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A Mini-Reunion
Several weeks ago cousin William Earl Sissell called to ask about having a get-together so that he could talk to a lot of cousins at one sitting. When I got the message I immediately said, "I'm going to call Jeanie" (Annie Jean Williamson Tyler). When I called, Jeanie immediately said, "We can handle that, if you're asking me to have it at our house."
I agreed that I was asking, for you see William Earl's mother was a Williamson, Jeannie's aunt. He is my first cousin and Jeannie's first cousin but Jeannie and I are no kin — we've always called each other "outlaw" cousins.
A Question
In and amongst all the conversation (palaver) that was taking place at that "mini-reunion" William Earl and his traveling companion asked, "What does Sylva Rena mean — where did the name come from?"
The question finally came to rest with me. I admitted that I did not know (although secretly I thought I did) but I was fairly sure that I knew someone who would know the answer – in fact I thought I knew several. If there is anyone out there who knows exactly what the name means please let us know.
Those who are familiar with the area of the "Mudline" know that the road connected to the road leading to Pope, below the Will Austin Crossing — turning up the hill at "Rocky Point" at about Mr. Frankie Rowsey's Store.
If you left Water Valley going to Oakland the nearest route was Mississippi Highway 32. There were several north-south roads connecting "32" and "The Mudline." The first connector road out of Water Valley on "32" crossed the section of land my folks had purchased in, I think, 1936.
That section of land was in the Sylva Rena School district. After the purchase (It was called the Cottoner Place) my older brother, Reuel Jr., younger sister Ruth and I were eligible to attend Sylva Rena although we lived on the north side of the section line, actually in the Camp Ground District.
I tell you all this because none of us ever attended Sylva Rena School although we knew the people in that district.
I had no trouble finding the word "Sylva." I thought that I knew that it would be connected to woods or forests in some way. The word "Rena" gave me some trouble.
I knew that James Hudson and his family lived in the area for many years and our neighbor to the south was the Noel Johnson family — Mrs. Johnson was a Hudson. I called James who sent me the following:
Sylva Rena School 1889-1938
Sylva Rena School came into being July 10, 1889 when R. N. Boydston deeded land, in consideration of $1, that a school building might be erected thereon, and maintained for the education of children, and for further purpose that a hall or halls or buildings may be used by the consent of the management.
The school hall may be use for religious services, provided there shall be no discrimination in favor of or against any respectable religious sects. The buildings may be used for the meeting of agricultural orders or society, or moral society, provided always that no other use shall impose or interfere with the educational purposes. This was granted to John C. Burns, T.H. Haile, and N. M. Wood and their successors who will be the board of school trustees.
Mr. John C. Burn's daughter, Ruth, married Mr. Henry T. Crosby, a former and later postmaster at Water Valley. It has been said that he named Sylva Rena School — the name meaning "Beautiful Woods."
Miss Sena Goodwin who taught for many years was highly esteemed by all of her students. After her death, her former students placed a marker at her grave in Sylva Rena Cemetery.
Mr. and Mrs. Glenn D. Baird and Miss Ruth Brooks were teaching when the school burned in the fall of 1938. They were absorbed into the faculties of the Water Valley Schools when they consolidated that same year. Mr. Baird later became Dr. Baird, M. D.
There were five diplomas presented from Sylva Rena. Two of them hang on the wall in James and Quay Hudson's home – one to his mother, Ruby Wilma Gibson, the other to his father James Clifton Hudson. They are dated April 6, 1923 and signed by W. D. Purvis, Superintendent, Ruth Provine , T. W. McAdams and W. E. Hudson.
The building in the attached photo shows it to be a two-story structure. The people in the photo are numbered and the names are on the back of the photo if anyone is interested. I am told by Richard Baird that the building in which they lived, he was in the third grade, is still in existence.
We do wish you a happy and prosperous new year. You can reach me most of the time at 23541 Highway 6, Batesville, MS 38606, 662-563-9879 or hotophia@dixieconnect.com.
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