Trail of Tears

Read notes in Great Grandfather Cleveland Joseph Busbee regarding Trail of Tears. Cherokee removal, also called the Trail of Tears, refers to the forced relocation in 1838 of the Cherokee Nation from their lands in Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama, and North Carolina to the Indian Territory (present day Oklahoma) in the Western United States, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 4,000 Cherokees.[1] This number 4000 is always associated with the Cherokee Removal to emphasise suffering and death, but the actual toll was likely half that figure. Army officers documented each group of Cherokees as they left their homeland and as each group arrived in Indian Territory. Dr. Elizur Butler in 1838 estimated that perhaps 4000 Cherokees would perish during the progress, but admitted he did not know the numbers in either Army or tribal records. In the Cherokee language, the event is called Nu na da ul tsun yi (the place where they cried), another term is Tlo va sa (our removal). However, this phrase was not used by Cherokees at the time, and seems to be of Choctaw origin. Note that the Cherokees were not the only Native Americans to emigrate as a result of the Indian Removal efforts. Native Americans were not only removed from the American South but also from the North, Midwest, Southwest, and Plains regions. The Choctaws, Chickasaws, and Creeks (Muskogee) emigrated reluctantly. The Seminoles in Florida resisted Removal by guerrilla warfare with the United States Armyy for decades (1817-1850). Ultimately, some Seminoles remained in their Florida home country, while others were transported to Indian Territory in shackles. In contrast, the Cherokees resisted Removal by hiring lawyers. They won their case before the U.S. Supreme Court (Worcester v. State of Georgia), but were forced to emigrate anyway.

2 Weeks 2 Go

I talked with Glen last night and so did Dad, he had a boring week and next week will even be more boring. Time just goes by to slow that way. The room is hot with all 188 guys in one classroom trying to learn something and all you want to do is sleep because of the heat. He is doing fine however. We love you and support you Glen. Just keep trying. MOM

Family Tree

I just started to draw a family tree, however I need more info. If you will take a look and see something not right or you have the information Please help

Aunt Kathy

This is Kathleen Marie Gurry Chapman, daughter to Billy Sonner Gurry and Barbara Anne Richards. She is the sister to June Anne, Sharyne Elaine, Richard Michael, William George, and Steven Arthur. She was the 4th child. She has 3 daughters and 1 son.

Uncle Bill

This is William George Gurry and his first son, Christopher. He is one of three sons of Billy Sonner Gurry and Barbara Anne Richards, and brother to June,Sharyne,Steven,Kathleen and Richard Gurry. He has 2 sons and 1 daughter from a previous marriage and her name was Barbara. He is now married to Rayleen and they live in Sonoma. Also, he is the baby of our family. Congratulations!

Grandfather Glen Thomas

This is Glen Russell Thomas, father to Phillip Thomas. Grandfather was probably in his late 20's here. Dad and his father did alot of hunting together around Napa Ca.

Great Grandfather Cleveland Busbee

This is great grandfather Cleve (Pop) aka Cleveland Joseph Busbee ( Cherokee Indian Descent from Georgia), father to Thelma Francis Busbee who was mother to Phillip Wayne Thomas. He was born Feb 11 1892 and died March 10,1966 in Napa CA. Cleveland Joseph Busbee's Great Great Grandfather was part of the true story of the Trail of Tears and who somehow managed to escape and went to Georgia USA. No one knows what happened after that. The Thomas boys are part Cherokee Indian. This happened in 1838-39. Read the story on July 21 about the Trail of Tears.

Father

This is Phillip Wayne Thomas, father to 6 children: Teresa, Phyllis, Denise (adopted), Nathanial, Anthony, and Glen. He is just a teenager here.

1976 Thomas Wedding

We were married in Olongapo City at a First Baptist Church. We had to have a Filippino Minister and an American Minister because the American Minister needed to sign the marriage certificate. Best Man was Mike Dougherty and with his wife Judy in attendance. We had a wedding reception at a nice restaurant in town and had alot of people that came. The men and women that came were friends and employees of Phillip Thomas at the Naval Base.

Subic Bay Republic of Philippines Housing

This is the first home of our sons. They were all born on a Naval Base in the Philippines. We lived in Officers housing with great air-conditioning. Good thing. There were monsoons and typhoons but it wasnt bad. As a matter of fact, you just needed to wear rain gear and thats it. It really wasnt cold during the winter.

Mother - 1957-8 school picture

This is June Anne Gurry Thomas, mother to 4 children: Denise, Nathanial, Anthony, and Glen. I am the oldest of 6 children of Billy Sanner Gurry and Barbara Anne Richards. I am 9 years old and I remember Rankin Elementary School. I had fun there. We lived at 709 James Dr. in Tupelo, Mississippi. That is where my brother Billy was born. I even had time to join the Girl Scouts there. Sometimes I even played with my sister Sharyne and brother Steve. We used to go down to the creek and catch tiny frogs and I would make beds for them out of match stick boxes and I used toilet paper as the sheets. It was fun.

Madison in the Easter Basket

This is Madison Thomas, daughter to Glen R. Thomas and Marilyn Spittler Thomas. Madison is such a cutie in this easter basket 2008. Grandma loves you. Madison can sure talk alot now. She is so much fun to visit with and never stops talking. What a precious little girl. I miss her very much.

Uncle Rich and Aunt Vickie

This is my brother Richard Michael and his beautiful wife of many years Vickie Miller. He was the 5th child out of 6 children of Billy Sonner Gurry and Barbara Anne Richards. Richard has 3 daughters and 1 son. Vickie lives in Farmington NM and Richard is up in Alaska with his ships. Hi Richie and Vickie, we all miss you very much.

Update on Fireplace

www.ancestry.com

Go check out our family tree. Start with a search for Phillip Wayne Thomas

Working on the corner woodstove platform

A visit from Glen and family

It was so nice to see Glen, Marilyn, and Madison. You guys look terrific. Glen will be completing CHP Academy by the end of July. His graduation date is Aug 7th in at 3500 Reed Ave, West Sacramento. Dad and I are looking forward to this momentos event. Hope all can come.

Happy Birthday to my Daughter

Happy Birthday to my beautiful daughter. My daughter gave me this poem which I dearly love and I read it every day because its on my desk.
It is said that the mother-daughter bond is one of the strongest and it can never be broken, no matter what and that means some things don't have to be understood or solved or perfect. We just keep on loving each other through life No Matter What.

My Mothers Birthday

Today is the day many years ago that my mother was born. The year was 1928. That makes her 81 years old today. My mother was born in Vallejo CA. I have many wishes for my mother and the first one is to have a very Happy Birthday today. I havent forgotten you. I love you and am so glad I spoke with you today. Have a great day and bless you. Dont eat too much cake and ice cream. I want to give you extra blessings because you had me as your first child. I feel very special because you were my mother and God couldnt have given me a better one even if he spent 1000 years hunting for the perfect mother for me. I miss you with all my heart and soul.

Rocky, Annie and baby Maximus

We own 3 boxer dogs named Rocky, Annie, and Maximus. About 6 years ago we were fortunate enough to have visited the "animal shelter" in our area and put our names with them to find us a boxer in need. Well, it wasnt long before we received a call from someone who got our name from the "animal shelter". She said they couldnt keep Rocky their boxer anymore and were going to bring him to the pound. I asked her to bring Rocky by our office to have a look at him. When she arrived I went outside and saw Rocky sitting beside her. I went up to Rocky and told the lady "yes" we would take him. Since that time, our oldest twin found an ad about boxer pups. He called and said OK mom its time to get another boxer. I called the ad and they said they had one last boxer. It was a female and she was the runt of the family. The people came to our office with the female dog and put her down. I fell in love with her the minute they put her down and I named her "Annie". When Annie was 2 1/2 she came into heat and her and Rocky had an affair. This affair went on for several days. Annie had 5 puppies around Christmas time and we sold them all except we kept one of the males. We named him "Maximus". He is now bigger than Rocky. Rocky was about 6 years old when we got him. Anyway, we are all one big happy family. I want to thank my oldest son for telling me to "make that call". I just cant imagine what life would be like without her. She is the best dog I have ever owned. I will post some photos as soon as my other son (the second twin) fixes my computer. Hopefully, he will have it done by this weekend. Its just amazing how I just cant live without that computer.