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The O'Neal Genealogy Association Expedition 2002,
Day 5 continued
On Day 5 of the TOGA-Xpedition we visited Georgetown University's Lauinger Library. Therein we found a lot of information on "Rebel" Rose O'Neale. The Library contains about 13 boxes of reference materials on Rose, each box stuffed full of items, including photos, original newspaper articles, letters, correspondences, etc. The only drawback is that we were not able to photocopy or take pictures of anything contained therein. The only way we could remove material from the library was to sit and hand write out the information. Needless to say, we came home with a lot less information than we would have if we had been able to photocopy it or take digital photos.
One of the unexpected highlights of the Expedition was to come to pass on this day. My cell phone rang on the way home from the Library . On the other end was Mrs. Betti Moore. Betti is a TOGA Member and a descendant of Lawrence O'Neale. I had told her we would be in the Montgomery County area for a few days and would like to meet her, so I was excited when she called. We talked on the phone for awhile and she invited our group to stop by her place for dinner that evening. After 5 days of eating dinner in restaurants this sounded VERY inviting to me, so I conferred with the other members of the group and we all agreed that a home cooked meal sounded fabulous.
Betti lives in Middletown and we were in Rockville, so we all jumped
into the truck and began the trip "up" north to Middletown. Most of our
journeys thus far consisted of freeway driving, so it was rather pleasant
to get out onto the backroads and see the beautiful Maryland countryside.
It was like going back in time.
We were driving through a really rural area, with lots of old homes.
We arrived at The Moores and their home reminded us of an old plantation
type house. It sat back about 200 yards off the little country lane surrounded
by fence to keep the horses in. We saw some horses lazing around in front
of the barn as we drove up the drive. Rob and Betti met us at the door
and within 5 minutes we were all carrying on like we had known each other
for a lifetime. Living in the area, Betti had lots of information she had
gathered locally, information that an outsider would have a hard time collecting
in the short time we would be there. Finally it was time to eat and we
all sat down to share a meal, and what a meal it was. I'll never forget
Betti's Zucchini. It was fabulous! (Betti, if you read this, I sure would
like the recipe!)
After dinner Betti began dragging out her genealogy stuff and we discussed
our mutual family genealogy until WAY after dark. Finally, we decided that
we had better start back to our rooms at the hotel. Someone commented on
the way back that this was the perfect example of "Southern Hospitality".
How true. Up north, at least where I'm from, we'd really have to think
twice before inviting perfect strangers into our homes.
We had a wonderful time. Thanks again, Rob & Betti!
