Family Heirlooms ~ A Wooden Walking Stick

 
Recently we traveled across Canada to spend time with our children & extended family members. 

On this trip my husband's grandfather gave him this family heirloom:

Close-ups -  bottom to top

The photos do not do it justice. This is an incredible piece of woodwork. It's carved from a solid piece of wood...
It's a BROKEN BRANCH fitting this week's theme. 

Starting from the bottom the carvings tell the story of the Old Testament: Adam & Eve, Noah & the Ark, the 3 wise men following the Star of David to the manger, ending with the the Crucifixion of Jesus.
Or at least that is what we thought it was telling.  

Between Noah & the animals disembarking and the arrival of the 3 wise men is a beaver & a turtle. We wondered if it was to represent the Indigenous Creation Story alongside the bible's. Alternatively they could represent Turtle Island (North America) & Canada. 

Family lore suggests it might have been a talking stick used by missionaries.

On closer examination we aren't sure that it is telling the story of Old Testament from the bottom. 

The first four symbols have people carrying objects that appear to be an axe, a sled, a rosary, and one unidentifiable. Then livestock, a small boat, and a person carrying nothing followed by the beaver & the turtle. Then a man holding 3 fish & a key. Then a square with 2 wedges on either side with a platform above. Then the 3 wise men following a star to a place with livestock with a baby in a manger. Then a family - 2 adults with 1 child. Then another animal that might be a squirrel or a salamander. Then 2 more people who may be fighting. Then the symbol of Jesus on the cross. Around the cross is tools: an axe, a square, a hammer, a saw, a pair of plyers, and a spear. Above all of the that is a rooster. Then a man and a woman holding hands. Then a leaf (or a tree or a plant) with a bird sitting at the top. From bottom to top encompassing the entire story is a snake. 

Online searching resulted in our discovering it's a Folk Art Cane/Walking Stick. 

***If you have any knowledge of this walking stick we would love to hear from you***

His grandfather remembers the walking stick being at his grandparents house when he was a child. 

Mark Rearely & Anna Barbara (nee Walser) Buchner

Mark Rearely Buchner

BIRTH 24 FEB 1838 • Woodhouse Twp., Norfolk Co., ON, Canada

DEATH 12 JUN 1931 • Norfolk, Ontario, Canada
&

Anna Barbara (Barbara) Walser

BIRTH 13 APR 1860 • Teufen, Appensell, Switzerland

DEATH 1950 • Norfolk County, Ontario, Canada

Until the provenance can be established the origins before my husband's X3 great grandparents can't be known.

His grandfather told us that the family believed it originated 2 generations higher with 

Jacob Buchner Sargeant, UEL

BIRTH 31 MAY 1763 • Hardwick Township, Sussex County, New Jersey , USA

DEATH 11 AUG 1841 • Woodhouse, Norfolk County, Ontario, Canada
&

Catherine Shular (Sheelar)

BIRTH 20 SEP 1767 • Sussex County, New Jersey, USA

DEATH 8 FEB 1855 • Woodhouse, Norfolk County, Ontario

Folk Art Canes were typically from the Civil War to WW1 which put the X5 Great Grandpa Jacob tale a bit out of reach, but could fit for a generation below (X4 Great grandparents)

Jacob Clasnor Buchner

BIRTH 20 APR 1803 • Woodhouse Twp, Norfolk County , Ontario, Canada

DEATH 29 JUN 1886 • Houghton Twp, Norfolk County , Ontario, Canada
&

Amy Catherine Matthews

BIRTH ABT 1801 • Woodhouse, Ontario, Canada

DEATH 10 MAR 1880 • Cultus, Norfolk County, Ontario, Canada

We do know the walking stick has been passed down to the oldest male of each generation starting with the children of Mark's second marriage. 

This left us wondering if it was possible the walking stick originated with X3 great grandmother Anna Barbara Walser's family. Alternatively it may have been that she gave it to her oldest son vs. Mark's oldest son (from his 1st marriage). We aren't sure where it came from before X3 great grandparents Mark & Barbara (nee Walser) Buchner obtained it. 

Grandfather to grandson happened this time because my father-in-law died last year. Our son is the oldest male of the next generation allowing the walking stick to continue 6 generations through the oldest male. 

In today's world the practice of passing down father to son ignoring daughters seems old fashioned & unfair. Since we have 2 boys and no daughters we can follow the tradition without discrimination. 

Treasures passed down the direct male line!!!

This is why I search - 

Cause ... 

You can pick your friends, but you can't pick your family you know!

***Any errors are my own. Please send me any updates or corrections via the comments at the bottom of this blog post***

Links:

Amy Johnson Crow, 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge
https://www.amyjohnsoncrow.com/52-ancestors-in-52-weeks/

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