I was born in Abilene, TX in 1951. That is roughly at the bottom of the Texas Panhandle. It seems that the timing of my entrance into these worldly affairs coincided with a fortuitous Oil Boom very close to a little town called Snyder. It just so happened that a philanthropic old West Texas farmer/rancher hit it big in the Oil Biz and threw more money to the local school board than said school board knew what to do with. In short order 6 years later I entered the First Grade in Central Elementary in Snyder, Texas to what would be recognized in educational parlance as a AAA school… as opposed to say merely a mediocre A school. The result was that I had a host of exceptional teachers who educated me in the “old school”. I learned “how” to learn.

I was feeling nostalgic the other day and googled Youtube for “Mortimer Adler”… one of the finest Educators of his day. This is William F. Buckley, Jr. interviewing Mortimer Adler…

If you find yourself interested enough to watch the above… note how nowadays people like Buckley and Adler are ridiculed and attacked for many, to me, incomprehensible reasons. I do not get it.

It seems the only choice a concerned parent has is home schooling. I have six grandkids… it is all I can do to penetrate the brainwashing… and I usually lose.

An article I read this morning over coffee expands on what I just said and offers some advice. Quoting from the article, “The current iteration of the American Ruling Class has not only embraced dictatorial methods as a means to their ends but are astonishingly ill-educated thanks to decades of indoctrination rather than education at America’s universities.  This ill-education encompasses not only an inability by the vast majority to reason and generate an original thought but also a breathtaking ignorance of the history of mankind, and a profound inability to comprehend the American experience and citizenry.”

https://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2021/01/the_attempt_to_install_a_oneparty_oligarchy_is_predestined_to_fail.html

I admire the author’s optimism and hope he is correct. I needed a dose of hope this morning.

This is the sort of situation that happens when lunatics are allowed to run the asylum. Apparently the entire school system should be considered “the asylum”.

https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2021/01/glenn_reynolds_is_correct_public_education_is_child_abuse.html

I apologize for this crap on my “genealogy and history” blog, but it is just too juicy and hilarious to pass up. I will make a conscious effort to get back to my usual strange takes on long dead people. I really want to write about my fave… Thomas Jefferson. But back to the present …

The folks at Jacobin magazine seem to be employing a bit of “clickbait” to arouse our disdain. Tsk tsk.

Are these clowns at Jacobin merely trying to goad the 74 million folks who voted for Trump into gaining publicity for their socialist website? Or are they the ones looking for a god-king? Those People are strange.

the article I read that fired me up…

https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/cult-government-now-new-religion

https://phys.org/news/2008-03-cuneiform-clay-tablet.html

Cuneiform clay tablet translated for the first time

A cuneiform clay tablet that has puzzled scholars for over 150 years has been translated for the first time. The tablet is now known to be a contemporary Sumerian observation of an asteroid impact at Köfels, Austria and is published in a new book, ‘A Sumerian Observation of the Köfels’ Impact Event.’

The giant landslide centred at Köfels in Austria is 500m thick and five kilometres in diameter and has long been a mystery since geologists first looked at it in the 19th century. The conclusion drawn by research in the middle 20th century was that it must be due to a very large meteor impact because of the evidence of crushing pressures and explosions. But this view lost favour as a much better understanding of impact sites developed in the late 20th century.

So this “giant” landslide in 500 meters thick and 5 kilometers in diameter.

In the case of Köfels there is no crater, so to modern eyes it does not look as an impact site should look. However, the evidence that puzzled the earlier researchers remains unexplained by the view that it is just another landslide.

Screen shot of Google Earth… Kofels, Austria… and if you do Google Earth… zoom out a bit and notice where this area is in relation to where Sumer was in Mesopotamia (think the Tigris & Euphrates rivers… you know, the cradle of civilization).

This new research by Alan Bond, Managing Director of Reaction Engines Ltd and Mark Hempsell, Senior Lecturer in Astronautics at Bristol University, brings the impact theory back into play. It centres on another 19th century mystery, a Cuneiform tablet in the British Museum collection No K8538 (known as “the Planisphere”).

It was found by Henry Layard in the remains of the library in the Royal Place at Nineveh, and was made by an Assyrian scribe around 700 BC. It is an astronomical work as it has drawings of constellations on it and the text has known constellation names. It has attracted a lot of attention but in over a hundred years nobody has come up with a convincing explanation as to what it is.

Hmmm… so these guys are saying the tablet was created by an Assyrian scribe around 700 BC. I am assuming they are referring to the British Museum crowd and that “that theory” is the current accepted theory.

With modern computer programmes that can simulate trajectories and reconstruct the night sky thousands of years ago the researchers have established what the Planisphere tablet refers to. It is a copy of the night notebook of a Sumerian astronomer as he records the events in the sky before dawn on the 29 June 3123 BC (Julian calendar). Half the tablet records planet positions and cloud cover, the same as any other night, but the other half of the tablet records an object large enough for its shape to be noted even though it is still in space. The astronomers made an accurate note of its trajectory relative to the stars, which to an error better than one degree is consistent with an impact at Köfels.

This garners a bit more than a “Hmmm” on my part. Bond and Hempsell have upped my curiosity level to a “Damn!”. I quote them again with a bit of awe on my part: It is a copy of the night notebook of a Sumerian astronomer as he records the events in the sky before dawn on the 29 June 3123 BC (Julian calendar). By my reasoning… that is about 5000 years ago from today, by their reasoning.

The observation suggests the asteroid is over a kilometre in diameter and the original orbit about the Sun was an Aten type, a class of asteroid that orbit close to the earth, that is resonant with the Earth’s orbit. This trajectory explains why there is no crater at Köfels. The in coming angle was very low (six degrees) and means the asteroid clipped a mountain called Gamskogel above the town of Längenfeld, 11 kilometres from Köfels, and this caused the asteroid to explode before it reached its final impact point. As it travelled down the valley it became a fireball, around five kilometres in diameter (the size of the landslide). When it hit Köfels it created enormous pressures that pulverised the rock and caused the landslide but because it was no longer a solid object it did not create a classic impact crater.

Mark Hempsell, discussing the Köfels event, said: “Another conclusion can be made from the trajectory. The back plume from the explosion (the mushroom cloud) would be bent over the Mediterranean Sea re-entering the atmosphere over the Levant, Sinai, and Northern Egypt.

“The ground heating though very short would be enough to ignite any flammable material – including human hair and clothes. It is probable more people died under the plume than in the Alps due to the impact blast.”

Source: University of Bristol

Trying to gather my somewhat startled imagination… these guys are stating matter-of-factly that they think a Sumerian guy 5000 years ago was studying “the night sky” and took some casual notes concerning a meteor smashing into Austria with complete accuracy.

Since I am the curious type… I ordered the book.

That critter looks more like a Wooly Mammoth to me. ‘Corse I’m not always 100% all there…

Its that hump at the top of his trunk… see it?

https://www.wikiwand.com/en/G%C3%B6bekli_Tepe

I ain’t saying that critter in the back is a Wooly Rhinoceros… but I ain’t sayin’ its not neither. That critter seems bigger than those wild boars also. ‘Corse that snaggle-toothed bear lookin’ beast is a might unnerving…

Howdya like to have that thing chasing your happy ass around his dinner time? I’d be chuckin’ every spear I had.

Muck, Mammoths and Extinctions: was Alaska the scene of a giant cataclysm at the end of the Ice Age?

Deerskins were found washed up on the bank of tan Tross creek… Watson is deployed as a sniper. Nurse Ratchet is standing by with sedatives.

The scoundrel Pitmane has tried unsuccessfully to cover his tracks… Holmes however, has deduced! his brazen sneakiness, criminal activity and overall rudeness! It is only a matter of time until this miscreant is exposed to the sunshine.

The depths of depravity employed by Pitmane to disguise!! his hideout is devious indeed… but Holmes has smoked him out and he is on the run. Left behind is this confusing deed whereby Pimane refused to even give the boundaries!!! Outrageous!

Keen observers may not be aware that there is another miscreant lurking hereabouts known by the name of “Wolfpit” William Pittman… Extreme caution is suggested before attempting to deal with these rouges.

This is the area of the standoff… binoculars are suggested for reasons of safety and well being. Holmes demands this be left to professionals. Traci the Librarian has been notified and is on standby. The situation is beyond tense…

Note the Francis Drake property… if this is indeed the heretofore unidentified Tantrough Branch (various spellings) then the John Pitman property may be exactly as described, i.e., begin “at the mouth” then go up the creek to the next little creek… etc

What do you think? I have failed to find an original deed for this sale. The “CTC” version is noted in the notes.

Good Gawd Allmighty an UPDATE!

Holmes is off to South Carolina. He rushed in and declared that Benjamin Wall was mixed up with that spiritous likker drinking cadre of Indian Traders from Virginia. What are you talking about?, I asked. Your map! You Fool… Your Map! Holmes is adamant in his quest for Benjamin Wall noted in the Edward Burk patent above… lower right. Holmes is unusual with his deductive reasoning as you might suspect. He has deduced! that Benjamin Wall never lived on this property… Indeed! He went directly to South Carolina in 1749. Someway or another, by hook or by crook… Benjamin Wall transferred the patent to that nightmarish villain John Pitmane. One cannot help but see the relationships of these folks… note in the starter quote to this rant the mention of Drury McLemore.

The Evidence:

(JOSEPH WALL) – Kit# 211387  (AG)

Joseph Wall  ????(speculation)

Benjamin Wall  b 1708  d1789 Marion, SC (moved to Marion, SC in1749)

(BENJAMIN WALL) – Kit # 280225 (AG)

Joseph Wall ???? (speculation)Edgecombe

Benjamin Wall b 1708 d 1789Queensboro Twsp., Marion SC (moved to Marion, SC in 1749)

Thomas Wall bc 1730

Wright Wall Sr. b 1754  d 1803 Either MS or Beaufort, SC (may also have been b 1730-1735 in Bertie Co.)

The notes above are from the Wall DNA website. Holmes has determined that this may be evidence in support of the speculation surrounding the true and actual history of said Benjamin Wall. Said Wall seems to have just lingered in Edgecombe a bit on his way to Marion, SC. The Marion County area at the time was known for its “Trade” with the Indians. Holmes also highly suspects Benjamin Wall was related to the Brunswick, VA Wall clan.

Watson dropped off the Evidence:

318-(513) Will of Rebecca Wall 3 May 1777 – 28 Jul 1777
Of Meherrin Parish “Weak in Body”
To my son Benjamin – all the land I am possessed of.
To my sons Michael & William – whatever appears to be due me from them on a
settlement.
The remainder of my estate to be sold, excepting my wearing clothes which I give to
my daughter Elizabeth Sims, & that my debts to be paid & the money divided between
my son Benjamin Wall & my daughter Elizabeth Sims.
Ex. William Sims, Michael Wall
Wit. Ben Chapman, Lewis Jackson, John Hunt
Probate indicates that William Sims qualified with John Sims his security.

Forsooth! another UPDATE!

A spy employed by Holmes intercepted a communication from Traci the Librarian and has determined she needs to use more apostrophes! in her compilations… she has determined that gross incompetence by the clerical staff employed by the Keystone Kops at Enfield Courthouse were obviously smoking Tuscarora Tobacco when they recorded Pitmane’s fraudulent deed.

Holmes is Aghast! at the subterfuge! Since he is en route! by horse and carriage to Charleston, SC at the moment in hot pursuit of Benjamin Wall he has allowed that the Librarian from Rocky Mount may deposit her Evidence for General Perusal. This is a rare event as Holmes never leaves clues such as this for mere mortals such as ourselves to even view!

My Gawd! the Times we are Living in! This is Truly Exciting!!!!

Holmes has determined that the “Librarian” uses colors and other shamanistic devises to make associations… Holmes is not easily impressed. He is holding back any criticisms other than the fact that she has not mastered the use of Apostrophes!!! DRAT! her colors did not translate… my apologies...

Description of Francis Drake’s grant:

–          Beginning at a gum in William Tant’s line in [Heans?] Branch

–          A white oak on the Tan Trough Branch

–          A hickory in Henry Jones’ line in said [Tan Trough] Branch

–          Thomas Williams’ corner

This mangled abstract is from an equally mangled re-copy in the Halifax deed books. The originals were re-copied at some point in the 1890s and the originals probably destroyed. Because the Halifax deed folks were [insert not very nice things here].

9-380 David (x) Wiggins and wife Elizabeth (x) of Hal to John Vincent same 28 Jun 1766, £30, 200a a Granville grant to Thomas [this should be Francis] Drake 3 Jul 1760 [date of Francis Drake’s grant], joining William Tant, Harris [this looks more like “Hanes,” “Hares,” or “Haine” to me] Branch, Tan Tringle [garbled attempt at “Tan Trough”] Branch. wit William Flewellin, Thos Wiggins. recd Oct 1766. http://pamiller.net/genealogy/docs/danieledgehalifnashwilson/index.htm

Backing up in time:

Tristram Drake of Halifax Co. to William Flewellin of Prince George Co. VA 16 March 1763 125 acres which had been patented to Emanuel Rogester 1 Dec 1727 on the south side of Rocky Swamp, joining the south [north?] side of Fishing Creek; 100 acres which was part of a patent to Thomas Williams for 400 acres, 26 July 1743, joining Haynes Branch, Rocky Swamp. [Dr. Stephen E. Bradley, Jr., abstractor, The Deeds of Halifax County, North Carolina 1758-1771 (South Boston, VA: Bradley, 1989), p. 64, citing deed book 8, p 372.]

Francis Drake of Halifax County to David Wiggins of same. 12 January 1764. 200 acres which had been a Granville grant to said Francis Drake 3 July 1760, joining William Tant, Haynes Branch, Tan Troft Branch. Signed Francis Drake, witnessed by Thos. Wiggins, Isham Rosier, William Wiggins. Registered 17 January 1764 [Dr. Stephen E. Bradley, Jr., abstractor, The Deeds of Halifax County, North Carolina 1758-1771 (South Boston, VA: Bradley, 1989), p. 65, citing deed book 8, p 378.]

Joseph [Jessee] Lee and Judith his wife of Halifax Co. to John Heath of Bristol Parish, Prince George Co. VA, 17 January 1764. 1209 acres on the south side of Rocky Swamp, joining Winfield Right, Willets Branch, Creek, Pope, Collins, Jack Horse Branch, Edward Collins Jr., Henry Jones, Tantrough Branch, Robt. Hill. 1764 [Dr. Stephen E. Bradley, Jr., abstractor, The Deeds of Halifax County, North Carolina 1758-1771 (South Boston, VA: Bradley, 1989), p. 73, citing deed book 9, p 46.]

Forward in time:

Philip Vinson & John Vinson of Halifax County to Samuel Pitman of same. 23 November 1785. 150 acres on the north side of Rocky Swamp, joining Tristram Drake, Haynes Branch, Williams; 200 acres which had been a Granville grant to Francis Drake 3 July 1760, joining William Tant, Haynes Branch, Tan Trough Branch. [Dr. Stephen E. Bradley, Jr., abstractor, The Deeds of Halifax County, North Carolina 1786-1796 (Keysville, VA: Bradley, 1990), p. 3, citing deed book 16, p 55.]

5 Feb 1789 Moses Butt 50a on Rockey Swamp bordering Marshall’s corner on E side of said Swamp, runs across the swamp to Fluwellin’s line, with his line to Tan trough Br, Robert Hill’s line, down the branch to Rockey Swamp & to Drake’s corner. http://pamiller.net/genealogy/docs/danieledgehalifnashwilson/index.htm

And so the sordid plot thickens my friend… and notice that the “Librarian” is starting to breathe that rarified air that is only present when one has acquired the “Bird’s Eye’ view only available through time travel… or in this case … this map {of which you have only slightly seen].

… an Update…

Holmes is enraged. He received the documents sent by “the Librarian”… He says she has been deceived. I tried to explain that any deception was not due to her due diligence but to those horrid civil servants running the Enfield Courthouse. His rage settled down to a mere “slightly miffed”. He mentioned that she was, indeed, one of his better spies. A rare compliment I might add.

Holmes notes that in the Philip Vinson sale to Samuel Pitman that even the Abstractor Dr. Stephen E. Bradley, Jr. may have been seduced by a grand deception… or he may have simply taken a coffee break and lost his concentration. To Wit!!!

Philip Vinson And! Samuel Pitman were in fact, firmly a-ground in Halifax County. The Francis Drake property we are discussing would have to be magically teleported from White Oak Swamp in Edgecombe County to Rocky Swamp in Halifax County. Holmes suggests Dr. Bradley be consulted to explain his egregious error.

Holmes says he is still studying the Robert Armstrong sale to William Pitman in 1764. He notes there are “Peculiarities afoot”. I must confess I have no idea what he is talking about. He says that Armstrong seems to be selling someone else’s property. He notes it clearly states in the document 60 acres “It being taken out of Rite McLemores paten”. Holmes declares that this situation in like an onion that must be peeled in layers. I told him he was starting to sound ridiculous. Then he fell asleep.

Update!

Holmes has been restrained by Nurse Ratchet. He is heavily sedated and removed to his Florida abode to do some much needed fishing. His “illness” seems to have been brought on by the Librarian having contradicted his investigations… such things are not easily dealt with by Holmes.

The Librarian has assumed the role of Chief Investigator… more to follow as the plot unfolds… it seems the investigation of TanTross Branch has been moved to Halifax County.

The good citizens of Edgecombe County are watching these events with nervous anticipation. The Abstractor Stephen Bradley is rumoured to be preparing a defamation lawsuit.

Update…

There is nothing to the rumour Holmes was last seen being arrested in Florida… that is fake news…

https://dailycaller.com/2021/01/13/coast-guard-stolen-tiki-bar-boat-intoxicated-suspect-arrested-key-west-florida/

Aside from suspiciously having acquired thirty two patents… this fancy-pants has a middle name. My radar is on Red Alert.

I smell one of those people… you know what I’m talkin’ about. When all about your neighbors not one do you know can read nor rite. Yeah… I bet this fancy-pants can read and rite. No one in 1739 has a middle name.

Holmes makes copious notes. Below is a data sheet similar to what is compiled for each of the English Colonists then residing in Edgecombe Precinct in North Carolina. This one has some, shall we say, peculiarities.

Holmes observes that this particular surveyor in 1739 was obviously under duress. The first observable and quite obvious example of said duress was the abrupt Jolt in his writing… he very slightly JERKED! his hand when the straw was pressed under his fingernail. More pain may have been inflicted as he was forced to make a correction above his mistake. Teardrops and SWEAT! can be seen staining the ink mere words away… it is so obvious no more needs be said. The surveyor was in total morbid fear… he was reduced to a stuttering, stammering moron… why? That is simply how Those People operate…

The investigation continues.. this much can be said however, the above patent was not even on Tar River much less, on “both” sides of it. Rubbish! It was up Swift Creek adjacent to John Mials Mill! And WHY! for God’s Sake did his next door neighbor have the name of Joseph John WILLIAMS???????? This simply cries out for some good detective work… Two of these Elitist Sonsabiches have MIDDLE NAMES!!!!!

I refer to the early governments of NC as the Keystone Kops and have great fun revealing their shenanigans… But the later 1700s were quite a unique period in history. The founders, in particular Jefferson, Adams, Franklin and a few other, let’s say, “extraordinary thinkers”, were very knowledgeable of this guy Blackstone…

https://www.britannica.com/topic/Commentaries-on-the-Laws-of-England

Common Law was the basis and motivator of law during the transition from being a servant to being a free citizen.

So I am analyzing a patent dated 1739… it has a reference to a creek named “Coneho”. So I think hmmm, that is near Tarboro I think? And then it dawns on me to think 1739… they could not Google Map then.

So… the Mozelle map was 1777… too modern. Aha!, thinks I, the Mosely 1733 map.

I recall reading somewhere that the famous Mosely map may not have even been available to the colonists because of the hassle of getting the thing actually printed and transported from England. So I am left mystified trying to visualize some guy shuffling around a armload of raw surveys. Then I just wandered off into La La Land and noticed the Indian Names… I have always been fascinated with this map. I ordered a copy from the Archives 20 years ago. It has Carolus Anderson listed on the thing for Pete’s Sake!.

I’m just thinking out loud… still don’t have a clue where to find that creek??????

https://www.ncpedia.org/moseley-manuscript-map

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++=

OK… new question… this is getting deep into the weeds…

What is going on with Robert Coleman???

It is totally not allowed for me to change that George Stalling patent to enlarge it to fit without explaining why” so I leave it alone.

The Robert Coleman and John Moore patents are clearly not 157 and 177 acres in comparison to the larger 440 acres and say, the 640 acre patent of George Wimberly??? I re-checked the scale on my mapping software and it is correct… 1″ = 1 mile.

Lets keep this simple… I’ll stop listing questions…

“Yet where does this anarchy exist? Where did it ever exist, except in the single instance of Massachusets? And can history produce an instance of a rebellion so honourably conducted? I say nothing of it’s motives. They were founded in ignorance, not wickedness. God forbid we should ever be 20. years without such a rebellion. The people can not be all, and always, well informed. The part which is wrong will be discontented in proportion to the importance of the facts they misconceive. If they remain quiet under such misconceptions it is a lethargy, the forerunner of death to the public liberty. We have had 13. states independant 11. years. There has been one rebellion. That comes to one rebellion in a century and a half for each state. What country before ever existed a century and half without a rebellion? And what country can preserve it’s liberties if their rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms. The remedy is to set them right as to facts, pardon and pacify them. What signify a few lives lost in a century or two? The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. It is it’s natural manure.”

Jefferson would have shrugged off today, much as he shrugged off Shay’s Rebellion and (more or less) supported the Whiskey Rebellion (later repealing that stupid tax).  He also supported the French Revolution, not for what happened, but for its original principles.

People can’t always be well informed – and certainly with nonsense information spewing from not only the ‘mainstream’ media but also from myriad other ‘sources’ like Qanon – we need more than ever to look back through history and put things in perspective both ideologically and historically.  Few people remember 1954 and Puerto Rican nationalists shooting up Congress.  Today’s events may have been wrong and lawless, but they are not at all unusual or necessarily misguided in the larger scheme of US history. 

Bulldog

From my morning coffee blog…

http://maggiesfarm.anotherdotcom.com/

Its just the Court in Session again dear… 1698

It seems Mager Swan has deemed it in his best interest to explain hisself to the other members of the Court…

Minutes of the Perquimans Precinct Court North Carolina. Precinct Court (Perquimans Precinct) November 10, 1698 Volume 01, Pages 495-496 October 1698.

Mager [Major] Samuel Swann Acknowledg A dede [deed] gift to Capt. Henderson Walker for the yous [use]of Mistres [Mistress] Elisabeth Swann Elisabeth Gardner ye Rellock [Relic, sometimes spelled Relict] William Gardner desesed [deceased] prsented hir selfe [herself] before ye Court to bind hir [her] Son William Gardner to ye Honbl Govener Thomas Harvi [Harvey, aka the chief Keystone Kop] or his Heires thay Ingagen [engaged in] to Learn him to Reed [Read] Which In or to Was doon [done] till he comes to ye Age of Twenty on [one] yeares he being five years ould [old] now

a fortnite before Crismas Mr Caleb Calleway proved A Letter of Atturney of James Hogg And Ann Hogg by ye Oates of William Long And Sarah Long Mr Caleb Calleway Atturnney to James Hogg And Ann Hogg Acknowledg An Asignment of A Convaence for Land to Thomas Long

Ordered that Timothy Clare be overseer of ye High Way from ye Runn of boses Creek to ye place Covenant to make A brig At ye head of ye river And persons that are Willing Are requiered to Assist In ye Making of ye brig ——————– page 496 ——————–

Ordered that James ffisher be sepened [subpoenaed] before Mr Caleb Calleway And Mr John Barrow to Answer a Complant mad by the Constable And to Sepene Thomas Norcom An Evedence Mr Caleb Calleway Atturney to James Hogg And Ann his Wife provet thare [their] Letter of aturney by William Long and Sarah Long [sorry, I grew weary of correcting the Elitists’ spelling]

CALEB CALLAWAY JAMES BARROW JOHN WHEDBE SAMUEL NICHOLSON

Minutes of the Upper House of the North Carolina General Assembly North Carolina. General Assembly January 15, 1735 – March 01, 1735 Volume 04, Pages 75-114

Tuesday January ye 21st To the Honourable the Council being the upper House of Assembly now Sitting. Ordered that Mr James Castelaw Mr William Badham Mr Samuel Swann Mr Maurice Moore Mr George Turner Mr George Roberts Mr Stevens Lee Mr Samuel Sinclair Mr Gab: Burnham and Mr Arthur Williams to be a Committee

to Joyn with a Committee of the upper House to conferr on a bill entituled

an Act to regulate and Ascertain the Payment of Quit rents;

an Act for Establishing and fixing Circular Courts in this Province;

and an Act for regulating the Currency.

Sent by Mr Harrold & Mr Lee Ordered that a Message be sent to the upper House By Order JOS. ANDERSON Clk Genl Assy

Gentle Reader… these are the ingredients much as diced onions and potatoes are used to cook… but in this case the “soup” is corruption. Bear in mind that these intellectual Giants were what would be referred to today as: the “Elite”… Rolling On The Floor Laughing My Ass Off [that is the etymology of the expression ROTFLMAO]

Governor Pollock was estimated to have amassed upwards of 50,000 acres of real estate that he “bequeathed” to his offsprings. An example in Edgecombe County can be seen on my map between Swift Creek and Rocky Mount where you will notice some “Pollock” property.

Here is a sampling of some of the graft of the good Mager Swan mentioned above…

Of course Mr Moseley, Esquire, apparently never, you know, actually received this land… but it seems Majer Swann… you know, kept it and sold it piecemeal… Mr Moseley had his own scams to deal with. Here was my clue to this sordid bit of history…

Edge. Co. Db D, page 249, March 10, 1770 recorded August 1770, William Taylor, planter, of Edgecombe County to Thomas Williams, planter, of Edgecombe County for 185 pounds Virginia money a tract of 200 acres in Edgecombe County, being part of a purchase patent at one shilling per hundred quit rent taken by and a patten granted to (Wm.) Samuel Swain bearing the date the fth day of November in the year 1728, lying on the north side of Tar River beginning at a Mulberry tree on the river bank at the mouth of a gut then along a line of marked trees to a spruce pine in the gum pond then along that side of the sd. Pond to the (said) line then (?) the said patent line to a hickory a corner tree on the side of Compass Creek then along a patent line to the river then up the various courses of the river to the rst station. Sign. (X) William Taylor, wit. (?) Nicholas Skinner, John Davenport. Edge. Co. Db D, page 282, deed date 28 Sep 1770, recorded Nov Ct 1770, Thomas Williams, Edge. Co to Nicholas Skinner, county aforesaid for 50 pds VA, a tract being the whole of two deeds the one dated 28 Apr 1753 and the other dated 2 Mar 1761, being on both sides of Kirbys Branch beginning at a hickory on the creek then east to a white oak a corner then to a white oak in William Skinner’s line then east along the said line to a crooked hickory then south along the surveyed line to a hickory a corner then west along the said line to a pine then north 160 poles to a pine then west to John Moors line then along the said line north to the rst station, containing 465 acres, signed Thos Williams, acknowledged in open court by said Thos Williams. Abstracted Feb 07, NCA lm C.037.40003 CTC.

My only motivation for telling this tale is that I would very much like to simply plot the various properties of the good folks settling in Early Edgecombe County. This one is proving to be somewhat difficult. What I need is some handy-dandy metes and bounds..Yessiree! not a bunch of bullchit. My good friend Holmes says his Momma used the expression “Bless their Hearts” when she had nothing particularly “good” to say. Of course those were “gentler” times in Edgecombe County.

Careful and studious researchers will note the difficult hoops I had to endure just to transcribe this historical document found purely by chance at the venerable NC Archives in Raleigh…