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2008 BLUE FAMILY REUNION It
all starts 2008 NBFA Reunion Plans Please Contact Sarah Bitter
if you have any ideas Please Check this page often as plans develop they will be posted here. The NBFA Reunion 2008 all Blue family descendants (both Dutch and Scottish Lines) are welcome to the NBFA Reunion all or any segment of the Reunion. The First segment of the National Blue Family Association Reunion
will be held in Romney, WV The Ancestral home of the John Blue (1.1) Family legends claim that John Blew was one of the earliest settlers in the valley of the South Branch of the Potomac River, in what is now Hampshire County, WV. He supposedly brought his wife and children from New Jersey in 1725, settled on the river about five miles north of the present site of Romney, and built his cabin near Hanging Rock (sometimes called Blue's Rock). There are many legends regarding when John Blue arrived in WV. The fact known to family generalist is that the John Blew who received the Fairfax land grant for Lot 27 on the South Branch was John (1.1.1). Although dated 17 Aug 1749, this grant was really executed subsequent to 1 May 1754, the date that Hampshire County was formed. This fact is established by the identification of the grantee as "John Blew of Hampshire Co.". This also indicates that John Blew was living in Hampshire Co., or what was to be Hampshire Co., before the grant was executed, probably having arrived in 1752. (See William H. Blue's "DESCENDANTS OF JOHN BLAW (BLUE) d.1757 Somerset Co., NJ Fifth Edition" for more of this story. The
Second segment of the National Blue Family Association Reunion will be held in
Jefferson County, WV Families of interest are many of the children of Frederick Blue (1.5) who settled in this area. Also in the Jefferson Co. area the family of 1.1.2 Michael BLUE (ca1720-1819), m1. Martha BLACKFORD?, m2. Sarah _____ . The
Third segment of the National Blue Family Association Reunion will be held in
Schuylkill County, PA. In this area families of interest are 1.3.2.3 John BLEW (ca1754-1810), m.ca1780 Jerusha _____ (d.1829+) and their descendents. The NBFA will visit the ancestral Blew family farm of Frank Blew & Mary Oswald Blew [1.3.2.3.3.2.8]. Also many of the local cemeteries in the area plus much more to be announced soon. 2008 BLUE FAMILY REUNION June 20 – 24, 2008 Dear Family and Friends of the National Blue Family Association: It's time to start checking our calendars and begin making our final plans to attend The National Blue Family Reunion in Romney, West Virginia and the additional segments in Jefferson Co., WV and Schuylkill County, PA. Over the years, attendance at the National Blue Family Association’s reunion has varied between 40 and 90 Blue family members gathering on Madeline's lawn. We hope to have a large turnout for this NBFA Reunion. The committee has been hard at work planning a wonderful adventure for the whole family. You are welcome to join us for the complete reunion or any segment that will meet your schedule. Please bring family heirlooms and pictures to share with your cousins. June 20 – 21, 2008 - Romney, WV with John D. and Janet Blue as the Chairpersons for this segment. PLACE: 261
E. Main Street - Romney, West Virginia at the home of Madeline Blue. FRIDAY NIGHT June 20, 2008 – We will gather for a very informal get together at Hampshire Park after you settle in at your hotel and have dinner. Just to talk and enjoy the evening (weather permitting) SATURDAY June 21, 2008 - The Official National Blue Reunion begins! 8:00 a.m. - Informal gathering at Madeline Blue's home (261 E. Main Street) for a continental breakfast! At this gathering hour you will have time to register, get nametags and have time to visit with other family members. 9:00 a.m. - "Official Welcoming" lead by John D. Blue our Romney segment coordinator. You will be introduced to the people who have worked so hard the past two years to make our reunion happen again this year. 9:10 a.m. – “Official Opening” lead by Rev. John Gray who will lead us all in prayer. 10:20 a.m. – We are planning to leave Madeline’s home and drive to the ‘Potomac Eagle Scenic Train Station’ were we will board the train at 11:00 for an enjoyable ride back in time. Anyone on the Internet is welcome to visit their website at http://www.potomaceagle.info/. 12:00 noon Lunch – The Train has sandwiches and cold drinks available for sale on board. Quote from their website: “The historic Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad is one of America's most beautiful train rides. For three hours enjoy a narrated excursion through a tranquil and pristine mountain valley. View historic farms and lush mountain greenery. Around every curve you are rewarded with the splendor of native wildflowers, evergreens, and mixed hardwoods in an unspoiled countryside environment. Experience "The Trough," a spectacular narrow mountain valley. Below you runs the South Branch of the Potomac River, where the water is so clear that you can see fish, as they lie resting in the shade. Above you the high mountain walls and thick forest help keep a secret few have discovered. “You have entered a sacred place, the eastern home of our magnificent national symbol, the American Bald Eagle. These majestic birds soar high above in their natural habitat, undisturbed by the low rumblings of the occasional train and the passengers who have come for a sighting. Don't be surprised to see these superb flyers swooping overhead in pursuit of prey or gliding gently across the blue mountain skies as if to flaunt their supremacy of the air”. Bring your cameras for a great family outing. History and scenic beauty combine for an awesome travel experience. For those not wishing to join us on the Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad we will arrange to have either maps of Romney area and the important family sights or if there are enough we will have a guide tour arranged. Please mark your preference on the registration form below. 2:30 – 3:00 p.m. - After the completion of the Train Ride – We will return to Madeline’s. John Gray will introduce family members and invite them to have a few brief “show and tells” regarding their personal family history. This should be limited to about 10 minutes each. (Please contact John Gray if you would like to have an additional time to share in this portion of our reunion). Mail to: John Gray, 3660 Brinkman Dr., Grove City, OH 43123 or email him at revjgray@wowway.com. 6:00 p.m. – We will have a catered backyard meal, catered by Gourmet Central. That is not the end of our day! For those who wish to continue to enjoy the company of our cousins, we will have an informal gathering to just sit and enjoy the company of each other and the sweet smell of West Virginia outdoors. We always welcome those who would like to stay and help with the cleanup also. Sunday - June 22, 2008 – JEFFERSON CO., WV -
NBFA reunion will continue as we travel to the farm of Richard F. Blue for an
old fashioned Blue family reunion. June 22, 2008 – After our gathering in Jefferson Co., WV we will travel to Schuylkill County, PA and find our lodging for the evening. June 23, 2008 – June 24, 2008 -- Schuylkill
County, PA - We are still planning this segment of our reunion being lead by
Jean Duff and her committee. From what I have heard so far this sounds like it
will be a wonderful addition to our reunion. The ancestral Blew family farm of Frank Blew & Mary Oswald Blew [1.3.2.3.3.2.8]. St. Peter's Church & Cemetery in Ryan Township, Locust Valley, Schuylkill Co. This cemetery and church werepublished in the Summer 2007 issue of the Chalice. Christ Church in Barnesville and cemetery. See the article on page 9 of the 2008 Winter issue.Anyone signing up for this segment will be contacted regarding the actual schedule and meeting places. It is NOW time to Sit Down and Send in your Reservations! REGISTRATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BEFORE!!!! June
1, 2008!!! PLACES
TO STAY Romney, WV Koolwink Motel Rt. 50 East, Romney, WV Telephone: (304)-822-3595 South Branch, Inn US Route 50 East, Romney, WV Telephone: (866)-492-3122 toll-free Hampshire
House 1884 Jefferson Co., WV Quality Inn Econo Lodge 5595 Hammonds Mill Road, Martinsburg, WV, US Telephone: (304) 274-2181 Schuylkill County, PA Hampton Inn Hazleton 1 Top of the 80’s Road, Hazelton, PA, 18202 Telephone: (570) 454-3449 The Hampton Inn Hazleton hotel in Pennsylvania is located just west of Interstate 81 and Route 93. This will be Reunion meeting point on Monday morning, 23 June 2008. Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites 958 Schuylkill Mall 1 Corporate Drive Frackville, PA 17931 Drums, PA 18222 Telephone: (570) 874-1700 Telephone: (888) 465-4329 Ramada Hazleton Econo Lodge Hazleton North 1213 N . Church Street 10 Woodmere Drive Hazleton, PA 18202 Drums, PA 18222 Telephone: (570) 455-2061 Telephone: (570) 788-8715
PLEASE PRINT OUT THIS FORM (if you highlight this section you will be able to print just this page as a option) MAKE CHECKS OUT TO: SARAH A. BITTER MAIL TO: Sarah
A. Bitter NAME:_________________________________________________________________________ Address :_____________________________ Phone:______________ Email:_________________OTHERS ATTENDING: Please list on back of this sheet. NBFA ID Number – Name - and ages of Children. If you do not know your NBFA Number, please list your line of descent and their spouse (dates and location would be helpful) to help us identify your NBFA line. Please include all people that plan to attend so that nametags can be printed for them. _________________________________________________________________________________________ _____ YES - I plan to attend the Romney, WV segment of the NBFA Reunion. _____ YES - I would like to share with the people gathered a short (10 minute) talk. (Romney, WV) ____ YES - I plan to attend the Jefferson Co., WV segment of the NBFA Reunion _____ YES - I plan to attend the Schuylkill County, PA segment of the NBFA Reunion _____ YES - I would like to share with the people gathered a short (10 minute) talk. (Schuylkill Co) Please enclose your check for the following reservations. ROMNEY -Total Number of Adults in your party will be ______@ $35.00 each $____________ Total Number of Children under age 10 years ______@ $15.00 each $____________ Children Under 3 come are our guests ______ Cost FREE Reservation fees include a catered supper and continental breakfast, plus other expenses relating to this Reunion segment. ______ I plan to join NBFA on the Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad We will not collect this cost. We have been told the estimated cost will be $30.00 per person. For more information regarding the Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad please visit their Internet site or contact them at Information & Reservations (304) 424-0736. _______ I would like to tour the Romney area and NOT join the NBFA on the Potomac Eagle. JEFFERSON Co., WV – Total Number in your Party _______ @ 15.00 (optional donation) SCHUYLKILL Co., PA – Total Number in your Party _______ @ Cost unknown at this time. (You will be notified of this cost by 1 May 2008) Total mount of my check is $ ______________
Sunday, June 22, on to Jefferson Co., with Richard F. Blue as the Chairperson for
this segment.
The third segment of the National Blue Family Association Reunion will be held in Schuylkill Co., PA, the ancestral home of many of our cousins who spell the name “Blew” (1.3.2) lines. Most of the Schuylkill County Blews were descendants of John and Jerusha Blew, who migrated westward from Somerset County New Jersey in 1796. In the Summer 2007 issue of The Chalice, in preparation for the 2008 Reunion, we published a reading of the Blew-related graves in St. Peter’s Cemetery, including photographs of many of the gravestones. This article does the same for a second cemetery in Ryan Township containing many Blew graves. The Schuylkill County Reunion Committee, under the direction of Jean Duff of Greenville, NC, is scheduling visits to these cemeteries as part of the Reunion activities. As more details become available they will be posted here. Sarah Bitter Make your reservations in Romney, WV Check out the following sites: South Branch Inn http://www.wvafun.com/sbi-files/sbir-html/sbi-r3.htm Koolwink Motel http://www.koolwinkmotel.com/ Hampshire House - Bed and Breakfast http://www.hampshirehouse1884.net/
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