September 28, 2002

Dear Pastor Bob:

When I amiled my last letter (Sep 26, 2002) I hadn't located the old map of Parkwood that I knew I had somewhere around here. After much searching I found the map in the first folder I had looked through. I guess I was too hasty in getting on in my search. I had this copy made for you. It shows street and alley names. You will note that Clarion is now named Craig and Stewart is now Parkwood Road. The other end of Craig is Sportsman Road. The Shelocta Sportsman's Club is on that road. Parkwood Station road angles down from Stewart of Parkwood Road. Roads have been renamed for the fire departments. They are usually named for people who have lived the longest on that road. Taylor Craig and some other Craigs have lived for many years along Clarion or Craig Road.

My brot . . . had his auction on Sept. 7, 2002. They . . . , ex . . . All of us were there . . . The family things . . . from home went at the sale. . . . bid on my dad's suitcase. . . . sister . . bid on mother's rocking chair that had rocked all nine of us. They sold the woolen blanket that was issued to me when I entered the Navy in 1942. It had kept me warm in the bitter North Atlantic (WW 2) when we were delivering bombs, gasoline, tanks, landing barges, planes, etc., in preparation for the Normandy Invasion. I loaned it to them years ago to keep their teenage son warm when they moved into a house that wasn't very well insulated. I ask that it be returned to whenever they got more blankets of their own. They never returned it. The blanket itself isn't that valuable. It is just the principle . . . The man sitting next to me bought it. He wanted to give it to me but I said, "No, you bought it and I don't need it. . . . " --Howard

164 Cherokee Drive

Newport News, Virginia 23602-4428

October 1, 2002

Dear Dr. Anderson:

Brother Anderson . . . I was just thinking about you today and how I needed to answer your letter of September 26, 2002 . . . And, like you said about me – Another letter arrives today.

There are no words that I can put on paper that would properly address my esteem and appreciation for and toward you for the work and information you have provided. These things will become a permanent part of the Anderson and Craig history and heritage. Those we leave long behind in the space of time will have their lives enriched by the work you have done – and have allowed me to capture it all in a capsule of timeless continuum of events leading from the past to the present – and especially, into the timeless future.

All that is remembered by you and I is now preserved in writings; a body of knowledge preserved for anyone who cares enough to explore the now vast available history that is really you and I.

I don’t know how to place into words my great admiration for you and all you have done. Before I embarrass myself any further, I shall continue to digest for myself the meanings of the things you have given.

I do have one question provoked by seeing one name on the map you gave us. At the western edge there is one Craig – Geo Craig. By chance, it the Geo the George Washington Craig as listed in our family tree? If so, the date of his birth – April 4, 1798 would fit well into this map. He would be a son of John Craig that arrived here from Ireland – born 1756, died 1813. The only Geo on record in our Craig history is the above G W Craig. He was married to Martha Magdalen Conrad, b. 08-10-1802, d. 10-02-1887.

Oh, how I wish you had a computer. We could share so much! By the time I get around to writing a letter, I have forgotten so many questions I have had. With electronic E-mail we could correspond and immediately reply. Well, it has taken me more than 10 years of usage to be able work with one as I have learned to do.

The computer has helped my life to continue in the excitement of living that I don’t believe would be possible without it. This fall has been quite rough on me, as you related it has you. I seldom get out of the house. The most exercise I get is using my fingers to record everything that comes available On-Line using the internet.

We will have much to celebrate when we all get to heaven. I am sure, however, as we walk through those pearly gates and meet our Master, at the same time there will be our relatives and descendants celebrating information you have so readily made available.

Thank you so much, Dr. Anderson. Keep closely in touch! Keep us up-dated as you explore and find new un-published material.

God bless you!

Bob & Glenda Craig

Encl: Copy of the map you sent with a high-light of the Geo Craig not far from the early Stewartsville, PA