Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1871-06-29
Rasnily.eRe-UnioR Near Martins
Ferry, Ohio. 7ssr

Family Reunion Near Martins
Ferry, Ohio. II
Joyous OccasiOn---TwO Days of
Genuine Enioyment----Gala
TINE for Grand Children.
At our requesHwe have been furnished
with many of the incidents and details
Of = most interesting aud delightful
family reunion, which took place at the
home ofthe mother, Mrs. Susanna Coch-
ran in Belmont county Ohio, three miles
west of Bridgeport. on last Saturday,
June 10, 1871. Rob't d Susanna Cochran
were the parents of thirteen children,
viz: Robert H., Lucelia, Alexander,
john. s., Wilson H, Watson p, Crow
ner G., Gordelia, Feniu.oTrS p, Anna A. |
Bell E., Allie B., an / Sumner F.. OIL
these, Alexander & Bell died in infancy.
The suryiveing eleven, ior the first
time since before the war, met at the
home of the mother, and they with
their grand children numbered 30 per-
sons. On Saturday morning as each del
egation arrived, il was greeted by the
Relcoming cheers of those awaiting
them. Asister and family yet delayed,
and it began to be feared that the circle
would not be complete. The ''iong ta-
BILE" was spread, aud it was delightful
to assemble once again at niuther's
board. After this the grand children
were turned loose iGto the orchards to
berry and cherry" and balhe in the
little creek. The boys gathered at the
''old play grounii, = and indulged with
great hilarity in the sports and amuse-
ments OF ye Olden time, re-eDjoying
= - 'thejoys AsAaF
I When you and were boys,'.
| in those merry days, while the mother,
wives and sisters weregrouped here and
there, on the porch, at the stile orr meath
the willow, III earnest conversation, or
watching the boys so very like those in
the years agone, "when their visions
and hopes of the coming time were as
bright as the sun that shone o er them"
sWhile tho afternoon was thus passing,
1.-THE absent sistef' was seen slowly RI
fding up the hill, and all ran out to meet
/ her with three round cheers of welcome,
i and .'all here now!p At evening all
gathered in the old parlor, and instru-
fments aad voices blended ia Home,
lSweet Home. The sacred emotions of
that hour may be imagined but cannot
lbe expressed. As the mother looked
fupon thai group and saw the trials and
frriumphs OF a: busy life, no wonder the
tears unbidden eame--the fruits of pres
ent joys and fond recoliections.4 - ay
The evening was devoted TO instru-
mental and vocal music and select read
lings-"We are all here" and the like
a social interchange OF thought and feel
ing, recalling the Thousand grove and
gay incidents of the olden time. The
roll of old familiar uick-nanes was call
ed, theeWnera OF each responding in
j great glee. The gOod-nights were spok-
| en- and all once moFe,e shd for the lsst
time. perhaps slept beneath the old
home roof.
Since last they all met, six of the sew
en- brothers hal served in the Union
army, 1.-THE seventh being too yOung) the
youngest of the six not being fourteen
when he enlisted; all had been under
| fire and all survive. One was danger
cusly wounded at Perryville and left
/ over night on the Eattie field for dead
but yet lives. Some served with the
army of the Cumberland, some in
/ the army of the Potomac, some in Tex
as and on the Rio Grande.
The father, one of the most exemplary
and esteemed men of the country, after
the battle of PerryviIle visited two Of
This sick sons in Kentucky. The.conse-
lquent exposure and great anxiety Of
! mind Drnke his health q re-nnion was
/ attetf1 pied in 1858. soon after the battle
i of Stone River, but one was absent, sick
Yet the father was so overcome with
gratitude aud joy that he walked
the floor from room to room, and thank
ed God that this cup of joy, tho'not un-
4 mixed had. been granted him. His
soiicitude bad been so great and his
measure of happiness SO nearly full at
seeing 30 many yet safe, that he scarce
= tlo Snnn
after his boys, were gone again his
/ strength gave wsyl and he died April "a
1853. Thoroughly patriotic, he wss proud
Ito have so many sons IN the country's
service. and shouldered all tile cares OF
thsfarm and family, and sons family
that they might CO. ~@Ns.
| Sunday was passed in readings ana
! land the singing of old and favorite devo!
lsional 10 hymns, so frequently sung
around the family alter, when the faith
\ er was at the helm. Quiet talks Of
1.-The past, present and future, and holier
Thoughts and higher aspirations were
mot the least of that days enjoymsnt.-
fDuring Saturday all were measured,
ichildrefl and grand children ranging in
height from feet 6, to = feet 2. And
1.-THE autographs of all the children, and
| of all the grand children old enough to
write, were taken. sunday afternoon
the fareweIls were spoken, and some are
ialready OH their way to Missouri; 9TH
lers at their respective homes-all strong
ler for having met, and hopeful of mee-
/ ing again, sometime, somewhere.
Their ancestors were among the first
lsettlers in this county. The grand-fath-
ler, Robert Cochran, who died in 1850
aged about 81, was married in this eOun-
ty in 1900; his father, Capt. Cochran, was
killed by the Indians ON or near Peter
Delaplap's farm, not far from west lii
erty, about 1777. He was among the
earliest of those who in 1776 took the
oath ofailegiancsa to the Confederation .
after the Declaration of ndependeDcei
as appears from books in our Recorders
Office in our county. The grandfather
on the mothers side. Ellis Davis, was a
soldier in the war of Wheeling
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