The Georgia Jay Workshop and Family Gathering

Saturday & Sunday, Sept. 20-21st, 2003, Waco, Texas

 

The occasion was fun and informative. The cousins who gathered were:

Pat Bagwell, Billie Brem, Sue and Robert K. Coffelt, Ann, Carol, James Edward, and James R. Jay, Becky, Rebecca and Vince King, Karon and Glen Lemming, Beverly and Ernest Martin, Guy S. Perry, III, Kay Rodell, Donald E. and Marie Simmons, Marion G. “Jerry” and Sharron Spencer, Mary Helen Swaner and Sue Wright, in alphabetical order, all of Texas

 

Out-of-state attendees were: Gail M. Hedden of Florida and Bebe Ann Street-Pierce of Alabama.

 

Others who registered, but were unable to attend because of complications were: William L., Julia Ann Jay Campbell, and Wanda Jay Campbell, Mary Jay Campbell Hancock and Martha Nawrocki, all of Texas.

 

We sincerely missed those who could not make it, but not for long, as newly introduced cousins were having such fun getting to put names and faces together.

 

Vince King began with a superb and very professional presentation on the children of David Jay, Sr. and later presented detailed and newly found information about the grandchildren of David Jay, Jr. Vince has recently unearthed the will of John Jay, son of David Jay, Sr., and bible records for the family of William Jay, son of David Jay, Sr. These data provided documentation for sorting the grandchildren of David, Sr., since questions had remained for years about which children belonged to the brothers - John Jay and William Jay.

 

In the evening, Pat Bagwell presented the George Simeon Jay and son, Jesse C. Jay family information. She did a thorough job with lots of informative details.

 

An impromptu performance by Marie and Donald Simmons rounded off our evening on Saturday. They have done extensive research on Donald’s branch of the Jay family and the Simmons connection. These are non-Georgia Jay and Simmons lines. Donald and Marie kindly made a gift of their information to the Jay Family Association, through Pat Bagwell.

 

On Sunday, there was revelation of a newly discovered family line, which provides additional connections to the families of John Jay, William Jay, and William Wallace, through their wives.

 

Jerry Spencer made a presentation on the Wallace family, and the connection of his Spencer family. He gave details about the parents and family of Elizabeth Wallace/Wallis, who married David Jay, Jr. He traced several branches and their movement from Georgia, and the ones who ventured on to Texas. What a great job he has done with our Wallace/Wallis cousins.

 

Last, but far from least, was the Earp family data provided by Sharron Spencer. Sharron and one of her Earp cousins have thoroughly researched our Earp ancestors and have published a book of great detail. The Earp Family in America, Descendants of Our Immigrant Ancestor Thomas Earp, Jr., by Sharon Studebaker Spencer and Irmalee Earp Williams is a must for all who descend from David Jay, Sr. and Elizabeth Earp Jay. Several cousins departed with copies of the large, heavy, exciting book in their luggage.

 

Vince King announced plans for a family reunion in Georgia during April 2004.

 

Friday and Saturday Evenings were filled with more visiting over dinner, at two different restaurants located near our lodging. Snacks and drinks kept us functioning throughout the days, as all in attendance were hesitant to leave the room for fear of missing out on the next tidbit of information.

 

Tentative plans were made for another Jay/Wallace/Earp cousins gathering in Central Texas during the Fall 2004. If you know of other related reunions in Texas or other states, please let me know. Contact information for those gatherings would also be helpful. We would like to gather as many cousins as possible for next Fall.

 

SPECIAL THANKS goes to ALL presenters, who made the event wonderfully informative. And a big THANK YOU to all who attended (or at least tried to do so), as the really fun group of cousins created a warm and festive atmosphere.

 

Sue Swaner Collelt

 

 

The cousins who attended were:

 

Pat Bagwell, Round Rock, Williamson Co., TX

Billie Brem, Lorena, McLennan Co., TX  (s. of Waco)

Sue Swaner and Robert K. Coffelt, Clifton, Bosque Co., TX

Ann Jay, Gorman, Eastland Co., TX

Carol & James Edward Jay, Tyler, Smith Co., TX

James R. Jay, San Antonio, Bexar Co., TX

Becky, Rebecca & Vince King, Denton, Denton Co., TX

Karon and Glen Lemming, Dickinson, Galveston Co., TX

Beverly and Ernest Martin, Howe, Grayson Co., TX

Guy S. Perry, III, Georgetown, Williamson Co., TX

Kay Rodell, Buffalo, Leon Co., TX

Donald E. and Marie Simmons, Brookshire, Waller Co., TX

Marion G. “Jerry” & Sharron Spencer, Grapevine, Tarrant Co., TX

Mary Helen Swaner, Dallas, Dallas Co., TX

Sue Wright, Georgetown, Williamson Co., TX (formerly of Kingwood, TX)

Out-of-State Attendees:

Gail M. Hedden, Sarasota, Florida

Bebe Ann Street-Pierce, Jasper, Alabama