tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5591218908346224982.post3246052173521659309..comments2024-02-27T05:42:03.370-08:00Comments on Reflections of Olde Swain: Back to School in Swain CountyOlde Swainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08907065516770688746noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5591218908346224982.post-38106297928362613852023-12-31T15:31:18.180-08:002023-12-31T15:31:18.180-08:00I am not certain this will even be seen, but sever...I am not certain this will even be seen, but several of my school mates and I are forming an Almond School Reunion set for Saturday, June 29th, 2024. We could certainly use some historical assistance. I, too, grew up in Swain County and attended Almond School in the 1970"s. Mr. Jack Williams was my most influential teacher. Please contact me at callenallen1964@gmail.com to further communicate. I am a Haywood County Schools Educator, and have resided in Haywood County since 1987. <br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5591218908346224982.post-57490315856636713642023-11-18T00:22:45.306-08:002023-11-18T00:22:45.306-08:00John SadocSmiley is my gg grandpa his son Elias is...John SadocSmiley is my gg grandpa his son Elias is my ggrandpa Elias daughter Mildred is my grandma her daughter Arlene is my mom Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5591218908346224982.post-86755785738082421942020-12-25T21:33:21.290-08:002020-12-25T21:33:21.290-08:00My grandmother taught school in Swain County in 19...My grandmother taught school in Swain County in 1908 and 1909. It was a one room school. Were there several one room schools at this time? Any records of teachers available? Thanks.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01518164285074499392noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5591218908346224982.post-59152244760998569362019-02-21T18:24:12.973-08:002019-02-21T18:24:12.973-08:00Hello Linda,
Annie Brendle Smiley is also my great...Hello Linda,<br />Annie Brendle Smiley is also my great great grandmother. John Sadoc's daughter Martha Jane Smiley is my grandmother. Just wanted to say hello cousin!<br />Diane Cunningham IsraelDiane Cunningham Israelnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5591218908346224982.post-65804095986606450812018-08-15T17:42:50.605-07:002018-08-15T17:42:50.605-07:00I am looking for information on the Bryson City Hi...I am looking for information on the Bryson City High School that I have a class ring from for 1927 which was found years ago. Is there anyone who might have any records for this school? Or would they be with the Swain County High School records? I didn't know there was a Bryson City High School, so I was confused when someone showed me this ring and wondered if there was anyway to find out who it belonged to. Sure the graduate is gone by now, but some family members might still be in Bryson. Any help you could give would be appreciated. Thanks, Robin Davis<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14262102125806063405noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5591218908346224982.post-57377725251478678172018-04-24T16:49:52.116-07:002018-04-24T16:49:52.116-07:00Very interesting as I have been doing some Smiley ...Very interesting as I have been doing some Smiley research for a family member whose mother was Edith Smiley Moore, born at Japan(Jay-pan) about 1923. Edith was dau of Floyd Smiley,county surveyor.<br />Don Byers<br />byersdon@hotmail.comAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5591218908346224982.post-57324909151210816312017-02-24T01:44:15.680-08:002017-02-24T01:44:15.680-08:00Do you have any more info on the Dehart family? i ...Do you have any more info on the Dehart family? i read an a blog you posted "more about the DeHarts" but i cant find it on this site anymore....?Marykit DeHartnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5591218908346224982.post-85983147294612720062017-02-24T00:39:55.179-08:002017-02-24T00:39:55.179-08:00I have recently discovered this blog and i am lovi...I have recently discovered this blog and i am loving it. I also went to almond elementary school, I am a little younger but Mr. Robert White was my principal as well. Danny Whatley I deffinatley remember my older sister and cousins talking about how wonderful he was. I remeber Mrs. dukes and I had Mrs. Taylor as a first grade teacher, although I will have to say she was not my favorite.What was your mother the librarians name if you dont mind me asking? Thank you for this blog i have enjoyed all the information that you have shared.Marykit DeHartnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5591218908346224982.post-88159860881378371552016-09-06T02:03:01.615-07:002016-09-06T02:03:01.615-07:00Hi Linda -
Thanks so much for your readership - i...Hi Linda - <br />Thanks so much for your readership - it means the world to me and keeps me motivated to write this blog.<br /><br />I have two blogs up with members of the Brendle and Cunningham families - one is 'A Goldmine Branch Childhood' and the other is entitled 'Departed this Life'. <br /><br />I have a better picture of John Sadoc Smiley as a younger man but preferred this one for the article as he looks the role of the seasoned 'professor'. I have an immense respect for this man and will write more in the future regarding him. <br /><br />Would you mind sending me information regarding the Fuller line you descend from? I'd enjoy chatting about that. I also try very hard to write stories specifically geared toward the family histories of my interested readers. The email address is oldeswain@gmail.com.<br /><br />Thank you again!Olde Swainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08907065516770688746noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5591218908346224982.post-18376993237277261582016-09-05T07:34:25.713-07:002016-09-05T07:34:25.713-07:00I love this web site. I am a descendant of Annie ...I love this web site. I am a descendant of Annie Brendle Smiley, John Sadoc's mother and my GGGrandmother. I'm also interested in anything on Hamrick, Fuller, Dobbins, Cunningham as well as Brendle, Smiley. I love this picture of the school and John Sadoc Smiley.Linda Fuller Bourdonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5591218908346224982.post-69443126970840933952016-09-03T17:11:03.640-07:002016-09-03T17:11:03.640-07:00I did see the basketball goal but didn't know ...I did see the basketball goal but didn't know that the sport was not invented until 1891 - great to know for the purposes of dating pictures.<br /><br />I attended Almond from approximately 1980 to 1984 (2nd through part of 6th grade). Dad taught 4th and 5th grades for quite a few years out there and had Jack Williams, Oma Taylor, and Gilda Dukes among his co-workers. My mom later became the librarian out there during the time it was Swain County Middle School. They worked out there when Danny Whatley and then Robert White were the principals. I enjoyed a lot out there - the fall festivals held in October, playing on the playground and on the baseball field, wondering about what was in the Quonset hut in the back, attending assemblies and putting on musicals in the auditorium, etc. I even get nostalgic about eating in the old cafeteria there and enjoying the freshly waxed wooden floors in the fall! <br /><br />I do remember taking a 'field trip' across the 4-lane to Mr. Wikle's rock shop. :-)<br /><br />I get an average of about 250 reads on each blog - much more on certain ones - the race riots entry was read by over 2000 people. Few comment, but I mainly do it because 1) I really enjoy it, 2) I think it's important work, and 3) It makes me SO happy to know the enjoyment it brings to people such as yourself. :-)<br />Olde Swainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08907065516770688746noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5591218908346224982.post-51471321930295296712016-09-02T19:12:14.920-07:002016-09-02T19:12:14.920-07:00Hi Ed -
I was hoping you would comment because yo...Hi Ed - <br />I was hoping you would comment because you always have great input on these blogs. To my eye, the Hightower School picture looks as if it was taken in the late 1800's/early 1900's, so I'm wondering if the building might have been somewhat reconfigured after that time. It's interesting that your mother went to school there, as there was a state survey of the county schools in 1931 that recommended the closing of most of the small schools in order to consolidate them into the larger schools. I was unsure as to whether or not the school board had acted on some (or all) of the recommendations. It would seem that they did not, as your parents attended two of those schools. Do you happen to know exactly where on lower Sawmill Creek the White Oak school was, Ed, and why it was named 'White Oak'?<br /><br />I loved my time as a student at Almond School - I have a lot of great memories.Olde Swainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08907065516770688746noreply@blogger.com