Week 8 of 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks is about Heirlooms. I have a great one to tell about. (Yes, I know we are way past week 8. LOL I’m doing a few of the ones I’ve missed and will get back on track this month.)
My uncle, Carlisle Entzminger MARTIN (1915-1977) lived a lot of his adult life in Alexandria, Virginia. He also had a mountain getaway cabin outside Front Royal, Warren County, Virginia.
I visited there several times. It certainly wasn’t a child-friendly environment. I always wanted to go exploring down the road and in the woods, but I was never allowed to go so far that I couldn’t see the cabin. One of the reasons was snakes. Rattlesnakes in particular.
I knew Uncle Carlisle wasn’t blowing smoke about the rattlesnakes because of something he gave his mother, Florrie THOMAS MARTIN (1894-1979). Florrie was my grandmother who lived with my family.
Florrie Thomas Martin, my grandmother, in the middle. Her son, Carlisle, on the left. Her daughter, Ruby, on the right. This was the mid 1970’s. Uncle Carlisle always had a sour look on his face. I don’t know why Grandma and Aunt Ruby were looking so glum, though.
Carlisle’s unusual gift
Carlisle brought his mother a rattlesnake skin that he found near his mountain cabin. This skin is nearly three feet long and the rattles are mostly still attached. He encased it in plastic which I need to re-staple since a few of the rattles are loose and others are threatening to leave the skin and the plastic encasement.
A photo of a portion of the snake skin
I believe my father was unimpressed with this gift. It was stored flat on top of my mom’s china closet. Most people didn’t know it was there. Sometimes I would stand in a chair and take the skin down to look at. It fascinated to me as a child, and still does now.
When my parent’s passed away, the snake skin came home with me. My husband was not impressed with this unique heirloom. One of my daughters is fascinated by the snake skin. I expect in time it will go to her home. This is sad for my son-in-law who really doesn’t like snakes.
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