Misc. Notes
Lived in Benjamin's Fathers (James Cleek, Jr.) house.
2223,2208His Daddy was one of four boys whom came over from the old country
2208 (Actually it was his Great-Great Grandfather- Jacob Cleek)
PhoneCall to Aunt Jenny Cleek Smith
2224Had a car in the Garage all of her life. It was in mint condition. It had curtains, headlamps, holds a lot of people, a beautiful car, and I imagine it was expensive. It probably was a Ford.
We walked from the train station behind (Kimberly) to Hot Springs, VA (it was 3 miles). It was 30 miles to Covington. Caught train to Washington DC.
One of Aunt Clara's (Cleek) sons brought Aunt Clara over to see Nanny (Bertha Gum Cleek). After we started to work we got a car and we started going to Aunt Clara's.
George Hoover, Lizzie's (Cleek) husband - they went to visit once or twice while I was down there.
Aunt Jenny (Cleek - Ben's sister) use to come to visit too.
Aunt Martha (Cleek) came over on the train.
Dad (Ben Cleek) Hired a man to go to see Aunt Martha (Cleek) before she was in the institute.
(Ben Cleek) went to Danville, VA to study to be a Lathe operator when Aunt Jenny was a teenager.
Lucille (Cleek) got him a job as a janitor at the Schoolhouse he started the boiler in the morning, He swept up. This was after Aunt Jenny (Cleek) had already finished school.
Aunt Jenny Cleek and Lucille Cleek only had to go 11 years of school.
Eden church is the only church they ever went to there.
(Benjamin Cleek’s) house used to be two stories. There used to be a room over the living room. The kitchen was added on.
When they sold the property they split the money 3 ways, Aunt Jenny Cleek, Lucille Cleek, Nanny (Bertha Gum Cleek)
Aunt Martha (Cleek) sold her half of the James Cleek land to Ma Leary's (a neighbor) Son.
They had a wood stove in her house in Bacova in the Kitchen. Had a fireplace in the kitchen but never used it. Had a fireplace in the living room. Had a fire box.
Nanny (Bertha Gum) & Daddy (Benjamin Cleek) slept in the living room. Lucille and Jenny slept upstairs. Had two beds.
Aunt Martha (Cleek) had many, many petticoats, Blouse, skirt, blouse, petticoat, bloomers, is what she slept in.
Interview with Jenny Smith
2225 Her father worked in the garden, he only had one shirt, they went “Pitty Patt” (walk) to church about two miles. Her parents lived about 30 miles apart when they met.
Favorite story she remembers being told: The Dudley’s would get drunk on the weekend after getting paid. They would visit during the week only. The Dudley’s would come to the house when Art Hill came to drink his alcohol. Art had to stop bringing it. The Dudley’s lived in the opposite direction of the Phillip’s.
The house they lived in had a wood stove for heat and cooking. Later they got a kerosene heater. At one time they also had a trash burner/heater. The house consisted of a room with the stove and a table and another room which was a sitting room and bedroom and a kitchen, where they ate. Upstairs were Jenny and Lucille’s room with two beds.
The longest travel they did when they were growing up was to go to Hot Springs.
Her father was disabled after his gall bladder surgery.
After the war started in order to make ends meet, Lucille got her Dad and Mom to clean the school house. Jenny would send $10 home each payday to help support them.
Certificate # 1888030816
2226 Benjamin Harrison Cleek Parents: James Cleek & Mary Anna E. Cleek, G. E. Thomas, age 74 (on 19 Oct 1942 delayed Certif of Birth accepted), neighbor, present at birth date, (G. E. Thomas is the 1C1R of Benjamin H Cleek)
B. H. Cleek was sent Order of Induction into Military Service Order No. 137 Ser 155 dated 8/28/1918 to report on 4 Sep 1918 and he was Discharged from Draft No. 4629439 by reason of Physically disqualified for Para 1, SO 350, Hq Camp Lee VA, Sep 10, 1918.
2227Registration Card 137 No. 48 Benjamin Harrison Cleek, Age 28, Home Address: Hot Springs, VA, b: Nov 20, 1888, Natural born (not alien), b: Hot Springs, VA USA, Farmer, Works: Self, on Farm, Dependents on you for support: Mother, wife, child; Married; Race: American; Prior Service: None; Request exemption from draft (specify grounds): Mother, wife, child; /s/ Benjamin Harrison Cleek; Back: 45-2-6A; Tall, Medium or Short: Medium; Slender, Medium or Stout: Medium; Eye Color: Blue; Color Hair: Dk Brown; Bald: No; Disabled: No; Certified: R. F. Gum?, Hot Springs, Bath Co, VA, June 5th, 1917
2228Registration Card U65 Benjamin Harrison Cleek; Residence: Hot Springs, Bath, VA; Mailing Address: Rt 1, Box 12, Hot Springs, VA; Age: 53; b: Hot Springs Nov 20, 1888 VA; Person who will always know your address: Mrs. Bertha Jane Cleek, Hot Springs, VA; Employers Name and Address: Norman Dean, Warm Springs, VA; Place of Employment: Hot Springs, Bath, VA; /s/ Benjamin H. Cleek
2228 WW I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918
1177,2229 Benjamin Harrison Cleek, County: Bath, VA; b: 20 Nov 1888 VA; Race: Caucasian (White), FHL Roll # 1984210, Draft Board: 0
World War I Draft Registrations 1917-1918
2230Cleek, Benjamin Harrison - b: 20 Nov 1888
US World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942
2231Benjamin Harrison Cleek, b: 20 Nov 1888 Hot Springs, VA; Residence: Bath, VA, Race: White