Individual Notes
Note for: Lawence Joseph Powers, 07 APR 1910 - 16 OCT 1981
Index
Burial: Date: 19 OCT 1981
Place: Arlington, VA
Death Note: Cancer
Individual Notes
Note for: Ebenezar Thomas Massey, 04 FEB 1876 - 05 AUG 1950
Index
Individual Note: Eben Massey "ET and Andy
The following was taken from a newspaper article Published on sept 23, 1946 called Profiles from Warwick County.
"There goes an old timer, Eben Thomas Massey,
," said an old resident of Warwick county to a friend as they strolled down Main St., a few days ago. "He's a real man of the soil, too. he has been living here in this community about 42 years and at the time he came all of this section from Rivermont to Morrison was nothing but fields and woods. Just imagine the great changes he has seen take place.
"I understand he was born February 4 1876 in Westmoreland County. His mother, who was a native of the same County, was Miss Rose Taylor Rice, and his father, Thomas H. Massey of Kent County Maryland. He attended the public schools of Grand Junction during his few elementary grades and completed the grade work in the schools of Washington. later graduating from Spencerian Business College in the same City.
Was Young Graduate
"He must have been a pretty brilliant young man because he graduated too young for government employment and as a result he decided to come to Hampton to work with his brothers, J.W. and T.H. Massey who were in the oyster business there. He continued with them five years at which time he decided to move to Warwick County selecting what is now Brandon Heights as his home. He thought oyster beds might be plentiful there but after set+line he became more interested in tilling the soil and there he remained for many years - in fact until his tract of land was opened up for sale a few years ago he and his family lived in what was known as the "Old Massey House overlooking the James above Hilton villages" Here in 1902 he took his bride the former Miss Nancy James Duke of Ashland , to the little farm house which was built and originally occupied by John and Sara Curtis. later it was sold to Mrs. Mary Darling of Hampton and at bide time it was razed Fad sassed into the hands of Darling. Prior to the newlyweds' arrival it had been occupied by Mr and Mrs Thomas Phillips who decided to make Newport News their Home.
Lovers of Soil
"There the bride and groom determined to live and be happy in a spot which became sacred to them as it would to all who ire devout lovers of soil where one feels the nearness of God. Here were great old mulberries bespeaking age, more lovely with each year having weathered many storms and yet able to afford a resting spot to the weary and worn. Then there were tall whispering pines reminiscing over the secret meeting of those lovers who had stood beside them many Sunday afternoons and carved their initials. hoping to return at some later date together. And here had come Eben Thomas Massey and his bride, Nancy to spend their happy but all too short years together.
"Seven children. five girls and two boys were born in this quaint l e Clapboard house nestled among great oaks, mulberries end pines; Mrs Clearance Earle, Betty Duke Thomas. Jacqlyn Anna Russell, Agnes Miller Crouch, Andrew Platt Massey, Sallie Byrd Insley and Lt. T. Costello Page Massey, USNR .
"Grief soon visited the home of this happy family when it was broken through the death of Mrs massed in 1918. here was left a young man with seven children to rear, the oldest only 15 years of age.
"It often takes sorrow to search into the depth of a man's soul to bring to light the greatness that otherwise would be submerged end perhaps neither realized nor appreciated by the world - and thus it was true of Massey. He became determined through his great Toss to accept God's Challenge and so today his children speak for the father they had - a great citizen, a devout man, a great father and a man who wished to Perpetuate, the name so the l e church bearing the name of St. Andrews owes it all to the man of God who had the vision of a great need many years age. Homer L. Ferguson, who became interested in the little church was instrumental in making possible the building which was erected by the late Brick Doris. Mr. masses is the oldest continuous warden in the church. I once heard him say in answer to a question as to whether or not he had ever Preached - "No. I've done all except Preach but if ever I had to I would say. Go home, do better and come back again," - and that is exemplary of his life - for he always went home, did better and came back again.
Known as Santa Claus
"For many years he has been the most loved man by the children of St. Andrews because they knew him as Santa Claus, having had the joy of giving candy to the kiddies of the church each Christmas.
"I once heard someone ask - "why do they not tear down those awful little huts over there on the Massey farm?" - to which replied "Those little huts, as you call them have sheltered the brilliant as well as the less educated for Mr Massey never was known to turn a man from his door. They have been a refuge for the homeless. In them strength both physical and spiritual, has been restored to the weary and ill. they stood as monuments to a great man. Few know the humanitarian services this gentlemen has rendered for he has befriended the homeless, clothed the needy, fed the hungry and given drink to the famished. Should you ask him his hobby he would lose no time in replying -"tilling the soil," - at the same time he declared the greatest of all is that revolving around his children and grandchildren.
"as I listened to this mutual friend relate this I mentally summed up this great man's character in these few lines - " Now I see the secret of making of the best Persons, it is to grow in the open and eat and sleep