Please join us as we continue the Harlan Family in the American tradition of coming
together to celebrate our family history and connections. Whether you are a descendant of
George, Michael or Thomas, or are just interested in learning more about your Harlan
heritage, you will renew acquaintances and make new connections with “cousins”
from all over America. The first modern day reunion was held in Delaware in 1987 to
commemorate the 300th anniversary of George and Michael’s arrival in America in 1687,
followed by Celebration 310 in Mount Pleasant, Iowa, in 1997; Celebration 315 in Delaware,
2002; then Celebration 320 in Reno, NV, 2007; and now Celebration 325 in San Antinio, TX!
Everyone who attended previous reunions has fond memories to share.
Our Harlan ancestors developed a pattern of moving west to lands affording new
opportunities. From England to Ireland to America and then on to the ever-expanding
American frontier, Harlans traveled and settled. Join us in San Antionio, Texas as we
learn more about our common heritage and explore our family’s part in the history of
the trails west into Texas and California.
We look forward to meeting each of you in San Antonio, Texas.
Help sponsor the 2012 Harlan Family Reunion by becoming a Reunion Patron.
The Harlan Family in America is most grateful for the financial support given by many
members of the Family. Contributions help finance the printing and mailing of and other
organizational expenses. When planning a national gathering, additional donations are
needed for underwriting some of the many reunion costs.
Contributions of any size are most welcome for the reunion fund. Names of donors who
contribute $25 or more will be listed in the commemorative 2012 Reunion Program as Reunion
Patrons.
If you would like to help, please send your donation, designated for the 2012 Reunion,
to:
The Harlan Family in America
P. O. Box 1654
Independence, MO 64055.
Your support will be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
| Blue Ridge Annual May Day Singing |
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PAST REUNIONS
CELEBRATION
320 - The Great Trek
Over 400 Harlans gathered at John Ascuaga’s Nugget Hotel and Convention Center in Reno,
NV., the weekend of July 12-15, 2007 to continue the Harlan Family tradition to celebrate
our family history, reconnect, and learn of the family’s role in the Westward
movement of our country. After registration in the hospitality room, the scheduled
events for the weekend began with the Thursday evening Welcoming reception hosted by the
Harlan Family Association. It was a perfect time to renew/make friendships.
Friday and Saturday were busy days, with the
options of two tours each morning, and/or attending the many workshops offered both
days. The Donner Summit Tour took us to visit the Donner camp site north of Truckee,
CA, where some of the Donner Party were trapped in the high snows in the winter of
1846. The Harlan Wagon Train, which had been traveling with the Donner’s made
it over the summit just prior to the Donners and heavy snowfall. We then visited Donner
Memorial Museum, Monument, and camp site of the other portion of the Donner Party at Donner
Lake, west of Truckee. Our return trip to Reno took us over Donner Summit via old
Highway 40, west to the small village of Soda Springs giving us the opportunity to view
the rugged terrain experienced by the Harlans on their way to California. The
Virginia City Tour took us to this colorful mining town, where a Harlan ancestor opened
one of the first hotels and took part in the great Silver Rush of the 1860s.
Upon arrival at Virginia City we boarded a trolley to tour the town, visited historic
sites and enjoyed a train ride before returning to Reno.
Friday’s mornings workshops gave us the
opportunity of Researching your Harlan Heritage with particular attention on using Alpheus
Harlan’s genealogy book, exploring what happened to the Donners, and learning about
Harlan Heritage tours which takes us to Ireland and England. Saturday morning workshops we
learned of the Quaker influence on the Harlan’s and scrapbooking. In the
afternoon learned about the Harlan DNA project, Harlan’s in Early California, Josiah
Harlan, The First American in Afghanistan, Four Marys and a Jessie of the Harlan/Lincoln
connection, and the Supreme Court Harlan’s.
The big event Friday afternoon was the
traditional family picnic held in the Peavine Pavilion at Rancho San Rafael Park.
Saturday closed the day with the traditional
banquet and program given by William K. Harlan, great-great-grandson of George (#852) with
slides and narration of the California/Oregon Trail and the Hastings Cutoff route taken by
the Harlan Party. William had traveled this route in preparation for this program.
Sunday morning a nondenominational worship service was held followed by a breakfast
buffet, time to say goodbye and head home.
CELEBRATION 315 – Back to Where Our Family Story Began
Nearly 400 attended the National Family Reunion in Wilmington, Del. June 27-30, 2002,
centered at the Doubletree Hotel. The events started with registration Thursday
afternoon in the hospitality room, followed by a reception at the hotel that evening.
Welcoming familiar faces and met new cousins. Tours of Harlan family historical
sites were offered throughout the morning and afternoon on Friday and Saturday with visits
to Centre, London Grove, and Old Kennett Meeting Houses; the Log House, built in 1727 by
Joshua Harlan (#13); the stone house built by (#4) George Harlan and occupied by Harlan
descendants until 1950; and the Stargazer Stone near the stone house, which was used
to plot the Mason-Dixon line. Many members attended the family picnic at Brandywine Picnic
Park from late morning to late afternoon, enjoyed the food, petting zoo, and many rides
and activities as the park. Saturday several workshops taught us about How old is
that Photograph?; Fashionable Dress of the Early 19th Century – A Brief
View of Costuming From Outside In; Quaker heritage of Chester County; The Harlan-Lincoln
Women; Along the Brandywine River; and about Alpheus Harlan’s History and Genealogy
of the Harlan Famil7y to trace family lines. A family banquet Saturday night with
the highlight of the evening of a presentation of Dan Harlan’s play, Some Uncommon
Kin: A Celebration of Harlan Family Diversity, which told about several courageous and
unusual Harlans. Nearly three dozen cousins participated in the production, some
acting on stage, others reading from backstage, or singing choruses between scenes.
Sunday morning, some cousins attended a Quaker-style silent meditation service at Old
Kennett Meeting House, where many Harlan ancestors are buried. All to quickly, it
was time for the final brunch and time to say goodbye and head for home. More
information about the reunion can be read in the Fall 2002, issue of the Harlan Record.
CELEBRATION 310
Over 500 Harlans gathered in Mt. Pleasant Iowa over the 4th
of July weekend in 1997 to celebrate their heritage. Harlan's came from all corners of the
country to get reacquainted with those family members they had met before and to meet more
members of their extended family. The citizens of Mt. Pleasant welcomed the Harlan family
which has significant history is this small Iowa town. Mt. Pleasant was the home of
Senator James Harlan who served in the United States Senate from 1885 to 1887. He also
served as Secretary of the Interior under President Lincoln. The Senator's daughter, Mary
Eunice married Robert Todd Lincoln, the son of President Abraham Lincoln. The reunion
activities opened with a wreath laying ceremony at Senator Harlan's grave site.
The evening of July 3 saw the first large group get together as the family met at St.
Alphonsus Catholic Church for a reception followed by dinner. This was an informal
gathering and the volume of the voice rose as the evening wore on.
Harlan's continued to pour into town and stopped to register at the hospitality center
at the First Presbyterian Church. Here they received a packet of materials, meal tickets
and name tags. Once we got our bearings, it was time to look around the room at all the
displays on Harlan History, previous reunions, trips to Harlan historical sites and more.
Friday dawned cool and not so clear. We were blessed by cooler weather than normal for
a 4th of July in Iowa. This day was spent in a variety of activities in which we were
joined by the citizens of Mt. Pleasant. The community opened their renowned Old Thresher
Grounds so that we could ride the old steam train on the Midwest Central Railroad, enjoy
displays of steam engines and agricultural exhibits as well as the unique Museum of
Repertoire Americana. Finally, we celebrated the birth of our nation at the grandstand
with musical entertainment and the traditional fireworks.
Workshops were held both on Friday and Saturday to broaden our knowledge of a variety
of genealogy subjects from tips for the beginners to using the computer for genealogy
research. Throughout the day on Saturday buses took the Harlans around town to visit the
sites of particular interest. These included the Harlan home, the Harlan hotel (which was
also Senator Harlan's home at one time), and Camp Harlan, a Civil War military training
and mustering site.
Saturday evening was the main gathering of the clan and program event. The
entertainment included a varied musical program, a recitation of Harlan Family History and
a special one-man show with Iowa Wesleyan College Professor performing a Senator James
Harlan.
The reunion concluded on Sunday morning with a moving church service conducted by our
own family members including the clergy, organist, pianist, choir and bag piper. As we
sang what has become "our" song, A Family of Friends, we all vowed that we would
surely come again.
More detailed information on the Celebration 310 reunion is available in the Harlan Record, No. 12, Summer 1997.
CELEBRATION 300 - The Tricentennial
Celebration 300 started with an idea and a vision. Dan Harlan
was living in his retirement home in New Mexico when he received an offer in the mail to
purchase a mailing list of Harlans for a nominal sum. Knowing that 1987 would mark the
300th year since George and Michael Harlan landed at New Castle, Delaware, Dan thought
that perhaps a national reunion might be possible.
From that vision grew a gathering of Harlans from all corners of the country - from the
Pacific to the Atlantic including Hawaii and West Germany. On August 14 - 16, 1987 over
800 people converged on the historical countryside surrounding Wilmington, Delaware.
The first formal event of the weekend was a filled-to-capacity reception held at the
Brandywine River Museum in Chadds Ford, PA. All three floors plus the entryway and
courtyard held Harlans, exchanging names and ancestral lines. And perhaps they paused just
long enough to appreciate the beautiful art work of three generations of Wyeths.
During the weekend 325 people took the bus tours to view the ancestral grounds of
George and Michael. The best stop was at the old log house, an original home of George #3,
built about 1690, Harlans lived here for over 200 years. Over time it has been remodeled
and added to and now serves as a gracious B & B. Other interesting sites included
Centre Meeting where George and his wife Elizabeth Duck Harlan are buried; the stone house
built by George #14 where the "star-gazers" stone is located; London Meeting
where Michael and his wife Dinah are buried; and Hill Girt Farm, land purchased by George
#3 in 1698 and where he lived until his death.
A Saturday afternoon picnic provided the opportunity to get together with family from
the same geographic areas, as Regional Coordinators were appointed to help keep a
permanent family organization active. This event was held at Battery Park on the banks of
the Delaware River where the family could envision George and Michael landing just 300
years ago.
A sit down dinner for 760 people. That was the main gathering for this celebration. The
key note address was given by Dr. John Kern, Director of Historic and Cultural Affairs for
Delaware. He was astounded that so many would travel so far to attend. Dr. Kern talked
about Harlans in general and then related stories about his favorite Harlans. The program
included singing, introductions, recognition and thank you's, a roll call of states,
letters of congratulations from President Reagan and Senator Biden, a financial report and
finally (when the little ones were asleep under the tables) a slide show of Monkwearmouth.
Table favors were 750 individual hand made clay fired vases, filled with grasses from
Harlan ancestral lands.
The tricentennial activities concluded with memorial services on Sunday, August 16. The
services were held in the Old Kennett Meeting House near Chadd's Ford, PA which was built
in 1731 on land belong to Ezekiel Harlan, the eldest of George's sons. Because of limited
seating, it was necessary to schedule three sessions to accommodate the family. the
services were patterned after the "silent meeting" that was observed by Quakers
during their early days in America. In those days, members spoke only when so moved by the
Holy Spirit, and then the others reflected on what they had said.
From this gathering emerged the permanent Harlan Family in America organization which
produces an annual newsletter the Harlan Record to communicate with family members and
share information of interest.
CELEBRATION 200 - The Bicentennial
Well, they would have called it that, had they thought of it then. But
it was a national reunion. As reported in the West Chester Local News on September 27,
1887, a reunion of the Descendants of George and Michael Harlan was held a Birmingham
Park.
"The descendants of George and Michael Harlan, who landed in America two hundred
years ago from England, held a family convention at Birmingham Park today for the purpose
of establishing a permanent family organization. There was not a large gathering, but the
deficiency in numbers was fully made up in energy.
At 11:30 those present were called together in the pavilion by A. D. Harlan. He
introduced Prof. D. M. Harlan, who made a prayer. A temporary organization was then
effected by the selection of Hon. A.D.Harlan of Coatesville, as temporary Chairman and E.
L. Harlan, of Rising sun, MD, temporary Secretary. The Hon. A. D. Harlan on taking the
chair made the following remarks:
My Dear Friends and Relatives: I thank you for the honor you have conferred upon me
this morning in making me your temporary Chairman. Permit me to say what I know will be a
pleasure to you, that I have no speech to make and shall not detain you more than five
minutes. My thought today, no doubt like your own, are many, and carry me back through two
hundred and thirty-seven years, and I have been picturing a scene that transpired in the
old town of Monkwearmouth, in the county of Durham, England, in the year of 1650; that of
James Harlan and his beloved wife, in the old parish church, presenting their infant
child, George, in the sacrament of Baptism and then when that same child George grew in
years how he and his brother Michael went over to the north of Ireland and then how the
same George together with his wife Elizabeth and their children and his brother, Michael,
came to this country and settled on the banks of this beautiful river, the Brandywine,
near the place we are now assembled. They came to this new world to build up for
themselves and their descendants a home where they and us might worship God according to
the dictates of our own consciences, guided by the Holy Spirit and God's Holy Word. For
these grand, good men, whose descendants we are, were men of God, and as I believe were
guided by the Holy Spirit. George and Michael Harlan lived and died in this good old
county of Chester, honored and beloved by all who knew them, and their children and their
children's children to the ninth generation have gone forth from place to place until
today they are found in almost every State and Territory in the United States.
Is it not then a fitting thing for us, their descendants, to meet here today and
celebrate the two hundredth anniversary of the landing in America of our paternal
ancestors, George and Michael Harlan and our maternal ancestor, Elizabeth Harlan, and
thank God, our Heavenly Father, for all the way He led them and has led us, and here
resolve, God helping us, that we will be true men, women and children, honoring an honored
ancestry, and endeavoring to fill well the places God in His providence may place us.
And when the sun which shines upon us so brilliantly this morning has
for the last time to us sunk beyond yon western horizon, the world may say of the
departed, he or she has lived for something, and dying has left a name that will not soon
be forgotten.
"Let's make to ourselves a name,
Not such as wealth can weave,
Who's warp is but a thread of gold
that dazzles to deceive;
But ask of Him who quails
Of death the victor's strife
To write it on the blood-bought page
Of everlasting life." |
And now my friends on behalf of the committee I welcome you to this land
of our ancestors and trust that we shall all have a very pleasant time today, and that
this meeting may be but the beginning of many pleasant reunions in the days to come.
"
A Committee on Permanent Organization was then appointed by the Chair, as follows: A.
H. Harlan, Prof. D. W. Harlan, H. H. Harlan, Col. W. B. Mendenhall and W. H. Johnson. The
temporary meeting then adjourned for lunch and social conversation. At one o'clock the
audience was called together, when the committee reported the following as the permanent
organization:
National Permanent Organization: President, Hon. A. D. Harlan, Coatesville, PA;
Vice-President, Aaron Harlan, Hackneysville AL; Treasurer, Maj. Wm. S. Harlan, Zanesville,
OH; Corresponding and Recording Secretary, A. H. Harlan, New Burlington, OH.
REGIONAL REUNIONS
Information will be posted as received.
First Arizona Harlan Family Reunion
The Arizona Harlans met Saturday, February 28, 1998, at Papago Park in Phoenix for
their first reunion with 45 adults and 9 children attending. Attendees were from
metroplitan Phoenix, and Flagstaff, in addition to officers and board members from New
Mexico, Georiga, Minnesota, Missouri, and California. Barbecue sandwiches, beans, salads
and desserts were served, and the day was spent visiting and discussing Harlan Family
business. Through the generosity of Dave Harlan, Phoenix, pedal cabs were made available
to take Harlans on the scenic trails surrounding the picnic area. Hosts for the event were
Junior and Dorothy Harlan, Scottsdale, and Jim and Sue Harlan, Phoenix. --- Junior
Harlan
55th ANNUAL HARLAN FAMILY in TEXAS REUNION
Learn about the early Harlan settlers in Texas. Visist historic sites in Central Texas.
Share your family stories with other Harlan descendants.
WHEN: Saturday & Sunday, October 1st & 2nd & 3rd, 2005
WHERE: Blue Ridge Baptist Church, on FM-1771 About 10 miles east-southeast of Marlin, TX.
Schedule of Events:
Saturday, October 1st - 2-5 pm- Tour of gravesites of Harlan descendants buried in the
Blue Ridge Cemetery. Harlan Family Stories, etc.
6:30 pm - Dutch treat dinner at Los Pepes Cafe, Marlin (next to Relax Inn, phone
254-883-2581)
Sunday, October 2nd-
11:00 am Church Founders' Day
All are welcome to attend.
Noon Sunday Dinner $7.50 each
2:00 pm Harlan Reunion business meeting- President M. F. Turner presiding
3:00 pm Blue Ridge Cemetery Association meeting
Immediately after the Sunday Church services, there will be a catered buffet dinner
with two meats, 3 vegetables, a salad, bread, iced tea and dessert.
$7.50 per plate. RSVP is required. RSPV with $7.50 per plate not later than September
30th, 2005.
M. F. Turner
3904 Runge Court West
Irving, TX 75038-6654
Phone: 972-252-1194
Robert & Lyn Powers
7100 Canterbury Drive
Waco, TX 76712-3964
Phone: 254-399-9564
Special Note: Blue Ridge Baptist Church has graciously given us use of their
facitities. Please do not bring food or drinks into the church. Weather permitting, all
Harlan Reunion functions will be held under the new metal pavilion between the church and
the cemetery.
Address corrections and Additions Requested: Please send any corrections and Harlan
descendant additions to Robert Powers at address shown above.
Harlan-Allen Reunion
The 78th annual Harlan-Allen Reunion was held July 24, 2005 at the American Legion Post
in Dumont, Iowa. Everyone was welcomed. We started arriving Sunday morning, had a pot-luck
lunch and business meeting along with lots of visiting, picture sharing and genealogy
updating.
This reunion was started in 1927 with 120 persons present. They were descendants of
Jehu Harlan (#2865 in A.H. Harlan's book). Jehu and his wife Susannah emigrated to Iowa in
1855. The nearest neighbors were the family of David and Nancy Allen. Four marriages
occurred between these two families, and the reunion was started by the resulting
"double cousins". It has expanded to include members of the complete Harlan and
Allen families. For more information contact reunion secretary Neilla Harlan Banse at gnbanse@midlands.net.
Hark! Hark!
Mark your calendars! Plan to attend the First Ryan Family Reunion!
Descendants of:
Joseph Patrick & Olia Elgin Bryant Ryan
Parents of Joseph: Jerry Patrick & Fortunee Roussel Ryan
Parents of Elgin: Thaddeus Sylvester & Frances Cordelia Bryant Bryant
When? August 14, 2004 All Day Picnic at 1: 00 (barbecued hot dogs &
hamburgers)
Where? Wappapello State Park, MO – Picnic shelter
Where to stay? Cabins and campsites are reserved. Please let us know of your
plans by June1.
Joy reserved and placed a deposit on seven cabins, each for August 13 and 14. Contact Joy
to make reservations. Basic charge for a cabin is $63.14 per night; each cabin is two
bedroom, will sleep six, $6 per person per night fee for over two people, (fee does not
apply to children under 5).
Rosemary reserved five campsites for August 13, 14, and 15. Contact Rosemary for a
campsite reservation. Campsites are basic tent sites at Ridge Campground with water and
restrooms nearby. These are reserved for three nights, with four people each $32.50 total
($8.50 reservation fee and $8.00 per night).
Electric campsites or bare camp cabins can be reserved by calling 573-422-6766 (need to
hurry).
What to bring? Table service, a dish or two for noon Saturday, a game, a ball, a
musical instrument, and that Ryan gift for gab.
Activities? A float trip is planned for Sunday (more later). Swimming, hiking,
and boating are nearby. Our Uncle Carl is in charge of a horseshoe tournament.
Puxico Homecoming is ongoing.
Genealogy & Research: For those who attend the reunion, we are compiling a
booklet of charts and photos depicting the history of the Ryans and everything we know
about it. Also will have a family directory of the young, old, and very talented members
of the Ryan family.
Bring to share: Photos, family artifacts, plants to share, and family news.
Note: A hat will be passed to cover costs of the reunion.
Contacts: Rosemary Noel 417-922-350 noelnr@centurytel.net
Joy Ryan 202-537-1371 joyryan@aol.com
THE BLUE RIDGE BAPTIST CHURCH WILL HELD THEIR ANNUAL MAY DAY SINGING
ON SUNDAY, MAY 2, 2004. THE ANNUAL SINGING HAS BEEN HELD FOR OVER 115 YEARS.
THE CHURCH WAS FOUNDED BY DESCENDANT OF AARON HARLAN ON LAND BOUGHT FROM MEXICO BEFORE THE
TEXAS REVOLUTION.
THE CHURCH WAS FOUNDED IN 1857 BY THE EARLY HARLAN SETTLERS IN THE YOUNG STATE OF TEXAS.
THE SINGING BEGINS ABOUT 10 AM. A SHORT SERMONETTE WILL BE DELIVERED BEFORE 12 AM. LUNCH
WILL BE SERVED AT NOON. SINGING BEGIN AGAIN ABOUT 1:30 PM UNTIL ALL HAVE LEFT.
THE CHURCH IS LOCATED ABOUT 10 MILES EAST-SOUTHEAST OF MARLIN, TX.
CONTACT HARLAN DESCENDANT ROBERT POWERS AT 254-399-9564
INDIANA STATE HARLAN REUNION
WILL BE HELD AT CRAWFORDSVILLE, INDIANA
JULY 9TH & 10TH
A BLOCK OF ROOMS HAVE BEEN RESERVED AT THE HOLIDAY INN LOCATED AT I-74 AND US 231
PHONE # 765-362-8700
MORE INFORMATION TO FOLLOW.
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Harlans of Texas Family 52nd Reunion Held
Over eighty Harlans attended the Oct 6 & 7 Reunion at Blue Ridge Church near
Marlin, Texas. Seventy-two enjoyed the wonderful catered dinner after Sunday's church
services. Mary Grace Harlan Crumley, a young 85, was the oldest attendee. Robert Leonard
"Pete" Cobb, of Riverside, CA, traveled the greatest distance for the event.
Young John Harlan Kinard, age 2, was the youngest attendee. Attendees came from five
states for the reunion. New officers elected were M. F. Turner, president; Enuice K.
Cunningham, vice-president; Robert Powers, secretary and Bill Richardson, treasurer.
"Harlan family stories" were shared with all attendees on Saturday afternoon.
Many, many stories, both humorous and sentimental, about our families and ancestors were
told for two hours. The 53rd annual reunion was set for October 5 & 6, 2002. For more
information, contact Robert Powers, 254-662-4792 (hm/wk)
