Maternal Arms

I found two different coats of arms associated with the name Staten (my mother's maiden name) - and it must be borne in mind that arms are actually not granted to a family or clan, but to an individual instead.

At any rate, these are the arms I found:

The top one involves a lobster on a blue field, next to three silver stars. I have to admit I'm not all that crazy about that one.

The second one involves a dancing goat of some kind. One heraldry website I found described the symbolism of the goat as follows: "The goat is a symbol of practical wisdom and an emblem of a man who wins through diplomacy rather than war." OK, I suppose that makes sense. 

Another name that is found on Mom's side of the family is Maynard; this is the maiden name of her grandmother. I did find at least one Maynard arms, which looks like this:

Them's some sharp-looking arms, that's for sure. Now, I'm not 100% sure, but I suspect there could be a link between those Maynards and Lt. Robert Maynard, the sailor who brought down Blackbeard. I'd like to find out more and see if there is a family link there. I understand the symbolism of the Red Hand is this: it is indicative of a baronet or knight. That's quite interesting. 

I also found this one, with a charming dancing fox on it:

This says it's German; I wonder if the other Maynard arms is English. Wouldn't surprise me. 

Another name that turns up on Mom's side of the family is that of the notorious HATFIELD clan. Yes, THOSE HATFIELDS. I found several different arms associated with the Hatfield name.

Some of these are just gorgeous, especially the ones involving the ermine background. I love arms that incorporate the ermine tail pattern. The variation seen in the Hatfield arms indicates how arms are given to an individual, not an entire family or clan. Lord knows there's plenty of Hatfields out there.... ;)

Obit - Effie Justice Staten

This is the obituary for my mother's stepmother....

EFFIE STATEN

Effie Staten, 71, of Delbarton, died Saturday, November 7, 1998, in Mingo Manor Nursing Home, Williamson.

Born January 18, 1927, in Delbarton, she was a daughter of Robert A. and Alkie McFadden Justice. 

She was also preceded in death by son, David Alfred Justice, brothers, Green and Joe Justice. She was a homemaker and member of the Varney Church of God.

Survivors: husband, Oliver Staten, Delbarton; stepson, Dallas Staten, Delbarton; stepdaughers, Joan Harlan, Nashville, Tenn., Billie Brown, Silver Spring, Md; brothers: Johnny, Clell, and Frank Justice all of Cleveland, Ohio, Earl Justice, Romulus, Mich., Robert, Archie, Ben and Hiram Justice all of Delbarton; sisters, Mary Taylor and Connie Cates, both of Cleveland, Ohio: and several step grandchildren.Funeral: 2 p.m. Monday, Nov.9, 1998, Chafin Funeral Home Chapel, with Revs Gary Bo Starr and Bill Snodgrass officiating.

Burial: Justice Cemetery, Delbarton  

Pallbearers: Friends and Family,Visitation: 6-9 p.m. Sunday Evening at the funeral home. WILLIAMSON DAILY NEWS

Mom and Effie did not get along very well, and uncle Dallas and Effie got on even LESS well than that. According to my mother (Billie Brown - although I prefer to call her Billie Holladay because I don't want to acknowledge her association with her second husband Dennis Brown), Dallas refused to go into the house when he went to see Oliver (their dad/my granddad). I'm not quite sure why; Mom never told me what happened between Dallas and Effie that made Dallas want to not associate with her at all. 

I do remember Mom mentioning David Alfred to me when we did talk about her past and Effie's past as well. I do not know why David Alfred died - whether it was an accident of some kind, or an illness, etc. No clue.

I only met Effie maybe once or twice in my life; we just never got back to West Virginia to visit with that side of my family. Access to the Holladay family was always easier than it was to the Staten side. So I don't even remember what Effie looked like. I think Mom said she had red hair.

I find it interesting that she's buried in Justice Cemetery. I wonder how that cemetery came to have her name.

But yes, there's a little tidbit of my family history right there.