Descendants of Adam Long   Generation No. 1  1.  Adam1 Long was born Abt. 1820 in Pennsylvania.  He married Maria Wagner.   Children of Adam Long and Maria Wagner are: + 2 i. William A.2 Long, born 1853; died February 28, 1926 in Pennsylvania.  3 ii. Matilda Long, born November 02, 1856. occupa.: Seamstress, resided: Jefferson twp.,Pa, burried: St. John's (Host) Church, Tulpahocken, Pa. + 4 iii. Levi S. Long, born 1862.   Generation No. 2  2.  William A.2 Long (Adam1) was born 1853, and died February 28, 1926 in Pennsylvania.  He married Katie E. (wife of William A. Long). More About William A. Long: occupa.: farm hand, watch repair. burried: St. John's (Host) Church, Tulpahocken, Pa. More About Katie E. (wife of William A. Long): burried: St. John's (Host) Church, Tulpahocken, Pa.   Child of William Long and Katie Long) is: + 5 i. Calvin C3 Long, born Abt. 1880 in Pennsylvania; died in California.  4.  Levi S.2 Long (Adam1) was born 1862.  He married Jane (Wife of Levi S. Long). More About Levi S. Long: burried: St. John's (Host) Church, Tulpahocken, Pa.   Child of Levi Long and Jane Long) is:  6 i. William L.3 Long, born 1888. More About William L. Long: burried: St. John's (Host) Church, Tulpahocken, Pa.   Generation No. 3    5.  Calvin C3 Long (William A.2, Adam1) was born Abt. 1880 in Pennsylvania, and died in California.  He met Kathryn F. (Katie) Haag Abt. 1902, daughter of Aron Haag and Lizzie Forry. More About Kathryn F. (Katie) Haag: burried: Host Church Cemetery, Pa.   Child of Calvin Long and Kathryn Haag is: + 7 i. Hellen I4 Long, born February 10, 1903; died July 01, 1971.   Generation No. 4  7.  Hellen I4 Long (Calvin C3, William A.2, Adam1) was born February 10, 1903, and died July 01, 1971.  She married Elmer Brightbill July 1925 in Host Church, Toplehocken, Pennsylvania, son of Edwin Brightbill and Agnes Meyer. Notes for Hellen I Long: Helen Irene Long  1903-1971 Helen I Long was born in Burnville, Pa to Katie Haag. However, from a very young age she was raised by William and Katie D. Long, the brother and sister-in-law of her father, Calvin C. Long. Helen lived with  William and his wife Katie E. in the tenant house of the Harry Stoudt’s Dairy Farm in Rehrersburg, Pa.  William Long was a watch maker.  Helen milked and worked the fields.  I was told, "worked as hard as a man" and helped care for the Stoudt children, one of which was physically disabled. Helen only spoke Pennsylvania Dutch at home, and when she started school, she could not speak English and had to learn English to communicate in school. Her son Herbert told me of William Long sitting by a window working on some watches, when lightning struck him.  The lightning went through him and out his foot splitting his shoes apart.  The lightning traveled down through a metal grate in the floor, through the cellar, and into the ground near a row of potatoes and killed the whole row of potatoes.   Calvin Long’s brother, George Long from Denver, Pa., was a shoe maker and made many of the children’s shoes.  And "Pop would repair them when they needed it," Helen’s son Curtis said.  "The shoes were passed on to each child until they could be worn no more." Calvin had another sister named Matilda Long who also lived with William, Katie D, and Helen.  Matilda was a dressmaker. Calvin C. Long had moved to San Francisco, California, where he started a very profitable neon sign business. Most of the wealth and the business were lost to a wife in a divorce, but he remarried.  It is not known if Calvin had any other children with these marriages.  He died in California in about 1975. Katie Haag married Charles Lutz, Katie died when Helen was about 13 years of age.  They had four daughters, two of which maintained contact with Helen until her death. Harry Stoudt  helped Helen get her first car. In exchange, Helen drove their daughter to Ohio for treatment of a physical disability Helen took care of William Long until his death. William and Katie D Long are buried in the Host Church Cemetery, Rehrersburg, Pa. Helen I Long met Elmer S. Brightbill at a church picnic; he was Brethren and she was Reform and attended the Host Church.  Shortly after, they were married.   Notes for Elmer Brightbill: Elmer and Helen raised their children on the farm they owned in Sinking Springs, Pa. Elmer was a farmer and a carpenter by trade.  Helen, along with raising their 10 children, raised chickens and tended a garden that provided her with goods to feed her family and to sell at market were she tended a stand.   Canning was another activity that filled a good deal of her time; 125 quarts were needed for the winter.  The jars contained corn, beets, peaches, pears, dried apples, dried mint tea and "snitz and ep" (told to me by Herbert Brightbill). Helen’s children tell stories of ‘caramel pie’ and ‘rivil soup’. They remember fondly "hot chocolate with vanilla" and the ‘mint tea’ she would have ready for them after morning chores.  The chores, which started at the break of dawn, had to be completed before school. Helen would bring a milk bucket full of lemonade, mint tea, and ‘esic punch’(cold apple cider vinegar, sugar, and water... told to me by Herbert Brightbill) to the boys in the field to drink. Herbert Brightbill had a very touching description of his parents. "Mom was a small woman; she could walk right under Pop’s outstretched arm.  But she gave every one of us a overhaulin’ at some time or other."  As he spoke he looked down at his large strong hands.  The large hands are a trait of their father’s that all the boys share. "Mom was the disciplinarian," the children all agree, " And doctored most of the injuries, including her own with home remedies."  She gave birth to all but two children at home.  Herbert tells of her trying to deliver one of the twins, Larry, and almost dying till they could get her to the hospital.  They were miles from the nearest medical attention.  They had no car or phone of their own.  They had to find a phone to call an ambulance.  They got her to the hospital, but the child could not be saved. Elmer Samuel Brightbill, was a quite and strong man.  "He worked hard and long,"  his children said about their father.  He had a large family to feed, shelter and keep in clothes. Along  with carpentry, he had milk cows, which provided milk for his large family.  He also shipped milk to Liberty Dairy, Shillington, Pa.  Elmer worked as a mechanic in Adamstown, Pa., and during the depression, also worked at the carbonizing plant where he cleaned the machines that wove hats and other things.  He worked there during the War also. "But he would have fun with us, too,"  Beatrice told me.  "We would be sitting at the table and about finished eating, when he would take his glass with a little water in it an toss  the water across the table at one of us…Then we would start doing the same to him until Mom had enough and sent us outside."  She laughed as she remembered. Earl and Curtis tell about how they would try to ride the bulls and the hogs.  "When Mom and Pop weren’t around."  They laughed and grimaced as they told about the boys taking turns riding one of the hogs to see how long they could stay on, when the hog died.  "When Pop found the dead hog, he thought it was dead because it was sick.  So he took it out and buried it, instead of butchering it.  It made us feel bad because we could have used the meat. None of us ever told him what we did, or would really have gotten the strap,"  Earl says as he shakes his head. wonderland for the imagination and dreams.  The sleigh being a romantic carriage or hot rod.  The ropes became the vines of Tarzan’s and Jane’s.   There was an opening in the floor where the bails of hay would be lowered for use, with the animals on the first floor.  However, in  our magical world of play, it was a drop from a rocket ship or Alice in wonderland's hole ,or just a dare for the faint of heart. One of my earliest memories of the times spent at the farm, was the sleigh that was kept on the second floor of the barn.  In the barn with the sleigh were many bails of hay stacked in a manor that created steps to the roof.  This is one of the places most of the children gathered to play.  They would climb the musty and prickly hay bails to the top and climbing out on the broad wooden beams of the barn.  The ropes, that were connected there, became our swings and imaginary vines.  It was a wonderland for the imagination and dreams.  The sleigh being a romantic carriage or hot rod.  The ropes became the vines of Tarzan’s and Jane’s.   There was an opening in the floor where the bails of hay would be lowered for use, with the animals on the first floor.  However, in  our magical world of play, it was a drop from a rocket ship or Alice in wonderland's hole ,or just a dare for the faint of heart. I do remember the sleigh, one winter, all decked out in the harness and adorned with bells. Sitting next to grandpop, I was bundled against the weather with the snowflakes catching on my eyelashes. What a mystical event for a very young dreamer. I remember Helen walking with a limp, her shoe had a three inch sole; it seemed heavy and cumbersome.  She still walked with spark and determination of someone many years younger.  The deterioration of the hip joint was the cause for the need of special shoes. On this otherwise uneventful day, she was driving a load of milk for delivery to the trolley station. As she crossed the trolley tracks, the trolley struck the car.  One of the injuries she was left with caused the deterioration of her leg, that worsened as the years went by.   There are many things about the life style of Elmer, Helen and their children that future generations will not be able to experience.  Progress is wonderful and exciting but it leaves so many wonderful and exciting things behind. There were many hard times and sorrows, that I hope the future generations will never have to experience.  The want, hardship  and insecurity of the depression had to be the topic of conversation for the young couple at the end of a hard day.  The  concerns of droughts, floods, infestations, and desease were a regular part of their lives as farmers.     There are many things that attack my senses, puts a smile on my face and takes me back to those days: the smell of the farm on the warm summer days;the sound of the excited little voices waiting to crank the ice cream maker; the chill of the water and laughter around the pond in the lower field were we would swim; balancing on the rocks in the creek catching tadpoles and crayfish;  the thrill of sledding down the long and bumpy hill, hanging on for dear life to the back of uncle Kenny or our father;  the smell and warmth of the farm house at the end of the day as we watched "Walt Disney" and "Lassie" while grandmom prepared super, as the adults sat around the large kitchen table; And the music of Pennsylvania Dutch that they spoke when they did not want us to know what they were talking about. In conversations with Agnes (Brightbill) Sweigart about the depression and the family, she told that her mother told her many times that "If it were not for the farm and the food we could grow for ourselves, we would have starved." Agnes also tells about Helen, her mother, skimming the cream off the top of the milk and putting it in a large jar.  When Helen had accumulated enough cream she would have the children sit a distance apart on the kitchen floor and roll the jar back and forth to each other until it formed butter. The closeness of such a large and extended family through the good times, hard times, battles, and grief is to be cherished.  I hope it will be passed on to the new generations.  For in that closeness is a strength, joy and warmth there that can be found no where else. Helen Irene (Long) Brightbill died July 1, 1971.  Elmer Samuel Brightbill died February 23, 1980.  Both were cared for through illnesses with cancer by their children, and passed away at the home were they shared many loving memories.  They are buried in the Wyomissing Cemetery, Gouglersville, Pa. Their children, Larry and Betty Mae, who died in childhood, are buried in Host Church Cemetery, Rehrersburg, Pa.   Children of Hellen Long and Elmer Brightbill are:  8 i. Herbert E5 Brightbill, born March 19, 1926; died 1995.  He married Elizabeth Krivi. Notes for Herbert E Brightbill: Herbert was in the Navy during World War II.  While he was serving on a ship, he was not feeling well and had gone to lay in his bunk.  When he got to his bunk someone was already laying there, so he chose another empty bunk.  As he began to go to sleep a kamikazi pilot crashed his plane into the ship.  The sailor, who was sleeping in Herbert’s bunk, was killed.  Herbert received shrapnel wounds but survived. Herbert was born on the farm of the Stoudt family, where his mother and father lived when they were first married.  The three of them lived with William and Katie D. Long,  Helen’s aunt and uncle who raised her.   Herbert was the oldest and left in charge of his nine sisters and brothers when "Mom and Pop" would go away.  He said with nine brothers and sisters, there were too many stories to tell, and it was enough to say they all got in their share of mischief. He talked with me about how they, as children, would have to "peddle" chickens that Mom had raised along with strawberries for $.10 a box or 3 for a quarter.  They did this up and down the streets of Shillington, Gouglersville, and Adamstown.  They also sold raw milk at the farm. Herbert worked as a carpenter all his life, and for 30 years, was owner the of Herbert  Brightbill Construction Company. Notes for Elizabeth Krivi: Elizabeth was raised in the city of Reading, one of two daughters.  Her parents came to the United States from Czechoslovakia.  After graduating from Reading High School in 1945, she worked in a chemical lab. In 1949, Elizabeth enlisted in the United States Navy and attended Aviation Electronics School.  Herbert and Elizabeth were married in a chapel on the Navy base in Memphis Tennessee.  With their trailer in tow, they moved to Pensacola Florida.  Elizabeth was discharged from the Navy in June and they moved to Long Beach, California, where their first of ten children was born in Santa Margarita Ranch Navel Hospital, Oceanside California.  The next summer, while pregnant with their second child, they took a trip around the United States and ended their journey in Pennsylvania where they raised their family.  9 ii. Harry E Brightbill, born May 16, 1927. Notes for Harry E Brightbill: Although they had no children, to their nieces and nephews their home was a warm and fun place to go.  I have many fond memories of visiting the farm.  Cakes and candies and all the goodies we loved as children were given freely with a warm hug and smile from Aunt Ruth. There were always new kittens or puppies to cuddle,.  And a collie I particularly remember with fondness.  The horses that were boarded on the farm from the Island of Chincotegue, were always a source of interest.  I remember one colt born there with blue eyes that also was very drawn to the warmth of Aunt Ruth. Uncle Harry would let us accompany him into the barn to feed the horses and other animals.  He was always very patient taking us for rides on the horses.  When we were old enough to ride our selves, Uncle Harry would saddle one for us to take turns.  I remember the thrill of riding a large white horse, about 15 hands, that ran away with me across the corn field. The horse was determined to return to the barn.  I was extremely relieved to see Uncle Harry waiting with a very careful eye.  He stopped the horse at the gate and helped this very scared young lady off.  He carefully explained how to avoid getting into that situation again. Harry and Ruth are also dedicated stock car race fans.  They very seldom missed a race that Kenny Brightbill was involved in. They were avid supporters and fans of Harry’s brother’s racing career. Ruth was a great deal of help too, with her contributions of photos and news paper articles of family events from her scrapbook.  10 iii. Harold C Brightbill, born May 16, 1927. Notes for Harold C Brightbill: Florence was affectionately called "Flip".  Harold and Flip worked hard on the huckster truck, distributing groceries to the neighboring area.  Flip, warm and soft spoken, took great pleasure in her children and home.  The elaborate train track that occupied most of the living room was lovingly cared for and added to by Harold, Flip and the boys. It was not unusual to find Flip and Harold visiting in the storage shed where the grocery stock was kept, with visitors making themselves comfortable and laughing with them, while the younger ones played nearby.  It wasn’t unusual for Aunt Flip to slip us a pack of cup cakes or some other pack of goodies when we came running past.  11 iv. Betty M Brightbill, born May 16, 1927; died May 18, 1927.  12 v. Earl L Brightbill, born October 23, 1928. Notes for Earl L Brightbill: Thanks to the determination, imagination and organizing abilities of Dorothy Brightbill, the Elmer Brightbill reunions have been held annually for many years.  She could be found most times behind the bull horn she used to call attention to the games, food and other events that called us all together for so much fun.   Dorothy is also known for her delicious skills at cake baking.  Her skills as a seamstress were demonstrated in the many clothes she would make for her family. Since retiring, Earl spends his leisure time, golfing, and traveling down to Maryland putting the finishing touches on their son’s new home.   + 13 vi. Curtis Alan Brightbill, born July 27, 1930 in AT HOME, Sinking Springs, Pennsylvania.  14 vii. Mildred Brightbill, born July 15, 1931.  15 viii. Russell Brightbill, born July 24, 1934.  16 ix. Beatrice L Brightbill, born August 29, 1937.  17 x. Larry Brightbill, born August 30, 1937; died August 30, 1937.  18 xi. Agnes L Brightbill, born June 16, 1941. Notes for Agnes L Brightbill:  Agnes and Larry are both known for their good natures.  Larry was tagged with the nickname "George".  This came about because he would tease the nieces and nephews about their real names and in return we would call him George, and it stuck.  Larry was also known for his ‘pie snatching’.  When Helen would make her caramel pies and set them out to cool, some how they always disappeared and were found in the possession of Larry.  This of course was all in good fun, and Helen would bake him one for his birthday.   Being the youngest girl of Elmer and Helen, Agnes was closer to our age.  I have very fond memories of confiding in and learning a lot from Aunt Aggy while going through the difficulties of adolescence. Together Agnes and Larry Sweigart own and operate  LS Tire Sales and Service, in Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania.    19 xii. Kenneth L Brightbill, born January 20, 1948. Notes for Kenneth L Brightbill: Kenneth had racing in his blood from the time he was young. He would ride his tricycle down the sidewalk of the family farm, skidding sideways into the drive way, in a similar way he has been seen going around the corners of many race tracks. He started racing modified stock cars in 1968. He acquired considerable recognition. The Boscov’s Store in the Fair Grounds Square Mall has his race modified stock car and pictures on display, from the highlights of his racing career at the Reading Fair Grounds Race Course.  He enjoys the status of points champion for many years.