GREAT GRANDMOTHER ELLA “SKIPPED THE LIGHT FANTASTIC TOE”

 

Great Grandmother

Ella Virginia White

October 10, 1881 – April 21, 1961

Ella Virginia White was the fourth child born to John William White and Mary Agnes Brown in Augusta County, Virginia on October 10, 1881. She would marry James Clyde Clemmer, also of Augusta County, June 5, 1905 and become the matriarch of a large family.

While Ella was still a single lady, she appreciated an evening of dancing and dining as reported in the Staunton Spectator and Vindicator. Her brother, Arthur White, was also included in the festivities.

Staunton Spectator and Vindicator, Staunton, Virginia

Friday, March 18, 1904

A SURPRISE PARTY

   Quite a crowd of young people met at Mrs. Houston Hall’s last Friday night. The musicians arrived about 8 o’clock and then the fun commenced. They danced until eleven, when their hostess invited them to the dining room where they enjoyed a nice supper. After this they returned to the dancing hall and “skipped the light fantastic toe” until early in the morning. Then they bid their hostess good night and returned to their homes, having spent one of the most pleasant times possible –one long to be remembered and not soon to be forgotten by some. Those present were Misses Laurena Brownlee, Ida and Mamer Coyner, Katie and Alma Brown, Ora and Essie Harris, Stella Crickenberger, Mary Younge, Effie Bateman, Ella White, and Mrs. C. A. Brownlee. The gentlemen were Arthur Brown, Elmer Cohran, Willie Coyner, Harry Harner, Ivan Hunter, Arthur Hall, Sidney Bear, Alfred Brownlee, Clarence Brownlee, Edward Wissler, Arthur White and Arthur Waide.

                                                                                                            RAMBLER.

Note: See James Clyde Clemmer's Story published Sunday, February 16, 2014. Ella and James were the parents of my grandmother, Lucy Clemmer.