I went to town for the second time in two months this past week. The first person I saw after being away for so long was Wayne Pierce.

My health has prevented me from leaving my home. I have been on a kidney dialysis machine for the past six years. My recent illness has taught me that I need to take care of myself more seriously and treat my condition at home.

My Grandma Blackeye lived more than 100 years. My Daddy told me that she would have a little nip of homemade whiskey each morning and night. Granny Harmon and Grandma Eliza Wood Williams both made whiskey on the Black Jack Settlement. Grandma Eliza Wood Williams lived to be 104 years old and was active in raising her orphaned grandchildren.

Black Jack is the oldest known community in Denton County. Jackie and Radford Fuller currently live in the area that was settled by the Indians on Black Jack road west. Their heritage is among the early settlers. The Plunks and Cagels occupied the land in the 1850's. With the Civil War looming, these people were scared that if they did not serve in the Civil War their Cherokee identity would be discovered. So they served their country and fought in the Civil War.

The Byroms, Hollars, Turners, Bates and other families settled in the Sandtown community in 1828. The Housdens settled in Aubrey as they returned from Missouri.

Weston is a small town today in north Collin County. It is the town where Rev. George Key lived. He was a Methodist circuit rider. Dr. Key and his brother and family came to Onega in 1843. Dr. Key’s efforts live today in the Aubrey Methodist Church that he organized. The church has been open and services held on every Sunday since he and his followers established the church.

The Aubrey area offered and operated one of the free schools operated in Denton County. The school began in the one room log structure that provided shelter from the cold wet winter months.

It was during this period of time, there were no roads to travel, only paths and wagon trails. There was no barbed wire. When a group of settlers ventured out in the fenceless area, they would come upon others who were tending their herd or flock or livestock.

The photo I wish to share with you this week is of poor quality. It is an example of early day Cherokee Onegans. While I am hesitant to publish such a poor quality photo, I have a suspicion that the original is in someone’s collection, and I will publish another story, if you will kindly allow me to make a better copy of the photo.

The photo is of the Brumley’s and the Smiths. John Brumley is on the top left next to Amy Brumley who is located in the center. Bob Smith is the third person standing. Seated is Easter Mundy, Ollie Smith is the child and Rachel Mundy is seated on the right.

Please help me with your old photos. I have a huge selection of photos from J.D. Reeves family and just as soon as I get them identified, I will be sharing them with you. So please visit with me and help me come up with more family adventures of Onega settlers.

Some of you Cherokee artists that are handy with the brush can update this photo and I will make a story on the brush enhancing artist and publish the results later for a comparison. Try your hand and let me know.

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