For the ones who made this grand event, you all know the fun we had, and what a party Jim and Linda put on Sunday, August 15th. Being kind of in-transit along with the reunion, I didn't always have email access from here except dialing in through AOL. But I tried to stay in contact. HOWEVER, when I did get connectivity, and began to check my several email boxes....WOW! How much the chatter about the reunion, and the events, and the travellers...I just felt compelled to select a few of the comments to share with you all.

Another note: After going through over 250 emails, mostly duplicates (because I get MRR traffic in two different accounts), I still had well over 150 different emails waiting. So if you sent comments, I didnt forget you... I just thank everyone, and we as a Committee were very happy it turned out so well. Click Here to see the comments I chose to post.

Here the Birthdays for September. You all have a Happy one, with many more to come!

Randy Clements - 10th
Paul Gilbert - Sept 12
Bob Metheny - 14th
Lizann Matheney - Sept 15
Tyler Allen Matheny - Sept 16
Patti Simmons - 28th
Lynn Nichols - 30th

With such an astounding success, and after the luncheon, a short business meeting was held. We discussed where the MRR Group and Matheny/Metheny Association should go from here.

First it was discussed what we should do with the excess funds received. And was generally decided to make a donation to the Aquia Church specifically to build a Display Case for Historical Artifacts. This would include the original "Daniel Stone".

Next we discussed "when" and "If" we should plan another Reunion. After discussion of annual, 2 year, or 5 year events, it was generally decided the annual was too soon, and 5 years too long. So ALL, plans are to repeat this kind of event in 2001. We will probably try to have it a little earlier in the Summer, because the 14th of August was too close to school starting for several members who would have liked to have attended, but was too close to school start. Lets think about around August 1st.. (as a suggested starter). So the next one we thought might be better to schedule a whole weekend affair. (as if this one wasn't). One day for several tours.. the Church and Memorial, possibly some of the historical area sites, maybe even try to locate the actual gravesite of Daniel and Sarah. A second day of family fun, luncheon, and a place where we can all spread out our history data on tables, and have available copiers and computers with printers and/or scanners for pictures, and family data sheets. Send the Committee your ideas and suggestions. Plus with it scheduled 2 years away...everyone can start saving NOW.!!

And lastly, another suggestion came up on Sunday at Jim and Lindas cookout. Think some about this. Possibility of scheduling (about 5 years down the road), a chartered trip to France, to visit the village of Mathenay. Wouldnt that be GREAT?? Personally I think it is a GREAT IDEA, and plan on saving up for it. Again, think about it... and get out your "French" tutorials... Can you just imagine a group like we had at the reunion decending on the small village of Mathenay?? WOW!

By his last will and testament dated January 19, 1737 which was admitted to probate April 11, 1738, the Reverend Mr. Alexander Scott made the following request:

"Item: I give and bequeath to the church near the head of Aquia in this Parish thirty pounds sterling money of Great Britain to be paid within a year and a half after the proof of this will by my executors hereinafter named to the Church Wardens and vestry of the said parish for the time being to buy a silver pottle flaggon, a silver pattin and good substantial silver pint chalice and cover for the communion service in the said church and each of them to have engraved these words, Given by the Rev. Alexander Scott, A.M. late minister of this Parish and the date when given fore mentioned send for the above mentioned flaggon, Pattin, chalice and cover and have them wrought of good sufficient and substantial workmanship."

The directions of the Reverend Mr. Scott were carefully followed and the handsome communion service has been carefully guarded for more than two hundred years. To insure its survival, it was buried during the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812 and the Civil War. Each piece is inscribed "The gift of the Rev. Mr. Alex Scott, A.M., late Minister of this Parish. Anno. 1739."

-- From THE REGISTER OF OVERWHARTON PARISH, STAFFORD COUNTY, VIRGINIA 1723-1758`p 188

Note: Though Daniel and Sarah Wentworth Mathena preceded this date by many years the registry contains 16 Matheney, Matheny, Metheny names who undoubtedly received the Holy Coummion from the very chalice which was brought from the church vault, August 14, 1999, for those many descendants who gathered to celebrate God's gift of life and love to Daniel and Sarah!

Great cause isn't it to say "Thank you, God!" and "Thank you the Rev Mr. Alex Scott" and "Thank you Aquia Episcopal Church!"

We are thrilled to be part of such a rich heritage! We were made to feel "special" by it all.

Peace, Love and Joy!
Ralph

With the FREE membership now offered, I have well over 750 members. I hope to add several other Family Group sites similar to MRR. I have a couple groups getting site pages ready to post. I also am working on a Matheny-Metheny GEDCOM database to post. If any one is interested in building a family site of your OTHER lines (similar to the MRR Central), let me know.

Visit some of our web-sites.. (Rita the ideas, me the web work) and let us know what you all think!
The Metheny Genealogy Connection
My Metheny Genealogy Homepage.
Rita's Home on the Web
Rita's Cox/Metheny Genealogy Homepage.
Jeffrey's Sports Page
Jeff Metheny's Sports Homepage.
The Collectors Haven
Our Collectables - Commercial Site on Geocities.
Genealogy World - Resource Center
Our Commercial Genealogy Site.

A very special Thank You goes to Keith and Louise for the beautiful Stained Glass replica of the family crest pictured above. It will be a treasured item in my family for many many years.