I was one of those children who loved to listen to family stories. My granddaddy, William F. Fain, often told me about my great-grandfather, Iota Oscar Fain, his parents, and siblings who farmed in north-eastern Georgia and ran a general store in the 1860s. My great-great-grandfather, William Hollen Fain was a southerner, yet was veheme…
I was one of those children who loved to listen to family stories. My granddaddy, William F. Fain, often told me about my great-grandfather, Iota Oscar Fain, his parents, and siblings who farmed in north-eastern Georgia and ran a general store in the 1860s. My great-great-grandfather, William Hollen Fain was a southerner, yet was vehemently anti-slavery, as were many in that region. When Sherman came through, he sent out teams of soldiers, one of which raided the Fain family's farm. The soldiers went room to room, piled up belongings, sliced open the feather pillows and mattresses, dumped the feathers, and poured sorghum molasses over everything. They used the family's own property and products to destroy all they had. Their clothes, linens, and furniture in each room were ruined, that is until the reached the oldest sister's room where they attempted to demolish her hope chest. She'd been hiding under the bed, but came out roaring, attacking the soldier molesting her treasure with her fists and feet. He backed out of the room, said "Pardon me, Miss," called his fellow soldiers together, and they rode away.
After the Union won, the community's angry pro-slavery citizens set the family's store ablaze and salted their fields. This final devastation meant they could not stay, so they packed up and left, finally settling in northern Arkansas after a second failed homestead in northwestern Georgia where their anti-slavery position was met with even more hostility.
Grandaddy's aunt eventually set up housekeeping in Arkansas with her husband, the hope chest and its treasures intact.
My great-great grandparents, William Hollen and Susan Fain, rest in Lead Hill, Arkansas. Their commitment to what is right cost them so much, but it has been a light in my family, one that still guides me, my children and my grandchildren.
I never met my great-great grandfather George (Doc) Robertson who was a sawbones in the Confederate Army in Mississippi, but my grandmother told me stories about him. A die-hard rebel, in the early 20th Cent. he would hit ppl with his cane if they didn't stand when "Dixie" played. I am so glad that I was raised in St. Louis & only visited the South each summer. I later saw the personal racism of my family there. Had an uncle in the KKK who was also deacon of his Southern Baptist church. I attended an integrated high school in the early 1960s while the South was still segregated by race.
Jesus weeps.I call those Ppl “Convenient Christians “. Only when it suits them. I know because I’m surrounded by them. There are some who walk the talk. But very few in my neck of the woods. Christopher Reeves aka as Superman was interviewed by Barbara Walters I is close to final days. She asked him about his Faith. “ I have a sign hanging in my office he said. When I do bad I feel bad . When I do good I feel good. And that is My Religion.” Mine also.
I don't know if you realize that only paid subscribers can comment but anyone can like a post. Many, like me who's only reliable income is Social Security and a small VA pension which will never reimburse me for the horrors of a stupid war, can't afford to subscribe to every newsletter they love. I finally decided to subscribe anyway, just to make sure you know that you may well be calling someone a false Christian who may just be poor. I agree that there are many false Christians but it's not for us to judge.
Terri, thank you so much for sharing this amazing story. Having had the courage of their convictions must have given them strength in their difficult journey. Inspiring.
I was one of those children who loved to listen to family stories. My granddaddy, William F. Fain, often told me about my great-grandfather, Iota Oscar Fain, his parents, and siblings who farmed in north-eastern Georgia and ran a general store in the 1860s. My great-great-grandfather, William Hollen Fain was a southerner, yet was vehemently anti-slavery, as were many in that region. When Sherman came through, he sent out teams of soldiers, one of which raided the Fain family's farm. The soldiers went room to room, piled up belongings, sliced open the feather pillows and mattresses, dumped the feathers, and poured sorghum molasses over everything. They used the family's own property and products to destroy all they had. Their clothes, linens, and furniture in each room were ruined, that is until the reached the oldest sister's room where they attempted to demolish her hope chest. She'd been hiding under the bed, but came out roaring, attacking the soldier molesting her treasure with her fists and feet. He backed out of the room, said "Pardon me, Miss," called his fellow soldiers together, and they rode away.
After the Union won, the community's angry pro-slavery citizens set the family's store ablaze and salted their fields. This final devastation meant they could not stay, so they packed up and left, finally settling in northern Arkansas after a second failed homestead in northwestern Georgia where their anti-slavery position was met with even more hostility.
Grandaddy's aunt eventually set up housekeeping in Arkansas with her husband, the hope chest and its treasures intact.
My great-great grandparents, William Hollen and Susan Fain, rest in Lead Hill, Arkansas. Their commitment to what is right cost them so much, but it has been a light in my family, one that still guides me, my children and my grandchildren.
I never met my great-great grandfather George (Doc) Robertson who was a sawbones in the Confederate Army in Mississippi, but my grandmother told me stories about him. A die-hard rebel, in the early 20th Cent. he would hit ppl with his cane if they didn't stand when "Dixie" played. I am so glad that I was raised in St. Louis & only visited the South each summer. I later saw the personal racism of my family there. Had an uncle in the KKK who was also deacon of his Southern Baptist church. I attended an integrated high school in the early 1960s while the South was still segregated by race.
Deacon of church, member of KKK.
Hmmmmm, what would Jesus do?
A question we can ask many Christians today.
Jesus weeps.I call those Ppl “Convenient Christians “. Only when it suits them. I know because I’m surrounded by them. There are some who walk the talk. But very few in my neck of the woods. Christopher Reeves aka as Superman was interviewed by Barbara Walters I is close to final days. She asked him about his Faith. “ I have a sign hanging in my office he said. When I do bad I feel bad . When I do good I feel good. And that is My Religion.” Mine also.
a.k.a. hypo-Christians.
I don't know if you realize that only paid subscribers can comment but anyone can like a post. Many, like me who's only reliable income is Social Security and a small VA pension which will never reimburse me for the horrors of a stupid war, can't afford to subscribe to every newsletter they love. I finally decided to subscribe anyway, just to make sure you know that you may well be calling someone a false Christian who may just be poor. I agree that there are many false Christians but it's not for us to judge.
Whoa! Please read Gary Sanchez comment below!
It’s the “light” you tell about which is the same today to guide us to save our democracy.
Yes!
Thank you Terri. The true family history of pioneers heading westwards.
Wonderful example of staying true to your beliefs. Thank you for sharing this, Terri.
What history! Thank you for sharing.
What a wonderful family history! Thank you
Terri, thank you so much for sharing this amazing story. Having had the courage of their convictions must have given them strength in their difficult journey. Inspiring.
Thank you for sharing. What a wonderful legacy they have left you.
Inspiring!
What a story and a legacy. I hope it is written down somewhere and available to others. Thank you for sharing it.
What a wonderful story and a great legacy!
What a powerful testimony. Thank you very much.
Oh my goodness, Terri, what an incredible story, what an incredible legacy. Thank you so much for telling us this.
Thank you.
Thank you Terri.