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All Souls Tradition in Tucson

June 1, 2013 — 3 Comments


The All Souls Procession each year in Tucson is a community event that takes mass coordination and will now cost more.  Our new trolley system will complicate the planning and add to the expense.  The volunteer organizers work all year to make it better all the time.  In November another new and amazing, creative expression of this tradition will take place downtown.

Tucson’s Iron Chef Goes Hog Wild

June 1, 2013

Tucson’s own Iron Chef, Ryan Clark of the Lodge on the Desert ,is committed to sustainability and creativity.  He butchers and cures the meat served at his restaurant.  This very special Berkshire pig has been served recently to guests.  This attention to detail is one reason his cuisine reigns supreme in Tucson.  July 7 he will face a challenger in the cook off competition.  If the secret ingredient is a whole pig, this chef is ready.

Randall Holt, 10th Great-Grandfather

May 31, 2013 — 5 Comments

Seal of Jamestown

Seal of Jamestown

Randall Holt was born in Cheshire, England.  His son John killed himself in Virginia, which made a big fat mess.  Queen Anne stepped in to save his land for his family.
RANDALL HOLT (1607 – 1650)
is my 10th great grandfather
Randolph Holt (1638 – 1679)
son of RANDALL HOLT
John Holt (1664 – 1705)
son of Randolph Holt
David Holt (1685 – 1749)
son of John Holt
Sarah Holt (1740 – 1792)
daughter of David Holt
James Truly (1755 – 1816)
son of Sarah Holt
Elizabeth Betsy Truly Payne Darden (1782 – 1851)
daughter of James Truly
Minerva Truly Darden (1806 – )
daughter of Elizabeth Betsy Truly Payne Darden
Sarah E Hughes (1829 – 1911)
daughter of Minerva Truly Darden
Lucinda Jane Armer (1847 – 1939)
daughter of Sarah E Hughes
George Harvey Taylor (1884 – 1941)
son of Lucinda Jane Armer
Ruby Lee Taylor (1922 – 2008)
daughter of George Harvey Taylor
Pamela Morse
I am the daughter of Ruby Lee Taylor

Randall Holt probably came to the Jamestown Colony in 1621 onboard the ship George as a young teen as a servant to Dr. John Potts.

Randall Holt was born about 1607 in Prestbury, England, the son of Randall/Randolph and Elizabeth (Pott) Holt, who were wed in the Prestbury church. Randall was probably a nephew of Dr. Pott(s), the Virginia Colony physician who later became governor.

Several Holt family christenings, weddings and burials have taken place at St. Peter’s Church in Prestbury. It is about 700 years old. Nearby in the churchyard there is an even older Norman chapel.

The Randall Holt FamilyRandall Holt’s is the first mention of the Holt family found in the American colonies. The court ordered that upon release from his indenture he was to be given “one suit apparel from head to foot and three barrels of corn.”

Read more at Suite101: Line of Descent from Randall Holt of Virginia: Grandson’s Suicide Prompted the Queen’s Intervention http://www.suite101.com/content/line-of-descent-from-randall-holt-of-virginia-a181274#ixzz0xlAZ8icn

Randall was released from his indenture in 1625 and in 1628 he married Mary Bailey, who also may have been from Prestbury. It was a fortunate match. She was the sole heir of John Bailey of Hog Island, one of the richest men in the Virginia Colony.

The Bailey Family LegacyThe Council of Jamestown had appointed Robert Evers as Mary’s guardian at her father’s death and ordered that 490 Hog Island acres be deeded to her. Randall and Mary settled on this island in the James River. He added 400 acres to his wife’s property in 1636 and another 400 acres in 1639.

In 1650, Randall Holt Jr. obtained a grant for 1022 Hog Island acres as “son and lawful heir”. He received a major’s commission in the British Colonial forces and was a member of the governing House of Burgesses. In 1668, Randall Holt Jr. was appointed Justice for Surry County. In 1679, the year he died, he was granted a patent for 1,450 acres on Hog Island.

Queen Intervenes to Help Holt DescendantsJohn Holt inherited all the lands his father, Randall Jr., had owned, was listed in the 1687 Cavalry of Surry County, and was granted the right to operate the ferry between Hog Island and the mainland. By 1704, the Holt family owned 2,768 acres in Surry County. Of this, 1,450 acres were controlled by Elizabeth, the widow of Randall Holt Jr. The remainder was owned by the sons of Randall and Elizabeth.

Read on

  • Line of Descent from John Chew of Virginia
  • Line of Descent from John Fisher of Virginia
  • U. S. Lineage Societies for Men and Women

John Holt committed suicide in 1707. Because suicide was unlawful, his land reverted to the crown. Son David had received a substantial land grant from his grandfather, David Crafford. The other sons—John Jr., Charles, Benjamin and Joseph—attended a court hearing on the matter. The court deposition read that the coroner’s jury found that his estate was forfeited. However, Gov. Edward Nott, representing the Crown, made the finding that “his five surviving children are fit objects of our mercy and compassion” and said Queen Anne had commanded the restoration of their father’s estate to them.

Read more at Suite101: Line of Descent from Randall Holt of Virginia: Grandson’s Suicide Prompted the Queen’s Intervention http://www.suite101.com/content/line-of-descent-from-randall-holt-of-virginia-a181274#ixzz0xlAgYO00

Descendants of Randall Holt are eligible for membership in the Jamestowne Society.

Steve Miller, Gangster of Love, Ace Contractor

May 31, 2013

The windows in my house leaked badly although the contractor, Tucson Window and Door,  reinstalled them 3 times.  Faulty workmanship is not covered by insurance, and if more than 5 years pass there is no recourse at the registrar of contractors.  I had a big problem that would only become worse if I requested a 4th reinstallation.  I met Steve Miller in my neighborhood while I was walking my dog.  I talked to him in his own front yard about how nice his home looked, and then I saw his truck with his contractor’s license on the side.  I explained my problem and asked him to bid the repair job.

I am extremely pleased with his work because in the process I became aware of other basic problems I needed to correct.  Now my condo walls are actually anchored to my foundation!!!  I am the only one in my neighborhood with a second floor that is no longer blowing in the wind.The stucco job looks excellent, and the way they solved the window problem was brilliant.  I am ready for a rainy season this year with no leaks at all. If you need a construction expert in Tucson who is professional, punctual, and polite, call Steve at SHM Construction.  He is creative and smart about building and materials. His talented sidekick Geraldo does fine work and is lots of fun to have around the house.  I have done many construction projects, and have never worked with such an amiable crew.

Cornelius Outland, Holland to Virginia

May 30, 2013 — 2 Comments

land patent

land patent

My 10th great grandparents came from Holland and settled in Virginia in the 1600’s.  I thought all the settlers in colonial Virginia came from England, but now I know this was not the case.  We have a written record of the marriage in the Netherlands, recorded in a book called St. Olaf’s Old Jewry…..this is very confusing, and sounds like Prairie Home Companion or something…Old Jewry????with a saint??? what does that mean??  My mother does have a couple of nice Jewish doctors in her tree from the 1400’s in Spain, but they seem to have escaped the inquisition and become unJewish in Italy.  They are also ancestors of Lucinda Jane Armer, who may have freaked out had she known about this…It is probably good that she did not know exactly how Jewish she was.

Cornelius Outland (1625 – 1666)

is my 10th great grandfather
Elizabeth Mary Oudelant (1637 – 1727)
daughter of Cornelius Outland
Mary Elizabeth Holland (1620 – 1681)
daughter of Elizabeth Mary Oudelant
Richard Dearden (1645 – 1747)
son of Mary Elizabeth Holland
George Dearden (1705 – 1749)
son of Richard Dearden
George Darden (1734 – 1807)
son of George Dearden
David Darden (1770 – 1820)
son of George Darden
Minerva Truly Darden (1806 – )
daughter of David Darden
Sarah E Hughes (1829 – 1911)
daughter of Minerva Truly Darden
Lucinda Jane Armer (1847 – 1939)
daughter of Sarah E Hughes
George Harvey Taylor (1884 – 1941)
son of Lucinda Jane Armer
Ruby Lee Taylor (1922 – 2008)
daughter of George Harvey Taylor
Pamela Morse
I am the daughter of Ruby Lee Taylor

CORNELIUS OUTLAND was born Abt. 1630 in Holland, and died 1664 in Nansemond County, Virginia. He married ELIZABETH WALLIS 1648 in Oudekirk, Holland the Netherlands. She was born 1621 in Holland, and died 1672 in Isle of Wight County, VA. Notes for CORNELIUS OUTLAND :Outland (Oudelant) – What ship brought them to America and where they landed remains unknown. We only know from land grants that they settled in Isle of Wight County, VA. At the office in Richmond, VA Cornelius Oudelant was living in Isle of Wight County, VA, a patent to John Jolliffe mentions land adjourning Cornelius Oudelant May 30, 1653. Cornelius and Elizabeth Oudelant patented 1650 acres of land in Nansemond County, VA before 1666. After his death Elizabeth forfeited the patent. Then she and two of her friends bought back the land as follows: To Elizabeth Oudelant 650 acres of land-escheat being part of a patent of 1650 acres formerly granted to Cornelius Oudelant, deed October 26, 1666. To Nathaniel Bacon 700 acres of land-escheat being part of patent of 1650 acres formerly granted to Cornelius Oudelant. To Richard Penny 300 acres of land-escheat being part of a patent of 1650 acres formerly grant to Cornelius Oudelant. Elizabeth took up another patent in Nansemond and Isle of Wight Counties. To Elizabeth Oudelant 1500 acres of land lying part in Isle of Wight County and part in Nansemond County, beginning on a point belonging to a branch of Beverly Creek and crossing said branch October 26, 1666. To Mrs. Elizabeth Oudelant 300 acres of land beginning and standing in Chuckatuck Creek by the side of a branch and Lawsons land, October 26, 1666. Isle of Wight County Records In 1675, Giles Bland, agent of John Bland, sold “Basse’s Choice” to Major Thomas Taberer, and Sarah Bland, wife of John, relinquished her dower. In a patent to Taberer in 1681, it was described as beginning at ye mouth of Polentine (Pollington) (1) swamp, which divides ye said Taberer’s land from ye land of Mr. James Day, thence up the said swamp north 32 degrees west, 80 poles to a locust saplin in John Munger’s line, then by Munger’s south west 92 poles to a white oak near ye head of a small gutt, thence down ye said gutt south 25 degrees westerly 60 poles to Hutchinson’s (2) creek, and thence by various courses down ye said creek and ye Crosse creek to ye Maine Pagan creek, then northeast by ye Maine creek side 120 poles to ye mouth of said Taberer’s own creek, then up that creek and Jone’s hole creek to a locust post in ye marsh, and then north 53 degrees west 40 poles to ye first station. Major Taberer left the estate to his grandson, Joseph Copeland, probably a relative of John Copeland visited by Thomas Story. Warrascoyack River as changed to New Town Haven Creek, thence to Pagan Creek. Pagan being originally the name of a point of land. Smithfield was laid out in 1752 by Col. Arthur Smith, and Robert Burwell, Arthur Smith, William Hodsden, James Baker, James Dunlop, James Arthur and Jospeh Bridges were the first trustees. Information from: Records: William and Mary College Quarterly, Vol. 7, No. 4 page 215 Notes for ELIZABETH WALLIS :According to the law of the times, at her husband’s death, the land reverted to the proprietor by escheat. Of the 1650 acres Elizabeth Oudelant was granted 500 acres, 700 acres were granted to Nathan Bacon, 300 to Richard Penny. From: Cavaliers and Pioneers: “The Isle of Wight, VA Patent Book No. 6”

St. Olaf's Old Jewry

St. Olaf’s Old Jewry

Boundaries for the Victim

May 29, 2013


All of us have the victim archetype in our personalities. We may not see it, but we all have suffered and caused others to suffer. What the victim archetype teaches us in life is how to draw boundaries.  While we can’t go through life without any suffering, we can recognize the causes and address them.  Yoga is a complex system that offers a path to enlightenment and soulful living.  Physical practice of asanas and breathing is a powerful and effective way to begin to draw the appropriate borders and rules for yourself and others in your life who may take advantage of you.  The above explanation and remedy are simple to understand and practice.  Bend over backwards to find your own limits and expand on what you have now.

Beware of HOA Fraud

May 29, 2013

I live in a small community of 30 town homes in Tucson. Our dues money has been spent to do as much damage as possible to our property value for over a decade. The board has run a charity scam in the home that has a common wall next to mine for about 10 years. They have solicited and collected donations, including truck loads of bread, stored them in the house that has never had pest service, or any basic maintenance. The mainline of the house has been leaking for months, but the board denies any responsibility to make this board member repair the leak. It has been flowing onto the roots of a mesquite tree and causing the ground to heave right next to the sewer out take, and my house. Left to swell and grow the roots are very likely to crack the foundation of my house, but there is no response from our HOA board.  If an HOA board is out of control like this one your real estate value can be taken to zero.  Black mold loves the conditions set up by donation collection and water leaks, and few insurance policies will cover a homeowner whose home is ruined by mold.

Heidi and the Goats

May 28, 2013

My neighbor Heidi loves to farm. She and I both enjoy vegetable and flower gardening in Tucson. She took me to the goat pen this morning to bring home a big load of goat manure for fertilizer.  Heidi has her own chickens at home, but her goat coop arrangement is a shared experience with the owners of the goats, a Waldorf School, and other goat lovers.  She does her duty at the goat pen weekly, and takes home all the milk she gets during her shifts.  I had a French Alpine goat for years, and I made this same arrangement with a friend to do goat care and milking when I went out of town. Fresh goat milk is worth the work.  Heidi makes incredible cheeses from hers.  It was fun to meet the animals who have provided all those fabulous cheeses to our house.

Wampanoag History

May 28, 2013

My visit to Cape Cod and Plymouth to uncover the history of my ancestors was an adventure and a surprise. When I learned that the Wampanoag tribe had lost almost 200 years of the data, graves, and details of the history of their people I was confused and upset.  Next I visited the museum complex at Plimouth Plantation where the culture and historical way of life of the Wampanoag tribe is demonstrated.  It is an attempt to redress and correct some misinformation that has been passed down for a long time.  The young people who work there enjoy their jobs teaching people about their ancestors.

Iron Chef Competition Heats Up in Tucson

May 27, 2013

I had the pleasure of spending some time yesterday with Tucson’s Iron Chef, Ryan Clark. His kitchen at Lodge on the Desert pumps out cuisine that is much adored by my highly evolved and somehow still carnivorous partner Bob and me. We are farmers in our own tiny right and both enjoy dining, although we eat at home or carry out from home 98% of the time.  We go to Lodge on the Desert for our special occasion and holiday meals, when we feel particularly festive.

Recently we attended a Slow Food tasting set up for 250 guests to try local wine beer and food.  It was fun for us and did expose us to new places we have tried since the event.  Now Chef Clark is preparing to host twice as many tasters to Lodge on the Desert this Thursday as part of the Iron Chef competition for this year.  The challengers will bring samples and vie for the chance to try to take the title from Chef Clark in July.  The chef with the most votes from the public will be the challenger, so there is a lot at stake.  Stella Artois is the sponsor, so the blonde Belgian beer will flow freely.  The challengers are not too shabby, and chef Ryan exceeds all expectations as a host in my experience.  This $5 tasting will be a happy hour of outstanding opportunities for those who want to find out what is happening in the kitchens of Tucson chefs.