In the last month or so, I’ve been so fortunate to find about 3 new cousins from 3 different lines. And all of these cousins have amazing research to share and lots of stuff that I’ve never seen before. I feel like I’ve hit the jackpot in the lottery.
One of my wonderful new cousins has shared with me a picture of my great grandmother, Matilda Clawson. I’ve never seen a photo of her before.
Left to Right, Standing to Sitting: Fate Clawson [Male], Matilda Clawson, Walter Clawson [young boy], Polly May Clawson, Robert Dayton Clawson (baby), James Clayton Clawson (baby).
Having this photo of Matilda Clawson is even better because she has been such a source of mystery for me. Ten years ago, while visiting my grandfather in Tennessee, I asked him to tell me about his mother – Matilda Clawson. He instantly tensed up and didn’t want to talk about it. At the time, I couldn’t understand why he didn’t want to talk about her.
As I started to fill in the family tree, I learned that Matilda died on 8 August, 1935 when my grandfather was only seven years old. Losing a mother at such a young age is hard enough – but the wound only because bigger when his father quickly remarried. The remainder of his childhood was difficult – he became a rebel and as soon as he was able, he joined the US Navy and left home.
Matilda Clawson was born on 21 March 1886 in Tennessee (probably Carter county) to James L. Clawson Jr and Edna Jane Vines. She married Monroe Dugger around 1908 and she died on 8 August 1935 in Carter county, Tennessee.
I am just so overjoyed to have found this picture and finally put a face to my great grandmother, Matilda Clawson.
[Photo sent to me by email by Lincoln Clawson]