When Sally at Smorgasbord Blog Magazine began her series on ‘Who Has Influenced You The Most In Your Life,’ I knew for me it was my grandmother Nan. I realized my story, the one she published, was but a part of Nan, and I am excited to share more of her. Thank you, Sally.
My grandmother Nan was born in 1886, the same year Laura Ingalls Wilder’s daughter was born. They both have the same name, too – Rose! What a connection. There’s more.
Nan as I remember her.
Nan when she was 14.
Just think- I not only spent time in her childhood home as a child,
I visited there when I was 14.
My granddaughter is 14.
Nan in 1909 when she was married.
Look at that hat and muffler!
My grandmother, Nan, has been my hero since I was a little girl. I spent Sunday afternoons with her, and it was delightful. No, it was more than that. Nan filled me with stories, taffy pulls, and dressing-up. She drove me and my sister in to Kresge’s, the five-and-dime, to spend a whole nickel on anything we wanted. Sundays with Nan were the best.
She was born and raised in a log house in West Virginia. Every time I read Little House in the Big Woods to my children at school, I think of Nan.
She told me all about that house. I spent time there as a child. I love that house.
That’s me, visiting the house in 2016.
Nan was a storyteller. Oh, those wonderful stories and memories! I remember her stories well, and my own childhood events have become the foundation for ‘Jennie Stories’. Perhaps that is why I enjoy Pa’s stories in Little House in the Big Woods.
My first childhood memory is the sound of a train. I was sleeping in this family log house, which by the way is in Lowell, WV. The house today is known as the Graham House, named after a family member who built it, and is on the National Historic Register. But, back then in the 50’s, my family still owned the house. The history is thrilling; it is the oldest two-story log house west of the Appalachian mountains, built in the early 1770’s. My grandmother, Nan, lived in the house until she was married. She told me many times the story of Indian raids. On one occasion the children were in the summer kitchen and ran to the house. The boy did not survive and the girl was kidnapped. It took the father eight years to get his daughter back, trading horses with the Indians – hooray for family stories! They are the glue that keeps us together.
As a child, listening to this story is much like my preschoolers listening to my childhood stories. I know how that feels, and I, too, made those pictures in my head. That’s what children do when they hear a Jennie Story or chapter reading, like Little House in the Big Woods.
The sound of the old steam engine train whistling by as I slept at the old log house is one of my fondest memories. When I recently visited the house with my husband, my first visit since 1964, I immediately recognized everything. I ran up the stairs and felt along the wall beside my bed, as there had been holes for rifles to go through when fending off an Indian raid. The holes were still there, just as I remembered, and just as Nan had told me.
Is it the sound of the train that makes my memories crystal clear? I think so. On the playground at school the far away sound of a train goes by in the morning. Often I have the children listen carefully, and then I tell them about sleeping in a log house and listening to a train. Stories are the keepers of words and memories.
Jennie
A Teacher's Reflections 
I love your Nan stories and could listen to them all day! What a wonderful picture book they would make. She was such a beautiful woman. I love the photos. I recall my paternal grandmother telling me about walking to Canada from Montana with her family. She was 12 years old and in charge of the sourdough starter. She had to carry it in a basket and not drop it or lose it as then they would all starve. She said she wanted to look at the scenery but didn’t dare take her eyes off the basket in her hand. I wish I would have asked her more about her childhood.
Darlene, what a wonderful story about your grandmother! Like you, I dearly wish I’d asked mine more about her childhood. Many thanks!
this is amazing, Jennie. isn’t it interesting how sensory memories stick with us as an important part of stories too, such as the sound of the train whistle? I believe that you inherited your natural ability for beautiful storytelling from you grandmother, Nan. just as her stories have remained with you, your stories have remained with the many children you’ve shared them with over the years, I have no doubt.
Oh yes, the sensory memories stick like glue. The train whistle is certainly a big one. Beth, I think you’re right about the storytelling, how it evolved from Nan to me and from me to the children. It’s wonderful. 🥰
Wonderful family stories, and also American history at the same time. I’m sure you could write a book about Nan, and the house she lived in.
Best wishes, Pete.
That’s a great idea, Pete!! I would love to read a memoir in Nan stories.
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Thank you, Pete. It’s all of those things. If only I had asked Nan more questions. Sigh!
I agree with Pete, a book would be wonderful.
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Your Nan stories are the best Jen they are so graftic I can see them unfolding in my mind 💜💜💜
Thank you, Willow! 💕
I love your Nan stories and your Jennie stories!
I’m so glad, Dan. Thank you!
What fabulous memories! It is wonderful that the house has survived and been restored. I can’t imagine how thrilling it was for you to revisit the house in 2016! I’m so glad Sally’s blog question prompted you to share your memories of the house and your grandmother with us.
Yes, the memories and the house are crystal clear, thank goodness. Thank goodness it has survived and is taken care of. When we visited in 2016, there were workmen on the roof, and when I told them it was my family’s house, they were thrilled to let me in and show me around. The panelling in the living room is beautiful, something I didn’t remember as a child. One of the workmen asked if we knew what an object found on the property was. Yes, it was a carved trough to tap the maple trees for syrup. Glad we could help. And a big thank you to Sally for inspiring more on Nan.
How wonderful that you got to interact with the workmen that day. My hunch is that you made their day, too! Thank you for sharing those additional details with me. You really should write a book!
Excellent, Jennie. Great memories.
Yes, indeed! Thank you, John.
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How wonderful to have that house in your family history. Trains are such an evocative sound and don’t we all love the sound of steam trains.
Yes, on all counts!
It was a pleasure to read this again for the second time in the last week. I love to think about not only how much my grandparents influenced me, but I also saw many of their values in my parents.
Hi Pete, this was a different post than Sally’s. So glad you enjoyed it! Values pass down from generation to generation. You were lucky, and so was I.
All my grandparents had gone before I was born Jennie and I so envy you that wonderful relationship and memories you have of your grandmother. More than the love it added to your life, there are the stories connecting you to the past and the experience of sleeping under the roof of a home with so much history. Lovely post. ♥
Those are wonderful memories, and stories, Jennie. You’re right, stories are the keepers of words and memories.
This is awesome Jennie. Beautiful family stories. Keep it going 👍👍👍👍