2012 Tolliver Reunion
TOLLIVER REUNION
June 22-23, 2012
Morehead, KY
It is hard to believe that this was our tenth Tolliver Reunion. Twelve different states were represented. Most were descendants of John 1760. Others were descendants of Moses b. 1750, Zachariah b. 1792, Wade Hampton b. 1815, and Jane b. 1830. Renewing friendships and meeting new cousins is always fun.
Friday evening we were entertained with music from C. J. Wing and John Tolliver. Then Dr. J. D. Reeder answered questions about the Feud and talked about the drama, Bloody Rowan, which he has written and will be presented in Morehead the first two weekends in October. A new event on Friday evening that was well received was Tolliver Bingo led by Lea Ann Lyon.
Saturday morning was an informal time followed by a carry-in lunch. This was followed by a time in small groups where everyone was introduced and stories were shared. Each group chose a story or question that was shared with the total group.
Sabrina Tolliver Kiser spoke about her book titled Dove’s Trail, based on the true story of Lytte Tolliver following the trail back to NC to recover a horse that was stolen during the Civil War. Dan Capal from NE was recognized for his book about Tolliver men in the Civil War. The book is titled Fighting Tolivers. He is continuing to collect information. The book will be on the website.
We appreciate Don Tolliver and his son, Randy, who cleaned the Old Tolliver Cemetery in NC in May and replaced the flowers and installed a new American flag. Steven Moxley and his father, Robert, who live nearby, will mow this summer.
Thanks to Roy Tolliver and his sons, Cody and Todd, who cleaned the Jacob Finley Tolliver Cemetery in Elliott Co., KY in June. Jacob Finley was a Confederate soldier and prisoner of war in the Civil War. We plan to get him a military stone. The Civil War Confederate group will do a dedication for us. Ellis Pennington, who owns the farm where the cemetery is located, is willing to help us with a new fence and posts. Roy and his sons will help also. Let me know if you would like to work with them. J. D. and I are working on getting a historical monument for the cemetery. Craig Tolliver from the feud and nine of Jacob Finley’s family are buried there. Seven of the nine were killed. We also would like a sign down by the road pointing to the Tolliver Cemetery. More information will follow as we get some bids on the monument.
There were two “Thinking of You” cards that individuals signed for Eleanor Tolliver Waters and John Cooper Tolliver. Both of these individuals have researched the Tolliver family for many years. After I got back to the motel, I had an email that John had died Saturday morning. There is a tribute to him on the website at tolliverfamily.com. I have considered them the Matriarch and Patriarch of the Tolliver family because of their work. Much of the “old” Tolliver information that we have is from them.
Naomi Flewwellin from Alaska travelled the farthest. The oldest person present was Jim Tolliver from Knoxville, TN. The youngest person present was Cameron Tolliver from OH. Josh Tolliver from KY won the door prize.
We appreciate Gail and Ken Whiteaker and Shawn Flora for taking care of the registration and picture-making at the Reunion. Carla Eberwein does a super job of setting up and managing the silent auction and lunch. Mike Tolliver and Jeremy Heister also helped in the kitchen. Thanks to all who brought the delicious food and/or items for the silent auction. Terri Tolliver did some fabulous face painting for the children.
The Reunion closed with the announcement of the silent auction winners. The proceeds of the auction pay for various expenses of the Reunion, such as building rental, stamps, tableware, etc.
Family Tree DNA has a sale on DNA tests this week. The basic 12-marker test is $59 instead of $99. Orders must be paid for by Sunday, July 15 at 11:59 p.m. to receive this price.
The 2013 Reunion will be fourth weekend in June. Let me know your suggestions.
Emma Lee Tolliver
614-267-6556