Monthly Archives: May 2014

Family Spotlight: Elizabeth Anderson Borden

Cousin Liz and Cousin Susan worship at the historic St Augustus AME Zion Church Rev. Julian Pridgen presiding

Cousin Liz and Cousin Susan worship at the historic St Augustus AME Zion Church Rev. Julian Pridgen presiding

While I have no conscious memory of the event, it surely felt great being back in the home where I was born at 506 East Blount Street in Kinston North Carolina.

My parents Joshua E. Borden Sr. and C. Bessie Cox Borden transported my older brother Joshua Jr. and me to Norfolk, Va. soon after my Mom graduated from Elizabeth City State Teachers College. I believe I was about 4 years old when we moved to New York City. I love living in New York! Yet, I visit Philadelphia quite often to spend time with grandson Asa Amandla, granddaughter Bradleigh Dejeneba, daughter LiRon Anderson-Bell, son-in-law Glenn Bell and my Grand-Dog Jaxon Bell and of course, cousin Susan Borden. I have lots of blood cousins as well as play cousins in Philly so in a way Philly is my second home – but I am not leaving New York (I don’t think).

While I am still employed as a professor at the City University of New York (part-time), I mostly enjoy my work as a cultural artist. My main hobby is preparing delicious food – I love to eat and I was fed very well while in Kinston during my last two visits. Thank you Charles and Martha! Thank you Alice and William Henry! I am looking forward to reuniting with my kinsfolk at the reunion this August.

********************************************************************************************************************

Elizabeth is the daughter of Joshua Edward Borden, Sr (Bessie Cox Borden), Granddaughter of John Louis Borden (Cottie Elvira Eason), Great Granddaughter of Joshua Borden (Judah Austin Borden) and Great Great Granddaughter of Ben Holden.

Reunion Committee Meeting in Kinston, NC on 4-26-14

Posted in Committee Meetings by

The Kinston Borden Family Reunion Steering Committee met on April 26, 2014 and we are excited to report that the Committee has laid the foundation for a Great Reunion. Time was taken at the beginning of the meeting to introduce (or reintroduce) ourselves and branches of our family that we represented (Parents, Grandparents and Great Grandparents).

Present at the meeting were: Martha and Charles Cobb, Elizabeth Borden Anderson, Alice Moore, Debra Moore-Marshall and Susan Borden Evans.

Update of activities:
* Reunion Packet has been distributed (on line)
* Souvenir Journal Forms have been distributed (on line)
* We are getting the Word Out! (Everyone is responsible for spreading word to OWN FAMILY)
* Committees have been formed (Volunteers are still needed)
* Host Hotel has been selected (Hampton Inn)- Make Your Reservations Early

Martha Cobb described her activities to date as the Dinner Chairperson and the various locations and caterers available. It was decided that our 1st choice for the Dinner and Sunday Brunch was the St. Augustus AME Zion Church, the Family Church that our Great Grandparents founded in 1865. The Steering Committee decided that the final decision would be left to the discretion of the Committee. We would discuss with Rev Pridgeon whether the church would permit us to dance at the dinner if given at the Church.

Activities were discussed and cousin Deborah agreed to Chair the Activities Committee (especially the younger children). There are numerous activities in and around the Kinston area. We are planning a bus tour of interesting places and family related sites. Charles volunteered to organize the bus tour. We will also lay flowers at our family cemetery. There is a trendy new jazz club and a 4 star restaurant (for the foodies). In addition Kinston has a water park, historical park, and a new micro brewery that does tastings.

Everyone was encouraged to pass the word to with their family members encourage them to come and pay for their registrations early.

The Committee agreed that we need to have some incentives to encourage participation especially among our younger family members and came up with 2 ideas:
* Talent Show (at dinner) with cash prizes (so make sure you sign up for talent show)
* 1 Free Reunion Registration for getting 3 full page ads for Souvenir Journal

Words for the Good of the Group were exchanged and the meeting adjourned.

Martha and Charles provided a scrumptious repast for the committee.