Descendants of Thomas Wayte, who landed in Boston in 1634 by escaping from Northern Wales and the Royal English troops, celebrated the 140th reunion on Aug. 7 at East Randolph United Methodist Church.

President Helen M. Waite-Burlett welcomed relatives and noted the family traveling the longest distance was Cate Sia and her family from Chantilly, Va. Larry Waite family of Stockton were recognized for having most family members present.

Lynda Rook of Bradford, Pa., gave the blessing prior to the meal. Bonnie Kemp and her sister Shelia Wassink set up the meal table with checkered red tablecloths accenting the tables. After a meal and a special cake for 140th Waite Family Reunion, decorated by Paula Cooley of Dunkirk and supplied by Helen Waite-Burlett, the group sang Happy Birthday to Larry Waite who celebrated his birthday on this date, and Annette Waite’s July Birthday.

Meeting was called to order. The current slate of officers will remain the same. Shelia Wassink, Treasurer/Secretary read minutes of last meeting and treasury report.

Burlett read memorials for departed in 2021 year. Dr. William Blaisdell from Jamestown-Florida area, Arlenene Barbara Waite Josephson of Cassadaga-Florida area, Lori Cocca (mother of Cate Sia) from Nokeville, Va., Frances Kruger of Cattaraugus and Fenton Brown, uncle of Cate.

Special mention to two in-laws of the Waite family, Anna Carpenter-Waite, married Maurice J. Waite, both deceased, and Annette Waite who married Dean Waite, strived to keep the reunions to continue and their research on the Waite Family is impressive. Thanks to these two ladies. Others instrumental are Shelia Wassink, Bonnie Kemp, Paul Johnson to continue the interest in the Waite genealogy. Annette Waite’s daughter, Louise Freeman and Husband Bill have continued living in the Waite Homestead built in 1828 by Reuben Waite in the East Randolph area.

The next activity was a Waite History Jeopardy quiz with Paul Johnson being the winner. In 1984 Oscar Waite and his committee created a Waite lineage representational chart showing the first six generations of the Waites in America. Stephen (6) and Jemima Babcock Waite brought their 11 children and they were listed as the seventh generations.

This chart was re-created by Shelia Wassink and each relative attending the 140th reunion wrote their name and generation level on a sticky note and placed it on the chart under the correct lineage to Stephen and their generation level. Attendees at this year’s reunion consisted of the 11th, 12th, and 14th generations from five lines (Issac, Reuben, Peleg, James and Oliver). The Anna (Milks) line was represented through 15th generation by e-mail but were not able to attend, it includes their two great-grandchildren.

Shelia, also set up a display with highlights of minutes of the Waite reunions going back to 1928 when the 48th reunion was held through to the 140th this year. This consisted of the names of officers for 10, 15, and 19 years consecutively.

Clayton Waite,Julia Burroughs, Leonard Waite, Terry Meacham, Helen Waite-Burlett and many more alternately through the years. The table also held books, photographs, and other memorabilia.

In the early days reunions were held at the homes of relatives then moving to Little Valley Fair Grounds when attendance was over 200. The most reunions were held at the Napoli homestead at the Red Barn for over 20 years.

In 1986 the descendants honored Stephen Waite with a bronze plaque on the Waite headstone in the South Napoli cemetery. Plans are underway to honor Jemima Babcock Waite with similar text adding her connection to Mayflower descendant, Richard Warren, who was 12th signer of Mayflower Compact, as well as one of 10 scouts under Myles Standish directions to find a suitable location for Plymouth Colony to be established.

Helen Waite-Burlett shared parts of her legacy book for her father, Maurice J. Waite’s military lineage book. Maurice served in World War II U.S. Army from 1944 to 1946 in the European theatre with his Black Cat Division met and combined with Gen. George Patton, traveling through France, Germany, Austria, and even Hitler’s lair.

They also liberated two large POW camps holding thousands of prisoners. Her father never missed a Waite reunion and looked forward to conversations with many cousins. He also received Purple Heart and various other medals.

The book holds lineage of Vietnam, Korea, Civil War, Revolutionary War, and back to Knight Humphrey de Bouhn, when he signed the Magna Carta in 1215.

Meeting adjourned.

Next year’s reunion is Aug. 6, 2022, at a place to be designated later.