52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks (Week 8) Heirloom: The Piano of my childhood

Memories can surprise us, emerging when least expected. The prompt "Heirloom" from the 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks challenge instantly brought the sound of my daddy playing the piano to my ears—the piano that was a cornerstone of my childhood, adolescence, and college years.

Countless mornings as a child in west Texas, I found myself seated at that piano, fingers dancing over the keys in the quiet hours before the school bus arrived. Even after 60+ years in my parents' home, its black walnut frame remains as stunning as ever. This piano, once owned by my great-grandmother Nina Ada (Baldridge) Dennis—whom I affectionately knew as “Mama Dennis”—was a cherished gift from my great-grandfather, Oran Martin Dennis, during their time in San Angelo, Texas.

The piano passed down to my mother and is destined to be inherited by one of my sister’s sons.

Mother's piano today

I can still hear my daddy playing Mama Dennis' piano, the joy of music from that magnificent piano echoing as a daily presence. Can you hear it too? It’s my daddy playing, weaving a tapestry of memories.

If only that old piano could sing...if only....💗

- Revis

52 Ancestors: Week 3

Week 3: Longevity

I am still playing "catch-up" in the 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks challenge. Longevity could have gone a lot of different directions, but I'm going to stick with posting about one of my ancestors who lived life the longest and who was one of the main reasons it took so many years to discover who her mother really was.

Nina (pronounced "nine-ah") Ada Baldridge was born in Hays County, Texas on 17 August 1878 to John David Baldridge (21 October 1850-TX - 31 December 1917-Harwood, Gonzales County, TX) and his second (2nd) wife Jemima Elizabeth Stroud (3 April 1856-Lockhart, Caldwell County, TX or Parker County, TX - 10 August 1882-San Marcos, Hays County, TX-probably, unproven, no record found of her death or burial place. Stroud Family Bible). She died at the age of 91 on 3 February 1970 in San Angelo, Tom Green County, Texas. 

Nina married Oran Martin Dennis (10 Sept 1879-Guadalupe Co., TX - 13 August 1956-Tom Green Co., TX) on 4 November 1902 in Kerr County, Texas. My family called her "Mama Dennis" and him "PaPa Dennis" or "PoPo Dennis".

Oran Martin Dennis and wife, Nina Ada Baldridge Dennis
with two of their grand-daughters.

I remember Mama Dennis as a young child. Fleeting memories, but memories of a lady with jet-black hair. Much like the picture above, but close to the end of her life at 91 years old.

Over the years, family members had these memories of Nina. "No one really knew how old Mama Dennis was". "She always dyed her hair. Always!" "She said she was younger than Papa Dennis, but...." This last comment almost always ended with a laugh!

Nina Ada Baldridge Dennis, you were almost 92 years old (not 82 years old) when you died in 1970 in San Angelo, Texas. You lived a long life. Much longer than you would have your family to believe.

Look for more to come on Nina and her parents in the future. 

Revis