The 2001 Addington Family Reunion began on July 27 with the Friday Social at the Best Western Palestine Restaurant. About 30 family members and friends attended and renewed old friendships and developed some new friendships.
The Saturday Reunion and Business Meeting was held at the Holiday Inn Express meeting room. Attendance was 61 with several newly found relatives showing up at the door and welcomed.
Master of Ceremonies was David Addington of Houston who opened the reunion at 9:30 am. Thanks were extended to Bill and June Strawn for their work in planning and coordinating this year’s reunion. A copy of the 1996 book on the Addington Family by Veda Lindsey was presented to Sue Smith, librarian with the Palestine Public Library. This book was donated by June Addington Strawn.
Virginia Goodrow, a great granddaughter of Moses Henley Addington, gave the invocation and some background on Palestine and Anderson County. Bryan Martin, a grandson of Virginia’s, gave a talk giving more history on the area that Moses Henley Addington immigrated to in 1860. Pam Lowry read a letter dating from the 1860s that conveyed the hardships and lifestyle of the settlers who moved to this part of Texas in the mid 1800s.
After a short break, Bill Strawn talked about the Confederate war record of Moses Henley Addington. David Addington then presented for viewing to the reunion an original 1787 will of Henry Addington of South Carolina, our earliest known ancestor. He bought the will on ebay last fall from a rare documents dealer. This will is different than the one published in the 1989 book so apparently there were two wills written, perhaps one for the courts and one for the family.
A short business meeting followed: Jerry Bowersox reported the financial status of the Addington Association. Officers for the next year were discussed.
Three books by the “Who’s Who” author Sarah Addington (1891-1940) were donated to the reunion by David Addington to be used as door prizes. Winners of the books were Wayne Stanford, George Bull and Pam Lowry.
Descendants roll call:
Descendants of James Addington, son of Henry and Sarah Addington: 2 (Stanfords)
Descendants of Elizabeth Addington, daughter of Henry and Sarah Addington: 1 (George Bull)
Descendants of John Addington, son of Henry and Sarah Addington: 3 (David Addington and the Armisteads)
Descendant of William Addington, son of Henry and Sarah Addington: the remaining attendees
States roll call:
Texas 25
Alabama 2
California 1
Georgia 7
Illinois 2
Maryland 1
Mississippi 4
New Mexico 5
North Carolina 1
Oklahoma 2
South Carolina 2
unidentified ?
Longest distance traveled: George Bull, Mission Viejo, California
Oldest attendee: Woodrow Watts 89 years and his wife 87 years
Youngest attendee: Morgan Cronkrite, 6 months old
Next Reunion, July 26/27, 2002: Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
Reunion coordinator: Bill Strawn, the younger
Use cursor for identificationA group photo of the attendees was taken in the pool area by numerous amateur photographers from the group. Entertainment was provided by Burr and Gloria Murdock on banjo and string instruments. Lunch was catered in of chicken fried steak and baked chicken with sides and enjoyed by all.
After lunch, those that were interested went on a local and historical tour of the Palestine area. The tour was lead by George McIntyre of the local Chamber of Commerce.
We toured the East Hill Cemetery where Moses Henley Addington and his wife are buried. The tour then went by several old homes which have been and are being restored to their earlier glory. The Museum for East Texas Culture, housed in an old 1913 High School, was visited. It has an eclectic collection of historical items which proved well worth the visit. A stop was made a Old Town Palestine where several antique shops were visited. Finally a visit was made to the Howard House where refreshments were served and the tour ended.
A wonderful time was had by all and thanks again to Bill and June Strawn for their hard work in planning and executing a wonderful reunion. Thanks to George Bull for providing the reunion photos.