Big Bear Lake - c.1960 Ad

Town and County Lodge at Big Bear Lake, Southern California

c.1960  (click images to enlarge)

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Sullivan Ballou of Rhode Island

Sullivan Ballou  

Mortally wounded at the First Battle of Manassas (Bull Run)

Died 21 July 1861

Remembered for his last letter to his wife, Sarah,

and whose sentiments were given life in Ken Burns' "Civil War" documentary. 

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(photos from findagrave)

Buried in Swan Point Cemetery, Providence, RI

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A Moving Letter from Sullivan Ballou

Sullivan Ballou
(March 28, 1829 – July 28, 1861)

   
July the 14th, 1861

Washington D.C.

My very dear Sarah:

The indications are very strong that we shall move in a few days—perhaps tomorrow. Lest I should not be able to write you again, I feel impelled to write lines that may fall under your eye when I shall be no more.

Our movement may be one of a few days duration and full of pleasure—and it may be one of severe conflict and death to me. Not my will, but thine O God, be done. If it is necessary that I should fall on the battlefield for my country, I am ready. I have no misgivings about, or lack of confidence in, the cause in which I am engaged, and my courage does not halt or falter. I know how strongly American Civilization now leans upon the triumph of the Government, and how great a debt we owe to those who went before us through the blood and suffering of the Revolution. And I am willing—perfectly willing—to lay down all my joys in this life, to help maintain this Government, and to pay that debt.

But, my dear wife, when I know that with my own joys I lay down nearly all of yours, and replace them in this life with cares and sorrows—when, after having eaten for long years the bitter fruit of orphanage myself, I must offer it as their only sustenance to my dear little children—is it weak or dishonorable, while the banner of my purpose floats calmly and proudly in the breeze, that my unbounded love for you, my darling wife and children, should struggle in fierce, though useless, contest with my love of country.

Sarah, my love for you is deathless, it seems to bind me to you with mighty cables that nothing but Omnipotence could break; and yet my love of Country comes over me like a strong wind and bears me irresistibly on with all these chains to the battlefield.

The memories of the blissful moments I have spent with you come creeping over me, and I feel most gratified to God and to you that I have enjoyed them so long. And hard it is for me to give them up and burn to ashes the hopes of future years, when God willing, we might still have lived and loved together and seen our sons grow up to honorable manhood around us. I have, I know, but few and small claims upon Divine Providence, but something whispers to me—perhaps it is the wafted prayer of my little Edgar—that I shall return to my loved ones unharmed. If I do not, my dear Sarah, never forget how much I love you, and when my last breath escapes me on the battlefield, it will whisper your name.

Forgive my many faults, and the many pains I have caused you. How thoughtless and foolish I have often been! How gladly would I wash out with my tears every little spot upon your happiness, and struggle with all the misfortune of this world, to shield you and my children from harm. But I cannot. I must watch you from the spirit land and hover near you, while you buffet the storms with your precious little freight, and wait with sad patience till we meet to part no more.

But, O Sarah! If the dead can come back to this earth and flit unseen around those they loved, I shall always be near you; in the brightest day and in the darkest night—amidst your happiest scenes and gloomiest hours—always, always; and if there be a soft breeze upon your cheek, it shall be my breath; or the cool air fans your throbbing temple, it shall be my spirit passing by.

Sarah, do not mourn me dead; think I am gone and wait for me, for we shall meet again.

As for my little boys, they will grow as I have done, and never know a father's love and care. Little Willie is too young to remember me long, and my blue-eyed Edgar will keep my frolics with him among the dimmest memories of his childhood. Sarah, I have unlimited confidence in your maternal care and your development of their characters. Tell my two mothers his and hers I call God's blessing upon them. O Sarah, I wait for you there! Come to me, and lead thither my children.

Sullivan

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' Unknown' of Steubenville, Ohio

Person Unknown

I found this photo mixed in with some genealogy related emails & letters I had stored away when moving.  I have no idea who this person is, there is no identification written on it.  The only clue is the name & location of the studio.

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Loudoun Co. VA Index to Deeds & Wills

Loudoun County Archives: Online Deed & Will Indexes

Loudoun Co., Virgina, offers Online Indexes to Deeds dated 1757-1812 & Wills from 1757 to 1946.  The general indexes are arrainged semi - alphabetically so are easy to search.

Will Index Header:

Here I was able to find references to some of our Wright ancestors:

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War Dogs

           

"U.S. Marine `Raiders' and their dogs, which are used for scouting and running messages, starting off for the jungle front lines on Bougainville." T.Sgt. J. Sarno, ca. November/December 1943. 127-GR-84-68407; National Archives.

For more information click here:

Study on the history of War Dog training and utilization during and after World War II

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The Queen Elizabeth Brings Home Family

  

 Frank E. Filock comes home to Jamesburg, NJ.

   

 Date: 1945-09-19;

Paper: Trenton Evening Times

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Alexander Hamilton - Died 12 July 1804

The tomb of Alexander Hamilton,

 son of James A. Hamilton & Rachel Faucett Lavien.

Died on this date in 1804 following a duel with Aaron Burr.

Trinity Churchyard Cemetery, Manhattan, NY

In 1790, Alexander Hamilton, then Secretary of the Treasury, developed a "System of Cutters" forming the Revenue Cutter Service, an armed maritime law enforcement service which later combined with other government entities to form the United States Coast Guard. 

Coast Guard vessels today are still referred to as "Cutters".

John Warburton - A Particular Baptist

Zion Strict or Particular Baptist Chapel, Union Street, Trowbridge, originated in 1813 with the secession of 41 worshippers from the Back Street congregation in consequence of their disapproval of the doctrines preached by its newly appointed minister. The original premises on Wicker Hill, near the Town Bridge, was rented from Thomas Timbrell, and the congregation worshiped in the upper room. Our ancestor, John Warburton, was the first settled pastor of this church being appointed in 1815.  His popular preaching overfilled the premises so that in 1816 the congregation was obliged to purchase a site in Union Street, and there erected a chapel capable of seating 700.
 Zion Chapel graveyard was closed in 1856, but Zion Baptist Church still welcomes members today.

Zion Baptist Church, Trowbridge c.1910

Zion Baptist Church, Trowbridge c.2002

Source: 'Parishes: Trowbridge', A History of the County of Wiltshire: Volume 7 (1953), pp. 125-171.  http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=115466 .

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Fairfax Co. History - Gooding Tavern Marker

GOODING TAVERN HISTORICAL MARKER

DEDICATION

  

Unveiling of the Marker at Little River Turnpike

by Benjamin Martell (Gooding family descendant)
took place on Sunday, July 10, 2011.

Gooding's Tavern

                                                      

The Gooding Tavern served Little River Turnpike travelers and stagecoach passengers from 1807 –1879 and was famous for “the best fried chicken” and “peaches and honey.”  For the community, the tavern served as a social and commercial gathering  place.  The Goodings also operated a blacksmith shop and stable.  Several Civil War skirmishes occurred around the tavern.  On 24 August  1863, Confederate Partisan Ranger Maj. John S. Mosby was severely wounded by the Union 2^nd Massachusetts Cavalry. Two of his officers were killed and three men wounded.   Union losses included: two killed, three wounded and nine prisoners taken.  The tavern burned down in 1879. 

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Thanks to the following who made donations for the  funding of the historical marker:

Bull Run Civil War Round Table

Fairfax County History Commission

Chris and Mary Lipsey 

See: A Historic Family Rediscovered

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Also:  Gooding-Seton Family Cemetery

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Is Your Corn Knee High?

     

 "Uncle Sam says: Garden to cut food costs. Ask the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, D.C., for a free bulletin on gardening - It's food for thought ".

 This poster, created by the United States Department of Agriculture in 1917, was part of a World War 1 conservation project encouraging citizens to grow their own food, freeing up the commercial food for use in the war effort.

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Happy 4th of July!

       

Fourth of July Greetings

from Tangled Trees

Immigrant children on "roof garden" playground at Ellis Island, with "Uncle Sam" cart (Photograph by Augustus Sherman)
Date:	Circa 1910
Source:	National Park Service, Statue of Liberty National Monument, Pub Dom, Sher 24.5-7