92nd Ingalls Reunion meeting minutes

The 92nd Ingalls Reunion was held on Saturday, October 16, 2021, in Carney Hall of the Asbury United Methodist Church of Greenville and Norton Hill.  The temperature was 61 degrees at 7:30 a.m., with a high in the low 70s later in the day.  The weather in the morning was foggy and then cloudy, humid, and breezy. Fortunately, the rain held off until the reunion was over.

It should be noted that no reunion was held last year due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. People were asked to wear masks to this year's meeting as a safety precaution.  Many of those in attendance reported having been vaccinated against the coronavirus, as well.

Thirty-four people attended in person.  Twenty-two participated via Zoom, and at least three (possibly as many as eight) people viewed the reunion on the church's YouTube channel.

The Stanley R. Ingalls Family of the Ransom Benjamin Ingalls and Joseph Truman Ingalls Branches hosted.  The tables were beautifully set with autumn and Halloween themed decorations and included small bowls of Halloween candy for everyone to enjoy.

When people entered the hall, they were able to visit with one another and also with those participating on Zoom on a lap top set up near the stage.

The Historian, Krista Ingalls Haushalter, displayed various family photograph albums and framed copies of family deeds.

Copies of the 2003 Genealogy and History of the Jacob Ingalls Family were available for twelve dollars each.  Copies of the 2022 Greenville Local History Group calendar also were for sale for ten dollars each.

Kevin Ingalls, the President, rang Jacob Ingalls’ cowbell at 12:00 noon to call all of those present to gather for a group photograph.

After everyone was seated, Kevin said grace.  This was followed by a lovely luncheon with many dishes and desserts to choose from.

During the meal, Ken Williams took the lap top with the Zoom participants on it from table to table so they could speak with those attending in person.  This was a big hit!  When people were finished eating, Ken positioned the lap top so that those on Zoom could view the meeting and entertainment and participate as much as they wanted.

After the meal, Kevin rang the cowbell to call the meeting to order, and he welcomed everyone to the 92nd Ingalls Reunion.  He thanked Pastor Dale L. Ashby of the Asbury United Methodist Church of Greenville and Norton Hill for the use of its church hall; the host family; and Vicky Tripp for helping out in the kitchen for the third year.  Although Janet Lockwood now resides in a memory care facility in Cohoes, NY, she participated in the reunion via Zoom. Janet's daughter Ann Albin facilitated this, and many people were able to say hello to Janet via Zoom during the course of the reunion.  It was good to have our "Honorary Ingalls" with us for a forty-second year!

Kevin reminded everyone that last year was the first time a reunion was not held since four were canceled during World War II.  He also noted that because of this, his term as President was a "double" one, but he promised he wouldn't let it go to his head!

The people who traveled the farthest to attend the reunion were Janet and Gerald (Jerry) Rugg, from Glendale, NY.  Graham Stevens in Portland, OR, was the farthest away of those who joined the reunion via Zoom.  Betty McAneny, 94, was the oldest person taking part in the reunion.  She attended in person.  The youngest person attending the reunion in person was Noah Ingalls, five years old.  The youngest person on Zoom was Leah Meade, three years old.  According to her mother, Laura Meade, who facilitated her participation, Leah ended up napping after lunch!  Thomas (Toby) and Elaine Nevins attended a reunion for the first time. Elaine (nee Britton) is from the Cyrus Ingalls (1851-1922)  (Westerlo) Branch.  They were given a welcoming round of applause.

The Secretary, Paige Ingalls, read the minutes from the last reunion, held in 2019, which were approved as written.  She sent around the book for everyone to sign, along with a folder of “Ingallsiana.” Of special note was an Albany Times Union feature about our very own Sarah Stevens and her work as a textile conservator at her Zephyr Preservation Studio in Cohoes, NY.

Paige talked about receiving an e-mail from Don Teator, Historian for the Town of Greenville, in August.  A woman who "rescued" an old (from the 1800s) photograph album with pictures of people with the surnames Craw, Simpson, and Chesbro from the area had contacted him.  He got in touch with Paige because there was a photograph of a Caroline Ingalls Craw, the daughter of Elihu and Sarah Ingalls.  However, when Paige did a search for these names in our 2003 Ingalls Genealogy, none of them appeared.  Therefore, she let Don know that they are not part of "us." That said, Craw, Simpson, and Chesbro are local names, and some of their graves can be found in the cemeteries around Greenville.  Paige asked that, if anyone was interested in purchasing the album, to let her know and she would give them the information about how to contact the seller.  [No one expressed an interest.]

Paige also read correspondence received during the past year. She shared that, in April, she received a note from Dr. Anne Kalter, one of Dr. Henry Hosley's four children, informing her that her father had died from COVID-19 in early January.  She responded by sending a sympathy note to Anne, who then wrote her back in June to thank her and tell her that she had read the sympathy note at her father's graveside service.  Even though Dr. Hosley was not the Ingalls relative (his wife Leslie Goff Hosley, who passed away a few years ago, was), he almost never missed a reunion. They also brought their children and grandchildren through the years.  He was an engaging and interesting man, and he will be missed.

Another note Paige received was from Judy Gardner Hildebran, a member of the Louisville, KY, Ingalls.  Her parents, John W. and Jean D. Gardner (both now deceased), and she attended the 50th Ingalls Reunion in 1978.  She wrote that she has "spoken to several family members, and we definitely  want to attend the reunion in 2022!"  They hail from the Lucinda Ingalls Hunt Branch.  Since Judy was attending the reunion via Zoom, she said hello to those in the church hall, who responded in kind.  If all goes as planned, we look forward to meeting these cousins next year.

The Treasurer, Alliene Applebee, gave her report:

There was $2,151.59 in the savings account prior to the reunion, which included $5.37 interest earned during 2019 and $5.38 interest earned in 2020.

The day’s income equaled $557.00.  $271.00 came from the       Dinner Collection, and, following the reunion, four people who participated on Zoom donated a total of $250.00. Three  Genealogies were sold for a total of $36.00.

Dispersals/Expenses totaling $312.43 were made for:

The cost of the Meat, Biscuits, and Butter was graciously donated by the Host Family.

This left a profit of $244.57 and a grand total of $2,396.16 in the savings account.  This was an increase of $255.32 from 2019's reunion.

It was moved and seconded to accept the Treasurer’s report.

Kevin inquired if there was any “old business” to be addressed?  There was none.

Kevin then asked if there was any “new business?”

--Kevin began by noting that Ken and Jeanne Williams worked very hard this past year to update the reunion database with people's current mailing and e-mail addresses.  They also set up Zoom for the reunion and arranged for Pastor Dale to stream it live from beginning to end on the church's YouTube channel.  There was a big round of applause to recognize and thank Ken, Jeanne, and Pastor Dale for their efforts!

--Jeanne Williams noted that she has family photographs to share and assumes others do, too.  She instructed people to e-mail them to her husband, Ken, [email protected] ,so they can be shared. She stated she plans to create a database of the photographs     and share it with Krista; work with Scott Snowiss to put the photographs (and other things) on the Jacob Ingalls Family Web Site; and place the photographs on a Facebook page she has created:  the Jacob Ingalls Reunion and Family History. To access the Facebook page, people should contact her at [email protected].

--Elaine Nevins informed the group that her husband Toby and she brought a family bible that belonged to Cyrus and Hannah Ingalls from 1835 to share.  It was placed on the        Historian's table for people to look at.  When Elaine's uncle, Don Britton, died this past year, they found the Bible in an outbuilding (shed).  It is in remarkably good condition, despite the fact that it has sustained some damage through the years.  There also is an "Ingalls trunk" with more items in it, which she said Toby and she will go through when they have the time.  She noted that her great aunt Edna Irish Furman "saved everything!"

Elaine spoke about having a relative's Fife and Drum Corps jacket/blazer and Civil War cap.  She also mentioned there was a drum from the Civil War that was donated by her mother to a NYS museum, but she doesn't know which museum or when it was given.  It was suggested that she may want to talk with Sarah Stevens about the jacket/blazer and Civil War cap.  She noted she is trying to locate a photograph of a relative who played in a Fife and Drum Corp in the Civil War.  The photograph may be from a "reenactment" held after             the war.  Paige said she thinks she has seen this photograph, but she's not sure where.

The group gave a round of applause thanking Elaine and Toby for sharing this interesting information.

There was no additional new business brought up.

The Eleanor Ingalls Winegard Family volunteered to host next year’s reunion.  After a vote, it was agreed to hold the reunion on Saturday, October 15, 2022.

The Officers elected for next year were:

Krista noted that the role of the photographer is to take digital photographs of the group at every reunion along with candid shots of the people at each table during the luncheon.  Then, the photographs will be uploaded onto the Jacob Ingalls Family Web site and printed photographs sent to Krista to put into an album.

Krista noted that she heard from nine of the eleven family branches this year!  She then read the names she had been given and asked for any additional births/adoptions, marriages, divorces, and deaths.

Kevin informed those participating in the reunion that the family had lost the following members to COVID-19:  Alyssa Pantilieris, Dr. Henry Hosley, and Don Britton.  He asked if there was anyone else, but no one spoke up.  He then said, "Let us hold a moment of silence in their memory."

Krista led the Roll Call of Families, and the following numbers indicate how many people from each branch were represented at the Reunion:

[Note: Some families are counted twice, reflecting members who are descendents from two distinct branches.  This year, 17 members from the Joseph Truman Ingalls Branch also were counted with the Ransom Benjamin Ingalls Branch, and two members of the Cyrus Ingalls (Westerlo) Branch were counted with the Thaddeus Warsaw Ingalls Branch, as well.]

Krista spoke about the importance of leaving items for loved ones.  Some of her ideas included:

• Leave a personal letter.
  • Share your philosophy of life, family, work ethic.
  • Reflect on your blessings and ancestors.
  • Reflect on your accomplishments.
• Journal what happens in your life, especially ceremonies, any recognition you receive, etc.
• Label and date all photographs. Include the locations and names of people in the photographs.
• Create a family tree (you may want to place it in a family Bible)
• Share your related projects at a family reunion. (She mentioned today's talk by Elaine Nevins as being a good example of this.)
• Point out ancestors' patriotism, including their status as veterans of various wars.

Krista concluded by stating that your words and actions are an inspiration/ influence/legacy for your family.

This year's “entertainment” was a PowerPoint presentation by Vice President Ken Williams' wife, Jeanne.

Jeanne began by remarking that, when she began preparing her presentation, she looked for old family photographs from the Jacob Ingalls Family on ancestry.com.  However, she did not find many.  The few that were there were not labeled or dated.  [It should be noted that Krista maintains a large collection of photographs and other family artifacts, many considered "primary sources."]

A few photographs from the Ransom Benjamin Ingalls Branch were shown, two from the 1800s and three from the 1900s.  Of particular interest was a photograph from a "Cousins Picnic" held in 1966, because some of the people in the photograph were in attendance at today's reunion.

Jeanne then gave a brief history of our family and its origins.  She commented that we are fortunate to have a printed Genealogy and History of the Jacob Ingalls Family along with yearly reunions.  She noted that she is "only a second generation American" and has no history here like our family does, reaching back to "Edmund Ingalls . . . coming [from England] to Salem, Massachusetts, with Governor Endicott's company in 1628."

There have been many patriots in the family who have served in various wars, beginning with Jacob Ingalls (who settled in Lambs Corners, NY, in 1793) and his father, Joseph Ingalls, Jr.  Both served as Continental Army soldiers in the Revolutionary War.  Jeanne noted that America will mark 250 years of independence from England on July 4, 2026. Our ancestors, whom she described as "pretty ordinary," helped pave the way for the country we now live in and the freedoms we often take for granted.  We should celebrate our ancestors and tell our children and grandchildren about them, because we never had the chance to say, "Thank you for your service."

At the conclusion of her talk, Jeanne passed around a handout detailing "The Relationship of Ruth Edna Ingalls Elliott and Laura Ingalls Wilder."  The Jacob Ingalls Family is descended from John Ingalls (born in 1625), and Ms. Wilder is descended from Henry Ingalls (born in 1627).  John and Henry were brothers, children of the above referenced Edmund Ingalls (born in 1585).  [Jeanne's husband Ken is a grandson of Ruth Elliott.]

Note:  Jeanne's PowerPoint presentation will be uploaded onto the Jacob Ingalls Family Web site.

Kevin closed the meeting by asking all who participated, either in person, via Zoom, or by streaming the reunion on YouTube, to give Ken and Jeanne Williams a round of applause for bringing the reunion into the 21st Century via the use of modern technology.  Kevin announced, "We are now officially high tech!"

Kevin thanked everyone for participating and invited them back next year for the 93rd Ingalls reunion, to be held on October 15, 2022.