The Oneida Daily Dispatch (Oneida, NY)
Blakes mark 94th gathering
ROME » The home of Don and Anne Blake Van-Dreason was the setting for the 94th annual gathering of the descendants of Andrew and Ann Meagher Blake in Rome on Sunday, July 9.
Anne welcomed the large crowd that enjoyed a buffet of family delicacies on the spacious lawn under blue skies. Family members came from throughout New York as well as from Boston, Knoxville, Tenn., Georgia, and a large delegation from North and South Carolina. The family member who traveled the farthest distance was Robin Arnott from California. The oldest in attendance was Betty Blake from Vernon, while the younger was Cole Rotach of Remsen. Approximately 100 signed the family register.
The business meeting was initiated with a robust singing of the family anthem. It was hoped that Sister Celine Courtney could hear us from her hospital room in Latham where she was recovering from a prolonged illness. She and her sister Helene were responsible for giving us the anthem. Attempts to Skype or FaceTime the sisters were unsuccessful.
The Historian’s report included two births, two engagements and four deaths as well as recognition of a number of graduates. Thomas P. Blake, after reporting on the dismal status of the state of agricultural pursuits on the family farm, requested funding to travel to Ottawa. He plans to research a family inheritance of a deceased relative in the United Kingdom who passed without a will. Tom has been contacted by British bank personnel to settle the multimillion dollar estate. We all look forward to sharing in the largesse our cousin has promised as a similar request some years ago to claim the Wells Fargo fortune proved futile. A Gofundme page was set in place to cover costs.
The family also de- cided to establish a fund to improve upon the monument of Andrew Blake in St. Patrick’s Cemetery. His Irish birthplace and Civil War service will be inscribed when the fund is sufficiently amortized. A generous collection followed.
Next year’s reunion will take place on the second Sunday in July at the same location.