ROBERT JOHN GOLDING AND JOAN MARY PERRY GOLDING
Robert John Golding and Joan Mary Perry Golding are the parents of Prudence Golding who married Robert Chappel Shill. Prudence and Robert are the parents of Charles Goulding Shill for whom Ethan is named...along with his other Grandfather Charles Richins. Charles Shill and Charles Richins were brothers-in-law and each were the first in their families to join the Church and to emigrate to America. Robert Golding was born in 1750 in Shipton Oliffe, a parish in Gloucester England. His parents were John Golding (1720-1801) and Anne Bath (1717-1804). At that time, the population of the village of Shipton Oliffe was made up mostly of farmers...sheep and corn and peas. It was owned by the Oliffe family for centuries until it was deeded to Corpus Christi College late in the 16th Century. There were approximately 300 people in the village for centuries, and The Goldings were presumably one of the tenant farmers of that village. The village consisted of a church, a manor house and village homes and markets.
Robert married Joan Mary Perry on October 11, 1774. Joan was also born in Shipton Oliffe on August 9, 1752. Her parents were John Perry (1729-1818) and Mary Gabb (1731-1784). They were the parents of 10 children. Robert and Joan lived, at least part of the time in a nearby Gloucester village called Syde because that is where they both died, Robert on November 18, 1826 and Joan on February 15, 1824.
Interesting note: Robert's grandparents were Thomas Golding and Dinah Hyett. Dinah had a sister named Ruth Hyett.😃
DANIEL MERRILL JR AND PHOEBE SHEPARD MERRILL
Unlike the Goldings, the Merrills had already come to America, so Daniel and Phoebe were both born here. Daniel Merrill Jr. was born in September 10, 1776 in Simisbury, Hartford County, CO, and Phoebe Shepard was born December 6, 1792 in Barkhamstead, Litchfield County, CO. Daniel's birthdate is significant as it was just 2 months after the Declaration of Independence was signed. So the country was in an uproar when he was born. His parents are Daniel Merrill (1754-1776) and Mercy Moses (1758-1838). As far as I can tell, Daniel Jr was an only child which indicates that perhaps Mercy didn't remarry after her husband died. I looked up Daniel Merrill Sr. in the Revolutionary War records and found Cpt. Daniel Merrill. I really think that is Daniel Jr's father. However, it states that he served until 1779, so if it really is him, his death date of 1776 would be wrong.
Daniel Jr and Phoebe were the parents of 10 children, of which your ancestor Almira Merrill Lamb was the 4th. Phoebe's parents were George Shepard (1750-1838) and Elizabeth Crane (1749-1792). Almira Merrill Lamb
Our November birthdays are few, but special nevertheless 😃
Allison's birthday was the 2nd.
Grandmother Nora's birthday was the 4th.
I turned 74 on the 8th
And Theo turned 3 on the 12th
~OUR NOVEMBER~
I know I say this every month...but what an incredible month this was!!! We had Isabel and Logan's endowment and sealing as a definite highlight and then our family reunion to top it off. If we can recover from November, December will be a piece of cake...maybe.
We had balmy Autumn weather this month and then a blizzard that almost scared us into canceling our reunion at the Grand Canyon. Thankfully, we held on and prayed that the Lord would temper the elements and be with us and protect us as we gathered together. He did and we are so thankful. In the middle of the month when we had Isabel's baby shower outside, the weather was so warm and wonderful that we could hardly believe it would be anything other than that in just a couple of short weeks. He really loves us and cares about the things that are important to us.
"I'm Thankful for the Autumn Time; For the leaves of red and gold; For apples, pumpkins and nice warm fires when the days are growing cold. I know that Heavenly Father really loves us one and all; And that is why He gives to us all the wondrous days of Fall."
Rachel's picture of an Autumn storm coming.
A stormy autumn sunset from Mary and Rachel.
Autumn at the Evans' house.
Well, we got a new car. A white one. The cognac interior almost makes up for the bland exterior. Dad loves the white though, because it is proven that white cars are safer. We took our red car to Earnhart's on the 1st of November and traded it in. They were glad to get the trade in because Dad had taken such good care of it. In fact, our salesman sold it to his son.
We went to Maya's Veteran's Day concert on the 5th. It was a delightful patriotic program, with rousing patriotic songs and pictures honoring those who gave and are giving military service.
On the 6th, Rachel and I met at Mary's to assemble backpacks for each family member to take to the Grand Canyon. Mary ordered everything, Joel provided the backpacks with "Go Biggs or Go Home" on the back, and we formed an assembly line to fill them all with snacks, drinks and games...76 of backpacks! Rebecca, Polly and Isabel came to cheer us on, and Dad was there to drive me over in his new car and watch tv with the little boys😀
We celebrated my 74th birthday on the 8th by getting together and eating homemade Chinese food.
On the 10th, we went to the annual Temple Devotional. We enjoyed it very much, especially from the back of the chapel instead of on the stand. This picture is of the Moores, our double cousins...removed quite a bit, but still related to us through both the Biggs and Driggs families. Their grandparents were descended from Thomas Biggs (Dad's great grandfather) and Urial Driggs (Shadrach Ford Driggs' brother).
On Veteran's Day, we drove by City Hall and saw these flags commemorating the day. I was proud to see our town remembering its veterans.
On the 15th, after a morning temple session, we treated ourselves to dinner at El Charro with Thomas and Jenn. I took the selfie and you can tell my arms aren't long enough.
The next day, Mary invited us to go on a picnic at Discovery Park with her and her kids. It was so much fun and the weather was absolutely perfect.
Dad bought a $10 train at Walmart and he and the little boys were so excited about it.
On Sunday, we invited Isabel and Logan to dinner so that we could visit about their upcoming Temple experience.
On Monday, we went to Willcox to Big Tex restaurant to have dinner with the Herringtons and the Allreds. The Herringtons drove over with us...in our new car...and we had such a good visit. I miss seeing them often. I hope we can continue to get together once in a while so we can all stay friends.
ISABEL AND LOGAN'S SEALING
November 23, 2019
Gila Valley Temple-Dad performed the sealing
On November 22, Isabel and Logan went through the Temple for the first time. It was a joyful day for Dad and me as well as for them and their parents. We and Rebecca, Jeremy, Esther, Shad, Harrison, Thomas, Jenn, Mary, Tyson and of course, Rachel and Darlene were all there to support them. Logan's family all turned out in force, too, but I don't know all their names except his parents Matt and Kim, and Logan's grandmother, Sister Carpenter. They had a lot of people who love them and rejoiced in their decision to receive their endowments.
The next day, a beautiful November morning, Isabel and Logan Sherwood were sealed for time and eternity by her grandfather, Thomas W. Biggs. What a wonderful experience that was for all of us. The big sealing room was full with family and friends. Most of those who were at the endowment the night before were also at the sealing, but Jeremy and Harrison had to go home. Joel came that morning to attend the sealing, and Scott came and brought Dallin and Sara. Dad spoke to Isabel and Logan, and to all of us, about eternal covenants and angels and ancestors who were surely a part of the happy event. Isabel and Logan glowed with happiness and love.
There was a very nice luncheon following the ceremony, at the temple chapel, with soups, breads and desserts and lots of family and friends.
There was a baby shower for Isabel and baby Steele immediately following the luncheon.
A Grandma gift for baby Steele
On Sunday, we went to Rebecca's ward to hear her and Scott speak in church. They both did an outstanding job and were very inspiring. Afterwards, we went to our ward and were there to see Kirtlyn receive her awards from the Safford Stake for getting her Young Womanhood Medallion. She received a coin from the Stake Presidency (President Hargis) and a statuette of Jesus from the Stake Young Women.
Rebecca invited us to have dinner with them and Dallin and Sara after church. Sherry was also there, as was DeWitt's girlfriend, Rachel Rose Holt.
That night, when he came to visit, Thomas worked on getting Disney + for us. We haven't been able to get any video, just audio. It took him 2 weeks, buy he finally figured it out and now we have it. Thanks, Thomas!
The next day I went to the eye doctor for a checkup and was pronounced pretty good for an old lady with old eyes. Actually, I was kind of hoping for a little macular degeneration so I could take the medicine that Dad takes and that makes his eyelashes grow.
The next day we went to Gilbert to be ready for our drive to Williams for our Biggs Express Grand Canyon Family Reunion. We took the pickup because it is 4 wheel drive and we were alarmed about the projected weather report that we had been reading all week. A huge snowstorm was expected on Wednesday night and again on Thursday night, with major accumulation of snow, making travel almost impossible. We were worried about all our kids even getting to the hotel in Williams and about Daniel and his family getting to Arizona. We pleaded with the Lord to temper the elements in our behalf because we especially wanted to gather so that the grandchildren could hear their grandfather pronounce a blessing on our family. It strengthened me all my life to hear Grandpa Brinton bless me, and it strengthened our children to hear Grandpa Hiatt bless them and to hear Dad bless them. We really wanted our grandchildren to feel the spirit of the blessing.
When we got to Gilbert, we joined Rebecca and her entire family who were staying at Lydia in preparation for going to the reunion.
We ate dinner with Esther and Shad and their kids at the Old Country Buffet, or as Esther calls it, The Scarf and Barf. It was pretty good, not barfy at all.
We received this beautiful, handmade cutting board from Bridger. Everyone I've shown it to has been so surprised that a kid could make something like this. We feel so honored that he would give it to us.
The Lord truly did temper the elements and we were able to have our special time together. There is just too much to show and tell, so I will do a special reunion blog as soon as I can get it done. The important thing is that we all arrived safely and got home safely...an incredible blessing. There were 76 of us there. We missed Nathan's family, who were not able to come, Stetson and Lindsay and Junie who were having Thanksgiving with her family, and Docker who was in Boston and Albert who was in California on their missions. But they were in our hearts and in Dad's blessing.
The snowstorm actually hit us in Williams on Thursday night. The power went out at the hotel at 3:00 A.M., so we all put our devises on power-save mode. We had a family meeting and decided what we were going to do...who was going to brave the weather and go on home and who was going to stay and wait it out.
The hotel set out a continental breakfast and then Rebecca's family, Jeremy's family, Rachel's family and Esther's family all went home. Before they went home, Joel's family stayed long enough to help us relocate along with Daniel's family, Thomas's family and Mary's family, to La Quinta, another hotel in Williams that had power and in which he had reserved 10 rooms for us to wait out the storm.
We got settled in our rooms and then went to Route 66 cafe for lunch.
After lunch some of the kids went swimming in the hotel's heated pool.
And some crazy boys rolled in the snow and then jumped into the warm water.
That night's dinner was takeout pizza that we ate in the lobby of the hotel.
Thomas, Tyson and Shadrach braved the icy, snowy roads to go get us pizza.
We all left the next morning. It was cold but sunny and the roads were plowed and safe. We enjoyed our stay at La Quinta. They were so great about accommodating us.
On the way home, we and Thomas and Mary's families stopped in Camp Verde for lunch at Wendy's.
Then we went home, but they took in a movie!
Everyone-Daniel's, Thomas's and Mary's families all got home safely. And I'm glad to say that even those who braved the snowy roads and went the day before all got home safely too. What a wonderful blessing.
~NEWS FROM AROUND THE FAMILY~
~NATHAN AND SHAUNA~
Joshua is giving a presentation to the Westfield, Indiana Rotary Club, supporting Indiana landmarks. Zoom in and read what Rotary had to say.
Some Indiana buildings
He went home to Omaha for Thanksgiving and took pictures there, too...of course.
Hannah with her friend.
The Nathan and Shauna family at Thanksgiving. Palmer had a break from school so they were all able to be together.
They went to see Drumline Holiday...
Decorated for Christmas...
Played in the autumn leaves...
Saw Frozen 2...
And enjoyed a delicious-looking traditional Thanksgiving dinner at home.
~JOEL AND STEPHANIE~
Joel's company had a big Veterans' Day celebration in Washington DC.
Levi is busy as a real estate agent, and obviously having success.
They all spent some time at their house in Pine.
Stetson, Lindsay and Junie spent Thanksgiving with Lindsay's family in California.
And the rest spent Thanksgiving freezing at the Grand Canyon with us.
~DANIEL AND CONNIE~
Aila and Theo. Theo turned 3 this month.
Emma's volleyball team
Daniel and Connie gave an amazing gift to each of his siblings. They had made, put together and framed 9 wooded puzzles of the Rock House in Superior. Everyone loved the gift, but I don't know if they even comprehended the amount of work as well as expense this gift entailed. I think they will all treasure it though.
And the whole Daniel and Connie Biggs family at the grand Canyon...except for Albert, who is serving the Lord in California.
~REBECCA AND SCOTT~
At Sunday dinner. See Dad's hands?
The Biggs kids went to Rebecca's to play with the bunnies.
Rebecca and Scott spent some time in the Valley and enjoyed watching racing and visiting with Michael Waltrip, a professional racer.
DeWitt is making progress on his apartments.
Beautiful mums in Rebecca's front yard.
The morning workout group, with Steve Valerio, their personal trainer.
Hanging out at Lydia
The Evans family at the Grand Canyon
~JEREMY AND ERIKA~
More fantastic renovations
Jeremy modeling the Biggs Express jackets
Erika had a medical conference in Florida, so she and Jeremy took a sunny vacation while they were at it. Notice the Spanish moss on the trees.
Gathering in Superior for family pictures.
Supporting small businesses in downtown Mesa.
The Jeremy and Erika Biggs family at the Grand Canyon
~RACHEL AND TONY~
Rachel has been teaching the twins to drive on their back country roads.
Luke helping to repair the car wash.
Steve Valerio with Isabel and boxing with Rachel.
A bonfire on a cold night
Isabel and Logan's announcement
Dinner with Grandpa and Grandma
Rachel and Jenn cheering on Thomas and Mary as they work on Thomas's fireplace
Isabel took the Evanses and Steve out to watch roping at the Sherwood's ranch.
Rylie and Brandon got to ride horses
Isabel watching her mom ride with Logan.
On their way home with the horse trailer, they had some trouble but didn't have water to cool it down. So Logan used what he had...Mountain Dew; braiding a horse's tail.
Cattle drive and roping...it's fun to have cowboy stuff to put on our blog.
The Alder family at the Grand Canyon
~ESTHER AND SHAD~
Mary and I went over to Esther's to help her get gifts/ornaments made to give the members of her ward for Christmas.
Dad and Esther kept us in popcorn while we worked.
Marlie got to meet Sister Carraway, the Tatooed Mormon, when she came to Gilbert to speak.
Brody started going to a charter school and is so much happier there.
They repainted their garage doors as per FOA instructions.
An old photo of Shad's grandparents with ...John Wayne at his ranch in Eagar.
The reason Harrison had to leave after Isabel and Logan's temple session is that he had to play the organ for Elder Gary E. Stevenson's visit with the service missionaries. Harrison said he was great, so personable and friendly and that he gave meaningful remarks.
at an ASU game
The Brown family at the Grand Canyon
~THOMAS AND JENN~
Jenn and Henry are both taking karate. Jenn is also helping out at the karate studio.
Kirtlyn received her Young Womanhood medallion. Congratulations, Kirtlyn.
She received a coin and a statuette of Jesus from the stake.
The Biggs kids went to Rebecca's to play with the bunnies.
FHE at the Biggs house
Thomas building the framework for his fireplace mantle; and Mary helping him design it and put it up. She's an expert because she did her own. They also framed his windows. Beautiful!
Before and after
The Thomas and Jenn Biggs family at the Grand Canyon
~MARY AND TYSON~
Ethan, 1year old and 3 years old...he's grown a little.
Playing at Esther's house while Mom makes ornaments.
Going for a walk with Grandpa
Ethan still carries around his birthday card that he got in September.
Tyson's Edward Jones party at Top Golf
Alex accidentally left his Tonka Truck behind Tyson's pickup and it got smashed. So sad.
Lindsay and Jared got to fly in a hot air balloon with Tyson's client.
Carson designed and drew the logo for his club.
Mary invited Dad and me to join them for a picnic at Discovery Park.
We went for ice cream to the new Circle K on the highway.
Installing her new Ring system
Working on Thomas's fireplace
They stayed at the cabin on their way to the Grand Canyon reunion. Jared was so thrilled to see a deer in the front yard.
The Richins family at the Grand Canyon
~MISSIONARIES~
Docker among the Chinese in Boston
A district P-day
Albert in California and with his district at the Oakland Temple
Harrison serving at the school for special needs kids.
~SOMETHING TO MAKE YOU SMILE~
A sign found at the Grand Canyon Railway.
Prayerful kids at the reunion. The second one was of Alex, who knelt to pray during Dad's long blessing, and didn't wake up when it was over.
I'd like to get that book. Zoom in to see a phrase you'll all recognize.
A cute Thanksgiving fruit plate
What NOT to do with leftover turkey!!!This doesn't make me smile, it makes me cry!! Not to mention that scorpions have 8 legs. They are arachnids.
Randy sent this to Joel who sent it to us. It is from an Andy Griffith episode, but I don't remember it. Of course, I never watched the color ones very faithfully, but how neat to be recognized!
~LAST WORDS~
November is traditionally the month set aside to give thanks, and I would especially love to do that this November. Dad and I are so thankful for each one of you, for your efforts to live righteous lives and for the sweet way you care for us. It's hard to get old, but you all reach out to help us when we falter...as we do from time to time these days. Dad says he shuffles when he walks, well, I stagger when I walk, so we make a good team. During this reunion, so many of you reached out to help us...walk on the icy walks, climb steps, get our food, and even help us out of the car. I feel bad for people who have to get old without loving children to help them.
As we read each of your sweet notes, thanking us, we want you to know that they touched our hearts and brought tears to our eyes. But we thank you. You are the joy of our lives. We feel that it was so worth any expense or effort for us to have you all together for this reunion and to enjoy each other and participate in Dad's blessing. For me, that blessing was the main reason to get us all together. That's another thing I want to express gratitude for...my worthy Priesthood holder husband who is your father/grandfather. He is a blessing in all our lives, every single day, not just at reunion time when he blesses us as our family's patriarch.
Have a wonderful, blessed December. Send pictures!
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