Almost There...

We're getting near that time, ladies and gentlemen. We are just a little under two months away from the 

Benge Family Reunion - 52 days, 14 hours, 30 minutes, and 15 seconds to be exact, as I write this.

At least that's what the new countdown ticker in the side-bar says.

Remember, there is a link to a map and directions underneath the countdown, just in case you have family coming in from out of state.

Looking forward to seeing you all there, and keep the pictures coming!

By the way, if you would like to send me census records, marriage certificates, death certificates, baby announcements, or anything of that nature, just send me a scanned picture (preferably in the ".jpg" format, but it doesn't have to be).

UPDATED: Tilford, Albert, Sam and... King David?

UPDATE: Several photos have been updated with more accurate information.

Above: Tilford Benge and Susan, along with two of his twenty-plus children.

Below: Tilford, and his brother, Creed. We are unsure if the women are sisters or wives, so if you have any information, please leave it in the comments link below.

UPDATE: I just got this info in an email - " ...pretty sure the lady to the left is Molly L. Benge and the one on the right is Susan Malinda Benge sisters of Tilford. I don't know who they married or if they did. Date of death for both is July 2nd.1939 seems odd?"

Below: Sam Benge (next two photos), Tilford Benge's son, and Albert Benge's full brother:

Below: Albert Benge on a short mule. 

There is a story that goes with this, and is posted at the bottom.

Above: Albert Benge and his half-brothers: Mack,Theo,Woodrow,and Matt on the end. 

Photo thought to be taken at Albert's brother's funeral.

Above: A young Sam Benge with his mother, the widow of old Sam who was Albert benge's full brother.

Tombstone of "King David" Benge. David Benge is an ancestor to most of the Indiana Benge's. 

Legend has it that David Benge had a big part in winning the battle at King's Mountain, Kentucky. 

For more information on King David Benge, click here.

...now, back to Albert and the short mule.

"In many of his pictures of that time period, he [Albert] was sitting on that mule and it was obviously quite a bit shorter than the other animals.  I asked my dad's [Albert's] cousin why he seemed to prefer that little short mule and he explained, "It seems the mule was really fast and would 'lay right down on its side' when going around a corner.  Fastest thing around Laurel, KY at that time."   I asked that same man if my mother, Martha, rode.  He said "Why, sure, she'd have to ride if she was going to go round with Ab."    

Imagine those comments in a deep southern accent!"

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Thanks for stopping by, everybody. Please, leave comments and photos if you have them!

Special thanks to my Great Aunt, Mary McCullough for this batch of pictures - I have never seen most of these, and it is a blessing to me and my family.  - Aaron Benge

Some Pictures Are Coming!

I spoke with my brother this week, and he is bringing me a disk full of pictures. According to him, there are pictures of Henry and Hazel Benge, Albert and Martha Benge, Grandma and Grandpa Maddox, among others.
Keep checking back, as I will be posting them as soon as I get them.
I also have some census records containing Tillford Benge & family, and am waiting for a scanner to get them online.

...and please, if you have any old Benge family photos on your hard drive, or can scan them, send them to romans833@yahoo.com along with a description of who, where, when, etc.

God Bless,
Aaron