THE HISTORY OF WHERE YOU LIVE

[Linda B.D.]

I live in middle Tennessee. My farm is 1/2 mile from the Duck River. My farm land was a part of a very large plantation, 1832-?. Many head stones are still here dating to 1832. I recently learned my entire back pasture is a large black slave cemetery! There are tons of caves that the Confederates stayed. Also, a large battle was fought on my land. Tons of things are found with metal detectors here. It is a beautiful road with trees over hanging/over lapping each other. I can ride my horse down old logging roads deep in the woods. Well, I did until a large black panther took up residence here just lately! He almost killed my little donkeys several times! Now, I have to carry a rifle for protection when I ride. (Already had many close calls with this huge cat). It's still a beautiful place with a lot of history.

[Bryan]

Thanks, Linda, very interesting and rich history.

[John]

Linda, That would be a great place to live. I love the outdoors and that type of history. Growing up we lived by a small family cemetary just down the road (in S.E. Kansas)that had graves going back to the 1840's. Another nieghbor has a graveyard on a hill that is so old, you can't read any of the stones.

[Linda B.D.]

John wrote: "Linda, That would be a great place to live. I love the outdoors and that type of history. Growing up we lived by a small family cemetary just down the road (in S.E. Kansas)that had graves going b..."
Thank you. I cannot make out any names, just some of the dates. The slaves only had wooden headstones-long gone.

[Mansoor]

Linda fascinating place and description .. thanks a lot for sharing

[Kathy]

I was just up in Vermont and saw a sign that the U.S. Navy was born near Castleton. Seemed like an odd place for that to happen.

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

Interesting Kathy. Edwin T. Woodward (March 8, 1843 – February 22, 1894), was a naval officer during and after the American Civil War and he was from Castleton. Might be the connection.

Here is an interesting trivia article:

http://www.straightdope.com/columns/r...

Here is another chamber of congress claiming ownership:

http://www.whitehall-chamber.org

[Linda B.D.]

Last week my daughter & I took her metal detector down the road from my house. We instantly found a civil War medallion. It almost looked like a flower. It was part of a saddle. It had to be an important person to have a saddle like that- a general? No private would be able to afford such a luxury. We were lucky to find that & a couple of other things that quickly.

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

That is astounding Linda. Your daughter must have been thrilled with her find.

[Linda B.D.]

Bentley wrote: "That is astounding Linda. Your daughter must have been thrilled with her find."

Oh yes! We found other things, but we don't know what they are! We will detect again this week-end.

[Bryan]

Cool, Linda, you should take it to your local historical society to get some background on it if you can.

[Dave]

I've been stationed in Fort Knox, Ky, for the past year in a half - both the post and the nearby towns are thick with historical significance.

Military units at Knox have played a role in every major American conflict from WWI forward. In addition to the Gold Depository, it's also home to the General Patton Museum of Leadership. Patton left his personal belongings to Knox, which houses them in the museum.

The post also has 121 cemeteries, obtained when Knox purchased the land to construct the post. It still maintains the cemeteries, and opened them up to the public once a year, on Memorial Day. The cemeteries give Knox a connection to the Lincoln and Boone families.

One cemetery was on the former site of the Old Mill Creek Baptist Church, which several Lincoln family members attended; the President's grandmother, Bathsheba Lincoln, is buried there, as are other members.

Knox also has Boone Cemetery, on the family plot of Enoch Morgan Boone, Daniel's nephew. Several members of Boone's extended family still rest there.

This entire area is Lincoln Central - he was born nearby, and are countless markers signifying his local travels. His father's farm, where Lincoln spent part of his childhood, also partially rests on Knox property, although I haven't been able to pinpoint it yet.

I read biographies on Patton, Lincoln and Boone years before coming here (and enthusiastically recommend them all), so I'm like a kid in a candy store. I'm finding something new every time I walk out my door.

A Genius for War: V. 2: A Life of General George S. Patton Carlo D'Este

Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham LincolnDoris Kearns Goodwin

Boone: A BiographyRobert Morgan

[Gregory]

Dave wrote: "I've been stationed in Fort Knox, Ky, for the past year in a half - both the post and the nearby towns are thick with historical significance.

Military units at Knox have played a role in every m..."
Fascinating to have so much history near where you live and work. Thanks for the post!

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

Dave wrote: "I've been stationed in Fort Knox, Ky, for the past year in a half - both the post and the nearby towns are thick with historical significance.

Military units at Knox have played a role in every m..."

Great post Dave and what an interesting history and place to be living.

Just a bit of assistance with the citations: (by the way you thank you for attempting to get them in)

by Carlo D'Este

by Doris Kearns Goodwin

by Robert Morgan

[John]

Dave wrote: "I've been stationed in Fort Knox, Ky, for the past year in a half - both the post and the nearby towns are thick with historical significance.

Military units at Knox have played a role in every m..."

Dave, 35 mile west on 61 there is a town called Hardensburg, there is a lot of history there (including Lincoln) also but you have to look for it because its a small town and you have to ask(I have relatives there). South of there is a place called Falls of Rough that is mostly a Ghost town now that once was a lively town. There is a book about it if you can find it. My family has a small cemetary in southern Breckenridge county that has slaves buried with wooden grave markers but I can't remember exactly how to get to it. Lots of history in Kentucky. Check out Col. William B. Haynes if you can find it.
Also check out

[Dave]

John, thanks for the tip. I've heard of Hardensburg, but haven't been there yet. If I can find my way to Breckenridge County, I'll look for the cemetery. I'm a cemetery fan, especially of old military cemetaries

[Bryan]

Nice John, thanks for sharing.

Good attempt at the citation. The first one is a little tricky since there are not photo/cover:

(no image) Dock Brown The Outlaw of Grayson County by Col. William B. Haynes (no photo)

by Hugh A. Ridenour (no photo)

[John]

Bryan-I'll eventually get the hang of it. I guess I need to get on here more to get more practice.
The first book is old and locally published. It's probably out of print. My copy is a family hand me down and falling apart. It's the first reprint of 1920 something. It's so delicat that it's kept in a plastic ziploc in a safe place.

[Bryan]

No problem, John, keep practicing and we will help you.

If you want to keep trying, try this thread:

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[Scott]

On the topic of old churches and graveyards in the towns where we live, the church in our town was built - no joke - by the Romans around 400 AD and is still in use.

Along the road a little bit, near the BP garage, is a castle probably built by the Templars and the clock tower over the gateway into the village here was built in 1256 AD.

Just along the coast (of Lake Geneva) is the church where the last of the Regicides who signed the death warrant for Charles l was killed by the Royalist death squads who hunted them all down after the British Restoration.

It is nice to live in a place where history is all around you.

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

Scott wrote: "On the topic of old churches and graveyards in the towns where we live, the church in our town was built - no joke - by the Romans around 400 AD and is still in use.

Along the road a little bit, n..."

That is pretty interesting Scott and I have to agree.

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

Mike wrote: "Tomorrow is the 50th anniversary of the opening of the World's Fair in Flushing Meadows Park. I have very fond memories of the Fair. I was 11 and 12 years old when the Fair was up and running and..."

Mike great story - the Subway Special - now that sounds like an idea they should bring back.

[Julie]

I live in eastern California near Death Valley. Since the majority of our global population does not live in deserts, I feel very lucky. There are many amazing and wonderful things about this region, and we see and meet many Europeans traveling here through Death Valley. One of the best things about deserts is letting your eyes adjust and becoming able to see a wider spectrum of gradient color shades. Most people think it's just browns and lifelessness and lots of sand and heat, but everyone should visit a desert and stay long enough to really begin to appreciate it. I spent the first 40 years of my life in a green and verdant southern state, so this was a big shock at first. There are a ton of great history books about this area, but here is one about the Mojave:

[Charles]

I live in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, a place with heavy snowfall and low temperatures in the winter, and plenty of mosquitoes in the summer. Tons of wilderness, lots of wildlife, and the biggest city has a population of well under 100k. As good a place as any to grow up.

[Brian]

I live outside of the sprawling metropolis of Indiana, Pennsylvania. It is mostly a rural area, roughly in between Pittsburgh and State College. Punxsutawney of the Groundhog fame is less than 30 minutes north. Johnstown is about and hour southeast. The Flight 93 memorial is about a half hour further east. In the county, there were some Underground Railroad activities and a decent amount of residents participated in the Civil War. South and west of Indiana were several colonial sites, pertaining mostly to French & Indian and Revolutionary Wars and some Whiskey Rebellion. Coal was king here and many steel mills near by, but that is mostly history. Gas drilling is big now. Indiana, PA is primarily known as the birthplace of actor Jimmy Stewart.

[Bryan]

Julie wrote: "I live in eastern California near Death Valley. Since the majority of our global population does not live in deserts, I feel very lucky. There are many amazing and wonderful things about this regio..."

Great descriptions Julie, thanks for sharing. You truly live in a unique landscape.

Don't forget to add an author to the citation:

by David Darlington (no photo)

[Bryan]

Thanks, Charles. I have family in East Tawas, MI. Pretty country up there.

[Bryan]

Brian wrote: "I live outside of the sprawling metropolis of Indiana, Pennsylvania. It is mostly a rural area, roughly in between Pittsburgh and State College. Punxsutawney of the Groundhog fame is less than 30 m..."

Thanks for sharing, Brian. Pennsylvania is very diverse.

[Laura]

For some great books about the history of NYC (my hometown) I highly recommend Footprints in New York: Tracing the Lives of Four Centuries of New Yorkers and Inside the Apple: A Streetwise History of New York City - both by terrific NYC tour guides James and Michelle Nevius.

[Eric]

I was born, raised, and still live in Tampa, Florida. I don't know of any really good books about this area except maybe Ferdie Pacheco's great book about Ybor City and the cigar industry called Ybor City Chronicles: A Memoir. However, there's an excellent website about Tampa called TampaPix. Lots of history there.

http://tampapix.com/

[Bryan]

Awesome Laura. NYC has such a great history. I will have to look out for your suggestions.

I have in my library:

by Edwin G. Burrows (no photo)

Don't forget to add the proper citations :-)

by James Nevius

by Michelle Nevius

[Bryan]

Hi Eric, my mom lived in Tampa years ago and we visited the Cuban district in Tampa.

I will have to read your suggestion. Oh, here is the proper citation:

by Ferdie Pacheco (no photo)

[Char]

I live in a beautfu island in the south east asia pacific, the philippines. Just this week is the anniversary of martial law. It is sad that many of my countrymen are suffering from historical amnesia saying how martial law carried out significant reforms and that the economy was in a far better situation back then when in fact the complexities of the problems that our society has now stem out from that dark phase of our history.

[Bryan]

Thanks Char. Martial law is very problematic and I hope things improve. The U.S. and the Philippines have a fairly long history together.

[André, Honorary Contributor - EMERITUS - Music]

Today the Dutch celebrate the arrival of Sinterklaas in the Netherlands (this year in Gouda), as every year accompanied by his Pieten (helpers called Piet).

The Dutch traditionally celebrate the "holy" man's birthday on the evening of the 5th of December with friends and family exchanging gifts and having a great time (the arrival is some 3 weeks earlier).

It is one of the country's nicest traditions with almost every city with a harbor (Sint arrives per boat from Spain) having their local celebration with their own Sinterklaas arriving per boat...

There's been some discussion about the depiction of Piet being racist (he's black and sometimes used to wear golden earrings). To appease anyone who might feel hurt by this traditional figure Gouda chose to add some Pieten with their faces painted yellow (Gouda cheese) and a few looking like Stroopwafels (delicious Dutch wafers).

As you can see on Sinterklaasjournaal (check the video called "de intocht" - just in Dutch...) the town is filled with children and their parents watching the parade (and receiving pepernoten and other sweets, handed out by the Pieten)

http://sinterklaasjournaal.ntr.nl/#/home

[Alex]

Stafford Springs, Connecticut. The Founders, especially John Adams and George Washington, visited Stafford Springs to take the mineral waters when travelling between Boston and NY. It was quite the spa!

In the 19th Century, fabric mills sprung up, taking advantage of the plentiful hydro power. One of them still operates here today - American Woolen - one of the last remaining New England fabric mills. They produce extremely high quality cloth, used in European luxury garments.

Stafford Springs is a town that has yet to be "discovered" and I hope it stays that way.

[Judy]

André wrote: "Today the Dutch celebrate the arrival of Sinterklaas in the Netherlands (this year in Gouda), as every year accompanied by his Pieten (helpers called Piet).

This was delightful to watch. Thank you for the explanation and glimpse into another country's tradition.

[André, Honorary Contributor - EMERITUS - Music]

Judy wrote: "This was delightful to watch..."

Glad you liked it, Judy. Sadly I don't know where to get the real pepernoten in the US - but in case you'd find some (the old Dutch are the best) make yourself a nice hot chocolate and think of Sinterklaas (the guy loves poems...). Maybe a Piet will throw a little something down your chimney on the 5th of December...

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

I was totally lost - saw I guess Santa Claus and his elves who looked like they had black face on. Was that the pepernoten being handed out. Are the Piet like elves?

I guess it is like a cookie?

http://www.ah.nl/allerhande/recept/R-...

But at the end of the day - it is a lovely tradition for the children and the adults with him who looked like they were having a great time.

It is nice that in advance of Christmas you celebrate the Santa Claus's birthday and exchange gifts. Makes December a joyous time.

[André, Honorary Contributor - EMERITUS - Music]

Bentley wrote: "I was totally lost..."

Pieten are the Sint's helpers. Sint/Sinterklaas was a bishop from Spain (so the story goes - probably a variation on the tale of Nicolas from Myra who died on Dec. 6 in the year 342).
Way back when, Sinterklaas just had one Piet. Sint rode the Dutch rooftops on his horse (please don't ask me to explain things...) and Piet jumped down the chimney to deliver the presents.
Nowadays Sint has tons of assistants and the arrival is a spectacle with TV shows telling all kinds of short stories during the days prior to his arrival by steamboat. Sint loses his golden stick, the elderly Piet decides it's time to retreat etc. It's fun for kids.
And yes, Bentley, pepernoten are a kind of cookie. The "old" Dutch pepernoten are more primitive in nature with just a hint of aniseed. The newer ones are a kind of speculaas/ginger cookie, a bit like the Lotus cookies from Belgium.
Then you get the Taai Taai dolls: taai means leathery, tough. The have quite a bit of aniseed and are a bit leathery (smile). It's an old recipe with figures drawn onto the "doll".
As I already stated nothing beats a fine hot chocolate , my recipe: 50% full fat milk, 50% skim milk, lots of Droste cacao and dark cane sugar. Hmmmm!
A special treat for the grownups is the get together on the evening of the 5th. Weeks before everyone throws a little piece of paper with his name into a bucket with the friends planning to celebrate together each picking one slip. Of course everyone wraps a little present but the nicest part is the poem every guest writes for the one he picked. They are usually funny and read out loud in front of all.

Sinterklaas in the Netherlands was always the bigger holiday with more fun. CHristmas tended to be more religious.

Oh, and Bentley, the pepernoten recipe you added the link to, those are the newer ones, the ones like Speculaas.

More, and in English:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sinterklaas

when you scroll down the page you can also read about Santa being a kind of Americanized version of Sint, the tradition the Dutch brought to New Amsterdam which later became New York.

[Judy]

The pepernoten look like little gingerbread cookies. Tried translating the recipe with Google and they do seem similar. The recipe said you could sprinkle the cookies with "knispers" and Google didn't know what to make of that, but found a picture:

Loved this little "Christmas around the world" trail. Is there a board for Holidays in History around the world? Hmmm.....
:-)
Vrolijk Kerstfeest, André!

[André, Honorary Contributor - EMERITUS - Music]

Judy wrote: "The pepernoten look like little gingerbread cookies..."

Thanks, Judy!

The Dutch throw everything sweet onto their bread. Hagelslag (chocolate chips) is very popular, you can get it in all variations. Verkade and Venz are popular brands, de Ruijter (old Dutch spelling for horseback rider) is better.
Alber Heijn is a chain. They're o.k. but if you want the real thing you need to get the brands.
For cacao, as I said, Droste (a real fine cacao).
Verkade for chocolate letters.
De Ruijter for Hagelslag.
Otherwise Dutch chocolate is nothing compared to the Belgian and French chocolates.... Try f.e. Neuhaus. As you probably guessed I'm a chocoholic...

Prettige Sinterklaas, Judy!

[Judy]

André wrote: "Judy wrote: "The pepernoten look like little gingerbread cookies..."

Thanks, Judy!

The Dutch throw everything sweet onto their bread. Hagelslag (chocolate chips) is very popular, you can get it i..."

Great info, André....off to see about some Neuhaus gift baskets. :-)

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

André wrote: "Bentley wrote: "I was totally lost..."

Pieten are the Sint's helpers. Sint/Sinterklaas was a bishop from Spain (so the story goes - probably a variation on the tale of Nicolas from Myra who died o..."

Who knew? (smile) Thanks.

[Bryan]

Just a gentle reminder not to self-promote, Alex, and I know that wasn't the intention here. You can also send someone a personal message if you want to talk about the new release.

I appreciate it.

[Alex]

Thanks, Bryan. Still getting my sea legs in this group. I'll be more careful.

[Bryan]

No problem, Alex, I know your intentions were good.

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

Hello John and Alex - if we could take this conversation off line that would be great - PMs are super for this topic and the ensuing back and forth. John and/or Alex - just send each other a PM and invite each other to be a friend and then you can dialogue that way about info we consider to be self promoting. And I realize that John brought all of this up (smile).

[Doreen]

My favorite place in Boston, where I live, to sit, read,have a cup of coffee or just people watch.

[Barsha]

hi i am barsha shrestha from nepal and i am realy interested in history but i cannot afford to buy books everytime so can some recommend any ebook links
thanks