The Seagraves Family, The California branch: who we are and where we came from.: January 2008

Saturday, January 26, 2008

Seagraves Men in WWII

Our branch of the family was very lucky in that all the Seagraves sons(and fathers, and husbands) who went away to war came back home again.

Alton Seagraves--Navy WWII

(He was the baby of the family)
Picture courtasy of Suzy (Seagraves) Inman

Left Lionel Seagraves--Navy WWII

Right Johnnie Seagraves(My dad)--Army WWII

Picture courtesy of Suzy (Seagraves) Inman

(Betsy) Dean's Seagraves (Basil's wife) brother Grover Williams--Army WWII

Middle Aubry Seagraves--Army(desk Jockey?) WWII

Right Lionel Seagraves--Navy WWII

Photography by my father Johnnie Seagraves; while they were all on leave together on Oahu, Hawaiian Islands. Photo Courtesy of my mom Jeannetta Rockholt

The war is over and the whole Seagraves clan is finally back together again. This photo was taken in front of my Grandparent's (Jerome Milton and Hattie Seagraves) home on Sierra Street, Madera CA.

Their staggered so I'll do my best and hope I down confuse any one. Starting on left back row Alton, front row Aubry, back row Johnnie(my dad), front row Regina(aka Ricky--the only sister), back row Arnold, front row Basel, back row Endel, off to the right Lionel Seagraves.

Photo courtesy of Suzy (Seagraves) Inman

Saturday, January 12, 2008

Bad News About Grandma's house

Hi Cousins, I have some news I thought you should know---bad news about grandma's house.

The old house on Sierra street behind and to the side of the old Bridge store, and the last house that Jerome Milton and Hattie Seagraves owned is now unfortunately gone!

Hattie Seagraves in front of house on Sierra st. Madera(she must have been in her late sixties--look how slim she was)

The above pictures are found by my mom in a box somewhere for me.

My mom had drove through the old neighborhood and saw that the house was gone, completely gone. No house, no foundation, no garage, no trees even. Everything leveled. Even that old palm tree that my dad (John Seagraves) and his brothers use to jump over is gone too.

~~~

Here's something you may not have know about the old house.

It was the second they had here in Madera, the first one burned down and that was located just across the street from Basil and Dean's old country house (they later got a house in town). The barn is still there but not the house.

The second house they lived in they bought, and it was located on Sierra street , and it was build by a man for his sweetheart and he later married her around 1900 (The turn of the century).

Hattie Seagraves sold the house after her husband died (Jerome Milton died in 1961) and it sold in 1962 for a whopping nine thousand dollars (I know but it was the '60's okay).

The little old couple that bought it had thrown a wedding for a friend of there's (sweetheart house indeed).

Then the Leal family bought it and raised their children in it, and later moved out and used it for a number of years as a rental.

Seagraves Family HistSeagraves Coat of Arms / Seagraves Family Crestory

The surname of SEAGRAVES was a locational name 'of Seagrove' a spot in County Leicestershire. Following the crusades in Europe in the 11th, 12th and 13th centuries, a need was felt for a family name to replace the one given at birth, or in addition to it. This was recognized by those of noble birth, and particularly by those who went on the Crusades, as it added prestige and practical advantage to their status. At first the coat of arms was a practical matter which served a function on the battlefield and in tournaments. With his helmet covering his face, and armour encasing the knight from head to foot, the only means of identification for his followers, was the insignia painted on his shield, and embroidered on his surcoat, the draped and flowing garment worn over the armour. Local names usually denoted where a man held his land, and indicated where he actually lived. Early records mention Thomas de Segraua, 1180, County Leicestershire. William Seagrave was documented in County Notttingham in the year 1300. Edward Segrave of Yorkshire, was listed in the Yorkshire Poll Tax of 1379. The name is also spelt Seagrief, Seagrove and Seagrave. In many parts of central and western Europe, hereditary surnames began to become fixed at around the 12th century, and have developed and changed slowly over the years. As society became more complex, and such matters as the management of tenure, and in particular the collection of taxes were delegated to special functionaries, it became imperative to distinguish a more complex system of nomenclature to differentiate one individual from another. The origin of badges and emblems, are traced to the earliest times, although, Heraldry, in fact, cannot be traced later than the 12th century, or at furthest the 11th century. At first armorial bearings were probably like surnames and assumed by each warrior at his free will and pleasure, his object being to distinguish himself from others. It has long been a matter of doubt when bearing Coats of Arms first became hereditary. It is known that in the reign of Henry V (1413-1422), a proclamation was issued, prohibiting the use of heraldic ensigns to all who could not show an original and valid right, except those 'who had borne arms at Agincourt'. The College of Arms (founded in 1483) is the Royal corporation of heralds who record proved pedigrees and grant armorial bearings.