Archive for December 2024
G. Washington’s damned expense account…
I have great respect for our country’s founding father, Thomas Jefferson, even though he left his estate in near poverty and impending bankruptcy. The man had no clue of frugality. Ole George however, did have a way with a dollar.
He pronounced upon his inauguration or thereabouts that he would serve without a salary and merely accept a paltry return upon his expenses… whereupon the delegates of the House and Senate rose in unison and proclaimed “Oh No sir… we will make sure you are compensated”… or something to that effect… I am paraphrasing. Under his breath, I am sure, he muttered something to the effect of “Oh Shit”. The General has become accustomed to the finer things in life in bulk quantities.
The book is a fun read. It is available on Amazon. “George Washington’s Expense Account“
I suppose it is human nature for people who amass a bit of power to feel “entitled”… Roman Consuls, as an example, were just somehow “expected” to trim off a bit of fat from the taxes collected for their personal expenses (Whoa Nelly!) and general purposes. None of this is new… indeed, just take notice of the miraculous ability of any present Washingtonian to turn a profit from, seemingly, thin air.
Not only is the book an interesting read… it is eye-opening, as they say.
But we gotta respect Ole George for turning down a kingship… that was very American of him.
None of this is said to taint the memory of Gen. Washington…far from it. It is merely my realization of the truth of the observation of Lord Acton that “Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely”. I suppose my point, if I have one, is that if we can find fault in the Founders then perhaps we should be very careful of the modern folks. Some of whom have left clear warnings… as Gen. Eisenhower said to watch out for the Military Industrial Complex… which we ignored.
Of all these new players in the upcoming new Administration, Elon Musk fascinates me the most … he seems to be, dare I say… incorruptible. Time will tell… and I am watching, optimistically.
Indian Paths
This is some of my random observations… some interesting places I poke around about…
I did a Post a while back featuring where my friend Traci the Librarian hangs out. You know… the Library. Nearby, and I mean within a short walk, is a long-gone piece of history, to wit, Green’s Path:
https://www.ncpedia.org/greens-path
John Bryan’s will, made in Edgecombe County in 1734, made note of land that he owned “on the Indian path.”
https://www.ncpedia.org/footpaths
The Indegenes of North America are thought, by DNA evidence, to have came from Eastern Europe over the Bering Strait. The Olmecs of South America do not fit that scenario. So it sounds to me that there may be a distinct difference of origin of the North/South Americas. I will have to explore more about this “Atzlan” business… That is about the extent of my knowledge. This guy however seems pretty knowledgeable:
https://www.cnn.com/2023/02/16/world/maya-civilization-causeways-lidar-discovery-scn/index.html
But I am particularly fascinated by more recent history and specifically the Southeastern States. It has been speculated that Indian Paths might have had their genesis from buffalo trails (even as far eastward as the Carolinas). Likewise, after a couple centuries of colonialization, Indian Paths became Roads. I can’t find the source now but a few years ago I ran across an article where a guy plotted areas where that happened exactly… he would machete around modern roads and point out evidences of Indian Paths.
https://libjournal.uncg.edu/jbc/article/viewFile/26/15
The Trading Path and North Carolina
BY REBECCA TAFT FECHER
https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/Catawba_and_Northern_Trail
All in all, in my opinion, we don’t know squat about our Indegenes history… well, not as much as we think we do… that is why we keep digging.
Below is a quick search using Elon Musk’s Grok 2 beta… my search term was “recent Miami, FL indian history excavations” :
Recent excavations in Miami, FL, have uncovered significant insights into the area’s Native American history, particularly related to the Tequesta tribe. Here are some key points from these archaeological findings:
- Brickell Excavations: In a significant development, archaeologists have been uncovering evidence of a prehistoric Tequesta village in downtown Miami, near the Brickell neighborhood. This site, potentially dating back 7,000 years, has revealed a complex of structures, including postholes in limestone bedrock believed to be foundations for Tequesta dwellings. The site includes artifacts from both prehistoric and historic periods, such as tools, human and animal remains, and remnants from the Royal Palm Hotel, which Henry Flagler built in the late 19th century. This site is considered one of the most significant prehistoric sites in the U.S. because of its extensive findings and the potential to rewrite the timeline of human settlement in Miami.
- Miami Circle: Although not the most recent, the Miami Circle is an important archaeological site in Miami, discovered in 1998. It consists of holes carved into the limestone bedrock, believed to be part of a Tequesta ceremonial structure or council house. The site has been a focal point for preservation efforts, with significant debate about development versus conservation. While not a recent excavation, it’s relevant due to its proximity to newer findings and the ongoing preservation discussions.
- 444 Brickell Property: Archaeologists discovered prehistoric artifacts beneath what used to be a parking garage at the 444 Brickell property. These include bone artifacts, pumice, lithic weights, and pottery sherds, contributing to our understanding of Tequesta subsistence and settlement patterns. This discovery underscores the importance of the Miami River area for archaeological study.
- Development and Preservation: There’s ongoing tension between development projects and the preservation of these archaeological sites. For instance, in Brickell, the unearthing of ancient remains has led to calls for construction to be halted or redesigned to preserve the history. The city of Miami faces the challenge of balancing economic growth with the preservation of its historical roots, with varying outcomes in different projects, from complete preservation to partial integration into new developments.
These excavations not only provide a window into the lives of Miami’s earliest inhabitants but also spark discussions on how to respect and preserve this history amidst modern development.
Like I say… we don’t know squat about the Indegenes.
…a snip from an older Post…
… another sidetrack… just to make a point about Indian Traders… these guys would travel across state lines in a heartbeat… it amazes me sometimes. When I first started researching I had the idea in mind that these early settlers might live and die without venturing perhaps 50 miles from where they were born… and it sometimes was the case, say, for simple farmers. Such was not the case for the Traders… they were a breed of men a bit out of the ordinary. And when they were old, worn out and writing their wills they might refer to themselves as “planters”… it was not so in their youth.
Indian Traders “got around” so to speak… as an example…Mr. McGinty was of North Carolina…
“The Deposition of Alexander McGinty, of Cumberland County, Indian Trader
“That this Deponent, with six other Traders, vizt., David Hendricks, Jacob Evans, William Powel, Thomas Hyde, and James Lowery, all of the Province of Pennsylvania, and Jabez Evans, of the Province of Virginia, being on their return of trading with the Cuttawas, a nation who live in the Territories of Carolina, where, on the twenty-sixth day of January, last, attacked and taken prisoners by a company of Coghnawagos, or French Praying Indians, from the River Saint Lawrence, being in number seventy (with whom was one white man, called Philip, a Low Dutchman) at a place about twenty-five miles from the Blue Lick Town, and on the south bank of Cantucky River, which empties itself into Allegheny River about two hundred miles below the Lower Shawnee Town; this Deponent and the said six Traders having then with them in goods, skins, and furs, to the value of seven hundred pounds, Pennsylvania money, which were all taken away from them by the said French Indians. That from thence the said Deponent, with the said David Hendricks, Jacob Evans, William Powell, Thomas Hyde, and Jabez Evans (the said James Lowry having made his escape soon after they were taken as aforesaid, and returned into Pennsylvania, as this Deponent hath since heard), were carried by the said Indians to a French Fort on the Miamis or Twightwee River, and from thence to Fort De Troit, and there the said Jacob Evans and Thomas Hyde ( as they informed this Deponent at the said Fort) were sold by the said Indians to Monsieur Celeron, Commandant of that Fort. And this Deponent, with the said David Hendricks and Jabez Evans were carried forward by the Lake Erie to Niagara, and so through Lake Ontario to the City of Mont Real, and there brought before the General of Canada, who said he would have nothing to do with them, for they were the Indians’ prisoners, and at their disposal. That the said Jacob Evans, Thomas Hyde, and William Powel, were also afterwards sent to Montreal, where this Deponent saw the said Jacob Evans and Thomas Hyde in prison, but were sometime after sent away to Old France, as this Deponent was told at Montreal. That the said William Powel was sent to Canessatawba Town, twenty-six miles from Montreal, and this Deponent to a small Indian Town in the neighborhood of Montreal, where he was kept a prisoner by the said Indians who took him, but was sometimes permitted to go to Montreal. “That the Indians of the Town where he was prisoner, near Montreal, told him that there should not be a white man of the English Nation on Ohio before the next Cold, mean the winter, for the land was their Father’s, the French, and no Englishman should remain there. “That in their passage from Fort DeTroit to Niagara, in Match last, they met on Lake Erie seven battoes at one time, and fifteen at another; and afterwards, in their passage from Niagara to Montreal, they saw on Lake Ontario 160 battoes, or upwards; in all which battoes were embarked French soldiers, with arms and ammunition, some of them having twelve, some ten, and some eight men on board.”
Wow… just Wow… a group of 70 Indians grab your happy ass and cart you off to Canada as a prisoner… and you live to tell about it….
Will of Alexander McGinty
In the name of God, amen, I Alexander McGinty of the County & State of No. Carolina, being weak in body but of perfect mind & memory, thanks be given unto God calling into mind the mortality of my body & knowing that it is appointed for men once to die do make & ordain this my last will and testament, that is to say principally & first of all give & _____ _____ my soul unto the hand of Almighty God ___ it and my body ___ to the earth to be buried in a decent Christian burial at the discretion of my Executors nothing doubting but a the general resurrection I shall possess the same again by the mighty hand of God and as touching such worldly estate whereas it hath pleased God to gie me in this life, I give devise & dispose of the same in the following manner & form
Item – I will & bequeath unto my beloved wife the plantation whereon I now live for her life with all my stock of horses, mares, bulls, cows & calves, sheep & hogs, all the household furniture & farming utensils with all the debts ___ ___ ___ I allow her to collect for her own use with what money we have ___ to be at her own disposal – except one hundred dollars to each of my grandchildren viz. Mary Ann McGinty at the discretion of my ___ put to interest … McGinty … Survey of two hundred & seventy two acres until Henry McDowell my grandson is of age.
Item – I will & bequeath to my grandson Abner McGinty two hundred acres of land in three different surveys joining lines with David & John Parks on the waters of Ready Creek & McAlpins Creek, likewise one survey of 86 acres joining James Maxwell & William Johnston on the head waters of McKee …
Item – I will & bequeath to my grandson Henry McDowell McGinty the plantation whereon I now live together with the survey of one hundred & seventy two acre with the survey of seventy acres joining it and joining lines with William Johnston.
Item – I will & bequeath to my grandson Alexander Crawford (sic) my silver watch & he is to pay each of the following legatees one dollar to my grandson James Crawford one dollar, to my granddaughter Mary Ann Johnston one dollar, to my granddaughter Martha Miller one dollar, to my grandson James Finney one dollar.
Item – If any of my four grandchildren viz. Abner McGinty, Henry McDowell McGinty, Sophia McGinty of Mary Ann McGinty dies under age his or her shares to be equally divided among the rest. Further I do constitute & appoint my wife Mary Ann McGinty, James Montgomery, John Gingles to be the true & lawful executors of this my last will & testament, abrogating & disannulling & making void & of none effect every other will & wills of testament or Testaments by me or in my name made done or executed possessing this oath, ratifying allowing & confirming this & this only as my last will & testament, Witness my hand & seal this 2nd day of April 1802.
Signed, published, pronounced and ___ by the said Alexander McGinty as his last will and testament in the presence of each other have hereto subscribed our names.
Alexander McGinty (seal)
Guy Maxwell
Hannah McGinty
(reading his will alone, you wouldn’t have the foggiest idea of his “alter ego”…)
from this Post…
a Isle of Wight project…
I jumped in with both feet back in the day with my first map. The subject of the map was my suspect ancestor with his patent near the Blackwater River in 1695. I had no idea of the difficulties but frankly did not care…I just wanted to know where he planted his tobacco. As it turns out, I had another ancestor who was also in early Isle of Wight… hence, I have a self serving fascination with that particular county. Some things I discovered while mapping were:
The old boys back in the day did not spel very good. And they rote funny.
They said what they meant and meant what they said… as best they could.
Their surveys were as accurate then as ours are now… but their base maps sucked.
Our inability to figure them out is our problem… they busied themselves with starting a country.
If you stood in their way they would likely, at the least, whip your ass… or arse, in their lingo.
With those observations being said, the IOW Historical Society has offered me access to some older records from a former Surry County Clerk. An extremely difficult area to map is the early boundary line area of Surry and Isle of Wight. I am curious how that gentleman tackled those early records that he seems to have had an intense interest in. He may have even mapped them (in his fashion, which I am curious about).
Recently Mike Smith contacted me with an offer to help… he lives in Virginia. He and I date back to at least 2017 with mutual mapping interests. So it seems he has an equal curiosity to partake in those records. Mike has likewise tackled that hideously complex early Colonial area in his fashion. In an attempt to show some of the complexities involved, here is a comparison of what I take to be our different “styles”. One obvious takeaway is obvious to any observer that we each were coming to different conclusions of “where” these patents actually fell in place. This is more art than science.
Click the Blue Filename under the graphic to open in a bigger window…
I am interested in perhaps re-tackling the Early IOW Map… with the stipulation to keep it Before the 1700s.
Mike Smith hangs out at his site… DigYourRoots.wordpress.com