The first county seat of Karnes County was established in Helena in 1852. Helena was a bustling community until the railroad bypassed it in 1884. Then Helena became one of Texas’ official ghost towns. There were numerous hangings in the tree in front of the courthouse. Author Barry Harrin wrote a book “The Toughest Town on Earth” www.helenatexas.com. The few remaining mortals have reported some strange happenings and a paranormal crew reported ghostly activity. I saw nothing out of the ordinary on my nights on the grounds. However, I made them a deal, that I would not bother them, if they didn’t bother me.

“Thank you” to our Karnes County friends for their hospitality and especially to photographers Joe Baker and Sue Carter.

You can view the photos and order online at:

www.seeyourphotos.net

Event name: spicewood ceremony

Passcode: 20060896

Enter your email address and your first name. It will direct you to the photos from the event. There are many beautiful pictures and your opportunity to order prints will end on July 23.

To view or purchase the photos from the ceremony held on April 23, 2011, go into:
SeeYourPhotos.Net

Event Name:  spicewood ceremony
Passcode:  20060896
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Email address: Enter your email address
First name: Enter your first name
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This will take you into the site and you can view the photos as thumbnails or slideshow and purchase any pictures you want.

Sorry this has taken us so long to get the information to you.

Enjoy viewing the photo album!

I extrapolated the numbers myself just from my GGG Grandmother Rebeckah Mitchell Smith, the third daughter born to Adam and Elizabeth Mitchell b. 6 Jan 1782 in Guilford County, NC. Adam had twelve children that survived to adulthood, daughter Rebeckah and Thomas W. Smith had five children, their daughter Margaret and Lorenzo Van Cleve had five of which their first born, Elnora Van Cleve b. 14 Apr 1841 aka “First Daughter of Austin, Texas” and her husband Dan Brown had twelve children that lived to adulthood. Their youngest Lillie Brown, my Grandmother and Grandfather John W. Bowles had five.

Since I started the Westward Sagas Series of books about the Adam Mitchell family coming to Texas, four branches of Adam’s twelve children have been reunited. They are descendents of Robert b. 17 Feb 1767, John b. 4 May 1774, Rebeckah b. 6 Jan 1782 and Hezekiah b. 10 Mar 1792. Each branch holds their own family reunion. I try to attend all of them because I always learn something old.

The Granddaddy of all family reunions is the “Galbreath Reunion” which is holding their 105th Reunion on Sunday, 17 Jul 2011 at Walnut State Park, Oakland, IL. This family stems from John Mitchell and John Galbreath early settlers of Cole County, IL. Both are buried in the Mitchell Cemetery, Ashmore, IL. The Mitchell name over the generations has petered out as it has in my family, but they are as I am descendents of Adam Mitchell. Thankfully the Galbreath has done much research and maintained accurate records of their lineage. The Adam Mitchell Bible I refer to often in my work is maintained by this branch of the family. For more information on the Galbreath Reunion contact Ann Hinrichs at annewc615@aol.com

We have yet to locate any descendents of the following children of Adam and Elizabeth Mitchell. If you are from one of the Adam Mitchell children below, please contact us and join the ranks of 20,000 cousins.

William Mitchell b. 17 Feb 1771
Adam Mitchell b. 5 Apr 1776
Elizabeth “Ibby” Mitchell b. 15 Dec 1780
Jennett Mitchell b. 29 Apr 1783
Samuel Mitchell b. 29 Mar 1786
David Mitchell b. 4 Feb 1788
James Mitchell b. 24 Feb 1790

Elnora married Daniel Brown in 1859, gave birth to 15 children and died January 2, 1900. Her grave in the Collier-Gregg Cemetery has a tombstone that simply says Elnora, wife of Dan Brown, the date of death and 59 years old.

On Saturday, April 23, 2011 at 11 a.m., descendents, members of area Genealogical and Historical Societies will have a memorial dedication with “Citizen of the Republic of Texas” medallion presented by Virginia Van Cleave of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas. Color Guard from the Texas Society of the Sons of the American Revolution in colonial uniforms, led by Marvin Morgan, Commander. The public is invited to attend – period dress contest and musket firing demonstration honoring Austin’s First Daughter Elnora (Van Cleve) Brown.

Collier-Gregg Cemetery, 504 Pace Bend Park Road North, Spicewood, Texas 78669

Directions: Hwy 71 to FM 2322, which is Pace Bend Park Road, continue 3 miles toward Park. The private cemetery, which has no sign, is behind a small building known as the Pedernales Property Owners Building at the Cat Hollow Entrance to Lake Travis.