Travel #52Ancestors 52 Weeks

 I was thinking about my Grandfather, John Blakey / Blakley Sr.  ~ July 10, 2018 marked the 100th year since his passing. I wondered. How did my ancestors traveled back in the days?

My Grandfather, John was born in Woodville, Mississippi on June 21, 1871. His father, Private Isaac Blakey MS Union Veteran and his mother was Martha (Scott) Blakey. Martha passed when John was an infant.  John was the twin, Andrew who passed as baby.

Isaac married to Rachel Lephridge Jackson Blakey in July of 1873. He moved his family to Forest Green, Missouri around March of 1880. What a journey that must have been! Moving a family from Natchez, Mississippi to Chariton, County in Missouri.

I've found my Grandfather, John listed on the 1900 census in Carrollton, Missouri. His surname was  spelled  Blackedy / Blakely. I believe that was where he met and later married my Grandmother, Jennie Bartlett. They married in Excelsior Springs, Clay, Missouri in 1902. His surname was spelled Blakye. John and Jennie moved to St. Joseph, Missouri where a daughter passed in November of 1902.

I can only imagine how much traveling my Grandpa John went through. From 1871 - 1918.  John had made his way from his birth place of Woodville, MS,  and journeyed with his family throught Natchez, MS,  Forest Green, MO, Carrollton, MO, Excelsior Spring, MO and to St. Joseph, MO. He later made his way to Yankton, South Dakota where he passed  and was buried.

Why was John in South Dakota? John was preparing to bring his wife and children to Yankton. John was sick and grow sicker. He didn't make the journey back to Missouri. He passed in a covered wagon near his brother, Henry Blakey's home. John's widow and 7children remained in St. Joseph, Missouri.

I took the journey to Yankton, by car in late October of 1981 and July of 1985. The journey seemed as a long by car ride.  My  Grandfather and ancestors had it harder.  Oh, my!  The luxury of modern days has no match to the days of old. Our ancestors were tough.

Thanks for reading.
God bless you.
S.A.Blakley