Family History in the Attic
No matter how much family history is hidden in our homes, most of us can never hope to find something as magnificent as the four centuries worth of documents recently uncovered in the attic of a Maryland plantation. The Emory family that lived there were obviously pack rats - Family bibles from the 18th century (complete with handwritten genealogies) and an original War of 1812 muster roll were discovered alongside bills for laundry and political campaign posters. There are also financial records (including bills of sale for slaves), maps, war accounts, family letters, and even a lock of hair from a letter dated Valentine's Day 1801. What an amazing find!
The family letters also bring the Civil War to life in a very realistic way, according to the AP article; as with many families living in the states that straddled the area between the plantation economy of the south and the industrial north, the allegiances of the Emory family were torn. They owned slaves, but some also signed an 1832 petition to the Maryland legislature calling for a gradual abolition of slavery. Two sons also fought in the Civil War - one for the Union and one for the Confederacy.
Archaeological students from nearby Washington College have been excavating the grounds of the former Poplar Grove plantation for several years, but only recently discovered the treasures mouldering away in the attic and outbuildings. For the curious, they are documenting their work and discoveries on a new blog - Poplar Grove Project.
It's almost enough to make me start knocking on doors of every house my ancestor ever lived in to ask if I can take a peek at their attic ;-)
Comments
All of the houses I’ve lived in have been purposly burned down, torn down, or the basement and the attic have been condemed but the main floor is still usable, ONe of them has trees growing through the middle of the house from the basement through the roof. Wish I could have gotten into them when there was still time. Thanks for a fantastic article.
I have received an e-mail from a woman in the US telling me that through GENCOM she has received information that she and I have a similar DNA. I have never heard of your website, but did take part in the Geographical Magazine Genographic project in 2005. How was it you were able to send her my e-mail address? A.Fox, U.K.