Though Silent They Speak

Throughout his lifetime, Johney Larned has been keenly interested in American history. As an avid follower of current events, he as a young boy had always firmly held to the concept that one day he would record these family happenings in a book. With this publication, Though Silent They Speak, The Larned Family History, Larned's lifelong dream has become a reality.

For a period of over five years Johney has focused on the rich heritage of the Larned family. Not only has the author included the wonderful stories that had been passed down to him as a youth, but he has discovered many more yet untold details in the lives of his Larned descendants.

Living on the Guadalupe River in New Braunfels Texas, Johney and his wife Derinda have three young children, Trey, Mackenzie, and Dylan. Johney began this labor of love with the hope that his children would have a better understanding of the hardships, physical sufferings, and moral challenges of the previous generations. Through countless hours of research, Johney has assembled a tapestry of what amounts to a total of thirteen generations of the Larned Family. Tracing the Larned roots, he has discovered additional details of his ancestors that have metamorphosed into a unique personality for each.

Beginning with William Learned who arrived in America in 1630, the Larned's are examined as they emigrate from Charlestown Massachusetts. Ancestors included in this compilation are: William Learned of Bermondsey England, Charlestown and Woburn Massachusetts; Isaac Learned Sr. of Bermondsey England, Charlestown, Woburn, and Chelmsford Massachusetts; Isaac Learned Jr. of Sherborn and Framingham Massachusetts; William Larned of Killingly Connecticut, Sutton Massachusetts and Thompson Connecticut; Simon Larned of Thompson Connecticut; Darius Larned of Pittsfield Massachusetts and Thompson Connecticut; Benjamin Franklin Larned of Pittsfield Massachusetts, Detroit Michigan, St. Louis Missouri, New Orleans Louisiana, St. Francis Co. and Pulaski Co., Arkansas, Baltimore Maryland, and Washington DC; Frederick Sylvester Larned of Pittsfield Massachusetts, San Francisco California, St. Louis Missouri, New York NY, Waco, and Paluxy Texas; Walter Franklin Larned of St. Genevieve Missouri, New York NY, Waco Texas, Paluxy Texas, Haskell Texas, and Douglas Arizona; Norval Gordon Larned of Paluxy and Haskell Texas; Johney Gordon Larned Sr. of Haskell Texas; and Johney Gordon Larned Jr. of Haskell, Wichita Falls, and New Braunfels Texas.

Not only are the direct Larned descendants reviewed, but accounts from siblings and connecting families are also revealed. Additional families mentioned are: Gilman, Sternes, Bigelow, Bryant, Merrils, Marsh, Willis, Newman, Wilson, Wooster, Roberson, Tidwell, Turnbow, and Griffis. Many significant events in American history are investigated as the Larneds were very directly involved in military actions before the American Revolution through the Civil War and after World War II. Larned descendants have served their country in King Philip's War, the Great Swamp Fight, the American Revolution, Shay's Rebellion, the War of 1812, the Mexican War, the Civil War, WWI, WWII, and other conflicts.

Special recognition is given to U.S. Paymaster-General Benjamin Franklin Larned with many previously unpublished details of his life and military career disclosed. Numerous interactions with key personnel of the U.S. Civil War are revealed. Related newspaper articles and the content of original letters from Benjamin F. Larned are furnished. Fort Larned Kansas is named in honor of Colonel B.F. Larned.

Additional information is noted concerning the migration of the Larned Family into Texas. Included is an autobiographical manuscript from Dr. Edward Spalding Larned describing his migration to Waco Texas in 1856 which would lead to his harrowing 1300 mile escape b