Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Tombstone Tuesday - December 29, 2009


Catherine Parkin Shepherd
26 Dec 1826 - 02 Aug 1902

Catherine Parkin was born to Rev. Samuel Parkin and his wife Elizabeth Tuckwiller. She was the 9th born of 9 children. [Cathy 1813-1813; Joseph 1814-1817; Nancy 1815-1892; Elizabeth 1817-1905; John 1819-1887; Ballard b. 1819; Rachel 1823-1857; Margaret 1826-1891; Catherine 1826-1902].

On 10 Jun 1852, in Fort Spring, Greenbrier County, [W]Virginia, Catherine wed William George Shepherd, son of John Shepherd and Elizabeth Taylor. William was a farmer, and the couple lived in the Irish Corner District of Greenbrier County [near present day Organ Cave community]. They went on to have 8 children: Virginia 1853-1944; James b. 1854; Barbara 1854-1948; Martha 1861-1947; Nancy 1863-1942; Anna 1866-1947; Almirinda 1867-1946; and Ernest 1878-1949.

Little is known about "Aunt Cathy", as my grandpa Bean called her. [Catherine's sister, Margaret, was my great-grandmother.] Although it is known she was a wonderful cook, and made preserves like no one else! They were considered prize preserves!

When Aunt Cathy died in 1902, she was laid to rest in the old part of the Mount Vernon Cemtery. She is buried near her mother and father. Each year I visit her grave, along with that of her parents, my great-great-grandparents .

It seems at times, I known these individuals as well, if not better than, those who live among me today! And at times, I long for that reunion that will take place on the shores of our heavenly home, where I can sit down and talk with each of them of the many aspects of their lives that have been overlooked in my humble, and feeble attempts to document their histories!

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