The Colton Family
DH: Elias McCoy
DW: Elisabeth Kaleah {nee Williams}
DS: Charles William (21)
DS: Theodore Henry (18)
DD: Ruby Estelle (15)
DD: Harriet Hyacinth (15)
DD: Emmeline Mabel (15)
Eli and Betsy with children,
Charlie, Teddy, Ruby, Hattie, and Emmy
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Elias McCoy Colton was born and raised on his family's ranch in California, USA. Muddy Meadow Ranch has been in the family for countless generations, raising cows, sheep, horses, chickens, etc. They also maintain a fair sized garden, though at a smaller scale than the former that they rely on as a business. Eli was fortunate to inherit the family business and loves his life on Muddy Meadows Ranch, surrounded in family, animals, and beautiful scenery.
Elisabeth Kaleah Williams and her family lived in California as well. Betsy's father worked in a factory while her mother worked as a nurse. Betsy found herself very talented at the piano, where she learned how to play from her hometown's church where they offered affordable lessons. As her playing got better, her hometown fundraised together to help her access lessons from people with more skill. Betsy found herself with a comfortable career, playing the piano at a high end hotel and restaurant.
One day, Elias and his family had taken up rooms at the hotel in town. They were there to attend a wedding within Elias's extended family. While Eli was there, he bumped into Betsy. He first saw her as she was playing and was moved by how beautiful she and her piano skills were. Her inky black hair was slicked down up to the ribbon she tied in a bow to hold together her afro puff. She had the aura of a warm, autumn day and Eli was overjoyed when he had the opportunity to make her acquaintance. Betsy found Eli to be excellent conversation and was eager to get to know him better as well.
Eli made the effort to drive into town regularly so he could spend more time with Betsy who eventually reciprocated the efforts, when able. Betsy found Eli's family to be wonderful, as did Eli love Betsy's family. Eli worked with their families to arrange a big, romantic proposal to which Betsy said yes! They married within the year, surrounded by Eli and Betsy's family and friends.
Betsy moved into Eli's ranch and found it to be delightful! Betsy continued to pursue lessons as she was passionate about her piano. She and Eli even invested in a piano within their home! Eli was able to find work for Betsy's parents at Muddy Meadow ranch, which turned out to be far more comfortable than the jobs they'd been working at previously. They slowly but surely built another little house for them on the land as well, as over the hundreds of acres of land it held a handful of houses for the family.
It didn't take many years after marrying before Eli and Betsy decided to have children of their own. They were overjoyed when they welcomed their first son, Charlie! They chose Charles as a name both Eli and Betsy absolutely loved, then they chose William to honor Betsy's maiden name. When little Charlie was a couple years old, they decided they were ready for another baby and had a second boy! Theodore honored Betsy's mother, Dorothea. Henry honored Eli's dad. They decided they wanted a third and final baby but were shocked to learn they had triplets! Three beautiful little girls! All three little girls got family names as well from both sides of their families. Eli and Betsy felt so full of love at the family they created. Charlie, Teddy, Ruby, Hattie and Emmy were wonderful little humans who Eli and Betsy felt blessed to raise.