Bathing Poem

BATHING
by Posey Bowling Tinnin
(remembering Grandma Josephine Angel Bowling)

“Too much bathing weakens you”, is what my Grandma said.
Like the kids, I had a problem getting that into my head.

But thinking of my childhood – the way things were done back then,
I began to understand, there was no regular bathing room or cozy den

No nice hot water heater, no pipes beneath the floor.
It was carry in the hods of coal, to make the cook stove roar.

Bring in the big old copper boiler, and lift it on the stove,
Heat half the water, you’ve pumped and carried in,

You want to smell sweet as a rose.

Next comes the galvanized tub,
Roll it right in the kitchen door,
Make sure it’s rinsed out and
Set it on the floor.

Now for a bar of the mildest soap
(with some melted down to wash the hair)
Tell everyone to stay right out!
The doors locked with propped-up chairs.

Make sure the shades are all pulled down and
Clean clothes are lying near
Got the hair-rinsing water in the pitcher?
You’re ready – in you go, my dear.

You’re clean and dressed!!
You think you’re through?
It all has to be reversed.
Out goes the water, pail by pail
(of all jobs, this is the worst)

See all that water that you’ve slopped?
Now’s a good time to get this floor mopped.
Roll up the shades, unlock the doors
Let family in. Then, tell me, dear, as you start to reel,
Tell me now, how do you feel?

Grandma's Side of the Story

Jesse Bowling (born on 6-1-1758 in Virginia) married Mary Pennington (born 11-9-1765 in Virginia) on 1-6-1785. Their son Elijah Bowling was born on 1-22-1798.

Jesse Bowling served under General George Washington at Valley Forge, and the campaign against Yorktown Virginia. he was also at its surrender in which engagement he received a wound in the right breast, which became an ulcer, lasting as long as he lived.

Jesse died in Perry Co. KY on 8-15-1841. Mary died, also in Perry Co. KY, on 3-21-1842. A tracing of the "Bowling" ancestry goes back to Berlin Germany (from DAR pamphlet).

Collins' History of KY has a list of Revolutionary soldiers who settled in KY. The 1913 Year Book of the KY Sons of the Revolution contains a list of the Revolutionary soldiers and sailors of Virginia to whom the State granted Lord Bounty Warrants for their service. Additional information concerning Lord Grants is found in "Old Kentucky Entries & Deeds".

Elijah Bowling married Susan Roberts (born on 1-1-1802 in Breathitt Co. KY) on 11-5-1822. Their son, Elihu Bowling was born on 3-23-1835 in Breathitt Co. KY. Susan Roberts was a part of the George Washington Roberts family from Laurel County??? The name "Roberts" is also connected with Daniel Boone, who explored parts of Kentucky. The name "Boone" was attached to this family in Clay Co. Also, "Roberts" came from the Hibbitts line - English immigrant. Elijah Bowling died on 10-20-1881 in Greenmount, KY. His wife, Susan Roberts Bowling died on 9-18-1846 in Laurel Co., KY.

The paperwork is incorrect in reference to Elihu Bowling, listing his wife as being also the mother of his daughter-in-law.... : ) Grandma says that we don't actually have the name of his wife.

Elihu Bowling died in Elvira KY on 6-17-1908. His son's name was Attison Bowling. Attison Bowling (born on 12-6-1860 in Breahitt Co, KY) married Josephine Angel (born on 10-20-1866 in Laurel Co, KY) on 9-17-1882.

Josephine Angel was the daughter of Armina Bowman Angel (born 5-6-1835, died 3-28-1924). I have no references to her father's name or information.

The Angel family settled on 1,000 acres of timbered bottom land. Armina's father won $1,000 in a game of craps and invested all of it at $1 per acre. Grandma Josephine Angel said he (her grandpa) never gambled again.

Attison and Josephine Angel Bowling had 14 children:

Bertha B born July 26, 1883, died 12-26-1943 - married Jo Harry Sternberg
Beatrice born August 10, 1885 - died 11-27-1909 (at 24 years old)
Alpha J born July 15, 1887, died 9-13-1977 - married Dr. Whitis
James E born September 27, 1889, died 1-25-1969 - married Modesta Chapman
Minnie born January 3, 1892, died 11-23-1944 - married Berry Little!?!?! or Lettle??
Carl R born October 12, 1893, died 5-1-1962 - married Martha Rhodus
Otto T born December 25, 1895, died 6-24-78 - married Sallie Auderson or Anderson
Emory L born October 22, 1897, died 12-28-1970 - married Annabel (Sue Begley)
Grace born March 27, 1900 - died 10-30-1901 (at 19 months, and 3 days)
Woodson E born June 14, 1902, died in 2007- married Eunice Shegard
Blanche H born October 19, 1905, died 3-28-1989 - married Frank Marts
Maurice A (twin) born May 2, 1908, died 3-14-1985 - married Gwendolyn McLarty
Doris J (twin)born May 2, 1908, died in 2007 - married Clarence Clement
Maude B born October 3, 1911, died 12-12-1977 - married Harold Stiffler (Robert Kirkpatrick - second husband?)

Josephine Angel Bowling died December 10, 1946, and Attison Bowling died in September of 1934.

James E Bowling and Modesta Chapman Bowling gave birth to Rosemary Bowling Tinnin on May 11th, 1924.

Happy Birthday, Grandma Rosemary!!!! We love you! xoxoxo