TALIAFERRO TIMES
Volume I, February 11, 1998
Issue No. 37
SALUTATIONS

Lots of you are sending in Queries.  That’s great!  All of us benefit when questions are asked.  Let’s hope that the next issue will bring lots of responses and new information.

Two weeks ago, TT was mailed to 151 subscribers, of whom about 8 were returned undelivered.  This week, thanks to Elreeta Weathers whose been burning up the lines with announcements, TT is being sent to 174 subscribers.  Welcome to all of you new Taliaferros.  Don’t delay sending in your introductions because that’s how we find our cousins.  We don’t want to ignore you.  Until then, a hearty “organizational” welcome to all of you.

We had three days of sunshine this week.  A record for this rainy, stormy winter.

NEW MEMBERS

ALISHA ANN DUNCAN MICHAEL (VPLF49A@prodigy.com) We always reserve a very
special welcome our young Taliaferros.  They are the ones who will carry our family history to subsequent generations.  We’re delighted to have you join us, Alisha!  We hope that we can help you untangle some of your intermediate generations.  Although they had a unique surname, our Taliaferros all seemed to have the same given names:  Richard, Francis, John.  They are the very dickens to separate!

*****My name is Alisha Ann Duncan Michael.  I am 23 years old and have been researching my family tree for 15 years.  Although I spend hours at a time at the computer, my husband, Scotty is very understanding.  I have Taliaferros several places in my family tree.  My great aunt  has done most of the research, but lost quite a bit in a house fire  about 16 years ago.  We haven't been able to reconnect some of our lines.  My Great- Great-Great-Great Grandmother is Nancy Taliaferro b. 1813 in VA  m. J. Wyatt Burks in 1834,  d. Oct 31, 1939 buried in  Paynes' Church Cemetery in Franklin County, TN.  Her father was John  B. Taliaferro b. between 1780 and 1790. Then I discovered Robert Taliaferro who was born in England about 1626 and died in 1682 in Essex Co., VA, and was the first of the family in VA.  He had large grants of land in Gloucester County and in Essex County  on the Rappahannock River.  He married Katherine Debnam, step-daughter of Rev. Charlie Grymes, an Episcopal Clergyman.  On Mar. 26, 1666, Colonel Lawrence Smith and Robert Taliaferro located and had deeded to them a  land grant of 6300 acres jointly in Old Rappahannock Co VA.  This county was divided in 1692 into what has since been Essex  and Richmond Counties.  In York Co., his name first appears about 1645 with the spelling sometimes shown as "Toliver".  Robert and  Sarah had 6 children as follows:  1) Francis b. 1656 d. 1710 m.  Elizabeth Catlett daughter of John Catlett.  2) John b. 1656 d. 1720  m. Sarah Smith daughter of  Col. Lawrence Smith.  3) Richard b. 1660 d. 1712 m. Elizabeth Eggleston had one daughter.  4) Charles b. 1663 d.  1734 m. Mary Carter had one son, Charles.  5) Robert b. 1667 m. Sarah  Catlett bef. 1710 had three children. (Sarah is sister of Elizabeth  above) 6) Catherine m. Captain John Battaile in 1687.   Any help with this line would be greatly appreciated.

I have other info, but I wasn't sure what I should put in and what to leave out.  I also have another Taliaferro in my tree, Mary Elizabeth  Taliaferro m. Thomas Jefferson McKelvey b. Nov 2, 1853 d. July 23,  1829.
- - - - - - - -  - - - - - -
GEORGE HALL (G.Cartee@prodigy.net) A hearty welcome to you, George.  We are pleased that you found us.  I understand there’s an interesting story about your ancestor, Richard the Pirate.  I’ve heard the appellation, but have never been sure why he has it.  Actually, I don’t believe for a moment that he was a pirate!  And you’ll find lots of cousins proving that he isn’t!
 
 ****I descend from Col John Taliaferro-the Ranger,  to Capt Richard Taliaferro who married Rose Berryman through their daughter Behetheland Taliaferro who married James Stephens, through their daughter Sarah Stephens who married Thomas Jopling  through their daughter Behetheline Jopling who married Marshall Bowman 19 May 1794 in Amherst County Virginia, through their daughter Elizabeth Bowman who married William Manning-Mannon in 1812 in Kanawha County Virginia modern West Virginia, through their daughter Behetheline Mannin who married John M. Duncan 12 Feb 1829 in Kanawha County Virginia modern West Virginia... interested in the Taliaferro-Stephens- Jopling-Bowman and Mannin and especially in the Behetheland early families.....
- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
DARCY TOLLIVER-NOONKESTER (angelwings@mindspring.com) Here’s another of our
Tolliver descendants from western North Carolina.  Darcy is one busy lady! Hope all you Tolivers will take a moment to say hello.  If she doesn’t respond right away, be patient.  She’ll catch up.

****Hello Cousins! My name is Darcy Tolliver-Noonkester, homemaker, artist,sculptor, writer, editor-publisher of Victorian Times, a Christian magazine with a Victorian Theme. I'm the only child of Paul Jackson Tolliver (killed in action WWII Dec. 17, 1944 one day shy of his 30th birthday). I was 6 mos. old. Growing up without my father left a huge void in my life & I think is what fuels my 'need for family ties!’  Have 6 grown children.

Paul Jackson Tolliver was born in Premier, WVA in 1917. father was Charlie (Charles?) Tolliver born 5-14-1886, married Grace Bonds (bond) on whom I have no information!

His Father was Felix Tolliver, born 1859 Ashe County, now Alleghany County, NC.  Wife #1 Mary Ann Walker born 1861. I presume that she is my gg grandmother because of the date my grandfather was born)! Wife #2 Maire? born 1864.

Felix Tolliver was son of John M. Toliver Born 3-3-1831, m arried Matilda Edwards b. 7-8-1836 Ashe Co. Now Alleghany Co. NC.

John M. Toliver is Son of Charles  Toliver Born 6-11-1800 & Patience Jones 9-5-1802.

Charles Toliver, son of John  Toliver born 1760-62 Alleghany Co. NC. In Rev. War. and Tobitha Howell Toliver born 1765-68.

This information is taken from my book written by a distant cousin, Lorene Moxley Sturgill. If anyone is interested in this book on the Hoppers, Moxley & Toliver (related families) I will be glad to give the address. Written in 1985 is 500 pages, a huge book!

I would love to hear from 'cousins' either side of my family. Would anyone have any Bonds in their tree?

I would also like to make the connection to the Tolliver's on my husband's side of the family to mine!

Does anyone know of Lily Privett who married a Robert Tolliver in Marion VA? Or any Tolliver's in & around the Maben, Princeton, Premier WVA area? Ollie Sexton Tolliver's family?

I would love to hear from 'cousins' on either side!   Glad to know there are so many of 'us' out here!

One other note which may be of interest to the readers. Are you aware of Taliaferro County in Georgia that must have been named for 'our' family?
 

QUERIES

JOHN BRANDT (jbrandt@emelnitz.ucla.edu)
*****I'm so glad you were able to take TT off the "critical list" and get  it back on it's feet. Thank you!

I'm still stuck with my two Colonial Taliaferro questions: 1-Who were the parents of Martha TALIAFERRO who married Anthony FOSTER and 2- Was Jane, the mother of Taliaferro CRAIG a sister of Robert, the first immigrant? I posted these queries many moons ago but keep hoping one day I'll read something in TT that will open a door.
- - - - - - -  - - - - - - -
CAROL BURNETT COOK (CarBurCo@aol.com)

****Welcome back JOYCE!  I was beginning to wonder if I'd ever see the TALIAFERRO TIMES again. It's been so long, I think I had better repeat my sole Taliaferro connection in DESPERATE hope that one of the people who have been contributing the wonderful COLONIAL TALIAFERROS might know of a connection.

My BURNETT family were very early into Virginia as tobacco agents for King Charles I. JOHN BURNETT b. 1610 Aberdeen Scotland and his brother became exporters and eventually plantation owners. They settled in Southfarnum Parish of Old Rappahannock (Later, Essex) County. Family related names were JOHNSTON, GATEWOOD, KEMP, BOUGHAN. But no TALIAFERRO.

However, my ancestors RICHARD BURNETT (1732-1796) Essex Co > Dinwiddie Co
m. MARY BOUGHAN dau of JOHN BOUGHAN and CARY CASTON & they named their
fifth son, TALIAFERRO BURNETT b 1767 in Dinwiddie County Va.
His brothers were named:
CARTER BURNETT
GABRIEL BURNETT
RICHARD BURNETT
JOSHUA BURNETT
LUKE BURNETT
JOSEPH BURNETT
(I have no daughters listed.)

Once I found a distant connection between TALIAFERRO and GATEWOOD, but I thought it was too distant to have warranted naming one of your sons after. I'd appreciate any help in learning of a possible connection between the BURNETT family and the TALIAFERROS. Maybe they simply named him after a friend, but it seems fairly unlikely, judging from other BURNETT names, mostly after family members.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
OSCAR KRAEHENBUEHL (OscarK_FL@ibm.net)
*****I received a message from Elretta Weathers about your “Taliaferro Times” (along with 7 pages of  Vol. I, Issue 36). I am a descendant of this line via the Thornton’s and would appreciate being added to your mailing list.
 
Elreeta suggested I include a query along with this request. If this is appropriate, here is question that is a bit off-topic that I haven’t been able to resolve satisfactorily.
 
Query:   Is there  a primary record which establishes that Lawrence Taliaferro Dade  (1785 – 1842) achieved the rank of General in the War of 1812?   He married Anne Mayo in 1816, living first at “Belle Forest”, KY, and then moved to “Rose Hill”, Orange Co., Virginia. I’ve been told he was given this rank in the field at/after the Battle of New Orleans, but can’t find any official record.  He was the grandson of Col. Lawrence Taliaferro (1734 –1798) and Mary Jackson. Their daughter, Sarah, married Capt. Francis Dade in 1792.
 
While this information will provide no lineage data it would be nice to establish his correct military record in some of the historical society archives.
 - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
HERMAN WHITE (hermlouwhite@juno.com)

*****In TT volume 2 page 1, it was stated that Sarah Smith who married John Taliaferro ca 1682 was the daughter Lawrence Smith & Mary Debnam. Other sources stated that Mary Hitchens married John.  Any documentation or sources to prove which one is correct?
- - - - - - - - - - - -
JOYCE BROWNING (JBROWN7169@aol.com) Here is an unknown Taliaferro coming
together with my Moore ancestor  -  apparently not with great happiness. Does anyone know who this Francis Taliaferro is.  I’m not aware of any Taliaferro who lived in this general area other than Dr. John Taliaferro who in approximately 1765 moved from Orange County VA to Surry Co NC (across the Virginia line from where the below Pittsylvania action was taken).

Pittsylvania County VA, February Court 1774: Francis Taliaferro sues on behalf of our Sovereign Lord the King as himself Plaintiff
VS
Rhodham Moore . . . . Defendant in Debt The parties have agreed, ordered that this suit be dismissed. And Francis Taliaferro, Plaintiff VS Rhodham Moore, Defendant in Trespass on the Case The parties having agreed, ordered that this suit be dismissed
 
TALIAFERROS OF EUROPE

Joyce Browning (jbrown7169@aol.com) An online correspondent (part of my MOORE
NEWS group) is an outstanding researcher of English information.  Knowing that I was curious about the Taliaferro-Hay-Gray question, and other Taliaferro- related families, he sent the below information which is certainly interesting in that it shows us how the the Gray/Hay may have become linked in England. Could this be why John Gray of Whitehaven, Cumberland, England, changed his name and became John Hay in Virginia?  Bill Moore has evidently discovered how this change may have been more logical.  The dimension of the Gray-Hay question is one of the most fascinating we have.  Somehow, we’re going to have to discover more about the Taliaferro marriages in England to Gray (Joane Taliaferro, widow of Bartholomew and Anne, daughter of Francis) and Hay/Haie (Francis Taliaferro).

My correspondent also sends references on Corderoy and Hubbard, other pre- immigration families.  See Issue No. 14, February 19, 1997 for background. I’ll follow up in a later issue with additional information on these observations, but thought you might be interested in the conversation.

****In Glover's Yorkshire, page 620, family of Glanvile, there is both a de la Haye marriage and, by their daughter, a Grey marriage.  The index shows a number of Haye marriages, and you might want to look at them.
 
On page 316 note the Hubberd marriage.  This is the famous Baxter pedigree that contains so many of our New Kent VA names.  This crosses over to Norfolk, where there is no pedigree in the visitation but various marriages, the one to Astley, p. 6, showing that this (Hobart) is indeed the same Hubberd as in Yorks p. 316.
 
Corderoy marriage on p. 227 top of Norfolk visit.  May connect to a Hobart through the Brigg(s) marriage on 226.
 
The Nelsons are from Penrith.  This came up in the John Moore newsletter, issues 15 and 20, which you might want to check.  No. 20 mentions Taliaferro. (I didn't look at 15.)  You do know that one of the York Co., VA Nelsons (I think the big one, Thomas, or his son) married a Moore.  Nobody knows her first name or what family she was from, although it's assumed it's the Moores of Yorktown, since Smith is involved.
 
Here are the Hubberd/Hubbert references I remembered from our correspondence, all from one file.
 
###
1663 17 Apr     John Horsington, Gent. Patent.  1750 ac. New Kent. Upon branches & main swamp of Black Cr. beg. in the line of Thomas London by Westover path, running nigh an Indian field to Mr. Hubbards land.
 
1674 9 Sep  Michaell Tucker  200 acs., New Kent Co., on NW br. or forke of Black Cr., 9 Sep 1674., p.540. Adj. William Townsend; Mathew Hubbert; by Poughwhite path, &c; trans. of 4 pers.
 
1682 22 Sep   Michael Tucker & Lyonel Morris. Patent.  2000 ac. in New Kent, Beg. on a Ridge bet. Chickahominy Sw. and Black Cr. in line of Mr. Matthew Hubberd; adj. David Crafford; Goosberry Sw.; to Mr. Henry Wyatt; upon Edmund Grose.
 
1695 25 Oct, Thomas Snead. 450 acs., New Kent Co in St. Peter's Par; on brs. of Black Cr.; adj. John Sandige; and land of Hubbert; along Powhite Path &c., 25 Oct 1695, p. 25. Imp of 9 pers:  Robert Couch, Geo. Poole, Roger Hodges, Tho. Cock, Sarah Mason, Tho. Rice, Eliz. Collaine, Richd. Davies, Hannah Rhodes.
 
The other thing I wanted to deal with was the appearance of Kendal(l) in your message.  It has come up a number of times with the Yorkshire families.  I think a key one was from there.  I believe it's just over the Yorkshire/Cumberland border in -- no, it's Westmoreland, which borders Yorks on the NW.  (Appleby is there too.)  Let me think, where can I find this? Maybe in one of my "Yorkifications."
 
No, those are all the family Kendall, who are on the ES and connected with Baxter.  Also a Norfolk, Eng. family.  Not the place.  I'll see it again eventually.
 
There is a Hay Castle just north of Whitehaven in Cumberland.  Both are on the coast, I suppose the Irish Sea.
 
I say, I do believe this Glanvile marriage on p. 620 of Glover's Yorks COULD BE pertinent, since as you'll see upon looking, the sister of Emma (Glanvile) Grey, whose mother was a de la Haye, was named Hawisia and she married Robert, lord of Middleham (Yorks) "FROM WHOM THE FAMILY SEATED IN WESTMORELAND." You should be aware that there are two towns in Westmorland called Kendall, Burton Kendall on the border with Yorks, and Kirby Kendall farther west.  Burton is obviously closer to the Glanvile action, lying 35 miles west of Middleham. Curiously, the squire of Burton Kendall appears to be a Dalton, since Dalton, with Dalton Hall, lie one mile SW of Burton Kendall -- although I think they are just over the OTHER border, in Lancashire!

RESEARCH

CAROL CLAPSHAW (spri@accessone.com)

*****In my usual fashion, I got side-tracked, but I had some information and a Query I intended to send last week.  One of the Stevens/Taliaferros sent a query about Booker T. Washington.
 
I am sure that you know that Booker T. Washington's middle name was Taliaferro.  His mother actually gave him the name of Taliaferro before he took the last name of Washington.  He was born on a plantation in Franklin County Va.  His mother was a slave and his father was from a neighboring plantation.  My family (The Joplings) claim that he was a slave on one of their plantation.  I am not sure that is true.  But they were in the same place at the same time.
 
His autobiography is on the internet and I have been just intrigued by it. It is hard to do anything but read it.
 
If you want I can submit something about this to the list.  But maybe later. I don't want to dominate the newsletter.

[NOTE:  Who can tell us what Taliaferro family (or young Taliaferro bride) of Franklin County might have been the owner of the mother of Booker Taliaferro Washington]
- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
ROBERT FENDER (dragon96@w-link.net) spotted information submitted by Elreeta Weathers (our Elreeta) on the Deep South List and sent it to TT for distribution.  Elreeta say, Oh, Yeah!, we’re welcome to use it.  I have an ulterior motive in wanting to use this piece  -  see Miscellany.

*****I got this little blurb from the internet and thought that you might want to include it in the TT unless someone else or you have already presented it?

******From "Baptists in Alabama, Their Organization and Witness" by  Avery Hamilton Reid, Published by The Alabama Baptist State Convention, 1967.
 
"No one was designated as editor of 'The Alabama Baptist' at its beginning. The report to the 1845 Convention stated that it had an 'Association of Editors,'  Doubtless Milo P. Jewett served as chief editor and manager.  In the issue of September 2, 1843, a communication designated, 'From the Senior Editor' was signed by Jewett.  He was assisted by such stalwart Baptist leaders in the state at the time as Jesse Hartwell, James H. DeVotie, Solon P. Lindsley, and Russell Holman.  Jewett apparently  directed the editorial affairs of the paper until June 23, 1848, when C. M. Breaker assumed the responsibilities as editor.
 
"A. W. Chambliss became editor and publisher of 'The Alabama Baptist' in 1849. As was the custom in those days, when a newspaper changed ownership it also changed the name either slightly or radically as the new owner might choose. Chambliss changed the name of the paper to 'The Alabama Baptist Advocate' on February 23, 1849.  Chambliss announced on June 5, 1850, that the list of subscribers to 'The South Western Baptist Chronicle,' formerly published in New Orleans and then defunct, had been transferred to the Alabama paper.
 
"With this broadening of the geographical coverage of the subscription list, the newspaper became actually a regional Baptist journal and it was decided to change the name again so as to indicate the broader interest of the publication.  Beginning with the issue of July 31, 1850, the paper bore the title, 'The South Western Baptist,' and this name survived without change for fifteen years.
 
"The population growth in and increasing influence of the eastern Black Belt of Alabama in the 1840's, following the Indian removal in 1836, is reflected in the first relocation of the newspaper, from Marion to Tuskegee, late in the year 1852 with a very temporary stay in Montgomery.  Chambliss relinquished his connection with the paper, stating that he would be succeeded by Albert Williams and Samuel Henderson.  With the coming of Samuel Henderson, outstanding and influential pastor of the Tuskegee Baptist Church, to the editorial columns of the paper, it took on a more militant and controversial tone.  Then in January, 1856 another significant change brought Hardin E. Taliaferro into joint editorship with Henderson.  Taliaferro and Henderson continued to share the editorial responsibilities until July, 1859, when John E. Dawson replaced Henderson so that the latter could devote his time to the active duties of the pastoral ministry.  However, Henderson was later to return to the newspaper and ultimately was to be placed under a peace bond by federal officers at the close of the war because of his 'inflammatory editorials...."
- - - - - - - - - - -
ELRETTA WEATHERS (ecw@htcomp.net)  Elreeta is really looking after us Taliaferros.  She’s collected a list of URL addresses that she has found to be helpful in online research.  Many thanks, Elreeta!

****We have been collecting various kinds of useful url's to our Hamilton County, TX GenWeb page   >>  (http://rootsweb.com/~txhamilt/main.htm).

While generic in nature they could be useful to TTimes readers, since all of the readers have e-mail service and many also have internet service.
 
1. Zip Code Finder:  http://www.usps.gov/ncsc/lookups/lookup_zip+4.html
 
2. Free Census Forms on Line for Printing--FTM http://www.familytreemaker.com/00000061.html
 
3. Soundex to convert any name to Soundex Code.  http://genealogy.emcee.com/soundex.html
 
4. Calendar for ANY year:   http://www.stud.unit.no/USERBIN/steffent/kalender.pl
 
5. National Archives and Records Administration  Source: http://www.nara.gov
 
6. Questions asked on each Federal Census  http://www.firstct.com/fv/uscensus.html
 
I thought that I knew a lot about the census, but did not know that some of the earliest did not include children under 3, and that the 1880 Census included residents as of June 1.  One set of my grandparents were listed as residents in 1880 in Fannin County, TX, when the Census was taken about July

3.  I could not understand how they could have possibly have traveled via wagon to Hamilton County, TX (probably more than 250 miles) in only a week to be charter members of Blue Ridge Baptist Church on July 10, 1880.  They were not listed in the 1880 Hamilton County, TX Census.  This website provides the explanation.
 
7. US GenWeb Archives:  http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/usfiles.htm
 
8.  Military Records:   http://www.sky.net/~mreed/military/military.htm
 
 9. Social Security Death Index:  http://www.ancestry.com/ssdi/advanced.htm
 
10. US GenWeb-Table of Contents  http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/
 
11. This url has many genealogy sources indexed in one location.  It would be a good one to add to your favorites/bookmark. It includes GenWeb for all states plus some of the other good lists.  http://www.grnco.net/~michael/states1.htm
 
12. This is a NEAT link illustrating the development of our country and the formation of the first 48 states.  http://www.ac.wwu.edu/~stephan/48states.html
 
13. This site is excellent for help with old-style handwriting.  http://www.firstct.com/fv/oldhand.html
 
14. Map locator for cemeteries, mountains, rivers, streams, lakes, cities, churches, etc.  It will give you the county, latitude and a map where you can zoom in and out.  Check al of the Help buttons to understand where you can understand what it's all about.  This is a very helpful tool. It even found the SMALL Blue Ridge Cemetery in Hamilton County, TX.    http://www-nmd.usgs.gov/www/gnis/gnisform.html
 
15. Library of Congress      http://lcweb.loc.gov
 
MISCELLANY

Now, it’s time for our miscellaneous treat.  Under Research, you learned about Mark Hardin Taliaferro.  Now you’ll be able to partake of another talent of his.  This will be a repeat for some of you, but it’s better the second time around.  Now, I don’t know how it is that Mark Hardin Taliaferro and Hardin E. Taliaferro were one and the same person, but they sure were heavy kin. Must be some mistake in the name.

****Mark Hardin Taliaferro, born in 1811, was the ninth and youngest child of Charles and Sallie (Burroughs) Taliaferro of Surry County NC.  When he was 18, he left the red clay hills of his homeland, became a Baptist preacher and edited the South Western Baptist (Southwest then being Mississippi).  In 1857 he returned for a visit to the haunts of his childhood and produced a collection of short vignettes titled “Fisher’s River Scenes and Characters” which was published by Harper and Brothers.

‘FAMUS OR NO FAMUS”

Fisher’s River was one of the last places for the importance of militia musters, in the expressive language of that section, “to give up the ghost.” I account for it from the fact that a few old Revolutionary soldiers lived in the community, and kept the ‘milteer sperit” always at blood heat in the rising generation.

Their musters were semi-annual, held in May and November, and the old “Revolutionaries” were ever present.  The “capting,” leftenant,” “sargint” - all the “ossifers”  -  were proud to perform “revolutions” before them. “They knowed a thing or two about militeer tactucks, just as well as old Steuben ur Duane tharselves.”  And the “capting” never thought for once of giving the word “Right face! dismissed!” till they were gravely reviewed by the “old sogers.

There was another matter of powerful attraction to the old “Lutionaries” and the “Litia”  - the “knock-[em-stiff” that was as punctual in attendance as any of the “patriots.”  . . . Hamp Hudson with his “licker,” were men and things as much looked for as “Capting Moore with his militeer uniform.”

Hamp Hudson was the only man in that whole country who kept a “still-house” running all the year; the weaker ones would “run dry.”  Of course, Hamp, and his still-house, and all the appurentances thereof,” were well known to the whole country.

Hamp also had a noted dog, named “Famus,” as famous for being in the distillery as Hamp himself, and quite as well known in that entire region as his master.

Now it came to pass in the course of human and dog events that Famus fell into a “mash-tub” and was drowned.  It was “narrated” all through the country “that Famus was drowned in a mash-tub, and Hamp had distilled the beer in which Famus was drowned, and was gwine to carry it to May muster to sell.”  This report produced a powerful sensation in the community, and was the only topic of conversation.  All appeared to believe it, and there was a general determination “not to drink one drap uv Hamp’s nasty of Famus licker.”

The auspicious muster-day arrives, and the people collect form Stewart’s Creek, Ring’s Creek, Beaver Dam, Big Fisher’s and Little Fisher’s Rivers, from the “Hollow,” the “foot uf the Mounting”  -  from the Dan to the Beersheba of that whole country.  I too, was there  - though but a lad, deeply interested in the action of that important day  - to see who would triumph, Hamp and Famus, or an indignant community.

As soon as they collect they meet in little squads to debate the grave question.  The old “Revolutioners” are there, and their sage counsels decide all questions.  “They fout for our liverties, and they must be heaen.” “Uncle Jimmy Smith,” a leading man among them, particular on “licker questions,” makes a speech to the crowd just before Capting Moore tells the “orderly sargint” to “form ranks.  Uncle Jimmy lisps, but is clearly undrstood by his waiting and attentive audience.  They are “spellbound” by his nervous and patriotic eloquence.  What if he has a slight impediment in his speech? his eloquence is in his subject:  hear him.

“Now, boyith.  I’m an old man, - wath at the sthorming uf Sthony Pint, under old Mad Anthony Wayne, ath we boyith allerth called him, and I’ve marched and countermarched through thick and thin; hev fout, bled and died neirly, for theven long yearth.  I ev theen many outrageth but thith Famuth bithneth capth the sthack and thaveth the grain.  Jith think uv thith feller Hamp Hudthon, ter sthill the beer uv that mash-tub whar Famuth - that nathty, sthinkin dog wath drowned in and fur to think fur to bring it here ter thell the nathty, sthinkin whithky ter hith naborth,’ “Capting” Moore and Company and to the ole tholgerth,whar fout fur yer litertith.  I tell you boyith, you can do ath you pleath, but old Jimmy Sthmith  - old Sthony Pint - ain’t a gwine ter tech it.” “Nur me!”  “Nur me!”  Uncle Jimmy!” shouted hundreds.

The voice of the sergeant is now heard like a Blue Ridge cataract:

”O-Yis!  O-Yis! The hour of muster have arrove!  O-Yis!  All uv ye what b’longs to Capting Moore’s company, parade here!  Fall inter ranks right smart, and straight as a gun-bar’l, and dress to the right and left accordin’ to the militeer tacktucks laid down by Duane in his cilebrated work on that fust of all subjects.”

They fall into ranks and precision, order, dignity, and gravity, prompted by their patriotism.  Besides, the old j”Lutionary sogers” are looking at them.

Captain Moore now appears in his old-fashioned uniform, worn probably do some “Lutionary Capting” in many a bloody fight, ‘Tis an odd-looking affair; the collar of it repulses his “ossifer hat” from the top of his “hade;” the tail, long and forked, striking his hams at every step, and two great, rusty epaulets on his shoulders  - enough to weigh down a man of less patriotic spirit, and on a less patriotic occasion.

Tus equipped, “as the law directs,” he commences the “drill accordin’ to Duane.  “I had seen every muster on that patriotic spot from the time I was able to get there and to eat a “gingy cake,” but never had I seen as poor a one as that was.  There was no spirit nor life in the “militeer.”  Instead of following Duane, they were whispering and talking about Hamp and Famus. Indeed, they greatly needed the inspiration of Hamp’s barrel.  Camptain Moore bawled till he was hoarse, his “leftenent” and “sargint” were exhausted, but it all did not good.  They performed no “revolutions” according to Duane, Steuben, nor any other author extant.  The old “Revolutioners” could rneder them no assistance, and in despair the “Capting” dismissed them, in deep mortification.

But where are Hamp and Famus all this time?  Yonder he sits, under the shade of a large apple-tree, solitary and alone, astride of his whisky barrel.

It is not one o’clock P.M., and his chances look bad; his whiskey-barrel has not been tapped, nor has any man dared to approach his condembed head- quarters.  “. . . Josh Easley has sold all his “gingy cakes,” and is showing his big white teeth, rejoicing at his unparalleled success.  Josh is the only joyful man on the “grit.”   The rest are all melancholy, standing or sitting in little squads, debating the mash-tub question.  Hamp is quite composed, and his looks say, “Never mind, gentlemen, I’ll sell you ever drap uv my licker yet.

Two o’clock arrives, and no one approaches Hamp’s apple-tree.  His prospects are growning worse.  But look yonder!  The crowd has collected around Uncle Jimmy Smith.  Let us approach and hear him:

“Well, boyith, I don’t know tho well about thith matter.  Maybe we’ve accuthed thith feller Hamp wrongfully.  He hat allerth been a clever feller and it ith a pity ef he ith innerthent uv thith charge.  The fact ith, boyith, it ith mighty dull, dry timeth.  Nuthin ith a-gwine on right.  Boyith, you are free men.  I fout fer your freedom.  I thay boyith, you can do ath you pleath, but ath fur me,  -  ole Sthony Pint Jimmy Sthmith, - Famuth or no Famuth I musth take a little.

The speech of Uncle Jimmy was satisfactory and moving.  His audience was not “spell-bound,” for they moved up to Hampt’s head-quarters with a “double-quick step;” the “bar’l” was tapped “Famus or no Famu,” by the generous Hamp, who never reproached them for their severe accusations.  Soon the condemned barrel was emptied, the money was in Hamp’s pocket, and he was merry as “Gingy-cake Josh.”

Uncle Jimmy soon began to sing his Revolutionary ditties, spin his yarns, and was happy enough.  “Capting Moore,” “leftenant” and “sarging” soon fogot their hard days work.  The “Litia” and others fell to discussing questions of great moment; but the whole affair en\ded in skinned noses, gouged eyes, and bruised heads.  That was a “famus” day in the annals of “Shipp’s Muster Ground.”



E-Mail
Taliaferro Times Index
Issue 38