The Invitation

It doesn't interest me what you do for a living. I want to know what you ache for, and if you dare to dream of meeting your heart's longing.

It doesn't interest me how old you are. I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool for love, for your dreams, for the adventure of being alive.

I doesn't interest me what planets are squaring your moon. I want to know if you have touched the center of your own sorrow, if you have been opened by life's betrayals, or have become shriveled and closed for fear of further pain.

I want to know if you can sit with pain, mine or your own, without moving to hide it or fade it or fix it. I want to know if you can be with joy, mine and your own, if you can dance with wildness and let the ecstasy fill you to the tips of your fingers and toes without cautioning us to be careful, be realistic, or to remember the limitations of being human.

It doesn't interest me if the story you're telling is true. I want to know if you can disappoint another to be true to yourself, if you can beat the accusation of betrayal and not betray your own soul.

I want to know if you can be faithful and therefore trustworthy.

I want to know if you can see beauty, even when it is not pretty every day, and if you can source your life from God's presence.

I want to know if you can live with failure, yours and mine, and still stand on the edge of the lake and shout to the silver of the full moon, "Yes!"

It doesn't interest me to know where you live, or how much money you have. I want to know if you can get up after the night of grief and despair, weary and bruised to the bone, and do what needs to be done for the children.

It doesn't interest me who you are or how you came to be here. I want to know if you can stand in the center of the fire with me and not shrink back.

It doesn't interest me where or what or with whom you have studied. I want to know what sustains you from the inside when all else falls away.

I want to know if you can be alone with yourself, and if you truly like the company you keep in the empty moments.

[-Oriah Mountain Dreamer, Elder]



John A. Cinnamond, Sr.

John A. Cinnamon, Sr., was born in County Antrim, Ireland about 1768. We are told he was raised and schooled by his father to be a proper "English" gentleman. Well, so much for that! John was a dyed-in-the-Irish-wool rebel, --a trait that manifests itself still in most Cinnamond descendants. Like his father, he was active in politics/religion in Northern Ireland, though somewhat less diplomatic. (See Cinnamond/Cinnamon Family History). In 1796, he was imprisoned and sentenced to die for crimes of (Gasp!) high treason. It was not John's first jaunt down this particular political pike; he'd displeased the Powers-That-Be a time or two before. Family history has it that the night before his scheduled execution, he escaped by negotiating a 20 foot moat surrounding the prison and riding lickety-split on horseback to the coast. He then boarded a ship to America (unbeknownst to the captain and crew, of course), reportedly landing at the Port of Baltimore in 1796.

According to the Book of Cinnamonds, by Dr. Bob Cinnamond, Owensboro KY, John remained in Maryland from 1797 to 1799 at which time he moved inland to Fauquier County VA. He made his living as a Latin Teacher to the children of the prevailing rich and famous, frequently rubbing elbows with such community notables as the Hamiltons, Lunsfords, Washingtons, Franklins and Herndons.

Unlike many of his descendants, John married only once, and rather late in life (age 35). It is suspected that the Herndon brothers discovered John on one of their many sojourns from Virgina to Kentucky. Not only single but educated, John was deemed a fine catch for their newly widowed sister, Frances Herndon Whitecotton. Frances was the single parent of two small children by her first marriage to George Washington Whitecotton, namely, Tolliver b: 14 Aug 1800, and George Jr. b:27 Oct 1802. (The cause of G.W.'s death remains a mystery. It's been speculated that he was (a) slain by Native Americans or (b) lost at sea. In either case, quite dead.) The marriage was sufficient to enrich John's life with eight more children who, in turn, blessed him with a score of grandchildren.

After moving his family to Shelby County in 1803, John taught at the first latin school (high school) in Kentucky, and later took up farming on a 160 acre parcel of land in Shelbyville, Kentucky. Rumor has it he probably should have kept his day job...

Nonetheless, he managed to raise ten children who became successful in their own right. Some stayed to work their father's land; others became educators and teachers; still others, merchants, accountants, pharmacists, --all blessed with a true sense of commitment to their families and communities.

And combined, John's descendants produced enough children to populate the entire state of Kentucky!


David Herndon

There continues to be much speculation about this branch of the Herndon line. (Truth be told, there continues to be much speculation among Cinnamond researchers about which Herndon line connects to the family.) It is believed David was the eldest son of Richard Herndon by his second wife. Born in Caroline County Virginia, David married Frances Pierce in the mid 1760's and sired 11 children by her, Frances being the eldest. She is cited in David's will as follows:

1st I bequeath to my Daughter Frances one feather bed and furniture and one cow and one saddle which she has in her possession.

Sometime prior to 1800, David moved his family to Orange Co NC. He appears on the Wheeley Primitive Baptist Church membership rolls in 1799 with his second wife, Betsy. He is also referenced in Orange County Deed Books (10, 11 and 17) and again in the Minutes of the Orange County Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions which read:

Court August 1807. David Herndon charged as father of Priscilla Wade's child. Order to pay her 27 pounds, 7 pounds immediately and 5 pounds a year thereafter until all is paid.

David, you little devil, you...

[Source: The Herndons of the American Revolution, Vol IV, Dr. John Goodwin Herndon.]


William Herndon Cinnamond

William Herndon Cinnamond born 27 May 1804 in Virginia, was married and widowed three times. There are no known children by his third wife, Eliza Singer. However, his second wife, Marthenia Lundsford made up for the deficit by producing ten little Cinnamonds; his second wife, Elizabeth Clark Walden, bore five more. It's been suggested that it was a Cinnamond who first coined the expression "Rode hard and put up wet."

Having learned the trade at an early age, William prospered as a farmer and property owner (as well as a teacher), and both land and wealth and a love for education were passed on to his many descendants. He was instrumental in helping to establish the Crestwood Baptist Church in Pee Wee Valley, Kentucky, the General Baptist Church in Corydon, Kentucky, and was also very active in the Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church at Todd's Point which he helped build and beneath which we suspect he is now buried. It wasn't intended that he be buried beneath the church, but rather a matter of accommodating the living. Church membership increased, expansion became a necessity, and an addition now sits atop what was once the tiny cemetery that adorned the property behind Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church. It seems fitting for a man who gave so much to his God, his church and his community, and certainly preferable to spending eternity beneath Interstate-64 (where in all probability lie the remains of John A. Sr. and Frances Herndon Cinnamond.)


Marthenia Lunsford Cinnamond

Marthenia's (Marthena) ancestors hailed from England although the family appeared in America in the early to mid 1600's. Described as "a beautiful and intelligent young girl...and a cousin to the Grants, Starks and Alexander Hamilton," Marthenia's father was William Lunsford, born 22 Feb 1779. William was the son of Benjamin Lunsford (19 Feb 1749) son of ...are you ready for this?... William Lunsford (1725) son of William Lunsford (1697) son of William Lunsford (1668) son of Robert Lunsford (1638) son of Sir Herbert Lunsford (1615-1680) son of Sir Thomas Lunsford (1590) and Katharine Fludd (1593) daughter of Thomas Fludd, Treasurer of War to Queen Elizabeth. (Say that three times fast without stuttering!]

Marthenia bore her husband, William, ten children, only one of whom was named William but who, in turn, named his fourth child William who must have decided "to heck with all these Williams!" for he fathered no children at all!


John A. Cinnamond, Jr.

John A. Cinnamond Jr., born in 1809 in Shelby County Kentucky, was another major contributor to the Cinnamond line. His first marriage to Surraldy Eucline Moore of Missouri resulted in five children. Unfortunately, Surralda died about 1850, presumably in childbirth. Not to give into fate without a fight, John returned to Missouri to woo and claim for his own, Surralda's younger sister, Susannah (Susan) who begot dear John nine more children, the first of whom was named after Susannah's sister.


Lulie/Lula Morgan Gibben/Givens Drugan/Drugin Cinnamond Cinnamon

It is suspected that Lulie was born in West Virginia. Her grandson, James N. Cinnamon, recalls stories she told of coming to Kentucky through the mountains in a covered wagon.

Little is known of her childhood. We do know that Lulie married three times. Her first marriage to Mark Drugan found her a widow six months after the knot was tied. Her second marriage to Harrison's half-brother, William Thomas "Bud" Cinnamond, also left her widowed after Bud fought a losing battle with pneumonia. Undaunted, Lulie married a third time and during the course of her marriage to Harrison, raised not only nine of her own children, but the three by Harrison's first marriage as well. She died at the age of 92 in Hamilton County OH.

As to her extended "handle"... Documentation cites Lulie's given name as both Lulie and Lula. Her surname was originally Gibbens until Oscar Gibbens arbitrarily made the decision to change the name to "Givens" because "he liked it." Thus, researching the Lulie Morgan Gibbens/Givens Drugan/Drugin Cinnamond Cinnamon line remains a challenge... [Reference A Genealogist's Want List] Thank you, Oscar.


John Alvin Cinnamond, III

John was a farmer by trade, was born, married and died in Anderson County Kentucky and, according to his military records, 5'8" tall with dark complexion and light hair. On 14 December 1863, at the age of 20, he enlisted in the Union Army, Company G, 30th Kentucky Infantry. He was mustered out May 6, 1864, transferred to Company F, 4th Kentucky Infantry and on 17 August 1865, discharged. Oddly enough, Private Cinnamond was never paid for his military service. After the war, John returned home to Anderson County, married Mary Catlett and sired three children by her, --Elizabeth, Susan and John B. Cinnamond.


The 30th Kentucky Infantry

Company G, was one of five companies raised as a battalion to defend the State's capital at Frankfort, Kentucky. Shortly after its formation, the War Department instructed that every available man be mustered into the U.S. service thus providing various commanders the authority to send the regiment (or segments thereof) anywhere it appeared its services were most needed. Although the units involved were quick to protest this measure, according to the Adjutant General's report, "the regiment was soon organized, and became one of the most efficient one-year regiments in the service."

Company G and its cohorts A, B, E, and F proved to be both busy and bothersome participants, frequently engaging in battle with Rebel guerrillas, and as often as not, taking them by surprise. Prior to being mustered out in August of 1865, the regiment had left its mark at the following locations:

  • Kentucky
    • Albany
    • Cynthiana
    • Shelby
    • Lexington
    • New Market
    • Owen County
    • Bradfordsville
    • Chaplintown
    • Marion

  • Tennessee
    • Kingsport
    • Brush Creek

  • Virginia
    • Saltville
    • Marion
    • Laurel Gap
    • Seven Mile Ford
    • Clinch Mountain

The Kentucky 4th Infantry

The Kentucky 4th Volunteer Infantry was mustered into service on 9 October 1861 and found itself engaged in battle from Louisville Kentucky to Nashville and Memphis Tennessee to Shiloh to Corinth Mississippi (i.e., pretty much wherever there was a need). The unit was involved in the Tullahoma and Chicamauga campaigns and following the Battle of Missionary Ridge, was furloughed in Louisville until March of 1964. It was about this time, young Private Cinnamon joined the Fearless 4th. The unit was reorganized as a mounted regiment and sent to Nasvhille Tennessee and Snake Creek Gap Georgia where it joined forces with McCook's Cavalry. Shortly thereafter, part of the regiment was captured. The remainder returned to Nashville for a pep talk, taking up arms and annoying the enemy throughout Tennessee, Kentucky and Georgia.

The 4th's final summer was spent in the areas surrounding Macon Georgia, on the prowl for old Jeff Davis before the unit was mustered out on 17 August 1865.

In his report, the Adjutant General commended the Kentucky 4th as a unit "entitled to the highest encomium of glory and patriotism, having been among the first of Kentucky's brave soldiers to gather around their country's flag in the recent struggle for national existence. It received the praise and commendation of every General Officer under whom it served; and the casualty list clearly shows it to have been ever foremost in battle."

Guess Adjutant Generals are good for something after all...


William Thomas Cinnamond

ANDERSON COUNTY NEWS, 1961.  "On the farm of Miss Mary Herndon near Alton Station, Anderson County, in a small, but well-kept graveyard is a modest stone bearing this simple inscription:

          Willie Cinnamon 1888-1918. Rest, soldier, Rest

"Willie Cinnamon, son of Alfred Bruner and Mary Elizabeth Divine Cinnamon, was enlisted in the U.S. Army August 9, 1918 at Ft. Thomas, Kentucky. He died of pneumonia at Montgomery, Alabama, October 18 of the same year. He was in training at Camp Sheridan when he became ill. The remains were returned to Lawrenceburg with funeral services at the Leathers' Funeral Establishment. The address was given by Reverent Elmo Royalty, Baptist minister at Mt. Vernon.

"Cinnamon was married to Arnie Bryant, daughter of George Bryant. There were no children. The widow, now deceased, is also buried in the Hebron Cemetery."

[Source: Our Heritage by Wyatt Shely]


Mr. and Mrs. Hubert Cinnamon Celebrate 62nd Anniversary

Mr. and Mrs. Hubert Cinnamon, 706 Bradley Street, Frankfort, celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary, Sunday, April 23rd, with a party at the home of their daughter Mrs. John T. Hellard and Mr. Hellard at Frankfort.

They were married on April 20th 1910 at Lawrenceburg. They are natives of Anderson County but have made their home in Frankfort for the past 28 years. Mr. Cinnamon is a retired farmer. They are members of the Christian Church.

Mr. and Mrs. Cinnamon have six children, Mrs. John D. Hellard, Mrs. John T. Hellard, Mrs. Richard Barnes, all of Frankfort; Horace and Albert Cinnamon, Franklin County and Bernice Cinnamon, Anderson County; 10 grandchildren and one great grandson.

*********

Cinnamons wed 72 years

Mr. and Mrs. Hubert Cinnamon will observe their 72nd wedding anniversary April 20.

They were married April 20, 1910 and have five living children: Allice and Goldie Hellard, Horace, Bernice and Albert Cinnamon. Daughter Nellie Barnes is deceased. They also have 11 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren, and seven great-great grandchildren.

Both are natives of Anderson County.

[Source: The State Journal, Frankfort KY, April 1972]


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