Posted 13 years ago
kimh
(1 item)
I bought this book at a yard sale along with other old books. It has a little water damage, so I figured that is why it was stuck in the sale!
But, after looking at it, I realized it might be of historical importance to certain people. It is the history of the Moravians at the Springplace Mission in Oklahoma. A large part of the book is also the genealogical information for the Ward family of the Cherokee Nation. It is the first edition and published by the Co-operative Publishing Co. in Guthrie, OK.
The inscription inside the front cover has the signature of the author, Muriel H. Wright, dated February 12th, 1940. Also, Mrs. J. Bartley Milam has signed the book for both her and her husband. Mr. Milam was to become the next Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation in 1941 - shortly after this signing. Three more family members have signed and dedicated this copy to Mrs. Clara A. Ward who is credited on the title page as providing most of the genealogical notes for the book; and pictured in the book after the title page.
I have checked with local Oklahoma colleges and found that they each have a copy of this book in special collections, not available for public viewing. I feel like I have a special piece of Oklahoma and Moravian history.
If anyone has more information about this book, please let me know. I hope there are other people that can appreciate this book as much as I do!
The inscriptions certainly increase the value and collector interest. Depending on the overall condition of the binding, the book may we worth up to $1,000. You are correct in thinking it's a unique book and tells a story on its own.
I am a distant relative of the famililes mentioned in this book. It is the hisstory of the Moravian Missionaries in the CHerokee Nation in Oklahoma. Rev James Ward Jr. was a missionary at Oaks Mission, I believe it is in Delaware County. Clara Ward R.N. is buried at the Tahlequah City Cemetery. James Ward Sr. is my gg-grandfather's borther buried at Blagg Duckworth Cemetery, Siloam SPrings, Arkansas. E-mail me for more info.
Ward and related families website. https://www.facebook.com/update_security_info.php?wizard=1#!/pages/WARD-descendants-of-JOHN-KATY-McDANIEL-WARD-Cherokee-Nation/169522929741733
That is so cool! Have you ever had a chance to read this book? It has a lot of genealogical information in it. Thank you for sharing your story with me! I feel somewhat connected - even though I don't know of any family ties. I am from Arkansas though, and as a child went to church camp in Siloam Springs every summer! : )
I too am a relative to the Cherokee Ward line. How great it is to find a family tie book. I am a decendant of Rosanna Ward sister to Rev. James Ward Jr, I have never seen the book and would love to be able to read it. I have not been able to find the book in the Libraries. How many pages are in the book and I wonder if it could be copied so that the Ward family historians could have a copy. We would be willing to pay to have it done I am sure. I guess looking at garage sales sometimes pays off. Maybe I should look around at garage sales. Never know whats out there....Please keep this piece of history in safe keeping and I am tickled that you found it. So many families destroy so much of their family history and this one survived..
Hi, Kathleen, it is so nice to meet people who know what this book is about! I have found a page on ancestry.com that has some excerpts from the genealogical pages of the book...http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/CherokeeGene/2005-08/1122953915. Then at the bottom of that page there is a link to "Part 2." I am thinking that somewhere in my first research of the book, I found other places that had copies from the original. If I find those spots, I will post them. I wouldn't mind making copies, but I don't know about copyrights and things like that?
Here is the link to Rev. James Ward gravesite at Oaks, Oklahoma. He was murdered there during the Civil War. http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=ward&GSfn=james+&GSbyrel=all&GSdyrel=all&GSst=38&GScntry=4&GSob=n&GRid=5345839&df=all&;
Clara A. Ward gravesite Tahlequah, Oklahoma. There is a small picture of her here also in a newspaper article which is not that good. She lived in the Adams Hotel in Tulsa. Which is still there today, called the Minck-Adams if I remember. She spent her professional life as a R.N. in New York City working at Bellvue Hospital. I believe she was educated by the Moravians after her parents died along with other family members. http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=ward&GSfn=clara+&GSbyrel=all&GSdyrel=all&GSst=38&GScntry=4&GSob=n&GRid=5178037&df=all&;
I would like to use a couple of these photos on our family website.
Oh, yes, that would be fine. I can take more pictures and upload them to photobucket soon and provide a link from this forum. Possibly tomorrow. There are several pictures of different people throughout the book.
Thanks kimh!
Related to the photo of Lydia Ann Ward above.
LYDIA ANN7 WARD (JAMES6, JAMES5, CATHERINE KATIE4 MCDANIEL, GRANNY3 HOPPER, OLD HOP2, A-MA-DO-YA1 MOYTOY) was born August 01, 1856 in Delaware Dist, CNW, and died June 28, 1882. She married WILLIAM CLIFFORD CHAMBERLIN, SR September 10, 1875 in Vinita, CNW, son of AMORY CHAMBERLIN and DOLLIE HOYT. He was born April 23, 1852 in Flint Dist, CNW, and died Aft. 1906.
More About LYDIA ANN WARD:
1880 Census [CN]: Cooweescoowee, 474 as L A Chamberlain
Blood: 1/32 Cherokee
Clan: Ani'-Wâ'di = Red Paint (Wurteh)
Note: in Miller ap# 643 Lydia's brother, Henry, gives her death date as 7/29/1882
I am the great-grandaughter of Darius Edwin Ward & Sarah Caroline Ritter. Grandaughter of Sarah Ruby Ward listed in the back of the book. Her second marriage was to Willis V. Clem, my grandfather. Sarah Ruby's mother died three weeks after she was born and was raised in the family of her Uncle Henry Ward, brother of Darius. Rev. James Ward married Esther Hoyt, their children were Darius, Lydia Ann, Clara Alice, (twins) William & Henry, their photos are in the book. I am a registered member of the Cherokee Nation, they have additional information available which would include Bryant Ward's marriage to Nancy Ward. "Sequoyah", also known as George Guess/Gist invented the Cherokee Alphabet allowing the Cherokee People to communicate in printed words. The first book published in the Cherokee Language was the Bible. I have a family tree on Ancestory.com; enter any of the WARD names above to find Jacklyn182 or other related trees. Jacklyn
Kimh, I was wondering where this garage sale was or what town or city. Thanks.
Thanks for the info Jaclyn! And Larry, the garage sale was here in the Tulsa area - where I live. I don't even remember the exact location. It has been a couple of years now. They didn't have other books that were like this, though. It was just a bunch of different things. I am sorry I haven't put the pics up yet...I will try to do that this weekend. Thanks!
http://s1182.photobucket.com/albums/x455/mulsonk1021/Springplace%20Photos/
Here are pictures from the book. Sorry it took so long to get this done! Hope everyone enjoys!
Thanks Kimh for the pictures.
Dear Kimh, words cannot describe the feeling of gratitude I have for you right now. I have always been told that I was cherokee indian and for 5 years now i have been trying to find my cherokee ancestors; THE WARD FAMILY. My grandmother whom i never met, was Cohassie (Hassie)Ward. I lookes at your pages in the book and have a lot of these names in my little book of notes about my Cherokee heritage. Thank you so much for showing your GREAT yard sale find of my "LIFE". I would love to talk to you about your book. Cindy
Hi, Cindy! I am so glad you enjoyed the pics! I really love hearing everyone's stories of how they are connected to the people in this book. Yea, anything you would like to know about the book just ask. I mentioned to someone earlier that I'm not sure if I can make copies of the book or not, but I will sure answer questions. Maybe this next summer I will have time to check into copyright rules on it. (I'm going to college full-time right now)
Dear Kimh, thank you for the reply,i know whatyou mean when you go to school fulltime, i know your busy .I'm so excited, i called my mom and she cried. "Can't thank you enough". Anyways, if you do get some time my grandmother's name was Hassie Ward, and maybe she 's mentioned in the book and her husband(my grandfather) was Elzie Hall. I would love to buy this book no matter what the cost if you ever decide to sell it. Thanks again. Good luck in school .
I can't find Hassie (or Cohassie) Ward nor Elzie Hall. Do you know any other of the Ward family names related to her...parents, siblings?
Indeed, you do have a very special book and the only printing by the Co-Operative Publishing Co., circa 1940 (according to the Library of Congress). The first poster provided a reasonable auction estimate; however, your book is invaluable after reading the poignant stories some of the family members have posted.
Regarding your last post no. 21 about "Hassie Ward" and "Elzie Hall" here is the ancestry entry. See the fifth entry on Kathy Hall, father Elzie "Zeke" Hall and mother Hasie (one "s") Ward:
http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi
I believe that Cindy's (poster above) parents were Carl Ray Keen and Kathy Georgean Hall:
http://www.allthingscherokee.com/queries_board_11_07.html
Regarding your book:
The Oklahoma Historical Society has comprehensive information about Muriel Wright (1889-1975). Here is her biography:
http://digital.library.okstate.edu/encyclopedia/entries/W/WR005.html
A book review of "Springplace, Moravian Mission ..." from their article "Chronicles of Oklahoma, Volume 18, No.4, December 1940, Book Reviews:"
"Springplace, Moravian Mission, and the Ward Family of the Cherokee Nation: by Muriel H. Wright (Guthrie, 1940.)
The mention of Spring Place brings to mind early Cherokee history and the labors of the Society of United Brethren commonly called Moravian Brethren, to interest the Cherokees in education and religion. The mission was located two miles east of the Connesauga River near the public road leading from Georgia to Tennessee. This, the first mission school started among the Cherokees, continued in operation for many years, and here boys and girls were taught reading, writing, arithmetic, and some of them grammar and geography. The girls were taught spinning, sewing and knitting, and the boys agricultural accomplishments, and even to make their own clothing.
Miss Wright's book contains a condensed history of the Moravian Church at Spring Place. She also includes a brief account of the mission at New Spring Place, Indian Territory, where the Moravians renewed their labors for the Cherokee people near the present village of Oaks. Here, a half mile from the thriving Danish Lutheran school, one can see the remains of substantial stone structures that housed the springs from which the mission obtained its water supply. Near by is the Moravian cemetery where one can see the stone tablets flat on the ground, according to Moravian custom.
The author describes in her book the missionary work and the training received here by the youth of the Cherokee Nation. This publication, sponsored by Miss Clara A. Ward of the Cherokee Nation, as a, memorial to her parents, is also a genealogical adventure into the celebrated family of Wards of the Cherokee Nation. It contains also brief biographies of Sequoyah and Chief George Lowrey. In the introduction of this book Miss Wright, whose knowledge of Indian history is sound and dependable, has made a real contribution to Oklahoma history. The book will be a necessary item on the shelf of collectors and librarians who pretend to cover Oklahoma history.
—Grant Foreman
Muskogee, Oklahoma"
http://digital.library.okstate.edu/Chronicles/v018/v018p395.html
Go to the Society's home page and in the upper right corner search for "Muriel H. Wright" and it will result in multiple entries:
http://www.okhistory.org/
Information on the other family members from the Ward Family Genealogy Forum:
Elizabeth Peach McSpadden married J. Bartly Milam
Ella Bailey McSpadden married Harry L. Morrison
Maude Hoyt McSpadden m. Woodley Gail Phillips
http://genforum.genealogy.com/cgi-bin/pageload.cgi?cherokee::ward::12669.html
There are several libraries in Oklahoma that have this book but they are non-circulating copies. The University of Oklahoma, Bizzell Memorial Library, Norman, OK, has six copies, one of which is in their stacks:
http://www.worldcat.org/wcpa/oclc/4272550?page=frame&url=http%3A%2F%2Flibraries.ou.edu%2Feresources%2Fcatalog%3Ftask%3Dsearch%26term%3D%28OCoLC%294272550%26checksum%3D446686e4a6214ddd3287a45fcdb30bcb&title=University+of+Oklahoma&linktype=opac&detail=OKU%3AUniversity+of+Oklahoma%3AARL+Library
Muriel H. Wright has authored many other books:
http://www.worldcat.org/wcpa/oclc/4272550?page=frame&url=http%3A%2F%2Flibraries.ou.edu%2Feresources%2Fcatalog%3Ftask%3Dsearch%26term%3D%28OCoLC%294272550%26checksum%3D446686e4a6214ddd3287a45fcdb30bcb&title=University+of+Oklahoma&linktype=opac&detail=OKU%3AUniversity+of+Oklahoma%3AARL+Library
For reference purposes only, I found two copies for sale, both signed by the author. In my opinion, your book is worth more since it also has the handwritten family dedications; book values are also predicated on condition.
http://used.addall.com/SuperRare/RefineRare.fcgi?start=0&id=111008043154366091&dispCurr=USD&inTitle=Springplace+Moravian+Mission+and+the+Ward+Family&inAuthor=&inDesc=&exTitle=&exAuthor=&exDesc=&match=Y&&order=PRICE&ordering=DESC
James Ward was my grandfather on my mother's side.I will speak to my mom about the other names she can remember.Thanks
I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE A COPY OF THIS BOOK,HAVE TRIED FOR SEVERAL YEARS TO FIND IT WITH NO LUCK. I AM DESCENDED FROM JOHN WARD AND CATHY MCDANIEL, I THINK FROM SAMUEL BUT NOT SURE. MY GGREAT GRANDMOTHER WAS MARY ANN WARD HER HUSBAND WAS ANDREW JACKSON PINGLETON DOES ANYONE KNOW THE CONNECTION. THANKS
Hi, Sharon, that is awesome that you have connections to the people in this book!
I have enjoyed hearing everyone's stories!
I might be selling the book soon to help with college tuition. If I do, I will let everyone on this post know...Cindy, from above, was the first to mention her interest; so, I would ask her first.
Take care,
Kim
Hi Kim, I recieved a copy of a note stating that you might be selling my family history Ward book, and that you would offer it to me first? I can't tell you how excited I am and I am in tears...thank you for offering it to me first, if and when you decide to sell it, please let me know. I also understand about college, and I have a few friends who are struggeling terribly...so i wish you the best.God Bless you and your family...
Hi Cindy! Yes, I know you were the first to say that you would like to know if I ever wanted to sell it. If you want to find me on Facebook - Kimberly Mulson Ivey - you can send me a message and we can talk about it. Let me know if you have any problems doing that, but I think my settings will allow messages. Hope to hear from you soon! Thanks, Kim
Oops, I'm just Kim Mulson Ivey - not Kimberly! Sorry!