Sunday, May 25, 2014

Memorial Day Weekend



I have had a family member who fought in every war since the American Revolution. My father (who fought in WW 11) gave me a deep respect for those who serve our country and those who fought for it. I am very grateful to those people for the freedom I enjoy.
 
My mothers family came to the US from Northumberland, England. In 1600's. I now own the very same farm they got through a land grant in 1630. That is a very long time for one family to own the same property in the US. My great-grandfather returned from the American Civil War to the farm in 1865. He had fought in 27 battles. He hid woods until dark because he returned without his pants. I have no idea what happened to them. That explanation isn't in my great-grandmothers diary. LOL

29 comments:

  1. Northumberland? Our ancestors were neighbours =0)

    Deepest respect for all of those who fought for the freedom we have today. Can't imagine what your Great Grandad did with his trousers though...the mind boggles.

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    1. In those times it is totally possible someone held a gun to him to steal his pants. No one had anything. People came home from the war bare foot.

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    2. Mine too...a handful of my dad's ancestors lived in Alnwick!

      Freedom is priceless, and the people who do the toughest work to keep us free deserve our respect.

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  2. Amazing history, Catherine! How wonderful that you still live on that same farm. That is so unusual!

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    1. I would not have it if my family had not carried on with the English tradition of primogeniture. It all would have been broken up and lost.

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  3. Wow! It's so great that you can look that far back in your family history! We really do take freedom for granted and rarely think of those who paid such a high price to make it a reality.
    I think we would all like to know the story of your great-Grandfather's pants!!
    Kind regards, Brian.

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  4. Eres afortunada. No todo el mundo conoce la historia de sus antecesores.

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  5. hahaha well I'm glad he did make it home :) Wonderful Memorial day post---

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  6. It is so amazing you still live on the farm that was first owned by your family in the 1600s - that is so special.

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    1. I am afraid I don't live there. Maybe someday but not yet.

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  7. Hi Catherine! What an interesting story about your family history and also about their participation in any of the American wars. You must be very proud of your family's Brave past and heroics. I'm impressed; have a great Memorial Day Weekend :))

    elizabeth

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  8. un bel exemple de courage, merci

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    1. Je suis heureux que vous le pensez. Merci aussi.

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  9. Hello Catherine,
    I will think and make a little prayer for all those who fought so valiantly and their families.
    Big hug,
    Giac

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  10. Hi Catherine,
    A truly wonderful post and one i thoroughly enjoyed reading. Best Wishes Tony.

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  11. You must have a wonderful sense of family history, do you live on the farm? Would love to see some pics of it.
    That stained glass memorial is very moving.

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  12. No Margaret, I don't live there. I am in a different state. The farm is a bit too back woods for me (at this age). When I get older I might like it.

    Thank you for taking your time to comment. :-)

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  13. 1630….that is amazing. The history your place must have.

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  14. what a wonderful story, thank you for sharing it *you should show us photos of the farm house I loved living on the farm it was so nice and peaceful (it was non working but we had a great barn)

    Hugs
    Marisa

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  15. Whow! This really is a very, very long time.
    Thank you for sharing your story.
    Warm regards
    Andrea

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  16. I am writing to inquire about how and why a 32 arm miniature chandelier of my creation appeared under the name and credit of Frank Crescente, as if it is his artistry. as "CRESCENTE MINIATURES DESIGNS" Don Meehan

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    1. I found all those photos in the same place and they were all listed as ones made by Frank. I am so sorry! I will now remove the photo of the one you made. Please accept my apologies for an honest mistake.

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    2. Rather than make another mistake by removing the wrong photo. I have deleted the entire post.

      Kind Regards,

      Catherine

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  17. HaHaHa! Great story! In my miss-spent youth, I returned home once or twice sans pants but that involved a war of a much different sort. That's so cool that your property has been in the same family for so many generations!

    Missed you,
    John

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