3 June 2016

Dear Friends of Spring Hill Cemetery,

Friday was an absolutely delightful day. Not only was Thomas B Ashley's stone returned to the cemetery, but also our labors were followed up by a spectacular lunch at the Flack's. The sun was shining, and 14 of us gathered at the cemetery.

Aside from the return of the stone, we spent much time tending the cemetery plants (picture one) and pulling invasive weeds. Others from our group spent time raking paths and hauling debris to the dump truck. And we were even able to find time for some sanding and paint touch up on the Zilhart enclosure, where the paint had peeled down to the wood in spots.

But our main focus on Friday was the return and resetting of the Thomas B. Ashley stone. The stone's return stems from the recent Press Democrat newspaper articles. Paul Tennyson (a 4th great grandson of Thomas B Ashley) and his wife, Cheryl Ronconi Tennyson, noticed the newspaper articles and contacted Jeremy to return the stone. The full story is detailed in the newspaper articles. In case you missed them:

Link to Clark Mason's May 20th Press Democrat article on Jeremy Nichols, mentioning Spring Hill:,

http://www.pressdemocrat.com/lifestyle/5579368-181/santa-rosa-man-know-where?utm_campaign=trueAnthem%3A+Trending+Content&utm_content=5740077204d3012667e2487d&utm_medium=trueAnthem&utm_source=facebook&artslide=0

Chris Smith's May 25th's Press Democrat article on the return of Thomas B Ashley's headstone.

http://www.pressdemocrat.com/news/5658023-181/chris-smith-why-santa-rosa?artslide=0

The setting of Thomas Ashley's stone was very rewarding for us. Jeremy brought it to the cemetery in the trunk of his car (picture 2). Using the probe brought to us by Regional Parks, we surveyed the area around Thomas Ashley's grandson, Benjamin Towner's, marker. Having found a suitable place, Thomas' 4th great grandson, Paul, dug the hole wherein we set the stone (Pictures 3. 4 and 5). Our group picture shows us all proudly behind the newly reset stone (the group minus Betsy Flack and Alan Hunstock, who were busily preparing and setting up for the amazing meal to follow....).

And speaking of the meal, Betsy and Jim put on quite a feast. It was set in Betsy and Jim's idyllic garden, close to the cemetery. We feasted on oven fried chicken, garlic/tarragon mashed potatoes, roasted corn on the cob, salads, and all topped off with rhubarb crumble. Many thanks, Betsy and Jim.

I have pulled together a brief bio on Thomas B Ashley, drawn from my research as well as that of Sandy Tyler and Robert Catalano. Thomas Ashley was born in Virginia in February of 1799. By the mid 1820s Thomas had made his way to Kentucky where he met, and on October 20, 1828 married his bride, Mary Ritchey. The couple had at least three children in Kentucky, Martha born in 1827, Alvin born about 1829 and Maranda born February 1831, before heading to Cooper County, Missouri. From Cooper they made their way to Bates County, Missouri.

The Ashleys made many close connections in Bates, Missouri. Among their neighbors were the Towners (daughter Maranda Frances Ashley married Achatias Cornelius Towner there on August 28, 1848), and the Cockrill and Hagans families, both of whom preceded the Ashleys on the trip west to Sonoma County, California. The 1850 Bates, Missouri census shows Thomas as a blacksmith, wife Mary, and three sons - Alvin a 21 year old laborer; and William and Peter, both born in Missouri. Daughter Martha (sometimes called Mary) was not found in the 1850 census. She married Harvey McCown, probably before 1850.

Thomas' daughter, Maranda, and son-in-law, Achatias, moved from Missouri to Iowa then finally settled in Nebraska in 1854, being some of the first settlers in that county. Thomas, wife Mary, and son Peter followed them; both Thomas and Achatias making their living as farmers. This was about the time of the organization of the Nebraska Territory, and Achatias was appointed Sheriff of Cass County. The McCowns were also in Iowa, then Nebraska, and were in Sonoma County before 1861, so preceded the rest of the family out west.

In 1862 Achatias Towner and Maranda once again pulled up stakes, with Thomas B Ashley and Mary following. This time they crossed the plains to California with ox teams, settling in Sonoma County where Thomas farmed and Achatias was engaged in the dairy business (possibly with brother-in-law Harvey McCowen, also a dairyman). It is said they made the 2000 mile journey in not quite five months.

Thomas died March 10, 1867, just over 68 years of age. His widow, Mary, married Achatias's father, the preacher Abraham Towner in 1869.

Thomas' grandson, Benjamin Towner, son of Achatias Towner and Maranda Ashley, died in 1878 when 3 months old. He was the 17th (and last) child of Achatias and Maranda! His stone has always been at Spring Hill, originally put there to be close the the grave of his grandfather.

Our next workday is scheduled for Friday, August 5th. Please come and join us!

Best Regards,

Sue

Attachment #1
Roses

Attachment #2
Stone in trunk

Attachment #3
Easing stone In

Attachment #4
Packing it down

Attachment #5
Checking leveling

Attachment #6
Group