Haston – Robert (“Bob”) Weldon

1923 – 2001

Robert "Bob" Weldon Haston

Rank and Branch of Military

Major in the U.S. Army Air Corps (and the Air Force, after it was created in 1947)

Years of Service

1941 – 1957

Locations of Training, Deployment, and Service

Aviation Cadet Training, Twin Engine Flying School, B-17 Transition in Sebring, Florida

Wartime Theaters of Assignment and Major Battles

European Theater (Germany) – B-17 Pilot flew 17 bombing missions

Awards, Decorations, Badges, etc.

Distinguished Flying Cross, Purple Heart, POW Medal

Stories of Interest Involving the Service Member

His early life experiences, the “Silver Dollar Story,” the Distinguished Flying Cross Story, the Tragedy of Mission #17 Story, the Story of his POW Experience in Stalag Luft III, the story of his near-deadly post-war ejection on a Nebraska tarmac, etc. Read all about them on the following pages:

Relationship to the Daniel Haston Family

Other Information About the Service Member's Haston or Haston-Related Ancestry

Bob’s older brother, James (“Jim”) Phillip Haston was also a World War II veteran, serving in the South Pacific as a Naval seaman and a driver for some of the highest level WWII Naval Commanders.

Brothers - Robert (Bob) Weldon Haston and James (Jim) Phillip Haston

Add Yourself or Your Haston-Related Relative to the Legacy of Service Honor Gallery

Please share this tribute with family members of the veteran and your friends.

Wappen Hiestand

Wappen Hiestand

Die geballten Fäuste sind ein Hinweis darauf, dass dieses Wappen nicht von einem oder für einen Täufer geschaffen wurde, sondern von einem Schweizer Hiestand, der sich dieser Bewegung nicht angeschlossen hatte. Er könnte jedoch mit Nachbarn und Verwandten, die Täufer waren, sympathisiert und sie beschützt haben.

Co-Autoren: Dr. Peter Ziegler (Zürich, Schweiz) und Dr. Wayne Haston (Pennsylvania, USA)

(Einschließlich bedeutender Forschungsdaten von Kent Douglas Hiestand)

Serie: Frühe Schweizer Hiestand

Die Links werden aktiviert und veröffentlicht am
17.9.2022, 1.10.2022, 15.10.2022, 29.10.2022, 12.11.2022, 26.11.2022, 10.12.2022.

Englische Version dieses Artikels

Heraldik - ein kurzer historischer Überblick

Die Heraldik entstand im 11. und 12. Jahrhundert, etwa zur Zeit der Kreuzzüge, einer Reihe von Feldzügen, die christliche Heere von 1096 bis 1487 unternahmen. In der Schlacht war ein Ritter, der von Kopf bis Fuß in eine Rüstung gekleidet war, weder für Freund noch für Feind zu erkennen, so dass eine neue Methode zur Identifizierung notwendig wurde. Der Schild, das erkennbarste Element der Heraldik, bot eine breite, flache Oberfläche, auf die Farben und Symbole gemalt werden konnten, die einem bestimmten Adligen und seinen Rittern zugeordnet waren. Ein Adliger trug in der Regel auch ein Obergewand, den so genannten Wappenmantel, der ihn vor der Hitze der Sonne schützte und oft mit denselben Symbolen verziert war, die auch auf dem Schild des Ritters erschienen. Von diesem Kleidungsstück leitet sich auch der Begriff “Wappen” ab.

Die Ursprünge der Heraldik reichen bis in die Antike zurück. Krieger verzierten ihre Schilde oft mit Mustern und mythologischen Motiven. Heeresverbände des Römischen Reiches waren an den charakteristischen Zeichen auf ihren Schilden zu erkennen. Diese waren nicht heraldisch im mittelalterlichen Sinne, da sie mit militärischen Einheiten und nicht mit Einzelpersonen oder Familien verbunden waren. Quelle

Entgegen der landläufigen Meinung besaß eine Familiengruppe oft nicht nur ein einziges Wappen, das immer die gesamte Familie über alle Standorte, Generationen und Familienlinien hinweg repräsentierte. Einige Zweige einer Familie schufen ihre eigenen Wappen. Manchmal war ein Wappen ortsgebunden und kennzeichnete speziell einen Teil einer Familie, die an einem bestimmten Ort lebte.

Die obige, künstlerisch nachgebildete Version eines Hiestand-Wappens aus dem Jahr 1706 stammt aus der Gegend, in der unsere Hiestand damals tief verwurzelt waren: der Gegend um Hütten, insbesondere der Schönau.

Die kämpferische Haltung mit den geballten Fäusten deutet auf mehr hin, als nur auf dem Boden zu stehen, auf dem sie gemäss Namen stehen sollten. Und es ist wahrscheinlich mehr als Sturheit. Offenbar steht sie für den Ruf, eine Art Verteidigungsposition einzunehmen, selbst wenn das bedeutet, dass ich kämpfen muss, um mich, meine Familie und mein Land zu schützen.

Jacob Hiestand (1674-1730) - Urheber dieses Wappens

Die Säuglingstaufe von Jacob Hiestand ist bezeugt im Kirchenbuch von Richterswil, Zürich, Schweiz, Mikrofilm Nr. 008014334, Foto 127, Seite 125.

Jacobs Eltern waren Ulrich Hiestand aus Hinter Schönau und dessen Frau Barbara, geborene Strickler. Ulrich war kein Täufer, aber offenbar ein Halb-Täufer, ein Mann, der die Täufer vor den “Täuferjägern” schützte, auch auf die Gefahr hin, sich selbst zu gefährden. Einer der Söhne von Ulrich und Barbara, Heinrich, war ein Täufer (der nie heiratete). Barbara, Jacobs Mutter, hatte einen Bruder (Jacob Strickler), der ein bekannter Täuferprediger war. Ulrichs Tante und Onkel, Hans und Elsbeth Hiestand-Asper, waren überzeugte Täufer, die mehr als einmal wegen ihres Glaubens inhaftiert wurden. Im Jahr 1674 (demselben Jahr, in dem dieser Jacob Hiestand geboren wurde) hetzte Ueli seine Hunde auf einen Häscher, der zu seinem Haus kam und seine täuferischen Verwandten jagte.

Obwohl dieser Jacob Hiestand, der Schöpfer des oben abgebildeten Wappens, kein Täufer war, stammte er aus einer Familie, die bereit war, sich zu verteidigen, auch wenn die Folgen für sie kostspielig sein konnten.

Jacob Hiestand heiratete Barbara Bachman am 8. Juni 1697 in der Kirchgemeinde Richterswil.

Wenn Ihnen dieser Artikel gefallen hat, teilen Sie ihn bitte mit anderen, denen er ebenfalls gefallen könnte.

Nehmen Sie an unserer Hiestand-Haston Tour im Juni 2023 in die Schweiz und nach Rheinland Deutschland teil.

Haben Sie mennonitische oder amische Wurzeln? - Nehmen Sie am DNA-Forschungsprojekt teil.

SchÃ¶nau – German version

Versteckt in einer winzigen Ecke des Kantons Zürich, Schweiz

Co-Autoren: Dr. Peter Ziegler (Zürich, Schweiz) und Dr. Wayne Haston (Pennsylvania, USA)

(Einschließlich bedeutender Forschungsdaten von Kent Douglas Hiestand)

Serie: Frühe Schweizer Hiestand

Die Links werden aktiviert und veröffentlicht am
17.9.2022, 1.10.2022, 15.10.2022, 29.10.2022, 12.11.2022, 26.11.2022, 10.12.2022.

Englische Version dieses Artikels

Wir wissen, dass die erste urkundliche Erwähnung des Familiennamens Hiestand auf einer Steuerliste von 1401 stand, aber vor 1401 lebte auf dem Berghang von Richterswil-Wädenswil eine Familie mit vor-Hiestand-Namen. Wie in einem vorherig dargestellten Artikel in dieser Serie erwähnt, waren Zweige der Schweizer Familie Hiestand Ende des 15. Jahrhunderts in dieser Region sehr erfolgreich. Kent D. Hiestand, der führende Hiestand-Familienforscher, hat die frühen Schweizer Hiestands nach Gemeinden und Dörfern, in denen sie zwischen 1600 und 1700 lebten, in Linien eingeteilt. Das ist eine etwas willkürliche Kategorisierung, weil einige von ihnen gelegentlich von Ort zu Ort zogen , aber diese Bezeichnungen sind bis zu einem gewissen Grad hilfreich.

Im Kanton Zürich:

Gemeinde Richterswil
- Weberrüti-Linie
- Dürsenen-Linie
- Haslen-Linie (Die frühesten Hiestands im deutschen Rheinlanddorf Ibersheim stammten aus dieser Linie, so Kent Hiestand.)
Gemeinde Schönenberg
Gemeinde Hütten
- Knöwis/Chneus-Linie
- Schafrain-Linie
Schönauer Linie

Sofern es nicht durch weitere Durchbrüche in der DNA-Forschung möglich wird, werden wir wahrscheinlich nie erfahren, aus welcher spezifischen Familie der Schweizer Hiestands unser eingewanderter Vorfahre Henrich [aus irgendeinem Grund schrieb er es konsequent „Henrich“ statt Heinrich] Hiestand stammte, aber die Familie stammte wahrscheinlich aus der Haslen-Linie, aber alle Hiestands-Linien waren natürlich verwandt.

Einige der früher bekannten Täufer Hiestand stammten aus der Schönauer Linie. In diesem Artikel möchte ich mich daher auf einen winzigen Winkel am südöstlichen Rand des Kantons Zürich konzentrieren, der zu einem Nest von Täufern wurde – das Gut Schönau.

15. Mai 1453 - Erste bekannte Erwähnung der Schönau und der dort lebenden Hiestand

Im 15. Jahrhundert wurde das Waldgebiet am Fusse des Höhronen östlich der Sihl (gegenüber dem Dorf Hütten) durch kontrollierte Brandrodung abgeholzt. Die Brände machten Land für Weiden und Gehöfte frei. Als die Siedlung Schönau erstmals urkundlich erwähnt wird, befand sich dort auf der Rückseite (Westseite) der Schönau ein Gut Hiestand. Aufgrund ihres frühen Besitzes von Schönauer-Land könnte man vermuten, dass sie an der Rodung des Waldes beteiligt waren, die zum Gut Schönau führte.

„Dieses Gut grenzt an den Gripbach, die zu Hiestand gehörende Schönau, und den Brandbach.“

Dinge, die Sie wissen sollten, bevor Sie das Dokument von 1453 lesen:

Diese Linie von Hiestands lebte bereits am 15. Mai 1453 in der Schönau, der ersten bekannten Erwähnung dieses Hofs.
Der Gritbach (Gripbach) ist ein Bach auf der Westseite der Schönau, der in nordwestlicher Richtung in die Sihl mündet.
Der Brandbach ist ein Bach auf der Ostseite der Schönau, der ebenfalls in die Sihl mündet. Streichen!
Brand bedeutet Feuer. Dies war eine Feuerlinie, bis zu der der Wald in diesem Bereich durch Brandrodung gerodet worden war. In diesem Gebiet wurde durch Abbrennen des Waldes Ackerland geschaffen.
Heini Klein war Nachbar dieser Hiestands.
Anscheinend grenzte Kleins Hof im Westen an den Gripbach, im Osten an den Brandbach und auf der Nord-Nordwest-Seite wahrscheinlich an den Hiestand-Hof.uf

Heini Klein wohnt in Hütten im Gerichtsbezirk der Herrschaft Wädenswil. Am 15. Mai 1453 bestätigt er (vor Gericht), dass er dem jungen Hans Ochsner in Bennau (zwischen Biberbrugg und Einsiedeln gelegen) 100 Pfund Haller in Züricher Währung gegeben hat. Diese benötigt Hans Ochsner, um seiner Frau – Grete Klein, Heinis Tochter – eine Heimsteuer (= Mitgift) zu überreichen. Dieser Betrag gilt als gültige Kaution auf dem Gut Schönau und ist mit 5 Pfund (=5 %) zu verzinsen. Dieses Gut grenzt an den Gripbach, die zu Hiestand gehörende Schönau und den Brandbach.

Außerdem gibt Heini Klein Hans Ochsner weitere 20 Pfund, haftbar auf dem Hof Kilchberg, der an den Gritbach und die Langenegg grenzt. Auf den Betrag fallen an Martini oder 8 Tage davor oder danach Zinsen in Höhe von 1 Pfund an. Ausserdem muss Ochsner ½ Pfund Wachs (für das ewige Licht) an die Kirche in Baar (Kanton Zug) entrichten.

Die Summe ist 100 + 20 Pfund, gleich 120 Pfund. Dieser Betrag muss in drei Raten von jeweils 40 Pfund mit 2 Pfund Zinsen zurückgezahlt werden.

Hans und Gret Ochsner-Klein haben zwei Jungs namens Hans. Der Richter Ulrich Klein von Zwygern (Zweierhof) wurde gebeten, dies zu besiegeln und zu bescheinigen. Als Zeugen dieses Rechtsaktes waren anwesend: Ruedi Schmid, Ueli Klein von Hütten, Ruedi Blattmann und genügend andere respektable Personen.

Staatsarchiv Zürich – Signatur: HI 4 (fol. 392 rv)

Dezember 1557 - Hinter Schönau

Die gesamte Schönau ist ein relativ kleines Gebiet, das nur etwa 35 Hektar umfasst. Anstatt Land in Hektar oder Quadratkilometern zu messen, wurde Land im 16. Jahrhundert anhand der Anzahl der Kühe gemessen, die ein Bauernhof im Sommer und im Winter ernähren würde. Die Vorder Schönau soll im Winter 14 Kühe und zwei Kühe füttern. Die Hinter Schönau versorgte im Sommer 17 Kühe und acht im Winter.

1571 - Hinter Schönau

Hans Hiestand erwarb die Hypothek auf dem Hof Hintere Schönau.

Täuferhöfe des 17. Jahrhunderts in Schönau

Die Täufer zogen sich überall bewusst in abgelegene Gebiete zurück. So konnten sie ihren Glauben leben, ohne sofort von der reformierten Obrigkeit entdeckt zu werden. Doch der Zürcher Staat tat alles, um die Täufer aufzuspüren. Der Verrat führte oft auf die Spur.

Dr. Peter Ziegler

Um oder vor der Wende zum 17. Jahrhundert wurde die Schönau als Zufluchtsort für Täufer bekannt. 1615 war der Täufer Heini Hofmann aus dem Land vertrieben worden. Sein Haus auf der Schönau – wahrscheinlich Hinter Schönau – wurde als “rechter Wächter und underschlaufhuss der Wiedertäufer” bezeichnet. Im Einwohnerverzeichnis von 1634 wird die Familie von Hans Theiler-Bachmann mit vier Kindern erwähnt. Sie waren Täufer, was der reformierte Pfarrer ausdrücklich vermerkte. Die dort lebenden Landis, Theiler und Hiestands waren ALLE Täufer.

Die Schönau war ein idealer Ort für Täufer. Sie lag in einem abgelegenen Winkel des Kantons Zürich, einem Ort, an dem es für Regierungs- und Kirchenbeamte schwierig war, die Aktivitäten der Täufer zu überwachen und sie zu verhaften. Und der südöstliche Rand von Schönau war die Grenze zwischen den Gebieten Zürich und Zug, so dass es leicht möglich war, vom Kanton Zürich in den Kanton Zug zu fliehen, wenn die Zürcher Beamten die Täufer in Schönau bedrängten.

Wir wissen nicht, wie viele der Hiestands, die in Schönau lebten, Täufer waren. Einige waren bekennende Mitglieder der “Schweizer Brüder” (der Titel, mit dem sich die Täufer selbst bezeichneten), aber andere, die nicht per se Täufer waren, waren Sympathisanten, die oft ihre engagierteren Verwandten, Nachbarn und Freunde unterstützten. Sie waren als Halbtäufer bekannt, wie Uli Hiestand, der Neffe von Elsbeth Hiestand, im Jahr 1674.

Hier eine Geschichte über eine Schönauer Hiestand-Täuferin, die für ihren Glauben gelitten hat: Im Jahr 1637 wurden Hans Asper (aus dem Dorf Horgen) und seine Frau Elsbeth Hiestand (aus Hinter Schönau) verhaftet und als Täufer in das Gefängnis Oetenbach (ehemaliges Kloster) in Zürich geworfen, aber es gelang ihnen zu entkommen. Ihr gesamter Besitz, ihr Haus und ihr Hof wurden beschlagnahmt und für 400 Gulden an die Regierung verkauft. Einem Bericht zufolge schloss sich Elsbeth Hiestand aus Hinter Schönau (die Frau von Hans Asper) 1657 den Täufern an, aber dieses Bekenntnis war offenbar mindestens 20 Jahre früher abgelegt worden. Im Jahr 1662/63 wurden Hans Asper und seine Frau Elsbeth Hiestand (vom Pfarrer von Richterswil) als in Jebsheim im Elsass (Ostfrankreich) mit ihren vier Kindern gemeldet.

Elsbeth starb irgendwann vor dem Herbst 1674, und Hans Asper war wieder mit Regula Müller verheiratet. Am 18. Oktober 1674 versuchte der Zürcher Wachtmeister Pfister, den Täufer Hans Asper, Elsbeths Schwiegersohn Jacob Strickler (Täuferprediger) und Jacobs Frau Cathrin Asper im Haus von Uli Hiestand auf Ulis Hof in Hinter Schönau zu verhaften. Doch Ulis Hunde hinderten den Wachtmeister an der Verhaftung.

Am 14. November 1674 hielt sich Hans Asper immer noch im Haus von Uli Hiestand, seinem Neffen, in Schönau auf. Zu diesem Zeitpunkt war Hans bereits alt, schwach und fast blind. Die Hiestands sagten, der alte Mann sei ein guter Freund, der nur zu Besuch bei ihnen sei. Er hatte während des jüngsten Krieges im Elsass sein gesamtes Hab und Gut verloren und bat sie um Geld, um ihm zu helfen. Der Wachtmeister erkundigte sich nach dem Verbleib von Jacob Strickler. Asper sagte, dass sein Schwiegersohn ins Elsass zurückgekehrt sei, um zu sehen, ob der Krieg vorbei sei, und wenn ja, wollten sie dorthin zurückkehren. Uli Hiestand konnte den Wachtmeister davon überzeugen, dass er kein Täufer war, und der Wachtmeister verhaftete Hans Asper wegen seines Alters und seines schwachen Zustands nicht.

Quellen: Staatsarchiv Zürich, E I 7.8, Nr.131-E I 7.8, Nr.145 und Schriften von Kent Hiestand.

Die Geschichte von Hans Asper und Elsbeth Hiestand, die inhaftiert wurden und entkommen sind

Aus dem Martyrs Mirror (Seite 1112-1113, Ausgabe 1938; veröffentlicht von Herald Press, Harrisonburg, VA)

Um diese Zeit, 1639, wurde auch ein junger Mann aus dem Horgerberg namens Hans Aster [sic, Asper] verhaftet. Er wurde ebenfalls nach Zürich in den Oetenbach gebracht, eine Zeit lang mit Brot und Wasser ernährt, seiner Fesseln entblösst usw., aber dann durch die Hilfe einiger seiner Glaubensbrüder befreit.

Als dies geschah, war er durch die schwere Gefangenschaft so elendig verkrüppelt, dass er in der Nacht eine lange Strecke getragen werden musste.

Inzwischen wurde auch seine Frau [Elsbeth Hiestand] mit ihrem Kleinkind gefasst und zeitweilig ins Gefängnis Oetenbach eingesperrt, entkam dann aber durch göttliche Vorsehung den Händen der Feinde. Die Behörden trieben die Kinder in die Armut und verkauften ihr Haus und Gehöft (wobei sie etwa 4000 Gulden lösten), ohne etwas zu restaurieren.

Die Eltern mussten daher hart für ihren Lebensunterhalt arbeiten, nachdem sie alles verloren hatten; aber darin vertrauten sie auf Gottes Verheißungen.

Hinter Schönau - Ein Täuferversteck

1893 wurde ein jahrhundertealtes Haus in Hinter Schönau durch einen Brand zerstört. Obwohl die Zerstörung des Holzes im Kern des Hauses es uns unmöglich machte, das Baujahr zu bestimmen, ist es möglich, dass das Haus eines der ältesten – wenn nicht das älteste – Haus auf dem ursprünglichen Schönauer Hof war. Es wurde vermutlich mindestens schon in der ersten Hälfte des 16. Jahrhunderts erbaut.

Dieses alte Haus, nur wenige hundert Meter von der Grenze zwischen den Kantonen Zug und Zürich entfernt, war möglicherweise das Zuhause des Täufers Heini Hofmann und die Zuflucht zum Schutz von Hofmanns Schweizer Brüdern. Später war das Haus möglicherweise das Zuhause von Uli Hiestand, Neffe von Hans Asper und Elsbeth Hiestand und Cousin von Jacob Strickler, einem Täuferprediger.

Das Haus in der Hinter Schönau brannte am 27. September 1893 ab. 1895 wurde dort eine Scheune errichtet. Die Scheune wurde wahrscheinlich an der Stelle des ein paar Jahre zuvor abgebrannten Hauses errichtet. Die mit dem abgebrannten Haus verbundene Scheune wurde 1904 abgerissen. Die Scheune von 1895 existiert noch an der Stelle, die in der Topo-Karte oben angegeben ist. Es ist die Scheune auf dem (linken) Foto unten.

Dass die Hiestands einst in dem 1893 abgebrannten Haus Hintere Schönau wohnten, kann ich nicht beweisen. Aber es ist möglich.

Dr. Peter Ziegler

Wenn Ihnen dieser Artikel gefallen hat, teilen Sie ihn bitte mit anderen, denen er ebenfalls gefallen könnte.

Nehmen Sie an unserer Hiestand-Haston Tour im Juni 2023 in die Schweiz und nach Rheinland Deutschland teil.

Haben Sie mennonitische oder amische Wurzeln? - Nehmen Sie am DNA-Forschungsprojekt teil.

Dr. Fred Dexter Haston

Dr. Fred Dexter Haston, M.D.

How many men or women are prominent enough to have a 700-word article about them in a history book of the state they lived in for 20 years or so? One Great-Great Grandson of Daniel Haston did! Several years ago, even before I began researching my Haston family, I happened to land on his story in a dusty old book in the main library at the University of Tennessee. I was impressed but confused! Who was this Fred Dexter Haston? I had grown up in White County, Tennessee with a boy (then later, young man) with that very same name. And I assumed that my friend, Dexter Haston, was a “junior” because his father’s commonly-given name was F.D. Haston. But I had no idea that they were namesakes of a Dr. Fred Dexter Haston who was a medical doctor who practiced medicine in a very challenging part of southeastern Kentucky–the coal fields, before moving on to more typical medical practices elsewhere.

I will use the text of the History of Kentucky article as the framework for the first four decades of his life. But first, I will show you Dr. Fred Dexter Haston’s lineage back to Daniel Haston, the first American-born patriarch in our male Haston (Hiestand) line.

Family Line Back to Daniel Haston

His Early Years in Van Buren County and White County, TN

Born November 15, 1881

Marriage to Netta Pearl Brown

May 18, 1906

I assume (only an assumption) that Fred Dexter Haston and Netta Pearl Brown probably met as students at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. They were married a year before his final year of medical school.

Medical School at the University of Tennessee

According to a May 22, 1909 issue of the White County Favorite newspaper, apparently Sparta (TN) thought that Dr. Fred Dexter Haston might come home to Sparta to practice medicine. I say that because he was the only medical doctor of that area from the Haston family at that time. But, for some reason, that never happened.

Two Decades in Kentucky

Bell County, KY

After graduating from Medical School at the University of Tennessee in 1907, Doctor Fred Haston moved to the coal mining area of Eastern Kentucky. For eight years he worked in Arjay (Bell County), Kentucky as an industrial physician. He was employed by the Continental Coal Corporation, and perhaps a different company prior to 1912.

Bell Mine of the Continental Coal Corporation – Arjay community – Bell County, KY – 1912-1915 – 450 employees

1910 Census

Fred and Pearl’s daughter was two years old at the time of the 1910 census and she was born in Kentucky. So, apparently, the family moved to Bell County, Kentucky soon after his 1907 graduation from the University of Tennessee Medical School.

The Hartford Herald – August 16, 1911 – Hartford, KY

Arjay, Kentucky

We do know that sometime around 1912(?) - 1915. He was one of 3 doctors who worked for the Continental Coal Company in Arjay, KY. We did a Hastons men's trip about 25 years ago and went to Arjay (hardly anything there anymore). Went on into nearest town -- Pineville and went to the library where we pulled out and reviewed microfilm of the local news paper covering the 1910-1915 time period. We always wondered why he left the coal company and moved in 1915. We found in the paper that the Continental Coal Company went bankrupt in 1915 -- which is a pretty good reason for leaving. Also found it was a rough time and place to be working because of all the strikes that were taking place which resulted in lot of violence -- fights, cuttings and shooting. Between all of that plus the common diseases and illness they had to deal with -- must have have kept the doctors pretty busy. Was our understanding that there were 3 doctors on staff and my aunt Nina -- one of Fred Dexter's daughters, told me that the doctors always traveled in pairs when they rode out on horse back to the miner's homes to care for the miners and families. Sure wish he had kept a diary.

Fred Marion Haston, Junior - Grandson of Dr. Fred Dexter Haston (September 1, 2022 email)

McAfee of Mercer County, KY

After the coal company that employed him went bankrupt, in March 1916 he moved to McAfee in Mercer County, KY, and took over a private practice from a retired physician.

On July 2, 1916, Dr. Haston was ordained and installed as an elder in the New Providence Presbyterian Church (Southern Presbyterian denomination) in Salvisa of Mercer County, Kentucky.

September 27, 1919 – Danville Daily Messenger (Danville, KY)

Danville of Boyle County, KY

Late in 1919, Dr. Haston moved his family and practice to Danville in Boyle County, KY, but apparently only lived and practice there for a very short time. He bought back the home he had sold in McAfee (Mercer County) and returned there in March of 1920 to reestablish his medical practice in McAfee.

December 2, 1919 – Danville Daily Messenger (Danville, KY)

1920 Census

As of January 2, 1920, the F.D. Haston family was still living in the city of Danville, KY in Boyle County. Fred was, as to be expected, a physician.

February 11, 1920 – Danville Daily Messenger (Danville, KY)

March 6, 1920 – Danville Daily Messenger (Danville, KY)

Back in McAfee of Mercer County, KY

1922 Book Published

After only 15 years out of medical school, Dr. Haston’s life and medical practice to that point were notable enough to be recorded in the History of Kentucky.

September 13, 1925 – The Courier-Journal (Louisville, KY)

The Courier-Journal, Louisville, KY – December 11, 1926

The Courier-Journal, Louisville, KY – March 27, 1927

In Jasper, Alabama - His Final Five Years

The Birmingham News – Birmingham, AL – September 19, 1929

1930 Census - Walker County, AL

The Birmingham News – Birmingham, AL
December 20, 1931

The Birmingham News – Birmingham, AL
August 31, 1932

My grandfather, Dr. F.D. Haston, died in Jasper, Alabama from a mosquito bite on his temple which got infected, -- and of course at that time didn't have the meds they do today to fight infection.

Fred Marion Haston, Junior - Grandson of Dr. Fred Dexter Haston (September 1, 2022 email)

The picture was taken at an Auburn University Football game in 1988 or 1989 in the Nelson Club Section (except for Jake who has been photo-shopped into the picture in 2022 while a student at Auburn). Left to right:

Dr. Fred Marion Haston, Sr. (son of Dr. Fred Dexter Haston, Sr. – b 11-14-1915 d 6-11-2000)

Jacob (“Jake”) Haston (b 6-15-2001)

Fred Marion Haston, Jr. (b 1-31-1941)

Fred (“Tripp”) Marion Haston, III (b 5-14-1968)

I was the photographer … Maybe I should photoshop myself into the picture 🙂

-Richard Haston

Family tree created by Fred M. Haston, Jr.

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Haston – James Phillip

1921 – 2021

James Phillip Haston

All Registration for Draft

Rank and Branch of Military

First Class Boatswain Mate, Navy

Years of Service

1942-1945

Locations of Training, Deployment, and Service

Trained at a destroyer base in San Diego, CA;
Deployed to the South Pacific – “He was a driver for high-ranking naval officers, including Fleet Admiral William F. ‘Bull’ Halsey and Vice Admiral John Henry Newton. He served his country for three years in the Pacific Theater and was discharged from the navy in October 1945.” -Obituary

Wartime Theaters of Assignment and Major Battles

South Pacific, where he served in New Caledonia, the Northern Solomon Islands, and the Gilbert Islands.

Stories of Interest Involving the Service Member

Uncle James was a talkative friendly man. But like most of the men from that WWII period in history, he did not talk much about what he did during the war. My mother, sisters, and I went to visit him for his 95th Birthday where he showed us many certificates and photos. He had many autographed photos of various Admirals that he was a driver for during the war. He repeatedly was quick to state that he never actually served in combat areas during the war. “I was just a driver.” I needed to remind him that to me he was part of vital support personnel. “Uncle James, you took care of the people who were making some of the most important decisions during that terrible time. I think you were very important.” He would always switch the conversation back to cattle and tales of where he had driven to transport those animals across the nation. He spent many years as a U.S. Mail clerk, small farmer, and cattle transport driver. James had no children. His last wife Joyce, was a sweet, quite woman. Uncle James was still driving at 95. He lived to be 100 and was written up in the Waco Harold Tribune. Much to my surprise, like my father, he had several articles written about him over the years. Unfortunately, I do not have those articles. I believe he left all of his WWII memorabilia to a library in Temple, TX.

-Lynda Haston Britain (niece)

The Waco, TX Tribune-Herald Article Featuring James P. Haston

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Relationship to the Daniel Haston Family

Brothers - Robert (Bob) Weldon Haston and James (Jim) Phillip Haston

Other Information About the Service Member's Haston or Haston-Related Ancestry

All James P Haston New Gallery

Add Yourself or Your Haston-Related Relative to the Legacy of Service Honor Gallery

Please share this tribute with family members of the veteran and your friends.

Ueli Hiestand, Prominenter Bauer im 15. Jahrhundert

Ueli Hiestand, Prominenter Bauer im 15. Jahrhundert

Co-Autoren: Dr. Peter Ziegler (Zürich, Schweiz) und Dr. Wayne Haston (Pennsylvania, USA)

(Einschließlich bedeutender Forschungsdaten von Kent Douglas Hiestand)

Serie: Frühe Schweizer Hiestand

Die Links werden aktiviert und veröffentlicht am
17.9.2022, 1.10.2022, 15.10.2022, 29.10.2022, 12.11.2022, 26.11.2022, 10.12.2022.

Englische Version dieses Artikels

Können Sie sich vorstellen, die Biografie eines Verwandten zu schreiben, der vor 600 Jahren lebte?! Nun, hier ist sie. Dies ist nur möglich dank eines umfangreichen Archivs wie dem Zürcher Staatsarchiv in der Schweiz, der kompetenten Unterstützung einiger sehr hilfreicher amerikanischer Freunde, die mehr Zeit als ich mit der Erforschung der Schweizer Täufer verbracht haben, und von Schweizer Historikern, insbesondere Dr. Peter Ziegler in Wädenswil und Dr. Nicole Billeter in Richterswil. Dies als „Biografie“ zu bezeichnen, mag übertrieben sein, aber es gibt genug Informationen, die einen skizzenhaften Blick auf Ueli Hiestand geben, der Mitte des 15. Jahrhunderts im heutigen Schweizer Kanton Zürich lebte. Also, ich kann dies wohl eine biographische Skizze nennen. -Wayne Haston (Hiestand)

Der Mensch Ueli Hiestand

Ueli = ausgesprochen oo-ELˊ-ee

In früheren Jahren scheinen Familien nur wenige verschiedene Vornamen verwendet und von Generation zu Generation weitergegeben zu haben. Dies ist eine der größten Herausforderungen eines Genealogen. Heinrich und Jacob waren beliebte Namen in der frühen Schweizer Familie Hiestand. Aber auch die Namen Ruedi und Ueli und Kuni Hiestand tauchen im 15. Jahrhundert in Schweizer Aufzeichnungen auf. Der Name Ueli Hiestand sticht als der am häufigsten genannte Hiestand des 15. Jahrhunderts hervor. Er erscheint mindestens 12 Mal in den Zürcher Akten von 1432 bis 1458 und bezieht sich wahrscheinlich auf ein und dieselbe Person, da es sich um einen engen Zeitrahmen handelt. Anscheinend war Ueli ein führender Bauer auf dem Wädenswiler Berg, dem Berghang oberhalb des Zürichsee-Dorfes Wädenswil.

30. Januar 1432 (7429) – Ein Ueli Hiestand taucht (nach meinem Wissen) erstmals in den mir vorliegenden Unterlagen auf. Er und Rudi Hiestand waren Zeugen einer Landpacht des Johanniterordens an Hensliy Kubischy.
13. Dezember 1448 (9423) – Siehe die Zusammenfassung der Transaktion von 1448 im folgenden Abschnitt.
30. November 1449 (9491) – Ueli Hiestand wird Zeuge einer Bescheinigung, dass Hans Urmer „einen Zins von 1 Pfund Geld von Hiestands Haus hat“.
Mai 1451 (9643) – Ueli Hiestand wird Zeuge der Beglaubigung einer Auktion. Ueli „und genug andere respektable Leute“ sind anwesend, um der Zertifizierung beizuwohnen.
20. Dezember 1457 (10272, 10273, 10274, 10275, 10276) – Ueli Hiestand erlebt an diesem Tag fünf Transaktionen. In all diesen Fällen wird er als Erster unter „genügend respektablen Leuten genannt.
18. April 1458 (10308, 10309) – Im Wesentlichen wie oben, Ueli Hiestand und „genug andere respektable Leute“ sind anwesend, um diese Transaktionen mitzuerleben.
August 1458 (10333) – Wieder wohnen Ueli Hiestand und «genug andere Anständige» Zeugen einer Verhandlung vor dem Gericht in Wädenswil bei.

Hinweis: Die Nummern in Klammern beziehen sich auf die Veröffentlichung der Urkundenregesten des Staatsarchivs Zürich, Bd. 6, 1431 bis 1445 und Bd. 7, 1446 bis 1460, erhältlich im Staatsarchiv Zürich oder im Internet abrufbar unter Staatsarchiv Zürich, Urkundenregesten.

Mehrfach wurde Ueli Hiestand als respektabler Mensch bezeichnet. Ich nehme an, dass er als ehrlich und vertrauenswürdig bekannt war. Vielleicht bedeutet seine Erwähnung als Erster unter „anderen respektablen Leuten“, dass er ein führender Bürger war, der für seinen herausragenden Charakter bekannt war.

Für mich ist das interessant, weil es zeigt, dass die Hiestands damals wohlgesinnte und vertrauenswürdige Menschen waren. Nicht jeder wurde als Zeuge geladen.

Dr. Nicole Billeter, Historian in Richterswil

Ueli Hiestands Höfe, 1448 erworbenes Erblehen

Paraphrase einer Übersetzung des deutschen Originaldokuments:

Am 13. Dezember 1448 legte Ueli eine Urkunde vor, aus der hervorgeht, dass Johannes Lösel, Meister des Johanniterordens in deutschen Landen und Komtur des Hauses Wädenswil, ihm einen Erbpachtvertrag auf die Höfe Benckli (später Beichlen) und Himelrich (später Himmeri) ausstellte. Die jährliche Pachtgebühr betrug 14 Mütt und 2 Viertel (Kornmaße) Getreide, 30 Schilling Zürcher Pfennig (Münzen) und 2 Hühner. Der Hof Benckli lag im Wädenswiler Berg und grenzte an Geplers Hof zur Tanne, an den Bencklibach, an den Geren (Wald) und an den Eichwald (Eichenwald). Der Lehenhof Himelrich grenzte an das Gut von Hartman ab Stolen und an jenes von Ueli Horger. Ueli durfte die Höfe nicht aufteilen. Er durfte das notwendige Holz für Dachschindeln fällen, jedoch nur an dafür vorgesehenen Stellen. Wollte er die Höfe aufgeben, musste er 40 Pfund Pfennig (40 Pfund in bar) bezahlen und seinen gesamten Besitz als Sicherheit verpfänden.

(Staatsarchiv Zürich, C II 15, Nr. 145)

Nachdem der Johanniterorden die Berghänge oberhalb Wädenswil gerodet hatte, wurden einem Teil der Bauern Rechte an Ackerland verkauft. Am Dezember 1448 kaufte Ueli Hiestand von der Johanniterkommende Wädenswil ein Lehengut (erbliche Pachtrechte): zwei Höfe auf dem Wädenswiler Berg. Beichlen (auch Bennkli, wörtlich „bankförmige Abtreppung am Hang“) und Himmeri (auch Himelrych, wörtlich „erhöhtes oder besonders fruchtbares Land“) waren zwei der ältesten Höfe, die im Vorderberg, auf einer Hochebene von Wädenswil auf abgeholzten Flächen entstanden waren.

1729 umfasste der Hof Beichlen (ohne Himmeri) 101 ¾ Jucharten Umland, genauso viel, wie zu dem Zeitpunkt, als Ueli die Pacht erwarb. Die Juchart war ein Maß für die Grösse an Ackerland, die ein Mann an einem Tag bearbeiten konnte, ungefähr einen Morgen. Leider gibt es keine Aufzeichnungen über die Größe des Bauernhofs Himmeri. Ueli Hiestand war zu seiner Zeit wohl einer der prominentesten Pächter des Ritterordens von St. Johann. Ueli musste für die Pacht des Beichlenhofs jedes Jahr am Martinstag einen Zins leisten, bestehend aus einer bestimmten Menge Getreide, Geld in Zürcher Währung und zwei Hühnern.

Für die gleiche Ansicht wie oben müssen Sie das Panorama drehen.

Die rote Markierung auf der Google-Karte zeigt, wo wahrscheinlich das Haus von Ueli Hiestand stand.

Wenn Ihnen dieser Artikel gefallen hat, teilen Sie ihn bitte mit anderen, denen er ebenfalls gefallen könnte.

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Ueli Hiestand, Prominent Swiss Farmer in the 15th Century

Ueli Hiestand, Prominent Swiss Farmer in the 15th Century

Dr. Peter Ziegler (Zürich, Switzerland) and Dr. Wayne Haston (Pennsylvania, USA), Co-Authors

(Including significant research data from Kent Douglas Hiestand)

"Early Swiss Hiestands" Series

German Language Version of this Article

Can you imagine writing a biography of a relative who was living 600 years ago?! Well, here it is. And it is only possible because of a fantastic document repository like the Zürich State Archives in Switzerland and the able assistance of some very helpful American friends, who have spent more time researching Swiss Anabaptists than I ever will, and Swiss historians, especially Dr. Peter Ziegler, Wädenswil, and Dr. Nicole Billeter, Richterswil. To call it a “biography” may be a bit of an exaggeration, but there is enough information to give us a sketchy view of Ueli Hiestand, who was living in Switzerland’s Canton Zürich in the middle of the 15th century. So, I suppose I can call it a biographical sketch. -Wayne Haston

Ueli Hiestand, the Man

Ueli = pronounced oo-ELˊ-ee

In earlier years, families seem to have only used a few different first names and passed them on from generation to generation. It’s one of the genealogist’s greatest challenges. Heinrich and Jacob were popular names in the early Swiss Hiestand family. But the names Ruedi and Ueli and Kuni Hiestand also appear in Swiss records in the 1400s. The name Ueli Hiestand stands out as the most frequently mentioned Hiestand of the 15th century. It appears at least 12 times in the 1432–1458 Zürich state records, probably referring to one and the same person since it is a narrow timeframe. Apparently, Ueli was a leading citizen on the Wädenswil Berg and Richterswil Berg, the mountain slopes behind Zürichsee’s lakeshore villages, Wädenswil and Richterswil.

January 30, 1432 (7429) – A Ueli Hiestand appears the first time (to my knowledge) in the documents available to me. He and Rudi Hiestand were witnesses to a lease of land from the Order of the Knights of St. John to Hensliy Kubischy.
December 13, 1448 (9423) – See the summary of the 1448 transaction in the section below.
November 30, 1449 (9491) – Ueli Hiestand witnessed a certification that Hans Urmer “has an interest of 1 pound of money from his house.”
May 9, 1451 (9643) – Ueli Hiestant witnessed the certification of an auction. Ueli “and enough other respectable people” were present to witness the certification.
December 20, 1457 (10272, 10273, 10274, 10275, 10276) – Ueli Hiestand witnessed five transactions on this day. In all these cases, he was mentioned first among “enough respectable people.”
April 18, 1458 (10308, 10309) – Essentially the same as above, Ueli Hiestand and “enough other respectable people” were present to witness these transactions.
August 29, 1458 (10333) – Again, Ueli Hiestand and “enough other respectable people” witnessed a transaction in the court at Wädenswil.

Note: The numbers in parentheses are case numbers from URStAZH_Band_6_1431_1445.pdf and URStAZH_Band_7_1446_1460.pdf, available online from the Zürich State Archives.

Several times Ueli Hiestand was referred to as a respectable person. I assume this means he was known as an honest and trustworthy person. Perhaps the mention of him as the first among “other respectable people” means that he was a leading citizen who was well-known for his outstanding character.

For me this is interesting, because it shows that the Hiestand family at the time were well thought of and trusted people. Not everybody was called as a witness.

Dr. Nicole Billeter, Historian in Richterswil

Ueli Hiestand's Farms, Hereditary Rights Acquired in 1448

Paraphrase of a translation of the original German document:

Ueli Hiestand was residing on the mountain slope behind the lakeshore village of Wädenswil. On December 13, 1448, Ueli presented documentation proving that Johans Loesel, Master of the Order of Knights of St. John in German Lands and Commander for the House of Wädenswil, had granted to him a hereditary lease to a farm in Benckli (later, Beichlen) and Himelrich (later, Himmeri), a farming estate. The annual lease fee was 14 Mütt and 2 Viertel (grain measures) of grain, 30 Schilling in Zürcher Pfenning (coins), and 2 chickens. The Benckli farm was located in the Wädenswiler Berg and bordered on Gepler's farm for fir trees, on the Bencklibach (stream), on the Geren (forest) and on the Eichwald (oak forest). The farming estate Himelrich bordered on the farming estate of Hartman ab Stolen and on that of Ueli Horger. Ueli was not permitted to divide the farms. He was allowed to cut the necessary wood for shingles roofing wood, but only at designated places. If he wished to give up the farms, he was required to pay 40 Pfund Pfenning (40 pounds in cash) and pledge all of his possessions as security.

C II 15, Nr. 145 from Zürich State Archives

After the Order of St. John cleared the mountain slopes above (behind) Wädenswil, rights to farmland were sold to some of the citizens. On December 1448, Ueli Hiestand bought hereditary tenant rights to lease two farms on the Wädenswiler Berg from the Commendam Wädenswil—a feudal estate (fiefdom, hereditary lease rights) owned by the Order of the Knights of Saint John (Johanniterorden). Beichlen (also Bennkli, literally means “steps/benches on a slope”) and Himmeri (also Himelrych, literally “elevated or particularly fertile land” ) were two of the oldest farms created from land cleared out of heavy forests on a plateau of Wädenswiler Berg known as Vorderberg.

In 1729 the size of the Beichlen farm (not including Himmeri) was 101 ¾ Jucharten, the same as when Ueli acquired the lease. The Juchart was a measurement of the amount of farm land that a man could work in one day, roughly about an acre. Unfortunately there is no existing record of the size of the Himmeri farm. Ueli Hiestand was probably one of the most prominent lease holders of the Order of the Knights of Saint John feudal estate in his day. Each year, on St. Martin’s Day, Ueli had to make a lease payment consisting of a certain amount of grain, 30 pieces of Zurcher currency and two chickens for rights to the Beichlen farm.

You will need to rotate the panorama to see the same basic view as appears above.

Red marker (on the Google map) where the Ueli Hiestand house was probably located.

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The Hiestand Name – Its Origin and Meaning

The Hiestand Family Name - It's Origin, Meaning, and Pronunciation

Dr. Peter Ziegler (Zürich, Switzerland) and Dr. Wayne Haston (Pennsylvania, USA), Co-Authors

(Including significant research data from Kent Douglas Hiestand)

"Early Swiss Hiestands" Series

German Language Version of this Article

The Hiestand Family Name - Its Origin

Pre-Surname Era

When our ancient Hiestand ancestors settled in Switzerland (whenever that was), they didn’t have a surname. Before the middle of the 13th century AD there were generally no surnames in the canton of Zürich. Since the population, which was not yet numerous, was spread out, name specificity beyond a first name was not necessary. And the simplicity of life in those days required very little personal identification or record keeping.

For the common people there were virtually no public records kept by churches and few by secular scribes. Some pastors could neither read nor write. Before the invention of the printing press by Johannes Gutenberg around 1440, their education consisted primarily of rote memory. And while tax records required a few educated officials, the records were simple, if they existed at all.

First Record of the Hiestand Surname

The earliest known record of the name Hiestand (which is shown in the image above) is Heini Hiestand on a 1401 tax list for a region in the canton of Zürich. Until further evidence proves otherwise, we can assume with a high degree of certainty that our family name originated there. Kent Hiestand specifically stated that “the name Hiestand originated in only one place.” This is unusual for a surname, a family fact we possess that few other families can claim. This “single place” was the mountainside above Wädenswil and Richterswil, on the southern shore near the eastern end of Lake Zürich.

Another source suggests a more specific location, but without clear documented evidence:

Since there are not any records that have been found of the name Hiestand anywhere else for another 200 years, it is safe to assume that the name Hiestand originated in this location and that Heini is very probably the first to use it. Because of how the tax list was taken in order of farms and where Heini was located on the list, I believe he lived on or near the farm on the meadow called Blegi between the Sihl River and the shore of Bibetersee (Lake Hüetten) on the border with Schwyz on Richterswilerberg.

Some 1400s Swiss Hiestands - According to Schobinger, Egli, and Kläus

These authors mentioned Claus Hiestand who, in 1401, was living in Feusisberg, only two and a half miles (four kilometers) over the canton border from Richterswil into Canton Schwyz. As of September 2022, I have been unable to find official records for this Claus Hiestand.

The Hiestand Family Name - Its Meaning

But why was the 1401 Heini Hiestand and his Swiss family given the name “Hiestand”?

Family names, determined by the first bearer of the name, were inherited through generations. Most of them named themselves after their profession or office, but there were other common reasons for the origin of family names. Some names were designated by neighbors who observed them and knew them. There were no regulations from the state or church. Civil registry offices exist in Switzerland only since January 1, 1876.

Occupational names:

Blacksmith, tailor, shoemaker, weaver, bricklayer, butcher, vine man, wine man, miller, fisherman, wainwright, suter, merchant, brickmaker, etc.

From official titles:

Meier = Latin maior. Administrators of noble or ecclesiastical property. Lives on the Meierhof.

Keller = Cellar, Latin cellarius. In the Middle Ages manager of supplies

Schultheiss = mayor ahd sculdheizo = commander. Mayor of a city in the Middle Ages

Vogt = stately, often aristocratic official. Often sees to the mundane affairs of a monastery

Graf = companion of the king, title of nobility in the Middle Ages.

From the first name of the father (Patronymics):

Christen, Peter, Heinrich, Michel

From characteristics of the person (nickname):

Lang = (Long) the long tall man

Kurz = (In short) the small, short man

Dürr = (Skinny) the thin, skinny man

Haupt = (Main) head

Held = (Hero) brave man

From the geographical origin (name of origin):

Zürcher coming from Zurich, Basler from Basel, Zollinger from Zollikon etc.

From peculiarities of the place of residence:

Boller (on the hill), Gubler (on the hill), Egger (at the corner), Locher (in the hole), Walder (near the forest), Tanner (by the firs)

The Hiestand family name emerges from two Swiss-dialect German words, hier stehen. You may read from some sources that the words have the force of an imperative, “stand here.” But according to Dr. Peter Ziegler, eminent Wädenswiler (Zürich) Swiss historian, hier stehen should be translated “here stood.”

I [Peter Ziegler] would classify Hiestand as a nickname or personal characteristics in a new category: i.e. the steadfast, such as: the tall (Lang family), the desert (Wüst family), the short (Short family), the pale (Blass family), the rich (Family Reich), the great (Family Gross), the good (Family Gut), etc.

Perhaps one of our early families was granted rights to a certain plot of land and that is where the family stood, and tenaciously so. Or it could simply mean they were just stubborn people who were known for obstinately taking a stand. We do know from the history of the Wädenswil-Richterswil area that the people there were known for being fiercely independent. And I assume you have probably known some Hiestands (or Hastons) who were stubborn to the core. Or maybe the name originated with an experience in battle, an occasion or reputation of multiple occasions where the family bravely stood their ground in a noble defensive effort. We don’t know the original meaning of the Hiestand name for sure, but we know that they must have been a people who were known for taking a stand and being steadfast.

The "t" Ending to Hiestand

Although the name generally appears ending with a “d,” German-written signatures of Henry Hiestand’s sons, such as those of Peter, in his family Bible record, clearly ended with the consonant “t”—“Hiestandt.” And a 1777 German signature of our Daniel Hiestand/Haston also appears to end with a “t.” Even when English clerks put their English-minded spellings to the Swiss-German surname, sometimes they heard the “t” ending when Henry’s family members pronounced their names, as did the person who recorded the name of “Daniel Hasstont” for the petition to create White County, Tennessee in 1806.

Some Anglicized Alternate Spellings in the United States

Other than the previous addition of “t” to the name for phonetic purposes, the spelling of the family name has remained amazingly consistent for more than six centuries! The H-i-e-s-t-a-n-d spelling of Heini Hiestand’s last name in 1401 is still used by Swiss members of this family today, as well as many who emigrated to America and other countries.

Hiestand or Heistand? Often in the United States, I have found that people sometimes spell the name H-e-i-s-t-a-n-d, with the “e” before the “i.” But, remember this simple rule from English classes: “i before e, except after c.” It is H-i-e-s-t-a-n-d.

However, when Hiestands settled among English-speaking families in America the spelling of the family name morphed into a wide variety of spellings. Hiestands, as well as other German-speaking folks, were generally not English-literate for a generation, or perhaps several generations, after arriving in the New World. Consequently, they were at the mercy of English or Scots-Irish officials for the spelling of “Hiestand.” In some cases, the name simply morphed because the clerks wrote it the way they heard it and the German speakers could not tell the difference until the English-sounding name became the common spelling. In other cases, Deutsch (German-speaking) families intentionally chose to change their names to better fit into English speaking communities and to shield themselves from the anti-Deutsch bias that often existed once they moved away from Pennsylvania and other settlements with large German-speaking populations.

The H-A-S-T-O-N misspelling of Hiestand occurred in at least three official records when Swiss-German Henrich Hiestand’s family was living in the Shenandoah Valley of northern Virginia. When Henrich’s son, Daniel Hiestand, moved to Tennessee, it appears that his two oldest sons (David and Joseph), both of whom were literate in the English language, chose to adopt the Haston spelling. Although the clerks in Tennessee tended to gravitate to more familiar names for their spellings (such as Hasting, Hastin, Hastings, Hasten), David and Joseph Haston consistently spelled their family name H-A-S-T-O-N.

As members of the Tennessee Haston family began to move west, some branches of the family chose to adopt alternate spellings, mostly because they were confused about their European roots. For example, they thought the family originated in England and thought Hasting, Hastings, or Hastain were correct spellings of their name.

The Surname Hiestand - Its Pronunciation

Generally, English speakers who are not familiar with the Hiestand name mispronounce it, which is understandable. Probably the most frequent part of the mispronunciation is the “ie” diphthong that follows “H.”

īIn German the diphthong, ie is generally pronounced like “ee” in English, thus hee-stand. In English ie is sometimes pronounced like “ee” (as in Marie, piece, grief) and other times pronounced like a long “i,” (as in tries, flier, cried). Thus, it is no wonder that many English speakers tend to mispronounce the name as Hī-stand, but it should be pronounced “hee-stand.”

In German you always pronounce the second vowel when IE is used. Therefore HiEstand. But in English sometimes you follow the first letter in Ie. HIestand. -Geni Hiestand

The proper way to pronounce Hiestand is to follow the German pronunciation–Hee-stand.

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Der Familienname Hiestand

Der Familienname Hiestand - Herkunft, Bedeutung und Aussprache

Co-Autoren: Dr. Peter Ziegler (Zürich, Schweiz) und Dr. Wayne Haston (Pennsylvania, USA)

(Einschließlich bedeutender Forschungsdaten von Kent Douglas Hiestand)

Serie: Frühe Schweizer Hiestand

Die Links werden aktiviert und veröffentlicht am
17.9.2022, 1.10.2022, 15.10.2022, 29.10.2022, 12.11.2022, 26.11.2022, 10.12.2022.

Englische Version dieses Artikels

Der Familienname Hiestand - Sein Ursprung

Vor-Nachnamen-Ära

Als sich unsere alten Hiestand-Vorfahren in der Schweiz niederließen (wann auch immer das war), hatten sie keinen Nachnamen. Vor der Mitte des 13. Jahrhunderts n. Chr. gab es im Zürcher Gebiet generell keine Nachnamen. Da die noch nicht zahlreiche Population verteilt war, war eine Namensspezifität über einen Vornamen hinaus nicht notwendig. Und die Einfachheit des Lebens in jenen Tagen erforderte sehr wenig persönliche Identifizierung oder Aufzeichnungen.

Für das einfache Volk gab es praktisch keine öffentlichen Aufzeichnungen, die von Kirchen geführt wurden, und nur wenige von weltlichen Schreibern. Einige Pastoren konnten weder lesen noch schreiben. Vor der Erfindung des Buchdrucks durch Johannes Gutenberg um 1440 bestand ihre Ausbildung vor allem aus dem Auswendiglernen. Und während Steuerunterlagen ein paar gebildete Beamte erforderten, waren die Aufzeichnungen einfach, wenn sie überhaupt existierten.

Erste Aufzeichnung des Nachnamens Hiestand

Die früheste bekannte Aufzeichnung des Namens Hiestand (die im Bild oben gezeigt wird) ist Heini Hiestand auf einer Steuerliste von 1401 für eine Region im Raum Zürich. Bis weitere Beweise das Gegenteil belegen, können wir mit hoher Sicherheit davon ausgehen, dass unser Familienname dort entstanden ist. Kent Hiestand erklärte ausdrücklich, dass “der Name Hiestand nur an einem Ort entstand”. Dies ist ungewöhnlich für einen Nachnamen, eine Familientatsache, die wir besitzen, die nur wenige andere Familien behaupten können. Dieser “einzige Ort” war der Berghang oberhalb von Wädenswil und Richterswil, am Südufer nahe dem östlichen Ende des Zürichsees.

Eine andere Quelle schlägt einen spezifischeren Ort vor, aber ohne klar dokumentierte Beweise:

Da es seit weiteren 200 Jahren nirgendwo sonst Aufzeichnungen über den Namen Hiestand gibt, kann man davon ausgehen, dass der Name Hiestand an diesem Ort entstand und dass Heini sehr wahrscheinlich der Erste ist, der ihn verwendet. Aufgrund der Art und Weise, wie die Steuerliste in der Reihenfolge der Höfe geführt wurde und wo Heini auf der Liste stand, glaube ich, dass er auf oder in der Nähe des Hofes auf der Fläche Blegi zwischen der Sihl und dem Ufer des Bibetsees (Hüttnersee) an der Grenze zu Schwyz am Richterswilerberg lebte.

Der Familienname Hiestand - seine Bedeutung

Aber warum erhielten Heini Hiestand von 1401 und seine Schweizer Familie den Namen “Hiestand”?

Familiennamen, die vom ersten Namensträger bestimmt wurden, wurden über Generationen hinweg vererbt. Die meisten von ihnen benannten sich nach ihrem Beruf oder Amt, aber es gab andere häufige Gründe für die Herkunft von Familiennamen. Einige Namen wurden von Nachbarn benannt, die sie beobachteten und kannten. Es gab keine Vorschriften des Staates oder der Kirche. Standesämter gibt es in der Schweiz erst seit dem 1. Januar 1876.

Berufsbezeichnungen:

Schmied, Schneider, Schuhmacher, Weber, Maurer, Metzger, Müller, Fischer, Suter, Kaufmann, Ziegler, etc.

Aus offiziellen Titeln:

Meier, lat. maior. Verwalter von adeligem oder kirchlichem Grundbesitz. Wohnt auf dem Meierhof.

Keller, lat. cellarius. Im Mittelalter Verwalter der Vorräte

Schultheiss. ahd sculdheizo = Befehlender. Im Mittelalter Bürgermeister einer Stadt

Vogt: herrschaftlicher, oft adeliger Beamter. Besorgt oft die weltlichen Belange eines Klosters

Graf: Begleiter des Königs, Adelstitel im Mittelalter. lat. comes

Aus dem Vornamen des Vaters (Patronym):

Christen, Peter, Heinrich, Michel

Aus Merkmalen der Person (Spitzname):

Lang: der lange, gross gewachsene Mann

Kurz: der kleine, kurz gewachsene Mann

Dürr: der dünne, magere Mann

Haupt: Kopf

Held: mutiger Mann

Aus der geografischen Herkunft (Herkunftsname):

Zürcher aus Zürich, Basler aus Basel, Zollinger aus Zollikon etc.

Aus den Besonderheiten des Wohnortes:

Boller (auf dem Hügel), Gubler (auf dem Hügel), Egger (an der Ecke), Locher (im Loch), Walder (in der Nähe des Waldes), Tanner (bei den Tannen)

Der Familienname Hiestand setzt sich aus zwei schweizerisch-dialektaldeutschen Wörtern zusammen, hier stehen. Sie können aus einigen Quellen lesen, dass die Worte die Kraft eines Imperativs haben: “Stehe hier.” Aber laut Dr. Peter Ziegler, bedeutender Wädenswiler Historiker, sollte hier stehen mit “hier stand” übersetzt werden.

Ich [Peter Ziegler] würde Hiestand als Spitznamen oder persönliche Merkmale in eine neue Kategorie einordnen: d.h. die Standhaften, wie: die Langen (Familie Lang), die Wüsten (Familie Wüst), die Kleinen (Familie Kurz), die Blassen (Familie Blass), die Reichen (Familie Reich), die Großen (Familie Gross), die Guten (Familie Gut) usw.

Vielleicht wurde einer unserer frühen Familien das Recht auf ein bestimmtes Stück Land gewährt, und dort stand die Familie, und zwar hartnäckig. Oder es könnte einfach bedeuten, dass sie nur sture Menschen waren, die dafür bekannt waren, hartnäckig Stellung zu beziehen. Aus der Geschichte der Region Wädenswil-Richterswil wissen wir, dass die Menschen dort für ihre Unabhängigkeit bekannt waren. Und ich nehme an, sie haben wahrscheinlich einige Hiestands (oder Hastons) gekannt, die bis ins Mark stur waren. Oder vielleicht stammt der Name aus einer Erfahrung im Kampf, einem Anlass oder einem Ruf mehrerer Gelegenheiten, bei denen sich die Familie mutig in einer edlen Verteidigungsanstrengung behauptete. Wir kennen die ursprüngliche Bedeutung des Namens Hiestand nicht genau, aber wir wissen, dass sie eine Familie gewesen sein muss, die dafür bekannt war, standhaft zu bleiben.

Das "t"-Ende auf Hiestand

Obwohl der Name im Allgemeinen mit einem “d” endet, endeten die in Deutschland geschriebenen Unterschriften von Henry Hiestands Söhnen, wie die von Petrus, in seiner Familienbibel eindeutig mit dem Konsonanten “t” – “Hiestandt”. Und auch eine deutsche Unterschrift unseres Daniel Hiestand/Haston aus dem Jahr 1777 scheint mit einem “t” zu enden. Selbst wenn englische Angestellte ihre englischsprachigen Schreibweisen auf den schweizerisch-deutschen Nachnamen setzten, hörten sie manchmal die Endung “t”, wenn Henrys Familienmitglieder ihre Namen aussprachen, ebenso wie die Person, die den Namen “Daniel Hasstont” für die Petition zur Schaffung von White County, Tennessee, im Jahr 1806 aufzeichnete.

Einige anglisierte alternative Schreibweisen in den Vereinigten Staaten

Abgesehen von der vorherigen Hinzufügung von “t” zum Namen für phonetische Zwecke ist die Schreibweise des Familiennamens seit mehr als sechs Jahrhunderten erstaunlich konsistent geblieben! Die H-i-e-s-t-a-n-d-Schreibweise von Heini Hiestands Nachnamen im Jahr 1401 wird noch heute von Schweizer Mitgliedern dieser Familie sowie von vielen, die nach Amerika und in andere Länder ausgewandert sind, verwendet.

Hiestand oder Heistand? Oft habe ich in den Vereinigten Staaten festgestellt, dass Menschen manchmal den Namen H-e-i-s-t-a-n-d schreiben, mit dem “e” vor dem “i”. Denken Sie an diese einfache Regel aus dem Englischunterricht: “i vor e, außer nach c.” Es ist H-i-e-s-t-a-n-d.

Als sich Hiestands jedoch unter englischsprachigen Familien in Amerika niederließen, verwandelte sich die Schreibweise des Familiennamens in eine Vielzahl von Schreibweisen. Hiestands, wie auch andere deutschsprachige Leute, waren im Allgemeinen für eine Generation oder vielleicht mehrere Generationen nach ihrer Ankunft in der Neuen Welt nicht englischsprachig. Folglich waren sie der Gnade englischer oder schottisch-irischer Beamter für die Schreibweise von “Hiestand” ausgeliefert. In einigen Fällen verwandelte sich der Name einfach, weil die Angestellten ihn so schrieben, wie sie ihn hörten, und die deutschen Sprecher konnten den Unterschied nicht erkennen, bis der englisch klingende Name zur gebräuchlichen Schreibweise wurde. In anderen Fällen entschieden sich deutschsprachige Familien absichtlich dafür, ihre Namen zu ändern, um besser in englischsprachige Gemeinschaften zu passen und sich vor der anti-deutschen Voreingenommenheit zu schützen, die oft bestand, nachdem sie sich von Pennsylvania und anderen Siedlungen mit großer deutschsprachiger Bevölkerung entfernt hatten.

Der H-A-S-T-O-N-Schreibfehler von Hiestand trat in mindestens drei offiziellen Aufzeichnungen auf, als die Familie des Schweizerdeutschen Henrich Hiestand im Shenandoah Valley im Norden Virginias lebte. Als Henrichs Sohn, Daniel Hiestand, nach Tennessee zog, scheint es, dass seine beiden ältesten Söhne (David und Joseph), die beide in der englischen Sprache lesen und schreiben konnten, sich dafür entschieden, die Haston-Schreibweise anzunehmen. Obwohl die Angestellten in Tennessee dazu neigten, bekanntere Namen für ihre Schreibweisen zu bevorzugen (wie Hasting, Hastin, Hastings, Hasten), schrieben David und Joseph Haston konsequent ihren Familiennamen H-A-S-T-O-N.

Als Mitglieder der Familie Tennessee Haston begannen, nach Westen zu ziehen, entschieden sich einige Zweige der Familie für alternative Schreibweisen, vor allem, weil sie über ihre europäischen Wurzeln verwirrt waren. Zum Beispiel dachten sie, dass die Familie aus England stammte und dachten, Hasting, Hastings oder Hastain seien korrekte Schreibweisen ihres Namens.

Der Familienname Hiestand - seine Aussprache

Im Allgemeinen sprechen Englischsprachige, die mit dem Namen Hiestand nicht vertraut sind, ihn falsch aus, was verständlich ist. Der wahrscheinlich häufigste Teil der falschen Aussprache ist der “ie” Diphthong, der auf “H” folgt.

Im Deutschen wird der Diphthong, dh im Allgemeinen wie “ee” im Englischen ausgesprochen, also hee-stand. Im Englischen wird ie manchmal wie “ee” ausgesprochen (wie in Mar ie, p ie ce, gr ie f) und manchmal wie ein langes “i” ausgesprochen (wie in tr ie s, fl ie r, cr ie d). Daher ist es kein Wunder, dass viele englischsprachige Menschen dazu neigen, den Namen als Hī-stand falsch auszusprechen.

Die richtige Art, Hiestand auszusprechen, ist, der deutschen Aussprache zu folgen – Hee-stand.

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Â Unsere Schweizer Hiestand- Vorfahren im 15. Jahrhundert

Unsere Schweizer Hiestand-Vorfahren im 15. Jahrhundert

Co-Autoren: Dr. Peter Ziegler (Zürich, Schweiz) und Dr. Wayne Haston (Pennsylvania, USA)

(Einschließlich bedeutender Forschungsdaten von Kent Douglas Hiestand)

Serie: Frühe Schweizer Hiestand

Die Links werden aktiviert und veröffentlicht am
17.9.2022, 1.10.2022, 15.10.2022, 29.10.2022, 12.11.2022, 26.11.2022, 10.12.2022.

Englische Version dieses Artikels

Fast 100 Jahre vor 1492 – als “Kolumbus über den blauen Ozean segelte” – hatten wir Hiestand-Vorfahren im Kanton Zürich in der Schweiz, die Wald rodeten, die schönen Berghänge südlich des Zürichsees bewirtschafteten, Häuser und Scheunen bauten, die Hunderte von Jahren überdauerten, im Bibetsee (dem heutigen Hüttnersee) fischten, die Kirche besuchten und Gott verehrten. Einige ihrer Namen sind bekannt, ebenso die Orte, an denen sie lebten. Und in einigen Fällen wissen wir ein wenig über sie – was für Menschen sie waren und was sie mit ihrem Land gemacht haben.

Um 1500 n. Chr. breitete sich die Familie Hiestand den Berghang hinab in Richtung der Dörfer Wädenswil und Richterswil aus. Die gelben Punkte zeigen Grundstücke an, von denen wir wissen, dass sie im 15. Jahrhundert von Hiestands bewirtschaftet wurden. Die meisten Höfe dieser Familie lagen an einem der Pilgerwege, welche durch die Herrschaft der Johanniter nach dem Benediktinerkloster Einsiedeln führten. Nur die Schönau war abgelegen und konnte darum im 16. und 17. Jahrhundert zum „Nest der Täufer“ werden. Der wichtigste Pilgerweg führte vom Horgner Berg herkommend über Beichlen – Tanne – Egg – Fälmis – Blegi und Lölismühle Richtung Schindellegi. Dort überquerte er die Sihl und erreichte, durch die Voralpen aufsteigend, über Bennau und Schnabelsberg die Abtei „Unsere Liebe Frau von Einsiedeln“.

Versuchen Sie, “Blegi” auf dieser Karte zu finden – achten Sie auf die gelben Ortsnamen. Im Jahr 1401 lebte Heini Hiestand dort. Er ist der erste Mensch, von dem wir wissen, dass er “Hiestand” hieß. Aber offensichtlich lebten dort schon Vorfahren mit dem Namen Hiestand, bevor Heini in einer Steuerliste mit diesem Nachnamen auftaucht. Familiennamen wurden zu dieser Zeit gerade erst verwendet.

Schauen Sie, ob Sie “Beichlen” und “Himmeri” auf der Karte finden können. In einem anderen Artikel werde ich Ihnen über Ueli Hiestand und seine Verbindung zu diesen beiden Höfen berichten. Aus den vorhandenen Aufzeichnungen (etwa 12), die ihn erwähnen, geht hervor, dass er zu seiner Zeit ein herausragender Bürger gewesen sein muss.

Haben Sie Schönau gesehen? Es ist ein interessanter kleiner Ort, in dem einige unserer Vorfahren lebten. In den 1600er Jahren wurde er zu einem “Nest der Täufer”. Mehr darüber in einem späteren Artikel.

Und suchen Sie das Dorf Hütten. Einige unserer Schweizer Verwandten spielten dort eine wichtige Rolle beim Bau einer Kapelle im Jahre 1496.

Anmerkung: Sie wurde im Zuge der Reformation um 1600 in eine protestantische Kapelle umgewandelt.

Einige frühe Schweizer Hiestands nach den Autoren Schobinger, Egli und Kläui

Diese Autoren erwähnten einen Claus Hiestand, der im Dorf Feusisberg im Kanton Schwyz lebte. Feusisberg lag etwa viereinhalb Kilometer südöstlich von Richterswil. Wir konnten jedoch keine Originaldokumente finden, die den damaligen Aufenthaltsort eines Claus Hiestand bestätigen.

Die Kapelle von 1496 in Hütten

Wie Sie auf der obigen Karte sehen können, lebten viele Hiestands im15. Jahrhundert hoch oben auf den Berghängen oberhalb von Wädenswil und Richterswil, näher an Hütten als an den Dörfern am Seeufer. Um den Gottesdienst zu besuchen, musste der „Berg-Hiestand“ den steilen Hang hinunter nach Richterswil und dann wieder den beschwerlichen Heimweg antreten.

Jahr für Jahr ging es für die Hüttner Sonntag für Sonntag auf eine lange und oft beschwerliche Reise hinunter an den Zürichsee. Sie brachten ihre Kinder zur Taufe nach Richterswil und die Toten zu ihrer letzten Ruhestätte. Im Winter war der Kirchgang nach Richterswil besonders schwierig.«Die Hüttner kommen bei Wind und Wetter den zweistündigen Weg in die Kirche Richterswil, bleich und blau, schlotternd und müssen, wenn sie genugsam gefroren haben, wieder den gleichen weiten und beschwerlichen Weg hungrig zurück, wobei es oft später Abend wird.»

http://www.villmergerkriege.ch/Chilerodel/Einleitung.htm

Der Bau einer eigenen Kapelle in Hütten sollte im Jahre 1496 Abhilfe schaffen. Es gab damals in Hütten genügend Familien, welche diese Idee unterstützten. Möglich wurde der Bau dank Geldspenden und Frondiensten ehrenhafter frommer Christen.

Kapelle-Rodel Hütten, 1496 Urkunde - Spender für das Projekt und die Einweihung der Kapelle

Einige Auszüge aus dem Dokument von 1496:

Im Jahre, als man tausendvierhundertsechsundneunzig [1496] Jahre nach Christi Geburt zählte, wurde diese Kapelle „zu den Hütten“ geweiht.

Die Johanniter-Priester sollen zum Ersten eine Messe singen zum Trost der Seelen und als Hilfe für alle verstorbenen Menschen.

Danach soll eine Messe gesungen werden zu Ehren der Maria, der Mutter Gottes, als Trost und zur Fürbitte aller lebenden Wohltäter, die weiterhin Gutes tun sollen und daher glauben dürfen, dass ihnen der allmächtige Gott hier in dieser Welt ein gesegnetes Leben und nach diesem Leben das ewige Leben schenken möge.

Die anderen Priester sollen an den Seitenaltären Messe lesen, ebenfalls im Gedenken an die Lebenden und die Toten.

Die Reliquien der Schutzheiligen dieser Kirche sind in den Altar gelegt worden.

Der Hauptaltar im Chor ist geweiht zu Ehren des heiligen Jakobus (St. Jakob), des Kirchenpatrons, sowie Johannes dem Täufer und den zehntausend Rittern.

Einige Hiestands aus dem Gebiet von Hütten
haben massgeblich zum Kapellenbau beigetragen:

Ruedi Hiestand, der Tusam („der Bedrückte“) genannt wird, und Elsi Höfliger, die Frau von Ueli Wymann, die den Grundstein für die Kapelle legten, waren Gotte und Gotti, und beide haben schon einmal zwanzig Pfund Haller [geprägt in Halle] an diesen Bau gespendet.

Anmerkung: Es war eine Ehre, dass sie als Pate und Patin für dieses Projekt ausgewählt wurden. Es war auch ein Dankeschön dafür, dass sie 20 Pfund Haller (in Halle geprägtes Geld) für den Bau der Kapelle gespendet hatten, was wahrscheinlich der höchste Betrag war.

Hans Hiestand hat zehn Schilling gegeben, lastend auf dem Gut zu den Berghüseren (Bergli), seinem Wohnsitz.

Ruotsch Hiestand aus der Lölismühle [heute Neumühle, Wollerau] hat als Beitrag an die Jahrzeit kostenlos alle Holzladen gesägt.

Zudem hat Hans Hiestand junior zehn Schillinge gegeben für sich und Anna Hiestand und für alle verstorbenen Mitglieder der Familie Hiestand.

Und denken Sie daran - all das geschah im 15. Jahrhundert nach Christus.

Die Kapelle Hütten wurde für die Katholiken erstellt, aber 1604, als verspätete Folge der Reformation, in eine reformierte Kirche umgewandelt.

In 1519 begann in der Stadt Zürich die Reformation. Im Jahr 1523 bekannte sich der Richterswiler Pfarrer Gregor Lüthi zur Reformation von Huldrych Zwingli. Sechs Jahre später folgte die Mehrheit der Kirchgenossen seinem Entscheid. Am 12. Mai erschienen Hans Wirz, der Verwalter der Johanniterkomturei Wädenswil, und Heinrich Eschmann als Abgeordneter der Richterswiler vor Bürgermeister und Rat der Stadt Zürich. Sie berichteten, dass die Kirchgenossen in einer Gemeindeversammlung beschlossen hätten, zum neuen, reformierten Glauben überzutreten. In Richterswil seien die Heiligen und Bilder bereits entfernt worden. Die St. Jakobskapelle in Hütten wurde noch von beiden Konfessionen genutzt und die drei Altäre standen noch bis 1604, allerdings verhüllt. Dann wurden sie abgerissen. Man baute eine Kanzel und ersetzte die Kniebänke durch Sitzbänke. Diese verspätete Reformation in Hütten lässt sich mit der Kapelle erklären, die erst 20 Jahre vor der Reformation gebaut wurde. Viele Nachkommen gedachten noch jedes Jahr ihrer verstorbenen Vorfahren, den Spendern und Fronarbeiter.

Diese Kapelle wurde von den Katholiken während des Ersten Villmergerkriegs zerstört (1656).

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Swiss Hiestands in the 1400s

Our Swiss Hiestand Ancestors in the 1400s

Dr. Peter Ziegler (Zürich, Switzerland) and Dr. Wayne Haston (Pennsylvania, USA), Co-Authors

(Including significant research data from Kent Douglas Hiestand)

"Early Swiss Hiestands" Series

German Version of this Article

Nearly 100 years before 1492–when “Columbus sailed the ocean blue”–we had Hiestand ancestors in Canton Zürich, Switzerland who were clearing forests, farming on the beautiful mountain slopes south of Lake Zürich, building houses and barns that lasted 100s of years, fishing in the Bibetsee (now, Hüttenersee), and attending church and worshiping God. Some of their names are known, as well as where they lived. And in some cases, we know a little bit about them–the kind of people they were and some of their land transactions.

Around 1500 AD, the Hiestand family spread down the mountainside towards the villages of Wädenswil and Richterswil. The yellow dots indicate properties that we know were farmed by Hiestands in the 15th century. Most of the Hiestand farms were located on one of the pilgrimage routes that led through the rule of the Johanniter to the famous Catholic Benedictine monastery in Einsiedeln. Only the Schönau was remote and could therefore become a “Nest of the Anabaptists” in the 16th and 17th centuries. The most important pilgrimage route led from Horgner Berg via Beichlen – Tanne – Egg – Fälmis – Blegi and Lölismühle towards Schindellegi. There Catholic pilgrims crossed the Sihl and, ascending through the foothills of the Alps, reached the abbey “Our Lady of Einsiedeln” via Bennau and Schnabelsberg.

See if you can find “Fälmis“ on this map–look at the yellow place names. In 1401, Heini Hiestand may have lived there or very near there. He’s the first person we know of who was named “Hiestand.” But obviously, we had pre-Hiestand-named ancestors living there before Heini appeared on a tax list with the Hiestand surname. Family names were just beginning to be used at that time.

See if you can find “Beichlen“ and “Himmeri“ on the map. In another article, I’ll tell you about Ueli Hiestand and his connection to these two farms. Apparently, from the existing records (about 12 of them) that mention him, he must have been an outstanding citizen in his day. I’ve dedicated an entire article to Ueli Hiestand.

Do you see Schönau? It’s an interesting little place, where some of our ancestors lived. It became a “nest of Anabaptists” in the 1600s. More about that in a later article.

And look for the village of Hütten. Some of our Swiss relatives played some important roles in building a chapel there in 1496.
Note: It was converted into a Protestant chapel in the course of the Reformation around 1600.

Some Early Swiss Hiestands According to Authors Schobinger, Egli, and Kläus

These authors mentioned a Claus Hiestand who lived in the village of Feusisberg of Canton Schwyz. Feusisberg was approximately two and a half miles (4.5 kilometers) southeast of Richterswil. But we have not been able to find any original documents to confirm the location of a Claus Hiestand there at that time.

English translation: Hiestand «Hieschtand» ♣ Hütten, Richterswil, Schönenberg, Wädenswil ♦ Heini Hiestand 1401 Wädenwil area – Claus Hiestand 1401 Wollerau/Feuisberg SZ – Ulin Hiestand / Rudi Hiestand 1432 Richterswil – Uli Hiestand am Wädenswiler Berg receives the farm in 1448 Bennkli (Beichlen) to fiefdom – Claus Hiestand (and) sin wib 1455 huts – Uely Hiestand (and) sin wip 1455 Waedenswilerberg. ♠ Set name, mhd. hie constant! «it says here!», request to a restless person.

mhd = Middle High German

The 1496 Chapel at Hütten

As you can see on the map above, many of the 15th Century Hiestands lived high on the mountain slopes above Wädenswil and Richterswil, closer to Hütten than to the lakeshore villages. In order to attend church, the “mountain Hiestands” had to go down the steep slope to one of the lakeshore village churches, then make the difficult uphill journey back home later the same day.

Year in and year out, people [Hüttners] went down to Lake Zurich on a long and often arduous journey Sunday after Sunday. They brought their children to Richterswil for baptism and the dead to their final resting place. In winter, going to church to Richterswil was particularly difficult. “Whatever the weather, the Hüttener make the two-hour walk to the Richterswil church, pale and blue, shivering and when they have frozen enough they have to have to go back hungry the same long and arduous way, and it is often late in the evening."

http://www.villmergerkriege.ch/Chilerodel/Einleitung.htm

The construction of a separate chapel in Hütten was intended to provide relief in 1496. There were enough families in Hütten at that time who supported this idea. The construction was made possible thanks to donations of money and the services of honorable pious Christians, including several Hiestands.

Kapelle-Rodel Hütten, 1496 Document - Consecration of the Chapel and Donors to the Project

Some excerpts from the 1496 document:

In the year counted one thousand four hundred and ninety-six [1496] years after the birth of Christ, this chapel “to the huts [Hütten]” was consecrated.

The St. John’s priests shall first sing a mass for the consolation of souls and as a help for all deceased people.

Afterwards, a Mass shall be sung in honor of Mary, the Mother of God, for the consolation and intercession of all living benefactors, who shall continue to do good and may therefore believe that Almighty God may grant them a blessed life here in this world and eternal life after this life.

The other priests are to say Mass at the side altars, also in memory of the living and the dead.

The relics of the patron saints of this church have been placed in the altar.

The main altar in the choir is consecrated in honor of St. James (St. James), the church patron, as well as John the Baptist and the Ten Thousand Knights.

Some Hütten-area Hiestands made
significant contributions to the chapel construction:

Ruedi Hiestand, called Tusam (“the oppressed one”), and Elsi Höfliger, the wife of Ueli Wymann, who laid the foundation stone for the chapel, were Gotte and Gotti, and both have already donated twenty pounds of Haller [coined in Halle] to this construction.

Note: It was an honor that they were chosen as godfather and godmother for this project. It was also a thank you for donating twenty pounds of Haller (money minted in Halle) to the construction of the chapel, which was probably the highest amount.

Hans Hiestand gave ten shillings, encumbering the estate zu den Berghüseren (Bergli), his residence.

Ruotsch Hiestand from the Lölismühle [today Neumühle, Wollerau] sawed all the wooden shutters free of charge as a contribution to the Jahrzeit.

In addition, Hans Hiestand junior gave ten shillings for himself and Anna Hiestand and for all deceased members of the Hiestand family.

Keep in mind - all of the above happened in the 1400s A.D.

The Hütten chapel was built for the Catholics, but in 1604, as a belated consequence of the Reformation,
it was converted into a Reformed church.

In1519 the Reformation began in the city of Zurich. In 1523, the pastor of Richterswil, Gregor Lüthi, professed the Reformation of Huldrych Zwingli. Six years later, the majority of the church members followed his decision. On May 12, Hans Wirz, the administrator of the Johanniterkomturei Wädenswil, and Heinrich Eschmann appeared as deputies of the Richterswilers before the mayor and council of the city of Zurich. They reported that the church members had decided in a community meeting to convert to the new, Reformed faith. In Richterswil, the saints and images had already been removed. The St. Jacob’s Chapel in Hütten was still used by both denominations and the three altars were still standing until 1604, but covered. Then they were torn down. A pulpit was built and the kneeling benches were replaced by pews. This late reformation in Hütten can be explained by the chapel, which was built only 20 years before the reformation. Many descendants still commemorated their deceased ancestors, donors and front workers every year.

This chapel was destroyed by Catholics during the First Villmerger War (1656).

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Have Mennonite or Amish Roots? – Participate in this DNA Research Project

First Cousin – Or, First Cousin Once-Removed

Cousins or First Cousins-Once Removed

What's the Difference?

A cousin at any distance or level in your family tree is truly your “cousin.” One of the things I’ve enjoyed most about working with Haston family research is getting to know so many cousins. And even though I may never have met him or her in person, there is something special about calling him or her “cousin“–knowing that somewhere back up our Hiestand/Haston family lines we have a common ancestor and that makes us a part of the same big Family.

But genealogically, we can distinguish our degree of cousin-ness by a standard family relationship language.

First, Second, Third, Fourth Cousin, etc.

The starting point is to determine your most recent common ancestor.
That’s MRCA in genealogical terms.

The number associated with your cousin has to do with how many generations away your common ancestor is. For example:

First cousins share a grandparent
Second cousins share a great-grandparent
Third cousins share a great-great-grandparent
Fourth cousins share a 3rd-great grandparent

Here’s a real-life example from a couple of my related families that are special to me:

My Haston grandfather was Charles Beason Haston. My father, Boyd Haston, was his youngest son. Edna Haston was my father’s oldest sister. She married Byron Moss, so she was Edna Haston Moss. Her oldest son was Arnold Moss. So Arnold and I shared a grandparent—Charles Beason Haston. Arnold and I were first cousins.

Charles Beason Haston, my paternal grandfather, was the son of Charles Thomas Haston. One of my grandfather’s sisters was Ida Ora Haston. She married James Monroe Passons, whose son was known as J.M. Passons. So, my dad and J.M. Passons were first cousins–they shared the same grandfather.

J.M. Passons had four sons, but I’ll just use Bobby for this example. Bobby Passons and I shared the same great-grandparent, Charles Thomas Haston. So, Bobby Passons and I were second cousins.

The Key = First cousins share the same grandparents!

First Cousin-Once-Removed, etc.

Probably like you, I’ve occasionally heard the words “first cousin-once-removed” etc. throughout my lifetime, but never knew what it meant. So, I finally stopped to try to figure it out. It’s really quite simple once you wrap your brain around it and re-train it to think.

Again, the starting point is to determine your most recent common ancestor–your MRCA.

To be “once removed” from a cousin means you are separated by one generation (one level in the family tree chart).
Let’s go back to my first cousin example, from above.

Arnold (& Evelyn) had five children, Kaye, Steve, Jimmy, Nancy, and Richard. We were very close growing up, so I assumed we were first cousins. But I learned later that, genealogically, we are first cousins-once-removed. Here’s what that looks like on a family tree chart.

Arnold and I were in the same generation, that is the same level in the family tree chart. Kaye, Steve, Jimmy, Nancy, Richard, and I are separated by one generation, that is we are one level removed in the family tree chart. We are first cousins-once-removed.

Their children are two levels (generations) removed from me so they are first cousins-twice-removed.

It’s much simpler when you see it on paper, rather than trying to figure it out in your head. So sketch it out on paper, especially for the greater relational distances.

Try it now, see if you can identify a few of your once-removed and twice-removed first cousins.

Some Additional Helps

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A Forbes Legend – Stephen Mathai-Davis (Descendant of Daniel Haston)

Stephen Mathai-Davis - "A Forbes Legend"

Descendant of Daniel Haston through His Son, Jeremiah Haston

On Friday afternoon, July 22, 2022, just shortly before our Daniel Haston Family Reunion officially began, Claire Aufrance received a phone call telling her that her beloved cousin, Stephen Mathai-Davis, had passed away suddenly and completely unexpectedly. Claire and her family were eating dinner at a restaurant near the reunion site when she received the call telling her of the death of her beloved cousin. She was scheduled to lead the opening activity at the reunion just a couple hours or so later, but she found the strength to lead the activity in spite of the deep hurt in her heart. Thanks, Claire, for sharing your brilliant cousin’s story with us. We are proud to say that he was our cousin too, even though we never knew him personally. The stories you shared with me about your growing-up times with Stephen are truly heart warming. “Dear Lord, please help Stephen’s young widow and children through the grief they are now experiencing. Amen.”

Stephen's Lineage to Henrich Hiestand and Daniel Hiestand/Haston

Henrich Hiestand > Daniel Hiestand/Haston > Jeremiah Haston > John Wesley Haston > Eudoxia Eglantine Haston > Walter Ellis Davis > Wallace Martin Davis > Wallace Mathai-Davis > Stephen Mathai-Davis

Click on the button below to read the obituary.

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Timeline of Our Blog Articles

Timeline of Our Blog Articles

Some of the main topics included in the blog focus on the history of the Daniel Haston family, honoring earlier Haston family researchers and other notable Hastons, announcing events of significance to members of the Daniel Haston Family and related families, and miscellaneous topics.

November 29 2025

Book 2 – The Life of Daniel Haston

It will be about December 10 before large quantities will be available for shipping. Scroll Down to Order a Copy or Copies of the Book Before you choose a shipping option, be aware that… Local Pickup option is only for situations where shipping is not required. Library Rate is only to be used between libraries. Media RateContinue

November 22 2025

Murder of Sheriff Montgomery G. Haston – 2

Links will be activated when the stories are posted. The Basic Story Newspaper Nuances The Murder’s Aftermath I’ve been taught, and have taught others, that the stories we tell ourselves create emotions, and it is those emotions that sometimes drive us to reactions that we often later regret. Here is a classic example. Here areContinue

November 15 2025

Murder of Sheriff Montgomery G. Haston

Links will be activated when the stories are posted. The Basic Story Newspaper Nuances The Murder’s Aftermath Who would have thought that this innocent-looking little boy would become the Sheriff of Van Buren County, TN, and be gunned down in such a horrific way? Montgomery Greenville Haston, born June 9, 1898, was the son ofContinue

November 1 2025

David Montgomery Haston – Trouble Getting His Confederate Pension

65 Years After the War – Confederate Pension Denied Jane Haston Ritter’s Memory of the Family Story About Her Great-Grandfather, David Montgomery Haston The only thing I remember my mother saying was that he never ate biscuits after the war because of worms or bugs, something was in them. He always ate and enjoyed cornbread.Continue

October 25 2025

1895 – Hastons in the News

1895 – Interesting Facts and Stories About Our Earlier Cousins Thanks to the “now” online availability of many historical newspapers, we can learn interesting facts and stories about some of our Haston relatives, especially the ones who lived in communities where there were newspapers that have been digitized and become accessible through the Internet. IContinue

October 18 2025

Scalding Death of Isaac T. Haston Jr.

The Horrible Death of “Shack” (Isaac T. Haston, Jr.) The Chattanooga (TN) Commercial, January 1, 1887 If you appreciated this article, please share it with others who might also enjoy it. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print Order Copies of the Book – Or, See More Information and Preview the Contents

October 13 2025

150 Years – Haston Cemetery

150 Years of History in the (Isaac T.) Haston Family Cemetery October 12, 2025 Haston Cemetery Decoration and History Talk Imagine: For 150 years, descendants of Isaac T. and Elizabeth Sparkman Haston have been visiting this cemetery! On Sunday, October 12, 2025, a few dozen Haston family members gathered for the annual decoration at theContinue

October 9 2025

Hastons in Early Van Buren County, TN – Court Minutes – 1855-1859

Hastons in Court – The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly 80 Entries Links will be activated when the posts have been published. 1840-1844 1845-1849 1850-54 1855-1859 1860-1866 (From TSLA – Van Buren County, TN MF Roll #14) Year of 1855 (June – December) Page Name Description 3 Isaac T. HastonAbraham Trogdon, decd. Isaac T.Continue

October 9 2025

Hastons in Early Van Buren County, TN Court Minutes – 1850-1854

Hastons in Court – The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly 196 Entries Links will be activated when the posts have been published. 1840-1844 1845-1849 1850-54 1855-1859 1860-1866 (From TSLA – Van Buren County, TN MF Roll #14) Year of 1850 Page Name Description 292 James A. Haston J.P. – county court (January term) 294Continue

October 4 2025

Mid-America Hastons Gathering

Mid-America All Hastons Gathering – Fall 2026 Exact date and details to be determined with input from interested attendees. Descendants of Daniel Haston settled in all of the areas within and around the Mid-America circle on the map above. Many of our “H families” (Haston, Hastain, Hasting, Hastin, Hastings, and probably other spellings) are stillContinue

September 27 2025

Dwight Haston – 1946-2025

Dwight Haston – A Proud Haston, A Proud American I just learned that Dwight passed away Thursday morning, September 25, 2025. Read Dwight’s Legacy of Service (Air Force) Record I (Wayne Haston) met Dwight in person for the first time in the summer of 2000. I was just beginning to become interested in Daniel HastonContinue

September 13 2025

Hastons in Early Van Buren County, TN Court Minutes – 1845-1849

Hastons in Court – The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly 152 Entries Links will be activated when the posts have been published. 1840-1844 1845-1849 1850-54 1855-1859 1860-1866 (From TSLA – Van Buren County, TN MF Roll #14) Year of 1845 Page Name Description 139 David Haston J.P. – county court (January term) 140 ArthurContinue

September 5 2025

Hastons in Early Van Buren County, TN Court Minutes – 1840-1844

Hastons in Court – The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly 139 Entries Links will be activated when the posts have been published. 1840-1844 1845-1849 1850-54 1855-1859 1860-1866 (From TSLA – Van Buren County, TN MF Roll #14) Year of 1840 Page Name Summary 1 Isham B. Haston He was one of the original JusticesContinue

August 30 2025

Big Fork Cemetery – Repairs and Improvements (August 2025)

Honoring the 389 Local Folks Buried in This 200+ Year Old Graveyard Haston – Cummings – Stipes – Crawley – Shockley – Moore – Madewell – Denney – Whitley – Creely – Huddleston – Others Thanks to Jean Ann Haston Hall and her Crew – Rickie and Angel Branscum, Jared Stafford, and Jacob Byford. PleaseContinue

August 23 2025

1894 – Hastons in the News

1894 – Interesting Facts and Stories About Our Earlier Cousins Thanks to the “now” online availability of historical newspapers, we can learn interesting facts and stories about some of our Haston relatives, especially the ones who lived in communities where there were newspapers that have been digitized and become accessible through the Internet. I focusContinue

August 20 2025

Claire Aufrance – Historical Achievement

NC Appraisal Board Claire has been a member of the Daniel Haston Family Association Core Leadership Team from the beginning of the association. One day, 20+ years ago, I received an email from Claire which said something like this, “I am a descendant of Jeremiah Haston, who was the son of Daniel Haston.” And sheContinue

August 9 2025

William Haston – Kansas City, MO Gunfight

Jealousy + Alcohol + Guns = Bloodshed William Carl Haston Daniel Haston > Isaac Haston/Hastin > William Carroll Hastin > Oliver Hazard Perry Hastin > William Carl Haston. William Carl Haston, the shooter in this incident, was the grandson of William Carroll Haston/Hastin, who died in Cass Township of Greene County, MO, in August 1845Continue

July 26 2025

1893 – Hastons in the News

1893 – Interesting Facts and Stories About Our Earlier Cousins Thanks to the “now” online availability of historical newspapers, we can learn interesting facts and stories about some of our Haston relatives, especially the ones who lived in communities where there were newspapers that have been digitized and become accessible through the Internet. I focusContinue

July 19 2025

1891-1892 Hastons in the News

1891-1892 – Interesting Facts and Stories About Our Earlier Cousins Thanks to the “now” online availability of historical newspapers, we can learn interesting facts and stories about some of our Haston relatives, especially the ones who lived in communities where there were newspapers that have been digitized and become accessible through the Internet. Continue

July 12 2025

1886-1890 Hastons in the News

1886-1890 – Interesting Facts and Stories About Our Earlier Cousins Thanks to the “now” online availability of historical newspapers, we can learn interesting facts and stories about some of our Haston relatives, especially the ones who lived in communities where there were newspapers that have been digitized and become accessible through the Internet. I focusContinue

July 4 2025

Haston – John Grady

1943 – 2015 Parents: John T. Haston and Josie L Hitchcock Haston John Grady Haston Rank and Branch of Military SSGT (Staff Sergeant, E-6) Marine Corps Years of Service 1961-1971 = 10 years, 7 months, & 4 days Locations of Training, Deployment, and Service Basic Training at Parris Island, S.C. Third Recruit Battalion Platoon 323Continue

June 28 2025

1881-1885 Hastons in the News

1881-1885 – Interesting Facts and Stories About Our Earlier Cousins Thanks to the “now” online availability of historical newspapers, we can learn interesting facts and stories about some of our Haston relatives, especially the ones who lived in communities where there were newspapers that have been digitized and become accessible through the Internet. IContinue

June 21 2025

Hastons in the News – 1876-1880

1876-1880 – Interesting Facts and Stories About Our Earlier Cousins Thanks to the “now” online availability of historical newspapers, we can learn interesting facts and stories about some of our Haston relatives, especially the ones who lived in communities where there were newspapers that have been digitized and become accessible through the Internet. IContinue

June 6 2025

Hastons in the News – 1866-1875

1866-1875 – Interesting Facts and Stories Previously Unknown Following the Civil War, there was a rapid increase in the number of newspapers. And descendants of Daniel Haston continued to migrate westward, in areas where newspapers were published. Thanks to the “now” online availability of historical newspapers, we can learn interesting facts and stories about someContinue

May 24 2025

Hastons in the News –

200+ Years of Hastons in Newspapers 1800-1865 Subscription to Newspaper.com required to open the newsletters. Exception: Genealogybank.com required for the 1833 article If you appreciated this article, please share it with others who might also enjoy it. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print Order Copies of the Book – Or, See More Information and Preview theContinue

May 10 2025

Planning a Hiestand Tour in Canton Zurich, Switzerland

Visit the Original Homeland of Your Hiestand (Haston) Ancestors Historical Background for Your Hiestand Tour in Switzerland This book contains 100+ pages (Chapters 2, 3, and 4) of historical background that will make your Hiestand visit to Switzerland MUCH more meaningful, plus nearly 300 pages of additional information on the early Hiestand family in RhinelandContinue

May 9 2025

Haston – William Lester, Sr.

1892 – 1923 William Lester Haston, Senior Rank and Branch of Military Private 1st Class, U.S. Army Years of Service May 24, 1918 – September 25, 1919 Locations of Training, Deployment, and Service Basic training at Camp Jackson, South Carolina, after induction – less than three months of training. Embarked for overseas on July 30,Continue

May 3 2025

Elwood Haston WW2 Rolex

Elwood Haston’s WW2 Wrist Watch World War II Rolex Watches Composed by Vincent Deschamps In a few of the articles I’ve written on the subject of WWII watches I mentioned that Switzerland remained neutral during World War II and that many of the brands we now cherish made watches for both the Allied and AxisContinue

April 26 2025

Heritage of Daniel Hiestand-Haston Book Review

Book Review – The Swiss-German Heritage of Daniel Hiestand-Haston Order Copies of the Book – Or, See More Information and Preview the Contents If you appreciated this article, please share it with others who might also enjoy it. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print Order Copies of the Book – Or, See More Information and PreviewContinue

April 18 2025

Confederate Brigadier General Philip Dale Roddy

Probable Nephew of David and Peggy RODDY Haston Background On January 19, 1805 the Knox County, TN Court: “Ordered that Philip Roddy as orphan now at the age of fourteen years be bound apprentice to John Webb until he arrives at the age of twenty-one years, and agreeably to the said order, Indentures are executedContinue

April 12 2025

Haston History Books – Library Distribution Project

Haston History Book to Every Place Daniel Haston Descendants Live or Have Lived Haston History Book to Libraries Project Best option: We will ship the book to you if you will hand-deliver it to the library. But (for our records) let us know the name and address of the library. Complete the Form Below PleaseContinue

April 4 2025

Some Famous Early Americans Our Hiestands and Hastons Were Associated With – Part 2

Famous Early Americans Our Hastons Met and Knew, Part 2 General/President Andrew Jackson (1767-1845) Daniel Haston’s paths may have crossed Andrew Jackson’s multiple times in Upper East, TN, and afterward in Knoxville, TN. They were contemporaries in Washington County, TN, in the 1780s, 1788 for sure. Even after Jackson moved to Nashville, in MiddleContinue

March 29 2025

Some Famous Early Americans Our Hiestands and Hastons Were Associated With

Famous Early Americans Our Hastons Met and Knew, Part 1 John Sevier (1745-1815) Daniel Haston and other members of the Hiestand family may have met and known John Sevier while they were living in northern Virginia. Sevier was approximately five years older than Daniel Hiestand/Haston and grew up just over the Massanutten Mountain from theContinue

March 22 2025

Abraham Hestand’s Survey and the Tebbs Bend Battle of the Civil War

In 1799, 100 Acres Were Surveyed for Abraham Hiestand/Hestand 64 Years Later (July 4, 1863) the Battle of Tebbs Bend, KY Was Fought There Daniel and Abraham Hiestand – Post Virginia Daniel Hiestand/Haston left Virginia with his older brother, Abraham, in about 1783. They journeyed to what is now Upper East Tennessee, near Jonesborough inContinue

March 15 2025

Our 300th Blog Post

Our 300th Blog Post/Article – Browse All of Them March 22 2025 Abraham Hestand’s Survey and the Tebbs Bend Battle of the Civil WarIn 1799, 100 Acres Were Surveyed for Abraham Hiestand/Hestand 64 Years Later (July 4, 1863) the Battle of Tebbs Bend, KY Was Fought There Daniel and Abraham Hiestand – Post Virginia DanielContinue

March 8 2025

Cowboy Missionary to Chickasaw Indians – Nathan Lorenza Haston

Cowboy Missionaries to Chickasaw Indians Part 1 – Nathan Lorenza Haston My first cousin three times removed. -Wayne Haston Missionary Brothers Willard Durham Haston’s Link will be activated when his page is published. Nathan Lorenza Haston Willard Durham Haston Nathan Lorenza Haston was born in Van Buren County, TN in 1849. His parents were WileyContinue

March 1 2025

Online Flipbook – The Story of the Daniel Haston Family

Use the full-screen icon (last icon on the right, above) to get a larger view. Then, use the Escape keyboard key to return to this view. Sample – 74 pages from the 484 pages of The Story of the Daniel Haston Family Before you choose a shipping option, be aware that… Local Pickup option is onlyContinue

February 19 2025

Estelle Haston’s Family History Notebook

210 Pages of Haston Family History – Years of Work, Free to You You will need to be patient in downloading. This is a big book. Download – Estelle Haston’s Haston Family History Notebook – FREE Tributes to David Rhea Haston and Estelle Haston Family Research Materials Amassed by David and Estelle Through 20+ YearsContinue

February 15 2025

Basic DNA Seminar – 2024 Haston Family Reunion

Answering Basic Questions About DNA Research https://youtu.be/qDBXbHwvw2I Wayne Haston Interviews Darvin Martin, DNA Expert from Pennsylvania July 2024 – Daniel Haston Family Association Reunion If you appreciated this article, please share it with others who might also enjoy it. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print Order Copies of the Book – Or, See More Information andContinue

February 6 2025

06 – James Thomas Haston-Hasting & Clan to Yell County, Arkansas

James Thomas Haston/Hasting Clan to Arkansas Links will be activated when the posts are written and published. Introduction to Yell County, AR and the Tennessee Hastons Who Moved There Wiley B. and Mary Durham Haston G.M. “Doc” and Margaret Haston Shepherd Malinda Haston Howard, Widow of William Howard Amanda Haston Dale, Widow of William LeonardContinue

February 1 2025

04 – Civil War Widow – Amanda Haston Dale to Yell County, AR

Another Widowed Haston Woman – to Yell County, AR Links will be activated when the posts are written and published. Introduction to Yell County, AR and the Tennessee Hastons Who Moved There Wiley B. and Mary Durham Haston G.M. “Doc” and Margaret Haston Shepherd Malinda Haston Howard, Widow of William Howard Amanda Haston Dale, WidowContinue

January 25 2025

03 – Malinda Haston Howard, Widow of William Howard

Widow Malinda, Moved Her Family to Yell County, Arkansasd Links will be activated when the posts are written and published. Introduction to Yell County, AR and the Tennessee Hastons Who Moved There Wiley B. and Mary Durham Haston G.M. “Doc” and Margaret Haston Shepherd Malinda Haston Howard, Widow of William Howard Amanda Haston Dale, WidowContinue

January 18 2025

05 – Green Madison “Doc” and Margaret Ann Haston Shepherd

G.M. “Doc” and Margaret Ann Haston Shepherd Links will be activated when the posts are written and published. Introduction to Yell County, AR and the Tennessee Hastons Who Moved There Wiley B. and Mary Durham Haston G.M. “Doc” and Margaret Haston Shepherd Malinda Haston Howard, Widow of William Howard Amanda Haston Dale, Widow of WilliamContinue

January 10 2025

Sparta, TN – One Vote Shy of Becoming the State Capital?

Did Sparta, TN Almost Become the Capital of Tennessee? All of us old-timers who grew up in White County, Tennessee, have heard the story about Sparta coming one vote short of becoming the capital of Tennessee. The story usually goes on to say that the needed vote was “sold” for a drink of whiskey. Well,Continue

December 28 2024

Share Your Best Haston-Related Family Story

Every Family Has Stories – Share One of Yours With Us What Kinds of Stories? Meritorious Military service Outstanding achievements Unusual events Victims of major crime Historical backgrounds Humorous happenings Incidents of significant bravery Mysterious event Unique family lore passed down in your family Genealogical questions that have perplexed your family Other type of storyContinue

December 18 2024

Hannah Brooke Haston – University of Tennessee

Hanna Has the Haston Leadership-DNA Hannah Haston, daughter of David and Laura Haston of Dandridge, TN, is a Junior at the University of Tennessee studying Business Management on a Marketing Track with a collateral in Leadership and Organizational Effectiveness. In addition to this, she is pursuing a minor in Political Science with the intention ofContinue

December 18 2024

Emma Shackleford at Union School – Grandmother of Minnie Pearl

Minnie Pearl’s Grandmother Taught at the (Old) Union School In Southern White County, TN Where Hastons & Related Family Members Attended School The only name we have of those who taught in that old house [original log building used by Union School in Hickory Valley of southern White County, TN] is that of Miss EmmaContinue

December 14 2024

02 – Wiley B. and Mary Durham Haston

First-Known Hastons to Arkansas Links will be activated when the posts are written and published. Introduction to Yell County, AR and the Tennessee Hastons Who Moved There Wiley B. and Mary Durham Haston G.M. “Doc” and Margaret Haston Shepherd Malinda Haston Howard, Widow of William Howard Amanda Haston Dale, Widow of William Leonard Dale JamesContinue

December 4 2024

01 – Yell County, Arkansas – Hastons

Yell County, Arkansas – A “Haston Place” Yell County is Arkansas’s 42nd county, formed on December 5, 1840, from portions of Scott and Pope counties. Yell County, Arkansas – Wikipedia Why Yell County, Arkansas? Why did so many descendants of Daniel Haston from the Tennessee Haston Homeland move to Yell County, Arkansas, between 1850 andContinue

November 30 2024

Deuteronomy 32:7 – We Tend to Waith Until They are Gone

“Consider the Years of Many Generations; Ask…Your Elders” In the Bible, the nation of Israel repeatedly lapsed into immorality and social chaos. Why? It was largely because the people lost contact with the past. They became so focused on the “now” that they neglected to learn about the past. They failed to ASK their parentsContinue

November 13 2024

The Haston Penny That Came Home from the Civil War Battle of Perryville, KY

The Wiley B. Haston Penney Image Source: https://warfarehistorynetwork.com/article/the-battle-of-perryville-death-on-a-dry-river/ View a 10 Minutes Animated Overview of the Battle of Perryville Email from Hoyte Cook, August 16, 2024. James Alford and Livinia Haston family, highlighting the two Perryville, KY Battle (Civil War) sons, Wiley B. and John Taylor Haston. Article 15 I closed last week while inContinue

November 9 2024

Mini-Reunion – Let Us Help

We Can Help You Have a Memorable Haston Family Reunion Would you like to have a Haston Family Reunion in your area– a reunion for your branch of the Haston and Haston-related families? Wayne will come and give some presentations on Haston family history. You will be able to ask your questions about our family’s history.Continue

November 2 2024

Can You Join the DAR or SAR

How You Can Become a Member of the DAR or SAR You must join as “Daniel Haston – a Patriot,” not as “Daniel Haston – a Veteran.” What’s the difference? Read on. Sons of the American Revolution Since 1889, the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) has honored our Revolutionary War patriot ancestors by promotingContinue

October 26 2024

Luther Haston – A Life of Crime

From Cradle to the Prison Graveyard – How He Got There Luther Haston – The Beginning and the End, Part 1 Luther Haston – Life Between the Beginning and End, Part 2 The “Dash” Between Luther Haston’s Birth and Death Dates March 7, 1900 – September 9, 1938 What was in the “DASH” of hisContinue

October 12 2024

Luther Haston – Brushy Mountain Prisoner – Part 1

What’s a Haston Doing in a Place Like This? In this post, I will tell you the story of the Beginning and End of his earthly life. In the following post, I will tell you the story of the “DASH” between the beginning and the end. Luther Haston – The Beginning and the End, PartContinue

October 12 2024

Amazon.com – Haston Family History Books

Now Available on Amazon.com Search for “Daniel Haston Books” If you appreciated this article, please share it with others who might also enjoy it. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print

October 4 2024

Civil War Sharpshooters in the Jesse Haston Family

Civil War Sharpshooters – Jesse, Jr. and Isaac Haston Sons of Jesse Haston, Sr. & Grandsons of Daniel Haston You may have read the story of William A. Haston, who served in the Mexican War. If so, you will recall that he was a son of Jesse Haston, Daniel’s son. Well, two of his brothersContinue

September 27 2024

Video Presentation – Daniel Haston Family Tree

Video Presentation – Daniel Haston’s Family Tree Wayne Haston presents the first-generation Daniel Haston Family Tree, with information on each of the nine known children of Daniel Haston, plus one other very important descendant. The presentation was given in the July 2024 All-Hastons Family Reunion. Download a Presentation Handout for Taking Notes View the VideoContinue

September 13 2024

2022-2027 Haston Family History Books Project

The Heritage, Life, and Legacy of Daniel Hiestand/Haston The 2022-2027 Hiestand/Haston Family History Books Project The Story That Led to This Project I began researching my Haston family in the fall of 1999. It started as a simple attempt to satisfy my curiosity, but it soon became a hobby, sometimes an obsessive one. I startedContinue

September 6 2024

The Big Story of the Hiestand-Haston Family Video Presentation

Video Presentation – Haston History, 600+ Years in 60 Minutes Wayne Haston traces our Hiestand-Haston history from Switzerland, beginning in 1401 when the family name first appeared in an official document. Download the Presentation Handout for Taking Notes View the Presentation – 600+ Years of Hiestand-Haston History in 60 Minutes If you appreciated this presentation,Continue

August 31 2024

WW2 Belly Gunner – Horace H. “Ace” Haston, Part 4

The Post-WWII Life of Horace “Ace” Haston Part 1 – From High School Into WW2 Part 2 – Role of Belly Turrent Gunner Part 3 – The Critical Battle of Morotai Part 4 – Post-War Life Back in Tennessee Post-War Life of Horace Haston as Told by Daughter, Alice Haston Norton When the war wasContinue

August 24 2024

Battle of Morotai – Horace H. “Ace” Haston, Part 3

“Ace” Haston Opens Up About His Experiences as a B-24 Belly Gunner Part 1 – From High School Into WW2 Part 2 – Role of Belly Turrent Gunner Part 3 – The Critical Battle of Morotai Part 4 – Post-War Life Back in Tennessee His Story as Told by Daughter, Alice Haston Norton Dad andContinue

August 11 2024

WW2 Belly Gunner – Horace H. “Ace” Haston, Part 2 – Duplicate – [#41530]

The “Ace” on a WWII Heavy Bomber Crew for 13 Missions Part 1 – From High School Into WW2 Part 2 – Role of Belly Turrent Gunner Part 3 – The Critical Battle of Morotai Part 4 – Post-War Life Back in Tennessee His Story as Told by Daughter, Alice Haston Norton Horace “Ace” Haston,Continue

August 2 2024

WW2 Belly Gunner – Horace H. “Ace” Haston, Part 1

The “Ace” on a WW II Heavy Bomber Crew for 13 Missions Horace H. Haston: December 4, 1925 – April 15, 2020 He was a student at Central High School in Chattanooga, TN when the attack on Pearl Harbor happened. He told me, “Everybody was so patriotic, and were all so mad.” In 1944 heContinue

July 4 2024

2024 Reunion – Old Family Photos and Heirlooms

Two Reunion Interest Centers – Old Family Photos & Heirlooms These treasures will be labeled and placed on interest center tables. We have learned that these old family photos and heirlooms are some of the most attention-getting features of a family reunion. During some of the main “Mix and Mingle” sessions, you may want toContinue

June 27 2024

John E. Haston – Bledsoe County, TN Family

John E. Haston Families – Bledsoe County, TN Reconnected to Tennessee Pioneer Daniel Haston This may be (but not for sure) the grave of John E. Haston, in a line with his grandson or great-grandson? Howard T., daughter Dora, and wife Mary E., in the Seals Cemetery on the Cumberland Mountain in Bledsoe County, TN).Continue

June 15 2024

Our Pre-Daniel Haston European Roots

New Release – Book 1 of a 4-Part Series The Heritage of Daniel Haston – His Swiss Ancestors and the Experiences that Drove His Father to America Book 1 (Heritage) of a 4 part series – The Heritage, Life, and Legacy of Daniel Haston My 2022 book, The Story of the Daniel Haston Family, wasContinue

May 25 2024

Haston – Edward Earl

In Baumholder, Germany Edward Earl Haston 1932 – 2002 Obituary Grave Rank and Branch of Military Corporal, Army Years of Service 1951 – 1954 Locations of Training, Deployment, and Service Baumholder, Germany Wartime Theaters of Assignment and Major Battles Korean War Relationship to the Daniel Haston Family Descended through David Haston, Daniel’s son Other InformationContinue

May 25 2024

Haston – Fred Marion

1915 – 2000 Dr. Fred Marion Haston, Sr. Rank and Branch of Military Army Air Corps – Captain (perhaps Major prior to discharge) We know he was a Captain for sure (can see his Captain’s bars on his picture). I think he may have been promoted to Major prior to being discharged because I foundContinue

May 3 2024

Part 3 – Search for the Man Who Killed Revenue Agent Hugh Lowery

Part 3 – In Search of a Bootlegging Cop Killer Part 1 – The Shooting Death Part 2 – The Shooter, Ernest Price Part 3 – The Search for Ernest Price One of Daniel Haston’s G-G-G Granddaughters played a major role in the post-shooting drama. I will tell you some things about what happened toContinue

April 26 2024

Part 2 – Ernest Price, the Man Who Shot Hugh Lowery

Part 2 – The Man Behind the Trigger on April 23, 2024 Part 1 – The Shooting Death Part 2 – The Shooter, Ernest Price Part 3 – The Search for Ernest Price One of Daniel Haston’s G-G-G Granddaughters played a major role in the post-shooting drama. In Part 3, I will tell you someContinue

April 19 2024

Part 1 – Shooting Death of Revenue Officer, Hugh Lowery

Part 1 – Deadly Encounter With Bootleggers in White County, TN Part 1 – The Shooting Death Part 2 – The Shooter, Ernest Price Part 3 – The Search for Ernest Price One of Daniel Haston’s G-G-G Granddaughters played a major role in the post-shooting drama. 100 Years Ago – A White County, TN MurderContinue

April 17 2024

Spencer Town Spring

The Site That Became Spencer, TN Baptismal pool at the town spring in Spencer, TN in about 1915-17. The woman is Inez Woodlee Isom. -Photo provided by Marr Temples Original Name of the Site that Became Spencer, Tennessee On Monday, April 6, 1840, Van Buren County Court met for the first time. At that time, noContinue

April 13 2024

4 – Major General Max Haston National Guard Armory

A Special Day Honoring Our Cousin, Max Haston I wish every Haston-related man, woman, boy & girl in the USA could have been present today. It would have made you (and them) proud to be a part of this wonderful family. Boyhood Beginnings ROTC to Major General TN Adjutant General Armory Dedication If you appreciatedContinue

April 12 2024

3 – David Haston & Family in White County, TN

230-Plus Events in the Life of David Haston, Phase 3 Pre-Marriage Life Early Marriage in Knox County, TN White County, TN Years Van Buren County, TN Years Pre-Marriage Life Early Marriage in Knox County, TN White County, TN Years Van Buren County, TN Years If you appreciated this article, please share it with others whoContinue

April 12 2024

Joseph Haston Family Timeline

Joseph Haston Family Timeline Another Article of Interest to Descendants of Joseph Haston Some Key Events in the Life and Family of Joseph Haston – Daniel Haston’s 2nd Son The 75+ Events Timeline If you appreciated this article, please share it with others who might also enjoy it. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print Order CopiesContinue

April 12 2024

1938 Murder of Charles Gordon Haston

Murder by Shotgun Blasts in the Face & the Back Then Beaten in the Head with the Stock of the Shotgun My first cousin once removed whom I never met and never knew existed until 80+ years after he was murdered. The Haston Lineage of Charles Gordon Haston It’s ironic that people who knew GordonContinue

March 30 2024

3 – Major General Max Haston, TN Adjutant General

40 Years of Service to Our Country & the State of Tennessee And Max Has Made a Significant Contribution to the “Haston” Name “He made a difference and he went out making a difference.” Boyhood Beginnings ROTC to Major General TN Adjutant General Armory Dedication If you want to know more about Max–his leadership philosophyContinue

March 27 2024

2 – Max Haston, From the ROTC to a Major General

Max’s Development as Military Leader Boyhood Beginnings ROTC to Major General TN Adjutant General Armory Dedication MTSU Forrest Raiders, Military Ball, 1978-79 (Max is front row, far right.) MTSU ROTC Cadets Max Haston and Mark Ferrell,1977-78 Middle TN State University Commissioning Service MTSU Commissioning with Parents and Wife, Anne LT Haston, Platoon Leader, Fort Hood,Continue

March 14 2024

Major General Max Haston National Guard Armory

Congratulations, Max! Thank You For Your Service. This new National Guard Armory near McMinnville, TN will be dedicated to honor our cousin, Major General (retired) Max Haston. â€œIt takes the sun and the stars to align just right to get an armory.â€ -A Max Haston “Maxism” From the time the process began, it took moreContinue

March 8 2024

4 – David Haston and Family in Van Buren County, TN

230-Plus Events in the Life of David Haston, Phase 4 Pre-Marriage Life Early Marriage in Knox County, TN White County, TN Years Van Buren County, TN Years David Haston’s Estate Sale – July 2, 1860, Recorded in Court I.T. Haston admin of David Haston A sale bill of the personal property sold by me asContinue

March 8 2024

David Haston’s Transfer of Land to Son Wm. Carroll Haston

David Haston – Passing His Land to the Next Generation With Links to Other David Haston Stories David Haston purchased two 50 acre tracts, then inherited another 50 acres from his father, Daniel. Later, Davis acquired two more tracts of land. David Haston Stories David Haston – Timeline of His Life David Haston Marries aContinue

March 7 2024

David Haston’s Spencer Town Lots

David Haston – First Owner of Spencer, TN Town Lot #44 And Six More David Haston was the first owner of Spencer, TN town lots #44 & 45. He sold Lot #44 to the Church of Christ in 1853. Van Buren County, Tennessee was formed early in 1840. During the September 1841 term of theContinue

March 6 2024

Major General Terry “Max” Haston – Part 1

The Boyhood Beginnings of an Army Major General Baby Max with parents, Jerry Dean and Bettye Claire Woodlee Haston Boyhood Beginnings ROTC to Major General TN Adjutant General Armory Dedication Ancestral Line Back to Henry Hiestand, Immigrant Ancestor I strongly encourage you to view the obituaries of Max’s parents and be sure to watch theContinue

March 2 2024

Caney Fork of the Cumberland – Book

A River of Importance to the Early Daniel Haston Family Arthur Weir Crouch, Author TN State Library & Archives (TSLA) Accession #’s 73-88 and Library of Congress # MS 69-1891 Go to the Book Balsam Range performing â€˜Caney Fork Riverâ€˜ in Studio B on September 25, 2015 If you like good blue grass music, IContinue

February 23 2024

The Haston Homeland

Three Counties in Middle Tennessee – The Haston Homeland People often ask me a question like this, “My Haston great-grandfather came from White (or Warren, or Van Buren) County, TN, are we related?” My immediate response, without asking any questions: “Yes, definitely.” In fact, the odds are very goodÂ if you have “Haston” in your ancestry,Continue

February 17 2024

July 26-27, 2024 All-Hastons Family Reunion

Bringing Together Haston Kinfolk from All Over the USA Some of Daniel Haston’s descendants morphed the name into Hastain, Hastin, Hasting, Hastings, and other variant spellings, but he (Daniel Haston) is our first generation-to-America ancestor. In July 2022 the first-ever Daniel Haston All-USA Family Reunion was held in the “Haston Homeland” (Southern White County, TN). Continue

January 31 2024

Murder of Grace Haston Rittenour

Stabbed 22 Times With a Screwdriver My “Uncle Arthur” and “Aunt Grace” (Haston) Rittenour Aunt Grace was one of my father’s (Boyd Haston’s) sisters.Â Because she and Uncle Arthur lived in Akron, Ohio and our family remained in Tennessee, I never knew them as well as I wanted.Â But my memories of her are special–sheContinue

January 27 2024

EARLY is the Time To Get Children Started in Family History

Help Your Children and Grandchildren Learn to Love Their Family’s History Part 3 – “Five More Tips” will be posted next week.Â Stay tuned! Part 1 – Getting Children Interested Part 2 – Five Tips Part 3 – Five More Tips For children, genealogy can be just as incredible a way to find meaning andContinue

January 12 2024

How to Get Your Children Interested in Family History

Getting Them Started Early to Appreciate Family History Part 3 – “Five More Tips” will be posted next week.Â Stay tuned! Part 1 – Getting Children Interested Part 2 – Five Tips Part 3 – Five More Tips How many times have I heard adults who are interested in their family’s history say, “My kidsContinue

January 6 2024

Hastons – A Family of Early Tennessee Pioneers

The Daniel Haston Family – Pioneer Tennessee Settlers More Than a Decade Before Tennessee Became a State Daniel Haston was truly an American pioneer in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, East Tennessee, but even more so in what became Middle Tennessee–White County in particular. Wayne Haston Daniel Haston and his family were American pioneers, inContinue

December 30 2023

Duncan – Gary G.

Brothers 1940 – 2023 Gary Gene Duncan Rank and Branch of Military E-3, United States Marine Corps Years of Service 1958 – 1962 Locations of Training, Deployment, and Service Camp Pendleton, & Barstow CA, Okinawa, Japan Relationship to the Daniel Haston Family Descended through Isaac Haston/Hastings – Son of Daniel Haston Other Information About theContinue

December 14 2023

1923 Status – Counties of Tennessee

100 Years Ago – Status of Middle Tennessee Counties Politically, Tennessee is divided into three Grand Divisions–East Tennessee, Middle Tennessee, and West Tennessee.Â The counties of East Tennessee are Anderston, Bledsoe, Blount, Bradley, Campbell, Carter, Claiborne, Cocke, Cumberland, Grainger, Greene, Hamblen, Hamilton, Hancock, Hawkins, Jefferson, Johnson, Knox, Loudon, Marion, McMinn, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Polk, Rhea,Continue

December 6 2023

3 – David Haston & Family in White County, TN

230-Plus Events in the Life of David Haston, Phase 3 Links will be activated one per week – Van Buren County Years will be activated soon. Pre-Married Life Early Married Life in Knox County, TN White County, TN Years Van Buren County, TN Years If you appreciated this article, please share it with others whoContinue

December 3 2023

Our Hiestand/Haston Connection to a Musical Superstar

Bert Kaempfert on a Historic Swiss Hiestand Farm If you were listening to popular music in the 1960s-1970s, you may not remember his name, but you will remember his music–Bert Kaempfert.Â Mr. Kaempfert was not one of our Hiestand relatives, but at the height of his success and fame, he was living and composing musicContinue

December 2 2023

Charles Lynn Haston, Sr.

Charles Lynn Haston, Sr. From a White County, TN Farm to a Leader in Tennessee Higher Education From a White County, TN farming family to a Vice President of Middle Tennessee State University and other leadership roles in Tennessee higher education, Lynn Haston has lived a very full and productive life. Beginning as a seven-year-oldContinue

November 24 2023

After Whom Was White County, TN Really Named?

Is the Information on this Historical Marker correct? Was John White the First Settler of White County, TN? And Was White County, TN Named to Honor Him? The most common tradition is that the county was named for John White, a Revolutionary War veteran from Virginia and an early settler in White County.Â Monroe Seals,Continue

November 10 2023

The Haston Family Tree – From Roots to Shoots

The Story of the Daniel Haston Family Visualized Telling Our Haston Family Story – From Bottom to Top Our Daniel Haston family story is rather simple. It can be told in four steps, and clarified with a bit of explanation at each step. First – Our European roots are in Switzerland. Our original family nameContinue

October 28 2023

The Centuries-Old Mystery of Daniel Haston’s Mother

Clues to the Identity of Daniel Haston’s Mother A Centuries-Old Mystery The family of Henrich Hiestand has been thoroughly researched for many years, but the identity of his wife has never been conclusively determined. However, if you dig very deeply into Henrich Hiestand family research you will find that there has been no lack ofContinue

October 20 2023

Samuel Haston and Mary Lowry – Lost Son of Daniel?

Samuel Haston – A Lost Son of Daniel Haston? Daniel Haston’s grandson, William Carroll Haston, said his grandfather had 13 children. Whether or not that was accurate, I do not know. Even if it was accurate, how many of those children lived to become adults–old enough to appear in public records? There are nine childrenContinue

October 14 2023

2023 Pacific Northwest Haston Reunion

Our First Daniel Haston Family Association Regional Reunion Portland, Oregon Our first Daniel Haston Family Association-sponsored regional (mini) reunion was held in Portland, Oregon on Friday evening, September 29, and all day Saturday, September 30.Â The Friday evening event was very informal, with snacks, coffee, etc.Â For nearly four hours, the place was buzzing withContinue

October 6 2023

Haston-Hiestand Heritage Tour Book

For $10 You Can Virtually Experience Our European Heritage Tour Hiestand-Haston 2023 Heritage Tour to Switzerland and Rhineland Germany Order the Book This is an illustrated journal from the June 14-26, 2023, Heritage Tour led by Lemar and Lois Ann Mast. Join the group of 29 persons as they walked the streets of their ancestorsContinue

September 22 2023

Jeremiah Haston’s Son-in-Law Escaped Hanging but …

The Civil War Divided the Haston Family in Missouri Battle of Wilson’s Creek The August 10, 1861 Battle of Wilson’s Creek was the first major Civil War battle west of the Mississippi River.Â It was fought just a few miles southwest of Springfield in Greene County, Missouri.Â Fortunately for Isaac Haston and most of hisContinue

September 9 2023

1 – David Haston – What We Know of His Pre-Marriage Life

230-Plus Events in the Life of David Haston, Phase 1 Pre-Marriage Life Early Marriage in Knox County, TN White County, TN Years Van Buren County, TN Years Pre-Marriage Life Early Marriage in Knox County, TN White County, TN Years Van Buren County, TN Years If you appreciated this article, please share it with others whoContinue

September 9 2023

2 – David Haston – Early Marriage Life

230-Plus Events in the Life of David Haston, Phase 2 Pre-Marriage Life Early Marriage in Knox County, TN White County, TN Years Van Buren County, TN Years Pre-Marriage Life Early Marriage in Knox County, TN White County, TN Years Van Buren County, TN Years If you appreciated this article, please share it with others whoContinue

September 8 2023

Meeting of Haston Cousins in the Pacific Northwest

Meeting Our Cousins in & from the Pacific Northwest As Well as Others from Around the USA Sharon and Wayne Haston Contact Carol Haston for information and to register: CarolHaston@gmail.com Descendants of Daniel Haston spread all throughout the United States.Â Many of them moved into the Pacific Northwest.Â As the Family dispersed, unfortunately, branches ofContinue

September 8 2023

Hiestand Kids Discover Marengo Cave

Daniel Haston’s GG Grand Niece and Nephew Make Amazing Discovery Indiana’s Most Visited Natural Attraction! Marengo Cave text from www.marengocave.com/ Marengo, Indiana The two kids were Hiestands, from the very same family as Daniel Hiestand/Haston–his great-great-grandniece and nephew! For more of the story about Blanche and Orris’s story of the discovery of the cave, seeContinue

August 25 2023

Maggie Chandler’s Stories

Maggie Chandler’s Stories Two sets of hearings and trials were planned, one set in the juvenile court for Ida’s daughter Thelma and another hearing and trial in the circuit court for Mrs. Ida Haston.Â But accusations and defense testimonies were a major part of Thelma’s juvenile case. Maggie Chandler’s Witness Stand Stories This case startedContinue

August 14 2023

Witnesses Come to the Defense of Mrs. Ida Haston

Witnesses Come to the Defense of Mrs. Ida Haston Two sets of hearings and trials were planned, one set in the juvenile court for Ida’s daughter Thelma and another hearing and trial in the circuit court for Mrs. Ida Haston.Â But accusations against Ida and defense testimonies in her favor were a major part ofContinue

August 14 2023

Verdicts in Thelma and Her Mother’s Cases

Verdicts in Thelma and Mrs. Ida Haston Cases Two sets of hearings and trials were planned, one set in the juvenile court for Ida’s daughter Thelma and another hearing and trial in the circuit court for Mrs. Ida Haston. But accusations against Ida and defense testimonies in her favor were a major part of Thelma’sContinue

August 13 2023

Tragic Death of William Carroll Haston, Jr.

Tragedy at the Tennessee State Capitol Building July 17, 1890 A shudder passed through the convention hall last night when the announcement was made that a man had fallen from the second story of the Capitol and killed. The Chairman of the White County delegation was called for, as the victim was one of hisContinue

August 11 2023

Ida Haston’s “House of Depravity”?

Mrs. Ida Haston Charged With Prostituting Teenage Girls Who Was Mrs. Ida Haston? Mrs. Ida [Gattis] Haston was the wife of Richmond Irvin Haston, apparently often known by his middle name as Irvin Haston.Â Richmond Irvin Haston was born on June 13, 1874 in Tennessee.Â According to the 1880 census for District 7 of VanContinue

August 5 2023

Schedule Your Personal Haston Heritage Tour

A Haston Heritage Tour Based On Your Family Line Back to Daniel Haston Now that we are living back in the Haston Homeland… Wayne and Sharon Haston – Now in White County, Tennessee (near where our Haston roots were firmly established in about 1804) We would love to guide you on a tour of sitesContinue

July 14 2023

We Are Moving Home

Back to the Soil of Our Haston Family Roots We are now officially homeless people. As I write this, it’s Friday, July 14, 2023. We closed on selling our house in Pennsylvania today. And we close on the purchase of a house in White County (Tennessee) on July 31, so temporarily we are homeless people,Continue

July 7 2023

Devil’s Bridge – Einsiedeln, Canton Schwyz

Devil’s Bridge – Canton Schwyz, Switzerland The world our early Swiss Hiestand lived in was filled with legends of witchcraft and devilish interactions with humans.Â Located a few miles from where our Hiestand ancestors lived was a bridge that they surely would have known about–the Devil’s Bridge.Â Our June 2023 Hiestand-Haston tour group visited thisContinue

July 1 2023

Pacific Northwest Daniel Haston Families Reunion

First Ever – Pacific Northwest Reunion of Our Family Meeting at the Wichita Avenue Evangelical Church Friday evening, September 29 (5:00-9:00 p.m.) and Saturday, September 30 (9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.) The Agenda Thursday & Friday – September 28-29 (or earlier) – Optional, come early and visit some of the local tourist sites.Â Organize yourContinue

June 12 2023

A Hidden Yankee Sword Found on a Confederate Haston Farm

The Mystery of the Civil War Yankee Officer’s Sword I wish there was more I could say about this sword, but pretty much all that is known in the Haston family is that at some point after the Civil War, a Federal officer’s story was found in a hollow tree on the farm where ConfederateContinue

June 12 2023

Your Ancestors Wanted to Be Remembered

Your Ancestors Wanted to Be Remembered “Will I be remembered?” Our daughter, Carissa, passed away on March 22, 2023. She had suffered for 29-nine years with a paralyzed digestive tract, a medical condition known as gastroparesis. She was a remarkable girl-young lady-45-year-old woman in the way she fought through pain and multiple surgeries, including aContinue

May 27 2023

White County, TN Early Tax Lists for Caney For – Cane Creek Districk

Early Land Owners and Occupants – Caney Fork and Cane Creek White County, TN (Later, Van Buren County) 1811-1815 1816-1818 1821-1825 1826-1829 1832-1836 1837-1839 If you appreciated this article, please share it with others who might also enjoy it. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print Order Copies of the Book – Or, See More Information andContinue

May 25 2023

William Lester Haston, Sr. – Part 2

William Lester Haston, Sr. – Victim of WWI Poison Gas Warfare Part 2 – Post-War Death The Story of a WWI (Haston) Veteran Who Ultimately Gave His Life for Our Country Part 1 – World War 1 Experiences Part 2 – Tragic Post-War Death We were told he was gassed while in the military andContinue

May 20 2023

Part 2 – The Kin Maynard Murder Trial

Part 2 – The Kin Maynard Murder Trial Part 1 – The Killing of Woodville Haston Part 2 – Kin Maynard, Guilty or Not Guilty? After his initial arrest and preliminary hearing in Van Buren County, Kin Maynard escaped and fled to Texas, where he lived for more than a year before being arrested again.Continue

May 3 2023

Ground Penetrating Radar Project – Big Fork Historic Cemetery, Inc.

February 2023 Ground Penetrating Radar Project Incorporation of the Cemetery Big Fork Baptist Church One of the first major efforts in a renewed and enhanced plan to restore and preserve the historic Big Fork Cemetery was a Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) mapping project (February 2023) to determine how many burials occurred in the cemetery andContinue

April 25 2023

Big Fork Historic Cemetery – Incorporation

Incorporation of the Big Fork Historic Cemetery Ground Penetrating Radar Mapping Big Fork Baptist Church Along a dead-end road in northern Van Buren County, an area of White County until the 1840 formation of Van Buren County, lies Big Fork Cemetery, a historic burying ground that is out of sight and mostly out of mind,Continue

March 25 2023

Carissa Renee Haston – Her Story of Suffering and Faith

The Life of Carissa Haston – Her Joys, Sufferings, & Faith Carissa Renee Haston, age 45, of New Cumberland, PA passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 22, 2023, surrounded by her Mom and Dad, two sisters, Faith and Celeste, and Faithâ€™s husband, Ben. She was born on October 28, 1977, in Chattanooga, Tennessee, to WayneContinue

March 18 2023

Jesse Haston Family Court Records

Jesse Haston Family Court Records – Missouri Jesse Haston Family, Part 1 Jesse Haston Family, Part 2 Early Deeds Associated with the Jesse Haston Family – Howard County, MissouriMicrofilm Reel C-2780 – Deeds, Volumes 1 & 2 (1816-1879) Grantee Grantor Book Page Notes Deed Index, Volume 1 (1816-1852) â€“ Microfilm Reel C-2780 Jesse Haston Benj.Continue

February 25 2023

1816-1818 White County, TN Tax Lists – Caney Fork and Cane Creek Area

1816-1818 Tax Book – Cane Creek & Caney Fork Militia District 1811-1815 1816-1818 1821-1825 1826-1829 1832-1836 1837-1839 Important Notes: Page numbers are .pdf page numbers from the CD,Â White Co, TN Deeds. Transcribed spellings may not be accurate in every case, due to the difficulty of reading the original text. If you have information to correctContinue

February 25 2023

1826-1829 White County, TN Tax Lists – Caney Fork and Cane Creek Area

1826-1829 Tax Book – Cane Creek & Caney Fork Militia District 1811-1815 1816-1818 1821-1825 1826-1829 1832-1836 1837-1839 Important Notes: Page numbers are .pdf page numbers from the CD,Â White Co, TN Deeds. Transcribed spellings may not be accurate in every case, due to the difficulty of reading the original text. If you have information to correctContinue

February 25 2023

1832-1836 White County, TN Tax Lists – Caney Fork and Cane Creek Area

1832-1836 Tax Book – Cane Creek & Caney Fork Militia District 1811-1815 1816-1818 1821-1825 1826-1829 1832-1836 1837-1839 Important Notes: Page numbers are .pdf page numbers from the CD, White Co, TN Deeds. Transcribed spellings may not be accurate in every case, due to the difficulty of reading the original text. If you have information to correctContinue

February 25 2023

1821-1825 White County, TN Tax Lists – Caney Fork and Cane Creek Area

1821-1825 Tax Book – Cane Creek & Caney Fork Militia District 1811-1815 1816-1818 1821-1825 1826-1829 1832-1836 1837-1839 Important Notes: Page numbers are .pdf page numbers from the CD,Â White Co, TN Deeds. Transcribed spellings may not be accurate in every case, due to the difficulty of reading the original text. If you have information to correctContinue

February 25 2023

1837-1839 White County, TN Tax Lists – Caney Fork and Cane Creek Area

1837-1839 Tax Book – Cane Creek & Caney Fork Civil District 1811-1815 1816-1818 1821-1825 1826-1829 1832-1836 1837-1839 Important Notes: Page numbers are .pdf page numbers from the CD,Â White Co, TN Deeds. Transcribed spellings may not be accurate in every case, due to the difficulty of reading the original text. If you have information to correctContinue

February 25 2023

1811-1815 White County, TN Tax Lists – Caney Fork and Cane Creek Area

1811-1815 Tax Book – Cane Creek & Caney Fork Militia District 1811-1815 1816-1818 1821-1825 1826-1829 1832-1836 1837-1839 Important Notes: Page numbers are .pdf page numbers from the CD,Â White Co, TN Deeds. Transcribed spellings may not be accurate in every case, due to the difficulty of reading the original text. If you have information to correctContinue

February 25 2023

200th Posted Article on Haston History and Related Topics

200 Posts and Counting – With Many More to Come Browse through the Entire Collection And Many, Many More! What Haston-Related People, Family Lines, or Topics Would You Like to Know More About? If you appreciated this article, please share it with others who might also enjoy it. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print Order CopiesContinue

February 16 2023

Haston Big Spring – alias Swamp Spring

How BIG is the Haston Big Spring Branch When the Hastons moved (late 1803 or early 1804) to what became White County, TN in 1806, Daniel Haston located his cabin on a hill above the emergence (springhead) of what was then called “the Big Spring Branch.” It soon became known as the “Haston Big Spring.” Continue

February 11 2023

If It Is Not Documented

Basic Rule of Recording History = Valid Documentation! The “Beyond Family Lore” Series Three Stages of Haston Research Seven Inaccuracies in Haston Genealogies If It Ain’t Documented, it Ain’t History Wayne’s Rant As a Ph.D. student at the University of Tennessee, I was required to take a collection of courses on how to conduct credibleContinue

February 9 2023

Hasting – Howard Hillman

1905 – 2003 Howard Hillman Hasting, Sr. 1960 Army Register, Vol. 1, Page 457 Rank and Branch of Military Colonel, U.S. Army Years of Service Graduate of the United States Military Academy, West Point in 1928. Separated from the armed service in 1931, he practiced law in Arkansas until he was recalled to duty afterContinue

February 2 2023

Seven Major Errors in Early Haston Genealogy Documents

Seven Major Errors in Early Haston Genealogical Documents The “Beyond Family Lore” Series Three Stages of Haston Research Seven Inaccuracies in Haston Genealogies If It Ain’t Documented, it Ain’t History There is much to appreciate about Haston family members of earlier generations who sincerely sought to discover and record the history of Daniel Haston’s massiveContinue

February 1 2023

Part 1 – The Killing of Woodville Haston

Part 1 – The Killing of Woodville Haston Part 1 – The Killing of Woodville Haston Part 2 – Kin Maynard, Guilty or Not Guilty? December 17, 1897 – Woodville Haston Shot and Killed Nashville Banner – December 21, 1897, page 4 The above article says “Maynard’s horse returned without its rider,” but that isContinue

February 1 2023

Haston – Richard Dale

1924 – 2010 Richard Dale Haston Rank and Branch of Military E-6, Navy Years of Service 1941-1945 Locations of Training, Deployment, and Service RTC San Diego, CA – Served aboard the USS Hammondsport AKV-2 Military Schools Attended Anti Aircraft Training Center – San Diego, CA 2nd and 3rd endorsements – June 1944 Wartime Theaters ofContinue

January 31 2023

Haston – Howard D.

1947 – Howard D. Haston Rank and Branch of Military Navy, E-5 Years of Service 1965 – 1971 Locations of Training, Deployment, and Service Machinist Mate “A” School – NTC Great Lakes, Illinois to Naval Nuclear Power School ( Phase I ) at Mare Island, Vallejo, CA to Nuclear Power Training Unit ( Phase IIContinue

January 31 2023

William Lester Haston – Victim of WWI Gas Warfare

William Lester Haston, Sr. – Victim of WWI Poison Gas Warfare Part 1 – Military Service The Story of a WWI (Haston) Veteran Who Ultimately Gave His Life for Our Country Part 1 – World War 1 Experiences Part 2 – Tragic Post-War Death Not all soldiers who give their lives for our country dieContinue

January 19 2023

1890 Northern Van Buren County, TN

1890 – Key Features of Interest to Hastons & Many Other Families This map was created about 86 years after Daniel Haston settled on the Big Spring Branch in what became the Cummingsville community.Â Daniel’s son, David Haston, died only 30 years prior to the map’s creation.Â The natural geographical features are the same asContinue

January 18 2023

Three Stage of Daniel Haston Family Research

The Evolution of Research on the Daniel Haston Family Three Stages of Haston Research Seven Inaccuracies in Haston Genealogies If It Ain’t Documented, it Ain’t History I don’t know when members of the Daniel Haston FAMILY began to develop an interest in discovering the historical story of Daniel Haston’s life and ancestry.Â I can imagineContinue

January 13 2023

Haston Family Mini-Reunions

Let Us Help You Organize & Promote Your Haston Mini-Reunion As I got older, the reunions became rarer and much smaller in attendance. The older folks who did all of the organizing were passing away, and the younger family members were not interested in keeping these gathering going. By the time I was finishing highContinue

December 24 2022

Slicker War in Missouri

The Slicker War of Missouri And the Family of Isham Bradley, Friend of the Haston Family “Isham Hobbs was a noted character, and probably the worst desperado ever on the borders.” Isham Hobbs (probably born in White County, TN) was the namesake grandson of Isham Bradley, a very close friend of the Daniel Haston family.Â Continue

December 23 2022

Haston FAMILY Highlights of 2022

Looking Back at our 2022 Daniel Haston Family Association Highlights 1. July 22-23 Haston Family Reunion Our first-ever Daniel Haston Family Association all-Hastons reunion was a remarkable success.Â About 150 registered from 17 states–all across the USA.Â Saturday was an unusually hot and humid day, even for July in Tennessee, but the Fellowship Hall whereContinue

December 21 2022

Help Finding Your Place in the Daniel Haston Family

Help Tracing You Back to Daniel Haston If you are a “Haston” or related to a Haston, chances are you are a member of the Daniel Haston FAMILY, that is scattered in all or most all of the United States. I have to add the “chances are” caveat because there are some American Hastons thatContinue

December 3 2022

The Message of the 1706 Hiestand Coat of Arms

The Message Behind the 1706 Hiestand Coat of Arms Augmentation of arms is a term describing an addition to a coat of arms at a later date, after the original coat of arms was created.Â Historically, augmentations were issued by a monarch as either a mere mark of favor or a reward or recognition forContinue

November 29 2022

FrÃ¼he Schweizer TÃ¤ufer Hiestand im deutschen Rheinland

FrÃ¼he Schweizer TÃ¤ufer Hiestand im Deutschen Rheinland Co-Autoren: Dr. Peter Ziegler (ZÃ¼rich, Schweiz)Â und Dr. Wayne Haston (Pennsylvania, USA) (EinschlieÃŸlich bedeutender Forschungsdaten von Kent Douglas Hiestand) Serie: FrÃ¼he Schweizer Hiestand Hiestand 1401 Herkunft und Bedeutung des Familiennamens Schweizer Familien Hiestand und ihre HÃ¶fe im 15. Jahrhundert Ueli Hiestands HÃ¶fe Beichlen und Himmeri Hiestand in der SchÃ¶nau,Continue

November 26 2022

Swiss Anabaptist Hiestands to the Rhineland and Beyond

Swiss Anabaptist Hiestands to the Rhineland and Beyond Co-authors: Dr. Peter Ziegler (ZÃ¼rich, Switzerland) and Dr. Wayne Haston (Pennsylvania, USA)(Including significant research data from Kent Douglas Hiestand) “Early Swiss Hiestands” Series Hiestand – 1401 Origin & Meaning of the Family Name Swiss Hiestand Families and Farms in the 1400s Ueli Hiestand’s Beichlen and Himmeri FarmsContinue

November 20 2022

400 Years of Swiss Hiestand Comrades in a Richterswil Land Cooperative

Centuries of Swiss Hiestands in a Land Cooperative Dr. Peter Ziegler (ZÃ¼rich, Switzerland) and Dr. Wayne Haston (Pennsylvania, USA), Co-Authors (Including significant research data from Kent Douglas Hiestand) “Early Swiss Hiestands” Series Hiestand – 1401 Origin & Meaning of the Family Name Swiss Hiestand Families and Farms in the 1400s Ueli Hiestand’s Beichlen and HimmeriContinue

November 19 2022

Louise Haston Rice – Jesse Haston Family Historian

Louise Haston Rice – Jesse Haston Family Historian I cannot remember when I did not love history and genealogy. As a young girl of 10 or 12, I started collecting information about my family. Louise Haston Rice Louise loved her family, life on the farm, and entertaining. She was active in the Baptist church inContinue

November 12 2022

The 1706 Hiestand Coat of Arms

Hiestand Coat of Arms The clenched fists are a clue that this shield was not created by or for an Anabaptist,Â but by a Swiss Hiestand who had not joined that movement.Â However, he may have been sympathetic to and protective of neighbors and relatives who were Anabaptists. Dr. Peter Ziegler (ZÃ¼rich, Switzerland) and Dr. WayneContinue

November 4 2022

Book Review – The Story of the Daniel Haston Family

Book Review – The Story of the Daniel Haston Family By Joanne Hess Siegrist – Historian, Author, Lancaster County, PA Tour Guide For More Information and to Order the Book If you appreciated this article, please share it with others who might also enjoy it. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print Order Copies of the BookContinue

November 3 2022

Timeline of Daniel Haston’s Life

Timeline of Daniel Haston’s Life – c. 1750-1826 The first 30 or so years of Daniel Hiestand’s life were spent in Virginia.Â The next (approximately) 20 years were spent in western North Carolina, the “Overmountain” area that became Upper East Tennessee.Â He spent about 10 years in Knox County, western part of East Tennessee, andContinue

October 20 2022

Jahrhunderte Schweizer Hiestands in einer Landgenossenschaft

Jahrhunderte Schweizer Hiestands in einer Landgenossenschaft Co-Autoren: Dr. Peter Ziegler und Dr. Wayne Haston Serie: FrÃ¼he Schweizer Hiestand Die Links werden aktiviert und verÃ¶ffentlicht am17.9.2022, 1.10.2022, 15.10.2022, 29.10.2022, 12.11.2022, 26.11.2022, 10.12.2022. Hiestand 1401 Herkunft und Bedeutung des Familiennamens Schweizer Familien Hiestand und ihre HÃ¶fe im 15. Jahrhundert Ueli Hiestands HÃ¶fe Beichlen und Himmeri Hiestand inContinue

October 19 2022

1840-1866 – Hastons in Van Buren County, TN Court Minutes

1840-1866 – Hastons in Van Buren County, TN County Court Minutes Early Hastons in the County Court – Mostly for Good, But Sometimes for Bad 1,538 Haston References Â Â Â Search Within This PageÂ Â Â [search-in-place-form in_current_page=”1″] April 1840 – May 1855 Van Buren County, TN County Court MinutesÂ (From TSLA – Van Buren County, TNContinue

October 18 2022

Help Support the Daniel Haston Family Association

Donations to the Daniel Haston Family Association Making a Donation Contact us if you have trouble making a donation: Info@DanielHaston.blog [give_form id=”28579″] Click on the “Donate Now” button. Choose a donation amount. Choose to, or not to, “Make this donation every month.” Click on the “Continue” button. Fill-in the “Who’s giving today” information. Choose to,Continue

October 18 2022

SchÃ¶nau – A Swiss “Nest of Anabaptists” Including Hiestands

Hidden Away in a Tiny Nook of Canton ZÃ¼rich, Switzerland Dr. Peter Ziegler (ZÃ¼rich, Switzerland) and Dr. Wayne Haston (Pennsylvania, USA), Co-Authors (Including significant research data from Kent Douglas Hiestand) “Early Swiss Hiestands” Series Hiestand – 1401 Origin & Meaning of the Family Name Swiss Hiestand Families and Farms in the 1400s Ueli Hiestand’s BeichlenContinue

October 16 2022

Van Buren County, TN Circuit Court Minutes

1840-1872 – Hastons Van Buren County, TN – Early Circuit Court Minutes Early Hastons in the Circuit Court – Mostly for Good, But Sometimes for Bad 850 Haston References Search Within This Page [search-in-place-form in_current_page=”1″] Volume A – August 1840 – January 1850 Year of 1840 Year of 1841 Year of 1842Continue

October 6 2022

Isham S. Haston Homeplace

“The Homeplace” The Isham S. Haston Family By Andrew LaRowe I am just old enough to have had the opportunity to know someone that was born on a farm in Tennessee in 1881. Della Myrtle Haston was my great-grandmother. She came to Winston Salem, North Carolina to live with her daughter, Arabelle, and they livedContinue

October 4 2022

Haston – Robert (“Bob”) Weldon

1923 – 2001 Robert “Bob” Weldon Haston Rank and Branch of Military Major in the U.S. Army Air Corps (and the Air Force, after it was created in 1947) Years of Service 1941 – 1957 Locations of Training, Deployment, and Service Aviation Cadet Training, Twin Engine Flying School, B-17 Transition in Sebring, Florida Wartime TheatersContinue

October 1 2022

Wappen Hiestand

Wappen Hiestand Die geballten FÃ¤uste sind ein Hinweis darauf, dass dieses Wappen nicht von einem oder fÃ¼r einen TÃ¤ufer geschaffen wurde, sondern von einem Schweizer Hiestand, der sich dieser Bewegung nicht angeschlossen hatte. Er kÃ¶nnte jedoch mit Nachbarn und Verwandten, die TÃ¤ufer waren, sympathisiert und sie beschÃ¼tzt haben. Co-Autoren: Dr. Peter Ziegler (ZÃ¼rich, Schweiz)Â und Dr.Continue

September 27 2022

SchÃ¶nau – German version

Versteckt in einer winzigen Ecke des Kantons ZÃ¼rich, Schweiz Co-Autoren: Dr. Peter Ziegler (ZÃ¼rich, Schweiz)Â und Dr. Wayne Haston (Pennsylvania, USA) (EinschlieÃŸlich bedeutender Forschungsdaten von Kent Douglas Hiestand) Serie: FrÃ¼he Schweizer Hiestand Die Links werden aktiviert und verÃ¶ffentlicht am17.9.2022, 1.10.2022, 15.10.2022, 29.10.2022, 12.11.2022, 26.11.2022, 10.12.2022. Hiestand 1401 Herkunft und Bedeutung des Familiennamens Schweizer Familien Hiestand undContinue

September 25 2022

Dr. Fred Dexter Haston

Dr. Fred Dexter Haston, M.D. How many men or women are prominent enough to have a 700-word article about them in a history book of the state they lived in for 20 years or so?Â One Great-Great Grandson of Daniel Haston did!Â Several years ago, even before I began researching my Haston family, I happenedContinue

September 23 2022

Haston – James Phillip

1921 – 2021 James Phillip Haston All Registration for Draft Rank and Branch of Military First Class Boatswain Mate, Navy Years of Service 1942-1945 Locations of Training, Deployment, and Service Trained at a destroyer base in San Diego, CA; Deployed to the South Pacific – “He was a driver for high-ranking naval officers, including FleetContinue

September 22 2022

Ueli Hiestand, Prominenter Bauer im 15. Jahrhundert

Ueli Hiestand, Prominenter Bauer im 15. Jahrhundert Co-Autoren: Dr. Peter Ziegler (ZÃ¼rich, Schweiz)Â und Dr. Wayne Haston (Pennsylvania, USA) (EinschlieÃŸlich bedeutender Forschungsdaten von Kent Douglas Hiestand) Serie: FrÃ¼he Schweizer Hiestand Die Links werden aktiviert und verÃ¶ffentlicht am17.9.2022, 1.10.2022, 15.10.2022, 29.10.2022, 12.11.2022, 26.11.2022, 10.12.2022. Hiestand 1401 Herkunft und Bedeutung des Familiennamens Schweizer Familien Hiestand und ihre HÃ¶feContinue

September 21 2022

Ueli Hiestand, Prominent Swiss Farmer in the 15th Century

Ueli Hiestand, Prominent Swiss Farmer in the 15th Century Dr. Peter Ziegler (ZÃ¼rich, Switzerland) and Dr. Wayne Haston (Pennsylvania, USA), Co-Authors (Including significant research data from Kent Douglas Hiestand) “Early Swiss Hiestands” Series Hiestand – 1401 Origin & Meaning of the Family Name Swiss Hiestand Families and Farms in the 1400s Ueli Hiestand’s Beichlen andContinue

September 19 2022

The Hiestand Name – Its Origin and Meaning

The Hiestand Family Name – It’s Origin, Meaning, and Pronunciation Dr. Peter Ziegler (ZÃ¼rich, Switzerland) and Dr. Wayne Haston (Pennsylvania, USA), Co-Authors (Including significant research data from Kent Douglas Hiestand) “Early Swiss Hiestands” Series Hiestand – 1401 Origin & Meaning of the Family Name Swiss Hiestand Families and Farms in the 1400s Ueli Hiestand’s BeichlenContinue

September 18 2022

Der Familienname Hiestand

Der Familienname Hiestand – Herkunft, Bedeutung und Aussprache Co-Autoren: Dr. Peter Ziegler (ZÃ¼rich, Schweiz)Â und Dr. Wayne Haston (Pennsylvania, USA) (EinschlieÃŸlich bedeutender Forschungsdaten von Kent Douglas Hiestand) Serie: FrÃ¼he Schweizer Hiestand Die Links werden aktiviert und verÃ¶ffentlicht am17.9.2022, 1.10.2022, 15.10.2022, 29.10.2022, 12.11.2022, 26.11.2022, 10.12.2022. Hiestand 1401 Herkunft und Bedeutung des Familiennamens Schweizer Familien Hiestand und ihreContinue

September 17 2022

Â Unsere Schweizer Hiestand- Vorfahren im 15. Jahrhundert

Unsere Schweizer Hiestand-Vorfahren im 15. Jahrhundert Co-Autoren: Dr. Peter Ziegler (ZÃ¼rich, Schweiz)Â und Dr. Wayne Haston (Pennsylvania, USA) (EinschlieÃŸlich bedeutender Forschungsdaten von Kent Douglas Hiestand) Serie: FrÃ¼he Schweizer Hiestand Die Links werden aktiviert und verÃ¶ffentlicht am17.9.2022, 1.10.2022, 15.10.2022, 29.10.2022, 12.11.2022, 26.11.2022, 10.12.2022. Hiestand 1401 Herkunft und Bedeutung des Familiennamens Schweizer Familien Hiestand und ihre HÃ¶fe imContinue

September 16 2022

Swiss Hiestands in the 1400s

Our Swiss Hiestand Ancestors in the 1400s Dr. Peter Ziegler (ZÃ¼rich, Switzerland) and Dr. Wayne Haston (Pennsylvania, USA), Co-Authors (Including significant research data from Kent Douglas Hiestand) “Early Swiss Hiestands” Series Hiestand – 1401 Origin & Meaning of the Family Name Swiss Hiestand Families and Farms in the 1400s Ueli Hiestand’s Beichlen and Himmeri FarmsContinue

September 8 2022

First Cousin – Or, First Cousin Once-Removed

Cousins or First Cousins-Once Removed What’s the Difference? A cousin at any distance or level in your family tree is truly your “cousin.” One of the things I’ve enjoyed most about working with Haston family research is getting to know so many cousins. And even though I may never have met him or her inContinue

August 19 2022

A Forbes Legend – Stephen Mathai-Davis (Descendant of Daniel Haston)

Stephen Mathai-Davis – “A Forbes Legend” Descendant of Daniel Haston through His Son, Jeremiah Haston On Friday afternoon, July 22, 2022, just shortly before our Daniel Haston Family Reunion officially began, Claire Aufrance received a phone call telling her that her beloved cousin, Stephen Mathai-Davis, had passed away suddenly and completely unexpectedly.Â Claire and herContinue

August 9 2022

Timeline of Our Blog Articles

Timeline of Our Blog Articles Some of the main topics included in the blog focus on the history of the Daniel Haston family, honoring earlier Haston family researchers and other notable Hastons, announcing events of significance to members of the Daniel Haston Family and related families, and miscellaneous topics. July 17 2022 LaRowe â€“ AndrewContinue

August 8 2022

Zoom – Wayne’s Haston Reunion Presentation

Are You Interested in a Two-Part Series of Zoom Presentations in Which I Would Give the Haston History Presentation I Gave in the Recent Haston Reunion? Please Share This Page with Others who Might be Interested in the Presentation. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print Order Copies of the Book – Or, See More Information andContinue

August 6 2022

6 – Theories about the Shotgun Death of Vollie Belle Haston

Theories about the Shotgun Death of Vollie Belle Haston Co-Authors: Becky Hitchcock Harris and Wayne Haston I have learned that there is a lot of information “out there” (be it factual or inaccurate lore) about Vollie Belle Haston’s life and tragic death. I’d love to hear anything you have heard or know about Vollie Belle’sContinue

August 5 2022

5. Vollie Belle Haston – The Murder Trials

Vollie Belle Haston – The Murder Trials Co-Authors: Becky Hitchcock Harris and Wayne Haston I have learned that there is a lot of information “out there” (be it factual or inaccurate lore) about Vollie Belle Haston’s life and tragic death.Â I’d love to hear anything you have heard or know about Vollie Belle’s life orContinue

August 5 2022

4 – Vollie Belle Haston – Her Death by a 12 Gauge Shotgun

Vollie Belle Haston Raymond – Mysterious Death by a 12 Gauge Pump Shotgun Co-Authors: Becky Hitchcock Harris and Wayne Haston I have learned that there is a lot of information “out there” (be it factual or inaccurate lore) about Vollie Belle Haston’s life and tragic death.Â I’d love to hear anything you have heard orContinue

August 5 2022

3 – Vollie Belle Haston – Marriage to Clarke Raymond

Vollie Belle Haston’s Marriage to Clarke Raymond Co-Authors: Becky Hitchcock Harris and Wayne Haston I have learned that there is a lot of information “out there” (be it factual or inaccurate lore) about Vollie Belle Haston’s life and tragic death.Â I’d love to hear anything you have heard or know about Vollie Belle’s life orContinue

August 5 2022

2 – Vollie Belle’s Marriage to and Divorce from James Hurd Cruise

Vollie Belle’s Marriage to and Divorce from James Hurd Cruise Co-Authors: Becky Hitchcock Harris and Wayne Haston I have learned that there is a lot of information “out there” (be it factual or inaccurate lore) about Vollie Belle Haston’s life and tragic death.Â I’d love to hear anything you have heard or know about VollieContinue

August 4 2022

1 – Vollie Belle Haston – Her Early Years

Vollie Belle Haston – Her Early Years, From Birth to Marriage Co-Authors: Becky Hitchcock Harris and Wayne Haston I have learned that there is a lot of information “out there” (be it factual or inaccurate lore) about Vollie Belle Haston’s life and tragic death.Â I’d love to hear anything you have heard or know aboutContinue

August 3 2022

The Daniel Haston Short Story

The Daniel Haston Short Story Daniel Haston’s family lived “south of the Holston [nowÂ Tennessee] river opposite Knoxville, TN shortly after the town was established and when Tennessee became a state in 1796. Daniel Haston moved from Knox County, Tennessee to the area of middle Tennessee that became southern White County, a year or two priorContinue

July 22 2022

The Story of the Daniel Haston Family – Book

The Book: The Story of the Daniel Haston Family Scroll Down to Order a Copy or Copies of the Book Remember the days of old; consider the generations long past.Ask your father and he will tell you, your elders, and they will explain to you.Deuteronomy 32:7 (NIV) In this book, I want to tell a story—a historicallyContinue

July 21 2022

Donate The Story of Daniel Haston Book to a Library

Help Make the Book Available to Others for Reading & Research Purchase Copies of the Book – The Story of the Daniel Haston Family

July 19 2022

Legends and Stories of White County, TN

Legends and Stories of White County, TN By Miss Coral Williams In 2002, I contacted Miss Byllee Burgess, the niece of Coral Williams, and received her approval to rescue her aunt’s 1930 thesis from total obscurity in a Vanderbilt library. Access the Entire Document Abstract by Miss Williams The purpose of this study is toContinue

July 17 2022

LaRowe – Andrew Willis

1954 -Â Senior Airman Andrew Willis LaRowe Rank and Branch of Military Senior Airman, Air Force Years of Service 1974-1978 Locations of Training, Deployment, and Service Lackland AFB, Malmstrom AFB Relationship to the Daniel Haston Family Descends through David Haston, Daniel’s son Add Yourself or Your Haston-Related Relative to the Legacy of Service Honor GalleryContinue

July 16 2022

Historic Event – First All-Hastons Gathering in 200+ Years

Perhaps THE Historic Haston FAMILY Event of Two Centuries+ More Information and Register Saturday Lunch and Supper-Leftovers Saturday Afternoon Historic Haston Sites Tour Fellowship Hall Entrance – Hickory Valley Baptist Church 5865 Hickory Valley Road, Sparta, TN 38583 If you appreciated this article, please share it with others who might also enjoy it. Facebook TwitterContinue

July 11 2022

Davis – Wallace M.

1919 – 2006 Group Commander Wallace M. Davis Rank and Branch of Military Group Commander, Navy Years of Service 1943-1971 Obituary Wallace M. Davis obituary Locations of Training, Deployment, and Service Saipan, Tinian, Okinawa, Tarawa Military Schools Attended U.S. Naval Reserve Midshipmen’s School at Northwestern University The Northwestern University Archives, with the help of Northwestern’sContinue

July 11 2022

Elwood C. Haston

Sergeant Elwood C. Haston – Veteran of WWII in Europe Soldier from the “Greatest Generation” On this day, July 11, 2022, Sergeant Elwood C. Haston would have been 100 years old. Today, and in future days when you read this article, we hope you will say “Thank you, for your service!” in your heart forContinue

July 8 2022

Chris Haston – NBC Photographer

Chris Haston – Our Reunion Portrait Photographer Brief Bio of Chris Haston Source: https://www.marathi.tv/anchor/chris-haston/ Chris Haston was born Christopher Haston on June 27, 1962, in Harbor City, CA, where he was also raised.Â When he was nine years old, his stepfather gave him a camera and he has been hooked on the art of photographyContinue

July 8 2022

Davis – William M.

1949 -Â Lieutenant Colonel William M. Davis Rank and Branch of Military Lieutenant Colonel, Army Years of Service 1972-1998 Locations of Training, Deployment, and Service Fort Jackson, South Carolina; Wiesbaden, Germany; Frankfurt, Germany; Iraq; The Pentagon Military Schools Attended Basic training at at Fort Jackson, South Carolina Wartime Theaters of Assignment and Major Battles WilliamContinue

July 8 2022

Haston – Max

1957 – Major General Max Haston Rank and Branch of Military Major General, Army Years of Service 1979-2019 Locations of Training, Deployment, and Service Ft Benning, GA; Ft Riley, KS; Ft Knox, KY; Ft Hood, TX, Multiple Locations in Germany, Ft Bliss, TX; Ft Leavenworth, KS, Ft Irwin, CA, FT Polk, LA, Ft Stewart, GA,Continue

July 2 2022

Photos and Background Info on 12 Haston Historic Sites in Tennessee

Photos & Background Info on 12 Historic Haston Sites in TN Even if you aren’t able to participate in the Saturday, July 23, 2022 tour, you will enjoy reading about (and seeing photos of) these 12 historic sites that are so important to the Daniel Haston Family. Download the 11 Page Document – Photos &Continue

June 25 2022

Haston Block Building – Spencer, TN

Haston Block House – Built 1908 in Spencer, TN By Landon Medley and Wayne HastonLandon and I were working together on this article when he passed away in 2021. -Wayne Haston The “Cyclone” In Spencer, TN that (Literally) Cleared the Way for the Haston Block Following a (3:00 a.m.) November 18, 1906 cyclone [tornado?] thatContinue

June 19 2022

1902 Sparta Expositor Supplement (60 pages)

1902 Sparta (TN) Expositor Supplement (60 pages) White County and Sparta, TN history and “What the town and county were like” 120 years ago. Be patient when downloading – it’s a LARGE document (668 KB). Download the Document If you appreciated this article, please share it with others who might also enjoy it. Facebook TwitterContinue

June 10 2022

Montgomery Greenville Haston Farm

Montgomery Greenville Haston Farm The Core of M.G. Haston’s 1858 Farm – Today a Tennessee Century Farm On November 3, 1858, Montgomery G. Haston (grandson of David Haston, Great Grandson of Daniel) bought four tracts of land (1,163 acres more or less) from Nathan Durham for $900.[i]Â The land was located around the current crossroadsContinue

June 4 2022

Three D.L. Hastons – 1848, 1852, & 1856

Three (+1) D.L. Hastons – Contemporaries in Van Buren Co, TN What were their parents thinking? David La-van’-der Haston You will see this “L” name spelled “Levander” & “Lavender” and etc., but I’m fairly confident it is was Lavander for all three men. In 1848, a baby born in the Haston Big Spring area ofContinue

June 3 2022

Haston – Dwight E.

Birth 1946 – Rank and Name of Veteran’s Service Rank and Branch of Military E-8 Air Force 1966-1978 Switched from Air Force to Department of the Army Civilian ( DAC)Retired GS15 Years of Service 1966-1978 Locations of Training, Deployment, and Service Amarillo, Texas Wartime Theaters of Assignment and Major Battles Army War College / FirstContinue

May 29 2022

Duncan – Robert O.

Robert Owen Duncan’s Service Born 1957 Rank and Branch of Military E-7 in the United States Air Force Years of Service 1975-2000 Locations of Training, Deployment, and Service Lackland, Chanute, Shaw, Kadena, Hill, Nellis Kunsan, Eielson, Ellsworth AFBâ€™s Relationship to the Daniel Haston Family Descendant of Daniel’s son, Isaac Haston/Hastings (Isaac, Hartwell, Lucy Hastings, DorothyContinue

May 29 2022

Haston – Horace H.

1925-2020 Sergeant Horace H. “Ace” Haston’s Service Rank and Branch of Military Sergeant and a Crew Chief in the United States Army Air Corps Years of Service 1943-1946 Locations of Training, Deployment, and Service Training at Mountain Home, Idaho Army Air Field, combat Crew Training Station (heavy); Aerial Gunner, Clark Field in the Philippines. WartimeContinue

May 28 2022

Major Bob Haston – Near-Death Post-War Ejection from a Cockpit

Major Bob Haston – Near-Death Post-War Ejection On an Airfield Tarmac in Lincoln, Nebraska Daniel Haston Family Roots Enlistment & the Silver Dollar Distinguished Flying Cross Mission #17 Tragedy Stalag Luft III POW Camp Near Deadly Postwar Ejection Early Post-War Life January of 1946 after their December 22, 1945 Marriage Robert Weldon Haston met andContinue

May 21 2022

Major Bob Haston – Stalag Luft III Prisoner of War

Major Bob Haston – Prisoner of War in Stalag Luft III Daniel Haston Family Roots Enlistment & the Silver Dollar Distinguished Flying Cross Mission #17 Tragedy Stalag Luft III POW Camp Near Deadly Postwar Ejection German POW Camp Stalag Luft III North Compound of German POW Camp – Stalag Luft III Stalag Luft III wasContinue

May 13 2022

Major Bob Haston – Disastrous Mission #17

Major Bob Haston – The Disaster of Mission #17 Shot Down, Severely Burned, 5 Crewmen Captured, 5 Killed Daniel Haston Family Roots Enlistment & the Silver Dollar Distinguished Flying Cross Mission #17 Tragedy Stalag Luft III POW Camp Near Deadly Postwar Ejection Lt. Bob Haston’s Crew (Bob is 3rd from the left end) – ProbablyContinue

May 12 2022

Major Bob Haston – The Distinguished Flying Cross

Major Bob Haston – The “Distinguished Flying Cross” Experience Daniel Haston Family Roots Enlistment & the Silver Dollar Distinguished Flying Cross Mission #17 Tragedy Stalag Luft III POW Camp Near Deadly Postwar Ejection What Did it Mean to “Catch Flak” in an Aerial Assault? German 88mm Flak Anti-Aircraft Gun The versatile 88mm cannon was Germanyâ€™sContinue

May 10 2022

Major Bob Haston – The Silver Dollar Story

Major Bob Haston, WW II Hero – The Silver Dollar Story Daniel Haston Family Roots Enlistment & the Silver Dollar Distinguished Flying Cross Mission #17 Tragedy Stalag Luft III POW Camp Near Deadly Postwar Ejection When the war started, he wanted to sign up immediately but his mother thought he was too young. She toldContinue

May 8 2022

Major Robert Weldon Haston, His WWII Stories

Stories of a World War II Haston Hero – His Haston Family Roots Lieutenant (later Major) Robert “Bob” Weldon Haston The following links will be activated, as his stories are posted throughout the “Memorial Month” of May. Daniel Haston Family Roots Enlistment & the Silver Dollar Distinguished Flying Cross Mission #17 Tragedy Stalag Luft IIIContinue

May 7 2022

Tour Stop # 3 – Daniel Haston Homesite

Daniel Haston Homesite – c. 1804 & On The Daniel Haston Farm Remained in the Haston Family for More than 150 Years 35Â°48’04.85″ N 85Â°26’38.00″ W The Site of the Daniel Haston Cabin-Home The current house is probably the location of the original Daniel Haston cabin-home The Haston Big Spring Branch The Haston Big SpringContinue

April 27 2022

Reunion – Charles Beason & Myrtle Wallace Haston Family

Charles Thomas & Elliot Selina Morgan Haston – Family Reunion The Hickory Valley Hastons Sunday – July 24, 2022 The day following the Daniel Haston Family Reunion Why the Picture of this Little Fire Department? You are probably asking yourself Due to the potential of Tennessee July HEAT, we have decided to move inside anContinue

April 25 2022

Isaac T. Haston, Sr. Family

Isaac T. (Sr.) & Elizabeth Sparkman Haston Family Isaac T. and Elizabeth Sparkman Haston Family Line Some of the Children of Isaac T. and Elizabeth Sparkman Haston Read About the Horrendus Death of Isaac T. Haston, Jr. Isaac T. Haston’s 1853/1854 Grant #11561 from TN for 215 Acres Isaac T. Haston’s survey says he purchasedContinue

April 25 2022

(I.T.) Haston Cemetery – Cummingsville, TN

Isaac T. & Elizabeth Sparkman Haston Family Cemetery Cummingsville of Van Buren County, Tennessee History of the Haston Cemetery Isaac T. Haston was the next-to-the-youngest son of David and Peggy Roddy Haston.Â Although he was a grandson of Daniel Haston, Isaac T. was born (March 28, 1827) about a year after his grandfather died soContinue

April 16 2022

Proud of My Country Roots – Wayne Haston

“I’m Proud of My Country Roots” Wayne Haston About 1951 – Left to right: My Dad (Boyd Haston), sister Marilyn, me (Wayne), cousin Mickey McWilliams, and of course – the mule. In the photo above, you are looking west toward the “Mitchell [or Dodson] Bridge” and Fraizer’s Chapel Methodist Church in a Caney Fork RiverContinue

April 9 2022

Ten Interest Centers – Daniel Haston Family Reunion

Lots to Share and Learn at the Daniel Haston FAMILY Reunion July 22-23, 2022 in White County, TN Since this page was first published, we have added three more Interest Centers: The Burritt College Museum in Spencer, TN – Bonnie Adcock, the Director of the museum will be present Saturday morning at our reunion. ManyContinue

March 22 2022

Tour Stop #2 – Big Fork Cemetery

Big Fork Cemetery One of the Oldest Church Cemeteries in or Near White Co, TN – 200+ Years Like so many old cemeteries, for years the Big Fork Cemetery was covered with broken tombstones, fallen trees, waist-high grass, shoulder-high bushes, active groundhog dens, and God-only-knows how many copperheads.Â After conducting an on-site study of theContinue

March 18 2022

Big Fork Baptist Church – Early White County, TN

Big Fork Baptist Church The Earliest Baptist Church in White County, TN The Big Fork Baptist Church was hidden from local historians for many years. Most people who visit the Big Fork Cemetery in what is now Cummingsville, TN have no idea that there was a church there in the early 1800s. Only a fewContinue

March 7 2022

Old Union Cemetery – White County, TN

Old Union Cemetery – 200+ Years of Burial One of the Oldest Church Cemeteries in White County & Surrounding Region Cemetery Decoration – Sunday, August 20, 2023 Beginning with Potluck Lunch The Old Union Cemetery is one of the oldest church cemeteries in White County, TN.Â No one knows for sure when the first burialContinue

March 5 2022

Tent Graves: A Middle TN Phenomenon

Comb (or Tent) Graves = “Born” in White County, TN? Visitors who are not familiar with White County, Van Buren County and some of their neighboring counties are often surprised when they pass an old cemetery and see a scene such as the one above.Â I grew up seeing lots of these kinds of gravesContinue

February 19 2022

Joe Diffie – Descendant of Our Daniel Haston

Joe Diffie – Grand Ole Opry Descendant of Daniel Haston Yes, his great-great-grandfather was my great grandfather David Montgomery Haston. His great grandfather was Jack Haston a nephew of my granddaddy. His grandmother and my mother were first cousins. I did know his grandmother. She helped me when I was doing our Haston tree. WeContinue

February 12 2022

Tour Stop #1 – Old Union Church

Old Union Cumberland Presbyterian Church Founded 1805? – Organized Officially 1811 Some sources say the Union Presbyterian Church was founded in 1805.Â We do know that Spence Mitchell, an early settler in southern White County, TN, deeded a plot of land for what was called the Union Meeting House on August 24, 1811.Â The churchContinue

January 29 2022

33 Key Sites & Experiences – 2023 Hiestand-Haston European Heritage Tour

Thirty-Three Key Sites & Experiences On the June 14-27 2023 European Hiestand/Haston Heritage Tour Contact Renee Cue for more information or answers to your questions: renee@reneecue.com Contact Renee Cue for more information or answers to your questions: renee@reneecue.com More Information about the June 14-27, 2023 Hiestand-Haston European Heritage Tour Share this with Hastons or relatedContinue

January 22 2022

Be Careful What You Hang on Your Tree

Be Careful What You Hang on Your Family Tree It May Haunt Your Family Forever! When I began researching my family history, I was totally at the mercy of other people who had researched the history of the Daniel Haston family before me.Â In most cases, their research records turned out to be extremely helpful.Â Continue

January 7 2022

Next Stage – Feature More of YOUR Family’s Stories

2022 (and beyond) – Featuring More of YOUR Families’ Stories We will continue to try to post a variety of stories related to our Daniel Haston family–more history, etc.Â But this year we want to begin to hear more of your stories.Â All branches of the Haston Family have stories that are worth sharing withContinue

January 3 2022

Marlin Shelton Haston

Marlin Shelton Haston, 1928-2022 Marlin Haston, 93, passed away on January 1, 2022. He was born September 5, 1928, Spencer (Van Buren County) of the late R.C. Haston Sr. and Etta (Smith) Haston. He is survived by his son, David (Laura) Haston of Dandridge; daughter, Jean Ann Hall of Hartsville, and daughter-in-law Brenda Haston ofContinue

December 25 2021

52 – Other Daughters of Daniel Haston?

52 – Daughter of Daniel Haston? One Yes, One Maybe, One No I am confident that Daniel Haston had two or three daughters (and/or maybe a son) that we have never been able to identify.Â But there is one for-sure daughter who has emerged out of more recent research.Â There’s another who may or mayContinue

December 18 2021

51 – Daniel Haston, Jr. Married into the Famous KY “Skaggs” Longhunters Family

51 – Daniel Haston, Jr. Married into the Famous KY Longhunters Skaggs Family Did you know that descendants of Daniel Haston, through his son Daniel, Jr., are related by marriage to two famous members of the Kentucky Skaggs family – Charles Skaggs (1760s Longhunter) and Ricky Skaggs (a country music Hall of Fame member). InContinue

December 11 2021

50 – Jeremiah Haston – Another Son of Daniel Goes to Missouri

50 – Jeremiah Haston, from Tennessee, to Illinois, to Dallas County, Missouri The three youngest sons of Daniel Haston settled in Missouri. Jesse and Jeremiah remained there for the rest of their lives, but Isaac moved on to California after about 20 years in the “Show Me” state. Dallas County, Missouri When a new countyContinue

December 4 2021

49 – Jeremiah Haston – A “Lost Son” of Daniel Haston Found by DNA

49 – Jeremiah Haston – Lost Son of Daniel Haston Found by DNA Sometimes you may see his name as Jeremiah MC Haston, but there is no existing evidence that I have found to prove that Daniel’s son Jeremiah had a middleÂ “MC” name, but his youngest son was definitely Jeremiah MC “Mac” Haston. DNAContinue

November 20 2021

47 – Jesse Haston – A Missouri Pioneer with His Three Wives and 21 Children!

47 – Jesse Haston, Missouri Pioneer With 3 Wives & 21 Children Part 1 – Until the Civil War Of Daniel Hastonâ€™s sons, Jesse was the most unique in several ways.Â He was the first son to move west of the Mississippi River.Â He was a slave owner.Â He became a wealthy man, by localContinue

November 16 2021

48 – Jesse Haston – His Family’s Civil War Years and Following

48 – Jesse Haston’s Family in the Civil War Years and After Some Selected Highlights Some of Daniel Haston’s grandsons and great grandsons joined the Union Army.Â Others, especially those who remained in Tennessee, chose to suit up in grey.Â None of the Tennessee Hastons I know of were slave owners.Â They were probably defendingContinue

November 13 2021

46 – Isaac Haston – Across the Plains in an Oxen-Drawn Wagon – Isaac’s California Years

46 – Isaac Haston – Across the Plains in an Oxen-Drawn Wagon The California Years Approximately 2,000 miles – Cave Spring, Missouri to Santa Rosa, California on the Oregon-California Trail At age 62, most men today are looking forward to retiring, drawing social security, playing golf or fishing, and enjoying their grandkids.Â Iâ€™m not sureContinue

November 12 2021

33 – The Rhine River Cruise

33 – The Beautiful and Relaxing Cruise Up the Rhine River On Monday, June 26, 2023, our Hiestand-Haston Heritage Tour will enjoy a relaxing cruise up a portion of the beautiful Middle Rhine River and see many of the same sights that Henrich Hiestand saw in 1727 when he was on his journey to America.Â Continue

November 11 2021

32 – Worms, Germany – Where Martin Luther Defended His Faith Before Emperor Charles V

32 – Worms, Germany – Where Martin Luther Was Tried On the afternoon of (Saturday) June 22, 2023, our Hiestand-Haston Heritage Tour group will arrive in the city of Worms (pronounced â€œVermzâ€), Germany – the place where Martin Luther stood before a formal deliberative assembly (“diet”) of leaders from the Holy Roman Empire, led byContinue

November 10 2021

31 – Mennonite Church in Ibersheim – Where Our Ancestors Worshipped

31 – Mennonite Church in the Village of Ibersheim, Germany Our Hiestands’ Church Home 350 Years Ago On Sunday, June 25, 2023, our Hiestand-Haston European Heritage Tour group will worship here, where our ancestors worshiped.Â Pastor Andreas Kohrn has invited us to join their congregation for the service and to enjoy their annual summer “BBQContinue

November 10 2021

30 – Our Ancestors’ Little German Village of Refuge – Ibersheim

30 – Our Ancestors’ Little German Village of Refuge – Ibersheim On Sunday, June 25, 2023, our Hiestand-Haston Heritage Tour group will visit this very special place.Â We have been invited to join the village’s Mennonite Church for their Sunday morning service, be their special guests for an after-church “Grillfest” (BBQ), then take a walkingContinue

November 6 2021

45 – Isaac and Agnes Simpson Haston – Missouri Years

45 – Isaac and Agnes Simpson Haston – Missouri Years Isaac Haston lived the Great American Dream. He left Tennessee landless and broke, moved to Missouri and became a prosperous landowner in just a few years. He deserved it – he fought bravely for our country at the Battle of New Orleans. At least fourContinue

October 30 2021

44 – Isaac and Agnes Simpson Haston – Tennessee Years

44 – Isaac Haston – Battle of New Orleans Hero & Much More Part 1 – His Tennessee Years Look at the battle map above.Â Where do you think the battle was the “hottest”?Â It’s quite obvious if you look at it carefully and think about it.Â That’s where Isaac Haston and some of hisContinue

October 27 2021

29 – Swiss Mennonite Cheese Factory

29 – Swiss Emmentaler Cheese Factory Saturday, June 24, 2023, our Hiestand-Haston Tour Group will visit the world-famous Cheese Factory in the Emmental region of Canton Bern, Switzerland.Â There are around 2000 groups of tourists, one-third of which are foreigners from around the world, visiting this cheese factory every year. Swiss cheese is a pieceContinue

October 26 2021

28 – Trachselwald Castle – Prison Where Anabaptists Suffered and Died

28 – Trachselwald Castle – Where Anabaptists Were Imprisoned Simply Because They Wanted to Practice New Testament Christianity A Story and Some Scenes that You May/Should Never Forget By Don and Joanne Hess Siegrist Used by permission of authors, Don & Joanne Hess Siegrist Before the Reformation, all of Switzerland was catholic. After the Reformation,Continue

October 23 2021

43 – John and Catherine HASTON Austin

42 – John and Catherine HASTON Austin History, especially genealogical history, is sexist!Â Â OK, I’m pretty much a traditional-minded person and don’t use the word “sexist” in an accusatory way very often.Â But I must say – genealogical history is sexist, and unfortunately so.Â Â One tradition I wish had caught on 700 years ago inContinue

October 16 2021

42 – Jacob and Lucinda Haston Mitchell

42 – Jacob and Lucinda Haston Mitchell Lucinda Haston – Daughter of Daniel Haston Jacob Mitchell was the son of Morris and Elizabeth Husong Mitchell (married 1781) who came to Tennessee from Washington County of western Pennsylvania.Â Morris was a Revolutionary War veteran and a Methodist preacher.Â Â Â May 1, 1784 â€“ The MorrisContinue

October 15 2021

Landon Medley Obituary

Landon Medley October 6, 1949 – September 25, 2021 Whether you knew him personally or not, Landon Medley was a friend to all of us who are interested in researching and studying the history of our Daniel Haston family.Â Landon lived near the Daniel Haston family place and was steeped in a knowledge of localContinue

October 14 2021

26 – The TÃ¤uferversteck – Hiding Place for Anabaptists

25 – The TÃ¤uferversteck – “Anabaptist Hiding Place” Anabaptist hunters were employed in the 18th century.Â In 1734 two Anabaptist hunters were out and about to catch Christian Siegenthaler in the lower HÃ¤lig, WÃ¼thrich zu HÃ¤user, Hans Gerber, called “Stadler”, and David Baumgartner.Â The Anabaptist yegi were disturbed by the fact that the persecuted “were warned withContinue

October 8 2021

41 – Joseph Haston – Son of Daniel Haston

Joseph Haston – 2nd Son of Daniel Joseph and David were probably the only two sons of Daniel who were born in Virginia.Â If we correctly understand the time of Danielâ€™s departure from Virginia, Joseph would have been three and a half years old when the family moved south.Â So itâ€™s likely that he hadContinue

October 6 2021

25 – Swiss Home of Albert Einstein

25 – The Home of Albert Einstein in Bern, Switzerland On Friday, June 23, 2023, our Hiestand-Haston Tour group will visit the home where Einstein discovered the theory of relativity. Albert Einstein lived in Bern from 1903 to 1905 and developed his Theory of Relativity here. The Einstein House gives visitors a chance to seeContinue

October 2 2021

40 – Herbert Clinton Haston – Grandson of Montgomery Greenville Haston

40 – Herbert Clinton Haston, Grandson of Montgomery G. Haston The 1880 census record for D.L. (David Levander) and Virginia Riddles Haston A three-year-old boy, by the name of Herbert C. Hemphill, appears “In family” on the 1880 census record of David L. and Virginia Haston.Â For decades, many people in the Daniel Haston familyContinue

September 29 2021

24 – The City of Bern, Switzerland and the Famous Clock Tower

24 – The World Famous Zytglogge (Clock Tower) in Bern On Friday, June 23, 2023, our Hiestand-Haston Heritage tour group will watch the famous clock tower turn to a new hour. Built in the early 13th century as a gate tower for the city’s western fortifications, Zytglogge has served over the years as a guardContinue

September 22 2021

39 – Montgomery G. Haston – His Civic Service and Civil War Experience

39 – M. G. Haston – His Civic Service and Civil War Experience Montgomery Greenville Haston is one of my most respected early Haston heroes!Â I want to tell you why. Montgomery Greenville (M.G. or â€œGumâ€) Haston lived a relatively short life even for his era, only about 45 (or 46) years.Â When he wasContinue

September 19 2021

23 – Jakob Markt – We’ll Stop and Shop Where the Swiss Shop

23 – Jakob Markt – We’ll Stop & Shop Where Locals Shop One of the favorite shopping places for locals and tourists is the Jacob Markt.Â Here is the best place to buy Swiss lace curtains, Swiss-style clothes, and delicious Swiss chocolate bars.Â While the women shop (maybe some of us men too!) others canContinue

September 19 2021

27 – Swiss Alphorns and Yodeling

27 – Swiss Alpine Music: Alphorns and Yodeling Two of the most famous features of historic Swiss culture are the Alphorns and yodeling.Â Our June 2023 Hiestand-Haston Heritage tour group will enjoy a bit of both types of Alpine Music. The Swiss Alphorns Enjoy this brief video example of Swiss Alphorn music. https://youtu.be/K_qp26NHyTg With theContinue

September 11 2021

38 – Mystery of the Father of Montgomery Greenville Haston

38 – Mystery of the Father of Montgomery Greenville Haston Based on the evidence cited previously, I think we can confidently assume Polly Haston was the mother of M.G. Haston, the child who was born out of wedlock on October 16, 1823, or 1824.Â But who was the birth-father of M.G. Haston? Due to theContinue

September 11 2021

37 – Mystery of the Mother of Montgomery Greenville Haston

37 – Mystery of the Mother of Montgomery Greenville Haston As far as we can tell, the parents of Montgomery Greenville Haston–and how he fit into the Daniel Haston family–were unknown for well over 100 years!Â Even the most diligent Daniel Haston family researchers were stumped! Montgomery Greenville [not Greenfield, as some have asserted] (M.G.Continue

September 4 2021

36 – David Haston – A Founding Leader in Van Buren County, TN

36 – David Haston – A Founding Leader of Van Buren County, TN David Haston spent much of his time in the final 20 years of his life helping to establish Van Buren County. Haston Family – Early Influences in Van Buren County, TN Several of Daniel Haston’s children and grandchildren had already left TennesseeContinue

August 29 2021

22 – Oldest Mennonite Church in the World – Langnau, Switzerland

22 – World’s Oldest Mennonite Church – Langnau, Switzerland On Thursday, June 22, 2023, members of the Hiestand-Haston Heritage Tour group will see the oldest continuously active Mennonite Church in the world. Langnau has a history of Anabaptism going all the way back to March 1525. Today, Langnau has the oldest Mennonite church in theContinue

August 28 2021

35 – David Haston, Popular Civic Leader in Early White County, TN

35 – David Haston – White County, Tennessee Pioneer, Part 2 David Haston, Esq. (Justice of the Peace) How did simple farmers and businessmen – many of whom had very little formal education – understand Tennessee (and county) laws enough to serve as county court judges? They were guided by a book like the oneContinue

August 26 2021

21 – The Swiss Cowbells Factory

21 – The Swiss Cowbells Factory On Thursday, June 27, 2023 our Hiestand-Haston Historic Tour group will stop at the famous Swiss Cowbells Factory. Did you know…? Bells are protection, happiness, and a sign of peace. This is because in times of war the Swiss bells were taken from the churches and from the pastureContinue

August 25 2021

19 – Piz Gloria 360Â° Rotating Restaurant 9,744′ Altitude

19 – Breakfast in the Rotating Restaurant at 9,744′ in the Alps On the morning of June 22, 2023, our Hiestand-Haston Heritage Tour group will eat breakfast in the Piz Gloria revolving restaurant in the village of Murren on top of the Schilthorne summit. BEVERAGESCoffee / Tea, cold and warm milk (lactose-free and soy milkContinue

August 20 2021

34 – David Haston (Daniel’s Son) in White County, TN

34 – David Haston, White County, Tennessee Pioneer, Part 1 Isaac T. Haston Family Home – Grandson of Daniel Via. David The “David Haston” Bible Record Any family with an existing copy of a family Bible record from the early 1800s is fortunate, especially if it is as complete and apparently accurate as the â€œDavidContinue

August 13 2021

20 – World Famous Kambly Cookie Factory

20 – World-Famous Kambly Swiss Cookie Factory On June 22, 2023, the Hiestand-Haston Tour group will stop at this world-famous cookie factory and sample (FREE!) dozens of cookies.Â But I can pretty much assure you that you will buy some too!Â We will also eat lunch there. Oscar Kambly started his company in 1910 withContinue

August 12 2021

18 – Cable Car to the Car-less Village of MÃ¼rren in the Swiss Alps

18 – Cable Car Ride to & Evening in the Alps Village of MÃ¼rren On June 22, 2023, our Hiestand-Haston Heritage Tour group will take a scenic cable car ride up to the mountain village of MÃ¼rren.And we will spend the night there! MÃ¼rren is a traditional Walser (inhabitants in the Alps) mountain village inContinue

August 8 2021

33 – Daniel Haston’s Final Years

33 – Daniel Haston’s Final Years Daniel Haston lived his final years on his 150 acres farm in what we now know as the Cummingsville community of northern Van Buren County–southern White County until 1840.Â There are a few things that we KNOW about his final few years there and a few more things weContinue

August 5 2021

32 – Daniel Haston – Petitioner to Create White County, TN

32 – Daniel Haston, A Founding Petitioner for White County, TN The first record we have of Daniel Haston in (what became)Â White County, as well as some of his family members and friends, is the petition to create White County on July 22, 1806.[i]Â Four of the 155 names on the petition were Isam Bradley,Continue

July 31 2021

31 – Daniel Haston and the White County, TN “Big Spring” Settlers

31 – Daniel Haston & Other White County, TN Big Spring Settlers The area south of the Caney Fork River near the mouth of Cane Creek was a prominent settlement in the early 1800s.Â It was part of White County, Tennessee prior to its inclusion into newly formed Van Buren County in 1840.Â Â The abundance ofContinue

July 28 2021

17 – Ballenberg Open-Air Museum

17 – Ballenberg Open-Air Museum On Wednesday, July 21, 2023, our Hiestand-Haston heritage tour group will visit the Ballenberg Open-Air Museum. https://youtu.be/d1COwvzKYlM Ballenberg is an open-air museum in Switzerland that displays traditional buildings and architecture from all over the country. Located near Brienz in the municipality of Hofstetten bei Brienz, Canton of Bern, Ballenberg hasContinue

July 28 2021

16 – Lucerne and the Wooden Chapel Bridge

16 – Wooden Chapel Bridge in Lucerne, Switzerland And Shopping in this Beautiful City! In the afternoon of June 20, 2023, our Hiestand-Haston heritage tour group will visit the Swiss city of Lucerne.Â Not only will we see and stroll across this historic bridge, but there will also be time for shopping in Lucerne. TheÂ KapellbrÃ¼ckeÂ (literally,Continue

July 22 2021

– June 14-27, 2023 – Hiestand/Haston European Heritage Tour – Terms and Conditions

2023 Hiestand-Haston Europe Tour Price and Other Details June 14-27, 2023 – Switzerland and Rhineland Germany Download a Printable Copy of the Itinerary and Form More Information about the June 14-27, 2023 Hiestand-Haston European Heritage Tour Share this with Hastons or related family members who might be interested in the June 14-27, 2023 Hiestand-Haston EuropeanContinue

July 21 2021

30 – Daniel Haston Family Moves Across the Cumberland Plateau

30 – Our Hastons Moved West of the Cumberland Mountain Through the Tellico Treaties of October 25 and 27, 1805, Cherokee chiefs ceded to the United States a large area of Middle Tennessee.Â On April 24, 1806, the October 1805 treaties were officially proclaimed by the President of the United States. Â Much of Middle Tennessee,Continue

July 21 2021

14 – Were Our Ancient Swiss Hiestands Spiritist-Pagans?

14 – Were our Ancient Swiss Hiestands Spiritist-Pagans? Although I canâ€™t say for sure, it is probable, that our Medieval ancestors were pagans who lived in a high-mountain area of what is now the northern edge of Canton Zug, Switzerland.Â Our June 2023 Hiestand-Haston tour group will visit this area. The (Swiss) hills were aliveContinue

July 18 2021

July 22-23, 2022 Daniel Haston Family Heritage Days

Gathering for All Haston Families – July 22-23, 2022 The First ALL Daniel Haston Family Get-Together in 200+ Years! The Schedule Important: Keep in mind that we will be on Central Time, so adjust your watches & thinking. Friday Evening, July 22, 2022 (6:00-8:30 pm CENTRAL Time) Fun & informal get-acquainted activities, with “potluck desserts,”Continue

July 18 2021

15 – The “Black Madonna” in the Einsiedeln Monastery

15 – Einsiedeln Abbey, Home of the Swiss “Black Madonna” Tuesday, June 20, 2023, our Hiestand-Haston tour group will visit the largest church in Switzerland–the famous Einsiedeln Abbey. 150,000 to 200,000 Roman Catholic pilgrims visit each year Black Madonna of Einsiedeln The abbey is dedicated to Our Lady of the Hermits, the title being derivedContinue

July 17 2021

July 26, 2024 – Tour of Daniel Haston Family Historic Sites

2024 Daniel Haston Family Historic Sites Tour Friday Morning, Load the Bus at 9:00 a.m., July 26, 2024 At Hickory Valley Baptist Church We will be touring in three 40-passenger air-conditioned and handicap accessible buses, with on-board PA systems. Download Print Version To see the highlighted route on a printed copy, print in color orContinue

July 17 2021

Some Lodging Options and Recreation Sites

Some Lodging Options and Recreational Sites For the July 22-23, 2022 Heritage of Daniel Haston Days Week Lodging and Recreation Reservations for lodging at these recreational sites tend to fill up EARLY, plan well ahead if possible. Fall Creek Falls State Park Fall Creek Falls State Park is one of Tennesseeâ€™s largest and most visitedContinue

July 17 2021

29 – Resolving the “McComisky Mystery” in the Daniel Haston Family

29 – Resolving the “McComisky Mystery” in the Haston Family A common piece of erroneous family lore has circulated among Daniel Haston family members for many years–the assumption that Daniel’s son, David, was named “David McComisky Haston.”Â You don’t have to look at many Haston family trees on Ancestry.com or other genealogy internet sites toContinue

July 13 2021

13 – Village of Hirzel, Home of Two Famous People

13 – Village of Hirzel, Switzerland – Home of Two Famous People Our June 2023 Hiestand-Haston tour group will visit the little mountain village of Hirzel, Switzerland on Monday, June 19. The village of Hirzel, just a few miles on the mountainside southwest of Richterswil is famous for its beauty, as well as the homesContinue

July 10 2021

28 – David and Peggy Haston on Grassy Creek in Knox County, TN

28 – David Haston – Distinguishes Himself as a Young Adult Adjacent to a 2020 $45 Million Development Project At age 25, David Haston became the owner of 111 acres in Knox County, TN.Â Apparently, owning land was not something his father (Daniel) achieved until his mid-50s.Â In 2020, a $45 million project was developedContinue

July 7 2021

12 – The Richterswil Museum (Canton Zurich, Switzerland)

The Richterswil Museum (Ortsmuseum Richterswil) The Richterswil local museum deepens the understanding of regional history and promotes cultural life in the community. The main points of their work are: Management and expansion of the historical collection that is housed in the Haus zum Bären. The organization of exhibitions showing part of the local history. TheContinue

July 4 2021

27 – David Haston Marries 14-Year-Old Girl

27 – David Haston Married 14 Year Old “Peggy” Roddy Yeah, I just created the title for the dramatic effect, but it was true. OnÂ May 5, 1800Â (one day short of David Haston’s 23rd birthday) he was issued a marriage bond to marryÂ Margaret “Peggy” RoddyÂ in Knox County, Tennessee. Perhaps his bride was his 23rd birthday giftContinue

July 1 2021

Haston Family History Overview

The Daniel Haston Family: A Historical Overview The Story of the Daniel Hiestand/Haston Family From the Mountains of Switzerland to the Rhineland of Germany to all across America The Story of Daniel Haston’s SWISS Ancestors, His Life, and All of His Known Children in 50+ Segments If you appreciated this article, please share it withContinue

June 16 2021

11 – Boat Cruise Around Lake ZÃ¼rich

11 – Boat Cruise Around Lake ZÃ¼rich On Sunday afternoon, June 18, 2023 we enjoy a delightful cruise around Lake ZÃ¼rich, seeing the towns along the shores and the Alps in the distance.Â Â https://youtu.be/oA3vPJ_9s1U More Information about the June 14-27, 2023 Hiestand-Haston European Heritage Tour Share this with Hastons or related family members who mightContinue

June 16 2021

26 – Daniel Haston’s Many Experiences in the Knox County, TN Courtroom

26 – Daniel Haston’s Many Experiences in the Courtroom While Living in Knox County, TN When Daniel was a young man back in Shenandoah County, VA, he was conspicuously absent from court appearances of any kind, although his brothers were there often as witnesses, involved in court cases, or even sometimes as attorneys. Daniel, asContinue

June 16 2021

10 – The Richterswil Wilderness Trust

10 – The Wilderness Trust in Richterswil That the Hiestands Have Been Members of for Many Centuries On Sunday morning, June 18, 2023 we will worship – like our Anabaptist ancestors worshiped – in a Swiss forest on the hillside behind the town or Richterswil.Â They met in secret there because they could be imprisonedContinue

June 15 2021

25 – Another Haston Boy in Trouble – Joseph and the Broken-Down Fence

25 – Another of Daniel Haston’s Boys in Trouble Joseph and the Broken-Down Fence Let’s start with a couple of definitions, for those of you who may not know what “Timothy” is or a “close,” because this story is all about a “timothy close,” some hogs, and a son who was just following his father’sContinue

June 15 2021

09 – The Old WÃ¤denswil Castle in Richterswil, Canton Zurich of Switzerland

9 – The 13th-16th Century WÃ¤denswil Castle Above Richterswil Alt-WÃ¤denswil Castle, the residence of the barons von WÃ¤denswil, was inaugurated in the 13th century. The castle had to be demolished in 1557 according to a decision of the Diet, as Schwyz felt threatened by the expansion of the city-state of Zurich.Â Our Hiestand Ancestors WereContinue

June 12 2021

24 – Daniel’s Son David Haston Cut Tails Off a Neighbor’s Cows

24 – David Haston Cut Tails Off a Neighbor’s Horned Cows Some of us Haston boys have been known for mischief.Â Just ask people who knew us while we were growing up.Â For example, out of a class of 212, the principal’s daughter I were voted “Most Mischievous” in my senior year of high school.Â Continue

June 8 2021

08 – The Amazing Richterswil Fountain

08 – The Amazing Richterswil Jet Fountain Weather permitting and etc., we will watch the world famous Richterswil Jet Fountain “spout” on Sunday, June 25, 2023. The Richterswil FONTÃ„NE, with its height of 101 meters (331 feet), takes eighth place among the top ten, but it is the highest fountain in the world that isContinue

June 8 2021

Understanding Your DNA Results – Darvin Martin Zoom Meeting

Understanding Your DNA Results Darvin Martin in Our June 7, 2021 Zoom Meeting https://youtu.be/gplW6ERb2gg Darvin Martin – an expert in Swiss-German Mennonite genetic (DNA) genealogy.Â Darvin presents a basic understanding of DNA as it relates to family research.Â But there is lots of time for questions and answers. If you appreciated this article, please shareContinue

June 5 2021

23 – Daniel Haston Family – South of Holston River, Opposite Knoxville, TN

23 – Daniel Haston Family, South of the “Holston” River Opposite Knoxville, TN Daniel and family lived in the Knoxville, TN area for about 10 years. There is a lot of information available about his family during that time, so Chapter 14 in the BIG book I’m working on contains 70+ pages. I’ll extract someContinue

May 29 2021

22- Two of Daniel Haston’s Siblings in South Central KY

Two of Daniel Haston’s Siblings in South Central, KY The Mill Creek Meeting House Near Tompkinsville, KY. Built in 1804. Abraham Hiestand’s (Hestand’s) Path Ends in South Central KY John Mulkey and his brother Philip Mulkey, sons of Rev. Jonathan Mulkey, were members of the Big Pigeon Baptist Church near what is now Newport, TennesseeContinue

May 22 2021

21 – Daniel Haston Votes in Favor of the State of Franklin

21 – Daniel Haston Voted in Favor of the State of Franklin So, our Daniel was a “Franklinite” The yellow county – Washington County – is where Abraham Hiestand lived for a few years. Although there is no (to my knowledge) evidence for Daniel Haston’s specific whereabouts in the county, apparently he also lived thereContinue

May 18 2021

07 – Richterswil – Our Swiss “Hometown”

07 – Richterswil, the “Village” of Our Swiss Hiestands Although our Hiestand ancestors lived in other villages around Lake ZÃ¼rich, we can probably think of Richterswil as our Swiss hometown.Â For that reason, we will be spending four nights in Richterswil, where – in our free times – we can walk the streets that ourContinue

May 18 2021

05 – ZÃ¼rich – Walking Tour of the City

05 – ZÃ¼rich – A Walking Tour of the City On the afternoon of Saturday, June 17, 2023, we will tour the city of Zurich, the largest city in Switzerland.Â It’s one of the most important financial centers in the world.Â Situated on the north shore of Lake Zurich and spanning the Limmat River, itContinue

May 15 2021

20 – Abraham and Daniel Hiestand in the “Overmountain” Wilderness of NC

20 – Abraham and Daniel in the “Overmountain” of NC For approximately 10 to 15 years, Henry Hiestand’s “boys”–Daniel and his older brother Abraham–lived in the “Overmountain” region of Western North Carolina.Â Well, that’s not totally accurate because that area became part of the 16th state of the USA, Tennessee (1796), while they were livingContinue

May 11 2021

06 – Limmat River – Where Felix Manz Was Martyred

06 – The Drowning Martyrdom of Anabaptist, Felix Manz On Saturday June 17, 2023 we will visit the site on the Limmat River in Zurich City where one of the first Anabaptist leaders, Felix Manz, was executed by drowning solely because of his Anabaptist faith. The people of Zurich crowded along both sides of theContinue

May 8 2021

19 – The Hiestand Brothers – Abraham and Daniel – Settle in Western North Carolina

19 – Abraham and Daniel Hiestand Settle in the “Carolinas” Headed for “the Carolinas” When the earliest post-Revolution settlers left their homes in places like Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia and said, â€œWeâ€™re going to the Carolinas,â€ that did not necessarily mean they were going to the area enclosed in the current boundaries of North andContinue

May 2 2021

04 – The Anabaptist Cave – TÃ¤uferhÃ¶hle, Where Anabaptists Worshipped in Secret

04 – TÃ¤uferhÃ¶hle (Anabaptist Cave) – Secret Place for Worship – Saturday, June 17, 2023, we will walk up the hill to see where Swiss Brethren (Anabaptists/Mennonites) met to worship in secret. – The German wordÂ TÃ¤ufer = “Baptist” in English, not Baptist as a denomination but Baptist as “one who baptizes.”Â In Switzerland, beginning inContinue

May 1 2021

18 – The Mysterious Daniel MG Hastings “Mortality List” Card

18 – The Mysterious Daniel MG. Hastings Mortality List Card The “1830 Revolutionary War Mortality Listing” Card In the early 1970s, Dwight Haston discovered the little card that you see pictured above. He found it in a research library in Arkansas. At that time, there was several members of the Daniel Haston family who wereContinue

April 30 2021

Submit Name and USPS Address for Occasional Snail-Mailings

Building a USPS (Snail Mail) List for Occasional Mailings Related to the History and Heritage of Daniel Haston & Haston Family Events If your current surname (or the surname of a friend or relative who is related to the pioneer Daniel Haston family) is not spelled “Haston” or “Hastain” (example, you go by a marriedContinue

April 28 2021

DNA – Explained by Scientist and Genealogist Darvin Martin

DNA – An Introduction by Darvin Martin, Scientist & Genealogist View the June 7, 2021 Zoom Session with the Daniel Haston Family Association View Another Video: Darvin Martin Teaching the Basics of DNA Summary of the Q&A in the Video What are the main tests you can take to learn information about your background? ThereContinue

April 24 2021

17b – Thomas Archer – the Eccentric Man from Guilford County, NC Who Ended Up with Warrant #2344

Thomas Archer – an Eccentric Man from Guilford County, NC Who Ended Up With 640 Acres from Military Bounty Land Warrant #2344 This is #3 in a sequence of 3 articles.Â You should read the first two articles before reading this one. 1. “Daniel Haston” Rev War Land Grant 2. The “Guilford County Four” &Continue

April 24 2021

17a – The “Guilford County Four” and Rev War Land Grant Proceedings at Fairfield Plantation

17a – The “Guilford County Four” And the Epicenter of 1785 Land Fraud – James Glasgow’s “Fairfield” Plantation This is #2 in a sequence of 3 articles.Â You should read the first article before reading this one. 1. “Daniel Haston” Rev War Land Grant 3. Thomas Archer – the Man Who Ended Up with theContinue

April 24 2021

17 – The “Daniel Haston” Revolutionary War Land Grant

The “Daniel Haston” Rev War Land Grant Legal or Fraudulent? 640 acres in Houston County, TN (west of Nashville) were granted to Thomas Archer, based on Revolutionary War Land Grant #2344.Â The right to the land was originally issued to a “Daniel Haston.”Â But was the name Daniel Haston just used by NC Secretary ofContinue

April 21 2021

03 – Hiestand Bakery in Zurich, Switzerland

03 – Hiestand Bakery Bistro and Shop in Zurich, Switzerland View the Menu Options Alfred (Fredy) Hiestand comes from Hiestand family, which is the honorable bakery brand in Europe. He brought advanced production machinery and equipment, technology, management team and his product concept. In the year 1967, Alfred Hiestand established his first bakery in aContinue

April 20 2021

02 – Rhine Falls, Near Schaffhausen, in Northern Switzerland

02 – Rhine Falls at Schaffhausen, Switzerland https://youtu.be/IWVG_ctdGWY The Rhine Falls in SwitzerlandÂ is the most powerful waterfall in all of Europe.Â You will see, not only the Rhine Falls in Switzerland, but the awesome landscape and villages that surround the Rhine River. The Rhine River Falls is on a stretch of the Rhine RiverContinue

April 20 2021

01 – Black Forest of Germany

01 – The Black Forest of Southwest Germany – First Evening Stop on Our Hiestand-Haston Family Heritage Tour to Switzerland and the Rhineland of Germany – The Black Forest is Known for its Awesome Beauty Our first evening will be spent in the Black Forest, along our way from Frankfort Germany to Zurich, Switzerland.Â TheÂ BlackContinue

April 17 2021

Clarence E. Haston, Jr.

“Bud” (Clarence E.) Haston, Jr. Awarded the Gold Star Honor In WWII – An Honor Nobody Wants to Win – Thanks to Chuck Haston of McMinnville, TN for sharing this information with us. Chuck’s father (Judge Charles D. Haston) is Bud Haston’s kid brother. “Bud” Haston (Clarence Eugene Haston, Jr.) grew up in McMinnville ofContinue

April 17 2021

16 – Daniel Haston and the DAR and SAR

16 – Can I Get Into the DAR or SAR through Daniel Haston? The centennial of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1876 renewed a fervor to honor our countryâ€™s Revolutionary War patriots. In the year of that centennial, the Society of Cincinnati (Ohio) launched The Sons of the Revolution and a groupContinue

April 10 2021

15 – Henry Hiestand’s Estate Settled and the Family Splits

15 – Henry Hiestand’s Estate Settled and the Family Parts Ways Daniel’s Mother & Father Die in 1777 and 1779 Peter Hiessandt, Sr.’s, (older brother of Daniel) Bible record was written in the old German script, but transcribed later by descendants.Â Peter recorded some very helpful information about his mother and father: Year 1777 theContinue

April 9 2021

00 – June 14-27, 2023 Hiestand-Haston Tour to Switzerland and Germany

Hiestand-Haston Family Heritage Tour June 14-27, 2023 – Switzerland & Rhineland of Germany Photo above: The “village” of Richterswil in Canton ZÃ¼rich, Switzerland – where our Hiestand-Haston ancestors lived centuries ago. Download the Questions and Answers Document A Tour with Double-Value Scenic Value The “scenic value” of this tour alone will be worth the priceContinue

April 6 2021

Ruth Haston Norwood

Ruth Haston Norwood May 15, 1929 – April 3, 2021 A Daniel Haston History Hall of Famer Daniel was my gggg grandfather. David my ggg, Isaac [Isaac T.] my gg, Wm Carroll (not David’s son) my g grandfather, Wm Isaac my grandfather. Ruth Haston Norwood (January 19, 2001) When I (Wayne Haston) began researching theContinue

April 3 2021

14 – Daniel & Christina Nave Haston – Newlyweds in Fort Valley

14 – Daniel & Christina Nave Hiestand/Haston Newlyweds in Fort Valley, VA Daniel and Christina lived on Passage Creek for the first ten years or so of their marriage. Their little kids (three whose names are unknown, but David and Joseph Haston for sure) would have played in this creek at or near this veryContinue

March 27 2021

13 – Daniel Hiestand Married Christina Nave

13 – Our Daniel Hiestand Married Christina Nave In Shenandoah County, Virginia View Larger Version of this Image I think we can safely say it’s fact that our Daniel Hiestand/Haston married Christina Nave on September 28, 1773, or at least was issued a marriage bond on that date.Â But two questions remain unanswered: Who wasContinue

March 20 2021

12 – Hiestand Land in “The Fort” – Powell’s Fort Valley, VA

12 – Hiestand Land in “The Fort” – Fort Valley, Virginia Seven Bends of North Shenandoah River, near Woodstock, VA with Fort Valley in the Massanutten Mountain behind (east of) the river. Photo Above – Looking Southeast Foreground = Seven bends of North Fork Shenandoah River (near Woodstock, VA) on the west side of MassanuttenContinue

March 16 2021

William A. Haston – Mexican War Hero

One of the Most Heroic Units in the Mexican War I have no photo of him. I have no details of his specific activities during his year of service in the Mexican War. He was only a private. He was only a volunteer, not a member of the Regular Army. He only served 12 months. ButContinue

March 13 2021

11 – The Henry Hiestand Family in Virginia

11 – The Henry Hiestand Family in Virginia When Henry Hiestand and his wife (name unknown) moved their family to Virginia, they probably already had four or five children who had been born back in Lancaster County, PA–Barbara (c. 1734), Jacob (c. 1736), Peter (c. 1738), and maybe Abraham (c. 1840).Â Ann was born OctoberContinue

March 6 2021

10 – Indian Troubles in the Shenandoah Valley, VA

10 – Indian Attacks Around Our Hiestands in Pennsylvania and Virginia Memorial for Rev. John Roads – Mennonist & wife and six children massacred here by Indians, August 1764 As a kid, cowboys and Indians was just a fun game we played.Â And the battles between Indians and American pioneers was just something we enjoyedContinue

March 4 2021

Surname Spellings in Daniel Haston Family

One Family – Many H-Surname Spellings Colonel Howard H. Hasting, Sr.Â – a 1950s–early 1980s Haston family researcher – opened his research report on the family of Daniel Haston with this question: What is the name of this family?Â He then proceeded to reference several different ways our H-surname has been spelled in official records.Â IContinue

February 27 2021

09 – Our Ancestor Moves to the Shenandoah Valley, VA

Hiestands Move to the Shenandoah Valley in Northern Virginia From a “Hiestand field” on the South Fork of the Shenandoah River Our Daniel Hiestand/Haston was probably born a quarter mile or less down river from this spot. He grew up here and no doubt learned to swim and fish in this river–the South Fork ofContinue

February 20 2021

08 – Henry Hiestand Settles on Penn Family Land

08 – Henry Hiestand Settled on Land Acquired from William Penn’s Sons Outline of the 226 acre tract Henry Hiestand settled on and had surveyed in Lancaster County, PA. And who were Henry Hiestands parents? Exactly where did he live in Lancaster County, PA? Why did he owe so much money to Caspar Wistar?Â WhoContinue

February 13 2021

07 – Our Hiestands Begin Life in America

07 – Henry Hiestand – His Earliest Years in America William Penn’s first visit to his American colony in 1682 paved the way for our Henrich Hiestand to settle there 45 years later. Image Source: https://owlcation.com/ For Americans, an “immigrant ancestor” is an ancestor who emigrated from some other country, to come to and settleContinue

February 11 2021

Caney Fork of the Cumberland

Caney Fork of the Cumberland (The Book) Daniel Haston settled on the south side of the Caney Fork River in what was then White County, TN.Â The river holds lots of memories for those of us who grew up near there.Â I certainly have enough personal stories to occupy you for a few hours andContinue

February 7 2021

06 – The Journey from Ibersheim to America

06 – The Journey from Ibersheim to America Source: http://olivetreegenealogy.blogspot.com/ In early 1727, Henrich Hiestand probably boarded a barge in Worms, much like the one above, saying a “forever” goodbye to his Ibersheim family. Of the Mennonites who emigrated from the Rhine lands, â€œonly a small proportionâ€”roughly 10 percentâ€”journeyed overseas.Â The vast majority relocated inContinue

February 1 2021

05a – Our Hiestands (Heystandts) – Refugees on the North Sea

05a – Our Hiestands (Heystandts) – Refugees in Friedrichstadt on the North Sea “Heystandt” was the way the Hollander-Dutch spelled our Hiestand name. The Nine Years War or the War of the Grand Alliance In 1689 Ibersheim and the entire Palatinate again became a hot war zone. Â Five years after hereditary tenant rights were grantedContinue

January 31 2021

05 – Where Henrich Hiestand Was Born – Ibersheim, Germany

05 – Ibersheim, Germany German Home-Village of Our Hiestands https://www.akpool.de/ The village of Ibersheim (pronounced, Ibers-heim [“ib” as in “crib”]) is situated on what historically was an unprotected floodplain on the left bank (west side of) the Rhine River, just below (north of) a sharp northeastward bend in the river, about six miles (12 km)Continue

January 24 2021

04 – Swiss Anabaptists Flee to the Germany

04 – Our Swiss Ancestors Flee to Germany (Source: artuk.org) The Thirty Years War (1618-1648) Paves the Way for Swiss Anabaptists to Find New Homes Almost as soon as the Swiss Brethren (Anabaptists/Mennonites) began to teach and practice the Biblical principles they were learning from studying the New Testament (1525 A.D. and following), they encounteredContinue

January 20 2021

01-19-2021 Our Swiss Roots with Ross Baughman

Our Hiestand (Canton Zurich) Swiss Roots Video of the January 19, 2021 “Swiss Roots of the Hiestand/Haston Family” Zoom discussion with J. Ross Baughman as the expert guest. The full two hours of the meeting, focusing on the area south of the Zurich Sea where our Hiestand ancestors came from, with information on their participationContinue

January 14 2021

03 – Our Mennonite Roots

03 – What Do You Know About Our Mennonite Roots? Image from Christianity.com Rev. Samuel Hiestand’s parents, grandparents, and several generations before were all Mennonites. “Samuel Hiestand” – Wikipedia This Samuel Hiestand was our Daniel Haston’s nephew, son of Daniel’s oldest brother Jacob. Huldrych (Ulrich) Zwingli You know about Martin Luther and the Protestant ReformationContinue

January 10 2021

02 – Hastons Rooted in Switzerland

02 – Our Haston Roots are in Switzerland For many years, even the most diligent researchers in the extended Daniel Haston family would hit the so-called genealogical â€œbrick wallâ€ with appearances of Daniel in western North Carolina, prior to the formation of the state of Tennessee.Â They could establish their family connections back to Daniel,Continue

January 3 2021

01 – In Search of Our European Roots

01 – In Search of Our European Roots It looks like a hopeless task to trace back the family of Daniel, but letâ€™s keep stumbling in the dark until we find something. Col. Howard H. Hasting, Sr. (1979) The desire of Daniel Hastonâ€™s descendants to know our European ethnicity did not begin with the genealogicalContinue

December 27 2020

Book Project – Heritage of Daniel Haston

Book Progress Update – December 2020 The work on this book actually began in the fall of 1999, when I started interacting with other people who were researching our Haston family history, visiting libraries, reading books, organizing a filing system, and developing www.DanielHaston.com. When I officially retired in 2017, the writing began.Â I estimated thatContinue

December 25 2020

Discovering Your Family History

Why Study Dead People? Or “Discovering Your Family’s History” Podcast Interview with Wayne Haston https://youtu.be/1_RmldZXnY8 DEBORAH JOHNSON, M.A., creator of Hero Mountainâ„¢Â® and past President of Los Angeles National Speakers Association, is an international award-winning music artist, author, speaker and National Media Commentator. Deborah provides principles to produce a successful second half, creating momentum andContinue

December 17 2020

Dave and Estelle Haston

David Rhea and Estelle Suggs Haston Daniel Haston Family History “Hall of Famers” David Rhea and Estelle (Suggs) Haston lived in Sparta, Tennessee (White County, TN). You can see their birth and death dates on the Highland Cemetery tombstone below. For 20+ years (mid-1960s until sometime in the late 1980s or so) Dave and EstelleContinue

December 6 2020

Colonel Howard H. Hasting, Sr.

Colonel Howard H. Hasting, Sr. 1950s-80s Daniel Haston Family Researcher A Daniel Haston History Hall of Famer Howard H. Hasting, Sr. March 23, 1905-April 1, 2003 Oldest of six children. Graduate of the United States Military Academy, West Point in 1928. Separated from the armed service in 1931, he practiced law in Arkansas until heContinue

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This blog began on January 1, 2001. Some of the main topics included in the blog focus on the history of the Daniel Haston family, going all the way back to the Hiestands of Zürich Switzerland, as early as the 15th century, honoring earlier Haston family researchers and other notable Hastons, announcing events of significance to members of the Daniel Haston Family and related families, as well as other related topics.

Zoom – Wayne’s Haston Reunion Presentation

Are You Interested in a Two-Part Series of Zoom Presentations

in Which I Would Give the Haston History Presentation I Gave in the Recent Haston Reunion?

Please Share This Page with Others who Might be Interested in the Presentation.

6 – Theories about the Shotgun Death of Vollie Belle Haston

Theories about the Shotgun Death of Vollie Belle Haston

Co-Authors: Becky Hitchcock Harris and Wayne Haston

I have learned that there is a lot of information “out there” (be it factual or inaccurate lore) about Vollie Belle Haston’s life and tragic death. I’d love to hear anything you have heard or know about Vollie Belle’s life or her death. WayneH37@aol.com

Theories as to Who Killed Vollie Belle and Why

Here we are 70+ years later and no one knows for sure who pulled the trigger, pumped that Winchester Model 97 12 gauge shotgun, and pulled the trigger a second time. All we are left with is theories. And when people are left with only theories, imaginations tend to run wild.

Dr. T.F. (Titus Floyd) Page's Theory

The medical doctor who examined Vollie Belle’s body filled out the information on her death certificate. He was careful to not speculate as to the specific cause of her death except to say “Shot to death by someone not known at this time.” However, with three options (Accident, Suicide, or Homicide) in the “If Death was Due tp External Causes (Specify)” section, he wrote “Homicide.” So, he did not believe she intentionally killed herself or did it accidentally. From what he saw in her body and at the crime scene, the doctor believed she was murdered.

The Theory of the Coroner's Jury of Inquest

At the scene of Vollie Belle’s death, a jury of inquest was formed. Apparently, the jury concluded, from the evidence they saw, that Clarke Raymond (Vollie Belle’s husband) killed his wife. After consulting with Clarke and among themselves, the report the jury of inquest gave to the sheriff led immediately to Clarke’s arrest.

The Theory of the Prosecuting Attorneys

A criminal case usually gets started with a police arrest report. The prosecutor then decides what criminal charges to file, if any. Some cases go to a , where a judge decides if there is enough evidence to proceed. Cases can also start when a grand jury issues a criminal indictment. Source

Clarke Raymond was charged with first degree murder, the most serious charge the prosecution could bring. So the prosecution believed that Clarke killed his wife and that it was a willful, deliberate, intentional, and malicious act, with cool purpose. A first degree murder charge requires enough strong evidence that the jury unanimously concludes that the defendant is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. The prosecution probably thought they had the “home field advantage” on their side–Vollie Belle was a popular local girl and Clarke Raymond was essentially a stranger from far away Montana.

The Theory (or Theories) of the Defense Attorneys

The defense attorneys probably knew the truth of what happened. It wasn’t their job to prove any theory of what happened, but simply to disprove the evidence brought by the prosecution. To present alternative theories that would cause the jury to at least have reasonable doubts regarding Clarke’s guilt. They would have liked to have proven that it was an accident–that Vollie Belle accidentally killed herself. But the two blasts from a pump shotgun made it impossible to convince the jury that Vollie Belle accidentally killed herself. And, even Clarke essentially ruled out suicide.

So the defense’s strongest argument was maybe (just maybe) someone else killed Vollie Belle, even though there were no witnesses or physical evidence of another person in or around the scene of her death.

But, again, the defense did not have to prove anything. They just had to sow some seeds of doubt with regard to Clarke’s guilt in the minds of some members of the jury.

Some Theories that Have Been Proposed

Many people have tackled these “who? and why?” questions ever since Vollie Belle was killed. Here are some of the theories that have emerged.

"Clarke Raymond killed his wife in order to collect the $1,000 from her insurance policy."

Vollie Belle’s father, Bransford Haston, had taken a Woodman of the World insurance policy out on Vollie Belle and originally made her mother the beneficiary. But after Vollie Belle married Clarke Raymond, the beneficiary was changed to Clarke. The prosecution raised some questions about that policy, but did not probe in depth on this issue, probably realizing that the insurance policy was not the motive behind Vollie Belle’s death.

Note: I contacted the Woodman of the World Insurance Company to try to learn who received the $1,000, but was told they could not release that information to me.

"Escapees from the 'State Farm' correctional facility about 20 miles east-southeast of the crime scene may have murdered Vollie Belle."

Three years earlier, an escapee from that correctional facility had murdered the wife and daughter of the superintendent of the facility. That event was doubtless still on the minds of the local folks, including jury members. Knowing that, the defense attorneys injected the possibility of a similar kind of incident to reflect guilt away from Clarke. But there were no tracks in the area other than those of Clarke and possibly Vollie Belle. And there had been a rain shower earlier that morning, making it difficult for someone other than Clarke to have gotten into and out of the crime scene without leaving tracks in bare spots around the house.

"There was some significant conflict in their marriage that ended up in a fight that resulted in Vollie Belle's death."

Clarke and Vollie Belle were supposedly deeply in love and were not experiencing any conflicts that were visible to her family and their friends. But there may have been some serious disagreements that were seething under the surface of their marriage.

Although there is no clear indication of it anywhere in the trials, perhaps Clarke was carrying on an affair with someone–maybe someone in the neighborhood, while Vollie Belle was working in Spencer.

The local Sparta Expositor newspaper mentioned a disagreement that possibly the couple was privately quarreling over. But there was no mention of this in the trial transcript. Apparently, the prosecution had investigated this possible conflict and had determined that it was not an issue worth bringing up in the trial.

Theory A: A sinister issue had arisen in Vollie’s and Clarke’s marriage. Clarke became curious about what was written in the diary; he ripped it open; read what Vollie Belle had written about him, and it made him very angry. In anger, he tore out all the pages that mentioned his name; confronted Vollie Belle about what she had written in the diary, and proceeded to storm out the door, take the diary pages out to the toilet and throw them into the pit. The confrontation made Vollie Belle angry enough to come after Clarke with the shotgun (which already had a shell in the chamber). There was a fight over the shotgun–that resulted in two buttons being torn from Vollie’s housecoat–and the gun was somehow discharged during the fight. The first shot tore some skin from Vollie Belle’s right wrist and hit her under the left arm, blasting away part of her bicep muscle. The pellets were deflected such that they hit the house in a scattered pattern. Being in a state of rage, Clarke worked the shotgun mechanism to eject the spent shell and chamber another one. He then–in that state of rage–shot Vollie Belle in the side at point blank range. And, in the span of three minutes, he carried Vollie Belle’s body inside the house, placed her on the bed, and ran over and told Perry Smith that Vollie Belle had shot herself. (Arguably second-degree murder. …. or, at the least, manslaughter?)

Theory B: A sinister issue had arisen in Vollie’s and Clarke’s marriage. Clarke became curious about what was written in the diary; he ripped it open; read what Vollie Belle had written about him, and learned that she had information that could not only ruin his life but that of someone else, …and that she was planning to reveal all of it. He reasoned that he had to get rid of the diary and that he had to silence Vollie Belle, …and make it explainable as an accident. So, he tore the pages out of the diary, stuck them in his pocket, and placed what was left of the diary back where he found it–for time being. And, without saying anything to Vollie Belle about the diary on October 5, 1947, he said, “I think I am going to see if I can get a shot at that hawk that we have been seeing.” Then, taking the shotgun with him, he goes out to the toilet, disposes of the diary pages, and crouches behind the grapevines near the garden gate to await Vollie Belle. In order to make his planned explanation believable, he would need to get an upward shot at her from close range. In a few minutes Vollie Belle, not suspecting that anything is amiss, comes out the back door, heading toward the toilet. As she takes a couple of steps toward the garden gate she sees the muzzle of a shotgun protruding through the grapevines and hears the click of the hammer being cocked. She quickly raises her right arm to a defensive position and starts to turn and run, just as the first shot is fired. Vollie Belle is badly wounded by the first shot, but still alive, and lying on the ground. The spray of shotgun pellets had hit the well pulley, the house weatherboarding, and the window. (The plan to make it explainable as an accident has just been botched, and now there is another reason that Vollie Belle has to be silenced: She can tell the world that Clarke intentionally shot her. So, Clarke Raymond calmly walks through the garden gate, works the pump shotgun mechanism, throws the spent shell over toward the porch step, and takes the second shot. Then he places the body on a sheet–ripping off a couple of her housecoat buttons in the process–, carries Vollie Belle into the house, and places her on the bed. Then, in a frantic state of mind, he goes with his originally planned explanation, ….possibly having mentally erased the fact that he had fired two shots in rapid succession. He runs over across the field and tells Perry Smith that Vollie has shot herself. Then, he runs back to the house. And he suddenly remembers that diary. In the fifteen-minute (or so) window of time, before neighbors begin arriving, Clarke stuffs the diary and the bloody sheet -that he used to carry the body into the house into a lard can and hides it in the smokehouse. And it never got entered into evidence, until now. (First-degree murder ….or the act of a mentally deranged person?)

My (Wayne's) Theory

The clues to who killed Vollie Belle and why it happened are right there in the court transcript!!!

How did I miss these clues? Before working on this final article in the six-part series on the Saga of Vollie Belle Haston’s Life and Tragic Death, I went back and carefully reread the entire trial transcript of the second circuit court trial–the April 1948 trial that was held in Spencer. This was the main document that was submitted to and reviewed by the Tennessee Supreme Court.

How did I not see these clues when I first read the transcript? And what’s worse is – How did the prosecuting attorneys and the Tennessee Supreme Court miss these clues? And how did Circuit Court Judge Smartt miss these clues and narrow the jury’s options to only two decisions?

Here’s why we all missed seeing these clues: The defense seems to have known that some of the witnesses were trying to surface these clues, but the defense attorneys manipulated the testimonies of witnesses to suppress any additional revelation of these clues.

The newfound awareness of these clues caused me to do some research into the what-I-think-is-probable reason for Vollie Belle’s death. The probable cause is simple, but to explain it clearly enough for you to understand the full force of the issue, I’ve created the following document that you really need to read:

Or View It Below

Use your mouse to scroll down or up the document.

[pdf-embedder url=”https://danielhaston.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Clarke-Raymond-PTSD-Killing-Vollie-Belle-in-Episode-Theory.pdf” title=”Clarke Raymond – PTSD Killing Vollie Belle in Episode Theory”]

Results from the "Who Killed Vollie Belle?" Poll in the 4th Article

22 votes: 54.5% Thought Clarke Intentionally Killed Her, 36.4% Thought Clarke Killed Her in a Heated Argument

Intentional and Premeditated = First Degree Murder Unpremeditated in Heat of Argument = Second Degree Murder

Other Theories for the Shotgun Death of Vollie Belle Haston Raymond

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5. Vollie Belle Haston – The Murder Trials

Vollie Belle Haston - The Murder Trials

Co-Authors: Becky Hitchcock Harris and Wayne Haston

Oldtimers in and from Van Buren County still talk about the murder trials of 1947 and 1948, in which Clarke Raymond (former Montana resident) was tried for the murder of his wife, Vollie Belle née Haston, a lifelong resident of Van Buren County, Tennessee.

As you saw from the previous article in this series, it was a strange case! People today who look back on the case still “scratch their heads” trying to figure out how Clarke Raymond could claim his wife accidentally shot herself two times with a pump 12 gauge shotgun.

Even though justice generally came more quickly in the 1940s than it does today, it took more than a year to resolve the case.

Options of Four Types of Murder Charges

Timeline of Key Events in the Vollie Belle Haston Raymond Murder Trial

October 5, 1947

Two shotgun blasts killed Vollie Belle

Death by a 12 Gauge Pump Shotgun

The killing weapon was a Winchester Model 97 (1897) pump-action 12 gauge shotgun. The fact that Vollie Belle was killed with two shots, the second shot fired a few (perhaps four) seconds after the first one, made it difficult for the defendant's attorneys to convince the jury that Vollie Belle accidentally shot herself. Other evidence made it difficult for the defense to argue that someone other than Clarke Raymond fired the shots.

October 28, 1947

Indictment of Clarke Raymond for the Murder of his Wife

Circuit Court Grand Jury Indictment

A Grand Jury for the Circuit Court of Van Buren County (7th Judicial District) returned an indictment of first degree murder in the case State of Tennessee v. Clarke Raymond. The Circuit Judge was R.W. Smartt (photo) of McMinnville, TN.

Grand Jury: Clifton Sparkman, Claud Templeton, Brintz Maynard, W.M. Austin, Bill Dodson, John Delong, Frank Rozzell, O.J. Swope, Huston Hillis, Haskel Hitchcock, J.P. Hale, and Lee Miller. The trial was set for November 25, 1947.

November 25 - 26, 1947

Trial #1 - State v. Clarke Raymond

First Circuit Court Trial (in Spencer) - State of Tennessee vs Clarke Raymond (Murder)

The Honorable R.W. Smartt was the judge in this case and all of the other Circuit Court actions.

The defendant was represented by Jim Camp of Sparta, TN, and Lewis S. Pope of Nashville.

The State (prosecution) was represented by Jim Brady, C.D. Lamb, Robert S. Brady, and E.C. Haston (relative of Vollie Belle Haston).

The case began on Tuesday morning, November 25, and continued to the next day. Clarke Raymond pleaded "not guilty."

Jury: Herb Frady, Grover Hennessee, Earl Hillis, Kenneth Slatton, Dalton Delong, Merle Savage, Glenn Deweese, Gene Christian, Albert Deweese, Hollis D. Myers, Winton Hillis, and Floyd Bryant.

Clarke's mother, Mrs. C.C. Raymond of San Diego, CA, his brother, D.D. Raymond, and uncle C.R. Clarke of Minneapolis, MN were with him during the trial.

Raymond's defense was built around the possibility of the murder having been committed by a third person.

After six hours of deliberation, the trial ended in a mistrial because of a hung jury (eight to four in favor of acquittal). A retrial was scheduled for April 27, 1948.

November 27, 1947

Freed on bond

$7,500 Bond

On the day following the end of the first trial, Clarke was released on a $7,500 bond. He was back in Montana on December 6, 1947 and left there on December 9 to visit his mother and sisters in San Diego, California.

April 27 & 29, 1948

Trial # 2 - State v. Clarke Raymond

The Second Circuit Court Trial (in Spencer)

Again, R.W. Smartt was the judge. Jury members: Theron Bouldin, John Roberts, Rayburn Hennessee, J.A. Walling, Lee Myers, Buck Binkley, John Snider, Jonah Vanwinkle, George M. Dodson, Raymon Hensley, Clarence Simmons, Willard Bouldin, and Walter Martin.

After deliberating only 50 minutes, the jury found Clarke Raymond guilty of voluntary manslaughter and set his punishment at not more than two years in the Tennessee State Penitentiary.

This was the minimum penalty for voluntary manslaughter. Clarke had 30 days to file for a new trial. He was released on a $7,500 bond until the application for a third trial could be granted.

May 6, 1948

Back in Montana

According to the Sparta Expositor, Clarke Raymond was back "home" in Sheridan, Montana by May 6, 1948.

May 17, 1948

Defendant's motion for a new trial.

Attorney Jim Camp a Filed Motion in the Circuit Court for a Retrial

A motion for a new trial was filed on May 17, 1948. June 1, 1948 was set for the date of a hearing for the defendants attorneys to make their arguments for a new trial.

June 1, 1948

Hearing for the motion to allow a retrial.

Clarke Raymond's Defense Attorneys Presented the Case for a New Trial

Clarke Raymond's attorneys presented four grounds for a new trial:

1. That there was no material evidence to sustain the verdict.
2. That the greater weight of evidence preponderates against the verdict and in favor of the defendant.
3. That the court was in error in not allowing the defendant's claim that some highway patrolmen threatened him.
4. That the jury was not followed proper protocol in charging the jury.

September 20, 1948

Motion for New Trial Disallowed

Clarke Raymond's Motion for a New (3rd) Trial in the Circuit Court was Disallowed

After "due consideration" Clarke Raymond's appeal for a net trial was overruled by the Circuit Court. The defendant was ordered to pay the State of Tennessee all of the costs ($126.55) of the case and be confined in the State Penitentiary for a period not to exceed two years and "suffer the pains that are by statue provided."

September 20, 1948

Appeal to the State Supreme Court

Clarke Raymond Appealed His Case to the Tennessee Supreme Court

On the day Clarke Raymond learned that the Van Buren County Circuit Court was rejecting his motion for a new trial in that court, he appealed to the next term of the Tennessee Supreme Court. This appeal was granted and a bail bond of $2,000 was set for his appearance at the next term of the State Supreme Court and for term to term until discharged.

September 23, 1948

Bail Bond Paid

Two Thousand Dollars Paid

Clarke Raymond, Carrie Raymond Junod, Delilah E. Raymond, Nancy Raymond Johnson, and Mrs. Margie H. Camp (wife of the defendant's attorney) put up the bond money ($2,000).

November 16, 1948

Bond Filed

The $2,000 Bail Bond was filed.

December 7, 1948

Judgment of the TN Supreme Court

Clarke Raymond v. State of Tennessee - The Supposedly-Final Judgment

The Tennessee State Supreme Court reviewed the Technical Record and Trial Transcript, including the exhibits accepted in the case and all the court filings (no oral arguments) and concluded:

The State respectfully insists that the judgment of the lower court is without reversible error and should be affirmed.

Jan 18, 1949

Reversal by the TN Supreme Court

Based on a technicality - procedural error by Judge Smartt - the guilty sentence was reversed. Officially (legally), Clarke Raymond was not found guilty but the evidence presented in court stands the way as it was presented.

Only one person knew for sure what happened that Sunday morning and he (Clarke Raymond) died in 2001. Was his story the true story? Or, was there a true story that the judge and jury never heard? If so, what was the true story?

February 4, 2001

Death of Clarke Raymond

No mention of Vollie Belle Haston Raymond. I wonder how many people back home in Montana ever knew the story of what happened to his first wife.

Supreme Court of Tennessee Reversal of the Clarke Raymond Conviction

ADCOCK v. STATE, 191 Tenn. 687 (1949)
Opinion filed January 17, 1949 (the day before the reversal of the Clarke Raymond decision)

Note: Judge R.W. Smartt was the judge in this case as well as the Clarke Raymond case. Clarence E. Haston (from McMinnville) was attorney for the plaintiff in error. He was attorney for the state in the Clarke Raymond case. Nat Tipton, Assistant Attorney General who wrote the ruling for the TN Supreme Court in the Clarke Raymond case apparently wrote the Supreme Court’s ruling in this case.

Summary of the Case Sent to the TN Supreme Court

13 Pages

Summary of the 2nd Circuit Court Case

As Presented to the TN State Supreme Court for an Appeal

Click on the Right Arrow to Read the 13 Pages in this Summary

253 Pages – The Case Docket Reviewed by the Tennessee Supreme Court
Includes Transcript from the Second Circuit Court Trial with Witnesses, etc.

Two Key People from the Murder Trial

Perry Smith was a former Sheriff of Van Buren County, TN. He and his wife were the closest neighbors to, and good friends of, Clarke and Vollie Belle Haston Raymond. It was Perry Smith that Clarke Raymond ran to after Vollie Belle was shot. Perry Smith was the first person to examine the murder scene following Vollie Belle’s death. He was the prosecution’s star witness in the murder trial. Judge R.W. Smartt was the Circuit Court Judge who was in charge of the case in Spencer.

1950 Cummings Reunion

Less than three years after the State vs. Clarke Raymond trial – what do you think Perry Smith and Judge Smartt were discussing? I wonder if Perry Smith is asking the judge, “WHY did you fail to send a written copy of your charge to the jury into the jury room for their deliberation?” Judge Smartt retired that year (1950), but continued to fill in for other judges until at least 1957.

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4 – Vollie Belle Haston – Her Death by a 12 Gauge Shotgun

Vollie Belle Haston Raymond - Mysterious Death by a 12 Gauge Pump Shotgun

Co-Authors: Becky Hitchcock Harris and Wayne Haston

The News Story - Chattanooga Times, October 7, 1947

The story of Vollie Belle’s death was reported in several Tennessee newspapers, but this October 7, 1947 article in the Chattanooga Times is the most complete single article I have found.

The State frankly confesses that upon the facts of the case, it is one of the most puzzling that has reached the desk of the writer in a long time.

Nat Tipton, Tennessee Assistant Attorney General (12-7-1948)

Timeline of the Events at the Scene of Vollie Belle's Death

Sunday Morning - October 5, 1947

Most of the stated times were taken from the various testimonies given in court. The details regarding the death of Vollie Belle were given by Clarke Raymond. There were no other onsite witnesses at the time of her death to vouch for him or contradict him. Whether or not his testimony was honest and accurate was (and still is) open to question–the crucial issue in the trial.

About Daylight

Light Rain

There was a light rain during the night (about daylight), but enough rain that tracks could have been seen in areas where there was no grass.

About 7:00 a.m.

Clarke Got Out of Bed

Clarke said he got up and built a fire in the kitchen stove. Vollie Belle was still in bed. He went to the barn to do the chores--feed the livestock, etc.

About 7:30-7:45 a.m.

Vollie Belle Was Up and Met Clarke

Clarke said he went back to the barn to feed the chickens and a hog and turn the livestock out to water. Vollie Belle came out of the door laughing and said, "You think you weren't going to get any breakfast?" He said, "No, I wasn't worried about that." Clarke went in to the bedroom and started reading a Time magazine and Vollie Belle brought him a cup of coffee, a few (10-15) minutes later (about 8:00 a.m.).

About 8:15-8:20 a.m.

Vollie Belle Told Clarke Breakfast Was Ready

Clarke said they ate breakfast together.

About 8:45 a.m.

Finished Breakfast

Clark said they finished breakfast and drank some coffee.

About 8:45-8:55 a.m.

Clarke Retrieved Her Handkerchief

Clark said: While Vollie Belle was washing the dishes she discovered that she had dropped her handkerchief out at the toilet (out house). Clarke said he went out to get it, returned inside the house (presumably gave her the handkerchief), helped her finish with the dishes, sprayed some fly spray, and swept the bedroom.

Clarke Went to the Toilet

Clark said he told her if she would sweep some of the floors, he would mop the bed rooms and the living room when he got back from the toilet.

Vollie Belle Said She Saw a Hawk

Clark said: While he was in the toilet (urinating) she yelled for him - "Honey, I see that hawk." Note: Mrs. Perry Smith, testified in court that he told her he was the one who saw the hawk and yelled to Vollie Belle to bring the shotgun. Clarke denied that.

Approximately 9:00 a.m.

Gun Shots

Clarke said he heard footsteps in the hall, the screen door slammed and he said he heard a (single) shot. He said he was surprised because she didn't ever want to shoot the gun - it kicked too hard. Neighbor Perry Smith and other neighbors heard two shots fired, one soon (seconds) after the other.

Coincidence? The Swiss watch that James Hurd Cruise gave Vollie Belle for her high school graduation - notice that (1) the glass is cracked and (2) the watch stopped at 9:01. Was this watch with her when she was killed and the incident leading to her death the cause of the broken glass and the stopping of the watch? The watch was not mentioned in the trial.

Clarke Finished in the Toilet

Clarke said he finished urinating, turned to go out and turned his foot on a warped board, almost fell, grabbed for the door but missed and caught himself from falling - in the process the toilet door closed hard. The toilet was about 40-42 feet from the house.

Full Layout of the House and Backyard

Created by Hoyte Cook from descriptions in the court records and memories of Becky Hitchcock Harris

Excerpts from the "Statement of the Case" Presented to the Tennessee Supreme Court

A discharged shotgun shell was found about 2 feet from the steps leading from the back of the home of the couple and another empty shell was found in the chamber of the gun. The gun was found lying in the yard near the porch and about 6 feet from the gun some blood was likewise found.

The body of the deceased contained two series of wounds. One entered on the left side below the nipple and did not emerge. A considerable portion of the muscle of her left arm was shot away and also a slight wound apparently made by the shotgun was obvious on her right wrist. In the weatherboarding of the house, there was a considerable amount of shot found. Likewise, stuck on this wall and carried there by this discharge, there was some of her flesh and part of a house coat which she was wearing. Two buttons from this housecoat were also found by the investigating parties. One of them was found substantially where the body was lying and the other found near a gate leading in to the garden and thence to the outdoor toilet of the premises. The only witness who undertakes to testify in the record as to the interval of time between the shots places them as being from two to three seconds apart.

The testimony of the plaintiff in error [Clarke Raymond] himself very definitely shows that the deceased had no suicidal intentions of which he was ever aware and he also testifies that as far as he knew the couple were the only two persons on the premises that morning.

Put Yourself in the Role of an Investigator at a Crime Scene

Based on the description of the death scene above compared to the image below, see if you can make sense of the shots, the wounds, the locations, the sequence of happenings, and the evidence found at the scene. See if you can re-enact – in your own mind – what happened there on that fateful Sunday morning.

Zoomed-in View of the Scene Where the Shooting Occurred

The screen door shown in the back steps picture (below) is not the same door that was there in 1947. The house was modified later by the Hitchcock family. That particular door was apparently cut out where the window (that was hit by shotgun pellets) was located at the time of the shooting. The size of the wound in Vollie Belle’s side (“about the size of a half dollar”) … based on my personal observations long ago … suggest that the muzzle was less than ten feet away when the second shot was fired. And likely less than five feet. -Hoyte Cook

Compare this photo to the drawing above.

Clarke Discovered the Body

According to Clarke, when he started back to the house he went around the smokehouse (that blocked his view from the toilet to the back porch of the house) and saw Vollie Belle lying in the yard. He picked her body up and took her inside and placed her on a bed. He used a sheet to attempt to stop the bleeding.

Two or Three Minutes after 2nd Shot

Clarke Ran to His Neighbor for Help

Clarke said he ran out the front door and across a field to Perry Smith's house. He saw Perry Smith in the back yard and told him Vollie had shot herself and yelled for him to go get a doctor, which Perry did.

Clarke Returned to His House

Clarke said he bathed Vollie Belle's face with water, but realized she was dead.

"Shortly Afterwards"

Mrs. Perry Smith and two Mrs. Connells (neighbor friend and her daughter-in-law) Arrived

Mrs. Perry Smith chose to go her neighbor-friend (Mrs. Connell) instead of going with Perry to get a doctor. Together Mrs. Smith and the Connell women were the first people to arrive at the scene. The McConnells went into the room where Vollie Belle's body was lying on the bed. Mrs. Smith (a close lifelong friend of Vollie Belle) was so disturbed she did not enter the bedroom to see the body.

15-30 Minutes Later (about 9:30 a.m.)

Doctor C. P. Page Arrived from Spencer

Dr. Page and his wife rode back to the Raymonds' house with Perry Smith.

Vollie Belle's Mother and Father Arrived

Vollie Belle's mother arrived with Deputy Claude Baker. Her father came a bit later.

Between 9:30 and 10:00 a.m.

A.C. Measles Arrived

By the time Mr. Measles arrived, a few people ("not very many") had already arrived at the Raymonds' house. He found one shotgun shell near the back porch. He picked it up and handed it to Deputy Baker.

About 10:00 a.m.

Sheriff McCoy's Deputy Claude Baker Arrived

Claude Baker, few minutes after arriving, picked up and handled the shotgun from where it was lying in the back yard and "worked it." James Simmons (on the coroner's jury) said "There was a pretty good crowd" there at about 10:00 a.m.

After Baker Picked Up the Gun

Jury of Inquest Empannelled

A group of men appointed to a jury of inquest called for Clarke Raymond and questioned him. Clarke said that a cat might have tripped her. He said that he only heard one shot. The jury "investigated around there a while," then made a decision. Van Buren County, TN Sheriff Lester McCoy and Deputy Baker then made an arrest of Clarke Raymond, following the inquest.

"Wasn't long till..."

Ambulance Arrived

Based on What You Now Know - What Do You Think Happened to Vollie Belle?

[socialpoll id="2861880"]

Winchester Model 1897

The Winchester Model 1897 is probably one of the most well-known and widely recognized pump-action shotguns ever created. Known not only for its widespread use in the Old West (as well as movies, shows, and even games centered around the Old West), but also for its notable use by US Soldiers in both World Wars and even the Vietnam War, the M1897 can be seen both as a military and police shotgun as well as just a good all-around shotgun for hunting and recreation. -Jakes Gun Reviews In World War I, the Germans protested the U.S. Army’s using of this shotgun, claiming it was illegal under the international rules of war.

History and Features of the Winchester M1897 Shotgun

Short but very interesting information about the model of shotgun that killed Vollie Belle.

Being a pump action I could see a possible accidental discharge once but then to work the action to reload another shell into the chamber to accidentally fire the firearm again sounds highly unlikely.

Tommy Heflin, the former Special Agent-Forensic Scientist in charge of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigations Firearms Section (Stated, August 2022)

Site of Vollie Belle's Death on a 1939 Aerial Image

The site where Vollie Belle was shot is shown with a red circle around it. At the time that I visited the place in the 1950s the Coffman Hitchcock family lived in the house. The murder took place in the back yard. There were several shotgun pellet holes in the weatherboarding of the back of the house (the side facing westward) that, according to the Hitchcocks, were put there in the murder incident. A wire fence separated the small back yard from the garden; and some bushes were growing in that fence row. The Hitchcocks also reported that several years after the murder they were clearing junk out of the garage, and found a blood-soaked sheet stuffed into a lard can.
-Hoyte Cook

*However, the size of the shot entry into Vollie Belle’s chest indicates that she was shot at close range.

Site of Vollie Belle's Death on a 2022 Aerial Image

The Mysterious Man Who Left Red Roses at Vollie Belle's Grave

It was just a normal day in the 1950s at the farm when Granny Hitchcock received a phone call. The caller informed her there was a man at Vollie Belle’s grave as they had driven by Molloy Cemetery. She expressed some curiosity surrounding the phone conversation to the point that she asked Pa to take her to Spencer to Malloy cemetery. Granny Hitchcock gathered Pa from the field and they drove to Spencer hoping the man would still be there. He was not, but they discovered red roses left on Vollie Belle’s grave. They never knew who the man was and as far as we know he never returned to leave red roses on her grave again.

Becky Hitchcock Harris

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3 – Vollie Belle Haston – Marriage to Clarke Raymond

Vollie Belle Haston's Marriage to Clarke Raymond

Co-Authors: Becky Hitchcock Harris and Wayne Haston

In March 1937 my grandfather Payne died. One of the dearest souls on earth. A man after Gods’ own heart I know he didn’t drink, ———, never cursed, and was a devout church member. He had a wonderful voice and led singing until his worn out body was paralyzed so he couldn’t even attend church. To this day when I hear certain old hymns I can hear his clear tenor notes ringing in my memory. His and granny’s’ life was so happy and it left her so broken, so unsatisfied she came to live with us part of the time and lived in her own home the rest of the time but I’ll tell you more about her later. But I know or feel like Grandpa Payne is at rest with Granny who followed this year. You are seeing a spot here and there on your pages I guess. Well dear diary that’s tears. When I recall what happiness we had together I can’t help but cry. I can barely see through the tears now what pals they were! My happiness was theirs, my heartaches also. But they went the way we’ll all have to go maybe tomorrow, who knows? And may God help me to live such a life as they so I may meet them!

My mistake in marriage made me very hard hearted but I finally decided I needed friends. I couldn’t go through life as I was at that time. In Nov. 1938, I gave Billie Hutchison a home town boy a date. He was swell he was three years my junior but was very good company. I was 24 and looked much younger than that. I didn’t care for Billie too much, oh I was fond of him in a funny sort of way. He was sweet and treated me like a queen. He changed his way to do the things I liked. He gave me numerous gifts, far above his means I’m sure. Of course, I was nice to him in that way too. He came to care………….

Here the text of the diary ends abruptly and 36 following pages were ripped out of the diary, apparently hastily and quite forcibly. The little (easily pickable) lock on the diary is still locked. When Vollie Belle locked it after her final diary entry, she had no idea of how it would eventually be opened again.

There is no mention of her final boyfriend, who became her second husband, (Clarke Raymond) in the diary because the part of the diary in which he probably was mentioned is gone.

In 1940, Vollie Belle (then age 25) was living with her parents in Spencer and had completed the first year of college, at Burritt College no doubt, but had not attended school in the previous year. Her folks lived very near the college. She was single at that time. No occupation was recorded for her on the census. In 1935, she and her parents were living in a “rural” area, but rural was anything less than 2,500 inhabitants and Spencer was small enough to be considered rural, so we can’t tell if she was living in Spencer in 1935 or somewhere that we might consider as being “out in the country”–but most likely in town on Mansion Street.

The woman in this photo appears to be Vollie Belle. The man beside her was Henry Holman, otherwise known by people in Spencer as “Doc Yak.” The date of the photo is unknown, but it was taken outside of the Nelson Drug Store in Spencer. Perhaps this was taken between the time of her divorce to James Hurd Cruise and her marriage to Clarke Raymond, but that is only a guess. There is no record, in Vollie Belle’s diary, of any connection between her and Doc Yak. They were probably just friends, or perhaps she worked for him in the Nelson Drug Store at some point.

Hoyte Cook’s recollection of Doc Yak:

I recall Doc Yak as a well-dressed old gentleman who always seemed to have a calm-and-controlled demeanor, who was consistently smiling and friendly, and appeared to walk as if he were being careful not to stumble. He had a rather deep voice, and spoke with a neutral accent. His speech would have identified him as ostensibly sophisticated and refined, and not native to Van Buren County, Tennessee. A visit to Spencer was not complete without a stop at Doc Yak’s for ice cream (one generous scoop for a nickel, two generous scoops for a dime). His store, as I recall, appeared somewhat disorderly and cluttered. There always seemed to be lots of magazines on racks. The only time I ever saw him engaged in a task that seemed to have him really focused and serious was one night when I walked into his store when the carnival was in town – and he was measuring out some medicine for one of the carnival ‘gypsies’. I believe that was the only time I ever walked into his store when he did not give me a cheerful greeting. Doc was a delightful fellow.”

Doug Woodlee: I don’t know if he actually owned Nelson Drug Store, but he is the only person I ever saw behind the counter. He had one of only two or three telephones in town for a long time. He had an ice cream freezer behind the counter. It had the large round cartons of ice cream and lids that he would lift and scoop out ice cream into cones. The floor was wood. He chewed tobacco and had a hole drilled into the floor behind the counter. He had a very large funnel inserted into the hole and I’ve witnessed him spitting tobacco juice into the funnel. It was quite nasty. Doc Yak always seemed a bit eccentric to me, but how was I, a very young boy, to know eccentricity? I used to love going in the store and browsing through his rack of comic books.

Henry L. Holman was age 63 and living in the Bouldin Hotel in Spencer when the 1940 census was taken.

Childhood Memories of Miss Vollie Belle - Early 1940s

My recollection of Vollie Belle goes back to when I was a child and neighbor of her and her parents. Their back door opened into a small backyard that adjoined the garden my grandparents and parents had. The Haston house fronted on TN Hwy. 30 which runs between McMinnville and Pikeville, coming through downtown Spencer.

I used to see Vollie Belle coming and going out the back door. The Hastons had a garage located on the alley/street that ran between Hwy. 30 and College St. I can’t remember, but they or Vollie Belle must have had a car they kept there.

There was a big pear tree in their backyard with limbs that overhung the Woodlee garden. Ripe pears would frequently drop into the garden and I would pick them up and eat them.

One day I was in the garden looking for pears and Vollie Bell came out the back door with a cigarette in her mouth. She was a beautiful woman, even to a less than six-year-old like me. She spoke to me and I said to her “Miss Vollie Belle, I thought nice girls didn’t smoke.” I was probably around five and a half years old.

Later when she was killed, her “viewing” (wake) was held in one of the rooms of the house. I’m not sure which room, but it was probably their living room. Vollie Belle’s mother saw me in our garden and asked if I wanted to come in to see her. She took me into the room and held me up so I could look into the casket. I personally saw her face and there was no visible damage.

She told me that she wanted me to know that from the day I told Vollie Belle I thought nice girls didn’t smoke, Vollie Belle never smoked another cigarette.

-Douglas Woodlee

Clarke Raymond

1931 High School Graduation from Ennis High School in Ennis, Montana

In 2022, Ennis High School (grades 9-12) had 127 students.

Clarke Raymond – Military Information

Second Army (Tennessee) Maneuvers

The years 1942-1945 were “happy hunting” times for single women in Middle Tennessee looking for a husband.

In the autumn of 1942, the War Department decided to resume field maneuvers in Middle Tennessee. Large-scale war games had been conducted in an area around Camp Forrest, near Tullahoma, the previous summer, and General George S. Patton had perfected the armored tactics that were to bring him fame and his divisions victory in Europe. Between the wars Erwin Rommel, as a young military attache, had visited Nashville and Middle Tennessee to study and follow the cavalry campaigns of Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest to help him develop a pattern for the use of tank units as cavalry. The army, perceiving in the Cumberland River and the hilly country to the south and north a similarity to the Rhine and Western Europe, decided to send divisions into the state for their last preparation before actual combat. Between September 1942 and March 1944 nearly one million soldiers passed through the Tennessee Maneuvers area.

Lebanon was chosen as headquarters and Nashville as the principal railhead. Over the hills and valleys of twenty-one counties “Blue” and “Red” armies engaged in weekly strategic “problems,” with troops moved in and out according to a calendar of “phases” that lasted about four weeks apiece. In the military’s scenario Nashville was Cherbourg, without the bombing. The first and second problems usually took place east of Davidson County, but the third in each phase would poise attacking Blue troops against Red troops in defense around Donelson in Davidson County and Couchville in Wilson County. This force would advance to the east toward hilly terrain. In one instance at least a problem involved the defense of Berry Field in Nashville against Blue airborne troops.

Maneuvers paused at noon on Thursday or Friday, when a light plane would fly over the mock battle lines, sounding a siren. Then thousands of soldiers would seek recreation in Nashville and the county seat towns. Facilities were limited, despite the best efforts of the U.S.O. and the American Red Cross; movie theaters and cafes were packed; drug store soda fountains were forced to shut down twice a day for cleanup. Each army PX was strained to the limit. Churches opened their doors and set up lounges; schools opened their gyms for weekend dances. The Grand Ole Opry had never drawn such crowds than during these months when Middle Tennessee hosted the army’s preparations for the eventual invasion of Normandy in 1944. Source

Memories of Margie Clark, 21 Years-Old Spencer Resident When Vollie Belle Was Murdered

Margie Clark attended all of the sessions of the first Circuit Court trial in which Clarke Raymond was tried for the murder of his wife.

Vollie Belle's best friend was Elizabeth Simmons. Charlie Simmons had a barbershop in Black Bottom [area in Spencer]. Haircuts 25 cents. Charlie's wife Mamie and daughter Elizabeth ran a restaurant there. I think that is how Vollie Belle met Clarke Raymond. She worked in an office, maybe an agricultural office. Clarke was out on the rifle range on Army maneuvers. It makes sense that he would go to a restaurant in town when possible. She was already divorced when Clarke came to town. I never heard the reason for her divorce or anything bad about Vollie Belle. She and Clarke married and I didn't hear anything about them until the shooting.

Margie Clark, through her daughter Brenda Clark Anderson

1944 Visit to Her In-Laws in Montana

Clarke Raymond's Honorable Military Discharge

Clarke and Vollie Belle - Their Post-War Married Life

From a 1947 court trial transcript (which you will learn more about in Part 5), Clarke provides some details about their life together after the war:

After Clarke was discharged, he went to Tennessee to meet the wife he hardly knew. Vollie Belle met him in Murfreesboro, TN. From there, they went to Vollie Belle’s parents’ home in Spencer and remained with her parents for two weeks. Then they traveled to Montana to visit his family. After spending three months with his family, Clarke and Vollie Belle remained another six months in Montana before returning to Spencer.

Was Clarke planning to make their home in Montana? Was Vollie Belle not happy living in Montana? Was Clarke not happy living in Van Buren County, TN? Just questions to ponder. -Wayne Haston

Around the first of December [of 1946] they moved to the farm in Cummingsville, TN that Vollie’s father owned–the place where Vollie Belle died less than a year later. Clarke’s family raised livestock, cattle and horses, in Montana. Even though he had no experience farming, Clarke began to farm his father-in-law’s Cummingsville land. Although Clarke doesn’t say it per se, the record indicates that Vollie Belle was employed somewhere in Spencer, while Clarke was on the farm alone during the day.

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2 – Vollie Belle’s Marriage to and Divorce from James Hurd Cruise

Vollie Belle's Marriage to and Divorce from James Hurd Cruise

Co-Authors: Becky Hitchcock Harris and Wayne Haston

James Hurd Cruise

James Hurd Cruise was born on April 24 of 1912 in Doyle, Tennessee. His father, Robert L. Cruise, died on January 8, 1914, before James Hurd was two years old. In 1930, at age 18 James Hurd was living with his uncle, Luther B. Hurd, on College Alley in Spencer. There were 11 people living in Luther Hurd’s house #69. Four were nieces and nephews who might have been boarding there in order to attend school. At the same time, Vollie Belle Haston (age 15) was living four house numbers away with her parents on Mansion Street in Spencer.

In my 3rd year 1931 I met a red-headed boy from Palmer, Tenn. He was of nice family, sort of handsome, and by far the smartest boy in class – Ray Hatfield was his name. Came to Burritt with aspirations as a lawyer. We were sweethearts until he left school. He wrote faithfully and we both had too much independence so we drifted apart. In the fourth year 1932, I met Billie Taft who was one of my teachers brothers. He was in first year of college at that time. We were very good friends but he never seemed to care so so much for me until I started dating the boy that was to be my future husband. Immediately forgot Billie and fell desperately in love with James Hurd Cruise, so I thought. What could a child of 16 know of love and marriage and the way of life? In June 1932 I graduated Jim gave me a beautiful watch.

All that summer vacation he [Ray Hatfield] gave me a brush. So in Sept, the 17th to be exact I eloped with him [James Hurd Cruise] to Albany, Ky and was married by Judge Ferguson.

Look carefully at the face-side of the watch.
There are two observations that we will make in a later article about what you can see there.

Marriage to James Hurd Cruise - September 17, 1932

At the time of the (below) 1933-34 photo, Vollie Belle would have been married to Jim Cruise and in college at Burritt.

My parents were heartbroken for they had plans of a college career for their only child. Besides that they were very much opposed to him for they could see his worthlessness. He was the best athlete in our school, the best debater, and the Prince Charming an handsomenesses. For four years all was well although he did not want to work very much. In the mean time I had gone to college and was able to teach in elementary school, so was he. We taught our first school together at Welchland School.

From a Story Written in 1984 by Daisy Cook Rhinehart, Vollie Belle's Co-teacher at Welchland in Van Buren County.

More About the Welchland Teaching Experience as Per Daisy Cook Rhinehart

After her teaching experience at the Haston School on Cane Creek.

Then the second year I [Vollie Belle] taught alone [without her husband] at the same place. Then our trouble began. He being alone most of the time, decided to have a fling at romance again. He secured a job as recreation leader which was right down his alley (as the old saying goes) since he loved to play tennis. The only hitch was the recreation partner leader a beautiful brunette. Truthfully, diary I don’t know how far that friendship went but it must have gone too far. She told my friends that he wanted her to run away with him. Her name was Rachel _____, a divorcee already at that time. She made her boast that she could get any woman’s’ husband. Well she or someone started his unfaithfulness. I went through hell and back in 1936-37. I wanted so much to make a success of my marriage to have a home and later children. He left and went to Ky to his parents.

They [his parents] were partly to blame for our separation not meaning to, however, they gave him too much money without his having to work for it but so did my Dad as to that matter. When Dad took a survey of what he had done for him and what he’d cost, it went into the hundreds – $500.00 in a car. And ——- I this day the checks he gave on my own bank account. And he probably took his girlfriends out with the money. I bail to even think of it today. As I said he went to Ky to work. For weeks I didn’t hear from him and then he wanted a divorce. What agony I went through! After the shock I went back to school in a few months for I had almost had a nervous collapse and had to quit teaching. I entered Middle Tenn State Teachers College, at Murfreesboro, Tenn. I finally wore off the first paints in my heart. In the meantime Jim had gone to Detroit and secured employment. He then begged me to come back to him. Because my parents asked me to give him a chance I went back to him but without confidence. I stayed two months he wasn’t even true to me while I was there. His boyfriend, Walter Powers and Dot and Bill Denney later told me how he dated other girls. They were afraid I might divorce him if I knew. In Nov. 1937 I came home never to return to him I knew he went to the Detroit Bus Depot to see me off with tears in his eyes.

Oh the deceit of men!!

Middle Tennessee State Teachers College - Spring 1937

I’ve done some digging into our legacy files and documents regarding information for Vollie Belle Cruise, and I do find that we had a student by that name here for one quarter in the Spring of 1937. She appears to have just taken classes that one term after transferring to MTSTC from another school, so that pin is not associated with completing a program. I’ve gone back into our old catalogs and whatnot to find information about that pin, but so far I’m not able to locate anything. You may have more luck finding out information about the pin from the Gore Research Center here on campus. Thanks, and good luck with your research!

Tyler Henson, Ed.D.; Assistant Vice Provost of Registration and Students Records & University Registrar, MTSU Registrar’s OfficeShe

Divorce from James Hurd Cruise - October 31, 1938

On October 1, 1938, this same James H. Cruise married Maxine Arnett in Paintsville, Kentucky. That was in the coal-mining area of eastern Kentucky, more than 250 miles from Spencer, Tennessee. According to his marriage license, Jim Cruise was an engineer, perhaps involved in the coal mining industry.

Strangely, on October 1, 1938, James H. Cruise indicated on his marriage bond that he was “Single,” instead of “Widowed” or “Divorced.” In fact he was neither–he was still married to Vollie Belle!

In 1938, his lawyer wrote and asked me to sign divorce papers so he might obtain a divorcee. I consulted my lawyer, Clarence Haston, and decided to be sure it was lawful I should obtain a Tenn. divorce. Also I wanted my maiden name. I got my divorce in Oct and ceased to be known as Mrs. Jas.H. Cruise.

As per Chapter 38 of the Tennessee Public Act of 1931, Circuit Court sessions for Van Buren County, TN occurred on the “first Monday after the fourth Monday in October and April.” Thus, in 1938, the Circuit Court session would have been held on Monday, October 31, 1938 – a Happy Halloween for Vollie Belle.

Apparently, from October 1 to October 31, 1938, James Hurd Cruise was married to two women at the same time. If so, he was a one-month bigamist! Bigamy in Kentucky (where James Hurd Cruise married Maxine Arnett) currently is a Class D felony, punishable by one to five years in prison.

I wonder if Vollie Belle ever knew that her husband was already married to another woman before she received a request for a divorce.

Van Buren County, TN Circuit Court Minutes – Roll 3, Volume H, Page 379 – Courtesy of Tennessee State Library and Archives