
Lots of you are sending in Queries. Thats great! All of us benefit when questions are asked. Lets 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. Dont delay sending in your introductions because thats how we find our cousins. We dont 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. Were 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.
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GEORGE HALL (G.Cartee@prodigy.net) A hearty welcome to you, George.
We are pleased that you found us. I understand theres an interesting
story about your ancestor, Richard the Pirate. Ive heard the appellation,
but have never been sure why he has it. Actually, I dont believe
for a moment that he was a pirate! And youll find lots of cousins
proving that he isnt!
****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.....
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DARCY TOLLIVER-NOONKESTER (angelwings@mindspring.com) Heres 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 doesnt respond right away, be patient. Shell 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.
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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.
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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 Thorntons 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 havent
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. Ive been told he was given this rank in the field at/after the
Battle of New Orleans, but cant 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.
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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?
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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. Im 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, were 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. Ill 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]
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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!, were 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...."
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ELRETTA WEATHERS (ecw@htcomp.net) Elreeta is really looking after
us Taliaferros. Shes 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, its time for our miscellaneous treat. Under Research, you learned about Mark Hardin Taliaferro. Now youll be able to partake of another talent of his. This will be a repeat for some of you, but its better the second time around. Now, I dont 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 Fishers River Scenes and Characters which was published by Harper and Brothers.
FAMUS OR NO FAMUS
Fishers 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 Hamps nasty of Famus licker.
The auspicious muster-day arrives, and the people collect form Stewarts Creek, Rings Creek, Beaver Dam, Big Fishers and Little Fishers 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. Im an old man, - wath at the sthorming uf Sthony Pint, under old Mad Anthony Wayne, ath we boyith allerth called him, and Ive 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 - aint 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 blongs to Capting Moores company, parade here! Fall inter ranks right smart, and straight as a gun-barl, 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 jLutionary 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 Hamps 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 oclock 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, Ill sell you ever drap uv my licker yet.
Two oclock arrives, and no one approaches Hamps 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 dont know tho well about thith matter. Maybe weve 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 Hampts head-quarters with a double-quick step; the barl 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 Hamps 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 Shipps Muster Ground.