The Journey Through Hallowed Ground, Day 4

The word for today: rain. It rained most of the day. It is raining up and down the eastern seaboard, I believe. Rain is a good thing usually, but not when you're on vacation. However, you make the best of it.

Mom and I fortified ourselves with a good breakfast, did some more shopping, and then went to the Manassas National Battlefield Park. As soon as we walked into the visitor's center, a park employee told everyone that a tour of Henry Hill was starting. We had our umbrellas, so we headed outside to join the tour. It was nasty out, but at least it wasn't storming. Besides the soldiers had it a lot worse, right?


The tour was very informative. The topic was the first battle of Manassas and the taking of Henry Hill. Among the things we learned: why there are two names for this battle - Manassas and Bull Run; that there was a civilian killed during this battle; an 85-year-old woman in bed in her own home - which just happened to be in the middle of what became the battlefield; how General Thomas Jackson got the nickname "Stonewall;" how green both the troops and their leaders were - on both sides; and how the Confederates won this battle.

This house stands where Mrs. Henry's house stood. Her house
was destroyed and she was killed when a Union officer
fired cannon shots at Confederate soldiers who
were firing from inside and around her home.Henry Hill looking toward the back of the Henry home.

Henry Hill looking toward the Visitor's Center.
This area was where the Union line was located.

After the 45 minute tour (Did I mention it was in the rain?!), Mom and I went back to the Visitor's Center and walked through the exhibits there. I found this one especially poignant:

"I had a dim notion about the "romance" of a
soldier's life. I have bravely got over it since."
attributed to a solider at the first battle of Manassas

Of course we visited the gift shop! The gentlemen working there tried to sell me a printed certificate with my ancestor soldier's name and unit on it for only $10 for the first certificate and $5 for each one after that. Also, for $40, they would get my ancestor's military records for me. For $105, they would get the military records AND search for any other information about my ancestor... but no guarantees that they will find anything. Yeah, right. I believe I have done all of that already on my own with help from my genealogy friends!

We left the visitor's center and tried to drive around the park to see other sites, but Manassas is really not a "driving" battlefield. It is a "walking" battlefield, if you know what I mean. And we had walked about as much in the rain as we wished to at this point. So we started driving toward our next stop: Ranson, West Virginia.

It is not a far drive... about 38 miles. But it is through the mountains... it is raining... I'm sleepy, and there is no where to eat lunch or even just pull over for miles. Not a good combination. Finally, right at the West Virginia line, there is a convenience store. Thank goodness! Just in time. I get some juice and a snack, and I'm awake again. Of course, just a few minutes later, we arrive in Charles Town, and there are places to eat! We grab a bite and check into our motel.

I thought that went very smoothly... right up until some strangers used the hotel key they had just been given and was able to walk right into our room! Yes, the motel gave someone else our room. They did call and apologize, but then we discovered, quite by accident, that our keys no longer worked. So back down to the front desk I went to get them re-keyed. The clerk didn't even apologize! Other than that, it's been a smooth stay.

We had planned to go to Harper's Ferry tonight and take a ghost tour. However, with the rain, we didn't know if we would. The company's website said that even in the case of rain, they would still tell us the same stories... just in their offices instead of around town. Lo and behold, the rain stopped! We were able to do the full tour, outside, walking around the historical town of Harper's Ferry with nary a drop of rain falling on our heads! Yay! The tour was... OK. A little corny and not even close to scary. Or even spooky. However, the guide was dressed to perfection for the role, and the lantern and walking stick were the perfect accompaniments!

Tomorrow we visit Harper's Ferry National Park and Antietam National Battlefield. Here's hoping for no rain!

The Journey Through Hallowed Ground, Day 3

Today was a much lighter day with only one tour stop. We started out the morning with a hearty Waffle House breakfast. Nothing like some hashbrowns, scattered, smothered, and chunked, to get you going! (Plus I felt MUCH better today!) After a not-so-quick shopping stop, we were off to Montpelier, the home of our 4th President, James Madison, and his lovely First Lady, Dolley.

The 18 mile drive from Charlottesville to Montpelier is absolutely beautiful. Trees on either side of the rode and bending over it to form a canopy... just like out of a coffee table book. I have really fallen in love with Virginia on this trip.

We arrived at Montpelier around 11 am and was in plenty of time for the 11:30 tour. The tour guide was excellent, and I learned quite a bit about the Madisons. This country has much for which to be grateful to James Madison, most famously our Constitution. It was a totally new way to govern a country... never heard of before. He wrote it; he presented it; he spoke in support of it 160+ times; and he changed the course of this country... and the world.

Dolley was a force to be reckoned with herself. She was the complete opposite of James - a complete extrovert whereas he was very introverted. She loved to entertain and did so with gusto... and helped James in his political positions by doing so. After his death, Dolley was lonely at Montpelier, so she moved back to Washington. She was given an honorary seat in Congress, and is the only person who never served in a public office to receive one.

Montpelier also has archeologists who are piecing together the complete story of the plantation and how its residents lived in the 18th century. They have already begun construction on the kitchen and domestic slave quarters right next to the main house.





We also visited the formal gardens, the family cemetery where James and Dolley Madison are buried, and watched a film about the home and its former occupants.

After leaving Montpelier, we made our way to Manassas, Virginia. Manassas is a suburb of Washington, D.C. (We are only 25 miles from there!), so it is very busy. We did some more shopping, ate dinner, and came back to the motel to rest and prepare for our day at the Manassas National Battlefield Park we will be visiting tomorrow. Keep your fingers cross for us - it's supposed to rain!

The Journey Through Hallowed Ground, Day 2

Today was a long and busy day... especially since I didn't feel well. Being sick when you're away from home is the worst.

Our first stop this morning was breakfast. Must have fuel to be a tourist for the day! Then we headed out to Thomas Jefferson's Monticello. From the brochure:

"Monticello is the home of Thomas Jefferson, author of the Declaration of Independence and third president of the United States. Monticello conducts guided tours of the main house -- Thomas Jefferson's "essay in architecture," - throughout the year and guided tours of the scenic gardens and grounds and the historic plantation areas on a seasonal basis."

You must purchased timed tickets to tour Monticello. We purchased tickets online for 11am since the web site explained that we need to arrive one hour ahead of our ticket time in order to watch a film and take a shuttle up to the house. So we arrived promptly at 10am. When we picked up our tickets, they had openings in the 10:30 time slot, so they moved us up. That's great except we don't have time to watch the film! Oh well. We took a quick pic of Mom with Mr. Jefferson:

And then hopped on the shuttle bus... for all of five minutes. That's really how long the trip is to the house. The trick is that it's uphill. It's quite mountainous here. So the shuttle bus is a good move.

We had a few minutes before our tour time, so we looked around the gardens. I was interested to see that Monticello have archeologists on staff:

They are excavating along Mulberry Row, which was a very busy area where woodworkers, blacksmiths, and other artisans worked during the years that Jefferson had the plantation. The archeologists are trying to find proof of how the workers lived during that time, what kinds of tools they used, what the buildings were like, etc. Over the next few years, the staff plans to recreate some of the buildings and landscape in this area for visitors to see.

Promptly at 10:30, we were taken to the house and met Harriett, our tour guide. Harriett was very knowledgeable about Thomas Jefferson and the house; we didn't ask her a question that she couldn't answer. Jefferson never met a subject he wasn't interested in. He taught himself architecture from a book and is considered the "Father of Architecture"; he read in 7 languages: English, Olde English, Italian, French, Latin, Spanish, and Greek; he kept weather information for 50 years and is considered the "Father of Meteorology"; he was constantly designing gadgets to improve people's lives; and of course, he was very active in politics and was the author of what is undoubtedly our country's greatest document: The Declaration of Independence!!! I do not believe they make them like him anymore!

His house is an architectural marvel with octagon-shaped rooms; many, many windows in order to make it look the outside comes inside; and the Dome Room. The plantation itself is covered with many different kinds of beautiful flowers and a very large and diverse vegetable garden.


After the house tour, we took a garden tour, also. Jefferson was very hands on at the plantation... for at least the last 17 years of his life. For the 40 years before that, he was very hands on with serving this country.


After purchasing some postcards and a magnet at the Gift Shop, we walked down the mountain (it was quite steep) to view Jefferson's grave. It is located in a private cemetery on the property that is owned by his descendants.

Jefferson wrote his own epitaph, and you will note that for all of his accomplishments, writing the Declaration of Independence, writing the Statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom, and being the Father of the University of Virginia were the only three he wanted included on his grave stone. Jefferson was 83 years old when he passed away on July 4, 1826; exactly 50 years to the day that the Declaration of Independence was signed.

Mom and I walked on down the mountain to the parking lot rather than take the 5 minute shuttle ride. Then we got to watch the 20 minute film that we were supposed to watch BEFORE we took the house tour. It was informative, all the same.

We left Monticello and drove 1/4 mile back toward Charlottesville to the Michie Tavern for lunch and a tour. The lunch, held in what they call "The Ordinary," is in 18th century style with pewter plates and cups, benches to sit on, and the hostess and servers dressed in period costume. The menu included mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, coleslaw, black-eyed peas, fried and baked chicken, BBQ pork, biscuits, and cornbread. Drinks and desserts were extra. It was outrageously priced but the food was good, and the atmosphere was neat.


After eating, we toured the Tavern and learned how to play a dice game called "Shut the Box." We also learned how to dance the Virginia Reel! That was the most fun I had all day!

About 3 pm, we left the Tavern and continued to Ash Lawn Highland, the plantation once owned by our fifth president, James Monroe. Mom and I knew very little about Monroe, so the information provided on the tour was fascinating. Monroe purchased that plantation to be next to his good friend, Thomas Jefferson. There was a 2.5 mile path between the two plantations - a 20 minute ride on horseback. Unfortunately, Monroe had to sell the place in 1823 when he and his wife realized that her health prevented her from retiring there. The plantation is now owned by William and Mary University, which was Monroe's alma mater. They have been able to obtain many authentic pieces of furniture and household items that belonged to James and Elizabeth Monroe from their descendants. This plantation is absolutely beautiful and peaceful, with a long drive that looks just like you would imagine the winding roads of Virginia to look like.

The house is no where as elaborate as Monticello, but the property is breathtaking.

After a stop at the gift shop and purchasing a couple MORE magnets, Mom and I headed back to Charlottesville and our motel. I really didn't feel well by this time. We ordered in pizza and rested this evening. Tomorrow is not quite as busy. We will tour James Madison's home, Montpelier, and travel to Manassas.

The Journey Through Hallowed Ground, Day 1

My mother and I headed out today on another one of our trips. Tonight we are in Charlottesville, Virginia, the first stop of our 7-8 day journey.

"The Journey Through Hallowed Ground National Heritage Area & National Scenic Byway stretches 180 miles along the Route 15 Corridor from Gettysburg, Pennsylvania through Frederick County, Maryland and ends at Thomas Jefferson's Monticello near Charlottesville, Virginia. Its ground is a treasure trove of history - Native and African-American sites, restored architectural gems, Presidential homes, battlefields - but the land is also alive with vibrant downtowns, rich agriculture and an abundant bounty of wineries, inns, beds-and-breakfasts, fairs and antique dealers. The Journey is, indeed, Hallowed. It deserves to be cherished. It must be celebrated. But most of all, it yearns to be enjoyed!" From a map/brochure produced by The Journey Through Hallowed Ground Partnership, www.hallowedground.org.

Of course, Mom and I are doing the trip backwards. We got a later start today than we had planned, so we had to move Appomattox Court House (the site of the peace accord that ended the Civil War) to the end of our trip. So we simply drove up here to Charlottesville, settled into the Holiday Inn, and are supposed to be getting some sleep so that we can get up bright and early and get busy being tourists!

Tomorrow we plan to tour Monticello, Thomas Jefferson's Home, have lunch at the historic Michie Tavern ("a complete 18th century experience!"), and tour Ash Lawn-Highland, the home of President James Monroe, in the afternoon. I will blog about our experiences tomorrow night.

Along the way, we did manage to take a couple of snapshots...

Is THIS state big enough for us?!

So THIS is where all of your Facebook farms are really located!

Saturday Night Genealogy Fun - What Did You do on Your Summer Vacation?

From Randy Seaver over at Genea-Musings:

Hey genea-philes, it's SATURDAY NIGHT -- time for more GENEALOGY FUN!!

Your mission, should you decide to accept it, is to:

1) Tell us what you did, genealogy-wise, on your summer vacation.

2) Write your own blog post, comment on this post, or comment in a Facebook status post or a Google Plus stream post.

My summer started in May... with attending the NGS Conference in Charleston, South Carolina. That was so much fun. I learned so much that my head was spinning. When I returned home, my to do list was a mile long! In addition, little did I know, but that conference actually would entirely change my life.

In June, a friend and I drove to south Georgia and attended an all day seminar by Megan Smolenyak hosted by the Huxford Genealogical Society of Homerville. That was so interesting!

Also in June, I met a couple of new cousins. I found the first cousin ever on my my Drake side. She is my 2nd cousin. She lived only a little over an hour from me, so I went over, met her and her family... and attended her in-laws' family reunion! Barbara is so sweet and her family was so kind and fun.

Keith is my 2nd cousin, 1x removed on the Tapley side. He only lived a couple of hours from me, so Mom and I met him for lunch. It was great. We hit it right off. He is so thirsty for information about the Tapleys. It is great to share that with him.

I also met another cousinby telephone. Stayed tuned for this story because it was definitely serendipity... especially for Keith!

In July, I attended a Lunch 'n Learn talk about Old Handwriting at the Georgia Archives. Great handouts!

In between the above, I attended several webinars on great topics, participated in genealogy meetings and events in Second Life, and tried to write a blog post every day.

Then by August, my genealogy went on the back burner for huge changes in my personal life. Once I was (sort of) settled again - in September - I attended the FGS Conference in Springfield, Illinois. More great information and to do lists to follow up on.

Believe me, it was a hectic, chaotic, wonderful, full-of-learning-experiences summer!

Grandma's Diary, Parts 34 and 35

(To read prior entries from my maternal grandmother's 1933 diary, please click on the tab "Posts by Topic" and then go to the topic "California." All posts are listed there.)

Key:

The writer is Ethel Ranney Tapley.

Alice is her sister.

Kenneth is her brother.

Her parents.

H = her boyfriend, Hazel Avery Plumlee
Delma = Hazel's little sister
Earl = Hazel's brother
Verda = Earl's wife
Dorothy Lee = Hazel's niece (Earl's child)
Otho is Otho Hesser, her father's cousin.
Viella is Otho's wife.
Ruth & Kathryn are Otho and Viella's daughters.
Uncle Jont is Jonathan Hesser, Otho's father and her father's uncle.
Aunt Kate is Sarah Katherine Hall Hesser, Jonathan's wife and Otho's mother
Herman (Williams) is Alice's boyfriend.

Sunday, August 27: "I packed peaches at Symmes. We sure worked hard, I packed 214 boxes. Herman went home. H. stayed all night at our house."

Monday, August 28: "I packed peaches at Symmes. Alice & dad worked at Shultzs. I was sick for awhile in the morning. I helped Alice finish up at Shultzs."

Tuesday, August 29: "Alice's birthday. Alice, Dad & I worked at Shultzs. Sure were tired in the eve. Laura & Everett & a boy were here to supper."

Wednesday, August 30: "Alice, Dad & I worked at Shultzs. Got off at 3 & went to Berdo. I bought a suit & coat. Alice got a coat. Coming home the starter wouldn't work. Lights burnt out & I knocked 15 bags of our packed peaches with car. Finished packing."

Thursday, August 31: "We worked at Shultz's. I sure got all in."

Friday, September 1: "I started to work at Sultz's & H. came. Mrs. Becker took my place & H. fixed the car. Herman came about noon & helped Alice at Shultz's in the afternoon. H. was here to supper."

Saturday, September 2: "We washed. Alice & Herman went to Los Angeles. The axle broke in the back of our car. I went to the show with Lucile, Addie & Dot. R. I stayed all night at Luciles."


Sunday, September 3: "Lucile brot me up after the car. Kenneth came up about 4 am. He has a Ford V8. 1932. H. & I went for a ride in the afternoon, Clara & Barney were with us."

Monday, September 4: "Kenneth went home about 2 am. I packed peaches at Symmes. Alice came home 1 pm. We finished. Haleo at Symmes. Kenneth got married in Yuma."**



**This last sentence was written in a different pen... like it was added later. Probably the family did not know Kenneth was getting married or that he had gotten married until later.

Tuesday, September 5: "Alice & I packed at Shultzs. Dad picked. Viella was here a little while in the afternoon."

Wednesday, September 6: "We went to town in the morning. We packed peaches in the afternoon. I went to Yucaipa in eve. H. wasn't home. I was at Trowbridge's for a few minutes."

Thursday, September 7: "Alice & I packed Shultz's from 9 on. Dad worked at home. Mama made fig jam & peach pickles."

Friday, September 8: "We worked at Shultz's till noon. Went to a shower for Alice at Hesser's. We went back to work at Shultz's but he told us to finish tomorrow."

Saturday, September 9: "I finished up at Shultz's about noon. Herman came & he & Alice filed their intentions to wed. H. does not feel very, legs are badly sun burnt. We went to Berdo. Paid Fooshee."

Saturday Night Genealogy Fun - Ahnentafel Roulette!

From Randy Seaver over at Genea-Musings:

Hey there, genea-lovers, it's Saturday Night - time for more Genealogy Fun!!
Your mission, if you decide to accept it, is to (cue the Mission Impossible music, please!):

1) How old is your great-grandfather now, or how old would he be if he had lived? Divide this number by 4 and round the number off to a whole number. This is your "roulette number."

2) Use your pedigree charts or your family tree genealogy software program to find the person with that number in your ahnentafel (ancestor name list). Who is that person?

3) Tell us three facts about that person with the "roulette number."

4) Write about it in a blog post on your own blog, in a Facebook or Google Plus note or comment, or as a comment on this blog post.

5) If you do not have a person's name for your "roulette number" then spin the wheel again - pick a grandparent, a  parent, a favorite aunt or cousin, or even your children!

(1) My great-grandfather, William John Drake, was born in 1857, so if he was still alive, he would be 153 (his birthday was in September).  Dividing 153 by 4 gives me 38.25; I'll round that down to 38.

And I had no ancestor as #38 in my Ahnentafel Report!

So I move to another great-grandfather, Luther Boardman Ranney. He was born in 1870 so if he was still alive, he would be 141.  Dividing 141 by 4 gives me 35.25; I'll round that down to 35. 

Again, no ancestor #35! I'm running out of great-grandfathers!

My great-grandfather, James Madison Tapley, was born in 1847 so if he was still alive, he would be 164.  Dividing 164 by 4 gives me 41.

(2)  Finally!  Pay dirt!  My ancestor #41 is Selina King Drake (1812-1899).  She was my 3rd great-grandmother.

(3)  Three facts about Selina:

1. She was the daughter of John King and Winifred Kemp.
2. She married Francis Bryant Drake on November 6, 1828 in Washington County, Georgia.
3. She was the mother of 12 children:

• James William (1829-1908)
• Pheribah Elizabeth (1832-1876)
• Bathsheba Winifred (1832-1893)
• Eliza Jane (1834-1856)
• Francis Milton (1836-1912)
• Richard Franklin (1839-1859) 
• John Saffold (1841-1916)
• Thomas Lamar (1844-1913)
• Sarah Ann Selina (1847-1932)
• Robert Lemuel (1849-1923)
• Adra Ann Sarusha (1852-1937)
• Infant (1852-1854)

Oh and a bonus fact #4:  She is buried at Poplar Springs Methodist Church Cemetery in Johnson County, Georgia.

So obviously, I know only the very, very basics about Selina King Drake.  Another reason to go research!