A Historical brief

King James IV was so annoyed by the total disregard for the law by the Turnbulls and many other Border families, that in 1510, he gathered his troops in Jedburgh, for a march by night to the vale of the Rule. Once there, James IV  proclaimed to the residents of Rule Valley, “Bring before me  200 men of this unruly tribe of  Turnbulls, in their shirts, (some historians say wrapped in lined sheets) bearing in their hands  the naked swords pointed towards them, with which they have committed the offences, each with  halter round the neck, that they well merited.” It is said, by different historians, that many were hanged, others, say that  it was  every tenth man. Many Turnbulls were sent to prison with forfeit of their lands. The hostages that had been held to insure good behavior during the trial were released and returned to their homes.

It is thought that those Turnbull’s quieted by King James IV, assembled under the banner of Lord Home, and possibly shared in the terrible defeat at the Battle of Flodden Field in 1513. (The stone which is mentioned in the above article is in an area called Dead Haugh.)

Myreda Adele Turnbull Jeffras writes:

Since I have been in my new living experience for one year, I've enjoyed each day and all it’s happenings. Then I think - I'm in the fourth stage of my life; and then I think of all my relatives, friends I went to school with, children I taught, friends I've worked with, my church friends and now my new family that I live with in one Big House, Heartlands at Sevema Park, Maryland.

I was born on a farm at Anthonies Mill, MO, on May 17, 1918, Myreda Adele Turnbull. We moved to Sullivan, MO, when my sister and I were ready for school. I loved my first grade teacher and decided I wanted to teach.  I graduated from high school in 1936 with a certificate to teach.  My first contract in

1936 was to teach was 8 months at $60.00.  I did all my college work in the summer and at night.

I taught in a one-room schoolhouse at Pleasant Valley, Reed's Defeat, Strain and 2 years first grade at Pacific, MO. Had a lump in my life with an unsuccessful marriage in 1953 so decided to move on. I got a position in Annapolis, MD through a teacher's agency to teach first grade.

After two years I was assigned to serve as principal of a new elementary school Pershing Hill at Fort Meade, MD.  I accepted the job but had to buy a car and learn how to drive, since I wanted to live in Annapolis. In 1972, I asked to teach in Annapolis because I had a vision problem when driving at night.  For 3 years, I was Project Director of a program for 3 and 4 year olds then taught kindergarten one year.  For two years, I was the Title I Reading Resource teacher at Georgetown East until I retired in 1981.

Next, I started the fun stage of my life where I could come and go any time so I adopted a motto: Read, Sew and Go!  I traveled, did a lot of reading, quilting and participated in church activities. Another bump in the road of life put me in the hospital and rehab two times so I said to myself, "you are ready for assisted living," and here I have been for the past year. Here I have a nice big room, brought my own bed and many other pieces of furniture, so it is just like home! With a housekeeper every day, eating my meals in a lovely dinning room and seventy five new friends - what more could I wish for?

As usual I keep busy, serve on the food committee, fold napkins, attend health meetings and resident council meetings once a month and book club each Tuesday night. I plan to put up a Christmas tree and leave it up. My church family and Pastor Jeff are a great support.

Now you have listened to an 85-year-old lady you may have known sometime in my 45 years of teaching or other activities. I'm sure you are ready to say "she has either lost her mind or is expecting to die at any moment." Not true. I'm waiting for a tall, rich old man with a cane to join our family and sweep me off my feet! Watch for the next stage of this saga. Until then, I wish you Joy in you hearts and Peace in the world in the new 2004.

Adele Turnbull Jeffras.

See Adele's Puff Pastry Role Recipe on page 6.