Wordless Wednesday: The Examiner of the Past

Learning about the genealogy of the family and then learning what some of the old folks accomplished during their time has resulted in me learning much more about our country and its early politics.

We all studied the basics in school about bank failures, who was President and what their main accomplishments were, the wars, states rights and so much more we have forgotten.  For me, seeing the early history of our land in context with my family has me digging for more knowledge.

So, on this very cold Wednesday which is also the birth date of President Andrew JACKSON, allow me to sit and read how cousin Condy RAGUET connected with him in the politics of the past.


It gets quite wordy in The Examiner, and Journal of Political Economy; Devoted to the Advancement of the Cause of State Rights and Free Trade edited by RAGUET.  Some of the issues can be read online.  So enjoy!

President Andrew Jackson declares war against South Carolina in 1834

Ah, genealogy. States rights, bank failures and free trade disagreements.  Still in heated discussions after over two hundred years of American history.

©2017  AS Eldredge

Sources:
https://books.google.com/books?id=AftOAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA13&dq=andrew+jackson+condy+raguet&source=gbs_toc_r&cad=4#v=onepage&q=simmons&f=false
https://books.google.com/books?id=AftOAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA13&dq=andrew+jackson+condy+raguet&source=gbs_toc_r&cad=4#v=onepage&q=andrew%20jackson&f=false

Wordless Wednesday: Eating with the President

Looking at old family info which was researched some years ago and then looking again now can provide more tidbits to follow.  The increased genealogy documents online can cause one to almost drop the morning coffee!  Almost.

There are several new finds which connect my bloodline of John SIMMONS (d.1795) the innkeeper to his descendants.  Just yesterday, a new family seeker wondered if I had the right man.  My answer to that is absolutely.  Why?  Because I like following the land and the wills.  Legal documentation is a strong first degree of evidence when researching the past.

Sometimes, though, the legal documentation just isn't there.  Sometimes, one can find more secondary evidence in census records and in history books of the times.

Samuel FRAUNCES (b. c 1722 d. 1795) is most certainly an interesting case to follow.  I plan to spend more time this February to see what else I can dig up on him.  For a teaser, he was the owner of Fraunces Tavern in New York during the time of the American Revolution.  In fact, his tavern was the site of George WASHINGTON's farewell speech.  Much has been written on that subject.  FRAUNCES goes on to work directly for WASHINGTON after the American Revolution as the steward in his household.  Again, nothing new here.

What is new about FRAUNCES since the last time I looked at him?  While the location of his unmarked grave at St. Peter's Church in Philadelphia is still unknown, he now has an obelisk in the churchyard.  On June 26, 2010, the legacy of Samuel FRAUNCES was honored with the church erecting an obelisk for him.

Samuel Fraunces, St Peter's Church, Philadelphia, PA, erected 2010

I also found it really interesting to see the handout given at the dedication of the obelisk for Samuel.  Of course, I have to wonder.  Where is his wife?

Handout given at the dedication in 2010

If I remember correctly in some of my early readings on him, oh, so many years ago, that he was put in an unmarked grave intentionally.

There has been much debate over the years as to his race.  Was he born of both black and white parents?  I don't know.  Was he mulatto?  The 1790 census lists him as white.  Some of his kids are listed in later census as black, white, and mulatto.  So, I expect he was of mixed blood.  I do know that the current line of thought does identify Samuel as black.  I was told some years ago by another researcher that free blacks were considered rather exotic back in colonial New York and it would not have been unusual for interracial marriages.  From what I have researched, there were laws banning these marriages in nine of the original 13 colonies as the colonies transitioned in to an America free from British rule.  I have seen in early Massachusetts, for instance, that the race of the child was defined by the race of the mother.  But, I haven't found this particular law in colonial New York.

What I do know is that his wife, Elizabeth DALLY, was the sister of Catherine DALLY SALTER SIMMONS, my grandma.  What I do know is Elizabeth is mentioned only briefly in what I have read.  I hope to find more on her.

What I do know is that the brothers in law, FRAUNCES and SIMMONS were both tavern owners in New York City before and after the American Revolution.   What I do know is that their taverns are about four blocks apart.  The FRAUNCES Tavern was at Pearl St and the corner of Broad,  while the SIMMONS Tavern, was at the corner of Wall St and Broad.  What I do know is that there is a written history of the times of WASHINGTON eating at both places.

Ahh, genealogy.  Knowing my kin cooked and served early America is just cool.  Knowing that they knew and mingled with George Washington, before and after he became our first President, well, that leaves me wordless.

©2017  AS Eldredge

Sources:
https://alchetron.com/Samuel-Fraunces-1087609-W
http://www.ushistory.org/presidentshouse/history/frauncesobelisk.php
Encyclopedia of African American History, 1619-1895.  Edited by Paul Finkelman

Wordless Wednesday: Kin to American Music Master

Foster, AKA Kissing Kin

Stephen Collins FOSTER's birthday was just a couple of days ago, while we were all shooting fireworks and saying Happy Birthday to America.

What can I say?




Edward BUCHANAN married Eliza FOSTER.

Eliza was sister of Stephen Collins FOSTER(1826-1864).


Edward was brother of Harriet BUCHANAN(1802-1840) who married Robert HENRY(1801-1838).

Robert's dear old dad was my 4g grandfather.

Oh, and did I mention?  Edward BUCHANAN and Harriet BUCHANAN HENRY's brother, James, was also the 15th President of the United States?

Ahh genealogy, Kissing kin around the old folks place around Pittsburgh.  It had to be a great time.


Sources:
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Stephen-Foster
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/foster/peopleevents/p_sfoster.html
http://www.pdmusic.org/foster.html  --photo

©2016 ASEldredge

American Ancestors Available

What a great day!  As I was checking in to a few newsletters this morning, I noticed American Ancestors access is free for a limited time.  Of course, since I do genealogy on a budget, I ran right over to check it out.

Clicking on American Ancestors which is part of the New England Historical Genealogical Society did take me to a page advertising some free New York databases.  I had to sign up as a guest which will provide some benefits for a very limited time. That's ok, because I will spend some time cruising around seeing what can I find that I did not have.  Hopefully, there will be enough new finds for me to bite the bullet and join.

In the meantime, you can find me deep in the history of New York and the home of a grandpa of mine who owned a really cool tavern back before, during and after the American Revolution.  If you got a few minutes, pull up a seat and read about the tavern.

Ahh, genealogy, pour me up another ancestor!

Source:
American Ancestors
Whispers of Genealogy Past, March 18, 2015

©2016 ASEldredge

Wordless Wednesday: Love Delivered on D-Day

For the last thirty years I have really not liked this week.  For this week is the week when I laid my gentle giant to rest.  Each year, I sit quietly and mourn the loss that rocked my young world.  It's amazing that the tears still readily spring to my eyes as I relive this week over and over.

The stories of D-Day have always moved my soul to remember and to pray for our fallen military men.  What bravery they displayed on what had to be the most fearful day of their lives, and the day many would perish.  Can you imagine the the scene and how intense the smell of fear had to have been?

My dad was not at Normandy on that fateful day some 72 years ago.  Instead, he was busy fighting in the Pacific.

My dad did perish on the anniversary of D-Day.  For me, that is fitting as he was truly a brave patriotic man who had followed in the footsteps of love and loyalty his ancestors displayed as they fought for this great country.

Some 12 years ago, it was my honor to organize a family reunion at what I like to call my family cemetery, the St Clair Cemetery, in Mt. Lebanon, Allegheny, PA.  It was a beautiful day as descendants came from around the country to honor two of our fallen American Revolution ancestors.  Speeches were given, flags flew in the gentle breeze, hymns were sung, a 21 gun salute was fired, and Taps was heard as we all stopped to thank all brave men and women who have served America.

Around that time, the gent in charge of the cemetery asked permission to remove some overgrown daylilly plants from one of my family plots.  I gave permission but asked him to wait until I had time to take some for myself and any other family member who wanted a living remembrance of the past.  We dug those plants up and sent them to the south and out to the west to be planted, in addition to those plants which would stay in Pittsburgh.

This week, on D-Day, as I was feeling so very blue, I happened to walk outside.  I saw one beautiful bloom on my St Clair daylilly.  It was standing tall with its beautiful pale peach color and it stopped me in my tracks.

I don't think I have ever seen such a beautiful site that screamed out the words Faith, Belief, Loyalty and Love.  My head reverberated with these thoughts as I stood wordless and thirstily absorbed the undying love from my family members who have gone before me.

The next morning I went to take a picture of the beautiful flower.  It was gone.  Not wilted, but gone.  The message sent to me from beyond the grave on D-Day stays.  Faith, Belief, Loyalty and Love.

Ahh, genealogy.  Love lives and the past speaks leaving me wordless.

©2016 ASEldredge

Government at its Best during the War of 1812

Yesterday, the main topic of concern was unanswered questions on the St Clair Boys aka the Hunting Shirt Rifle Company during the War of 1812. Why is there so little on the PA Militia group that comprised this band of patriotic boys?  Their fathers had mostly fought during the American Revolution and had instilled those wonderful stories of glory and honor as the colonists declared independence and followed up with a war of lasting several years.

Our schoolbooks barely mention the War of 1812. The war lasted over three years with no land exchanging hands.  The Americans opposed Britain impressing American sailors in to the British Navy.  In addition, America opposed the trade restrictions brought by the Brits fighting the French. Another reason for this war is the British support of the American Indians as the Indians opposed western expansion beyond the original 13 colonies. If you want to learn more about this conflict that shaped our early country, our patriotism, and our presidents, be sure to check out the History Channel.

The part of the early War of 1812 that intrigues me most is the history of the war in Pennsylvania.
John C. Fredriksen, in his informative article, demonstrates the deficiency of the United States forces.  He tells us that Pennsylvania Governor Snyder enlisted close to 100,000 men by the fall of 1812.  This is my area of interest as the local Butler Co and Allegheny Co Regiments were formed at this time.  I know an uncle of mine, Thomas McMillen HENRY enlisted at a local tavern as documented in his Pension File.

The call went out that men were needed to protect against the forces of British troops and Indians who were rumored to be marching to the area.  While the rumor proved to be just that, the general panic resulted in local men volunteering to protect the new nation and their homes in Pennsylvania.  The St. Clair Boys led by James Turbett enlisted September 12, 1812.  They joined other regiments as they marched north from Pittsburgh to Meadville, the point of rendezvous. 

Unfortunately, over three thousand other men were camped there with insufficient arms, ammunition, provisions and housing.  The lack of coordination between the state and the federal government is demonstrated in Pennsylvania during this time.  While the men faithfully volunteered, the federal government refused to pay or equip the men. Turbett's men were part of the group whose arms were over half defective, thus forcing them to stay in Meadville for over six weeks.  No wonder the men were frustrated.  No pay, no training, not enough provisions.  These men finally did leave Meadville to march to Buffalo.  To date, I have not determined what they did while there.  Alas, these brave men who were willing to fight for the new country were told they could go home in December 1812.  Some of them were sent out west to General William Henry Harrison (yes, that one, the 9th President of the United States and War of 1812 hero), and the rest just went home without ever firing a shot.  Of course, it can be tough to fire a shot with no working gun.  Some of them deserted.  Of course, they were sitting in a winter encampment to what purpose?

What happened to St Clair boys?  I reckon they went home and continued their lives.  Their tales of their short tenure in the military must have been rather boring.  Lucky for us, their sons and grandsons still felt patriotic when it came to the next big test this country had, The War of Northern Aggression, oops, I mean the War Between the States.

Ahhh, genealogy.  One great thing came out of the War of 1812.  It's a little song we all know--The Star Spangled Banner by Francis Scott Key.  Oh, say can you see.........

Sources:
Fredriksen, John C. The Pennsylvania Volunteers in the War of 1812: An Anonymous Journal of Service for the Year 1814, https://journals.psu.edu/wph/article/viewFile/4054/3871
War of 1812, History Channel, http://www.history.com/topics/war-of-1812
Fold3 1812 Pension Files, Thomas M Henry
http://www.pa-roots.com/armstrong/smithproject/history/chap4.html 
Sapio, Victor.  Pennsylvania and the War of 1812, pg 183-185.  https://books.google.com/books?id=FuQeBgAAQBAJ&pg=PA185&dq=meadville+war+of+1812&hl=en&sa=X&ei=gIfwVOGpN4KRyQTuv4CoCw&ved=0CDIQ6AEwAw#v=onepage&q=meadville%20war%20of%201812&f=false 

 ©2015 ASEldredge