2020 Truitt Cousins Reunion

Leading up to the 2020 Truitt Cousins Reunion, Cousin Preston Currey donated many needed and appreciated 1840-80 primitive furnishings for our J.W. & E.R. Truitt log cabin home. Dale Truitt also brought in some period correct antiques to finish out needed furnishings for the historic log home. Mike Truitt and other cousins bought and erected an impressive illuminated flag pole for flying our American Colors. Thus, this year’s reunion found the log cabin impressively improved, landscaped and furnished for the first time, making it appear complete for living.

Mike Truitt and Bert Hervey by 9:30 a.m. Saturday, had hot coffee, cold orange juice, and pastries for arriving cousins and other guests visiting the log cabin. The weather was very inviting - partly cloudy and very mild for mid-June. From 10:00 to 11:40 a.m., three dozen family members toured the 1840 home of our Republic of Texas, frontier, Truitt ancestral family having eight children, and also listened to presentations.

Bert Hervey, introduced Morris County’s Honorable Judge Doug Reeder who made brief remarks about the John Wingate Family and their Morris County historic frontier log cabin. He said it was a blessing to have such a nicely preserved piece of Morris County architectural memorabilia - stating he hoped many would enjoy exploring it and reading about its history in the coming years. We all appreciated Judge Reeder’s time and enjoyed hearing his thoughts and insight.

Dale, gave a short presentation on our ancestral lineage, and a proposed projection of future cabin improvements for security, safety and visitor appeal. At 11:40 a.m. the cabin visit was adjourned to travel 20 miles for lunch at the historic Concord Missionary Baptist Church which Wingate and Elizabeth’s oldest two son’s and their wives were instrumental in establishing – Wm. “Bill” Truitt/Elizabeth Heffner and Elijah Truitt/Annalisa Walker.

Following a great meal, Rev. Clay Potter was introduced to give a short, thought provoking, Biblical, presentation on the value of God’s ordained families. This was followed by our group honoring cousins with July birthdays, through the singing of “Happy Birthday” to Bert’s piano accompaniment. Next, the following fruitful suggestions were offered for publicizing our cabin: Texas Hwys Publication, include on a Piney Woods Trails Hwy, link up and network with other log cabin homes, develop a brochure, write children’s books on J.W. Truitt’s log cabin home, etc.

The reunion was concluded with the audience finalizing their discussion of needs for further cabin improvements. The reunion ended with a collection of over $2,000.00, plus an earlier mail-in collection of $1,000.00 to the East Texas Communities Foundation of Tyler, Texas. Several in the group suggested we all need to consider making small monthly or through the year special event contributions to our ancestral frontier home in Jenkins, Texas. When doing so, please make checks out to the, East Texas Communities Foundation, 315 N. Broadway, STE 210, Tyler, TX 75702, denoting Truitt or Morris County Cabin in the memo section of your checks. If you missed attending this year, we all look forward to your being with us in 2021 !!! Stay abreast of future events, by following our association on etruitt.com