knew the full story. According to a very reliable source (thanks Ronman) I now have a better understand of what really happened. Apparently, my grandfather was fooling around with one of my grandmother's sisters, and she left him because of it. At that time she was 6 months pregnant with my Uncle Sonny. It happened on January 3, 1933 on the railroad tracks near the sawmill where my grandfather was working. No one has said exactly how it happened. I'm wondering if my great-grandfather went to confront him. Anyway, both of the men had tempers, and whatever was said or took place between them, my grandfather ended up shooting and killing my great-grandfather.

The real miracle in all of this, is that my grandfather avoided going to jail for this! And I'm surprised that my grandparents went on to stay together for another 27 years and have 8 more kids together!

Grief Lynch in Atlanta?

I discovered something that amused me greatly while I was watching Gone with the Wind the other day. In the scene where Scarlett and Melanie go to look at the casualty lists, the camera pans over several people (citizens of Atlanta) and I swear, there is a man sitting there holding a child, and he looks just like my grandfather Grief Lynch! I thought a minute, the went back to look again, and I was pleasantly amused by this! Just thought I'd share :)

Grief Lynch Gravesite

The Grave of Grief Lynch

This morning I've received confirmation from my cousin Ron that a picture I came across a few days ago is the gravesite of my grandfather Grief Lynch. It's located at the old Lynch homeplace on Clay Road. It really is a striking headstone and reads "Grief Lynch, Father." I'd love to see it someday. I've been told that there are two other graves there, but it isn't known who they belong to. Bill Lynch asked my Uncle Rogers before he passed away, but he didn't know. Bill speculated that they are the graves of children.

On the Trail of Family History

Okay, so here I am on the trail of family history. It's something that's always interested me, but recently it's turned into an obsession. I lost my dad almost five years ago, and I wish he could be here to see all the things I've learned. Of course, I wouldn't be here without the help of others, so I want to thank all the people who have helped me in this journey, and continue to help me.

One of the best things to come out of this search is reconnecting with family. Living in North Carolina I never had much contact with my dad's family, and I've always regretted it. But things are changing for me now, and I'm very happy about it.

I don't know if I can explain what drives me in this endeavor. I find myself thinking about my ancestors a lot and wondering what they were really like. I often wish I could go back in time and meet them, speak to them, and see how they lived. It's good to know where I come from, and I'm proud of my history. I keep thinking of the song "The Voice" sang by Lisa Kelly from Celtic Woman. I've been listening to it a lot recently. It seems to sum up all of my feelings.

The Voice

I hear your voice on the wind

And I hear you call out my name

"Listen, my child," you say to me"I am the voice of your history

Be not afraid, come follow me

Answer my call, and I'll set you free"

I am the voice in the wind and the pouring rain

I am the voice of your hunger and pain

I am the voice that always is calling you

I am the voice, I will remain

I am the voice in the fields when the summer's gone

The dance of the leaves when the autumn winds blow

Ne'er do I sleep thoughout all the cold winter long

I am the force that in springtime will grow

I am the voice of the past that will always be

Filled with my sorrow and blood in my fields

I am the voice of the future, bring me your peace

Bring me your peace, and my wounds, they will heal

I am the voice in the wind and the pouring rain

I am the voice of your hunger and pain

I am the voice that always is calling you

I am the voice

I am the voice of the past that will always be

I am the voice of your hunger and pain

I am the voice of the future

I am the voice, I am the voice

I am the voice, I am the voice

It's like a voice calling to me, asking me to preserve the past so that future generations will know where they've come from, know what drives them, what makes them who they are.

Right now I've found about as much as I can find. It doesn't stop me from wanting to know more though. I can barely remember the things my dad told me about my grandfather and grandmother, and it troubles me that those memories have slipped away from me. How many people remain who can tell me what they were like? I often feel awkward in asking questions. Could there be things I'm not meant to know? These things weigh heavily on my mind.

Right now I'm obsessed with the pursuit of old family photos. I look at the faces of my ancestors, hoping to see something of mysef in them. It's a remarkable experience. I am eternally grateful to the people who are helping me fulfill this dream of collecting as many old photos as possible.

As I find more I will keep you all posted.

The picture shown here is Mary Harmon Lynch, the youngest daughter of William Lynch Jr. She was also called Molly.

Thanks!

Dixon Fleetwood Lynch

My grandfather Dixon Fleetwood Lynch was the third son of Jarratt Grief Lynch and Sarah Ann Thompson. He was born August 21, 1876 in Monticello, Georgia. He married his first wife Marietta Thomson on October 10, 1894 and they had 12 children.

1.) Pauline Lynch (June 8, 1897 - June 1, 1976)
2.) Ruth Ida Lynch (July 26, 1898 - March 16, 1992)
3.) Marshall Lynch (March 5, 1900 - March 31, 1976)
4.) Julia Lynch (June 18, 1901 - June 20, 1986)
5.) Sallie Lynch (Jan. 18, 1903 - )
6.) Travis Lynch (April 8, 1904 - March 4, 1981)
7.) Margaret Lynch (March 8, 1906 - June 5, 1967)
8.) Rogers Lynch (April 7, 1908 - ?)
9.) Paul Lynch (September 12, 1909 - May 15, 1911)
10.) James Lynch (Dec. 5, 1912 - Dec. 16, 1986)
11.) Sherrod Lynch (April 6, 1915 - Nov. 14, 1980)
12.) Mildred Lynch (May 19, 1917 - ?)

My grandfather married his second wife (my grandmother) Evis Pearson in December of 1930 in Monticello, Georgia. They had 10 children:

1.) Annie Jean Lynch (Dec. 13, 1931 - April 20, 1982)
2.) William Pearson Lynch "Sonny" (April 9, 1933 - July 5, 1999)
3.) Child born 1935
4.) Norma Lee Lynch (Jan. 11, 1937 - )
5.) Mary Alice Lynch (May 8, 1940 - )
6.) Joyzelle Lynch (Dec. 17, 1942 - Feb. 4, 1991)
7.) Child born June 2, 1945
8.) Child born June 2, 1945
9.) Dixon Fleetwood Lynch (June 2, 1045 - May 18, 1956)
10.) Joseph Gilbert Lynch (April 8, 1947 - August 10, 2005)

My grandfather died March 29, 1960. I don't have much about him except stories I heard from my dad. I don't have any pictures of him either, but I'm working on that....