On April 24, 2004, Self and Selph family descendants from across America convened at the Yeocomico Church, near Hague, Virginia as part of the 7th Annual National Gathering of Self family researchers to dedicate a monument to Robert Selfe, the first known Self/Selfe/Selph to America.
Copy of the speech given at the Robert Selfe ceremony by Daniel McCarthy:
Before we begin, we would like to offer our deepest thanks to Father John Wall and Charles Mottram Sanford who worked hard to help members of the Self Family Newsletter achieve the placing of this monument.
We are here this day to pay homage to Robert Self, the first known Selfe in America, the ancestor of those of us gathered here today, and the probable ancestor of over 37,000 persons in American today. Paula-Jo Cahoon, who could not be with us this year due to commitments as California's President of the Daughters of War of 1812, summed it all up by stating that this is probably the most important project undertaken by the Self Family Newsletter group to date. We have felt, for some time, that a monument to commemorate our ancestor would be a fitting tribute, a lasting memorial long overdue and made possible by the donations of scores of loving Selfe descendants, who seem to come into this world equipped with a common love of genealogical roots and family history. Eighty of Robert Selfe's descendants demonstrated this family love with donations ranging from $2.00 to $166.00. The outcome of this strong love is the memorial we dedicate here today.
We are looking at the stones of people buried as long ago as 350 years. Some have worn to a frazzle. Some are just a snub of stone; no visible record remains. Nevertheless, we cherish their memories and we preserve the records of their time here on Earth so that our own descendants can benefit from the wisdom that comes from understanding how and who brought us to this point in history. And, we wonder at that same strong love that pervades our historical research and pursuits. We ourselves are living testaments to the endurance of family ties down through the ages.
Our Robert Selfe was a planter, a farmer. We are certain he gave thanks to God every day. In the spring he would give thanks as he saw the trees bud and blossom. He gave thanks for the fertile earth as he worked it for planting. In the summer sun and rain, he would rejoice as the crops grew and matured. In the fall, he would celebrate the bounty with thanksgiving. And, as the snows covered these lands, one can only imagine the footprints in the snow, as he and his family trudged their way here for services each Sabbath. Let us be reminded each season of Robert and his family as they struggled to make a life and a heritage for us.
Our Robert Selfe was the ancestor of numerous Self-named descendants who served in the military, bringing us the freedoms we enjoy and take for granted today:
-- 2 soldiers of the French and Indian War
-- a dozen plus soldiers in the Revolutionary War
--20 more soldiers of the War of 1812
-- 96 Union soldiers and 390 Confederate soldiers of the Civil War
-- Plus all the soldiers of the Wars that have followed.
Yes, a man named Self [James C. Self] became the richest and most philanthropic man in the Carolinas. And another man [Carl Albert] with a Self grandmother became Vice President of the United States. But, the real pride and backbone of the Self family - yesterday and today - are the doctors, lawyers, teachers, preachers, farmers, homebuilders - yes, even log homebuilders - pioneers all - who settled throughout this country, worked hard and built families. You don't have to look back as far as 350 years to see your own direct Self ancestor and the contributions he or she made to your life.
We believe Robert Selfe would be amazed and filled with pride as he sees this gathering of his descendants, both by blood and marriage, who, nearly 300 years after his death, still remember him and the sacrifices he and his family made coming to this strange land.
As we note his time on earth with this stone and plaque, let it serve to remind us his legacy, his good genes, his love for life. We have so much of which to be proud.
Prepared by: Col. Daniel McCarthy, Capt. William Self, and Candace Sheep.
This was made possible through the contributions of the following gracious Self – Selph descendants from all across the United States:
Louise Smith – AL.; D. Richard Self – FL.; Paula-Jo Cahoon – CA.; Nancy Ramsey – AL.; Robert L. Self –TX; Kay Stevens – MN.; Daniel & Cheryl McCarthy – GA.;
Dr. James A. Selph – VA.; Kenneth & Maurine Self – CA.; Andrew Selph – VA.; Billy & Gereline Selph – GA.; Jack Jr. & Patsey Selph – GA.; Pamela Self Reynolds – SC.; Capt. William Self – MD.; Richard Self – VA;
Kathie Self – MD.; Wahnetah K. Selph, VA.; June Selph Adams – GA.; Susan Self Jacklin, FL.; Henry D. Wilson, KY.; Dennis H. Self, FL.; Norman T. Self – TX.; Allyn & Linda Self – KS.; Robert & Rita Helwig – MO.; Bill Harwell – VA.; Lanny & Diana Taylor – VA.; Larry R. Brown – AL.; Paul H. Self – TX.; DeWitt Self – AL.; Barbara Hamman – TX.; Kim Self Hughes – AL.; Jamie Logsdon – KY.;
Barbara Self, VA.; Lucille Wray, VA. Patricia Holland, MD.; Barry Self, TN.; Dorotha Hurd, TX.; Allorah Jo Byrnes, CO.; Faye Shankle, ID.; Fred Self, TX.; Thomas C. Self, AL.; Doris Self-Redford, TX.; David & Carol Self, NC.; Peggy McLemore, AL.; Elizabeth McDonald, TX.; Mary Rose Martin, KY.; Annie Self Arnold, NC.; Vonda Dihm, AL.; Edna Earle James, AL.; Walter Jones, AL.; Babs Christy, AL.; Nina Fincher, TX.; Cecil Stringer, AL.; Sue F. Carroll, IN.;
Jodi Selph King, NY.; Evelyn Thompson, OK.; Annabelle Shelton, SC.; Jill Hardy, NV.; Shirley McMahan, CA.; Evelyn Bailey, IN.; David M. Newlin, TX.; Tom Rowlett, AR.;
Sue Ferguson, ID.; Milton Cameron, OR.; Jerry Self, NC.; Nancy Kolstad - CA.; Ann Taylor - NC.; Virginia Hayes - OK.; Joyce Stimson - TX.; Carol Kaufman - OR.; Clara Harris - TX.;
Should you too wish to be a part of the group of descendants who have contributed financially to make this monument possible, you still can by sending your check payable to: Self Family Newsletter, 106 Northside Drive, Calhoun, GA., 30701-2919. Any monies received in excess of what is needed now, and to maintain the memorial in the future, will go into our Thelma Cornfeld Scholarship fund to benefit the education of Self descendants.