Thursday, January 19, 2012

A Memory of a Farmhouse

The farmstead was located on land that had been home to three Native American tribes, The Wyandots, Mingoes and the Delawares. Throughout the second half of the 1700’s white explorers came to the area. In 1774 George Washington explored the area thoroughly while camped about roughly thirty miles east of the land the farm was built on.

One of the old-timers who came periodically to visit the old house (I have no illusions they came to visit us) told us there was a written journal somewhere telling about Indian fires burning by the fresh water spring when the foundation of the farmstead was being dug. He told us the journal further recorded the fact that Indian labor was used to build the actual house. Apparently the workers were paid in beef and pork from animals butchered on the farm.

We never found verification of this journal but we did find many bird and spear points every spring when the gardens were plowed.

It fascinates me to think of the history behind that old farmstead.

It frustrates me to wonder where in the world I put the box containing all the Indian treasures were found on the land.

This little memory is written in honor of the letter “I” for Alphabe-Thursday. I is for Indian.


This post is linked to Alphabe-Thursday's letter "I". To read other offerings, just click here.


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25 comments:

Pondside said...

I am becoming very interested in the old farmhouse!

Theresa said...

I want to visit that farmhouse:) Have a blessed evening, HUGS!

anitamombanita said...

Like so many others, I'm definitely growing fond of and more curious about this old farmhouse! It begs to be photographically examined, me thinks!

ellen b. said...

That is cool to have an old farmhouse where so much history is buried. I hope you find that box!

Susan Anderson said...

As are the others, I am fascinated and charmed by the old farmhouse...along with every memory you have about it!

=)

Naperville Now said...

love it! my husband's family owns land in southern illinois. after plowing we would find the occasional arrowhead. i commiserate on the putting one's fingers on one's treasures.

Linda @ A La Carte said...

The old farmhouse not only has lots of memories it has much history also. Enjoying your word vignettes! Hugs, Linda

Betty said...

I hope you come across that box of Indian artifacts someday. How much fun it must have been to find those things.

Judie said...

I feel your frustration, Miss Jenny! I have misplaced a box of fossils that I have collected over some 40 years! I wanted to embed some of them in my tile wall in my bathroom when we had it remodeled. All I could find was a box of shells and sand dollars. I'm still looking, though, even though the bathroom has been finished for quite a while.

The old farmhouse saga has become beloved by your readers. We always want to hear more about it!

xoxo

Pat said...

Another wonderful chapter about your farmhouse - really glad you shared some of the history of the surrounding area. And the arrowheads are fascinating - so much more complete and intact then my own little collection!

More stories, please!

Anonymous said...

Very neat to find those little pieces of history. I've found a couple of things here on my farm, but before 1900, it was just hills and trees and prairie. I have a hard time imagining another 200 years of history.

Jo said...

This is just a an interesting read ... i am loving your instalments ... I too once misplaced a box filled with precious things ... i hope you find yours.

Maureen Wyatt said...

If you find that box, there is hope I'll find the baby jewellery that has been lost for 20 yrs! ~ Maureen

Ms. A said...

Perhaps you'll find them while you're packing? I hope so. What a precious treasure to lose... er... misplace.

Abhishek said...

That is impressive collection of spears ... feather ..


We are organizing a prompt based writing contest with loads of gifts.
Kindly drop in to enter the same at Another Author

Abhishek said...

That is impressive collection of spears ... feather ..


We are organizing a prompt based writing contest with loads of gifts.
Kindly drop in to enter the same at Another Author

Unknown said...

I love getting to hear about this wonderful place to explore.

H said...

I love finding little bits of history.

Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise) said...

We have creek beds and earth that are filled with arrow heads and artifacts.

What really cracks me up is when we unearth something I remember! Guess that makes me an artifact too! Heeeheheh!

I bet you'll finds your treasures in the move.

God bless and have a great weekend sweeite!!! :o)

To the Toy Box and Beyond said...

When we were kids we would always dig up our yard looking for treasure We never found any there but I did find an old cap gun in the woods once

Unknown said...

Thanks for sharing your wonderful memory I've enjoyed reading it. Warm hugs, Esther

Steph said...

Dear Jenny,

Even though a follower, I'm not online enough to catch all posts. I've only seen a couple of the farmhouse ones and now I want to take a day and go back and read them all. When you write about it something in my heart stirs with yearning. Don't you love history? And history that is personal,is ours, all full of love and laughter, joys and sorrows, and our stories (stories that intertwine with others). Okay, i know i probably sound over the top, but i really feel this way. Thank you for another wonderful post. i hope you can find lost or other artifacts and information that fill in even more pieces of the Native American story.

The Poet said...

Hello Jenny.
Happy Saturday!
You have me enthralled with this journey of yours. Wouldn't it be great to learn the story behind those arrowheads too? Amazing how tools have changed through the ages.
I hope you find that box of treasures.
Looking forward to the next installment of this journey.
Thanks for sharing.

Into Nothingness...

KDL said...

First - I'm so excited to have posted early enough to be in your set of 10, Jenny. Thanks for continuing to host these.
Much like Becky my brother and I searched earnestly for any sign of treasure in our yard and never found a blessed thing. I hope you will find your treasures again...I am looking for a few things myself.

Splendid Little Stars said...

How fascinating to learn a little bit of farmhouse history. Wouldn't it be wonderful to actually be able to read that journal?!
I hope you find that box!